The Brothers Grimsby (2016)

Directed by Louis Leterrier
Written by Sacha Baron Cohen, Phil Johnston and Peter Baynham
Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Strong, Isla Fisher and Penélope Cruz

A hit man working for MI6 finds himself with a target on his back after his long lost brother ruins an attempt to save a politician causing the job to look like an agent gone rouge.

You know it's a slow week in movies when I decide to see this over any of the new releases. With the showing of a scene on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" as the main form of advertisement in which the only thing that could be televised was the reactions of the audience, I knew that this would be vulgar for the sake of vulgarity. And I was right.

What I did not anticipate was for me to be laughing that the absolute absurdity of the disgusting series of events that happened. It was portrayed in such a way that I couldn't help but laugh, even if brought shame to myself and my family.

With the impossible to watch (in my mind) "Borat" and "Bruno", I was glad to finally see Sacha Baron Cohen in  a movie in which playing tricks on people wasn't the whole premise. Knowing that everyone involved is in on the joke makes it so much easier to watch and finally laugh with Cohen instead of hiding in my jacket from anxiety caused by awkwardness.

With actors as serious as Mark Strong, Ian McShane and… well, that's about it. Anyway, seeing these actors not taking anything too seriously was refreshing to say the least. It was wildly inappropriate, a terribly executed movie, yet overall, I'd have to say I enjoyed it.

Especially with Donald Trump contracting HIV.

My Rating: 6/10

Pride (2014)

Directed by Matthew Warchus
Written by Stephen Beresford
Starring Ben Schnitzer, George MacKay, Faye Marsay and Paddy Considine

U.K. gay activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.

With themes of solidarity, human rights and equality for all, "Pride" is a remarkable and inspirational film that shows that the likeliest of people can come together for a common cause. But it's also an example of just how terrible people are.

Equally hilarious and frustrating, this film flips back and forth between showing the good in humanity and showing people who are the reason the "C" word was created. Of course, this is just the reality of the world, specifically when fighting for rights, whether it be for the gay community or workers. But damn… there are a lot of people in this movie that make you just want to punch your screen.

A huge part of the humor in this film comes from the reactions people have to being around gay people. Mind you this was in the mid 80s, when AIDS was on everyone's mind and homosexuals had one foot in the closet. Seeing all the different reactions from all of the different characters was quite entertaining.

Perhaps, the most compelling thing about this movie was it's message. Unfortunately, it is as equally prevalent today as it was during the events of this story. That message can be broken down into three simple things. You should never hide who you are. Always stand up for yourself. Love your fellow man. It's a shame that this is still something that needs to be said today.

Lead by a brilliant ensemble of characters, "Pride" proves to be one of the better films in recent memory. It takes an event that happened thirty years ago and compares it to the world today. It is beautifully written and honestly performed. Like the characters in the movie, gay, straight or "as yet undecided", I feel everyone could take something away from this picture.

My Rating: 8/10

Millions (2004)

Directed by Danny Boyle
Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Starring Alex Entel, James Nesbitt, Lewis McGibbon and Daisy Donovan

A 7-year-old English boy finds his ethics tested when he stumbles upon a bag of British Pounds just days before the currency is switched to Euros. With pressure from his brother to keep it a secret and spend it on himself, the young child finds an overwhelming urge to give the money to the needy.

Undeniably the most un-Danny Boyle film Danny Boyle has ever directed, it feels more like a Tim Burton film with just a dash of Boyle influence. Everything about the setting, the music and the cinematography reminds me of Burton.

A feel good crowd pleaser about the human condition, this movie will put a smile on your face from the beginning. Filled with great humor and lessons on morality, this film is quite enjoyable. The imagination of the main character added for some entertaining and at times, some touching moments.

The only problem that I had with it, if I had to choose one, was when they decided to take a darker root. It only combined for maybe a total of ten minutes. But it stuck out like a sore thumb among the rest of the movie. It just didn't seem to fit. But other than that, I rather enjoyed it.

My Rating: 6.5/10