Tag: Melissa Bretherton

A FAMILY AFFAIR (2024)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Richard LaGravenese

Written By: Carrie Solomon

Cinematography: Don Burgess 

Editor: Melissa Bretherton 

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Joey King, Kathy Bates, Sherry Cola, Liza Koshy, Sarah Baskin, Olivia Macklin, Wes Jetton, Ian Gregg 

An unexpected romance triggers comic consequences for a young woman, her mother, and her boss, grappling with the complications of love, sex, and identity.

I won’t lie if this had made it to a movie theater it probably would’ve turned a decent profit as it is intriguing enough. Even if it’s a basic Hallmark type of story. It has the element of a younger man, falling for an older woman, and both of them are ridiculously successful and good-looking. So of course, this movie is obviously identifiable for the audience, with its feel-good ending.

Neither the film nor the filmmakers really add anything to set it apart, other than having two big stars in the lead recognizable actors throughout the film. 

Joey gives her all and she saves this film overall with her energy and comedic timing.

Everything else throughout this film is predictable and basic, not even in a quirky to present things differently.

Even the supporting characters aren’t really characters they’re just standings for the leads to either talk to or complain to, and then at some point or given a little bit of in her life when it’s time for the characters to realize that other things are more important in the world.

It’s hard to really get into a film that is just out-and-out pure Hollywood where everyone is pretty successful and even the people in their 20s who should be struggling seem not that battle and everyone is picture perfect pretty or attractive and there’s no real heavy drama I understand it’s meant to be a romantic fantasy feel-good comedy and if you are in the audience and want This film will be good for you.

It just seems like the typical Netflix movie where they are more concerned with getting star names in the project and then seem to worry about the script if at all later and when it comes, you’re probably not going to get any good quality, but if you’re comfortable with the Hollywood films of yesteryear you’ll get it here but not with any flex of imagination.

As there are no surprises and even the hint that there will be sex and or nudity in the trailer is quickly flirted with an abandoned. By the end of the film, this is not believable, but a perfect fantasy for some audiences to get lost in.

Now one will admit this is my type of film and the only thing that made me want to watch it. It was again the comedic antics it seemed of Joey King in the trailer.

The biggest shock came when noted Screenwriter Richard LaGravenese directed this film though did not write it. He has written and definitely directed better films than this. Even if romantic comedy and drama do usually fall into his wheelhouse.

Grade: D+

ME TIME (2022)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

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

SPY (2015)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Written & Directed By: Paul Feig
Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman 
Editor: Melissa Bretherton & Brent White 

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Jude Law, Rose Byrne, Miranda Hart, Allison Janney, Morena Baccarin, Carlos Ponce, Peter Serafinowicz, Bobby Cannavale, Michael McDonald, Sam Richardson, Zach Woods, Katie Dippold, Richard Brake, 

Susan Cooper is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner falls off the grid and another top agent is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global crisis.

This is for me so far the best comedy Melissa McCarthy has starred in. This doesn’t feel like one of her assembly line films that seem almost cranked out back to back, before the power of streaming made this a common occurrence for most stars. Though I give her credit for keeping trying original Comedic characters.

Luckily here her character is more identifiable for the audience and not so much mentally challenged. 

The film worked as a spoof comedy and an actual spy thriller where you care about what happens and you care about the characters. Who are actually memorable. As we in the audience are like the main character constantly wondering who we can trust.

The over-the-top villains and international characters are filled with so many strange details. It Is such a delight to watch.

Jason Statham is actually hilarious throughout. Having a kick for making fun of his previous roles. While doing what needs to be done action-wise. Which is what gives the film its energy is the constant duality of the actors, characters, and film. 

The film keeps you on your toes with Its surprises. As well as having a shocking amount of violence that is graphic. While  At heart the film is an action comedy. 

Everyone seems to give their character a certain spin. So it feels more like everyone has their own motivations, agenda, and trust issues. Yet all share a certain world and reality. 

This is a tight film but everyone feels loose and free. So that they get their moments to shine 

Grade: B+