Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back for the fourth instalment of the Bad Boys movie franchise.
Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah; this time, Mike lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) are on the run.
Hello, fun!
I say bring on the famous Lowrey/Burnett shenanigans and funny dialogue. I’m also looking forward to seeing Eric Dane, a.k.a. McSteamy from Grey’s Anatomy as what looks to be a villain.
Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Rhea Seehorn, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Melanie Liburd, Jacob Scipio and Tasha Smith also star.
The Princess Switch 2 – Switched Again (2020), Vanessa Hudgens, Netflix
When I decided to watch The Princess Switch 2– Switched Again, I wasn’t expecting great things. I was hoping for a sort of watchable Christmas movie experience that I’d be able to get through with a smile on my face, in part thanks to the Christmas filled mise en scene.
Instead, what happened within 10 minutes of the viewing experience gave me a strong urge to reach for my phone and do other things while it played. I definitely could have aborted the whole experience, but something told me to leave it playing. Nothing improved with time, of course. But at least it made the room look extra ‘Christmassy’.
What exactly is wrong with The Princes Switch 2 – Switched Again? Let’s just say that it’s the kind of story and execution that’s really best enjoyed by preteen girls/children. I should have known.
Nevertheless, in the event that, like myself, you often leave less than great Christmas movies playing in the background because you like the ambience they help create, maybe, for that reason alone, hit play on The Princes Switch 2 – Switched Again. You could even leave it playing with the volume down while you pick a Christmas soundtrack to blast through your home. Now that’s an idea.
In 2018’s The Princess Switch, while competing in a Christmas baking competition in Belgravia, a Chicago baker bumps into a prince’s fiancée who happens to look just like her. Some things happen and soon enough, the baker and the princess switched lives.
In the sequel The Princess Switch 2 – Switched Again, Vanessa Hudgens and Nick Sagar return and this time, something happens that requires the doubles to switch again, particularly before a new lookalike, party girl Fiona foils their plans.
Directed by Mike Rohl; additional key cast includes Suanne Braun and Lachlan Nieboer.
I’m watching for two reasons; to help get myself in the mood for Christmas, thanks to all those gorgeous decorations and attire. And to enjoy Hudgens’s rather pleasant accent.
It was likely quite the challenge to play three characters. But I imagine, probably also fun.
Mark Fleischmann, Grant Fergusson, Adele Lupton, Grant Crookes, Ricky Norwood and Jess Fergusson also star.
Bad Boys For Life (2020), Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Sony Pictures Entertainment
I’m really glad that Will Smith and Martin Lawrence waited for a decent script before finally saying yes to making Bad Boys For Life. Especially since the long awaited sequel to the Bad Boys franchise is a fun action packed experience.
Started in 1995 with Bad Boys and followed by 2003’s Bad BoysII – both directed by Michael Bay, the script for this latest instalment makes good use of Smith and Lawrence’s great chemistry and comic timing.
Much of the humour in Bad Boys For Life comes from the way both detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) approach the fact that they’re now much closer to middle age than the rookies they once were. These very welcome humorous moments are balanced with visually impressive action sequences and the genuine brotherly bond between Burnett and Lowrey.
In terms of my engagement levels as the movie played, the way directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah captured the story kept my full attention almost throughout. Whether it was the energy, look and feel, filming style or the dialogue, I was right there and focused.
The only part of Bad Boys For Life that I found myself not fully on board with is the way the story is wrapped up after the films biggest revelation. For me, that last quarter of the movie was the weakest part because I didn’t quite buy how it played out as it felt a tad forced. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t say it’s reason enough not to see it because Bad Boys For Life really is fun, especially for fans of the previous films and the great comic duo that is Smith and Lawrence.
Lastly, I’m definitely not a petrol head but that stunning blue car, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S is quite the beauty. Looking at it against the Miami backdrop was a definite treat.
The Knight Before Christmas (2019), Vanessa Hudgens, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Netflix
The Knight Before Christmas, a story about a medieval English knight who is magically transported to the present day where he meets the love of his life is exactly what I expected.
It’s a movie I liked almost purely for the Christmas-rich visuals. Everything else was tolerable just so I could enjoy that beautiful Ohio town and live in Hudgens’s character’s very well decorated house.
I did definitely pay full attention throughout – but generally, The Knight Before Christmas is romantic, Christmassy, dare I say – silliness for incredibly non-taxing viewing. It was perfect for unwinding after my very busy week.
Why not give it a chance and let it relax you if you’re especially curious and ready for Christmas?
Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah; the second trailer for Bad Boys For Life. a.k.a. Bad Boys 3 starring Will Smith, Vanessa Hudgens, Martin Lawrence and Alexander Ludwig just landed…
I’m in for the humour, nostalgia, how young Will Smith continues to look, the beautiful locations and definitely that arresting blue Porsche. What a stunner!
Sharon Pfeiffer, Jennifer Badger, Charles Melton, Kate del Castillo, Paola Nuñez, Joe Pantoliano, Happy Anderson and Maria Z. Wilson also star.
Set in New York City (of course!) and directed by Peter Segal, Second Act is about an underestimated retail worker who reinvents her life and her life-story, leading to her finally landing her dream job and more.
Even though Second Act is similar to the other Lopez romance / comedies mentioned – in a few ways, there’s still a difference or two that I didn’t see coming. Generally, I enjoyed the humour and watching the dynamic between the three main female characters. The fact that Leah Remini and Lopez happen to be close friends in real life somehow only added to my experience of this movie.
Other personal highlights include the way Lopez and Vanessa Hudgens were styled, the New York City setting plus the wise and very accurate wisdom shared at the very end.
Watch Second Act especially if you like Lopez and the two Lopez movies mentioned. Segal’s film is definitely a little different in a good way; and who knows, perhaps you may even prefer it. Maid In Manhattan and The Wedding Planner remains my favourites.
The princess Switch (2018), Vanessa Hudgens, Vanessa Hudgens
A week before Christmas, a Chicago baker meets a soon-to-be princess who looks exactly like her. They decide to trade places and before too long, they get more than comfortable in their new lives.
Directed by Mike Rohl; the key cast of The princess Switch includes Vanessa Hudgens, Nick Sagar, Suanne Braun, Sam Palladio…
As clichéd and overly cheesy as this clearly is, I’ll probably still watch it because the Christmas season is a time for cheesy, romantic movies that ‘I couldn’t possibly…’ during other times of the year.
Sam Palladio, Nick Sagar, Mark Fleischmann and Adi Gheo also star.
The Movie My Life 