Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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I very much enjoyed the live-action, three-dimension remake of How to Train Your Dragon, a new take on the beloved 2010 animated classic. The story still centers around Hiccup, a young Viking misfit, and his unlikely friendship with a rare and powerful Night Fury dragon named Toothless. Directed by Dean DeBlois and starring Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler reprising his role as Stoick, the film closely follows the original storyline. Like many...
Dangerous Animals is a scary shark movie directed by Sean Byrne and stars Hassie Harrison and Jai Courtney. This is a movie about a free-spirited surfer girl who gets kidnapped by a psychopath who enjoys feeding his victims to sharks. The bad guy, Bruce Tucker, is played by Jai Courtney and he does a really good job being scary playing the villain with unsettling calm and intensity. The heroine of the tale, Zephyr, played by Hassie Harrison does a good job of not playing the...
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest Mission: Impossible movie, Final Reckoning, directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise. This film is a direct sequel to Dead Reckoning (released two years ago) but also ties together plot threads from across the entire franchise. While I haven't seen all the Mission: Impossible films, I did catch Dead Reckoning, so that was more than enough to dive into this one. This movie is a lot of fun. Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his team face...
When the director falls out of the closet-seemingly dead-the entire Teen Production grinds to a halt. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect in Lake Wales Little Theatre's summer teen play, This Murder Was Staged! This annual production showcases a cast of 17 student performers in a pithy spoof of the murder mystery genre and theatre culture itself. Prima donnas, wordy playwrights, and callous theatre critics-oh my! In the middle of the play-within-a-play, the "murder" of...
The movie Nonna's, now available on Netflix, is directed by Stephen Chbosky and stars Vince Vaughn and is loosely based on a true story about an Italian restaurant where the food is prepared by Italian grandmothers-Nonnas. It's apparently still open. The story follows Joe who grieving the recent loss of his grandmother. He fondly remembers her Sunday dinners, filled with family, laughter, and delicious food. In an effort to recapture that warmth, he opens a restaurant with the...
The Orange Blossom Revue returns to Lake Wales for its 11th annual celebration December 5–6, 2025, according to festival organizers.. Florida's beloved boutique music and arts event takes place in the scenic Lake Wailes Park, just outside historic downtown Lake Wales and an easy drive from central Florida hubs like Tampa and Orlando. This year's edition is expected to deliver a dynamic mix of gritty Southern rock, swampy soul, and high-energy Americana. Known for its i...
I've been looking forward to Thunderbolts* for a long time, and it did not disappoint. This latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings together an unexpected team of lesser-known heroes-and delivers the humor, heart, and action Marvel fans crave. Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The story centers around a group of familiar but underdog characters-Yelena Belova (Black Widow's sister), Bucky Barnes...
Sinners, a horror film directed by Ryan Coogler of Black Panther fame, stars Michael B. Jordan in a standout dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack. Set during Prohibition, the story follows the brothers as they leave Chicago and return to their Mississippi hometown to open a nightclub. The film's first act unfolds over the course of a single day, building anticipation for the club's grand opening. This section is rich in character development, allowing viewers to...
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,...
