Latest news with #ShizUniversity
Metro
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
7 of the highest-rated Amazon Prime Video films with 50% off for Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day has rolled around once more with a fresh array of deals to take advantage of. Whether you want to get a headstart on the Christmas shopping or fancy a little treat, there's plenty to choose from electronics to health and beauty, garden essentials, and homeware. For film lovers who also happen to have an Amazon Prime membership, you can take advantage of up to 50% off selected HD movies. Some films have been lowered to just £1.99, including Shudder hit The Ugly Stepsister, Oscar-winning La La Land, and star-studded thriller Black Bag. There's a huge array to choose from, and that can be daunting when trying to pick which deals to nab. But never fear, we've rounded up seven of the highest-rated picks on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes that are on offer right now as part of Prime Day 2025. With Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations under its belt, Past Lives took audiences by storm in 2023, being named one of the best films of the year by the American Film Institute. The drama follows Nora and Hae Sung, two childhood friends who are torn apart when Nora's family moves from South Korea to Canada, and the pair lose contact. Decades later, they are reunited and question what their relationship could have been had Nora never moved from Korea. The critics' consensus reads: A remarkable debut for writer-director Celine Song, Past Lives uses the bonds between its sensitively sketched central characters to support trenchant observations on the human condition. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Earlier this year, more than 20 years after the release of the first film, Bridget Jones returned in her fourth outing, Mad About The Boy. The eagerly-anticipated sequel joins Bridget (Renée Zellweger) in a very different place in her life, matured into a mother but unexpectedly alone again after the tragic offscreen death of husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). Dating again, she finds herself torn between younger man Roxster (Leo Woodall), and her son's science teacher, Scott (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The critics' consensus reads: A bittersweet romp about new beginnings with another sparkling turn by Renée Zellweger, Mad About the Boy gracefully closes the book on Bridget Jones' diary. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Ahead of the release of Wicked: For Good in November, enjoy the first film with major savings right now. Starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and many more, hit musical Wicked was transformed into a big-screen success last year that stormed the Oscars. Set in the Land of Oz prior to Dorothy Gale's arrival from Kansas, Wicked explores the early relationship between Elphaba (Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (Grande), who becomes Glinda the Good, during their time at Shiz University. The critics' consensus reads: Defying gravity with its magical pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked's sheer bravura and charm make for an irresistible invitation to Oz. 8 Mile The 40-Year-Old Virgin 127 Hours 300 Ali G In Da House Airplane Annabelle Apocalypse Now Aquaman As Above So Below The Big Lebowski Blended Blow Boiling Point The Black Phone Bruce Almighty A Complete Unknown The Descent Donnie Darko Evil Dead Rise Heat Home Alone Insidious It Feeds Lights Out Lolita Marching Power The Mummy Pans Labyrinth The Pianist Quadrophenia Road House Scary Movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World Scream The Simpsons Movie Slumdog Millionaire Taken Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny They Live Tombstone Twilight The Virgin Suicides The Visit War Horse The VVitch The Woman in Black View the full list of films on offer here The Crow, the final film of the late Brandon Lee, is a cult classic that inspired three sequels, a television series, and a trashed 2024 reboot. The night before their wedding, Eric Draven (Lee) and his fiancée Shelly Webster (Sofia Shinas) are brutally murdered by members of a violent gang. On the anniversary of their death, Draven rises from the dead to avenge Shelly's death by tracking them down and making the gangsters pay for their crimes. The critics' consensus reads: Filled with style and dark, lurid energy, The Crow is an action-packed visual feast that also has a soul in the performance of the late Brandon Lee. If you're a fan of Timothee Chalamet from the likes of Wonka or A Complete Unknown, you'll never look at him the same way after watching Bones and All. Maren (Taylor Russell) learns from a tape left by her estranged father that she is a cannibal, with her parent detailing her cannibalistic urges from a young age in the video and explaining he hopes she can overcome them. While trying to track him down, Maren meets Lee (Chalamet), a fellow 'eater' who guides her to learn more about herself, with love blossoming between the two. The critics' consensus reads: Although its subject matter may be hard to stomach, Bones and All proves a deeply romantic and thought-provoking treat. Martin Scorsese's epic crime drama Casino nabbed a Golden Globe for its lead actress, Sharon Stone, as well as an Academy Award nod. Adapted from Nicholas Pileggi's book of the same name, Casino follows low-level mobster Sam 'Ace' Rothstein (Robert De Niro), who is sent by his bosses to run to Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas. The film follows Ace across the years as he deals with his loose-cannon enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), his ex-hustler wife Ginger (Stone), and corrupt politicians who threaten the entire outfit's safety. The critics' consensus reads: Impressive ambition and bravura performances from an outstanding cast help Casino pay off in spite of a familiar narrative that may strike some viewers as a safe bet for director Martin Scorsese. Luc Besson began writing The Fifth Element when he was just 16 years old, and when he was 38, it finally hit cinema screens. More Trending In the distant future, Earth is about to be destroyed by an enormous fireball heading towards the planet. There is one man who knows how to stop it – Cornelius (Ian Holm) – and he enlists the help of taxi driver and former secret agent Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) and mysterious woman Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) to help. The critics' consensus reads: Visually inventive and gleefully over the top, Luc Besson's The Fifth Element is a fantastic piece of pop sci-fi that never takes itself too seriously. Amazon Prime Day runs from July 8 to 11 online for Amazon Prime members Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Boots launches epic 48-hour sale with 50% off Maybelline, L'Oreal, Garnier to rival Prime Day MORE: Superman's new Lois Lane hopes latest superhero reboot 'does the fans proud' MORE: 12 best early Prime Day deals to shop on Amazon now – from beauty, fashion to home gadgets
Express Tribune
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Stephen Schwartz may add Wicked movie's 'Popular' ending to Broadway
Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz is considering adding the film version's new extended ending of 'Popular' to the Broadway stage show. The updated version, sung by Ariana Grande as Glinda in the 2024 Wicked movie, features new key changes and showcases more of Grande's soprano range. Schwartz revealed in a recent interview with BuzzFeed UK that although this ending was written specifically for the film, he now feels it could enhance the stage version. 'If I had thought of this ending then, I would have done it,' Schwartz said, noting the potential of integrating the movie's version into the long-running Broadway production. Grande, who stars alongside Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), originally hesitated about the dramatic vocal shift but eventually embraced the idea. In an interview with The Emsolation Podcast, Grande shared that the final choreography and musical arrangement were a spontaneous decision made just days before shooting. Director Jon M. Chu, cinematographer Alice Brooks, and choreographer Chris Scott were inspired by the architecture of Shiz University's hallway, prompting the team to adapt the number's staging and vocals on the spot. The film adaptation of Wicked was released in two parts, with Part One debuting November 22, 2024, and Part Two set for November 21, 2025. Alongside Grande and Erivo, the cast includes Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Ethan Slater. If approved, the 'Popular' film ending could be the first musical number from Wicked's cinematic debut to make its way back into the original Broadway production.
Tatler Asia
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
‘Wicked: For Good' trailer drops: here are 11 spellbinding movie witches to celebrate
Witches have long captured the imagination of film lovers—mysterious, powerful and often misunderstood. But the most unforgettable ones go beyond pointy hats and potions. Whether they're fighting injustice like Wicked's Elphaba, navigating love and loss like Practical Magic's Owens sisters or rewriting reality like Wanda Maximoff, these spellcasters cast more than just hexes—they cast lasting impressions. From darkly comic to heartbreakingly human, here are 11 cinematic witches whose stories still enchant us today. The trailer for Wicked: For Good just dropped, and if the fan reactions are anything to go by, it's safe to say that people can't wait to revisit Elphaba and Glinda in Oz. As 'Wicked: For Good' brings Elphaba and Glinda back to the big screen later this year, we look at 11 iconic movie witches who've enchanted audiences with their magic, power and unforgettable stories At the heart of Wicked—the blockbuster adaptation of the Broadway musical based on a novel that reimagined The Wizard of Oz—are two very different witches: Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande). Opposites in every possible way, the two begin as rivals at Shiz University, treating each other with open disdain. But over time, they form an unlikely friendship—one that will change not only the course of their lives, but the very fabric of who they are, for good. Like the stage musical, the film delves into themes of 'good' vs 'wicked', while spotlighting the strength and transformative power of female friendship. It's not just about spells, sorcery or flying monkeys—it's about identity, acceptance and standing by someone when the world refuses to. At the end of the day, the real magic is in their friendship. Erivo and Grande have been widely praised for their performances, which honour the iconic Broadway originals while making the characters distinctly their own. Their chemistry is electric, their solos soaring. Fans are already holding space for their return in Wicked: For Good, which lands in cinemas on 21 November. See also: Oscars 2025: Asian stars and creatives in Oscar-nominated films, from 'Wicked' to 'Emilia Pérez'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The first trailer for 'Wicked: For Good' features Glinda's wedding and Dorothy. Here's everything we know about the sequel.
"Wicked: For Good," the second installment of the "Wicked" movie franchise, premieres on November 21. The film will cover the second part of the hit Broadway musical. Here's what we know so far about "Wicked: For Good," including the cast. The first trailer for "Wicked: For Good" is out — and it gives a glimpse into how Dorothy and Elphaba's stories overlap. The film is an adaptation of the second part of the hit Broadway musical, "Wicked," which retold the 1939 movie, "The Wizard of Oz," from the perspective of Elphaba: the Wicked Witch of the West. Although recent cinema adaptations of stage musicals like "Cats" and Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" haven't beeb box-office successes, the first "Wicked" movie defied gravity by making $756 million worldwide and becoming the fifth highest-grossing film of 2024. "Wicked: For Good" premieres on November 21. Marc Platt, who produced the "Wicked" stage production, said he intended for the story to be a film but Stephen Schwartz, who composed the music and lyrics, changed his mind. "I waited a very long time to make the movie," Platt, who produced the film, said at the movie's London premiere in November 2024, attended by Business Insider. The first movie tells of how Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), who is mistreated for her green skin and magical powers, became the Wicked Witch. At Shiz University, a magical school in the world of Oz, she befriends her self-absorbed roommate, Glinda (Ariana Grande). Elphaba wants to stop whoever is caging the kingdom's talking animals. When they go to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, the ruler of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), Elphaba asks for his help. But they learn he's a con man and plotting with Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), a magic professor at Shiz, to turn the world against the talking animals. They want Elphaba's help because she can read a special book of spells — but instead she steals it and leaves behind Emerald City and Glinda, who still believes in the Wizard. The second film will cover the second act, set a few years after the first, and overlaps with the plot of "The Wizard of Oz." Glinda and Madame Morrible are now part of the Wizard's administration. Fiyero Tigelaar, who Glinda and Elphaba fell for in the first act, is head of a squad hunting for Elphaba. Nessarose Thropp, the governor of Munchkinland, has become cruel and earned the title of the Wicked Witch of the East. Elphaba, now known as the Wicked Witch of the West, tries to protect the animals and people of Oz, but only harms her loved ones. When her sister is crushed and killed by Dorothy's house, and Fiyero is seemingly killed, she vows to become truly wicked. This establishes her character as the witch depicted in "The Wizard of Oz." The first trailer for "Wicked: For Good," which was released on June 4, shares many plot points from the second act of the stage musical. Fiyero is leading a squad that is hunting Elphaba, but seems to be protecting her from the Wizard. Meanwhile, Elphaba is sowing dissent by writing "Our Wizard lies" in the skies above Oz and freeing the animals. There are glimpses of Glinda and Fiyero's wedding, Madame Morrible creating the tornado that brings Dorothy to Oz, and Glinda and Elphaba resolving their differences. The teaser also shows Dorothy, the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow, whom the Wizard tells to steal Elphaba's broom. Dorothy is typically not played by an actor in the stage musical, but appears more prominently in the trailer. The trailer also features Erivo and Grande's performance of "For Good," which features in the second act of the stage musical and gives the sequel its name. Both parts of "Wicked" were filmed simultaneously, and all its stars will return in the sequel. The cast, director, and crew have all shared reasons for splitting "Wicked" into two films. The film's director, Jon Chu, and producer, Marc Platt, have said in interviews that they didn't want to cram or cut songs or characters to fit one movie. Erivo told Entertainment Weekly in February 2024 that the split allowed more space to develop her character's friendship and rivalry with Glinda the Good Witch, played by Grande. A fan newsletter, "The Schwartz Scene," reported that the composer said there had to be a break after "Defying Gravity," the final song in the musical's first act. "We found it very difficult to get past 'Defying Gravity' without a break," he said. "That song is written specifically to bring a curtain down, and whatever scene to follow it without a break just seemed hugely anti-climactic." In 2023, Schwartz told the now-defunct site, The Messenger, that the second part will include new original songs written for the film. "The storytelling required it, and therefore they were created—the intention was that they were organic and not imposed on the movie," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Wicked: For Good trailer released as fans celebrate Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's return
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo return as the iconic Elphaba and Glinda with the second instalment of the epic movie series Wicked hitting cinemas in November this year Wicked fans, get ready - the long awaited trailer for the second movie instalment has finally landed. The first film left audiences in tears, as Cynthia Erivo's powerful performance of Defying Gravity marked a dramatic turning point. Her character, Elphaba, discovers her true powers and escapes the grip of the Wizard of Oz and his co-conspirator Madame Morrible, as she soars into the sky on her broom stick in a breathtaking finale. Now the newly released trailer for Wicked: For Good - which is set to hit cinemas on November 21 - is already sparking emotional reactions just hours after its release overnight, the Mirror reports. The trailer opens with the dramatic crack of a window and the chime of a clock, as Glinda, portrayed by Ariana Grande, pauses and appears to be searching for something or someone. "Elphaba Thropp I know you're out here," Glinda calls out as she rushes out onto a large balcony that closely resembles the one where the duo were last seen at the end of the first film. "Just come in before the monkeys spot you," she begs. She then turns around, startled by Elphaba emerging from the shadows. The vintage Universal Pictures logo follows - just as it does in the first film - paying homage to the original Wizard of Oz film released in 1939. The scene then shifts to Elphaba walking with determination, broomstick in hand, chanting a spell. She slams a poster down, which is a drawing of the 'wicked' witch with the word 'RUN' written underneath. Moments later she is shown working hard at work in a forest before the camera cuts again, this time to Munchkinland, where a poster warning people of the Wicked Witch of the West is displayed. The camera then shifts to Glinda the Good, shown standing before a mirror as she carefully places her crown on her head. In another scene, the flying monkeys make an appearance, seemingly under the command of Madame Morrible, who is seen casting a spell saying: "The Wicked Witch can't elude us forever..." She goes on, as the scene shifts to reveal Elphaba's love interest, Fiyero, who has now enlisted in the army following his time at Shiz University, as Madame Morrible says: "Not with Prince Fiyero and his squadron hot on her trail." The camera dramatically cuts once again as The Wizard of Oz is seen and Glinda can be heard singing: "No good deed goes unpunished, that's my new creed." Elphaba can be heard saying, "The wonderful Wizard of Oz, no one believed in you more than I did" as Elphaba is seen writing in the sky, "Our Wizard Lies". Meanwhile, Glinda issues a heartfelt warning to her once close friend, as she says: "Elphaba, they're coming for you." The tone of the trailer then shifts as Glinda begins to sing the lyrics to For Good, while Elphaba reflects on her memories from their days at Shiz - most notably a leaflet for Emerald City, symbolising the moment their paths changed after meeting the Wizard. Elphaba opens the leaflet, which has a note from her dear friend. "I hope you got what your heart desires, Glinda," the message reads. A tender flashback follows, showing the two sitting together in a field, with Glinda resting her head on Elphaba's shoulder. In the background, Glinda softly sings, "I know I am who I am today because I knew you." While the movie will start with the pair on opposite sides, it looks as if there is hope for them to become friends again as Glinda is seen telling Elphaba, "think of what we can do, together." The trailer continues with more of what is to come, including what appears to be Glynda and Fiyero's wedding before a message to Wicked fans appears on the screen. It reads: "Witness the epic conclusion". Elsewhere, The Wizard, Elphaba and Glinda are seen reuniting in a surprising moment, as the trio appear to be dancing together - suggesting a possible reconciliation - before the words "And be changed for good" appear on screen. Glinda and Elphaba continue to sing For The Better together only to be interrupted by the Wizards chilling command: "Bring me the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West." The trailer also features brief appearances by The Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow along with a glimpse of Dorothy as the trio can be seen speaking to The Wizard. Meanwhile, Fiyero appears to be caught in a moment of conflict, torn between Elphaba and the Wizard as he hesitates with a gun in hand - forced to choose a side. He throws a broom towards Elphaba, who responds with "For a while there I thought you have changed." The scene then shifts to a quiet exchange between Elphaba and Fiyero, now emotionally close, as he gently replies: "I have changed." A series of cuts show Glinda and Elphaba before Elphaba turns to her friend and says: "It's time for both of us to fly," before she jets up into the sky. In a deeply emotional moment, Elphaba confides in Glinda, "You're the only friend I ever had." And Glinda replies: "And I've had so many friends," before Elphaba giggles and the pair share a sweet hug and hold hands before Glinda continues: "But only one that mattered." The trailer continues with Elphaba summoning her hat and broomsticks, declaring: "I'm off to see the Wizard," before taking off, surrounded by flying monkeys. Fans were quick to express their excitement for the movie release on social media. As soon as the trailer was posted one fan wrote: "I will absolutely be changed for good!!! I'm so excitedddd". Another added:"I can't wait to SOB," as a third simply stated: "Wicked has brought Cinema back to its full glory." And another expressed: "Why am I crying".
