Captain Marvel was an important film for the MCU. It marked the first time a female superhero was the protagonist, with Brie Larson stepping into the role. Furthermore, its 90s setting helped establish some crucial MCU lore and set up the important context for the upcoming Secret Invasion series. The film was well-received, holding a 79% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it suffered from malicious review-bombing over its female protagonist and feminist themes.
However, while a sequel was greenlit soon after release, little was known about what direction “Captain Marvel 2” would take. Captain Marvel herself became a side character in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Meanwhile, an adult version of Monica Rambeau, who was a child in Captain Marvel, played a major role in Disney+’s WandaVision. But with the Avengers moving toward Kang, and the blockbuster comic storyline Secret Invasion headed to the small screen, Captain Marvel’s future was unclear.
Captain Marvel And Ms. Marvel Set To Team Up
Marvel Studios dropped the first look at The Marvels on April 11. Set for release in November 2023, the film will see Captain Marvel and Ms. Marvel, star of the Disney+ series of the same name, team up in a science fiction buddy comedy. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani. Furthermore, British actress Zawe Ashton has reportedly been cast as the film’s primary villain.
The teaser trailer provides a basic overview of the plot as well as the film’s overall tone. Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau (also known as Captain Rambeau), and Ms. Marvel must team up in order to discover the reason behind why they are suddenly able to switch places with one another, as well as switch powers. Consequently, the film is expected to be heavy on comedy. A primary plot point will be the contrast between the stoic Captain Marvel with the teenage fangirl Ms. Marvel. The trailer also shows Goose, the tentacle-shooting alien disguised as a cat. Additionally, The Marvels will be the third film in Phase Five of the MCU. It also serves as the studio’s final cinematic release of 2023.
So much of the worry about The Super Mario Bros. Movie before the film came out was about Chris Pratt and his Mario voice surrounding like, well, Chris Pratt. It turns out: he did fine! He wasn’t the Oscar-worthy MVP (that was always going to be Jack Black, and it was), but he wasn’t the low point of the otherwise fun animated movie. No, that would be the use of a certain song during the scene where Mario and Peach are in the Jungle Kingdom.
The time has come to shut the door on “Take on Me” by a-Ha.
As explained by Henry Gilbert of the Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts, “Drivin’ Me Bananas,” a better, more Mario appropriate song, was swapped out to make room for the overplayed 1980s hit. “No joke, this awesome piece of music isn’t in the movie,” he tweeted. “It was cut to instead play ‘Take On Me.’ That obvious song choice was one of the most painfully lazy moments in the film, and it’s even more annoying knowing they previously had a great score it replaced.”
The scene works much better with “Drivin’ Me Bananas.”
Mario spoilers:
No joke, this awesome piece of music isn’t in the movie, it was cut to instead play Take On Me. That obvious song choice was one of the most painfully lazy moments in the film, and it’s even more annoying knowing they previously had a great score it replaced https://t.co/MhLalyTAF2
A note to studio executives, soundtrack producers, and 1980s-loving film editors everywhere: it’s 2023. Can’t we be done with “Take on Me”? It’s a fine song and all, but it’s been overused to the point of exhaustion. Since 2018, “Take on Me” has been heard in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Last of Us (to be fair, it served a narrative purpose there), something called My Best Friend’s Exorcism, Love Island, The Goldbergs, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Single Parents, Bumblebee, Riverdale, America’s Got Talent, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, Beat Shazam, Deadpool 2, Ash vs. Evil Dead, and Antiques Road Trip. Antique is right — at least Bones and All had the guts to use a different a-ha song.
“Take on Me,” originally released in 1984 and re-recorded in 1985, wasn’t always a cliché, however. It had to start somewhere. According to IMDb, the first use of the song in a scripted TV show or movie was… Beavis and Butt-Head! It’s supposedly in season two’s “The Butt-Head Experience,” but the episode isn’t available anywhere online. The streaming model works again.
(There’s also a compilation album called The Beavis and Butt-Head Experience with songs from Nirvana, Megadeth, and White Zombie. Let’s replace every “Take on Me” with “I Hate Myself and Want to Die.”)
If Beavis and Butt-Head doesn’t technically count (they are just watching and commenting on the music video, after all), the first non-diegetic “Take on Me” needle drop is 1997’s Grosse Pointe Blank, the John Cusack assassin movie with a score from Joe Strummer. So if you want to blame anyone for the exhausting use of “Take on Me” in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, blame the lead singer of The Clash (please do not do this, he didn’t pick the soundtrack).
As for the best use of “Take on Me”: to paraphrase Steven Yeun in Nope, Kattan crushed it.
Starting her career as a model, Lauren London later started making appearances in television shows and movies. Her breakout role was as “New New” in ATL alongside T.I., but the actress’s resumé goes far beyond the fan favorite film. She’s recently starred alongside Jonah Hill, Nia Long, and Eddie Murphy in You People, which set Netflix ablaze. We’ll walk you through a few of London’s noteworthy roles as we revisit her career highlights, in no particular order.
Lauren London Movies: Early Life
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 27: Lauren London attends the BET Awards 2021 at Microsoft Theater on June 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Lauren London was born in Los Angeles on December 5, 1984. She started out as a model, then appeared in music videos of popular stars before moving on to movies and TV shows. Her roles in the movies like ATL and Entourage have earned her recognition. Since then, she has continued to press forward with her career. Albeit, London took a break following the death of her partner Nipsey Hussle, but it seems she’s back in the groove.
7. ALT (2006)
ATL is an American comedy-drama movie from 2006 about teens maturing in Atlanta. In this movie, Lauren London starred as Erin “New New” Garnett, who is Rashad’s love interest and the daughter of John Garnett. This movie features four teenagers from a working-class family living in an Atlanta neighbourhood getting ready for life after high school. It’s a film about growing up, getting a job, falling in love, and learning the importance of friends. Also, this movie is well-received by critics and you should check it out if you haven’t seen it!
6. I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)
In 2009, London Lauren starred in this teen comedy movie where she played the role of Cammy. I Love You, Beth Cooper is heavily reliant on shallow teen comedic clichés. In this movie, Denis (Paul Rust), a nerdy adolescent, has a secret crush on Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere), the hottest girl in high school. Definitely, this is one of the few movies where you want the hero to wake up and find out that everything was a dream.
5. You People (2023)
You People is Lauren London’s most recent movie. This film is a romantic comedy and in this movie, Lauren London played Ezra’s (Jonah Hill) first love. However, their drama started when their parent find out they are of different beliefs. This led to them having to deal with the push and pull of their families. The star-studded cast rounded out the comedy, but the film was still heavily debated on social media.
4. WithoutRemorse(2021)
Without Remorse, which is also known as Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, is an action thriller movie. It is based on Clancy’s 1993 novel of the same name. In this movie, Lauren London played the role of Pam Kelly, who was killed while pregnant and married to John Kelly. Without Remorse depicts a story of an elite Navy SEAL who finds out about an international plot while trying to find out who killed his pregnant wife. Intriguingly, a lot keeps unfolding in this action movie as John Kelly keeps searching for who killed Pam (Lauren London). Moreover, the suspenseful part is figuring out why she was killed and what this has to do with the U.S. government.
3. Poinsettias for Christmas (2018)
Poinsettias for Christmas is a fun Christmas movie that doesn’t get too mushy. In this movie, London stars as Patty. She was Ellie’s (Bethany Joy Lenz) best friend when they were kids. Just a few weeks before Christmas, Ellie goes back home to help her father on the family’s poinsettia farm. The family firm is putting its reputation on the line by delivering tens of thousands of plants for the town’s annual parade. However, the trouble is that the poinsettias haven’t turned red yet! However, Patty has to buy the farmland. Later, in the movie, she has to sell it back to Ellie.
2. Baggage Claim (2013)
In 2013, Lauren starred in this romantic comedy movie as Sheree. Baggage Claim is one of those predictable romantic comedies where a girl falls in love with a guy she meets in an unexpected way. This movie is about Montana Moore (Paula Patton) who is looking forward to getting married. However, Graham (Boris Kodjoe), the only guy she was interested in, dumped her for Sheree and got engaged. Nonetheless, this movie is filled with all the drama you can expect from a comedy.
1. The Perfect Match (2016)
Lastly, we are rounding this list with Lauren London’s best movie, released in 2016. This movie features a lot of stars. The Perfect Match is a romantic comedy with a strong sexual theme. In this movie, Lauren starred as Ginger one of Charlie’s friends. The movie portrays things that people can relate to, like problems in their relationships and becoming parents. Also, themes include how to share responsibilities fairly and how to find a good balance between work and love.
Millie Bobby Brown announced her engagement earlier today on her Instagram. Now, the internet is losing its collective mind. The starlet recently got engaged to the son of singer, Jon Bon Jovi. The two have been together since 2021. Still many have expressed outrage at her decision to get engaged so young. Millie, however, is no stranger to criticism on the internet. She has often been the target of jokes, like the extremely popular “Millie Bobby Brown is homophobic” that was so prevalent a few years ago. The actress is not, in fact, homophobic, but it did cause many to believe that she is. This newest backlash will likely do little in the way of affecting how Millie feels about her engagement.
Millie Bobby Brown has been in the public eye since the age of 9. However, it was her role as “Eleven” in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things that catapulted her to super-stardom. Following that, she has appeared in various franchises, both big and small. In 2019, she joined the cast of Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The next year she landed the lead role in her own series of Netflix films, Enola Holmes. They reportedly earned her over $6 million. Despite her busy TV schedule, Millie has managed to appear in sequels for both franchises, which is quite impressive. She does have a few more roles lined up, but it’s likely that she won’t be able to take on much until Stranger Things comes to an end.
Millie Bobby Brown took to Instagram to share a photo with her fiancé, Jacob Bongiovi, along with a caption that references a Taylor Swift song, saying, “I’ve loved you three summers now, honey, I want ’em all.” In the picture, Millie looks joyful and radiant as she is embraced from behind by Jacob. She is also seen wearing an engagement ring with a huge stone. While fans may not be familiar with Jacob, they will likely recognize his father, as he is none other than the renowned singer Jon Bon Jovi.
Regardless of how joyful the actress may be about the announcement, Twitter has a lot to say about it. Many of the reactions say that Millie is too young to be engaged. What do you think about her engagement? Is 19 too young? Let us know in the comments. In the meantime, check out some of the Twitter reactions below!
One of the surprise delights that awaited viewers of The Super Mario Bros. Movie was another classic Jack Black musical moment — one that has the internet’s attention in a chokehold. “Peaches,” a power ballad sung by Black as the film’s villain Bowser, who secretly pines for the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, has quickly become a fan favorite on social media.
Well, here’s some good news for those fans: According to Variety, “Peaches” will be eligible to win a Best Original Song Oscar at next year’s Academy Awards. Which, if you ask the legions of newly converted Bowswer fans, is an award it already has in the bag.
Universal appears to know this as well; in addition to highlighting the song on social media, the studio even commissioned a music video featuring Jack Black directed by hip-hop’s go-to director Cole Bennett, who applies his signature colorful aesthetic to the video.
The music in The Super Mario Bros. Movie has turned out to be an unexpected star with both classic pop needle drops and not one, but two notoriously bad Ninento-related raps of the ’90s returning to introduce heroes the Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. The cast even made an appearance on late-night TV to perform an acapella version of the game’s iconic theme song.
Check out Bowser’s “Peaches” video above and try not to get it stuck in your head for the rest of the day.
Teyana Taylor may have taken a step back from music, but her talents are shining through in other ways. The 32-year-old singer has returned to her acting career, starring in the drama A Thousand and One. She has received endless praise for her role as single mother, Inez, who kidnaps her son Terry from the foster care system. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and received a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes since debuting in theaters. Speaking with Interview Magazine about her journey, Taylor says she couldn’t have imagined it.
“At 16, I was still thinking about skateboards,” Taylor laughed when speaking with interviewer Jeremy O. Harris. The mother of two and wife to retired NBA pro-Iman Shumpert, Taylor says her own mother, Nikki Taylor, helped her transform into Inez. She praised Nikky for working diligently to provide, despite Taylor’s longing for quality time as a child. After signing her first record deal with Pharrell, Nikki quit her job immediately. She would then become her daughter’s manager and a big part of Taylor’s success.
Teyana Taylor Praises New Film “A Thousand And One”
Taylor describes her role of Inez as embodying the hardworking women in her life. Continuing to gloat over her mother, Taylor admits Nikki harbors a lot of guilt for the lack of time she spent with her due to work. However, she maintains that she appreciates her mother’s sacrifices. As a mom herself now, the adored fashionista better understands the love of a mother. The role of Inez also demonstrates such compromises, as she risks her freedom simply to love her child.
This powerful film is the latest endeavor in Taylor’s post-music career. In 2020, she confirmed that she was retiring from recording. This decision followed a botched release of her LP “The Album,” which didn’t get much push from G.O.O.D Music/Def Jam. Still, the project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums. Sadly, “The Album” was snubbed during the 2021 Grammy’s ceremony for Best R&B Album. Judging by her current success, Taylor doesn’t necessarily need music. Though, her fans remain hopeful that one day she’ll change her mind.
For decades, hip-hop has been a presence in music that enraptures people everywhere. However, this genre’s rise started in the Bronx, and now, its influence is worldwide. To better understand hip-hop, watching documentaries on its cultural and historical influences offers a great peek. Navigating through the vast collection of documentaries available can be intimidating.
To simplify things, we’ve compiled a list of the most enthralling hip-hop documentaries to keep you glued to your screen. Furthermore, documentaries are essential for conveying this ever-growing culture’s story, thanks to streaming services and an increased appetite for knowledge. From its inception to the modern state of the industry, this selection of films offers an immersive and entertaining journey.
11. Hip-Hop Evolution (2016)
Set in the Bronx, home to the most dynamic parties, Hip-Hop Evolution is among the binge-worthy hip-hop documentaries. Moreover, It dives deep into decades of hip-hop. Showcasing the music of West Coast G-funk and the bounce of New Orleans, it captures the vibrancy of cities that fueled the development of this influential art form. Featuring interviews with artists such as T.I., Mannie Fresh, Dr. Luke, Master P, and Lil Kim, this captivating documentary is filled with wisdom. So, sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in an afternoon of binge-watching this infamously addictive documentary.
10. It Takes a Nation—The First London Invasion Tour 1987 (1987)
Public Enemy‘s 1987 UK tour was an unforgettable experience for hip-hop fans. Norman Rogers, known as Terminator X with his iconic high-top fade, visor sunglasses, African beads, and ankhs, was flanked by Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and Professor Griff during the group’s live performances. Together they created a blend of sound and fury. They made tracks like “Countdown to Armageddon” and “Rebel Without a Pause.” The concert at Hammersmith Odeon left audiences in awe as they witnessed the raw power present on stage. Overall, this event marked a significant milestone in the history of Afro-conscious rap.
9. Just for Kicks (2005)
Sneakers have been an iconic part of hip-hop culture since long before Run-D.M.C.’s “My Adidas.” Hip-hop lovers jazz up their velour tracksuits, baggy jeans, and b-boy looks with flashy footwear such as high-tops, Chuck Taylors, and shelltoes. Lisa Leone and Thibault de Longeville capture this fascination in the intriguing documentary Just for Kicks. A film filled with buoyant energy, it is a testament to the long-lasting success of sneaker brands like Jordans and the profitable nature of the sneaker market.
8. Time is Illmatic (2014)
Documenting the making of one of hip-hop’s most iconic albums, Time is Illmatic succeeds in illustrating how Nas’ upbringing in the Queensbridge Projects influenced his epochal debut. One soon sees that Illmatic—with its artwork featuring Nas and his neighborhood comrades, some now deceased or jailed—is not just a rap album. Instead, it is a historical record that eternally preserves working-class African-American culture. As Nas puts it: “Every hood contains an invisible legacy, the spirit of those who have gone before.”
7. The Freshest Kids: A History of the B-Boy (2002)
Break-dancing is undeniably at the heart of hip-hop. Those who pioneered it—DJs Kool Herc, Shabba-Doo, OG BGirl, and Crazy Legs—impacted hip-hop culture and its associated art forms. The Freshest Kids follows the journey of this ever-evolving dance form as it grows to be something more than just movement by highlighting its entertainment and qualities. It is a must for all lovers of dance and hip-hop. However, one particular appearance from Afrika Bambaataa remains controversial.
6. The Art of Organized Noize (2016)
The Big Apple is often referred to as the Mecca of rap. However, the southern hubs of Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, among others, are also significant in hip-hop culture. Yet, arguably, no place has produced more legendary acts than Atlanta, Georgia. The Art of Organized Noize is a tribute to the South and honors three critical figures in hip-hop: Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown. This film, directed by Quincy Jones III, explores how their contribution to music still resonates today through iconic groups such as OutKast, Goodie Mob, and the Dungeon Family. It’s a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of Southern rap.
5. Big Fun in the Big Town (1986)
Sometimes, an outsider’s point of view is the most honest. Marcel Vanthilt, a Belgian television presenter, traveled to New York to fully comprehend rap music. He found that rap brought a much-needed source of creativity for Bronx children that had been void from their curriculum. He even posed a delicate question about misogyny to LL Cool J. His most impressive interview was with Schoolly D. He is a perceptive gangster rapper who predicted the potential ruin of rap if it were “made too pretty.”
4. My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women And Hip-Hop (2010)
My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip-Hop confronts femcees’ challenging circumstances and daily struggles. Embracing hip-hop’s inclination to elevate a mirror to the hardships of our present society, this intriguing documentary assesses the part of women in the aggressive, alpha-controlled planet of rap—and also the world at large. Ava DuVernay, an Oscar nominee, helms the project; her penetrating gaze—present in many of her later works, including the Netflix film 13th—is astute and keen, contributing to an enthralling inquiry into hip-hop’s relationship with women.
3. Style Wars (1983)
Eager for an antiquated experience? Look no further than Style Wars, a documentary that dives deep into the 1980s hip-hop climate of New York City. Specifically, the film offers a glimpse into the graffiti subculture and rivalries among different crews. Graffiti art, rap music, and breakdancing are all featured prominently, offering a dive into the culture’s history. The award-winning documentary championed graffiti as an art form, yet not everybody shared the same opinion. Throughout the film, we witness how institutions like the government and police strove to curb graffiti in New York City. As a manifestation of this resolve, the metropolis allocated sizable resources for anti-graffiti subway ads, depicting it as a criminal act.
2. The Defiant Ones (2017)
The Defiant Ones narrates the connection between music icons Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre. They both have the wisdom to shape modern culture. Director Allen Hughes observed the two men’s journey over three years and documented the surprising success of their collaboration. Son of a Brooklyn dockworker, Iovine, and Compton-born Dre, had different backgrounds, yet joined forces to achieve an unprecedented deal in the industry. A roster of superstars was interviewed, from Bono to Snoop Dogg to Bruce Springsteen. Furthermore, in a rare treat for fans, never-before-seen footage from multiple recording and writing sessions was presented as part of the four-part series.
1. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop – A Bad Boy Story (2017)
When it comes to Sean “Puffy” Combs and his remarkable work, there is no doubt that his Bad Boy label alumni will be remembered as legends. As seen in Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop two decades later, Combs reunited many of these up-and-coming acts—like 112, Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Mase, Total, and Carl Thomas—in honor of The Notorious B.I.G‘s 44th birthday celebration at Barclays Center. This film allows us a rare look into the illustrious life of Combs. In addition, it showcases never-before-seen connections formed between some of hip-hop’s most prominent figures since the ’90s.
The character of Mario‘s storied history has spanned over 200 video games, several animated adaptations, myriad comics, and now a trio of feature films. Since his creation in 1981 by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, a gaming figure hasn’t been as recognizable as the red overall-wearing plumber. Like characters such as Superman and Mickey Mouse, Mario is part of the cultural zeitgeist due to the sheer volume of media output featuring his likeness and his innate charisma. With The Super Mario Bros Movie, directed by filmmaking duo Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go! To the Movies), the omnipresence of the titular turtle-stomping elder brother continues to grow, for better and worse.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, produced by amination powerhouse Illumination (Minions, The Secret Life of Pets), manages to distill over forty years of pop culture into a tight ninety-two-minute run time. This truncation sacrifices any meaningful storytelling to please the broadest of audiences. The film’s plot centers around a pair of scrappy Italian American plumbers struggling to make ends meet in modern-day Brooklyn. Meanwhile, the villainous Bowser (Jack Black) is ravaging through a fantastical realm to court Princess Peach (Anna Taylor-Joy). After a botched job back on Earth, Mario and Luigi (voiced by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day, respectively) find themselves entangled in the conflict.
“Super Mario Bros” Was All Vibes; No Filler
The soon-to-be super brothers are separated early in the film, leaving Luigi stranded in the Dark Lands. Mario trains to become a hero to help Peach defeat Bowser, save her Mushroom Kingdom, and reunite with his brother. It’s all pretty textbook stuff. There isn’t going to be much in the way of shock and awe here. The Super Mario Bros Movie might be rote and simplistic, but where it lacks creative storytelling, it more than excels in charm and wit.
The film appeals to fans no matter when they may have fallen in love with these characters. Sadly, this appeal is often akin to rattling keys at an infant. You can be a 10-year-old who brags about the number of moons they have acquired in Super Mario Odyssey. Or rather, an aging millennial who knows every word of “The Mario Rap” from the 1989 animated series The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! The film provides something here for everyone.
Myriad callbacks aside, a few sequences are clever from both a narrative and visual standpoint. Illumination’s soft-edged animation style lends itself well to the plush visuals of Mario’s world (both the grounded and fantastical). The film takes moments to illustrate how the once 2D environments of Mario and Luigi would play out in the real world to houmous effect. There are wonderful creative side-scrolling cartoon gags employed that are fast-paced and beautifully rendered. Yet, some viewers well-versed in the franchise may find these segments a bit grating or downright silly…even if that’s the point.
Introducing The Cast
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 01: Chris Pratt attends special screening of Universal Pictures’ “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at Regal LA Live on April 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/FilmMagic)
The voice cast here is mostly solid. Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as the titular brothers are charming, if not terribly inspired. Keegan-Michael Key (Key and Peele, Schmigadoon!) is almost unrecognizable as the pint-sized hero Toad. Additionally, Seth Rogan (Pineapple Express, This is the End) is infectiously hilarious as Donkey Kong. The only weak link is Anna Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, The Menu) as Princess Peach. She comes off as disinterested and somewhat bland, which is a huge disappointment considering her immense talent and captivation as an on-screen presence.
Jack Black (School of Rock) as Bowser is the biggest standout in the voice cast, who gets to flex his vocal range by growling through insane dialogue. There are even a couple of musical numbers that might take some fans out of the film but will delight most movie-goers. The other vocal highlight is Khary Payton (The Walking Dead) as the adorable Penguin King. There’s something magical about Payton’s stern timbre coming out of the mouth (beak?) of an adorable blue flightless bird. It is immensely charming and magnetic…but when is Payton’s presence not charming and magnetic?
Ultimately, The Super Mario Bros. Movie manages to be entertaining despite not being terribly engaging. There isn’t a lot of depth here. The film relies mostly on nostalgia and pretense from audience members of all ages. Casting such a wide net makes it a great time for kids and a sweet, albeit vapid, experience for more discerning fans. It’s hard to call this one a wash, but it is far from being a benchmark for video game adaptations. It suffers from the same rudimentary trappings as films like Uncharted and Sonic the Hedgehog, which came before. However, if you can look past the simplicity of the film’s narrative and predictable plotting, you might just find yourself “h-hooked on the brothers.”
Shaquille O’Neal, or just Shaq as he is popularly referred to, is a four-time NBA champion with a basketball career that spans 19 years. Shaq is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever. He spends much of his time these days as a sports analyst for the TNT show, Inside the NBA. Shaq has also managed to build a business empire outside basketball. Forbes estimates that the former Lakers player is worth $400 million. This makes him one of the wealthiest retired basketball players. Shaq’s investment portfolio includes companies like General Electric, Apple, and PepsiCo. Additionally, he was an early investor in Google.
Yet, Shaq has always been an entertainer, leading him to dabble in other genres besides sports. O’Neal has five studio albums and one compilation project. Unbelievably, most of his discography was recorded during his prime NBA years. Further, his debut Shaq Diesel received platinum certification from the RIAA. It’s hard to imagine Shaq as a serious musician even after a substantial discography and a platinum certification. Did you know that he did a song with Michael Jackson? It was called “2 Bad” and was featured in Jackson’s HIStory album.
O’Neal is also a bona fide cameo star. He has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, primarily as himself. Additionally, Shaq starred in his own superhero movie based on DC characters in 1997. His feature run on blockbuster movies is impressive. Here are some films that were just a little better because they received the ‘Shaq-treatment’.
Hubie Halloween (2020)
Hubie Halloween is a horror comedy film co-written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler. Adam also plays the lead role of Hubie. Hubie Halloween premiered in 2020 and can be streamed on Netflix. The plot follows the title character, a deli employee, who is ridiculed by his town and is the butt of many practical jokes. Hubie spends his Halloweens monitoring the city as the official Halloween Helper.
Then, he investigates a mysterious phenomenon in the city and reports it to the police. Sgt. Steve Downey (Kevin James) jokingly recruits Hubie as an ‘Auxiliary Undercover Unit.’ The ‘AUU’ is a false title that Sgt. Downey gives to Hubie so that he does not bother him. Hubie, however, takes the title seriously. He later meets DJ Aurora, played by Shaq. Aurora is a radio DJ who has a woman’s voice. Hubie’s disbelief of DJ Aurora being a man and subsequent banter between the two makes for a hilarious scene. To finish it up, it is also revealed that DJ Aurora’s wife has a raspy manly voice.
What Men Want (2019)
What Men Want is a romantic comedy that stars Taraji P. Henson, Erykah Badu, and Tracy Morgan. The movie premiered in 2019 and is a loose adaptation of the 2000 film, What Women Want, which stars Mel Gibson. The film was considered a success managing to gross $72.2 million at the global box office against a production budget of $20 million. Taraji plays Alison Davis, a successful sports agent in Atlanta. She inadvertently drinks a potent concoction given by a shaman and gains the ability to hear men’s inner thoughts. Shaq is Alison’s client and plays himself in the movie. Alison and Shaq are in the same scene during one of the poker nights. Tracy Morgan steals the scene, but Shaq’s brief cameo is Shaq being classic Shaq.
Uncle Drew (2018)
Uncle Drew is a sports comedy film directed by Charles Stone III and released by Lionsgate in June 2018. Kyrie Irving is the star of the film. His co-stars include former basketball players Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Lisa Leslie, and Shaq. Mike Epps and Tiffany Haddish are also featured in the film.
O’Neal plays the character of Big Fella, a former basketball player who now runs a martial arts dojo. He reluctantly joined his former teammates to create a team to compete in a basketball tournament. Sadly, Big Fella has a heart attack during one of the games and cannot continue with the tournament.
Blended (2014)
Blended is a wholesome romantic comedy that stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Sandler and Barrymore play single parents who agree to go on one date without expecting to see each other again. Sandler, Jack Giarraputo, and Mike Karz co-produced the film. Shaq also appears in the film playing the character of Doug. He is friends with Jim Friedman (Sandler), and they work together at a department store. Blended is one of multiple Adam Sandler movies that Shaq has been featured.
Grown Ups 2 (2013)
Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade star in the off-beat comedy about friendship and family. Shaq plays the supporting role of Officer Fluzoo. He patrols the town and interacts with the main characters throughout the film. Officer Fluzzo initially comes off as intimidating, but he reveals his friendly and quirky demeanor as the movie progresses.
One of the more memorable and humorous scenes that feature Shaq is at a police station where Officer Fluzzo engages Eric Lamonsoff (James) in a dance battle. Grown Ups 2 was not a critic favorite but has managed to gross $128 million at the global box office. It’s cult classic appeal proves that critics may not always be right.
Scary Movie 4 (2006)
Scary Movie 4 is the fourth installment of the Scary Movie parody film series. The movie stars Regina Hall and Anna Faris, among others. Comedian Kevin Hart also plays a part in the film. Lil Jon, Dr. Phil, and Shaq appear as themselves. The Scary Movie franchise usually finds niche success, and the fourth installment amassed $178 million at the global box office. Shaq’s scene with Dr. Phil is hilarious. It pokes fun at his free throws and Dr. Phil’s emotional weaknesses.
Jack and Jill (2011)
Jack and Jill is a 2011 comedy directed by Dennis Dugan. Steve Koren and Adam Sandler co-wrote the script. The film was released in November 2011 and grossed $149 million at the box office from a $79 million production budget. Adam Sandler plays twins Jack and Jill in the movie. Katie Holmes and Eugenio Derbez also feature in the film. Al Pacino appears as himself, and Shaq also makes a brief cameo in the film.
As Chlöe’s debut solo album In Piecesfinds its way onto the Billboard charts, the rising star’s new movie Praise This is now streaming on Peacock. The movie, which follows a gospel praise team as they enter a national competition, features a number of gospel covers of pop and R&B hits, including a cleaned-up version of Cardi B’s 2018 hit “Money” by contemporary Christian singer Koryn Hawthorne.
Gospel singer Koryn Hawthorne puts a praising twist on Cardi B’s song “Money” in the newly released Peacock movie, #PraiseThis. pic.twitter.com/binDofWkmj
Where Cardi’s original version celebrates getting “Money,” Hawthorne adds religious messaging but keeps the spirited flow that took the original all the way to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Hawthorne celebrated the film’s release with a tweet capturing Cardi’s reaction to hearing the remix in the studio. In the video, Cardi can be seen beaming from ear to ear as she throws her hands and sings along to the revamped lyrics.
Praise This is getting a more uniformly positive reception from fans than In Pieces did; it’s likely that the gospel-centric film resonates more strongly with the tastes of many of Chlöe’s earliest supporters. (Chlöe made her film debut in her mentor Beyoncé’s similarly gospel-inspired film Fighting Temptations, and that first impression has clearly stuck with fans who aren’t feeling the young singer’s shift to a more mainstream sound.)
Chlöe addressed that criticism recently on her hometown radio, positing that her loudest critics actually weren’t around for her and her sister Halle’s humble beginnings. The truth is, many artists often face harsh criticisms as they grow creatively, and if anything, it’s a sign that people are truly invested. That’s a good sign for Chlöe’s burgeoning career, as it means no matter what direction she decides to pursue, she’s at least guaranteed a captive audience.
Praise This is out now on Peacock. In Pieces is also out now via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. Find more information here.
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Y’all check out my version of money in the movie 