Disclosure Day

E and J hit it on the head. The movie is a very fun 7.5 / 10, and really grips you through the first half, but doesn’t stick the landing nor treat the viewer with much trust in their ability to understand what’s happening. The acting is phenomenal, particularly Emily Blunt, and shoutout to the newscaster at the end of the film, who really sold that small part. This movie is very 90s Spielberg, and you can see his optimism coming through, but it’s also certainly a big downgrade from The Fabelmans. The premise too, while fun of course and Spielberg’s obsession, is also about 25 years too late, as this major reveal of alien life would hardly even make headlines were it to really happen today. Good popcorn flick, but don’t expect a masterpiece.

-Z

Did not meet my expectations. I did really enjoy Emily Blunt’s acting here (and honestly, a lot of the acting was very solid) and found several parts of the beginning of the film to surprise me, but the final act was so murky and purposefully ambiguous, I had a hard time taking it seriously. I was expecting something of a much larger scale to match the Spielberg blockbuster of it all.

-E

Not everything good is perfect. Sometimes the golf round is too hot or the food comes out a little slow, doesn’t mean I wasn’t craving a good meal or a round of golf. That's how I feel about this movie. A summer blockbuster that I have been craving for 2026. It had some good ideas and was very Spielberg, but it ultimately fell into the Netflix trope of being over explained and a little on the nose. Overall, if you want a movie that feels big and a good time at the theaters (or home) and you like an extra terrestrial vibe, find time and watch.

-J

Z 7.5
E 7.5
J 7.5

ZEJ 7.5

Scary Movie 6

When the ZEJ team could have written a better screenplay, you have hit rock bottom, and WOW, was Scary Movie 6 in the abyss. I was expecting the usual bad but a few laughs, but this was just bad. At a 3.58 / 10, this ties Madame Web for the second worst ZEJ rated movie of all time, as Megalopolis retains its crown as worst ever. I really don’t even want to talk about the movie anymore, and just am in shock we spent money to go see such a disappointing effort at filmmaking. This franchise died a long time ago, but hopefully this is the end of it.

-Z

Having only ever seen the original Scary Movie (and not liking it very much), I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but this was somehow worse than I envisioned. It just felt very sad to see the actors trying to make something work here and the humor definitely didn’t land with me. I’ll be arguing that we pass on seeing Scary Movie 7.

-E

This was just really bad. For a funny movie, they should have tried to make it funnier. Maybe it wasn’t made for me because there were tons of laughs in the theater, but I would vote for it as objectively not funny. I really had high hopes, since I do like the original, but it was not it. Avoid, and hopefully no more are made because like I said, no good.

-J

Z 2.25
E 4.5
J 4.0

ZEJ 3.58

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

While I expect more from Jon Favreau, I enjoyed the little adventure that this movie presented for two characters in the Star Wars universe I’m come to love. The small scale does make you question the viability of it as a movie, but I smiled through the whole runtime. A very enjoyable 7.5/10. Also, I was absolutely vibing to Ludwid Göransson’s synth soundtrack for this. Probably the best thing about the movie, really.

-Z

My main issue here is that this did not feel different enough from the seasons of the show - to warrant a theatrical release, something much larger needed to take place that simply couldn’t have been another season of the show, and this didn’t quite deliver. It was definitely still fun to follow around the Mandalorian and Grogu on their latest adventures, but I was hoping for more.

-E

The more I think about it, the more I don’t like it. It really just felt like they wrote the next season of the show and decided, ‘What if we just put it into a movie?’ Acting was mid, and really not great by Weaver and voice acting was not great by Jeremy Allen-White. Also, I don’t in any way think that this movie pushes the plot of the Mandalorian or Star Wars. Getting an adventure with these two obviously makes it fun, but I really wish for more from a full length movie about them.

-J

Z 7.5
E 7.5
J 7.0

ZEJ 7.33

Devil Wears Prada 2

Like E, I too, had a bit of hope for this to perhaps right the wrongs of the original, and yeah, no, that just wasn’t the plan here. I think many Hallmark movies surpass the quality of what they put on the screen here. I can’t even recommend this to fans of the original.

-Z

After Z and I rewatched the original, I thought, the second one just HAS to be better in terms of the plot. Oh no no. The similarities to the original make it clear that the priority was fan service vs. creativity, and the writing, while changed, did not really improve. The whole “we’re concocting a master plan off screen and you’re just going to watch us put the pieces in place” felt a bit cheap here. While it’s hard to deny that seeing the whole gang back together again was fun, this was mostly disappointing.

-E

Z 6.25
E 6.0
J n/a

~ZEJ 6.13

Backrooms

There was a larger theme to Backrooms that got seemingly abandoned midway through the movie, and that derailed an otherwise very engaging and well shot horror movie. The set design of the Backroom space and the genre elements were incredible, and this has so much potential, but writing and story is what creates staying power, and this failed on that front. Worth a watch if you’re a horror fan, and maybe even if you’re not, but know it has some issues.

-Z

My main complaint here is that things just did not get resolved or answered that seemingly should have been. Knowing there are plans for a sequel helps, but the movie should be able to stand more on its own in a satisfying way I’d argue. Still, this was undeniably engaging and creepy, and I loved the unending maze of the scenery. Excellent acting. Excited to see such a young director have such success!

-E

Sadly, it was a bit disappointing. One Youtuber shined this month in Obsession, and this one was a bit dull. Overall, the universe has me extremely interested. The Backrooms is a unique story and a world that can do a lot. Sadly, this movie didn't really get into any of that. It started with a lot of nothing happening, then also created a lot of confusing narratives that didn’t go anywhere. Now, if there is a second one, that will help a lot, but if this ends up being a stand alone movie it will make it substantially worse.

-J

Z 7.75
E 7.5
J 7.25

ZEJ 7.5

Obsession

Obsession greatly surpassed my expectations, and having known nothing about Curry Barker prior to, I was really impressed by his writing and the comedy horror line he was able to deftly balance. It felt very Zach Cregger. This movie has only aged better and better in my mind too as time has gone on. As E and J state, Inde Navarrette is phenomenal, and a huge reason the movie is so good. Highly recommend.

-Z

From the trailer, I really thought everything in the plot had been given away and that this looked pretty cheesy, but it actually managed to surprise me a few times and kept me pretty locked in throughout. There is this overwhelming sense of dread that is built really well as the plot gets more and more dark and twisted. Excellent acting by lead actress Inde Navarrette! The other actors did not quite rise to her level, but this is definitely a horror movie I’d recommend.

-E

This is one of the better movies I have seen in a long time, as 2026 has not been off to a great start. I will start with what everyone is saying, Inde Navarrette is going to be a star. I thought she was absolutely electric, and the story fit perfectly for her. Along with that, the movie didn’t feel large, but it felt appropriate. I think the movie hit a lot of notes that were unique enough, exciting enough, and created a fun movie. I am really excited to see what Curry does next after he ultimately gets a bigger budget for his next film.

-J

Z 8.5
E 8.5
J 8.5

ZEJ 8.5

Send Help

Send Help is definitely more on the Spiderman 3 end of the spectrum of Sam Raimi’s work, but also fun, and as E says, well acted. This is good enough to watch on a plane, or if you’re particularly bored, but keep your expectations low.

-Z

A fun ride that kept me engaged, with very solid acting, but the plot just left a bit to be desired. I was expecting more of a Lost-style of horror on the island that just didn’t deliver - in fact, the horror element in general could have been played up much more and I think that would have improved the film.

-E

Z 7.25
E 7.5
J n/a

~ZEJ 7.38

Hokum

Jord woke up on the wrong side of the bed the day we watched Hokum. While not perfect, it was a beautifully spooky haunted house mystery set in Ireland, which is just a perfect premise right out of the gate. The mystery was great, the horror was great, and the reveal was satisfying. I wish there would have been more of a particularly horrifying character, and some of the early acting Jordan is right to point out as awkward, but other than that, almost no notes.

-Z

What a vibe! I loved the spooky Ireland hotel as a setting idea, and it absolutely delivered. Some very creative sound design that really sold the horror. A lot of interesting layers going on here, and, despite what Jordan is likely going to write, I think Adam Scott did a great job playing a pretty fun character. I thought this movie was very well done for what it was and was a very entertaining ride.

-E

I am sure I have a totally different review than Z and E, but this movie was just not very good. The plot was flat, added flashy storylines that didn’t fit, and poor acting. Adam Scott to start the movie was very pedestrian and very bland, which is very unlike him. The story also really didn’t connect in a lot of ways, but went certain ways to make it ‘scary.’ Overall, I was amazed when Z and E said they liked it, because I thought it was very not good.

-J

Z 8.75
E 8.5
J 6.0

ZEJ 7.75

The Drama

While flawed, the ZEJ team thought The Drama was better than it’s reviews. Pattison and Zendaya are great as always, and it was a fun thread to follow, but ultimately felt a bit slow. I liked how it played out and if you like the actors, you’ll probably like this.

-Z

After some initial no-so-great reviews, I was pretty hesitant as we went to the theater to see this film, and while it was better than I thought it would be (and much more humorous), it definitely still had some issues. The moral dilemma at the center of the film is pretty interesting, but just not explored in the way I think it could have been. The ending also did not sit well with me. I understand why this was considered controversial, but I’m not sure the edginess works in the way it is meant to.

-E

Sadly, I do believe that we are slowly running into the end of A24. Neon seems to be giving us better movies time and time again, but I do believe we got the best A24 so far of 2026. Going into this movie, I had really no idea what this film was about, but it would be hard to have expected what it was about. Now, do I think they could have changed the content to make it better some? Maybe. But I thought it was acted great and created tons of tension throughout. I think this is a movie that will be forgotten, but it was a really good film.

-J

Z 7.25
E 7.0
J 8.25

ZEJ 7.5

I'm Thinking of Ending Things

I’m Thinking of Ending Things is not a bad movie exactly and it’s premise is interesting, but it’s so grating of a watch to get to the end that it just cannot possibly be recommended. Jord, who has both read the book and watched this, much preferred the book to this, and while I have not read the book, I’ll stand by his assessment.

-Z

Such a tough, confusing watch. My brain gave up trying to decode the plot and message, and while I was still along for the ride for whatever came next, it did not feel satisfying at all. I had a student write a paper about this film years ago that left me with the impression that this was a multi-layered masterpiece of storytelling, but I would argue that the plot feels more inaccessible than necessary. I just did not get it.

-E

Z 6.5
E 5.75
J n/a

~ZEJ 6.13

Airplane!

I love Leslie Nielsen, and adore Naked Gun, so I thought that was what I was getting into with Airplane!, but unfortunately, that was not the case. We haven’t seen Zero Hour!, which Airplane! is a shot for shot remake of, but it seemed way to tied to its source material in a way that hurts this as a comedy 56 years later. It has a few laughs, but much of the humor hasn’t aged the best. Would not recommend if you haven’t seen it, and if you saw it many years ago, I’d leave it in your memory.

-Z

I’ve heard so many references to this over the years, with many people proclaiming how funny it was, but I’m not sure I get it. It feels like the kind of humor I do generally like, but here it feels a bit too over the top and also quite dated. After reading a bit more about the documentaries/disaster movies it was spoofing, I’m sure there were a lot of things that would have been funny had I had that context. It’s not a bad movie, but I felt pretty disappointed in the end.

-E

Z 6.5
E 6.0
J n/a

~ZEJ 6.25

Three Amigos

I had never seen this cult classic, but finally got a chance to watch it and was blown away at how well the humor holds up. While the plot is obviously a spoof, there were several bits that had me belly laughing, particularly the canteen scene. Humor that’s ageless is rare, and it’s important we recognize and celebrate it!

-Z

While it wasn’t my favorite in the end, I will say that this has aged surprisingly well! Much of the humor (especially the physical comedy) still absolutely works, but the lack of much plot development made it feel a bit long and slow for me.

-E

Z 8.5
E 6.75
J n/a

~ZEJ 7.63

The Christophers

As E says, the movie was not quite as advertised, but what it was, was actually a more thoughtful, contemplative character study that I enjoyed. Ian McKellan is a joy to watch and pairing him with Michaela Coel worked really well. A solid, well acted movie that’s worth a watch.

-Z

Based on the previews, I was expecting this to be much more “heisty” in nature, but it was actually more of a slow burn with a lot of dialogue. It’s hard to put my finger on what exactly, but I was just expecting a little “more” in some way from the plot. It did keep me guessing though, and it was very cool to see Ian McKellen back on the screen!

-E

Z 8.5
E 8.0
J n/a

~ZEJ 8.25

Hoppers

While Hoppers is a bit flawed, I think mainly pacing issues, the amount of unhinged fun it contains pretty much wipes it’s downsides from your memory, and you’re left with a rollercoaster of a movie that is the best Pixar production since Soul. Pixar subverted a lot of expectations in this film, and I really like how they didn’t draw out their typical sad death of a loved one trope. Must watch for animation fans and fully expect this to get an animation nom, if not win it.

-Z

I’m sure Z and J will have mentioned something about this as well, but the chaotic viewing experience we had while watching this (along with several very loud children) probably means I missed a few things in this film, but I can still confidently say this will be one of the best, if not the best, animated films of 2026. It was clever, very funny, and was just the right amount of unhinged (trying to avoid any spoilers, but the apex predator reveal was really something else). The beginning of the movie with Mabel as a kid felt really rushed - this is a bit of a nitpick, but there could have been a little more time given there.

-E

What I don't get is why this isn't being talked about more. I found myself laughing a lot, and it carries a pretty solid message. We need to make sure good Pixar movies like this continue to find success so that we get more of them, rather than endlessly sequelizing things like Monsters, Inc or Toy Story. The joy in this film comes from its genuine humor, despite the ending getting a bit scary for younger kids. I will be recommending this to everyone, and it could be the first Oscar-nominated film of 2026.

-J

Z 8.5
E 8.5
J 9.0

ZEJ 8.67

Project Hail Mary

I docked my score a bit because the ending felt so rushed/condensed to the point where it soured my watch just a tinge, but otherwise Project Hail Mary is an absolute blast. I had a smile on my face the entire time. Ryan Gosling is so perfect for his role here, at least from someone who hasn’t read the book, but my book-reader friends tell me the same. I don’t know if this will be nominated for anything besides the technical categories, but it’s a must watch for the young 2026 year.

-Z

The ZEJ team was pretty disappointed when we saw a preview for this movie that seemed to give away the entire plot, but despite all odds, that was NOT the case. There is a lot to the plot of this movie, and I’m excited to try to read the book this summer. I personally love a space travel plot, but this one still felt new and very fun. Ryan Gosling is perfect for the leading role and the effects/production design were spot on - I’m sure this will earn a few Oscar nominations come next year. There were a few moments that felt a little cliche/typical Blockbuster-y, and a couple of plot points that felt rushed to the point that I missed a few things, but I was thoroughly impressed overall and would highly recommend it!

-E

I do not know what The Academy will do with this, if anything, but I believe I may have watched one of my more enjoyable theater experiences of 2026. I know that is a big claim, but I really enjoyed this film top to bottom. It was funny, well-acted, and delivered some genuinely heartfelt moments. It leaned more blockbuster than art, but in the best ways. Ryan Gosling is a treat and I will watch anything he is in. It wasn't perfect — there were some pacing issues and a few questions that could probably be answered by reading the book — but I think this is a must-watch for all movie lovers, even casual ones.

-J

Z 8.5
E 8.75
J 9.25

ZEJ 8.83

Sorry, Baby

Oof. Getting to Sorry, Baby post-Oscars now, but this may have been the biggest snub of 2025. Julia Roberts put everyone on notice as to how good this film was at the Golden Globes in her award presentation, and well, Julia Roberts is never wrong, is she? It’s subject matter is heavy, but Eva Victor handles it with so much grace and humor, and the character she portrays feels very real, and unique. Must watch for cinephiles.

-Z

Truly a shame this didn’t get any 2025 Oscar attention! Excellent acting, pacing, and storytelling. The nonlinear structure carried a lot of meaning and really transformed the story. The way this continues to subvert your expectations is really something. I hope we see more from Eva Victor!

-E

A24 film that popped up on HBO and needing to fill up a Sunday, so I gave it a watch. I had no idea what I was getting myself into with this one, and emotionally took me out of the rest of the day. An extremely heavy film with a lot of dark humor that is filmed beautifully and scored great. Anyone who is trying to watch the best films of the year, this needs to be on there!

-J

Z 9.0
E 9.0
J 9.25

ZEJ 9.08

The Devil Wears Prada

I watched this with E maybe 15 years ago, and I don’t remember it being as bad as it is. But it actually felt like Hallmark movie quality poor. The acting/actors are great, but that’s really the only redeeming factor in an otherwise deeply problematic movie.

-Z

Did. Not. Age. Well. This was one of my favorite movies in late middle/early high school, and with the upcoming sequel, I was really excited to revisit it. My 32 year old brain is noticing a lot more of the plot holes and poor writing though, not to mention the uncomfortable obsession this movie has with Anne Hathaway’s weight. I’m not sure what the message or takeaway is supposed to be - not every story has to have a moral, but it feels like this one thinks it does. Meryl Streep is undeniably an icon here though and I love her physical acting! Interested to see where the sequel takes these characters (and if the reviews are high enough for the ZEJ team to see it in theaters).

-E

It's funny — when you tell someone you haven't seen The Devil Wears Prada, there's a real shock value to it as a "movie guy." With the sequel coming out soon and my girlfriend being a fan, I thought I'd give it a try. After it finished, I don't think I hated it, but I don't really understand how this movie earned its "must-see" reputation. It didn't really go anywhere, and the conclusion didn't make me feel much of anything. Anne Hathaway does something wrong, makes up for it, does something wrong, makes up for it, is good at her job, and then decides she hates it. To me, there isn't anything iconic about it — but maybe I just watched it at the wrong point in my life.

-J

Z 6.5
E 6.5
J 6.0

ZEJ 6.33

Eternity

As I say at the start of many of these reviews, this is a movie made for me. Actors like Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen in a rom-com-esque film? Sign me up every day. I actually forgot it was A24 until it started, and I do think that gives it a bit of an edge over a traditional rom-com. The problem is, as with so many films nowadays, the trailer gives away too much. I am not going to tell you it is a different movie than what you expect, because it largely is what you think — but it does throw a few curveballs. I really liked where it went, and unlike an early-2000s rom-com, it hit me with some genuine revelations. With all that said, I know Z and E won’t watch, and if they do they won't like it as much as I did — but if you enjoy rom-coms, give it a watch.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 8.0

~ZEJ 8.0

Boogie Nights

Heard a lot of good about Boogie Nights, but I was underwhelmed. Not only does it feel dated, but it feels more like a 40 year old movie, rather than a nearly 30 year old movie. Can definitely see Paul Thomas Anderson working some things out, and perhaps trying to emulate Tarantino a bit too much here. I really enjoyed Burt Reynolds in this, though, and it was really cool to see a young Don Cheadle, John C Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman and William H Macy have some fun with their parts.

-Z

In an attempt to get more familiar with Paul Thomas Anderson’s work, Z & I started here, and I can’t say I get the hype for this movie. Many of the side characters are interesting and very well-acted, but I wasn’t really drawn in to Mark Wahlberg’s character’s story, which made this pretty difficult to get through. There is a lot of strange editing and scenes that feel very disjointed - I’m sure this is intentional in some way, but it made the movie feel a little cheap and very dated. I was waiting for some moment where the plot would click into place for me, but that just never came. I’m definitely interested in watching more of his work though, and maybe I’ll appreciate this more once I do.

-E

Z 7.25
E 7.0
J n/a

~ZEJ 7.13

The Immortal Man

Give me this three or four years ago and I am all in. I found myself trying to remember different storylines throughout the watch-through, even though I watched a full series recap beforehand. It is a slow burn and a fitting way to end the series, but just like the final season, it is really missing its spark without Helen McCrory (RIP). I don't think it went the way I — or many other fans — would have wanted, but it went where it needed to, and I applaud the series for that. If you have seen the show, give it a watch. It reminded me how much I loved this show, and I will probably be doing a full rewatch soon.

-J

Z n/a
E n/a
J 7.75

~ZEJ 7.75