Month: September 2026

Coyote vs. Acme (2026): Don’t Walk, Roadrun.

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Coyote vs. Acme” is directed by Dave Green (Earth to Echo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows) and stars Will Forte (Scoob!, Saturday Night Live), Lana Condor (Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, X-Men: Apocalypse), Tone Bell (Whitney, Little), Luis Guzmán (The Limey, Traffic), Martha Kelly (Euphoria, Baskets), P.J. Byrne (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Legend of Korra), Eric Bauza (Looney Tunes Cartoons, Buddy), Kenneth Choi (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, The Last Man on Earth), and John Cena (Blockers, The Suicide Squad). After many attempts of trying to catch the Roadrunner to no success, Wile E. Coyote has one thing to blame, Acme. Now fed up with the company’s defective products, Coyote decides to sue Acme for each of their products that kept him from catching the iconic blue bird. But winning the case will not be easy as Acme is a dominate corporate force, and Coyote teams up with a lawyer known for settling every case that comes his way.

I am not the biggest “Looney Tunes” guy. I did not grow up watching the property. Heck, even as someone who was born in the late 90s, I did not even watch the original “Space Jam” until I was 21. By the way, the movie is awful. Seriously… What was that? But even I was stoked for “Coyote vs. Acme.”

Even as a novice to the “Looney Tunes” brand, I am well aware, and sometimes amused, by the constant charade of Wile E. Coyote trying to catch the Roadrunner. Never in my life did I think we would ever get a movie where Coyote takes the company who makes his contraptions and gadgets to court. But as soon as I heard the pitch, I was all eyes and ears. This was a brilliant premise, and I really wanted to see it come to life. But Warner Bros. Discovery decided to go full Adam Conover and ruin everything.

Following in the footsteps of “Batgirl,” “Coyote vs. Acme” was fated to become Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest tax write-off. The film, while well-liked by people who worked on it as well as others outside the production, was not seen as a moneymaker to Warner Brothers Discovery, in addition to any potential buyers. Except for one. And that is Ketchup Entertainment, who also released another recent “Looney Tunes” project, “The Day the Earth Blew Up.” I did not see that one, but I was eager to check out this one.

I have now seen “Coyote vs. Acme,” and it is not just good. It is actually great. No… I take that back. This is one of the best films of the year.

This film, much like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”, is set in a world where people and cartoons co-exist. The Acme Corporation is a real company run by actual people, making animated products for cartoons like Coyote. We see that Coyote has had it. He has spent his whole life trying to catch the Roadrunner. He’s gotta eat! So, he gets an idea to sue Acme for each one of their products he got his hands on. None of them worked, and he wants to hit them where it hurts. So, he teams up with a lawyer named Kevin Avery (Forte) to get the job done. However, we find out that these two are opposites. Avery, and by extension, his firm, is known for settling. In fact, the firm has been involved in multiple cases against Acme and there has been a settlement for each one.

You have two core characters, each of whom want to get things done their own way. Coyote and Kevin make for an incredible odd duo. I was pleasantly surprised with not just how well Forte wound up doing in this film as a live-action performer blending in with cartoons, but the same can be said for how I felt about Coyote as a character.

The concept of watching Coyote trying to catch the Roadrunner by itself is fun on paper, but let’s be real. His goal is to end this bird’s life. He is kind of a fascinating character, because despite this movie being made for families, it centers around someone who is so dedicated to killing a bird that you cannot help but appreciate him. It is kind of like watching Mauser from “Marty Supreme,” who is a bit of a moron, but he has this drive that as I watched the film, I could not help but appreciate it. The film is, ironically, fantastic for younger people to watch. Because despite being about someone whose goal is to kill a bird, it also serves as a fine lesson for younger viewers to chase their dreams.

This lesson plays heavily not just into Coyote’s personal motivation, but also the relationship between him and Kevin. Coyote’s drive ends up inspiring Kevin to not just challenge himself to perhaps become a better lawyer, but it seems to instill him with a reason to keep on living.

As the film progresses, it becomes one of the most surprisingly heartfelt features I have seen in a long time. Heartfelt and “Looney Tunes” are two concepts that I did not think I would use in the same sentence, but here we are. I was almost convinced that I was watching a Pixar movie or something from Lord and Miller. A perfect execution of comedic gags that also manages to interweave moments that pull your heartstrings. I nearly cried at the end of this movie. When this movie nearly got scrapped for a tax write-off, I knew I wanted to see it. I did not know that it would be this compelling, this exciting, this moving.

The ending of this film is so satisfying. It is, in a way, a predictable ending, but it manages to pack in an element or two of unpredictability to get there. Regardless, the ending feels earned. It puts the film’s characters in a position that makes sense and overall, the final moments emit oodles of joy. This is a movie about underdogs, and it is perhaps only enhanced by the fact that getting the film to the big screen was a bit of an underdog story by itself.

Speaking of all the behind the scenes drama, one of my favorite things we see, not even in the film itself, but just before it starts, is the WB logo. This is a completely baseless assumption, but there is a subtitle in the opening logo that part of me wants to believe was put in as a response to the whole tax-write off saga. Moments into the title, we zoom in and we see a caption that reads “A wholly owned subsidiary of the Acme Corporation.” On one hand, it is kind of funny because it plays into the joke of Acme’s corporate dominance. But the joke may also have a double meaning. Much like how Acme is the villain of the movie, some people who wanted to see this film succeed saw Warner Bros. as a real life villain that kept this project from seeing the light of day.

…Or I could be overthinking this and the logo was designed before the tax-write off shenanigans even became a thing. I have to keep all possibilities open to avoid making a fool of myself.

Arguably the most notable physical standout in the film is John Cena, and not just from a looks perspective. He plays Buddy Crane, who is not only a lawyer for Acme, but just so happened to be Kevin’s rival while the two attended Harvard. Despite sometimes playing Crane up as this tough guy, and he is, he also manages to sometimes deliver a kind, calm aura. There is a balance to this character that Cena masters as a performer. Cena has proven in previous roles that he has a knack for comedy, and while this may not be his funniest role, he continues to prove that he has a fine presence on screen.

The movie also comes with plenty of fan service and fun Easter eggs. Sure, you have some classic footage and phrases that even casuals would recognize, but there are sometimes some nice small touches. There is a scene set in the middle of the film set to the DJ Shadow song “Nobody Speak,” which is a good song by itself, but the film adds a slight enhancement to the song and replaces a couple notes with the Roadrunner’s “meep meep.” I almost burst out laughing, but I wanted to avoid embarrassing myself in front of other people.

The film does come with some minor issues. For the most part, the blending of live-action with the animated elements works fantastically. It is actually kind of incredible how seamless everything is. But not all of it is consistent. Not everyone seems to be drawn in the same style. I do not have a problem with this as “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” implements multiple styles, but I thought “Roger Rabbit” did a better job at blending those styles together than “Coyote.” While he is by no means an eyesore, the design for Foghorn Leghorn sometimes looks a little tacky when put next to live-action characters. He is not awful looking, but it is also true at the same time that he looks like a character during the main sequence of “The Simpsons Ride” at Universal Studios.

Even with some tiny issues, this film is not just a blast, it is a triumph. This is perhaps the greatest middle finger to corporate giants encapsulated via film since “WALL-E.” In fact, by happy accident, the film feels like it is throwing an extra middle finger to a real life corporate behemoth at the same time. I say this as someone who loves Warner Brothers as a studio. I am a massive fan of their movies. In fact, “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” were two of my favorite films from last year. But they made a mistake by nearly axing this film. What one corporation sees as trash, is the audience’s treasure. Please go buy a ticket to this movie, because not only are you supporting a spectacular project, but you will be sending a message to the people who almost kept you from seeing it in the first place.

In the end, while I do not think “Coyote vs. Acme” is not going to get a Best Picture nomination from the Academy, it is one of those movies that you have to see at least once. This is a one-of-a-kind project that wound up being more than a pleasant surprise for me. I genuinely do not know when I am going to stop thinking about it. This film nearly broke me. It presents two completely admirable heroes who not only have fascinating goals, but make a great team. You do not have to be a “Looney Tunes” diehard to enjoy this film, and given the little history I have with this franchise, I am proof of that. Please go see this movie. It will make you laugh and cry. I am going to give “Coyote vs. Acme” a 9/10.

“Coyote vs. Acme” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, in honor of Scene Before’s 10th anniversary, I am working on a special video series, Movie Requests, which sees me reviewing movies suggested by celebrity guests. My latest episode features actress Melissa Barrera, who you may know from films like “Abigail” and “In the Heights.” In this episode, she suggests I should watch “Roma!” What did I think? Click the video above to find out! If you enjoy the video, please leave a like, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and hit the notification bell that way you can see more episodes as soon as possible!

My next review is going to be for “Idiots.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Don’t Move” and “The Uprising.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, be sure to check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Coyote vs. Acme?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie that you wish you got to see that has never been released? For me, the answer is Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 4.” I remember that it was supposed to come out in the early 2010s, but it got scrapped in favor of “The Amazing Spider-Man.” No offense to Andrew Garfield, but I would give anything for another solo Tobey Maguire movie. Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Spa Weekend (2026): A Fierce Contender for the Worst Film of 2026 *SPOILERS*

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Spa Weekend” is directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (Bad Moms, 21 & Over) and stars Leslie Mann (Blockers, Welcome to Marwen), Isla Fisher (Keeping Up with the Joneses, Now You See Me), Michelle Buteau (Babes, Clerks III), Anna Faris (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Mom), and Adam Demos (Sex/Life, UnREAL). This film is about four women who reconnect for, you guessed it, a spa weekend.

While there is no Oscar for “most accurate movie title,” this one would certainly win it should it ever become a thing.

Also, in case the title of the post is not clear, this review contains spoilers. The movie has been out for a number of weeks as of this publication, so chances are that some of you reading this early have already seen it. Regardless, this is still a new release, and if you were looking forward to watching “Spa Weekend,” maybe wait to read this review until after you have seen the movie.

…Or don’t wait. If anything, this review should serve as a warning as to why you should skip this film altogether.

I want to share a true story that happened during my screening of “Spa Weekend.” I was in a tiny auditorium watching the movie. How tiny? It holds 28 people. You would think this was a private cinema in someone’s home. I went with three other people, and since my ticket was purchased last minute, I sat in the row behind them, where I stayed until the film’s conclusion. As the film was ending, I came down to the row where the other three people were sitting, and tripped down the stairs while falling into their row. Thankfully, I am okay. I had a minor sensation in my ankle, but it was not twisted or broken. Had it been twisted or broken, I would still debate whether that experience was worse than having to sit through “Spa Weekend” from start to finish.

I did not realize going into “Spa Weekend” that I have had quite a bit of experience with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore as creatives. These two are responsible for several comedies containing some of the hottest stars including “Bad Moms,” “Jexi,” “The Change-Up,” and “The Hangover.” Lucas and Moore directed the first two of these four movies in addition to writing them. The duo happened to write the last two movies as well, but they were directed by different people. To me, their resume, overall, is fairly mixed. While they have done more than these four, these are the projects of theirs that I have seen.

Well, unless you count part of “Four Christmases,” which is, by all accounts, a holiday movie that exists.

The only one of this duo’s films that I can genuinely say is worth watching is “The Hangover.” It is one of my favorite comedies ever. “Bad Moms” and “The Change-Up” are mixed at best, and “Jexi” nearly crosses the “so bad it is good” territory, but it is not quite on that level. It is just bad. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to congratulate these two for making a movie that makes “Jexi” look like “There’s Something About Mary.”

As mentioned, “Spa Weekend” is from the minds behind “Bad Moms,” and I am almost convinced that “Spa Weekend” is secretly part of the “Bad Moms” cinematic universe. I did not stay for the entire credits, but I would not be surprised if this movie ended with a title card that reads “Mila Kunis will return in ‘Spa Weekend: Doomsday.'”

At times “Spa Weekend” has a script that feels like it was meant to be a “Bad Moms” movie that did not quite end up working out, so they changed some of the names, cast members, and situations in which the characters find themselves. Granted, that does seem unfair as not all of the main characters are moms. See? It’s not “Bad Moms!” It’s “Bad Moms and Friends!”

You have Jane (Mann), a single mom who struggles to balance work and taking care of the kids. As a result, she does not have any time for herself or reliable resources to babysit. There is the workaholic, Sophie (Faris). She does not have any children, but she has a boss that sometimes acts like a child. Then you have another single mom, Coco (Butaeu), who in addition to dealing with her separation, comes off as a pessimist to other people around her. Her ex is, calmly, recommending she should see a therapist, and she is not bagging what he is raking. All three of these women are fed up and decide to go on a spa weekend to celebrate Jane’s birthday. It is at this point that they all agree not to invite Mel (Fisher), a wealthy, overexaggerated nutcase who also happens to be the friend of the group that the other three talk about behind their back.

And if you think that after the three souls plan this extravagant weekend that Mel is not going to show up, then look up in the sky! See that red cloud? The one shaped like an X? That’s for you!

Mel is a lot of things. A handful. A loudmouth. An ignoramus. But a fleshed out character is not one of them, as is the case with several others in the film. I will say, the film gets one thing right, and that is playing up the fact that Mel is definitely the annoying friend. And I know that because watching Fisher commit to unleashing the most over the top performance imaginable was like hearing nails on a chalkboard infused with rainbow dust. Fisher does not give the only overexaggerated performance in this film, but compared to everyone else, she is a cartoon.

It is actually kind of interesting watching Fisher play this annoying fourth wheel because that is what she is to the other women. I say this because when I think of the year’s most immersive films, I will inevitably think of something like “Project Hail Mary” or “The Odyssey,” but “Spa Weekend” turned out to pack in more immersion than I originally anticipated. I truly felt like I was at a hotel with some horny, loud chick whose mouth I would have liked to have duct taped just so I could relax. Just in the way that Mel ruined the spa weekend for the other three women, she also ruined the hour and a half I had to spend watching her on the big screen.

I am not going into “Spa Weekend” expecting to be changed as a person, but at least give me something that is funny. This movie could not even give me that. In fact, the funniest part of the film for me is one character who I would have liked to see more of, and that is Jane’s brother, who very much gives off “funcle” vibes. He is showing the kids “Pulp Fiction” and refuses to clean up dog poop that’s left inside the house. He does not give two squirts of urine about his laziness. In fact, he seems to embrace it. He only had a couple lines early on in the film, but they made me cackle. I would like to see a movie about this genius and shove the spa weekenders aside for a little bit. But only after about a minute of getting to see this “funcle,” the movie showcases about 80 to 90 minutes of gags that have most certainly been done before, and absolutely positively done ten times better.

The movie tries its best to fulfill the arcs of each of the characters, and in some ways, it is not awful. While I was not entertained with the journeys that this film takes its single moms, Jane and Coco, I do think their stories wind up being wrapped in a competent bow of sorts. As for the two women without children, I wish I had kinder things to say.

Sophie spends a portion of the film dealing with her less than stellar boss. He complains if even the tiniest thing does not go his way. Some of his complaints have to do with “second homes,” as well. As a premise, this sounds like a case where I can root for Sophie. At the beginning, that was the case. This boss was a spoiled brat.

But… As this arc progresses, we see Sophie do something that, quite frankly, is just as, if not twice as despicable, as some of the things her boss did to her.

I hate doing this in reviews, but I have to spoil something that happens in the movie. This may affect your experience should you watch this film down the line. You’ve been warned.

About two-thirds or so into the runtime, Sophie, who is now fired from her job, gets a call from her boss. He is calling because he forgot his password to get into his alternate home. Okay, sounds snobby, but still. Sophie takes this information, and declines to provide assistance all the while calling him a prick. Okay, she does not work for this person anymore. She is not being paid. She is not on the clock. Fine. That is technically true. But what is ALSO true, is that her boss was being attacked by dogs. As far as I am aware, these were not his dogs. It is not clear if they are someone’s pets, police dogs, or if they live in the wild. Nevertheless, he is being attacked by dogs. I do not care how much you hate your boss, or former boss for that matter. If they are in a situation where they are being attacked, my first instinct is not to tell them to screw off. For all I know, this boss could have died, and Sophie played a role in his murder! She is evil! As far as this film is concerned, Sophie is secretly the villain. She is a monster!

Some of you reading this have probably seen this movie. Then again, judging by the fact that this movie was outgrossed domestically on its opening weekend by a rerelease of “The Fast and the Furious,” a 25-year old film, I am not so sure. But for those who have seen this movie, you might say that I should stop taking this film so seriously and turn off my brain. Let me make something clear. I can enjoy dumb fun as long as that is exactly what it is. Dumb fun. This movie was just dumb. And it made me feel dumber for having watched it. Many of the characters, main and supporting, act like complete buffoons. On top of that, some of the main characters who the movie tells me I am supposed to like, I cannot even tolerate because they wind up doing questionable things. Every other so-called attempt at comedy in this film had me rolling my eyes, shaking my arms in question, or staring in dead silence. I thought “The Breadwinner” might have been the worst comedy of the year. But it has some competition.

In the end, “Spa Weekend” is an absolute travesty of a film that is about as lazy as a suburban dad on a Sunday in the fall. I had low expectations for “Spa Weekend,” and in some ways, they were met. I want to like every movie I go into. I was hoping “Spa Weekend” could have been the pleasant surprise of the year. But it wound up being the definition of an insufferable waste of time. Jon Lucas and Scott Moore are by no means untalented. Again, I love “The Hangover” and think it is a masterful film. But when it comes to making movies, not only do I think their batting average is not the best, but this film tanks it. “Spa Weekend” might be my least favorite film from them. I am having a tough time coming up with something I genuinely enjoyed in “Spa Weekend,” other than the “funcle” who shows up for a minute. It is not enough. I am going to give “Spa Weekend” a 1/10.

“Spa Weekend” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you have not done so already, be sure to check out the latest episode of Scene Before’s Movie Requests, it is an original series where I ask celebrities what movies they think I should watch, and I report my thoughts on those movies! The latest episode features actress Melissa Barrera, who requested I should watch “Roma.” To find out my thoughts, click the video above! If you enjoy the video, leave a like, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and hit the notification bell that way future videos will come into your feed as fast as possible!

My next review is going to be for “Coyote vs. Acme.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Idiots” and “Don’t Move.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Spa Weekend?” What did you think about it? Or, what is the worst movie you have seen so far this year? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Tony (2026): Marty Supreme for Foodies

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Tony” is directed by Matt Johnson (BlackBerry, Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie) and stars Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers, Oh. What. Fun), Emilia Jones (CODA, Task), Dagmara Domińczyk (Priscilla, The Lost Daughter), Rich Sommer (Fair Play, BlackBerry), Stavros Halkias (Let’s Start a Cult, Bugonia), Leo Woodall (One Day, The White Lotus), and Antonio Banderas (Shrek 2, Babygirl). This film is about a young Anthony Bourdain who is aspiring to be a writer. It follows Bourdain’s time in Provincetown, Massachusetts as he takes a job at a restaurant, tries to impress a girl, and covers up a big lie to his family.

For those who read this blog in 2023, you may know that one of the movies I massively enjoyed was “The Holdovers.” Not only has the film quickly become a must watch for me around the holidays, but it has the bonus of being shot minutes away from my house. “Tony” is not shot as close, but nevertheless in my home state of Massachusetts. One thing those films have in common – Dominic Sessa stars in both of them. Another thing both films have in common – I enjoyed them very much.

No matter where this movie was shot, it did not change the fact that I witnessed one of the year’s most compelling films. While this film can probably best be described as a coming of age drama, it has a little bit of everything in it. It has humor. It has grit. It has romance. This is the kind of film that I can honestly see appealing to many different demographics. Not only does it implement all of these elements from the getgo, but utilizes each one to their full potential.

“Tony” is basically “Marty Supreme” for foodies. For those who remember my review of “Marty Supreme,” you may recall that when I described Marty Mauser, I said he was “by no means a role model.” I did not necessarily mean that as a negative. In fact, the way that film fleshes Marty out only accentuated his complication. He is a bit of a jerk, but he comes off as palatable. Anthony Bourdain, or at least this film’s interpretation of him, is kind of in the same boat. He is young, has a remarkable drive, but also comes off as cocky. Depending on the situation, he is not the most pleasant person to be around. This is something that the late Anthony Bourdain himself seems to have acknowledged at a certain point in his life. As a matter of fact, when the film starts, there is a title card with a quote from Bourdain himself. In the quote, Bourdain says that he was a “spoiled, miserable, narcissistic, self-destructive and thoughtless young lout.” That specific quote is taken from his memoir, “Kitchen Confidential,” which also inspired this movie.

I love that the movie started with this quote. Not only is it a compelling quote by itself, but this perfectly set the tone for what’s to come. While there are people who fondly remember Bourdain following his 2018 death, the film in more ways than one portrays him as a bit of a whiner and egomaniac. Is he smart? Perhaps. Is he driven? Sure. But it does not change the fact that he does come off as an occasional moron. I think many of us, in one way or another, would look at our younger selves and ask what the heck were we thinking at that age. If anything, this film is a raw look at a Bourdain’s young adulthood where his character flaws come to show.

Despite being a Bay Stater and finding out “Tony” was set in Provincetown, that did not turn out to be the sole big draw for me. Another big draw for me was the casting of Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain. This is not necessarily because I thought Sessa would make a good Anthony Bourdain. I know as much about Anthony Bourdain as I do about professional cornhole. I have seen both of those things once or twice on a television screen, but that is about it. Though maybe I should take that back a little bit, because Sessa, who just so happened to have a major role in “The Holdovers” prior to this movie, has proven his talents. He is a sensational young actor and I can see him following in the footsteps of the greats. He had plenty to work with in “The Holdovers” alongside Paul Giamatti and now he has this movie to essentially call his own.

Although at the same time Sessa’s dynamic with Antonio Banderas felt like a remix of his dynamic with Paul Giamatti. It’s a mentor-mentee relationship where both sides have their clear differences. It’s a cliche that works in both of these movies, and much like “The Holdovers,” what really holds this relationship together is the chemistry between both actors in addition to their individual performances, which, by the way, to my lack of surprise, Antonio Banderas does an excellent job in the film as Chef José Vatel. No notes.

Another actor I am happy to see in this film is Emilia Jones. While she has been in other projects since, like “The Running Man,” I still adore Jones for her lead outing in “CODA.” That movie is so riveting. While Jones plays a supporting role as Nancy, Bourdain’s crush, instead of a leading role, she is still fun to watch on screen. She and Bourdain tend to have a rocky connection as characters sometimes, and both Jones and Sessa do a great job at capturing said rockiness.

Random segway, one of the best movies I watched over the years is “Chef.” I love the story, the characters, the performances… Everything about it. But one of my favorite things about the film is the fact that the food looked so good that it made me hungry. For the record, the food in “Tony” is not as good-looking as “Chef,” but it is still quite appetizing. I love a good restaurant that serves nothing but their interpretation of the American basics. When I saw the camera angle on the french fries in this film, I wanted to leap into the screen and take one for myself. This is one of those films that makes me want to go to a restaurant and soak in the atmosphere. Not necessarily a nice restaurant. In fact, regarding the eatery where Bourdain works, Nancy even refers to its cuisine as junk food at a particular point of the film. Look, the food may be unhealthy, but it does not mean the it looks off-putting. In fact, it is quite the opposite. This film’s food sometimes makes me want to chuck my popcorn towards the screen, dash out of the auditorium, and indulge in some hand-cut fries.

In the end, “Tony” impressed me. It is hard to come up with any flaws that I have with “Tony.” The film is perfectly paced, engaging, and as I said before, it has a fine balance in multiple genres. It has some cliches that you might see in coming of age stories like this, but cliches do not really break a movie if they work, and the cliches seem to work here. I cannot recommend this movie enough. I went into “Tony” mainly because it was new and I wanted to pay off my AMC A-List subscription for the month, I stayed because how much this film sucked me in. Oh, and it made me hungry. I want french fries! I am going to give “Tony” a 9/10.

“Tony” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now!

Thanks for reading this review! If you have not done so already, please be sure to check out the latest episode of the Scene Before original series, Movie Requests, which features actress Melissa Barrera! In this episode, she recommends the movie “Roma.” Click the video to find out my thoughts! And if you enjoy the video, remember to leave a like, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and click the notification bell if you want to see more episodes of Movie Requests coming soon!

My next review is going to be for “Spa Weekend.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Coyote vs. Acme,” “Idiots,” and “Don’t Move.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Tony?” What did you think about it? Or, in the spirit of “Marty Supreme,” have you seen that movie? Tell me your thoughts on it if you have seen it! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

MOVIE REQUESTS: Melissa Barrera Requests ROMA (2018)

Posted on by Jack Drees

Hello, everyone! Welcome to the tenth episode of “Movie Requests!” This is the series where I take film suggestions from celebrities and see if our opinions match!

Today’s review is going to be a first in the series. Because today’s film is one that I reviewed back when it came out. That film being “Roma.” I saw it once in theaters and loved it. I have since bought the film on Blu-ray, but for whatever reason never put it in the player until now. You’ll have to find out for yourself if it holds up.

As a reminder, Movie Requests is a Scene Before original series being done in honor of the blog’s tenth anniversary, but the videos are uploaded on my YouTube channel. Therefore, if you want the fastest way to access these videos, then by all means subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Today’s guest is Melissa Barrera! You may know her from television shows including “The Copenhagen Test” and “Keep Breathing.” You may also know her from films including “Abigail” and “In the Heights.” She is currently starring as Rose in the Broadway musical comedy “Titanique,” which is absolutely hilarious and expertly done. It only has a couple weeks left before it goes away, so check it out!

I should also note, for those who had a conspiracy theory as to whether the request videos for this series are scripted, the one I recorded this time around should suggest otherwise. When I pitched this series to Melissa, I wanted to be quick as it was late at night and she probably wanted to go home. She just finished a live show in which she is prominently featured, so that is understandable. When I gave Melissa my list of movies that were already taken, she thought I was telling her which movie she should pick. So, you will hear one suggestion in the video that gets rejected off the bat. Judging by the title of this post, you should probably have a guess as to what movie she picks next.

If you want to watch this episode of Movie Requests, click the video at the top of the page! If you want to find out who else is appearing in this series, check out the poster above! As a reminder, this is the tenth episode. There are only five more guests to go, including our next guest… Rosario Dawson! I met Dawson last year and got her suggestion. I cannot wait to share what she picked. If you want to see this upcoming episode of Movie Requests and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, be sure to check out the official Facebook page! And as a reminder, if you want to watch these Movie Requests episodes as soon as possible, subscribe to my YouTube channel! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Cookie Queens (2026): An Empowering, Adorable Showcase of Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Cookie Queens” is directed by Alysa Nahmias (Unfinished Spaces, Wildcat) and is a documentary about Girl Scouts from varying walks of life all trying to reach their goals while selling the organization’s cookies.

Truth be told, I do not recall ever having a Girl Scout Cookie. That is despite having a younger sister in my household who was a Girl Scout herself. I was more of an Oreo guy growing up. Give me Double Stuf or give me death. Even as someone who is not much of a Girl Scout Cookie enthusiast, I found myself interested in “Cookie Queens,” as its trailer did an effective job at presenting something that was likely going to dive into the organization’s members’ business tactics of upselling while also presenting an adorable story about these young ladies finding their way as entrepreneurs.

To be honest, “Cookie Queens” surprised me. Well, not entirely. I went into this film expecting to enjoy it, which for the record, I certainly did. “Cookie Queens” by all means a delight that I think would make a great watch for families, especially for ones with young girls. After all, this is a film about young girls who are likely to serve as positive role models. I am not surprised by any of what I am saying, but what did surprise me was this film’s range in its cast.

I was expecting all of the Girl Scouts to be like one another in terms of their ambitions. While all the Girl Scouts establish personal ambitions during the film, I was moved to see that it did not solely focus on girls who were trying to sell thousands of cookie boxes in a season. Not to say that is not interesting, but I think much like the different flavor options Girl Scouts sells through their cookie brand, a little variety goes a long way.

The movie revolves around four Scouts in particular. One of those girls is named Ara, who struggles with diabetes and maintains a positive attitude the entire time she is on screen. While Ara has a set number of cookies she would like to sell, she is much more humble when it comes to what she wants to achieve as a salesperson. In fact, while some of the other Scouts are vying to go on big trips, Ara just wants to get stronger and be able to pull a wagon around without feeling the need to pass out. Ara seems to care about the little things compared to everyone else.

On the other side of the coin, you have Nikki, Olive, and Shannon Elizabeth…

No, this is not an “American Pie” spinoff. Get that out of your heads, you perverts.

Nikki wants to follow in her sister’s footsteps. Her sister was a Girl Scout who sold enough cookies and took a trip to Europe. She wants to go there as well. There’s Olive, who comes to find that no number is too high for her to try to achieve when it comes to her sales. As for Shannon Elizabeth, she wants to sell enough cookies to win a free summer camp.

What really brings this documentary home is how much it channels the stress of everyone involved in the process of selling Girl Scout cookies. Sure, the film occasionally shows the customers in some cases paying a little more for the cookies than they anticipated, but for those selling these cookies, this is not entirely fun and games. These young girls are taking time out of their day, going outside to wherever spot is most appropriate all in the hopes of making enough money to hit their goals. Not everyone associates being young with hard work. Youth is a time for play, all while growing into someone who will likely worry about hard work later in life. But that is not the case for the four girls who make up the main cast.

Not to mention, their families have to buy the cookies in advance, so that is money out the window, which makes it all the more stressful if only a certain amount of cookies end up selling by the season’s end. The documentary primarily revolves around young girls, but this is the part of the film that I would find many adults relating to or appreciating the most, especially as prices for everything continue to go up.

And for these young girls, selling cookies is not the only thing keeping them busy. For example, Shannon Elizabeth is also into karate. In fact, she implements her enthusiasm for martial arts into her cookie sales. Perhaps the funniest part of the film’s trailer features Shannon on a vertical video advertising herself as a Cookie Ninja, and telling her audience to “buy cookies, or else,” while wearing martial arts-appropriate clothing.

If I had any complaints about “Cookie Queens,” it would probably be that this film sometimes plays out like a scripted reality show. There are certain moments that feel somewhat fabricated, set up, or overdone, which are not the first terms I would expect to use when describing a documentary about young girls selling cookies.

Does this feel like a Girl Scouts commercial? I can see why someone says it is, but given how much the film dives into the downsides of selling cookies, I think the film is balanced enough to the point where it also critiques the organization. I said before the film features positive role models, but I also think that if some girls follow in their footsteps, they might find themselves under similar stress to the girls on screen. Yet there is also a saying that great risk means great reward, and this film shows that is possible with its main quartet.

On a more personal note, I do not know if this film is going to have any replay value for me down the line. Maybe it is because I am not the direct target audience. I was never a Girl Scout. I am a straight white male who does not eat Girl Scout Cookies. Yet let it be known that you do not need any attachment to the Girl Scouts organization or like Girl Scout Cookies to enjoy this movie. “Cookie Queens” is sometimes adorable, other times serious, and all times admirable.

In the end, “Cookie Queens” is a cute watch. Is it the greatest, most riveting documentary ever? No. But even though it is cute, it reminds its viewers that selling cookies is not always cuddly. Sure, some of it comes off as scripted, but even some of the more scripted moments offer entertainment value. The main cast is charming and likable, and I think the film could inspire young girls to dream big. I am going to give “Cookie Queens” a 7/10.

“Cookie Queens” is now playing in theatres. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, the next episode of Scene Before’s Movie Requests is dropping Monday September 7th and it is going to feature actress Melissa Barrera! What film do you think this “Abigail” star suggested I should watch? Find out Monday here on Flicknerd.com and YouTube! Please subscribe to my channel if you have not done so already! And while you are at it, check out the preview above!

My next review is going to be for “Tony!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Spa Weekend,” “Coyote vs. Acme,” and “Idiots.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Cookie Queens?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Girl Scout Cookie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Invite (2026): Olivia Wilde Swings for the Fences On and Off Camera in This Intimate, Fun Dramedy

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Invite” is directed by Olivia Wilde (Booksmart, Don’t Worry Darling) who also stars in the film as Angela. Joining her is Seth Rogen (Sausage Party, The Super Mario Bros. Movie), Penélope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Ferrari), and Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk, American History X). This film is about a couple in a declining marriage who decide to invite their neighbors over for dinner, only for the night to go in an unexpected direction.

Olivia Wilde is one of those Hollywood insiders I respect, but I sometimes forget just how much of a footprint she has in the industry. When I found out about her directorial debut, “Booksmart,” in 2019, I was excited to see what skills she could bring behind the camera. And while I thought the film was not my favorite of the year, I found some parts quite funny, and the two leads were excellent.

Then came “Don’t Worry Darling…” It is a film that has quite a bit going for it in the first couple of acts, but topples like a house of cards by its conclusion. It was a frustrating film to watch, despite a sometimes great performance from Florence Pugh. It was not the worst film of 2022, but it nearly turned me off of seeing “The Invite,” a film that I wound up watching after hearing positive word of mouth.

I am proud to say that not only did I enjoy “The Invite,” but it is Olivia Wilde’s best directorial effort yet. It is a film that showcases a married couple’s drama as both sides do their best to play things cool in front of their neighbors. This is also perhaps Wilde’s most grounded film yet, even if it does involve a series of extreme scenarios faced by several characters.

While Olivia Wilde seems to be growing as a director, she has spent most of her career as an actress, and therefore it is no surprise that the performances in “The Invite” are perhaps the highlight of the film. Some highlights are shown through the sometimes funny, other times riveting relationship between Joe and Angela. Seth Rogen plays the former while the latter is played by Wilde herself. The cast in this film is quite small. The movie revolves around four characters and for the most part, is set in one location. The other two characters, Piña and Hawk, are played by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton. What the film lacks in quantity it most certainly has in quality, which is by no means a bad thing.

The story is quite digestible, moves at a steady pace, and it is easy to buy each of the characters as individuals and as members of their particular relationships. Each actor plays off each other incredibly well and it also helps that they have such remarkable material to work with.

The more I reflect on the film, I do not necessarily think the story has one character that is a true protagonist or antagonist. The film feels more like an exciting game of two equally balanced teams or players. Each one has their strengths and weaknesses, and the movie finds a way to make you root for or appreciate each character in the cast.

Despite being a drama and mostly about a couple’s failing marriage, the film is surprisingly funny. I should not be that surprised considering how Rogen has a knack for comedy on camera, and Wilde has experience with directing good comedy through “Booksmart,” but comedy is all about timing, and it could not be better when it comes to how everything is executed in “The Invite.”

Speaking of timing, this is a film that truly takes its time. There is not a single scene that feels rushed, even if the characters find themselves in a fast-paced situation. “The Invite” does a phenomenal job at hinting at each character’s motivation and taking advantage of those motivations in future scenes. Plot-wise, this film starts as one thing and almost becomes something else entirely. I would not call “The Invite” the twistiest film of all time. In fact, I had a slight idea as to where things would go given how I have heard other viewers talk about the film’s vibe before I had a chance to check it out. But the film starts off as a conversational dramedy and morphs into something more complex and nearly bonkers. And while, again, this is not the twistiest movie I have ever seen, this film marks an improvement from Olivia Wilde’s last movie, “Don’t Worry Darling.” That film, much like this most recent one, was not written by Wilde. But when it comes to the films Wilde helmed, “Don’t Worry Darling” had a gargantuan twist, but bigger does not always mean better. If anything, it made that movie fall off a cliff. While “The Invite” definitely heightens its reality in the second half, it stays fairly consistent with the film’s grounded nature, and it is all thanks to a particular reveal that I will let you see for yourself.

Although it should be noted, while Will McCormick and Rashida Jones did in fact craft one of the best screenplays of the year, it is not an original idea, as this film is inspired by a 2020 Spanish picture called “The People Upstairs.” I have not seen that movie, nor have I heard of it prior to watching “The Invite,” but if anything, this film serves as the greatest piece of marketing “The People Upstairs” could ask for. “The Invite” serves as a piece of marketing to its predecessor in the same way that “The Departed,” a 2006 Hollywood film, was arguably the greatest piece of marketing for the 2002 Hong Kong film “Infernal Affairs.” “The Departed” was not only nominated for multiple Academy Awards, it won Best Picture. “Infernal Affairs” had less relevance in the United States, much like “The People Upstairs,” so it is no surprise that the Academy did not recognize either film. But I have a strong feeling that “The Invite” will be recognized for sure. Based on its top notch direction by Olivia Wilde, brilliant writing by McCormick and Jones, smart editing choices by Yorgos Mavropsaridis and Anthony Boys, and excellent performances by the four actors who command the screen in each scene, “The Invite” is one of the year’s finest movies.

In the end, “The Invite” is Olivia Wilde’s best work so far as a director. There is a saying that you are only as good as your last project, and that made me somewhat hesitant to check out this movie as I was not exactly fond of Wilde’s previous outing, “Don’t Worry Darling.” But not only is her latest film a vast improvement as far as I am concerned, but it makes me look forward to what she has up her sleeve next. This film is proof that big things come in small packages. The cast may be tiny, but the story packs a punch. Do not miss this one. I am going to give “The Invite” an 8/10.

“The Invite” is now playing in theaters and it is also available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! I am happy to announce that the next episode of Movie Requests officially drops Monday September 7th and it is going to feature Melissa Barrera! You may know her from movies like “Abigail” and “Your Monster,” as well as shows like “The Copenhagen Test” and “Keep Breathing.” You can also catch her on Broadway in the musical comedy “Titanique,” which I have seen twice and find to be an utter riot. Check out the episode when it drops Monday September 7th here on Flicknerd.com and YouTube! If you want to see the episode as soon as possible, please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Also, be sure to check out my most recent episode of “Movie Requests,” featuring Amy Sedaris! In this episode, I talk about two of her favorite films, “The Elephant Man” and “Babe!” What did I think of them? Watch the video to find out.

My next review is going to be for “Cookie Queens!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Tony,” “Spa Weekend,” “Coyote vs. Acme,” and “Idiots.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Invite?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie featuring a small cast that you enjoyed recently? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!