The Beekeeper

“There are laws for that. Until they fail. Then they've got me.” -Adam Clay

When I first saw a trailer for this movie, I thought to myself “there is no way that this is any good.” Then, over time I heard some murmurs that it is pretty fun. Something I am realizing that I like is movies that do cool things to be cool. That is exactly what this is. A deep story? Great acting? Surprising twist? Well, we have none of that but we do have Jason Statham hook a guy to a truck and have it drive off a bridge. This movie gets a 7.5 because it knows exactly what it is and who it's made for. I had a really fun time. Was a great start to my day when I got rained out of a tee time. If you want a fun action flick, look no farther than The Beekeeper.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 7.25

~ZEJ 7.25

Trap

“You know the Butcher? That freakin' nutjob that goes around just chopping people up?.... This whole concert? It’s a trap” -Vendor

A movie that I was excited about. A really cool concept that seemed like it could be a ton of fun. Trying to trap a serial killer at a concert. What could go wrong? A lot apparently. Was this the worst movie of recent years like my brother thinks? No. Was it fun if you were willing to look at it through that lens? Undoubtedly. Sadly, it's not what I wanted and what I think a lot of viewers wanted. The movie is extremely corny and definitely drags past its welcome. Along with that, the entire pacing is being thrown off by long shots from musical numbers during the concert. The fact M. Night is helping his daughter out is both cute and cool, but it really does hurt the movie. Ultimately, Trap is a missed opportunity. The premise is undeniably intriguing, but the execution falls flat. It's a shame, as with a tighter script and a clearer focus, this could have been a truly gripping thriller with a director like M. Night. Sadly, we have to continue to wait for him to put out top tier cinema again.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 6.5

~ZEJ 6.5

The Firing Squad

Cuba Gooding Jr is a real actor, and this is a real movie you can see in a theater. This is by far the worst movie I have ever seen and I have to think will ever see in theaters. This is absolutely brutal and that is all I have to say about that.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 1.0

~ZEJ 1.0

Kneecap

“Get Your Britts Out!” -*Written on a butt*

A movie I knew nothing about, and that is my favorite way to consume cinema. A wild movie that is following these Irish Rap artists that is both absurd and heartfelt all in one. You have a bunch of rappers that are not actors and a director who has only done shorts and a documentary. When you hear that, you would expect a mediocre and tough movie to get through. What you actually get though is a movie with brilliantly unique cinematography and top level acting. There is a scene early on in the journey where they are performing and doing things I haven’t really seen in movies and is where I realized I am in for an absolute treat. Z, E and myself fully thought they were actors in some mainstream movies, and I also think they could definitely explore that if they want. With the amount of movies I have been seeing this summer, I can not give enough appreciation for something fresh like this. The story is strangely deep and I learned a lot about what is going on in Northern Ireland and other countries around the world. While educating and talking about an important topic, it's also full of laughs. At its core, this is a comedy and will absolutely tickle anyones funny bone that can handle crude humor.

With all that said, it isn’t a perfect movie though. The pacing can be very quick at points which really makes it hard to understand the full timeline of their growth. Also, the resolution to the entire movie was left in the air a bit, but it also is about their rap group which is very much alive. Besides that, I really have very little complaints. In the end, Kneecap is a wild ride that defies expectations. It’s a hilarious, heartfelt, and surprisingly thought provoking film that introduces us to a world of raw talent. If you’re tired of predictable plots and want something fresh, this is the movie for you.

-J

On a Saturday I checked what was playing at the Varsity Theater, a local Des Moines theater that plays many indies films, and on Sunday the ZEJ team was going to Kneecap, having heard nothing about it prior to seeing it was playing. This year’s entry for the country of Ireland for Best International Film, a fact that makes perfect sense, as it was not only a blast to watch, but is a champion of the Irish language and Irish culture. That champion, here, is the hip hop trio Kneecap, who plays themselves in what is a semi-biographical movie about the formation of their band. The fact that the band plays themselves is hard to fathom, as I was convinced that they were all professional actors, particularly DJ Provai. They all had a naturalness and genuineness to them that was really impressive. The band is a pioneer in Irish-language rap, which is showcased in the movie, and it’s honestly amazing. The trio showcases a few of their verses in this movie as they navigate their dramatic lives in Northern Ireland, and Irish or not, their music slaps. This is kind of a 8-Mile for Ireland, but with more stakes, as their goal of preserving their language and culture feels like a higher calling. Stylized, but not overly, its fast paced, funny, and treats you to the unexpected delight of Michael Fassbender, an amazing get for an Indie. Highly recommend.

-Z

Z 8.75
E 8.5
J 9.25

ZEJ 8.83

Problemista

*Normally we don’t feature solo reviews on emails, but Jord started Problemista, his power went out, and he couldn’t muster the energy to finish it, so that tells you where his head’s at on this one.

As A24 fans, the trailers for Problemista had us intrigued early on this year, and since we missed its brief time in theaters, we were pumped to to finally be able to stream this. But after watching, we were less pumped. The biggest issue we had was that it was surprisingly boring. I had a hard time staying engaged for was not even a very long movie - 98 minutes. That said, Julio Torres is fun to watch, and as this was his directorial debut, there were many elements of his comedy and style and that give me great hope for his future. There’s a kind of Wes Anderson style story-telling to this movie but in very much Julio’s own voice that I did enjoy. For her part, Tilda Swinton brings a dynamic-ness to an otherwise one-note character that helped a bit, but her character was so intolerable that it made the boringness of the movie less interesting. Can’t recommend this one, but do keep an eye out for Julio Torres’ future work.

-Z

Z 7.25
E 7.5
J n/a

ZEJ 7.38

Deadpool & Wolverine

“Welcome to the MCU! You’re Joining at a Bit of a Low Point.” -Deadpool

The MCU may be at a bit of a low point, but I do think this is a move in the right direction. Going into this film, I was a bit skeptical. My big worry was how does Deadpool's humor age and do we really need another film. Turns out, it ages great (or I haven’t aged well) and it was extremely fun. I found myself laughing a lot and just really enjoy the Deadpool fighting sequences both in this movie and my Deadpool rewatches. Along with that, I think my favorite part of the film was the needle drops. Yes they are very on the nose and in your face, but I think they had great choices of songs that I found myself singing along to in the theater.

Of course, this isn’t a perfect film. The fourth wall breaking gets a little old at times and I know the point of them fighting is to be ridiculous, but I think it found the spot beyond that. This is a popcorn flick and I am curious to see how it mixes within the rest of the universe. I think you have to tread very lightly putting Deadpool in anything other than his own movie, but we will see how it works. Lastly, having Wolverine in it I thought was very random, but it works beautifully. It was fun seeing him again in the role. Along with him, the cameos are all fun (I will keep this spoiler free) and am curious if they are fully done too. Deadpool and Wolverine's MCU debut is a breath of fresh air amidst a potentially stale superhero landscape. The perfect blend of Deadpool's signature humor and Wolverine's classic badassery creates a dynamic duo that is both entertaining and nostalgic. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, there's something to enjoy in this popcorn flick.

-J

If you followed E & I’s recent re-watch of Deadpool & Deadpool 2, you knew we were worried about Deadpool & Wolverine, particularly given the low Metacritic score (56 as of 7/29/24). But Deadpool & Wolverine emerged as our favorite of the trilogy, and its quality makes me question the taste of those critics producing such a low score. My lone complaint is one too many needle drops with slow motion scene entrances, and I understand there’s a fair amount of fan service, but there’s so much good about this that that is all forgiven many times over. I laughed nearly the whole film, and this is probably at a tie with Hundreds of Beavers for the funniest movie of the year, which is saying something. Hugh Jackman, who is the real-life embodiment of Wolverine, and Ryan Reynolds, who is the real-life embodiment of Deadpool, join the MCU, fight each other and fight together, was so rewarding for a lifelong fan of the genre, and particularly Hugh, who entered my life as Wolverine when I was just 8 years old. Emma Corrin and Matthew Macfadyen were great foils to the pair of regenerative heroes, and the story was well written. I understand Deadpool isn’t for everyone and maybe that contributes to the critical reviews, but if Deadpool is for you, this is the Deadpooliest Deadpool yet, and you’ll have so much fun with this one.

-Z

Z 8.75
E 8.75
J 8.5

ZEJ 8.67

It Follows

“It could look like someone you know or it could be a stranger in a crowd. Whatever helps it get close to you.” -Hugh

Right away, I think this film shows its hand in telling you that it is not your typical horror film. Instead of a slasher mentality, it created all forms of horror through a slow burning dread. Obviously there are a lot of underlying themes throughout the film, I think the true shine is how the director creates the setting. Dark and lingering shots following a mystery where not only the actors are watching over there shoulder, but you are too. The quote given above is its whole premise, and the fact that once you are followed you can never truly get rid of it is terrifying and is beginning to be copied in other modern horror films, and much worse in my opinion. I don’t always love horror, but I do appreciate its uniqueness. Along with that, I think Maika Monroe gives a great performance and shows how she earned her spot in Longlegs and deserves every label of ‘Scream Queen.’

Now the story is unique and the cinematography is superb, I think it still is what it is at it's core: a low budget horror. Does that make it bad? Absolutely not. I think it is a better horror film than 90% of what we are getting now, but that doesn’t make it perfect. Along with a few plot holes, like not trying to find an actual solution to the problem, it bothers me at times too, but overall I enjoyed it throughout the run time. It Follows is a chilling departure from the typical horror fare. While there are some plot points that leave something to be desired, It Follows remains a memorable and thought-provoking piece of horror cinema that deserves recognition for its innovative approach to the genre.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 8.0

~ZEJ 8.0

I Used to Be Funny

No quote this time, just *insert Phoebe Bridgers song* to make it more emotional

That being said, I need a list of all movies with a Phoebe Bridgers needle drop, because that almost to a certainty means the movie was made for me. I threw this movie on because of Rachel Sennott who was great, but I don’t think I was ready for how heavy this was. Yes, it has its comedic parts as Rachel is very funny, but definitely was not the point. This movie did a great job of creating an environment that let you empathize with what she was dealing with, even if you didn’t ultimately know why. Mental health is not something easy to portray, but I think this film did a good job of showing its many faces. I did sadly find it somewhat predictable and did guess where it was going much before the film intended. Along with that, the ending seemed to find a resolution in about 2 minutes, when the rest of the film was a slow burn letting you be fully engulfed in what she was going through. Despite these issues, Rachel was great and it was good to see her in a different role from what she plays in Shiva Baby, Bottoms, and Bodies, Bodies, Bodies. Despite the fact this movie may not be an A-Film, I think it does let her demonstrate her range and how naturally funny she really is. Ultimately, I Used to Be Funny is a raw and honest exploration of mental health. Rachel Sennott’s performance is undeniably captivating, showcasing her range as an actress and that we will be seeing her more and more as time goes on. While it has a predictable story and rushed conclusion dampens its impact, it's a great take on such a heavy topic. I Used to Be Funny is a reminder that even the funniest people carry their own burdens, and it’s okay to not always be okay and surround yourself with people who care.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 7.5

~ZEJ 7.5

Deadpool 2

Oh Deadpool 2 - did we judge you too harshly? Yes, yes we did. E & I’s opinions of Deadpool 1 & 2 have completely reversed after the re-watch, as the sequel has aged like a fine wine and the original like a blue cheese that isn’t supposed to age and just gets moldier but not the good kind. Deadpool 2 is better written, has a better story-arc, is funnier, has better action sequences, better villain(s) and unlike the first one, has Josh Brolin, who thanks to being pre-MCU, got to double dip in this Fox production as another Marvel character, Cable, and as he did with Thanos, just puts on a master-class. There are still a few carryover LOL-random and sex jokes, but they’re done with more class and timeliness here. Zazie Beetz as Domino is brilliant character in her finite screentime, and Ryan Reynolds continues his perfect embodiment of Deadpool. Early critic reviews for Deadpool & Wolverine are pretty mid (we’ll see it on Thursday so stay tuned for the ZEJ review), so tempering my expectations for that, but so glad we watched DP2 again.

-Z

Z 8.5
E 8.5
J n/a

~ZEJ 8.5

Twisters

"You Don't Face Your Fears – You Ride 'Em." -Tyler

‘Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma,’ the main song of the movie and I think it does a good job hitting both the positives and negatives of the film. First, there is almost only love from me for this movie. It’s a fun popcorn flick and hits all the right notes for me. It is a well acted romance with high action scenes and a dash of over the top corny. I think the important thing to me is that it doesn’t go too over the top in the corny department. I would say that having a big name actor in Glen Powell along with a growing actress in Daisy Edgar Jones helps this a lot. I think both played their characters extremely believable. Along with that there was obviously some romantic tension, but it played that line somewhat uniquely too. Like I said, I mostly only have love for this movie as it seemed to hit almost all the right notes.

The biggest note I think it missed was the music in some instances, pun intended. I have listened to the soundtrack daily since I saw the film, but the issue is that it has so many good songs. This then makes a need to play all of them within the movie. I think it does get somewhat overwhelming at times and takes away from the film when they go soundtrack over score. Beyond that I really have very little issues. My last nitpick though comes from the tornadoes themselves. I am not sure if they wanted tornadoes to be scary or fun? Maybe it's the fact I am from Iowa and have some knowledge of them and they handle them very interestingly throughout. The more important thing though is that they look amazing throughout. Overall, Twisters is a blast. It's exactly what you want from a summer movie: thrilling, funny, and full of heart. Sure, the music might get a little overbearing at times, and the tornadoes themselves walk a strange line between terrifying and oddly delightful. But that's all part of the movie's charm. Twisters is one wild ride that I wouldn't want to miss.

-J

Having recently re-watched and reviewed Twister, I can confidently say that Twisters does not live up to the original. HOWEVER, the heart, and just all-around fun that the first one brings is heavily present for this standalone sequel. Glen Powell’s moment continues, and he had a moment in this film, dawning a cowboy hat that rivaled the pool scene from Austin Butler’s Bikeriders. If you know, you know. If you loved Twister, I have no doubt you’ll love this, as it checks all the boxes:

-Unnecessary and unlikely romance (✓)
-Ridiculous physics (✓)
-Questionable decision making in the face of danger (✓)
-Awe-inspiring depictions of tornadic potential (✓)
-A ragtag team of loveable underdogs (✓)
-A hateable team of capitalistic nerds (✓)

A heartily-recommended 7.75 from me, one to enjoy with a bucket of popcorn and an ice cold lime Coca-Cola.

-Z

Z 7.75
E 7.5
J 8.5

ZEJ 7.92

Deadpool

The re-watch heading into Deadpool & Wolverine was illuminating, as I’m afraid to say it hasn’t aged well. Having not seen it for probably 6-7 years, my memory of it being this edgy genre-altering borderline masterpiece was nearly erased, as perhaps the edgier side of the superhero world is just better done all-around by something like The Boys or Invincible. Both of which are post-Deadpool, of course, but upon re-watch, much of the humor is actually just kind of teenage LOL-random or sex-based, and neither are done particularly cleverly. Maybe E and I are different now that we’re in our thirties, or maybe comedy just ages poorly sometimes. That said, I do not consider this a BAD movie by any stretch, and still enjoyed the action sequences, and general vibe of the character, and I firmly believe that Ryan Reynolds was BORN to play Deadpool. I am very curious as to how the sequel holds up by comparison, which in my memory was worse than the original, and we’ll likely watch that tonight.

-Z

Z 8.0
E 7.5
J n/a

~ZEJ 7.75

The Nice Guys

“So you're telling me you made a porno where the point is the plot?” -Holland

Some of my favorite actors right now in this, Ryan Gosling and Margret Qualley, what could go wrong? Final verdict: not much! A fun mystery movie with a lot more humor than I thought there was going to be, which made it extremely fun. First off, what role can Ryan Gosling not play? Hard to say that he wasn’t perfectly casted for this role. I think his relationship with Holly (Angourie Rice) was extremely genuine and moved the plot in a great way. It could have been easy to just focus on the action and mystery, but I think this added a nice heartwarming element. Reading other reviews, it may seem like a lot of people would disagree but I stand by what I said. Lastly, my surprise was Russel Crowe, who played the perfect mix of badass and clueless detective. I just loved watching these three on screen together.

Along with great acting, I thought the plot was unique enough. While the film is an action-comedy, there were a few moments where the humor felt forced and over the top. Despite these minor scenes, the overall comedic tone is undeniably entertaining. Along with that, I think the porno reveal was a surprise, but I was craving a little more weight to what this was building up to. I am sure I am looking at it wrong, as it is meant to be fun, but I was left wanting a bit more. Ultimately, The Nice Guys is a wildly entertaining ride with a fun duo at its core. Gosling and Crowe share undeniable chemistry, and their on-screen banter is the obvious highlight. Despite a few over the top comedic moments and a somewhat anticlimactic central mystery, The Nice Guys is a fun, action packed film that is sure to leave a smile on your face.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 8.75

~ZEJ 8.75

Coherence

"There is another theory: that two states continue to exist... separate and decoherent from each other, each creating a new branch of reality... based on the two outcomes. Quantum decoherence ensures that the different outcomes... have no interaction with each other." -Hugh

Low budget films absolutely need more recognition. I still am not at the age to have many straight dinner parties, but this definitely has me second guessing if I ever really need to. What a unique idea that kept me on my toes the entire run time. I felt like I knew what was going on, then as time goes on I realize I know less and less. I love how they made it easy enough to understand but not so much you have no idea what's going on. I surprisingly did not need an ‘ending explained’ Youtube search after. If you like escape rooms or puzzles, this is the movie equivalent. Most mystery thrillers have horror elements which can turn off a lot of people, but somehow I think this does a great job of being more of a puzzle than thrill ride. 

The big issue I have is that the acting is a little poor at times. This is going to be expected with a low budget film, but it is a tough watch at times. I think all other low-budget aspects are fine, I just wish they could have a little better acting. Coherence is like a mind-bending puzzle box you can't put down. Sure, the acting might be a bit rough around the edges, but that can be expected in a movie made for $50,000. Coherence is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a good brain bender. 

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 8.75

~ZEJ 8.75

Longlegs

“Is it scary being an FBI agent?” -Ruby

“.........yes” -Harker

Is it scary following an FBI agent from a safe theater? Yes. What an anxiety and dreadful atmosphere that you live in for 101 minutes. You get to actually experience terror with the characters and feel it, and not just a jump scare every ten minutes. You really feel it to your core. I don’t make movies, but I feel like if you accomplish that as a director, you have to feel like you have done your job. The sound, colors, and filming style all works perfectly together making a magical song and dance. From her first lines, I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Maika Monroe, who plays Lee Harker, says or does. A lot of people will talk about Nicholas Cage, and I will get to that soon, but this movie was entirely based on the shoulders of Maika in my opinion. She carries the load and makes you feel dread, confusion, worry, or all of it at once. She has been what the kids call a ‘scream queen’ for a while now. I really think this is her coming out party and I think we will see her a lot more in the future, and not just horror.

Now to Nicholas Cage. He was everything you want him to be. Unhinged and unpredictable. He was unrecognizable both physically and audibly (for the most part). He played the role great and created the antagonist this movie needed. Now, talking antagonist, that's where my only real issue with the film comes. I think he helps in creating some smoke-in-mirror situations to drive this plot. The ending has some holes that I think stretch the story thin. Other than a few plot issues, I think the movie was great and has been on my mind almost daily since I watched. Longlegs is a disturbing and thought-provoking experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It's a must-watch for horror fans seeking a film that prioritizes dread over cheap thrills.

-J

POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD
As a marketing major, calling your horror movie “the scariest movie of the decade” was a brilliant move, as everyone I talked to about this movie had either heard that or said that to me, and that not piqued my interest but set a certain expectation going into the theater. J, E and I saw this with a group of our friends who are horror aficionado fans, and while we all came out loving it, it was universally a disappointment on the scare factor, which again, may have been propped up by this claim from Longlegs marketing. It was intense, to be sure, though that dissipated at a crucial juncture with Nic Cage’s character, which I can’t disclose without spoiling it, although that in itself may be a spoiler, so whatever, I’ll put a tag above. Some couldn’t get over Nic Cage’s Nic Cage-ness, or his recognizability in this, and maybe I’m too big of a fan of his to be critical enough but I found him utterly unfamiliar, as the prosthetics and framing of him kept him rightly mysterious. His performance was pitch perfect, in my opinion, and I found him wonderfully unnerving. Maika Monroe did excellent as the lead detective, convincingly pulling off the socially awkward savant investigator of the Longlegs killings. The film takes a direction at the end, which did not work for me, it was not a satisfying explanation to all the work we put in to get to, and ultimately was a disservice to Nic Cage’s character, I felt. There were also some elements that felt a bit trope-ish, such as the coded alphabet Longlegs uses at the beginning and in the end felt somewhat disconnected to the larger story. Nitpicking aside, it was a super fun ride, and the performances and intensity make it one of the better movies of the year thus far, and only bested by Late Night with the Devil in the Horror category, which has a ZEJ rating of 8.92.

-Z

Z 8.75
E 8.25
J 9.0

ZEJ 8.67

Oldboy (2003)

“Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone.” Oh Dae Su

Oldboy isn't your typical night at the movies. It's a rollercoaster ride that will leave you breathless and questioning everything. I want it to be known that I want to leave no spoilers. I was lucky enough to go into this movie without knowing anything about it and I want to let others have that luxury. This was one of the most insane movies I had seen! This 2003 masterpiece isn't just a story; it's a visual feast. A world where fight scenes are balletic and flashbacks have a dreamlike quality. Be warned, Oldboy is a brutal film, not for the faint of heart. But for those seeking a genre-bending experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll, it's a must-watch. Prepare to have your jaw-drop, and to avoid any potential spoilers I will leave it at that.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 9.75

~ZEJ 9.75

Kung Fu Hustle

“You gave him your life savings?” -Sing’s Sidekick

“Yes. I was saving to become a doctor or lawyer... but this was a chance for world peace.” -Sing

Unhinged in movie form. A movie that starts with me being a bit skeptical that leads to laughing out loud and rounds off with me cheering. A rollercoaster that is guaranteed fun for any movie lover. I had no idea what this movie was, but I was excited for some high level Kung Fu. I had no expectations on the story, but what the story ultimately landed on was a total surprise. More Hundreds of Beavers than Goodfellas. With that being said, I may have been turned off initially, but I came completely full circle. The story arc of Sing and his sidekick makes me giggle along with the Ax Gang’s dance moves. These may be some of my favorite things in recent history. (I may or may not find myself doing that little jig randomly).

With genuine funny scenes along with high level Kung Fu, how could you not get wrapped into this film. The last Kung Fu movie I watched could have been over a decade ago, and even as a kid it was not my favorite type of action. If I had my hands on this in my formative years, I think my taste would have been much different, but I got it in my 30’s! Even though what they do is incredible and I do laugh, they really push the line of going too far and sadly I do think it bleeds over some. Maybe it is because of the age of the film or maybe it’s just not my humor, but I still did cringe more than you want in a film. Overall, this is a groundbreaking film that I can even see leaking into today’s films. It is a hilarious, action packed blend of the unexpected. If you're looking for a wild ride filled with stunning fight scenes and laugh out loud moments, Kung Fu Hustle delivers. Just remember, sometimes world peace is worth more than your life savings, even if it means joining a group of dancing gangsters.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 8.5

~ZEJ 8.5

The Greatest Hits

“Well Harriet, are you coming?” -Max

Some will see this movie and think, who is this made for? I am who it is made for. I really prefer these kinds of corny lovey-dubby indie movies. I usually get an itch for one of these every now and then, and this scratched it. As I said, it is corny and the writing is tough at times, but I do think Lucy Boynton and Justin Min do their best to limit its damage. It is well acted and I thought the concept was interesting. Is it realistic, not really, but I appreciate that I do believe the interaction with the world around her. A lot of movies can ignore the world around the main characters, but this does a good job of keeping it together.

Beyond a compelling story and good acting, the thing that this movie does best is it nails the music. Every situation I feel has the perfect song to accompany it. I have found myself listening to the soundtrack daily since I finished it. Lastly, I will say through the traditional emotional parts of a romance like this, I did find my heart strings being pulled. Usually I have no problem, but maybe it was the mixture of good music and how they portrayed it, but it worked. For a lot it won't resonate. The sentimental tone and moments of clunky dialogue might not be for everyone. However, for those seeking a heartwarming, music-infused romance, it delivers.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 7.75

~ZEJ 7.75

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

“I'm In Town, But I've Been Arrested. Hello?” -Axel

Having watched the originals just this year didn’t give me much of a chance to miss Axel Foley in Beverly Hills, but once this movie started I think I finally understand the magic of these films. It is crazy that for a 4th time and at 63 years old he can completely carry a B written movie to be genuinely funny. I stand by what I said, all of these films are definitely B movies that have gotten A attention. The story in this is cookie cutter and I have seen it a million times. The villain is extremely predictable and at no time am I worried about how it will end. Along with that, when a movie is released immediately to Netflix only, you create a certain expectation: Corny, poorly written, and low cinematography. Let me tell you though, it absolutely does hit all of those points hard, but it comes back to how I started the review. Eddie Murphy is simply unreal. He makes all those shortcomings into a fun summer or family watch and wasn’t just an obvious money grab, but a great addition to the franchise. This is a much better ending than Beverly Hills Cop 3 and with that being said, it’s time to be done with it and all can be good in Beverly Hills!

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 7.5

~ZEJ 7.5

MaXXXine

“I will not accept a life I do not deserve” -MaxXxine

But will I accept a movie I do not deserve? The movie is the third of the X trilogy, and the first two were some of my favorite films of 2022, so anticipation was high. Sadly, despite another master class from Mia Goth who has championed the entire series, I think this film falls short. The first issue that it runs into is that the story isn’t there. At times, it feels like the story is going a few different ways, but it seems TI West didn’t know exactly where he wanted to go. The route it ends up taking is predictable. Z even said he figured the twist out in the opening credits, and I figured it out about halfway through. The joy of the original two is that even if you have a good idea of what is going to happen, you are ultimately surprised on your journey there. The last disappointment is how corny the dialog becomes. It obviously is a nod to the 80s aesthetic it's going for which can be known for some questionable acting, but this is tough to swallow. In Pearl, it has one of the greatest monologues I have ever heard, so we know he can write at an elite level, but it was absent here.

It may seem like I am painting the picture for a ‘bad’ film, which it isn’t. The movie does have a lot of redeeming qualities, but for me it was wildly disappointing. A big reason the original movies are so acclaimed is that they are able to essentially make a period piece. This falls right in line. The 80’s feel and setting is great. It feels like you are not only watching a movie based in the 80’s but that it was also filmed then. Along with that, it has some of the better needle drops of a film this year. I found myself tapping my toe and logging songs to my playlist for the ride home. Overall, MaxXxine isn't the thrilling conclusion to the X trilogy it craves to be. While the cinematography is elite, the narrative stumbles, the surprises are absent, and the dialogue feels forced. Mia Goth remains a true star and will continue to be one of my must watch actresses, but even she couldn’t elevate this film to live up to the brilliance of the original 2. Just like MaxXine knew she deserved better, I think we sadly did too.

-J

Jord was the one to get E and I to watch X and Pearl to begin with, and though X fell into the genre of mindless slasher, Pearl was something special, and made me much more interested in Ti West’s future work. But MaXXXine gave me mixed feelings about his taste, as the writing and story were laughably bad. The performances are top notch though, as Mia Goth is given yet another vehicle to showcase her abilities, but she was upstaged every moment Kevin Bacon’s deliciously greasy New Orleans private detective surfaced. If you’re a fan of Kevin Bacon his work here may be the one reason to give MaXXXine a watch. Otherwise, it’s a disappointing end to a trilogy that had some truly soaring peaks. Predictable, unoriginal, and also like, not a horror movie? More of a barely noir faux-thriller? It was a mess.

-Z

Z 6.25
E 6.5
J 7.0

ZEJ 6.58

Kung Fu Panda 4

"Skadoosh isn't a word.” -Zhen

“Oh, and "Skablam" is?” -Po

It has been years since I have watched Kung Fu Panda, but I love me some Dreamworks animation. With that being said, this did not scratch my itch. With Dreamworks being known for being able to play to both kids and adults, the quote I chose really shows the humor this film went for. The once witty humor takes a backseat to slapstick gags and the story feels predictable. Now, the animation was as good as they all have been and they have a stellar cast of voice actors, so it wasn’t all bad. The biggest fall that it has is that the story seems run out with a lack of laughs. Due to that, this movie really doesn’t recapture the joy that the original hits. It’s trying to do what a lot of films are doing right now and leaning on nostalgia without its best qualities. The film tries to hit those notes while also adding a new character that seems like it will take over the franchise, but I don’t know if they are going to make itl. Sadly, I think the fox missed as it is more of an anti-hero story arc instead of Po’s likable fool story arc. If you golf, there is nothing more frustrating when you lay-up to be safe but still hit it out of bounds. You did what you’re supposed to do and got punished, and this is what happened here. Usually, the complaint is ‘do something different, I don’t want to watch the same thing,’ which they are doing here, and sadly it’s not for me. If you want to watch an animated film that is good for the family or play in the background, you got it! If you are wanting to watch an animated film that has depth and layers, try a different flick.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 6.5

~ZEJ 6.5