Movies in Review: "Ride Along 2"

We all know how much I enjoyed the first movie ~sarcasm. I pretty much sucked my teeth when I heard that a second movie was on it's way...smh. It baffles me at the nonsense they allow to hit the big screen...However my tune changed a bit when I saw the trailer. I honestly chuckled. And this movie seemed to have less of what ruined the first movie...Kevin Hart. I'm sorry, I love Kevin Hart to pieces, but too much Hart is an overdose for any movie. But the sequel looked like they scaled him back a little...thank Goodness.

To my surprise, I walked out of the theater enjoying this movie far more than the first. I think Cube and Hart had better rhythm and chemistry. Hart didn't take over every scene with his high pitched squeaky antics, and Olivia Munn and Ken Jeong were great additions. Unfortunately the writing and story failed tremendously. It was like watching some knock-off nonsense, which is unfortunate because Hart and Cube make for a great duo. I just need the writing for this franchise to step it up about 10,000%. I laughed quite a few times, and smile throughout. Which is great coming from me.

I was expecting to walk out of the theater as annoyed as I was with the first, but this wasn't the case. I liked this one. It wasn't great, but definitely a step up from the first. If you loved the first movie for some reason, I see know reason why you wouldn't like this one. For those of you with any sense, you just have to take this movie for what it is, and it helps to set your expectations really low...C+

Movies in Review: "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi"

I love a good war film, and I can usually count on Michael Bay to make the movie explosive. Although the trailer for this film didn't really peak much of my interest, I was hoping to get more than what the trailer failed to represent. Not to mention John Krasinski looked hella fine in this movie, so the man candy was an extra bonus that drove me into the theaters...Yay...lol.

(Men may want to skip this insert) Ok so Krasinski? Yeah hella fine. I just have to give him a few props because it brings me happiness to look at such man candy goodness. I mean seriously, this is the best I have ever seen him look, and had I known he had all of that going on, I would have been crushing on him a while ago...Damn! (Men may now continue reading review)

The movie was cool. There a number of tense scenes that help the movie build-up. I enjoyed the soldiers, but felt the story didn't really give us an chance to really get to know them as there were so many other elements and smaller storylines taking away from these characters. For example the Exxon Oil rep and her dinners that kept getting interrupted by attacks. I couldn't really see the significance in this part of the plot. The movie drags a bit in the middle, but reaches a climax that will have you on the edge of your seat.

This movie wasn't great, I have seriously seen better true war films. This one failed to focus on the soldiers. I know there is a better story that could have been written, unfortunately it wasn't. The characters were great, so there is some entertainment value there. There are also some decent explosive scenes to keep the movie alive as well. Honestly this movie is the type of film I would have rather purchased through Redbox...C+

Movies in Review: "The Revenant"

Leonardo DiCaprio is definitely one of my favorite actors, and I don't believe there has been any part of his work that I didn't enjoy, but I was this close to not stepping into the theater and seeing this one. Why? I honestly don't know. There was something about the trailer that appealed to me, but also didn't ~shrugs. Yes I was on the fence about this one and the 2+ hour running time didn't make it any easier to decide to see this, but I did...and wow.

The opening scene had my jaw dropped to the floor. I was flinching, and grasping my pearls and chair at what was taking place on the screen. This movie was filmed so masterfully that it puts the audience right in the middle of all the action. Like it seriously feels like you are in the middle of all the violence. Which was absolutely intense. DiCaprio commits 100% to this role. So much so it's hard not to feel his pain in his scenes...omg. This movie will draw so much emotion out of you, you will feel like you're the one in the fight. Some of my favorite scenes includes the one with the bear, and the horse...you will die...wow. My only complaint is that there is a little too much down time in between the next action scene. Although beautiful to watch, it caused the movie to drag a bit in the middle.

This movie is an adrenaline rush, and will beat you to exhaustion. Thrilling to the eyes, seeing this movie on anything smaller than the big-screen just wouldn't do it any justice. This is a theatrical work of art. Although I complain about the running time, taking anything away from what was presented may not have made it better ~shrug...but I still feel it was just a tad bit long, but a great movie nonetheless...A-