by Josh Sewell
Coyote vs. Acme
(Rated PG for cartoon violence and some language. Opens in theaters on August 28.)
The premise: After decades of being abused by their products, Wile E. Coyote finally takes on the Acme corporation with the help of personal injury lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte). However, the two underdogs are up against slick corporate attorney Buddy Crane (John Cena) and his client’s unlimited resources.
The verdict: Best known as one of the films Warner Bros. threw away for a tax write-off (because that’s better than introducing some of your studio’s most iconic characters to new generations, I guess?), Coyote vs. Acme is a funny, surprisingly heartfelt flick. It has some issues – it’s about 20 minutes too long and the court case at the center ends up not mattering that much – but I’m still glad Ketchup Entertainment stepped up to release it.
Director Dave Green and screenwriter Samy Burch (who gets a story credit alongside James Gunn and Jeremy Slater) essentially revamps Who Framed Roger Rabbit for the modern age, creating a world where humans and toons live together and frequently interact. Forte is terrific as the film’s straight man, which is a welcome change from the usual weird, over-the-top characters he tends to play.
Cena is also fantastic in the slimeball lawyer role, a physical representation of how imposing Acme is as an opponent. However, as you might expect, the Looney Tunes are what makes the movie really shine. Although the titular character can’t talk, the supporting cast is stacked with familiar faces in surprising roles.
I’m not sure how Coyote vs. Acme will play with younger viewers, but teens and adults should find plenty to enjoy. Try to check this one out on the big screen.
Grade: B
It Ends
(Rated R for pervasive language. Opens in select theaters on August 28.)
The premise: Four friends (Phineas Yoon, Akira Jackson, Noah Toth and Mitchell Cole) head out on a post-college road trip, but a wrong turn traps them on a seemingly infinite backroad.
The verdict: It Ends isn’t really a horror movie in the traditional sense, but writer-director Alexander Ullom (making his theatrical debut at 28 years old) crafts an unnerving tale that fully captures the existential dread of young people in the modern age. What if you do everything “right” in life, but checking all the appropriate boxes never leads anywhere?
For all the critical acclaim and financial success Backrooms received earlier this year, it didn’t click with me. It Ends, on the other hand, tackles similar thematic concerns in far more compelling and unsettling ways.
A movie that takes place almost entirely in a vehicle could get boring fast in the wrong hands. Fortunately, Ullom finds ways to keep the story moving forward (no pun intended) despite the physical and budgetary constraints. It helps that Yoon, Jackson, Toth and Cole are all charismatic and engaging as different but equally compelling characters – it keeps the claustrophobic setting interesting. I would’ve liked to learn more about how they became friends in the first place, but their diverse personalities lead to new developments being confronted in unique ways.
It Ends is the epitome of divisive filmmaking; not everyone is going to love such a compact, intellectual flick. Horror fans who love their blood and guts should look elsewhere. But for those who enjoy taking a chance on something a little different, Ullom’s movie might be just what you’re in the mood for.
Grade: B+
Idiots
(Rated R for pervasive language, drug content, some violence/bloody images and sexual material. Opens in theaters on August 28.)
The premise: Drivers Mark (Dave Franco) and Davis (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) are on the verge of hitting rock bottom when they’re tasked with transporting wealthy teen Sheridan (Mason Thames) to rehab. However, their seemingly simple task spirals into a chaotic journey of drugs, danger and crime.
The verdict: Say what you want about Macon Blair’s work, but the writer-director isn’t content to make the same movie over and over again. Whether it’s a thriller like I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore or a goofy, over-the-top remake of The Toxic Avenger, he likes to try out different tones and ideas.
His latest doesn’t always work, but it’s still an interesting ride with compelling performances. Essentially a down-and-dirty road trip flick, Franco and Jackson have great chemistry together while Thames (best known for his work in The Black Phone and the live action remake of How to Train Your Dragon) clearly relishes the chance to play a loathsome character. Nicholas Braun and Peter Dinklage are also fun in their brief time on screen.
However, the biggest problem with Idiots is that Blair introduces the most compelling character to support others who I cared about far less. That would be Kiernan Shipka, who plays an exhausted, burned-out stripper named Irina forced to go along on this insane journey because Sheridan assaulted and robbed her.
Whenever Blair pivoted back to the main story, I found myself thinking a movie about Irina would be much more interesting. I’m guessing that’s probably not what he was going for.
Grade: C+
Home Entertainment Spotlight
The Fast and the Furious (25th Anniversary Edition)
(Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content and language. Now available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.)
After countless sequels and spinoffs, The Fast and the Furious is celebrating 25 years with this newly remastered 4K Ultra with an all-new retrospective featuring actors Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster, as well as producer Neal Moritz and Meadow Walker, daughter of late cast member Paul Walker. Other bonus features include commentary with director Rob Cohen; deleted and extended scenes; alternate ending; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and Ja Rule music video.
(Rated PG for cartoon violence and some language. Opens in theaters on August 28.)
The premise: After decades of being abused by their products, Wile E. Coyote finally takes on the Acme corporation with the help of personal injury lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte). However, the two underdogs are up against slick corporate attorney Buddy Crane (John Cena) and his client’s unlimited resources.
The verdict: Best known as one of the films Warner Bros. threw away for a tax write-off (because that’s better than introducing some of your studio’s most iconic characters to new generations, I guess?), Coyote vs. Acme is a funny, surprisingly heartfelt flick. It has some issues – it’s about 20 minutes too long and the court case at the center ends up not mattering that much – but I’m still glad Ketchup Entertainment stepped up to release it.
Director Dave Green and screenwriter Samy Burch (who gets a story credit alongside James Gunn and Jeremy Slater) essentially revamps Who Framed Roger Rabbit for the modern age, creating a world where humans and toons live together and frequently interact. Forte is terrific as the film’s straight man, which is a welcome change from the usual weird, over-the-top characters he tends to play.
Cena is also fantastic in the slimeball lawyer role, a physical representation of how imposing Acme is as an opponent. However, as you might expect, the Looney Tunes are what makes the movie really shine. Although the titular character can’t talk, the supporting cast is stacked with familiar faces in surprising roles.
I’m not sure how Coyote vs. Acme will play with younger viewers, but teens and adults should find plenty to enjoy. Try to check this one out on the big screen.
Grade: B
(Rated R for pervasive language. Opens in select theaters on August 28.)
The premise: Four friends (Phineas Yoon, Akira Jackson, Noah Toth and Mitchell Cole) head out on a post-college road trip, but a wrong turn traps them on a seemingly infinite backroad.
The verdict: It Ends isn’t really a horror movie in the traditional sense, but writer-director Alexander Ullom (making his theatrical debut at 28 years old) crafts an unnerving tale that fully captures the existential dread of young people in the modern age. What if you do everything “right” in life, but checking all the appropriate boxes never leads anywhere?
For all the critical acclaim and financial success Backrooms received earlier this year, it didn’t click with me. It Ends, on the other hand, tackles similar thematic concerns in far more compelling and unsettling ways.
A movie that takes place almost entirely in a vehicle could get boring fast in the wrong hands. Fortunately, Ullom finds ways to keep the story moving forward (no pun intended) despite the physical and budgetary constraints. It helps that Yoon, Jackson, Toth and Cole are all charismatic and engaging as different but equally compelling characters – it keeps the claustrophobic setting interesting. I would’ve liked to learn more about how they became friends in the first place, but their diverse personalities lead to new developments being confronted in unique ways.
It Ends is the epitome of divisive filmmaking; not everyone is going to love such a compact, intellectual flick. Horror fans who love their blood and guts should look elsewhere. But for those who enjoy taking a chance on something a little different, Ullom’s movie might be just what you’re in the mood for.
Grade: B+
(Rated R for pervasive language, drug content, some violence/bloody images and sexual material. Opens in theaters on August 28.)
The premise: Drivers Mark (Dave Franco) and Davis (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) are on the verge of hitting rock bottom when they’re tasked with transporting wealthy teen Sheridan (Mason Thames) to rehab. However, their seemingly simple task spirals into a chaotic journey of drugs, danger and crime.
The verdict: Say what you want about Macon Blair’s work, but the writer-director isn’t content to make the same movie over and over again. Whether it’s a thriller like I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore or a goofy, over-the-top remake of The Toxic Avenger, he likes to try out different tones and ideas.
His latest doesn’t always work, but it’s still an interesting ride with compelling performances. Essentially a down-and-dirty road trip flick, Franco and Jackson have great chemistry together while Thames (best known for his work in The Black Phone and the live action remake of How to Train Your Dragon) clearly relishes the chance to play a loathsome character. Nicholas Braun and Peter Dinklage are also fun in their brief time on screen.
However, the biggest problem with Idiots is that Blair introduces the most compelling character to support others who I cared about far less. That would be Kiernan Shipka, who plays an exhausted, burned-out stripper named Irina forced to go along on this insane journey because Sheridan assaulted and robbed her.
Whenever Blair pivoted back to the main story, I found myself thinking a movie about Irina would be much more interesting. I’m guessing that’s probably not what he was going for.
Grade: C+
Home Entertainment Spotlight
(Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content and language. Now available on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.)
After countless sequels and spinoffs, The Fast and the Furious is celebrating 25 years with this newly remastered 4K Ultra with an all-new retrospective featuring actors Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster, as well as producer Neal Moritz and Meadow Walker, daughter of late cast member Paul Walker. Other bonus features include commentary with director Rob Cohen; deleted and extended scenes; alternate ending; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and Ja Rule music video.
Reach out to Josh Sewell at joshsewell81@gmail.com or on BlueSky @joshsewell.bsky.social
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