Gladiators & Witches
Gladiator ll, Wicked, upcoming films I am excited about, FYC Grammys campaigns, and more!
Hollywood is back, baby!! Well, at least it’s promising, according to the stars making their way through the noise. This recent cover of Vanity Fair’s Hollywood Issue may be the best one they’ve had in recent years. Every single person on that cover is a STAR. If you are a millennial, you know the movie stars we grew up with. The mystique, the aura, as the kids say these days—they had it. I am happy to see who is on the rise.
Gladiator ll - 8.5/10 *SPOILERS*
I saw the much-anticipated sequel on Thursday, and let me tell you—Paul Mescal is going to win an Oscar someday. Mark my words. I’ve been a fan since his breakout role in Normal People, and this movie just solidified my belief in his talent. In this film, which picks up the story from the original Gladiator, Paul plays the son of Russell Crowe’s character. There’s been some chatter online from people who didn’t vibe with it, but I went in with a different mindset.
Ridley Scott, who directed both this and the original, is in the same league as legends like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. He has a long track record of iconic films, even though his last few—House of Gucci and Napoleon—didn’t hit for me. But this one felt different, mainly because of the cast. I mean, Denzel Washington?! The greatest actor of all time, in my opinion, playing a slave-turned-politician in ancient Rome? His character had such a compelling story arc, and as always, Denzel delivers.
Now let’s talk about Pedro Pascal. I never fully got the hype around him until this movie. He’s magnetic, and his performance really stood out for me. What I loved most about this film was the sheer scale of it—it’s visually stunning. As someone who minored in film, I’m a sucker for movies shot on location, and this one didn’t disappoint. The action scenes are epic, and the production design (hair, makeup, sets—chef’s kiss) makes everything feel grand and immersive.
That said, the movie moves so fast that it’s hard to fully connect with the new characters. There’s no breathing room or backstory, which left me wanting more, especially for Pedro’s character (who, by the way, is married to Paul’s character’s mom—what?!). Even with limited screen time, Denzel steals every scene. From his choice to keep his accent to his commanding presence, he’s a true master of his craft.
And Paul? Let me just say, stunning. I actually caught myself staring at the screen with my jaw on the floor. He’s not only talented but just radiates stage presence. Someone get him on Broadway—I’d pay good money to see that.
Bottom line: if you love big, epic, action-packed films, this is worth your time. It’s entertainment on a grand scale, and while it’s not perfect, it’s definitely worth the watch.
Wicked - 100/10 *SPOILERS*
Deep breaths I don’t think I’ve ever experienced something as beautiful and moving as I did today watching Wicked. As someone who’s been a lifelong musical theater fan and a former professional dancer, this show holds such a special place in my heart. I first saw it back in high school on a trip to New York, and seeing it again in this way felt like a full-circle moment.
For those who don’t know, I worked with Ariana Grande and her team for a while, so seeing her as Glinda was like witnessing manifestation and divine timing unfold right in front of me. Ariana has always been one of the funniest, smartest, and most talented people I’ve known, and she absolutely shines in this role. It felt like she was born to play Glinda. The film is packed with Easter eggs, but one that stood out immediately was the title font in the opening—such a beautiful nod to the 1939 Wizard of Oz. Fans of the Broadway show might already know this, but Stephen Schwartz, the genius behind the musical, incorporates melodies from Over the Rainbow into songs like The Wizard and I and Defying Gravity. Hearing that brought chills all over again. If you looked closely, you would have spotted Ariana’s beauty brand, R.E.M Beauty.
Cynthia Erivo? An absolute force. Her voice is so pure and powerful, it literally stopped me in my tracks. What’s even more impressive is that there are no vocal tracks in this movie—the cast sang everything live, which makes their performances even more raw and authentic. Director Jon Chu also went all out to create a fully immersive world with minimal CGI and full-scale sets. The detail was insane, from the Emerald City to Shiz to the poppy fields—everything felt so tangible. Oh, and fun fact: Jonathan Bailey used the same horse he rode in Bridgerton. He was filming both projects at the same time, learning choreography in his trailer on breaks. Unreal.
This story has always been about finding strength in feeling like an outsider, and it hit me so much harder at 34 than it ever did at 15. Life experience has a way of making these themes cut deeper, and I sobbed—from the first note to the last scene. There’s so much heart in this film, and I can see why the cast got emotional during press junkets. I haven’t stopped crying myself.
With part two dropping next year, I have a strong feeling these films are going to sweep award season. I genuinely believe Ariana is on her way to becoming an EGOT winner. Fun fact: Wicked just shattered records for the highest-grossing domestic opening day for a musical adaptation, pulling in $46.74 million—and it completely makes sense. It’s a masterpiece. If you’ve ever loved this story, this cast, or this music, get ready to be blown away.
What I’m looking forward to
Babygirl: a A24 film starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickerson that is coming out on Christmas Day.
Sinners: a Ryan Coogler film (one of the brightest directors in the biz).
The Beatles movie rumor talent includes:
Paul Mescal: As Paul McCartney
Harris Dickinson: As John Lennon
Barry Keoghan: As Ringo Starr
Charlie Rowe: As George Harrison
Joseph Quinn: As George Harrison
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are currently filming The Drama in Boston.
Season 3 of The White Lotus.
Dua Lipa’s concert special from the Royal Albert Hall will be on CBS on December 15th.
Hollywood needs to grow a pair
Sebastian Stan was invited to be part of Variety’s Actors on Actors series, where they pair actors for conversations about their roles and how they approach their craft. But apparently, no one wanted to sit down with him because he played a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice. Word is, their publicists told them to steer clear.
What I find so ridiculous about this is the hypocrisy. These same people have played morally worse characters—or praised those who have—yet they act all self-righteous about this? This is exactly why the left is losing the culture war. If I had someone on my team who blocked me from connecting with another actor over something this petty, I’d fire them immediately.
For your consideration: Grammys edition
With the Grammy nominations out, some people may need to learn how Grammy campaigns work. Like actors nominated for an Oscar, you most likely campaign for it. With singers, it’s not so on the nose. Here are some clues to who is campaigning for the Grammys:
Sabrina Carpenter’s Christmas special.
Charlie XCX doing SNL and Times Square Concert.
Beyoncé doing the halftime show on Christmas Day streamed on Netflix (she wants Album of the Year).
I finally finished The Industry on MAX, and WOW—it was insane. I love Rivals on Hulu, and it’s officially Harry Potter, The Holiday, and Downton Abby season! These are my favorite holiday rewatches. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
XX,
Lindsey