Time To Get Schooled... "Night School"

Night School (2018)

Rated PG-13

Starring Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Rob Riggle, Romany Malco, Taran Killam

Directed by Malcom D. Lee

The Story:

High school dropout Teddy (Hart) has a job, a girlfriend and a bright future, until it all goes up in flames one night. In order to secure a brighter future, he's got to go back to school to receive his GED. But with a no-nonsense teacher like Ms. Carrie (Haddish) he may be in way over his head.

Malcolm D. Lee's greatest film, hands down, remains Undercover Brother.

In 2017, he helmed Girls Trip, which unleashed Tiffany Haddish on unsuspecting viewers and made her an instant star.

With a more family friendly tone in Night School, the director and stars are able to cobble together a very fun story that allows Hart and Haddish to bounce off one another, plus they are given an outstanding ensemble of comedic supporting cast mates to help flesh out the story.

Case in point: Add a mid-term exam heist by all of the students to stretch the film, further establish the supporting cast and add to the charm of the overall film.

They also avoid the overused teacher/student love interest in a big, foot-stomping kind of way.

We'll see if/how they try and turn this into a franchise down the road, but for now, the initial foray into Night School was well worth the trip.

Well That Was Awkward..."All Nighter"

All Nighter (2017)

Rated R

Starring Emile Hirsch, J.K. Simmons, Analeigh Tipton, Taran Killam, Kristen Schaal, Shannon Woodward

Directed by Gavin Wiesen

The Story:

When Ginnie (Tipton) introduces her boyfriend Martin (Hirsch) to her father, Mr. Gallo (Simmons), it's basically the worst first impression you could possibly hope for. Fast forward 6 months, and Mr. Gallo is knocking on Martin's door looking for Ginnie. The only problem... Ginnie and Martin aren't together anymore. Mr. Gallo doesn't mind, Martin needs to get up, get dressed, and come help him find his daughter.

What follows next is a buddy comedy of epic proportions!

Okay, maybe not epic, but there is some smiles and laughs to be had with Hirsch and Simmons running around L.A. looking for his daughter.

As they run into one friend after another, nobody can quite put their finger on where they last saw Ginnie, and the night becomes a blur or crazy characters and situations as the two have to get past their mutual annoyance of one another and work for the bigger picture - where is Ginnie?

Simmons is as great a comic actor as he is a dramatic one. He makes any picture better just by being in it, and Hirsch provides able support as the beleaguered ex who still hasn't gotten over his old flame, but just might before the night is over.

You won't be doubled over in laughter, but you likely won't regret taking the time to spend watching this one.

Final Grade: C+