Tag: Steve Zahn

ANACONDA (2025)

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Directed By: Tom Gormican 

Written By: Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten

Based on the original film “ANACONDA” written by: Hans Bauer, Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr. 

Cinematography: Nigel Bluck 

Editor: Craig Alpert and Gregory Plotkin 

CAST: Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Thandiwe Newton, Steve Zahn, Daniela Melchior, Selton Mello, Rui Ricardo Diaz, Ione Skye

Four film obsessives drag themselves into the Amazon on a shoestring dream: make a spiritual sequel to a schlocky 90s horror classic nobody asked for. Doug is the engine, a guy whose genuine talent has been slowly suffocating under wedding reception footage. Griff has the rights and the actor’s hunger but not much else. The rain-forest is indifferent. The snake is absent. What the film is really about is the distance between loving movies and actually making one, and whether passion alone can paper over every logistical, financial, and interpersonal crack that opens up the moment you leave home with a camera and a bad plan.

This is a film that Not only makes me question why was this made, but also what studio thought this was a good idea I can only imagine because of having Jack black and Paul Rudd together in some kind of buddy comedy ensemble film. 

As it sounded like a bad idea from the get go, but was hoping it would be broader or bring something different to the table. Even though it plays pretty rote 

Co-Written and directed by Tom Gormican whose previous films were AXEL F the latest BEVERLY HILLS COP movie (as a writer) and THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT,  as writer-director. Both films going back into the past of celebrities or iconic movie characters. Don’t feels a natural that he would take a move that was a surprise hit and known for it’ ridiculous nature and make it into a meta comedy that resurrects the film franchise and it’s cultural impact 

Originally this was supposed to be a reunion of his stars from UBEARABLE WEIGHT Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal but when he couldn’t get them. We got Paul Rudd and Jack black. Who try to have chemistry and play against type with Jack black more than straight man and responsible one. Where as Paul Rudd plays the more wild and impulsive character.

There are 2 cameos in the film one works and is the only time the film is truly alive and hilarious. The other one doesn’t and feels unneeded 

What kept me entertained throughout the film

Was Wondering what is  going on with thandwe newton’s hair. As its volume, length and styles change throughout the film with each new scene. Now that could have been a clever satire of the constant problem of actors of color complaining often they are fixed to wear uncomfortable and badly styled wigs. Due to not having proper hair and make-up people who know how to style their hair. Instead it just happens in the background and one wonders was it intentional or not. Though happy to see her working again. 

Will admit the film is Awkwardly casted. As the actors don’t seem like they would normally work together, but here make it through believably enough and Nice to see Steve zahn part of the cast as him and Jack black have a a small SAVING SILVERMAN reunion

Ultimately though the film not most of it’s ideas It truly goes anywhere and make the material

feel empty. Even if it was just a more comedic remake of the original film. It would have amounted to something 

The film does serve as a constant reminder that Jack Black really needs better and new material film wis. As the only time he seen interesting or in better films is when he works with filmmaker Richard Linklater (Bernie, Apollo 10 1/2) so that it feels like the films he chooses get worse and worse though he stays energetic and likable in all of them. Though since half of them make money at the box office. Other than partially reputation he really has no reason to change his trajectory.

This is a film that could have set itself up. As either a satire or parody and instead comes across as confused as its premise. Though it would have been nice to be a film that shows character who are bonded by their love of not only film but a certain film and the pains and stakes they are willing to take to remake the film out of passion and love. Not to mention a chance to relive part of their childhood and reunite with one another. 

Almost like those guys who remade RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. In their teens a scene by scene remake and only later in life did the world get to see it, finally and they did it out of love for the film. If only this movie came close to having that kind of sincerity, vision and heart. It could have made this film worthwhile. Instead it just feels unnecessary and useless.

 

Grade: F 

EANIE MEENIE (2025)

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Written & Directed By: Shawn Simmons 

Cinematography: Tim Ives 

Editor: Chris Patterson and Dirk Westervelt

Cast: Samara Weaving, Karl Glusman, Andy Garcia, Steve Zahn, Marshawn Lynch, Jermaine Fowler, Mike O’Malley, Randall Park, Chris Bauer

A reformed teenage getaway driver is dragged back into her unsavory past when a former employer offers her a chance to save the life of her chronically unreliable ex-boyfriend.

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This film comes so close, but no cigar as it does play out like an Elmore Leonard story or novel. As it has the gritty details, the quirky characters and the down on their luck protagonist.

It also has a story that is set in the underworld of crime and a high story that doesn’t overreach and make it seem like this is the score of the century or will set everyone up for life but more just a simple heist that will help all involved get out of previous trouble and be financially lucrative .

Even though it is mainly a crime story, it does take its time to be a character piece for the main character played by Samara weaving and explain her character’s choices, upbringing, and mentality, which helps, especially when she is essentially in love with a screwup 

The film has a great cast, but that is the problem while the quirky supporting character shine. We don’t really ever get enough time with them to learn maybe how they tick or just to enjoy them in general. It’s longer than blink and you miss them, but still not quite enough 

Even Marshawn Lynch, who is usually comedic gold in movies here has the chance to create such an iconic character, and while he does, what is necessary, his impact isn’t felt the way that it should nor strong as it should. It feels here more like he scripted rather than where his strength is an improv. 

Samara weaving as the lead is more of the straight woman, whereas she surrounded by all these crazy quirky characters so she lies at the heart of the film, and obviously the protagonist were rooting for .

The film stays surprising throughout as well as engaging with a surprisingly strong and down, tried ending of sorts, though it feels like there’s something missing to push it quite over the top to passable. 

As it is a film, that is entertaining enough, but not quite not worthy to play with the others in its genre. It comes across his lightweight, even though it does have some heavy material. Maybe it’s just because of the story that it tells you want it to be stronger.

Even with it quirky characters it’s surprisingly violent and hard hitting, but it still doesn’t quite make it to Mark

As the film does have the juice and the ingredients and even the recipe, but the taste isn’t quite uproot or tastes fine but not quite special as you had hoped. No matter how it tries. 

Grade: C 

NATIONAL SECURITY (2003)

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Directed By: Dennis Dugan 
Written By: Jay Scherick & David Rob
Cinematography: Oliver Wood 
Editor: Debra Neil-Fischer 

Cast: Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn, Colm Feore, Bill Duke, Eric Roberts, Timothy Busfield, Robinne Lee, Matt McCoy, Brett Cullen, Cleo King, Mari Morrow, Joe Flaherty, Stephen Tobolowsky 

Two mismatched security guards are thrown together to bust a smuggling operation.

A film that makes you suffer through a buddy comedy. Where the participants are supposed to be opposites coming together. That feels forced and mismatched. 

When it comes to these types of films we understand why two stars teaming up In the movie will hopefully Produce a hit.

Only here do you have one star and a recognizable actor more of a character actor.

The film has very little to remember about it as it is paint by the numbers and not really good or entertaining and feels quite dumb throughout. While we watch them have their differences. Decide to team up and become buddies. Even though by the end it doesn’t feel earned but more surrender to just go With it. 

It doesn’t help that Martin Lawrence’s character comes off more as a scheming asshole more than a character or even comedic force in the film. So Steve Zahn’s character is supposed to be the redneck. Throughout it shows him as decent and more a victim throughout. Though essentially the straight man to Lawrence’s wacky character.

The film Tries to Make fun of racial police battery and brutality that comes across as racist and insulting, definitely insensitive. Portraying it as more As a Scam at Least in this film. That by the end the film just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. 

The latter party of the film tries to focus more on action but even that isn’t too impressive. The supporting cast is more impressive than anything in the film 

This just feels like a film that didn’t need to be made and was a waste of time for all involved.

Grade: D

BANDIDAS (2006)

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BandidasFeatured

Directed By: Joachim Ronning & Espen Sandberg
Written By: Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen
Cinematography By: Thierry Arbogast
Editor: Frederic Thoraval

Cast: Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Steve Zahn, Dwight Yoakam, Sam Shepard, Denis Arndt

In 1848, a New York bank wants to put a railroad across Mexico, so it buys up small banks around Santa Rita, Durango, and evicts farmers on the proposed rail line who owe money. The bank’s henchman is the murderous Jackson. He runs afoul of two women, María, the tough but uneducated daughter of a farmer, and Sara, the European-educated daughter of the owner of one of these banks. To feed the now landless people and to seek revenge, María and Sara become bank robbers, veritable Robin Hoods. But Jackson and his hired guns are after them. What are the women’s options?

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