Analysis: ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ will cast a spell on you


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Why do I already see Thanksgiving decorations everywhere?

Halloween themed decor I can understand, but Thanksgiving is still months away and a stone’s throw away from Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah – it all seems way too soon.

What I’m ready for are cooler temperatures, so I have an excuse to stick around, snuggle up on the couch and watch some of this week’s new streaming content.

‘Hocus Pocus 2’

Speaking of Halloween: nearly 30 years after Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker blessed us – or should he curse us? – with what is widely considered the official movie of the spooky season, the trio are back as our favorite witches in a sequel to the Disney classic “Hocus Pocus.”

The new film resurrects both the Sanderson sisters and some of the premise of the original film – a trio of high school students must try to stop them from getting revenge (again) on the town of Salem after they mistakenly unleash magic dark and bringing them back to life. . Wouldn’t you be tempted to light the Black Flame candle to hear Midler sing a show tune?

“Hocus Pocus 2” is now streaming on Disney+.

‘Blond’

Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in

Ana de Armas definitely has nails that look like Marilyn Monroe.

The former Bond girl has won rave reviews for her starring role in the new film ‘Blonde’ and for the way she channeled the Hollywood bombshell, whose life – and death at the age of 36 in 1962 – has been controversial in almost every way.

“Blonde” dramatizes the life of the tragic actor, with an unconventional (and also controversial) narrative that seeks to peel back the layers and go beyond its superstardom to better discover the real Norma Jeane Mortenson.

It’s streaming now on Netflix.

“Yvonne Orji: a whole me”

Yvonne Orji in the HBO comedy special

If you’ve seen “Momma I Made It!” – Yvonne Orji’s first HBO special – so you’re probably kidding the title of her second.

In “A Whole Me,” the “Insecure” star returns with a second comedy showcase that mixes comedic and scripted sketches, talking about everything – including the Covid-19 pandemic, dating and relationships – plus hilarious stories about his parents, who also played a central role in his first special.

from Orji new special debuts tonight at 10 p.m. on HBO and will later air on HBO Max (both owned by CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery).

Björk performs at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on February 1 in Los Angeles.

Undoubtedly one of Iceland’s greatest musical exports, Björk is back with new music.

“Fossora” is her 10th album, and she explained its theme to Pitchfork as an embodiment of her “fungal period.”

“It’s something that lives underground, but tree roots don’t,” she explained of the fungus. metaphors that guided the new album. “A tree roots album would be quite harsh and stoic, but mushrooms are psychedelic and they pop up everywhere.”

“Fossora” is out now.

Rita Wilson attends the 2022 Songwriters Induction and Awards Gala on June 16 in New York City.

I’ve been obsessed with Rita Wilson ever since she rapped Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” at the start of the pandemic.

And let’s not forget, as such a performance suggests, that she is also an accomplished singer. Her latest album, “Rita Wilson Now & Forever: Duets”, features collaborations with major artists including Keith Urban, Josh Groban, Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello and Leslie Odom Jr.

“These songs feel like my Great American Songbook, because of the writing and the impact they had on me,” Wilson said in a statement. “I was looking at these songs and how they could be conversations between two people. I liked that the lyrics could come from two points of view, even though they were mostly written for one person to sing.

The album is also out now.

(L to R) Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa appear on set during a taping of

Kelly Ripa spills the tea.

In her new book, “Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories,” she recounts how difficult things were sometimes with her former “Live with Regis and Kelly” co-host, Regis Philbin.

Those who adored the daytime show, which ran from 2001 to 2011 on ABC, might be surprised by the rocky start the pair got at first.

According to Ripa, who shared details of her challenges with People, when she showed up at the start of her co-hosting gig with her hair and makeup crew, Philbin had a barbed joke for their producer, Michael. Gelman: “Uh-oh, Gelman, he has an entourage.

“I felt awful,” Ripa recalled. “He was probably trying to be funny, but at the same time it felt like a pile-up. I understand he probably didn’t want a co-host, but the network wanted me to be the co-host and I didn’t think I should pass up this opportunity. I don’t think it’s fair to him. But it wasn’t fair to me either.

For me, this story helped put into context Ripa’s tension with her “Live with Kelly and Michael” co-host Michael Strahan, who left the show in 2016 amid Ripa’s complaints that she was the last to know about her. decision.

Anything hard earned is likely to be jealously guarded, after all.

Megan Thee Stallion performs during iHeartRadio Hot 99.5's Jingle Ball 2021 at Capital One Arena on December 14, 2021 in Washington, DC.

A common theme that I respect among celebrities is their use of their platforms for the greater good.

That’s why I was thrilled to learn (via my CNN colleague Marianne Garvey) that rapper Megan Thee Stallion started “Bad B*tches Have Bad Days Too,” a website featuring mental health resources, among others.

Megan Thee Stallion has fascinated many with her determination to earn a college degree while being a multi-platinum entertainer, and her latest project confirms how much she values ​​education.

By educating her fans about self-help and self-care, the rapper is an even bigger star in my eyes.

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