Jumanji (2017), Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Kevin Hart
Starring Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Karen Gillan, I found Jumanji – Welcome To The jungle to be OK. It’s just the kind of silly fun that kids will likely love most. It’s well modernised and there were some amusing moments, especially courtesy of Jack Black’s portrayal of a teenage girl and Kevin Hart’s one-liners.
The reason that Jumanji is OK and not great is because by the end, I felt as though something was missing from the movie. Perhaps it’s substance, heart, character development or a mixture and then some, but for me, the amusing and clever moments aside, something is definitely missing at the very core. It doesn’t help that I wasn’t wholly convinced of Nick Jonas’s acting skills.
As I watched the film, the jungle setting did have me reminiscing about how much fun I had while watching Kong Skull Island (2017). Overall, I say watch Jumanji –Welcome To The Jungle if you’re curious enough. It may just be the kind of silly fun you need.
Night School (2018), Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Taran Killam
In new comedy Night School, Kevin Hart plays a member of a group of grown up troublemakers who are forced to attend night school in hopes that they’ll pass the GED exam to finish high school.
Tiffany Haddish, Taran Killam and Mary Lynn Rajskub also star…
I’m giving this one a chance in hopes that I’ll be plenty amused. Director of The Best Man (1999) and The Best Man Holiday (2013), Michael D. Lee is in charge. So the hope is very much alive.
Additional cast includes Keith David, Ben Schwartz, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Bresha Webb and Jacob Batalon.
Captain Underpants – The First Epic Movie (2017), Kevin Hart (George), Thomas Middleditch (Harold)
In Captain Underpants – The First Epic Movie, Kevin Hart and Thomas Middleditch are the voices of two mischievous elementary school kids. Directed by David Soren and based on the popular books by Dave Pilkey, the two very naughty fourth graders hypnotise their principal into becoming their comic book creation, Captain Underpants…
I’m intrigued enough to see it. The only question is how distracting it will be that Kevin Hart is voicing a fourth grader and he sounds exactly as his real life adult self.
Nick Kroll, Jordan Peele and Kristen Schaal also star.
I wanted Kevin Hart – What Now? to be great, but to my surprise and disappointment, I spent very little time laughing. In trying to figure out why, I’ve reached the conclusion that as someone who’s been a fan of Kevin Hart’s comedy since the days of his earlier standup specials; I’m a Grown Little Man (2009), Seriously Funny (2010) and Laugh at My Pain (2011), I’m at the stage now where I find myself overly familiar with a lot of his jokes. Particularly the ones that reference his father, children, height and the way his vertically challenged status makes him far from a hero whenever his physical wellbeing is threatened. Even though in Kevin Hart – What Now? Hart talks about a few other things including his then fiancé (now wife), I found myself reminiscing about his earlier work. It’s possible that part of the problem is, like any comedy film that could have been better, many of the good jokes and punchlines were heard and laughed at during the promotional phase.
Hart’s use of digital visual aids to help paint a picture for the audience as he delivered his jokes is a refreshing addition to his routine. Unfortunately though,I found it mostly distracting. I went in hoping for new jokes that didn’t rely too much on all the traits I already knew about Hart’s comedy persona/ topics, but it wasn’t to be. I guess things can get stale when you and those close to you are the main source material instead of new and potentially more interesting topics. I.e., what’s happening in the wider world.
Kevin Hart – What Now? (2016), Ed Helms, Halle Berry
Besides the less than expected number of jokes I did laugh at, what I enjoyed most of all was the fifteen minute intro to the main event. Kevin Hart, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, David Meunier and Ed Helms made it fun and funny. Watch Kevin Hart – What Now? if you’re curious enough and / or you’re a very serious Hart fan. I still love Hart. I just much prefer his earlier work.
The Secret Life Of Pets (2016), Gidget (Jenny Slate)
Initially, based on the The Secret Life Of Pets trailers, I was certain that I’d identify most with Chloe, but then I saw just how much of a badass the cute, fluffy Pomeranian Gidget is. I’m sure I’m not ‘reaching’ too hard here but my own name does start with a G, so you know.
Now that you agree about how much Gidget and I have in common, lets move on. I’ve seen plenty of Kevin Hart’s stand up comedy which makes me familiar with his very recognisable voice. I wasn’t sure that his voice was the best fit for a cute fluffy and gangster white rabbit. However, considering where the story goes, I see why he was chosen. I barely forgot that I was listening to Hart deliver his character’s lines but I enjoyed the story so much that it didn’t remove too much from the good time I most certainly had.
The Secret Life Of Pets (2016), Gidget (Jenny Slate), Max (Louis C.K.)
I adore the cute animals, especially Max, Gidget and Tiberius. I particularly enjoyed Louis C.K.’s voice work.
The Secret Life Of Pets is fun, funny and very, very cute. So watch it.
Central Intelligence (2016), Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson
Central Intelligence is a watchable action/ comedy because of the dynamic between Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson’s characters. As for how believable I found the movie in regards to the way some of the story and action unfolded, let’s just say my disbelief was hardly ever fully suspended.
Watch it for the light entertainment. Just don’t expect to be convinced by everything that takes place.
Jason Bateman’s small part is a highlight as was the message about bullying.
Today is the day for the Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016) trailer. A trailer for the comic’s most recent standup comedy tour. I was always going to be happy about this release because I’m a Hart fan. But to learn that in the trailer, homage is paid to my favourite favourite Bond movie? I feel like he did it just for me…
Trailer 1
Trailer 2
The movie referenced is of course, Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale (2006). Right this moment I really want o watch the trailer again because it’s so well put together. However, I’m conflicted because even though I’m sure that many more great jokes are in the finished product, I want the jokes in the trailer to still feel fresh when I finally watch the complete show.
Dying Laughing is a new documentary that delves into the complicated lives of Stand-up comedians, the craft and their creative process…
I’m looking forward to hearing what many of the current great comics have to say. Names including Russell Peters, Billy Connolly, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart and Amy Schumer to name just a few. I really want to know if all comics really are ‘very damaged people. I’m sure many are but surely there must be exceptions, no?
I didn’t see Ricky Gervais or Louis C.K. in this trailer but I sure hope they too make an appearance.
Dying Laughing Release Dates: Premieres on June 4th (2016), at the LA Film Festival. Further dates to be confirmed.
