What To Watch This Weekend: ‘Wicked,’ ‘Gladiator 2’ And More

Last weekend was sort of the calm before the storm in regard to big movies hitting the theaters. In fact, it was such a slow weekend at the box office, some of us were forced to sit home and watch Netflix buffer — also known as the Jake Paul – Mike Tyson fight.

OK, we weren’t forced. I gave it a watch thinking it would be a spectacle either way. Tyson would treat the much younger fighter like he was Michael Spinks and knock the cocky rich influencer Paul out cold OR bite part of his ear off. One way or the other, it showed promise of being entertaining. Alas, promises aren’t always kept.

Rest assured, this weekend is the unofficial start of the holiday movie season so there is plenty of actual entertainment just waiting for your eyes. “Barbenheimer, 2.0,” or “Glicked” or “Waddiator,” as one guest on “Nite Lite” offered last week, is the phenomenon that hits theaters this weekend and refers to the films “Wicked” and “Gladiator 2.” Both overhyped films open this weekend which isn’t quite as rare as a super moon but much louder. If the show biz buzz is any indication, each film will deliver serious bang for your cinema buck.

“Wicked is based on the long-running and wildly popular Broadway show. The film tells the story of the two witches from “The Wizard of Oz” and stars Arianna Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. This is the first installment of what will be a two-parter, with the second chapter scheduled to hit theaters next year. The film has been getting rave reviews with 90% from critics and 99% from audiences, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

“Gladiator 2” is Ridley Scott’s follow-up to the 2000 film starring Russell Crowe. The new film stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, whose performance is getting rave reviews and Oscar buzz from critics. (Oscar Buzz would actually be a great name for a film critic.) “Gladiator 2” is drawing a more than respectable 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, just a few points lower than its predecessor, but with no audience scores available just yet.

Mescal plays Luscius, the new hero and nephew of Commodus, the roll carried by Joaquin Phoenix in the first film. I can’t wait to see how the writers make that plausible but by all accounts, they do. Even if all the Oscar talk regarding Washington’s performance jinxes him, it’s not a big deal as he already has two Academy Awards on his mantle, along with a bowling trophy from college. We shared the same cleaning lady.

If you can wait just a few days, you can take the kids to see “Moana 2.” Or you can go by yourself if you don’t mind strange looks. The follow up to the wildly successful 2016 film opens the day before Thanksgiving and is also reviewing incredibly well at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Adding their voices to the film are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and a lot of actors you’ve never even heard of.

Have a great weekend at the movies, everyone!

— Oscar Buzz