Tag Archives: Leslie Jones

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, No Spoiler Reviews, TV

DEATH TO 2020 (2020): The Thing I Liked…

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Death To 2020 (2020), Cristin Milioti, Netflix

My favourite thing about Netflix’s Death to 2020, a comedic retrospective of the year that was 2020 is the phrase ‘Prime Ministerial scarecrow, Boris Johnson.’ I laugh every time I re-read it, because it’s true.

There’s certainly a handful of more amusing moments within the show, whether it’s courtesy of Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow, Leslie Jones, Cristin Milioti or several others. Nevertheless, one of my key issues with Death to 2020 relates to how disjointed it feels; even with the narration used to bring everything together.

Furthermore, the show felt a lot like a less amusing version of Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show; even though I’ve only ever experienced The Daily Show via the best clips on their Youtube Channel.

Unfortunately, Death to 2020 also had me nodding off to sleep a few times. A reality I can blame on the above reasons, and the fact that my favourite comics already helped me laugh at 2020, a little closer to when much of the madness was happening.

I say give Death to 2020 a chance if you’re curious. You may not be as avid a consumer of current comedy as myself.

Happy Film Loving and a fantastic 2021!

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

DEATH TO 2020 (2020): New Trailer From Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Leslie Jones, Lisa Kudrow…

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Death To 2020 (2020), Samuel L. Jackson, Netflix
Death To 2020 (2020), Samuel L. Jackson, Netflix

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Death to 2020 (2020).

Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror creator), Al Campbell and Alice Mathias are the directors of new Netflix comedy special Death to 2020.

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow and Leslie Jones. Death to 2020 is all about 2020, a year whose story couldn’t be told until now, because it was still happening.

I’m definitely in for all the jokes about what 2020 has been for us all. I already love the joke at the expense of Quibi and everything Leslie Jones said. Can’t wait for more from Samuel L. Jackson.

This looks precisely like what we need to close the less than ideal chapter that has been 2020.

Additional key cast includes Cristin Milioti, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Kumail Nanjiani, Joe Keery and Diane Morgan.

Death to 2020 Release Dates: December 27th, 2020 (US), Netflix…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi

GHOSTBUSTERS (2016): The Things I Liked…

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Ghostbusters (2016), Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones
Ghostbusters (2016), Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones

Starring Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig and Chris Hemsworth, Ghostbusters is simultaneously everything I expected and also what I did not expect. The former because the trailers were so very disappointing that I really ought to have known. The latter because the director is Paul Feig, the man who brought us big comedy hits such as Bridesmaids (2011) and Spy (2015). 

Surely if anyone could do right by the much loved Ghostbusters classic it would be Feig, no?  Apparently not because the words that went through my mind as I watched Ghostbusters were ‘Oh, this is bad and slow.’ ’Why does the green slime feel ridiculous, unfunny and the special effects dated?’ ‘Why am I not laughing?’ ‘Is this movie made for nine to fourteen year-olds?’ Was the production just a mad rush?’ ‘Where did it all go wrong? I had such high HOPES! (before I saw the trailers)’.

Ghostbusters (2016), Leslie Jones
Ghostbusters (2016), Leslie Jones

Even though the trailers did leave plenty to be desired, I didn’t really believe that we’d end up with  what feels like a wasted opportunity and a Paul Feig movie I’d much rather forget.

Within all the madness, I did manage to find a few highlights. Firstly, there’s the great line or two delivered by Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) when he’s questioned about his glasses. Second, Leslie Jones’s energy and commitment to her character is something that really helped with my engagement levels. Third, the role played by Zach Woods – because he has great facial expressions and eyeballs. Last but certainly not least, Bill Murray. His character’s appearance actually helped lift things for a good few seconds, far from long enough, obviously.

At this point, I’d just really love for  Feig’s next movie to be great because rightly or wrongly, he’s the one I’m most disappointed in.

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi

GHOSTBUSTERS (2016): New Trailer Starring Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones & Kristen Wiig

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Ghostbusters (2016), Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon
Ghostbusters (2016), Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon

A proper trailer has finally arrived for the Ghostbuster reboot. Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig are the stars…

Trailer 1

Trailer 2

I enjoyed the hat, wig and glasses combo. I Also liked the delivery of the slaps and MacKinon’s yellow lensed glasses. Beyond that, I’m going to wait and see.

Is it just me or do the special effects seem rather dated?

Ghostbusters Release Dates: July 15th, 2016 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving 🙂

G

Action, Comedy, Crime

MASTERMINDS (2015): More Galifianakis ‘Crazy’, With A Side of Wiig & Sudeikis…

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Mastaminds (2015), Zach Galifianakis
Mastaminds (2015), Zach Galifianakis

Funny and bearded Actor Zach Galifianakis; best known for his excellent turn in the Hangover (2009) movies as the somewhat unhinged Alan is back.

This time Galifianakis comes with Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson and Kate Mckinnon in Masterminds – a very promising new comedy due this summer.

I’m most excited about Galifiniakis, of course; but also the character played by Sudeikis.

Fingers firmly crossed that this movie is filled with more great lines and scenes not yet shown in the trailer.

Mastaminds a.k.a. The Bank Heist (2016) Release Dates: September 30th, 2016 (US)…

Happy Film Loving  

G