The Nice Guys (2016)

Directed by Shane Black
Written by Shane Black and Anthony Bagarozzi
Starring Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice and Margaret Qualley

A mismatched pair of Private Detectives investigate the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles. As they dig deeper they uncover a conspiracy that is bigger than they could've ever imagined.

Director Shane Black returns to his roots by following his second film, "Iron Man 3", with a detective oriented dark-comedy much like his first film "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang".

As was expected, this film delivered many laugh-inducing moments. The writing and plot were just as expected. What was a bit of a surprise was the chemistry between Gosling and Crowe. Their banter and interactions with each other were flawless and very believable, even in the most ridiculous of moments.

While the story was impressive in itself, the set dressings and wardrobes to emulate the 70s seemed flawless. At least to myself. I never experienced the 70s in person. So maybe some of the more experienced viewers noticed some faults. However, I was never taken out of the story by an ill-timed prop or car.

This is one of the funniest films I have seen in a while. And I cannot praise the two headlining actors enough. They truly brought this film to life. It was a refreshing change to the typical cookie-cutter film…

I realize I used "cookie-cutter" in my last review as well. I apologize. But let's be honest. So many movies these days are similar, it's rare that you see two films that break from the norm in two days. I'm having a good week.

My Rating: 8/10

Shrink (2009)

Directed by Jonas Pate
Written by Thomas Moffett, based on the story by Henry Reardon
Starring Kevin Spacey, Mark Webber, Keke Palmer and Dallas Roberts

Unable to cope with a recent personal tragedy, LA's top celebrity shrink turns into a pothead with no concern for his appearance and a creeping sense of his inability to help his patients.

A humorous, yet dark mosaic of the protagonists patients' lives, this film does a great job of bringing out the comedy in tragedy. The lives of the characters are all connected through mutual loss, drug addiction and depression, yet somehow find themselves amidst the chaos.

Kevin Spacey is fantastic, as has come to be expected from the two-time Academy Award Winner. He continues to prove himself as an actor that makes other actors better. That fact is most apparent in the scenes he shares with Keke Palmer.

I wouldn't go far to say that the young actress isn't talented. I would just leave it at her inexperience. Before this film, she had yet to impress me. And even as the troubled student aspiring to become a filmmaker, she never wowed. But it was definitely an improvement from other roles.

With a very basic and overdone plot, this movie won't stick out above many others. It is relatively formulaic and easy to predict. But it is definitely not a waste of two hours. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It's entertaining. And in the end, that's all you really need from a movie.

My Rating 6.5/10

Get Hard (2015)

Directed by Etan Cohen
Written by Jay Martel, Ian Roberts,  Etan Cohen and Adam McKay
Starring Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison Brie and Craig T. Nelson

When millionaire James King is nailed for fraud and bound for San Quentin, he turns to Darnell Lewis to prep him to go behind bars. What is to follow is a chaotic, hard fought battle to learn how not to get raped while in a maximum security prison.

With the controversy that claims racial themes following this movie, I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. But what I found did not surprised me. Of course it's racist! It's supposed to be. It's a satire for how disillusioned and prejudice some rich white people are. Come one, guys! This isn't first grade!

This entire film is meant to show how ignorant and presumptuous Will Ferrell's character is when it comes to the working class of Hispanics and black people. It spells it out from the get-go, but apparently this country has become too politically correct to understand that satire is used for good, not evil!

Pictured: A cut scene from the acclaimed mini-series "Roots"

With many modern comedies, there is an epidemic of movie trailers showing all of the funny parts and leaving nothing for the movie. This has the opposite problem. For myself, at least, I saw advertisements for this movie so often, that the parts in the trailers became overplayed and unfunny. However, it is filled with several other humorous moments, but due to the over marketing, I left feeling the same way I would if the only funny parts were in the trailer… I realize, writing this out, that that may sound crazy, but I know what I'm trying to say… So, shut up!

How I probably sound to you.

Regardless of this fact, the comedic chemistry between Ferrell and Hart is wonderful and provides many hilarious scenes. The juxtaposition of the two clashing cultures creates an unlikely duo that learn to focus on their similarities rather than their differences. Despite what critics may say, it has a pretty good message if you choose to look at it like that. Or you can look at it like it's an attack on the culture of impoverished people and be angry. It's your choice.

My Rating: 6/10