Here Kitty Kitty..."Keanu"

Keanu (2016)

Rated R

Starring Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Tiffany Haddish, Method Man, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Jason Mitchell, Jamar Malachi Neighbors, Luis Guzman, Will Forte, Nia Long,

Directed by Peter Atencio

The Story:

Rell (Peele) is having a rough time when a wonderful kitten that he names Keanu winds up on his doorstep. Rell is smitten, and begins enjoying life again. However, when he comes back home with his cousin Clarence (Key), someone has broken into the house and kidnapped Keanu. The duo pretend to be a pair of notorious drug dealing hitmen in order to infiltrate a local gang and free Keanu!

Yep, that's it.

It's a tale of two guy pretending to be two guys they aren't, all to rescue a cute little kitten.

It shouldn't work as a feature length movie, yet it does.

The main reason, of course, is the comedy duo of Key & Peele.

Full disclosure, I've never seen their show, so I've got nothing with which to compare their comedic antics.

I'll assume their show was this much fun, which means I'll probably be watching it down the road.

But their chemistry is one of a well-honed comedy duo and their antics serve both short-term laughs and long-term comedy payoffs.

Plus, they recognize the musical genius of George Michael, and that's always a plus!
:)

Final Grade: B+

It's Not All Fun And Games In "The Single Moms Club"

The Single Moms Club (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Amy Smart, Zulay Henao, Cocoa Brown, Tyler Perry, Terry Crews

Written and Directed by Tyler Perry

The Story:

5 single mothers (Long/Covey/Smart/Henao/Brown) are forced to work together when their children all misbehave at school.  Initially resistant due to their conflicting personalities and social statuses, as time goes on, they begin realizing that they could help each other out.  They form a Single Moms Club to allow for babysitting and some time out away from the kids.

Well, I actually preferred this one to the last Tyler Perry offering.

Getting away from heavy drama (though there is a bit of drama in this one) and going for more humourous, but not over-the-top Madea comedy, Perry instead gives us a slice of life dramedy.

The ladies all have their issues with their exes, each other, their jobs and the men that are trying to be in their life.

Some characters are more sympathetic than others.

I will give Perry credit for a bit of dialogue that is lost in the middle of the movie.

When Lytia (Brown) is late picking up her kid from her sister (sister!) and is berated for trying to make a better life for her and her son by having a job when she could make so much more on welfare...

Yeah, let that logic sink in for a moment, and realize that a great deal of the population probably thinks that way.

Adding in some love interests for most of the ladies that are a significant step-up over their previous paramours is a smart move.

Hiring Terry Crews as one of those is genius.

:)

While not as crazy as he normally gets to play in movies, he does have some fun in the film and is always fun to watch.

Final Grade: C+/B- range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No need to own it, but I could have it playing again in the future. Mostly harmless and a few pretty funny spots.

Holiday Weekend Film Review... "The Best Man Holiday"

The Best Man Holiday (2013)
Rated R for language

Starring Monica Calhoun, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Nia Long

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee

The Story:

13 years have passed since The Best Man, and this movie picks up by bringing all of the gang back together for a holiday get together.  New secrets will be revealed and will time finally heal the old wounds in time for these friends to put their relationships back on track before tragedy strikes the group?

As the movie began, they used bits from the original film to remind us who the characters are, and what happened when last we saw them.

I'm now not sure if I ever got around to seeing that film.

However, they do a really good job of playing catch-up, so I don't really feel like I missed anything from that film.

It's both unheard of, and impressive that Lee was able to reassemble the cast for another go-round after a decade and some change has passed between films.

That's a testament both to him as a filmmaker and the cast for wanting to come back to these characters.

Be advised, for all the fun that the trailer promised, there is some heartbreak coming your way in the third act.

Final Grade: B-/C+ range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was good for this one.