Latest news with #AddamsFamilyValues
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
As Freakier Friday Hits Cinemas, 11 Sequels That Were Better Than The Original Film
A version of this article was previously published in 2020. The old saying goes that a sequel is never as good as the original, and over the years, plenty of films have proved this to be the case. Fortunately for the team behind Freakier Friday, the long-awaited sequel to 2003′s iconic body-swap comedy, critics seem pretty impressed with the follow-up, with many hailing it as a worthy successor to Freaky Friday. But what about those rare sequels that somehow manage to better the movie that came before it? Here are 11 of the most celebrated follow-ups in modern movie history... Addams Family Values We don't use terms like 'perfection' lightly, but if there were ever a perfect family comedy then Addams Family Values might well be it. The fact it's actually a sequel to a less-revered live-action version of the classic cartoon is even more impressive. Obviously all of the cast members playing the creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and, indeed, altogether ooky family shine as brightly as their dark surroundings will allow (special shout-out to Anjelica Huston serving true macabre glamour as Morticia). But Addams Family Values really belongs to new addition Joan Cusack, who stars as Uncle Fester's love interest Debbie. Toy Story 3 Who'd have guessed that an animated buddy comedy about a toy cowboy and a plastic astronaut would have sparked one of the most lucrative film sagas of recent times? And while Toy Story 2 – released four years after the original – kicked things up several notches, it was the third instalment in the series that people really went wild for. Toy Story 3 served up adorable new characters, scooped an impressive Best Picture nomination at the Oscars and, crucially, delivered not one but two ugly-cry moments. Paddington 2 Even though the original Paddington film was well-received when it first hit cinemas in 2014 – featuring a CGI version of the classic character interacting with live-action actors – few could predict just how beloved its sequel would go on to become. Not only was it nominated for Outstanding British Film at the Baftas, it's also one of the few movies with a perfect score on review site Rotten Tomatoes. With 238 positive reviews, it's also the highest-rated film on the entire website. Take that, Citizen Kane. The Dark Knight Like many, we were sold on The Dark Knight from the moment we saw its infamous viral marketing campaign (back in the day when viral marketing campaigns were actually still new and exciting). We could probably talk all day about how this film is a level up on Batman Begins, from Christopher Nolan's direction, to the incredible costumes and special effects. But let's be honest, this film is all about Heath Ledger, who earned a posthumous Academy Award for his unforgettable portrayal of the Joker. Aliens Although the original Alien divided critics upon its original release in 1979, the film quickly garnered a loyal following, and by the mid-1980s, was revered among fans of sci-fi. Putting out a sequel was therefore always going to be a bit of a risk, but fortunately 1986′s Aliens more than lived up to its predecessor. It earned Sigourney Weaver a game-changing Oscar nomination as the star of a sci-fi film. It has also been named the Best Sequel Of All Time by Empire magazine. Mad Max: Fury Road Listen, we get it, Fury Road was billed as a 'revisiting' of the original Mad Max trilogy, rather than a straight-up sequel or a traditional reboot. Still, the film was so well-received – check that 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes if you don't believe us, not to mention its six Oscar wins – we felt we couldn't leave it off this list. Plus, who would pass up the opportunity to see Charlize Theron in all her buzzed glory again? Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Star Wars has so many different instalments, and a fan community that stretches far and wide, that it would be literally impossible to decide which of the numerous sequels is the superior one. So while we'd struggle to pinpoint which of film is the best, we've gone with The Empire Strikes Back for the simple reason it contains arguably the most iconic moment in Star Wars history, when Darth Vader's true identity is revealed. Terminator 2: Judgement Day He said 'I'll be back', and apparently he meant it, although it did take seven years. Terminator 2: Judgement Day was hailed as even better than the original film by many critics, who were wowed by the advanced special effects (which went on to win one of the film's four Academy Awards). The success of Terminator 2 led to a number of additional spin-offs and sequels, although none of these have quite been able to match the original two films. Avengers: Endgame Essentially the sequel to around 100 other films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Endgame was much-awaited when it hit cinemas in 2019, wrapping up stories that began in the Iron Man, Thor and Captain America film series. Fortunately, the majority of cinema-goers felt the ambitious project was worth the wait, with Avengers: Endgame landing rave reviews and becoming the highest-grossing film of all time (that's second-highest, when adjusted for inflation). The Godfather Part II The first sequel to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards (the only other being Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King), Godfather II is so revered it was added to the U.S. National Film Registry of the Library of Congress due to its cultural significance, alongside the original Godfather film. The same can not be said for the follow-up, Godfather III. Skyfall Although Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace proved popular, many 007 fans still breathed a sigh of relief when Skyfall was released, as they felt it was more in keeping with the James Bond franchise than Daniel Craig's first two outings. Skyfall won largely positive reviews from critics, many of whom praised the decision to give more material for Dame Judi Dench to work with, and became the highest-grossing film in the UK ever at that time. Follow-up Spectre was similarly well-received, with the Daniel's fifth and final Bond film, No Time To Die, set to hit cinemas... soon. Let's just say soon. MORE FILM: Sally Hawkins Opens Up About The Real Reason She Quit The Paddington Franchise This Trailer For Netflix's Gripping New Mystery Is Jam-Packed With UK National Treasures Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights Just Had Its First Test Screening, And It Sounds Absolutely Wild
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Who is Ophelia in Wednesday? Netflix character explained and her connection to Addams Family
Wednesday season two delves further into the Addams Family history on Netflix with Morticia Addams opening up about her sister Aunt Ophelia WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Wednesday season two. Wednesday season two delves deeper into the Addams Family lore on Netflix, viewers have become intrigued by a certain extended family member. Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, has developed a psychic ability that causes black tears to stream down her face whenever she has a vision. Her mother, Morticia Addams (played by Catherine Zeta Jones), later discloses that her sister, Aunt Ophelia, also possessed psychic abilities and experienced this same unsettling symptom. Morticia reveals that Ophelia's excessive use of her powers led her to insanity, resulting in Grandma Hester Frump (Joanna Lumley) committing her daughter to Willow Hill Psychiatric Hospital. However, since her release, Ophelia has not been seen for many years, leaving the family in the dark about her whereabouts. While Aunt Ophelia may not currently feature in Wednesday, she has a long-standing history with The Addams Family franchise. Aunt Ophelia has made appearances in numerous The Addams Family films and TV shows over the years. She was brought to life by actress Carolyn Jones in The Addams Family series, Allegra Kent in the 1991 film, Laura Esterman in 1993's Addams Family Values, and Lisa Calder in The New Addams Family from 1998. Ophelia was typically depicted as joyful, upbeat and athletic, although this might not be the case if she makes an appearance in Netflix's Wednesday. Interestingly, Aunt Ophelia shares a personal history with Morticia's husband, Gomez Addams (Luis Guzman). In the Addams family tradition of arranged marriages, Gomez was initially set to wed his now sister-in-law, Ophelia. However, fortune favoured him when she fell for his Cousin Itt, freeing him to pursue his romantic interest in Morticia, with whom he always shared a special bond. Cousin Itt has yet to make an appearance in Wednesday, but there's potential for his introduction if Ophelia is brought into the series. Historically, Ophelia had a close relationship with her and Morticia's mother, but this doesn't appear to be the case in Wednesday. With fans speculating that this enigmatic aunt may make an appearance in part two, only time will reveal how this potentially awkward family reunion unfolds.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
See the 'Wednesday' cast's modern Addams Family side-by-side with the 1990s movie stars
The creepy, kooky clan takes on new shades in the hit Netflix Points Netflix's hit series Wednesday highlights the title character's kooky family more in its second season. Jenna Ortega, Luis Guzman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Fred Armisen return as Wednesday, Gomez, Morticia, and Fester, respectively. The Addams clan was memorably played by Christina Ricci, Raúl Juliá, Anjelica Huston, and Christopher Lloyd in the 1990s Netflix's smash hit Wednesday, a new generation welcomed the Addams Family into their lives. Created in the 1930s by cartoonist Charles Addams, the comically macabre family has inspired everything from TV series and comic books to video games and even a stage musical. But the most enduring portraits of the Addams clan come via Barry Sonnenfeld's Oscar-nominated 1991 and 1993 film adaptations, which forged the franchise's subversive brand of morbid, madcap comedy to a razor-sharp edge. Wednesday's immediate (and extended) family will factor more prominently in season 2 of the Netflix hit, especially with Joanna Lumley joining the cast as Grandmama. As such, we've curated a side-by-side look, placing this current era of Addams alongside the creepy, kooky family from the 1990s. Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega / Christina Ricci) Jenna Ortega stars as the titular character on Wednesday. In a fun bit of fan service, she acted opposite Christina Ricci, who played Wednesday in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values. Ricci appeared in season 1 of the series as dorm mom Marilyn Thornhill. "I think when [Ricci] was on set, neither one of us said Wednesday once to each other," Ortega said in an interview following season 1's release. "I don't think she wanted to get in the way of my performance and feel like she was overbearing." The two discussed their experiences playing the character with Interview Magazine in October 2022. "I first saw the '90s films when I was eight or nine and loved them," Ortega told Ricci. "I could watch them over and over. They're perfect films, honestly. Obviously, you're the standout." Ortega added that she became "obsessed with Wednesday" and "obsessed with [Ricci]." Ricci also complimented Ortega's take on the character. "When I saw pictures of you, I was like, 'Oh, wow. It's such a great, modern interpretation.' It's true to the spirit of the character," she said. "I didn't originate this character, so I'm always like, 'She's a cartoon and a TV show. It's not Shakespeare, but it's the same idea. We keep redoing the thing.'" Gomez Addams (Luis Guzman / Raul Julia) Prolific character actor Luis Guzman plays smitten patriarch Gomez Addams on Wednesday, a role he was "honored" and "humbled" to play. He grew up, after all, admiring Raul Julia, the Emmy-winning actor who played Gomez in the 1990s films. "One of the roles that really stood out was watching Raul in Kiss of the Spider Woman," Guzman recalled in a 2022 interview. "You can never duplicate Raul Julia as Gomez," he said, calling it "one of the most iconic roles out there." Guzman continued, "I wasn't really looking to duplicate what had been done before. [Director] Tim Burton had a hand in explaining to me — this is not about the comedy. I give a lot of credit to the writing of the show because the writing itself is phenomenal and that in itself makes it all comical. Tim pretty much wanted me to play Gomez straight. And that, in its own way, some of the comedy does come out." Reuniting at the Los Angeles Comic-Con in 2024, the original cast shared memories of Julia, who died in 1994, just a year after the release of Addams Family Values. "He was the perfect gentleman," said costar Anjelica Huston, who played Gomez's wife, Morticia. "He was always the first on set and the last to leave. He was a great dancer. I'd get really grumpy around dancing rehearsals, which I felt were unnecessary since I was such an excellent dancer. But he would insist on being there and staying all the way through." Morticia Addams (Catherine Zeta-Jones / Anjelica Huston) On Wednesday, Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones plays the svelte, witchy Morticia, the Addams family matriarch played by Anjelica Huston in the 1990s films. 'When I was a kid, I remember thinking it would be so cool to be an Addams,' Zeta-Jones told Tudum in 2022. 'They seem to be so happy being as crazy as they are.' But it's not easy playing someone as creepily glamorous as Morticia. "The eyelifts got tighter and tighter and the temples started to throb," Huston told EW when we visited the set of The Addams Family in 1991. "It could leave you more wasted than having a very emotional day on the set." Pugsley Addams (Isaac Ordonez / Jimmy Workman) Pugsley Addams is played by newcomer Isaac Ordonez on Wednesday. In the 1990s films, the younger Addams sibling was portrayed by Jimmy Workman, the older brother of Modern Family actress Ariel Winter. While he was only a minor player in season 1, Pugsley will cast a larger shadow in the show's sophomore outing. 'It was definitely a surprise to see how much more I was in it, like a big promotion," Ordonez recently told NME. His enhanced role will see the character departing from previous depictions. "He's got powers ... he makes a lot of friends, and also [makes] connections with some not so good people," said Ordonez. Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen / Christopher Lloyd) Uncle Fester has always been one of the Addams family's most compelling figures, as evidenced by Christopher Lloyd's Fester serving as the centerpiece of both 1990s Addams Family films. Fred Armisen plays Fester on Wednesday, and may also star as the chrome-domed character in a potential spinoff series. "It was a rare thing. When they offered it to me, I was like, 'Oh, I'm the right guy for that part,'" Armisen previously told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. "I just felt it. I usually don't have that much bravado, but for this I was kind of like, 'I'm glad I'm doing it.'" Lloyd opened up about his love for Fester in a 2024 chat with Variety, recalling how he used to read Charles Addams' comics in The New Yorker as a child. 'I loved that,' Lloyd said. 'It was mischief about Uncle Fester and not evil. He just could play around a little bit. And then, that period of my life passed and decades later, I get a call, would I like to be Uncle Fester in a film? What are the odds? It was very exciting to be able to play the character that I loved when I was a kid.' Like Ricci before him, Lloyd will play an entirely different role in Wednesday season 2. Lurch (Joonas Suotamo / George Burcea / Carel Struycken) Lurch, the Addams family's looming butler, was played by George Burcea in season 1 of Wednesday. In season 2, he'll be played by Joonas Suotamo, a Finland native and former professional basketball player who has been the Star Wars franchise's go-to Wookie since 2015's The Force Awakens. In the 1990s films, Lurch was played by Twin Peaks alum Carel Struycken, who was born with acromegaly. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition can cause "some bones, organs and other tissue to grow bigger." When asked about the role in a 2018 interview, Struycken said, 'It has been a revelation to discover how many people identify with the Addams Family. I guess people who have always felt a bit out of place in our society.' Grandmama (Joanna Lumley / Carol Kane / Judith Malina) Grandmama, Morticia's kooky mother, was played with an unkempt, cronish flair by the late Judith Malina in The Addams Family and by Carol Kane in Addams Family Values. Though she was absent in season 1, the character debuts in Wednesday season 2 as a glammed-up funeral home tycoon played by Joanna Lumley. "She's quite a spooky creature. You can't really tell how she lives," Lumley said on This Morning, touching on the character's connection to the title character on Wednesday. "Wednesday only really smiles when she sees Grandmama. So there's a great affinity. I think she just sees in Wednesday a spirit of how she was when she was young." Where can I watch Wednesday? Wednesday season 2, part 1, is currently available to stream on Netflix. Part 2 arrives on Sept. the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Buzz Feed
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
If You've Never Been A Dress Person, These 31 Options May Change Your Mind
A lantern sleeve mini I'm sure Belle would wear for a summertime jaunt to the library in 2025. A floral maxi dress can satisfy the Debbie Jellinsky part of your personal style. (Joan Cusack is such an icon in Addams Family Values). A floral mini dress if you've gotta look really cute, really fast after flying over The North Pole to get wherever you're vacationing. A long-sleeve boho dress to help you realize your easy-breezy style. A belted ruffled dress will help cut back on the math you have to do to figure out if a top will tuck neatly into a dress. This gives you that look for half the effort. A one-shouldered frock prime for that May wedding you've got on your schedule where you'll see a ton of old college buds and, therefore, will have a horde of pics from it after. A *pocketed* maxi will be super easy to wear, even if your plans for the day is to just roll around on the floor with the puppy. (Am I invited?) An easy, breezy patchwork mini dress to wear when you need to look cute but want the least amount of fabric possible touching your skin. (Aka, most summer days.) A knee-length halter dress available in a range of colors and prints so you'll probably wanna snag a few for all kinds of seasonal photo ops. A floral midi built to impress — especially if a babydoll or nap dress shape isn't your thing. A black organza dress that's giving Wednesday season two. But you shouldn't wait around 'til that airs to wear it! (You can get a plain black slip to wear underneath!) A drawstring bodycon dress with some major versatility — you can adjust the drawstring for the perfect length and look, then throw all kinds of outerwear over it as needed. (There are sooo many pregnant reviewers who love it!) A chic mini dress that reviewers say is lightweight and breathable, so it'll prob end up in the top of your rotation come late-sprint. A tiger-print dress passersby will assume you bought on a luxurious, tropical vacation. Go ahead. Let 'em assume. But then if they ask, be super helpful and point them to this Etsy shop chock full of dresses in glorious prints. A linen babydoll dress you can have custom-made to fit your measurements. Plus, that super cute low back (and the summer heat) will be the perfect excuse to go bra-less. Life is short. Bra bands are too tight. A halter-neck sundress in a maxi silhouette and a variety of patterns to help elevate your grand entrance — even if it's just popping in the store to buy some TP. A graphic maxi dress for a chic, dramatic statement. Pregnant *and* non-pregnant reviewers are raving about it! A wrap dress will let ya show lots of leg to the period piece beaus you're currently binge-watching. A cherry-picked frock in case you need yet another '90s-inspired thing in your closet. Yes, yes you do need it. Trust me, I bought it a few summers ago and have worn it at least a dozen times since. A midi corset dress that'll help scratch that cottagecore itch for the TikTok-famous House of CB Carmen dress. Except for nearly $200 less. A ladylike polka-dot number that tbh you could wear to brunch with your great-aunt and then out day-drinking with your roomies after. But it also has accommodating stretch, barely wrinkles, and will look so nice in any photos where you wanna look fab but don't wanna upstage your surroundings. A flowy boho style you'll get a ton of use out of in other seasons. It'll look equally amazing with cowboy boots or sandals. Cue to you in a piazza in Rome rocking this with your favorite accessory, a cone of gelato. A showstopping mesh dress you can use as a base for basically any special event's ensemble. Hello, Summer Goth. An airy nap dress I own and plan to wear as much as possible. It's super easy to adjust the puff sleeves from on- to off-the-shoulder to fit your mood. A tie-strap beaut in an ankle-grazing length for those moments when you've GOTTA stoop down and play with a puppy. This has you covered. A striped cap sleeve midi — it might be the next best (and comfiest) thing to wearing a night gown out and about. A floor-length gown will look soooo pretty whether you're wearing it as a bridesmaid in your friend's wedding or in impromptu photo shoot by your pal who just got a new camera. A casual striped option with some ruffled sleeves to make it feel a bit special but not super dressy. We're keeping it casual rn. A versatile tiered maxi dress to layer with your longer-sleeve tops so you can comfortably sit in your chilly office. A flared vintage-inspired dress you'll wanna buy after your next Hairspray is always a great idea. A pom-pom strap maxi for a stylish twist on the "nap dress" style we all rely on to keep us cool and chic when the sun starts to bake. Twirling in this is, in fact, mandatory, and lack of twirl is punishable by nap dress law.
Metro
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
I had high hopes for adult summer camp
Standing in the middle of the Kent countryside, I hung back as grown adults wearing Scout uniforms, animal ears and fluffy tails congregated around the fire pit. Amidst the sea of blue, green, yellow, and red, camp leaders psyched up the crowd with chants for their various teams, ready for the grown up version of school house games. A long line formed as we paraded through the forest, following a brass band. Then we entered the arena, each corner flanked by a giant flag of a woodland mascot. Everyone scrambled for a place to perch, eagerly waiting for the games to begin – a random assortment of competitions, including one that involved dangling a carrot into a blindfolded stranger's mouth using a fishing rod. The atmosphere was buzzing. Electric, even. It then dawned on me that I was witnessing the realisation of a childhood fantasy come true – to attend a summer camp. It took three nights spent in the forest for me to realise that maybe I'd expected a bit too much. I personally blame this desire to go to a summer camp on being raised on films like The Parent Trap and Addams Family Values. I wanted to make up handshakes, make friends for life, and do each other's hair, just like the films (sans the whole secret twin thing and getting my ears pierced with an apple.) As a child who needed constant stimulation, I was desperate to be shipped off for weeks on end so I could dabble in an assortment of adventure sports, crafts, and survival skills. This fascination with summer camps didn't subside as I left childhood behind. Attending one was on every wishlist I made. But when adolescence hit, I suffered from depression and became introverted. My survival strategy was to hide. It was only through a random Google search one day that I accidentally stumbled across a summer camp for adults. Over the course of a weekend in the forest, campers could try out new activities and adventures by day then party into the night. Starting at just under £300 for an elementary weekend ticket, over 100 activities were on offer, including free drop-in events like hot-air balloon rides. There would be live bands, talks and comedians. I booked almost instantaneously. Initially, I planned to go with my best friend, but she had to cancel at the last minute. I decided I still wanted to go alone, and when I set off for the bank holiday weekend, I was full of high hopes for s'mores, silly games, and songs around the campfire. But it didn't all go to plan. Although the camp had made some accommodations by providing a designated camping area for solos, by late afternoon on the first day, large groups of existing friends had also started pitching their tents in the same spot. I had hoped by pitching my tent in this section of the camp that it would have been easier to bond with solo attendees like myself, as well as being a bit quieter. Then, during the aforementioned games that first evening, I felt quite shy to get involved so I just watched from the side. I made my way to the board games tent, but it was already heaving. I felt a bit pathetic that I was intimidated and couldn't just ask if I could join in. Defeated, I sat by the firepit alone for a while. I soon returned to my tent, putting my social awkwardness down to first-night nerves. By the end of the weekend, however, it had become clear that the reason summer camps are perfect for children is because they are generally less inhibited than adults. As a child, I would have thrown myself in head first, introducing myself to others and been content to make the most of my time at the camp. Unfortunately, that is not who I am now, though. It's hard to embody the confidence of a child when you've grown and been taught not to be so self-assured. Still, I tried again to get stuck in. I awoke early the next morning to grab some breakfast – and much-needed coffee – from the food vendors, before making my way to my first scheduled activity of the day. It was raining heavily but everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Despite the weather, I managed to squeeze in an array of different activities. Some of the crafty ones I really enjoyed – nipple-tassel making, printmaking, and hammering dead flowers into fabric. I particularly loved getting to down shots of tequila at a 9am cocktail-making class. This is where I really thrived because the activities were in small groups and we all had a shared purpose of being there, so it was much easier to talk with one another. Other activities, however, quickly confirmed my incompetence: I struggled to light a fire, make a flower headdress, and the terrazzo coaster I made cracked in half. I couldn't say I shared the same enthusiasm for the evening events. With the exception of a talk about dopamine dressing (using fashion to boost your mood) and the talent show, I found myself retreating to my tent early each evening, grappling with social anxiety, while others around me partied hard. I hated that I couldn't get myself to do things that seemed to come to others so effortlessly. By Monday morning, I was relieved to be going home. I felt deflated and fell into a depressive slump for weeks. Everyone else seemed to be posting pictures and comments about what an amazing time they had, but I felt anything but. More Trending My self-esteem took a further battering when I posted a couple of suggestions in the camp's Facebook group about how they could make things a bit more welcoming for solo attendees – particularly those of us on the shyer side. While some campers were sympathetic and even expressed that they had felt lonely too, others were hurtful; comments ranged from criticising my ability to put myself out there to suggesting that I should get therapy. My adult summer camp didn't quite live up to my expectations, though that was no fault of the camp. There were clearly a lot of people who were able to let their inner child run amok without reticence. But for me it was a stark reminder of how different I am to the child I once was. I just don't have the same confidence or stamina that I once did. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Hotel worker almost trampled by 'stampede' of guests rushing for sunbeds MORE: I escaped my ex – now our 8-year-old son is the one being abused MORE: Is it safe to travel to Greece? 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