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The end of August, and end of Summer in general, has been a slower time for films. This week I caught a few streaming options and I have my thoughts below! If you’d like to see more of my scores for films and thoughts, feel free to follow me on Letterboxd here.

Me Time (Netflix)
Starring: Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg
Synopsis: Hart stars as Sonny, a father who supports his wife (Regina Hall) by staying home with the kids. His kids and family are his life, and he is very involved every day at school and at home creating a great environment. But he never takes time for himself. When Spring Break hits, Sonny’s wife suggests she take the kids to visit her parents while he gets a little me time. Unable to figure out what to do, Sonny heads out to connect with his old friend Huck (Wahlberg) as he celebrates his 44th birthday. Sonny gets more than he bargains for as he’s drawn into Huck’s wild life and convinced to seek revenge against a client of his wife’s (Luis Gerardo Méndez) who is a little too friendly. Hart can easily slip into these every man comedies. Wahlberg is decent here, too. The story is somewhat predictable but has some fun moments. It’s not overly compelling or engaging but it works for what it is and serves as a breezy stream.
Rating: Rated R for some sexual material, language and brief drug use.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (Paramount+)
Starring: Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Mel Brooks, and Ricky Gervais
Synopsis: This animated feature made the rounds in theaters earlier this summer and now is available to stream on Paramount+. It centers on a dog named Hank (Cera) who lands in a land of cats with the dream of becoming a samurai. He links up with an older samurai (Jackson) who trains him as he tries to protect a small town from a schemer (Gervais) bent on claiming it. This one is predictable but cute at times. It will probably have some appeal to younger audiences, with the jokes playing out at a fairly juvenile level. Yes, there is an entire sequence about an army who ate too many beans farting too close to torches… Cera is fine here, as is the rest of the cast. It wasn’t incredible but it was a cute and breezy watch. For those looking for a little family-friendly option this holiday weekend, here’s one you can stream from your couch!
Rating: Rated PG for action, violence, rude and suggestive humor, and some language.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

Samaritan (Amazon Prime)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Javon Walton, and Pilou Asbæk
Synopsis: Twenty years ago, a pair of brothers clashed. One, Samaritan, was a hero. The other, Nemesis, was not. The common belief is that both perished in the fight. But all these years later, young Sam (Walton) believes that Samaritan is still alive. Better yet, he thinks his grumpy neighbor, a recluse named Joe (Stallone), is that hero. They become begrudging friends as Sam tries to exhort Joe to come out of hiding to battle Cyrus (Asbaek), a local hood that is threatening the destruction of the neighborhood. This is a fairly straightforward action film with a unique buddy comedy angle and a bit of a twist at the end. The twist was well played, and Stallone is strong in the lead role. It’s not a complex or original pitch, but it works for what it’s trying to accomplish. I thought it was a decent action film that made for a fairly easy watch. I enjoyed Walton and the energy he brought to the screen, while Asbaek is a solid villain.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for strong violence and strong language.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

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