Michael Diskint News Today

From Dolly Parton to the classic White Christmas , sing-along to these holiday musicals this weekend.

As part of the California Institute of the Arts 50-year anniversary celebrations, the forthcoming 2023 graduate cohort for the MFA Creative Writing program will run a series of free events across Los Angeles to share their writing and performances to the public. 

3.5 stars Starring: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Madalen Mills, Ricky Martin, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Hugh Bonneville, Justin Cornwell and Lisa Davina Phillip Rating: PG, for no particular reason Opulent musical fantasy is laden with seasonal charm By Derrick Bang This is an impressive slice of holiday razzle-dazzle. The tag line for writer/director David E. Talbert’s opulent fantasy promises that viewers will “discover a world of wishes and wonder,” and that’s an unde...

Love in the Nick of Tyme) turned filmmaker ( First Sunday), lets his musicality fly and creates a viable family Christmas movie that’s as strong as any Disney film. Inspired by musicals like  Dr. Dolittle and  Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and motivated by his son’s desire to see enchanting movies with people who looked like him, Talbert created this vibrant fantasy/family/musical. Originally targeted to be a theater piece, it has finally evolved into a live-action, CGI and animat...

Paley Front Row Presented by Citi series: Making Holiday Magic! Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. This behind-the-scenes look at Netflix’s latest holiday hit will premiere on the Paley Center’s dedicated channel on Verizon Media’s Yahoo Entertainment on Monday, December 14, at 8:00 pm EST/5:00 pm PST. “We are delighted to present this heartwarming and entertaining conversation with the creative team behind this critically acclaimed holiday special that conveys a message of love, fami...