Comedy

Haunted Heist (2025): Lil Rel Howrey’s Middle of the Road Directorial Debut Has Good Ideas, Funny Jokes, But an Underwhelming Climax

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Haunted Heist” is directed by Lil Rel Howrey (Uncle Drew, Judas and the Black Messiah), who also stars in the film alongside Tiffany Haddish (Night School, Girls Trip). This is also Lil Rel Howrey’s directorial debut. The film is about four estranged friends who reunite at a strange house. As one of these friends plans to rob an antique from the house, its ghosts force the friends to overcome their differences to survive.

We need more comedies in theaters. This is an imperative you are likely going to hear on this blog for who knows how long. It is not to say that there are no funny movies at all, it is just that most of the comedy found in today’s films come from projects that are not necessarily comedies. While “Haunted Heist” is not a pure comedy, it is still more of a comedy than most of the movies hitting cinemas. In fact, “Haunted Heist” features several people known for their comedic talents, including Lil Rel Howrey, who also serves as the film’s director.

This is not the first time in recent years we have seen people known for comedy diving into horror. Jordan Peele took a dive into the genre with “Get Out” in 2017, which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. That said, “Haunted Heist” is no “Get Out.” And I am certain the people making this movie acknowledge that. They know that this is not going to win any Academy Awards, but it does not mean the film is not entertaining. It contains a likable cast of characters who play off each other fairly well. The film is simple in premise, characterization, and for the most part, is all killer, no filler. It is not overly gory, but it can deliver on creeps and laughs at the same time.

This is a good, but not fantastic movie. It is one that I felt never once wasted a second of my time. It would have been shocking for me to feel that this movie wasted my time, especially considering the film’s runtime clocks in just under an hour and a half. This is a quick, easy, fairly mindless, fun watch. It does not insult anyone’s intelligence, but it also never breaks new ground. The scares are not exactly revolutionary, but they work from time to time. In fact, despite this movie having “haunted” in the title, I think the film’s comedy elements are slightly better than its horror elements. Whether or not this is a sign that you should see the movie is up to you. As previously highlighted, the cast contains a lot of people who are primarily known for comedy. Lil Rel Howrey…  Tiffany Haddish…  Andrew Bachelor… By the way, if you have never seen Bachelor do standup, do yourself a favor and find out if you can catch him at a show near you. I saw Jo Koy do standup in Portland, Maine, and Bachelor, or “King Bach” as he’s known on stage, opened for him. I split my sides from laughing so hard. Is he as hilarious on screen as he was on stage? Not quite, but he was still pretty funny. If anything, it is more of a matter of the material given to him as opposed to his presence. King Bach has a likable presence in this film, as do the other cast members, including the villains, who are undoubtedly two of the most racist characters in any movie I will probably end up watching this year. I am not complaining, these are the antagonists. If anything, as far as “bad guys” go, these characters were a perfect fit.

Despite what I just said, the film manages to deliver plenty of laughs, and I am not going to pretend I remember each and every one, but if I had to name a favorite joke in the movie, it is one involving a white person defending themselves for using the n-word. Although technically it is not so much the white person’s defense that’s funny, but rather a black person’s reaction to their use of the word. Between the timing of the dialogue, the shot selection, and the way everything was edited together, it was perfect. No notes. I am not going to spoil the whole joke. In fact, it is more complicated than it sounds.

The movie does have some problems, including the lighting. I get that much of this movie is set in a haunted house at night, and as a result, the movie is going to look a bit dark. There are some scenes that were a little too dark to the point where certain details felt underemphasized.

I also am not the biggest fan of the climax. Not that I thought the climax was the worst thing I had ever seen, but it felt a bit underwhelming, as if it were promising something bigger that we never got. The story did not conclude on the most satisfying of notes. While this film is well-paced, partially because of its quick and easy runtime, part of me is willing to argue that this film is a smidge too fast. If anything, it would have probably benefited from a slightly longer runtime just so the climax could aim a bit higher. You know how some people watch certain comic book movies and think the climax looks messy due to its sheer scale? This feels like the exact opposite. This is too small.

Another unique thing about this movie’s storytelling is that there does not appear to be a standout character. The film does in a sense put Ron (Howrey) and Shari (Haddish) at the forefront to the point where their characters are more fleshed out than the others, but the screenplay appears to give a nearly equal amount of time to each of the four friends so they can all have their moment. It balances out the cast to a degree, which is good, but it also keeps the characters from being a favorite or a least favorite of mine, which depending on how you look at the situation, could be a good thing or bad thing.

That may as well be a perfect excuse to segway into the fact that this movie kisses the line between good and bad. There are quite a few things I like about the movie, but also a nearly equal amount of things that I do not. But I am not going to pretend that at any point that this movie made me jump for joy or make me want to jab out my eyeballs. “Haunted Heist” is… Fine… Let’s go with that.

In the end, “Haunted Heist” is fun and energetic, but only to a certain degree. To my lack of surprise, the movie comes with some funny moments. But even though it has “haunted” in the title, I very rarely felt any sense of genuine terror or fear throughout the film. There are no scares that come to mind that I despise. Some tend to work. But I would be lying if I said the film made my skin crawl. Once again, this film is the directorial debut of Lil Rel Howrey. This is not the best debut, but I would not mind seeing another comedy done from his point of view. In a world where comedy and horror tend to be all about timing, the comedy was better-timed than the horror. This movie could have been better, but it nevertheless gets a thumbs up from me overall. I am going to give “Haunted Heist” a 6/10.

“Haunted Heist” is now available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, the next episode of the Scene Before original series, Movie Requests, is dropping on Sunday, August 23rd, and it is going to feature Amy Sedaris! You may know Sedaris from many projects including “Strangers with Candy,” “The Mandalorian,” “Elf,” and “At Home with Amy Sedaris,” the last of which is a show I highly recommend if you are able to watch it. It is one of the funniest things ever. The episode will be available to watch on Flicknerd.com and on my YouTube channel. Also, please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you can see the episode as soon as it drops!

My next review is going to be for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “I Want Your Sex,” “The Invite,” and “Cookie Queens.” 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 “Haunted Heist?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie you enjoy that you find to be scary and funny? For me, this is easy. “Ready or Not” and “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” are two bonkers, spectacularly written horror-comedies. Go check them out if you ever get a chance. Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (2026): The Wizard of Oz Meets Hall Pass Meets The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is directed by David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Role Models) and stars Zoey Deutch (Zombieland: Double Tap, Juror No. 2), John Slattery (Mad Men, Spotlight), Ken Marino (Wet Hot American Summer, Burning Love), Miles Gutierrez-Riley (The Wilds, Agatha All Along), Ben Wang (Karate Kid: Legends, American Born Chinese), Sabrina Impacciatore (The Paper, The White Lotus), and Jon Hamm (Mad Men, Keeping Up with the Joneses). This film follows Gail Daughtry, whose husband-to-be winds up having sex with his celebrity hall pass. Once Gail comes to this realization, she realizes there is only one appropriate action to get even… To seek out her celebrity hall pass, Jon Hamm, and have sex with him.

There is a saying that sex sells. Well, unless your sex-centric movie is coming out the same weekend as a highly unnecessary “Moana” remake. Granted, “Moana,” as of this writing, barely made its budget back, so I guess it is not doing as hot as Disney expected. Either way, as I ventured on my quest to avoid the much unneeded “Moana” reimagination, one movie that caught my eye was “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass.” One vision I often have as a potential screenplay but have never been fully able to put together is the idea of someone hooking up with a real life celebrity crush. When I discovered there was a comedy coming out about a woman trying to sleep with Jon Hamm, I knew I had to be there opening weekend.

I am glad to say that “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is not just good, but one of the funniest movies I have seen in some time. I saw this film on its opening weekend at my local multiplex. I was the only person in the 35 seat auditorium. Yes, 35… The room is as small as Rhode Island. It makes me kind of sad that no one showed up to support this movie. But it was also a blessing in disguise, as it allowed me to laugh as hard as humanly possible due to no one else being in sight. And believe me, this movie is full of laughs.

This is “The Wizard of Oz” meets “Hall Pass” meets “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.” No, seriously, if you have seen part of that last example, there is an important point in the story that is vastly similar to that Disney+ original. No, Kevin Bacon is not in this movie. I sincerely Apollo-gize to the 13 people who give a crap.

Another film this reminds me of is “Happy Gilmore 2.” And by that I mean, this film feels like a significantly more watchable version of it. When I watched the long-awaited, gargantuanly inferior sequel to Adam Sandler’s classic, one thing that stood out to me is how many cameos the film had. I remember one or two being funny. I particularly like the Ken Jennings one towards the beginning. But the film as a whole wound up coming off as an excuse to shove in as many recognizable faces as humanly possible to the point where it superseded the importance of the story. It was almost overwhelming. There are plenty of prominent celebrity appearances in “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,” but quite a few of them effectively contribute to the story. There is one scene involving “Weird Al” Yankovic that had me in stitches. Look forward to it.

In today’s world of remakes, “The Wizard of Oz” is a film that I am both shocked and delighted has not been redone as a major release. “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is one of the closest examples that comes to mind of the 1939 movie becoming reimagined for today’s generation. For instance, this film starts in a typical 16:9 ratio one would normally find on a flat-screen TV. But as soon as Gail arrives in Los Angeles, it changes to scope widescreen. Kind of like how the picture changed from black and white to color in “The Wizard of Oz.”

“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” puts a modern twist on the classic hero’s journey that Dorothy takes in “The Wizard of Oz.” However, instead of going from Kansas to a fantasyland, this film’s protagonist flies from Kansas to Los Angeles to fulfill her destiny. One that is undoubtedly much more twisted. …Okay, maybe not, there are no twisters in this movie. During her travels, she meets all kinds of characters along the way, each one dealing with their own hardships. There is Caleb (Ben Wang), who works for the Creative Arts Agency and runs into a complication with said job. There is Vincent (Ken Marino), a former paparazzo who has made it his life’s mission to photograph Jon Hamm himself. There is also Jon Slattery. Yes, that one – whose lack of a social life with Jon Hamm after “Mad Men” quickly becomes evident.

Of course, this movie also features Jon Hamm as himself. I thought the way they used him was perfect, and once again, going back to “The Wizard of Oz,” reminded me a lot of a particular character from that film. One person standing in the way between our heroes and Hamm is Terrance (Tobie Windham), a security guard who repeatedly threatens the group saying he is going to make them sick. Windham is good enough in Terrance’s shoes to the point I honestly cannot imagine anyone else in this minor role. Maybe except Craig Robinson, because when the character first showed up on screen, that is who I thought was playing him for some reason.

This movie feels like a breath of fresh air after having to sit through “The Breadwinner” weeks prior. In fact, one of my complaints about that movie is how much it felt like a commercial. There is no shortage of recognizable brands in this film, but they are used in smart ways. There is a scene where we see Gail and Otto arrive at a hotel in Los Angeles. What follows is a moment that made me die laughing based on what I knew about the Los Angeles tourist scene. I will not give much away, but it involves prominent brands like McDonalds, Starbucks, and Foot Locker.

“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” has so much fun with its perhaps unlikely premise. Much like “Bottoms” did a few years ago, “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” successfully managed to make me believe the unbelievable. The film requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief, but I found myself completely immersed in what this picture had to offer. Everything from the horned-up premise to the over the top antagonist played with excellence by Sabrina Impaccitore to the celebrities getting involved in the story to the hilarious screenplay that sometimes addresses the most minor details in gutbusting ways.

In the end, “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is one of the funniest movies of the past couple years. I may have a bias as this film constantly makes fun of the entertainment industry and Los Angeles, two concepts I hold deep in my heart. Yet at its core, “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is an action-packed adventure that sees someone trying to realize a fantasy that I imagine everyone wants to fulfill at some point in their lives. In 1939, “The Wizard of Oz” showed the world that there is no place like home. Fast forward to 2026, “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” showed the world that there is no place like Jon Hamm’s bed. I am going to give “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” an 8/10.

“Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! In case you missed it, last Sunday, I dropped the newest episode of the Scene Before original series, “Movie Requests!” This newest episode features “Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood, who suggested I should watch “Festen,” also known as “The Celebration!” To find out my thoughts, click the video above! Also, if you enjoy the video, leave a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel, that way you can check out new episodes of the series as soon as they drop!

My next review is going to be for “The Odyssey!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Her Private Hell,” “Haunted Heist,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “I Want Your Sex,” and “The Invite.” 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 “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass?” What did you think about it? Or… Let’s be honest… Who’s your celebrity crush? Just say it! They might be listening and will likely decide right on the spot whether or not they are willing to accept your nonsensical desires. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take! So, Ana de Armas, if you are reading this, I am single. Would you like to go grab an ice cream sometime? Your move. Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Maddie’s Secret (2025): John Early Cooks Up Something Good

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Maddie’s Secret” is the feature length directorial debut of comedian John Early (Search Party, DC League of Super Pets), who also wrote the film himself, and stars as its title character. The cast also includes Kate Berlant (The Moment, A League of Their Own), Eric Rahill (The Paper, Let’s Start a Cult), Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock from the Sun, The Exes), Claudia O’Doherty (Love, Killing It), Conner O’Malley (I Saw the TV Glow, Rap World), Vanessa Bayer (Saturday Night Live, I Love That for You), and Chris Bauer (The Deuce, The Wire). This film is about a woman who is struggling with bulimia while also trying deal with her friendships, her past, and online fame due to her presence on a cooking program.

© 2026 – Magnolia Pictures

It is only appropriate that “Maddie’s Secret” goes by its particular title, because the film itself feels like a secret. Upon its release more than a month ago, “Maddie’s Secret” happened to only play in select locations, including the Boston area. As the movie happened to be playing near me, I thought I would check it out. After all, I have heard decent things about it, and I had no interest in seeing the new “Minions” movie.

“Maddie’s Secret” is no longer just a secret, it is a hidden gem. This movie rocks. If someone were to describe “Maddie’s Secret” to me on the spot and I had no idea what it was, part of me would assume that this film is not for me. Heck, even the name sounds like a straight to DVD title found in the middle of Walmart or a trashy Lifetime original. Do not judge this book by its cover.

© 2026 – Magnolia Pictures

This film stars John Early. When I was watching the opening credits, I was a tad confused, as I thought this film was about a woman, and yet a man is playing the lead. Turns out both of those things are true. Having watched enough “Saturday Night Live,” I cannot say that this is the first time I have seen someone playing a character of an identity that is different than their own. I am surprised to say Early shines as the lead. He does a fantastic job tapping into the character’s emotions, struggles, and occasional excitement. It is not to say the performance is going to win an Oscar, but I was shocked with how much I bought into it. Given the film’s particular lead and tone, I was especially delighted to notice how seriously it takes bulimia. Maybe such a sentiment is not as valid as can be, because, again, I do not have bulimia, nor do I know anyone in my life who does. Not that it is any of my business if I did know someone who secretly had it. But I would love to know what people who have bulimia would think of this film. From a dramatic point of view, this film excellently handles Maddie as she struggles with her eating disorder in more ways than one. This is true when talking about the effects of the disorder itself, her interacting with important characters along the way, and seeing her closest relationships develop, I would love to know how many people would relate to this character or see themselves in this character.

Tone-wise, part of me can imagine an alternate reality where this particular movie would fall apart like a house of cards. I did not see any trailers prior to watching “Maddie’s Secret,” so I was not entirely sure what to expect from this film, but it finds a fine line between comedy and drama. It is never laugh out loud funny, but it is often capable of delivering a chuckle. At other points, it is deeply moving and powerful. “Maddie’s Secret” finds a unique balance in its material, sort of like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” did several years back.

On the surface, this movie seems like it is about someone who finds a passion in cooking and uses it to better her life. To a certain degree, that is true. But as Maddie’s success is on the rise, she is also dealing with a home life that is maybe not all it is cracked to be. She has familial problems lingering in the background. Not to mention, she has bulimia, which is probably one of the most interesting sells one can have when pitching a movie like this. For the record, I have, to my surprise, not heard of the term bulimia nervosa prior to watching this movie. If anything, I am glad I watched “Maddie’s Secret” simply because it put a spotlight on the concept.

Speaking of characters I admire, another one in this film is Julie, played diligently by Vanessa Bayer. From scene one, she has a massive pinch of enthusiasm and often maintains a youthful spirit. She comes into the film at an integral point in Maddie’s journey, where things are not particularly going as great as they could be. Despite the movie getting serious at this point, Julie’s presence calmed the vibe down in a sense. Julie is a character that I could see certain viewers finding annoying, but that is not the case for yours truly.

This movie is a bit down to earth on its more dramatic moments, but tends to sometimes jump the shark in its more comedic scenes. The biggest example that comes to mind is when Maddie initially finds success on social media. Not that I have any problem with how the movie presented her success, but shortly after, she has a meeting with her boss, who tells Maddie that she breached her contract with the company. So, instead of being fired, Maddie becomes an on-camera personality within said company. Debatably, the movie jumps the shark just enough in this scene, if the company sees money, then why not follow it?

To my surprise, this film is also one of the more gorgeous-looking ones I have seen recently. For starters, some of the lighting really pops. There is one intimate scene in particular that is neatly colored. Also, this may be a tad unexpected to say because this project deals with an eating disorder, but with the story centering itself around food, it is not always easy to keep your mouth from watering, except for the occasional over the top, gross scene. This movie does not quite get as gross as say “The Substance,” but there are select visuals that are slightly off-putting. Even with a moment or two that made me want to look away, I could not keep my eyes off of “Maddie’s Secret.”

© 2026 – Magnolia Pictures

In the end, “Maddie’s Secret” is an engaging movie that delivers a one of a kind vision from John Early. While none of performances in “Maddie’s Secret” are going to win any major awards, each one fits perfectly within the context of the project. The dialogue is also often perfectly timed and realized. There is a perfect pace to many of the film’s lines. I have no idea if this is a film that is going to have any replay value down the line, but I do think it is worth watching at least once. “Maddie’s Secret” is, if nothing else, a totally unique dramedy, and I am going to give it a 7/10.

“Maddie’s Secret” is now available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! Also, be sure to check out my latest episode of Movie Requests! It is an original video series where I ask your favorite stars what movies they think I should talk about! In this episode, I review Elijah Wood’s request, “Festen,” aka “The Celebration!” If you want to watch the episode, click the video above! Also, be sure to like the video on YouTube and subscribe to my channel if you want to see new episodes of Movie Requests as soon as they drop!

My next review is going to be for “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass.” Stay tuned! Also, coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “The Odyssey,” “Her Private Hell,” “Haunted Heist,” “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “I Want Your Sex,” and “The Invite.” 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 “Maddie’s Secret?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite movie revolving around food? One recommendation that comes to mind is “Chef.” It is a fantastic story with clever writing, good performances, and it makes you hungry. It is excellent. Check it out! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Jackass: Best and Last (2026): Old Meets New in This Big Pile of Laughs

Posted on by Jack Drees

© 2026 – Paramount Pictures

“Jackass: Best and Last” is directed by Jeff Tremaine, who also directed the previous “Jackass” movies. This film’s cast includes Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee Man, Dave England, Danger Ehren, Preston Lacy, Poopies, Zach Holmes, Jasper, Rachel Wolfson, and Dark Shark. This is the fifth, and supposedly final “Jackass” movie, which showcases a mix of old and new stunts, footage, and shenanigans from its team of foolish daredevils.

When I watch movies, I traditionally make an effort to check out any previous installments before seeing the big, fancy, new installment. In 2015, I binged all the “Fast & Furious” movies before watching “Furious 7” in the theater. In 2017, I did that with the “xXx” movies before watching “Return of Xander Cage.” In the case of “Jackass: Best and Last,” I cannot say I have taken monumental efforts to familiarize myself with the lore of the property. Granted, what is there that I need to know aside from the basics? A freakshow named Johnny is the head honcho, and people do stupid, nonsensical things for others’ amusement.

I have put on an episode of “Jackass” here and there and found myself entertained. I am a casual watcher. When it comes to the movies, the only one I have seen is “Jackass Forever,” the installment prior to this newest one. But I had such a balls out time watching that film in theaters that I knew I had to be at the next “Jackass” movie opening weekend. Little did I know, sitting in that AMC auditorium as a 22-year-old college student that the following film would probably be the last one.

I am not going to pretend I had any kind of raw, emotional connection to the “Jackass” franchise. Had I watched it more, this film would have served as a more emotionally fulfilling conclusion perhaps. I know names from the franchise. I know faces from the franchise. Though it is not like I had MTV on all the time growing up watching these hooligans engage in tomfoolery. Though with a film like “Jackass: Best and Last,” this is not necessarily something in which I would need an emotional connection to fully enjoy. Watching grown men hurt themselves, while painful for those on the receiving end, is also sometimes hilarious.

In addition to its comedic emphasis, “Jackass” also has a dramatic factor, almost like watching Tom Cruise hang on the side of a plane like he did in “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.” Only thing is, typically as I am watching Cruise pull off a big stunt, it is for a work of fiction. I would imagine if Cruise, in real life, did not pull a stunt like that off and perhaps died while trying to do so, the work would be scrapped. As I am watching some of the stunts in “Jackass: Best and Last,” I have a strong feeling that everyone involved is going to be okay. In fact, this movie appears to have fewer stakes than ever considering how it is using a lot of older footage. Yet at the same time, I am watching some of these clips and part of me simply wants to look away because I am nervous that the person in said clip is going to get hurt, possibly killed.

It does not mean the clips are not funny. In fact, even though I have seen some of these clips already, such as “Magic Trick,” they hold up after some time. That said, it is slightly disappointing to have the last movie of the franchise be a greatest hits compilation. If anything, it feels somewhat lazy compared to having the cast go all out and commit to doing their most ambitious dares yet from start to finish. At the same time, I kind of get it, some of the cast members are not spring chickens. That said, this feels more like a combined series finale with a clip show. It is kind of like when “Seinfeld” had a big final episode, as well as a separate retrospective. Only in the case of this latest “Jackass” installment, it is as if those episodes were combined into one project.

Of all the “Jackass” projects, I would have imagine that “Jackass: Best and Last” may be the weakest entry point of the franchise. Not necessarily because the main cast has aged, but rather because the movie feels the most like a love letter to those who stuck around so long. This movie feels like a culmination at times, as if it were building up to something. When I watched the last movie, “Jackass Forever,” there was no real buildup or culmination. It was just a group of people acting like idiots the entire time, and somehow it worked. This is not to say that “Jackass: Best and Last” has a plot or a story. Things happen, of course, but as a “Jackass” movie, this has more layers than I would expect.

Yet as I say all this, some of these bits were first time watches for me, like Big Red Rocket from “Jackass Number Two.” As an individual bit, I thought this was quite entertaining, as were some of the other vintage clips like Brad Pitt’s Abduction. While I would have loved to have watched these clips for the first time during their original run, I do appreciate getting an opportunity to have my first experience with these clips be in a theatrical environment with a crowd of people. Granted, it was a small auditorium. It held less than 50 people, which, goes to show the downside of reclined seats in cinemas nowadays. I know people say they are comfortable, but goodness, has the theatre lost a sense of community because of them. Although on that note, there are some scenes in this film that make for some delicious popcorn entertainment, but others that would make for weird watches while eating. Just a warning.

This is supposedly the last “Jackass” movie. There are moments that contribute to its finality and wrap things in a satisfying bow. If it truly is the end, then the franchise has had a good run. Johnny Knoxville and crew have done plenty to entertain the masses over the years, even if they almost killed themselves doing some of those things. But frankly, if the “Jackass” name were to live on without Johnny Knoxville, I might still show up. It is kind of like “Jurassic Park.” It does not matter who is playing the lead as long I get to watch dinosaurs trying to eat people. “Jackass” delivers pure entertainment out of daunting situations, twisted games, and scary stunts. It is balls to the wall fun. “Jackass: Best and Last” is no exception to the rule.

In the end, “Jackass: Best and Last” is a lot of fun, even if it has hints of, admittedly, somewhat understandable laziness. Seeing the main cast and crew come back together one more time made for an absolutely entertaining ride. If this is the end of the road, it is not the worst way to go out. I have no idea if this movie is going to have a ton of replay value down the line. Although if anything, it does make me, as a “Jackass” novice, want to go back and see parts of the franchise that I may have missed. “Jackass: Best and Last” has plenty of laughs and I am going to give it a 7/10.

“Jackass: Best and Last” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! As a reminder, this very blog, Scene Before, is now 10 years old! In honor of the 10th anniversary, I am working on an original video series, Movie Requests, and my next guest who will be on the series is “Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood! I got to meet him in Philadelphia over the spring, and I got to hear his film suggestion. What did he pick? Find out on SUNDAY AUGUST 2ND here on Flicknerd.com! If you want to see the episode as fast as possible, please subscribe to my YouTube channel!

My next review is going to be for “Obsession!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Maddie’s Secret,” “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,” “The Odyssey,” “Her Private Hell,” and “Haunted Heist.” 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 “Jackass: Best and Last?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite “Jackass” episode or movie? Part of me wants to dive into the franchise a bit more, so I will gladly take any recommendations! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Toy Story 5 (2026): An Incredibly Relevant Fifth Entry to Pixar’s Flagship Franchise

Posted on by Jack Drees

Photo by Pixar/Pixar – © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

“Toy Story 5” is directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E) and stars Tom Hanks (Cast Away, The Polar Express), Tim Allen (Last Man Standing, Home Improvement), Joan Cusack (Saturday Night Live, Toys), Conan O’Brien (Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Conan), Scarlett Spears (Wicked: For Good, General Hospital), Greta Lee (Russian Doll, The Morning Show), Shelby Rabara (Steven Universe, Goliath), Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish, Raven’s Home), and Craig Robinson (The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). This film follows an eight-year old Bonnie as her toys watch her become obsessed with a tablet right before their eyes. The sudden shift prompts the toys to wonder about their future, as well as Bonnie’s.

Photo by Pixar/Pixar – © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

I do not know about you, but to me, “Toy Story 5” felt inevitable. This was especially true when “Toy Story 4” came out in 2019, started its box office run with a bang, and ultimately become one of Disney’s several billion-dollar grossers that year. That said, there is something about this franchise that works just about every time. Each story, in some way, tends to justify its existence. Some more than others, but still.

The original “Andy trilogy” remains one of cinema’s most remarkable achievements through its technological feats, great storytelling, likable characters, and balanced presentation that is perfect for all ages. While I found “Toy Story 4” to be much weaker than the original three, I still found the film to be incredibly entertaining. It is also one of the best-looking animated films I have ever seen. There are one or two shots involving a cat that linger in my mind to this day.

When I heard Pixar was doing a “Toy Story 5,” I was onboard. Then I heard what it was about and I knew I was going to get my tickets ASAP. For those who need to know, “Toy Story 5” showcases what happens when modern technology plays an important role in Bonnie’s life, thus prompting her to abandon her toys. I do not have much of a connection to today’s youth, but I come across tons of younger people who, based on an initial impression, seem to be seriously attached to their electronics. Quite often, when I go out to a restaurant, I will find a family nearby whose children are staring at a tablet. I am not going to pretend I was not in the same boat as a child. I would occasionally bring my Game Boy Advance SP or Nintendo DS to a restaurant to kill time before food arrives. Heck, as an adult, I bring my laptop to a restaurant to write material for this blog.

Electronic addiction knows no age.

Overall, I thought “Toy Story 5,” much like “Toy Story 4,” is not quite in the same boat as the original Andy trilogy. But this is by all means a step up from the last movie.

This fifth installment starts off with a bang. There are a couple key moments that introduce major threads. Including one involving an army of Buzz Lightyears designed with a modern twist, and another where we see a ton of abandoned toys warning Bonnie’s toys about the dangers of tech. It was at this point that I was convinced that I was watching a horror flick. Then when we introduce Bonnie… We see this truly heart-shattering moment where she asks her parents why she does not have any friends. She asks such a question after the movie reveals she is still playing with traditional toys, but those around her are relying on LilyPads to entertain themselves. 

Photo by Pixar/Pixar – © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

I do think it is slightly interesting though that only now in the “Toy Story” universe we are seeing technology come to life. We have been through four movies and a ton of other electronics have been featured throughout. These include TVs, game systems, and phones. Now that a tablet has entered the chat, we have our first instance of a pure electronic device as we define it come alive. It is a bit odd as Andy had a gaming console in his room, something specifically designed for play, and we never saw that do the same. Then again, perhaps I am being a bit harsh. After all, it relies on various wired connections, whereas the LilyPad is a wireless tablet that does need charging, but its setup is friendlier for multi-purpose handheld use. So… Does that mean if Andy had a Game Boy growing up, that would come to life too? Would a Nintendo Switch come to life in this universe? That is a portable device to some degree. So many questions.

Though as I say that, the LilyPad, while it definitely behaves a lot like an iPad, has a design that appears to be more of a reference to LeapFrog devices, which are geared towards younger audiences. After all… LilyPad… LeapFrog… The two names are quite similar. Granted, LilyPads come in more colors than green, but still. Maybe the device is supposed to take elements from both LeapFrogs and more traditional, everyday tablets like iPads, as devices like iPads are more likely to be used for social purposes. Also, given Pixar’s connections to Apple, I am surprised they did not implement select Apple sound effects or Easter Eggs like they did at certain points in “WALL-E.”

Photo by Pixar/Pixar – © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Another thing I should note is that this is Jessie’s story. Not Woody’s. I have no problem with that. After all, when breaking down the “Toy Story” movies, it is not exactly about the toys themselves, but more so their relationship with whoever possesses them. With this being a “Toy Story” installment, it should not be a shock that there is some thread in the story having to do with “x toy” feeling apprehensive that “y person” will not play with them anymore. All of Bonnie’s toys, but Jessie most especially, is nervous that LilyPad is going to replace them for good. I like this obstacle. It taps into the fear that children could grow up without an imagination because they are staring at screens all day. In fact, there is a great scene where we see Bonnie, whose face is still as can be, staring at her tablet nonstop. One of my favorite moments involving Bonnie’s attachment to the device is seeing her dad come into her room. When Bonnie is communicating with her dad, she is not looking at him. She is looking at the device and talking at the same time. Bonnie is genuinely hooked.

If you ask me, I think there is a place for tech in younger people’s lives. We live in a world where not everyone has to be in the same room to socialize anymore. Of course, nothing can replace the in-person experience of hanging out, but it is cool to know that people can come together to play games online, chat online, and all other sorts of things. If anything, this film feels more like an anti-peer pressure movie as opposed to an anti-tech movie. The way the story plays out taps into Bonnie’s social life, and how the LilyPad has enhanced it significantly. She has always had the toys, but not anyone who wanted to play with her. It kind of reminded me of when I was a child and I was still playing Nintendo games whereas other people I knew were diving into first-person shooters.

Going back to Woody, while it definitely made for a good marketing push to have Woody and Buzz reunite, I think this movie did not necessarily need Woody in it for it to flow. Sure, Woody plays a bit of an essential role when he comes on screen and he is trying to save abandoned toys. But this is a story that probably could have been done almost as effectively without him. Of course, Tom Hanks does a good job with the role. No surprise there. That said, he has way less to do this time around than the other movies.

That said, I am glad Buzz has stuck around for this movie. This film dives further into an ongoing element of his story that has been touched in previous movies, and I thought they did a great job with it. By the end of the film, I was satisfied with where they took it.

Photo by Pixar/Pixar – © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Although this movie is not all tech… There is some play, and this film may have some of the coolest play scenes yet. It shows what is going on in the kid’s imagination while playing with the toys. It brings in some cool frames and backgrounds. This also unleashes a clever Easter Egg involving Conan O’Brien’s character, Smarty Pants (middle). As a human character plays with him, we see in their imagination that the character has a hat of reddish-orange hair, much like the actual Conan O’Brien.

Speaking of Smarty Pants, I do not think there is anyone else on earth more qualified to voice this character than Conan O’Brien. I say that not just because I am a fan of him as an entertainer, but during his late night hosting days, I have noticed that O’Brien has a unique ability to take the most terrible or odd bit and spin it in a way where it can be as entertaining as possible. In actuality, that is just a nice way of saying that I have mixed feelings about the character.

As a 26 year-old, toilet humor has not aged well with yours truly. Not to say it cannot work. In fact, it sometimes does in this movie. But it does feel a bit odd that Pixar decided to use toilet humor. They usually aim a little higher when it comes to attempts at humor. I was surprised to say I never gagged or cringed at any of the jokes from this character, but there are times that I wish I laughed just a little harder. Some of the jokes tend to repeat themselves or come off as some variation of a joke that has been told previously. Maybe it is to reflect the simplistic nature of the character compared to the LilyPad, which is the fancy dancy piece of modern technology, but some of the jokes got old fast.

Even with its flaws, “Toy Story 5” is worth watching. It is beautifully animated, as should be no surprise given how Pixar’s films are usually stunning. The voice cast all play off each other perfectly. The film is kind of sad to think about, because it reveals that technology is so integrated into people’s lives to the point where we cannot live without it. In some cases, we might not even have friends because of it. “Toy Story 5” is not necessarily a movie that begs its viewers to put down the tablet or step away from the computer, but more so reminds people to have a decent balance between technology and real life.

Photo by Pixar/Pixar – © 2026 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

In the end, “Toy Story 5” is a fantastic movie. It is a perfect watch for the entire family. Is it the best “Toy Story” installment? No. But it does not mean that you should brush it aside. If anything, the most prominent critiques I have for this film are that some of the jokes are better than others, and as much fun as it is to see Woody and Buzz, much like old times, you could almost take Woody out of the movie and have it feel no different. Keep Buzz though. His presence is essential to the story. This movie showcases the ups and downs of technology in daily life. It serves as a cautionary tale as to what can happen with constant use of technology, but the movie does not suggest that tech should be destroyed in its entirety. Pixar is responsible for the two best animated films this year so far. This movie and “Hoppers.” The studio has been on fire lately. I am going to give “Toy Story 5” an 8/10.

“Toy Story 5” 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 currently working on an original web series called Movie Requests. It is a video series that sees me reviewing movies suggested by some of your favorite stars. Be sure to check out my latest episode featuring Sandi Harding, the owner of the last Blockbuster Video on the planet, located in Bend, Oregon. In this episode, Harding suggests I should talk about “The Goonies.” To hear my thoughts on the movie, click the video above! If you like the video and want to see more episodes of Movie Requests, hit the like button and subscribe to my YouTube channel! I also share the videos on this blog, but the fastest way to be alerted about them is to subscribe on YouTube!

My next review is going to be for “Supergirl.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Jackass: Best and Last,” “Obsession,” “Maddie’s Secret,” “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,” “The Odyssey,” and “Her Private Hell.” 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 “Toy Story 5?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite “Toy Story” movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Breadwinner (2026): An Unfunny Comedy That Really Wants You to Buy a Toyota and Watch Shark Tank

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Breadwinner” is directed by Eric Appel (Die Hart, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story) and stars Nate Bargatze (Your Friend, Nate Bargatze, Nate Bargatze: Hello World), Mandy Moore (Tangled, This Is Us), Colin Jost (Saturday Night Live, Tom & Jerry), Zach Cherry (Fallout, Severance), Martin Herlihy (Saturday Night Live, The Running Man), Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Eternals). and Will Forte (Scoob!, The Last Man on Earth). This film is about a dad living in the suburbs who must adapt to a stay-at-home parent lifestyle when his wife gets the opportunity of a lifetime to take her invention to the next level.

I love comedy. I think the world is a better place for having it. Sadly, comedy films are at a bit of a low point. This is not to say that they are dead, there have been wins here and there, but the comedy genre does not feel the same as it did pre-COVID. Part of this may be because a lot of mainstream comedies are finding their way onto streaming services. While some viewers may not care, it kind of turns me off, and makes me think that the people who made the movie do not have much faith in it.

So, when I found out that “The Breadwinner” was going to be a theatrical release, I was pleased. Well, sort of. Because the trailers, while not the worst I have ever seen, did not look fantastic. I cannot say I outright laughed at anything the trailers had to offer.

But you know what? Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. Perhaps “The Breadwinner” listened to me every time I watch a comedy trailer, see all the funny jokes, and complain that there is nothing else that happens to be funny when the film comes out. The good news is, there are moments of the film that I did not see in the marketing that made me laugh. Kumail Nanjiani plays a supporting character and he is easily the best part. He has the funniest lines and visual gags. If there is any reason to see this movie, it is him.

Beyond that, I cannot come up with another reason to check this project out. That is unless you want to watch an hour and a half commercial that technically qualifies as cinema.

I have seen Nate Bargatze do standup both through prerecorded specials and live events. He puts on a good show. While not my favorite comedian working today, I think he has a knack for family-friendly humor. The kind that you would expect to fly on an episode of “America’s Got Talent.” Given his success with the standup scene, I was wondering if Nate Bargatze would be able to bring something fresh to the comedy film genre. While the film does feel rather on brand for Bargatze’s standup persona, I think said persona is perhaps handled better on a stage rather than a screen.

“The Breadwinner” feels like an extended episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and not a very good one. Nate Bargatze plays Nate Wilcox, the “average guy” character with a steady job. Mandy Moore plays Katie, a stay at home mom. They have three children and all live in the suburbs together. When Katie gets an opportunity to make something of herself outside the home, it throws Nate off and forces him into the stay-at-home dad role. For Nate, this goes about as well as you, and probably he, would expect. Speaking of things that did not go well, the jokes are more often misses than hits. At no point did the battleship sink. You can only have Nate Bargatze fall down so many times and expect it to be hilarious. The attempts at humor are not only unfunny, but a lot of them feel been there, done that, and in certain cases, done better.

This is a PG movie, and I did see some children at my screening. I would be curious to know how well this comedy is going to age for the younger viewers who check it out. But as a 26-year-old who has quite a few flicks under his belt, the jokes come off as too familiar and predictable for them to work.

This film sort of takes me back to when Happy Madison comedies dominated theatres. And by that I mean, the film reminded me of what I sometimes hated about those movies. This is a glorified, shameless, endless commercial.

Product placement and in-film advertising is nothing new. Also, this is a Sony movie, so this is most certainly nothing new for them. This film reminds me a lot of “The Emoji Movie,” which so incessantly flashes brands on the screen and even makes them interwoven so heavily into the plot to the point where part of the climax would not be possible if it were not for the Twitter bird mascot saving the heroes. With this being a Sony movie, of course, they decided to put in some tie-ins to their properties. There are a couple noticeable nods to “Jeopardy!” for example, that are frankly inoffensive.

But would anyone like to guess how the story moves forward when Katie decides to take her invention to the next level? She goes on “Shark Tank,” of course! Do not get me wrong. A lot of people would, realistically, kill to bring their product on that show for the chance of getting a deal. But I would be willing to bet five bucks that if this were not a Sony movie, “Shark Tank” would make no appearance in this flick whatsoever, as that is also a Sony show. Also, the scene is about as dumb as can be.

Are you seriously telling me that in regards to Katie’s invention, that Kevin O’Leary says he’s out because Nate walks onto the set while eating a donut and presenting himself as the antithesis of a fashion model? Would the real Kevin O’Leary do this? I don’t think so. Some of you might be saying, “Come on, it is a character, let him be.” Yeah, but judging by Nate Bargatze’s performance that lacks any and all transformation, I am not quite sure how much acting is really going on in this film. Not to digress, but the movie tries to present this whole gag where Nate becomes known as “the donut guy.” I understand the Internet can be odd and rude, but this has got to be one of the dumbest viral trends I have ever seen. Then again, I remember a time when portions of the Internet thought the Harlem Shake was cool, so there is that.

“Shark Tank” is not even the biggest culprit of this film’s neverending stream of commercialism. Because this movie really wants you to buy a Toyota. And frankly, it fails miserably. Not just because “The Breadwinner” is a terrible movie by itself, but also because if this were a genuine Toyota ad, I would question its messaging. My mom and I saw the film together, she liked it by the way. Upon discussing our difference in opinion, one of the first things I said to her as we left the cinema is that the film paints Toyota as an anti-family company. If anything, Toyota is the villain. Somebody give Nate Bargatze a Ford so he can go to town on a Toyota dealership!

Oh, and don’t forget to remind Nate Bargatze to take that Toyota to Walmart for some errands! And also don’t forget to tell the talent to take every other brand name cereal off the shelf to make sure everyone knows that is exactly what the family is buying! This movie cost $25 million to make, and I am sure most, if not entire the budget was paid for with this endless charade of brand bootlicking.

There is not much legitimate acting going in this movie, but based on the direction everyone is given, they fulfill the basic requirements of their roles. The women who play the Wilcox sisters, Stella Grace Fitzgerald, Birdie Borria, and Charlotte Ann Tucker, are sometimes adorable and play off the other characters well, even if some of their jokes feel like they are written for a Disney Channel original movie.

Going back to what I said about this film feeling like an extended “Everybody Loves Raymond” episode, the more I think about this film’s director’s background, I can see why. While Eric Appel has a lot of experience behind the scenes making material within the comedy genre, most of his material is TV-based. Even his more recent feature films did not get theatrically released. He directed “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” which is a Roku Original. Beyond that, some of his more recent projects include the “Die Hart” films on Prime Video, where Kevin Hart plays a version of himself. …Doesn’t he do that in every other movie he’s in too?

Plus, the writers of this film do not have much experience on the big screen either. In addition to starring in the film, Nate Bargatze also has a screenwriting credit. Upon looking at his IMDb, this is also Bargatze’s first acting credit in a feature film. The other writer, Dan Lagana, mostly has a TV background. The two also produce the film as well alongside Jeremy Latcham, a former Senior Vice President of Production and Development of Marvel Studios. So, you have all these minds coming together who for the most part, are not exactly known for feature filmmaking. I am not against these people giving filmmaking the old college try. But as for this try, it was a fail. These people got their start, but it was not the finest of beginnings. If anything, I am glad to see a studio put their money where their mouth is, which judging by this film’s content, their mouth was probably on a Toyota’s trunk fairly recently, and put a comedy in theaters. That is nice to see in this day and age. That said, this does feel like a comedy that was probably intended to go to streaming, but somehow wound up on the big screen.

In the end, “The Breadwinner” made me lose some brain cells. Nate Bargatze is a talented comedian, but I frankly think standup is where he is best. I am not sure how much of a future he is going to have as a movie star. I do not know if he is aiming to pursue more film roles, but if he does, I hope they are superior to what he has given here. The worst thing about this film is simply the fact that I did not find it funny. Yes, I emitted a chuckle here and there, and Kumail Nanjiani saves the film whenever he pops up on screen. But I was expecting more from someone who is killing it in the standup scene. Instead, “The Breadwinner” is essentially this year’s version of “Easter Sunday,” starring Jo Koy. It is a film that wastes the talent of a successful comedian, as well as my time. I am going to give “The Breadwinner” a 2/10.

“The Breadwinner” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! This Tuesday, July 14th, get ready to make it a “Blockbuster Night!” Or… Day, I do not care. Your choice. Either way, I say such a thing because the next episode of Movie Requests is going to feature Blockbuster Video owner Sandi Handing! She owns the Blockbuster Video in Bend, Oregon. That is the last one still open! I had the privilege of meeting Harding in November, when she requested I should watch a certain movie whose title will be revealed when the next episode of Movie Requests officially drops! You can catch the video on Tuesday July 14th on Flicknerd.com and YouTube! Make sure you subscribe to my channel! It may not give you superpowers, but it will make you super aware of when exactly this episode drops! And isn’t the power of knowledge the greatest thing of all?

My next review is going to be for “Disclosure Day!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Toy Story 5,” “Supergirl,” “Jackass: Best and Last,” “Obsession,” “Maddie’s Secret,” and “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass.” 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 Breadwinner?” What did you think about? Or, have you seen any of Nate Bargatze’s standup material? Look, I may have been harsh on this movie. Although Bargatze is not a comedic hack. He can put on a good show. I will look forward to his next standup special or upcoming gig in the New England area, but “The Breadwinner” was not for me. Ah well, can’t win ’em all. Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

I Love Boosters (2026): Boots Riley Delivers a Bright, Colorful, Mind-Freak of a Flick

Posted on by Jack Drees

“I Love Boosters” is written and directed by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You, I’m a Virgo) and stars Keke Palmer (Nope, Password), Naomi Ackie (The End of the F***ing World, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker), Taylour Paige (Zola, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Poppy Liu (The Afterparty, Sunnyside), Eiza González (Ambulance, Baby Driver), LaKeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You, Get Out), Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Maze Runner), Don Cheadle (Space Jam: A New Legacy, Iron Man 2) and Demi Moore (The Substance, Ghost). This film is about a group of shoplifters who go after a fashion maven and try to sell their clothes at a lower price.

© 2026 – Neon

“I Love Boosters” is not my first exposure to Boots Riley’s filmography. While I missed it in the theater, I ended up checking out his film “Sorry to Bother You” after buying it on Blu-ray. I was fairly impressed with it. I thought it had good performances, clever writing, and an excellent use of color and production design. While “I Love Boosters” was not the biggest release over Memorial Day weekend, I will not deny that I was constantly exposed to its marketing, particularly one of its posters. Other than that, I went in with no memory of watching any trailers or hearing the film’s general premise. I heard interesting things about the movie, and I was onboard. I am delighted to say that this film is a unique cinematic experience that I will think about for a long time.

This is not my favorite film of 2026, but there is truly no picture that I have seen this year that provides an experience like this one. “I Love Boosters” is one of those movies that could have easily clashed its tones to such an unbelievable degree. But this picture is smarter than that. It finds a way to present likable heroes of their own story, a compelling antagonist in Christie Smith (Moore) whose mere existence brings forth diabolical charisma, all the while showcasing some of the most rad production elements I recall seeing in a film recently.

Courtesy of NEON – © Courtesy of NEON

Perhaps my favorite thing about “I Love Boosters” is that it is so vivid and colorful. Then again, given one of this film’s initial opponents at the box office, there could be some recency bias to take into account with this sentiment. This film came out the same weekend as “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” and not only do I think this is the better movie, but to my surprise, “The Mandalorian and Grogu” comes off as an occasional eyesore between its questionable color palette choices, dull presentation, and lack of flair. Within the first five minutes of “I Love Boosters,” I thought I was on drugs. This film’s emphasis on color is some of the finest I have ever seen. It has a look that belongs on a children’s TV program but perfectly blends itself into a mature story. Everything from the many eye-popping outfits that the characters don on screen… To the multitude of interiors that sometimes answer the question, “What if an M&M were a floor or a wall?”… Even seeing the different colors on the characters’ hair make me think that in another universe that this movie would be selling action figures like hotcakes.

Speaking of things that you have to see to believe, this film’s editing is jaw-dropping. This film moves fast, and boy am I not even close to becoming furious. If anything, the editing makes for a blessing and a curse. It keeps the movie from being boring, but the film is also so quick that it makes me wonder if I missed something important. Ah well, I plan to watch this a second time regardless.

Another favorite thing about this film is something I cannot see… The music. The Tune-Yards composed an original score for this film, and boy does it score. They previously scored another Boots Riley title, “Sorry to Bother You,” so it is clear he likes their approach, and I can see why, because much like some of John Williams’ memorable tracks, the score is almost its own character. The year is still young, but I could see this being my favorite score of 2026 by the end of it. I listened to this film’s theme several times since my screening. When I look at the screen and I see characters played by Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, and Taylour Paige, lingering in the background is a supporting role that can best be described as a sick beat.

While not exactly as good, I find “I Love Boosters” to be this year’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” It is a film that runs at one of the most breakneck paces imaginable. It is all killer, no filler. There is a perfect blend of comedy and drama. In fact, speaking of that, it is tough to really put this film in a box and give it a specific genre. It is not that the film does not know what it wants to be. It is that it wants to be something so unique, so fresh, something that even as a jaded moviegoer, I cannot recall ever seeing in my life. At the same time though, that probably makes this film slightly harder to recommend to certain people. I feel like Marty McFly in “Back to the Future,” part of me is ready to say to a collective audience that they might “not be ready for that yet.”

But if I were to recommend “I Love Boosters” to somebody, it would probably have to be someone who likes stories about people rising up against the bigger man. Perhaps someone who does not really feel the need to take everything so seriously. There is quite a bit of absurdity in this film. Yet in the context of its universe, characters, and vibes, all of the absurdity is seamless and makes the movie an animal of its own. As for myself, I cannot wait to watch this movie again. Not just because I had a blast watching it, but as I suggested before, this film flies by. I have a feeling I missed something cool the first time around. There are probably one or two memorable lines or moments that flew over my head that are probably going to land better the second, third, maybe fourth time I watch this.

In the end, it is almost impossible to describe “I Love Boosters” without using terms like wild or zany or nonstop. This is an experience. Sadly, with this film opening up against “Star Wars,” it kind of hurt its box office potential from the start. Then again, if somebody pitched this movie to me and I happened to be an executive, I think it would be a hard sell no matter what. It is debatable as to whether the characters are actually “heroes.” Then again, it is possibly true that everyone sees themselves as the hero of their own story. The concept of this film is so unique that it is difficult, at least to me, to compare this film to many others. But the fact is that this film is worth watching at least once. It has a fantastic cast lead by the always charismatic Keke Palmer. Its look is going to make for a fantastic demo down the line if I end up buying a new television or projector. And boy, is that theme song still stuck in my head. I am going to give “I Love Boosters” a 7/10.

“I Love Boosters” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! This is a bit of a short-notice announcement, but on SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH, I will be dropping the next episode of Movie Requests! This one is going to feature “The Wall” and “Talking Dead” host Chris Hardwick. You can hear his suggestion by clicking the video above! What do you think it is? If you want to find out what film he asked me to review, as well as my thoughts on it, you can watch the review right here on Flicknerd.com, or you can subscribe to my YouTube channel!

My next review is going to be for “Backrooms.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Masters of the Universe,” “Another World,” “The Breadwinner,” “Disclosure Day,” and “Toy Story 5!” 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 “I Love Boosters?” What did you think about it? Or, what is one of the wildest films you recall watching recently? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Sheep Detectives (2026): A Flocking Brilliant Family Film

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Sheep Detectives” is directed by Kyle Balda (Minions, Despicable Me 3) and stars Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Real Steel), Nicholas Braun (Zola, Succession), Nicholas Galitzine (Red White & Royal Blue, Cinderella), Molly Gordon (Oh, Hi!, Shiva Baby), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Onward), Bryan Cranston (Godzilla, Breaking Bad), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd), Regina Hall (Little, Think Like a Man), Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: The Next Generation, American Dad!), Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us), Brett Goldstein (The Garfield Movie, Ted Lasso), Hong Chau (Downsizing, The Menu), and Emma Thompson (Saving Mr. Banks, Sense and Sensibility). Based on Leonie Swann’s 2005 novel “Three Bags Full,” this film is about a flock of sheep who try to solve the murder of shepherd (Jackman).

© The sheep detectives

“The Sheep Detectives” had me at Hugh Jackman. Then they showed what his character does, and I refused to miss this movie. That said, for those unfamiliar with the material, do not be fooled, Hugh Jackman’s involvement in “The Sheep Detectives” is minimal, and I knew that, but his presence left me with a solid first impression through what I thought would be a fun family film.

One pleasant surprise about this movie is that it was written by Craig Mazin, whose resume has been… Fascinating to say the least. While I am a little bitter that he is partially responsible for bringing both “Hangover” sequels to life, I will give him credit where it is due, as he is recognized for his success in recent years with HBO. Not only did he write the acclaimed mini-series “Chernobyl,” but he is also involved with “The Last of Us,” which has received rave reviews since its launch in 2023. Mazin knows his stuff.

“The Sheep Detectives” looked moderately funny and charming from the trailers. But color me amazed, because I adore this movie.

Amazon is on a roll right now movie-wise. After releasing “Project Hail Mary” last March, which stands as the best film I have watched in years, “The Sheep Detectives” comes in hot with an experience that is not quite as memorable as “Project Hail Mary,” but much like that movie, I was left with the urge to give this movie a second viewing sometime in the future. Upon watching it, I have talked with family members who heard about the film. One in particular thought it looked stupid. I frankly think they are underestimating what this film is capable of.

After seeing the asinine chore that is “Animal Farm,” it is so fulfilling to see a movie that has fantastic humor. Repeated gags that work and pay off. Memorable and sometimes unpredictable lines. A complete twist on “the chicken crossing the road.” This movie excels when it comes to comedy, and it is perfect for all ages.

“The Sheep Detectives” sort of plays like a more exaggerated Pixar movie. Saying that sounds ironic. After all, “The Sheep Detectives” is live-action, whereas Pixar specializes in animation. But some of the characters, and by that I mean human characters, come off like they belong in a cartoon. When you are making something in live-action, you can only heighten reality to a certain extent, but for whatever reason, this movie sticks the landing in that regard.

© The sheep detectives

This is most evident when showcasing one of the film’s more notable supporting characters, Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), a local policeman who might as well be this universe’s Jar Jar Binks. Although unlike Jar Jar Binks, I thought this character was well written and executed. Derry is not exactly the brightest of bulbs. But it does not mean he isn’t determined to get the job done. To say he is not good at his job is a bit of an exaggeration. In fact, going back to Pixar, his character almost reminds me of Linguini in “Ratatoullie,” who has no business working in his particular field, but allows unusual outside forces to help them improve at their job.

But it is not just the humans who fascinate throughout the movie. The sheep do their part to bring some solid characterization to the table. One of my favorites in the film is Sebastian (Bryan Cranston). The film takes time to unveil Sebastian’s backstory, where he spent time at a petting zoo. The backstory not only deepens the character, but delivers an emotional reaction. Cranston is not the only big name that makes up the film’s talented voice cast. Other actors include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, and Brett Goldstein. That last actor, by the way, voices two sheep, and they are responsible for one of the movie’s most memorable jokes.

This film also taps into how sheep interpret the afterlife, and the film gets creative with that idea. Sort of similar to how some people see themselves going to a better place when they die, the sheep believe that when one of their kind dies, they become a cloud. This is well explained during a giant rainstorm, when one of them says that the sheep are dancing when thunder sounds off.

The film does require a bit of suspension of disbelief. This should not be a surprise when the main characters include talking sheep, but the movie makes me believe in its rules and characters, even if they sometimes come off as unusual. The movie’s characters essentially go against mankind’s typical expectations of sheep. In fact, the characters even address how the “term” sheep is often used as a negative when used to describe certain people.

There are certain parts of this movie that I saw coming. However, I did not necessarily find myself peeved by this film’s occasional predictability. Just about every moment in this movie feels earned. By the time we get to the very end of this film, I felt satisfied with what it had to offer.

What is somewhat out of the ordinary regarding this film is its tone that could have easily clashed, but ends up working. This is a murder mystery, but beyond that, it is a movie about the beauty of life. It is about friendship, community, and appreciating what’s in front of you. The movie perfectly shifts its vibe when it needs to. At one point, it is mysterious and somewhat dark. At another, it is lighthearted and fun. Sometimes it successfully finds a middle ground.

I feel like I was one of the few people in the world who was genuinely looking forward to “The Sheep Detectives.” It is a premise that sounds silly, but I do not particularly mind silly as long as it works, and in this movie’s case, it ended up doing more than just working. I will be thinking about my experience watching this film for a long time. This film came out the same weekend as “Mortal Kombat II,” which I said I would watch again in my review. I would do the same for “The Sheep Detectives.” While I am eager to watch “Mortal Kombat II” by myself so I can laugh myself to death without sounding like a lunatic, “The Sheep Detectives” is a movie that I am just as hopeful to watch with somebody else just to see the look on their face once they realize what they are in for. Please watch this movie. Get some friends or loved ones to watch it with you. If you have kids, check this film out with them. It is a solid gateway murder mystery.

In the end, “The Sheep Detectives” is a stupendously satisfying and incredibly engaging film. Between this film and “Project Hail Mary,” I did not think Amazon would be cranking out the year’s two best pieces of cinema thus far, but here we are. While the film revolves around a murder, it is nevertheless delightfully wholesome. If Pixar started doing live action material, I would have been convinced this film had come from them. It feels like something in their DNA. This is a fantastic film for all ages. Give it a shot. It may surprise you. I am going to give “The Sheep Detectives” an 8/10.

“The Sheep Detectives” 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 my latest episode of Movie Requests, the original web series dedicated to yours truly talking about movies recommended by some of your favorite stars. This newest episode features Brian O’Halloran, otherwise known as Dante from “Clerks.” I had a good time checking out his recommendation, “Patton.” Click the video above to see what I thought of it. Leave it a like if you enjoyed it!. And if you want to see more episodes as soon as they drop, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

My next review is going to be for “In the Grey!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” “I Love Boosters,” “Backrooms,” “Masters of the Universe,” “Another World,” and “The Breadwinner.” Yep. That is a list of 7 movies. I clearly have time management skills. 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 Sheep Detectives?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a film that you think is better than it deserves to be? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Animal Farm (2025): Four Legs Good, This Movie Bad.

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Animal Farm” is directed by Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Star Wars: The Force Awakens). He also stars in the film as a rooster named Randolph and has an uncredited role as Farmer Jones. Joining him in the cast is Seth Rogen (Sausage Party, Knocked Up), Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things, Honor Society), Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers, Fargo), Glenn Close (The Wife, 101 Dalmatians), Laverne Cox (Doubt, Orange is the New Black), Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Woody Harrelson (The Edge of Seventeen, The Glass Castle), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory, Hidden Figures), Kathleen Turner (Romancing the Stone, The Virgin Suicides), and Iman Vellani (The Marvels, Ms. Marvel). This film is based on George Orwell’s book of the same name and is about a group of animals whose farm-based revolution results in a pig-led dictatorship.

There are a few major texts I was assigned to read in my English class during my freshman year of high school. One of those includes Homer’s “The Odyssey,” which is being adapted into a film coming out this summer. Another one happens to be George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” which is now an animated film directed by Andy Serkis. What’s next? Is “Of Mice and Men” getting another film adaptation?

Regardless, “Animal Farm,” through its book and interesting to say the least adaptations, left an impression on me. When the book was a major studying point in school, the class often focused on Orwell’s material linking to the U.S.S.R.. The book presents a fascinating allegory on the dangers of leaders becoming power hungry and bending the rules to their benefit.

The idea of someone like Andy Serkis taking on “Animal Farm” left me intrigued. He has shown his talents in the VFX and directing spaces, and I thought “Animal Farm” would be a fine fit for his skill set.

Then I saw the trailer…

While I thought the trailer overall made the film look cheap, it did end with one note that left me interested, which is that it was recommended for ages 11 and up. While the MPA gave this film a PG rating, which can be seen as okay for many younger audiences, the marketers essentially sent a message saying this might not be for the youngest crowds. Having read “Animal Farm,” that makes sense.

Frankly, after seeing this movie, I have no idea who exactly this is for. It is definitely not for “Animal Farm” purists, as there are some major changes made to the material. For instance, Old Major is not in the movie. There are some characters who are not in the book. No, unlike the 1999 adaptation, the main character is not a dog this time around.

Despite the movie being recommended for ages 11 and up as the trailer suggests, the film has plenty of jokes that feel like they were designed for the under five crowd. I do not know what George Orwell would think of this movie, seeing as he is no longer with us. But I think he and I would agree that toilet humor and “Animal Farm” do not mix. Maybe the conversation would be different if the trailer said the movie was recommended for “all ages,” However, that’s not the case. I would let it slide if this movie resorted to one fart joke, but I remember counting at least five or six instances of jokes related to bodily functions. It would also be forgiven if those jokes made me laugh. But they failed to do so.

This is not to say that I do not think younger viewers should not be exposed to a story like “Animal Farm.” I think it is an important tale, and the more that we experience corruption in power the more it is going to matter. In the case of “Animal Farm” 2026, this is a more modern telling of the tale compared to its mid-20th century source material, as it focuses on capitalism as the big bad. Despite happily living in the U.S. all my life, I think this idea has potential to work. One of the core antagonists of the film is a boss lady who essentially owns all the land in her sight, but she is not satisfied, as she wants to add Animal Farm to her collection.

In this film, Napoleon is played by Seth Rogen. …Okay? What is it with Seth Rogen’s voiceover roles lately? I always thought he was a weird choice for Donkey Kong, but this is another level. And much like Donkey Kong, Seth Rogen often sounds like he is playing himself when sounding off every other line. In fact, one could argue the performance is kind of meta, as there is a scene where Napoleon does the infamous Seth Rogen laugh, and he follows that up with “please do not make fun of my laugh.” Is it just me, or is Seth Rogen’s laugh one of the most recognizable laughs of all time? If I had to make a top 5 list in that regard, Rogen would be up there with Jimmy Carr, SpongeBob SquarePants, Peter Griffin, and J. Jonah Jameson during that one scene from “Spider-Man 2” where Peter asks him if he can get paid in advance.

That said, there is something there with Seth Rogen’s material. As immature as the writing often sounds, there is one scene between his character and a gender-swapped Snowball (Laverne Cox) where the latter is explaining her plan concerning the farm that stood out to me. Every other second, Napoleon, who is not afraid to showcase his opposition to the plan, is constantly mocking Snowball, sometimes calling her boring while they are in front of a large crowd. Again, the material itself comes off as borderline cringeworthy, but the more I think about it, the more it reminds me of the current state of politics in the U.S.. I try to keep my mouth shut in regards to that topic on here, but Napoleon is essentially Donald Trump. He is loud and quite limited in his vocabulary. He calls others names to their faces. And as we have seen in the 2016 and 2024 elections, his biggest rivals tend to be, whether you agree with their policies or not, well-meaning women.

Although there is one woman that Napoleon tends to get along with, and that is the recently mentioned “boss lady,” Frieda Pilkington (Glenn Close). A billionaire who essentially wants everything and will stop at nothing to get it. She owns a giant company that I would perhaps sum up as this universe’s equivalent to Amazon, as it seems to have their fingertips in just about every industry. Her character is by no means broken, but her one-dimensionality definitely stands out.

In fact, this movie is chock-full of big stars. From Jim Parsons to Kieran Culkin to Steve Buscemi. One rising star who I am glad to see in this film is Iman Vellani, who I adore as Ms. Marvel in the MCU. Her roles, and yes, she has more than one, does not give her as much to work with compared to Marvel, but I am glad to see she is getting more work.

Another standout in this film is Woody Harrelson as Boxer. While the film does have its many differences from the source material, the way Boxer was written and executed feels similar to how I would have imagined reading the book as a teenager. Harrelson is a good pick for the role. It is hard to say that “Animal Farm” is one of the most heartfelt films ever made, but I would not deny that Boxer is perhaps the emotional core of the story, even if he is a supporting character.

While this is based on a famous text, “Animal Farm” is not the best when it comes to screenwriting. By the way, it is written by Nicholas Stoller, whose “Muppets” films I did enjoy, but I will also acknowledge his resume also contains duds like “Sex Tape,” “Dora and the Lost City of Gold,” and “Zoolander 2.” Despite Stoller’s best efforts, the jokes do not work. I do not mind “Animal Farm” having jokes, as long as they stick the landing. They did not. Some of the jokes play a part in the film’s clashing tones. At times this film tries to be ridiculous and go for a laugh, and at others it tries to pull the heartstrings or make you shed a tear. Pixar has proven that their films can both be funny and emotional. “Animal Farm,” which is a collaboration between Aniventure and The Imaginarium, tends to fall flat in both categories. The end of the film feels kind of like a Marvel movie, almost as if the climax is aiming too high.

I have nothing against people making changes to source material. I think “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” is one of the greatest movies of all time, even if it made some significant alterations from Roald Dahl’s classic tale. This adaptation of “Animal Farm,” like the others that have been brought to the screen, has its differences from the book. Although I went back to watch the other two adaptations and those tended to maintain the tone and spirit that the book was going for. Neither one was particularly groundbreaking or IMDb top 250-worthy, but they did their job in more ways than one. This movie does not feel like “Animal Farm” in the most accurate sense. That would be fine if I liked the movie, but between the bad comedy, several characters lacking dimension, weird editing choices, and some scenes feeling rushed, “Animal Farm” reminded me that not all movies are equal. Some are just plain bad.

In the end, “Animal Farm” is not as bad as I hear other people claim it to be, but to call it good is definitely a stretch. There are parts of the movie that exceeded my expectations, and I am probably being generous with that statement. While I definitely found Rogen’s interpretation of Napoleon to be rather annoying, I do think the way he was written worked in terms of matching the current political climate. He is not the smartest, nor the most calculated leader. But if you ask certain people today what they think about the current U.S. President, they would probably say the same thing. The animation was passable, but not exactly revolutionary. The soundtrack of this film is also kind of weird. Including a rap version of “Old McDonald Had a Farm” is most certainly a choice. The book is definitely more serious than this movie, and I thought when this film tried to be funny, it did not always work. Although there was one gag involving E=mc² that did make me chuckle. This is probably not going to be my least favorite movie of the year as there are glimmers of positivity to be found, but I hope to see a superior version of this tale brought to the big screen one day. I am going to give “Animal Farm” a 4/10.

“Animal Farm” is now playing in theaters and is available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! I am happy to announce that the next guest in my ongoing web series, Movie Requests is none other than Brian O’Halloran! You may know him from several of Kevin Smith’s films, including the “Clerks” trilogy! By the way, he is not the first guy from said trilogy I featured in the series, as a couple months ago I took a request from Jason Mewes, AKA Jay of the Jay and Silent Bob duo. As for Brian’s request, that review will be available on Sunday June 7th! You can check it out here on Flicknerd.com, but if you want the fastest method of watching the review, do yourself and I favor by subscribing to my YouTube channel!

My next review is going to be for “Mortal Kombat II!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “The Sheep Detectives,” “In the Grey, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” “I Love Boosters,” and “Backrooms.” If you want to see these review 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 “Animal Farm?” What did you think about it? Or, did you read the “Animal Farm” book? What are your thoughts on it? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Lorne (2026): Morgan Neville Puts Up Another W with This Insightful Look at the Creator of SNL

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Lorne” is directed by Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Piece by Piece) and is about Lorne Michaels, the creator of “Saturday Night Live” and founder of Broadway Video. This documentary taps into Michaels’ life as a creator, as well as what he likes to do when he is outside of the constant chaos of creating comedy.

Few of my reviews over the years have been for documentaries. Though I have nothing against them. In fact, one of my earliest documentary reviews was for “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, which ended up being one of my favorite films of 2018. While the name is not the first that pops in my mind when it comes to listing my favorite filmmakers, Morgan Neville has somewhat been on my radar given his track record. A year and a half ago, I saw the incredibly creative “Piece by Piece,” which is not as good as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, but is nevertheless a one of a kind documentary that I could not have imagined coming to life.

For those who have seen “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, you would know that the documentary centers around Fred Rogers, who I thought was a great subject matter with an interesting background, especially as someone who is into film and television. While Rogers was a notable presence on camera for “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” “Lorne” focuses on just as crucial of a presence behind the camera for other productions, most especially “Saturday Night Live.”

If you have watched just about any episode of “Saturday Night Live” during its 50-plus year run, you would know that Lorne Michaels has had an impact on them in some way. He created the show back in 1975 and has long served as its producer.

The group that ends up sitting down for interviews is incredibly stacked between former “SNL” employees to some of the most famous comedy personalities working today, some of whom got an early boost in their career thanks to “Saturday Night Live” like John Mulaney or Conan O’Brien. Those interviews stood out to me for reasons beyond simply admiring both of those people. Not only did the movie end up using a decent amount of footage of these two comedians in particular, but it is weird to think about how these are just a couple of people whose careers had a monumental impact because Michaels let them do their thing. If you look at the cast for “Saturday Night Live,” not every season is like the other.

“Saturday Night Live” is a home to many voices, each and every one with a story to tell. As Lorne Michaels is the subject of the documentary, the camera spends a significant amount of time telling his story too. Everything from his beginnings in Canada, to his time in the United States, and what he likes to do when he is not producing television. Though the thing that stands out about Lorne Michaels is that the way his programming is formatted, it has allowed so many different visions and stories to be brought to life. That is partially why Michaels’ philosophy of everyone’s story needing to be heard stood out to me, even if the story is bad.

To me, “Lorne” sort of plays like an “SNL” episode, which the more I think about it, may not be the most effective comparison. There have not only been so many “SNL” episodes, but when it comes to the show in general, there are nights where the sketches hit, miss, or fall somewhere in between. If I were to be most accurate, if this were an “SNL” episode, this would be one where I like the guest host and the stars, but there are some times where I find the material to be better than others.

The movie kept my interest, but it did drag a little towards the end. It almost overstayed its welcome. But I found the movie’s approach to be rather creative. The narration is effective and intriguing. There are some animated scenes that play well. And as I would hope, it presents the story of Lorne Michaels, who is most definitely an interesting man, in a way that is equally as interesting. Keep in mind that I said “interesting,” because as a producer, he has a say on who hosts “Saturday Night Live,” and he seems to stand by his more controversial choices like Donald Trump or Elon Musk. The choices definitely generate conversation, but not everyone in the audience jumps out of their seat for them.

While the film does not outright accuse Lorne Michaels of, say, his controversial host choices, it is actually nice to see the documentary to at least address that aspect of his career. The film does not suggest that Michaels is right for making those choices, but it does acknowledge that Michael stands by them. The movie goes into Michaels’ other failures, including some he has encountered before “Saturday Night Live” was ever a thing. I enjoyed getting to know more about his work on Canadian television.

When it comes to humanizing Michaels, the movie does a decent job. There is a part of the film that takes place in Maine, where Michaels goes to for some peace and quiet. If anything, I sort of felt the way he wants to feel during his trips there, because as he explains in the film, New York City is quite obnoxious. I know, I have been there. It is practically a second home to me. But the quietest, most calming parts of the movie are, fittingly, in Maine, where Michaels often finds himself in the middle of nowhere.

That said, this movie follows in another project’s footsteps. 2024’s “Saturday Night,” a feature narrative directed by Jason Reitman. I frankly think it might be my favorite film of his. Sorry, “Juno.” While the two movies differ significantly, I think the more interesting and compelling Lorne Michaels story, even if it is fabricated, is in “Saturday Night.” It is more entertaining, fun, and chaotic. But I will not accuse anyone should they decide to watch “Lorne” with me on a Friday night. Heck, even a Saturday night.

In the end, “Lorne” is not Morgan Neville’s best documentary, but it is still a good movie. Lorne Michaels is a fascinating figure, so it is not surprising that he has gotten feature and documentary treatments in the past couple years. Sure, I prefer the feature presentation we got showcasing his perspective on making the first “SNL” episode through “Saturday Night.” Yet “Lorne” is full of fantastic interviews, touches on a variety of interesting topics, and offers clever transitions from one scene to the next that frankly feel like they belong on an “SNL” episode. I am going to give “Lorne” a 7/10.

“Lorne” is now playing in select theaters and is available to rent or buy on VOD.

Thanks for reading this review! If you have not checked it out already, take a gander at my latest episode of Movie Requests, which I posted on May the 4th, AKA “Star Wars Day.” To fit the occasion, I took a request from “The Mandalorian’s” own Katee Sackhoff! She requested I should talk about the western “High Noon.” Click the video above to see what I thought about the movie! I will have another episode coming soon, I have not determined a date just yet. But if you would like to see that episode as soon as it drops, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to get the notification ASAP!

My next review is going to be for “Michael!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Deep Water,” “Animal Farm,” “Mortal Kombat II,” and “The Sheep Detectives.” 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 “Lorne?” What did you think about it? Or, since it is on topic, has anyone seen the 2024 movie “Saturday Night?” Tell me your thoughts on that! Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!