Cube Critics Jacob Aloi and Max Sparber discuss a a movie about an opera soprano at the end of her life and a movie about an entire genre of music at the end of its life.

Angelina Jolie delivers a compelling performance in “Maria,” a biopic about legendary soprano Maria Callas. The film centers on the final week of her life, framed as an imagined documentary crew capturing her swan song.

As Maria grapples with drug addiction and the loss of her voice — the foundation of her identity — the audience is drawn into her fragile psyche. Flashbacks to her tumultuous romance with Aristotle Onassis and encounters with JFK add depth to the narrative.

Though occasionally confusing and slow, the film offers insight into the mind of a performer in crisis. Now in select theaters, it streams on Netflix next week.

This documentary dives into the revival of yacht rock, the smooth, jazzy, soulful sound of the 1970s and ‘80s epitomized by artists like Michael McDonald, Steely Dan and Toto.

Featuring interviews with key musicians and session players who defined the genre, the film explores the emotional depth behind the mellow grooves and uncovers fascinating tidbits, such as Christopher Cross writing a hit song on LSD and “Thriller” being essentially a Toto album.

With a mix of nostalgia and humor, “Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary” is a breezy, engaging watch. Now streaming on Max.

Cube Critics got Glicked this week, catching “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.”

“Wicked” is the winter blockbuster everyone’s been anticipating. It’s a vibrant adaptation of the Broadway musical (itself loosely based on a book), telling the story of a young witch finding herself in the Land of Oz.

The film is led by the incredible Cynthia Erivo, who carries the movie with a stunning performance, and Ariana Grande, whose presence adds sparkle. The supporting cast shines too, with Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh as a cunning puppet master, and Jeff Goldblum as an entertaining Wizard.

“Gladiator II,” meanwhile, pales in comparison to its predecessor. While the performances are strong — Paul Mescal gives a solid lead turn, Pedro Pascal is intriguingly ambiguous and Denzel Washington steals the show as a villain — it struggles with plot depth.

Mescal’s character feels underdeveloped, often merely reacting to action scenes, while Denzel electrifies every moment he’s on screen but doesn’t get enough interaction with Mescal to elevate the story. “Gladiator II” is worth a watch if you have time, but if you must choose, “Wicked” wins by a landslide. Both films are now playing in theaters.

“Emilia Pérez” is a French film set in Mexico, shot largely on soundstages in France, blending elements of noir, musicals and occasional winking comedy.

The story follows a Mexican cartel boss (Karla Sofía Gascón) who transitions to living as a woman, with Zoe Saldaña playing the lawyer who helps her navigate the dangerous logistics of the operation and its aftermath.

Gascón, a trans actress, brings authenticity to a role treated with sincerity and compassion, while the film’s humor adds a cheeky charm.

The musical elements, though sporadic, are striking, showcasing Saldaña’s dance and theater background. Highlights include an operatic sing-talking style and a gun-loading choreography sequence, though the integration of music could have been more consistent.

This is an interesting moment for offbeat musicals (compare with 2021’s “Annette,” in which Adam Driver has a puppet as a child). Hopefully, as they mature they will get a firmer grasp on what makes musicals so powerful.