The best thing I’ve seen in 2021 so far is the musical Ratatouille TikTok, it’s charming and the performances – by some big Broadway stars – are excellent. If you have not yet purchased your ticket (prices are on a pay as you go scale), there is still time; it will be broadcast until January 4. Ticket proceeds benefit the Actors Fund, a worthy cause. Be warned that the songs will definitely get stuck in your head, just like any good musical number does.
In other news, I just started Bridgerton… will report. Spicy so far.
It’s a slightly slim choice this week for new trailers, but I found some interesting ones that all happen featuring strong female protagonists, a good tone for 2021.
Pretend it’s a city
It’s no secret that Fran Lebowitz has thoughts about many things, including his hometown, New York. Martin Scorsese directed this documentary with the legendary essayist doing what he does best: giving his opinion. She talks about tourists, Times Square, real estate, and notes that “it would take a subway ride for the Dalai Lama to become a crazy and lunatic”. Pretend it’s a city debuts on Netflix on January 8.
The human voice
Director Pedro Almodóvar makes his debut in the English language with The human voice, a 30-minute short film based on the play by Jean Cocteau of the same name. Tilda Swinton stars as a woman waiting for her ex to come back for her luggage (metaphor alert), but he never shows up. I’m almost ready for anything with Tilda in it. The human voice should be released later this year.
Earth
Robin Wright directed and starred in this film about a woman who ventures into the Rocky Mountains desert to escape a tragedy – the trailer suggests that it has to do with the loss of a child. She underestimates how brutal and difficult it will be to survive alone and is rescued by a local hunter played by Demian Bichir. Earth is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 12 (although it looks likely with everything that’s going on that could be delayed).