I Promise It Will Not Leave You "Sleepless"

Sleepless (2017)

Rated R

Starring Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Scoot McNairy, Dermot Mulroney, T.I., David Harbour, Gabrielle Union, Octavius J. Johnson,

Directed by Baran bo Odar

The Story:

Vincent (Foxx) is an undercover cop who appears to be on the take with his partner Sean (T.I.). However when the drugs they stole turn out to belong to the mob, well let's just say they want their product back. If that isn't enough heat on his back, Internal Affairs is also coming after him because they think that he's a dirty cop.

Release this spring, if you blinked, you probably missed it.

However, in the grand scheme of things, that's probably okay.

Foxx is far removed from his glory days of Ray (2004) and Django Unchained (2012), but I'll never begrudge an actor from making a living.

I mean if Seagal, Van Damme and the like can still put out direct to DVD fare, who am I to judge?

That said, this feels like a direct to DVD release with a great cast bogged down with a pointless script that elicits too many unintentional laughs for the thriller it was trying to be.

Piling on to that was the "oh wait, let's throw a twist that they won't see coming" moments that are scattered throughout the film, it just becomes an exercise in willpower to stay to the end.

It's watchable, sure, but you can, will, and have seen better.

Much better.

Final Grade: C-

Checking The Calendar... "Almost Christmas"

Almost Christmas (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Mo'Nique, Kimberly Elise, Romany Malco, J.B. Smoove, Jessie T. Usher, John Michael Higgins, Omar Epps

Written and Directed by David E. Talbert

The Story:

Walter (Glover) is the family patriarch, and all of his kids are coming home for Christmas. It's the first gathering of the entire family since their mother passed away. Naturally, each of the kids come home with their own life difficulties, but perhaps they can keep the drama to a minimum since it's...Almost Christmas.

Yeah, not likely.

Between 2 sisters that have never seen eye to eye (Union & Elise) a son that is running for office (Malco) regardless of how he might have to compromise his principles, or the aspiring pro athlete (Usher) who may or may not have an addiction problem, there is no shortage of issues among the kids.

Add in some spouses and children, and the household is full and the crazy level is rising with just days before the big event.

There's also some small character moments that bring real life to some of the crazy drama.

Thankfully, nothing is played too crazy; these could be real issues for real families.

It's sweet, sincere, honest and at times very touching.

The cast gels together and the chemistry keeps the family dynamic going.

You may have missed this one in theaters last year, but you've got a chance this upcoming holiday season to add this one to the list and see if it becomes a perennial holiday favorite in your home.

Final Grade: B

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

Nothing Ever Truly Stays In Vegas... "Think Like A Man Too"

Think Like A Man Too (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Megan Good, Regina Hall, Gabrielle Union, Terrence Jenkins, Romany Malco

Directed by Tim Story

The Story:

All of the couples from Think Like A Man return as they prepare for the marriage of Michael and Candace (Jenkins & Hall) in Vegas. Cedric (Hart) has the whole thing under control as Best Man and wants to make sure everyone has the night of their lives.

Naturally, everything is about to go off course in a most spectacular fashion!

A great cast attempts to lift the usual shenanigans for a bachelor party in Vegas to lofty heights.

It doesn't work, but at least they try. ;)

There's nothing bad about the film.

Each of the couples' issues will be mostly resolved by the end of the film.

And yes, they even manages to make it to the altar before it's all over.

So the bottom line, if you enjoyed the first film, you won't mind spending about 90 minutes with some old friends.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Amusing but no need to revisit anytime soon.

Tyler Perry Better Do Some "Good Deeds" To Make Up For This One

No good deed goes unpunished.

The Story:

Businessmen Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry) is going through the motions of his life.  He is engaged to Natalie (Gabrielle Union) but there doesn't appear to be any love from either party.  Then one day Wesley meets Thandie (Lindsey Wakefield) and tries to help her, but her mouth insists on writing checks her body can't cash.  Naturally, her sass and life problems tug at Wesley's heartstrings, and the audience as well, and we all melt as the two fall in love and live happily ever after.

Vomit.

Dear Tyler Perry, please don't retire Medea just yet.  I much prefer those movies to this one.

Not that there is inherently anything wrong with this movie, but it just rubbed me wrong from the opening and never let go.

Truth be told, I didn't even want to watch it, but had to compromise because I was watching all kinds of good movies, and my wife hated all of those.

:)

So you see exactly how this movie is going to unfold, and that's fine.  Clichés exist for a reason.  Sometimes we like to get from Point A to Point B without taking a scenic tour of Hoboken to get there.

But...

When your love interest is sooo unlikeable...

I mean, it takes her over 2/3rds of the film before she starts to even be remotely nice. At all.

Whether the sparks are flying or not, here's a guy going out of his way to be nice to you, and all you come back with is venom and spite.  That's what's wrong with the world today, and why more people don't want to help their fellow man.

Whoops, where did this soapbox come from?! 

This is a movie, not real life.

Thank goodness.

I still don't like her.



And the grade for the movie suffers because of it.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Sorry, no can do.