Does This Movie Make The "Top Five" List For Anybody ?

Top Five

Rated R

Written, Directed and Starring Chris Rock.

Also Starring Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union, J.B. Smoove, Cedric the Entertainer

The Story:

Andre Allen (Rock) used to be a comedian. He was funny. Then he starred in a series of action films that blew up the box office.  Now he wants to be considered something more than that, so he has filmed a new movie about a slave uprising that massacred a lot of white people. He gets interviewed by Chelsea Brown (Dawson) and she begins the interview with a simple, yet loaded question: why did you stop being funny?

And away we go...

If it sounds like the biography of Eddie Murphy, well, I thought that a lot too. Former comic turned box office star turned box office poison who is afraid to go back to his roots.

But I'm sure that's just one heck of a coincidence.

Chris Rock plays himself, which is fine, because that's what he does.

I might argue that perhaps he should have picked either one or two of the three hats that he decides to wear in this movie.

Because there are funny moments sprinkled throughout the film.  But sometimes the story is too dramatic, other times too over the top...

Cedric the Entertainer, I'm looking at your segment there!

:)

For a "day in the life" story that takes more than a day, the narrative tries to encapsulate the whole experience.

Perhaps there is too much story attempted to be shoehorned in, such as his impending marriage to a reality star (Union) being broadcast on her show.

Plus the title is just awkward, as they really only touch on it briefly, so in the context of the title of the movie, it doesn't really work at all.

Again, not a bad film, just not a great one.

However, if you always wanted to see Jerry Seinfeld "make it rain", look no further!

Final Grade: C

Live From New York, It's "Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversay Special"

Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary (2015)

TV-14

Starring The Not Ready For Primetime Players

Created by Lorne Michaels

The Story:

The year was 1975, and Lorne Michaels unleashed a weekly 90 minute program of satirical humor and musical guests every Saturday Night, live for the viewing public. The face of comedy was changed forever.

It may not have truly recognized for the brilliance at first, but how about by using a 40 year retrospective that is basically a greatest hits/worlds' biggest inside joke for the cast and the fans of the show to help you appreciate the comedy geniuses that have passed through Studio 8H over the decades.

Some went on to bigger and better things after their stint on the show. Some went on...and we are surprised that they are still around.

Saturday Night Live has been around for 40 years.

Reports (or demands) of its cancellation have been circulating for about...

39 years.

:)

Pretty much if they were ever on the show, they were on the show last night.

Even Eddie Murphy, who returned to a standing ovation.

There were a few new sketches with cast members from across the spectrum, and with a few special guest stars.

I would say the Jeopardy sketch with Ferrell back as Trebek and the always underrated Darryl Hammond as Sean Connery did not disappoint.

There was a Weekend Update retrospective with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin as hosts.

Then a salute to the musicians and comedy skits that have been a staple of the show since the beginning.

They also looked at the crossover between sports and comedy as well.

A solid show from top to bottom, and filled with more than enough laughs.

Worst segment?

The Kanye West musical segment.

That's okay, SNL is notorious for  airing stuff that probably should have been cut.

I don't stay up much anymore and am not that familiar with the cast, but I'm glad they're still around and doing this every weekend.

Looking forward to the next decade of laughs, and that should be SNL's next retrospective, the 50th.

Final Grade: A

Throwback Thursday Streamer! "Trading Places"

Trading Places (1983)

Rated R

Starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche

Directed by John Landis

The Story:

The Duke Brothers (Ameche and Bellamy) make a wager that they can take a street bum (Murphy) and give him everything he could want while taking a life of luxury from someone (Aykroyd) which would cause him to resort to a life of crime. Their behavior experiment works at first, but when the two figure out what the Dukes are up to, the tables are about to be turned!

 And just like that, I snuck a Christmas movie in on you that you probably forgot takes place around Christmas time. :)

Eddie Murphy was on his meteoric rise to stardom, following up 48 Hours with this buddy comedy before moving on to star in Beverly Hills Cop.

The movie is still pretty fun, if a little dated, throughout.

However, for a movie over 30 years old, it's still got more than its fair share of comedy that still works after all these years.

 So, if you're still slowly easing into the holidays, here's another one that you can watch that's a Christmas movie, without being overly Christmas-y.

:)


Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: This one gets revisited every decade or so.

"I Spy" With My Little Eye...A Movie That Should Have Been Better

I Spy (2002)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson, Famke Janssen, Malcolm McDowell

Directed by Betty Thomas


The Story:

The Switchblade, the US government's newest stealth prototype is stolen by arms dealer Arnold Gundars (McDowell), the government sends in crack spy Alex Scott (Wilson) to save the day.  However, they team him with a professional boxer (Murphy) to help provide his cover, and the two must make sure the plane does not fall into the hands of the enemy.  Surely there will be no problem.

Action comedy. Buddy picture.

You name it, this movie wanted to be it.

The problem, it never amounted to much of anything.

There were bits and flashes of comedic brilliance.

Or an action gag would work very well.

But overall, the movie just sort of drags, never really able to capture any oil/water chemistry between Wilson and Murphy.

It's passable entertainment, but nothing you really need to rush out and watch if you've never seen it, or more likely, haven't seen it in over a decade.

I cannot comment on what connection, if anything besides title alone, that I Spy shares with the television show upon which it was based.  My guess...

Absolutely nothing.

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Low to watch again... No for the purchase.