A Work Of Fiction...Or Is It? "True Memoirs Of An International Assassin"

True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016)

TV-14

Starring Kevin James, Zulay Henao, Ron Rifkin, Kim Coates, Maurice Compte, Andrew Howard, Yul Vazquez, Andy Garcia, Rob Riggle, Leonard Earl Howze, Katie Couric

Directed by Jeff Wadlow

The Story:

When Sam Larson (James) has his first book published, one minor change leads his tale of assassin Mason Carver from the works of fiction to an autobiographical triumph. The problem? People assume he is indeed "The Ghost" and he is suddenly thrust into a web of international intrigue where he is expected to be the assassin he has written about.

The latest Netflix Original, Jeff Wadlow brings a humorous touch to an action film... or an action touch to a comedy and adds his own fun spin to the "fake spy" genre.

He's aided with a wonderful cast that is led by James as the writer turned assassin who calls upon his knowledge to get him out of the sticky situations that he finds himself in once he's been kidnapped.

It doesn't hurt that he gets some help from an undercover DEA agent (Henao) to try and keep him out of trouble.

There's also a great CIA duo (Riggle & Howze) who watch Larson at work and can't decide if he's a real assassin or really going to die, and they spend most of the movie wagering on his survival.

So, if you've enjoyed Kevin James films in the past, you're going to like this one.

He's well received around these parts and while it didn't measure up with Here Comes the Boom or the first Paul Blart movie, it was definitely worth a watch.

Final Grade: C+ / B- range

The Sequel Nobody Demanded: "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2"

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Neal McDonough

Directed by Andy Fickman

The Story:

Years since his Black Friday heroics, Paul Blart (James) never imagined his life would be so lonely. Left by his bride, his mother hit by a bus, he only has his daughter (Rodriguez) and his job, both of which he loves so very much. When he receives an invitation to the Mall Security Convention in Vegas, he takes his daughter on a trip. Naturally, a high roller (McDonough) comes to towns with an elaborate heist plan, which only Paul Blart: Mall Cop can stop.

First, I will be perfectly honest and say that I quite enjoyed Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
The original movie.

It was a cute concept, and had a lot of fun offering a "Die Hard in a Mall" concept with comedic execution.

However, 6 years later, a sequel rolls out for a film that frankly didn't require one.

Which is a lesson that many movies should accept: Not every film is a franchise.

Mall Cop 2 suffers from wanting to do too much, at least that's how it appeared from where I was sitting.

Relationship angle: check.
Father/daughter angle: check.
Defiant teenager angle: check.
Blart out of Water angle: check.
Paul not quite accepted by his peers angle: check.

And on, and on, and on.

Losing focus on what made Paul Blart an engaging film was concentrate on Paul, mistakes and all, foiling a crime because he loves what he does, and security is his business.

When Paul Blart 2 focuses on that, the movie picks back up. Unfortunately, it lasts for a fleeting few moments before the focus shifts to one of the other myriad of subplots.

Plus, no offense, but you don't hire McDonough to play the bad guy, and then barely give him any screen time!

It's a shame I didn't enjoy it more.

Thankfully, I can still go back and enjoy the first one again.

Memo to Kevin James: Please don't make Here Comes the Boom 2.  Thanks!

Final Grade: C

Too Rainy For the Real Thing...Watch "The Zookeeper" Instead

They say it's all happening at the zoo...

The Story:

Griffin (Kevin James) is a zookeeper.  He has been moping over his girlfriend (Leslie Bibb) turning his marriage proposal down for the last 5 years.  Suddenly she is back in his life, and that's when the animals at the zoo decide they've had enough, and decide to help Griffin win his lady love.  So naturally they start talking to Griffin and giving him pointers.  Will they succeed in reuniting the pair, or will love work in mysterious ways and Griffin realize that the woman (Rosario Dawson) he really deserves is right under his nose?

Should I start off by saying that I thought this movie was funny?

Did I disappoint too  many people?

:)

Well too bad, because I did, and it is.

I am always a fan of movies that I can watch with all of my kids, and this is one of them.

Sure, talking animals can get old, but the voice work from the movie is really good, and the animatronics and CGI aren't too far-fetched or annoying to watch.  You've got Adam Sandler, Cher, Sylvester Stallone and Nick Nolte as the main vocal talents who work to teach Griffin to be a better man to win the love of his lady.

The antics that James puts himself through are great, especially for a guy of his size.  He's the next version of Belushi or Farley as a bigger comedian  who enjoys physical comedy.  However, thankfully, he's also not burning himself out on drugs, so hopefully we can enjoy a much longer career from him.

So yes, add this to Paul Blart and Here Comes the Boom and you have a winning Kevin James film marathon to enjoy.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: High on both counts, as I already own it and it's been seen several times at my house already.

The Movie of the Week? "Here Comes the Boom"!!

Top 10 Movie of the Year Contender.

No, I am not joking.


It is still just February, so we'll see...

The Story:

A Biology teacher (Kevin James) who really doesn't care anymore suddenly decides to help the music teacher (Henry Winkler) save his job due to school budget cuts.  If he can raise $38,000 by the end of the school year, the principal agrees that the teacher can stay.  It's an uphill battle to make the money until he comes across Mixed Martial Arts and realizes he can make money, even if he loses.  So about 30 fights of getting his butt whipped, and it should be a done deal.

What could possibly go wrong?



Okay, so back to the opening, yes, we all quite enjoyed this film last night.  It was well written, the actors did a great job, and along the way, as in many Happy Madison Productions, there is an underlying heart and message in the film that is hidden from the marketing.


This is Mr. Holland's Opus...in a cage match!

And if you've never seen Mr. Holland's Opus, shame on you!

So you have a music teacher, the first to always get cuts when budgets go out the window, who works hard to inspire his students.  The biology teacher used to be that way, but lost his mojo over the years as the system just grinds the teachers down.

They recharge each other, and soon you have a teacher that cares for his friend, for his students, for his job, and for a whole lot of things that were passing him by.

Yes, you see the ending coming about 3 miles away, but it doesn't matter.  That's the way the movie had to end.

And it works, perfectly.

Kevin James should be commended for the training he accomplished for the film.  He worked his butt off (literally and figuratively) and looked great.  The way the film looks, it appears he is getting pounded all film long.  Impressive.


We had a great time, and would be happy to revisit this film in the future.


Final Grade: A-

Worth Adding to the "We Own It" Vault: Yes Indeed!