Sun Dec 07 01:30:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Paul’s Trip to the Movies Reviews: Cooper’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ Hit Theaters
[City, State] – [Date] – Paul McGuire Grimes of “Paul’s Trip to the Movies” offers his take on two new releases: the dramedy “Is This Thing On?” and the animated sequel “Zootopia 2.”
“Is This Thing On?” – A Showcase for Arnett’s Dramatic Talent
Bradley Cooper’s third directorial effort, “Is This Thing On?,” stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern as Alex and Tess Novak, a couple navigating divorce after decades of marriage. Grimes notes the film, co-written by Cooper, Arnett, and Mark Chappell, is a more intimate story than Cooper’s previous works. The film showcases Arnett’s dramatic range, with a career-best performance that sheds his comedic tendencies. While the movie isn’t overly humorous, Christine Ebersole delivers scene-stealing moments. Grimes praises Cooper’s direction, capturing the vulnerability and emotional weight of divorce through close-ups and allowing for uncomfortable silences. While the film tackles similar themes to “Marriage Story,” it offers a more hopeful outlook.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Ticket Stubs
“Zootopia 2” – A Worthy Sequel Packed with Laughs and Action
“Zootopia 2” reunites Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) as they investigate a smuggling bust and uncover a larger conspiracy involving a stolen ancient book. Grimes praises the film’s writers, Byron Howard and Jared Bush, who manage to keep the buddy cop dynamic fresh and clever, mirroring real-world issues like racism and tolerance. With newcomers like Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, and Quinta Brunson rounding out the cast. The film is full of animal puns and clever wordplay, offering both kids and adults a high-stakes adventure. Grimes commends Howard and Bush for crafting a sequel that retains everything loved about the original.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Ticket Stubs
First Piper 