‘Wicked: For Good’ Is No Good. But ‘Train Dreams’ Is.

Key Takeaways

New trailers for Charli XCX's 'The Moment' and 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping' were released.
The film 'Wicked: For Good' generated strong opinions due to its narrative choices and character portrayals.
Director John M. Chu's 'Wicked: For Good' faced scrutiny regarding its box office potential and Oscar chances.
Clint Bentley's film 'Train Dreams' received praise for its sincere depiction of grief and impressive cinematography.
Director Clint Bentley shared insights into adapting 'Train Dreams' and discussed the evolving landscape of independent film.

The hosts discussed the trailer for 'The Moment,' a mockumentary about Charli XCX's recent tour; guest Juliet Litman found it charming.
Some hosts expressed confusion about the trailer but acknowledged Charli XCX's meta-commentary on pop stardom.
Charli XCX was noted for logging 219 movies on Letterboxd in November, showcasing an appreciation for director Paul Thomas Anderson.
The mockumentary style was compared to films like 'Waiting for Guffman,' suggesting a trend in pop star documentaries.

Amanda Dobbins and Juliet Litman introduced 'Wicked: For Good,' the second installment of the film adaptation by director John M. Chu.
Both hosts admitted to not being deeply familiar with the source material, experiencing the narrative in real-time through the films.
Juliet Litman expressed excitement for the film, citing her positive reception of the 'Wicked' stage musical's second act and its songs, particularly 'For Good'.
The returning cast includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh.

The hosts expressed frustration with the plot and story choices, finding the retconning of the original 'Wizard of Oz' problematic.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's performances were deemed adequate but not well-directed, leading to an unconvincing central relationship.
The film's focus on a character's internal world and dream sequences contrasted with the original 'Wizard of Oz' book's allegorical commentary on money and populism.
The narrative was criticized for characters appearing in isolation, leading to a lack of perceived interconnectivity and baffling integration of characters like the Tin Man and Lion.

The film's literal approach was seen as enervating and frustrating, despite elements like Glinda's costumes being appealing.
Dorothy was portrayed as a villain and a murderer, with hosts questioning this interpretation of the original 'Wizard of Oz' narrative.
Pacing issues and padding were noted, especially in the latter half, to balance runtime with the first movie.
The increased presence and role of animals, including a scene with a goat and cage confrontations, stretched the narrative.

Discussion focused on 'bizarre' plot contrivances, such as Nessa's transformation into the Wicked Witch of the East, driven by unrequited love.
Questions were raised about the motivation behind the Munchkins' happiness after Nessa's death and Nessa's role in creating the Tin Man.
The film made deviations from the musical and original 'Wizard of Oz' concerning characters like Nessa Rose, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow.
The explanation for the ruby slippers' color change was also questioned by the hosts and Juliet Litman.

The ending of 'Wicked: For Good,' where Elphaba fakes her death and runs off with the Scarecrow, was critically analyzed.
Director John M. Chu's integration of 'The Wizard of Oz' elements was debated, with some perceiving a loss of camp and fun compared to the first film.
This approach, termed 'Avengersification,' was questioned for its impact on the story and potential box office, despite Universal's marketing.
Jonathan Bailey's portrayal of the Scarecrow was noted for limited screen time and a perceived lack of chemistry with his co-star.

The film is predicted to gross less than the original film's $758 million, with an anticipated $130-$150 million opening weekend.
A steep decline in box office performance is predicted after the opening weekend, despite strong pre-sales from affection for the first film.
The press tour for 'Wicked: For Good' was described as lower-key, attributed to incidents affecting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Repeat viewings, a factor in the first film's success, are questioned for the sequel.

The first 'Wicked' film received 10 Oscar nominations and two wins, appreciated by filmmakers.
The sequel's potentially lower critical reception and box office, coupled with a less robust press tour, could impact its Best Picture chances.
Ariana Grande is anticipated to receive a nomination for her performance, with confidence expressed in a potential win.
Nominations are predicted in technical categories such as costume design, production design, and makeup/hairstyling, with lower likelihood for score, sound, visual effects, and editing.

Clint Bentley's 'Train Dreams,' based on a Dennis Johnson novella, was described as a beautiful and moving portrayal of a logger's life.
Starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones, the film spans the protagonist's life with a naturalistic style and beautiful cinematography.
The film effectively conveyed themes of grief and loss without explicit dialogue, highlighting the character's 'pained experience'.
The cast and cinematography were praised, including William H. Macy's performance and innovative camera work like a shot strapped to a log.

Director Clint Bentley discussed his initial encounter with Dennis Johnson's novella, which he initially thought was unadaptable.
He found a narrative shape by drawing inspiration from Paul Schrader's ideas about screenwriting originating from oral traditions.
Bentley's personal connection to themes of balancing passion for work and family, and experiences with grief and COVID-19's societal impact, resonated with the story.
Producers Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlafer, and Will Janowitz initially sought a filmmaker for the project.

Bentley detailed the intentionality behind capturing authentic logging scenes, using working logging areas and constructed elements.
Extensive visual effects were employed to create seamless, environmentally conscious visuals, remaining undetectable to the viewer.
Digital photography was used for flexibility and a fast-paced shooting schedule, with collaboration with colorists to achieve a softer look.
Narration was included to convey the inner thoughts of the quiet protagonist, Robert Greinier, and capture the literary voice of Dennis Johnson.

Bentley reflected on his commitment to filmmaking as a vocation, making a conscious decision to pursue it as an art form despite potential lack of lucrative returns.
He expressed frustration over the difficulty of exhibition for independent films, even critically acclaimed ones like 'Jockey,' especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
'Train Dreams' secured a unique distribution model, including a theatrical release and a platform on Netflix, providing wider accessibility.
Bentley likened independent filmmakers to 'alley cats,' adapting to available resources in the evolving film industry.