Johnny Knoxville

I Want Your Sex (2026): A Wilde, Sexy Ride

Posted on by Jack Drees

“I Want Your Sex” is directed by Gregg Araki (13 Reasons Why, Now Apocalypse) and stars Olivia Wilde (Don’t Worry Darling, Tron: Legacy), Cooper Hoffman (The Long Walk, Licorice Pizza), Mason Gooding (Ballers, Love, Victor), Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio, Generation), Johnny Knoxville (Jackass, Action Point), Margaret Cho (30 Rock, All American Girl), Roxane Mesquida (Now Apocalypse, Gossip Girl), Charli XCX (The Moment, UglyDolls), and Daveed Diggs (Black-ish, The Boys). This film is about a man named Elliot who takes a job at a company specializing in erotic art. Soon after taking said job, he finds himself in a sexual relationship with his boss.

© 2026 – Magnolia Pictures

Sex sells. End of story. Well, unless your sex-centric movie comes out against “Spider-Man,” then that’s a different conversation entirely. As Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jon Bernthal continue their box office domination with “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” released just two weeks after their smash hit “The Odyssey,” a significantly smaller title is getting, unsurprisingly, nowhere near as much spotlight. That movie being “I Want Your Sex.”

The concept of this film is intriguing, as it places a 23 year old man with a much more experienced woman in a series of sexual situations. The kicker to this, the 23 year old man just so happens to be working for said woman at, amazingly enough, a company dedicated to erotic art.

Couple things to note… First off, my family does read this blog, and I have no problem with them knowing that I very much enjoyed this raunchy, sexy movie. I would like to shoutout one cool aunt who was confused as to why I recommended “Anora,” which she deemed “pornagraphic.” Auntie… That’s tame compared to what “I Want Your Sex” has to offer. You’ve been warned. Now for all the sick human beings who have not clicked away from this review, you are in for a good time.

© 2026 – Magnolia Pictures

The best thing about this movie is the cast, not necessarily because of anyone’s star status, although it does contain a few recognizable names including Cooper Hoffman and Olivia Wilde, whose chemistry together is electric. For those who have followed me for a while, you may be aware that I was not the biggest fan of another film in which Hoffaman stars, “Licorice Pizza.” It is not entirely his fault the movie did not work for me, Hoffman played his part as he was instructed to do so. But the dynamic between Hoffman and Wilde in this latest film reminded me a bit of the dynamic the former had with Alana Haim in “Licorice Pizza.” This is yet another case of a much younger man having feelings of some sort for a woman much older than him. While the relationship in “Licorice Pizza” felt uncomfortable, I actually found quite a bit of enjoyment in what “I Want Your Sex” had to offer. Partially because one, the relationship is… Well, legal… Also, whereas I found Hoffman’s character in “Licorice Pizza” to be a pervy creep, I found myself occasionally sympathizing with the one he plays in “I Want Your Sex…”

As for the opposite end of the dynamic, Olivia Wilde, she is a knockout. Erika is packed with all kinds of range. Every once in a while you can see Wilde portraying her as a stern conversationalist. Sometimes she enters boss mode. Other times she gloriously loses her temper. And then there are those moments where her actions speak louder than her words. Every scene between Erika and Elliot had my eyes glued to the screen because I genuinely had no idea where things were going to go with them at certain points. This movie is a rather unpredictable ride.

The surprise star of the film… Charlie XCX. I never cared for her music, but even I must admit that she is brilliant here. On top of everything that is going on between Hoffman and Wilde, the former also just so happens to be in a relationship with XCX’s character of Minerva. One would think that my favorite sex-centric moment of the movie is between Hoffman and Wilde, but it is actually between the former and Charlie XCX, because it says a lot about where both characters were in the relationship and further tapped into Hoffman’s sexual tendencies. The scene perfectly establishes Hoffman’s need for sex in order to stay sane, as opposed to Charlie XCX, who clearly could not give two craps about it in addition to the relationship itself. Of all the characters in the film, Charlie XCX’s seems to be the least expressive, perhaps on purpose. I have no problem with it. The character works.

On top of the awkward intimate moments shared between Minerva and Elliot, the film occasionally has a hint or two that highlights how, let’s just say, important sex is to the latter. Elliot’s roommate, Apple (Wonders), asks him if he has ever faked an orgasm, to which he responds, “Well, I’m a guy, so…” It also puts a spotlight on unrealistic standards people seem to have for sex, especially when one is so often exposed to it in parts of their daily life outside of the actual activity.

If anything, the film is a love letter to, and at the same time, a parody of Gen Z, which I happen to be a part of. There is a lot of media coverage suggesting that some members of this generation do not exactly have a complete interest in sex, or have fears about engaging in said activity. Granted some of these people are younger, so sex is probably not something they want to think about. But others, like myself, are in their twenties, which some would stereotype as a time where sex winds up playing some kind of role in one’s life.

At the same time, I wonder how accessible this film will wind up being to my generation, considering how part of said media coverage on Gen Z suggests they want to see less sex in film and television. That said, this film has a lot of sex, and just about every scene ends up contributing to the story in some way.

But this film is a lot more than just sex. It is often quite funny and dramatic. The film, in addition to being about a May-December sexual relationship, also interweaves an intriguing part of the story having to do with the Los Angeles art gallery scene. There is never a boring moment in “I Want Your Sex,” which if there were, would be shocking, as the film is only 90 minutes. Is this the best film I have seen this year? No. But in terms of pacing and messaging, it is top-notch. This is my first Gregg Araki film, and I can say I am a new fan. He has a knack for brisk storytelling. I would love to see him helm another feature down the line.

© 2026 – Magnolia Pictures

In the end, “I Want Your Sex” is wildly entertaining. The film combines comedy, drama, romance, and blends everything together in a neat package. This is not a film for everyone. It is also one that should be watched only with certain individuals. But it was certainly a film for me. Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman have incredible chemistry as the leads, and the film’s supporting cast members are also by every means an asset to the production. I am not the biggest Charli XCX guy, but even I was surprised with her performance as Minerva. She was perfect. I am going to give “I Want Your Sex” a 7/10.

“I Want Your Sex” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! For those new here to Scene Before, in addition to written reviews, I also have recently been doing video reviews! Be sure to check out my latest episode of Movie Requests, the original series where I ask celebrities what movies they think I should talk about, and give my official thoughts! My latest episode features the very funny Amy Sedaris, who suggests I should review two of her favorite movies, “The Elephant Man” and “Babe.” To find out if I liked these movies as much as her, click the video above! And if you enjoy the video, please leave a like and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I have more episodes coming featuring celebrities including Adam Conover, Rosario Dawson, Joe Gatto, Michael Rooker, and Tessa Thompson,. The next episode, which will be released on a future undetermined date, will feature Melissa Barrera (Abigail, In the Heights). Be sure to look out for that when it drops!

My next review is going to be for “The Invite!” Stay tuned! Also coming soon, I will be sharing my thoughts on “Cookie Queens,” “Tony,” “Spa Weekend,” and “Coyote vs. Acme.” 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 Want Your Sex?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite film that you would think twice before watching with your family? Let me know down below! 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!

The Luckiest Man in America (2024): A Decent Adaptation of Arguably the Most Exciting Game Show Episodes of All Time

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Luckiest Man in America” is directed by Samir Oliveros (Bad Lucky Goat, Cactus Blossom) and stars Paul Walter Hauser (Inside Out 2, Cobra Kai), Walton Goggins (Justified, The Shield), Shamier Anderson (Wyonna Earp, John Wick: Chapter 4), Brian Geraghty (Chicago P.D., Boardwalk Empire), Patti Harrison (Shrill, Together Together), Haley Bennett (The Girl on the Train, Hillbilly Elegy), Damian Young, (Amateur, Ozark), Lilli Kay (Your Honor, Yellowstone), James Wolk (Mad Men, Zoo), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Billions, The Resident), David Rysdahl (Nine Days, Fargo), Ricky Russert (I, Tonya, Banshee), David Strathairn (The Bourne Ultimatum, Good Night, and Good Luck), Johnny Knoxville (Jackass, Action Point), and Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones, Doctor Who). This film is inspired by true events and centers around a “Press Your Luck” contestant who has figured out the secret to winning as much money as possible.

I have had a habit of balancing several random hobbies and interests, no matter how atypical. Of course, with this being a movie blog, it would come as no surprise that I love movies. Ever since I was a kid, I loved riding elevators for fun. I still do. So you have a “normal” hobby, and a “less normal” hobby. I also have another interest that I would personally put in between those two when it comes to normalcy, specifically game shows.

As someone who loves movies and game shows, part of me thought for years that the subject matter for “The Luckiest Man in America” would make for a compelling film. For those not aware, the story is based on Michael Larson’s two-episode appearance on “Press Your Luck” in 1984, at which point he broke the record as the biggest winner in game show history. It also took the “luck” out of “Press Your Luck,” as those working on the show came to realize Larson figured out the board’s predetermined patterns and used his knowledge to win a six figure total.

I was really looking forward to this film. My excitement for this project was similar to how I would feel going into a project from one of my favorite directors like Steven Spielberg. I am happy to confirm the film is quite enjoyable, but if you want the best version of the story, this movie is not it. It is good, but not great.

This is not to say you should avoid this movie. In fact, if it is playing near you, which it absolutely likely is not as of this publication, I recommend you give it a shot. By itself, this is a fascinating story and I think it has the potential of winning a lot of viewers over. I think you will have a good time. But just know that there are better options out there regarding the same subject matter that I would more highly recommend.

If you remember my review for “80 for Brady,” which is set during Super Bowl 51, I said the football game by itself is far more compelling than the movie that features it. Similarly, I highly recommend you check out Michael Larson’s “Press Your Luck” episodes on your own time. They are available on YouTube, or they might eventually air as a rerun on BUZZR or something. There is also a solid documentary on the matter called “Big Bucks: The Press Your Luck Scandal.” It does a great job at diving into Larson’s tendencies during the game, as well as his relationships with people on set and his loved ones.

“The Luckiest Man in America” bridges a weird gap to the point where parts of it come off as played up and Hollywoodized. Yet at the same time, the film spends a lot of time on a Hollywood game show set, specifically the one for “Press Your Luck,” that seems to lack the electricity of the original show in the 80s. I remember watching the broadcasts these movies are based on and the crowd was somtimes unhinged, literally losing their minds like animals. It was like Black Friday except in this case the crowd of people was rooting for a stranger to get their hands on a big TV before they did.

Although as someone who has been in live audiences for various TV programs, including two game shows, I did enjoy how hard the film leaned into the list of instructions the audience was given during their visit to the set. They are cued on when to clap, when to boo, as well as when to laugh. If you have ever been in a live audience for a TV show it is a lot of fun, but sometimes you realize that some of what you end up doing is part of a script. The movie even shows a moment where they have to redo a key moment of the game because Michael ended up swearing on camera.

The film is based on real events, but it ends up changing a surprising amount of what has been televised. Some of these include small changes like sounding off the “Price is Right” fail horn whenever someone hits a Whammy or the order in which the contestants answer the trivia questions. There is also a more sizable change involving the Home Player Spin, which was a special event featured in the actual taping in which Larson appeared, but they changed it to play more to the drama of the film and the characters involved.

I have no problem with adapting something for the screen and changing the source material. In fact, one of my problems with the 2019 remake of “The Lion King” is that the film is too similar to the 1994 original. Although a lot of the changes brought to “The Luckiest Man in America” felt out of left field considering this production is based in reality. This is not based on a book, not a video game, nor a TV show. …Okay, well it is kind of based on a TV show. But the point is, I would be down for these changes if they made the story better, but some of the drama added to the film felt forced and fabricated. The film eventually spirals into hints of ridiculousness. Sometimes it is entertaining, but it is still ridiculous. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” proves that you can change something that is true and still have it be great. Unfortunately, “The Luckiest Man in America” is not quite on that level.

The film does have a lot to rave about though. The Press Your Luck set, while not entirely the same as the original from the 80s, is about as dead of a ringer as you can get. Props to the design team. The set came out fantastic. At times, the film definitely feels small, but when it is on the “Press Your Luck” set, it is larger than life.

My compliments on the film’s look also extends to the characters. Their fashion choices match the ones we see on the show’s episodes. Paul Walter Hauser looks a lot like Michael Larson himself. I thought the hair and makeup department did a good job at styling him to fully resemble the infamous contestant. If I had any knocks when it comes to the looks, I would say the biggest one would be towards the star of “Press Your Luck,” Peter Tomarkan. For the record, this is not a diss towards Walton Goggins. He did a fine job in his role and I thought he was a solid choice to play the host. But the way his hair was styled looked incredibly artificial. I know on-screen talent like game show hosts are often dolled up to look a certain way on camera, but Goggins looked like an action figure at times. His look was a bit overdone.

Although going back to Paul Walter Hauser, his transformation into Michael is immaculate. If you watch the real Michael Larson, chances are you could find him eccentric at times. He has the personality of a curious, young boy in the body of a grown man. He is expressive and oftentimes giddy. The film clearly paints Larson as a dreamer and does an effective job at representing him as an overzealous “Press Your Luck” fan.

In fact, Larson’s competitors, Ed and Janie are also fun to watch. They also match their real counterparts in terms of their delivery and style. Ed (Brian Geragthy) is over the top and full of enthusiasm. On the other hand, Janie (Patti Harrison) is a little more reserved, but will occasionally pipe up every once in a while. In service to the film’s narrative, Ed sometimes becomes Michael’s voice of encouragement, while Janie channels the heebie jeebies. She is sometimes annoyed by Michael, although the movie makes it clear he means no harm towards her or anyone else in his path. The film even tries to go for the emotions regarding Michael’s family, particularly his spouse and daughter.

I will also compliment John Carroll Kirby’s score. It is very wacky, very 80s. Sometimes it gets a little overly obnoxious, though not to the annoying degree that I experienced watching “Challengers.” That said, I did watch this film alongside my grandparents, and my grandmother in particular thought the score could have been turned down a notch or two at a certain point.

In the end, I do recommend “The Luckiest Man in America,” but again, if you want a better version of this story, just go watch the actual “Press Your Luck” episodes or “Big Bucks: The Press Your Luck Scandal.” They are both available on YouTube. The film runs at a breakneck pace and provides a unique spin on a true story. It is chock full of solid acting, especially from Paul Walter Hauser. Even if you are not familiar with the material featured in this movie, I would say it is still a decent watch. I am going to give “The Luckiest Man in America” a 7/10.

On a sidenote, I never reviewed this, but I try to endorse this project whenever possible… If you want a great piece of media based on a true game show scandal, go watch the miniseries “Quiz.” It is based on Charles Ingram’s fraudulent run to the top prize on the British version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” as well as select events that play out before and after. I give it the highest of recommendations. I would say you should even phone your friends about it.

As of this writing, “The Luckiest Man in America” is not playing in theaters, nor is it available on any streaming platforms.

Thanks for reading this review! If you want to hear me talk a little bit more about game shows, please check out my recent post I did regarding how unexcited I am for the upcoming season of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?“. It is not often that I have a chance to talk about television. But when it comes to this subject matter, I had to get this off my chest. This post involves topics I have been thinking about for quite some time so I had to scribble those topics down and discuss them. As for upcoming reviews, you can soon see my thoughts on “The Penguin Lessons,” “Novocaine,” “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Secret Mall Apartment,” “A Minecraft Movie,” “Sinners,” and “Thunderbolts*.” 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 Luckiest Man in America?” What did you think about it? Or, have you ever watched “Press Your Luck?” What do you think of the program? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Elvis & Nixon (2016): Presley Meets the President in This Fun Amazon Studios Film

Posted on by Jack Drees

Hey everyone, Jack Drees here! It is time for the final entry to the Election Days review series! Every year I make an effort to do a weekly series of older releases. This year has been tough to fit one in due to work, travel, life, and so on. But I figured what better time to do a series like this one than during an Election Year in the United States. If you have not read my other reviews in the series so far, be sure to check out my thoughts on “The Campaign,” “W.,” and “On the Basis of Sex.” This week’s review is going to be for the film “Elvis & Nixon.” I have definitely heard of the film before taking on this review series. It came out in 2016, back when Scene Before started. It is one of the earliest films from Amazon Studios, which has now become Amazon MGM Studios. But for whatever reason, I never bothered to check it out. That said, I watched the trailer, I thought looked good, so I thought I would give it a shot. Here are my thoughts on the movie.

“Elvis & Nixon” is directed by Liza Johnson (Dead to Me, Silicon Valley) and stars Michael Shannon (99 Homes, Revolutionary Road), Kevin Spacey (Horrible Bosses, House of Cards), Alex Pettyfer (Endless Love, Magic Mike), Johnny Knoxville (Bad Grandpa, Jackass), Colin Hanks (Orange County, King Kong), Evan Peters (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Invasion), Sky Ferreira (Putty Hill, The Green Inferno), Tracy Letts (Wiener-Dog, Homeland), Tate Donovan (Hercules, Damages), and Ashley Benson (Days of Our Lives, Pretty Little Liars). This film is based on true events and is about a meeting between famed musician Elvis Presley and U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1970, an event that spawned the most requested photograph in the history of the National Archives.

The past couple years have given us some exposure to Elvis Presley on the big screen. Whether it is through “Elvis” in 2022, which I did not enjoy. Or “Priscilla” in 2023, which I thought was one of the best movies of that year. These two films are deep dives into of each of the titular individuals’ lives, but “Elvis & Nixon,” which came out years before both of those films, is a little different. This film specifically focuses on one point in time during Presley’s life, not to mention Richard Nixon’s life. It never strays away from its key event. There are no concert scenes. There’s not much of Elvis’s discography playing in the background. It picks a place in time and refuses to stray away from it. This leads me to some compliments regarding the film. It flies by. Not only because it has a short runtime, but so much fun is packed into said runtime. This film is based on truth, but even with that in mind, it does not mean it is a serious story. Sure, Elvis Presley appears to be motivated to tackle issues he finds to be serious, but the story itself is kind of light. It is literally about two people meeting. Of course, there is other stuff in between, but that is basically the gist.

That said, this also highlights a problem in the film. The film packs a decent amount of material in its short runtime, but I cannot say I was invested in all of it. Some of the threads in the story come off as a bit of an afterthought. It is not that they are boring or do not make sense. But they clearly play second fiddle to the main story. Though to be fair, it would probably be worse if the main story felt like the afterthought. That said, I do wish I were a little more invested in everything else surrounding the nucleus of the plot.

All the actors play their parts well, and despite him being a controversial name now, I even include Kevin Spacey as Richard Nixon in this sentiment. I thought of all the characters in the movie, Spacey’s take on Nixon may have been the biggest standout. He has a commanding voice and admirable presence. He brings a distinctive aura to every scene he is in. His performance definitely fits under a term that I have used previously in the Election Days series, Hollywoodized. There are definitely some exaggerative qualities to it on screen. But it does not change the fact that those qualities fit his character well.

As for Elvis Presley, I thought he was competently played by Michael Shannon. I think he does a good job with his material. Academy Award-worthy? Perhaps not. But he does a good job. While Shannon definitely evokes Presley’s often advertised charisma, I thought he was tamer than I would have expected. Granted, it is fair to say the tale behind this film itself is calm. There is a little more conversation, a little less action, so to speak.

Perhaps my favorite element of “Elvis & Nixon” has to do with Presley’s perspective upon entering the White House. We see the process to get Presley into the building and meet the President is rather complicated, as I imagine it would be for just about anyone else, I have not been to the White House to do such a thing myself. I have never even been to Washington, D.C. period. Crazily enough, I cannot say I ever really imagined what it would be like to meet a sitting U.S. President. But as I watched this movie, it clicked with me. Doing such a thing has to be one of the grandest of privileges. That is the feeling that this movie tends to project while it is set in the White House.

And on that note, perspective is something I think is not just nailed from the view of Presley, but also his fans. This movie has a scene where Elvis enters a room full of women and just about every one of them, whether they choose to display it excessively or not, lose their mind. In fact, we see men doing it too. The only person who we find not to be on the same page with all these people is President Nixon.

This movie has a beginning, middle, and end, like a lot of others do. This movie has a point a to b progression, like a lot of others do. But not every movie can do what “Elvis & Nixon” does because to some degree, it turns nothing into something. If this movie were not based on actual events, that is a description that would immediately come to mind for a movie like this. Again, one of the top goals as far as Nixon’s administration is concerned is to get a picture of the two titular characters, and even something as simple as that becomes complicated.

As someone who did not live in the time of Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon’s peaks in relevancy, I nevertheless can say I was fascinated by what this movie was trying to deliver. That said, I think people who lived during this time will appreciate this movie most because it does a good job at highlighting the prominence of both figures and establishing how mind-blowing it is that these two incredibly famous men ended up crossing paths. But even I, who was born towards the end of the 20th century, recognize the moment this meeting has on our culture. That said, I did not know that the photo behind this film is the most requested in the history of the National Archives. I am not sure how many history classes cover Elvis and Nixon meeting. It is definitely a notable moment in pop culture, but there is a reason why I did not learn about it in school. But this movie, unlike some others based on true events, feels less like a history lesson and more like a fun escape. I laughed quite a few times in this film, there are quite a few gags that are finely executed. If you are looking for something to watch, this movie will do the trick. Is it a masterpiece? No. But it is definitely a solid hour and a half.

In the end, “Elvis & Nixon” definitely has fun putting two notable people of their time in the same room, and results in a movie worth watching at least once. The subplot elements are almost distracting and feel like they are just there to fill an already short runtime, but I would issue a thumbs up to what we got in those 86 minutes including credits. I had a great time watching the movie. Overall, it is light and fluffy, but it does not mean it is not entertaining. The film is not Shakespeare, but definitely a fine time waster. I am going to give “Elvis & Nixon” a 7/10.

“Elvis & Nixon” is now available on DVD, Blu-ray, and on Prime Video for all subscribers.

Thanks for reading this review! I hope you all enjoyed this Election Days series! I have no idea what my next weekly series is going to be, but I do have a few in mind. If I think it is time to do another one, I will share it with you all. Until then, look forward to my reviews for “Here,” “Gladiator II,” “Red One,” “A Real Pain,” “Y2K,” “Juror #2,” and “Wicked.” 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 “Elvis & Nixon?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite movie associated with Elvis Presley? It can be one where someone plays him, maybe there is a good use of his discography, or one he has been in himself. Personally, I thought “Blade Runner 2049” had a couple memorable, albeit brief, moments featuring the musician through a hologram. Let me know your picks down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Jackass Forever (2022): Launching 2022 Cinema with a Bang

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Jackass Forever” is directed by Jeff Tremaine, who has served as a director on several other “Jackass” projects, and stars Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Wee Man, Danger Ehren, and Preston Lacy in a fourth installment to the “Jackass” film variant. You’ve had three movies, a television series, it’s got a history. Basically, it’s about these guys who do all sorts of dumb, crazy, but also hypnotizing stunts for the entertainment of those watching. Johnny Knoxville is in his late forties, but that is not stopping him from getting together with his crew. We see returning faces like Steve-O and newbies like Sean “Poopies” McInerney. The formula has been done before, but it can always make for comedy that people enjoy, therefore we have another installment.

“Jackass Forever” is the first 2022 film I’m reviewing, and I am honored to tackle this one first, because I’ve basically skipped the month of January, where we get pure trash like “The 355,” and now I’m going straight into a fresh, new February smell. Ahhh! The smell of an overrated holiday that ruins all things love… I saw “Jackass Forever” last week in one of the more impromptu movie outings I’ve done in recent years. I was heading home from school, I had nothing better to do, and with AMC A-List being my best friend, I was able to get a free ticket to this film on opening night. I never watched the “Jackass” television show, I have not seen any of the movies, but I honestly want more after seeing this film.

I feel like “Jackass Forever” came out during the perfect time. Saying “this is the film we need right now,” feels a bit weird, and arguably degrading, but in the case of “Jackass Forever,” it is true. Audiences are looking for an escape from the terrors of serious everyday crap. Watching guys get shots to the balls is the perfect cure to this ongoing illness. Because we have gone through days where maybe we were in pain, and it has probably felt exhausting. Seeing a bunch of dudes put themselves in pain is both satisfying while also making for one of the best theater experiences I’ve had recently. I’ve watched a lot of comedies both in the theater and at home, so some of them have become predictable. “Jackass Forever” is predictable if you know what the film is going for, but it’s the effect of said predictability that packs a punch.

While I was never a huge fan of “Jackass,” I have been an avid watcher of “Impractical Jokers” over the past few years. I’ve met the guys, I’ve seen them in concert, I have autographs and merch from them. I have enjoyed the content they’ve provided over the years. When it comes to the one “Jackass” movie I saw, “Impractical Jokers” could take a serious lesson from this. The thing this movie gets right that “Impractical Jokers” does not is that it devotes itself to being one thing. “Impractical Jokers: The Movie” is a story from start to finish, but in between we get the challenges and punishments the show is famous for. Those pranks and acts of folly are easily the best moments of the film. “Jackass Forever” is all folly, all the time! Is it dumb? Yes. Is it ridiculous? Yes. Am I complaining? No. Because at the end of the day, all we need to bust a gut is to see Machine Gun Kelly do his best to avoid getting crushed by a giant hand.

I mean, even though there is no real “story” behind “Jackass Forever,” I still connected with the people on screen. Even though I wanted to see them get seriously hurt, I felt bad for them when they actually did. It’s established that Johnny Knoxville was 49 when this movie was shot. In fact, he’ll be 51 in March! It begs the question, should he and his idiot chums pack it up and go home? Maybe watch a ballgame? Play some golf? This movie proves that they should not. I will not go into much detail, but there was a stunt where I looked at Knoxville and thought, “ARE YOU MAD?! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!” I think at the end of the day, Knoxville does not care if he dies. I think the audience would, but the point is that Knoxville is an entertainer, and clearly a damn likable one. He puts the audience before his life and arguably even before the life of some of his colleagues, which I admire for the fact that we got an entertaining movie, but also makes me fearful if I ever choose to befriend this guy.

Okay… I mean, I think we all care about whether we die. Life is wonderful…

Stunt-wise, I have a few favorites. I will not say what happens, but if I had to tell you which ones I’d look forward to, my picks would be these, in no particular order. The Dum Dum Game, which is where Johnny asks fourth-grade level questions to the guys. If they’re right, yay! If not, they get hit in the nuts. There’s also a really funny encounter between Ehren and a bear who seems to be really attached to him. I looked forward to that moment since the trailer and it doesn’t disappoint. Another one I would recommend is this one moment where Rachel, one of the newcomers, has to lick a taser. It’s not something I would do on my own time, but it is something that I enjoyed watching as it happened.

If I had any problems with “Jackass Forever,” they would be rather minimal for the movie at hand. The only thing I could come up with is that even though comedies tend to be one of the more rewatchable genres for me because I want to go back and experience the funny parts another time, the big problem for me here would be that I would need to watch this in moderation because this film was funny the first time around, but if you watch something a number of times, the laughs will not be as present. Going back to “Impractical Jokers,” when I see the same episode a number of times, the comedy loses its effect just a bit. I don’t want this movie to do the same.

In the end, “Jackass Forever” is something I could watch forever. For the kind of movie it is, it does everything it needs to do. I really surprised myself with this one, because the reality is that this movie is stupid stunts on its surface. Little did I know how much I would end up laughing at them. This movie is so funny that it’s possible for the first time in my life, I was incredibly nervous to hold my drink out of the fear that I might end up spilling it. There was a moment I was chuckling, part of me was expecting something even funnier to happen and I thought, “Oh! Better put the drink down!” The best kind of movie experiences are the ones that are determined by what you do with your food. When “The Desolation of Smaug” got really good, I literally put down the popcorn and locked my eyes with the screen as I witnessed a sequence that made me a Middle Earth admirer. Remember “A Quiet Place?” Eating popcorn and drinking soda was hard because the movie encouraged you to be as silent as possible that I worried if I chewed popcorn, it would ruin the movie. It would take the immersion out of the experience. While “Jackass Forever” might not end up being this year’s best film, it is solid entry to the 2022 cinematic calendar as it unfolds, and I’m going to give it an 8/10.

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

Thanks for reading this review! If you enjoyed my thoughts on “Jackass Forever,” be sure to stay tuned for my review of “Moonfall,” which like “Jackass Forever,” is ridiculous. But unlike “Jackass Forever,” it’s not exactly fun. I’ll have more details when the review arrives. If you want to see this and more great content, follow Scene Before either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Jackass Forever?” What did you think about it? Or, what’s your favorite “Jackass” movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!