See It or Skip It Reviews Hamilton, Conjuring and More

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — You know it’s Friday when Utah’s favorite review show is back, and Tomatometer-Approved critic Patrick Beatty has scares, musicals, and office sitcoms for your weekend watches. Join Patrick and UFCA film critic Kent Dunn, as well as Leo Zavala aka “Movies with Leo” as we break down what’s worth seeing and have a unique discussion about physical media and the importance of owning your content.

The Conjuring: Last Rites

Where to Watch: Theaters

Directed By: 

Michael Chaves

Starring:

Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy

Genre:

Horror, Supernatural

All media courtesy of Warner Bros.

Ed and Lorraine Warren return for the final chapter in “The Conjuring” franchise, the series that spawned multiple spin-offs and countless copycats. The Warrens have stepped back from active cases, hoping to enjoy a more peaceful life with their daughter and her boyfriend, while still grappling with the trauma that has defined their lives as demon hunters. They are forced out of semi-retirement when the Smurl family, who endured nearly a decade of haunting, makes enough noise in the media to draw our horror icons back into hell itself.

While the first two “Conjuring” films felt fresh and unique, Last Rites does little to add to the legacy of these characters. Instead, it delivers a jarring and uneven story about a family that not only feels inauthentic but also suffers technically and may be the weakest entry in the franchise.

The biggest issue is the insistence on overly dark sets, making much of the film nearly unwatchable, even on the big screen. Every set design feels like a mid-tier haunted alley attraction, constructed without any real lighting budget. Atmosphere and tone are crucial in horror, but if there is no level of realism behind the scares, the effect collapses. When the screen is so dark that you notice the blue LED projector lights more than what is actually happening in the frame, that is inexcusable.

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson remain the heartbeat of the story, and their characters are still the soul of this franchise. From day one, they have both understood the assignment. While I have serious issues with how their “final” appearance is handled, their performances are iconic and will endure as some of the most memorable in modern horror.

See It or Skip It? Skip It

Twinless (R)

Where to Watch: Theaters

Directed By: 

James Sweeney

Starring:

Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, plus Aisling Franciosi, Lauren Graham

Genre:

Comedy, Drama

All media courtesy of Roadside Attractions & Lionsgate

Two men attend a support group after losing their respective twin brothers. As they begin to tell their stories, an unlikely friendship begins as they navigate life without their “better halves”. James Sweeney writes, directs, and stars in this year’s most original concepts, which debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

I loved the story’s themes of belonging and closure, how remorse can cloud your judgment. Dylan O’Brien delivers a career-best performance playing two characters in distinct ways that easily separate the two. This is a story that reveals itself later, and once it does, it lets the audience question the empathy built up in the first half.

“Twinless” is heartfelt, unique, and brilliantly twisted with great cinematography and a standout performance from Dylan O’Brien. I do wish James Sweeney had found someone else for his role, as he seems distracted and not fully present in his character towards the end, but it’s an accomplishment overall that he should be proud of.

See It or Skip It? See It

Hamilton (PG-13)

Where to Watch: Theaters

Directed By: 

Thomas Kail

Starring:

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr, Phillipa Soo, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs

Genre:

Broadway Musical

All media courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Ten years ago, Lin-Manuel Miranda changed Broadway and became an instant legend as Alexander Hamilton in the hip-hop-infused lyrical symphony that is “Hamilton.” Now it finally arrives on the big screen after its release on Disney+ a few years ago, and it hits just as hard as it did from the beginning.

This is the story of the founding of our nation, told through the perspective of Hamilton and based on Ron Chernow’s 2004 biography “Alexander Hamilton.” We see the fight and fire in this immigrant from a small Caribbean island, his rise through the ranks as a member of General George Washington’s army, his tumultuous relationship with Aaron Burr, and the legacy of his work that still echoes in America today.

Director Thomas Kail immerses you in the revolution, capturing every detail so that nothing feels lost. Translating a Broadway show into a filmed format is notoriously difficult. I have rarely seen a recording of a stage musical capture the scale and electricity of a live performance, but “Hamilton” comes the closest. If you enjoyed the “Wicked” sing-alongs or, more recently,y the “K Pop Demon Hunters” sing-alongs, this is another perfect way to spend your weekend.

See It or Skip It? See It

The Paper (TV-14)

Where to Watch: Peacock

Created By: 

Greg Daniels

Starring:

Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Oscar Nunez, Melvin Gregg, Tim Key, Chelsea Frei, Gbemisola Ikumelo

Genre:

Mockumentary Sitcom

All media courtesy of Peacock

Set in Toledo, “The Paper” explores the struggling legacy newspaper “The Toledo Truth Teller” as the new Editor in Chief, Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson), attempts to bring it back to its glory days while facing resistance from corporate management desperate to keep things the same. The documentary crew is the same one from Scranton, who covered the struggling paper company Dunder Mifflin, making this a continuation of the beloved sitcom.

When it was first announced that a new chapter in the world of “The Office” would be coming to Peacock, I was immediately skeptical. I grew up with Dunder Mifflin, with Michael Scott, and with Jim and Pam. To say that “The Paper” started off on the wrong foot with me is an understatement. But to my surprise and delight, Greg Daniels has done it again, and I am ready to have my heart broken all over.

What makes “The Paper” work best are its differences from “The Office.” Much like how “Parks and Recreation” explored an entirely different set of work conditions, coworkers, and scenarios, following this team of ragtag amateur journalists opens the door to a whole new set of hilarious situations. The similarities come from the relationships and the style of documentary filmmaking, which bring just the right mix of nostalgia and comfort. Standouts include Tim Key and Sabrina Impacciatore, while Domhnall Gleeson delivers what I think is a complete departure from anything we have seen from him before.

Overall, this ten-episode season is absolutely binge-worthy. In a world where I would have quickly dismissed this as a cheap cash grab, “The Paper” delivers a wholesome, hilarious, and surprisingly accurate look at the struggles of legacy media in the modern age.

See It or Skip It: Binge It!

Wednesday Season 2 Pt. 2

Where to Watch: Netflix

Directed By: 

Tim Burton, Angela Robinson

Starring:

Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Catherine Zeta Jones, Luis Guzman, Isaac Ordonez

Genre:

Crime, Mystery

All media courtesy of Netflix

Following the first half of “Wednesday” Season 2, Part 2 is now available on Netflix, and I can confidently say it is worth watching. While I disagree with the decision to split seasons, since it risks weakening the social media momentum the first season enjoyed, Season 2 doubles down on the mystery, explores deeper family dynamics, and proves worth the wait.

See It or Skip It? See It

Did you see any of the shows reviewed this weekend? Leave a comment if so, and make sure to follow us on all our social media platforms and listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Note: See It or Skip It is proudly owned and produced by Patrick Beatty. ABC4 is a broadcast partner, but the show, its content, and opinions are independently created.

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