Tag: Comedy

NONNAS (2025)

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Directed By: Stephen Chbosky

Written by: Liz Maccie

inspired by the life story of: Jody Scaravella

Cinematography: Florian Ballhaus

Editor: Anne McCabe

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Joe Maganiello, Brenda Vaccaro, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Susan Sarandon, Linda Cardellini, Drea de Mateo, Michael Rispoli, Geoffrey Owens, Campbell

Scott

After losing his beloved mother, a man risks everything to honor her by opening an Italian restaurant with actual grandmothers as the chefs.

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First off will say that Vince Vaughn here plays more of an every man so if you’re expecting his motor mouth, fast talker type of character you’re going to be sadly disappointed.

The film is based on a true story and real restaurant that I did not know I thought this was a made-up story, but was happy that by the end you find out this is based on truth.

Interestingly, this was directed by Stephen Chbosky, who I mainly know as a novelist, for the film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, he also directed and wrote the adaptation. He wrote and Strites’ other novels, but he is also a practicing filmmaker, as he has also DORECTED made films DEAR EVAN HANSEN and WONDER. all family films of a sort.

Here this film automatically feels like a family film as the subject matter is clean, it revolves around the power of friendship and families, and there’s nothing offensive in the film, and you get to know most of the characters so that they’re not one-dimensional 

This is one of those films that you’re gonna be hungry after watching just seeing not only the preparation of the food but how it comes out just makes you so hungry so that it’s kind of like soul food or tortilla soup or big night all these films that center around food meals, the meanings of them the expression of making food can be an art of itself, and this is one of those films. It helps relieve or comfort, or it just makes everything OK

Does have a minor romantic, of course what else would you expect and also preserves that whole thing of Vince Vaughn‘s characters and every man where you would think given how strong and good of a character he would’ve been married already by now, but he was taking care of his mother and now that she has passed on and he’s pursuing something with passion for the first time that he’s had no female in his life to take care of or take care of him and at first, it seems like it will be that filling, but now he meets a woman and romance is on the menu so that he’s left in good hands with her and she’s left in good hands with him in the knives are there to approve andhelp nurture

Film also provides material and characters for Lorraine Brocco,  Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, who still work, but you don’t see in major releases as much as well as I’m putting the queen of playing older female roles, Susan Sarandon as the more flirtatious and vivacious of the Nonnas, who of course makes the sweet stuff the desserts and the revealing outfits

While the others are more traditional, Lorraine Bracco, the angriest and volatile one of tradition Talia Shire is more of the shy one with a secret, and Brenda Vaccaro is more of the traditional grandmother who misses her husband and doesn’t have that much to do 

Just these women provide their specialties in cooking. They also provide what cooking has always meant to them, which is an expression of love and care for their families whoever they’re serving food to so that they feel like fam and that’s what this film also feels like an expression for the audience out there who might be feeling off or might miss family and friends this film is meant to bring you in and either remind you or fill you with that feeling of love that comes from family.

As the restaurant with a love letter to the cooking and to his mother and family, the screenplay written by Liz Maccie is a love letter to her family, and her husband Stephen Chbosky has said that this is a love letter to her him directing the film

It’s a tearjerker, a family film for all ages that I wish didn’t talk down to its audience. It doesn’t mean to, but it is also just that simple, what you see is what you get, the title alone. Tell you everything you need to know, it’s a nice warm fun little movie. Not offensive and not too many stereotypes.

That of course plays on Netflix streaming, but definitely could’ve made it mark in theaters, even if it doesn’t have that many locations nor is the story that big.

Grade: C+

MADEA’S DESTINATION WEDDING (2025)

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Written & Directed By: Tyler Perry 

Cinematography: Michael Watson and Justyn Moro

Editor: Larry Sexton 

Cast: Tyler Perry, Tamela Mann, Cassi Davis Patton, David Mann, Taja V. Simpson, Diamond White, Jermaine Harris, Xavier Smalls, Wallnette Santiago 

Madea’s great-grandniece, Tiffany, introduces her new boyfriend, Zavier, to her family and drops the shocking news to them: that the couple is getting married in two weeks, and everybody is invited to their destination wedding in the Bahamas. Despite her mother, Debrah, appearing to have everything under control, the vacation is hitting some turbulence. Madea isn’t ready to leave the country; Brian doesn’t approve of his daughter’s hasty wedding or her immature fiancee; Tiffany starts to doubt Zavier; and Debrah’s acting out of character. The whole wedding smells suspicious, and all Brian wants to know is whether or not this marriage is really all that it seems.

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I don’t know why I do this to myself nor do I understand why Tyler Perry does this to his audience, but I guess whenever in doubt after a few dramas or thrillers he’s gotta throw Netflix a Madea film every once in a while I don’t know if these films still have an audience as they seem to get worse and dumber each one. 

Watching this so now it’s kind of like a psychological study as we watch Tyler Perry play so many multiple roles and all of these characters are either talking to one or dealing with one another in the same scene so it’s pretty much almost a one man show where he’s talking to himself and occasionally adding other cast members to the mix

Also, when it comes to these Madea movies, it seems like he recast and hopes that we remember most of these characters from before, even though their new actors or new looks other than his usual stock characters of Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown’s daughter, Thelma, the next-door, neighbor, auntie Ruth, and then all the characters he plays. Some have been there since the beginning others seem to have joined in the last few films.

As we have Tyler Perry‘s character playing the father of a daughter, who’s ex-wife was a drug addict, then cleaned herself up then they reconciled then she married a new man who is rich and now loves throwing money in his face while spoiling their two children. These characters were played in the earlier films is more of a side story but once we got to boo a Madea Halloween, they pretty much became main characters.

In those films, the problem was the characters just sat around and talked mostly one up in each other with insults and then the action didn’t really happen until the third act and it wasn’t much action and then a moral message and it’s pretty much the same here except in the second half of the film is where we actually get to see some nice scenery 

Though the films promise that most of the characters aren’t very likable, the daughter who is getting married is still as selfish as she has always been and was throughout the boom Madea movies so she has not shown any growth or change and yet we’re supposed to care about her romantic relationship With this young man who comes across is very rude from his very first scene, but then we learned why and we’re supposed to really care about him and it doesn’t work and then we see that his ex-wife supposedly is even more selfish than the daughter trying to make the wedding all about her while there’s chaos in her own life And of course by the end, there’s a moral message

Look if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. I understand what Tyler Perry is just trying to PLEASE his audience and goes for even though all of his humor here seems tired, and as he said, it truly shows that he doesn’t make movies for audiences or critics he truly seems to make them for himself and if this is what he thinks it’s funny That’s sad.

One can’t take away from his success and all of his triumphs, though as usual, this is a letdown, especially on the heels of one of his better films for him STRAW 

No, just please more like desperation like she’s running out of subjects and is relying on the same old jokes that aren’t even working for his core audience anymore 

Grade: F

ABOUT MY FATHER (2023)

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Directed By: Laura Terruso 

Written By: Sebastian Maniscalco and Austen Earl 

Cinematography: Rogier Stoffers 

Editor: Scott D. Hanson 

Cast: Sebastian Maniscalco Robert DeNiro, Leslie Bibb, Kim Catrall, David Rasche, Anders Holm, Jessie Camacho, Brett Dier

When Sebastian tells his old-school Italian immigrant father Salvo that he is going to propose to his all-American girlfriend, Salvo insists on crashing a weekend with her parents.

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just as in the 80s and 90s it seem like stand-up comedians who are gaining some heat got sitcom deals. If they were lucky maybe got film deals. It seems modern day more and more comedians that have a following will get a chance to play a lead, usually that is of their own creation and here we have  stand up Sebastian maniscolo who wrote this film

Basically, it’s a rip on meet the parents and somehow he got lucky and got Robert De Niro to play his stubborn old school, father. We’re as he himself is dating a free spirited woman who comes from a senator in upper crust family who he tries to impress continuously while his father is more salt of the Earth hairdresser who can’t help with himself and seems to sabotage his son inadvertently along the way.

Throughout the film, there are less than inspired jokes that ultimately lead to a message of being yourself is good enough. That is what is truly going to impress. It’s when you’re fake. Those are the type of people you will attract. 

Half the scenes and jokes seem to want to riff on past roles of Mr. De Niro as well as this whole film just trying to be its own Italian American version of meet the parents, though it varies itself in sitcom troops and humor, as well as thin characters, that truly don’t give much of the cast much to work with nor making an impression with even though the film as well cast it clear that Robert De Niro again is here only for the paycheck. Even though he seems a little more willing to be somewhat silly in this film, as he’s truly the only interesting character and part of the film, where he just wish that the film was better written to really give him something to do and to rise to his performance.

Even it’s lead, Sebastian Maniscalco seems more interesting playing a supporting character more than a lead. As after a while he becomes annoying as a lead character and not all that interesting. 

The film is really a one joke premise it’s forgettable and disposable and worse of all it feels monotonous at times. 

Grade: D+

HEADS OF STATE (2025)

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Directed By: Ilya Naishuller 

Written By: Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Harrison Query 

Story By: Harrison Query 

Cinematography: Ben Davis 

Editor: Tom Harrison-Read 

Cast: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Paddy Considine , Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sharlto Copley, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle 

When the UK Prime Minister and US President become the targets of a foreign adversary, they’re forced to rely on one another to thwart a global conspiracy.

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With John Cena in the cast, you already kinda know what this film is going to be good as long as you go in with that frame of mind you’ll be perfectly entertain as at least this time he shares the action with Idris Elba, and it’s not another film where you just watch John Cena be the ultimate action hero who’s unstop Now he has Idris Elba, and together their unstoppable, as well as with their costar Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The alter two instill the film And their characters with a suave charm. 

The villain is pretty disposable other than his ruthlessness and it’s surprising how many recognizable character actors are in this film and relatively small roles but you’re happy to see them.

As the film comes off better than expected and better then it should be. 

Though it’s billed as an action comedy, I didn’t expect it to be as actually funny as it is, which is what differentiates it from most of its elk whereas if it had just been an action film, this really wouldn’t have been that interesting, but with the comedic elements it at least stays fun and rises above the cliché somewhat

It also helps that some of the humor comes from unexpected places than what you can see coming and some are even just stylistic comedic choices though luckily for the film, even though it’s predictable, it still manages to keep you on your toes to see how it’s going to get where it gets to.

As even the action sequences are a bit more memorable and noteworthy than the usual fair of straight to streaming films. The fighting farm scene is one of the more impressive scenes of  film. As well as one of the more impressive action sequences seen recently. 

Plus the henchman, though they don’t have many lines just come across is unlikable and reprehensible, but then again looking at the main villain, you can understand why they are the way they are, though with the villains actions it does make me wonder why anybody would really want to work for other than the obvious money, which is then made me fonder whether he pays them in cash or check and is it on a weekly or biweekly basis or maybe it’s crypto since it has to be more underground and do you work until he gets his payday and that’s when you get your haircut or is he paying you for the work done and then it maybe if it goes through he’ll give you a bonus but then again if he successful, he could just keep the money because what court are you gonna go to even if you have the skills in the guns?

If anything this movie would go great on a double bill with the film WHITE HOUSE DOWN as at least here all the action takes place overseas and on more European streets that are more narrow and cobblestone so it’s not in some random American city where you would expect to see the action so that adds a different element to the proceedings.

Though he has been in many action films before it’s nice to see Idris Elba be more of a bad ass action hero in the film rather than the villain or a sidekick. Though with this film and starring in the film beast, he is proving to be not only an all-around leading man, but also quite a believable action hero lead.

Grade: C+

DEEP COVER (2025)

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Directed By: Tom Kingsley 

Written By: Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow, Ben Ashenden and Alexander Owen

Cinematography: Will Hanke

Editor: Mark Williams 

Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammad, Paddy Considine, Ian McShane, Sean Bean, Sonoya Mizuno, Freya Parker, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen 

Three improv actors are asked to go undercover by the police in London’s criminal underworld.

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Unfortunately, not a remake or in any way asscisiyed with the Lawrence Fishburne Starring, crime classic film, but rather an wannabe, original action comedy

Is this is a movie that is very random. Whereas it’s randomly cast, and it shouldn’t work, even though it has a high concept, but strangely it does work and even comes off with its own little charm.

I don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing deep about this film. It’s pretty standard, but it stays in the middle of the road enough that it keeps you laughing and caring and even has some impressive action at times

As the film goes along, it tries to stay unpredictable that it fails in that way, though it does base itself on everyone having such deep trust in these characters, even when it’s obvious, they are in over their heads 

Not only is the premise a little bit inventive of having improv actors volunteer to go undercover and kind of getting stuck in their roles as the danger increases, but it also serves as a kind of midlife crisis movie as the characters are all facing dilemmas of where they thought they’d be and where they actually are And aiming to do something different to not only get better, but find some meaning in it all.

The most interesting character is  Shosh played by Sonoya Mizuno, who seems like she’d be a good bodyguard or assassin character in a better film, but also comes across as the coolest character of the whole film. She is always a chameleon in her roles. Never seeming to play the same type twice. 

Bryce Dallas Howard surprises with her performance in the lead as a comedic actress where you wonder why she isn’t in more films such as these as she is clearly strong in the lead role, though it might be as there’s so much competition and she fits into the same looks and frame as so, many Caucasian leading ladies. It’s hard enough to get the roles but also, where do you quite fit 

The film has surprisingly a lot of European acting heavyweights who we have seen play these types of characters before only here a bit more broad, not as intimidating and all clearly hear more for a paycheck than anything else, but they do add to the tapestry and try to add some heaviness and believability to the situations the characters find themselves interacting with them

The only complaint could be that one wishes the film was bigger, but then that would totally go against the reality of it and wish that the romantic sub plot had a bit more to it or a kind of ending to it instead of just being upsurped and left

Grade: C+

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERE (2023)

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Directed By: Guy Ritchie 

Written By: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies

Cinematography: Alan Stewart

Editor: James Herbert

Cast: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Hugh Grant, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, Eddie Marsan, Max Beesley, Peter Ferdinando, Lourdes Faberes

In the film, super spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds. Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives,Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

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One is kind of surprised by this film as I have to say this is one of the more disappointing movies that Guy Ritchie has ever made, especially as it seems in his wheelhouse. One can see why this was buried and quickly forgotten. As it’s no one‘s best work.

The problem is that this film is just so many things at different times, but then never quite commits to any of them. It’s more of a comedy than anything else, but not with necessarily funny jokes, just situations are ridiculous, and so is the behavior at times, the film constantly feels like a misstep as it is more comedy than action

When there is action, it just feels so basic and not noteworthy, he doesn’t feel that strategic or catching. It just seems more means to an end. 

As you have Jason Statham in the film, and while there’s gunplay, it’s more or less guns than anything.

The film is more ensemble with Josh Hartnett, Aubrey Plaza, and Hugh Grant, so they have their scenes and roles in which they get to shine or show their worth, but again, they never hit the Mark because everything is so broad that there’s nothing that contains the story really.

once guy Richie took over he rewrote the script and still told the cast to pretty much improvised and it feels that way the technical aspects are there, but the dialogue is OK but not quite brilliant repartée

Then the villains are set up, but they keep switching, and none of them are really that effective, it’s almost like they spent so much money trying to get stars in the lead roles that they only had so much money and couldn’t get any other big names to play the villain role.

so watching the film, you know what’s going to happen; there’s no real suspense to anything. It’s sort of like watching the Equalizer films, where Denzel Washington, if you can take out a room and 17 seconds, what hope do the villains at the end have, or put up as a challenge, and it’s the same in this room 

So that this film it’s more of a time waster than anything as nothing quite sticks and plays, smooth and glossy and even every time they seem to set up maybe a character trait it’s quickly forgotten or not used as early in the film one of the reasons that don’t want to use Jason Statham’s spy, character or reluctant is because he seems to try to use excuses and sicknesses to get out of missions, But we don’t get introduced to any of those aspects

Aubrey Plaza’s character seems to have a flirtatious nature where she’s fallen for someone, but we’re never given any reason. Dialogue works for the script and characters. 

Hugh Grant seems to be having a ball with fun villain characters as with more recent roles, he seems to be at least he’s trying to do something different but ultimately it feels like it’s there for no reason . 

While Josh Hartnett is part of the cast and he helps add to the stars name in the cast while also letting him play more comedic role than he has in the past he seems to be in the mission that’s why he’s there but then he’s given very little to do except ask questions and stand around so maybe get some expositional information Then give him or drag him into action sequence car chase really and his character has an about face and that at first you could see as being one-sided, but I guess in the end it kind of makes sense. as it does help open up the film to a new demographic

End it so much once they take out the villain it’s like it feels like there should be more but that’s pretty much it now let’s try some more comedic high jinx.

It just feels like everyone is not necessarily out of their element, but not given anything really to do even though the film seems to want to use their image or public image and talent to help poor or lift the material as otherwise this just comes off as a bland espionage story and script that could’ve been starting and made by anyone there’s nothing quite that special to it.

Now this film did come out when there was a pandemic, though it was filmed after the pandemic. It was postponed for release and finally did in 2023, luckily for it and quickly got released on streaming and was forgotten as this film just feels like a well-funded, but sorry excuse for entertainment, though seems to fit perfectly along with other streaming films as there doesn’t seem to be any passion or much originality

It’s not a horrible film as it is watchable, but it’s just so basic and bland that there’s very little reason other than, again, a time-waster popcorn movie.

Grade: C- 

FREAKY TALES (2025)

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Written & Directed By: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck

Cinematography: Jac Fitzgerald

Editor: Robert Komatsu

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Jay Ellis, Ben Mendelsohn, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Angus Cloud, Too $hort, Ji-Young Yoo, Jack Champion, Kier Gilchrist 

Four interconnected stories set in 1987 Oakland, CA. will tell about the love of music, movies, people, places and memories beyond our knowable universe.

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I’m Going to say this right now that this room is best to go into blind, as that is the best way to experience it, and might offer you more of a surprise or surprise is there anything. As even if you seen the trailer there’s still enough mystery to not know exactly what you’re getting into.

One thing that can be said Is that the film doesn’t really live up to its title as there are tails I don’t know how freaky they are, rather than just tales of an anthology. The film feels more like short stories, that take place around one another in the bay Oakland, California, as characters do cross paths with each other in different tails, but each one has its own kind of genre in story. It feels very Tarantino ask the light and more of a wannabe.

The thing that connects them might be violence and Oakland legends like Tom Hanks in Too $hort you are treated like legends in this film, and Too $hort has a cameo as well as being betrayed by someone else in one of the stories.

The stories here, pretty much cut and dry. They don’t offer that much in the way of surprises. One story focuses on punks versus Nazis and we get to know some of the characters involved. The next story is about two young African-American women going into a rap battle. The next story is a tale of redemption in the past in the last tail is more of a revenge tail inspired. It feels like by game of death the Bruce Lee movie.

Truthfully, the first tale could’ve been its own film in itself exploring the characters a bit more, but maybe it was in case of been there done that no not offering up as much of a diverse characters in the Punk cultural scene. 

The film fall short as it doesn’t really live up to its title and what are the stories, eventually connect your left, wanting more or expecting more from it, especially with the angle of this green substance, that really only comes into play effectively in one tale, but does work to connect or let the audience know Somethings about to happen. it’s a harbinger.

One wishes, the film was much better as it definitely has the creativity and talent involved. It just builds to a certain level and never goes past it even when it seems like it has the strength to go further and be better.

It’s around the 80s which gives a kind of a nostalgic, feel where you can look back and laugh at the fashions, but I also remember them as that was what was cool at the time as well as the culture.

The film Does offer plenty of cameos throughout the film

No, it isn’t mirable as it still keeps too similar themes but like a true short story collection, it has different types of tails where one can be more comedic. One can be more dramatic. It’s the same here, whereas one tail, or at least two tails are pure, more action territory. Another could just be a kind of a slight more success story.

Wow, the film has trouble living up to its title. It is still worth checking out.

I Grade: C+

I WENT DOWN (1997)

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Directed By: Paddy Breathnatch 

Written By: Conor McPherson 

Cinematography: Cian De Buitlear 

Editor: Emer Reynolds

Cast: Peter McDonald, Brendan Gleeson, Tony Doyle, Peter Caffrey, Johnny Murphy, David Wilmot, Michael Mcelhatton, Antoine Byrne 

Irish action comedy. An ex-con is forced into taking on a new task by a ruthless crime-boss, but finds he is hindered by the partner he has been teamed up with. However, he soon realizes they must work together if they are to survive.

This film reminds me of the quirky indies that had stylized crime stories before it seemed like Quentin Tarantino cornered the market and with him a new generation who tired to copy and clone his style with throwbacks to bygone eras. 

Then having witty, snappy dialogue that told stories while not exactly always being about crime, but reveal ethics, morals, passions or lack of them.

This is one of those films that centers around crime, but is much more interested in the characters and dialogue. 

Though this film Will probably be accused of being one of them. This one has mroe heart 

As the film offers charm. It’s not something you haven’t seen before, but it is fun that the crime story that moves it along is almost secondary and there to keep the characters on their toes and moving from location to location. 

Jsit as the main characters are learning more and more about the job they have been hired to do and the history behind it. We are u raveling the mystery as to what is really going on.

At heart this is a buddy comedy of two nit wits. Not cut out for crime. even though both are ex-Cons. Who are trying to get out of the life, but keep getting pulled back in no matter how ahrdbthey try to escape. It’ also a road trip movie as they keep having to travel and go to new locations to suposedlt finish the job. 

For some audience members this film might remind them or have the same spirit as IN BRUGES only not as violent or dark. It also helps that this film has a similar cast member Brendan Gleeson when he was younger. 

In Fact this was one of his early roles that put him on the map and got him noticed.

The sayings and place cards between scenes are a bit annoying, but representative of the time period in film. Where it was thought witty or like chapter themes.  

There is a lack of style but plenty of laughs. Believable character work. Where you enjoy the company of the characters. As even when you find out the truth. You just have mroe compassion for them. As even the title is kind of a punchline. 

Grade: B

BAD ASS (2012)

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Directed By: Craig Moss

Written By: Craig Moss and Elliot Tishman

Cinematography: John Barry

Editor: Jim Flynn 

Cast: Danny Trejo, Harrison Page, Patrick Fabian, Ron Perlman, Charles S. Dutton, Joyful Drake, Chris Spencer, Craig Sheffer, Richard Riehle, Winter Ave Zoli

A Vietnam veteran who becomes a local hero after saving a man from attackers on a city bus decides to take action when his best friend is murdered and the police show little interest in solving the crime.

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will be the first to admit this film and it’s sequels for the most part are guilty pleasures there bee movies, but they have a lot of heart and truly seem to want to give the audience entertainment as they respect them.

this film is a fun takeoff of the viral video of an elderly senior citizen, who gets tired of a bunch of young punks, harassing others and ends up in self-defense beating them up 

How this film begins truly showing the origins of the lead character and shows us his strength and attitude as well as getting a community behind him

So that when the main storyline starts, we already know what he is capable of as he tries to figure out an avenge the murder of his best friend in the investigation taps into a conspiracy 

This film rely heavily on comedy but definitely has plenty of action in a while not the greatest of Scripps or believability or direction. This film does have its charms and it seems to have a lot of heart, especially in the right place and wants to please fans not only the genre, but the type of film that it is. 

As this is the type that would definitely go straight to home video back in the day now it would be straight to streaming and plays off like a bee movie with big names to get funding and have an audience and least this film earnest and provides the chance to play a leading role Which passes amicably

Again the film has a recognizable supporting cast who seemed to be here more in cameos, but by the end, you just can’t help, but like the film, despite its weaknesses as it’s just a fun movie, even when it takes itself serious, it manages to be entertaining and fun.

As long as you go in knowing it’s a no-brainer and just seeking entertainment and fun I think you’ll enjoy this film that surprises you a bit with it’s resourcefulness and lives up to its title kind of vigilante revenge film. While also filling in the boxes of an action film, even having a light romance by the end.

Essentially gaining all the things that he always wanted, but was never granted.

Grade: C+

BAD ASS 2: BAD ASSES

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Written & Directed By: Craig Moss

Cinematography: Paul Marschall 

Editor: Clark Burnett 

Cast: Danny Trejo, Danny Glover, Patrick Fabian, Andrew Divoff, Ignacio Serricchio, Jaqueline Obradors, Jonathan Lipnicki, Sarah Dumont, Loni Love, Charlie Carver, Dante Basco

Frank Vega teams up with grumpy old agoraphobic Bernie Pope to kick ass and clean up the streets of L.A.

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Like most sequels this is pretty much more of the same only bigger and unfortunately batter in terms of quality as even though it seems to have taken its time this film feels rushed, and if the original was a revenge tale vigilante this one is the same now it’s also a comedy as bad ass has a partner who is slowly dying who seems to join him only for that reason.

Similarly, these films when they have sequels also get a bit dumber so this one is a little more flashier than the first film as expected definitely has more guns.

This one is definitely more comedic and has a slightly bigger budget as the villain poses more of a threat, and uses kind of the same excuse to get away with his crimes as in lethal weapon to the infamous diplomatic immunity clause 

As in the first film, he fought against a corrupt government in street gang now bad ass find himself going up against pretty much a whole cartel and it’s leader who is a international politician again police or any authorities hands are tied so it’s up to him and his partner this time played by Danny Glover 

Who is a ladies man which leads to some hilarious scenes as again this film seems more camping played for laughs than the first time. It’s still a fun ride, but it definitely starts to stretch the plausibility faster like most seems to partially throw away the events of part one to a certain extent , so that it fits more into a different narrative that allows for again him losing someone close who was like a son and setting up a side romance story for him

The villains are still over the top and ridiculous though a little higher echelon as far as the budget is concerned with Andrew Divoff playing the villain who seems like a more polished version of the same villain he played in A LOW DOWN DIRTY SHAME.

One of the aspects of these films that I think has audiences keep coming back is seeing more of an adult action hero, who isn’t necessarily invincible, but for the films purpose seems near invincible and using their smart and experience to win and figure things out as well as being budgeted so there’s no Too much over the top action sequences that make no sense and the film firmly planted tongue in cheek

As well as the lead characters really have nothing to lose, which is why they seem to be going out and willing to risk it. All it is a bee movie franchise is that is worth watching and checking in with each gets more ridiculous because there is another sequel to this film.

It’s nice to see characters who are used to playing supporting roles kind of get their day in the sun to play more leads and carrying over from the first film. It seems like this film also has an unnecessary. at least one unnecessary. 

That house these films is that the actors seem to at least be having fun which is infectious for the audience because they intern feel like the film is fun

If you are a fan of the first film. You should enjoy the sequel.

Grade: C