Zom-Com Done Wrong

Zombie flick Life After Beth should have stayed buried

Despite the glut of zombie-related entertainment these days, a clever twist on dealing with the undead is always welcome, such as 2013’s Warm Bodies. Unfortunately, the only thing interesting about the latest, Life After Beth, is its title.

The film does have promise at the start. We join the story soon after the death of Beth (Aubrey Plaza), as her boyfriend Zach (Dane DeHaan) and her parents (John C. Reilly and Molly Shannon) struggle to come to terms with her being gone.

There are a number of comedic possibilities with a story such as this, but writer/director Jeff Baena has difficulty making any of them connect.

When Beth’s parents start being distant, Zach becomes suspicious and soon discovers something impossible: Beth has come back from the dead. However, her behavior is, shall we say, a little erratic, and even though Zach loves having her back, he finds out that having a zombie for a girlfriend has more than its fair share of challenges.

There are a number of comedic possibilities with a story such as this, but writer/director Jeff Baena has difficulty making any of them connect. Beth’s confusion over why Zach and her parents are treating her differently now is more sad than anything else, and any quirks that come along with her being undead seem random and ho-hum.

Instead of being satisfied with telling the story of Beth’s rising from the dead, Baena chooses to portray it as an epidemic, with multiple dead people making reappearances. Sometimes this is good for a chuckle, but most of the time all it elicits is a shrug. Any time devoted to other undead takes away from what’s supposed to be the point of the film, which is probably the biggest reason the film doesn’t succeed.

Plaza’s usual monotone shtick would seem to work well for playing a zombie, but the deadly dull script keeps her from reaching her potential. DeHaan makes the most of his role, but he too is held back by the story.

It’s fun to see Paul Reiser and Cheryl Hines as Zach’s parents, even if their roles are not all that crucial. And why Anna Kendrick, who plays a ditzy love interest for Zach late in the movie, chose to take this dud of a supporting part is beyond me.

Zombies may still be all the rage in Hollywood, but if films like Life After Beth are the best they can offer, the undead are better left buried.

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Life After Beth opens exclusively at the Texas Theatre on September 5.

Dane DeHaan and Aubrey Plaza in Life After Beth.

Dane DeHaan and Aubrey Plaza in Life After Beth

Photo courtesy of A24

Dane DeHaan and Aubrey Plaza in Life After Beth.

Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

High 5 Exchange

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen

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