Week-In Review: The Gruzinsky Family is in Disarray Over Fathers Arrest, While Coach Korn Gets Back In the Dating World; Big Shot Episode 5 Review

Week-In Review: The Gruzinsky Family is in Disarray Over Fathers Arrest, While Coach Korn Gets Back In the Dating World; Big Shot Episode 5 Review

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by | May 14, 2021 | Celebs, Featured

Louise’s dad is Arrested. Louise and Olive get caught cheating. Marvyn dates again.

After Coach Korn (John Stamos) catches his daughter Emma (Sophia Mitri Schloss) and Lucas Gruzinsky (Dale Whibley) having a romantic evening together; which was very PG. Emma explains to her father that it is very normal for girls her age to date, however, it’s hard for Korn to wrap his head around Emma dating. The conversation continues on how Emma’s Mother encourages her to date, while Korn disagrees the next question to comes up is when is the last time he’s been on a date. His answer of not knowing how long him and Emma’s mother been divorced proves that Korn definitely loses himself in his work.

BIG SHOT - "This Is Our House" SOPHIA MITRI SCHLOSS

Emma and Lucas Gruzinsky having dinner together in the opening scene.

As a fun subplot, the theme of wondering about the adult personal dating life continues after a few of the girls happen to see Assistant Coach, Holly Barrett (Jessalyn Gilsig) is seen carpooling with younger teacher Felix (Chantz Simpson). So naturally, they’re wondering what the connection is between them too, and eventually, the rumor of the two dating spreads throughout Westbrook.

The next scene sets the stage for our main focus of the episode, Louise (Nell Verlaque) talks to Olive (Monique A. Green) and Mouse (Tisha Custodio) about how she couldn’t study for their Bio exam due to her parents arguing all night. The reality of Louise not passing the test, Olive feels the need to help her teammate by texting her a picture of the answers. But of course, the student seating behind Louise ( Kelsey played by Maddy Caddell) sees this and notifies Coach Holly. After confronting the two about having the exact same answers to an open response test, Louise admits she cheated. Westbrook has a Zero Terolance Policy for cheating which would end up in their expulsion from Westbrook, however, Coach Holly is able to convince Principal Thomas (Yvette Nicole Brown) to not take further action.

This decision has other students talking, there’s a belief that the basketball team is getting preferential treatment a common cliched in US high school and college shows about how being great at sports, means they don’t have to do anything else.

Louise’s day gets worst after returning home to police officers take belongings from the house, apparently, the reason is that her father Larry Gruzinsky (Michael Trucco) is being investigated for embezzlement. This could explain the reason Louise’s parents were arguing the night she was trying to study for her exam, the stress of carrying this information and not talking to anyone with a fear of embarrassment is weight heavy on Louise. She isn’t able to play her game in the matchup against Solana Beach, that frustration leads to an ejection when she pushes an opposing player following a foul. This lead to a heated exchange between Louise and Coach Holly.

The Lady Sirens are able to win by 2 but Coach Korn is worried about how the praise from La Jolla Preps about their winning steak is going to their head. As the team is looking to go up a division Korn knows that the noise that came with winning can be detrimental to a team.

As far as Korn’s dating life that was mentioned earlier, Emma’s Theatre instructor Miss Goodwyn (Kathleen Rose Perkins) takes a liking to Korn. It was apparent after a mention in his eye color in conversation with Emma, as a proudly single woman she doesn’t take any problem with taking charge asking Korn out on a date. Korn denied it was a date until he was on the date, the two made a genuine connection but Emma does feel uneasy about this development because she feels her father is impeding on something that was her own.

BIG SHOT - "This Is Our House" MONIQUE GREEN, TISHA CUSTODIO, CRICKET WAMPLER, TIANA LE

Olive, Destiny, Mouse, and Samantha spotting Coach Holly and her carpool buddy.

In the case of Coach Holly, it turns out her carpooling buddy Felix was her godson. This is revealed to three that started the dating rumor when Destiny (Tiana Le), Mouse, and Samantha (Cricket Wampler) is called into Principal Thomas’s office, and the old trick of harshly punishing the guilty party effect by the rumor, to help those who started the rumor realize that their words can create situation is used so hopefully the girls have learned their lesson.

The News of Larry Gruzinsky’s arrest breaks online, now that the entire school knows this. Those closest to Louise can understand what she was going through. No one is more than Coach Korn who was judged in the public eye for his mistake. This situation allows the two to connect on a deeper level which I feel will only strengthen their bond and improve the team as a whole.

While Coach Korn and Holly have a big impact on these girls’ lives, let us not forget to mention Sherilyn Thomas. This character has been constantly there to help in the development of all the young ladies at Westbrook, putting Emma into the play giving her a more enlightening experience at Westbrook, Eventually giving Olive a scholarship to alleviating the burden put on her parents paying tuition, handling that her legal situation, and giving Olive the idea to film the journey to division II to put on her college resume. Whatever problem has fallen in Westbrook Principal Thomas has been there with a swift solution and I can’t wait to see what she does next episode.

 

May 14, 2021 No Comments
Week-In Review: Coach Korn Loses Himself In Recruitment Battle, While Olive Truth is Brought to Light ; Big Shot Episode 4 Review

Week-In Review: Coach Korn Loses Himself In Recruitment Battle, While Olive Truth is Brought to Light ; Big Shot Episode 4 Review

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by | May 7, 2021 | Celebs, Featured

One…Two…Three…

In this weeks episode of Disney Plus original series Big Shot, viewers get a deeper look into Marvyn Korn’s (John Stamos) life and his love for the game of basketball, However, it takes Coach Korn time to realize this himself after letting the hunger to win put him in College recruiter mode. this episode also exploring the pressures of being seen as someone who lives a lavish lifestyle through the lens of social media (Instagram).

The main plot of episode 4,”Great in the Living Room”  was after Harper’s (Darcy Rose Byrnes) exposé on Coach Korn goes viral making him appear more human. There’s a feeling his losing his edge and people won’t take seeing has the Marvyn Korn who coach the University of Wisconsin Men’s basketball team, but more of a coach reminiscing about his glory days. After hearing of Laguna’s losing Savannah Gibson (Deja Mattox), Korn gears start turning and the idea to recruit Savannah to play at Westbrook. Believe this is the way he can show his value as a coach, he’ll have to convince Principle Thomas (Yvette Nicole Brown) that in order to get Savannah  Westbrook need to offer a full scholarship (This will be important later). After agreeing Coach Korn puts on his College Recruiter cap reassuring Principle Thomas that once Savannah arrives she’ll leave a Siren, while because his great in the living room.

However, upon the end of Savannah trip Coach Korn learns that Carlsbad is offering not only the full ride, but some benefits for her parents such as a car and trips to Hawaii. Yes Savannah parents are those who have her whole life map out for her; attend UConn, be a WNBA first round Pick, sign a max deal, plus endorsements, then in the off-season, make 10x that amount overseas. We’ve all seen this parents depicted in media as the ones expecting greatness from their child sports journey, while financial benefiting from coaches and school in needs of their talent. Savannah also seemed so disinterested in Coach Korn’s whole recruitment speech, even looking at her phone several time during the tour.

BIG SHOT - "Great In The Living Room" (Disney/Mitch Haaseth) NELL VERLAQUE, MONIQUE GREEN, TISHA CUSTODIO

The girls caught Coach Korn’s recruitment tour of Savannah Gibson (Nell Verlaque, Monique A. Green, Tisha Custodio)

Plot B happens to deal with Olive (Monique A. Green) as she continue to create a name for herself as a social media influencer by performing workouts in front of an emasculate beach house the brand Hana Kea Swimwear takes notice. Offering Olive a contract to be the spokesperson of Hana Kea and wear their swimsuits while she conducts her workouts and praise the products by telling followers how great Hana Kea Swimwear is. For Olive not have a parent or representative with her at this meeting seemed very odd, it was almost if she was taken advantage of by signing the contract on the spot.

Once Olive had a celebratory post up on her Instagram the true about the Hana Kea brand came to light. Followers let her know that this brand was involved in sweatshop labor, teammate Louise (Nell Verlaque) also commented she purchased a bikini from Hana Kea and the colors faded after three washes. Olive seeing the comments on her post as trolls, this still alarmed her enough to do some homework on the brand. This would later lead to Olive sharing a post dissing the brand entirely because of how they operate, a bad and childish decision on her part because she signed a contract. The Hana Kea rep was trying to get in touch with Olive who kept ignoring her calls, which in turn lead to her parents being involved because of the threat of a lawsuit against Olive.

BIG SHOT - "Great In The Living Room" (Disney/Mitch Haaseth) JOHN STAMOS

Olive mother texted her to “Come Home Now!” in the following scene we she her enter a house that looks nothing like the Beach House in the background of her post. Apparently Olive was living a lie while at Westbrook giving her friends that she lives in the lap of luxury but in reality she more middle class and both her parent work overtime just to afford the tuition to attend Westbrook.

The main plot and plot B come together after Coach Korn watch the entire exposé he realizes that his desire to be seen as the Coach Korn of old by recruit Savannah was solely based on ego. Once he was able to see the people he was hurting with this decision he leaned more into the person his becoming and care more about the girls he already has in his life. This lead to him speaking to Olive parents about how vital she is to the team, so that scholarship Principle Thomas Ok’ed was then offer to Olive to help reduce some of the stress put her parents to pay Westbrook’s tuition. While they still had reservations that Westbrook was the reason Olive felt the need to lie to fit in with her teammates, however it was the joy she received from the likes on her social media post. This is a real issue a lot of us deal with in the social media age where if you don’t receive millions of likes on a post or you’re not showing a luxurious lifestyle on your page you are seen as a nobody.

The Next episode of Disney Plus original series Big Shot is scheduled for May 14, 2021.

 

May 7, 2021 No Comments
Week-In Review: Korn’s Loss Makes Him More Human; Bring Him Closer to Daughter and Team Disney’s Big Show Episode 3 Review

Week-In Review: Korn’s Loss Makes Him More Human; Bring Him Closer to Daughter and Team Disney’s Big Show Episode 3 Review

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by | Apr 30, 2021 | Celebs, Featured

Take Care and Keep Safe. In this week’s episode of Disney’s Big Shot, Marvyn set his sights on moving the team up to Division Two as his daughter, Emma, arrives in town.

Followings last episode heartfelt moment between Coach Korn (John Stamos) and Destiny (Tiana Le) it seemed as if Korn was ready to take on the responsibility of being a parent involved in their Childs life, but as soon as he got Emma he drop her off at the hotel and headed right back to practice. Emma (Sophia Mitri Schloss) excitement quickly turned to disappointment when she realized that her father was living in a hotel and was nose deep into basketball the same way he was as a Men’s College Basketball Coach.

While trying to give her father a hand in actually settled down in California instead of treating it as a temporary pit stop, she comes across a nice house that is available for rent. Emma also meets a surfer boy named Lucas (Dale Whibley) the two share a cute moment but its quickly made awkward when the photo click on Emma’s phone goes off. (apparently she wanted to take a photo of the new boy to show her friend back home.)

As mentioned above Korn felt this team could move from division three up to division two, so the girls would need to buckle down and win more games to-do so. This gave Korn the perfect excuse to dive head first into his work and in turn leaving Emma alone. After practice Korn pulls the starters aside to lookout for Emma durning her first day, many of the girl’s see this as a requirement to babysit and pamper the coach’s daughter or be at risk of being benched. This opinion changes rather fast when she wins an argument against Ms. Grint (Toks Olagundoye) about why college coaches and professional athlete are paid so much. After leaving the principle office with a school uniform in hand ( Because Korn forgot to order hers) Emma quickly becomes the new favorite i.e. Living Legend; for sticking it to Ms. Grint.

BIG SHOT - "TCKS" (Disney/Gilles Mingasson) TISHA CUSTODIO, NELL VERLAQUE, MONIQUE GREEN, TIANA LE, CRICKET WAMPLER

The girls talking about Coach Korn’s request to look after Emma on her first day at Westbrook. (From Left to Right) Tisha Custodio, Nell Verlaque, Monique Green, Tiana Le and Cricket Wampler

Now that Emma has new friends it soften the blow of her father being too busy, after seeing her father’s relationship Destiny as the two share another moment from his office window. Emma no longer wants to try and make a connection with her father instead goes with Louise (Nell Verlaque) and the girls to hang out on the beach. Later she calls her brother and his friends to come join and plot twist Lucas happens to be Louise’s brother and may have had some history with Samantha (Cricket Wampler) so there’s two plot points to keep an eye out for as this story progress.

As for Coach Korn story, he continues to loses himself in his work as a way of not being a parent mainly because he doesn’t know how and is scared that he may fail at it. This is something that A.C. Holly (Jessalyn Gilsig) calls him out on before Korn receives a call that his father that he has spoken to in years, the one that called him an embarrassment has passed. Hesitant to go Emma buys the plane tickets and forces Korn to go to the funeral, as a way of saying goodbye and finally making some sort of amends. Upon his return to Westbrook his embraced with a hug from the entire team, a great moment showing how not only is he make the girls a better team but their making him a better man.

BIG SHOT - "TCKS" (Disney/Gilles Mingasson) TIANA LE, JOHN STAMOS

Coach Korn and Destiny having a heart-to-heart conversation (Full House vibes)

In all this episode showed how a this team is becoming a family and each relationship that Korn build with his player will eventually make him a better father to Emma. However, the father figure role that his taking in Destiny life surely may make Emma feel a certain type of way. Well we will have to see how that plays out on the next episode of Disney’s Big Shot, on May 7,2021.

 

Apr 30, 2021 No Comments
Disney Released Full Trailer For Pixar’s New Adventure Film LUCA

Disney Released Full Trailer For Pixar’s New Adventure Film LUCA

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by | Apr 28, 2021 | Celebs, Featured

Disney has released a full trailer for Pixar’s new animated adventure film Luca, this film an coming-of-age comedy fantasy set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: he is a sea monster from another world just below the water’s surface.

Luca

Image: Pixar Animation Studios

As Enrico Casarosa directorial debut the use a mythology sea monsters Luca (voiced by “Wonder” star Jacob Tremblay) and Alberto (voiced by “Shazam’s” Jack Dylan Grazer) who appear as human on land to address issues of inclusion and respect, is a wonderful metaphor for feeling different. Casarosa explained that he expanded on the 2D look of “La Luna,” with a vibrant depiction of the coastal fishing village that resembles an illustrated book. And the characters are reminiscent of stop-motion.

“The other side of being a kid is that you always feel like you’re the outsider,” Casarosa said. “Me and my friend felt like such losers when would hang out. And I love how the sea monster is a wonderful metaphor for feeling different.”

“We tried to bring some warmth to the computer animation,” he said, “so we really worked hard to make it more stylized and bring textures that are handmade.”

The movie was specifically inspired by Casarosa’s own summers growing up, particularly the close friendship he had with his friend Alberto, whom he named the character after. Both the real Alberto and the character he inspired are big, bright, larger-than-life personalities who pushed their shy friends out of their shells.

while Alberto inspires Luca, Alberto also gets much-needed validation from Luca. Their bond is deeply emotional and transformative. All three of the kids at the core of Luca find something in one another at this pivotal moment of their lives, when they step out from the comfort of their family bubble for the first time.

giulia, luca, and alberto eating pasta

Image: Pixar Animation Studios

“I was born in Genoa, and my summers were spent on beaches. I met my best friend when I was 11. I was really shy and I found this troublemaker of a kid who had a completely different life. I wanted to make a movie about those kinds of friendships that help you grow up.

“This is a deeply personal story for me, not only because it’s set on the Italian Riviera where I grew up, but because at the core of this film is a celebration of friendship. Childhood friendships often set the course of who we want to become and it is those bonds that are at the heart of our story in Luca,” Casarosa said in a statement when the film was first announced last year. “So in addition to the beauty and charm of the Italian seaside, our film will feature an unforgettable summer adventure that will fundamentally change Luca.”

Originally set to be theatrically released in the United States on June 18, 2021, Luca is scheduled to stream on Disney+ in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Check out the film’s newest trailer below.

Apr 28, 2021 No Comments
The Classic Coach Making Winners Out of Losers Sports Dramedy Staring John Stamos; Big Shot Episode 1 Review

The Classic Coach Making Winners Out of Losers Sports Dramedy Staring John Stamos; Big Shot Episode 1 Review

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by | Apr 16, 2021 | Celebs, Featured

After getting ousted from his job in the NCAA for throwing a chair at a referee, hothead men’s basketball coach Marvyn Korn (John Stamos) is trying to find anyway back into the coaching ranks. Unfortunately for him the only school that’s willing to offer Coach Korn an opportunity is Westbrook School for Girls, yes a private all-girls high school. So the effort to redeem what’s left of his career and Korn’s reputation too beings.

The first meeting with his new team went as well as you could figure moving from Men’s college to Women’s high-school basketball, After suggestion Power Forward Destiny (Tiana Le) lose 5 pounds mixed with the attitude of I speak and you listen was quickly challenged by the teams best player Louise Gruzinsky (Nell Verlaque) (whose last name also happen to be printed in bold on the arena) you’re lucky to be in my present demeanor and snarky comment about if they lose she’s happy to have an attractive coach. Korn see the comment as inappropriate and disrespectful  in a very Coach Carter-isk moment Korn suspended Louise off the team a week before the big game against Laguna.

BIG SHOT - "Episode 101" (Disney+/Gilles Mingasson) JOHN STAMOS

BIG SHOT – “Episode 101” (Disney+/Gilles Mingasson) JOHN STAMOS

The unemotional and stoic Marvyn Korn soon learns that teenage girls are complicated human beings who require more than just tough love and two-a-days, when Destiny confronts him about fat-shamming her in front of her teammates. Then seeing the amount pressure Louise’s father put on her to not only play basketball but to be the best.

These reality checks help Korn to learn that he needs to change his approach, following a motivational half-time speech asking the girls to just try their best and valiant comeback viewer can get a sense that this team will make it to the top by seasons end. Similar to any Disney sports movie i.e. Double Teamed or The Mighty Ducks.

At first, Marvyn sees the Westbrook players as just X’s and O’s, as a mere pitstop on his road back to college ball. By discovering how to connect with his players and by cultivating more empathy and vulnerability, Coach Korn  can start to grow into the man he’s always secretly hoped to be… and the father he never had. Meanwhile, the girls learn to take themselves more seriously, rising to Marvyn’s standards of excellence and finding their footing both on and off the court.

WATCH: Official trailer released for upcoming BIG SHOT on #DisneyPlus | MouseInfo.com

From Left to Right: Destiny (Tiana Le), Louise Gruzinsky (Nell Verlaque), Marvyn Korn (John Stamos), Samantha (Cricket Wampler), Carolyn ‘Mouse’ Smith (Tisha Custodio) and Olive (Monique Green) 

Previewed during the Disney Plus Drive In event back in October, The Big Shot is a great new original coming out of the mouse house that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Check out the trailer below:

Apr 16, 2021 No Comments
Official Promo Image for The CW’s Live-Action POWERPUFF GIRLS Series

Official Promo Image for The CW’s Live-Action POWERPUFF GIRLS Series

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by | Apr 13, 2021 | Celebs, Featured

The live-action Powerpuff Girls series set to air on the CW has released the first official promo image. Based on the original Cartoon Network animated series and characters created by Craig McCracken. So Sugar, Spice, Everything Nice, and the addition of Chemical X created three perfect little girls, but what happens when America’s pint-sized superheroes Blossom (Chloe Bennet), Bubbles (Dove Cameron), and Buttercup (Yana Perrault ), are now are disillusioned twentysomethings who resent having lost their childhood to crime-fighting. Will they agree to reunite now that the world needs them more than ever?

Photos from the set have surfaced last week, giving fans a  first real look at what to expect first look as Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup were all decked out in their costumes, which are simple and minimalist. The series will also star Donald Faison as Professor Drake Utonium and Nicholas Podany as Mojo Jojo Jr.

Heather Regnier (Veronica Mars) and Diablo Cody (Juno) have written the script for the pilot, and Maggie Kiley is set to direct. Regnier, Cody, and Kiley will all executive produce alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and David Madden.

Here are the character descriptions via Variety:

Blossom — though she was a spunky, conscientious, Little-Miss-Perfect child who holds several advanced degrees — has repressed kiddie-superhero trauma has left her feeling anxious and reclusive, and she aims to become a leader again, this time on her own terms.

Bubbles’ sweet-girl disposition won America’s hearts as a child. She still sparkles as an adult, but her charming exterior belies an unexpected toughness and wit. She’s initially more interested in recapturing her fame than saving the world, but she just might surprise us and herself.

Buttercup was the rebellious badass of The Powerpuff Girls in its heyday. More sensitive than her tough exterior suggests, Buttercup has spent her adulthood trying to shed her Powerpuff Girl identity and live an anonymous life.

 

Apr 13, 2021 No Comments