Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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I really enjoyed watching the new Snow White movie, directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. This live-action remake pays homage to the classic Disney film while thoughtfully updating it to reflect modern sensibilities. It strikes a nice balance between nostalgia and fresh perspective. First of all, Gal Gadot-aka Wonder Woman-was fantastic as the Evil Queen. She brought just the right mix of elegance and menace to the role. One of the things I...
There's still time for lovers of spine-tingling thrillers to enjoy a recreation of the spooky genius that made Alfred Hitchcock the most popular director of his era. The opportunity is presented by the Lake Wales Little Theatre, which is offering a final weekend of their production of Vintage Hitchcock. "Spies, murder, love, and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast" in the three remaining shows. The "Master of Suspense" was...
Following his Oscar-winning triumph with 'Parasite,' Bong Joon Ho returns with 'Mickey 17,' a science-fiction exploration of cloning, colonization, and the human psyche. I very much liked Parasite so I was looking forward to whatever Bong Joon Ho would do next. This anticipated film starring Robert Pattinson, ventures into the vastness of space, where a group of humans, fleeing a dying Earth, seek to establish a new home. Pattinson plays Mickey, a 'disposable' crew member...
A tasty tour of nearly two dozen downtown Lake Wales businesses will be featured this Thursday, April 10 as Lake Wales Main Street presents their 6th annual Wine DownTown. Food samples from several downtown restaurants, including Melanie's Seafood Company, Mimi's Bakery, Cocoa Cakes Studio, The Thirsty Dragon, and The Peach and Pepper will be offered at each of the participating businesses. The food samples will be accompanied by free samples of fine wines and craft beers...
Novocaine is an action comedy film starring Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Jacob Batalon, and Matt Walsh. Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olson, Novocaine stars Quaid as Nate, a man with a rare condition that prevents him from feeling pain. Because of this, he's cautious, reserved, and a bit of a loner. He works at a bank, where he develops a romance with his co-worker, Sherry (Amber Midthunder). But when Sherry is kidnapped by bank robbers, Nate...
Anora recently took home five Oscars, and deservedly so. Written, edited, and directed by Sean Baker, this gripping film follows a sex worker who finds herself entangled in a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. What starts as a wild, impulsive marriage soon spirals into chaos. The film is both hilarious and deeply frustrating in equal measure-a testament to Baker's sharp storytelling. Mikey Madison delivers a standout performance as Anora, or Ani, a sex...
The Lake Wales Arts Center is offering two impressive performances to the public this Saturday, March 8, and they are both completely free. The Classern String Quartet promises a spectacular evening of music as they return to the Lake Wales Arts Council for this unforgettable double feature concert. The Classern Quartet will kick off the evening with a 4 p.m. performance that brings together the best of the two worlds they share - classical favorites with modern twists. The...
I enjoyed watching The Substance on Amazon Prime. Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, it is a science fiction body horror film that stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. This science fiction film follows Elisabeth, an aging actress played by Demi Moore, who is offered a mysterious substance that creates a younger version of herself, Sue, played by Margaret Qualley. The movie poignantly illustrates the painful reality for aging female actors in Hollywood....
With only days remaining until the peak of the zany season, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras kicks off this weekend with the annual Shiner Ball, hosted by the "Loyal Order of Wild Shiners." The party is billed as a gathering of their unique group, named after the popular bait fish, at "the Center of the Universe." Lake Wales Mardi Gras is a tradition in Lake Wales, now in its fifth decade. The festival features a two day music festival, numerous private and public celebrations, and...
This is an excellent movie-long enough to include an intermission but gripping throughout. Written and directed by Brady Corbet, The Brutalist stars Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce. Brody plays László Toth, a Holocaust survivor who moves to Pennsylvania to rebuild his life. The film follows him as he struggles with the separation from his family, adapting to a new culture and language, and processing the horrors of his past. Toth is an architect, more than just an...
I thoroughly enjoyed this remake of the classic vampire film. Though I haven't seen previous versions, this one stands strong on its own. The acting was excellent, with standout performances from Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård. Depp, in particular, delivers a captivating performance, especially in the physical aspects of her role. Directed by Robert Eggers, the film is set in 1840s Germany and revolves around a strange psychic connection between a young wom...
"A Complete Unknown" reveals many details of the early life and inspirations of Bob Dylan, one of America's most iconic musicians of the 20th century. Directed by James Mangold and starring Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, and Ed Norton, explores the early years of Bob Dylan's rise to fame. Mangold, known for Walk the Line, which chronicled the life of Johnny Cash, brings a similar approach to Dylan's story. When I first saw the trailers, it took me a few viewings to realize...
The Fire Inside is an inspiring Olympics boxing movie that captures the grit, determination, and challenges faced by athletes on their path to greatness. I very much enjoy the Olympics and I watch them every time they come around. I probably watched this boxer but I have no personal memory of it. Directed by Rachel Morrison and starring Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry, the film tells the story of Claressa "T-Rex" Shields, a young woman from Flint, Michigan, with a...
"Baby Girl" is a captivating and somewhat erotic thriller which offered an interesting Christmas Day entertainment. Written and directed by Halina Reijn, stars Nicole Kidman and features Harris Dickinson and Antonio Banderas. Romy, a high-powered CEO played by Nicole Kidman, is seemingly happily married with two children, yet she finds herself unsatisfied with her relationship with her husband, Jacob (Antonio Banderas). This is a bit hard to believe. Romy embarks on an affair...
This is a crime world movie but also a song and dance movie, a really weird combination now showing on Netflix.. This French film is directed by Jacques Audiard and stars Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofia Gascon and takes place mostly in Mexico. Rita is a prosecutor in Mexico and is frustrated with the legal system because all the criminals seem to get away with it. She is offered an opportunity to help a crime boss fake his death and transition as a woman so she can live her authen...
As someone unfamiliar with the Wicked Broadway show or its source material, I approached this film with a fresh perspective. While many viewers were drawn to the familiar characters and iconic songs, I watched this not knowing anything. Based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, Wicked offers a prequel to L. Frank Baum's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the misunderstood "Wicked Witch of the West," and Ariana...
Before watching the sequel, I revisited the 2000 classic, Gladiator. It's a timeless masterpiece that catapulted Russell Crowe to stardom. The film's epic scale, powerful performances, and gripping story remain unforgettable. Gladiator 2 is a legacy sequel, set and filmed many years after the original. Directed once again by Ridley Scott, the film stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal. Connie Nielsen reprises her role as Lucilla. The sequel introduces Lucius,...
Here is a technological marvel, a testament to the innovative spirit of filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. The same team behind the Academy Award winning Forrest Gump returns with a film that explores the enduring power of place. Set in a single location, the narrative traverses centuries, following the lives of various families who have called this spot home. While the specific location remains somewhat uncertain, certain clues make it seem to be in Pennsylvania. However, the true ma...
While Venom: The Last Dance doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor, it still delivers a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Directed by Kelly Marcel and starring the ever-charismatic Tom Hardy, this film continues the entertaining dynamic between Eddie Brock and his symbiote alter ego. The screenplay was co-written by Marcel and Hardy. The heart of the movie remains the comedic and often heartwarming interplay between Eddie and Venom. Like the other movies this...
John Crowley's "We Live in Time" is a beautiful romantic drama starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh. The film follows the intertwined lives of Almut, a talented chef, and Tobias, a divorced executive, as they navigate the complexities of love, family, and the passage of time. Garfield and Pugh deliver exceptional performances, their relationship is fun. Their early encounters ar filled with budding romance, shared laughter, and the hot love scenes are undeniably...
A rollicking send-up of all things "soap opera" will entertain theatre-goers for three weekends as Lake Wales Little Theatre offers "The Bold, The Young, and the Murdered" to begin the adult plays for its 47th season. The show is directed by David Smith and features an ensemble cast of 13, and an inside peek at the imagined tensions on a television studio set filled with high-maintenance actors and giant egos. Each character presents an obvious personality flaw that produces...
The 3rd Annual Fall Fest will feature a day of fun in Lake Wailes Park, offering food trucks, face painting, a DJ, carnival games, bouncy houses, vendors, petting zoo, selfie photo spots and more on Saturday, November 9. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is sponsored by the GFWC Lake Wales Junior Woman's Club. "The club is excited for the event and we look forward to seeing the community," said President Shelley Clemons Proceeds from the event will support our...
Even though I don't have kids, I still enjoy a good children's movie-especially as I feel I'm still a kid at heart in many ways. Recently, I watched the animated film The Wild Robot and found myself completely drawn into its heartfelt story. Directed by Chris Sanders, this film features the voices of Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, and Kit Connor, with special appearances by Bill Nighy and Mark Hamill. The movie is based on Peter Brown's 2016 book and follows the journey of a...
Your Monster, written and directed by Caroline Lindy, is a quirky blend of horror, comedy, and drama. Starring Melissa Barrera, Meghan Fahy, and Tommy Dewey, the film delves into the tumultuous aftermath of a painful breakup. Inspired by Lindy's personal experiences, the film follows Laura, a woman recently diagnosed with cancer who is abandoned by her boyfriend, Jacob. Jacob is a musical theater director who has a show going on that he wrote with Laura's help. Seeking solace...
I recently watched Saturday Night, which focuses on the first taping of Saturday Night Live (SNL) back in 1975. Directed by Jason Reitman, it stars Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, and Corey Michael Smith. I've never really watched SNL. I've seen clips here and there but never followed it regularly. However, I recognize its cultural significance as a groundbreaking show that helped launch the careers of numerous iconic comedians. Watching this film felt a bit like tuning into...
