From Thanksgiving to Wish, Should You Add These To Your Watchlist?
From a Thanksgiving killer to a talking lizard, should you add these movies to your watchlist? The writers of Pop Culture Planet break it all down for you.
Leo
In Adam Sandler’s new Netflix film Leo, he voices elementary school class pet Leo the Lizard. Worried he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to freedom, but instead ends up saving his class from a mean substitute teacher.
This animated musical is full of goofy songs and life lessons as the kids in this class find someone who makes them feel seen and heard. Leo is sweet, satirical, and fun for the whole family!
Leo is streaming on Netflix.
- Kristen Maldonado
Thanksgiving
A year after a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a John Carver mask wearing killer terrorizes the residents of Plymouth, Massachusetts in the name of revenge.
From the Black Friday massacre to a horrifying Thanksgiving dinner, the kills are brutal and, surprisingly, wacky. Despite being helmed by Eli Roth and featuring rising stars like Milo Manheim and Addison Rae, Thanksgiving is weighed down by a weak script and forgettable characters.
Thanksgiving is playing in theaters.
- Kristen Maldonado
What Happens Later
Ex-lovers Willa and Bill unexpectedly reunite at an airport and realize they're still equally attracted to and annoyed with each other. As they unpack their failed relationship’s past and compare their lives to the dreams they once shared, they begin to wonder if their reunion is a coincidence or fate.
Directed by the rom-com queen herself, Meg Ryan also stars in What Happens Later alongside David Duchovny. The film starts off slow with the couple reuniting and wandering aimlessly around an airport waiting for a sign that seems to never come. Once they decide to spend more time together, it is clear that the two have nearly no chemistry. The film also lacks comedic relief, leading you to wonder what genre the film really fits into. Ryan’s character is intended to be quirky and free spirited, but comes off as immature and unstable. David Duchovny tries his hardest to be authentic, but when the film is solely based on two characters and the chemistry just isn’t there so it ends up feeling very slow and boring. What Happens Later lacks the love and laughter that most expect when going to watch a romantic comedy.
What Happens Later is playing in theaters.
- Jordan Bohan
Wish
When Asha learns that magical King Magnifico will never grant everyone’s wishes in the kingdom of Rosas, she makes a wish to powerful that is answered by a cosmic force in Star.
Ariana DeBose brings so much heart to the role of Asha, while Chris Pine is perfectly cast as King Magnifico. It’s exciting to see the origins of a villain who is actually evil and doesn’t get the sympathetic treatment. It also doesn’t hurt that the magical Star is too cute and about to be everyone’s favorite new ball of joy! There are a lot of fun Easter eggs that lead to a surprising origin reveal, but, at times, the references can be heavy handed. Due to that, the story can feel repetitive and not as fresh and original as it could be. The animation is good, but there were some moments that didn’t feel as magical or extravagant, especially when introducing Rosas. Meanwhile, the supporting characters are underdeveloped.
All in all, Wish is a beautiful celebration of community and the power within ourselves driven by our hopes and dreams. With soul-stirring music written by Julia Michaels, the film is a fitting watch to celebrate 100 years of Disney.
Wish hits theaters on November 22.
- Kristen Maldonado
