GIMME THE LOOT (2013)

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Written & Directed By: Adam Leon
Cinematography By: Jonathan Miller
Editor: Morgan Faust 


 Cast: Ty Hickson, Tashiana Washington, Sam Soghor, Zoe Lescaze

When a rival gang buffs Malcolm and Sofia’s latest graffiti masterpiece with a replica of the NY Mets home-run apple, they’re determined to get spectacular revenge – by tagging the real Mets’ apple. Over the course of a whirlwind two-day heat wave, these tough teens from the Bronx must hustle, scramble, and steal to execute the scheme that will make them the most famous writers in New York.

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BIKER BOYZ (2003)

BIKERBOYZ

Directed By: Reggie Rock Bythewood
Written By: Reggie Rock Bythewood & Craig Fernandez
Based On The Article By: Michael Gougis
Cinematography By: Greg Gardiner
Editor: Caroline Ross & Terilyn A. Shropshire 


Cast: Derek Luke, Laurence Fishburne, Brendan Fehr, Rick Gonzalez, Meagan Goode, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Lisa Bonet, Orlando Jones, Dijmon Hounsou, Larenz Tate, Kid Rock, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Dante Basco, Dion Basco, Tyson Beckford, Titus Welliver, Kadeem Hardsion, Terrence Howard, Nadine Velazquez

A mythic motorcycle tale of father and son”, this is the story of Manuel Galloway, also known as “the King of Cali”, the president of a motorcycle club whose members are all African-American men, mostly white-collar workers who exchange their suits and ties at night and on weekends for leather outfits and motorcycle helmets. The focus of this story takes place at an annual drag-racing event in Fresno, as Manuel tries to retain his championship title.

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TWO NIGHT STAND (2014)

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Directed By: Max Nichols
Written By: Mark Hammer
Cinematography By: Bobby Bukowski
Editor: Matt Garner 


Cast: Analeigh Tipton, Miles Teller, Jessica Szohr, Scott Mescudi, Michael Showalter

After an extremely regrettable one night stand, two strangers wake up to find themselves snowed in after sleeping through a blizzard that put all of Manhattan on ice. They’re now trapped together in a tiny apartment, forced to get to know each other way more than any one night stand should.

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LIKE A BOSS (2020)

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Directed By: Miguel Arteta
Written By: Sam Pitman & Adam Cole-Kelly
Story By: Danielle Sanchez-Witzel
Cinematography: Jas Shelton
Editor: Jay Deuby 


Cast: Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, Salma Hayek, Billy Porter, Jennifer Coolidge, Jessica St. Clair, Ari Graynor, Ryan Hansen, Jimmy O. Yang, Karan Soni, Jacob Latimore, Natasha Rothwell  


Two friends with very different ideals start a beauty company together. One is more practical while the other wants to earn her fortune and live a lavish lifestyle.


This is a film that feels like a let down as it has a good cast but where as the trailers looked hilarious and fun. The film doesn’t rise to the occasion and really the only thing that keeps the film afloat is the cast.

As this film is the equivalent of a buddy comedy. Where there is an Intimacy between the two friends that isn’t romantic but are life partners in a way.

Tiffany Haddish again plays her familiar comedic type. Blunt sex crazed and honest with an attitude. Once you get used to her she doesn’t offer many surprises.

Rose Byrne plays her best friend and business partner and she seems to try to play more the emotional parts of her character and her problems but can be counted on to be funny when needed. This is kind of her out of her range. Even though over the years she has done the odd comedy.

The problem is that the film leaves plenty of set up’s for certain scenes that never seem to rise to the occasion of how funny they can be. Not are they as funny as they can be. Only in one scene does it rise to that level and that is due to Billy Porter then anyone else.

The film just feels haphazard and lazy. As it stays so plot oriented yet wants to have comedic highlights and just when those scenes seem to get started they either end or deflate. Which is disappointing especially when you have such a dependable cast.

Though it is nice to see a mostly female cast comedy where they actors are actually funny they just needed a better or stronger script.

Just as the side characters need more to do as they are quite funny but really are given nothing to do and you wonder why they are there at times. Especially their three other best friends who provide good laughs but anytime we see them it seems only to set up a comedic set piece.

It’s disappointing as the film has a lot of comedic energy and players but seems to falter giving them not as much to do as they could. As the cast tries to salvage the material.

Grade: D+

MOVING (1988)

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Directed By: Alan Metter
Written By: Andy Breckman
Cinematography: Donald McAlpine
Editor: Alan Balsam 


Cast: Richard Pryor, Beverly Todd, Randy Quaid, Dana Carvey, Stacey Dash, Traci Lind, Morris Day, Gordon Jump, Dave Thomas, Lynn Marie Stewart, Alan Oppenheimer, King Kong Bundy, Leslie Jordan 


Arlo accepts what seems to him to be a dream promotion to Idaho. He soon discovers, however, that moving has its own share of problems. The film is more of a situational comedy than a movie. As it just seems like every new scene there is a ridiculous adventure the film gets distracted with and an equal ridiculous solution to it.

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SWEETHEART (2019)

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Directed By: J.D. Dillard
Written By: Alex Hyner, Alex Theurer & J.D. Dillard
Cinematography: Stefan Duscio
Editor: Gina Hirsch 


Cast: Kiersey Clemons, Emory Cohen, Hanna Mangan Lawrence 


Jenn has washed ashore a small tropical island and it doesn’t take her long to realize she’s completely alone. She must spend her days not only surviving the elements, but must also fend off the malevolent force that comes out each night.

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GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’ (2005)

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Directed By: Jim Sheridan
Written By: Terence Winter
Cinematography By: Declan Quinn
Editor: Roger Barton & Conrad Buff Jr. 


Cast: Curtis “50 CENT” Jackson, Terrence Howard, Tory Kittles, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Leon, Joy Bryant, Omar Benson Miller, Mykelti Williamson, Bill Duke, Viola Davis, Russell Hornsby, Mpho Koaho,

A tale of an inner city drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue his passion, rap music.

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RIDE ALONG (2014)

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Directed By: Tim Story
Written By: Jason Mantzoukas, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi & Greg Coolidge
Story By: Greg Coolidge
Cinematography By: Larry Blanford
Editor: Craig Alpert 


 Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter, John Leguizamo, Bryan Callen, Bruce McGill, Gary Owen, Jay Pharoah, Jacob Latimore, David Banner, Angie Stone

Fast-talking security guard Ben joins his cop brother-in-law James on a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta in order to prove himself worthy of marrying Angela, James’ sister. Originally the movie intended for Dwayne Johnson to play James and Ryan Reynolds to play Ben.

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MONEY TALKS (1997)

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Directed By: Brett Ratner
Written By: Joel Cohen & Alec Sokolow
Cinematography By: Russell Carpenter & Robert Primes
Editor: Mark Helfrich

Cast: Chris Tucker, Charlie Sheen, Heather Locklear, Paul Sorovino, Faizon Love, Elise Neal, Damien Chapa, David Warner, Paul Gleason, Michael Wright, Daniel Roebuck, Veronica Cartwright

Sought by police and criminals, a small-time hustler makes a deal with a TV newsman for protection.

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