Soul Review
| |

Soul Review: The New Pixar Film Coming to Disney+

Pixar films, at their best, are wildly imaginative, speaking to children and adults alike. On paper, most Pixar films have basic scenarios with complex themes – toys that come to life or the monsters under the bed become surrogates for parenthood; a family of superheroes gives way to themes of isolation, self-worth, and our place…

Stuber Review

Stuber Review: The Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista Action Comedy

Stuber feels almost revolutionary in a summer where every film seems to have earth-shattering stakes and where the simple pleasures of a good belly laugh and solid chemistry between actors happy to be there seem like the movie staples of a bygone era.  To whip out an old critic’s cliché, they really don’t make them…

The Lion King Review

The Lion King Review: Should You Check Out This Disney Remake?

Before I start this The Lion King review, I want to address something so you know where I stand. There has been some discussion online lately about whether or not people are fans of Disney live-action remakes. Though I’ve enjoyed reading both sides, I have loved some and not others. I’m also okay with changes…

Midsommar Review: Let the Festivities Begin

Midsommar Review: Let the Festivities Begin

It’s difficult not to compare Ari Aster’s Midsommar to his previous film, Hereditary; in both, Aster uses grief as an entry point into explorations of horror and despair. In the case of Midsommar, that grief hits directly and quickly as Dani (Florence Pugh) is given some devastating news that destroys her world as she knows it. Her…

Child's Play Review
|

How Mark Hamill Created His Version of Chucky in Child’s Play

During the press conference for the highly-anticipated reboot of Child’s Play, we got to learn how Mark Hamill came to take on the role of the legendary horror figure, Chucky, and what it was like stepping into the big shoes that previous Chucky actor, Brad Dourif, left behind for him to fill. More importantly, we learned…

We Review Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler's Murder Mystery
|

We Review Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler’s Murder Mystery

The new Netflix film Murder Mystery, starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler, is released today. In the film, when a NYC cop (Adam Sandler) finally takes his wife (Jennifer Aniston) on a long-promised European trip, a chance meeting on the flight with a mysterious man (Luke Evans) gets them invited to an intimate family gathering on…

We Review Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler's Murder Mystery
|

Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler on Their Netflix Film Murder Mystery

This past week, Vital Thrills got a chance to check out the premiere and press conference for the upcoming Netflix film, Murder Mystery. On the panel were writer James Vanderbilt, director Kyle Newacheck, Luis Gerardo Mendez Shioli Kutsuna, Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Dany Boon. In the film, when a NYC cop (Adam Sandler) finally…

How Will Smith Made Genie His Own in Disney's Aladdin

How Will Smith Made Genie His Own in Disney’s Aladdin

During the press conference for the highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of Disney’s Aladdin, we got to learn more about how actor Will Smith approached the role of Genie, especially since Robin Williams’ performance left such a huge mark on Disney animated history. More importantly, we learned how composer Alan Menken’s music helped Smith start acclimating into the…

Aladdin: How the Song Speechless Ended Up Being the Most Timely

Aladdin: How the Song Speechless Ended Up Being the Most Timely

We recently attended the press conference for the upcoming, highly-anticipated live-action remake of Disney’s Aladdin and learned everything about how the world of Aladdin was created, what went into the dance sequences of the film, and how the team behind the remake decided to expand upon the original animated film’s story while still holding onto…

Missing Link Designs: How Chris Butler's Work Impacted LAIKA's Pre-Production
|

Missing Link Designs: How Chris Butler’s Work Impacted LAIKA’s Pre-Production

There is no denying that a lot of work goes into creating stop-motion animated films. Just the shooting process alone for a feature-length film can take up to one or two years as a whole team of immensely driven and hard-working people come together to painstakingly capture each individual frame. But what exactly goes into…

Avengers: Endgame Press Conference Left Seats Open for the Fallen

Avengers: Endgame Press Conference Left Seats Open for the Fallen

When the curtain opened on the actors appearing for the Avengers: Endgame press conference, there was an audible gasp. No one had been notified about who was going to be there beforehand. Some characters that turned to dust with the snap of Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) fingers have movies coming out, of course, but who knows…

How Composer Danny Elfman Made Dumbo Soar

How Composer Danny Elfman Made Dumbo Soar

During the first half of the press conference for the highly-anticipated live-action reimagining of Disney‘s Dumbo, we got to learn more about how composer Danny Elfman came to the project. Most importantly, we learned how he created Dumbo’s theme and managed to capture director Tim Burton’s need to hear Dumbo soar in the film’s score. When you…

How Disney Adapted Dumbo for Today's Audience

How Disney Adapted Dumbo for Today’s Audience

We recently attended the press conference for the highly-anticipated live-action reimagining of Disney‘s Dumbo. The press conference was split into two parts. Attending the first part of the press conference were producer Derek Frey, producer Katterli Frauenfelde, production designer Rick Heinrichs, costume designer Colleen Atwood, composer Danny Elfman, screenwriter Ehren Kruger, and producer Justin Springer. While…