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musical

The lazy musical drama “Music” hits every sour note possible

Music
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Even beyond its handling of its autistic character, “Music” is a terribly constructed film.

Douglas Laman Posted on February 9, 2021February 10, 2021

Sundance 2021: All hail “The Sparks Brothers”

The Sparks Brothers
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Superfan Edgar Wright directs a lovingly expansive documentary about legendary art rock band Sparks.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on February 2, 2021February 2, 2021

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is far from superlative in season 2

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Season 2
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A strong grasp of grief and inner turmoil runs up against weak choreography and a closed-off lead character to make Zoey a frustrating near-miss.

Tim Stevens Posted on January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

“Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special” is the gift that keeps on giving

Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special
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All we want for Christmas is Mariah, and she well knows it.

B.L. Panther Posted on December 8, 2020December 8, 2020

How “The Apple” killed the movie musical (for a little while)

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The futuristic religious allegory set to a disco-rock soundtrack turns 40 this week, & must be seen to be believed.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on November 22, 2020November 22, 2020

“Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square” offers some warm holiday cheese

Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
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Netflix’s original musical is perhaps a bit too earnest, but is a balm for a bleak & lonely holiday season.

B.L. Panther Posted on November 21, 2020November 21, 2020

“Jingle Jangle” is a joyous take on the Christmas movie

Jingle Jangle
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David E. Talbert’s holiday offering is a fresh mix of fantasy, adventure, and sci-fi, even if it’s not the evenest.

Marshall Estes Posted on November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

“Dancer in the Dark” at 20: A haunting swan song that’s complicated to love

Dancer in the Dark
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Despite on-set conflict, Lars von Trier’s collaboration with Björk is still emotionally devastating and superb two decades later.

Theo Estes Posted on October 6, 2020October 7, 2020

“Phantom of the Opera” is a series of dull notes

The Phantom of the Opera
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Joel Schumacher inexplicably drained Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Broadway musical of every bit of its camp and queerness.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on July 25, 2020July 24, 2020

“Little Voice” sings loud, but doesn’t have much to say

Little Voice
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Apple TV+’s latest kids series is a cloying, over-familiar teen show that tries a little too hard to be hip.

Douglas Laman Posted on July 11, 2020July 11, 2020

Disney+’s “Hamilton” throws away its shot

Hamilton Disney+
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Lin-Manuel Miranda’s world-changing musical comes to vivid life on Disney+, but can’t escape the complexities of its cultural dissonance.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on July 3, 2020July 3, 2020

“I have seen the light!”: some personal thoughts on “The Blues Brothers”

Blues Brothers
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The action-comedy-musical classic turns 40 this year, and remains both a staple of 80s nostalgia & a love letter to Chicago

Peter Sobczynski Posted on June 20, 2020June 18, 2020

“Can’t Stop the Music” was a case study in the wrong way to do camp

Can't Stop the Music
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Producer Allan Carr’s legendary disco disaster turns 40 this year, and fails to maintain even “so bad it’s good” status.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on June 20, 2020July 2, 2020

Apple TV+’s “Central Park” is well worth a stroll

Central Park
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The minds between Bob’s Burgers bring a goofy, well-crafted animated musical to Apple’s streaming service.

Douglas Laman Posted on May 27, 2020May 27, 2020

“Fame” dared to tell the truth about making it in show business

fame
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Alan Parker’s gritty, all too realistic musical drama turns 40 & still asks a difficult question: is talent enough?

Gena Radcliffe Posted on May 16, 2020May 16, 2020

In “The Eddy,” beautiful melodies tell terrible things

The Eddy
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Netflix’s new music drama has enough style and strong performances to overcome its padding in this eight-episode season.

Tim Stevens Posted on May 7, 2020May 7, 2020

“Passing Strange” Brings Lee to Broadway

Passing Strange
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Spike Lee’s filmed version of the Broadway rock musical captures the immediacy of the show in his own imitable style.

B.L. Panther Posted on March 29, 2020March 30, 2020

The Historically-Black College Politics of “School Daze”

School Daze
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Spike Lee’s third film is a caustic, exuberant exploration of the politics of race in the ’80s, from colorism to the effectiveness of activism.

Daphnee McMaster Posted on March 9, 2020March 9, 2020

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