Breakfast All Day movie reviews

It's Blockbuster Tuesday for a change, with just an aroma of the arthouse on this midweek edition of Breakfast All Day.

First, we have an early, spoiler-free review of "Wicked," the much-anticipated film version of the beloved Broadway musical. It doesn't come out until this weekend but we wanted to talk about Jon M. Chu's film as soon as we could. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in this prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," which is 2 hours and 40 minutes long -- and it's only part one! Part two comes out next November, so we'll be back for that, too.

Then, we review "Bird," the kind of auteur-driven indie you're used to hearing about from us on Tuesdays. Andrea Arnold's film follows a 12-year-old girl who lives with her drug addict father (Barry Keoghan) but goes on an adventure with a kind, mysterious stranger (Franz Rogowski). Either you'll go with the magical realism turn it takes or you won't. In theaters now in limited release.

Finally, in anticipation of the sequel this weekend, we revisit the OG "Gladiator" from 2000. Ridley Scott's film won five Academy Awards including best picture and best actor for Russell Crowe. Alonso didn't love it back then, so we wanted to rewatch it now to see what we think. What are yor thoughts on "Gladiator"? Let us know! And check out our "Gladiator II" review here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/gladiator-ii-no-115786961

And for our Patreon subscribers, we've started recapping "Dune: Prophecy." The HBO series takes place some 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. You'll need to take notes, because it's a lot. You can always purchase videos like this individually if you're not a member. Find out more here: https://www.patreon.com/c/bfastallday/shop

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We never disagree this much, but two new Christmas movies have inspired very different opinions from us on the latest episode of Breakfast All Day.

First, we review "Red One," starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans as the only two people on the planet who can save Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) when he's kidnapped. This is a $250 million blockbuster featuring major, A-list stars, but it's not exactly shaping up to be a huge hit. Do you plan on seeing it? Let us know. It's in theaters now.

Then, we review the knowingly absurd Netflix Christmas comedy "Hot Frosty." Dustin Milligan stars as a snowman who comes to life in the form of a hunky handyman when a widow (holiday movie veteran Lacey Chabert) wraps a red scarf around his neck. One of us liked this much more than the other, and it may surprise you. Craig Robinson and Joe Lo Truglio co-star. Streaming now.

Finally, in our weekly Movie News LIVE!, we discuss the new "Mission: Impossible" trailer, Conan O'Brien hosting the 2025 Oscars, why we left Twitter, where we were on Y2K and much more. Join us every Friday at Noon Pacific on our YouTube channel. It's always fun!

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It's your usual Arthouse Tuesday with a massive wallop of a blockbuster at the front end. Like we like to say around here, we do it all at Breakfast All Day.

We begin with a super-early review of "Gladiator II," Ridley Scott's follow-up to his 2000 best-picture Oscar winner. Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Connie Nielsen star in this sweeping historical epic. This is a spoiler-free review. In theaters Nov. 22.

Then it's back to your regular Tuesday programming with a discussion of "Christmas Eve in Miller's Point." Tyler Taormina's film is a shaggy hang that follows a sprawling Italian-American family over Christmas Eve in suburban Long Island. Maria Dizzia, Michael Cera, Matilda Fleming, Francesca Scorsese and Sawyer Spielberg are among the massive ensemble. In theaters in limited release.

Finally, another small gem we really enjoyed: "Meanwhile on Earth" from French writer-director Jérémy Clapin, whose 2019 animated feature "I Lost My Body" was nominated for an Academy Award. Megan Northam stars as a young woman mourning the loss of her astronaut brother. But when a mysterious voice comes to her and offers her a bargain, she wonders whether she can bring him back. In theaters in limited release.

Come on back Friday when we'll have reviews of "Red One," "Hot Frosty" and "Bird," plus movie news. Have a great week and we'll see you then!

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Sometimes we have these little theme weeks totally by accident. This time on Breakfast All Day, we review two indies that contemplate the power of religion in very different ways.

First, we discuss "Heretic," a twisty thriller from A24 starring Hugh Grant in a deliciously villainous role. When two young Mormon missionaries knock on his door, hoping to convert him, he ends up giving them a lot to think about instead. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East co-star. In theaters.

Then, we review "Small Things Like These," starring a quietly moving Cillian Murphy as a coal merchant who begins to question what's going on behind the walls of the convent in his small Irish town. Emily Watson is chilling as the fearsome mother superior. In theaters.

Finally, because it's Friday, we did our weekly movie news livestream. Among the topics we discussed were the late, legendary Quincy Jones, three new "Star Wars" movies, "Juror #2" and the final season of "Stranger Things." Join us every Friday at Noon Pacific.

Now more than ever, we're grateful for the community you're helping us build. It's been a difficult week for a lot of folks, but we're glad to be surrounded by so many thoughtful and kindhearted viewers and listeners. Hope you're taking time for yourself, and we thank you for sharing some of that time here with us.

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It's Election Day in the United States -- a crazy, stressful day for so many people -- but we wanted to take a moment here at Breakfast All Day to check in, say hello and share a couple of film reviews in case you need a break from thinking about politics.

First, we discuss "Emilia Pérez," a Spanish-language musical from French filmmaker Jacques Audiard. It was a major award winner at the Cannes Film Festival this year, and it's France's Oscar entry in the international feature category. But while we admired the extreme ambition on display, as well as the committed performances from Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, we didn't think it totally worked in the execution. Still, we love a big swing around here. In theaters in limited release and streaming on Netflix starting Nov. 13.

Then, we have a little something that'll warm your heart: "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," an old-fashioned holiday comedy that offers faith-based messages in a way that secular audiences can enjoy, as well. It's based on the beloved children's book and stars Judy Greer, Pete Holmes and Lauren Graham. In theaters Friday.

Whatever happens this week, we're here for you, and we'll be back on Friday with Movie News LIVE! at Noon Pacific at our YouTube channel. We hope to see you then.

We begin November with an absolutely packed episode of movie reviews and news here at Breakfast All Day.

First, we discuss the worst of this week's new movies: "Here," which reunites the director, writer and stars of "Forrest Gump." The idea behind Robert Zemeckis' film, based on a graphic novel, had potential: The camera doesn't move the whole time as we watch peoples' lives play out over centuries and decades. Among them are Tom Hanks and Robin Wright's characters, stuck as everyone is in the same living room. It's ambitious, but we kinda hated it. In theaters.

Next is a movie we loved: "Blitz," from writer-director Steve McQueen ("12 Years a Slave," "Shame," "Small Axe"). Saoirse Ronan and excellent newcomer Elliott Heffernan play a mother and son struggling to get back to each other after being separated during the London Blitz of World War II. You know from the first shot that you're in the hands of a true artist. In theaters now and streaming on Apple TV+ starting Nov. 22 (but you really should see it in a theater if you can).

Then, we review "Juror #2," which may be 94-year-old Clint Eastwood's final film as director. He's made a solid, old-fashioned courtroom drama about a juror in a homicide trial (Nicholas Hoult) who realizes he knows more about the case than he'd like to admit. This is an extremely well-made movie for grown-ups, with a strong supporting cast that includes Toni Collette, Chris Messina, J.K. Simmons and Zoey Deutch. In limited release.

Finally, we also really loved "A Real Pain," starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as estranged cousins who travel to their beloved grandmother's homeland of Poland after her death. Both give nuanced performances and Eisenberg, as writer and director, shows a great mastery of tone. In theaters.

And if it's Friday, it's time for Movie News LIVE! Among today's topics were Teri Garr, Disney +'s Look Ahead, Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer and the trailer for the new "Paddington" movie. Join us for our livestreams every Friday at Noon Pacific. Thanks for being here!

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It's Halloween Week, so we've got a combination of serial killers, zombie pirates and frightening '70s and '80s fashion here at Breakfast All Day.

First, we catch up with Anna Kendrick's gripping thriller "Woman of the Hour." Kendrick directs for the first time and stars in this drama inspired by serial killer Rodney Alcala's appearance as a contestant on "The Dating Game" in the middle of his 1970s crime spree. It's streaming now on Netflix.

Then, we're delighted to share the review we recorded after our first live event: a screening of John Carpenter's 1980 horror classic "The Fog" at The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana. This is part of our Was It Great or Were You 8? series. We had a great crowd over the weekend, and it was so nice to meet so many of our longtime viewers and listeners in person. Thanks to the fine folks at The Frida for hosting us so warmly -- go support your local arthouse theater! (FYI, there are a few little jumps in the recording, so apologies in advance. )

And for our Patreon subscribers, we recap episode 6 of "The Penguin" on HBO. Only two more to go! Thanks for watching along with us, and we'll see you back here on Friday for reviews of "Blitz," "Here," "Juror #2 " and "A Real Pain."

Such a random mix of movies this week, but there's nowhere we'd rather talk about them than here with you on Breakfast All Day.

We begin with "Venom: The Last Dance," the third film in the Spider-Man spin-off franchise and easily the worst. It's fun when Tom Hardy's bickering and bantering with his gooey BFF, but that's about it. In theaters.

Then we discuss "Conclave," a star-studded airport novel brought to the big screen. It has the sheen of prestige but it's actually well-crafted trash. Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci lead a strong ensemble cast in this thriller from "All Quiet on the Western Front" director Edward Bergen about the world's cardinals coming together to pick a new pope. In theaters.

Finally in movie news, we have lots to catch up on, including "The Brutalist" trailer, "The Substance" being considered in the musical/comedy category at the Golden Globes, the "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" AirBnB, our favorite political movies and more.

And join us this weekend for our in-person screening of John Carpenter's 1980 horror classic "The Fog"! We've been planning this live event for months and we're so excited it's finally here. If you're in Southern California, come to The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana on Sunday, Oct. 27. The movie starts at 2pm Pacific, and then we'll record a podcast review and hang out for a bit afterward. Tickets are available here. Hope to see you!: https://thefridacinema.org/movies/the-fog-presented-by-breakfast-all-day/

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We're kinda scattered all over the place this week, but we'll always come back to you here at Breakfast All Day. Between Christy's jury duty and travel for both of us, we tried to squeeze in as many reviews as we could. And they're super random! 

First, our good friend Bibbs returns to help Christy with a review of "Smile 2," the sequel to the 2022 horror hit "Smile." Naomi Scott is tremendous as a pop star possessed by the evil smiley-face spirit, just as she's about to launch a world tour. Not exactly the era you want to revisit. In theaters.

Then, Alonso and Christy discuss one of the year's best films, Sean Baker's "Anora," winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Mikey Madison gives a star-making performance as the titular stripper, who gets swept up in a whirlwind romance with the impetuous son of a Russian oligarch. We loved it. In limited release now before going wider in November.

Finally, we catch up with "Piece by Piece," the LEGO animated documentary about prolific producer/singer/songwriter Pharrell Williams. We loved this one, too. Beyond the impossible cuteness of seeing LEGO Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani, we were impressed with the clever details and surprising emotion. In theaters.

And for our Patreon friends, we have recaps of "The Penguin" (featuring a knockout Cristin Milioti performance) and episodes 5 and 6 of "Heartstopper" season 3. We'll catch up with "Only Murders in the Building" and "Agatha All Along" when we're both back in town early next week. Thanks for your patience and support!

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• Join us in person at The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, where we're hosting a screening of John Carpenter's 1980 horror classic "The Fog." Mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2pm, then stick around afterward and watch us record a podcast review of the film. Tickets are available here. We hope to see you! https://thefridacinema.org/movies/the-fog-presented-by-breakfast-all-day/

We're out in the wilderness for our latest episode of Breakfast All Day, so apologies in advance if the sound quality is a little wonky. Christy's wi-fi went out right as we were about to do our weekly livestream, so she dashed over to the library to use theirs. Still, we have lots of goodies for you.

First, we review "We Live in Time," a nonlinear A24 weepy starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. We're mixed on it. It's in limited release now and opening wider Oct. 18.

Next, we review "The Apprentice," which follows a young Donald Trump as he falls under the ruthless tutelage of attorney Roy Cohn. Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong co-star. In theaters now.

Finally, we have a quick news segment, touching on season 2 of "Nobody Wants This" on Netflix, a John Mulaney talk show that's in the works, and more.

We promise to be back to normal next week! Thanks for sticking with us.

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