Skip to main content

The Dink (2026)


The Dink is a sports comedy centered around the world of pickleball, a premise that will probably turn away a good number of viewers before they even press play. Fortunately, director Josh Greenbaum understands exactly how ridiculous that sounds and wisely leans into the absurdity instead of trying to make the sport seem more important than it is. The film is self-aware from beginning to end, never taking itself too seriously. It's also easy to see why this skipped a theatrical release in favor of streaming. This feels like the kind of movie that will naturally find a larger audience on Apple TV+ than it ever would have in cinemas.

Jake Johnson, known for New Girl and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, stars as the film's lead. While Johnson has proven to be a likable comedic actor in the past, he never quite generates enough laughs here to carry the movie on his own. Sean Clements, known for Workaholics, delivers the type of humor that reminded me why that series never clicked with me. Much of the comedy simply doesn't land, leaving the film searching for momentum whenever Johnson is asked to carry scenes by himself.

Ed Harris, known for The Truman Show and Top Gun: Maverick, gives a performance that almost feels intentionally disengaged. His character is written to be dismissive and emotionally distant, so Harris' lack of enthusiasm oddly ends up working in the film's favor. Mary Steenburgen, known for Back to the Future Part III and Last Vegas, once again proves she can elevate almost anything she's in. Her warmth, charisma, and effortless charm make her the standout member of the cast, and even as she embraces roles that reflect her age, she remains the most enjoyable part of the movie.

Overall, The Dink is a harmless comedy that knows exactly what it is but never finds enough laughs to justify its premise. Josh Greenbaum deserves credit for embracing the silliness of pickleball rather than pretending it's something more, but the unfunny comedy and underwhelming lead performance keep the film from standing out. Thankfully, Mary Steenburgen provides enough heart to make it watchable, even if it's ultimately a forgettable streaming comedy. Result: C-

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Onslaught (2026)

Onslaught is a grindhouse action/horror movie, and I had no idea it was going to turn into a slasher until about five minutes in. Adam Wingard , a V/H/S alumni, writes and directs, and while the action can be pretty good at times, it's also flawed in some pretty obvious ways. The biggest problem is the plot armor given to the heroine. Why can these super soldiers hit everyone else just fine, but suddenly can't hit her? It makes some of the action feel less exciting when you know the movie is going to bend the rules to keep her alive. Adria Arjona spends the majority of the movie dressed like she's headed to Walmart, but somehow she doesn't look bad. Few people could probably pull off an outfit like that and still make it work. She does a decent job in the role, even if the character is clearly protected by the script whenever the action gets going. Dan Stevens has a great cameo, and Reginald VelJohnson brings his classic acting chops to the movie. Drew Starkey pla...
Post a Comment
Read more

Him (2025)

Him (2025) is directed by Justin Tipping , best known for Kicks , with Jordan Peele serving as a heavy-handed producer. Despite the talent involved, the film leans into “and then” style writing that feels meandering and leaves the audience more tired than engaged. Marlon Wayans , known for White Chicks and Scary Movie , goes over the top in a way that doesn’t fit the film’s intent, creating more distraction than humor or depth. Tyriq Withers , previously in I Know What You Did Last Summer , turns in an even weaker performance here, offering little in the way of presence or believability. Julia Fox , who gained recognition for Uncut Gems , is strange and out of place, adding little to the narrative. Jim Jefferies , a comedian known for Legit , is barely given anything to work with, and his limited screen time wastes his talent. I found myself bored and not surprised. There is also a bit of sacrilegious writing that might turn off some audiences. Result: C+
Post a Comment
Read more

Bob Marley: One Love

  Bob Marley: One Love  is a journey into the life of the reggae icon. Written and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green , the same director of  King Richard. Here he continues to succeed while the writing takes a backseat for authenticity. The son of Bob Marley was a part of the production to ensure that the film accurately reflects the life and message of Bob Marley to the point where the film is less grand to the point it does hinder the film overall. Bob is played by Kingsley Ben-Adir  the same man who played Malcolm X in One Night in Miami... and who was one of the Kens in Barbie.  One Night was a much better film but this is his best performance.  The beautiful  Lashana Lynch plays Bob's wife. You'll recognize her from No Time to Die , The Woman King,   Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness , and Captain Marvel as Maria Rambeau . This is clearly her best performance yet even if the film won't bring enough attention to her performance. The ...
Post a Comment
Read more