In that respect, it’s a success as the visuals are spectacular and the action sequences are very effective at getting across the physicality of that world. It’s some of the creative choices in the storytelling aspect that leave the work open for the audience to be taken out of the zone. One element that goes against its hyperrealism is having the warthog voiced by Seth Rogen break the fourth wall.

His jokes make reference to a modern world and this is jarring in the context of the timelessness of the story. In cartoon form, this approach to humour seemed less intrusive. Jump cuts between current events and backstory could have also been handled more smoothly. The story does pull at the heartstrings and you do get drawn in, it just is a bumpy road getting there.

These critiques however are set more in the adult world and the young ones will be oblivious to these distractions. Instead, they will revel in the wonders of the animal kingdom as created by the modern state of computer-generated visuals and their believability. The classic story of finding one’s way in the world and obtaining inner strength will always resonate with audience members.
Rob Hudson
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Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

The film stars Aaron Pierre (Mufasa), Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka/Scar), Tiffany Boone (Sarabi), Kagiso Lediga (Young Rafiki), Preston Nyman (Zazu), Mads Mikkelsen (Kiros), Thandiwe Newton (Eshe), Lennie James (Obasi), Anika Noni Rose (Afia), Keith David (Masego), John Kani (Rafiki), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Billy Eichner (Timon), Donald Glover (Simba), Blue Ivy Carter (Kiara), Braelyn Rankins (Young Mufasa), Theo Somolu (Young Taka), Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Nala). Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, the all-new feature film is produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.

“Mufasa: The Lion King” releases only in cinemas December 19, 2024!
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Said Miranda, “Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years. ‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it. It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters.”

“Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka – the heir to a royal bloodline.

The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny – their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
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Said Miranda, “Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on ‘The Lion Guard,’ and so many musical contributors over the years. ‘The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it. It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters.”

“Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka – the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny – their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

New and returning cast members were called on to lend their voices to the film:
Aaron Pierre as Mufasa
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion prince with a bright future who accepts Mufasa into his family as a brother
Tiffany Boone as Sarabi
Kagiso Lediga as Young Rafiki
Preston Nyman as Zazu
Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, a formidable lion with big plans for his pride
Thandiwe Newton as Taka’s mother, Eshe
Lennie James as Taka’s father, Obasi
Anika Noni Rose as Mufasa’s mother, Afia
Keith David as Mufasa’s father, Masego
John Kani as Rafiki
Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
Billy Eichner as Timon
Donald Glover as Simba
Introducing Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, daughter of King Simba and Queen Nala
And Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala

Additional casting includes Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis and Dominique Jennings.

Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, “Mufasa: The Lion King” is directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen.
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The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a tour de force performance) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) herself and her court.

Searchlight Pictures presents, a Stephen Williams film, Chevalier, starring Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton, Minnie Driver, Sian Clifford, Alex Fitzalan and Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo. Directed by Stephen Williams, the film is written by Stefani Robinson and produced by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe at Element Pictures, Stefani Robinson, and Dianne McGunigle.

Production designer Karen Murphy, director of photography Jess Hall, composer Michael Abels, costume designer Oliver García, editor John Axelrad and set decorator Lotty Sanna round out the production team.

Chevalier will be released in Australian cinemas April 6, 2023!
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Dinklage’s singing voice while being slight is buttressed by interesting lyrics and a heartfelt delivery. Elsewhere female lead Haley Bennett as Roxanne has a fine singing voice as does Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Christian, who is competing for Roxanne’s heart. Ben Mendelsohn is also interesting as De Guiche, who gets to get his Goth on via a deep resonant voice.

With a backdrop of war and the struggle of the class system breaking into song at any moment is handled well by understating the musical number and featuring mostly voice and not over the top instrumentation, a Broadway play this is not.

Oddly cadenced but beguiling nonetheless, Cyrano retells the classic story with a view to introducing it to a new audience. It’s satisfying in its suspension of reality and the ease of getting lost in the emotion of it all. Even with its less than happy ending, it is still an entertaining feature.

Rob Hudson
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Maggie is good at her job but dreams of more. She secretly wants to be a record producer and has the musical smarts and sensitivity to do just that. The banter between the players shows that the writer, Flora Greeson has a good working knowledge (or good advisers) of the minutia of soul music and this attention to detail is fun for fans of that genre of music. Her grasp of personal dynamics is less sure.

The musical interactions between players are satisfying and well informed while the characters’ interpersonal actions are often contrived and predictable. It is amusing to wallow in the crazy requests made by Grace to her lowly underling. When Maggie meets David Cliff (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) a singer/songwriter with real talent, the story takes a familiar turn.

The first two acts are entertaining as we get to see deep-seated passions for music in full swing but it struggles to sustain your interest as things progress. With a screenplay that consistently rewards music fans with deep memories, The High Note relies quite heavily on your ability to relate to its rather far fetched final reel.

Rob Hudson
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As the story evolves, you witness the impending disintegration of teenager Tyler Williams (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). You can see the end result in the distance but can do nothing to change the ultimate outcome. This situation tears his family apart and each member ends up dealing with the sorrow and loss in their own way.

With the audience nerves still raw, the film enters its second half. The tone becomes less frantic and more introspective. This mood is helped in large measure by the film score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It also shifts in most part to highlight the surviving sister, Emily (Taylor Russell) and her reemergence into the light of normality.

The acting is solid throughout and the actors pay to their strengths, including a funny rendering by Lucas Hedges as the incredibly awkward but endearing teen, Luke. With a first half that will push you to the brink with crackling kinetic energy and production overload and a second act that soothes with redemption and hope, Waves is a moving tale told in two parts.

Rob Hudson
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Maggie (Dakota Johnson) is Grace’s overworked personal assistant who’s stuck running errands, but still aspires to her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. When Grace’s manager (Ice Cube) presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change their lives forever.

The High Note will be released in Australian cinemas August 13!
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With stunning visuals and a powerful score, this film should be seen on the big screen.

Waves stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Sterling K. Brown, Taylor Russell, Lucas Hedges, Alexa Demie and Renée Elise Goldsberry and will be released in Australian cinemas July 9!

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