Toy Story 2

Only a few sequels are ever better, and this one can't get over that hump, but man is it still elite. My biggest problem with the film is that we start to lose the ‘realist’ component of them being toys, but it also is a movie. I think that just takes away from the magic just a little from this movie, but overall, made a sequel work and stays elite.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 9.0

~ZEJ 9.0

Toy Story

I haven't seen it in over a decade or two, but there is true magic to this film. Halfway through, I just thought to myself that it is hard to believe that this came out in 1995. It has great animation, a unique story, and iconic characters. There is no doubt that this should stand the test of time and absolutely holds up. I don’t know if we need this many sequels, but every accolade this gets, it is deserved.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 9.75

~ZEJ 9.75

Obsession

Obsession greatly surpassed my expectations, and having known nothing about Curry Barker prior to, I was really impressed by his writing and the comedy horror line he was able to deftly balance. It felt very Zach Cregger. This movie has only aged better and better in my mind too as time has gone on. As E and J state, Inde Navarrette is phenomenal, and a huge reason the movie is so good. Highly recommend.

-Z

From the trailer, I really thought everything in the plot had been given away and that this looked pretty cheesy, but it actually managed to surprise me a few times and kept me pretty locked in throughout. There is this overwhelming sense of dread that is built really well as the plot gets more and more dark and twisted. Excellent acting by lead actress Inde Navarrette! The other actors did not quite rise to her level, but this is definitely a horror movie I’d recommend.

-E

This is one of the better movies I have seen in a long time, as 2026 has not been off to a great start. I will start with what everyone is saying, Inde Navarrette is going to be a star. I thought she was absolutely electric, and the story fit perfectly for her. Along with that, the movie didn’t feel large, but it felt appropriate. I think the movie hit a lot of notes that were unique enough, exciting enough, and created a fun movie. I am really excited to see what Curry does next after he ultimately gets a bigger budget for his next film.

-J

Z 8.5
E 8.5
J 8.5

ZEJ 8.5

Michael

I really wish there was more showing on Mothers Day. I ended up seeing this as our mothers day tradition of going to a movie, and it was exactly what you thought. A movie about Michael Jackson putting him in a really good light, and opening up any wrongdoing not being his fault. Along with that, it didn’t add a whole lot of storyline, but just played full songs making it extremely long. Their biggest surprise came when it ended saying there was going to be another one. I will be really surprised if I see that one, but again, I was surprised I saw this one.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 5.5

~ZEJ 5.5

Send Help

Send Help is definitely more on the Spiderman 3 end of the spectrum of Sam Raimi’s work, but also fun, and as E says, well acted. This is good enough to watch on a plane, or if you’re particularly bored, but keep your expectations low.

-Z

A fun ride that kept me engaged, with very solid acting, but the plot just left a bit to be desired. I was expecting more of a Lost-style of horror on the island that just didn’t deliver - in fact, the horror element in general could have been played up much more and I think that would have improved the film.

-E

Z 7.25
E 7.5
J n/a

~ZEJ 7.38

Hokum

Jord woke up on the wrong side of the bed the day we watched Hokum. While not perfect, it was a beautifully spooky haunted house mystery set in Ireland, which is just a perfect premise right out of the gate. The mystery was great, the horror was great, and the reveal was satisfying. I wish there would have been more of a particularly horrifying character, and some of the early acting Jordan is right to point out as awkward, but other than that, almost no notes.

-Z

What a vibe! I loved the spooky Ireland hotel as a setting idea, and it absolutely delivered. Some very creative sound design that really sold the horror. A lot of interesting layers going on here, and, despite what Jordan is likely going to write, I think Adam Scott did a great job playing a pretty fun character. I thought this movie was very well done for what it was and was a very entertaining ride.

-E

I am sure I have a totally different review than Z and E, but this movie was just not very good. The plot was flat, added flashy storylines that didn’t fit, and poor acting. Adam Scott to start the movie was very pedestrian and very bland, which is very unlike him. The story also really didn’t connect in a lot of ways, but went certain ways to make it ‘scary.’ Overall, I was amazed when Z and E said they liked it, because I thought it was very not good.

-J

Z 8.75
E 8.5
J 6.0

ZEJ 7.75

GOAT

I don’t mind animated movies and I do like sports movies. Overall this is a fun movie that really isn’t made for me, but the animation was cool. The story was so predictable and not very unique, but it will be someone's Space Jam, and I don’t know if that makes it better or worse. Overall, great background movie, but no awards incoming.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 6.75

~ZEJ 6.75

The Drama

While flawed, the ZEJ team thought The Drama was better than it’s reviews. Pattison and Zendaya are great as always, and it was a fun thread to follow, but ultimately felt a bit slow. I liked how it played out and if you like the actors, you’ll probably like this.

-Z

After some initial no-so-great reviews, I was pretty hesitant as we went to the theater to see this film, and while it was better than I thought it would be (and much more humorous), it definitely still had some issues. The moral dilemma at the center of the film is pretty interesting, but just not explored in the way I think it could have been. The ending also did not sit well with me. I understand why this was considered controversial, but I’m not sure the edginess works in the way it is meant to.

-E

Sadly, I do believe that we are slowly running into the end of A24. Neon seems to be giving us better movies time and time again, but I do believe we got the best A24 so far of 2026. Going into this movie, I had really no idea what this film was about, but it would be hard to have expected what it was about. Now, do I think they could have changed the content to make it better some? Maybe. But I thought it was acted great and created tons of tension throughout. I think this is a movie that will be forgotten, but it was a really good film.

-J

Z 7.25
E 7.0
J 8.25

ZEJ 7.5

I'm Thinking of Ending Things

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is not a bad movie exactly and it’s premise is interesting, but it’s so grating of a watch to get to the end that it just cannot possibly be recommended. Jord, who has both read the book and watched this, much preferred the book to this, and while I have not read the book, I’ll stand by his assessment.

-Z

Such a tough, confusing watch. My brain gave up trying to decode the plot and message, and while I was still along for the ride for whatever came next, it did not feel satisfying at all. I had a student write a paper about this film years ago that left me with the impression that this was a multi-layered masterpiece of storytelling, but I would argue that the plot feels more inaccessible than necessary. I just did not get it.

-E

Z 6.5
E 5.75
J n/a

~ZEJ 6.13

Airplane!

I love Leslie Nielsen, and adore Naked Gun, so I thought that was what I was getting into with Airplane!, but unfortunately, that was not the case. We haven’t seen Zero Hour!, which Airplane! is a shot for shot remake of, but it seemed way to tied to its source material in a way that hurts this as a comedy 56 years later. It has a few laughs, but much of the humor hasn’t aged the best. Would not recommend if you haven’t seen it, and if you saw it many years ago, I’d leave it in your memory.

-Z

I’ve heard so many references to this over the years, with many people proclaiming how funny it was, but I’m not sure I get it. It feels like the kind of humor I do generally like, but here it feels a bit too over the top and also quite dated. After reading a bit more about the documentaries/disaster movies it was spoofing, I’m sure there were a lot of things that would have been funny had I had that context. It’s not a bad movie, but I felt pretty disappointed in the end.

-E

Z 6.5
E 6.0
J n/a

~ZEJ 6.25

Three Amigos

I had never seen this cult classic, but finally got a chance to watch it and was blown away at how well the humor holds up. While the plot is obviously a spoof, there were several bits that had me belly laughing, particularly the canteen scene. Humor that’s ageless is rare, and it’s important we recognize and celebrate it!

-Z

While it wasn’t my favorite in the end, I will say that this has aged surprisingly well! Much of the humor (especially the physical comedy) still absolutely works, but the lack of much plot development made it feel a bit long and slow for me.

-E

Z 8.5
E 6.75
J n/a

~ZEJ 7.63

The Christophers

As E says, the movie was not quite as advertised, but what it was, was actually a more thoughtful, contemplative character study that I enjoyed. Ian McKellan is a joy to watch and pairing him with Michaela Coel worked really well. A solid, well acted movie that’s worth a watch.

-Z

Based on the previews, I was expecting this to be much more “heisty” in nature, but it was actually more of a slow burn with a lot of dialogue. It’s hard to put my finger on what exactly, but I was just expecting a little “more” in some way from the plot. It did keep me guessing though, and it was very cool to see Ian McKellen back on the screen!

-E

Z 8.5
E 8.0
J n/a

~ZEJ 8.25

Hoppers

While Hoppers is a bit flawed, I think mainly pacing issues, the amount of unhinged fun it contains pretty much wipes it’s downsides from your memory, and you’re left with a rollercoaster of a movie that is the best Pixar production since Soul. Pixar subverted a lot of expectations in this film, and I really like how they didn’t draw out their typical sad death of a loved one trope. Must watch for animation fans and fully expect this to get an animation nom, if not win it.

-Z

I’m sure Z and J will have mentioned something about this as well, but the chaotic viewing experience we had while watching this (along with several very loud children) probably means I missed a few things in this film, but I can still confidently say this will be one of the best, if not the best, animated films of 2026. It was clever, very funny, and was just the right amount of unhinged (trying to avoid any spoilers, but the apex predator reveal was really something else). The beginning of the movie with Mabel as a kid felt really rushed - this is a bit of a nitpick, but there could have been a little more time given there.

-E

What I don't get is why this isn't being talked about more. I found myself laughing a lot, and it carries a pretty solid message. We need to make sure good Pixar movies like this continue to find success so that we get more of them, rather than endlessly sequelizing things like Monsters, Inc or Toy Story. The joy in this film comes from its genuine humor, despite the ending getting a bit scary for younger kids. I will be recommending this to everyone, and it could be the first Oscar-nominated film of 2026.

-J

Z 8.5
E 8.5
J 9.0

ZEJ 8.67

Project Hail Mary

I docked my score a bit because the ending felt so rushed/condensed to the point where it soured my watch just a tinge, but otherwise Project Hail Mary is an absolute blast. I had a smile on my face the entire time. Ryan Gosling is so perfect for his role here, at least from someone who hasn’t read the book, but my book-reader friends tell me the same. I don’t know if this will be nominated for anything besides the technical categories, but it’s a must watch for the young 2026 year.

-Z

The ZEJ team was pretty disappointed when we saw a preview for this movie that seemed to give away the entire plot, but despite all odds, that was NOT the case. There is a lot to the plot of this movie, and I’m excited to try to read the book this summer. I personally love a space travel plot, but this one still felt new and very fun. Ryan Gosling is perfect for the leading role and the effects/production design were spot on - I’m sure this will earn a few Oscar nominations come next year. There were a few moments that felt a little cliche/typical Blockbuster-y, and a couple of plot points that felt rushed to the point that I missed a few things, but I was thoroughly impressed overall and would highly recommend it!

-E

I do not know what The Academy will do with this, if anything, but I believe I may have watched one of my more enjoyable theater experiences of 2026. I know that is a big claim, but I really enjoyed this film top to bottom. It was funny, well-acted, and delivered some genuinely heartfelt moments. It leaned more blockbuster than art, but in the best ways. Ryan Gosling is a treat and I will watch anything he is in. It wasn't perfect — there were some pacing issues and a few questions that could probably be answered by reading the book — but I think this is a must-watch for all movie lovers, even casual ones.

-J

Z 8.5
E 8.75
J 9.25

ZEJ 8.83

Sorry, Baby

Oof. Getting to Sorry, Baby post-Oscars now, but this may have been the biggest snub of 2025. Julia Roberts put everyone on notice as to how good this film was at the Golden Globes in her award presentation, and well, Julia Roberts is never wrong, is she? It’s subject matter is heavy, but Eva Victor handles it with so much grace and humor, and the character she portrays feels very real, and unique. Must watch for cinephiles.

-Z

Truly a shame this didn’t get any 2025 Oscar attention! Excellent acting, pacing, and storytelling. The nonlinear structure carried a lot of meaning and really transformed the story. The way this continues to subvert your expectations is really something. I hope we see more from Eva Victor!

-E

A24 film that popped up on HBO and needing to fill up a Sunday, so I gave it a watch. I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this one, and emotionally took me out of the rest of the day. An extremely heavy film with a lot of dark humor that is filmed beautifully and scored great. Anyone who is trying to watch the best films of the year, this needs to be on there!

-J

Z 9.0
E 9.0
J 9.25

ZEJ 9.08

The Devil Wears Prada

I watched this with E maybe 15 years ago, and I don’t remember it being as bad as it is. But it actually felt like Hallmark movie quality poor. The acting/actors are great, but that’s really the only redeeming factor in an otherwise deeply problematic movie.

-Z

Did. Not. Age. Well. This was one of my favorite movies in late middle/early high school, and with the upcoming sequel, I was really excited to revisit it. My 32 year old brain is noticing a lot more of the plot holes and poor writing though, not to mention the uncomfortable obsession this movie has with Anne Hathaway’s weight. I’m not sure what the message or takeaway is supposed to be - not every story has to have a moral, but it feels like this one thinks it does. Meryl Streep is undeniably an icon here though and I love her physical acting! Interested to see where the sequel takes these characters (and if the reviews are high enough for the ZEJ team to see it in theaters).

-E

It's funny — when you tell someone you haven't seen The Devil Wears Prada, there's a real shock value to it as a "movie guy." With the sequel coming out soon and my girlfriend being a fan, I thought I'd give it a try. After it finished, I don't think I hated it, but I don't really understand how this movie earned its "must-see" reputation. It didn't really go anywhere, and the conclusion didn't make me feel much of anything. Anne Hathaway does something wrong, makes up for it, does something wrong, makes up for it, is good at her job, and then decides she hates it. To me, there isn't anything iconic about it — but maybe I just watched it at the wrong point in my life.

-J

Z 6.5
E 6.5
J 6.0

ZEJ 6.33

Eternity

As I say at the start of many of these reviews, this is a movie made for me. Actors like Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen in a rom-com-esque film? Sign me up every day. I actually forgot it was A24 until it started, and I do think that gives it a bit of an edge over a traditional rom-com. The problem is, as with so many films nowadays, the trailer gives away too much. I am not going to tell you it is a different movie than what you expect, because it largely is what you think — but it does throw a few curveballs. I really liked where it went, and unlike an early-2000s rom-com, it hit me with some genuine revelations. With all that said, I know Z and E won’t watch, and if they do they won't like it as much as I did — but if you enjoy rom-coms, give it a watch.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 8.0

~ZEJ 8.0

Boogie Nights

Heard a lot of good about Boogie Nights, but I was underwhelmed. Not only does it feel dated, but it feels more like a 40 year old movie, rather than a nearly 30 year old movie. Can definitely see Paul Thomas Anderson working some things out, and perhaps trying to emulate Tarantino a bit too much here. I really enjoyed Burt Reynolds in this, though, and it was really cool to see a young Don Cheadle, John C Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman and William H Macy have some fun with their parts.

-Z

In an attempt to get more familiar with Paul Thomas Anderson’s work, Z & I started here, and I can’t say I get the hype for this movie. Many of the side characters are interesting and very well-acted, but I wasn’t really drawn in to Mark Wahlberg’s character’s story, which made this pretty difficult to get through. There is a lot of strange editing and scenes that feel very disjointed - I’m sure this is intentional in some way, but it made the movie feel a little cheap and very dated. I was waiting for some moment where the plot would click into place for me, but that just never came. I’m definitely interested in watching more of his work though, and maybe I’ll appreciate this more once I do.

-E

Z 7.25
E 7.0
J n/a

~ZEJ 7.13

The Immortal Man

Give me this three or four years ago and I am all in. I found myself trying to remember different storylines throughout the watch-through, even though I watched a full series recap beforehand. It is a slow burn and a fitting way to end the series, but just like the final season, it is really missing its spark without Helen McCrory (RIP). I don't think it went the way I — or many other fans — would have wanted, but it went where it needed to, and I applaud the series for that. If you have seen the show, give it a watch. It reminded me how much I loved this show, and I will probably be doing a full rewatch soon.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 7.75

~ZEJ 7.75

Die My Love

Anxiety in film. If you can't handle that, do not watch. If you can handle a masterclass of acting from Lawrence and Pattinson, then find the time. It is unnerving and hard to get through, but it is impossible not to recognize that you are watching great actors putting on a show. I can't believe Lawrence wasn't nominated. I do think I liked it more than If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, but any cinephile should find time to give this a watch.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 8.0

~ZEJ 8.0