Tag: Ivy Wolk

ROOMMATES (2026)

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Directed By: Chandler Levack

Written By: Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara Jane O’Sullivan 

Cinematography: Maria Rusche 

Editor: Tim Constain and Brian Robinson

Cast: Sadie Sandler, Chloe East, Billy Bryk, Aidan Langford, Sarah Sherman, Nick Kroll, Natasha Lyonne, Janeane Garofolo 

When a hopeful, naive college freshman, Devon, asks the cool and confident Celeste to be her roommate, a blossoming friendship spirals into a war of passive aggression.

This is one of those almost films. It has everything mostly going for it and then just falls short. It’s Slightly Silly but stayed entertaining and really Manages to make you care about the characters. Then the third act happens and it’s like they just want to end the film. As after that no subtlety. Just straightforward hostility.

The third act the film falls apart. As feels like it goes for the easy out.  instead of doing something original and different. It goes safe and just settles to villainize certain characters.

I know looking for some kind of realism or three dimensional characters in an Adam Sandler, HAPPY MADISON production is a lot to ask but it could amhave been something new or different.

As with This film anytime it approach’s depth, It runs far and wide away from it. 

Some will look at this as a vanity project for Adam  Sandler’s daughter Sadie Sandler and they would be correct, but she holds her own surrounded by other talents. Not to mention this film is better then the original comedies he has been offering lately. At least this is better then YOU ARE SO NOT INVITED TO MY BAH MITZVAH.

Chloe East impresses, as far as showing range and being totally different then the last performance I remember her from HERETIC. She again defintely makes her presence felt. As the antagonist.

This can be seen as its own kind of relationship comedy. Only Without some homoerotica, yet never leaning heavily on it. Happy to see a fun female centered comedy that is mostly successful. 

Director Chandler Levack does the best she can. As her original movies such as I LIKE MOVIES are much more character-driven. Especially as far as the action goes, but are as breezy and caring. Here working from a script that is not her own. She manages to still bring her style and skill. Showing range and that she is a director who can rise to the occasion. 

Grade: C 

OUTCOME (2026)

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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

IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU (2025)

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Written & Directed By: Mary Bronstein 

Cinematography: Christopher Messina 

Editor: Lucian Johnston

Cast: Rose Byrne, A$ap Rocky, Conan O’Brien, Ivy Wolk, Delaney Quinn, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, Josh Pais, Ella Beatty, Mary Bronstein

While trying to manage her own life and career, a woman on the verge of a breakdown must cope with her daughter’s illness, an absent husband, a missing person, and an unusual relationship with her therapist.

This is dramatic, but present presented as a dark comedy

One can remember the first time I saw Rose Byrne in a film. It was in a disastrous epic movie Troy and I remember not being that impressed by her and it seems like since then if she had heard, she took it as a personal upfront because it seems like since then she has done nothing but build her career and impress in numerous performances that she sometimes gets credited with, but not enough in my view and here she gives an Oscar level performance think general Rowlands in a woman under the influence and her intensity

The film also has her character leading with all sorts of catastrophes that are making her breakdown and the camera seems to present most scenes, especially with her an extreme close-up, so you can never escape her intensity just as she seems to never be able to escape her ongoing problems and challenges

IT’S interesting that her character is a therapist as clearly she is breaking down and has her own therapist, and her job is to listen to other people‘s problems and give advice, but she can’t seem to solve her own as well as taking care of a disabled daughter and a husband who is not supportive truly, and never there

Randomly Conan O’Brien is in this movie, which is a welcome surprise, especially if you’re a fan of his though in a role that is quite different 

One of the wisest decisions is that her child is often in the scenes, but remains unseen, so while she has this illness, we never quite see her. She is kind of a phantom where we wonder what she looks like, but it might also be because it would be hard to find a child to give a physical and unbelievable performance for that character. While mostly throughout we are given fl glimpses of her. when eventually the child is revealed it is at a pivotal point. It seems as a must rather than play the character is almost invisible or imaginary.

Not sure that this film was produced by Josh Safdie, as it does feel like one of his films maybe not visually but with a main character going through increasing pressure and as the film goes on, they’re being an unrelenting tension that doesn’t seem to offer any distractions and the character coming more and more unhinged

Though the film is like the character at first, it seems a little light, a little more comedic and then as it goes along, it gets a little darker and has a little more pressure then by the end it just feels like there’s nowhere to go nowhere a turd and it doesn’t offer any answers or show that any character is a saint nor a villain they are just who they are in life. Is that way too there’s no definitive answer. There’s no let up Sometimes. It can be random.

It is surprising how much it has gripped you by the end and how much you care. Even as itnolays like an emotional horror film as it unfolds especially towards the end.

Grade: B+

FRIENDSHIP (2025)

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Written & Directed By: Andrew DeYoung

Cinematography: Andy Rydzewski

Editor: Sophie Corra 

Cast: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Patti Harrison Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Raphael Sbarge, Whitmer Thomas, Ivy Wolk, Josh Segarra, Jon Glaser, Connor O’Malley

A suburban dad falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor.

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Yes, the review isn’t gonna be any different than probably many of the other ones you might’ve read or heard, or seen about this film, as the film stars comedian Tim Robinson, the film does feel like an extended skit from his popular show. I think you should leave, which showcases skits that are awkward, bizarre the top surreal. Though based in a familiar reality that can be identifiable.

So that this film does feel like an extended skit as it gets more absurd as the film goes along, the film with the same character, so that it feels more like we’re going through a crisis

Inntunnel, vision than anything else. As the film at times can be bizarre.

The film does explore male loneliness and could be seen as a midlife crisis movie of a married man.  who doesn’t have any friends, and his family seems not to be interested in him or have really much use for him, who starts an adult friendship and a little bit of worship with his new neighbor.

That does get his hopes up, but then clearly coola down because of his awkwardness, and trying too hard, but also lacking social

Skills , which then alienates him. 

Truly showcasing his vulnerability, which is not an attractive trait, as well as leading to an obsession and stalking, if that’s not enough, also his problems at home, which he has been repressing his anger or disillusionment about, only help him boil over. As we all need a tribe a group to feel a part of and here he can’t seem to fit into one might be better one on one, but also no matter where he goes. He seems to be the butt of jokes of whichever group.

What about the film? Is that while the lead character goes above and beyond what is necessary, and is truly a scary character piece? It also shows that the other characters are flawed, though they seem to know how to handle situations in life much better and sooner 

This could be more of a character study. We learned more about the character and could see a little bit more why his actions are the way that they are, but that film isn’t built for this nor is it its aim. The film builds up sympathy form, but doesn’t let him off the hook as showing that he’s not perfect and most things seem to be his fault and just let them grow and get to him and his reactions or what truly make him unhinged.

That has the humor of Tim Robinson, other than as an actor, he doesn’t seem to have any input or basis on the film, as he didn’t write it, nor did he direct it. He doesn’t even produce it. Paul Rudd, his co-star, actually produces it. Writer/Director Andrew DeYoung has gotten Robinson’s charms and humor perfectly, which helps sell the film. as it is supposedly based upon deYoung’s experience after getting iced out of it, a group of friends.

As I have been describing this film, I have not said how hilarious the film is. You laugh throughout the film, even if it’s just out of being uncomfortable. I wouldn’t say it’s near perfect, but. It’s not insubstantial. It has a message, maybe not an important one, and goes way over the top by the end, though you do kind of appreciate it for where it goes, and not the ending clearly could’ve had, but it wouldn’t be true to itself if it did. 

this isn’t some gag, filled comedy

Nor slapstick with one liners hunch lines, and too much physical comedy. It’s a bit random This is more what some might call cringeworthy comedy. Which makes it appeal to a certain Taste or audience so keep this in mind as I review this film as I am part of that audience as I am a fan of Tim Robinson, his show that type of comedy so I might be vice plus the film is partly identifiable for me and I will not explain in which way, but those who know me will recognize it

The film also explores some of the social rules of groups of friends, and try to infiltrate that group, how cruel and unforgiving it could be, no matter how all might seem 

Everything seems a bit twisted other than the lead character, though I can’t recommend this film more. I think I’m liked it a bit more than some other. 

Grade: B