From Stranger Things to Squid Games to walking through the pages of our favorite stories from Disney Animation, live immersive experiences have become all the rage in recent years as entertainment properties invite us into their universe.
The ‘SNL’ trifecta of Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy try their hand at cinematography with their first movie, Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain, now streaming on Peacock.
Upon attending the movie premiere at New York’s SVA Theatre on November 13, 2023, I certainly expected to spend the next hour and a half laughing with an embarrassing chortle that only SNL gives to its most ardent fans. However, Please Don’t Destroy has gone above and beyond, inching towards a hilarity reminiscent of the Three Stooges.
From producing the all-too short comedic features, Please Don’t Destroy has given us a blissful movie doing justice to the kind of humor that only their New York University college student schtick could give. It is safe to say this trio has come a long way from their days in 2017, as they’ve become a sensation amongst the SNL community. In the trusted hands of Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller, the group journeys alongside Conan O’Brien and Bowen Yang for the most farce treasure hunt to date.
Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain revives the silliness from childish humor—lightens up the daunting insecurities that come from adulting. As the roommates search for the priceless golden bust of Marie Antoinette, nothing short of bear attacks, cult joining, and accidental nudity heads their way. Step by step, the group proves to be the least qualified people to find the treasure. When our beleaguered trio struggles to jump off a cliff, Ben turns into a human kite in a flying squirrel suit. After that, it’s expected all faith to be lost.
John’s refusal of accepting their fate—that their friendship is falling apart—paired against the humor from Ben and Martin’s imposter syndrome, equates to a movie premiere with the theater unable to catch their breath. Taking a satirical perspective on classic adventure movies turns the film into a melting pot of extraordinary movie making!
The criticism of film today being made without the overall intention of winning golden statues or becoming the next beautiful tragedy tends to dilute the initial joy of new films coming out. However, amid the cinematography Hunger Games, Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain serves as a delightful jewel of refreshing comedy.
It is simply a funny movie, poking fun at a tumultuous time. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll ask yourself, “Is that the kid from Stranger Things?”
With the success of Dateline NBC to Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries, it’s safe to say that America has a “slight” obsession with true crime series.
In the dark and gritty underworld of John Wick, there’s only one rule: professionals are told to abide by no business conducted on Continental grounds. That, and markers must be honored. And yet, as if the second to fourth movies of the John Wick franchise have taught professionals nothing, they have murdered another person in The Continental, and this time, you’re prime suspect number one.
That’s the premise when you enter The Continental premises in New York for the next three weeks. The famed downtown Manhattan cultural attraction, and the actual filming location of The Continental in the John Wick series, is hosting a murder-mystery party and you’re at the center of it all.
“Welcome to The Continental: The Hotel Bar Experience” is an immersive cocktail dinner party experience running for three weeks starting September 21. The pop-up spurred with Peacock’s newest prequel to the John Wick series, “The Continental.” Each week of the pop-up also correlates to the release of the latest episode of the three-part series: Part One on Friday, September 22, Part Two – on Friday, September 29, and Part Three on Friday, October 6.
Regardless of whether you’re a diehard John Wick fan or do not know how important the sacred grounds of The Continental are to this deadly world of crime, you’re guaranteed to have a blast at the pop-up bar experience. From questionable subjects offering convoluted information to bloodied suspects giving up even more contradictory statements, you’re playing part detective and part theater goer in this truly enveloping experience. Coupled with the exchange of gold coins like in the movies, you’re pretty involved in the criminal underworld of the John Wick series, and you’re going to love every minute.
The night starts before you even get through the front door. While waiting to take a photo next to an NYC cab straight from the 1970s, you’re accosted by a New York Herald Tribune (RIP to the NYC journo folks out there) reporter who gives you his card and says to text him with any information you might have regarding a mysterious murder on Continental grounds. With the scene set, you’re given three gold coins and are escorted to the front desk of The Continental.
Upon entering the unholy grounds, the concierge explains the rules of the show: keep your “fancy telex machine,” as characters will refer to it often, one at all times as there will be messages conveyed to you–via text so no decoding there–and also opportunities to scan QR codes and take photos that you can check out through a special link sent to you. Additionally, you’re required, absolutely a must, to have a blast. Once you pay your coin to the concierge, you’re invited inside for some champagne while Roy the Cowboy with a loose bolo tie tells everyone a certain set of clues lurks behind the initial bar’s curtains.
Walking behind those curtains, you’re now set in the main setting for the night. There, you’ll find tables and seating arrangements for those who want to just take a laid-back approach to this murder mystery, but for those who are fully involved, there are several somewhat conspicuous characters who are full of clues–or, red herrings. While these characters roam around the room, you’re welcome to exchange your coins for many John Wick-inspired drinks, and you’ll leave plenty filled with the mouthwatering food passed around throughout the night. Don’t worry if you run out of coins–there are trusty porters and bellhops who cleverly slip you a few more when you need them.
With a rather loud interruption in the middle of the night, you’re then left to your own devices as you get riddled with
messages regarding which rooms to visit and which characters to speak to–as well as a fun opportunity to take your photo for “intake” with a sassy tattooed assistant telling you in a rather deep 1950s Brooklyn accent to hurry it up. Without giving too much away, you’re in for a treat in the adult playground you’re encouraged to roam with glee.
“Welcome to The Continental: The Hotel Bar Experience” is an immersive cocktail dinner party experience running for three weeks starting September 21. Get your tickets here and let’s see if you make out the suspect before your ex-communicator.
The Peacock original film Praise This includes a star-studded cast with singer Chloe Bailey as it’s leading lady. Praise This follows a young, troubled Sam (Chloe Bailey) as she is sent to live with her eccentric cousin Jess (Anjelika Washington) in Atlanta. While trying to adjust to her new normal, Sam learns about Jess’s favorite past time: singing in her church’s praise team.
Tamar Braxton, Evelyn Lozada, and Nivea set out to find love on the new dating series called Queens Court, available on Peacock.
I was able to sit down and talk to one of the stars of the Peacock series ‘Bel-Air’ Jazlyn Martin who told me that she was incredibly excited to be a part of the series when she scored the role of Jackie.
Through every phase, grief is one thing: complex. It’s something that so many people deal with throughout the world but the wag that they choose to go about it often differs. In her newest Peacock special, comedian Alyssa Limperis hi-lights this by taking viewers on her journey of loss following her beloved Dad’s death from Cancer. She talks about not knowing what he should do with his remaining time and how she struggled with the idea of living without him. The special goes to remind it’s viewers that there is good in every single day, and, like the title, there really are no bad days. It’s so wonderfully honest and relatable, Alyssa creates a world within her comedy that makes her feel like someone you’ve known for years. Her special is heartwarming and hilarious, and brings a comforting wave to anyone who may be struggling with these emotions. She reminds audiences to slow down and focus on the smaller things, and the special itself truly brings about a new meaning to the phrase laughter is the best medicine. We had the brilliant opportunity to sit down with Alyssa and talk all about the special, her advice for viewers, and so much more. Check out our full conversation below!
Elements of nostalgia are brought to life within a sinister mystery that unflolds on a young couple’s vacation through the mind of creator Andy Sierra, in his newest show, Peacock’s The Resort. Taking place throughout multiple different generations at the same resort, the main focus of the story falls onto Emma (Cristin Milioti) and Noah (William Jackson Harper). We learn about their marriage and the problems that arise with their difference in passions, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Before long, the trip turns to disaster when the couple finds themselves embroiled in one of the Yucatan’s most bizarre unsolved mysteries that took place fifteen years prior. It’s a story about people, about relationships and humanity, and the thriller element only adds to the excitement. “The Resort is about a lot of things.” Sierra said. “There are big swings, and little swings. It’s
someone looking back on their life and trying to remember the good times, mixed with a5-year-old playing with toys in the backyard. It never takes itself too seriously, but sometimes it gets pretty serious. I guess, at its core, it’s about people who want to go back to a time in life
when things seemed a bit easier, before the hard parts of life keep piling up. It’s about people who are trying to recapture that feeling of home. And within that, there’s a big mystery.”
We had the chance to sit down with Andy and the brilliant cast of The Resort! Check it out below!
Golden hour graces the makeshift villa surrounded by an ocean of concrete and city noise: love is in the air. To celebrate the fourth season of Love Island USA, Peacock transformed the streets of the meatpacking district into a star studded sanctuary filled with villa vibes.
Guests are greeted by a tower of neon beaded bracelets, where an ambassador explains how they can let other guests know if they’re available, taken, looking for summer flings, friends, or if it’s “complicated.” The ambassadors are styled in the Kenny Flowers x Love Island USA collaboration and are equipped with hydrating sprays to mist guests.
Guests have the opportunity to get bronzed and glammed out by a makeup team. After the makeover, the villa offers plenty of opportunities for photo ops including a waterfall adorned with tropical flowers, a giant heart, and even the same backdrop used by islanders on the show. A glam team and a photo shoot? It’s the perfect chance to update a dating profile, Love Island style.
Forget about popping a bottle while at the villa. Guests have the chance to test their skills and ride a champagne bottle mechanical bull. Cely Vásquez, Love Island USA season 2 runner-up, and Kem Centinay, Love Island UK winner, made an appearance and took a spin on the champagne bottle. Trust the veteran islanders, it’s harder than it looks.
As the sunsets on the villa, guests can kick back on white sandy beaches and lounge seating while being offered refreshments and chocolate covered strawberries. An impromptu dance party might even break out as the DJ mixes the latest Dua Lipa hits. Guests saunter out of the villa, glittering and tanned, with a Love Island goodie bag filled with island essentials.