Latest news with #AMonsterCalls
Los Angeles Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
An exploration of grief, ‘A Monster Calls' opens on stage in Huntington Beach
The monster in the new Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts production of 'A Monster Calls' continually bothers young Conor O'Malley. 'Stories are important, if they convey the truth,' the monster tries to reason with Conor at one point. The truth is, the story showcased in the play is one of loss and grief. Conor has to cope with the fact that his mom is getting more and more sick, dealing with cancer and chemotherapy. 'The whole show is about time, and time just goes,' director Jenny McClintock said. 'You think you have enough, but it just goes and goes. When you want to stop time, you just cannot.' 'A Monster Calls,' based on the 2011 novel by Patrick Ness, debuts Thursday night for four shows this weekend at the historic Huntington Beach Union High School District auditorium. It will likely be deeply personal for some patrons. Huntington Beach High School sophomore Antonio Lopez, who was double-cast as Conor along with Izzy Vosper, feels the connection with the character he is portraying. Lopez said he lost his own mother, Heather, to breast cancer last August, before he even knew anything about this production. 'It's been nice coming to terms, in a way, with the things that have happened in my life with this show,' he said. 'But it's also been pretty difficult … Throughout the play, his mom gets gradually more sick, and he has to deal with the fact that he's losing her. He wants his pain to go away, but she's the one who's giving him his pain. It's this emotional journey of him trying to let go, but also trying so hard to desperately hold onto the things that make him happy.' The two-hour play, presented by the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts is set in contemporary times. That's not an accident for McClintock, in her fourth year as HBAPA faculty. Her first year, the students performed Shakespeare, then a Greek production, then a modern play and now this year's show, which is contemporary. The cycle will repeat again starting next year, she said. 'I want to expose them to all of theater, so that they have that experience going into college,' she said. 'This is contemporary, and it's very contemporary. The way it's staged is contemporary, it's very abstract. The actors never leave the stage. I might be a pupil at your school in one scene, and now I'm actually acting out your anger in kind of an abstract, physical way. It's unique, and they've embraced it.' Chairs sit on each side of the stage, ready to be put in formation depending on what the scene calls for. McClintock, who lost her own father to cancer when she was an adult, called the stage barren and empty. That symbolizes the grief the character Conor is going through as the condition of his mother, played by Robin McClure and Bianca Stratta, continues to worsen. The theme extends to the costume color choices of muted beige and also red, which can symbolize nightmares. Conor is visited each night by a large yew tree that transforms into a monster. 'For the makeup, we tied in a lot of the beige,' said Huntington Beach High senior Alessandra Pham, a hair and makeup designer. 'We usually don't use such heavy eye shadow on the men, but we used a lot of gold and browns. Even the boys have all of this gold glitter, so it kind of just flows throughout the cast.' Costume designer Rhonda Choat, aided by her daughter and HBAPA alumna Tara, said six professional-grade bald caps were purchased to put on the mother after she undergoes chemotherapy, as well as eight cheaper bald caps. The more expensive caps, reserved for the show itself rather than rehearsals, take 45 minutes to an hour to put on properly. Cameron Mullin, a Huntington Beach High junior who was double-cast as the monster along with Benjamin Marshall, said she sees the monster as representative of not only Conor's grief, but also Conor himself. 'I like to think of it as Conor in the future trying to tell past Conor that it's OK to be ashamed with how you feel,' Mullin said. 'It's OK to have these feelings, you just need to be able to tell the truth. As soon as you tell the truth, you'll be able to face whatever comes, you'll be able to move on.' Audrey Cone, a HBHS junior who did the sound design, said the show may be a bit scary but it's important to see, especially for teenagers. 'Not a lot of teens get to see us dealing with grief and just being so open about it,' she said. In another personal touch, McClintock cast her own twin children as 'young Conor.' Part of the show proceeds are going to Fran's Place Center for Cancer Counseling, based in Brea. For tickets to 'A Monster Calls,' visit
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emotional family flicks
MOVIES have a special way of bringing families together and more often than not, the most powerful films are the ones that move us feel deeply. Showcasing the bond between parents and children, the pain of separations and even the joy of reunions, these films remind us of the unbreakable connections families share. Here are eight emotional family melo-dramas that will leave you reaching for the tissues with movie nights filled with heartfelt moments, love, loss and redemption. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Few films capture the struggles of parenthood as powerfully as The Pursuit of Happyness. Based on a true story, it follows Chris Gardner (Will Smith), a single father fighting against homelessness while trying to secure a better future for his son. Despite overwhelming challenges, Chris refuses to give up, showing us the depth of a parent's love. The final scene, where he finally gets a job after countless rejections, is one of the most emotionally satisfying moments in cinema. Wonder Wonder (2017) A deeply touching film about acceptance and family love, Wonder follows Auggie Pullman, a boy born with facial differences, as he attends school for the first time. Beyond Auggie's personal journey, the film also explores how his family copes with the challenges, his protective older sister, his supportive parents and the people who learn to see beyond appearances. It is a story that reminds us to treat others with empathy and love. A Monster Calls (2016) Not all family movies have happy endings, and A Monster Calls is a perfect example. This film tells the story of Connor, a young boy struggling with his mother's terminal illness. To cope with his emotions, he imagines a giant tree monster that visits him at night, telling him powerful stories that reflect his real-life struggles. The film is a beautifully crafted tale of grief, healing and acceptance, making it one of the most heart-wrenching yet necessary movies to watch. Marley & Me Marley & Me (2008) A movie about a dog may seem lighthearted at first, but Marley & Me is about the journey of life and loss. Following the lives of John and Jenny Grogan, the film showcases their ups and downs as they raise their mischievous yet lovable Labrador, Marley. Through marriage, career struggles and parenthood, Marley remains a constant companion. The emotional weight of this film truly hits when it explores the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. The Lion King (1994) A Disney classic that still brings tears to audiences of all ages, The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion cub forced into exile after his father's tragic death. Beyond being a beautifully animated film, it explores loss and redemption, as Simba must face his past and reclaim his place as king. The scene where Simba sees the ghost of his father Mufasa, reminding him of who he truly is, is one of Disney's most powerful moments. Up Up (2009) It is rare for a children's movie to break hearts within the first ten minutes, but Up does just that. The film begins with the love story of Carl and Ellie, a couple who dreams of adventure but never gets the chance to fulfil it together. After Ellie's passing, Carl embarks on a journey, carrying the weight of his grief. Despite its sorrowful beginning, Up ultimately becomes a story about new friendships and rediscovering joy, proving life's adventures do not have to end with loss. Coco Coco (2017) A visually stunning and deeply emotional film about family and love beyond death, Coco follows Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician. When he accidentally enters the Land of the Dead, he embarks on a journey to uncover family secrets and understand the true meaning of remembering those we have lost. The emotional climax when Miguel sings Remember Me to his great-grandmother is one of the most tear-inducing moments in animated history. Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) No list of emotional family movies is complete without a Bollywood classic, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is the ultimate family tearjerker. This iconic film follows the Raichand family, torn apart by love, class differences and a father's pride. When Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) is disowned for marrying Anjali (Kajol), the family is broken. Years later, his younger brother Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) embarks on a mission to reunite them. With soulful songs and moments of intense heartbreak, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham remains a timeless Bollywood family drama that resonates across generations. These movies remind us family is about love, hate, sacrifices and the moments we share. So, grab that tissue box and get your loved together for some quality family viewing.
