Tag Archives: Chris Rock

Documentary, No Spoiler Reviews

BEING EDDIE (2025) The Things I Liked…

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Being Eddie (2025), Eddie Murphy, Netflix
Being Eddie (2025), Eddie Murphy, Netflix

Director Angus Wall’s biography/documentary about American actor and stand-up comic Eddie Murphy is the good time I hoped it would be.

Watching Being Eddie had me feeling like a guest in Murphy’s beautiful family home, as he, along with family, peers and friends, reminisced about his life and career. Not while they were all in the same room, mind you. Even though that would have been fun too, kind of like this gem. The likes of Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Pete Davidson, Jamie Foxx, and Kevin Hart featured as talking heads in different locations.

I enjoyed the look back at some of his most celebrated works. From his stint as a Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member to his more recent projects. I appreciated hearing about the stories behind the movies and stand-up comedy specials, and about how he navigated the weight of his own superstardom.

Thankfully, just as I imagined, while learning about what makes one of my favourite comics tick, I also got to hear some fresh jokes as he talked and told stories. A naturally funny person simply can’t help but amuse.

Being Eddie is a must for fans of his work. If only to relive some of the great times you had because he was dedicated.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Documentary

BEING EDDIE (2025): New Trailer For Eddie Murphy Documentary…

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Being Eddie (2025), Eddie Murphy, Netflix
Being Eddie (2025), Eddie Murphy, Netflix

Being Eddie is the brand new Angus Wall-directed biography/documentary that offers a comprehensive look at the life and career of American actor and stand-up comic, Eddie Murphy.

I’ve been a Murphy fan since his 1987 comedy special Raw. Granted, I could only watch it on DVD, not live, but his extraordinary comedic talents were clear to me as they were to everybody else.

Thanks to Raw, I then discovered Coming to America (1988) and the Beverly Hills Cop Movies, all of which are absolute classics.

I’m excited to hear the stories about the highs and, undoubtedly, some lows of Murphy’s life and career. I’m also in for some brand new giggles because the gift of funny is inherent in those so gifted.

When did you first become aware of Murphy?

Jamie Foxx, Pete Davidson, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, Kenan Thompson, Dave Chappelle and Jeffrey Katzenberg also make an appearance.

Being Eddie Release Dates: November 12th, 2025 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Adventure, Animation, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

MADAGASCAR (2005): The Things I Liked… 

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Madagascar is an animated movie I remember enjoying a lot in 2005. 

The Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath-directed film about animals from New York Zoo that find themselves in the jungles of Madagascar has some very memorable characters.

Madagascar (2005), Universal Pictures
Madagascar (2005), Universal Pictures

Though the resourceful penguins are fantastic, King Julian has my heart, not just because of the words that come out of his mouth, but equally because of his glorious, joy-inducing dance moves.

Also, as I watched the movie, I suddenly found myself dreaming of a pet lemur. Nevertheless, I’m sure it’s best to get a King Julian plushie instead; ideally, one that’s motorised so he can dance to my heart’s content.

Have you seen Madagascar recently? It’s not a perfect movie, but it’s fun and stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith, David Schwimmer and Cedric The Entertainer. 

I say watch Madagascar and see how you smile!

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Crime, Horror, Mystery

SPIRAL (2021): New Trailer Starring Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella, Morgan David Jones…

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Spiral (2020), Samuel L. Jackson, Lionsgate Movies
Spiral (2020), Samuel L. Jackson, Lionsgate Movies

The book of Saw has a terrifying new chapter.

Staring Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella and Morgan David Jones; crime/horror Spiral is about a criminal mastermind’s unleashing of a twisted form of justice.

I’m intrigued because I want to see Rock do well in this lead role. And I like the idea of one of my favourite comics sharing screen time with Jackson.

However, the reason I may not see Spiral includes the fact that I’m yet to watch a single movie in the Saw series; mainly on account of horror not being my favourite genre. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean I’m not excited for fans of Saw.

Ali Johnson, Dan Petronijevic, Edie Inksetter, Leila Leigh, Max Minghella, Christopher Tai, John Tokatlidis, Genelle Williams, and Leonidas Castrounis also star.

Spiral Release Dates: May 14th, 2021 (US); May 21st, 2021 (UK)…

Happy film Loving

G

Adventure, Comedy, Family, No Spoiler Reviews

THE WITCHES (2020), The Things I Liked…

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The Witches (2020), Anne Hathaway, Warner Bros. Pictures
The Witches (2020), Anne Hathaway, Warner Bros. Pictures

Director Robert Zemeckis’s remake of Roald Dahl’s adventure/comedy classic The Witches promised a scary, funny and imaginative tale. One about a seven-year-old boy who has a run-in with some real-life witches.

Instead, ‘OK’ is the best I can say about the film. Anne Hathaway’s performance as the main witch wasn’t bad and I liked some of the special effects. Nevertheless, there’s a certain simplicity in the story execution that left me uninspired and dissatisfied.

In fairness, The Witches is based on a famous children’s book. So, naturally, I wasn’t expecting a sophisticated adult tale. Yet, I still hoped to feel more pleased to have watched it than I did.

Luckily, I managed to find parts of the movie that stood out to me in a good way. For example, the above perfectly infectious smile on Anne Hathaway’s face, Chris Rock’s fun voice/narration, the ‘comforted’ feeling I experienced once Octavia Spencer’s loving grandma character showed up. I also enjoyed the musical score and the wonderfully suspenseful scene that involves the task of getting the potion into the pea soup. A moment that took me right back to my favourite Disney Pixar movie, Ratatouille (2007). Lastly, there’s the very pleasantly dramatic dining scene that follows the pea soup ‘flavouring’ incident.

Overall, it’s ultimately the relationship between grandma and grandson that I loved most about The Witches. It’s just a shame that I didn’t find the film as a whole to be as satisfying as my favourite scenes in it.

Give The Witches a chance if you’re especially curious. Undoubtedly, it’s young children who will enjoy it most.

Happy Film Loving 

G