Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Dancing With the Stars S29E11: Finale

DWTS' Finale Was Full of Delightful Surprises, Except Who Was Crowned Champion
by Kim Krober

And just like that, another sequin-filled season of Dancing with the Stars came to a close. Highlights from the finale included seeing Derek Hough take to the dance floor again, this time solo with a routine set to "Let's Fall in Love for the Night." He is such a delight to watch. He channeled his inner Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly and just cut loose on the costume and props department in the cutest dance I've seen in a while and the most comforting thing about tonight. It was also great to see many of the eliminated contestants return (especially Jeannie Mai looking alive and well) and finalist Nelly perform a medley of his greatest hits while his partner Daniella danced with her husband and fellow pro, Pasha Pashkov. I never realized how cute these two are together.

There were a lot of naysayers boycotting the show because Nelly made it to the finale. If you want my two cents, I wasn't bothered by him being at the finish line. He was entertaining to watch and he worked hard. Just look at last week's breakthrough Jive to the Brian Setzer Orchestra's "Jump Jive And Wail" or his heartfelt Rumba to "Nobody Knows" by the Tony Rich Project. I preferred seeing him here over Kaitlyn. I wish Johnny wasn't eliminated last week, but in a reality competition based upon America's votes and popularity contests, we don't always get what we want. I despise the "Bachelor Nation" and all it stands for, but that being said, I wasn't worried that Kaitlyn would be crowned champion. The others had better odds of winning. I found myself torn between Nev and Justina, as both were deserving of the Mirrorball trophy this season, but ultimately I think I was rooting for Nev's showmanship.
 
During the first round, each remaining couple was given the chance to redo their favorite dance of the season. And then it was time for the highly anticipated Freestyle round, where anything goes and people really let loose and get fancy-free. Let's take a look at how your favorites did on this final week of competition:
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Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Argentine Tango


To the surprise of no one, Kaitlyn and Artem chose to repeat their Argentine Tango to Britney Spears' "Toxic." It was probably her best dance of the season and she was obviously thrilled to dance to a favorite Britney song. Derek called her a true contender for the Mirrorball. Bruno told her she took his breath away and he was tingling all over. Carrie Ann enjoyed seeing her become an exquisite dancer, calling it one of her top three favorites of all time.

Score: 30

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Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Samba


Nelly and Daniella recreated their Samba to DeBarge's "Rhythm of the Night." Bruno complimented his spontaneity and charm. Carrie Ann said his journey on the show was fascinating and that dance is about the joy of life and not just about the steps. Derek also praised him for being a "moment-maker" and making people feel good throughout the competition. Aww, he's auctioning off his specially made dance shoes to benefit teens? What a nice thing to do!

Score: 27

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Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Paso Doble


I really enjoyed seeing Nev and Jenna recreate their memorable Paso Doble set to "Black Swan Swan Lake" by District 78. Such dark intensity! Carrie Ann said it was once again perfection with artistry and technical precision. Derek loved the new opening and teased Nev for "catfishing" everyone from week one to now because he's blossomed into such a bona fide dancer. Bruno appreciated more intensity and drama the second time around.

Score: 30

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Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Cha Cha


Justina and Sasha's Cha Cha to Aretha Franklin's "Respect" deserved some respect and an encore performance. Derek admired her exploding charisma and the mic flip in which she sang. Bruno told her she knows how to shake a tail feather, calling her almost too hot to trot. Carrie Ann said she lights the hardwood floors on fire in a way nobody else knows how to do in this competition. Tyra Banks said it was bananas. Um, thanks for the colorful commentary.

Score: 30

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Freestyle Round

Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Freestyle
 

In what was likely another first for the program, Nelly and Daniella's Freestyle brought out music samplings from “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion and “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G. I enjoyed the gangsta vibe. Bruno called Nelly the king of swag and the king of bling, bringing hip-hop royalty to the ballroom. Carrie Ann said it was a hopeful hybrid of hip-hop and ballroom, showing what the future could hold for dance. Derek loved the intro and ending move, saying Nelly went out on a high note. It was great to see him finally earn a perfect score!

Score: 30

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Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Freestyle


Kaitlyn and Artem's Freestyle set to "Sparkling Diamonds" from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack had cute costumes and vintage dance moves to class it up, so I didn't hate it. Carrie Ann had high expectations for this freestyle and said luckily they met them. Derek said 10's a girl's best friend, admiring everything about the dance from the swing to the swinging dance moves. Bruno loved the jam-packed content and dazzling showcase of her talents.

Score: 30

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Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Freestyle


Nev and Jenna's Freestyle to "Singin' in the Rain" was adorable from start to finish. I loved that it reflected his love for old musicals but jazzed it up with a modern, vibrant feel. Derek called him a leading man, saying he brings out the best in Jenna as much as she brings out the best in him. Bruno said they were aiming high with this Freestyle, but they succeeded. Carrie Ann enjoyed the levels of classy and raunchy, as well as the magical partnership.

Score: 30

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Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Freestyle


Justina and Sasha's Freestyle to "Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez and “Bamboleo” by The Gypsy Kings was the perfect reflection of her proud Latina heritage. I loved the colorfulness of everything. It felt like a true celebration of the season with lasers, confetti, and pyrotechnics. Bruno called it a celebration of the Latin experience and a zest for life, bubbling about it being a tonic for the soul. Carrie Ann loved the dance and its powerful message of her strength, courage, and culture. Derek couldn't think of a better Freestyle to finish the entire season, saying they crushed it. I would concur.

Score: 30

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With five minutes remaining, there was no built-up fanfare as the winners were revealed. It was all very matter-of-fact. The couple in fourth place was Justina & Sasha. The couple in third place was Nelly & Daniella. The couple in second place was Nev & Jenna. And then Kaitlyn & Artem were crowned Dancing with the Stars Champions. I sat angry at my keyboard for about five minutes, letting the knowledge sink in about the winners. I am happy for Artem on his first win as he is a talented dance pro who deserves a spotlight, but I don't feel Kaitlyn was the best dancer in this competition. This season broke my heart many times. What did you think of the finale? Do you think the right couple took home the Mirrorball trophy this season?

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special is a Life Day miracle

© Disney+

‘The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special’ is a silly, mostly fun meta-comedic celebration of the Star Wars universe.
by Jeremy Fogelman

The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special knows what it means to have that title. The oft maligned, only aired once, now only found in ripped videos online and illegitimate bootlegs, the original Star Wars Holiday Special was truly a boring, confusing mess. But the LEGO Star Wars property itself, mainly through the shorts and video games that had their name, were fun, self-aware retellings of the often overly serious Star Wars movies.

This new holiday special takes place after the events of Rise of Skywalker, and it’s about to have fun with all of it. There are two or so main storylines, revolving around the same thing, and all about lessons at the end of the day that we can all learn something from. Poe is hosting a life day party on Kashyyyk, Chewbacca’s home world and the location of the original holiday special. Immediately you start with the gags, some of which, like Poe’s Life Day sweater (that has a Death Star) are legitimately laugh out loud funny.

So one of the storylines is how Poe (who certainly is made out to be quite the doofus here) is trying and failing to pull off his party, while the rest of the gang, Rose, Finn, C-3PO, R2-D2, etc, watch in concern. But the main storyline is kicked off when Rey is training to help Finn become a Jedi (which is shocking because it seems like that was an actual storyline cut out of RoS). Rey is running into difficulties, when she finds an old prophecy in one of her Jedi books, about a mysterious way to help a Jedi achieve their true potential.

Off Rey goes with BB-8 by her side, promising not to miss the party, as she travels to a mysterious planet. Once there, she discovers the secret -- it’s a time machine! Or time thingie, that part doesn’t matter, the point is that she then goes through a series of adventures through time. At first it’s the sort of stuff you’d expect, seeing a young Luke or even a young Anakin, she’s nerding about it. All of which have rapid fire, mostly pretty decent gags as we see all the critical moments of Star Wars past and present.

© Disney+
 

But then, as they must, things go wrong and Rey must battle against forces she knows and doesn’t to try and save the day and also fix her own mistakes. Without spoiling all of the twists and turns, there are basically cameos from just about everyone you’d expect, and most of the characters are played by their animated voice actors (except for Kelly Marie Tran as Rose and Anthony Daniels as C-3PO who absolutely never turns down a chance to play that character).

It’s a fairly family friendly take on things, being all made with LEGO and all, and sure, the “logic” is a bit thin about everything -- although with time travel, the point here is that’s it’s fun to see some amusing combinations of people, not belabor the nature of the timeline. And ultimately, yes, it’s all about some fluffy lessons and having time together as a family, either the one you’re born with or one you make.

But considering how stupid Star Wars can sometimes be, I appreciate the way this special (a trim 45 minutes) was just about having some laughs and being wholesome. Honestly, that’s already better than most of the movies.


Get it on Apple TV

Dancing With the Stars S29E10: Semi-Finals

DWTS' Six Semi-Finalists Faced a Heartbreaking Double Elimination
by Kim Krober

It's hard to believe it, but we've reached the Semi-Finals of this season of Dancing with the Stars. The remaining six couples were tasked with learning a new dance and revising a dance they didn't excel at previously in the Redemption Round. With the promise of a heartbreaking double elimination, it was a good week to pull out all the stops. Many of the couples had saved the best for last. Contemporary routines almost always guarantee high judges' scores and sympathetic viewers' votes as they pour out their heart and soul on the dance floor. The ones who had already played their Contemporary card early still had some of the best surprises saved for last, including the Jive, Jazz, and Viennese Waltz. Unsurprisingly, most of the redemption dances were Latin dances, as those are among the most difficult for competitors to nail because they often take people so outside of their comfort zones.

Let's take a look at how your favorites did on this tenth week of competition:

Redemption Round

Skai Jackson & Alan Bersten, Cha Cha


Bruno asked Skai and Alan for a redemption Cha Cha set to "Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior. It was a good opening to the Redemption Round, setting a funky spirit for the evening. Bruno looked like he was going to bust a gut, calling it 24-karat hip action with sharp, precise movements. Carrie Ann called it amazing, crisp, and on point. Derek thought it was relaxed and he admired her gold dress, citing it as his favorite costume this season.

Score: 27

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Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Tango


Justina and Sasha were tasked by Derek with a redemption Tango to "El Tango de Roxanne" from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Derek loved the steamy intro, the attack, the exquisite framing, and the passion. Bruno said she was on top of it with a total change of direction from her last Tango. Carrie Ann said she was on fire with oozing sensuality. Derek awarded her her first 10 of the season for her redemption Tango!

Score: 28

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Johnny Weir & Britt Stewart, Salsa


Carrie Ann called upon a redemption Salsa from Johnny and Britt. Set to "X" by The Jonas Brothers, it was full of sass and sequins. Carrie Ann felt it was stronger and more in control, although she noticed a couple of missteps when they were side-by-side. Derek admired the toughness and intricacy of the routine and the fact that Johnny was wearing Cuban heels. Bruno could tell he worked hard to maintain the rhythmical fluidity of the Salsa this time.

Score: 27

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Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Paso Doble


Nelly and Daniella's redemption Paso Doble to Woodkid's "Run Boy Run" was chosen by Bruno. Nelly looked large and in charge. Bruno complimented the artistry, shapes, and restrained power of his movements. Carrie Ann loved seeing him dance with a regality and tight control of his body, but she thought it was still a little flat-footed. Derek said his focus was captivating and thanked him for the reminder that he needs to hit the gym ASAP.

Score: 26

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Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Foxtrot


Derek asked Nev and Jenna for a redemption Foxtrot to Harry Styles' "Sign of the Times." Derek loved the classic purity of this Foxtrot. Bruno called him a class act, saying he never lost control of his bum. Carrie Ann thought it was perfection from the first heel lead, saying Nev has become a true ballroom artist and master of the dance.

Score: 30

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Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Paso Doble


Carrie Ann tasked Kaitlyn and Artem to redeem their Paso Doble to "Hanuman" by Rodrigo Y Gabriela. I didn't want to like her, but she has been winning me over the past few weeks. Carrie Ann loved the passion and nuance of the dance. Derek admired the attack and character. Bruno called her the beautiful temptress and praised the 100% Paso Doble content and choreography from Artem.

Score: 30

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New Dances 

Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Contemporary


Justina and Sasha's Contemporary to Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero" was soft and sensual. Derek said the emotions of the season coming to a close were starting to get to him, as he praised her smile and dance. Bruno likened it to watching a child run free, saying it had a pureness of heart about it. Carrie Ann called it magic on the dance floor, commending it for being authentic and beautiful. Was that her first perfect score of the season?!

Score: 30

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Skai Jackson & Alan Bersten, Viennese Waltz


Skai and Alan's Viennese Waltz to "Lonely" by Noah Cyrus showed a sophisticated, mature side of her personality. Bruno was enchanted with the storytelling, elegance, and poise, likening it to a cover of En Vogue. Carrie Ann called her an exceptional young woman full of grace and thanked her for expressing her vulnerability. Derek felt it was beautiful and full of emotion, which made it easy for others to connect with her. It was another perfect score!

Score: 30

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Johnny Weir & Britt Stewart, Jazz


Johnny and Britt's Jazz routine to OneRepublic's "I Lived" was like watching him skate on bare feet, and I loved it. Carrie Ann could tell he felt like he was on Cloud 9, saying it had a feeling of hope from start to end. Derek thought it was a beautiful routine and a perfect representation of their genuine partnership. Bruno called it clean, clear, and pure with inspiring dynamics. My heart soared to see Johnny get a perfect score for his final dance of the night.

Score: 30

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Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Contemporary


Nev and Jenna's Contemporary to "If the World Was Ending" by JP Saxe and Julia Michaels felt like what many have been feeling throughout 2020. It was powerful and pure, down to the snowy white costumes. Derek said he forgot to judge because he was so captivated by the fluidity, creativity, and choreography. Bruno was also totally engrossed, teasing Nev that he has to have done this before because nobody can be that good while being an amateur. Carrie Ann complimented Jenna for the complexity of the choreography and Nev for rising to the challenge with a smile. Contemporary is Jenna's strongest style, and it shows. Unsurprisingly, it was another perfect score for this couple!

Score: 30

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Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Jive


The pressure was starting to visibly break Nelly during his rehearsal package. However, you couldn't tell when they took to the dance floor for their Jive to The Brian Setzer Orchestra's "Jump Jive an' Wail." He looked like he was in his element - I enjoyed seeing this playful, almost nerdy side of him! Nelly got a standing ovation from the judges. Bruno said he nailed it, praising it for being miraculous (I think all of America was incredulous to see Nelly move like that). Carrie Ann called it his breakthrough performance with a skyrocketing momentum. Derek said it went beyond his high-octane energy, citing the drama this week as being the necessary fuel for his fire.

Score: 30

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Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Contemporary


Kaitlyn and Artem's Contemporary to "Cowboy Take Me Away" by The Chicks was the perfect ending to the night. The dance was dedicated to the death of one of Kaitlyn's closest childhood friends who was tragically taken too soon. I loved their energy and costumes. Carrie Ann said it was an incredible night and told Kaitlyn that her friend was smiling down at her because they came together as a beautiful team. Derek admired seeing their storytelling through such special movements. Bruno called it powerful and fantastic, also giving a shout-out to the crew behind the scenes for making the show come together week after week this season.

Score: 30

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It's never easy to say goodbye to anyone on this program, but especially with the finale so close in sight. The couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and viewers' votes facing automatic elimination was Johnny and Britt. WHAT?! It was then revealed that Skai & Alan and Justina & Sasha were both in jeopardy of elimination. The judges unanimously voted to save Justina & Sasha, sending Skai & Alan home with only one week left in the competition. Do you think America and the judges made good decisions? Are your favorites headed to the finale? Were you as heartbroken as I was to see Johnny go home short of the gold?

Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on ABC.

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Dancing With the Stars S29E09: Icons Night

DWTS' Icons Night Celebrates Larger-Than-Life Musical Icons
by Kim Krober

It was Icons Night on Dancing with the Stars, with tributes to some of the biggest names in pop, rock, and hip-hop. The best part was seeing the judges channel their favorite icons. Bruno brought out his inner George Michael, Derek was a sexy David Bowie with eyeliner and accent, Tyra looked like Jenny from the Block (J-Lo) and Nicki Minaj in more flattering outfits, and Carrie Ann claimed she wasn't anyone specific but Tyra thought she looked like Mariah Carey.
It's hard to believe we're down to just six couples after this episode with the finale close in sight. Since Nev and Jenna were at the top of last week's leader board and have the highest cumulative score all season, they were granted immunity from participating in the Dance-Off Round. During this secondary round of competition, couples were pitted against each other for the opportunity to earn two bonus points to their scores. In a week in which every point matters because nobody wants to go home just short of Semi-Finals, every dance-off was fierce. Let's take a look at how your favorites did on this ninth week of competition:

Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Rumba


Justina and Sasha danced a Rumba to one of my favorite Madonna songs - "Crazy For You." I loved her outfit - she totally nailed the Madonna vibes! Derek wanted to see more dynamics, saying he wasn't engaged the entire time. Bruno thought it brought out the softer side of Madonna and Justina, but he agreed with Derek that her hips could've been more engaged with the dance. Carrie Ann concurred but told her she's still a dynamic performer.

Score: 24

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Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Jazz


In what was likely a first for this program, Nelly and Daniella mixed it up with a Jazz routine to 2Pac's "California Love." I absolutely loved it - Nelly looked like he was letting loose and having so much fun this week! Bruno said Jazz Nelly style makes him smile because he enjoyed seeing his ease. Carrie Ann complimented him for being on the track and bringing them along on his personal journey with the dance. Derek loved the elements, the joy, and celebratory fun, even though he had to note there were a few mistakes.

Score: 24

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AJ McLean & Cheryl Burke, Viennese Waltz


AJ and Cheryl's Viennese Waltz to Queen's "Somebody to Love" was lovely and regal, but he's running out of time to have his breakthrough performance. Carrie Ann said it started strong with him in the zone, but then he quickly forgot the choreography and it showed. Derek could tell he had improved in frame, but he cautioned him about channeling strength in his movements and not always on his face. Bruno said when he tensed he looked like an airplane wing, but he knows he'll be back to keep improving.

Score: 23

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Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Argentine Tango


Kaitlyn and Artem danced a shiny Argentine Tango to "Toxic" by Britney Spears. Derek gave her a slow clap, admiring the impact, exquisite lines, and well-done choreography. Bruno declared now she's in business, admiring her luscious shapes and beautiful images, saying they rival those of a painting in a museum. Carrie Ann gave her a standing ovation, saying it was elegant, passionate, and everything the judges have been wanting from her all season. She earned a perfect score from the judges, but was it enough to keep her around in the competition?

Score: 30

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Johnny Weir & Britt Stewart, Quickstep


I enjoyed hearing Johnny's story of redemption at the Olympics and it was obvious how much icon Amy Winehouse and her music meant to him. Johnny and Britt's Quickstep to Winehouse's "Valerie" was a delight to watch. Bruno called it unique and ground-breaking with a spot-on impersonation of the character and a precise, perfect Quickstep. Carrie Ann commended him for pulling off a creative Quickstep the likes of which has never been seen on this program. Derek admired the footwork, technique, and Johnny for being himself. It was another perfect judges' score!

Score: 30

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Skai Jackson & Alan Bersten, Paso Doble


Skai and Alan's Paso Doble to Janet Jackson's "If" showed a different facet to her personality. She looked fierce and confident on the dance floor. Carrie Ann thanked her for sharing her story and for such an iconic dance. Derek told her she's bold, brave, strong, and confident but also said she needs to watch the tension in her arms. Bruno noted it was one of the most grown-up dances yet with plenty of beauty, strength, and passion. She was almost unrecognizable while channeling her inner Janet. I was more impressed by her this week than any other.

Score: 27

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Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Jive


Nev and Jenna's Jive to Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" was a great way to end the first round. It was exuberant from start to finish and so much fun to watch him bring out even more of his inner ham. Derek loved seeing his growth and passion, complimenting the charisma and content. Bruno called him Rocket Man at his most entertaining, saying the characterization was delicious. Carrie Ann told him he's a pleasure to watch and praised him for stylizing his routine a little more and more each week.

Score: 27

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Dance-Off Round

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Justina and Sasha Vs. Kaitlyn and Artem, Cha Cha


Justina and Sasha faced off against Kaitlyn and Artem for a Cha Cha dance-off set to Lady Gaga and Beyonce's "Telephone." Derek felt like one couple stood out. Bruno felt plenty of Latin fire and passion from one and elegance and precision from the other. Carrie Ann said it was like comparing sugar and spice. It was a lot closer than I thought.

Winner: Justina and Sasha

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Nelly and Daniella Vs. Skai and Alan, Salsa


Nelly and Daniella faced off against Skai and Alan in a hip-shaking Salsa dance-off to "Cup of Life" by Ricky Martin. I see you with your shirt off, Nelly! Bruno was distracted by Nelly's muscles too. Carrie Ann admired the non-stop action from both couples, but she called it old school vs. new school groove. Derek likened it to a boxing match, noting both couples were on fire and it could go either way. That was my sentiment while watching.

Winner: Skai and Alan

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AJ and Cheryl Vs. Johnny and Britt, Jive


AJ and Cheryl faced off against Johnny and Britt in a spirited Jive dance-off set to "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" by Wham! Carrie Ann thought both were great, complimenting AJ for his stamina and Johnny for his technique. Derek gave a shout out to all of the pros for coming up with creative choreography for both dances and week after week. Bruno felt one had more pumping action, but the other had more musicality. The judges seemed really split.

Winner: AJ & Cheryl

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It was revealed AJ and Cheryl and Johnny and Britt were in jeopardy in the most shocking elimination of the season. Bruno saved Johnny. Derek saved AJ. Carrie Ann was the tie-breaker, choosing to save Johnny and Britt for their unique artistry. I know it was the toughest decision yet, but it would have broken my heart if Johnny didn't make it to the Semi-Finals. He's worked so hard and brings so much to this competition that I can't put into words. And it will break my heart if he doesn't get to do a freestyle. Do you think the judges made the right decision this week?

Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on ABC.

Box Office Report :: November 6•8

© Focus Features

Note: Highlighted links will take you to Apple TV or FandangoNow for title rental or purchase information.

It was a slow weekend at the box office as Americans had more on their minds besides going to the movies, but while it wasn't gangbuster business Focus Features did have a good weekend with two films in the top two spots. The studio's Come Play opened at Number 1 last weekend, and this weekend the Kevin Costner-led drama Let Him Go took the top spot. The film made its debut with $4 million. Come Play dropped to second place with $1.79 million, a 42.5% decline, bringing the two week domestic total to $5.72 million. The film has also earned $1.36 million from foreign markets giving it a worldwide gross of $7.08 million.

Disney placed another reissue in the Top Ten this week as the original Toy Story returned to the charts at Number 6 with $505,000.

Two films in the Top Ten actually saw an uptick in their fortunes. The War With Grandpa held on to the Number 3 spot, earning $1.5 million, up 19% from last weekend. That brings the film's domestic five week total to $13.4 million. Tenet also saw a slight boost of 2%, but still moved down one spot to Number 5 with $905,000. That brings the domestic ten week total to $55.1 million. Overseas, the film's cumulative total has reached $295.6 million, for a worldwide gross of $350.7 million.

Two previous Top Ten films reentered the charts this weekend, even with a deficit at the box office from the previous weekend. The New Mutants dropped 14% of its box office but moved up two spots to Number 9 with $127,720. That puts the domestic total at $23.58 million after 11 weeks of release. Love and Monsters rebounded with a 16% decline, moving from 13 to 10 with $107,674, bringing its four week domestic total to $927,825 (this total does not include digital sales).

One other new release just missed hitting the Top Ten. The Dark and the Wicked opened at Number 12 on 68 screens with $65,000. The film is also available on digital streaming services.

The weekend of November 13 has nothing but limited releases (and some that may also be making digital debuts): Echo Boomers, Chick Fight, Dreamland, Ammonite, Freaky and The Climb. Freaky is the most high profile of the new titles and may end up being a wider release than expected.

Below are the Top Ten grosses for the weekend of November 6-8.

  1. [N] Let Him Go - $4,000,470 [NEW]
  2. [1] Come Play - $1,793,080 [$5,724,905]
  3. [3] The War with Grandpa - $1,506,484 [$13,409,093]
  4. [2] Honest Thief - $1,141,091 [$11,177,613]
  5. [4] Tenet - $905,000 [$55,100,000]
  6. [N] Toy Story - $505,000 [NEW]
  7. [5] The Empty Man - $294,350 [$2,741,827]
  8. [9] Spell - $135,151 [$390,514]
  9. [11] The New Mutants - $127,720 [$23,585,119]
  10. [13] Love and Monsters - $107,674 [$927,825]

Source: Box Office Mojo

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Dancing With the Stars S29E08: Week #8

DWTS Experiences an Emergency Withdrawal and a Painful Elimination
by Kim Krober

I was sad to hear Jeannie Mai was forced to withdraw from the competition due to an emergency throat surgery. I may not have known who she was prior to Dancing with the Stars, but her enthusiasm quickly won me over week after week. She was easily in my top five to win this season. We're down to eight couples and I hate to see anybody go at this stage, but I fear difficult decisions are on the horizon. At least we didn't have to worry about a double elimination due to Jeannie's surprising news. In the continued "what was she thinking" category, Tyra Banks came out looking like a hideous bath loofah this week. Was her dress lime green or canary yellow? All I know is it burned my retinas, and I had to look away. She's a beautiful, glamorous woman ... why don't they dress her like one? 

Let's take a look at how your favorites did on this eighth week of competition:

Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Jive


Kaitlyn is my least favorite of those left standing, although I did enjoy their spirited Jive to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now." Derek loved the jam-packed content and kicks, though he thinks her attack could be sharper. Bruno told her she has what it takes in this competition, although approaching the finals will require more attack and finesse. Carrie Ann felt torn about a lift, but she did note Kaitlyn looked looser and more at ease. Was it too little, too late?

Score: 25

________________________________________ 


Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Viennese Waltz


After receiving the first perfect score of the season last week, the pressure was on Nev and Jenna. Their Viennese Waltz to "Stuck with U" by Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande was nothing short of perfection. Bruno enjoyed the oozed charm and charisma, complimenting Nev for being in control and light on his feet. Carrie Ann thought it was elegant and beautiful, while Derek admired the clarity of movement and smoothness of the dance.

Score: 27

________________________________________

 

Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Samba


Justina and Sasha danced a vibrant, hip-shaking Samba to "Magalenha" by Sergio Mendes. Carrie Ann admires her fierceness, although she detected a bit of a stumble in the dance. Derek told her she looked absolutely beautiful and he loved the Samba rolls. However, he thought her feet could have used a little more articulation. Bruno called her a tangerine dream with an exuberant, joyful presence that makes it always feel like Happy Hour. I would concur.

Score: 27

________________________________________

 

Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Rumba


Nelly sharing his sister's story brought tears to my eyes. Nelly and Daniella's Rumba to "Nobody Knows" by The Tony Rich Project was a fitting tribute to her memory. His versatility continues to amaze me week after week. Derek felt it was a transcendental moment and thanked him for the performance even if it wasn't perfect. Bruno thought it lacked the necessary hip action required of the Rumba, but he appreciated his effort. Carrie Ann told him his sister would be proud of the way he dances from his heart, but she wants to see more from him. Aww, happy birthday, Nelly! I thought he deserved 8's, not 7's, but I'm also not a formal ballroom dancing judge.

Score: 21

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Chrishell Stause & Gleb Savchenko, Viennese Waltz


Chrishell and Gleb showed off their amazing chemistry to a steamy Viennese Waltz set to Rihanna's "Love on the Brain." Carrie Ann called it sexy and elegant, but she cautioned her about her arm and neck movements. Derek said his heart was beating fast and praised her for improving every week. Bruno looked like he needed a cigarette afterward, telling them they had some great movements but they need to work on sustaining the momentum.

Score: 24

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Skai Jackson & Alan Bersten, Salsa


Skai and Alan continued their rise to the top with a hip, action-packed Salsa to Missy Elliott's "Work It." Carrie Ann enjoyed seeing Skai be aggressive but she didn't think she nailed every lift's landing. Derek liked seeing her more grounded even though she had more lifts, but he thought there were a bit too many tricks. Bruno was on pins and needles thinking Alan was going to drop her at times, joking he must be training her for the Cirque du Soleil.

Score: 25

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Johnny Weir & Britt Stewart, Foxtrot


I loved Johnny and Britt's Foxtrot to "Wonder" by Shawn Mendes. Johnny looked so sweet in his mock tux and curls. It was also adorable to see him geek out about his crush on Shawn Mendes. Derek said Shawn would be proud, praising him for his wonderful frame. Bruno admired his sweeping movement, while Carrie Ann enjoyed the emotion and artistry with jerky, stylized movements. She thought it was an interesting choice they've never seen done before.

Score: 27

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AJ McLean & Cheryl Burke, Rumba


AJ and Cheryl's Rumba to KALEO's "Way Down We Go" was an emotionally charged ending dance, especially after listening to his struggle for sobriety story. Bruno was captivated by the intensity and storytelling though he thought it lacked Rumba movement. Carrie Ann agreed, saying there wasn't enough hip action or content. Derek called him a hero for sharing his pain, noting that the dance was for his personal healing journey and not necessarily the content.

Score: 24

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Relay Dance Round

For the first time this season, each couple was tasked with learning a second dance during the Relay Dance Round. Couples were placed in groups dancing a secondary Cha Cha, Samba, or Viennese Waltz. One judge was appointed to each relay group and asked to rank the couples based on their improvement for the chance to earn much-needed bonus points (up to 3) to heat up this competition. While it lacked some of the fun of the team dances and side-by-side competitions of the past, it was good to see them dance multiple times. Let's take a look at how the couples did:

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Cha Cha Relay Judged By Carrie Ann


Nev & Jenna, Chrishell & Gleb, and Nelly & Daniella each danced the Cha Cha (in that order) to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande's "Rain on Me." All three couples seemed to be pretty evenly matched - I didn't envy Carrie Ann. She said it was a lot of fun, although she thought Nev was off to a slow start. She admired the content Chrishell & Gleb gave it, but she felt the most improved award went to Nelly & Daniella. It was interesting she awarded Nev more points than either of the other two after those comments.

Nev & Jenna: 3
Chrishell & Gleb: 2
Nelly & Daniella: 2

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Viennese Waltz Relay Judged By Derek


Justina & Sasha, Johnny & Britt, and Jeannie & Brandon (who withdrew) were in Derek's Viennese Waltz relay group, dancing to "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. Derek thought Justina & Sasha danced a proper Viennese Waltz, but told Johnny & Britt their frame was perfection. They did manage to look more graceful.

Justina & Sasha: 2
Johnny & Britt: 3

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Samba Relay Judged By Bruno


AJ & Cheryl, Kaitlyn & Artem, and Skai & Alan made up Bruno's Samba relay group, dancing to "Levitating" by Dua Lipa. Bruno praised the couples for their improvements. I loved their colorful costumes.

AJ & Cheryl: 3
Kaitlyn & Artem: 3
Skai & Alan: 2

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After the fun and fancy-free Dance Relay Round, it was revealed Chrishell & Gleb and Skai & Alan were in jeopardy of elimination. It felt like the judges could go either way on this one, but they voted unanimously to save Skai & Alan. I think they made the right decision, although Chrishell & Gleb did win me over the past few weeks. Next week is Icons Night, with tributes to some of rock, hip hop, and pop's biggest icons of all time. Who do you think has what it takes to make it to the finale?

Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on ABC.

Monday, November 2, 2020

Box Office Report :: October 30•November 1

© Focus Features

It was another spooky weekend at the box office. Not just because it was Halloween weekend, but because there were only three new releases that managed to hit the charts, with two of the three entering the Top Ten.

The biggest surprise was the Number 1 debut for Come Play, a film that was expected to open in limited release but ended up with 2,183 screens, and a per screen average of $1,429 which gave it an opening weekend of $3.11 million, about a third of the film's budget. It did not get an international release.

Keeping with the horror theme, Appalachian Hoodoo thriller Spell opened at Number 9 on just 369 screens with an estimated $210,000. That film also did not have an international opening. The film did, however, also make its digital debut this weekend, placing in FandangoNow's Top Ten for the weekend. Outside of the Top Ten, the only other "new" release was actually a re-release of the Nicolas Cage thriller Mandy, which landed at Number 19 with $19,169 from 29 screens.

With just two new releases hitting the Top Ten, only 2 Hearts and After We Collided were knocked out. In its second week, The Empty Man wasn't able to offer many scares, dropping 56% and falling two spots to Number 5 with $577,351 from 2,051 screens. The Monsters, Inc. re-release saw a 53% decline but slipped just one spot to Number 8 with an estimated $232,000. Hocus Pocus had the smallest decline of the weekend at 14%, remaining at Number 6 with an estimated $456,000.

With Come Play taking over the top spot, Honest Thief slipped to Number 2 in its fourth week of release with $1.37 million, down 42%, bringing the domestic total to $9.55 million. The film's international cumulative gross has risen to $8.58 million, for a global tally of $18.14 million.

The War With Grandpa was also knocked down a notch to Number 3 with an estimated $1.27 million, a decline of 34%, bringing its domestic total to an estimated $11.47 million after five weeks of release. Internationally the film has earned $5.56 million giving it a worldwide total of $17.03 million. Tenet saw a 32% decline but held on to Number 4 with $885,000 after nine weeks, the first time the film has earned less than $1 million domestically. Overseas the film's cumulative total has risen to an estimated $293.3 million, with a global gross estimated at $347.1 million.

The weekend of November 6 has one wide release currently scheduled, Let Him Go, with four films set for limited release: True to the Game 2, Jungleland, The Informer and Kindred. What eventually ends up at Number 1 next week is anyone's guess.

Below are the Top Ten grosses for the weekend of October 30-November 1.

  1. [N] Come Play - $3,119,875 [NEW]
  2. [1] Honest Thief - $1,373,079 [$9,558,341]
  3. [2] The War with Grandpa - $1,270,720 [$11,478,925]
  4. [4] Tenet - $885,000 [$53,800,000]
  5. [3] The Empty Man - $577,351 [$2,285,028]
  6. [6] Hocus Pocus - $456,000 [$4,828,000]
  7. [4] The Nightmare Before Christmas - $386,000 [$2,286,000]
  8. [7] Monsters, Inc. - $232,000 [$726,000]
  9. [N] Spell - $210,000 [NEW]
  10. [10] The Addams Family - $186,960 [$585,537]

Source: Box Office Mojo