Jon M. Chu

Film Review: Wicked is a musical extravaganza worth celebrating

At 2 hours and 40 minutes, there’s a lot of Wicked. And this is only the first part of the story.  Yes, despite the advertisements simply marketing this as “Wicked”, the opening credits inform us that this is the first half of the mammoth Broadway adaptation that expanded the wonderful world of Oz by letting…

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Interview: Wicked Hair and Make-up Designer Frances Hannon on finding her own vision within the land of Oz

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu, Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive…

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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo defy gravity in anticipated first-look trailer for Wicked

After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining cinematic event this holiday season. Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young…

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Interview: The cast and creators of In The Heights on bringing the film from stage to screen

As In The Heights prepares to dance its way on to the big screens here in Australia (you can read our review here), the cast and creators were on hand at a global press conference to discuss making the film, including director Jon M. Chu, creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and screenwriter Quiara Alegría Hudes. Our own…

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Film Review: In The Heights is a feel-good reminder of the joy of the big screen musical

Any film that has an air of positivity about it can all too easily be framed as “the movie we need right now” coming off the global lockdown stage of the pandemic.  Sure, a film that makes you laugh, smile, or cry (in the good way) is going to be enough of an escape after…

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Interview: Christopher Scott on choreographing In The Heights; “They could have done this live”

After In The Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda enlisted director Jon M. Chu to bring his acclaimed stage production to life on the big screen, Chu extended his arm to longtime collaborator Christopher Scott, the three-time Emmy nominated choreographer who helped shape the movements of the Step Up films. Ahead of the film’s Australian release, Peter…

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Latinx culture and community are celebrated in new In The Heights trailer

As 2021 slowly finds its footing in navigating the pandemic, there appears to be no better time than now for a celebration of unity.  Dropping a beautifully colourful trailer in the lead-up to its June release, In The Heights, from director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians), promises an honouring of all Latinx culture in…

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Film Review: Crazy Rich Asians (USA, 2018) is a well-executed romantic comedy with grounded observations on family traditions

A film like Crazy Rich Asians is a long time coming. For the past 25 years, since the release of Wayne Wang‘s expansive drama, The Joy Luck Club, there haven’t been a lot of films in the Hollywood system that featured Asian-Americans in substantial roles; let alone managed to assemble a talented ensemble cast. Whilst, the…

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