Tag: Jimmy O. Yang

ME TIME (2022)

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Written & Directed by: John Hamburg 
Cinematography: Kris Kachikis 
Editor: Melissa Bretherton 

Cast: Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg, Regina Hall, Tahj Mowry, Diane Delano, Andrew Santino, John Amos, Anna Maria Horsford, Jimmy O. Yang, Shira Gross, Ilia Isorelys Paulino, Seal, Luis Gerardo Mendez 

Follows a dad who finds time for himself for the first time in years while his wife and kids are away. He reconnects with a friend for a wild weekend.

This is another buddy comedy or big star team-up for Netflix 

A meeting of the minds of two superstars. Mark Wahlberg and Kevin hart. Who seems to have lately made a career in these types of movies. 

Unfortunately, he is Usually in subpar comedies that barely Pass being believable and this film is no exception. In fact, it plays like a lighter and safer version of  VACATION FRIENDS with Lil rel Howery and John Cena. Though this film is racy itself.

The film’s Humor is more on the shocking side, but only because you have not seen the performers be so open to this type of humor before. 

While I would never say this film is a game Changer or offers something the audience hasn’t seen before. I have to admit I liked it purely as a guilty Pleasure. 

The film Made me laugh plenty of times. Yeah, the jokes were stupid but the film Feels fun and it is one of the few times recently where it actually feels like Kevin Hart is putting in an effort and trying. 

The film tries to humanize the characters more by presenting a married man in a rut. Flirting with having a more carefree lifestyle like his friend and his friend having to learn to take responsibility. While as life king friends allowing them to bond and get into misadventures. 

Maybe it’s the bigger name cast or the feeling that they are having as much fun making the film. As one might have watched the film. 

Even though Mark Wahlberg Seems A Little lost when it comes to his character. He shows that he is fake for whatever the film or the scenes throw at him And gets in with full gusto. Even though most of the situations make no sense. They at least seem to be somewhat inspired. 

Ilia Isorelys Paulino steals all Of her scenes and helps enliven the movie whenever she is on screens 

This is a nice time waster as long as you don’t think Too hard. As it might be that I have gotten used to Hart’s films like this. Don’t know if it is any better or worse than his usual. It could be that we are so used to the quality now that we accept it and just go with it or maybe this one does try a little more. As at least this film’s cast is more recognizable.

Written & Directed by veteran screenwriter John Hamburg, who in the past has written and co-written scripts for Ben Stiller in particular. Maybe he helped up the standards of the material. 

Grade: C

FANTASY ISLAND (2020)

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Directed By: Jeff Wadlow
Written By Jeff Wadlow, Chris Roach & Jillian Jacobs 
Based on the television series “FANTASY ISLAND” Created By: Gene Levitt  Cinematography: Toby Oliver 
Editor: Sean Albertson

Cast: Michael Pena, Maggie Q, Lucy Hale, Portia Doubleday, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Hansen, Mike Vogel, Austin Stowell, Kim Coates, Michael Rooker, Robbie Jones, Parisa Fitz-Hanley, Ian Roberts

The enigmatic Mr. Roarke makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.

don’t know exactly who the audience for this film is supposed to be. Though whoever it is I am sure wasn’t envisioning a horror film.

The film sticks to the horns of fantasy island whereas the guests get to live out their fantasies only with some kind of twists involved that they didn’t foresee. 

The film is rather simplistic but thinks It’s clever by having a big reveal. Only to take away any credit it might have built up which was little, to begin with. As it feels generic. 

This might have been noteworthy if made in an earlier era. Which it feels like it comes from more than the 1990s. Though now instead of high concept it feels like a horror script thrown into a familiar tv show, for recognition and comes off as disposable and barely noteworthy.

It’s a shame because the film has a good cast. At least it gives actors who are usually relegated to supporting roles some room to shine even if the film is an ensemble. 

Should have been suspicious when seeing Michael Pena in the lead as he is a good actor, but always seems tied to these disappointing cinematic reboots of more niche television shows, that you would never imagine becoming films. 

Though the premises of fantasies seem kind of simple and then once the twists come. They seem to come from shows and movies we have seen before. Especially the revenge fantasy involving the bully from childhood. Where all of a sudden a monstrous huge surgeon becomes a slasher. 

I can understand if it was just trying to be the greatest common denominator entertainment but here other than the lush visuals of the landscapes. The film just feels like it is going through the motions where once everything. Seems tied together still feels like a waste of time. 

As even the fantasies come across as cheap. For a film based on the supposed imaginations of its characters. The film seems to have no imagination of its own

In the end, it feels like a cash In Done quickly and doesn’t even Impress with its gold visuals or fantasies 

Grade: F

LIKE A BOSS (2020)

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like-a-boss

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+

THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS (2018)

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happytimemurders

Directed By: Brian Henson
Written By: Todd Berger
Story By: Todd Berger & Dee Austin Robertson
Cinematography: Mitchell Admunsen
Editor: Brian Oids 


Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Elizabeth Banks, Maya Rudolph, Leslie David Baker, Michael McDonald, Joel Mchale, Cynthy Wu, Jimmy O. Yang, Ryan Gaul, Ben Falcone 


A murder mystery set in a world where humans and puppets co-exist, but puppets are viewed as second-class citizens. When the puppet cast of an ’90s children’s TV show begins to get murdered one by one, a former cop, who has since become a private eye, takes on the case.

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