Reel Review with Zoe (Real FM)

This reel review shares two opinions on the film Kung Fu Panda 4. Zoe found the film lackluster and disappointing but her autistic brother Josh found it hilarious. Perhaps it isn't worth the theater price but it is a passable kids film, if you don't mind your kids watching small bunnies jump with glee for violence. Reel 2 will contain a spoiler-filled deep dive on the film's flaws and lost potenti...

It's okay if Dune isn't your cup of tea when it comes to film entertainment, but for Zoe its frustrating when people criticize the Dune films for being style over substance. Here in this deeper dive, Zoe shares some background information on the director, Denis Villeneuve, which illustrates what makes him a unique storyteller. He employs "show don't tell" through the tools of cinematic storytellin...

This is your spoiler free review of the second part to the recent sci fi saga, Dune. Zoe is very biased on this one since she is a huge fan of sci fi, fantasy, world-building, and the director Denis Villeneuve. So for her, this was a highly anticipated sequel... and you shouldn't walk into a theater with expectations, but lucky for her this sequel was three-hours well spent. However, this may not...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This is a fun episode where Zoe goes through each of the movie trailers released during the Super Bowl and offers her insight on the films, what she's excited about, looking forward to, and nervous about... the stories we tell ma...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This is Reel 2, Part 2. The deep dive with Zoe's special guest Cable Takenaka continues...Cable and Zoe look at Christian movies as a whole: what their reputation has been, where we stand currently, and what to look forward to fr...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This is Reel 2, Part 1. The deep dive that Zoe had with her special guest, Caleb "Cable" Takenaka, went longer than expected but it was an interesting conversation so it is split into two parts for your enjoyment. Cable and Zoe l...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. Ordinary Angels releases on February 22nd, but here is a spoiler-free review from Zoe because she had the opportunity to see the film early. You'll hear her thoughts on some of the acting, directing, and some of her thoughts on C...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This is Reel 2, where Zoe and her special guest, mega-fan of Godzilla, Sam, dive into the Godzilla franchise and discuss the historical and cultural significance of the franchise and what it means for this movie: Godzilla Minus O...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This episode covers a 2023 film that Zoe didn't get around to seeing till recently but it has been one of the most surprising and satisfying movie experiences she's had: Godzilla Minus One. Produced in Japan with a shockingly low...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is a special episode where instead of reviewing a new movie in theaters, Zoe takes a look back on what could be considered the best animated trilogy of all time "How To Train Your Dragon" featuring her special guest (and husband) Sam. They break down the main themes across the three films, the characters, and the importance of good storytelling in children's media... T...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is a special episode where instead of reviewing a new movie in theaters, Zoe takes a look back on what could be considered the best animated trilogy of all time "How To Train Your Dragon" featuring her special guest (and husband) Sam. They break down the main themes across the three films, the characters, and the importance of good storytelling in children's media... P...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This is a very special episode! It's a Merry Christmas Movie Debate featuring Ansen and Kara from Real FM. They are arguing for the Best Christmas movie. Zoe argues for "Elf", Ansen argues for "A Christmas Story" and Kara argues...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This is a SPOILER FILLED Reel 2, deeper dive into the latest tribute in the Hunger Games - Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Zoe goes into greater detail over her frustration and confusion with the characters and plot of the film,...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This episode covers the Hunger Games' prequel, "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" which is a very long and poetically-on-the-nose title. Originally, Zoe was not planning on seeing the film, but after getting requests to cover i...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This episode covers Wish, a film celebrating Disney's 100 year anniversary. Zoe goes into why she thinks this new animated film lacks the magic of classic Disney films, even though ironically, the film pays homage to the classics...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This episode covers Wish, a film celebrating Disney's 100 year anniversary. Zoe explains how the choice to combine 2D and 3D animation makes the film stylistically unique and perhaps off-putting but this film may be a return to f...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.   This episode covers a film shot nearby the Real Station in Northwest Arkansas! It's called "What Happens Later" written, directed, and starring the 90s rom-com icon, Meg Ryan. Zoe explains how she felt about the film, the s...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps answer the question, "Should I see this?" and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story's themes and message. This episode covers Meg Ryan's latest film shot in Northwest Arkansas, What Happens Later. Zoe explains how this film was not at all what she was expecting: serious and dramatic, rated R for strong language, and centering on a st...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.   This episode covers the mysteriously successful videogame to movie adaptation, "Five Nights at Freddy's." Zoe shares the story of the franchise creator, Scott Cawthon, a failed Christian videogame developer and gives contex...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.   This episode covers the Five Nights at Freddy's movie. "There is horror in this film but it is not a horror film" as Zoe describes it in this spoiler free review. She breaks down her recommendations into three categories: 1...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.   This episode covers the recent film Dumb Money. In Reel 1, Zoe shared her brief thoughts on the true story turned Hollywood film. Here in Reel 2, joined with a special guest, Zoe unpacks all the details surrounding the real...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.   This episode covers Dumb Money. Zoe explains how the film is based on true events but is not for all audiences. In Reel 2, she dives in a deeper conversation with a special guest on exactly how true to life the film is and...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.   This episode covers the 2023 box office sensation, "Barbie." In Reel 1, Zoe explained how she felt leaving the theater, and why it was hard for her to review or recommend, but acknowledges people did enjoy the film. One suc...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.   This episode covers the latest box office sensation "Barbie." For Reel 1, Zoe covers the basis for why she personally did not enjoy the film and has a difficult time recommending it, but acknowledges you might! Because this...

Welcome to Reel Review! This is where Zoe helps you answer the question, “Should I see this?” and invites you into a deeper conversation about the story’s themes and message.  This episode covers John Wick Chapter 4. In Reel 1, Zoe shared how this film is not for everyone. If you enjoy action films, you will probably enjoy it. But as Christians, should we enjoy that kind of content? Is violence in...