Cube Critics

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From Minnesota Public Radio News, MPR News producers Samantha Matsumoto and Aron Woldeslassie share a passion for movies. Each week, they take a break from their day jobs to talk about what they've seen lately.

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    Cube Critics discuss ‘Maria’ and ‘Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary’

    Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a a movie about an opera soprano at the end of her life and a movie about an entire genre of music at the end of its life. ‘Maria’ Angelina Jolie delivers a compelling performance in “Maria,” a biopic about legendary soprano Maria Callas. The film centers on the final week of her life, framed as an imagined documentary crew capturing her swan song. As Maria grapples with drug addiction and the loss of her voice — the foundation of her identity — the audience is drawn into her fragile psyche. Flashbacks to her tumultuous romance with Aristotle Onassis and encounters with JFK add depth to the narrative. Though occasionally confusing and slow, the film offers insight into the mind of a performer in crisis. Now in select theaters, it streams on Netflix next week. Maria trailer Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary This documentary dives into the revival of yacht rock, the smooth, jazzy, soulful sound of the 1970s and ‘80s epitomized by artists like Michael McDonald, Steely Dan and Toto. Featuring interviews with key musicians and session players who defined the genre, the film explores the emotional depth behind the mellow grooves and uncovers fascinating tidbits, such as Christopher Cross writing a hit song on LSD and “Thriller” being essentially a Toto album. With a mix of nostalgia and humor, “Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary” is a breezy, engaging watch. Now streaming on Max.

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    Cube Critics get Glicked, seeing both ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’

    Cube Critics got Glicked this week, catching “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.” “Wicked” is the winter blockbuster everyone’s been anticipating. It’s a vibrant adaptation of the Broadway musical (itself loosely based on a book), telling the story of a young witch finding herself in the Land of Oz. The film is led by the incredible Cynthia Erivo, who carries the movie with a stunning performance, and Ariana Grande, whose presence adds sparkle. The supporting cast shines too, with Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh as a cunning puppet master, and Jeff Goldblum as an entertaining Wizard. “Gladiator II,” meanwhile, pales in comparison to its predecessor. While the performances are strong — Paul Mescal gives a solid lead turn, Pedro Pascal is intriguingly ambiguous and Denzel Washington steals the show as a villain — it struggles with plot depth. Mescal’s character feels underdeveloped, often merely reacting to action scenes, while Denzel electrifies every moment he’s on screen but doesn’t get enough interaction with Mescal to elevate the story. “Gladiator II” is worth a watch if you have time, but if you must choose, “Wicked” wins by a landslide. Both films are now playing in theaters.

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    Cube Critics discuss ‘Emilia Pérez’

    “Emilia Pérez” is a French film set in Mexico, shot largely on soundstages in France, blending elements of noir, musicals and occasional winking comedy. The story follows a Mexican cartel boss (Karla Sofía Gascón) who transitions to living as a woman, with Zoe Saldaña playing the lawyer who helps her navigate the dangerous logistics of the operation and its aftermath. Gascón, a trans actress, brings authenticity to a role treated with sincerity and compassion, while the film’s humor adds a cheeky charm. The musical elements, though sporadic, are striking, showcasing Saldaña’s dance and theater background. Highlights include an operatic sing-talking style and a gun-loading choreography sequence, though the integration of music could have been more consistent. This is an interesting moment for offbeat musicals (compare with 2021’s “Annette,” in which Adam Driver has a puppet as a child). Hopefully, as they mature they will get a firmer grasp on what makes musicals so powerful. Emilia Perez trailer

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    Cube Critics discuss ‘Conclave’

    “Conclave” is a gripping political thriller set in the Vatican, centered on the high-stakes election of a new pope. Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, the meticulous and morally driven Dean of the College of Cardinals, overseeing a process where ambition and ideology collide. As factions clash — ranging from hardline traditionalists to liberal reformists — performances by Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and others bring depth to this web of backroom machinations. Less a religious film and more akin to “House of Cards,” “Conclave” explores the power struggles within the Church, revealing how politics and faith intertwine. With stunning, Caravaggio-like visuals and an almost humorless tone, the film dives into a tense, absorbing series of twists as each vote shifts the fortunes of its characters. Conclave trailer

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    Cube Critics discuss the final season of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’

    “What We Do in the Shadows” is a vampire mockumentary series airing on FX, based on the 2014 film of the same name by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The show hilariously explores the mundane and supernatural challenges faced by a group of vampire roommates living in Staten Island. The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, including: Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), a former warlord who is less relentless than his name suggests.Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), a centuries-old vampire couple, with Berry producing some of the strangest pronunciations of the English language to be found on television.Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), an energy vampire who drains people’s energy through banal conversations, is perhaps the most inspired comic creation on the show.Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), the loyal yet underappreciated familiar, undergoes the show’s most complicated character arc involving his Van Helsing ancestry and evolving role within the group.The show also offers memorable guest appearances from actors including Kristen Schaal and Tim Heidecker. Over its seasons, the show has evolved beyond its film origins, developing rich storylines and deepening its characters. The final season explores the characters’ complicated dependence on Guillermo and the centrality of his role in the group. Whether you’re new to the show or catching up, it’s easy to dive in from the beginning. Highly recommended for fans of comedy and supernatural genres alike.

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    Cube Critics discuss the latest season of 'Slow Horses'

    “Slow Horses” returns with a fourth season that intertwines espionage thrills with sharp British humor. The series continues to follow a team of disgraced British spies relegated to Slough House, a dumping ground for MI5’s misfits. Leading this motley crew is Jackson Lamb, portrayed with remarkable flair by Gary Oldman. Oldman’s depiction of Lamb as a brilliant yet disheveled and flatulence-prone former top agent is both hilarious and captivating. However, fans might wish for more screen time between Oldman and MI5 higher-up Kristin Scott Thomas, whose onscreen chemistry is electric. This season introduces a new antagonist, ex-CIA operative Frank Harkness, played by Hugo Weaving of “The Matrix” fame. Weaving delivers a chilling performance that adds depth to a conspiracy connecting British and American intelligence services. His character’s machinations tie closely to River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) and his grandfather David Cartwright (Jonathan Pryce). Pryce offers a poignant portrayal of a seasoned spy grappling with dementia, potentially earning him another Emmy nomination. Adding fresh energy to the ensemble is Tom Brooke as J.K. Coe, a behavior analyst whose sparse but sharp dialogue contributes to a standout comedic performance. Slow Horses season trailer

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    Cube Critics discuss ‘Rumours’

    Click here. “Rumours” is a Canadian dark comedy horror film directed by Guy Maddin, alongside frequent collaborators Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson. Set during the G7 Summit in Germany, the film satirizes political incompetence as leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK and the U.S. convene in a gazebo to draft a provisional statement. What ensues is a descent into absurdity and chaos, surrounded by a bog inhabited by resurrected “bog people” — ancient figures preserved in peat whose bones have dissolved, leaving them awfully wobbly and squishy. Cate Blanchett delivers a standout performance as the German Chancellor, also serving as co-producer. Roy Dupuis portrays the personification of Canada, with each actor embodying their country’s idiosyncrasies — in this film, global leaders are buffoons. The film’s visual style merges soft-focus aesthetics reminiscent of Thomas Kinkade paintings with “Scooby-Doo” and melodramatic soap opera elements. “Rumours” boasts a script that feels improvisational. Memorable scenes include a giant brain and a childlike AI designed to catch predators, leading to a series of scenes where leaders must act suspicious enough to trigger a police response without getting arrested. Blending horror and comedy, “Rumours” stands out as one of the year’s best in both genres, offering sharp commentary wrapped in hysterical and unsettling scenarios. Rumours trailer

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    Cube Critics discuss ‘Heartstopper’ season three

    Adapted from the beloved graphic novel series of the same name by Alice Oseman, “Heartstopper” follows British high schoolers Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring on their journey of self-discovery and young love. The show also features the lives of their friend group as the young adults seek to find their place in the world.   MPR News arts reporter Jacob Aloi and digital editor Kaila White review season three of “Heartstopper,” which is available now on Netflix.   Click here. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cube-critics/id525807831 Heartstopper Season Three Synopsis  Season three of “Heartstopper,” adapted from volumes four and five of the graphic novels, takes on mental health issues like eating disorders, OCD and anxiety, as well as struggles transgender people experience. This season also grows up a bit from the previous two seasons, with Nick and Charlie inching ever closer to taking their relationship to the next level.

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From Minnesota Public Radio News, MPR News producers Samantha Matsumoto and Aron Woldeslassie share a passion for movies. Each week, they take a break from their day jobs to talk about what they've seen lately.

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