Drama

No Other Choice (2025): My First Park Chan-wook Film

Posted on by Jack Drees

“No Other Choice” is directed by Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, Decision to Leave) and stars Lee Byung-hun (Joint Security Area, A Bittersweet Life), Son Ye-jin (A Moment to Remember, April Snow), Park Hee-soon (My Name, Seven Days), Lee Sung-min (Golden Time, The Spy Gone North), Yeom Hye-rann (The Glory, The Uncanny Counter), and Cha Seung-won (Uprising, Believer). This film is based on a novel called “The Ax” and is about a man who quite literally decides to eliminate his competition in order to secure a job.

Courtesy of Neon – © Neon

My experience with Korean cinema is very limited. In fact, to this day, I have never once reviewed a Park Chan-wook film on Scene Before. I have not even seen one of his films. Of course, I have heard of some of his work, but I have never had the chance to watch any of it. However, when I watched “Shelby Oaks” at AMC in October, one of the last trailers that played was for “No Other Choice,” which immediately caught my attention. This trailer boasted its positive reviews in addition to its 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. As of this publication, the score stands at 99%, but this is still mighty impressive. The trailer also made sure to emphasize that the film was from Park Chan-wook, whose last feature, “Decision to Leave,” was nominated for two BAFTAs. Not to mention, his feature prior to that one, “The Handmaiden” actually won him a BAFTA for “Best Film Not in the English Language.” While Chan-wook may not have as much recognition in the States as Bong Joon Ho, I would not be surprised if “No Other Choice” brings him some extra publicity that could make him somewhat of a household name. After all, I got to the see the film a little more than a week ago, and I have to say I found it to be quite good.

I have no idea how this film is going to do with general audiences, particularly those in the United States, but I really hope it succeeds. That sounds like a moot statement. In actuality, I want just about every film that exists to succeed. But I really hope “No Other Choice” in particular does, because the film has themes and ideas I think a lot of people living in the United States, as well as other parts of the world, can relate to.

The film starts off by introducing its lead character, Yoo Man-su, who basically has it all. A good life, a happy family, a couple dogs, a nice house, a good job, even some awards recognition. However, there comes a point where his collective success begins tumbling like a flimsy Jenga tower. He loses his job, keeps applying for other ones in his field but he cannot find success, so he ends up working in retail. With the pay not high enough, Man-su’s wife, Lee Mi-ri, gets to a point where she takes up some part-time work. The family starts sacrificing some of their hobbies and possessions. For Man-su, his extended struggle gets to a point where he feels he has, no pun intended, no other choice, but to kill off his competitors.

Seeing this plot play out is quite entertaining and results in some unpredictable moments. The screenplay weaves a lot of threads. Some some of those threads are more engaging than others. Admittedly, I felt the 2 hour and 19 minute runtime. If anything, that is probably the film’s biggest flaw. It is sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, tediously paced. Yet it fails to change the fact that I was often intrigued by not just how much was going on, but the execution of all of it.

While “No Other Choice” will probably not end up amongst my top movies of the year, I do have to admit that it is absolutely one of the most technically beautiful movies I have seen in 2025. There are a lot of little quirks the film delivers that almost do not matter at all, but they nevertheless make the final product all the better. For example, there is a scene where we see one character holding a lighter, and there is a cartoony fire effect that comes up as said character flicks it. This is almost like something out of a graphic novel. The color grading in this film is extravagant. I got to see this film in IMAX laser, so I had a pretty bright projector in the auditorium, but I am sure even if it was not that bright, the film would still look incredibly poppy. The film is sometimes dark, but it takes a satirical route. It has a Tarantino vibe at times, so the color palette fits. Speaking of colors, sometimes the sun acts like a secondary character. There are a couple shots where the sun’s dropping or rising and it comes off as an Instagram influencer’s dream. The camerawork is also pretty solid. The film has maybe the sickest zooms I have seen since “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” I dropped my jaw at some of these movements. The film is often grounded, but there are occasional moments where the vibe can feel animated, and yet those two moods mesh together perfectly to make something fulfilling.

Another standout in the technical department is the soundwork. I saw this film with a large crowd, about a five to ten minute drive outside of Boston. My screening was almost sold out. The film has plenty of laughs, including some moments that, again, arguably do not matter much, but the fact that they are there makes the project better. There is a moment in the film where Lee Mi-ri is going over the changes that the family has to make in order to save money. One idea she had was to cancel Netflix. Of course, one of the children excuses themselves from the dinner table with an electronic device and says they’re going to get one final stream in. Next thing we hear is Netflix’s well-known “Tudum” sound effect that plays either before one of their programs or when you log in. It got a much bigger laugh from the audience than it should have, but it was timed and mixed so perfectly that it was almost impossible not to laugh.

The other sound effect that could have gone sideways was a specific door chime. You know how when you walk into a store, you hear a chime when the door opens? There is one scene set at a shop where a chime almost plays on a loop. The more it played, the funnier it became. At least to me. The chime itself was rather funny-sounding to begin with, but the fact that it kept playing only added to the comedy. “No Other Choice” has a lot of little things to appreciate in what is ultimately an ambitious ride. It has laughs. It has drama. It has entertainment. It has everything one could want to make a solid flick and more.

Courtesy of Neon – © Neon

In the end, I have no other choice but to recommend this film. I would not be surprised if “No Other Choice” ends up speaking to a lot of people. These include people who lost their jobs, perhaps those close to someone they know who lost a job, or people simply trying to get by. The cost of living, depending on where you reside, is getting out of control, and that is if it has not done so already. This is my first Park Chan-wook movie, and I would not mind seeing more. At some point, I would like to check out some of his older projects, or if he has something new up his sleeve, that could be cool to see too. I am going to give “No Other Choice” a 7/10.

“No Other Choice” arrives in select theaters this Christmas and will have a wide release in January 2026.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Fackham Hall!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Scarlet,” “The Secret Agent,” “Hamnet,” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” 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 “No Other Choice?” What did you think about it? Or, do you have a favorite Park Chan-wook movie? Let me know your suggestions down below as I would love to get into more of his work. Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Jay Kelly (2025): Movie Star George Clooney Terrifically Stars as a Movie Star

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Jay Kelly” is directed by Noah Baumbach (White Noise, Marriage Story) and stars George Clooney (Gravity, Ticket to Paradise) and Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison) in a film about an actor who reflects on his career, choices, relationships, and legacy.

Throughout the years, there have been cases where I would point out that an actor plays themselves in a movie. This could be in a literal sense like Kumail Nanjiani did in the hilarious and heartfelt “Big Sick,” or in a figurative sense like Dwayne Johnson playing some variation of a character he has portrayed before, or some version of their off-camera personality.

While the character of Jay Kelly is not based on George Clooney or any particular actor, it is interesting to see an actor of Clooney’s caliber take him on, and it results in one of the best performances of the year. A good chunk of the performance is enhanced by the screenplay, crafted by Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer. The former is already an acclaimed name through his work on 2019’s “Marriage Story,” and Emily Mortimer is known for her acting career, but this is her first feature writing credit, and may I say it is a fine one to have.

Courtesy of Netflix – © 2025 Netflix, Inc

It does not surprise me that Noah Baumbach would work on a film like this. Not just because it is great, which it is. But also because it appears to take slight threads from “Marriage Story.” If you go back and look at “Marriage Story” and some of the reasons why the main characters’ relationship falls apart, a lot of it has to do with their creative lifestyles. They were both artists, but happened to be after different goals. In “Jay Kelly,” we see the title character having a uniquely successful acting career, which ultimately puts a damper on the relationships between him and several people he knows. One of the movie’s most moving scenes happens between Kelly and one of his daughters. She reminds Kelly of one of his acting gigs as a loving father. She says she remembers watching that project in particular and did not understand how her actual father was not as caring and attentive as the character he played.

This scene furthers one of Kelly’s extended struggles. Kelly seems to find it easy and appealing to escape his own world and enter someone else’s. It is almost like Kelly has ADHD and constantly feels the need to daydream. Except in his case, he does not imagine himself in another world, he comes as close as he can to living it. In this sense, the movie seems to imply the importance of appreciating what you have. Kelly seems to love his job. So much to the point where it gets in the way of important people like those in his family.

“Jay Kelly” surprisingly sticks the landing, because this movie had the potential to make the main character look like a jerk. The screenplay instead does everything possible to make Kelly human. Kelly means well, but his flaws sometimes stick out like a sore thumb, either to the audience or to the rest of the cast. There are moments of unforgivable behavior, but the movie never once makes Kelly look like a complete psycho. Maybe it is because we spend much of the movie with Kelly’s manager, Ron Sukenick, played by Adam Sandler. While Sandler’s performance does not quite have the dramatic oomph of “Uncut Gems,” it is nice to see him continue to expand his range. Especially considering he just came off of “Happy Gilmore 2,” which I did not review, but if I had to say something quick about it, I thought it was, in a word, fine.

Sukenick plays a huge part in forwarding Kelly’s journey. Their relationship, and by extension, the movie, makes me think of Bob Sugar’s line from “Jerry Maguire,” specifically, “it’s not show friends, it’s show business.” I get the sense that these two people are close, but at times they feel more like partners than friends, if that makes any sense. That said, the two do seem to like each other and get along just fine.

Clooney and Sandler are not the only super-sized names in this film. Much like another recent Netflix feature, “Wake Up Dead Man,” the star power in this film is massive. For the most part, it is hard to pinpoint a bad performance in the film, but it is chock-full of talent including Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig, Isla Fisher, and Riley Keough just to name a few. Similar to how we see George Clooney playing an actor, the film’s director and cinematographer, Noah Baumbach and Linus Sandgren respectively, have cameo roles as, you guessed it, a director and cinematographer on one of Jay’s films.

I enjoyed getting to see Kelly’s work throughout various points of his career. One of these examples also happens to be the first scene of the movie, which does an incredible job recreating a backdrop of metro New York, particularly the area around the East River, Roosevelt Island, and Long Island City, complete with the Queensboro Bridge above it all. When I think of my favorite films this year in terms of production design, “Jay Kelly” would probably not be my first choice. But the way this set is laid out perfectly showcases the location itself, and when Kelly is on camera, it does a great job at maintaining an illusion. If I look hard enough at the backdrop, I can tell that I am not looking at the real New York, but the movie, as well as the movie within the movie, does a great job at making said backdrop feel as real as possible.

One of the film’s most memorable aspects is the relationship between Kelly and Timothy Galligan. The two start off as classmates in acting school. At one point, the two try out at the same audition, only for Kelly to steal his friend’s spotlight. It is at this point where everything changed for Kelly and his career essentially began. This is especially true when one particular storyline comes into play where Kelly is caught on camera doing something terrible to Timothy. If the footage of that moment is released, it could jeopardize his career. The way the film navigates this storyline is topsy turvy to say the least, but the way it closes out is surprisingly satisfying and carries some emotional weight for both Kelly and Galligan. “Jay Kelly” is some ways a comedy, some ways a drama, but those two genres mesh together to make something special. It is a fascinating character study and is likely to stand out in several regards this awards season.

In the end, “Jay Kelly” rules. I need time to marinate as to whether I like this more than “A House of Dynamite” but of the five Netflix films I have watched this year, “Happy Gilmore 2” included, “Jay Kelly” is easily my favorite. “Jay Kelly” showcases some of the finest displays of talent in any film released in 2025. Whether it is George Clooney in front of the camera or Noah Baumbach behind it. I am going to give “Jay Kelly” an 8/10.

“Jay Kelly” is now playing in select theaters and is also available on Netflix to all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Bugonia.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “No Other Choice,” “Fackham Hall,” “Scarlet,” “The Secret Agent,” “Hamnet,” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” 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 “Jay Kelly?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Netflix release this year? Heck, I’ll count TV. Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Sentimental Value (2025): The House That Joachim Trier Built

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Sentimental Value” is directed by Joachim Trier (The Worst Person in the World, Louder Than Bombs) and stars Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent, A Different Man), Stellan Skarsgård (Dune, Andor), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Women in Oversized Men’s Shirts, A Beautiful Life), and Elle Fanning (Maleficent, The Neon Demon). This film is about the relationship between a filmmaker and his two estranged daughters, which only becomes more complicated when one of them declines to be in a film based on their family’s history.

Of the many prestige titles coming out at the end of 2025, one of the names that eventually found its name somewhere on my must see list was “Sentimental Value.” The film’s trailer seemed to tap into its central family drama, making for a rather intriguing idea. I did not care that it had a couple big stars or acclaimed names behind the scenes, though such things happened to be a bonus. Though selling me on a movie is not enough, I wanted to dive deeper into what I was buying, and what I bought was a fulfilling experience that highlights the ups and downs that comes with making personal art. Or in this movie’s case, perhaps as close as one can get to personal art.

Few things in life are as important as a good first impression. And “Sentimental Value” brings forth a dynamite first impression. The movie starts off with some of the best narration I have heard in a long time. The opening scene of the film is narrated from the perspective of a young Nora, one of the two daughters who play a large role in the story, and it taps into the idea of whether her house was alive, or happened to be aware of everything happening on the inside. Things such as the memories being made as well as the wear and tear that was being done to it over time. The editing throughout the scene perfectly matches each thought and neatly sets up everything that happens after, considering how much of a role that house continues to play in the characters’ lives.

Despite the film being a Norwegian production, “Sentimental Value” at times feels more like something straight out of Hollywood. Part of it has to do with the film having recognizable cast members including Stellan Skarsgård, who kills it as Gustav. But there is also Elle Fanning, who plays Rachel Kemp, an American actress. Kemp ends up taking the role in which Gustav originally asked Nora to play in his film, and I thought her presence often did a great job at representing Gustav’s tendency to sell out for the sake of his project. There is a great scene where Nora is riding an escalator and we see endless screens playing the same ad of Kemp as she’s going up.

The events in “Sentimental Value” very much reflect its name. Much of the movie revolves around a family home. In fact, one of the things Gustav wanted to make happen in his movie was being able to shoot it at said house. While the film does not dive into Gustav’s entire resume, it is easy to assume that  “Sentimental Value” is arguably Gustav’s most personal project yet considering he wants either someone or some place he knows in it. There is a saying that people should write what they know. There is also a saying that in filmmaking it is not a matter of what you know, and instead, who you know. While the latter can sometimes be seen as a negative in terms of allowing certain people a chance to find work, this movie does sometimes showcase the beauty and fun of working alongside family. For something like Gustav’s project, it only makes it more personal.

“Sentimental Value” is far from my favorite 2025 release. Though I do highly recommend seeing it, especially with someone you know. I had the privilege of seeing this film with a friend, and we had a pretty insightful discussion about it after. We knew a bit about each other so we were able to connect this movie to our lives. For example, throughout the film, we see that one of the differences between Nora and Agnes is that the latter has children. Of course, Nora gets the comment from her dad that having children is something she will not regret. That is an area in which the two seem to disagree. One of my favorite moments in the film is when Nora and Agnes are talking about the concept of having children, and Nora says while she does not have them, she said being Agnes’ big sister felt like being her parent. I am 26 years old, single, and do not have children. Frankly, I debate each and every day whether it is actually right for me to have children. And if my children read this years from now, please know, I am not saying this because I regret having you, or that I fear I will regret having you. But when I was younger, part of me felt like I was playing, to a certain extent, a fatherly role with my sister’s upbringing.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see the film’s occasional comedy chops. At its core, “Sentimental Value” is a drama, but it also weaves in some natural humor. Every instance of comedy felt more like something in the moment rather than a planned attempt to make people holler. One of my favorite moments of the film is getting to see Gustav explaining to Rachel the main idea for one of his film’s scenes involving a stool. When it is revealed that the story that inspired said scene was fabricated, the way that such a thing is done had me laughing. That said, whether the film goes into its more lighthearted laughable moments, its darker moments where we get some backstory, or the quite literally sentimental moments somewhere in between, it makes for one of 2025’s most compelling screenplays.

One final note about the film. While Netflix had no hand in producing or distributing “Sentimental Value,” I found it amusing how Gustav’s upcoming project was at one point going to be a Netflix movie. The film notes that this is not exactly Gustav’s first choice. Of course, one of the questions asked by the press about the movie is if it is going to be in theaters, to which I chuckled. Netflix’s refusal to put movies in theaters is astounding to me. By the way, as a reminder, please check out my reviews for “A House of Dynamite” and “Frankenstein,” two Netflix movies I saw in theaters this year, as much as they want me tied to my couch.

In the end. “Sentimental Value” is a completely inviting and moving package. It is film that showcases the importance of family while also diving into one’s personal struggles of being an artist. It balances both of these ideas perfectly and makes something beautiful out of both of them. Again, there are other films released this year I prefer, but I could see “Sentimental Value” having replay value somewhere down the line. I am going to give “Sentimental Value” a 7/10.

“Sentimental Value” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Zootopia 2!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Jay Kelly,” “Bugonia,” “No Other Choice,” and “Fackham Hall.” 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 “Sentimental Value?” What did you think about it? Or, would you ever want to make a movie based on your family’s history? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Eternity (2025): Romance Isn’t Dead in This Clever Take on the Afterlife

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Eternity” is directed by David Freyne (Dating Amber, The Cured) and stars Miles Teller (Whiplash, Top Gun: Maverick), Elizabeth Olsen (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Godzilla), Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Boys in the Boat), John Early (Search Party, At Home with Amy Sedaris), Olga Merediz (Blockbuster, Orange is the New Black), and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers, People of Earth). This film is set in an afterlife where people are presented with endless realms called eternities, one of which they can choose to remain for as long as they are dead. The story revolves around a love triangle in which a woman named Joan is forced to choose between spending the rest of her afterlife with her first love who died at war, or the man with whom she built the rest of her life.

Prior to watching “Eternity,” I have not seen a single trailer for the film. Anytime I go into a film without having seen a trailer, part of me gets a pep in my step, as blindness can often lead to a great surprise. I ended up checking out “Eternity” about a week before its release. The film had a press screening in Boston, a city from which I live 20 minutes north. I thought I would take advantage since I had a free Thursday night.

I am pleased to say that “Eternity” is quite good. It is not my favorite film of the year, and there are some notable problems I will bring up during the review. But it is a film that keeps a good pace, contains a likable cast, develops its characters nicely, and offers a fun take on what may happen after people die.

“Eternity” is not the first story I have seen brought to the screen that focuses on the afterlife. The film does tend to remind me a bit of other takes on it I have seen. This film reminds me of is the NBC series “The Good Place.” While I have not seen the whole series, the production design feels very similar with lots of bright colors filling the frame. As for both properties’ takes on the afterlife, that is where some of the differences start to come in. For instance, “Eternity” gives people some options on how exactly they spend their afterlife. There is a whole area of tents set up advertising all sorts of places where people can go spend the rest of their afterlives, and the possibilities feel nearly infinite. “Eternity” also establishes that there is not exactly a “Hell” or some equivalent to it where people wind up when they die. Everyone gets a chance to pick their eternity, and if they try to leave, they get chased down and sent to this film’s closest concept to Hell, which is a black void. More on that later… Also, one thing to note about these distinctions… It should not come as a surprise that there is no Hell because some of the eternities are based on seemingly unattainable desires, or bad habits. There is even an eternity dedicated solely to cigarette smoking!

A24 is a distributor whose movies always tends to get a reaction out of me, and “Eternity” is no exception. As I watching “Eternity,” a thought popped in my head that I do not tend to experience that often. Of all the A24 movies I have seen, “Eternity” may have the most franchise potential. Sure, A24 has the “X” trilogy and “The Souvenir” has two parts, but there is some really good world building and lore establishment in this film to the point where if another story in its universe were announced, I would be onboard. This film ends in a way where its main trio might not have much more of a story to tell, but I would not mind seeing another installment featuring new characters. This movie focuses on a love triangle, but it would be interesting to see what it is like for someone who never found love to have a chance to do so once they enter the afterlife. This could even spin off into a TV show. Maybe each new episode could feature the staff dealing with new people who are dying each day. They could probably make a whole season about someone who died if they wanted to go in that direction.

This film does not have a major antagonist. The biggest problem our characters face throughout the movie is that Joan is forced to choose between two men she’s loved at certain points of her life. That is the everlasting dilemma affecting our main trio. Although as mentioned earlier in the review, if someone leaves their eternity, they have to go on the run and avoid getting placed in a black void. Frankly, I think this movie would be better off if it did not have this consequence. It basically shames people for making the wrong choice even if they had the best of intentions while making it. For those who read my review for “Bone Lake,” sorry if this comment sounds familiar, but it works here too. The consequence sounds like something brought up during an episode of YouTube’s “Pitch Meeting” series, where the Executive Guy asks why a particular concept is a thing, to which the Screenwriter Guy responds “So the movie can happen!”

That said, “Eternity” is still pretty funny. In fact, this whole movie feels like an extended “Simpsons” episode. I cannot tell you every single joke or sight gag in this film, but for the most part, the movie seems to be running at a mile a minute. If you like that kind of humor, I think you will dig “Eternity.” This movie might be worth watching a second time to see if there are any jokes I missed.

Overall, this film is quite creative. There is a whole world built around what happens when people die. It gives its characters a week to choose where they would like to spend the rest of their time. I like how the film establishes there being a whole staff that has to acquaint dead people to their new environment. That said, when it comes to being a romcom, that is where things become a little more familiar. When it comes to the breakdown of how Joan navigates her dilemma, I could see certain key points of her journey coming from a mile away. That said, never once did I get the sense that any point in her journey was broken, and I do think said journey was slightly enhanced by both men being in her actual life. She had someone she was getting to know, but lost too soon. Then she had another man with whom she spent more than sixty years. It is a compelling dilemma and makes for a great story. All three of the main characters are layered and give all the exposition the audience needs to know for the rest of the movie to play out exquisitely.

In the end, “Eternity” is not only funny, but it made me think. I am 26 years old and I have never had a partner. If anything, this film made me not only think about what happens after I die, but it makes me wonder what is going to happen throughout the rest of my life. If the afterlife somehow ends up being similar to what this film presents, it makes me think much harder about any crucial life decisions I am going to make. Also, one last note, this film proves that Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a comedic force. I would love to see her as the lead in a comedy one day. I loved her in “The Holdovers.” She is also fantastic in “Eternity.” She is incredible at what she does. I am going to give “Eternity” a 7/10.

“Eternity” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

© Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Wicked: For Good!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Sentimental Value,” “Zootopia 2,” and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” 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 “Eternity?” What did you think about it? Or, if you could choose to spend the afterlife in one place, real or imaginary, where would it be and why? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Frankenstein (2025): Guillermo del Toro’s Take on the Classic Tale

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Frankenstein” is directed by Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water, Pacific Rim) and stars Oscar Isaac (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Jacob Elordi (Priscilla, The Kissing Booth), Mia Goth (X, Infinity Pool), and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds). This film is based on Mary Shelley’s book “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” and follows the titular scientist and his journey of bringing the Creature to life, as well as the consequences that ensue from his actions.

Guillermo del Toro is one of those names, kind of like Christopher Nolan or Damien Chazelle, that as soon as I see them attached to a project, my curiosity about said project doubles. That said, del Toro is not on the level of those two filmmakers for me in terms of being a priority, but it does not change the fact that he is a reputable name with a solid resume including the moving “Shape of Water,” the super fun “Pacific Rim,” and the 2022 animated gem “Pinocchio.”

As mentioned in previous posts, I am not much of a Netflix guy. But I do try to keep an open mind about some of their projects. After all, when they have the confidence to release a project in theaters, it immediately boosts my interest. So, as I was driving from Massachusetts to Connecticut for a brief stay at a casino, I stopped by a theater on the way to check out the film.

As for the film itself, I found myself having a pleasant time. It is not structured like a traditional film where you have one protagonist and their journey. Instead it seems to share alternate perspectives from Frankenstein as well as the Creature. The film takes its time to share both characters’ sides of the story.

As far as Guillermo del Toro films go, I do not think this has as much visual luster as “The Shape of Water.” I also do not think this film has as much engagement as I felt with “Pinocchio.” When it comes to this film’s future, I do not see it as much replay value as “Pacific Rim.” Do not get me wrong, “Frankenstein” is a good movie, but it is far from Guillermo del Toro’s best work. While this is nowhere near my favorite Guillermo del Toro outing, it is a film that feels distinctly Guillermo del Toro. There is a certain heart and soul to this film that I found right away. Guillermo del Toro’s worlds are so picturesque to the point where I want to step into them and never leave. The film’s color palette is almost like a Peter Jackson “Lord of the Rings” film had a baby with “La La Land.” When I look back at “Frankenstein,” I refuse to call it my favorite film of the year. In fact, it likely will not make my top 10, but this is a film whose use of color, special effects, costuming, and cinematography combine into something totally unique. I cannot recall the last time I sat down and watched a film that looked exactly like this one. While I cannot say that there is a shot in this film that is vividly sticking in my head, I will not deny that this film is consistent it comes to showcasing a plethora of spectacular imagery. That said, the film does teeter to a point where one could argue it has a pacing problem, but it is hard to say I found the movie boring. This is not the most engaging film of the year, but it makes the most of its two and a half hours.

The cast of “Frankenstein” is star-studded. You have Oscar Isaac… Jacob Elordi… Mia Goth… Not only does this film have a ton of big name actors, but all of them fit perfectly into their roles. The chemistry between these actors is immaculate at times. Elordi is compelling as the Creature. I cannot see anyone else but Mia Goth playing Lady Elizabeth Harlander in her respective context. And Oscar Isaac fires on all cylinders.

The more I think about Oscar Isaac, the more I love him. In my review for “Tron: Ares,” I talked about how Jared Leto has not had the best luck with geek-centric projects. Oscar Isaac is the opposite. Sure, “X-Men: Apocalypse” had some mixed reception. But between his excellent performance in “Moon Knight,” his charisma in “Star Wars,” his voiceover chops in “Spider-Verse,” and now arguably his best outing yet in “Frankenstein,” few people are owning the geek space like Isaac is at this point. Isaac is given a lot to do throughout “Frankenstein,” dominating the screen in just about every scene he is in. One of my favorite scenes of the film is set in a lecture hall where Frankenstein demonstrates his ambitions to revive the dead, to less than stellar reception. Throughout this presentation, he gave me a Gene Wilder Willy Wonka vibe, particularly the innocent, ambitious side of him that the public seems to know. That is not to say Isaac lacks range in his performance. When the movie hits its more emotional, heavier moments, Isaac gives the performance his all. It is not my favorite performance of the year, but it is up there.

If I had to name a favorite part of the film, it would probably be around the middle when we first see Victor and the Creature in the same room together. I really enjoyed getting to see the bond between the two, particularly as we see Victor trying to teach the Creature about everything he sees. It does not take long for the film to establish that the bond is not particularly the healthiest, but I thought the realization of that concept was perfect. The film clearly paints Frankenstein as something of a protagonist, but again, this film centers around both Frankenstein and the Creature to the point where we get their side of the story, so the film does a great job, especially when the perspective transitions from one character to the other, at giving the Creature material in which it is easy to sympathize with him. This is a “Frankenstein” story that goes beyond the surface level. The Creature is, well, a creature, but it humanizes the creature much more than Universal’s black and white classic.

In the end, “Frankenstein” is not my favorite Guillermo del Toro movie, but this is still a pretty good flick. It definitely lacks an oomph in certain regards, but the technical aspects stand out magnificently. The film has a great cast, fantastic use of color, and the production design is also worth writing home about. I do not know how well I am going to remember “Frankenstein” in the next five years, but in the moment I found it to be quite decent. Overall it is entertaining and well-crafted, especially for a Netflix release. I am going to give “Frankenstein” a 7/10.

“Frankenstein” is now available on Netflix for all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Good Fortune!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “The Running Man,” “Eternity,” “Wicked: For Good,” and “Sentimental Value.” 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 Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite “Frankenstein” story? It does not have to be a movie. It can be anything. Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

A House of Dynamite (2025): Kathryn Bigelow’s Back, and with More Perspectives Than Ever!

Posted on by Jack Drees

“A House of Dynamite” is directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, The Hurt Locker) and stars Idris Elba (The Suicide Squad, Pacific Rim), Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Reminiscence), Gabriel Basso (Hillbilly Elegy, The Night Agent), Jared Harris (Mad Men, Chernobyl), and Tracy Letts (Homeland, Lady Bird). This film showcases different people’s perspectives as the U.S. tries to respond to an intercontinental ballistic missile.

If you know me in person, you know that when I hear the term “Netflix movie,” I automatically go, “NEXT!” When you are a studio dedicated to hiring some of the biggest stars and putting them in a paint by numbers or completely forgettable story like “Red Notice” or “The Gray Man,” I start to think your track record needs improvement. That said, Netflix can occasionally deliver a diamond in the rough. Like many of its competitors, Netflix will usually spend the end of the year delivering their prestige films. These are movies that are likely to get some awards contention like “The Irishman” or “The Power of the Dog.” This year, one of Netflix’s prestige films happens to be “A House of Dynamite,” directed by the first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Director, Kathryn Bigelow. Like some of her other movies, this one involves a serious subject matter and in some cases, might make for a tough watch.

Upon my first impression, “A House of Dynamite” is exactly what I just said. It is one of those films that as soon as I finished watching it, I thought to myself, I need to go home and find something comfortable to put on the television. As soon as the movie was over, I left the theater, got in my car, got takeout, went home, turned on my TV, as well as my 4K Blu-ray player, and popped in “A Bug’s Life.” I sometimes talk about certain films going for the emotions, but this one goes for the emotions in a different way. It goes for the emotions not so much to make you sad, but more so to make you hopeless on top of being sad.

“A House of Dynamite” is this year’s “Oppenheimer.” It is not as good as “Oppenheimer,” but the two are close in terms of quality. “A House of Dynamite” is presented in such a surprisingly brisk pace. I am gobsmacked on how intriguing they ended up making certain segments of this movie. On paper, the movie sounds like pure cinema, but that may depend on how much detail that paper contains. If I told you that this movie was about a bunch of people trying to deal with an intercontinental ballistic missile that is on its way to the continental United States, you might be sold. The concept sold me. But I was not expecting it to be done in the way the filmmakers’ decided to go about it.

The movie is a case of more talk than action. We never see the missile. The closest we get to seeing the missile is through detection screens indicating where exactly in the air it happens to be.

The film also seems to take a page from “Top Gun: Maverick,” because if you remember that film, it never names the enemy. I think this is actually a somewhat wise move, and the way the movie went about it is surprisingly effective.

If I had to look ahead months from now, I cannot see “A House of Dynamite” winning Best Picture at the Oscars. I can see it being nominated. However, winning seems to be off the table. This is not necessarily because it is a Netflix movie, which, like it or not, can come as a turnoff when your awards body is mostly dedicated to movies in theaters. The main reason why I cannot see this film winning is because if I had to name the film’s most significant imperfection, it would be that the characters do not appear to take center stage. The film appears to be more plot-driven than character-driven.

There is an extensive list of characters in the movie, but I could not tell you any of their names. In fact, in the case of Idris Elba, whose name appears first on the cast, he is credited as “POTUS.” Not to digress, I never imagined Elba playing the President of the United States, but I think on paper it is a great pick. In execution, he plays his part well. “A House of Dynamite” does not really have a central character, but the President is arguably the core of the movie.

The film, like many great stories, is presented in three acts, but it presents its acts somewhat similarly to “The Last Duel,” which shows the same story three times from alternative perspectives. The perspectives are packed with differences, but they all take place around the same time and involve the same incident.

Having seen the film, I would love to know how this movie was written. I want to know which perspective Noah Oppenheim started with, how long it took for him to mesh everything together, and how long it took for him to decide on the order of the three acts. For all I know, it could be a boring backstory, but it does not change the fact that this is one of the most unique screenplays of the year. As for the order of the acts that was chosen, I thought it was perfect. Each act seems to hint at things that become more relevant later, and the hints enhanced the acts that followed as they happened. If this film follows in the footsteps of other Netflix projects like “Roma” or “Marriage Story,” I would love to see a Criterion Collection physical copy of the film be brought to market, because I would kill to see a bonus feature on the process that went into putting the screenplay together.

I am curious to know how people will perceive the ending, because without spoilers, let’s just say that the film does not end in a way that I think a lot of people would expect. I do not outright hate how this film ends, but I cannot say it was satisfying either. It almost makes the film feel incomplete. Once again, the screenplay has such a unique layout, therefore the ending is also fittingly unique. But it does not change the fact that it is lacking an impact. It feels like the movie had more to tell but decided to forget about whatever was ahead. Does the ending take away from what made the rest of the movie good? Not really. Sure, the film does not stick the landing once it concludes, but by no means does it split its head open.

In the end, “A House of Dynamite” is one of the most thrilling pictures of 2025. Pardon my overuse of Christopher Nolan film comparisons, but the film somewhat reminds me of “Dunkirk.” This is due to the recently mentioned imperfection of the movie not exactly having a main character. Instead, the closest thing to it would be the main event itself. And it most certainly helps that the main event is quite exciting. The film overall is intense and nail-biting. And this is without getting to see the nuclear missile itself! Is this is Kathryn Bigelow’s best movie? No. I have such a soft spot for “Point Break.” Although if you are looking for another banger on her resume, look no further than “A House of Dynamite.” I am going to give “A House of Dynamite” an 8/10.

“A House of Dynamite” is now available on Netflix for all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “The Smashing Machine!” Stay tuned! Also, look forward to my thoughts on “Shelby Oaks,” “Frankenstein,” “Good Fortune,” and “The Running Man.” 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 “A House of Dynamite?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Kathryn Bigelow movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (2025): Rose Byrne Expertly Conveys the Chaos of Motherhood in This Anxiety Trip of a Film

Posted on by Jack Drees

Courtesy of A24 – © A24

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is directed by Mary Bronstein (Round Town Girls, Yeast) and stars Rose Byrne (Neighbors, Bridesmaids), Conan O’Brien (Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Conan), Danielle Macdonald (Unbelievable, The Tourist), Christian Slater (Mr. Robot, The Wife), and A$AP Rocky (Zoolander 2, Monster). This film is about a woman named Linda whose life and sanity hangs on by a thread as she has to deal with her child’s illness, her job, her husband, and a missing person.

I saw the trailer for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” during my screening for “Eleanor the Great,” and I was quite impressed with how much drama and stakes that piece of marketing was able to show off in just a couple of minutes. It gave a good tease to the movie’s tone, particularly endless anxiety. That may sound a little overdramatic. The world is not ending in this film. No evil force is trying to take over the universe. But that does not mean the film is incapable of showcasing the constant struggle that stands in the protagonist’s path.

I also noticed in the trailer, not to mention the poster, that this movie stars Conan O’Brien. Odd choice for a dramatic role, but it is cool to see him getting work. We’ll get back to him later.

As for the movie itself, this is one of the best of the year. “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is basically 2025’s “Uncut Gems.” The story is not exactly the same, but a lot of the visuals, shots, and edits feel like they come out of that 2019 thriller. It should not be a surprise, considering this film is also being distributed by A24, and Josh Safdie just so happens to be a producer. The two movies feel like they have similar DNA. There was one visually trippy sequence about 5 to 10 minutes in containing voiceovers that kind of reminded me of the scene from the beginning of “Uncut Gems” where we are flying through the gem. Even in scenes where the dialogue is a bit slowed down, there is often a breakneck pace. Part of this is because of everything Rose Byrne’s character, Linda, has to deal with.

I am not a parent. I do not know if I will ever be a parent. We shall see. But this film does a great job showcasing the constant stress of being a parent. Granted, Linda’s situation is a bit more extreme considering her child is ill. At the same time, her husband’s basically out of the picture, and her home is falling apart. As a result of the latter, she has to find a place to stay until things get better. Even as someone who does not have kids, I have massive respect for parents and everything they do for their children. This film in particular reinforces my appreciation for them, especially moms. Every mom’s journey is different, but for Linda, several curveballs are being thrown into her path at once. It is almost impossible for her to catch them all.

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” may star Rose Byrne, but she is not the one who sold me on this movie. That would be Conan O’Brien.

Yes, that one. Which one would I be referring to? How many Conans do you know personally?

I may be letting some personal fanaticism get in the way, but if I see Conan O’Brien’s name on something, I instantly become more curious about it. Even for a project like this, which was probably one of the last things I would expect him to take on. O’Brien is naturally funny and kinetic. But in the case of “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” the late night host-turned podcaster seems to be taking a page from say Jordan Peele, who went on to make horror movies like “Get Out.” After all, both are known for their comedic talents, and if there is one thing many comedians know about, it’s timing. I laugh super hard at Conan O’Brien’s work not only because of the things he does, but when he does those things. This is also true for his role in this film. Despite the story being serious, the movie managed to get laughs out of me. One big laugh was courtesy of O’Brien himself. There is a scene where his and Byrne’s characters are sitting in a room together at a therapy office. Byrne’s getting something off her chest and O’Brien slowly takes in Byrne’s rant, then says… “Okay…” There are very few instances where the use of the word “okay” as a full statement has ever been funnier. The film definitely feels more dramatic than comedic, but Conan O’Brien’s character, much like his real life persona, is naturally hilarious through his presence and choice of words.

Heck, this film also has A$AP Rocky in it, whose acting experience appears to be rather limited. I still need time to think about what my favorite cast in a 2025 film happens to be. But I will verify that “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is certainly one of the most unique casts I’ve come across in a film released this year. Despite some unexpected names on the lineup, there is not a single bad performance in this film.

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is a couple hours of complete and total chaos. It only offers a few moments to breathe, and if it were not for its talented cast led by Rose Byrne, it probably would not work as well as it did. Major credit also has to go to the work done behind the scenes. Lucian Johnston’s edits are as smooth as butter, despite them belonging in a film as dramatic as this. The shots brought to life by cinematographer Christopher Messina are meticulously framed. I also have to give kudos to Mary Bronstein, who not only wrote the film, but also directed it.

This feels like a singular vision. I could have never come up with a movie like this myself. And the movie is all the better because someone like me was not in charge of it. If this movie were written or directed by a man, I can guarantee it probably would not be as good as it is. This movie comes off as if it was written by a mother, most likely for mothers. I am not saying this movie is exclusively to be enjoyed by mothers. But I think a lot of mothers will appreciate this film in one way or another. That said, Bronstein is a mother herself. To top things off, while not entirely based on true events, the film is in fact inspired by Bronstein’s time caring for a sick child. This film is written from the heart and just so happens to be powerful enough to send chills down my spine. I have no idea how much money this film is going to make, but I highly encourage anyone reading this to give this movie a chance. It is a raw, thrilling story that may not be every mother’s personal experience, but is likely something close to every mother’s worst nightmare.

In the end, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is more than just one of the best movie titles of 2025. It just so happens to be one of the best movies of 2025. As an experience, this film is incredible. Despite its unique cast, it offers some of the year’s best performances. Mary Bronstein offers a vision that only a mother like her could give. And the movie maintains a neverending level of anxiety liken unto “Uncut Gems.” I am going to give “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” a 9/10.

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “Tron: Ares.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Bone Lake,” “A House of Dynamite,” “The Smashing Machine,” “Shelby Oaks,” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein.” 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 “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a movie you really enjoyed about parenting? On that note, if you guys have not seen last year’s brilliant animated film “The Wild Robot,” please give it a chance whenever you can. Although some of you reading this probably have seen it because it did win Best Picture at the 7th Jack Awards. If you have not seen it, listen to those people who voted and give the movie a shot! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

One Battle After Another (2025): Leonardo DiCaprio Delivers the Performance of a Lifetime in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Excellent Thriller

Posted on by Jack Drees

“One Battle After Another” is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza, The Master) and stars Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, Inception), Sean Penn (Daddio, Licorice Pizza), Benicio del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy, Sicario), Regina Hall (Think Like a Man, Scary Movie), Teyana Taylor (White Men Can’t Jump, Coming 2 America), and Chase Infiniti (Presumed Innocent). Inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland,” this film is about an ex-revolutionary who must save his daughter from a corrupt military official.

As much as I beat a dead horse with this phrase, I only say it because it is true. To me, there are many cases where an artist can only be as good as their last project. Sure, Yorgos Lanthimos is a director with an admirable hustle, but after “Kinds of Forgettable–” err, I mean “Kinds of Kindness,” I am a little nervous about his latest project, “Bugonia.” Kind of like Lanthimos, I was nervous about what would be in store for “One Battle After Another” especially after the infuriating couple of hours I had watching “Licorice Pizza.” Is it a well made film? Sure, in certain regards. But in terms of characterization, plot, perhaps even pacing, I found the end result to be fairly off-putting. It is not to say that Paul Thomas Anderson is an incompetent director. While it has been years since I have seen “The Master,” I do remember it being beautifully made, so Anderson has his ups and downs.

I saw this film a week after it came out. Not because I wanted to stall on it, but because by complete coincidence, I happened to be staying in New York City for a weekend, and I wanted to see the movie in IMAX 70mm. Anytime you hear people say that they saw the next great masterpiece, it is a sentiment that you have to take with a grain of salt. I will only believe the hype when I see it. Plus, the marketing did not do a lot for me. It gave me an idea of the tone, but I thought there was no real oomph to what was on screen. The biggest selling point seemed to be the names Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Thomas Anderson. I am not critiquing this. If you have talent, sell it. But as far as the movie itself, the marketing did not do it for me.

Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures – © Warner Bros. Pictures

Before this goes off the rails any further, I must say “One Battle After Another” is a magnificent piece of cinema. Is it my favorite film of the year? Not quite. But I am also having trouble coming up with genuine problems. There are problems that come to mind, but if my reviews for “Risky Business” or “Revenge of the Nerds” shows anything, I can still dig a movie despite its flaws. One personal problem would probably force me to spoil part of the film’s climax. But let’s just say that as “cool” and “shocking” as it was for the movie to unveil a choice they made for a major character, I questioned the logic behind said choice. I also find the film’s pacing to mostly work, though I must admit that the movie does start off slow and gets better as it goes. This is not to say that the film is bad, but if I had to name a weakest part of the film, it would probably be the first twenty minutes or half hour.

By the way, if you are looking for a short movie, you will want to sit this one out. “One Battle After Another” is two hours and fifty minutes long. I know for some of you this might be intimidating, but at the risk of sounding like a pervert, size does not matter, it is what you do with it. And Paul Thomas Anderson does his best to deliver a spectacular vision made for the big screen.

If you get a chance to see “One Battle After Another” in a theater, please do. The film is easy on the eyes thanks to Michael Bauman’s cinematography, as well as the ears courtesy of Jonny Greenwood’s score. There was a point during the film’s climax where my chair was vibrating like I was at an NFL game.

Speaking of cinematography and camerawork, this film is one of the cleanest I have seen this year. While “One Battle After Another” may not be the most colorful movie, it makes the most of its rather limited palette to the point where everything that’s on the screen pops. There is also a riveting chase scene towards the end of the film that basically turns the road itself into a character. The film contains a shot where we see the road winding up and down and it helped set the mood for what’s to come. Visually, this movie needs no notes. It is also heavily enhanced when watched in the film’s native 1.5:1 aspect ratio, which is typically used for VistaVision.

Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures – © Warner Bros. Pictures

Going back to the marketing of this film, I mentioned that one of the biggest selling points for “One Battle After Another” is Leonardo DiCaprio. And why wouldn’t he be? He has starred in some of the best films in the past couple decades. Like usual, DiCaprio gives his performance his all. Also, the more I think about his performance, the more I come to a conclusion that I am proud to wear on my sleeve. There are not many other people that I could see playing a character of this type as well as Leonardo DiCaprio could. Maybe Brad Pitt… Perhaps Sam Rockwell… Those two names come to mind. But the more I look at this role and think about the way it was executed, it comes off as if it was written with Leonardo DiCaprio in mind. We see him start off as part of revolutionary group as Pat Calhoun, and he later evolves into a washed-up stoner who goes by Bob Ferguson. You can the see the range coming from DiCaprio as he effectively portrays multiple portions of his character’s life. I also found some scenes featuring the character to be laugh out loud funny. There is a phenomenal gag in this film involving a “rendezvous point” that had me rolling on the floor.

Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio are celebrated veterans in the industry, but “One Battle After Another” may also be responsible for some people’s big breaks, including Chase Infiniti, who plays Leonardo DiCaprio’s child. I dug the back and forth between these two. Going back to the evolution of DiCaprio’s character, I thought Infiniti did an superb job at channeling her character’s distaste for her father’s resorting to drugs or his overprotectiveness. Chase Infiniti’s career is likely only getting started and this film is going to open so many doors for her. I look forward to seeing what she does next.

In the end, “One Battle After Another” is an experience. Is this my favorite movie of the year? No. But it is an exquisitely crafted piece of cinema in multiple regards. It is one of the best looking movies of the year. It has one of the best casts of the year. The story, while sometimes slow, is engaging. It is a satisfying film that balances serious topics like political extremes and revolution while also having time to insert scenes where Leonardo DiCaprio acts like a complete buffoon. This movie is a massively successful balancing act. I am going to give “One Battle After Another” an 8/10.

“One Battle After Another” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Tron: Ares,” “Bone Lake,” “A House of Dynamite,” “The Smashing Machine,” “Shelby Oaks,” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein.” 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 “One Battle After Another?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Lost Bus (2025): Matthew McConaughey Gets Into Gear in This Engaging Disaster Movie

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Lost Bus” is directed by Paul Greengrass (News of the World, The Bourne Supremacy) and stars Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar, Sing), America Ferrera (Barbie, How to Train Your Dragon), Yul Vazquez (Midnight, Texas, Russian Doll), Ashlie Atkinson (The Gilded Age, Mr. Robot), and Kate Wharton (Matty Paz Is a Noob, The Bold and the Beautiful). Inspired by Lizzie Johnson’s book “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire,” this film tells the true story of school bus driver Kevin McKay, whose normal day on the job suddenly turns into an all out mission of rescue and survival when he comes face to face with the deadliest fire in California history.

In my daily life, I use Windows computers and an Android phone. Nevertheless, I am not too much of a scaredy cat to admit that Apple has made its presence known in the film industry. It is not a perfect presence, but I will note that they have a few fine feathers in their cap between their Academy Award Best Picture winner “CODA” as well as this summer’s smash hit “F1: The Movie.” The studio has made top talent a priority, having released projects made by directors like Joseph Kosinski, Martin Scorsese, and Ridley Scott. The end results of these projects had varying degrees of success, but it does not change the fact that these are typically trustworthy names. Another name on that list is “The Bourne Supremacy” director Paul Greengrass.

While I do not hold Paul Greengrass amongst my favorite filmmakers of all time, I will not deny his ability to make a great movie. In fact, one film I remember fondly reviewing was the western “News of the World,” a road film featuring an unlikely duo. I thought the story was captivating and has arguably become more relevant with time.

Finding out about Paul Greengrass’ role behind the camera got me in the door. Love it or hate it, I will admit, his shakycam techniques work here. There are several kinetic shots around the second half that added to the tension and atmosphere of what is ultimately a well done disaster film. While Greengrass may be behind the camera, those in front of it kept me engaged too, most especially stars Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera.

There are some films that have star power and fail to stand out for any reason other than that. “The Lost Bus” is not one of them, because the film is a scary, exciting ride. I watched this film on the first day of October, and despite “The Lost Bus” not being a horror movie, it honestly set the tone for the month. Few things are scarier than seeing children enter imminent doom, and this film is not short on such nightmare fuel. “The Lost Bus” is based on true events, and while there are parts that definitely feel blown up for the sake of theatricality, the film works so well because of how intense it ended up being. “The Lost Bus” is basically this year’s “Deepwater Horizon.” It is a film revolving around an everyday white dude with black hair and a distinctive flair, who must go beyond the call of duty to save himself and those around him, even as the worst case scenario of a disaster comes to fruition. I do not think the film is as good as “Deepwater Horizon.” “The Lost Bus,” in a sense, takes some time to get going. I would argue that maybe the second half of the film is better than the first. That said, once it gets to said second half, it goes full throttle and never stops.

Matthew McConaughey’s character, Kevin McCay, is beautifully fleshed out, as he should be. We know a lot about him, his family, and the personal problems of his life and career. We see him having trouble maintaining relationships with loved ones, as well as a sense of work-life balance. He comes off as a genuinely likable guy, but one who is noticeably flawed. I also liked getting to know some of McCay’s family members. They all seemed to have lifelike chemistry, which makes sense because some of McConaughey’s real life family, including his son Levi and his mother Kay, have major roles in the film.

The film industry is no stranger to nepotism. It is a concept that has its ups and downs, but if the project works, I do not tend to care as much. That said, I do not have as much of a problem with McConaughey’s son and mother being cast because they perfectly play their roles. While their screentime is not as long as say America Ferrera, who does a great job playing a school teacher trying to make it through the fire, I thought both Levi and Kay McConaughey did a great job. If they were cast in another film down the line, I would be interested in seeing them again.

Unfortunately, with this being an Apple movie, this did not get the most proper of theatrical releases. I was lucky to catch this film while it was playing at my local Showcase Cinema, and I am glad I did not miss out because this film is, to my surprise, super effective with its camerawork and incredibly immersive. I am not the biggest fan of shakycam, but as I hinted previously, it works for this story. I can see some people watching this movie and maybe not being a fan of the way it was shot, but for me, I thought the rapid camera movement put me in the middle of several scenes. It gave me the illusion that there was fire spreading around me rather than watching a group of people simply trying to survive a fire themselves. This film is shot by Pål Ulvik Rokseth, a name I did not know that well, but I was impressed to find out he also filmed a short and chilling IMAX spot that I occasionally caught inside their theaters. I am glad to see he is getting more work.

In certain ways, “The Long Bus” is kind of like “The Long Walk.” Both films present the most basic premise where our characters are in seemingly never-ending danger and they must survive to the end. Only in the case of “The Lost Bus,” this is more of a man vs. nature tale rather than one of man vs. man. Is this film as good as “The Long Walk?” Not really. But that is also a bit of an unfair comparison because I can think of very few films released this year that are. If you want to see a compelling narrative that shows people doing everything they can to protect themselves, protect others, all while dealing with something as dangerous as a wildfire, then “The Lost Bus” may be your jam. The fire itself may be the main event of the film, but the story is surprisingly not short on characterization. Said characterization is probably enhanced by the fact that this film is based on a true story..

In the end, “The Lost Bus” is an engaging tale of survival. Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera make for an excellent duo. From a visual perspective, this movie spares no expensive between the excellent shaky camerawork and the eye-popping fire effects. There are some liberties taken with this story. One teacher attached to the original tale declined to be involved with this film. However, this tale was beautifully adapted. It is one of those stories that shows the best of humanity. It shows the good people are willing to do in the worst of times. This movie is two hours and nine minutes. Frankly, it feels quite a bit shorter than that. It flies by. Especially in the second half. If you have Apple TV and you have a couple hours to kill, this is a good time. I am going to give “The Lost Bus” a 7/10.

“The Lost Bus” is now playing in select theaters and is available on Apple TV for all subscribers.

Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures – © Warner Bros. Pictures

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “One Battle After Another.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” “Tron: Ares,” “Bone Lake,” “A House of Dynamite,” “The Smashing Machine,” and “Shelby Oaks.” If you want to see this 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 “The Lost Bus?” What did you think about it? Or, what is a film you enjoyed recently that is based on a true story? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Eleanor the Great (2025): June Squibb Gives one of 2025’s Best Lead Performances in Scarlett Johansson’s Directorial Debut

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Eleanor the Great” is directed by Scarlett Johansson, and this marks her first time directing a feature film. This movie stars June Squibb (Nebraska, Thelma), Erin Kellyman (Willow, Raised by Wolves), Jessica Hecht (Friends, Breaking Bad), and Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Lion King, Doctor Strange). This film is about a 94-year-old woman who moves from Florida to New York following a devastating loss. Shortly after her arrival, she finds herself in a group where she tells a tale that harkens back to the Holocaust.

Last year, I was introduced to June Squibb in the super funny comedy “Thelma.” If you told me that I would walk out of an action movie, led by someone in their 90s, thinking the lead kicks all kinds of butt, I would say, “Unless it’s Clint Eastwood, I ain’t buying it.” I am glad to be surprised.

Now Squibb is once again a leading lady in “Eleanor the Great.” But just because a movie has an actor I admire, does not mean it automatically sticks the landing. Heck, as much as I love Ke Huy Quan, watching “Love Hurts” earlier this year was sometimes painful despite some cool action scenes.

I have to think about the two movies side by side for a little bit, though I would understand one’s argument as to why “Eleanor the Great” is the better of the two films. I can honestly see myself going back and forth between the two movies depending on my mood. After all, I would argue that “Eleanor the Great” was not made for as wide of an audience as “Thelma.” “Thelma” has action, comedy, and it balances things out with some occasional pathos. It also presents a story where there is a relatable character for every age group.

If you cry easily, you might want to sit out on “Eleanor the Great.” The film partially centers around the Holocaust, or more accurately, reflections about the Holocaust. It also deals with getting older. Sure, “Thelma” did that too, but “Eleanor the Great” has a lot less fun with that concept. Not only does it deal with Eleanor herself getting older, but also what it is like for other people to watch her get older. It presents the obstacles she has to cope with, as well as those her family are pushing through themselves. June Squibb does an excellent job representing these obstacles as the lead through everything she does, as well as the things she observes around her.

“Eleanor the Great” is not just June Squibb’s show. The film is directed by one of the most talented and profitable actresses working today, Scarlett Johansson. Anytime an actor turns to directing, I have a little hint of curiosity. My big question is if they should stick to acting, or if they could sit in the chair for another round, and the latter is true for Scarlett Johansson. She understands what every performer in this film is supposed to deliver. The direction is not perfect. There are some moments that feel a little rushed just so we as an audience can understand a character’s line and move on. Select scenes appear more obviously staged than others, but they do not take away from the authenticity presented throughout much of the film’s runtime. That said, the moments where we get to know Eleanor’s so-called backstory, each line pairs well with the overall selection of shots. The film is meticulously edited. It is some of the finest I have seen this year. Eleanor’s storytelling is not only effective enough in terms of letting those around her get emotional, but also in the sense of letting that emotion fling itself to the audience watching the film.

Johansson did not write the movie. That honor belongs to Tory Kamen. The film is based on Kamen’s own experiences as well as the experiences of those she knows. One of the most robust rules in screenwriting is writing what you know. While Kamen is not old enough to have witnessed the Holocaust as it happened, she uses the perspective of people in her life to create an emotionally charged hour and a half.

In fact, I think this film reaches a major accomplishment with its portrayal of the Holocaust. Because if you watch films like “Life is Beautiful,” a chunk of the runtime is spent showing the horrors of the Holocaust, rather than telling them. Since film is a visual medium, I often believe “showing” should be prioritized over “telling” within the confines of said medium. However, some of my most emotional reactions regarding the Holocaust have been through seeing pictures or video, not by hearing someone talk about it. Hearing Eleanor tell the story of her friend had me stunned. By the end of the film, I was trying my best to hold back tears.

© Sony Pictures Classics

Just because the film deals with serious topics and features characters who have experienced some of the absolute worst moments in history, does not mean there are no lighthearted moments. With this film being set mostly in metro New York, we get to see Eleanor share some sympathy to a cab driver when she finds out he lives in Staten Island. Another example involves Eleanor’s love for Coney Island. Despite Eleanor’s reservations about moving to Manhattan, the film reveals how much she treasures Coney Island. While the film does have its occasional moment of levity here and there, the Coney Island storyline is the shiny gem planted between a rock and a hard place. That said, “Eleanor the Great” is incredibly poignant. Despite centering around the Holocaust, the screenplay is a work of fiction. The characters may not be real, but their respective performers are infinitely raw in their portrayals.

The basic concept of this film is intriguing enough, but the events that piggyback off of it are just as interesting. Not only does it establish an admirable connection between Eleanor and a curious college journalist (Erin Kellyman, center), but it later inserts Eleanor in scenarios that as soon as they came up on screen, a part of me went “Oh, no…” At times, I could feel the uncertainty running through Eleanor, and I got surprisingly nervous for what was going to happen as the film progressed. The film is predictable in some ways, but it presents obstacles and scenarios that not only did I fail to see coming, but feel earned. As this film neared the credits, I got pretty close to tearing up. This film has its moments of levity, but it is not an easy watch. Do not get me wrong, the movie is not a bad watch. If you can deal with the serious subject matter, I can see you appreciating “Eleanor the Great.” Please check it out if you can.

In the end, “Eleanor the Great” is a stellar directorial debut for Scarlett Johansson. At times, the movie feels predictable, some scenes come off as staged, and there are maybe one or two small moments that feel rushed. Even with those complaints in mind, this is one of the most emotional film-watching experiences I have had all year. This movie might not be in my top 10 of the year, but I would not be shocked if it ends up in my top 20. June Squibb is a tour de force. The supporting cast from Erin Kellyman, to Chiwetel Ejiofor, to Jessica Hecht, to Will Price, all do a superb job as their respective characters. If Scarlett Johansson is directing another movie, count me in. I am going to give “Eleanor the Great” an 8/10.

“Eleanor the Great” is now playing in theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “The Lost Bus.” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, look forward to my thoughts on “One Battle After Another,” “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” “Tron: Ares,” “Bone Lake,” “A House of Dynamite,” and “The Smashing Machine.” 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 “Eleanor the Great?” What did you think about it? Or, have you ever been to Coney Island? What did you think of it? I’ve actually been twice, and both times were fun. Though I will admit the second time was arguably more enjoyable as I had much better weather. Let me know if you’ve been down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!