Movie Reviews

Film Review | Witherspoon and Ferrell Lack the Rom in ‘You’re Cordially Invited’

Published

10 months ago

March 18, 2025

Film Review | Witherspoon and Ferrell Lack the Rom in ‘You’re Cordially Invited’

Set on a stunning lake in Georgia, You’re Cordially Invited brings together two comedic powerhouses — Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell — for what is apparently a rom-com. The film relies almost entirely on the “com,” which sadly falls flat as the slapstick humor rarely lands.

The film’s premise? A classic, tired Hollywood trope of two warring wedding parties forced to share the same venue. I would say that this film, directed by Nicholas Stoller, whose career has been primarily mediocre comedies, is not his best.

The more unique spin the film attempts to have is that the only two warring people are not the brides but the family members planning the wedding. On one side is an overly loving, single father, Jim (Ferrell), who books the wedding venue for his Gen Z daughter (Geraldine Viswanathan) and her DJ boyfriend (Stony Blyden.) On the opposing wedding party, you have the tiny spitfire Margot (Witherspoon) planning her sister’s (Meredith Hagner) shotgun wedding. Margot, who left the South to pursue her career as an LA television producer, rarely returns home — a choice that has left her feeling like the family’s outsider. Her ambitious lifestyle and fast-paced career are a stark contrast to her family’s more traditional values, adding tension to her already chaotic visit. However, this spin relies heavily on overused Southern stereotypes, typical Will Ferrell antics, and cringe-worthy monologues that feel inauthentic.

Witherspoon and Ferrell, both incredibly talented in their styles and film history, feel completely mismatched. Their bickering is somewhat digestible, but their chemistry? Nonexistent. Their forced romantic tension is not just unbelievable but borderline painful to watch. When they finally kiss, it’s not a moment of triumph — it’s a moment that feels forced, like a check off the list.

The movie lacks any real ingenuity. It’s not unfunny, but unlike the belly laughs Ferrell has managed to summon from me in the past, I never emitted more than a small giggle. The film tries hard to poke fun at woke-scolds, but it feels like it’s tiptoeing around them too much for the jokes to work. Even the comedic bits — where you’d expect Ferrell to shine—are lackluster, veering into corny and, at times, outright cringeworthy territory.

The film relies too much on exaggerated antics and predictable gags rather than genuine wit.

The underlying, meaningful message of family dynamics – a father’s happiness riding on his daughter’s versus a misunderstood daughter and sister feeling like the black sheep in a family that genuinely does miss her. However, this theme takes a backseat to surface-level humor, only to be neatly wrapped in a quick, boxed-in resolution at the very end.

If you are looking for a movie that will turn your brain off, a comedy that feels silly and ludicrous, then look no further — you have arrived. However, suppose your brain remains on, and you notice the utter lack of romance and the random, scatterbrained nature of the scenes. In that case, you may find yourself ending the movie early.

But beware if you have children. The R rating feels forced, as the scenes constantly bolster profanity that is unnecessary and does little to add to the humor.

Ultimately, You’re Cordially Invited is a movie that contains so much talent yet is entirely too forgettable. At least the setting is beautiful. But if you get an invite to watch this, consider eloping instead.

View trailer here.

Movie Reviews

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Review: USA Premiere Report

Published

9 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Review: USA Premiere Report

U.S. Premiere Report:

#MSG Review: Free Flowing Chiru Fun

It’s an easy, fun festive watch with a better first half that presents Chiru in a free-flowing, at-ease with subtle humor. On the flip side, much-anticipated Chiru-Venky track is okay, which could have elevated the second half.

#AnilRavipudi gets the credit for presenting Chiru in his best, most likable form, something that was missing from his comeback.

With a simple story, fun moments and songs, this has enough to become a commercial success this #Sankranthi

Rating: 2.5/5

First Half Report:

#MSG Decent Fun 1st Half!

Chiru’s restrained body language and acting working well, paired with consistent subtle humor along with the songs and the father’s emotion which works to an extent, though the kids’ track feels a bit melodramatic – all come together to make the first half a decent fun, easy watch.

– Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu show starts with Anil Ravipudi-style comedy, with his signature backdrop, a gang, and silly gags, followed by a Megastar fight and a song. Stay tuned for the report.

U.S. Premiere begins at 10.30 AM EST (9 PM IST). Stay tuned Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu review, report.

Cast: Megastar Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh Daggubati, Nayanthara, Catherine Tresa

Writer & Director – Anil Ravipudi
Producers – Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela
Presents – Smt.Archana
Banners – Shine Screens and Gold Box Entertainments
Music Director – Bheems Ceciroleo
Cinematographer – Sameer Reddy
Production Designer – A S Prakash
Editor – Tammiraju
Co-Writers – S Krishna, G AdiNarayana
Line Producer – Naveen Garapati
U.S. Distributor: Sarigama Cinemas

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Movie Review by M9

Movie Reviews

Primate

Published

21 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Every horror fan deserves the occasional (decent) fix, andin the midst of one of the bleakest movie months of the year, Primatedelivers. There’s nothing terribly original about Johannes Roberts’ rabidchimpanzee tale, but that’s kind of the …

Movie Reviews

1986 Movie Reviews – Black Moon Rising | The Nerdy

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

1986 Movie Reviews – Black Moon Rising | The Nerdy

by Sean P. Aune | January 10, 2026

Welcome to an exciting year-long project here at The Nerdy. 1986 was an exciting year for films giving us a lot of films that would go on to be beloved favorites and cult classics. It was also the start to a major shift in cultural and societal norms, and some of those still reverberate to this day.

We’re going to pick and choose which movies we hit, but right now the list stands at nearly four dozen.

Yes, we’re insane, but 1986 was that great of a year for film.

The articles will come out – in most cases – on the same day the films hit theaters in 1986 so that it is their true 40th anniversary. All films are also watched again for the purposes of these reviews and are not being done from memory. In some cases, it truly will be the first time we’ve seen them.

This time around, it’s Jan. 10, 1986, and we’re off to see Black Moon Rising.

Black Moon Rising

What was the obsession in the 1980s with super vehicles?

Sam Quint (Tommy Lee Jones) is hired to steal a computer tape with evidence against a company on it. While being pursued, he tucks it in the parachute of a prototype vehicle called the Black Moon. While trying to retrieve it, the car is stolen by Nina (Linda Hamilton), a car thief working for a car theft ring. Both of them want out of their lives, and it looks like the Black Moon could be their ticket out.

Blue Thunder in the movies, Airwolf and Knight Rider on TV, the 1980s loved an impractical ‘super’ vehicle. In this case, the car plays a very minor role up until the final action set piece, and the story is far more about the characters and their motivations.

The movie is silly as you would expect it to be, but it is never a bad watch. It’s just not anything particularly memorable.

1986 Movie Reviews will continue on Jan. 17, 2026, with The Adventures of the American Rabbit, The Adventures of Mark Twain, The Clan of the Cave Bear, Iron Eagle, The Longshot, and Troll.