Underneath It All

the greatest showman, hugh jackman, the greatest show on earth, the circus

Underneath It All

‘The Greatest Showman’ Spotlights the Magic That Lives within Us All

by Kristen Hoyt

When I was a little girl my parents took me to the circus every year. Not just any circus…the Barnum & Bailey Circus, otherwise known as the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

I remember watching with awe as trapeze artists performed daring feats overhead while the dashing Gunther Gebel-Williams worked with the big cats below. I was so in love with Gunther Gebel-Williams. My parents even bought me his plastic action figure, which I played with until I stopped playing with dolls. That toy is in my keepsake box right now.

Perhaps my best memory of the circus was the year my mom and I made the drive into Anaheim, California, early in the day to see the circus animals and all of the circus equipment and performers parade down the road from the train station to the (then) Anaheim Pond where the circus would go on later that night. We saw elephants and big cats, rare birds and horses. It was spectacular!

It was with these childhood memories in mind that I sat down in the theater to watch The Greatest Showman. I hoped upon hope that the movie would live up to my expectations, that it would not tarnish my cherished memories with tawdry images and some political agenda.

Feature, Movies, Underneath It All

“The Star” Shines Bright: A Fresh Perspective on the Greatest Story Ever Told

by Kristen Hoyt

Sony Pictures’ The Star opened in theaters nationwide on Nov. 17, creating a buzz among Christian and non-Christian moviegoers. For adults, the film fills in the gaps in the biblical account of the months preceding Jesus’ birth. It adds depth to characters that otherwise play only supporting roles in the Gospel narratives, mainly Joseph. For children, the movie is sure to entertain with fun animation, silly antics and a well-told story. Both young and old are sure to enjoy this imaginative take on the greatest story ever told.

While it has already faced criticism for its blend of playfulness and solemnity, The Star has found favor among members of the general public. Seventy-five percent of moviegoers who rated the film on Rotten Tomatoes approve of its idiosyncratic charm.

the star movie, the star, star, sony, affirm films, steven yeun, aidy bryant, keegan-michael key — Bo, Ruth and Dave work to save Mary from King Herod’s henchman

Indeed, it is the fresh perspective on this timeless story that makes it so charming. The Star reimagines the months leading up to the birth of Jesus and shows it to us through the eyes of some colorful animal characters.

claire and jamie, starz, catriona balfe, sam heughan, jamie fraser

TV, Underneath It All

“Outlander’s” Episode 6 was Everything We’ve Been Waiting For and More

by Kristen Hoyt

Outlander’s A. Malcolm breathes new life into the series and sets it up for a long and dazzling run. Episodes one through five were remarkably well done, but they canna hold a candle to seeing Claire and Jamie embrace after 20 years of separation. For Outlander fans the period between seasons, or what is fondly referred to as #Droughtlander, has been long and filled with anticipation for the reunion between Claire and Jamie. And Episode 6, A. Malcolm, doesna disappoint! It is filled with a satisfying mix of heartwarming dialogue, humorous circumstances, and passionate encounters between the pair.

sam heughan, jamie fraser, a malcolm, print shop, outlander, starz

Claire may be the star and narrator of the Outlander saga, but it is Jamie who shines in Season 3. Sam Heughan must be lauded for the way he completely disappears into the role of a tortured Jamie who is but a shell of the robust and canty character we knew in Seasons 1 and 2. Heughan portrays the transformation of Jamie’s character from the shell-shocked and broken “dunnbonnet” hiding in a hole to avoid capture to the strong, capable, and wise printer of seditious pamphlets with delicacy, nuance, and care.

Movies, Underneath It All

Wonder Woman Changes the Face of Feminism

by Kristen Hoyt

As someone who knew nothing of the Wonder Woman backstory, I was unsure as to what to expect from this DC Comics blockbuster. My expectations were blown out of the water! Surprisingly good acting, strong character development and an entertaining story line easily held my attention. What really stood out, however, was the message the film conveyed.

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman shows us a new type of feminism. Wonder Woman, Diana Prince, is powerful and a fierce figher. She is also graceful, kind and tenderhearted. She embraces her feminine beauty, using it to her advantage and reveling in the joy of being admired by the opposite sex. Her power lies in her integrity and commitment to protecting what is precious in life — love, kindness, innocence. She draws strength from her romantic relationship with Steve Trevor. It’s clear she does not feel his love or protection suppresses her ability to assert herself. She was more than capable on her own but was made better by his partnership and love.

Modern feminists tell us that in order to be respected and treated “equally,” women must turn their backs on femininity and seek equity, or sameness, with our male counterparts.

priyanka chopra, quantico, alex parrish, resistance, abc

TV, Underneath It All

Quantico Ends Season 2 With A Fizzle Not A Bang

by Kristen Hoyt

ABC’s Quantico has always walked the fine line between good storytelling and the ridiculous. Prior to its Season 2 spring debut in January 2017, the show was often unrealistic, but featured likable characters and interesting and informative plots.

Since the election and inauguration of President Donald J. Trump, however, the show’s writers seem to have developed the same hysteria as the rest of the mainstream, or should I say “lame-stream” media.

Season 2 started out okay in the fall, with Season 1 favorites Alex Parrish quantico, priyanka chopra, jake mclaughlin, abc (Priyanka Chopra), Shelby Wyatt (Johanna Braddy), and Ryan Booth (Jake McLaughlin) fighting a terrorist organization recruiting from within the CIA. It was the spring start when things really began to get strange. The second half of Season 2 features an off-the-books black ops organization, led by Clay Haas (Hunter Parrish) and comprised of Alex and her crew, that performs covert operations on U.S. soil, which is illegal. The plotlines have deviated from stopping terrorist attacks and training at “the Farm” (the CIA training facility in Campy Peary, VA) to overtly political and ridiculous efforts to stop “radicals” within the U.S.