Latest news with #Misery
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How a Dolly Parton duet became the 'unhinged' heart of 'Oh, Hi!'
NEW YORK − As Sophie Brooks was trying to get funding for her new movie 'Oh, Hi!,' she made a playlist to give potential producers the film's vibe. That playlist was emblazoned with a picture of Kathy Bates holding a knife in Stephen King's 1990 thriller 'Misery,' about a murderous ex-nurse named Annie Wilkes who holds her favorite author (James Caan) hostage. That image was apropos for the twisted rom-com 'Oh, Hi!' (in theaters now), which follows a young woman named Iris (Molly Gordon) who handcuffs her new beau, Isaac (Logan Lerman), to the bed during a remote romantic getaway after he says they're not exclusive. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox To be clear, Annie and Iris are 'very different degrees of crazy,' Brooks says in a recent sitdown with her longtime friend Gordon, who co-conceived the story. Rather, this movie is 'a little wish fulfillment. If a girl could lean into her most unhinged, intrusive thoughts, would you end up tying a man to a bed to convince him to love you?' Gordon rewatched 'Misery' before 'Oh, Hi!" premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January, and was reminded that there are nearly no movies 'where women get to be that bold and free and funny,' she says. 'It sucks that there still aren't that many of those types of roles for women, but Sophie wanted to give me the space to get to be wild.' Molly Gordon, Sophie Brooks break down the 'Oh, Hi!' soundtrack One of the unexpected pleasures of 'Oh, Hi!' is its eclectic soundtrack, which features memorable needle drops from Clairo, Julia Jacklin and Marie Owens. Blake Mills' woozy 'Breakthrough Moon' underscores an early bondage sequence, as Iris handcuffs Isaac to the bed for a night of passion. ('It's hard to find a song for a sex scene that's the perfect level of sexiness without being too over the top,' Gordon says.) And then there's Molly Burch's lilting 'Made of Glass,' which perfectly captures Iris' state of mind with lyrics about looking for something special and no longer wanting to waste time in unfulfilling relationships. ('Her music really speaks to the modern-day female experience,' Brooks says.) For millennials, a nostalgic highlight is sure to be Mario's 2004 R&B hit 'Let Me Love You.' Iris dances to the song while Isaac is chained to the bedposts, in a desperately misguided attempt to win him over. On the set, 'it was actually choreographed to a different song, but it wasn't as funny as it could be,' Brooks recalls. 'Let Me Love You' was added 'really late in the game, right before Sundance. Our music supervisor, Jillian Ennis, suggested it. As soon as we put it in, we were like, 'OK, thank God, this is working.' It was so organic and really fun.' How Dolly Parton's 'Islands in the Stream' became a 'siren song' The most recognizable song is undoubtedly 'Islands in the Stream,' the smooth 1983 duet between Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Iris and Isaac harmonize on the dulcet chart-topper as they drive through upstate New York at the start of the film. Initially, 'we considered a Lana Del Rey song, but we really loved the idea of it being a duet,' Brooks says. 'Also, Dolly Parton is such an incredible feminist icon, and really plays with femininity and desire and ambition in a way that I really relate to. It just felt right.' Gordon notes that it's a song that couples often will sing at karaoke together: 'We wanted to kind of make fun of the annoyance of new love, like, we're going to sing 'Islands in the Stream' together!' she says with a laugh. 'But also, how exciting it is when you have someone to do that with.' The song reappears later in the movie during a dream sequence, as Isaac imagines walking outside his mountaintop prison and finding Iris crooning it to him. 'It becomes this almost haunting thing for him and turns into this siren song,' Gordon says. That moment was always in the script from the get-go: 'That's just what happens when you work with your best friend. Sophie was like, 'I want you to be able to show all the parts of yourself that you haven't gotten to as an artist. You're going to dance silly because you're an insane person, and then you're going to sing, too.'' Gordon was admittedly anxious about covering such an iconic tune, which she recorded at the legendary Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. 'I had been naughty,' Gordon says. 'I had just done a movie in England and was smoking cigarettes stupidly, and I feel like I had this rasp. I was scared because I didn't have a voice that day, but I think it actually makes the song have a cooler vibe because I have a very annoying voice a lot of the time. And we only had an hour to record, so it was like, I don't have time to be nervous!' Ultimately, 'it was very pinch-me.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The top 10 best films of the 90s from an entertainment expert and where to watch
The 1990s was a golden era for cinema with a plethora of unforgettable films from the decade that have stood the test of time - here are my top 10 favourite films from the 90s The 1990s was a truly magical time for movie lovers, producing a plethora of unforgettable films. As an entertainment journalist, I've had the challenging task of narrowing down my personal top 10 from this decade. It's no easy feat to compile a list of the top 10 films from such a rich period in cinematic history, but as a dedicated film fanatic and entertainment reporter, I've given it my best shot. So, which films have made the grade? Here are my top 10 favourite films from the 1990s, chosen with the discerning eye of an entertainment journalist. Top 10 90s films ranked 10 - Misery First on the list is the 1990 classic 'Misery', based on Stephen King's chilling crime novel of the same name. The plot revolves around novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), who after a severe car accident, is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), his self-proclaimed 'biggest fan'. Annie takes him to her secluded cabin to recuperate, but things take a sinister turn when she discovers that Sheldon plans to kill off her favourite character from his novels. Misery can be streamed on Prime Video. 9 - The Truman Show Next up is the 1998 comedy sci-fi 'The Truman Show', featuring Jim Carrey, known for his roles in 'The Mask' and 'Ace Ventura'. This film sees Carrey venture into slightly darker territory, offering a thought-provoking narrative. The official synopsis reveals: "Unbeknownst to him, Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) entire life is part of a vast TV set. "Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) masterminds The Truman Show, a live broadcast of Truman's every move, captured by hidden cameras. "As Truman slowly uncovers the truth, he is faced with the decision of how to respond." The Truman Show is available to watch on Prime Video. 8 - Beauty and the Beast Before Emma Watson took on the character of Belle in the 2017 remake, there was the animated 1991 Disney film Beauty and the Beast. A heartless prince is turned into a beast as punishment for his callous ways and must win someone's love to lift the curse. This is where he encounters Belle who gradually discovers that there is much more to the Beast than initially appears. Beauty and the Beast is available to watch on Disney+. 7 - You've Got Mail The touching 1998 romantic comedy You've Got Mail chronicles the feud between the proprietors of a bookstore chain and a charming independent bookshop. They remain unaware that they have been developing deep feelings for one another through email correspondence. This beloved romantic film features Hollywood legend Tom Hanks and When Harry Met Sally star Meg Ryan. You've Got Mail is available to watch on Sky Go and NOW TV Cinema. 6 - Muriel's Wedding Featuring Hereditary actress Toni Collette, Muriel's Wedding will delight ABBA enthusiasts as it features the legendary group's songs throughout. The synopsis for the 1994 romantic comedy states: "Stuck in a small town with her dominant father, depressed mother and cruel friends, a socially awkward woman takes destiny into her own hands and sets off in search of happiness and her ideal groom." Muriel's Wedding is available to watch on Prime Video. 5 - What's Love Got To Do With It This Tina Turner biographical film recounts the genuine story of the iconic pop rock performer from departing her existence in St Louis to her ascent to fame and her violent marriage. The acclaimed 1993 film features Black Panther star Angela Bassett portraying Turner and The Matrix legend Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner. What's Love Got to do With It can be streamed on Prime Video. 4 - Jurassic Park Kicking off the blockbuster franchise in 1993 was the original Jurassic Park movie, featuring a cast headed by Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern. Helmed by Steven Spielberg himself, the plot summary explains: "An industrialist invites some experts to visit his theme park of cloned dinosaurs. "After a power failure, the creatures run loose, putting everyone's lives, including his grandchildren's, in danger." Jurassic Park can be viewed on ITVX and Prime Video. 3 - The Silence of the Lambs Celebrated as one of cinema's most legendary horror pictures is the chilling 1991 thriller The Silence of the Lambs. The plot outline reveals: "Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, seeks help from Hannibal Lecter, a psychopathic serial killer and former psychiatrist, in order to apprehend another murderer who has been claiming female victims." The Silence of The Lambs, which memorably stars Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, can be watched on Prime Video. 2 - The Commitments This Dublin-set 1991 musical comedy-drama centres on jobless lad Jimmy Rabbitte who reckons he'll strike it rich by assembling a working-class soul group. The Commitments showcases tracks including Mustang Sally, In The Midnight Hour, Take Me To The Little River and Try A Little Tenderness. The Commitments can be viewed on BBC iPlayer and Prime Video. 1 - The Muppets Christmas Carol Adding a charming and adorable twist to the timeless story of A Christmas Carol, this family-friendly festive film is indeed a classic. Featuring The Dark Knight actor Michael Cane in the role of Scrooge, he shares the screen with beloved and iconic characters such as Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Fozzy Bear.
Time Magazine
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Breaking Down the Unconventional Rom-Com Ending of Oh, Hi!
Warning: This post contains spoilers for Oh, Hi! It's a not-so-typical love story. Boy meets girl, they go on a romantic getaway together, and have sex. But after sleeping together, Isaac (Logan Lerman) reveals to Iris (Molly Gordon) that he has no interest in pursuing a serious relationship. When Isaac tells Iris this, he's still restrained by his hands and feet (they decided to use some handcuffs they found in the closet of their holiday home). Instead of uncuffing him and ending their relationship, Iris decides to keep him tied up, choosing to turn the weekend into a last-ditch effort to make Isaac love her. In this sense, Oh, Hi! feels like a riff on Misery. But while most films would be quick to condemn Iris for her decision, Sophie Brooks' film isn't interested in having a villain, nor is it in casting judgment on its characters. This is a different kind of romantic comedy, clearly, but it's also a thoughtful interrogation on the idea of being 'crazy,' a word often hurled as an accusation towards women. Of course, Iris is wrong to leave Isaac restrained, but Isaac manipulated her by taking her on a romantic getaway and acting like a madly in love couple, only to suddenly retract and say he's not interested in anything serious. You might say it's enough to make someone go…crazy. Oh, Hi! is a romantic comedy about contemporary dating, but also the way expectations impact our decision-making. 'Expectation and want are the makeup of every story,' says Brooks, who co-wrote and directed Oh, Hi! 'Expectations are inherent to conflict, and inherent to relationships.' Having Isaac and Iris be misaligned in their expectations reflects modern dating. We've gotten into a system where having wants and needs can be considered too much, and everyone should play it cool and act like they don't care.' When working on the movie, her second feature, Brooks was inspired by Joachim Trier's 2021 film The Worst Person in the World to write a rom-com that had a twist of darkness, that stuck to the genre's conventions while making something authentic about the perils of modern dating. 'I really wanted to have this female character who was unashamed of her desire for a relationship. Often in film and our culture, a man wanting love is considered romantic, and a woman wanting love is considered desperate or embarrassing. I think that's really unfair,' says Brooks. 'I'm leaning into the trope of the crazy woman, so she goes too far, and the moral is that you should never convince someone to be with you. But having expectations of someone you're wanting to date feels like a very normal thing to want.' Trying to find a way to get out of accidentally kidnapping Isaac, Iris recruits her best friend, Max (Geraldine Viswanathan), who brings along her boyfriend, Kenny (John Reynolds). Max has a surprising solution: a Wiccan spell to clear his memory. Brooks took inspiration from her lifelong love of witches. 'For a long time in elementary school, I was convinced I was a witch and would develop powers during puberty, and I was devastated when that didn't happen,' says Brooks. Max and Iris gather the ingredients and create a soup for Isaac to drink, but since he's extremely untrusting of Iris, they have Kenny (John Reynolds), Max's boyfriend, give it to him instead. For the potion to work, Iris has to bless it by chanting over an outside fire in the nude. Max stands by her, also naked, and they sway back and forth and chant together. She does it in 'solidarity.' It's not just a sweet moment, but a pointed exploration of women being friends in cinema. 'Female friendship in movies can so often have a tinge of competitiveness or be the source of drama. There are so many frenemies,' says Brooks. 'To have this female friendship that is pure and supportive, and having Max be ride or die for Iris, felt really honest to me. It's what my relationship is like with my friends.' That night, Isaac has a bizarre dream. In it, he's on a date with Iris at a bar, where they have an open and vulnerable conversation, and a gateway into understanding more of who Isaac is, and his hesitations on being in a relationship. Later in the dream, he finds himself at the house they're vacationing in, and heads outside to see Iris singing 'Islands in the Stream'—a callback to the opening scene where they're singing it together. Things are going well, and they dance in each other's arms, but suddenly Iris says, 'I hate you,' and Isaac wakes up. 'They really were falling for each other,' says Brooks. 'Unfortunately, just because two people like each other doesn't mean they're gonna figure it out or make it work.' When they're dancing in the dream sequence, it's enough to make you think that if circumstances were different, these two may have had a real chance at romance. 'There are so many miscommunications in the movie, and they're never on the same page, but in this dream sequence, they're completely aligned. It felt like an opportunity to see into Isaac's psyche and show that he does like her, and perhaps love her, but something is limiting him.' When Isaac awakes, he puts into action his escape plan. He's still handcuffed to the bed, but he plays it cool, acting like he has no memory of the events. Iris buys it, and uncuffs him. It speaks to her blind optimism and utter belief in the power of love that she could pull off a magical spell to rid Isaac of his memory, potentially even allowing them to start over. Heading downstairs, Isaac suggests making pancakes, but the flour is in the car. Iris has a flash of concern on her face, but that dissipates almost instantly, and she gives Isaac the keys. She celebrates with Kenny and Max, but it's short-lived—Isaac races off in the car. It turns out that because of an open window, Isaac heard their plan to erase his memory. Terrified that he'll go to the police, Kenny and Max want to pursue him, but Iris believes she's doomed and ready to take responsibility, and she goes back to bed. 'I wanted Iris to have that initial hope. Of course, she's going to doubt the spell worked, but her nature is hopeful, and she likes this guy, so she believes it. She wants to believe that maybe there's a path forward for them still," says Brooks. "And part of that is sad, but sometimes that's what life is. Sometimes it's sad to want something for you that isn't quite right, or even good for you." Iris is woken by a call from the police—her car, the one Isaac stole to escape, was found in a crash with nobody inside. Panicked, Iris heads into the forest to try and find Isaac, eventually discovering him wounded, lying against a fallen tree. You may expect the pair to fight, but instead they have a vulnerable conversation and apologize for the mistakes they've both made. 'I just wish you were honest,' Iris tells him, before sincerely apologizing for what she's done. 'I think by the time Isaac's left and she's able to settle and get some sleep, she's able to take a moment. She's like 'Whoa, I'm not sure how I got here', and she does apologize for her actions, which I thought was really important,' says Brooks. 'I didn't want the movie to end with her thinking she'd done the right thing. She knows she's gotten out of hand and she's embarrassed. But I hope what's nice for the audience is that Isaac learns he didn't handle himself correctly. If he had been honest, they wouldn't be in this situation. When Iris says she wishes he were honest, there's a real truth there. It's an acknowledgement that yes, she did something completely unhinged, and also he got her there.' At the end of the film, Isaac is carted away in an ambulance, and he and Iris have officially, permanently broken up. Iris leaves him with a fond goodbye that references her love of Casablanca: 'We'll always have O high,' she says. It's a callback to a conversation they had in the first scene, where Iris jokes to Isaac about a broken sign that read 'O High Falls' instead of 'High Falls.' But it's all completely lost on Isaac, reaffirming that these two were never truly on the same page. 'It's an example of, 'Oh boy. I was chasing this man, and he is not at all ready for a relationship,' Brooks says. The final shot is a close-up of Iris, who is processing a myriad of emotions before settling on a smile. It's a combination of relief, sadness, and hope. 'There's relief that she's gotten out of this weekend, and he seems not to be going to the cops. Sadness that this connection she felt is over and isn't going anywhere. But there's also a slight smile and light to her eyes, and I think she knows she's going to be okay,' says Brooks. As for whether or not Isaac calls the cops, Brooks has an answer for that, too: 'He's happy this chapter is over, and he doesn't want a legal battle. When he's honest with himself, he can see how they got mixed up in this miscommunication. He does take personal responsibility for how he ended up in that spot. Maybe the spell worked a little, and the part that worked is that he isn't gonna go to the cops.'
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Oh, Hi' will fill you with ‘Misery'
Molly Gordon as Iris and Logan Lerman as Isaac in 'Oh, Hi!' Sony Pictures Classics This movie is a textbook example of the Idiot Plot. That's a story that requires everyone to act like an idiot in order for the movie to work. Mere common sense on anyone's part would cause the entire enterprise to collapse. As it adds extraneous characters, 'Oh, Hi!' becomes so frustrating and unbelievable that I wanted to yell advice at the screen. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac ( Advertisement Is it unfair that I'm comparing this plot to a horror movie where a psychopath tortures her captive with needles and sledgehammers? I think not. For starters, despite all its nastiness, 'Misery' is funnier than 'Oh, Hi!' Advertisement Still from 'Oh, Hi!' Sony Pictures Classics Additionally, though Iris is a sociopath-in-training whose methods of torture are only emotionally violent, Brooks hints at the potential for horror movie comparisons. The film opens with ominous music as Iris greets her friend, Max (Geraldine Viswanathan). 'I did something bad,' she says before we flashback 33 hours prior. The next 30 minutes or so chronicles the relationship between Iris and Isaac as they travel to the rural town of High Falls for a romantic getaway at a nice house. These early scenes are where 'Oh, Hi!' fires on all cylinders. Both actors give great back-and-forth banter, and their sexual couplings clearly indicate they're in the honeymoon phase of their courtship. David Cross as Steve in 'Oh, Hi!' Sony Pictures Classics Even when they're not having sex, they exude so much horny heat that a nosy neighbor, Steve (David Cross) thinks they're fornicating in the lake outside his house. The scenario is impossible because, as Iris points out, she is wearing a one-piece bathing suit. Steve isn't the only one prone to misunderstanding what these two are doing. Iris thinks this is their first trip as a couple. Isaac doesn't even think they're a couple—he envisions them as friends with benefits. Since neither party has discussed their relationship status, misunderstandings were inevitable. Iris is so upset when Isaac reveals his true feelings that she panics, leaving him strapped to the bed. And that's before she gets the idea to keep him there. Advertisement Geraldine Viswanathan as Max, John Reynolds as Kenny in 'Oh, Hi!' Sony Pictures Classics A good dark comedy could milk this for all it's worth by turning the situation into a battle of wits. But remember, everyone here is required to act like an idiot. This includes Max, whom Iris calls for help when she realizes that she's committing a criminal act, and Max's boyfriend, Kenny (John Reynolds). The trio floats the idea of killing Isaac, but all opt to keep him entrapped. 'Oh, HI!' makes the fatal mistake of thinking that Iris is so lovable that you'll forgive anything she does. Gordon plays her as amicable and fun in the first half, but once she hatches her kidnapping plan, the movie can't redeem her. Does she really expect this man will ever trust her again? The final scenes are a shot of redemption the movie can't sell. It doesn't make sense to say that 'Oh, Hi!' would play differently if the roles were reversed. We've already had plenty of horrifying movies where women are held against their will. Plus, I don't think Brooks intends to imply that this material goes down easier because the victim is a man. However, gender roles do come into play, because this film is built on the 'women be acting crazy' and 'men ain't [expletive]' cliches of hacky stand-up comedy routines. Neither trope does the film any favors. ★1/2 OH, HI! Written and directed by Sophie Brooks. Starring Molly Gordon, Logan Lerman, John Reynolds, Geraldine Viswanathan, David Cross, Polly Draper. At Coolidge Corner, AMC Boston Common, Alamo Drafthouse Seaport, suburbs. 94 min. R (sex, nudity, language) Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe's film critic.
NZ Herald
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Community events, theatre, art and music in Tairāwhiti Gisborne this weekend and beyond
Lj Mill and Lawrence Mulligan play the leads in the Gisborne Unity Theatre production of Misery, adapted by William Goldman from Stephen King's acclaimed novel. The final performance is on Saturday night. Friday, July 25 Lego Club at H.B. Williams Memorial Library: A fortnightly club for 5-to-17-year-olds at the library. 3.30pm – 5pm during school term. 34 Bright St. Saturday, July 26
