Disney+ has revealed the official trailer for the new Original series ‘The Muppets Mayhem’, starring Lilly Singh, Tahj Mowry, Saara Chaudry and The Electric Mayhem Band.

‘The Muppets Mayhem’ follows The Electric Mayhem Band, Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone and Lips on trumpet, on an epic, music-filled journey to record their first-ever studio album. With the help of a driven young music executive, Nora Singh (Singh), the old-school Muppet band comes face-to-face with the current-day music scene as they try to finally record their first studio album.

Joining the previously announced recurring guest star Anders Holm and The Electric Mayhem Band on their journey is an exciting roster of guest talent.

Based on characters created by Jim Henson, the Disney+ Original series from Disney Branded Television is produced by ABC Signature and The Muppets Studio. The project was developed and written by executive producers Adam F. Goldberg (‘The Goldbergs’), Bill Barretta (‘The Muppets’, ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’) and co-executive producer Jeff Yorkes.

Michael Bostick, Kris Eber and The Muppets Studio’s David Lightbody and Leigh Slaughter also serve as executive producers. Original music by executive music producer and Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee Linda Perry.

‘The Muppets Mayhem’ soundtrack will be available on streaming platforms beginning May 10, 2023 and the band’s debut album, ‘The Electric Mayhem’, is set for release on vinyl on May 12, 2023.

The musical comedy series premieres with all episodes on May 10 2023, only on Disney+.

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SEVENTEEN, K-pop’s Stage-Breakers rewriting K-pop history, are proud to present their first-ever movie, ‘SEVENTEEN POWER OF LOVE : THE MOVIE’.

Adored across the planet, SEVENTEEN’s devoted fans (known as “CARAT”) and music lovers will view powerful performances, in-depth interviews with the group’s members, and experience commentary regarding the group’s past and present, as well as the future they will create with CARAT new and old.

Audiences around the world will be able to enjoy the film on various formats including “ScreenX,” an expanded three-screen system utilizing the front screen as well as the side walls of a cinema; “4DX,” the world’s first commercial multi-sensory cinema providing an experience as though in an actual live concert; and “4DX Screen,” a combination of both “ScreenX” and “4DX.”

SEVENTEEN is composed of 13 diverse creatives, including S.COUPS, JEONGHAN, JOSHUA, JUN, HOSHI, WONWOO, WOOZI, DK, MINGYU, THE 8, SEUNGKWAN, VERNON, and DINO.

The K-pop superstars are a five-time million-seller in Korea, have charted No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart and No. 13 on the Billboard 200, and are dominating music charts across the globe, including hitting number one on the Japanese Oricon chart.

Marc Allenby, CEO Trafalgar Releasing said, “We’re excited to be collaborating once again with our partners at CJ 4DPLEX to bring K-pop sensations SEVENTEEN to the big screen. The group’s escalating success across the globe has been fascinating to see, and we look forward to bringing their first feature film to audiences worldwide, including screenings using CJ’s special formats ScreenX, 4DX and 4DX Screen.”

‘SEVENTEEN POWER OF LOVE : THE MOVIE’ is in cinemas worldwide on Wednesday, April 20th and Saturday, April 23rd, 2022.

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The Cinderella story is retold through James Cordan and Amazon Studios.

A musical retell of a classic for the audiences hearts and laughter of now.

Cinderella (Camila Cabello) lives in the basement of her family home making dresses, with dreams of running her own stall at the local market.

Her father deceased, her stepmother and two step sisters reign supreme in the house, while Cinderella is forced to serve and clean up after them.

But young Cinderella,  known as Ella gets her shot at the big time thanks to a magical butterfly that becomes a, well, ‘Godmother’, and soon her and her three mouse friends are at the Royal Ball dancing and singing like celebrities.

The score for this Cinderella adaption takes both rock and pop classics, fusing them together while putting a unique twist on the tracks.

As the saying goes, if the shoe fits, you gotta marry them, right? If thats not a saying, it is now.

The King (Pierce Brosnan) is stuck in his old draconian ways and arranges a bride for his son (Nicholas Galitzine), despite the Queen (Minnie Driver) feeling as though her son, the Prince, should follow his heart.

Amazon Studios Cinderella is the story you know but told in a very unique way and a much needed feelgood film during the hard times the entire world has found itself in currently.

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Every feline wants to be a Jellicoe Cat.

Based on the musical of the same name from Andrew Lloyd Webber, the film adaption follows the same path as the stage show.

With seasoned classic actors such as Judy Dench and Ian McKellen you would expect this musical film to be the golden pass to see out the year.

It’s not.

When a stray cat is dumped on the street she learns very quickly that the best way of survival is to join a group of other cats.

As they sing and dance around the streets of London the whole drama plays out in one eventful night.

Using CGI to place the actors’ faces on the very limber anthropomorphic cats there are many a moment in the film where it is clearly animated. This said, the attention to detail and artistry of each character is worth soaking in.

Managing to include every track from the Broadway version CATS has you watching a filmed musical as opposed to a fantastical musical adventure about cats… with slightly disturbing human faces.

Directed Tom Hooper – who has directed musical films in the past, I can only imagine the mammoth task it was to encapsulate the legendary musical in to an almost two hour film.

CATS did not end up being what it could have been – or what it inspired to do. It is instead something a bit freakish, with a great soundtrack.

If you’re curious (like the cat) and love the Stage Show, I’d still say be wary. Wait for the Bluray release.

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Universal Pictures announced to us here at STG that global music icon Taylor Swift and legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber have collaborated on a new, original song written for Universal Pictures’ film Cats, based on Lloyd Webber’s record-shattering stage musical.

The song, ‘Beautiful Ghosts,’ will feature in both the film and in the end credits.

In the film, the song is performed by Hayward, who stars in the role of Victoria. The version of the song performed by Swift, who plays Bombalurina in the film, will play over the end titles.

As part of the announcement, Universal today also released an exclusive, behind-the-scenes video documenting the creation and recording of the song and including an interview with Swift, Lloyd Webber and Hooper (watch above).

One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, the stage musical “Cats” includes some of Lloyd Webber’s most indelible songs, including ‘Memory.’ Lloyd Webber, Swift and the filmmakers were excited at the idea of introducing a new song for the film adaptation.

Lloyd Webber saw an opportunity to create a new signature song for Victoria, whose character has been expanded for the film. “When I first read the screenplay, the first thing I said was, ‘We have to have a song for Victoria,’” Lloyd Webber says. ‘Beautiful Ghosts,’ he says, is now, “an incredibly important and central part of the whole film.”

For director Tom Hooper, the song exceeded even his high expectations. “What I couldn’t believe was the extraordinary beauty of these lyrics that Taylor had written,” Hooper says. “It was as if someone had come into the film I was in the middle of making and … had reflected back to me a profound understanding of what we are trying to do with the movie. It was utterly thrilling.”

Cats, in New Zealand theatres December 26, 2019 is directed by Oscar winning filmmaker Tom Hooper (Les Misérables, The King’s Speech), and stars Swift, James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Rebel Wilson and Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward.

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There is more to the average toy factory than meets the eye.

A hidden world lies within, well, two actually.

The defective toys are banished to Uglyville to live out their existence while the perfect ones must train and prepare for the Big World at the Perfection Institute.

But one UglyDoll called Moxy (voiced by Kelly Clarkson) is not content with her existence and longs to be held and loved by her very own child.

Aided by her friends; Lucky Bat (voiced by Wang Leehom), Ugly Dog (voiced by Pitbull) and a wise cracking and overly cynical baker called Wage (voiced by Wanda Sykes) Moxy follows the tunnel where new UglyDolls are delivered from.

Thinking that this must lead to the Big World, the group continue through and find themselves amidst busy conveyers and newly processed toys, eventually being fired out in to the Perfection Institute.

A bootcamp like facility that prepares only perfect toys for the Big World, headed by the one ‘perfectly’ created doll, Lou (Nick Jonas) who aims to make the UglyDolls lives and training as hard as possible.

A musical animated kids movie UglyDoll’s does not have a lot for adults, but for the more younger kids in the family is both entertaining with catchy songs and a message on important morals and that you should always believe in yourself.

Recommended – for kids only.

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Yesterday is a warm, lighthearted film following the life of Jack Malik (Himesh Patel) who is a struggling musician, supported by his manager and childhood friend Ellie (Lily James).

After Jack is hit by a bus in a freak accident, he wakes up in an alternate timeline where The Beatles do not exist.

Seeing his opportunity to be the legend, he begins performing their music and passing it off as his own work. Following a performance on live television, Jack gets an unexpected call and visit from Ed Sheeran (playing himself) who invites him on his tour to Moscow to be his supporting act. As Ellie has her work commitments she chooses to stay behind, which makes room for their crazy friend Rocky to join in on the fun making it an exciting venture.

And might I say Ed Sheeran’s part in the film is a nice touch, making it even more hillarious.

With Jacks rise to fame, he tries to keep up with demand in creating ‘new’ songs.

He goes to Liverpool, visiting landmarks such as Strawberry Field, the barbershop on Penny Lane and the grave of Eleanor Rigby. All in the hopes of triggering more memories of the Beatles and recall the correct lyrics of some more of their songs. You’ll find yourself quietly humming along to the lyrics of U.S.S.R, Help, I Want to Hold your Hand, All You Need is Love and Hey Jude, or in this case Hey Dude… you’ll need to watch it to find out.

But the pressure of his rising fame and the world that comes with it starts to weigh on him, along with the guilty conscious from the lies he has been telling. It goes to show there is some truth in the saying ‘you can’t have it all’. In Jack’s case he could lose it all, maybe what truly matters to him… He must decide between two very different futures. Ellie, who has stood by him all those years and has professed her love for him, or the music career along with fame and fortune. Yesterday plays wonderful deference to the music of The Beatles, re-interpreted and reminding us why they were indisputably the most influential band in pop music history.

If you enjoy their music, like a bit of romance and a good laugh then I guarantee you will love this film!

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Reginald Kenneth Dwight.

A chubby bespectacled kid from England who’s shy nature and instinctive musical talent on the piano would eventually be a glittery and glamorous tidal wave in the music world throughout the 70s and 80s.

Paramount Pictures’ Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton as Elton John (a name that he takes as a stage name) takes us through Elton’s life from that introverted kid to an entertainer that rocked world stages.

The difficult relationship he had with his father, growing up alone with his mother and his aunt – his love for the American rock and roll scene would soon see a young Elton accepted in to the Royal Academy of Music with a full Scholarship.

Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell) would write the lyrics and Elton would compose the music. Starting out as a backing artist for an American African-American group  his talent is soon noticed and before long is signed on to write music and record.

With Bernie’s and his own talents combined, Elton’s career begins to skyrocket. His songs are heard all over the world, popular in both the U.K. and the U.S.

As things get glitzy and wild, Elton’s inner demons are still crying out, the parental love he never really had hits him hard, his homosexuality during a time where it was not overly accepted leads him to find drink drugs and even food as his addictions spiral out of control.

The film is played out from the moment Elton checks himself in to Alcoholics Anonymous as he takes the viewers through a wild ride of his life.

A love then hate relationship with his manager John Reid (Richard Madden), relationships, friendships, family, fans, fame and money all take their toll.

Rocketman is different to the usual biographic film. It could almost be coined as a musical – which is no surprise, given that Elton was Executive Producer and the film is about him, his life and his music.

Taron’s performance as Elton is flawless. You are pulled in from the start and you’d be forgiven for thinking you are watching the drama’s with the real Elton onscreen.

Made by Marv – the guys that bought us The Kingsmen films (where Elton also does a cameo in the second film), Rocketman is a cynical humorous look through a life well lived. Elton comes across as just one of the lads, a U.K. boy with talents beyond comprehension but embattled with a low self-confidence, extreme shyness and a desire, a need just to be loved.

Rocketman is one of the films that you MUST see this year.

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Celeste is about be your most loved or loathed pop singer.

Vox Lux follows the rise of a teenage pop sensation which is borne from a tragedy and explodes on to a global stage, a whirlwind of a change of life, a full on journey along a cracked road.

From a fourteen year old Celeste (Raffey Cassidy), who with her older sister Eleanor “Ellie” Montgomery (Stacy Martin), gets wrapped up in the sensational and surreal life of being a pop star throughout the early 2000’s. From humble beginnings, and a wholesome life where religion was everything and family came first in small town America.

Vox Lux is a double edged film. It’s an engrossing story of how from adversity anyone can accomplish anything. But then it’s also a cautionary tale of what you do when you get what you wanted and how you can lose yourself and what you once stood for.

Natalie Portman who plays the older Celeste in present day, shows her astounding versatility as an actress, and wow, she can definitely sing.

Props also need to go out to the young and talented Raffey Cassidy who plays the younger Celeste and brings on the tween pop.

Vox Lux also sees Jude Law take on the persona of The Manager, who sticks by Celeste over the years.

Controversial, uplifting and deeply dark, Vox Lux premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2018 to much acclaim. Adapted from a story from the films Director; Brady Corbet and Mona Vastfold, the sequences, or Chapters in the film are narrated by the distinguishable Willem Defoe.

Vox Lux, a well sewn fuse of genres, from it’s raw opening through to it’s grand performance at its conclusion – is a dramatic journey that you need to experience.

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Working Title and Universal Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun on Cats, the ground-breaking new musical film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global stage-musical sensation and the poems from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot.

The film stars Tony- and Emmy-winning actor and host James Corden (One Man, Two Guvnors, The Late Late Show with James Corden), Academy Award-winning actress Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love), multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Jason Derulo, Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actor Idris Elba (HBO’s The Wire, BBC One’s Luther), Academy Award, Golden Globe and Grammy Award-winning artist Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), Academy Award-nominated actor Ian McKellen (Gods and Monsters), Emmy and ten-time Grammy-winning global music icon Taylor Swift, whose Reputation Stadium Tour is the highest grossing U.S. tour in history, comedy superstar Rebel Wilson (the Pitch Perfect franchise) and introduces Francesca Hayward, principal dancer with The Royal Ballet.

Academy Award-winning director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables, The Danish Girl) brings astonishing new technology to transform his cast members in a breathtaking, vivid new vision of one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

Adapted for the screen by Hooper and Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), Cats is produced by Hooper and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, as well as Debra Hayward (Les Misérables), who brought the idea to Working Title.  The film will be produced by Working Title Films in association with Monumental Pictures and The Really Useful Group and executive produced by three-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg, musical theater legend Lloyd Webber, Angela Morrison (Les Misérables) and Jo Burn (Annihilation).

One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, the London stage production of Cats received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981—where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.  Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show won the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical.  In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for an extraordinary 18 years.

Under the guidance of three-time Tony-winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton: An American Musical, In the Heights, Bandstand), who also choreographed the 2016 stage revival of Cats, the film cast features some of the most exceptional and inspiring professional dancers working today, including hip hop dance sensation Larry and Laurent Bourgeiois (aka Les Twins); former principal dancer for the New York City Ballet and Tony-nominated actor Robbie Fairchild (An American In Paris); former soloist of The Royal Ballet Eric Underwood; Mëtte Towley, a member of Pharrell Williams’ acclaimed dance troupe The Baes; Steven McRae, principal of The Royal Ballet; and thrilling, cutting-edge street, freestyle and contemporary dancers from Brazil, France, Philippines, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

The world-class creative team bringing Cats to the screen includes Oscar-nominated production designer Eve Stewart (The King’s Speech), cinematographer Christopher Ross (Terminal, Room), Oscar-nominated costume designer Paco Delgado (The Danish Girl), Oscar-winning sound mixer Simon Hayes (Les Misérables), BAFTA-winning executive music producer Marius De Vries (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet) and renowned casting director Lucy Bevan (Ready Player One, Murder on the Orient Express).

Working Title Films, co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner since 1992, is one of the world’s leading film production companies.  Founded in 1983, Working Title has produced more than 100 films that collectively have grossed more than $7.5 billion worldwide.  Its films have won 14 Academy Awards and 42 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, as well as numerous prestigious prizes at the Cannes and Berlin International Film Festivals.

Bevan and Fellner have been honored with the Producers Guild of America’s David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures, the PGA’s highest honor for motion picture producers. They have also been accorded two of the highest film awards given to British filmmakers: the Michael Balcon Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, given at the Orange British Academy Film (BAFTA) Awards, and the Alexander Walker Film Award at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.  They have also both been honored with CBEs (Commanders of the Order of the British Empire).

Working Title has successful creative collaborations with filmmakers including the Coen brothers, Richard Curtis, Stephen Daldry, Stephen Frears, Baltasar Kormákur, Paul Greengrass, Edgar Wright, Tom Hooper and Joe Wright; and actors Rowan Atkinson, Cate Blanchett, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Gary Oldman, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen and Emma Thompson, among others.

Working Title’s latest project is Josie Rourke’s Mary Queen of Scots, starring Margot Robbie, Saoirse Ronan and Joe Alwyn – arriving in New Zealand cinemas on January 17.  Their upcoming titles include The Kid Who Would Be King starring Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart (in New Zealand cinemas January 17th, 2019), the Untitled Danny Boyle / Richard Curtis Comedy starring Lily James and Kate McKinnon, Radioactive, starring Rosamund Pike and Anya Taylor-Joy, and Tom Hooper’s Cats.

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