Tag Archives: Mark Wahlberg

ME TIME (2022): The Things I Liked…

Me Time (2022), Mark Wahlberg, Netflix
Me Time (2022), Mark Wahlberg, Netflix

Me Time, director John Hamburg’s latest comedy about a dad who reluctantly decides to spend his me-time reconnecting with a childhood friend, does have some memorable scenes. 

To put it another way, I wasn’t feeling great about Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg’s latest buddy comedy until the scene with Sonny (Hart) and the mountain Lion cub about 35 minutes into the screening. Said scene is fun and guaranteed to have your full attention while you find yourself happy to be simultaneously scared and amused. 

There are other amusing moments scattered in Me Time. I just can’t say that I was adequately engaged by most of what happened as the movie played. Turns out that the story and how it’s written/ executed didn’t quite prove to be new or exciting enough for me. 

Furthermore, I found it hard to see Wahlberg as his character. And I’m half convinced that the story might have been better suited to characters at least a decade younger. Perhaps that way, a few of their choices might have proven more believable.

I still feel that a Hart and Wahlberg movie is a good idea. Me Time just wasn’t the right film.

In addition to the mountain lion moment, other highlights include the dialogue of the characters played by Andrew Santino, Jimmy O. Yang, and Shira Gross’s Dorit.

Give Me Timea chance if you must. You may find that it holds your attention far better than it did mine. 

Happy Film Loving 

G

ME TIME (2022): New Trailer From Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg, Regina Hall, Andrew Santino…

Me Time (2022), Kevin Hart, Netflix
Me Time (2022), Kevin Hart, Netflix

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Me Time (2022).


Directed by John Hamburg; new comedy Me Time stars Kevin Hart as a dad who reluctantly decides to spend his me-time reconnecting with an old friend. What results is a very different kind of weekend.

It’s not often enough that a movie trailer makes me laugh out loud. I’m happy to say that this one got me at least twice.

Also, Hart and Wahlberg? I definitely didn’t see this partnership comin but I’m in no way mad about it. Fingers crossed that it pays off close to as well as the Wahlberg/ Will Ferrell, or the Hart /Dwayne Johnson duos. Wouldn’t that be great?

Jimmy O. Yang, Carlo Rota, Melanie Minichino, Tahj Mowry, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Deborah S. Craig, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Chau Long, Thomas Ochoa, Kieran Roberts and Bottara Angele also star.

Me Time Release Dates: August 26th, 2022 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

SCOOB! (2020): The Things I Liked…

Scoob! (2020), Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on the children’s TV shows about a Great Dane named Scooby-Doo, one who along with his teenage human friends solve mysteries involving supposedly supernatural creatures, I found Scoob! to be a well animated, fun adventure. It’s certainly not perfect, but it does have a rather engaging, silly central story and a watchable supervillain played by Jason Isaacs.

Also starring Zac Efron, Mark Wahlberg and Amanda Seyfried; the first twenty-five minutes of Scoob! didn’t have me as confident about how the rest of the movie would be as I expected. Thankfully though, director Tony Cervone’s film did become more watchable.

Random thoughts that went through my mind as Scoob! played include:
‘This is all quite silly, but fun.’

Why is puppy Scooby’s nose was so oversized?’

If you liked the Scooby-Doo TV shows, then you’ll probably enjoy Scoob! So give it a chance should the mood for a silly nostalgic escape surface.

Happy Film Loving 

G

THE DEPARTED (2006): The Things I Liked…

The Departed (2006), Leonardo DiCaprio, Warner Bros. Entertainment
The Departed (2006), Leonardo DiCaprio, Warner Bros. Entertainment

I remember watching Martin Scorsese’s The Departed when it was released in 2006. A film I just had to see because of Scorsese, but also thanks to the triple A-list acting talents of Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon. 

It’s been more than 10 years since then, and Scorsese’s highly rated crime/thriller about an undercover cop and a mole in the police who are trying to identify each other, while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston remains a notable film.

As good as it is, I’m not sure if The Departed is the kind of movie that loses a portion of its shine over time. Or, myself being caught up in ‘Leo Mania‘ in 2006 made me rate it a little more highly than it may have deserved, because I did rate it VERY highly indeed. It could also just be that this isn’t the first time I’ve seen the film; therefore, chances are, I won’t feel it’s as great as it was at first viewing. Either way, today I’d say that the first half of the movie is good, but it’s really in the second act that things get most thrilling.

Can I continue to call The Departed my favourite Scorsese movie? Maybe not. Even though I still think it’s one of his best. And besides the example of what a good crime/thriller can look like, I’ll also remember The Departed for being the first time I heard a croissant referred to as ‘a French doughnut.’ 

For anyone who’s never watched The Departed, part of what makes the movie notable, besides the great story and cast is it doesn’t end the way you expect. Thank goodness that ten-plus years was enough for me to forget the ending, almost entirely. I mean, I did remember the rat on the window sill, but that’s it.

Watch it because it’s good and it is definitely a classic after all.

Happy Film Loving

G

SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL (2020): The Things I Liked…

Spenser Confidential (2020), Mark Wahlberg, Netflix
Spenser Confidential (2020), Mark Wahlberg, Netflix

Spenser Confidential isn’t a perfect movie, but it is a fun action/comedy with some well-executed standout scenes.

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Winston Duke, Iliza Shlesinger and Alan Arkin; director Peter Berg’s story about an ex-felon who takes on Boston’s criminal underworld to solve a twisted murder conspiracy, may have a dip in pace near the beginning. It may also feel as though at least one specific aspect of the story comes across aa tad contrived. But overall, there’s enough humour, action and well-executed scenes to make Spenser Confidential more fun than not.

My favourite line in the whole film is ‘Don’t play with me right now, Ok? Give me the cloud.’ I promise it’s more amusing in context, which I haven’t provided here as that would spoil it.

In terms of the most memorable scenes, The first one take takes place at a Mexican restaurant, while the other involves much of what happens at ‘Wonderland’ towards the end.

Watch Spenser Confidential if you’re curious and for a central mystery that you’ll want to see solved.

Happy Film Loving

G

SPENSER CONFIDENTIAL (2020): New Trailer Starring Mark Wahlberg, Alan Arkin, Winston Duke, Post Malone…

Spenser Confidential (2020), Mark Wahlberg, Netflix
Spenser Confidential (2020), Mark Wahlberg, Netflix

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Spenser Confidential (2020).


Spenser Confidential has Mark Wahlberg as an ex-felon named Spenser who returns to Boston’s criminal underworld to unravel a twisted murder conspiracy.

Directed by Peter Berg, additional key cast includes Winston Duke, Alan Arkin Colleen Camp Post Malone …

The premise may not be the freshest but I like Wahlberg, I’m curious about Malone’s acting, and the Wahlberg, Duke and Arkin dynmic.

Colleen Camp, Bokeem Woodbine, Michael Gaston, Marc Maron, Iliza Shlesinger, Hans Marrero, Cassie Ventura, James DuMont, Hope Olaide Wilson, Leah Procito and Kip Weeks also star.

Spenser Confidential Release Dates: March 6th, 2020 (US) / Netflix…

Happy Film Loving

G

INSTANT FAMILY (2018): The Things I Liked…

Instant Family (2018), Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Paramount Pictures
Instant Family (2018), Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Paramount Pictures

After seeing the trailer for Instant Family several months ago in 2018, I really wanted to get excited about it because the story looked like a great one and because I like both of its main stars, Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne. Having previously seen Wahlberg in the Daddy’s Home movies and finding myself not fully loving them, I’m really glad to confirm that Instant Family is definitely not that.

Directed and co-written by Sean Anders, Instant Family is a comedy / drama based on the true story of the ups and downs faced by a couple who foster / adopt three children all at once. 

Things were looking good for this movie within the first few minutes. Firstly, the editing. I really appreciate the fact that I didn’t find myself wishing I could fast forward any of the scenes. Second, the relationship between the central couple played by Wahlberg and Byrne. Last but not least, the dynamic and banter between Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro’s characters is another definite key highlight.

I found myself laughing during Instant Family more than I expected to. An especially memorable moment being the scene at the dinner table with the pair of closed eyes. I was of course also moved by the beautiful moments of familial love and the truth of some of the experiences of children and teenagers in the foster care system.

Watch Instant Family because it’s good, very likely better than you expect and it’s definitely – as a fellow film lover predicted, more grounded than the Daddie’s Home films.

Happy Film loving 

G

INSTANT FAMILY (2018): New Trailer From Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Octavia Spencer…

Instant Family (2018), Rose Byrne, Mark Wahlberg
Instant Family (2018), Rose Byrne, Mark Wahlberg

Instant Family is a new comedy starring Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne and Octavia Spencer.

Directed and co-written by Sean Anders, it’s the story of a couple dealing with the often humorous challenges that come with adopting three children at once…

I don’t know how much I’ll enjoy this, especially since I didn’t totally love Wahlberg’s Daddy’s Home movies. still I’m in because I appreciate him and I’m excited for the happy ending. I really want the happy ending!

Isabela Moner. Eve Harlow, Iliza Shlesinger, Tom Segura and Tig Notaro also star.

Instant Family Release Dates: November 16th, 2018 (US); February 15th, 2019 (UK)…

Read my spoiler free movie review of Instant Family.

Happy Film Loving

G