Review: Ghostbusters: Afterlife and tick, tick... BOOM!

A Double Feature Review!

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Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Actress Mckenna Grace

Holy nostalgia! At times, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a bit overburdened with the constant callbacks and fan service. Overall, it’s still a sweet, funny, and enjoyable movie. For better or for worst, the Ghostbusters franchise has finally thrown in the towel and given fans what they've always wanted. An experience full of nonstop callbacks to the original, goofy nostalgia, and a sweet movie with a lot of heart. My expectations were low with this one, but I came out of the theater surprised. Afterlife is a fun family film and a moving tribute to the late Harold Ramis (who passed away in 2014). Our film follows a single mom (Carrie Coon) and her two kids (Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace), who arrive in a small town in Oklahoma, where they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. Hint Dr. Egon Spengler (Ramis). Paul Rudd is the town's goofy middle-school science teacher. Rudd helps give the film some noble comedic laughs throughout, but the real star of Afterlife is Mckenna Grace as Phoebe. At only 15-years-old, Grace has already made her imprint in Hollywood, being in films and TV shows like I, Tonya, Captain Marvel, Malignant, The Haunting of Hill House, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Annabelle Comes Home, and Young Sheldon. Grace is the real star of this movie, as she gets to showcase her acting chops. She has a bright future ahead of her in Hollywood. Overall, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a sweet film that the whole family will enjoy. Especially, when our old friends come back on the screen. So, "who you gonna call?"

Actor Paul Rudd

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Supernatural Action | Some Suggestive References.

Directed by Jason Reitman

Starring Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, and Paul Rudd.

tick, tick... BOOM!

Actors Andrew Garfield and Alexandra Shipp

tick, tick... BOOM! is a phenomenal film: a love letter to Broadway that will make you want to go back to the theatre. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s directorial debut grabs ahold of you, never letting go. A stirring tribute to Jonathan Larson (Rent and tick, tick... BOOM!), his legacy (who sadly passed away at the age of 35), and a celebration of the creative process. Andrew Garfield is remarkable throughout. Give this man an Oscar nom! Somewhere, looking down upon us, Larson is smiling because tick, tick... BOOM! is a rich and emotionally rewarding tribute to the artist's life and love of theatre. Miranda's (Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton) directorial debut is a wonderful musical feature led by the acting chops of Garfield. Theatre geeks, like myself, will fall in love with this picture, sending one over the moon and back. tick, tick... BOOM! is an adaptation of the autobiographical musical by Larson, who was one of the artists that revolutionized the theatre in the late 90s. Our film follows Jon (a star-struck Garfield), a young theater composer striving to make his big break in The Big Apple.

While Jon isn't working on his writings, he's waiting tables at a New York City diner (Moondance). Jon is days away from showcasing his work (Superbia) in a make-or-break performance. Feeling the pressure from everywhere and everyone: his girlfriend Susan (a great Alexandra Shipp), whose dreams are beyond New York City; his friend Michael (a spectacular Robin de Jesús), who has moved on to a more financial job; and being amidst the AIDS epidemic that is grappling ahold of the artistic community. The clock is ticking, Jon's mind is racing, and time is running out. Garfield gives us a phenomenal performance while belting out those singing chops. Garfield has a voice that shines, one that will also melt your heart away. Likewise, Shipp, de Jesús, Vanessa Hudgens, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and Joshua Henry all give wonderful performances in the supporting role. tick, tick...BOOM! is also made up of a grand soundtrack, featuring songs like 30/90, Boho Days, Sunday, Swimming, Why, and Louder Than Words. tick, tick...BOOM! is one of the best musical movies to come out this year. Miranda's picture will win you over and fill your soul with everlasting joy. Theatre geeks rejoice! tick, tick...BOOM! is here to stay. 

Actor Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson

tick, tick... BOOM! is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Some Suggestive Material | Some Strong Language | Drug References.

Now streaming on Netflix.

Directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Starring Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Judith Light     Vanessa Hudgens, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and Bradley Whitford as the great Stephen Sondheim (who, sadly, passed away).