The Olive Opinion

Based on the infamous Sondheim musical that revamped a Shakespearian tale, West Side Story returned to the big screen last December. Musical theater enthusiasts who didn't get to catch it on the big screen will be able to stream it soon on Disney Plus. Directed by Steven Spielberg - helming his very first musical, this remake of the classic captures themes and nuances that made the original so memorable in the 60s as well as including instances that would make this musical relevant to the current status quo. The musical is set in 1957 in a neighborhood where two gangs, one of Polish descent (Jets) while the other was Puerto Rican (Sharks), are at odds to control of Manhattan's West Side. In the midst of this 'war', Tony, the ex-convict, and Maria, the young sister of the Shark's leader, Bernando, fall in love at first sight. Due to their forbidden love driving a bigger wedge between the two groups of territorial men, a Romeo and Juliet-like set of events takes place...

Oscar contender, Nightmare Alley revitalizes the noir-themed films in such a way that invites moviegoers - from any generation - who has the patience to watch and really understand this brooding sense of character study undertaking betrayals and survival tactics. Knowing that it is directed by Guillermo Del Toro should let you know and warn that this tale is not for the faint of heart and neither was the source material. However, as one of the few who are being introduced to this classic tale through Del Toro's eyes, an opinion should be considered as just an opinion.  The film features an A-list cast that includes Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, and Cate Blanchett. It is hard to call this ensemble since the film revolves around Cooper's character, Stanton Carlisle who joins a circus after his father dies and lives with Zeena and her husband, Pete. The pair's act focuses on clairvoyance but after her husband dies, he runs away with Molly - played b...

10 years since the last sequel and 25 years since the original, Ghostface returns to terrorize the residents of Woodsboro in this re-quel of the Scream franchise. Featuring an all-new ensemble of familiar faces including legacy actors Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette, Scream brings back the slasher genre to a whole new level of entertaining and surprisingly... surprising. From the opening sequence itself, you can tell that this poke-fun-at-Hollywood revitalizes not only the franchise or the slasher genre but also every attempt at a reboot-like sequel the American entertainment business does these days. It is hard to reboot or create a sequel to something that came out more than 20 years ago, as it was pointed out in this movie, due to loyal yet passionate fans. However, it's clear that with Scream, their attempt at a reboot-like sequel managed to successfully entertain not only through fan service but as well as just good, fresh storytelling while also paying a great...