One of the best decisions the filmmakers behind Voicemails for Isabellemade was opening the film with Robyn’s Dancing on My Own. The great news is that the soundtrack continues to impress throughout, as does the beautiful way the film captures the love between two sisters.
Nick Robinson, Zoey Deutch and the rest of the cast performed well in writer/director Leah McKendrick’s story about a young woman who leaves voice messages intended for her deceased sister.
As far as romantic comedies go, Voicemails for Isabelle is a good one, even if one character’s lack of accountability did frustrate me.
If you haven’t already, watch it when you’re in the mood for a good romantic comedy.
From writer/director Leah McKendrick, Voicemails for Isabelle is a new drama/comedy/romance in which Jill (Zoey Deutch) leaves voice messages to her deceased sister. Only, the messages aren’t exactly going anywhere close to where she thinks they are.
Nick Robinson, Nick Offerman, Lukas Gage, and Toby Sandeman are among the key cast.
This one I have to see because I’m a Robinson fan and I like the unexpected premise.
Also, who isn’t excited by an extra unhinged Offerman character?
Harry Shum Jr., Gil Bellows, Ciara Bravo, Spencer Lord, Leah McKendrick, William Vaughan, Calix Fraser, Roraigh Falkner, Megan Danso, Shane Dean and Amanda Khan also star.
Sovereign (2025), Jacob Tremblay, Nick Offerman, Briarcliff Entertainment
From writer/director Christian Swegal, Sovereign is a crime/drama/thriller about a manhunt involving father/son anti-government extremists and the police.
Jacob Tremblay, Nick Offerman and Dennis Quaid are the key cast.
Offerman in a full-blown dramatic role is something to see. Fans (me included) of his great work as Ron Swanson on hit comedy series Parks and Recreation (2009–2015) will no doubt be intrigued, if the top YouTube comments for this trailer are anything to go by.
It’s always sad to see a child pulled into his unhinged parent’s shenanigans. As heavy as the premise is, I’m curious to see the ever-talented Tremblay continue to do great work.
I wonder if the story will explain what led to Offerman’s character’s current predicaments.
Are you ready for a fully snapped Swanson?
Megan Mullally, Kezia DaCosta, Ruby Wolf, Chris Greene, Jade Fernandez, Buddy Campbell, Bobby Gilchrist and Terry J. Nelson also star.
Bad Times At The El Royale (2018), Jon Hamm, 20th Century Fox
Set in a rundown hotel with a dark past, Bad Times At Hotel El Royale, the story of seven strangers with secrets to bury and one last shot at redemption is a movie I can’t say I enjoyed a lot.
There were moments of beauty, including the cinematography and the absolutely divine brown suede coat/jacket on Dakota Johnson’s character’s back. I also liked the pay-off in regards to the story of Miles Miller, the one hotel employee, and what he was found to be capable of. Yet, even though all the characters were portrayed well by the actors, it was only really Miles Miller whose story most intrigued me.
The scene in which Cynthia Erivo’s Darlene completely verbally sizes up Chris Hemsworth’s Billy Lee. That’s a great moment because of the dialogue and Billy Lee’s inability to deny the truth.
As for other things I liked quite a bit less in director Drew Goddard’s film, I didn’t enjoy the way the story was structured. As a result, I was annoyed by how pointless continuing to watch felt at times. The film’s length, pace, and the absence of a thoroughly engaging and natural flow for the entirety of the movie were the key lowlights.
I say, if you’re really curious, give Bad Times at Hotel El Royale a chance. Perhaps you’ll find much to love. For me, my mind often went to other movies I’ve seen that featured many characters, yet remained thrillingly engaging throughout. I just wish I could name an even more comparable example than Magnolia (1999)right now.
