https://staging2.theplaylist.net/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-20130307/ Fri, 13 May 2016 10:30:18 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.5 https://staging2.theplaylist.net/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-20130307/#comment-60241 Fri, 13 May 2016 10:30:18 +0000 http://www.indiewire.com/2013/more/uncategorized/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-100989/#comment-60241 Why didn't Disney adapted Wicked? It is a better prequel to the Wizard of OZ.

]]> https://staging2.theplaylist.net/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-20130307/#comment-60242 Fri, 13 May 2016 10:30:18 +0000 http://www.indiewire.com/2013/more/uncategorized/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-100989/#comment-60242 A sequel? “Oz the Great and Powerful” is all smoke and no mirrors, no fantasy, just effects without affect. To be honest, more like Oz the Amiable and Un-threatening. The best, funniest Oz thing I've read lately is DA YELLER BRICK ROAD, a revisionist telling of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Uncle Remus. The conceit is it was originally by Remus (who didn't exist) and then "borrowed and cleaned-up" by Baum. Hilarious and charming. All that "Oz the Great and Powerful" is not.

]]> https://staging2.theplaylist.net/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-20130307/#comment-60243 Fri, 13 May 2016 10:30:18 +0000 http://www.indiewire.com/2013/more/uncategorized/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-100989/#comment-60243 I would never thought I would write this, but Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland' shits on this film. Although the Burton film doesn't give a hell of a lot of time to its supporting cast, at least they are all well cast and perform their roles as well as you could hope in their limited time. You never question that Stephen Fry is the Cheshire Cat, Michael Sheen is the White Rabbit or Crispin Glover is the … creepy, weird guy. They inhabit their roles without effort. This film has the most stiff, lifeless performances from its key cast members. Franco is neither here nor there: instead he gives the most weirdly uncharismatic lead performance since 'Saint Joan'. He NEVER hits the right notes of comedy or pathos. Every joke is punctuated by a lifeless or overly manic line reading. I'd argue that the jokes are actually fine: for instance, imagine what Downey would have done with the sequence in which Oz sits on the throne. The script demanded a very contemporary presence – like a proto-Errol Flynn – who could smirk his way through proceedings. And Franco is simply never on the same wavelength as the viewer. Disney should have paid whatever price Downey or Depp wanted. It's that simple. And Kunis is way, way outside of her comfort zone even from her first scene, and only gets worse as the script requires her to become more theatrical. She's a naturalistic performer, and I never, ever want to see her do anything close to this again. It's almost as painful as Franco. Weisz coasts. I don't get the acclaim for that performance. Only Michelle Williams brings her game, capturing the right tone whilst also lending emotional authenticity to her bland character. When you're ruing for the good ol' days of 'Wonderland', you know you're in serious trouble.

]]> https://staging2.theplaylist.net/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-20130307/#comment-60244 Fri, 13 May 2016 10:30:18 +0000 http://www.indiewire.com/2013/more/uncategorized/obviously-oz-the-great-and-powerful-sequel-in-the-works-100989/#comment-60244 I was at the early screening for this last night, and actually really enjoyed it. Did it have many flaws. Of course. But overall it was just a fun movie to watch.

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