What the students should watch this week to tie in with our drama activities!
THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 MIX UP THEATRE T.V. PICKS
How do you rate this week's picks?
1. FILMS: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) / Home Alone / Home Alone 2 (1990 / 1992)
Available on Disney+
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Animated musical drama featuring the voices of Chris Sarandon and Actor of the Week, Catherine O'Hara. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, longs to escape the routine of Halloweentown. Through a door in a tree, he stumbles upon Christmastown where he engineers the kidnapping of Santa Claus and wreaks havoc among the inhabitants.
Comedy starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern and Actor of the Week, Catherine O'Hara. Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister's wish to be free of his family is realised when they accidentally set off without him for a Christmas break in Paris. Suddenly finding himself home alone, Kevin's efforts to cope with the household chores are hindered by two inept criminals attempting a robbery.
Jan (Age 11) - ★★★★1/2
"A brilliant family movie! The highlights of this movie for me were; Kevin shoplifting, Kevin getting pizza, Kevins first encounter with the wet bandits, Kevins fight back against the wet bandits (his second encounter with the wet bandits), and Kevin's family reunion. My favourite character as might have guessed is Kevin, because he was funny and adventurous all at the same time. My favourite part of the film was Kevin first realising that he was home alone. I will watch Home Alone 2 soon so I hope that it's just as good as Home Alone (1) or better!"
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Sequel to the hit comedy, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern and Actor of the Week, Catherine O'Hara. After becoming separated from his family en route to a Christmas holiday in Florida, Kevin McCallister finds himself alone in New York, where he's destined to meet two old enemies.
2. FILM: Beetlejuice (1988) / Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Streaming Netflix / Available on Sky Store
Beetlejuice
Horror comedy starring Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and Actor of the Week, Catherine O'Hara. After Barbara and Adam Maitland are killed in a car crash, they find themselves trapped as ghosts in their beautiful home. When their peace is shattered by the arrival of a disagreeable yuppie family, the Maitlands enlist the help of a spiritual "bio-exorcist" known as Betelgeuse.
Michael Keaton stars as the ghost with the most in this long-awaited sequel from the twisted mind of Tim Burton. Starring Jenna Ortega and Actor of the Week, Catherine O'Hara.
Stewart - ★★★★★
"Beetlejuice is the greatest film of all time. No doubt in my mind. I watched it endlessly as a kid and still love it to this day. The cartoon style, macabre humour, excellent performances - Michael Keaton on showstopping form, Catherine O'Hara OTT camp diva and an amazing score by Danny Elfman (which by the way I use in nearly every Mix Up Theatre show!).
So along comes the sequel! 36 years later! I'm always worried that a sequel like this might feel pointless but this embraces the spirit of the original with Keaton, O'Hara and of course the mighty Winona Ryder returning to their roles and knocking it out the park once again!
The humour is as daft and wacky as ever, special effects, make-up all on point and of course that score is brilliant once again. Jenna Ortega is a welcome addition to the family.
If there's any criticism is that it overpacks the story a bit too much and it works best when focusing on Beetlejuice and the Deetz's rather than all the new characters but the world building of the underworld is a lot of fun. Loved it!"
3. FILM: Groundhog Day (1993)
Wednesday 6th November, Film4, 9:00pm
Comedy fantasy starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Cynical TV weatherman Phil Connors is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day festival at a small town in Pennsylvania. Stranded by a snowstorm, which he failed to predict, Phil wakes up the following morning to discover that it's still the day before, and it slowly dawns on the world-weary forecaster that he'll never have to worry about tomorrow.
4. FILM: Airplane! (1980)
Friday 8th November, Channel 4, 12:05am
Disaster-movie spoof starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty and Leslie Nielsen. An eccentric collection of passengers and crew sets off from Los Angeles on a flight bound for Chicago. However, disaster looms when the pilots are struck down with food poisoning and former fighter pilot Ted Striker, trying to win back the love of stewardess Elaine, must face his fear of flying to land the plane.
5. FILM: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Available on Disney+
Science-fiction adventure starring Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Daisy Ridley. Thirty years after the civil war, the sinister First Order is trying to take over the galaxy and all that stands in their way is the Resistance, led by General Leia. Efforts by both sides to find a map to Luke Skywalker draw desert scavenger Rey and ex-stormtrooper Finn into the fight.
6. Agatha All Along
Streaming Disney+
When we last met Salem witch Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in the 2021 series WandaVision, she was stripped of her powers by the Scarlet Witch and condemned to a 'ordinary' life in the town of Westview, New Jersey. The tricksy title character has an opportunity to reclaim her abilities in a fantastical adventure created by Jac Schaeffer as part of Phase Five of the MCU.
7. Countryfile Ramble 10th Anniversary Special for Children in Need
Sunday 3rd November, BBC1, 5:05pm
The season includes the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh's home of 100 Aker Wood, a bee-themed special from RHS Wisley and a report marking the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.
8. FILM: Hellboy (2004)
Wednesday 6th November, ITV4, 9:00pm
Horror action adventure starring Ron Perlman and Selma Blair. Summoned from another dimension by the Nazis during the last days of the Second World War, half-man/half-devil Hellboy is rescued by kindly Professor Broom and raised in the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense to combat the forces of supernatural evil.
9. The First Lady
Sunday 3rd November, U&Drama, 9:00pm
A dramatic revelation of the interwoven lives of three First Ladies.
10. FILM: Bumblebee (2018)
Saturday 2nd November, E4, 6:40pm
Sci-fi action adventure starring Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena. A troubled teen discovers that her beaten-up Volkswagen Beetle is really a robot in disguise. Together they must protect the Earth from the evil Decepticons while fleeing government agents.
Make sure you've booked in for Mix Up Theatre DRAMA CLASSES
Comments