Author: Jack Drees

Freaky (2020): A Big Slash of Freaky Fun

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Freaky” is directed by Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones) and stars Kathryn Newton (Blockers, Supernatural), Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers, The Internship), Katie Finneran (Night of the Living Dead, The Michael J. Fox Show), Celeste O’Conner (Selah and the Spades, Irreplaceable You), Misha Osherovich (The Goldfinch, NOS4A2), and Alan Ruck (Speed, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). This film is a slasher comedy spin on “Freaky Friday,” the 1972 book written by Mary Rodgers, which was adapted into two movies from Disney. This time around, a high schooler named Millie lives her life as an outcast, and as the trailer claims, if this were a horror movie, she would be one of the first to die. Appropriately, she gets killed by the Blissfield Butcher, a known serial killer. Instead of dying, she ends up in the killer’s body, and they must switch back in 24 hours otherwise their switch will become permeant.

When it comes to “Freaky Friday,” the source material which this movie takes much inspiration from, that is a concept that you can utilize to enormous success. I’ve read the book, I’ve seen the original Disney film (which sucked), and I can only say that body switching provides endless possibilities. So when I saw the trailer for “Freaky” and found out that a killer and its victim switch bodies, needless to say I was in. Plus, I love the two leads and to see them together is a match made in Heaven.

This movie is a mix of “Freaky Friday,” “Friday the 13th,” and “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” specifically if it really emphasized the presence of Jack Black’s character, and it handles all those elements smoothly. The first five minutes of the film are pure horror clichés done well. It’s basically teens making poor decisions, kind of like in that GEICO commercial they now play every Halloween.

“If you’re in a horror movie, you make poor decisions. It’s what you do.”

“Freaky” is a slasher comedy, and I think overall that the movie does a spectacular job at not trying too hard to be one thing. It takes two genres, blends them together, and each element of the recipe matches up to deliver something excellent. And part of this is because I recognize that this is sort of goofy, while still being presentable enough for a theatrical environment. The film comes from Blumhouse, a studio known for making small budget horror movies, and the budget for “Freaky” is around $5 million. Now, if you went on a game show, that’s a good payday. Although when it comes to making movies in Hollywood, that’s basically chump change. This movie, for a $5 million feature, does not look half bad. In fact, I think much of the beauty is owed to director Christopher Landon, cinematographer Laurie Rose, and even editor Ben Baudhuin. There are several shots that line up incredibly well with what comes after it based on what exactly is featured in them. I can only imagine the storyboards for this movie! Everything feels intricate and planned out! Aside from “Tenet,” I don’t think I have seen better editing in a movie this year.

I said before that this movie is partially reminiscent of “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.” While it is nowhere near as expensive or bloated with visuals, it nevertheless feels that way. And if you ask me, I think “Freaky” is better than “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and a much more timeless story. It is hard to tell whether “Freaky” will actually stand the test of time, but I do see it becoming a cult classic over the years. This is especially supported by how 2020 is basically a wasteland for entertainment. Yes, we’re watching a lot of TV, but that’s because it’s where we aim our eyes most of the time nowadays! Movies are practically nonexistent! There is a solid chance that movie watchers could find this on cable or Netflix or something and it becomes a Halloween mainstay. “Freaky,” if you ask me, has that potential.

If you ask me, the best part of this movie is Vince Vaughn, not as his character, the Blissfield Butcher, but as Kathryn Newton’s character, Millie, after they switch bodies. Seeing the character’s self-revelation is wildly entertaining. There’s this minor segment of the film where we see Millie groovin’ in a beaver outfit because she’s dressed up as the school mascot. But then we see after the major incident of the film, in order to show that Vince Vaughn is Kathryn Newton’s character, he’s just busting a move like a moron. The icing on the cake to that is showing off whatever this movie’s version of a secret handshake is. Similar to that, when we see Vince Vaughn’s personality move to Kathryn Newton’s body, her reaction, while I would have done it a little differently if I were writing the screenplay, was entertaining to watch. And it also addresses something all guys, and yes, ALL GUYS, YOU KNOW THIS IS TRUE, would do if they were in a girl’s body. One of the first things we see teenage girl Vince Vaughn doing is playing with her boobs. Wait, her boobs? His boobs? What’s the proper identity here? At the same time, we see Kathryn Newton’s character in Vince Vaughn’s body, who claims that urinating while standing ain’t bad.

Although one of my favorite scenes in this movie in terms of comedy is one moment in a discount store where we see Vince Vaughn talking to a key character we see through various portions of the film, I won’t dive too much further into it, but it goes to show that not only that “Freaky” has the scares, but tons of comedy chops. There are moments where I cringed, and I mean that in a good way. This movie, at certain points, is like experiencing life as Marty McFly in 1955 and finding out your mother wants to f*ck you. If you ask me, “Freaky” is no “Back to the Future,” but like “Back to the Future,” there are some truly hypnotizing character moments that rattled my brain like I switched on a vibrate function for it.

By the end of this movie, I just walked out having a good time. The young teens are genuinely funny. Kathryn Newton is killer, literally. Vince Vaughn continues to be legendary. And if there is one thing that I will remember this movie for the most, aside from how it executes its slick concept, it’s the chemistry between each character. I will also not lie when I say that it was sort of satisfying to see Kathryn Newton go from the school outcast to the sadistic “murder Barbie,” as Josh (Misha Osherovich) puts it. Newton is cute, but I can assure you she is not cuddly. Speaking of Josh… WOW. I want to see more from this guy.

I’ve already seen a few projects with Kathryn Newton, so I will not say this about her. Although if I wanted to point out anyone who has a bright future ahead as an actor, that designation would belong to Misha Osherovich. “Freaky” is admittedly the first full-length project I’ve seen him in, and I would certainly not mind seeing more of him. Part of my praise for him may have to do with the writing, as he does have some of my favorite lines in the movie, but I would love to see him as the star of a film one day maybe as someone really nerdy. He has that pitch to him that can align with that demographic. I think Osherovich can play such a character type very well. I would love to see more from this guy, no matter what it is. I think he has chops that we have yet to see. I want more!

In the end, “Freaky” is freakin’ fun. If you are looking for a stellar night out at the movies, this will serve you well. I will admit that horror is one of my weaker genres, therefore I barely dedicate any time to such movies. This was a fun horror flick that was hilarious yet scary. It’s part “Friday the 13th,” part “Jumanji,” part “Freaky Friday,” and all thumbs up! I came to this movie as I enjoy watching Kathryn Newton, but I stayed for Vince Vaughn. Both actors are incredible in this movie and make it worth the price of admission. I’m going to give “Freaky” a 7/10.

By the way, for those of you who remember earlier this year, Universal made a deal with AMC that would allow them to avoid utilizing the 90 day theatrical window. In other words, despite how “Freaky” is playing in theaters, it will not be long before it can be viewed at home. “Freaky” will be available on VOD to watch wherever you want on Tuesday, December 1st! If your local theaters are still closed, if you are not comfortable going to the theater, or if you are just not a fan of the movies, “Freaky” will arrive at home early as part of an observance towards the unusual 17 day theatrical window. I will say, for me, “Freaky” was a hell of a time at the movies, but I will leave the preferred experience up to the individual.

Thanks for reading this review! I don’t have any plans to go to the theater this weekend, although on Tuesday I will be watching Amazon’s new movie “Sound of Metal.” The film is set to hit theaters a few days later, specifically Friday, and will hit Prime Video two weeks after its theatrical debut. I will have my review up as soon as possible. Be sure to follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account so you can stay tuned for more great content! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Freaky?” What did you think about it? Or, did you watch either of the “Freaky Friday” movies? Did you ever read the book? Tell me your thoughts! Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Synchronic (2019): Time Travel in New Borleans

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Synchronic” is directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the same duo responsible for bringing us “The Endless.” This film stars Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey, Once Upon a Time) and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Captain America: The Winter Soldier) as two New Orleans paramedics whose lives change once they encounter a series of deaths linked to a drug by the name of Synchronic.

I am one of those people who often judges whether or not they want to see a movie based on the trailer. Unfortunately, given how I consider Scene Before an outlet of informative entertainment for my viewers, I had to make some sacrifices. Movies like “I Feel Pretty” and “Life of the Party” had terrible marketing, but because I am a team player, I saw both anyway. The results of both experiences were not very positive. Every now and then I’ll get something like “Sonic the Hedgehog,” which kind of looked a cliché corporate money grab with no inspiration attached. Turns out I was wrong and I now want to see the sequel! Similar to that, “Over the Moon,” which one trailer in particular makes it look like a been there done that children’s adventure, ended up being my favorite movie this year.

In the case of “Synchronic,” I knew very little about this film before going into it. The earliest memory I have about the movie is this statement shared on social media.

This is a perfect statement. I love the theatrical experience, but this is a great way to encourage people to stay safe, without shaming those who choose to see the movie early. Now, let me just say, that if I didn’t have a full-line commitment to the movie theater or if I were not doing Scene Before, there may be a chance that I decide to put “Synchronic” on my waitlist of movies to watch due to the pandemic, I have not heard much in regards it, or what it is about. Then again, it is also nice to go into a movie blind. Plus, this is a sci fi film, and sci fi is by far my favorite genre, so I would probably have been willing to shell out money for this thing no matter how you slice it.

Having seen “Synchronic,” I walked out of it feeling to similar to how I felt walking out of “Ad Astra.” The film, despite its best intentions to impress me, could not feel more dull! Both films fit into the realm of high-concept sci fi, but unlike the ambitions this movie reaches for, its entertainment value feels relatively low. Looking back at “Ad Astra,” the only things I recall immensely enjoying are the cinematography and one particular chase scene. Other than that, the movie is pretty much a forgettable snoozefest. It looks pretty though! Honestly, I’d rather watch “Ad Astra” at this point compared to “Synchronic,” which based on what I have to say, won’t say much. “Synchronic” is a movie that I really wanted to like, because I usually happen to be fascinated by anything sci-fi. Unfortunately, I walked out of this movie immediately forgetting about it.

If you want me to be straight up, I will address the elephant in the room. This movie, from the get go, had some pretty poor pacing. I will admit, I watched this movie shortly after finding out the results of a controversial election in the United States, so I was bound to be distracted at one point or another, but if this movie cannot get me to lock eyes onto it for a decent amount of time, that’s a problem. I almost never cared about any of the characters, even though I do recognize that the ensemble did a fairly decent job with their roles.

At the same time however, despite me not having much of a damn to give about any characters in this movie, it is a well put together production. At times, this movie reminded me of a movie I did like, “Annihilation,” another sci fi film that feels relatively high-brow. While it is not my favorite film of all time, this movie has a similar sounding score, which is not always boisterous (except in the final act when it is EPIC), but it is easy on the ears from time to time. “Synchronic” at times also has a weird sounding score you’ll want to put on when you drop some acid or something. That’s what I got out of it at the very least.

However, I have to say, there is only one thing that I genuinely took from “Synchronic” as a moment to remember and that is where we see our lead character played by Anthony Mackie messing around with the drug and seeing what happens when he takes it. What does he do? Where does he go? What spot does he have to be in to go to a certain place? I do not want to reveal too much, but one of the things I really like about this movie is how it executes a way of unleashing certain consequences. I won’t say much, but it sort of adds to the learning experience of testing the drug if you will.

I will say though, this movie is written by Justin Benson, who co-directed the film with Aaron Moorhead. One of these two have to be a massive “Back to the Future” fan because this movie not only has time travel, but also a scene where they have an ad playing in a bar promoting “Back to the Future,” and one character even has a dog named Hawking, most likely after Stephen Hawking! In “Back to the Future,” you may remember Doc had a dog named Einstein, after Albert Einstein. In fact, I do not think this is coincidental at all, because both dogs almost look the same! Just watch both movies and tell me they don’t!

This movie did one thing right, even if it was not what it ultimately set out to do. It made me want to watch a much better time travel movie. Congratulations, “Synchronic!” You made me want to travel back to 1985! Good job! In reality, I do have respect for both filmmakers helming this project, even if I am not entirely familiar with their work, because I always enjoy getting a high-concept film like this. I just wish the end result was better.

This movie had a pretty cool ending. Unfortunately though, I had to suffer through a massively boring 90 minutes to get there. I do not think I’ll ever watch this film again unless I need something to fall asleep to, or if it is on cable and I need something in the background. At the same time, I do have faith in Benson and Moorhead, and maybe due to a hectic week, I was in a weird mood. Nevertheless, I stand by my points.

In the end, “Synchronic” is simply one of those movies that looks like it could be masterful, in fact there were certain scenes that I enjoyed watching mainly from a presentation view, but this movie excels more with style than it does substance. There is something there substance-wise, but it just did not sit with me. I imagine this film will have an audience over the years, and who knows? Maybe this is another “Empire Strikes Back,” where a good number of people saw it originally, didn’t like it, but as it got a following and as years went by, it became synonymous with the “Star Wars” name. “Synchronic” could be one of those movies that I could watch again a year from now with a different perspective. And while that excites me, I have to be honest. To be quite honest, this had the pace of the 2020 election. I’m going to give “Synchronic” a 5/10.

Thanks for reading this review! This week I will be seeing the all new film “Freaky” starring Kathryn Newton (Supernatural, Blockers) and Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers, The Internship) in this horror spin on “Freaky Friday.” I am quite excited, not only because we are getting more new movies in a year where movies have barely even come out, but this one looks pretty sick. It looks scary, hilarious, and fun. So I’m ready for a good time at the movies. Let’s do this! Be sure to follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account so you can stay tuned for more great content! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Synchronic?” What did you think about it? Or, what is the best movie to fall asleep to? It can also be a good movie! Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Fantasy Island (2020): Fantasy F***ing Island

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Fantasy Island” is directed by Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2, Truth or Dare) and stars Michael Peña (Ant-Man, Dora and the Lost City of Gold), Maggie Q, Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars, Truth or Dare), Austin Stowell (Bridge of Spies, Dolphin Tale), Portia Doubleday (Mr. Robot, Carrie), Jimmy O. Yang (Silicon Valley, Fresh Off the Boat), Ryan Hansen (Friday the 13th, Party Down), and Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy, Days of Thunder). This film is based the television series of the same name, and takes place on an island where visitors see their fantasies come to life. However, as time passes, those fantasies lead to nightmares.

If you’re wondering how I spent my Halloween, I did not really do much. I watched “The Simpsons” on FXX, which was airing a Treehouse of Horror marathon, I had more food than usual, and my mother and I hunkered down to watch this disposable film in the living room. I have never been exposed to any previous material related to the “Fantasy Island” IP. I am aware that previous material exists, in fact my mother pointed out some details about the movie that harkens back to older material. Unfortunately, regardless of whatever faithfulness toward older material this film provides, it is not enough to make a good movie.

This film is tonally inconsistent, structurally discombobulated, and all around just forgettable. Without looking them up on IMDb, I cannot tell you almost a single character’s name from memory. This is how bad the movie is.

This movie is an hour and forty-nine minutes long, it did not need to be that long. Honestly, if this movie took out some of the over the top exposition, they could have trimmed the runtime down by like a few minutes, maybe ten. Short and sweet wins the race! “Fantasy Island” shows that there is a fantasy out there for everyone. If your fantasy is to be treated like an idiot while being overexposed, then this is the movie for you. There are barely any scenes where one can appreciate the sound of silence, embrace the visual art of filmmaking. It’s almost like words are being hammered over your head and you have no choice but to stand by and take it.

One of the core aspects of “Fantasy Island” is seeing these different personalities come together. They originate from alternate walks of life, they have separate fantasies, and it is cool to see some of them in action. But this is also where the movie suffers in a way. It is great to see these ideas and personalities mesh together. However, the movie also suffers because you have all these characters with different backgrounds and aspirations, that there is no one tone that defines the final product. Is it supposed to be lively? Depressing? Hardcore? Sensual? You could make an argument that it is all those things in one, but as a result, the movie sort of suffers from an identity problem. It’s just weird having to jump back and forth to see something vastly different every scene. There are even moments where we linger on one character for so long that I forget somebody else in this film even exists.

Let’s talk about the script of “Fantasy Island.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but I am pretty sure this was written in crayon. This is an actual line from the movie.

“Oh, I feel just like Jodie Foster in that Jodie Foster movie.”

“Fantasy Island” is a classic for the ages!

The script for “Fantasy Island” comes off as a punishment for those who ever thought of paying money to see it. There is almost nothing noteworthy about this film. It is a sorry excuse of a script. Not one character will be remembered, not one line stands out as iconic, not one idea feels bold. All around, it feels lazy. It’s almost as if Sony wanted to make this movie so bad they didn’t care how many drafts the script took. It’s colossally terrible! The movie is from the horror-based studio, Blumhouse. And naturally, they took the iconic property of “Fantasy Island” with an intention of fitting in a horror twist. But it doesn’t come off that way. The film is not that scary! If anything, it’s more hilarious than it is terrifying!

Fantasy Fucking Island Jimmy OYang GIF - FantasyFuckingIsland JimmyOYang BraxWeaver GIFs

“Fantasy f*cking island.” -Brax Weaver

Me too brother. I feel the same way. How did we get here?

I saw a lot of movies in 2018, and one movie that came out that year is “Truth or Dare,” another Blumhouse production. I missed that film, and I still have not seen it to this day. In fact part of me is glad I still have not seen it as it has received mostly negative reviews and has garnered a 5.2/10 on IMDb. Turns out that “Fantasy Island” is from the same director, writer, producer, and has even brought back Lucy Hale as a cast member for this film. Have we learned nothing?

Wait… “Truth or Dare” almost made a $100 million on a small budget?

“Truth or Dare” is getting a sequel?

Take me to FANTASY. F*CKING. ISLAND.

Unlike some other bad movies I have seen this year though, “Fantasy Island” has one advantage compared to its competition. I watched this film alongside my mother, and we had no regrets. This is the kind of film that if you want to get flat out wasted while watching, I would not object, because it definitely has that vibe. So if you invite your friends to your fantasy island to watch the disaster known as “Fantasy Island,” I can guarantee you all will be on Fantasy f*cking Island.

I said earlier in this review that not one character will be remembered. While I still sort of stand by that, I will say one of my big wonders for this film, is how the casting for JD and Brax came to fruition. Because I watched this movie and I don’t know if this was coincidental, it’s like looking at Bill and Ted, except that Bill and Ted had genuine charisma and chemistry. I did not watch this in the theater so thankfully I got to shout as loud as I want, but every other scene I would say something like “Duuuude” or “Excellent!” They feel like carbon copies of a much more compelling duo! Some of their dialogue represents that too!

Speaking of casting, this movie originally offered the role of Mr. Roarke, which ultimately went to Michael Peña, to Nicolas Cage.

Have you seen his resume in recent years? Also, Cage! You made a mistake! If they got Nicolas Cage, I would argue that this could have been the greatest bad movie ever made. I could just imagine the zaniness all over! What a missed opportunity! Michael Peña does what he can here, and I could tell that he is giving it his all, but his performance does not hide some recent complaints. Overexplaining, too much reliance on dialogue, and horrible writing. I can also imagine the direction in this film.

“Quiet on set! Lucy Hale, explain everything to the audience like they don’t have brains! Take 57! Action!”

Did I mention one of the three guys who wrote this movie, Jeff Wadlow, also has a screenplay credit for “Bloodshot?” I did not review that film, mainly due to a lack of motivation, but I am getting concerned for Wadlow’s life choices.

I will also say, one thing that is different about this movie compared to a few other bad films this year is that when it comes to a recent bad movie I saw, specifically “The Hunt,” is that I felt more emotionally attached to the film upon leaving it. By that I mean I felt complete and total anger, but I still felt something. “Fantasy Island” did not really let me feel much of anything. Yes, I was shouting at the screen, laughing, maybe getting a little angry here and there. However, upon leaving the film I started to forget about it. All my emotions separated from my head and went to its own little island. That can be a good thing because “Fantasy Island” is not a good movie, and the sooner I can forget about it, the better. But it also shows that there is no lasting impact. “The Hunt” made me genuinely fill myself with rage, and that was kind of the point of the film at times. “Fantasy Island” tries to be entertaining and scary, but fails at every step of the way. As a result, we have a forgettable mess.

In the end, “Fantasy Island” is a major waste of valuable time. You can probably watch this movie if you’re drunk. But I would rather preserve my liver. The cast, while somewhat competent, are all wasted. Not one person in this schlock added anything of value. All that happened to added were endless streams of exposition. At one moment this movie is a poppy wonderland, the next moment we’re at war, the next moment we’re having date night, it’s just a lot happening at once. The movie has too many characters that all feel disposable. These tones would be fine if the characters were fine. However, that’s not the case. I’m going to give “Fantasy f*cking Island” a 2/10.

Thanks for reading this review! I am hoping to get back to the theater sometime soon to watch something new. The past couple films I reviewed were stuff I watched at home, but if I have time, maybe I’ll check something out like “The Empty Man,” “Come Play,” or “Synchronic.” I will say though, the film I am looking forward to this month more than any other is another Blumhouse production, and that is “Freaky” starring Kathryn Newton and Vince Vaughn. It’s a horror twist on “Freaky Friday.” They just had an early screening in my area, but I did not go as I was watching “Alita: Battle Angel” at the AMC that night. Such a good movie. I will be sure to buy a ticket, watch the movie, and share my thoughts with you all. I think this is going to be absolute fun. Be sure to follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account so you can stay tuned for more great content! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Fantasy Island?” What did you think about it? Or, what did you do for Halloween 2020? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Hunt (2020): A Bloody, Brain-Damaging Political Meltdown

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Hunt” is directed by Craig Zobel (Compliance, Z for Zachariah) and stars Ike Barinholtz (Blockers, Snatched), Betty Gilpin (GLOW, Nurse Jackie), Amy Madigan (Roe vs. Wade, Gone Baby Gone), Emma Roberts (Nerve, Scream Queens), Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl, Boy Meets World), and Hilary Swank (Insomnia, Boys Don’t Cry). This film follows twelve strangers who are taken separately but wake up together in a clearing. They eventually find out they are placed for a specific gathering known as the Hunt, where elites take down those of lower class for sport.

“The Hunt” is a film that I have been intrigued by since I saw a trailer for it last year, particularly due to its subject matter. The rich hunt down the poor for sport? Sign me up! This can make for a good movie! Then the movie got delayed because of political and human issues. Although at the same time this movie gained controversy because it’s about liberal elites killing deplorables. I never really bought into this ideology, not because of my views on politics and society, but because I never picked up anything in the marketing that specifically shows anything of extreme political nature. Yes, there’s a lot of weaponry and shooting, and that can associate with the second amendment, but I saw this is a movie where the higher-class and lower-class duke it out! Kind of like “Ready or Not,” although in this case there is more than one person representing the lower class.

Having seen “The Hunt” from start to finish, I now see what everyone is talking about. This movie is extreme, unapologetically political, and most of all, it’s just awful. Awful, plain and simple!

For the record, I saw “The Hunt” towards the end of October 30th. This review is being written on October 31st. So I had some time, not to mention a good night’s sleep to think about this movie. There’s a lot that can happen in one night between the passage of time, stars shooting the air, and figuring out how you can sleep in a different spot than usual on your memory foam mattress. A lot of changes have occurred, and that’s why I’m here to tell you that when it comes to my thoughts on “The Hunt,” I can confirm that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAS CHANGED!

“The Hunt” is a mess of a film! The worst part about it, compared to a few other bad movies that came out this year like “Scoob!” and “The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson,” I had reasons to look forward to it! Remember last year when we got “Ready or Not?” That movie SMASHED! I walked out of the auditorium grinning like an idiot because I felt terrified, but I had a ton of fun at the same time. Both movies deal with similar issues. Higher and lower classes going against each other, fighting to the death. But the thing about “Ready or Not,” aside from it being super crazy, balls to the wall, and just an overall good time, is that I did not need to know everything about either side to understand them. I knew one side was elite, the other not as elite. While I was rooting for one person in particular, I at least understood both sides. There was even a fantasy aspect to that movie! That is bonkers! And part of me wishes I came up with the idea for “Ready or Not!”

Here, this film follows a bunch of people on one side, pretty much all of them are on some level of the right. All of them are unlikable. But hey! The left get some representation too! Guess what? It’s just as bad! I don’t care what political identity you have! What your views are on gender roles! Just be a character that does not get on my nerves! There’s a ton of lines in this film that poke toward extremes for the left and right, and pretty much each and every time I lost my mind. Now I don’t mind political or social commentary in my media. It’s everywhere! One of the recent films I reviewed, “Yellow Rose,” follows a family living illegally in the United States. Regardless of my views on that, I saw that the crew managed to make a GOOD STORY first. They didn’t hammer me over the head with what I should believe and treat me like an idiot. Sure, every movie, including that one, has a vision and part of that has to do with what the director or writer feels is “the right of the world,” but if you can do that while creating admirable characters and watchable storylines, you will allow me to keep my attention toward the screen.

I always watch “Family Guy,” which dives deep into a political or societal issue every other episode, but it manages to keep the humor and for the most part, provides some intrigue from a character and story perspective. “The Hunt” had none of that. This feels like a bad “Family Guy” episode stretched out for an hour and a half because it deals with more politics, and crappy characters from left to right. There is not one person I could side with during this film. Everyone is just a caricature of what is wrong with society, and they fail to represent any charm whatsoever.

In fact, this whole movie starts off like a “Family Guy” episode, there’s political humor, blood, gore, and violence. Sometimes it’s borderline comical. Unfortunately, this feels like a “Family Guy” episode from the later seasons, where they rely too much on gross-out humor or dark violence or politics. Too much of something can lead to boredom with said thing. And unfortunately, when it comes to how this movie deals with political satire, it wears out really fast.

“The Hunt” is a movie that made me ask a ton of questions. For example, “Why am I watching this?” Another example, “When will this be over?” Also, “THIS IS ONLY AN HOUR AND A HALF?!” This movie may be short, but it is certainly not sweet. The worst part about this movie, is that my first impression of it resembled a sense of excitement. There was violence, blood, guts, suspense, and all that jazz, but by the time we get to the first moments in the gas station, all the building blocks fall to the ground. Yes, there is some intrigue throughout the movie, but I did not care. The intrigue came from characters who I never grew to admire. I couldn’t stand any of them, and I continued to wonder why I would watch them. And speaking of questions, there is some mystery attached to certain characters as the runtime ticks, but one question I wanted answered about the film never gets answered. I admire when films leave certain points open to interpretation, but this was not one of those times, I just felt pissed off if anything.

I will say one thing though, this movie has some good casting. Ike Barinholtz is genuinely charming here, and this should not be a surprise given how Barinholtz usually turns out to be one of the best parts of everything he’s in. Even in “Snatched,” that terrible Amy Schumer flick, he had some of the best lines and was arguably the most energetic member of the cast. Barinholtz gives it his all. Hilary Swank is likable here too as the mysterious Athena. And even though I never got attached to the main protagonist of Crystal, I think Betty Gilpin played her part well in this film. The cast is admirable, but you can say the same thing about “Cats” too! Doesn’t say much about the film’s quality! Ian McKellan is in this movie! What does he do? He licks a plate!

I’m out.

I know I recently said that 2020 gave the best film of the year with “Over the Moon,” which if you have not seen, it is extraordinary. But with “The Hunt,” this reminds me of the horrors 2020 originally intended to deliver. Part of me is glad I did not see this in March, because I wouldn’t have wanted my final movie theater experience before the pandemic to be so insufferable that I would not want to go back when everything returned to normal. Not only is this one of the worst films of 2020, but by far one of the most disappointing. I heard it was going to get political. I thought it would just be sprinkled in! THIS IS RIDDLED with political madness! Or even issues that should be human issues that are made political because our society is making heads spin all over! Just talking about this movie makes me ultra-nervous for my next physical, because it’s sending my blood pressure through the roof!

In the end, “The Hunt” is almost indescribably bad. “The Hunt” makes me want to move to Canada! I’ve rarely felt as grossed-out, and I don’t mean that in a good way, after watching a movie. Again, I go back to “Ready or Not.” That film deals with similar themes, but it leaves all the fun in there while also handling the serious vibe that these themes bring. And most importantly, in that movie, I cared about everyone, regardless of their motivations! So if you want to watch something spooky this Halloween, go watch “Ready or Not,” now available on DVD, Blu-ray, Digital, HBO, and HBO Max! Don’t watch “The Hunt!” And I will say, I live in the United States. This is too much politics for me before an election. Although I really hope that failed to sway me in one direction or the other in regard to my opinion on this movie. What is my opinion on this movie, you ask? I’m going to give “The Hunt” a 2/10.

This movie had a fantastic start, but it is all downhill from there! If you have brain cells, do yourself a favor, take a nap. Don’t watch this movie! They say that television rots the brain, but this movie destroys it. Avoid “The Hunt” at all costs!

Thanks for reading this review! Happy Halloween to everyone reading this, otherwise known as the last day that I will tell everyone, “IT’S NOT CHRISTMASTIME YET! STOP DECORATING THE STORES!” November 1st is when I think it’s go time. Although if I have to hear some of the same songs over and over again, I will consider going into cryogenic sleep. Nevertheless, I’m not sure what my next review will be. I will be a bit busy next week as I will be celebrating my 21st birthday. For all I know, I might not even post anything. Although I have been dedicated to making a post a week for years now, so who knows. Anything can happen! Be sure to follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account so you can stay tuned for more great content! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Hunt?” What did you think about it? Also, did you see “Ready or Not?” What are your thoughts on that? Personally it is favorite movie of 2019! Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Witches (2020): Witch Imperfect

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Witches” is directed by Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, The Walk) and stars Anne Hathaway (Interstellar, The Dark Knight Rises), Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures, Gifted), and Stanley Tucci (The Hunger Games, Transformers: Age of Extinction). This film is based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name and follows a young boy and his mother as they stay in a hotel together. One thing leads to another, and the boy finds out the witches’ plan to turn children into mice. From here, we have the main groundwork to let the rest of the movie unfold.

Not only is this movie based on a classic children’s book from Roald Dahl, but to my lack of knowledge, “The Witches” was made into a movie once before. I had no idea that this was true, but there was a 1990 adaptation of the film directed by Nicolas Roeg. I had no idea this movie existed, but here we are. But growing up with Roald Dahl, I cannot say that I am all that surprised. “The Witches” was never a book I was particularly interested in. I imagine I picked it up once or twice for a couple quick glances, but not once have I read it all the way through. Books like “The BFG” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” were of higher interest to me when I was younger. Unlike when I watched the 2005 “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” for the first time, where I had the original book and 1971 adaptation in my memory, I don’t really have anything to compare “The Witches” to. I cannot say the book’s better, because I have not read it. I cannot say the 1990 adaptation was better, because I have not seen it. But what can I say about the 2020 adaptation of “The Witches?”

It’s not great. Really not that great.

This movie, particularly in the United States, was supposed to hit theaters, but due to a change of plans, it became a direct to HBO Max exclusive. Other than a few scenes that are visually wild, I can see why this went straight to streaming. Because the reality is that the script for this film is kind of bland. At times it’s a little stiff. I know that one major audience for “The Witches” happens to be children, and I will say that in this movie’s favor, there are some scenes that would give me heebie-jeebies at a younger age. That’s not the problem, because this movie is occasionally suspenseful and haunting. The problem is that this movie feels like it occasionally talks down to them. I’ve seen it done worse in a few other movies, but nevertheless. I don’t know who to blame here. Again, I have not read the book. Maybe this script was incredibly faithful to the source material, which can work as a compliment in many instances, but books are books, and movies are movies. They’re different mediums and sometimes everything in a book does not always translate to film.

One of my other big complaints about this film regards its pacing. I often talk about pacing as a complaint because when a movie moves too slow, it occasionally bores me. Thankfully, this movie is not as boring as some others I have seen. Boredom was not achieved. My problem, and this may be seen as a compliment by some people, is that this movie moves very fast. This film wastes no time whatsoever in getting from point A to point B, but I really would have preferred one or two moments where I could breathe. But that’s also probably because of the earlier complaint where this film overembellishes everything for the audience. There’s a whole elongated scene where Anne Hathaway’s character is exposes her plan to turn children into mice and squash them. It takes forever, but somehow it feels like by the end of the scene, only a few moments have passed. It almost feels like that if the movie did not extend itself unnecessarily, it could have been five to ten minutes shorter, maybe even fifteen. I could be wrong. This is arguably the weirdest complaint I’ve had for a film all year, but it stands. Runtime does not always matter, it’s what you do with it. And here, I think they’ve just wasted some of my time.

This is not to say the film’s all bad. I will say that one of the advantages of this film, especially compared to almost everything else in 2020’s slate, is that it looks quite attractive to the eye. The production design is quirky, and much like some other Dahl adaptations, this movie occasionally felt larger than life. For the record, this movie did release in theaters internationally, so they get the benefit of the theatrical experience. If you live in the United States, watch on the biggest home screen you can. For a movie aimed at families and children, this does look like something that would fit in that realm. This is live-action, but it’s colorful and poppy at the same time. Some of the effects, specifically where we see one of the witches sniffing like a maniac, is a little over the top, but other than that, they fit the movie in terms of tone.

One area where I am continuously conflicted is Anne Hathaway. Now, I adore Anne Hathaway. She’s in some of my favorite movies, she has talent, and I will point out that I can tell she gave it her all here. But the way her character is presented is very hit and miss. Again, this is part of the overembellishing problem with this film. I get she’s a witch, I get she’s evil. But at times, she reminded me of a female version of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze from 1997’s “Batman & Robin.”

“What killed the dinosaurs? The ice age!”

I will say that per usual, Octavia Spencer is quite charming. She was a good fit for her role, and while I will probably not remember the movie all that much, her chemistry with her son was decent. Not the best I have seen, but decent. Speaking of which, the son character is played by Jahzir Bruno. The cast lists his character’s name as “Hero Boy.” What a name… Is this… A long lost relative of “Protagonist” from “Tenet?”

By the way, watch “Tenet.” Just my recommendation.

I will say, when it comes to Jahzir Bruno, he probably has a bright future ahead. Who knows what’ll happen in regard to his acting career? But his character, while likable, is just a small increment of why this movie is poorly written. One of the things I HATED about this movie, is how far-fetched it is at times.

Now, you might be thinking, that’s what it is supposed to be! It’s a movie where witches can turn humans into mice with a magic potion! You’re not wrong. I don’t mind that at all. What I do mind is that the movie has a scene that throws everything you know about hearing out the window. I do not know how good the witches can hear in this universe, maybe the book explains it more, but there is a scene where Hero Boy lays under a stage where Anne Hathaway’s character gives a speech. From what I can tell, he’s trying to hide, be secretive. When he takes in a certain piece of information, he speaks to himself almost like he’s having a casual conversation. I do not know if that is his fault, or the director’s fault. I hope not, because Robert Zemeckis has been in the business for years. And evidence sometimes shows that it is not always easy to work with child actors. I do not know if Bruno was following a specific order from the script, a last minute adjustment from Zemeckis, or what. I do have faith that Bruno will be in more palatable movies as time goes on, and he is still young, so he can improve his craft a just a hair. I just wish this project was better.

One of the big advantages though of watching this on HBO Max is that other than the subscription, this is practically a free movie. It was not like I was robbed of $12 at the theater, or in the case of the pandemic, $19.99 on Prime Video or Google Play. Even so, I can see why this was dumped to a streaming service. As cool as it would have looked in a theater, it does not have the writing and excitement to back it up.

In the end, “The Witches” could not quite deliver the cheese. I will point out. I’ve seen a lot of movies directed by Robert Zemeckis. All the “Back to the Future” films, “Allied,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” “The Polar Express.” I’ve enjoyed most of the films I’ve seen from him. Even ones I did not enjoy like “Flight” and “Cast Way” still had elements which I was able to appreciate. “The Witches” fits in the same category as those previously mentioned films, it is one of Zemeckis’s inferior days at the office. And as far as Roald Dahl adaptations go, this one is probably my least favorite. Much like’s Zemeckis’s cinematic library, I can not pinpoint one particular Roald Dahl adaptation I’ve seen that I legitimately hated. But this one was not a golden ticket. I’m going to give “The Witches” a 5/10.

If anything else, one of the best parts of this movie is the score. Unsurprisingly, considering how this movie is directed by Robert Zemeckis, Alan Silvestri did all the composition work. Time will tell, but it is hard to say whether “The Witches” will become a popular Halloween tradition for some. It wouldn’t for me, but who knows? This movie just felt rushed, but by being rushed, it did so by elongating, talking down to its audience. It does a lot by doing very little, if that makes any sense. This is the “Ludicrous Speed” of movies.

Thanks for reading this review! This weekend is one of the bigger ones in regard to movies this year. “The Witches” just hit HBO Max, Prime Video now has “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “The Empty Man,” even though it looks terrible, just hit theaters, and one of my favorite movies of the year BY STORM just hit Netflix and is still playing in some theaters. That movie by the way is the new animated musical “Over the Moon,” which centers around a young girl who longs to find an ancient Moon Goddess. I cannot recommend this movie enough, even though I know a few people who may want to skip certain parts of it. By the way, if you want to read my review for “Over the Moon,” click right here! Be sure to follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account so you can stay tuned for more great content! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Witches?” What did you think about it? Have you read the book? Have you seen the 1990 film? Which version of the story do you like best? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Over the Moon (2020): FINALLY.

Posted on by Jack Drees

This review is specifically dedicated to Audrey Wells. For the record, I have no personal connection with Audrey Wells, but she wrote the screenplay for this film, only to pass away in late 2018, two years before this film officially released to the public. This may end up being one of the few times I do a dedication to somebody during a review, but this is incredibly deserved. You’ll see why. On with the review!

“Over the Moon” is directed by Glen Keane and John Kahrs and stars Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo (Hamilton, The Broken Hearts Gallery), Ken Jeong (The Masked Singer, The Hangover), John Cho (Star Trek, Total Recall), Ruthie Ann Miles (All Rise, The Americans), Margaret Cho (All-American Girl, 30 Rock), and Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy, Killing Eve). This film centers around a young girl named Fei Fei, who is forced to adapt to the alterations of her life following the death of her mother. The young girl aspires to go to the moon to find the ancient goddess, Chang’e.

Now if you know me in person, you know I love the theatrical experience, and part of the reason why I refuse to buy a subscription to certain streaming services like Netflix is because they do not really have a presence in the theatrical light. I feel that it is an art that must be preserved for years to come, and streaming is something that is getting in the way of that. It’s not that I do not stream at all, in fact I’ve been using the hell out of Peacock recently, but I have my preferences. And when you basically annihilate Blockbuster, that’s another gripe to add to the equation.

Thankfully, “Over the Moon” has been slated to come out theatrically in select locations, so I took the opportunity to support it. The trailer looked… okay… It kind of looked like a typical 3D animated feature that took place in space. Maybe it’ll be more fun for kids than anyone else. But of course, I love space movies, and I will admit, I somewhat obligate myself to seeing at least 5 animated movies a year now. I figured “Over the Moon” would join the list.

You want to know something? This might shock some of you, after watching this movie, I almost considered buying a Netflix subscription. It’s… THAT GOOD! I did not expect this movie to pack as satisfyingly brutal of a punch as it has. Remember a few days ago when I said “Yellow Rose” may be the best movie of the year? Yeah, I think we have a new sheriff in town! “Over the Moon” is one of the best animated films I have seen in a theater. It’s powerful from start to finish. Not just in terms of being a feast for the eyes, but going full Pixar and letting you experience a story that represents the best of the human condition! I’m not gonna lie, towards the end of this movie, man tears. I will admit it.

Speaking of Pixar and movies that make you cry, remember “Coco?” Remember the movie that came out a few Novembers ago? I’ll be honest, even though I know quite a few people who lost their grandparents and saw this movie, I consider myself lucky. At the time I watched this movie, and this stands true today, because I watched it again a week ago when it was on ABC, all my grandparents on both sides were still alive. But I feel like when it comes to “Over the Moon,” it sort of spoke to me. I felt like I was in Fei Fei’s shoes, even though I am a twenty-year-old pasty white dude who does not engage in traditions like the Moon Festival.

Now I do not mean that literally, because one of the major plot points in this film is that we see Fei Fei with her family, and they’re clearly happy together. This is not a spoiler, but the mother dies. So much of the movie takes place in times where the effects of the death take place. We see Fei Fei’s struggle to accept the reality, her father meets someone new and she has to deal with their child who according to her, is quite annoying. When the father lets Fei Fei know that he plans to marry this new woman in his life, Fei Fei does not know what to think of it. …I’ve been through this.

You may be wondering, how is this possible? Hey, Jackass! You just said your mother is still alive! What about your father?

He’s still alive! Both parents, thankfully, are still living today, and I am glad to have both in my life. But I went down a similar path in life, and like Fei Fei, the decision to go down this path was not one of my own, it was beyond my control. During the 2010s, my parents separated. At this time, my mother started seeing new people. At first it didn’t seem like anything, but as more people came in, I became incredibly uneasy. Because, not to sound like a manipulative moron, but I really wanted my dad back. My mother remains single to this day. And you know what? I have learned to live my reality, but it does not mean I don’t want him back anymore. If anything, I want him back in a heartbeat. I still see him often, but as someone who still lives with a parent, I would love it if he were still around because I spent years growing without a father figure.

This probably comes down to a basic, repetitive thought process I have. I hate change. There are exceptions, for example, I don’t always want to eat at the same restaurant every week, but I am one of those people who does not see the need to have something shift every so often, or have a bunch of things shift at once. This is part of why 2020 has literally been the Michael Bay dumpster fire explosion that it is for me. And this is also something that the movie dives into, and it explores that idea beautifully. This is why I love Fei Fei as a character, and admittedly, this is why I liked the antagonist. Honestly, some of my favorite movies like “Point Break,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Ready or Not,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” stand where they happen to be because I am not only rooting for the hero, but the antagonistic side is fleshed out, and presents themselves as likable. I do not always have to agree with them, but I at least understand them. The antagonist here works because they are written with the intention to make you feel bad for them. They present an issue that feels down to earth and They are not perfect, they’re just like us.

…I… Have I made it clear as to how much I adore this masterpiece? This was supposed to be a time waster at best! I LOVE THIS MOVIE.

I have read some other reviews for this movie, and according to Metacritic, this film is getting mixed or average reviews so far. I’ll be honest, this film is beyond average. For all I know, maybe I am overhyping the film a little, but you also have to consider, I have been through remarkably familiar situations that this movie presents in regard to the main character’s journey. And I will say that is probably why this got tears out of me, similar to how “Coco” managed to get tears out of others.

“Over the Moon” is a Netflix original, but it feels very much like a Disney classic. In fact, this film is helmed by two people who do not have many directing credits, but they are veterans in the animation genre, tackling revered films like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “The Incredibles,” and “Wreck-It Ralph.” Now I cannot claim I have watched many of Disney’s older animated films, but having watched “Over the Moon,” this is what it felt like all the way. A brilliant score, beautiful images, hyperactive and likable characters, touching moments, and EPIC numbers. There is one that I have been playing on a loop not only during this review, but as I wrote my review for Liam Neeson’s “Honest Thief.” Remember how “Frozen” became that movie where you have songs from it play on loop? “Let It Go?” More like “Let It Stop!” Honestly, those songs are annoying as hell. I could barely even get past that first movie. “Over the Moon” trounces “Frozen” in every way. And I do sort of apologize to John Kahrs, one of the directors for this film, as he was an animator for “Frozen,” but I am just being honest.

I mentioned that score, and I’ll say that Steven Price composed said score. Price already has an Oscar under his belt for his score that he did for “Gravity.” This score is just as epic. Time will tell as to whether I’ll end up listening to the musical score for this film repeatedly, but it was boisterous in the theater. It really fit the adventure feel this film was going for.

The vibe for this movie is perfect. It fits the wondrous animation style, where everything looks like it’s a wacky world in “Tron” if it were on acid. I have a feeling that part of the space world in this film, where much of it takes place, looks like what a child would imagine Disney World looks like in a crazy dream before they set foot there. Little sidenote, if you’re of age and want to drop acid during this movie, I won’t stop you. This looks like a TRIP. “Over the Moon” is fast paced to the point where many kids will watch it and enjoy it, and I think some adults will get a kick out of it too. There are a couple kiddy jokes here and there, but they did work every once in a while and felt more charming than annoying for the most part. And again, this movie does what Pixar has often set out to do. Take an adult issue, put it in a kids movie, and make you cry about it. I cried more during this movie than I did during “Up,” and I think a little more than I did during “Inside Out,” and THAT says something. “Over the Moon’s” third act is probably my favorite this year, maybe aside from “Tenet,” as it is probably the most satisfying. It is the one that made me let out the most emotion. I walked out of the auditorium once the movie ended and started asking myself what it was I just saw. I could barely even concentrate driving home because I was in such disbelief. Usually when I use that word, disbelief, it is about something atrocious. This time the opposite is true. I cannot believe how exceptional “Over the Moon” is, and I feel like I am one of the few people who even knows what this movie is. I do not know how well it will do once it stays on Netflix for awhile, but I really hope for those families who have the service, it becomes part of their family movie night, because this movie took this twenty-year-old, and made him feel like he was five. If the spectacular images and music did not do that already, the emotional writing certainly did.

With that said, I know Netflix is more about the home viewing business, but I really hope Netflix considers leaving this film in whatever theaters it can for a while, because it is such a spectacle on the big screen that is better than almost any other movie I watched this year. Again, “Tenet” is the only other the competes with it in terms of visuals. I have a feeling this will inspire young children not only to reach for the stars, but maybe some will want to become animators. This feels carefully crafted, and I’m gonna use that analogy again. This reminds me of a better Pixar film. Honestly, this film is better than most of the content that we’ve gotten from Pixar in the past 4 or 5 years.

I do not know if this film will be remembered in the same way that many other animated films are, but I will not forget it. That is for sure.

In the end, “Over the Moon” accomplished every goal it set out to do. Create likable characters, fulfill each character’s arch, write and unleash epic songs and music, show off marvelous animation, and create something that both kids and adults will adore. This movie made me feel like a kid again. Sometimes like a baby. The cast from Cathy Ang to Phillipa Soo to Ken Jeong are all incredible. This is a movie that I thought would be watchable, but SO GOOD that I would consider subscribing to Netflix? That’s another level! “Roma” and “Marriage Story” were great movies. Masterpieces in fact! But I do not remember saying that I would want to subscribe to Netflix to watch them again afterwards. I am already paying for a few services, but I might actually subscribe to Netflix JUST to watch this again. “Stranger Things?” “House of Cards?” “The Witcher?” Who cares? I just want to cue that “Over the Moon” movie again! I do not know if I will let out man tears during another movie this year like I did for this one.

Throughout the year 2020, I watched movies like “The Vast of Night,” “Tenet,” “The Last Shift,” and “Yellow Rose,” all of them are great. But as I reviewed each one, I can’t say that they’ve earned what I’m going to give “Over the Moon.” For the first time in 2020, I’m going to give “Over the Moon” a 10/10!

FINALLY. That’s all I can say. FINALLY. I cannot even believe that it took me 10 months to find a movie that I would consider to be within my top grade. Let me just say, 10/10 does not always mean perfect, because no movie is perfect. But when your movie is this imaginative, marvelously put together, and as big of a surprise as it is, it prompts you to grade it with a 10. This started off feeling like a generic kids movie, with a little something else added to it, by the end it is one of the greatest stories I’ve had the pleasure to experience myself.

Once again, this review is dedicated to Audrey Wells, who previously had credits for films including “The Game Plan,” “The Hate U Give,” and “A Dog’s Purpose.” I will say that I have not seen all those films. But “Over the Moon” honestly moved me to a point where I was shook. I was glued to my chair. It made me want to dream bigger, aim higher, and as someone who had to face new people come into a parent’s love life, I related to this movie 100%. Audrey Wells, if you read this from above, other people finished your masterpiece, and I also want to throw in some praise for Jennifer Yee McDevitt for her work on the screenplay as well, but you deserve all the credit from the moon and back. To everyone who reads this. Dream. Dream young, dream old, dream on your deathbed, and dream even in the afterlife. Wells, your movie is here, and people are going to love it. Mark my words.

Rest in peace.

Thanks for reading this review! FINALLY a 10/10 movie in 2020! I never thought I would see that! I never thought we’d get movies period! But here we are! All I can say is that if everyone’s giving Pixar’s “Soul” high praise right now, I can only imagine how that movie would turn out in comparison to “Over the Moon” because this is by far my favorite movie of 2020. There have been a bunch of movies that I have debated would fit the top spot by the end of the year. That debate is over, “Over the Moon” trounces the other candidates. As far as my next review goes, that is likely still being decided, but I will make sure I can see something and write about it as quick as possible. Maybe I’ll watch “The Witches” on HBO Max, who knows? If you want to see more great content from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or a WordPress account! Be sure to check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Over the Moon?” What did you think about it? Also, what is your favorite movie of 2020 so far? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Honest Thief (2020): About a Man with a Wicked Set of Skills

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Honest Thief” is directed by Mark Williams and stars Liam Neeson (Taken, The Commuter), Kate Walsh (The Umbrella Academy, Grey’s Anatomy), Robert Patrick (Scorpion, True Blood), Anthony Ramos (Trolls World Tour, Godzilla: King of the Monsters), Jeffrey Donovan (Sicario, Burn Notice), and Jai Courtney (Suicide Squad, Divergent). This film follows a bank robber who meets a girl, falls in love, and aspires to spend his life with her. Although, because he wants to live a clean life, he requests to turn himself in for a reduced sentence, only to have every moment of his be interfered by two FBI agents.

There is not much playing in theaters right now in regards to new content, but “Honest Thief” did just debut this past weekend, and I managed to see it on the first Thursday it was playing. So, I consider myself lucky in getting to review another movie during a year which nothing really has happened. “Honest Thief,” marketing-wise, comes off as another cliche action flick starring Liam Neeson, and as far as the final product goes, that is pretty much what it is. If you’ve seen other action flicks starring Liam Neeson, this will seem stylistically similar to those. This is not exactly a punch to the face as far as this movie is concerned, because I will admit, I did enjoy myself from start to finish. This is not Shakespeare, but it is a damn good time, and worth the price of admission if you choose to support the film during its theatrical run. I am one of those people who will state that every movie is better in a theater, but I think many people would agree that action flicks are pretty much essential viewing on the big screen.

This movie has it all! Combat, shootouts, chases, and so on! This movie is worth it all the way through if you want to see some fun action scenes. Neeson carries the film quite well and I almost cannot imagine anyone else playing his character, even though this movie takes place in Massachusetts and almost embellishes that from start to finish. So if this is remade in 5 or 10 years, who knows? Maybe Ben Affleck, Chris Evans, or Matt Damon could step in. They’re competent actors from the area! Why not give them a shot? This is not a complaint against Liam Neeson. Again, he portrayed the lead role with excellence.

I will say once again, this movie is not Shakespeare, but it does not mean I failed to get attached to anyone on board. Liam Neeson’s character, Tom, is very likable. His love interest, played excellently by Kate Walsh, is also pleasing to watch. Their first scene together, is admittedly a little sappy, but that also brings me to one of my biggest compliments about the film. Despite how this film is a masculine adrenaline rush of an action flick, I was still able to feel some sense of emotion all the way through.

I also really liked the film’s antagonists. I will try not to spoil too much about the film, but I will point out that the antagonists are these two FBI agents who meet with Tom as he is trying to turn himself in. The police reveal that plenty of people have called them trying to claim they were the bank robber they were looking for, and when these two FBI agents find out this guy is for real, they try to take advantage of his earnings. I kind of like their motivation and the depth behind their backstories, especially when it comes to the character of Ramon Hall, played by Anthony Ramos. He’s got a kid, and it is brought up that when it comes to the amount of money at stake, one would probably want it all just to take care of a kid without a worry in the world. This movie is not going to be remembered as the greatest story ever told, but this side story from one of the villains did add something to the film itself.

I don’t know what it is about recent action films and dogs, I mean, “John Wick” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” if you can call it an action film, have become iconic because of their dogs and the scenes they’re in. Some of the best chemistry in this film comes from this tiny little dog, and Jeffrey Donovan. This comes from a guy who loathes dogs in real life, but even I will admit that every moment these two were on screen together amused me.

I will point out once again, “Honest Thief” is a pretty good action film, but that does not mean it does not come without flaws. For starters, despite how good it is, it really just covers the basics. Yes, you’ve got a kick-ass Liam Neeson who is not really phoning it in. You’ve got some slick-looking action. You’ve got a story that goes from point A to point B. But there’s nothing really that changes the game. It’s familiar content. Familiar is not always the worst adjective however, I enjoyed the familiarity of this movie. This movie is like that one cheap pizza place you may end up always ordering from. It may not be the best, but with the close location and inexpensive options, it makes itself pretty attractive. It’s a good pizza that gets the job done, nothing more. If you want to watch a good action movie, watch “Honest Thief,” but if you want to watch a great action movie, I don’t know, here’s another example with Liam Neeson, put on “Taken!” Skip the sequels, just watch the first one. Although parts of the third one are good. …Just, skip “Taken 2.” I’ve pretty much forgotten almost all of it by now.

If I had to state any other notable cons, it would probably just be one particular scene two thirds the way through the movie. I know that this movie does not have the biggest budget in the world, but given how it is 2020, the effects that a movie has should look at least somewhat real. To be completely honest, there’s this scene past the midway point of the movie with this really big explosion, the fire effects in that scene, especially towards the end, looked like they came from a middle of the road movie that came out in 2003.

Liam Neeson’s character of Tom, otherwise known as the In and Out Bandit, which… WHY DID THIS MOVIE NOT TAKE PLACE IN CALIFORNIA? What a missed opportunity! You know what? This guy’s from Massachusetts! He should be called the Dunkin and Dunkout Bandit! He’s on the run on Dunkin’! Anyway, this character took a lot of money from banks. Thankfully, this movie did not feel as if it was robbing me from start to finish. If you have a chance, give it a shot! I’d give it a thumbs up.

In the end, “Honest Thief” is a bit basic, somewhat familiar, but is entertaining enough to pass the time. Is it worth seeing in the theater? Well that depends. There’s not much playing at the cinema, and I know not everyone wants to go to the cinema. If you don’t want to see this in a cinema, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is out for home viewing by sometime next year. But if you choose to go to a theater and you want something big and loud, this is almost your best option unless “Unhinged” and “Tenet” are playing somewhere near you. If you are a fan of Liam Neeson, you like action, and you just want to see somebody kick some asses, this may be a good movie for you. Just because it has been done before, does not mean it is terrible. I am going to give “Honest Thief” a 7/10. So far I’ve seen two Liam Neeson movies this year. This one, and “Made in Italy.” I’ve stated positive thoughts on both films, so in my book, Neeson is 2 for 2 in 2020. Well done!

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for an unusual film. That my friends is the brand new animated musical “Over the Moon,” which hits Netflix October 23rd. Right now it is playing at select theatres if you want to see it early. I played a song from the movie on a loop as I did my review for “Honest Thief.”

…Take that as a hint for how good this movie is. I cannot wait to talk about it!

Be sure to follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account so you can stay tuned for more great content! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Honest Thief?” What did you think about it? Or, what are your thoughts on the “Taken” franchise? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Yellow Rose (2019): Bigger Than Texas, Bigger Than Gold

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Yellow Rose” is directed by Diane Paragas (NextWorld, Brooklyn Boheme) and stars Eva Noblezada, Dale Watson, Princess Punzalan, and Lea Salonga (Aladdin, Mulan). This film follows a 17-year-old Filipina, who also happens to be part of a family of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. When Rose Garcia’s mother gets picked up by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, she runs off and attempts to adapt to a new life and new reality as she aspires to become a country singer in Austin, Texas.

This movie played at a plethora of film festivals in 2019. Not only did this film get to play at these film festivals, but it did something else. WIN. On IMDb, there is a list of the many festivals in which this movie played. At almost every single one, it took home whatever each festival’s equivalent to Best Picture happens to be. It’s that good. Simply from the awards potential and what it has racked up so far, I had high expectations for this film. At the same time, it’s 2020, the year where each day I wonder if the next one is going to be less intolerable than the one before. For those who must know, it’s not like we have not had any good films this year. “Tenet,” “Summerland,” and “The Last Shift” are incredible. I’ll also happily defend “Impractical Jokers: The Movie” until the day I die! It’s worth a watch, trust me! Check it out on HBO Max!

In all seriousness, I saw “Yellow Rose” in an empty theater, given how cinemas are the only way you can watch this movie. Over the past couple year, we’ve had quite a few music-based movies that became popular, including “A Star is Born,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Yesterday.” Honestly, I’d rather forget that last one, it’s terrible. Here’s some good news. “Yellow Rose” is not as bad as yesterday.

Here’s some GREAT news… “Yellow Rose” is one of the best movies of the year!

This year in general started off fine, became bad, it’s gotten worse, and it hasn’t stopped progressing down the rabbit hole in terms of how terrible it truly is. For movies, it’s kind of the opposite point of view. We started off with a couple duds, got some good movies here and there, but overall, this year has been nothing special. We were so spoiled in 2019 with movies like “Parasite,” “Knives Out,” “Marriage Story,” and “Ready or Not.” But I will say one thing about this year, that’s kind of like last year. The sweet stuff comes later. And trust me, “Yellow Rose” is, in the words of Peter Griffin, freakin’ sweet.

Now I don’t know if this movie will be for everyone, specifically because the main character and her mother are living in the United States illegally, so I imagine some people will look at this movie, witness the main character, and simply ignore it. Movies are not made for everybody, that is the subjectivity of film. But when it comes to how this film tells this story, you cannot deny its power. You cannot deny its impact. I honestly don’t care about the status of our main character, because overall she is incredibly likable. I am a legal citizen of the United States. That is something which I will admit I have not been proud to say in recent years, but that’s not the point. Nevertheless, I enjoyed how the film deals with its issues, themes, and overall conflict.

Not only is “Yellow Rose” a great film about an aspiring artist, but it is a fantastic film about being an illegal in the United States. You’re trying to get by, you may not have the best accommodations, although you’re managing, and when it comes to dealing with I.C.E., it’s a brutal game of hardball. At the same time, even WITHOUT that, this film is still a lively presentation of how someone aspires to be something bigger than themselves, which is a story I enjoy from time to time. Minus the legality factor, I related to the character Rose. From the first five or so minutes of the film, I was instantly hooked from just seeing her on screen. And I’ll tell ya why. Like her, I have enormous aspirations. I spend all my time in my room. I’m a creative type. And there’s even a scene where I got the sense that she hides her creative self from other people. My eyes lit up from that very moment, and I knew I was in for what could possibly be the best movie of the year. By the way, Rose is played by Eva Noblezada, this is her first role that is not on a stage, and it is PERFECT. I do not think she will win Best Actress, but for a first performance, I could not be happier.

Speaking of songs, there are a lot of them in this movie, and there is a good chance that I’ll listen to some of them again. I will say though, one of the few cons, and there are not that many, that I have with “Yellow Rose” is despite the fact that “Yellow Rose” heavily centers around music, I don’t remember many of the songs in the film or the lyrics of said songs. At the same time, this stands true for much of the music I enjoy, so I could debunk this. Nevertheless, no movie’s perfect. This is a philosophy that has stood true for years, and I am willing to abide by it. This is not to say the songs suck, and I will say that many of them are spectacular, but a flaw’s a flaw.

If I had to say anything else about this movie, this came out at the perfect time for me. I still live with a parent, but I can see myself starting my own life pretty soon. This girl, embodies me as someone who sees their future and even a little bit of their present, and it ain’t always pretty. I can’t always rely on the best transportation, I make things up as I go along, and the living conditions may not always be great. I am very thankful to have such an incredible life right now where I can get three meals a day, and maybe a little more. This movie made me appreciate what people, regardless of their legality, go through just to survive. This movie is not only relatable, but emotionally gripping. My eyes and ears were engaged from start to finish, and it never let me go. In this wreck of a year, we need more movies like “Yellow Rose.”

In the end, “Yellow Rose” is quite high on my must see list! The film is only available in theaters now, which I will say, as usual, I get it, not everyone wants to go to the movies. But, if you are one of those people who wants to go see a movie, “Yellow Rose” is mandatory viewing. If you don’t enjoy the movie, maybe you’ll enjoy the songs. Who knows? This movie deals with multiple stories and issues, with each one coming out to top notch perfection. “Tenet” is one of the big movies out right now, and it has gotten a lot of attention, but if you want to support something with a smaller budget, I implore you to watch “Yellow Rose.” Again, some of the songs are not that memorable, but that could change upon listening to the album or a second viewing. And you bet I will want to participate in a second viewing because I’m going to give “Yellow Rose” a 9/10!

Now, IMDb technically lists this as a 2019 movie, but it came out for a public theatrical release in 2020, so I am going to count this as a 2020 film. With that being said, this may be my favorite film of 2020. I’m a little torn between this and a couple other films, but I am glad that 2020 has picked up the pace movie-wise. I’m really hoping we can get a 10/10 movie by the end of the year, but I’m so happy. By the way, about that 10/10. THIS MOVIE CAME SO CLOSE that I almost gave it that score. Maybe things will change with a second viewing! We’ll have to see!

Thanks for reading this review! Pretty soon I’m going to have my review up for “Honest Thief” starring Liam Neeson. I hope to publish my thoughts on that film by the end of next week. School may be keeping me a little busy during these times. Be sure to follow Scene Before either with an email or a WordPress account so you can stay tuned for more great content! Also, check out my Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Yellow Rose?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite piece of music, either song or score, from a movie this year? For me, it has to be the “Tenet” score, Ludwig Göransson created a banger! Leave your thoughts down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The 3rd Annual Jackoff Awards ANNOUNCEMENT TRAILER (Coming Winter 2021)

Posted on by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! In a world where everything gets cancelled, I refuse to join in on that tradition! I want to remind my viewers, including the 50 plus followers who have dedicated their time toward this blog, that one of my big yearly traditions, which has occasionally been hanging in the balance, is still on. BY THE WAY, thanks for 50 followers, you all rock! I want to remind you all that the 3rd Annual Jackoff Awards is happening. It won’t be cancelled, and it is going to likely going to take something completely catastrophic to keep the show from happening. Examples include but are not limited to: An asteroid plummeting the United States, a government-wide Internet or movie ban, or my eventual death and I don’t find a heir to take over Flicknerd.com.

For those who don’t know about the Jackoff Awards, this is an annual event where I reflect on the movies of the year and celebrate the achievements of the filmmakers behind said year. And trust me, 2020 could use some celebrations at this point. I reference all the movies I saw, regardless of how much I enjoyed them. I share some comedy bits, related videos to some portion of the entertainment industry, for the past couple years I’ve been doing Film Improvements, which I plan to have another edition of when winter rolls around. I’m planning on altering the rules to adjust for the pandemic. Mainly, I want to make sure that certain movies that were going to play in theaters that DIDN’T play in theaters, but still came out in some way, will get their fair share. For example, in the United States, “An American Pickle” came out on HBO Max as an exclusive, but before that release, it was scheduled to premiere in theaters. Therefore, that movie is eligible for a Jackoff nomination. I also want to point out that the way we do Best Picture will also depend on how people watch movies by the end of the year. Are there enough films getting attention? We’ll have to see what happens, but this may be a different kind of ceremony than usual.

The 3rd Annual Jackoff Awards is officially set to come out sometime during Winter 2021. There is no official release date yet as it will depend on whether I hit a target number of movies I want to see, or if there is an important movie that I don’t want to miss out on. For those of you think I am not committed enough to pull off a Jackoffs show during a pandemic, here’s a trailer to suggest otherwise!

The War with Grandpa (2020): Boomer vs. Zoomer

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The War with Grandpa” is directed by Tim Hill (Alvin and the Chipmunks, Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever) and stars Robert De Niro (Joker, The Irishman), Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction, Batman & Robin), Rob Riggle (The Hangover, Holey Moley), Oakes Fegley (Pete’s Dragon, The Goldfinch), Laura Marano (Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Austin & Ally), Cheech Marin (The Lion King, Cars), Jane Seymour (Live and Let Die, East of Eden), and Christopher Walken (The Jungle Book, The Deer Hunter). This film centers around a young boy who is excited to see his grandfather move into his home. Although things go sideways when the boy finds out that his grandfather will be taking his room, and he has to move to the attic. Peter declares war against his grandfather, and does whatever he can to get his room back.

This movie is directed by Tim Hill, a name from my childhood, who quite frankly, I did not know was a name from my childhood. He directed “Hop,” which I did not see. He wrote “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie,” which I did see. In fact, when it comes to that franchise in particular, he was heavily involved. He also co-write and directed what could arguably be the worst television movie in history, “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever.” I didn’t want to watch it, my grandmother made me do it, so the fact that I was ever exposed to that hairball is most certainly not my fault. Although throughout his years as a creator, much of his work has been specifically for families. I can’t say he’s had the best track record, I mean when you have 2007’s “Alvin and the Chipmunks” on your resume, it doesn’t exactly scream “masterpiece.” Then again, he’s been around for “SpongeBob SquarePants,” back when the show tried, so there is that. Had I known who was involved with this film behind the camera, I probably would have had a bad taste in my mouth. But I would have possibly seen the movie anyway because I need content. Or if I had no review blog to begin with, I would have ignored this film all together. Sure, it has Robert De Niro playing a grandpa, and De Niro is a solid actor. But didn’t he play a grandpa four years ago? Remember “Dirty Grandpa?” That sadistically awful travesty on a platter? Yeah, I would rather shove an iPhone up my butt than watch that again!

With that said, I did watch the trailer for “The War with Grandpa” a few times, and I was fairly amused from one time to the next. It did get a laugh out of me the first time I watched it, so I thought, “Okay, this could work.” And did it work? Sort of.

The concept of this movie is fantastic. It’s entertaining for adults, relatable for kids. In fact, this movie sort of reminded me of “Home Alone,” if they took one concept from the movie, mixed around with it, and had a field day with it. All the scenes where the main kid is at war with his grandfather makes the price of admission worth it. There are also a few unrelated scenes that manage to make me laugh as well. There’s one character played by Cheech Marin who’s trying to feel young in his old body, he plays the part well. Rob Riggle is pretty charming, although ever since I’ve seen him commentate for “Holey Moley” I don’t know if there is a way I cannot display unbiased appreciation for him. There’s also a pretty fun scene that takes place in a Sky Zone.

Unfortunately, the rest of the movie is relatively mediocre. You know how there are some people who obsess over Christmas like it is the meaning of life? Look, I get it. It’s a fun holiday. BUT CALM DOWN. There is a young girl in this movie who is utterly obsessed with Christmas, that she sings carols 24/7, wants to watch movies like “Frosty the Snowman,” and keep in mind, it’s not even that time of year yet as far as this movie is concerned! Also, I get this is a kids movie, but do they seriously make holiday themed bouncy houses? You’d figure with the cold weather that would not normally be feasible! This movie does not exactly insult your intelligence, but it most certainly makes you question your purpose on earth, as if 2020 hasn’t done that enough. I hate Christmas songs around the holidays because they all sound the same and they REPEAT ALL THE TIME, the fact that I have to hear a couple in October gets me a little antsy! It’s not even Halloween yet! This script feels like it’s written by an 11-year-old. I am all for a movie where a boy and his grandfather go to war over a bedroom. A BEDROOM. It’s a silly concept, but this movie has too much silly behind it to make it worthwhile!

And sure, the girl who was obsessed with Christmas got on my nerves, but you want to know who also got my nerves quite a bit? The mother in this freaking movie! For the record, I felt indifferent for the mother character for the most part, but whenever she’s dealing with her grown daughter, that’s when the wheels start to flail off the wagon. I say that because the grown daughter in this movie has a boyfriend, her mother doesn’t trust her, yada yada yada. It’s cliche, annoying, and an all-round eye-roller. Seriously, by the end of this movie, this plot line in particular becomes monstrously annoying!

This movie has a great cast, an interesting concept, some okay scenes, solid chemistry, but it will probably be deemed an unmemorable mess by yours truly. There is really nothing to write home about when it comes to this movie. A lot of it is ordinary, been there, done that. Maybe kids will watch it a second time, but they take this extraordinary cast and waste all of them! These are talented people! Critical acclaim! Academy Awards! BAFTAs! The whole nine yards! And they’re all wasted in this family film that will probably belong in the $4 DVD bin at Walmart one day! Robert De Niro! What happened?! You were in TWO Academy Award movies last year! Now we get this! I also heard this movie was originally supposed to come out in 2018, but it kept getting pushed back and now this is what we get. This movie was shot in May 2017. That was BEFORE “The New Mutants!” The “X-Men” spinoff that finally came out! Yeah, f*cking crazy! That other film, “The New Mutants,” shot from July to September of the same year! So is “The New Mutants” going to continue being the butt of the joke when it comes to delays? Because I think “The War with Grandpa” may be a worthy competitor!

In the end, “The War with Grandpa” has everything a middle of road, whimsical live-action family film has to offer. Adults acting goofy, entitled children, a quick pace, and extremely forced moderate laughter. This felt like “Daddy’s Home” if it didn’t take place during Christmas. Completely different storylines, but the vibe is pretty much the same! Unlike many other movies that I have seen and didn’t like, I did not hate myself upon finishing it. To be real, there are a couple vastly entertaining parts, but they’re bogged down by some ear-screeching, cringe-inducing characters and a lackluster script. I am going to give “The War with Grandpa” a 5/10. Thanks for reading this review! If you want to read more of Scene Before’s great content, be sure to check out my review for Amazon’s “Time.” Also, I might see another movie this weekend. I’ve heard some solid things about “Yellow Rose,” so I might check that out ASAP. If you want to see more content like this, follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account and check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The War with Grandpa?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite memory with a grandparent? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!