Ziga's World TV & Film Wrapped
2024: Defying the Day of Mr. Christmas on the Summit & more things I watched
*Contains spoilers
WICKED (2024)
9/10
oooAAAHAAHooooAHAHoooooh (Tay Keith!)
I went into this film knowing nothing about nada. I knew Popular and Defying Gravity, but my expectations were blown out of the door after this film. Cynthia Erivo is goated. Her voice, her power, her softness, the microbraids. This was a magical carpet ride and I didn’t want it to end. John Chu cooked. Grande did a great job in her role as Glinda, what a voice! The lighting wasn’t that bad, the backlight in Dancing Through Life was meh cause I felt it was so strong and covered the faces of the performers.
I just don’t get how some viewers still sided with Glinda. Pretty white, blonde girl thinks she deserves all the opportunities and the hot guy because she’s ‘good’, yet fakes her solidarity for marginalized people. She’s ‘good’ but doesn’t care about the animals or helping others without gaining something for herself. Rather then seeing Elphaba as a human person worthy of dignity and respect, she becomes performative to show that she cares, only to try and change Elphaba to become popular. Sis was singing about Elphaba being dead, she is not a girls girl!
Elphaba represented the “other” in society. The outcasts. Racialized people. The wizard represented the reality of our dreams. The innocence that dissapears after you realize that what you’ve always wanted isn’t what you thought it would be - becoming an actress in an industry increasingly using AI, erasing Black female characters and stories, financial instablility due to low salaries and little to no residuals. I dream of using my gifts to entertain others and bring marginalized stories to mainstream audiences. And, of course, make a good living from it. That’s what my “Hollywood” dream is. But, I’m slowly seeing the dark realities.
And nobody in all of Oz
No wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down
Amen!
Highlights:
Costumes and set design was out of this world. How did they create everything?
The ensemble and extras were just about the most talented lads and ladies I’ve ever seen!
The cameo was such a great suprise - I loved that entire scene!
Girl, did I just see oompa loompas in Oz?
The flying monkeys and the wizard’s huge gold face was very scary.
The “raise your hand!” line delivery was gold!
Bowen Yang’s character felt a little absent. I wanted more because Yang is incredibly funny and endearing on SNL.
The Wizard and I scene made me feel so proud to be a Black girl. I was shook.
Jonathan Bailey is so…wow…he could do a movie with a blade of grass and I would watch and give it 5 stars.
Musicians and the production of the songs. Man, I love music!
IDGAF what any of those people think about this film, this is theatre, this is film, this is art.
Finding Mr. Christmas
9/10
I’m totally not blushing, guys. Stop. JK, start. This show was better than I thought. I thought it was going to be like the Bachelorette, but I realized they were competing for an acting role in a Hallmark movie. It’s actually the opposite of the Bachelorette. It’s wholesome, very cringey, it has the fabulous Melissa Peterman, everyone with blue eyes stared into my soul (I'm looking at you Hayden), and it makes men look like good people. I was glued into every challenge, from dancing with the queen Whitney Carson, to unwrapping Christmas lights. I loved the acting challenges, considering only 1-2 guys had acting experience. I also love that the cast was very inexperienced but passionate about finding a different career or expanding outside of their current ones. They were so vunerable and kind. I felt the love that the men had for eachother, which is so amazing to see considering how much red pill, alpha male, toxic masculinity propaganda has been going around. And they had a contestant from the LGBTQ+ community in it too which you never see in mostly straight male spaces.
Let’s talk about the ending though. I loved every single one of the contestants (shocked myself), but there was one clear winner for me. Elijah. Or Hayden. No hate to Ezra, but when you evaluate everyone’s performance in the end, the person who showed the most growth, success in the acting challenges, and showed the MOST qualities of a Hallmark leading man was Elijah or Hayden. Yes, Elijah was in Hamilton, but Hallmark acting is not broadway acting. Plus, I had a little hope that it could be a Black guy… Hayden also grew so much, and he did so good in the last challenge, especially with his emotional side. Someone reunite him with his dang dog, please! Anyways, interested to see how Ezra does in his first feature film and hopefully we see a Season 2!
The Day of the Jackal (Season 1)
10/10
I haven’t finished the full season, but I have some thoughts. This show sets the standard for what quality television is. Wow! I rarely watch action shows, but I fear they got me when I heard Radiohead in the trailer and saw Lashana Lynch. Eddie Redmayne, mayne, I was not familiar with your game (I should be a bigger rapper than Kendrick). He acts with his face, he doesn’t have to say anything. Sort of like Cicely Tyson. The production level of this show is so amazing, the budget had to be huge. Budapest, London, Hungary, Spain. I see you locations department! The fact that Redmayne and Lynch are EP’s on it too! Lynch is a force, her character powers through anything, even if it risks her life or relationships. SHE’S SO CLOSE TO GETTING THE JACKAL BRO!
Celeste on the theme song, chef’s kiss! The writing of this show is impecable because the pacing is perfect and the writers know when words are not needed. The tension, the emotion is enough. I have been gagging since the first scene in episode 1. Shout out to the gaffers, director(s), makeup artists, and casting directors! I’ve injected this show into my veins. I am addicted!
Let me know if I should write a full review of the show in the comments!
The Summit (Season 1, 2024)
5/10
I was very into the social drama and the super dangerous challenges. The scenery was very pretty. The cast was very unhinged and terrified of everything. But the ending was so bad - why are Americans so bad at voting? In the end, three people win and split the prize pot. Out of the three, Nick, who lied and broke promises with his allies during the show, somehow won the biggest prize pot after the rest of the cast voted on who should get an extra $250,000. Mind you, the same people he lied to voted for him to win. Y’all hate Black people because Pumpkin or Theron played a better and fairer game. Pumpkin deserved the win in my opinion. Reminded me of the US election. The ones who voted for Nick are not hiding their racism because what do you mean?
Honorable Mentions
Abbott Elementary (Season 4) - Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti for Best Supporting Actress/Actor.
Ugliest/Scariest House in America - Retta.
Challengers (2024) - Zendaya, super fun, cinematography was fire.
The Cleaning Lady (Season 3) - Elodie Yung needs to be nominated for big awards for her work in this show. RIP Adan Canto.
Found (Season 1 & 2) - Mark-Paul Gosselaar is too good at his job, I’m very scared of that man. A'Zaria Latrell Carter is a star.
Elsbeth (Season 1 & 2) - Reminds me of Only Murders in the Building. Carrie Preston is a physical comedy inspiration and I love the way the show is shot.
Holidazed (2024) - Lovely. Funny. Diverse. Cringe. Encompasses the true Hallmark Christmas spirit.
Mark McKinney Needs A New Hobby - Who knew Glenn from Superstore is so much fun! In all seriousness, this is my fave comfort show and it’s so fascinating to watch.
Poppas House (Season 1) - This is classic, Black entertainment. They have bloopers people! The last time I saw bloopers at the end of anything, I was like, 7. And, they’re getting an 18 episode order for their 1st season!
So Help Me Todd (Season 2)- I was about to riot like it was January 6th when the show got cancelled. The chemistry between the son and mother was so good. My head is hot! THE SHOW NEEDS TO BE RESURRECTED!
Sight Unseen (Season 1) - New Canadian show - me likey. Characters, writing, and cinematography went crazy!
The 2024 WNBA Season - I am drained from the racism, mysogyny, and hate speech. So happy for my rookies though! And that final? I demand a recount!
Wild Cards (Season 1) - Chemistry is so good, I’m kicking my feet and giggling. The “forced to work together” trope (or whatever you Wattpad girlies call it) is done so well. Love this show so much, it’s a must watch.