Movie Review: Clifford the Big Red Dog
I grew up in the 80s and if you did too, then you probably remember the Scholastic book fairs. This is where I was introduced to all the greats Bernstein Bears, Mercer Mayer and of course Clifford the Big Red Dog. My parents (dad mostly) never allowed my brother and I to have a pet. So reading Clifford the Big Red Dog books really transported me to a different world without leaving my house.
You can imagine my excitement when I heard they were making a movie about Clifford the Big Red Dog, but I was a little skeptical. How would they capture the beloved Clifford for the big screen? What would he look like? Would he be the Clifford I had come to love from the books and show? Turning Clifford into an animated series was one thing, making him lifelike was different ball game.
I recently had the opportunity to screen Clifford the Big Red Dog early, and I’ve got all the details for you. Including the answer to the question on all our minds. Will I love this movie as much as the books and shows?
Clifford the Big Red Dog starts off by giving us a glimpse of where Clifford comes from and how he ends up with Emily (Darby Camp). Take note that it doesn’t follow the original story, however it does follow one thing, that Emily’s love makes Clifford grow.
Emily’s Uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall), a notorious screw-up is in charge of Emily while her mother is away. He takes her to school one morning and they come across an animal rescue tent helmed by the eccentric Mr. Bridwell (John Cleese)—for those of you that do not know Norman Bridwell created Clifford the Big Red Dog so it was nice to see the movie play homage to him. At the animal rescue tent is where Emily meets Clifford. Unfortunately Uncle Casey tells her that she can’t have a dog and end up leaving only for Emily to discover Clifford in her backpack.
At this point of the story, Clifford is tiny, that is until Emily wakes up in the morning. And now the fun starts. Once Emily has Clifford, the whole city seems to be after him! Poor guy! And so the chase begins, some want to save Clifford while others want him for devious reasons.
There are a couple of scenes that will tear your heart out—have some tissues ready because this movie will pull on your heart strings.
Overall, get ready to FALL in LOVE with Clifford the Big Red Dog all over again. The movie is super cute and definitely seemed like a story I could be reading in one of my Clifford the Big Red Dog books from my childhood.
Catch Clifford the Big Red Dog in theaters and on Paramount+ November 10th!
Synopsis
When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) meets a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese) who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom (Sienna Guillory) is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big! Rated PG
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Coming to Detroit: Beautiful—The Carole King Musical
Beautiful — The Carole King Musical
January 4-9, 2022
Fisher Theatre
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 12
Producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing announce that the Tony & Grammy Award-winning Broadway hit Beautiful—The Carole King Musical, about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, will make its Detroit return at the Fisher Theatre, January 4-9, 2022. Tickets start at $39 and go on sale Friday, November 12, 2021. Tickets will be available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
For more information and a video sneak peek, please visit www.BeautifulOnBroadway.com.
With a book by Tony® and Academy® Award-nominee Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni and choreography by Josh Prince, Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil. On October 27, 2019, the Broadway production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical ended its smash-hit, record-breaking run after nearly six years. By the time the production took its final bow, it played 60 preview and 2,418 regular performances, surpassing the original production of Annie and the landmark 1998 revival of Cabaret to become the 27th longest-running musical (and the second longest running “bio-musical”) in Broadway history. On Broadway, the show was seen by almost 2,200,000 audience members (including, quite famously, King herself) and is the longest-running and highest-grossing show in the history of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Ghostlight Records) won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and is available on CD, digitally, and on vinyl.
Sony Pictures has announced that the film adaptation of Beautiful will be produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, and Paul Blake.
Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song.
The creative team of Beautifulalso includes Derek McLane (Set Design), Alejo Vietti (Costume Design), Peter Kaczorowski (Lighting Design), Brian Ronan (Sound Design), Charles G. LaPointe (Wig and Hair Design), Steve Sidwell (Orchestrations and Music Arrangements), Jason Howland (Music Supervision) and John Miller (Music Coordination).
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is produced on Broadway by Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard A. Smith, Mike Bosner, Harriet N. Leve/Elaine Krauss, Terry Schnuck, Orin Wolf, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Roger Faxon, Larry Magid, Kit Seidel, Lawrence S. Toppall, Fakston Productions/Mary Solomon, William Court Cohen, John Gore, BarLor Productions, Matthew C. Blank, Tim Hogue, Joel Hyatt, Marianne Mills, Michael J. Moritz, Jr., StylesFour Productions, Brunish/Trinchero, and Jeremiah J. Harris.
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Performance times for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical appearing January 4 – 9, 2022 at the Fisher Theatre, located at 3011 West Grand Blvd., in Detroit are:
- Tuesday through Saturday evening performances at 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday performance at 7:30 p.m.
- Open captioned performance on Friday, January 7 at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets for Beautiful – The Carole King Musical start at $39 (includes facility and parking fees) and go on sale Friday, November 12. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
For group sales (12 or more) please email broadwayindetroitgroups@theambassadors.com or call 313-871-1132.
Tickets for the open captioned performance may be purchased in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office or by phone at 313-872-1000, ext. 0.
Review: Pretty Woman The Musical
My bestie and I recently had a girls night out and headed down to the Fisher Theatre in Detroit to see Pretty Woman The Musical. Both her and I love Pretty Woman the movie so the musical had some pretty high stilettos to fill. And it did not disappoint. Pretty Woman The Musical was absolutely fantastic and I would go see it again.
Pretty Woman The Musical follows the same story as the movie. The cast was unreal their vocals were some of the best I have ever heard while attending a musical. The iconic song plays at the end of the show and is the perfect way to end a beautiful evening. If you’re thinking about seeing Pretty Woman The Musical I highly recommend checking it out!
SING 2 – In Theaters December 22
Get excited Sing 2 just in time for Christmas! Catch Sing 2 in theaters December 22.
This holiday season, the new chapter in Illumination’s smash animated franchise arrives with big dreams and spectacular hit songs as the ever-optimistic Buster Moon and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet …all in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch: They first have to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star—played by global music icon Bono, in his animated film debut—to join them.
Buster (Oscar® winner Matthew McConaughey) has turned the New Moon Theater into a local hit, but Buster has his eyes on a bigger prize: Debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City.
But with no connections, Buster and his cast—including harried mother Rosita (Oscar® winner Reese Witherspoon), rocker Ash (Scarlett Johansson), earnest Johnny (Taron Egerton), shy Meena (Tori Kelly) and, of course, provocateur Gunter (Nick Kroll)—have to sneak their way into the world-famous Crystal Entertainment offices, run by ruthless mogul Jimmy Crystal (Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale).
In a desperate attempt to get Mr. Crystal’s attention, Gunter spontaneously pitches an outrageous idea that Buster quickly runs with, promising that their new show will star rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono). Problem is, Buster has never met Clay, an artist who shut himself away from the world more than a decade ago after the loss of his wife. Even worse, Buster has failed to realize that Mr. Crystal is an egocentric gangster who would rather drop somebody off the roof of a building than be lied to.
As Gunter helps Buster dream up an out-of-this-world theatrical masterpiece, and the pressure (and sinister threats) from Mr. Crystal mount, Rosita’s leading role in the show gets ripped away and handed to Mr. Crystal’s spoiled daughter, Porsha, played by Grammy-nominated artist Halsey. Desperate to save the show, and his life, Buster embarks on a quest to find Clay and persuade him to return to the stage.
What begins as a dream of big-time success becomes an emotional reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart.
Sing 2 is written and directed by acclaimed returning filmmaker Garth Jennings and features additional new characters played by music superstar Pharrell Williams, Black Panther’s Letitia Wright and comedians Eric André and Chelsea Peretti. The film is produced by Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Janet Healy. Sing 2 combines dozens of hit songs from pop to rock, K-pop to Latin, and from artists including Billie Eilish, Drake, U2, The Weeknd, Prince, Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. With electrifying performances, breathtaking artistry and Illumination’s signature humor and heart, Sing 2 is sure to be the definitive feel-good cinematic event of the year.
Genre: Animated Event Film
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Eric André, Chelsea Peretti and Bono
Written by: Garth Jennings
Directed by: Garth Jennings
Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy
Coming to Detroit: Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party
February 17-20, 2022
Little Caesars Arena
On-sale now!
Exclusive Pre-Sale Code: SPIRIT
Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party is bringing the magic to guests through dynamic moments that take place on the ice and in the air. This adventure delivers compelling storytelling through multi-leveled production numbers and visits Little Caesars Arena from February 17 – 20, 2022.
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, November 9 at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com, DisneyOnIce.com, the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena and Ticketmaster.com. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 313 Presents Group Sales at 313-471-3099.
Disney On Ice Preferred Customers can purchase advance tickets starting today, November 2, 2021, to get the best seats available before tickets go on-sale to the general public. Fans can still sign up to become a Disney On Ice Preferred Customer and get exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code.
Embark on a quest with Mickey Mouse and pals as they follow Captain Hook’s treasure map for clues to find Tinker Bell after he attempts to capture her magic. Journey across the Marigold Bridge with Miguel from Disney●Pixar’s Coco into the magnificent and mystical Land of the Dead and discover a vibrantly colorful performance with skeletons atop sway poles dancing over the audience in a beautiful cultural celebration of family. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle and sing along with Elsa as video projection creates a kaleidoscope of crystals to help build her ice palace. Witness Belle lift into the sky as the enchanted chandelier comes to life high over the ice. Demonstrate the power of teamwork when Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie recruit the Green Army Men for a daring rescue in Andy’s room. Laugh hysterically as the hilarious pirates flip, tumble, and twist on tumble tracks, stilts and more in an effort to showcase their talents for Captain Hook. Sail away with Moana on her daring voyage across the ocean and bravely encounter the fiery wrath of Te Ka. And make memories with your whole family during Aladdin and The Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out celebration.
While delivering the same magical experiences guests expect from Disney On Ice, Feld Entertainment is continuing Guest Wellness Enhancements to help keep families safe at its live events. Feld Entertainment is working closely with venue partners to establish and follow COVID-19 health and safety standards in accordance with all federal, state and local guidelines. Please monitor the venue website for health and safety policies, including face covering and entry requirements, which are subject to change. Full details on Feld Entertainment Guest Wellness Enhancements can be found here.
Guests looking to purchase Disney On Ice souvenirs will find the process easier than ever thanks to a new contactless shopping experience with touch-free payment and digital purchasing options. Guests can pre-order items prior to arriving at Little Caesars Arena. Additional information can be found here.
Performance Schedule:
Thursday, Feb. 17 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 18 7 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19 11 a.m., 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 20 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
For more info about Disney On Ice, follow Disney On Ice social media channels: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Subscribe to the Disney On Ice YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/DisneyOnIce
Fashion meets Food 