Movie Review: ‘Wicked’ proves spellbinding on the big screen
‘Wicked’ proves spellbinding on the big screen
By Scott McDaniel, TheStatehouseFile.com Nov 29, 2024
Whereas some musical adaptations flop, “Wicked” defies gravity and soars into the cinematic spotlight.
“Wicked” already crescendoed to a $114 million opening, the third-best start of the year. And with Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s gonna be pop-u-lar.
Stephen Schwartz’s 2003 Broadway hit has entertained audiences for decades now, but film director Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights”) has finally brought the Tony Award-winning classic to the big screen.
Pop megastar Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Tony-winner Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) are sensational, choosing to sing live rather than acting over a prerecorded track. Fans of the theatre production should be pleased, as the insanely talented duo create an emotionally charged adaptation, with Chu using the magic of cinema to bring their fantastical world to life.
After accidentally displaying her raw magical powers, a young, green Elphaba finds herself enrolled in her sister’s college—which would be more exciting if she wasn’t forced to live with the roommate she never wanted: the pink-loving blonde Glinda.
At first, it seems they’re total opposites, bound to hate one another. But after one cruel trick, empathy takes hold and their relationship shifts to an unlikely friendship. So when Elphaba’s uncontrolled powers get her noticed, she brings Glinda with her to meet the Wizard of Oz.
All-star casting sees Michelle Yeoh (who won an Oscar for “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”) as the dean of sorcery studies, Michelle Yeoh. And a long time dream came true for many Broadway fans when Jeff Goldblum was picked to play the Wizard of Oz.
But it’s Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero who pops, or dances, off the screen. The “Bridgerton” star dazzles his Shiz University classmates and movie-goers alike with charm and rhythm.
The cast is amazing, working their way through part one of the musical in two hours and 40 minutes (part two is due out November 2025). The film doesn’t feel that long—not only because the musical numbers are stellar but because when the pace does slow down, the camera can move in close on some powerful acting, capturing the emotions more intimately than you’d see them from a theatre balcony seat.
“Wicked” is enchanting and may have you listening to its soundtrack on a loop as you count down the days until part two.
4.5/5
Scott McDaniel is department chair and an assistant professor of journalism at Franklin College. He lives in Bargersville with his wife and three kids.
Buy Local Today on Small Business Saturday
The City-County Observer is a small business that understands what it means to build a business from the ground up that is dedicated to serving our neighbors here in Evansville. We’re just one of many locally owned businesses that are classified as small and local.
Big box and e-commerce businesses have Black Friday and Cyber Monday. To counter that, Small Business Saturday encourages people to do business with the small and local shops.
We encourage you to do some shopping and dining this holiday season with the the hometown folks who have invested in our community.
Small Business Saturday was observed for the first time on November 27, 2010, by American Express.
Jim Redwine Gavel Gamut: Still a Winner
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
(Week of 02 December 2024)
STILL A WINNER
Gentle Reader, if you read last week’s Gavel Gamut column you know I predicted
Indiana University would win last Saturday’s football game against Ohio State University; we didn’t. On the other hand, I.U. has already won 10 games this season and, I predict, I.U. will defeat Purdue November 30, 2024 in Bloomington, Indiana. I am ever hopeful when it comes to I.U. sports.
O.S.U. played an excellent game. Their victory was not due to bad calls or untimely
injuries or the weather. They just out played us in all phases of the game. However, we were competitive in the first half and evidenced the elements of a future Big Ten champion. Who knows? Next year? Five years from now? In my life-time? The most important elements this year’s team has displayed on the football field are a belief in themselves and a will to win.
But, what about now? Indiana has never before had a 10-game season and, when we beat
Purdue, it will be 11. On top of that, if I.U. does win against Purdue there is an excellent chance it will be selected as one of the 12 teams playing in the College Football Playoffs. Should we lose to Purdue there is probably no chance. But I.U. could make the CFP and have a chance to win more games with a win this Saturday (November 30, 2024).
Regardless, I.U. has already won 10 games this season including teams such as Michigan,
Michigan State, Nebraska, Washington, UCLA, Wisconsin and Illinois. While several of the
games have been close, that simply shows character and an ability to compete when games are challenging. You may recall, Gentle Reader, that last week’s column exposited some of Indiana’s past teams of character such as the teams of 1945 and 1967. This team of 2024 can lay claim to that same mantle.
We did not beat O.S.U. last week but this year we have shown the character to beat them
in the future. This team is a winner no matter what 2024 score was predicted.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
Victorian Christmas Traditions!
Experience the holidays as they were celebrated in the 1800s at Willard Public Library’s Victorian Christmas Traditions! Join us on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:30 PM in the Lankford Reading Room and Browning Gallery for an evening filled with history, music, and festive cheer.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Time: 5 PM
Location: Lankford Reading Room & Browning Gallery
Here’s what to look forward to:
- Live Music & Photo Ops: Enjoy the sounds of a brass quartet and capture memories with Father Christmas and the mischievous Krampus.
- Historical Insights: At 6:00 PM, discover how Americans celebrated Christmas during the challenges of the late 1800s.
- Tree Decorating & Treats: Help decorate our Browning Gallery Christmas tree with traditional Victorian ornaments and enjoy authentic treats crafted by local bakeries.
This free, interactive event is open to everyone—no library card required! But if you don’t have one yet, it’s the perfect opportunity to sign up and explore all the library has to offer.
Here’s what you can harvest this December: Indiana’s hunting and trapping opportunities
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Indiana Agriculture Insider
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Hoosier poultry producers were generous with their communities
again throughout 2024
Earlier this week, Gov. Eric Holcomb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb and the Indiana State Poultry Association recognized the generosity of Indiana’s poultry producers at the 77th annual Governor’s Poultry Presentation at the Indiana Statehouse.
Through their generosity, Indiana food banks and community organizations were able to offer 250,000 pounds of nutrient-rich duck, turkey and chicken meat to Hoosiers in need. Indiana chicken egg producers supplied food banks with one million dozen eggs, and duck producers donated upwards of 50,000 dozen eggs this year as well. Beyond the donation of poultry and eggs, poultry companies provided in excess of $120,000 in direct contributions to various not-for-profit and charitable organizations in their communities.
Click below to read more about the poultry presentation event.
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Nominate Local Indiana Teachers for Top Agricultural Educator Award
Agriculture educators play a vital role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry. To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources, Nationwide and Indiana FFA are accepting nominations for Indiana’s leading agricultural teachers for a chance to be named as the 2024-2025 Ag Educator of the Year.
Each year, finalists receive $500 in funding to help advance their programs and the grand prize winner receives an additional $3,000 to boost their efforts and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy. Nominate any Indiana agriculture educator for the 2024-2025 Golden Owl Award from November 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
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Click below to find more information or to nominate someone you know.
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Order an Indiana Grown Holiday Gift Box Today!
 Support local and spread some holiday cheer with Indiana Grown the Indiana Grown Holiday Box!
This year’s gift box showcases a variety of products from Indiana Grown members located across the state including coffees, sweet treats and body care items. Indiana Grown is a statewide initiative housed within the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to highlight local products and artisan goods. |
Click below to order the 2024 Indiana Grown Holiday Box. Quantities are limited.
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2025 Indiana Dairy Producers (IDP) Forum
 From inspiring keynote sessions to sneak previews at new products to educational sessions, plus networking and celebrating industry leaders, there is something for every Indiana dairy producer at the 2025 Indiana Dairy Producers (IDP) Forum. IDP is focused on making Indiana the most desirable place to produce milk and the Forum taking place in French Link, Indiana, on January 28-29, 2025, provides a wealth of information and connections to help dairies advance and improve. |
Click here to see the full program and registration details.
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 ISDA Participates in 33rd Tri-National Agricultural Accord
ISDA Director Lamb represented Indiana at the 33rd Tri-National Agricultural (TNA) Accord, hosted by NASDA in Arlington, VA. The TNA is a series of meetings with state and provincial leaders from departments of agriculture in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Participants engage in bilateral and trilateral discussions on key agricultural issues impacting the North American bloc while also building important relationships and partnerships that ISDA can use to benefit Indiana farmers and exporters in the future. |
 Indiana Presence at SIAL ParisInternational Trade Manager Megan Bixler attended SIAL Paris in October on behalf of ISDA and the Indiana Soybean Alliance to support exhibiting Indiana companies and promote Indiana products. There were four Indiana companies that exhibited in USA pavilions: Maple Leaf Farms, Weaver Popcorn Bulk, American Beverage Marketers and Golden Waffles. SIAL Paris is one of the largest food trade shows in the world, with more than 7,000 exhibitors from 200 countries and 265,000 visitors. |
2025 Trade Show Opportunities:
May 13 – 15: 2025 Sweets and Snacks Expo Indiana Pavilion
May 17 – 20: 2025 National Restaurant Association Show Indiana Pavilion
For more information regarding these trade show opportunities, contact Megan Bixler, ISDA International Trade Manager.
The Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville Presents Happy Noon Years 2024
The Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville Presents Happy Noon Years 2024
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DJ ELO bringing the tunes (9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Full Museum)
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Daniel “The Balloon Guy” making balloon art (10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Work Smart)
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Glow Parties (10 a.m. -10:45 a.m. & 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., SparkPlug)
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Confetti Balloon Pop Countdown (10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., Lobby)
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Balloon Drop (12 p.m., Work Smart, Freedom Gallery, Speak Loud, Live Well, Kids World, SparkPlug)
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Magic Show (12:25 p.m. – 12:45 p.m., SparkPlug)
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New Years Crafts (All Day, Full Museum)
HOT JOBS
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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.