Movie Review - Voicemails for Isabelle

Director: Leah McKendrick
Genre: Drama/ Romance/ Comedy
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Zoey Deutch, Nick Robinson, Harry Schum Jr. Leah McKednrick, Nick Offerman, Lukas Cage, Ciara Bravo, Gil Bellows, Tanis Dolman, Toby Sandeman
 
Description: Jill (Zoey Deutch) leaves voice messages to her deceased sister telling her about her chaotic life in San Francisco. Unwittingly, a mysterious Austin TX real estate agent (Nick Robinson) begins to receive their confessions..
 
Review: “Voicemails for Isabelle” is a beautiful, bittersweet drama that leaves a deep impression from the very first minute.

To cope with the sudden loss of her younger sister, aspiring pastry chef Jill begins leaving long, hilariously candid voicemails on her late sister’s phone number. Unbeknownst to her, the number has been reassigned to Wes, a real estate agent living across the country. As Wes listens to Jill’s vulnerable, stream-of-consciousness confessions about her grief, her chaotic dating life, and her demanding boss, he slowly starts to fall in love with her voice from afar.

The film excels thanks to its intimate atmosphere and original concept, in which grief and unrequited love ar made tangible through abandoned voicemails. This emotional foundation is supported by rock-solid performances from both Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson, who deliver authentic portrayals that never feel forced or overly melodramatic.

Romance is not my go-to genre, but I can really fall in love with one if the characters are ones I can relate to and the story has emotional depth. And that is exactly what “Voicemails for Isabelle” has and why I loved it so much.

I will be recommending this movie to everyone, it makes for an absolute must-see.  

Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Review - Juror # 2

Director: Clint Eastwood
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, Chris Messina, J.K. Simmons, Kiefer Sutherland, Leslie Bibb, Zoey Deutch
 
Description: While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, family man Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer.

Review: Clint Eastwood has stated that “Juror # 2” is his last directorial job. Should this really be the case, he will end his career on a strong note.

Justin is called as a juror in a murder trial. As it unfolds, a memory emerges and gives Justin a serious moral dilemma. Justin begins to influence the other jurors to lean them into a certain direction, which can potentially convict or free the wrong killer.

I didn’t know much about this film, and a huge plot twist is presented to us very early on in the film. It’s best not to know this beforehand, it makes for a better viewing experience. A masterful conflict forms the foundation of the drama, which makes you as a viewer also question what the right thing to do would be, if you were in the position of certain characters.

The film has a slow pace, which works perfectly here. Jurors begin to adjust their opinions, panic grows for other characters. We learn that some of them have specific motivations for forming and maintaining their opinions.

Nicholas Hoult is the lead and does an excellent job. He portrays a likeable family man, who is struggling with morals and ethics, that you can relate to as a viewer. What would you do in his situation? He is strongly supported by Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Chris Messina and Zoey Deutch, and even a small role by Kiefer Sutherland.

“The Juror # 2” is not your typical court room drama. It has a good twists, makes you questions your morals and makes you think. And the ending will make you talk about it even more.

Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Zombieland: Double Tap

Director: Ruben Fleischer
Genre: Comedy/ Action/ Horror
Runtime: 99 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Zoey Deutch, Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, Bill Murray, Thomas Middleditch

Description: Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.

Review: The subgenre, horror comedy, is one of my personal favorites. Especially when it has to do with zombies. When “Zombieland” came out in 2009, it was a surprising, fresh and hilarious film that really impressed. It mocks itself and is creative. Ten years later, director Ruben Fleisher comes with the sequel. Maybe a little late, but better late than never. Because, did we need it? Not really. Did I enjoy it? Hell yeah!
In 2009, besides Woody Harrelson, all actors were fairly new to Hollywood. Now, it stars Oscar nominees and even one winner, being Emma Stone. Besides this difference, the cast hasn’t changed a bit and the chemistry is still a strong element in the film. The bickering between Columbus and Tallahassee, the creative ways to kill a zombie, sharp dialogue. Off course it doesn’t reach the same level as “Zombieland”, but “Zombieland: Double Tap” comes awfully close.
“Zombieland: Double Tap” is more of the same, but we loved the first so why change the formula? It’s not as original as the first, but it’s a great sequel. And if you’re a fan of the original film, you will enjoy this one as well.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 126: Why Him?

Director: John Hamburg
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Bryan Cranston, James Franco, Zoey Deutch, Megan Mullally, Keegan-Michael Key, Cedric the Entertainer

Description: A holiday gathering threatens to go off the rails when Ned Fleming (Bryan Cranston) realizes that his daughter's (Zoey Deutch) Silicon Valley millionaire boyfriend (Jame Franco) is about to pop the question.

Review: Ned and Barb are being invited to spend the holidays with their daughter Stephanie. Once they arrive, they meet her new boyfriend Laird, who isn’t exactly the ideal son in law.
“Why Him?” is a pretty funny comedy, directed by John Hamburg. A father meeting his daughter’s new boyfriend isn’t a new concept, but the cast makes it better then you would expect. I think James Franco is very funny, but his personal assistant (played by Keegan-Michael Key) steals the show in his scenes.
“Why Him?” doesn’t work all the time. Bryan Cranston doesn’t really shine and some of the jokes are a bit distasteful. It’s a comedy that will entertain you while having a lazy day on the couch. Funny yet missing the mark sometimes.

Rating: 3/ 5