Tag Archives: Eddie Murphy

Comedy, Romance

YOU PEOPLE (2023): New Trailer From Kenya Barris, Starring Jonah Hill, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nia Long, Lauren London, David Duchovny…

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You People (2023), Lauren London, Jonah Hill, Netflix
You People (2023), Lauren London, Jonah Hill, Netflix

The latest from Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jonah Hill, Lauren London, Nia Long and David Duchovny is a comedy/Romance directed by and co-written by Kenya Barris.

You People is a story about modern love, family dynamics and clashing cultures through the experiences of a new couple as they get to know each other’s families.

The comedy talent is the main reason I need to see this. Especially the pairing of Eddie Murphey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The latter happens to be my favourite comedic actress. And the former is responsible for my introduction to stand-up comedy as an art form, thanks to a smash hit comedy special called Raw (1987).

I’m expecting a handful of laughs and some tense but very entertaining dinner table moments. I can only imagine how much fun they all had filming this.

Will you be watching You People? Whose performance are you most interested in seeing?

Travis Bennett, Deon Cole, Elliott Gould, Mike Epps, Yung Miami, Bryan Greenberg, Khadijah Haqq, La La Anthony, Rhea Perlman and Molly Gordon also star.

You People Release Dates: January 27th, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

COMING 2 AMERICA (2021): The Things I Liked…

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Coming 2 America (2021), kIkI Layne, Amazon Prime Video
Coming 2 America (2021), kIkI Layne, Amazon Prime Video

I had a good time watching Coming 2 America, the sequel to Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones’s 1988 comedy classic Coming to America.

Director Craig Brewer’s film isn’t quite perfect but the parts that it gets right gave me so much joy, that I’m barely mad about the ones that didn’t fully work. 

There’s a fair number of memorable funny moments, many of which you won’t see coming. And several of them feature Wesley Snipes and Leslie Jones. Another key highlight is, of course, Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem. I was so happy to be fully present in the moments the camera was on Murphy (one of my favourite standup comics); whether it be Akeem in the present day, or young Akeem via the clever usage of old footage captured for the first movie. In this way, for me, watching Coming 2 America felt like catching up with an old friend you hadn’t seen for a very long time. One with whom you shared some of the best times of your life.

Coming 2 America (2021), Eddie Murphy, Amazon Prime Video
Coming 2 America (2021), Eddie Murphy, Amazon Prime Video

As for what I wish had been different about Coming 2 America, in no particular order, some of the de-ageing of Murphy wasn’t the best. The part of the story I consider the weakest has to be the love story. That element felt forced and rushed. 

I know very well that Coming 2 America is supposed to be focused on Prince Akeem’s son. Yet, a part of me wanted the camera to focus more on Akim. I’m going to blame that on how very appreciative I am of Murphy’s general comic excellence.

Watch Coming 2 America if you haven’t already. The first movie is undoubtedly better, but there’s much fun to be had with this sequel. And chances are, you won’t want to miss the highlights mentioned above and more. Especially the performance at the party near the end. That moment had me so happy, that as soon as it was over, I had to rewind and relive it all over again. It’s been a while since I’ve partied, so maybe that’s part of the reason.

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy

COMING 2 AMERICA (2021): New Trailer Starring Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones, Arsenio Hall, Wesley Snipes…

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Coming 2 America (2021), Arsenio Hall, Eddie Murphy, Amazon Prime Video
Coming 2 America (2021), Arsenio Hall, Eddie Murphy, Amazon Prime Video

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Coming 2 America (2021).

In new comedy Coming 2 America, the sequel to the popular 1988 comedy Coming to America, Eddie Murphy returns as Prince Akeem of Zamunda.

Accompanied by Semmi (Arsenio Hall), Akeem must go back to the United States after learning of a long lost son.

Additional key cast includes Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan and Wesley Snipes while Craig Brewer directs.

The chances of this being better than the original is pretty slim. Still, I’ll be watching for all the laughs on offer and in hopes that my expectation are proven wrong.

James Earl Jones, KiKi Layne, Garcelle Beauvais, Louie Anderson, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Rick Ross, Shari Headley, John Amos and Jermaine Fowler

Coming 2 America Release Dates: March 5th, 2021 (US & UK), Amazon Prime Video…

Happy Film Loving

G

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

BOOMERANG (1992): The Things I Liked…

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Boomerang (1992), Eddie Murphy
Boomerang (1992), Eddie Murphy

Co-written by Eddie Murphy and directed by Reginald Hudlin, 1992 comedy / drama Boomerang centres around  a successful executive / womaniser named Marcus. Marcus finds that his lifestyle choices have turned back on him following the arrival of his new female boss.

Starring Murphy, Robin Givens, Halle Berry, Chris Rock, Grace Jones and Martin Lawrence, Boomerang is a movie I enjoyed today as much as I did when I first saw it as a teenager. The film is funny. It also features one of the most memorable versions of a player / womaniser that I’ve ever seen on film.

Hudlin’s movie is beautifully produced; from the clothes, location(s), lighting, humour and more. Another highlight is the fact that most if not all of the women in this movie are empowered and powerful. I also couldn’t help but notice that Givens is truly one of the most beautiful women ever. Her character is fun, stunning and very much in charge.

The one thing I noticed that perhaps isn’t particularly great about this film is Martin Lawrence’s acting skills. Beyond that though, it’s fun, funny and quite the visual feast – in more ways than one. Watch it, I say!

Happy Film Loving

G