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In a world where movie tickets are pricey and you could spend hours browsing streaming platforms, Zoe is here to help by giving you the nuts and bolts of a movie or TV show without the spoilers! But movies and shows are more than just mindless consumables, they’re stories that tell us something about our world and the people around us. Zoe invites you into a deeper conversation about media and how to navigate modern storytelling.
Thunderbolts is the latest MCU theatrical release but will it save the floundering franchise? With so many characters and plotlines to juggle, will this film be able to tie it all together, even for audiences that haven't kept up? Zoe was pleasantly surprised by this film, enjoying it way more than she was expecting, having been so disappointed in the MCU for the past two years. The movie is fun but earnest, and explores themes not yet touched in the MCU. The film, however, does have more gun violence than perhaps some of the other films, explores more mature themes, and uses strong language--its main cast is comprised of characters who are misfits and outcasts, so its a bit expected.
Zoe has been playing Minecraft since 2012, so she had very strong feelings when she saw the film's trailer. Originally, she wasn't planning on seeing the movie, but her husband dragged her to the theater and she was pleasantly surprised it didn't totally suck. It is a decent option at the theater right now if you're looking to see something during this easter weekend with the kiddos--it is very much a family film. Zoe also highlights the recent tiktok trend with teenage boys that involves trashing theaters, so there's a warning about that.
In this spoiler-filled deep dive of the recent Amazon original "Holland", Zoe is joined by a special guest, a third generation Dutch American Holland Resident named Josh Bishop. Josh is also an author, poet, film-enjoyer, and Zoe's cousin-in-law. Together, they explore the themes of the film, its missed opportunities in storytelling, the flawed screenplay, and poor representation of the beloved town filled with a beautiful and unique embrasure of its Dutch heritage.
"Holland" is a movie set in the Michigan town of Holland, which embraces its Dutch heritage through landmarks such as a historic Windmill and traditions like Tulip Time. This movie stars Nicole Kidman who plays Nancy, a traditional mom living a seemingly perfect life in a perfect town but is clearly unhappy and discontent. Things start unraveling, divulging into a "suspenseful thriller" according to some critics, but Zoe found the film boring and morally questionable in its story and message. She does NOT recommend this film, even though its available now on Amazon prime. She also warns the film is rated R for language, violence, and sexual content. Zoe looks forward to a spoiler filled discussion on Reel 2 with her special guest, an author and life-long Holland resident.
Zoe reviews the new movie "Mickey 17" starring Robert Pattinson and directed by Korean filmmaker, Bong Joon Ho. Zoe doesn't feel like she can fully recommend the film because of its polarizing, dark comedic nature--being full of violence, body-horror, swearing, sexual innuendos, and on-the-nose political commentary. She found the film had a lot of layers, to the film's detriment, but she also commends the film attempting to be bold. A lot of mixed feelings and a lot to discuss!
In this spoiler-filled, deeper-dive on the new release from Angel Studios, Zoe does not pull any punches while discussing "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin." There were already a few red flags that Zoe had to contend with after watching the film, specifically the "call to action" at the end of the movie, but because she enjoyed the film so much she let it slide and gave it a glowing review. Now that she has had time to think deeply about the film and read articles about what was fact verses fiction about the movie, she has come to another conclusion.
Zoe reviews the latest theatrical release from Angel Studios: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin. The title alone is intriguing; the words pastor, spy, and assassin are rarely used to describe the same person! If you know anything about the real theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, like Zoe, then that name alone could be intriguing and now his story is on the big screen. But is it worth the theatrical experience? Zoe says yes! Keep in mind, the film is not perfect and Zoe wants to break it down and compare it to the real life of Dietrich in her spoiler-filled deeper dive.
Welcome to Reel 2, Zoe's deeper dive on the new film, Wicked (Part 1, 2024). Zoe enjoyed the movie and recommended it on her spoiler free Reel 1 but now she dives deeper into the movie's themes alongside her special guest, Chaplin Justin. Chaplin Justin is a host of the Faith Refresh podcast on the Real FM Podcast network, and he was the perfect person to talk to.
Wicked (part 1) was released on November 22nd, 2024, based on a popular Broadway musical of the same name that's been on stage since 2003. The musical is also based on a book, which was released in 1995. Wicked follows a similar pattern as the original Wizard of Oz, which started as a book in 1900, then became a stage musical, until becoming a movie in 1939.
The Covenant was released in 2023, created by filmmaker Guy Ritchie and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The film is a fictional story inspired by the real life events between the United States and Afghanistan in 2018. It is a story centered on two characters, Jake Gyllenhaal's character a Master Sergeant in Afghanistan named John Kinley, and his Afghan interpreter named Ahmed. Ahmed and John have a unique relationship, as described in the title: The Covenant.
The box office success of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" has some people asking, "Is Tim Burton Back?" but that begs another question.... where was he? And who is he? If you're wondering these questions, Zoe has answers. In this episode, she breaks down the origins of the iconic film director, his filmography, where "he went" and where he is today with this new film's success.... And you can listen to the spoiler free review of the movie in Reel 1!
Don't say his name three times! Zoe is reviewing the sequel to a classic 80s Tim Burton film, but this begs some questions, "is the movie as good as the original? Is it necessary for the story progression? Or is it just a nostalgia cash-grab?" Zoe found the film entertaining and middle of the road, but a surprisingly fun theatrical experience. But she warns that this is NOT a family film or film for small kids!
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