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‘BAD BOYS FOR LIFE’ REVIEW: WORTH THE WAIT

Tina French

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Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah

Writers: Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan

Stars: Will Smith, Alexander Ludwig, Vanessa Hudgens, Martin Lawrence, Joe Pantoliano

Running Time: 2h 3m / Classification: Rated R


The third installment of the Bad Boys franchise just hit theaters worldwide and let’s just say, it’s been a long time coming!

The last time audiences followed the adventures of officers/ best friends Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) was in 2003 when Bad Boys II was released. Michael Bay directed that sequel which grossed $273 million worldwide.

Bad Boys For Life follows the duo as they reunite once again when a mysterious assassin (played by Jacob Scipio) murders multiple people involved in an old police case. Lowrey is also gunned down but he survives. After six months of hospital recovery, the officer is eager to find the man who put him there. Burnett is not on board at first. He vowed to leave his violent ways behind if his best friend pulls through. But when their beloved police captain takes a hit, uncle Mike and now pop pop Marcus (his daughter gives birth to a boy in an earlier scene, and Reggie is the father!) team up one last time to put end to the wave of homicides and to take down whoever is responsible.

The film co-stars Vanessa HudgensAlexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Paola NúñezKate del CastilloNicky Jam, Bianca Bethune and Joe Pantoliano.

The chemistry between Smith and Lawrence is undeniable and carries a lot of the movie. Their sense of humor and special bond translates well through their characters. All of it feels authentic. The jokes are not overexaggerated or forced, just enough to make you enjoy them. You will laugh at them trolling each other and will be touched by their I-always-got-your-back-type friendship.

The action sequences in this latest installment are more lucid than in its predecessors. Slashed throats, bullets penetrating torsos, point-blank shots to the face – directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (who are best known for directing the TV series Snowfall) did not hold back. Demolished buildings, burning helicopters, shoot outs, explosions, high-speed car chases – action junkies will be satisfied.

At some point in the movie, the Bad Boys team up with a younger, elite team called AMMO (which stands for Advanced Miami Metro Operations). The tech-savvy youngsters are clearly juxtaposed to Lowrey and Burnett who are used to handling things the old way. Their constant clashing finds its resolve when the agents face the mastermind behind the series of killings. Her name is Isabel Aretas (played by Kate del Castillo) and she has a bone to pick with Lowrey. We learn that many years ago, even before the Bad Boys, Lowrey was on an undercover mission that resulted in him putting the “only woman he ever loved” (Isabel) in jail. And… here we are introduced to the plot twist (we will keep it a secret for now), which felt a bit forced but definitely a surprise. Its placement is kind of a necessary step to unveil the hidden secrets, evoke an emotional response on Lowrey’s part, and, ultimately, conclude the storyline (specifically, for Bad Boys For Life, not the entire franchise). The after-credit scene suggests there might be a Bad Boys 4 coming.

Bad Boys For Life is entertaining and action-packed. Its been 17 years but it’s like they never left! If you are a fan of Bad Boys and Bad Boys II, then you will enjoy this third (but apparently not final) installment.

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‘Sinners’: Michael B.Jordan Plays Twin Brothers In New Ryan Coogler Film

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Michael B. Jordan

The first trailer for ‘Sinners,’ Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler’s latest collaboration, has dropped.

Set in the South during the Jim Crow era, the movie centers around twin brothers, both played by Jordan, who encounter mystery evil upon returning to their hometown of New Orleans.  “I ain’t seen no demons, no ghosts, no magic — till now,” says Jordan’s character as the trailer starts.

Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan in ‘Sinners’

The official synopsis for the upcoming vampire thriller reads,

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. 

Michael B. Jordan

This marks Coogler’s first original project since ‘Fruitvale Station’ (2013) which also starred Jordan. The duo later worked on ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Creed’.

Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, and Jack O’Connell also star in ‘Sinners,’ which will be released in theaters on March 7, 2025. Watch the trailer below.


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Who Is Denzel Washington’s Macrinus in ‘Gladiator II’

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'Gladiator II'

The highly anticipated premiere of the upcoming sequel to Gladiator is fast approaching, and Paramount just released a second trailer for the historical action film (you can watch it below). It further introduces characters new to the franchise, including Denzel Washington‘s Macrinus who is based on a real person. So, who was he, and what should we know about the real-life Macrinus? Before we dive in, let’s briefly look at ‘Gladiator II’ official synopsis. It reads,

Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honor needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Who was Macrinus IRL?

Macrinus reigned as the emperor of Rome from 217 to 218 AD. To obtain the most influential title in Rome, he conspired against Emperor Caracalla and effectively carried out his assassination. However, he only ruled for a year before he was executed following a coup led by Caracalla’s aunt—the events of ‘Gladiator II’ predate that period of history.

Gladiator II

Pre-emperor Macrinus

Even before becoming a Roman emperor, Macrinus was a man of great influence. He held a high office position under Emperor Septimius Severus and later under his son, Emperor Caracalla (played by Fred Hechinger in Gladiator II). This is most likely the point at which viewers will meet these characters.

Gladiator II

Macrinus and gladiator Lucius

Judging by the trailer, Washington’s Macrinus will become very invested in Paul Mescal’s gladiator character, Lucius – the son of Lucilla and General Maximus from the original Gladiator. “You will be my instrument,” Macrinus tells Lucius. “You have something. I knew it from the start. That rage is your gift.”

Gladiator II

Director Ridley Scott on Washington’s Macrinus

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ridley Scott shared some critical details about Washington’s Macrinus. He said:

“Denzel is an arms dealer who supplies food for the armies in Europe, supplies wine and oil, makes steel, makes spears, weapons, cannons, and catapults. So he is a very wealthy man. Instead of having a stable of racehorses, he has a stable of gladiators. He’s beautiful. He drives a golden Ferrari. I got him a gold-plated chariot.”

Gladiator II

‘Gladiator II’ will be released in theaters on November 22, 2024. Watch the latest trailer below.

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Hulu’s New Horror ‘Mr. Crocket’ Will Crawl Out of Your TV This October🎃

You’ve never had a friend like him

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Mr. Crocket feature image

Hulu is gearing up to deliver a spine-chilling treat with the trailer release for ‘Mr. Crocket,’ a horror movie set to premiere on October 11, 2024. Brandon Espy, known for his work in horror, directed the film, which expands on a 2022 short film of the same name.

Set in the 90s, the film delves into the dark, twisted psyche of a children’s show host named Mr. Crocket, who transcends the boundaries of television to commit heinous acts. If you thought your childhood TV shows were safe, think again! This isn’t your typical “let’s watch cartoons on a Saturday morning” vibe; this is a straight-up, heart-pounding horror set to make you question every kids’ show you ever loved. Here’s everything you need to know about this upcoming horror feature.

Mr. Crocket official poster

‘Mr. Crocket’ transports viewers back to 1993, where the line between children’s entertainment and horror blurs terrifyingly. The film’s premise revolves around Mr. Crocket, a seemingly benign children’s show host, who emerges from television sets to kidnap young children, brutally slaying their parents in the process. One mother whose child gets kidnapped by the sinister host embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her son.

The newly released trailer showcases eerie scenes of children watching their favorite show, only for the television to become a portal for Mr. Crocket’s sinister escapades. The visual style hints at a blend of nostalgia for ’90s aesthetics with modern horror techniques.

The horror flick’s cast includes Jerrika Hinton, Elvis Nolasco, Ayden Gavin, Kristolyn Lloyd, and Alex Akpobome.

‘Mr. Crocket’ is part of Hulu’s Huluween lineup, a tradition where the streaming service releases horror content to celebrate the Halloween season. This year’s horror titles also include up-and-comer Justin Harding’s ‘Carved’ and Karrie Crouse and Will Joines’ ‘Hold Your Breath’ starring  Sarah Paulson.

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