Crime-comedy series Only Murders in the Building returns to Disney+. Haunted House premieres in theaters August 23rd.

A comedy “infected” with crime and mysticism. This is the thread that links two games coming out in August across platforms and theaters. First up on Disney+ is the third season of the proven genius comedy Only Murders in the Building, starring two veteran Hollywood laughers, Steve Martin and Martin Short, flanked, as always, by singer-actress Selena Gomez. A new murder case on New York’s Upper West Side, between the Arconia condominium and the Broadway stage, is once again set to investigate the hilarious trio. It is produced by Steve Martin himself along with Dan Fogelman, creator of This is Us. Season 3 guests include Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, Jesse Williams and Ashley Park. Again, we announced The Haunted Mansion, directed by Justin Simien and inspired by the famous Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion. There are nuances of horror in the frame, in fact it is a comedy with flashes of shivers, calibrated for teenagers and older: it is a kind of “Jumanji mystery” that focuses on meaningful reflections on life, grief and the strength to start over. . It stars Owen Wilson, Rosario Dawson, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto. Point Cnvf-Sir.

“Only murders in the building. Season 3 (Disney+, 08.08)
Starting Tuesday, August 8, the long-awaited new episodes of the third season of Only Murders in the Building are available to stream on Disney+, the 2021 crime-comedy series that immediately garnered nominations and awards, including a Golden Globe. and an Emmy Award (in its 75th edition, scheduled for the fall, it will feature 11 nominations, including Outstanding Series) and once again reigniting the already huge popularity of Hollywood laugh veterans. Series stars Steve Martin and Martin Short, stellar and striped stars, especially in the 80s and 90s: Martin is associated with successes such as Roxanne (1987) and Surprise Wife (1992), Short and ” Leap into the dark. (1987) and On the Run for Three (1989); together they worked in “Three Amigos!” (1986) and a remake of Father of the Bride (1991). Along with these two irresistible performers of laughter, thirty-year-old actress and singer Selena Gomez emerged from the world of Disney TV shows at a very young age.
Only Murders in the Building is a little gem in the Disney+ library (brands 20th Television and Hulu), a product that combines a yellow line with flashes of poignant and poignant comedy, carved into cultural references to the American world, between Hollywood and Broadway. A product designed for an adult audience capable of reading cultural, pop and even irreverent quotes between the cells of a detective story. The series has become very popular with Hollywood stars ready to take part as guests: Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy) and Ashley Park (Emily in Paris) shone in the third season, and Sting appeared in the previous ones – Amy Schumer, Shirley MacLaine, Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon.

(Copyright to Disney 20th Television – Hulu)

Story. New York today. The cases of Tim Kono and Bunny Folger, two mysterious murders that took place in the Arconia building in Manhattan, are filed, now everything seems to be flowing smoothly in the life of director Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), actor Charles-Hayden Swaj (Steve Martin) and artist Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez). In particular, Oliver is excited about the premiere of his new Broadway show Death Rattle, a crime drama starring superstar Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd). During an audition, Oliver discovers the hidden talent of 60-year-old actress Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep). However, on the evening of the premiere, the unexpected happens: the protagonist falls dead on stage. This confuses everyone. Oliver, Charles and Mabel are waiting to investigate what happened, apparently talking about everything in the famous podcast “Only Murders in the Building” …

The formula for the success of the series lies in the combination of the world along the lines of narrative images created by Agatha Christie, with shots of vibrant pop New Yorkers, with an abundance of references to the stars and stripes of the cultural industry. Judging from the first episodes announced, “Only Murders in the Building”‘s narrative scheme is asserting itself as cohesive, never tiring: it sits steadily in the comfort zone of laughter on the yellow carpet. New to the season is a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway. If earlier these were quotes from filming and serials, now the theater and the world of musicals are in the spotlight. Choreographer, director and actor Bob Fosse is among the many awards.

Another element that captivates in Only Murders in the Building is the staging, the New York sets and sets, and the interiors of the Arconia with elegant and sophisticated furnishings (the wallpaper in the apartments is amazing!), as well as the music. again composed by Siddhartha Khosla. However, the series’ true strength lies in the gripping comic performances of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez in the waltz of dialogue and the expressiveness of screwball comedy. The series flies smartly thanks to them, who entertain and amuse at the same time. And it doesn’t matter if at times it turns out to be somewhat clumsy from a narrative point of view, or if you “pay tribute” (sometimes forcedly) for political correctness. “Only the Murders in the Building” is a successful mix of genius and investigation that excites and excites. The series is recommended, problematic, for debate.

“House of Ghosts” (Kino, 23.08)
After the Pirates of the Caribbean series (2003-17) and Jungle Cruise (2021), a new movie is coming out inspired by one of the Disney amusement park rides: The Haunted Mansion. In truth, the first adaptation had already been made in 2003, signed by Rob Minkoff and starring Eddie Murphy; This new version of the Haunted House was directed by Justin Simien (Dear White People) and written by Kathy Dippold (Hull, Ghostbusters). The cast consists of star actors such as Owen Wilson, Rosario Dawson, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto.

Story. New Orleans today, Ben (Lakeith Stanfield) is a scientist who puts aside his academic studies to become a city guide. It was the sudden death of his wife that forced him to change course in life. There is no world. One day, he is hired by an “improvised” priest, Father Kent (Owen Wilson), who offers him an appraisal of an apparently haunted villa. Father Kent and Ben are approached for help by Gabby (Rosario Dawson), who has rented a house with her teenage son Travis (Chase Dillon) after losing her husband. Despite the omissions and doubts, Ben agrees to the task, soon finding himself in an unexpected “ghostly confusion” …

(Photo by Jalen Marlowe. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc.)

“In the midst of all the adventure,” notes Justin Simien, “of the humor and sci-fi horror present between the pages of the script, this story centers on an introvert (character) with a frustrated attitude that must manage difficult feelings. A story that can entertain and at the same time show us how to deal with the things that scare us the most in life. The director draws attention to the central element of the narrative: this is not just a divertissement played out on an adventurous canvas between Jumanji and Ghostbusters; the film also explores complex existential themes. In particular, the main character Ben is a man who believes in science and rejects the idea of ​​the presence of a different nature, primarily ghosts. He does not contemplate life after death at all, and death is just a heavy burden for him. In fact, he does not accept the separation from his wife, and for this reason his horizon is mired in discouraging pessimism. Caught in front of a haunted house, he is called to change his mind. The cathartic moment will be the meeting with the underage Travis, left without a father: Travis is just as traumatized by death as Ben, in a stalemate. Together, in solidarity with the noisy Ghostbusters gang, Ben and Travis face their insecurities to get back in the game of life.

A subtle and serious theme, inclined in a light and humorous tone interspersed with mystery. Again and again, the tragicomic performances of Owen Wilson as the not-quite-focused priest and Danny DeVito as the patched-up prof. Bruce Davis; fantastic, therefore, is the presence of Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis as the solemn clairvoyant Madame Leota.

(Photo by Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc.)

Haunted House is clearly an attraction film aimed at spectacular escapism, between flashes of humor and ties of tension. A proposal aimed at teens and adults, not far from the recent House of Time Mystery (2018) by Eli Roth. Recommended film, problematic, for debate.