Zootopia

Director Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush

Genre Animation | Action | Adventure

Cast Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Shakira 

Rating PG

Release Date March 4th, 2016

“In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a fugitive con artist fox and a rookie bunny cop must work together to uncover a conspiracy.”

Disney’s newest animated entry is directed by Byron Howard (Tangled, Bolt), Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), and Jared Bush (Big Hero 6). The ultra-talented cast of voice actors consists of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Nate Torrence, J.K. Simmons, and Shakira, to name a few. Zootopia is Disney’s 6th animated feature film to include no human characters

As a grown man without any kids that enjoys animated films (it sounds a little weird saying it out loud), I was actually genuinely excited to see Zootopia and I had considerably high expectations. Zootopia was so much fun that I left the theater feeling like a kid again. The animations were incredible, the story was well-written and touching, the humor was relentless, and the overall creativity of the film was a genuine pleasure to experience. Watching the animals interact like human beings is a joy to see for kids and adults alike, but the story which is about perseverance and the ability to defy expectations no matter what should really resonate with the older audience.  

Zootopia is full of fun little creative surprises like an iPhone with a carrot on the back instead of an apple, or the fact that in a busy city square all of the animals are walking around with their faces glued to their phones just as people do in this day and age. Sad but true. Let’s be honest, I’m pretty sure we can all relate to the idea of sloths at the DMV because that folks, is real-life. The cast did a fantastic job and I enjoyed Ginnifer Goodwin in her lead role as the voice of bunny Judy Hopps. She was the perfect fit. I must admit that my favorite character was the scheming fox, Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman), as his smooth talking and back and forth banter with Judy was infectious. I read that originally the film was to focus on Nick Wilde and his character, but after receiving test audience feedback the studio decided to adjust to script to make Judy the main character. I think it would have been a hit either way!

Zootopia is an absolute must-see for fans of Disney movies or fans of animated films in general. It is by far the most fun and creative animated entry since Inside Out, which I thought was fantastic. With the viewer market the way it is today the success of a film like Zootopia depends on the adult audiences almost as much as it does on the kids. Luckily, Zootopia appeals flawlessly to all age groups and is a true joy to experience. Do yourself a favor and see this one right away because you will hear plenty more about Zootopia come awards season. 

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Director Glenn Ficarra, John Requa

Genre Comedy | War

Cast Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman

Rating R

Release Date March 4th, 2016

“A journalist recounts her wartime coverage in Afghanistan.”

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (a widely used military term for WTF) is directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa who also teamed up to direct Focus (also starring Margot Robbie) as well as Crazy Stupid Love (one of my favorites), which starred Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell. It is based on the book “The Taliban Shuffle”, written by Kim Barker, and is her memoir chronicling her experiences in Afghanistan as a war journalist. Based on true events (obviously), the film stars Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, and The Hobbit himself Martin Freeman. We are also blessed with the presence of the ageless Billy Bob Thornton, who recently starred alongside Freeman in the first season of the FX series Fargo.

I am a huge fan of realistic war-time films, past and modern day, with The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty serving as my most recent favorites. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is something of a hybrid type film in the sense that it is part raunchy comedy and part love story, all the while shedding light on the serious drama and political aspect of the events that took place when the journalist first arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2002. I was entertained for the vast majority of the film and had some good laughs but struggled with the film’s slow pacing and the somewhat convoluted message. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot tends to play a bit of tug-of-war with the viewer bouncing back and forth between lighthearted humor and a dramatic overtone. I will say that overall I was pleased with the conclusion of the film which is what matters most at the end of the day. Plus I am picking apart a film based on true events, is that even allowed? Honestly, I’m not sure.  Making that decision is well beyond my paygrade.

The acting in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is commendable and I think they did a great job putting together a group of experienced and versatile actors. Stand-up comedian turned actress Tina Fey is still trying to prove herself as a serious actress and I felt like her performance was a step in the right direction. Her character had depth and she was able to portray Barker as a woman desperate to break free from her stagnant and unfulfilling life. She shows signs of her range as an actress in Sisters but the comedy in that film far outweighed everything else. The absolutely stunning Margot Robbie continues to find role after role and she stands her ground once again. Martin Freeman was also quite impressive in his role as a freelance photographer. Christopher Abbott, who I automatically picture as Marney’s pushover boyfriend in the HBO series Girls, is nearly unrecognizable with his full beard and is actually believable as native Afghan and translator/liaison Fahim Ahmadzai. He is starting to make a name for himself as an actor and is building up quite the IMDb resume. 

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is an entertaining war dramedy (drama/comedy hybrid) that has something for everyone. Unfortunately it does seem to lose its way at times and suffers from pacing issues. Should this deter you from checking it out in theaters? I don’t think so. If you like Tina Fey as an actress and find yourself in the mood for a love story with a bit of a twist, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot should easily satisfy that craving. 

The Other Side of the Door

Director Johannes Roberts

Genre Horror

Cast Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto, Sofia Rosinsky, Javier Botet

Rating R

Release Date March 4th, 2016

“After her young son is killed in a tragic accident, a woman learns of a ritual which will bring him back to say goodbye, but when she disobeys a sacred warning, she upsets the balance between life and death.”

The Other Side of the Door is co-written and directed by Johannes Roberts who has a surprisingly limited resume consisting mostly of low budget direct-to-dvd horror films. Born in Cambridge, England, Roberts seems to have a preference for films in the horror or thriller genre, generally a mix of both. Alexandre Aja, who produced the film and also directed The Hills Have Eyes, has been rumored to be pushing for a remake of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary (which scared me pretty good back in the day). The potential project has yet to gain any steam but this film strikes a resemblance to the plot of the 1989 horror film. The Other Side of the Door did get a theatrical release, although limited, and the film stars Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break, The Walking Dead) and journeyman actor Jeremy Sisto (Law & Order, Clueless). 

Considering we are very much in the age of throw away horror films, The Other Side of the Door is a very pleasant and considerably unexpected surprise. Even though the film relies only slightly on a creepy forest environment it still manages to put the 2015 film The Forest to shame (granted the bar was set pretty low). To put it kindly, as a horror film The Forest does not even belong in the same genre as The Other Side of the Door, and honestly had they released in reverse order it may have served as some positive inspiration. A quality ghost story is a difficult undertaking as a few missteps can cause the overall effectiveness of the film to fall flat on its face. Without relying too much on jump scares (although it has plenty trust me) The Other Side of the Door manages to create a feeling of tension that can and will make your skin crawl. The feel of the film is very much grim and dark right from the start and as a viewer you are forced to expect the worst at every turn. 

The acting in The Other Side of the Door is certainly above average. Jeremy Sisto performs well in a limited role and lead Sarah Wayne Callies shines as the driving force for the film. As the second big-name actress from The Walking Dead series to star in a theatrically released film (Lauren Cohan recently starred in The Boy) Callies proves she deserves an opportunity. Becoming a recognizable face after her role in the hit Fox series Prison Break, her character in The Other Side of the Door displays significant emotional depth as she makes it impossible for the audience to not emphasize with her situation. Sofia Rosinsky is also quite effective in her role as the daughter in the film. 

The Other Side of the Door is a well-constructed ghost-story-style horror film that gives the audience plenty to rave about. The film unfolds rather patiently and somehow deeply instills a feeling of fear that is reminiscent of some of the better horror films in the last decade or so. Director Johannes Roberts really impressed me and may very well be on his way to directing and even writing other successful horror films. He seems to take a similar approach to The Witch director Robert Eggers this time around as The Other Side of the Door builds on the idea that the monster is much scarier in the darkness, only allowing the audience a peek from time to time at the evil that will soon overcome them. It is not a front-runner for the best film of the year but I am not easily scared and I can comfortably put The Other Side of the Door on my short list of favorites for 2016. It is worth checking out for any true horror fan. 

Room

Director Lenny Abrahamson

Genre Drama

Cast Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Wendy Crewson

Rating R

Release Date January 22nd, 2016

“After five-year-old Jack and his mother escape from the enclosed surroundings that Jack has known his entire life, the boy makes a thrilling discovery.”

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson who also directed the unique film Frank, Room is the story of a life altering traumatic experience that brought a mother and son as close as humanly possible. The film is written by Emma Donoghue and is based on her book of the same name that has received its fair share of acclaim. Room is a work of fiction that feels very much like a film based on a true story due to situations such as The Cleveland abduction, which was eventually made into a low budget direct-to-rental film.

I am embarrassed to admit that I went to see Room in early December and yet I am just now getting around to writing this review. What can I say people, life happens (that and I procrastinate A LOT, keep that between us). Room was initially given a limited release and I was able to see it at the local art house theater in my town, as the bigger theaters did not start showing the film until the Oscar buzz hit full circle. I was thrilled for the opportunity to see Room and I was more than pleased with this low budget yet high reaching film. Simply put, Room is an amazing film. I spoke to a few people prior to seeing Room and they were hesitant as they thought it would be hard to watch considering the source material. Trust me when I say this concern is very much unfounded as the film isn’t nearly as graphic as it could have been.

Room is a masterful example of quality storytelling and exceptional writing. Even though I have yet to experience the book for myself (I hope to read it soon) I am sure that the film is the best on-screen representation that it could possibly be. The real winners here are the cast as the acting in Room is unbelievable and the fact that Brie Larson, an underrated 26-year-old actress, won the 2016 Oscar for Best Actress does not surprise me one bit. The character she portrays on-screen wins the audience over right from the beginning, and the will to survive that her character exhibits is a pleasure to experience. I absolutely must give credit to 9-year-old actor Jacob Tremblay who put on a performance well beyond his years. Tremblay is able to portray his character as a young boy with a highly developed imagination considering the very small confines of the world around him, as far as he can see anyway.

Room is a powerful film that should easily claim its rightful place in cinema lore. Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay display an on-screen chemistry that is nearly impossible to replicate and an absolute pleasure to witness, through tears and through laughter.  You would swear this is an actual mother and son struggling through times tougher than most of us will ever know. Room deserves to be seen and I hope that Larson’s well-deserved Best Actress Oscar gives this film the exposure it should have received from the beginning. 

Triple 9

Director John Hillcoat

Genre Crime | Thriller

Cast Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Woody Harrelson

Rating R

Release Date February 26th, 2016

“A gang of criminals and corrupt cops plan the murder of a police officer in order to pull off their biggest heist yet across town.”

When I watched the first trailer for Triple 9 my excitement for the film was borderline manic as I found myself telling anyone that would listen about how great it was going to be. Triple 9 is a crime thriller directed by Australia born John Hillcoat, who also directed Lawless and The Road, and is written by Matt Cook who is fairly new to film according to his IMDb page. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet, and Clifton Collins Jr. With a cast like this and a premise designed to get our imaginative juices flowing Triple 9 looked like a guaranteed success. 

Right out of the gate I will say that Triple 9 was unable to meet my high expectations. To use a 4th Of July analogy, Triple 9 isn’t quite the Jason Pierre-Paul blowing his hand into bits of mangled meat, but it is also a far cry from the light up the sky spectacle the American people have come to expect from such an exciting holiday. Simply put, I expected it to be great. The action is aplenty and the shoot outs and car chases are exhilarating which is an obvious plus, but Triple 9 simply attempts to bite off more than it can chew and it shows. The storyline unfolds similar to the spinning of a spiders web and the unavoidable end result is the plot and its characters becoming the fly stuck somewhere in the middle.

What should come as no surprise to anyone is the fact that the acting in Triple 9 is top tier as expected. Initially, I was unsure as to who out of the impressive cast would get the most screen time but they actually did a good job of spreading it out. To me a big flaw in the writing is the mistake of not better executing character backstories in an effort to allow the viewers an opportunity to care about the characters on screen. Each and every actor in the film has the talent necessary to handle the task but for one reason or another, the focus shifted away from character development which hurts the film in the long run.

Triple 9 is an entertaining thrill ride that gives the audience a glimpse into the world of organized crime, corrupt cops, and the thin line that separates them. Unfortunately, it does underachieve all things considered mainly due to the high expectations brought on by such a star studded cast. What is most frustrating to me is the simple fact that a few minor changes could have made a world of difference. If I were given the opportunity to sit down with director John Hillcoat and writer Matt Cook prior to the films release, I would ask that they lock themselves in a room, watch season 1 of True Detective followed by The Departed, and then make the necessary changes to make this film what we all expected it to be. As hard as it tried, it just never quite achieved that gritty edge that it needed. Triple 9 is still worth seeing and will certainly make for an enjoyable trip to the theater but it’s not the instant classic I hoped it would be.   

Risen

Director Kevin Reynolds

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis

Rating PG-13

Release Date February, 19th 2016

“Follows the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection, as told through the eyes of a non-believer. Clavius, a powerful Roman Military Tribune, and his aide Lucius, are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Yahshua in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.”

I will admit that I was skeptical of Risen initially, partly due to the fact that the release seemed to come out of nowhere or was just simply overshadowed by big name releases like Deadpool. The cast also seemed to lack any names I recognized. Once the buzz for the film began circulating I couldn’t help but get sucked in as I started to realize that Risen had the potential to be a powerful film. Directed and co-written by Kevin Reynolds, who also directed 1995’s big budget film Waterworld (it was a bust but still popular), Risen seemed to pick up momentum and actually released with fairly high expectations. After finally making my way to the theater I am more than pleased to report that I enjoyed the entire hour and 47 minutes of the Biblical drama.

Considering it includes a fairly unknown cast (unless you're a Harry Potter fan), Risen is a film that delivers top-notch acting from top to bottom. Lead Joseph Fiennes who plays Clavius is no stranger to old-age filmmaking, having played a role in the 2014 portrayal of Hercules as well as a starring role in the series Camelot. Fiennes was invested in his character in such a way that viewers will have no choice but to admire the flawless execution he exhibits. Viewers will also recognize Cliff Curtis who plays a vital role in the film, as he recently starred in AMC's Walking Dead spinoff, Fear The Walking Dead, and has quite the acting resume. The rest of the cast has a plethora of experience between them and ensure that this very important story is told just as it should be. Character development was clearly an important focus and it shows.

Risen is well shot and felt true to the time period in my personal opinion, with meticulous set design and quality costumes. The soundtrack for the film felt authentic and helped to emphasize the dramatic tone. I was genuinely impressed by Reynolds directing style which I found to be both intimate and creative. I had concern that Risen might be over the top in certain respects but it never felt that way, holding true as a dramatic period piece with clear intentions. The film did have a small scale feel to it but I think that may have played to its advantage as far as making the viewers feel that much closer to the story. 

Risen is a powerful film with a story that unfolds like a well-written book, which in this circumstance seems to make perfect sense. Even though I do consider myself to be religious, I admittedly attend church infrequently and primarily only attend during important holidays and other family engagements. I do not feel that lessens my beliefs in any way and I found myself genuinely engaged in the story from the beginning. Risen is an enjoyable film that should appeal to more than just the religious audience, which will allow it to get more exposure.  If you are seeking a well told story and a quality balance of substance over flare, you should give this film a chance.

The Witch

Director Robert Eggers

Genre Horror

Cast Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw

Rating R

Release Date February 19th, 2016

“A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.”

The Witch is the directorial debut for production designer and costume designer Robert Eggers, who is widely known for his obsessive attention to detail. Sometimes a fresh take on a struggling genre is precisely what viewers need and deserve and The Witch aimed to be exactly that. Premiering at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival where Eggers won the Directing Award in the U.S. Dramatic category, The Witch follows a Puritan family in 1630’s New England who encounter forces of evil beyond their isolated farm. 

I consider myself to be a horror fan right down to my very core, dating back to my youth with a genuine appreciation for the slasher genre of horror films. I still enjoy slasher films but as an adult I now seek horror films that can instill a feeling of genuine fear and psychological distress rarely found today. The Witch is certainly a needle in the haystack. Right out of the gate The Witch is dark, ominous, unsettling, and borderline traumatizing while setting a permanent tone of despair. Genuine fear is that feeling on the back of your neck making your skin crawl, the feeling that tells you to look away while at the same time creating a desire to experience everything happening right before your eyes.  

The acting in The Witch is top-notch and it makes for a genuinely convincing period piece. Granted, I will need to watch it a second time to catch some of the dialogue I missed due to the strong English accents but that is par for the course if you ask me. It is nearly impossible to individually credit the performances of the relatively unknown cast because a weak spot does not exist. I was in awe of the performances during the entire film. Robert Eggers makes his mark with extraordinary costume design and production design. His attention to detail could quite possibly be the best I have personally experienced. The Witch shines in many important categories of filmmaking, and it would be a travesty (at least in my opinion) if it does not receive its fair share of nominations next year.

The Witch is a deeply satisfying, slow burn style horror film that has earned its place in the horror genre. It will surely follow you home from the theater, crawl into bed next to you, and enter your nightmares in an all-consuming fashion. A market will always exist for viewers that crave cheap jump scares and recycled scripts but fans of true horror deserve to be acknowledged and finally something worthwhile is here. The Witch is an intimate portrayal of a family’s battle with true evil and is not for the faint of heart. You have been warned.

Zoolander 2

Director Ben Stiller

Genre Comedy

Cast Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig

Rating PG-13

Release Date February, 12th 2016

“Derek and Hansel are modelling again when an opposing company attempts to take them out from the business.”

On the heels of the Zoolander 2 release I felt the need to wipe the dust off the old Zoolander DVD to get myself a refresher of all things Derek Zoolander. It’s crazy to think that it came out 15 years ago, only a few weeks after 9/11. Zoolander seemed to lay the groundwork for utilizing multiple cameos, something that the HBO series Entourage began doing with huge success. I almost forgot about the early cameo from Donald Trump as well as the Paris Hilton cameo towards the end of the movie (where is she these days, rehab?). I guess I need to renew my subscription to Us Weekly. Nonetheless, director/writer/actor Ben Stiller decided 15 years was long enough to prepare audiences for a Zoolander sequel. Side note, I highly doubt the film was in development for that long.

I actually enjoyed Zoolander 2 more than I thought I would, thanks in part to my tempered expectations, but also the fact that this film is good old fashioned goofy fun. Zoolander 2 has an identity which is very clear throughout, and the return of Derek Zoolander and Hansel felt as smooth as you could hope for after 15 years. The majority of the original cast is back with a few welcomed additions, specifically Penelope Cruz, as well as a bunch of funny cameos. Zoolander 2 maintained the hilarious chemistry of the running joke between Zoolander and Hansel’s unfathomable stupidity and Mugatu’s (Will Ferrell) wit and ability to take advantage of their incredible ignorance.

Zoolander 2 feels boring at times and sometimes drags but the hour and a half runtime is far from excessive and I was thankful for that. The route Stiller and the other writers decided to take with Zoolander 2 is a bit of a double-edged sword in the sense that it will please fans of the first film but is unlikely to attract any newcomers. The sequel does up the ante a bit with the flash and visual appeal which is a nice addition.

Zoolander 2 is a very respectable sequel to a film that was very much a love it or hate it split for viewers back in 2001. It stays true to the unique brand of slapstick humor and manages to provide plenty of laughs. Zoolander 2 isn’t great but what matters is the simple fact that fans of the original will be happy they made a sequel. With that being said, do what I did and grab a Ziploc bag full of Skittles and a Rockstar energy drink and enjoy Zoolander 2 for what it was meant to be. Plus if watching Justin Bieber get shot 50 times by an Uzi is up your alley, that alone might be worth the price of admission.

How to Be Single

Director Christian Ditter

Genre Comedy | Romance

Cast Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann, Rebel Wilson

Rating R

Release Date February, 12th 2016

“New York City is full of lonely hearts seeking the right match, and what Alice, Robin, Lucy, Meg, Tom and David all have in common is the need to learn how to be single in a world filled with ever-evolving definitions of love.”

How to Be Single felt like a film that wasn't quite sure if its own identity. On one hand you have the raunchy over the top comedy that is portrayed in the trailer, on the other hand it attempts to touch on real love stories and life lessons. What I found most confusing and almost frustrating is the fact that this apparent identity crisis continued right up until the ending credits. Perhaps the writer was off his meds but someone needs to review the script, I mean come on guys that's amateur hour. The film did include its fair share of funny moments and some solid one liners but overall it was very much hot and cold. Watching Rebel Wilson, a.k.a. Fat Amy, do the walk of shame all over New York City is funny for the most part but eventually grows stale. At least the guys she sleeps with are 4's at best, much more realistic compared to the studs in the Pitch Perfect films.

The acting in How to Be Single is similar to what you would expect from a relatively big budget sitcom without the laugh track. Dakota Johnson is effective when she has the “I'm an inexperienced girl in the big city” look on her face but that runs its course. She's not a dramatic actress nor should she need to be for this film. Rebel Wilson plays her usual character which works. 

Anders Holm (Workaholics) plays a bartender/owner who is also a non-committal ladies man. His character is supposed to portray the "player" persona pending reformation but I honestly had a difficult time escaping the Workaholics character I'm used to seeing him play. He is entertaining but any time he attempts to give serious life advice my brain goes on autopilot. Leslie Mann (Knocked Up, This Is 40) is fantastic as usual and I enjoyed watching her character unfold.

How to Be Single is an enjoyable movie overall but unfortunately the low points rear their ugly head far too often not allowing this film to make its mark. Trying to become something more than what the trailer portrayed was a mistake in my opinion and will prove costly in the long term. As the film is trying to say from the beginning, you need an identity to make it in this world, so pick one and stick to it damnit. I was promised a raunchy comedy and as far as I'm concerned it was false advertising, I might need to get in touch with OJ's lawyers. I think I have a real case here.

Deadpool

Director Tim Miller

Genre Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Cast Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Gina Carano, T.J. Miller

Rating R

Release Date February 12th, 2016

“A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool.”

As I waited patiently in my very comfortable movie theater seat staring at a gigantic IMAX screen just before the opening sequence of Deadpool, I crossed my fingers hoping my high expectations would be met. And well, they were. And then some. What is resonating most with me sitting here writing this review fresh from the theater in my pajama pants no less, is just how damn fun the movie was. Deadpool is an hour and 45 minutes of vulgar, unapologetic, action-packed, anti-superhero fun and boy was it worth the price of admission.  I laughed more times than I can count and shook my head in sheer disbelief during the majority of the film. 

First off, you do not need to be a fan of superhero movies or comic books to enjoy this film. What you do need is an open mind and a good sense of humor. I am telling you this in confidence so please don’t crucify me but I know very little about comics, and by very little I mean nothing whatsoever, aside from what I’ve picked up from episodes of Big Bang Theory. I have no issue with comics and the only explanation I can think of for why they were left out of my childhood is the likely fact that I simply didn’t have the space for them under my bed. Too many Playboy magazines I suppose. Troubled youth, what can I say. Deadpool made me wish I knew a bit more about comics because I felt like I missed some of the “inside jokes” that everyone else in the theater seemed to get (damn you Pamela Anderson).

I think it is safe to say that right about now Ryan Reynolds is essentially Baby Jesus for comic book fanboys the world over. This is of course assuming you believe in the man upstairs and if not, perhaps a unicorn made out of Skittles would be a better analogy? Reynolds is cocky, full of personality, funny, and admittedly a physical specimen when the role calls for it. Bottom line is he was made to play Deadpool and he absolutely crushed it. I knew coming in that Ryan Reynolds was an amazing actor and he was already one of my favorites. I mean the guy is incredibly versatile and his ability to shift from a romantic comedy to a role such as this is impressive. Try to envision a combination of Ryan Reynolds in the film Waiting… and Van Wilder (both classic films) only 10 times more ridiculous and superhuman to top it all off. Too good to be true? I thought so too, but Ryan Reynolds is Wade Wilson, Wade Wilson is Deadpool, and well that is great news for everyone.

I have enjoyed pretty much all of the superhero films, Iron Man, Captain America, Ant-Man, The Avengers etc, but Deadpool steps outside the box and it made for one heck of an entertaining movie. I mean this was the most fun I have had at the theater in a while and it actually makes me want to read the comics (I probably won’t but that still counts for something). It comes as no surprise to me that a sequel was already announced and it can’t come soon enough!

Southbound

Director Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, Patrick Horvath, Radio Silence

Genre Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Cast Kate Beahan, Matt Bettineli-Olpin, Susan Burke, Zoe Cooper

Rating Unrated

Release Date February, 5th 2016 (Limited Release) now available via On Demand & i-Tunes

“Five interlocking tales of terror follow the fates of a group of weary travellers who confront their worst nightmares - and darkest secrets - over one long night on a desolate stretch of desert highway.”

Southbound is a very unique anthology style horror film with 4 intertwining stories, put together as a joint effort involving some highly talented yet relatively unknown individuals. The film credits a total of 4 directors, one of which is made up of 4 members collectively known as Radio Silence. The other 3 directors include Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, and Patrick Horvath. With the exception of Horvath, this same group all worked together on the 2012 horror film V/H/S. Southbound is a creative collaboration with the primary goal of rejuvenating old school horror by any means necessary.

Southbound feels quite similar to the hit 2014 horror film It Follows, sharing a similarly eerie and effective score, oddly outdated décor, and retro-style directing. Before seeing It Follows in theaters, I almost forgot how important a quality score is when it comes to setting the tone and creating the right atmosphere. Most horror films today rely on cheap jump scares but Southbound has one simple goal, to instill the feeling of fear without the potential for escape. The anthology style of filmmaking ensures that the film has something for everyone, with each intertwined tale retaining its own personal brand of horror.

As an indie film with a limited budget, the acting is actually very good. Southbound technically includes two lead actors in terms of the story itself but the amount of screen time is split fairly evenly. What I found fascinating is that the two male leads, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Chad Villella who play Jack and Mitch, the first two characters introduced on screen, are members of Radio Silence who also directed the film. The entire cast seemed to take pride in the roles they were playing and the chemistry was evident throughout. I cannot stress enough the amount of genuine talent surrounding this project and I look forward to what’s next for this group.  

Southbound is a breath of fresh air for a struggling genre that desperately needs some positive momentum. With a strong potential for replay ability, I hope more films follow suit and continue to build on the values that make horror films great. Southbound epitomizes the very core of desperation with its character development, establishing the precise point where a human being begins to question the will to live. If you personally value artful filmmaking, have a certain level of appreciation for independent films, or simply enjoy quality horror films, Southbound is definitely worth your time.

The Choice

Director Ross Katz 

Cast Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer,  Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario

Genre Drama | Romance

Rating PG-13

Release Date February 5th, 2016

“Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life’s most defining events.”

The Choice is the 11th Nicholas Sparks book to get made into a movie, that’s impressive I must say. Let me get one thing out of the way right now, I would not consider myself to be a fan of Nicholas Sparks or his books. Do I have an issue with his books? No, of course not but I am a guy and I’m pretty sure I don’t quite fit his demographic, so it’s okay. With that being said, Sparks may have had something to do with the rise of Ryan Gosling’s career after his book turned movie The Notebook became a success and continues to be a favorite of females everywhere. I am not ashamed to admit that I am fan of Gosling as an actor (the guy simply has what it takes) so perhaps that makes me a fan of Sparks in some strange and indirect way.

I decided to earn myself some brownie points and take the lady to see Nicholas Sparks’ newest book turned film The Choice on opening night, what can I say I’m one of the good ones. She was excited because it is her favorite out of his books and to be honest I didn’t expect much more than a Lifetime network quality film. Well I have good news and women everywhere can rest easy because I was actually pleasantly surprised by the film. 

Considering The Choice was only an hour and a half long and generally its tough translating a book to film due to time limitations as it is, it was still able to tell a story that felt full and complete. I thought the acting was good and Benjamin Walker played the lead male role of Travis with plenty of personality and southern charm. Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies) was fantastic in her role as Gabby and let me just say she is very easy on the eyes (this is a plus for the guys trust me). It may be very “Shallow Hal” of me to say that casting an unattractive female lead in a love story makes zero sense but it is supposed to be believable right? Casting acting veteran Tom Wilkinson who got his start in 1976 as Travis’ widowed father was huge in terms of the believability of the story. He is a fantastic supporting actor.

Is it for everyone? No, of course not but The Choice is an enjoyable film and certainly one that you should take your favorite girl to see on date night, especially if you’re too cheap to buy jewelry. And for the record no I did not cry during the movie, although towards the end I did get a bit of dust in my eye. They really should do a better job of cleaning those theaters, what are we animals? Also, I learned something interesting along the way which is the fact that every Nicholas Sparks book including The Choice takes place in North Carolina. Apparently old Sparky (my new nickname for Sparks) is born and bred in NC and lives there to this day. Well go Tar Heels, I guess (I just like their color North Carolina blue).

Hail, Caesar!

Director Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Genre Comedy | Drama | Musical

Cast George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Tilda Swinton

Rating PG-13

Release February, 5th 2016

“A Hollywood fixer in the 1950s works to keep the studio’s stars in line.”

Joel and Ethan Coen, brothers who are 3 years apart, have developed quite the working relationship as a directing and writing duo over the years with 13 combined Oscar nominations. They tend to cast the same actors in their films, including Joel Coen’s wife Frances McDormand, who appeared in Raising Arizona, Fargo, Burn After Reading, and now the newest film for the two brothers Hail, Caesar!. Only actor Steve Buscemi has appeared in more Coen brothers films, having appeared in a total of 6 over the years.

The Coen brothers are notorious for taking audiences out of their comfort zone with their own personal style of filmmaking, with films ranging from brutally violent to quirky and goofy. They tend to mix it up. This approach is good and bad mainly because it is fairly unlikely that every film will appeal to the same audience. Each film includes one or multiple Coen brothers’ trademarks, whether it be centered around a botched crime of some sort, a focus on a specific but generally not so distant time period, or characters with stereotypes from the specific region the film takes place. Either way, it is clear the Coen brothers are involved.

The premise for Hail, Caesar! is quite creative and allows viewers an opportunity to get a peek behind the scenes of 1950's Hollywood and very much serves as homage to the era. The film industry has changed drastically over the years and it was fun to get a glimpse of how business was handled back then. Hail, Caesar! includes deeply engaging dialogue as well as crafty and seemingly unintentional humor. The film also has a deeper layer to it for those who care to look that far.

As to be expected considering the lofty Coen brothers standards, the acting in Hail, Caesar! is exceptional. The stellar cast includes Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, and Jonah Hill, amongst others. Brolin is in the lead role so he gets the vast majority of the screen time but I was a bit surprised by the limited roles for Johansson and Hill. Everyone delivered and the on screen chemistry was perfect.

Hail, Caesar! is yet another creative and uniquely crafted film to add to the Coen brothers directorial resume. Unfortunately, it didn't quite deliver the entertainment value some of their other films were able to offer and did have its slow points. Nonetheless, Hail, Caesar! is still one of the better films in theaters right now and deserves to be seen, especially for diehard fans of the Coen brothers.

Fifty Shades of Black

Director Michael Tiddes

Genre Comedy

Cast Marlon Wayans, Kali Hawk, Fred Willard, Mike Epps

Rating R

Release Date January 29th, 2016

“An inexperienced college student meets a wealthy businessman whose sexual practices put a strain on their relationship.”

Marlon Wayans is very much the “what you see is what you get” type of actor. Every now and again he will pop up in a film or T.V. show episode in a serious role and catch you off guard, but for the most part he plays the goofy guy in a Wayans brothers spoof movie. Scary Movie, White Chicks, Little Man, Dance Flick, Haunted House, and mixed in for good measure a serious role in G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra. Surprisingly, he wasn’t in Date Movie, Epic Movie or the numerous other spoof movies but they are all pretty much the same. Director Michael Tiddes also directed Haunted House 1 & 2 so I guess he figured why not put Marlon Wayans back on the big screen in the Fifty Shades of Grey spoof film, Fifty Shades of Black.

True to the spoof films that came before it, Fifty Shades of Black makes a mockery of the book turned feature film. It makes a point to mock other films, most notably Magic Mike, and actors/actresses by way of verbal jabs throughout the hour and a half runtime. Fifty Shades of Black offers the audience an abundance of raunchy and overly goofy humor as well as an endless supply of racial stereotyping (primarily self-inflicted interestingly enough).

I must admit the writing was creative, especially considering the style of film and I enjoyed the jabs at celebrities and current pop culture in general (of course Trump’s name had to be mentioned at least once). The acting was pretty good and I thought Marlon Wayans and Kali Hawk had solid chemistry. It was also nice to see Mike Epps in a movie again, even if it was only for a few minutes (can someone please give this guy a job?!). I guess I will just watch All About the Benjamins a few more times. I feel like the need to fill every second of the film with a funny act took away from the ability to properly land some of the funnier, better written jokes.

Fifty Shades of Black was exactly the film I expected it to be, which I would consider “meh” personally but some people with a different sense of humor might really enjoy it. It appeals more to the over-the-top Naked Gun brand of humor (although less original of course) and fans of the Wayans films will appreciate the newest entry. If you are familiar with the films that they are making fun of, you will obviously get more of the jokes.

Fifty Shades of Black is not a terrible film, I mean it really is what it is, no more and no less. I will admit that I did have some good laughs but overall this style of filmmaking gets old for me. I just prefer more of a buffer to break up the slapstick brand of humor, or at least some cameos along the way. A few of the jokes that didn’t quite resonate with me in the theater were able to get a delayed chuckle while writing this review, for what it’s worth.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Director Michael Bay

Genre Action | Drama | Thriller

Cast John Krasinski, James Badge Dale, Pablo Schreiber, David Costabile

Rating R

Release Date January 15th, 2016

“An American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound in Libya as a security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos.”

Director Michael Bay gets hammered with his fair share of criticism, most of which is certainly warranted. The running joke always seems to be "my favorite part was when the transformer came out and blew everything up" and so on. Yes, he likes to make movies with lots of explosions, and yes the Transformer films seem to satisfy that apparent need but I am not so sure Bay can be “labeled” so easily. Nonetheless, as a director he keeps the money coming in. The most recent, Transformers: Age of Extinction was a bust with critics but still earned $1 billion worldwide (mostly thanks to popularity in China) with yet another sequel in the works.

Michael Bay's newest film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, is his first attempt at a film based on the United States military since 2001's Pearl Harbor, which received mixed reviews. It is also Bay's third drama based on real-life events, the first two being Pearl Harbor and Pain & Gain (2013). The film is based on the book by Mitchell Zuckoff entitled 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi. As with most film adaptations based on real-life events, certain aspects of the story were changed and adjusted to fit the wants and needs of Hollywood. And to be quite honest, I am okay with that as long as you keep the heart of the story intact.

My relatively tempered expectations brought on by the fact that Bay films have taught me to focus more on entertainment value may have played a part in my overall opinion of the film, but I really enjoyed 13 Hours: The Secret Solders of Benghazi. As a huge fan of films based on our military, one of my favorites being The Hurt Locker, this film manages to set the tone early and make it very clear that Libya is a very, very dangerous place. Now this is not The Hurt Locker, not even close, but it is well acted, intense, funnier than expected, and includes a surprisingly impressive attention to detail considering Bay's usual tendencies. I was worried about taking actor Jon Krasinski (Jim from The Office) seriously, but his ripped physique and impressive beard seemed to do the trick (do NOT look too much into that comment, just an observation).

If you are a fan of action films and can also appreciate the ability to learn a little something along the way, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi will satisfy that craving. Although this film will not get any real recognition in terms of awards, I respect Bay's willingness to release a politically sensitive film during an election year. With that being said, I don’t follow politics and would rather watch a movie over a debate any day (although Trump is hilarious) so who really cares. Ignore the attention seeking clowns on the internet questioning Bay’s intentions in relation to politics and check this one out. I felt pretty good when I left the theater and it’s just a movie after all.

The Finest Hours

Director Craig Gillespie

Genre Action | Drama | History

Cast Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Eric Bana

Rating PG-13

Release Date January, 29th 2016

“The Coast Guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast of Cape Cod after a pair of oil tankers are destroyed during a blizzard in 1952.”

The Finest Hours is based on the book of the same name written by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman. It describes what is widely considered the most daring rescue in the history of the United States Coast Guard, after a 1952 blizzard split two oil tankers in half off the coast off Cape Cod. The film was directed by relatively unknown director Craig Gillespie who has directed some big name films including Million Dollar Arm and Fright Night. 

The trailer for The Finest Hours is misleading to say the least, as it seemed to resemble another film based on actual events that took place in Massachusetts. I am referring to the timeless classic The Perfect Storm, and the similarities do not go much further than location and boats during brutal storms. In my opinion George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg would be displeased with any sort of comparison. A film with such a strong and engaging story should be intense to the point of white knuckles gripping the arm rest but it just didn’t happen for me. I will admit that a few scenes had my blood pressure at unhealthy levels but it was very inconsistent.

The acting in The Finest Hours is sub par at best which is a letdown considering a solid cast, consisting of Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, and Ben Foster. Chris Pine had one of the worst Massachusetts accents put on display since Andy Sandberg mocked Mark Wahlberg on SNL (which was hilarious). Ben Foster had maybe his worst performance as an actor and he seemed genuinely bored with his role. The best performance was delivered by independent film sensation Casey Affleck as one of the men aboard the oil tanker. He seemed to be in command of his part and really took to his character. I also need to put some blame on what I would consider to be lazy writing. A film with a dramatic element like this requires some sort of connection to the characters but zero effort was put into this. I guess Disney spent too much money on the CGI and cut back the screenplay to make ends meet.

Overall, I was entertained and wouldn’t consider the film a total waste of money. The CGI was impressive and provided plenty of quality eye candy during the big scenes, but considering it is 2016 that should be expected. If you do decide to check this out in theaters, you might as well go IMAX and get the full effect. As a Disney film, The Finest Hours serves its apparent purpose as a fun, feel-good family flick that will keep everyone in good spirits. On the other hand, if you are looking for something more along the lines of a gritty survival story, this simply is not that movie. 

The Hateful Eight

Director Quentin Tarantino

Genre Crime | Drama | Mystery

Cast Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins

Rating R

Release Date December 30th, 2015

“In the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.”

Quentin Tarantino is back with his 8th film, The Hateful Eight, and once again he means business. From Reservoir Dogs to Pulp Fiction, the Kill Bill films and most recently Django Unchained, people tend to love him or hate him when he is at the helm. His success is undeniable as a director and he tends to push the envelope with his films for better or for worse. Tarantino prefers to stack his films with A-list actors and excessive violence so I say keep them coming. The Hateful Eight falls into the western genre similar to Django Unchained which seems to be an area of comfort for Tarantino as of late.

I was finally able to see The Hateful Eight for myself and I will say it was more or less what I expected. The film provides a never-ending supply of quality dialogue which never gets boring. The story unfolds in bits and pieces and provides a decent twist that will keep the audience guessing. The content is quite graphic and the language certainly pushes the envelope (if you are easily offended by the “N” word I would skip this one). One thing about Tarantino films is that they tend to be quite long, most of which coming close to the 3 hour mark. This film comes in at about 2 hours and 45 minutes and unfortunately it does feel long. I swear I had to pee for at least 2 hours and I refused to leave the theater (that was rough).

The acting in The Hateful Eight is top notch with a cast consisting of Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Walter Goggins (Sons of Anarchy), and a surprise performance from Jennifer Jason Leigh, who excels at being obnoxious in her role. So much so that she earned a best actress in a supporting role nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards and I would say she has a chance to win. As far as subject matter is concerned, The Hateful Eight comes across as a less serious action comedy type film when compared to something like The Revenant.

Overall, The Hateful Eight is an entertaining film and stays true to the Quentin Tarantino formula. You could argue that he took a step back creativity wise and pulled from his Django Unchained bag of tricks, which I would say is good and bad but definitely more of the latter. The Hateful Eight will easily please returning fans but might struggle when trying to hook newcomers. Recommended. 

The Revenant

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu

Genre Adventure | Drama | Thriller

Cast Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter

Rating R

Release Date January 8th, 2016

“A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.”

One of the best director/actor combos has been Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorcese, teaming up on The Wolf Of Wall Street, Shutter Island, and The Departed, to name a few. Now DiCaprio has teamed up with another director who is building quite the resume, Alejandro González Iñárritu (I cannot for the life of me pronounce his full name without looking it up) who is responsible for 2014’s critically acclaimed Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) starring Michael Keaton and Edward Norton. DiCaprio and Iñárritu have teamed up for The Revenant and as expected viewers and critics alike had very, very high hopes.

I went out to see The Revenant not long after its release because to be quite honest, I was looking forward to this for at least 6 months. The buzz had me expecting nothing short of a masterpiece and that is precisely what I had anticipated spending 2 ½ hours of my life experiencing. Well ladies and gentleman, the good news is that The Revenant satisfied my expectations but it is also worth noting that many friends and acquaintances (otherwise known as convenience friends or work friends) were let down by the motion picture blockbuster for a variety of reasons. The trailer for The Revenant makes it feel like a sort of John Wick style revenge film but that would be an ill-conceived notion. Consider The Revenant to be more of the cool calm and collected revenge film, think Leon: The Professional minus young Natalie Portman or any attractive females for that matter. The revenge will come my friends, but you must eat your vegetables first, some people are so impatient!

I apology for the relentless ranting of analogies but I feel that it had to be said, now on to what matters. I felt The Revenant was exactly the movie I expected it to be. It is a film about revenge and the undeniable strength of the human spirit when faced with the most brutal circumstances. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy are incredible in their performances and even though DiCaprio received the nomination for best actor (which I feel he deserves) a nomination could have easily gone to Hardy as well. Both make a strong case with their performances and bring unique abilities as actors to the table. To be honest one of my favorite aspects of The Revenant is how artful and beautifully shot the film is which did not go unnoticed given its nomination for best picture. To me it felt somewhat similar to the very underappreciated film Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, starring Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara. The similarities come down to a number of beautifully shot scenes with very little if any dialogue.

The Revenant is a unique film that not only deserves to be seen but any fan of quality filmmaking owes it to themselves to experience what Iñárritu crafted for us all. Just be sure that you can handle graphic content and intense violence because it has that in spades. Highly recommended.

Brooklyn

Director John Crowley

Genre Drama | Romance

Cast Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent

Rating PG-13

Release Date November 25th, 2015

“An Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.”

I finally got around to seeing Brooklyn which seems to have been given a wider release thanks to the Best Picture nomination for the upcoming Academy Awards in February 2016. Directed by the relatively unknown John Crowley and starring up-and-coming Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (pronounced Sertia like Inertia according to my good buddy Ryan Gosling), Emory Cohen, and Domhnall Gleeson, it is a drama that unfolds in 1950’s Brooklyn. After reading about how amazing the film was supposed to be for what seemed like months, I was glad to finally have the opportunity to make my own assessment.

I am pleased to report that this little gem is as advertised and worth every penny. As a fan of quality filmmaking I feel that the ultimate reward comes when you leave the theater feeling like you gained something from what you just watched instead of yet another wasted few hours. Brooklyn felt very much like an experience and it comes as close as possible to the feeling you get when finishing a good book, a feeling that will surely resonate with you for the remainder of the evening. The story comes to life with each and every scene and the acting is top-notch. Ronan steals the show as expected but Emory Cohen (The Place Beyond The Pines) and Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, The Revenant) more than pull their weight making sure the film is a success on all fronts. Brooklyn will feel like a delicious meal from a renowned chef and the final few minutes will be that delicious dessert you were yearning for the entire time.

Brooklyn is a prime example of quality filmmaking and is the “total package” in my humble opinion.  It is very well written, finely acted, vividly detailed, and surprisingly well paced for its runtime just shy of 2 hours. Regardless of the inevitable trash talking that will surely come my way I would happily watch Brooklyn again and would even consider purchasing the Blu-ray for the right price. I like to consider myself more of a leader and less of a follower and if my compass leads me to a drama built on a complex love story then so be it. Brooklyn feels like you are watching Ronan’s character grow up right before your eyes and it is a pleasurable experience to say the least. Brooklyn might not come away with best picture at the Academy Awards due to what I consider some stiff competition with The Revenant and The Big Short, but it undoubtedly deserves the recognition. Highly recommended.

Ride Along 2

Director Tim Story

Genre Action | Comedy

Cast Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Olivia Munn, Ken Jeong

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 15th, 2016

“As his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who’s supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product.”

Ride Along released in theaters in 2014 to a collective yawn from critics but that didn’t slow down the comedy starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart. The film had total domestic gross earnings of $134,938,200 with a budget of $25 million, according to Box Office Mojo. That is a ridiculous return on investment and all but guaranteed a sequel.

Let me just cut through the crap and say that as a fan of quality filmmaking of varying degrees, Ride Along 2 left me feeling somewhat cheated. I enjoyed the first film and felt that it was a quirky comedy that included a cast with solid chemistry, and it simply worked without trying to do too much. When I received word that they would be doing a sequel primarily due to the financial success of the first film I was excited especially considering the addition of Ken Jeong (The Hangover). I went to see Ride Along 2 a few days after its release and I felt like the cast basically did their best sleepwalking impression during the entire film just to collect a paycheck.

The first film had a formula that worked, taking advantage of a strained humorous relationship between Kevin Hart and Ice Cube. I enjoy Hart’s over the top brand of humor and to me Ice Cube sort of balances him out with his laid back demeanor.  Ride Along 2 literally and figuratively took away all of the fun in the first film and replaced it with jokes that wouldn’t have landed in my local comedy club (and they charge $5 a ticket, think about that). The sequel finds itself in Miami, FL and I find it a bit concerning that the hit serial killer series Dexter gets me more excited about visiting the Sunshine State.

Ride Along 2 felt lazy, forced, and downright criminal given the abilities of its cast. I laughed a few times but I couldn’t overlook the fact that I was being spoon fed a bland storyline with next to no creativity involved. Director Tim Story has shown that he understands how to use Kevin Hart as an actor given the success of the film Think Like A Man, but that also had a crash landing of a sequel so maybe he should get out of the sequel business altogether. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.