The Other Guys (2010)

If you are fan of Will Ferrel, you will most likely enjoy this one. If you are fan of Mark Wahlberg, you may not enjoy his attempt at comedy. It fell flat for me. If you like Samuel L. Jackson or Dwayne Johnson, you will enjoy the first parts of the story. If you are Yankee fan, you may not. If you are a fan of Michael Keaton, you may not like his choice of character here. If you are fan of Eva Mendes you might like this.

While there are a few good laughs this story plays like an over-long SNL sketch. But that is the case with most Ferrel movies in my opinion. They take a good thing to far and dwell on what was funny the first time or two, too long.

The PG-13 rating is a bit weak if you ask me. There are enough sexual references to make parents wish they had not watched this with their teens.

Watch this with a guy between the ages of 18 and 28.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

How does a movie that cost $200M make money? Star power, special effects, surprises, and a pretty good story. This movie has them all and made more than 50% back on the opening weekend. How nice for the suits in Hollywood.

The sequel itself was better than I expected and a lot of fun to watch. I can highly recommend the Blue-ray version with the surround sound turned WAY up.

Robert Downey Jr returns as the barely-in-control Tony Stark. Supposedly his character is based on the Oracle founder Larry Ellison who has a cameo role to go along with his liberal product name placement throughout the film.

Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts and gets her shot at the top spot. No spoilers here.

My favorite new character is played by Scarlett Johansson. Her boss is played deliciously by Samuel L. Jackson.

Don Cheadle comes on board as Rhodes. I actually like his version better.

Mickey Rourke clearly did his homework here. Best thing he has done in a long time.

Watch this movie with someone who will enjoy sitting back, turning it up, and rock(et)ing OUT!

Lakeview Terrace

You don't have to be an Angelino to enjoy this movie. This story could play out anywhere. But it adds another layer to the story if you are familiar with the locations involved. While the name of the actual bedroom community is slightly changed for the film, the places are real.

Samuel L. Jackson puts in another great performance doing what he does so well - an angry black man. This character has a few deeper layers and Jackson does a wonderful job of evolving. For whatever reason, I don't get tired of seeing him work this way even though I know he can do other things just as well.

Patrick Wilson who plays completely opposite to Jackson's character is also excellent. You start out not thinking much of this guy, and favoring Jackson's character, and the roles reverse over the course of the story. No spoilers here.

Watch this movie with someone who thinks living next door to a cop is the safest place in the world.

Soul Men (2008)

Definitely NOT the Blues Brothers, but certainly a couple of brothers WITH the blues. Very funny road trip kinda buddy movie kinda redemption pic. And the music is pure Motown. If you can get past the language and the occasional sex scenes, you should enjoy this movie. If not, those things will most likely ruin it for you.

I have said it before and this movie proves it again, Samuel L. Jackson can DO comedy - well. So what if he plays all his characters just a little bit the same? It works. Take his work in Black Snake Moan and compare it to something like his work in Pulp Fiction. Two opposite characters played almost the same way. And it works.

I can't help but think this role was made for the late Bernie Mac. This guy was funny 12 ways from Sunday no matter what he did. He meant it when he said he gave 150% every time he was in front of an audience.

I mentioned the Blues Brothers earlier and there are some clear similarities in the story but it does not interfere with the telling and only die hard fans will see them.

Watch this movie with someone who wants one more shot at stardom.

The Spirit

I can give you 3 great reasons to see this movie - Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes, and Scarlett Johansson. If that does not work for you here are 2 more reasons - Gabriel Macht and Samuel L. Jackson.

Now, if you don't like graphic comics or the movies made about them, you won't like this movie. If you liked Sin City or 300 or such, you may like this one. I did. And, here are a couple more reasons to watch the movie - Paz Vega, Stana Katic, and Seychelle Gabriel.

This movie does a great job of giving backstory along with the current story. And it even sets up the sequel with a funny twist. Again though, if you don't like this sort of comic, or novel, or movie, don't expect to fully appreciate all the little subtleties. Every part is over-acted, every line is intense. That is how these stories work.

If you go into this with a fun sense of humor and a playful mentality, you may really enjoy yourself. Find a character you can relate to get into it.

Watch this with someone who likes fast women and pretty action.

Black Snake Moan

"There ain't but one kind of blues."

If you like Blues, you could enjoy this movie with your eyes closed. Watch it just for the music. But I strongly recommend keeping your eyes, and your mind, open.

At first, I was very hesitant to watch this movie, thinking it was going to be like Venus. I could not have been more wrong. Samuel L. Jackson sings and 'plays' some crispy, smothered in gravy, blues. Delicious.

"God done put you in my path. And I aim to cure you of your wickedness" spoken by the same voice that declared "Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord" (Pulp Fiction) is just plain movie magic to me. Christina Ricci plays one messed up little girl. Does she play any other kind? Samuel L. Jackson sings her back to health. Can I get an AMEN?

Anyone who has spent more than 48 hours in the South should be able to recognize every single character in this movie. And you know I don't mean the actors. This is the most believable movie I've seen in a very long time.

Having said that, there is plenty to not like about this movie. The "R" rating is well earned, and some scenes are very hard to watch. And I don't just mean Justin Timberlake in military fatigues. Director Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow) has brought another brilliant story to the screen. Almost subliminal flashbacks tell the worst part of this story, but they are so well done that I felt haunted, but not sickened. And it really is a pretty sad, sick story told over and over every day in all parts of society.

Towards the end of the movie is a scene where Jackson's character sings "Black Snake Moan", an old blues tune updated and electrified. It brings the various parts of this story neatly together. I love when that happens. Watch this scene a time or two after you've seen the whole movie. It's good enough to be it's own music video.

Watch this movie with someone you want to hold tight, and hang on.