Tim joined Paul Douglas to review the new drama “The Queen’s Gambit” (Netflix) and paranormal comedy series “Truth Seekers” (Amazon Prime Video) on the “Paul and Jordana” show on WCCO-AM. Click to listen below. The segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show” on KQRS-FM, “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO Radio, “It Matters with Kelly Cordes” on WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “Let’s Talk Movies with Tim Lammers” with Tim Matthews on KRWC-AM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere, and reviews streaming programming on WCCO Radio’s “Paul and Jordana” as well. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).
Ten years after the inspired original, Woody Harrelson and his band of fellow zombie hunters are back with “Zombieland: Double Tap,” a sequel that is every bit as entertaining as the first “Zombieland” in terms of its comedy, but nearly is a dated concept when it comes to the listless zombie movie genre.
Just like cinema’s overwrought obsession with vampires with the “Twilight” movies that began just over a decade ago, “Double Tap” tries its best to put a spring into the steps of the walking dead — an effort that would have failed in the hands of lesser filmmakers and talented actors like Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone, and new additions including Zoey Deutsch and Rosario Dawson as an Elvis-loving match for Tallahassee.
“Double Tap” picks up 10 years after the events of the original, where Tallahassee (Harrelson), Columbus (Eisenberg), Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Breslin) find themselves living safe and comfortably at the abandoned and well-stocked White House in Washington, D.C. And while Tallahassee and Columbus seem content with their cushy surroundings, sisters Wichita and Little Rock appear to be restless. Now coupled, Columbus wants to marry Wichita – an idea she’s not down with; and Little Rock feels a void in her life that could only be fulfilled by being with people her own age.
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Zombieland: Double Tap” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show” on KQRS-FM. Segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Ready to put themselves in harm’s way once again, the sisters hit the road, where they meet up with a peacenik hipster, Berkley (Avan Jogia), who strives to live in the utopia called Babylon. Little Rock loves the idea so much that she runs off with Berkley, giving Wichita no choice but to return to the White House to get Tallahassee and Columbus in a bid to find and rescue her little sister, and they’re joined by a bubble-headed blonde, Madison (Deutsch), for the ride.
Like the original, “Double Tap” is directed by Ruben Fleischer and co-written by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick (the “Deadpool” movies), and team effortlessly brings the same smart and funny dialogue to the film, which is brilliantly realized by the always great Harrelson and the playfully wry Eisenberg. Deutsch adds an extra comedic punch as the ditzy Madison, a role that moviegoers will likely find hilarious or grating, depending on their tolerance for Valley Girl speak.
Naturally, the film is loaded with action and is punctuated by several gross-out zombie death moments, which are ultimately funny because they’re so outrageous. The big key to the success of the film is whether audiences who are over the whole zombie craze will want to revisit genre, which, as demonstrated by the dwindling ratings of AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” has almost completely run its course.
The filmmakers at least try to change things up by making the zombies smarter and more aggressive in “Double Tap,” but even that angle at this point feels all-too familiar. If it weren’t for the talent involved (also look for entertaining turns by Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch), this “Zombieland” would definitely feel (double) tapped out. The only possible thing better at this point would be a sequel to Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s “Shaun of the Dead.”
Lammometer 7 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show” on KQRS-FM, “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO Radio, “It Matters with Kelly Cordes on WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere, and reviews streaming programming on WCCO Radio’s “Paul and Jordana” as well. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).
Whether you’re a wrestling fan or not, you’ll want to dive into the ring for the new comedy drama “Fighting with My Family,” a wonderfully engaging true-life tale about how famed female wrestler Paige got her start in the WWE.
Florence Pugh stars as Saraya, an 18-year-old girl who along with her older brother, Zak (Jack Lowden) and their British working class parents, Ricky (Nick Frost) and Julia (Lena Heady), have been obsessed with professional wrestling their entire lives. Saraya and Zak are so polished in the sport, in fact, that a tape of their wrestling attracts the attention of a coach (Vince Vaughn) with the NXT, which trains potential wrestlers for a shot at the WWE.
But when only Saraya (who changes her name to Paige professionally) is signed by the NXT and jets off to training in Florida while Zak is left behind in the UK, the strained bond with her brother hampers the talented wrestler as she tries to prove herself worthy of the WWE.
Written and directed by Stephen Merchant and produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – who is magnetic as he plays himself in supporting role – “Fighting with Your Family” has it all, from laughter to heartbreak to lots of wrestling action, and to top it off, an emotionally-charged ending that my very well find you cheering and tearing up at the same time.
Punctuated by footage of the real-life Paige and her family during end credits, “Fighting with My Family” is full of heart and easily one of the best films so far in 2019.
Lammometer: 9 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
