STACK #253 November 2025

MOVIE FEATURE

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Director Mike

GENRE: Sci-fi fantasy RUN TIME: 1h 51m

THE LIFE OF CHUCK : A STEPHEN KING TOE-TAPPER! The Life of Chuck is one of those life-affirming films that makes you want to reach out to loved ones and hold them close. “I think that what was crystalised for me when I read the script will become the brightest stars in our memories, in the last hours of our lives,” he says. FUN FACT Flanagan and Tom Hiddleston

was that feeling that we all share, or it's a knowledge none of us have, which is: none of us know what the last day of our lives will be. None of us know the last date. None of us know how it's going to end,” says Tom Hiddleston, speaking with STACK in Beverly Hills. “You just don’t know when life is going to run out. And I don't know that Chuck knows that it's going to end at the moment of putting his briefcase down and moving his hips to the beat of the drums, but I knew on Chuck's behalf – and what Stephen King's story describes so beautifully – is the magic of those small moments in our lives which

And if The Life of Chuck doesn’t compel you to ponder the meaning of life, then Hiddleston’s epic six minute dance routine might just inspire you to tap your feet and join in next time you pass a busker on the street. For director Mike Flanagan, the dance sequence had to be perfect, enlisting acclaimed choreographer Mandy Moore. After three months of preparation, he had just five days on the Alabama set, four of them devoted entirely to the dance sequence with co-star Annalise Basso. "I think Annalise had toenails

Mia Sara, who famously played Sloane Peterson in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , came out of retirement to star as Chuck’s mother in The Life of Chuck .

Annalise Basso andTom Hiddleston

falling off, Tom had burned holes in the soles of his shoes, but they kept going and they just wouldn’t stop. Everyone knew it had been perfect. I’ve never felt that joy at work in my life,” admits the director. Gill Pringle

• The Life of Chuck is out Nov 12

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

Stand by Me, Empire of Light, Pleasantville, The Truman Show

SMURFING THROUGH THE GENERATIONS! You can’t keep a good Smurf down. GENRE: Family musical RUN TIME: 1h 32m

FUN FACT

Smurfette was first introduced in 1966, originally created by the evil Gargamel to cause trouble, but Papa Smurf transformed

S ince their debut in a 1958 Belgian comic series, the Smurfs have captured the hearts of generations, delighting readers and viewers alike with their whimsical adventures, clever humour, and enduring messages of friendship, teamwork, and community. Over the decades, they’ve leapt from comic pages to television series, animated features, and live-action films, spawning toys, video games, theme park appearances, and countless cultural references. The Smurfs’ enduring appeal lies in their ability to entertain both children and adults, making them a beloved multigenerational phenomenon. Fans who grew up with the classic Hanna Barbera cartoons can now share these iconic blue characters with a whole new generation of little viewers, ensuring that Smurf Village remains a cherished part of family entertainment worldwide.

Now, the blue pint-sized inhabitants of Smurf Village return in a brand-new adventure designed to delight both longtime fans and newcomers. Directed by Chris Miller ( Puss in Boots ), Smurfs is a live-action animated musical adventure overflowing with talent. Music superstar Rihanna leads a star-studded cast, including John Goodman,

Offerman, voices Ken – a Smurf who happens to be

her into a kind-hearted member of the Smurf community.

Papa Smurf’s brother. Adding to the family, Kurt Russell plays Ron, another brother who’s been trapped in a dragon dimension for 106 years (and boasts “really really great hair”). Described as the “Rambo of the

Smurf world,” Ken is a new addition to the

legacy, created exclusively for the movie, as is Ron. “John Goodman, who has been my hero, plays Papa Smurf,” says

Nick Offerman, Octavia Spencer, Dan Levy, and Sandra Oh.

Rihanna

“I love playing Smurfette,” says Rihanna, who made her film debut in Bring It On: All or Nothing before starring in Battleship and Ocean’s 8 . “She’s a leader. She’s powerful.” In a fun twist, Hollywood’s greatest moustachioed star since Tom Selleck, Nick

Offerman. “I always aspired to do something half as good as John Goodman, and suddenly I’m playing his brother.” Glenn Cochrane

• Smurfs is out Nov 5

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL LOVE THESE:

The Bad Guys, Paddington, Puss in Boots, Dog Man

30 NOVEMBER 2025

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