OUTCOME (2026)

Directed By Jonah Hill

Written By: Jonah Hill and Ezra Woods 

Cinematography: Benoit Debie 

Editor: Nick Houy and Nicholas Ramirez 

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, Susan Lucci, Martin Scorsese, Ivy Wolk, David Spade, Kaia Gerber, Drew Barrymore 

Follows Hollywood star Reef as he is forced to confront his problems and atone for his past after being threatened by a bizarre video footage from his past.


Let me start off by saying that this is one of the worst movies I have seen that has been released in 2026 which is surprise and consider considering the level of talent behind it

It’s not often a film lives up to its title so thoroughly. 

I will admit I am a fan of Jonah Hills. He doesn’t bother me as an actor and as a director, he has proven to be talented, surprisingly reaching upwards and showing range,  aspiring when everybody seems to usually write them off one note. As his debut directorial mid 90s was actually a really good film better than most expected one wishes this misfire was his debut so that with mid 90s he would be shown to be getting better instead of the reverse.

This film feels oddly personal or at least based on something he has experienced as it is about a star, searching for meaning and trying to explore what an apology means as we all know Jonah Hill has heard his problems, publicly mentally and emotionally and it feels like he’s trying to explore those feelings or given an explanation with this film

The problem is that this film is so lifeless, dill and even at under 90 minutes such torture to sit through. It still feels too long.

First of all, Jonah Hill gives himself a supporting role where it seems like he’s trying to out act his lead Keanu Reeves, and get all the attention which does work because there’s not much to any of the material here so if he’s loud brash in fact, he’s the only one who brings life into the film and the script other than Martin Scorsese playing someone from Keanu Reeves past

It feels like the script had a bunch of ideas that may be needed to be sharpened and explored as sometimes the film does come across at a good point or a good idea but the way it’s delivered so bad

The direction is lackluster as the film never seems to have any pacing nor do individual seeds. They just seem to lay there and play their without any momentum so they keep coming across flat even when they’re supposed to be hilarious.

Even the locations and filming all seem to be way too lit and look un appealing as everything almost seems like it’s artificial rather than natural and you’re filming in California, which makes the film look small and ugly almost like you wonder if half this film fell in the front of a green screen and filled in later. Especially when having a cinematographer like Benoit Debie. Who is a master when it comes to raw images and can still

Make them breathtaking. 

Keanu Reeves seems half the time embarrassed or uncomfortable in this film and even if it was for a character, we never get to see him actually have fun or be at peace as this is supposed to be a comedy and he’s playing more like a hard bitten drama even when we do see a glimpse of his past where he supposed to be this drug addicted party guy he gives the same delivery.

Also, the big tape that is supposed to be at the heart of the storm that they’re hunting down because it could prove to wreck his career embarrassing. Once we actually see what’s on it. It’s pretty time compared to what it could be or what maybe us in the audience might believe if anything it just shows a vulnerability that might actually discussed a few, but actually endeared him even more.

There are a bunch of celebrities in this movie playing small, smaller roles who just seemed like they’re there, waiting around to get their moment in the sun, and then move on as most of them are only there for a senior or two

Nor do I understand, Cameron Diaz or Matt boomers characters involvement in all this as Reeves best friends. His character already has an assistant, and these two are his best friends. I don’t know if they’re his entourage because neither one of these two seems to have jobs and they’re all about positivity and giving support, but what do they do with most of their day? when he’s actually out there doing things? they seem to be here  more to maybe give commentary, as seemingly his only friends and they are there to give positivity, but they never have dramatic scenes of their own or judgment. 

Not to mention while one loves Cameron Diaz as an actress. Her return to the big screen as of late has been in bad to lackluster films. Here reuniting with Keanu Reeves after starring in the disappointing 1996 crime thriller romantic comedy film STEALING MINNESOTA. Which I for one had great hopes for and had great ideas and characters but no story or anything new or interesting to bring to the table. So here together another disappointment.

Also wonder if it was intentional that his PR team of image makers to help him through what might be an upcoming tragedy are all played by minorities. 

Also strange seeing Joey Lawrence as a kid performing on THE TONIGHT SHOW. Being a Stand-in for Keanu Reeves character as a kid. 

In the end, other than a spare to turn by Martin Scorsese and Jonah Hill’s  Way overacting it seems to try and make a memorable character of himself in a film based on himself, but not playing himself. This film seems very disposable and like a bunch of Apple plus movies seems a reason to get a bunch of big name actors together but not have the material to support them or entertain the audience

This even comes across more disappointing than the usual streaming offerings which it seems perfect for this is not something I could imagine being that great on the big screen.

It’s hard to understand how a film that has so many people I actually enjoy involved came out so terrible.

Grade: F

THE MASK (1994)

Directed By: Chuck Russell 
Written By: Mike Werb 
Based on a Story by: Michael Fallon & Mark Verheiden 
Cinematography By: John R. Leonetti 
Editor: Arthur Coburn 

Cast: Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz, Peter Greene, Amy Yasbeck, Richard Jeni, Joely Fisher, Peter Riegert 

Stanley Ipkiss is a bank clerk that is an incredibly nice man. Unfortunately, he is too nice for his own good and is a pushover when it comes to confrontations. After one of the worst days of his life, he finds a mask that depicts Loki, the Norse night god of mischief. Now, when he puts it on, he becomes his inner, self: a cartoony romantic wild man. However, a small time crime boss, Dorian Tyrel, comes across this character dubbed “The Mask” by the media. After Ipkiss’s alter ego indirectly kills his friend in crime, Tyrel now wants this green-faced goon destroyed.I remember going to see this film in movie theaters. 

Before this film I was never a big fan of Jim Carrey Really but this film made me a huge fan of his. Yet this film won me over and made me more aware of his comedic talents. 

It set’s itself up early as it revolves around a fantasy world and not a real city. So it stays true to it’s graphic novel roots a little. Though where as the graphic novel is more dark and cynical this film is fun and like a live action cartoon with the mask character. There are deaths in the film that seem to be more about cartoons then violence. That is the beauty of the film where it is more of a kid’s film at heart for adults that kids will naturally want to watch and enjoy. 

 Jim Carrey at least plays a double-sided character instead of him just riffing with his more physical comedy. He plays the shy nice Staley Ipkiss with as fuch energy and fervor as he pays the mask. Who seems to be like all the looney toons characters all rolled up into one. That is the element that attracted him to the role in the first place. He adds his own touches like the banana yellow suit he wears is based on the one his mother made when he first started to perform stand-up. He laso says the way he played the character is based on his father. 
 

The film is the acting debut of Cameron Diaz (Who was a last-minute replacement for Anna Nicole Smith) and she is the ultimate Femme Fatale as she has never looked as good as she looks here and never been as memorable. Once she comes onto the screen she has one of the most memorable entrances ever. 

There is a backward plot that involves the mask going against the mob and stealing the mobster’s girlfriend and just when they set up a romantic rival for Cameron Diaz they dump her just as soon so that our hero can get the girl who led him astray in the first place only in the movies kids. 

I wish This is a fun film that utilizes it’s special effects and they look good and natural not fake and too far out. The film is still relevant as it has aged well and is still fun to watch. It’s not quite the risky film that would be made today or even taken a chance of today I am glad it was made. 

It’s just the type of off-kilter movie that initially you would think would be more of a cult type project but with the addition of Jim Carrey A mainstream star it became a worldwide hit. Followed by an inferior sequel almost a decade later that was even more lighthearted then this film was.  

This film has a dark heart that is never given a chance to fully flow, it is more dressed up to make it more mainstream. It’s still a good film. A film where you wish you could have the masks and the power of it. Realizing that half the time how he overreacts to things and contorts is how you wish you could express yourself in similar situations. 

Chuck Russell directed this film and for all the verve and inventiveness he brings to this film. He didn’t bring any to his projects after this film. He had one of note before this that I really enjoyed THE BLOB and NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET PART 3: DREAM WARRIORS 

GRADE: B

FEELING MINNESOTA (1996)

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Written & Directed By: Steven Baigelman
Cinematography: Walt Lloyd
Editor: Martin Walsh & Thom Noble
Music By: Los Lobos 

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz, Delroy Lindo, Vincent D’Onofrio, Tuesday Weld, Courtney Love, Dan Aykroyd 


Freddie is a former stripper marrying Sam to repay a debt owed to nightclub owner Red. But Freddie is in love with Jjaks, Sam’s brother. Jjaks and Freddie run off together, and Sam finds where they have been hiding and calls the cops. Meanwhile someone calls to blackmail Sam and Jjaks. In the end will it all work out?

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SHE’S THE ONE (1996)

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Written & Directed By: Edward Burns
Cinematography: Frank Prinzi
Editor: Susan Graef 

Cast: Edward Burns, Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Amanda Peet, John Mahoney, Mike McGlone, Leslie Mann, Frank Vincent, Maxine Bahns 

The love lives of two brothers, Mickey and Francis, interconnect as Francis cheats on his wife with Mickey’s ex-girlfriend, while Mickey impulsively marries a stranger.

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THE SWEETEST THING (2002)

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Directed By: Roger Kumble
Written By: Nancy Pimental
Cinematography By: Anthony B. Richmond
Editor: David Rennie & Wendy Greene Bricmont

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Selma Blair, Thomas Jane, Jason Bateman, Parker Posey, Frank Grillo

To ease their roommate through a relationship-induced depression, Christina Walters and Courtney Rockcliffe take her out on the town. During their attempts to find her “Mr. Right Now”, Christina meets Peter Donahue. Missing her opportunity with him that night, Christina is talked into pursuing him to his brother’s wedding.

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THE OTHER WOMAN (2014)

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Directed by: Nick Cassevetes
Written By; Melissa Stack
Cinematography By: Robert Fraise
Editor: Jim Flynn & Alan Heim 


Cast: Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Nicki Minaj, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Taylor Kinney, Kate Upton, Don Johnson, David Thornton

After discovering her boyfriend is married, Carly Whitten tries to get her ruined life back on track. But when she accidentally meets the wife he’s been cheating on, she realizes they have much in common, and her sworn enemy becomes her greatest friend. When yet another affair is discovered, all three women team up to plot mutual revenge on their cheating, lying, three-timing SOB.

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SEX TAPE (2014)

Cameron

Directed By: Jake Kasdan
Written By: Kate Angelo, Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller
Story By: Kate Angelo
Cinematography By: Tim Suhrstedt
Editor: Steve Edwards and Tara Timpone 


Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Ellie Kemper, Rob Lowe, Nat Faxon, Randall Park, Kumail Nanjiani, James Wilcox

When Jay and Annie first got together, their romantic connection was intense – but ten years and two kids later, the flame of their love needs a spark. To kick things up a notch, they decide – why not? – to make a video of themselves trying out every position in The Joy of Sex in one marathon three-hour session. It seems like a great idea – until they discover that their most private video is no longer private. With their reputations on the line, they know they’re just one click away from being laid bare to the world… but as their race to reclaim their video leads to a night they’ll never forget, they’ll find that their video will expose even more than they bargained for.

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