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McCoy on Movies: Bad Boys for Life

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Lawrence, Smith reunite for entertaining nostalgia in Bad Boys for Life

“Over here, partner – I think I see the dude who convinced me to do Gemini Man! Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) proceed with caution in a scene from co-directors Adil & Bilall’s addition to the Bad Boys franchise, BAD BOYS FOR LIFE. Credit: Ben Rothstein ™ 2019 CTMG, Inc. All rights reserved. 


WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:



 

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Joe Pantoliano, Paola Nuñez, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Nicky Jam, Jacob Scipio and Kate del CastilloDIRECTOR(S): Adil & Bilall

THE BACK STORY: Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) has never needed the money. He has that thanks to his inheritance. He’s also apparently never needed love; sure he’s had “love” but nothing like what his partner Marcus Burnet (Martin Lawrence) and their always embattled leader, Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), have in their lives. Sure, he had a thing with Rita (Paola Nuñez) in the past, but that’s in the past. 


So, when his partner to make good on his threat to retire upon becoming a grandfather, Mike makes a bet with Marcus and wins – only he doesn’t get the chance to collect on that bet due to a ghost from his past: Isabel Aretas (Kate del Castillo), a.k.a. the Witch. It seems Isabel has an old score to settle with Mike from a very long time ago and has no problem using her willing son Armando (Jacob Scipio) to collect the debt. 


Now, as the body count starts piling up, Mike is going to need Marcus, Rita, Captain Howard and all the help he can get if he’s going to survive.

THE REVIEW: One key component of HBO’s acclaimed Watchmen television series revolved around the idea of one of the main characters being able to experience another a person’s memories via the ingestion of a pill dubbed “Nostalgia.” And while they had an adverse affect on Regina King’s character at first, they ultimately led to revelations that eventually proven to be essential to her and the overall ending of the first (and only?) season of the series.Watching Bad Boys for Life, one might have a similar take – for while the beginning of the film may start off a tad slower and/or more mundane than one might expect, once it gets going, all the fond memories fans of the first two films had will come quickly back to life.

Whereas the first two films relied inordinately upon the chemistry between Smith and Lawrence to carry them in Michael Bay’s explosion-filled paradise, Bad Boys for Life adds small bits of nuance to the mix to dive deeper into Smith’s and Lawrence’s characters personal lives. Smith’s rockstar cowboy realizes he’s fading into the twilight if he doesn’t change his ways in a way that doesn’t feel terribly contrived, all while Lawrence, Pantoliano and the film’s supporting players add strong punches of humor into the mix. (It’s kind of what last year’s already forgotten Shaft movie was hoping for but didn’t quite get right.) The ideas of growing old and growing up are at dual play in the film, Lawrence and Smith luckily handle both with enough flair and finesse to not make the film too dry or too frivolous for its own good.

Of course, the nostalgia of watching 90s comedy icons Smith and Lawrence is likely going to be more than enough for most audiences as the duo hasn’t any of their timing. Likewise, the action sequences under the eye of co-directors Adil & Bilall have all the usual buddy cop/action comedy panache you’d expect yet feel more fresh than familiarly overblown (for the most part). Throw in some strong female representation from Hudgens, Nuñez and del Castillo and the film has the entertainment value to make casual and die-hard fans happy.

If nothing else, Inner Circle will be just as pleased to take home all those residual checks for his best known song once again.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

McCoy on Movies: Aladdin

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Aladdin live-action remake features a lot of Will Smith, but not much else

“You’ve got to stand back and let me guide this ship if you want ANY shot at a good box office number, buddy!” The genie (Will Smith) gives some advice to his new master (Mena Massoud) in a scene from director Guy Ritchie’s live-action take on ALADDIN. Credit: Courtesy of Disney Pictures. © 2019 Disney Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.

WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:


KEY CAST MEMBERS: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Nasim Pedrad, Numan Acar and Navid Negahban

DIRECTOR(S): Guy Ritchie 

THE BACK STORY: A live-action remake of the beloved 1992 animation feature film, Aladdin stars Mena Massoud in the title role of as a common street thief who falls in love with Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), the daughter of the Sultan of Agrabah (Navid Negahban). Jasmine, a woman with a heart of gold who greatly cares for the common people of the city, has to marry a prince – which of course makes Aladdin ineligible to win the heart of the lady he inadvertently meets in streets. 


What he doesn’t anticipate, however, is Jafar (Marwan Kenzari). The power hungry head consultant to the Sultan, Jafar convinces Aladdin to unwittingly help him out in a nefarious plot that will help him rise to power. But his plan doesn’t go as well, planned, leaving Aladdin in possession of a lamp that, once rubbed, unleashes a powerful Genie (Will Smith) that grants him three wishes that will forever change his life. 


But, as Aladdin is soon to find out, the old expression “Be careful what you wish for” is about to ring truer to him than it ever has before …

THE REVIEW: “The Fresh Prince of Agrabah …”It’s rare that you can sum up a movie in one sentence, but if you were looking to tell a friend what to make of the 2019 live action version of Aladdin – a made-for-TV quality movie which is essentially ALL about Will Smith save for the last 20 minutes – the previous one would be it. For Aladdin lacks any of the spirit of the animated original for the first of its 2 hours and change run time, feeling more like a watered down (from special effects to performances) money grab than attempt at making something substantial.

Smith fans will love or, depending on if they will find themselves saddened he and Nasim Pedrad – who is very entertaining as Princess Jasmine’s no. 1 handmaiden – are the only things fairly entertaining about the film, loathe – Aladdin as all of his natural charms come shining through. Well, they shine as much as they can in a film where the lead actor feels a bit, there’s no nice way to say it, presented in a fashion to make him acceptable to ALL audiences (the whitewashing controversy surrounding Scott was covered last year by media outlets). Then again, the entire production feels like some executive’s whole pitch was “Bigger! Louder! Will Smith!” and when someone said “What about gripping, nuanced performances with eye-popping visuals?” they were met with a stronger “WILL SMITH!” retort. Smith is the best and worst thing about the movie as you’ll either find him the most engaging thing about it or the most irritating when he becomes bigger than everything – literally and figuratively – around him.

Sadly, the live-action version of Aladdin just doesn’t feel special at all unless you are a die-hard Will Smith fan because the aforementioned effects which only seem to be saved for Smith’s musical numbers, the charisma (which is reserved for Smith and Pedrad) or how Kenzari’s turn as Jafar is as threatening as Massoud’s is underwhelming. Putting Smith in a cast with so many underwhelming performers almost turns the film into a live-action Shrek … With WAY too much focus on Donkey. Be it Massoud’s perfectly coiffed hair and Scott’s “I have a heart of gold; can’t anyone see how much I love everyone?!” routine, Aladdin just feels to be too much of too little to make you buy in as much as you need to enjoy it in full.

The animated version of a movie shouldn’t seem to have more heart and pep than the live-action version, but this – like last year’s “Let’s make another Grinch movie because …. Well … We can!” just feels unnecessary, loud, a bit boorish and save for three musical numbers, overdone to the point of it turning into a meal at Buca Di Beppo that’s intended to serve 3-4 …. But ends up being devoured by one. It’s still filling … But when it causes a stomach ache later, you might be inclined to think if you really needed to stuff yourself with it for the sake of having it available. You can tell everyone tried really hard to make a movie, but you can tell that they are trying – and that makes the ride on this carpet feel far less magical than director Guy Ritchie and company surely hoped it would be.

And that’s a shame – because Aladdin is likely to make you think where is poor Uncle Phil when you need him more than anything else.

OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):

 

The “Golden Child” Gets the Golden Ticket: Idol Dreams Becoming a Reality

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Could you imagine in your wildest dreams that every singing lesson you took, choir you sang in, musical you performed in, and talent show you placed in could lead up to one of the biggest moments of your life? For one local young man, his wildest dreams may be becoming a reality.

Michael Anthony Disney's Hollywood American Idol Experience Winner

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of past American Idol greats such as Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard, and Jordin Sparks, is a 15-year- old Dayton prodigy Michael Anthony of Miami Valley High School.  Michael has earned himself the Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ American Idol Experience Golden Ticket that could make the ambitious teen’s vocalist dreams come true.

Michael, who is also involved in theatre and choir at his high school, began expressing his talent as an infant, when he would hum Barney tunes in front of the television. At the tender age of 8 months, Michael’s mother, Miracle Monette Troutman, knew her son had something special from the very beginning, hence the name “Golden Child.”

Miracle said, “Not even in my wildest dreams, would I have been able to imagine that my son could be an audition away, from possibly becoming the next American Idol. No matter what happens, I am so proud of him. Michael receiving the Golden Ticket was a huge accomplishment in itself.”

Michael was able to win over the judges with his R&B, Pop and Acoustic musical sound, at the American Idol Experience audition in Florida; which landed him a Golden Ticket to audition for any upcoming season of the American Idol. Michael’s mature polished sound and remarkable vocal range is what will make him a contender for a top spot on Idol.

A major incentive for Michael winning the American Idol Golden Ticket is he gets front of the line access for an audition, which will guarantee him the opportunity to sing his heart out in front of the star studded American Idol judges.

Michael jokingly stated, “I hope my audition does not end up in the blooper section!”

Michael plans on auditioning this summer for his chance at stardom and would like to audition closer to home [i.e. Chicago] for the 2012 season of American Idol.

Michael added, “There was a man from last season [2010] that had the same golden ticket as I have and he made it to the top five. This is very encouraging to me and I can’t wait to give it my all.”

Michael is motivated and believes his chances at making it to Hollywood are great.

In order for the “Golden Child” to receive the American Idol Experience Golden Ticket, he had to beat out the competition at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ in Orlando, Florida. Michael was then voted by an audience of his peers and onlookers as the winner by interactive key pad for the chance to sing his heart out for all of America.

Michael Canada may still be a kid, but the competition was not based on his age; rather, his talent and ability to wow the judges and prove that he deserved to go on to the next round.  Michael stated, “I competed against people in their forties and was not even old enough to cash in my American Idol Golden Ticket at the time, you have to be at least fifteen to go on the show. Going up against adults and stiff competition was intimidating, but I gave it my best. I am so happy I won.”

Michael’s own personal idols are Sidney Poitier, Michael Jackson, Will Smith and his mentor Quentin Darrington [Broadway Musical Actor].

Canada is not only a singing sensation but also a scholar, obtaining a 3.8 Grade Point Average in his Honors courses at the Miami Valley School and attributes his scholastic success to super supportive mother.

Michael quoted, “Momma don’t play that!” referring to Miracle’s stern, but loving approach when it comes to his scholastic success.

Miracle stated, “The money put towards Michael’s education is well worth it, because he is such a good smart kid.”

, Mitchelle and Christian [Brothers]”]Michael is much like any other 15-year-old who likes to hang out with friends and participate in extracurricular activities at his school. When Michael is not somewhere performing or developing his musical talents, he enjoys being a big brother to his two younger siblings 11 year old Mitchell Canada, who plays quarterback for Trotwood Madison Middle School and five year old Christian Troutman, who loves playing video games.  Michael also enjoys reading, acting and spending quiet time alone when he is able to.

Michael quoted, “I am a pretty easy going guy. I like to just chill by myself at home and read.”

Michael and his mother Miracle both had strong closing statements to share with the public. Miracle stated, “Don’t give up on your kids, be active in their lives. Your children can be your destiny. What I was not able to become, I know my sons would be.”

Michael added, “Don’t underestimate yourself. Stay humble and just go for it [your dreams].”