New movie ‘Like A Boss’ has great chemistry between Haddish, Byrne

Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne are an unlikely best friend duo in the year’s first comedy, “Like A Boss.” Mel (Bryne) and Mia (Haddish) are in major debt with their cosmetic company when a makeup mogul (Salma Hayek) tries to buy them out and take over the company.

The movie overall seemed to be missing something and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I think the promotion and marketing was grand. Maybe too grand, because I thought that the movie was going to be gut-busting hilarious. In reality, “Like A Boss” gave me a couple chuckles at most. I was definitely expecting more.

Salma Hayek’s character, Claire Luna, was cliché, almost satire. Not only was the character not believable, but it put a huge damper in the storyline. It was a poor attempt at “Devil Wears Prada” (2006). The orange wig and porcelain teeth was too much.

The film’s biggest takeaway was the value of a long-lasting friendship. What seemed like a strange pair, Haddish and Bryne actually meshed well together and brought the key messaging to life. Their chemistry was evident and rubbed off as authentic. Haddish was over the top and loud, while Bryne was bland and reserved. The pair was an out-of-the-box balance.

A small piece of Pittsburgh was in “Like A Boss.” Pittsburgh native Billy Porter plays Mia and Mel’s spicy production assistant, Barrett. He was wonderful. The “Kinky Boots” star almost played himself—bubbly, zesty, and quick-witted.

Read more at the New Pittsburgh Courier, New movie ‘Like A Boss’ has great chemistry between Haddish, Byrne

February 3, 2020 1

Like A Boss Passes

Best friends Mia and Mel run their own cosmetics company — a business they built from the ground up. But they’re also in over their heads financially, and the prospect of a buyout offer from an industry titan proves too tempting to pass up. The beauty business is now about to get ugly as the proposal puts Mia and Mel’s lifelong friendship to the ultimate test.

Calling all my bosses to the Pittsburgh advance screening of Like A Boss next Tuesday on the South Side. Please comment below with your favorite Tiffany Haddish or Billy Porter moment for a link to tickets. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Porter at CMU a few years ago, and he was the sweetest man ever. He let the students sing for him. He took photos. He signed autographs. A real treat!

Much Love,

Movie Scene Queen

January 3, 2020 72

Annie Definitely Worth Seeing After Sony Troubles

Christmas came early for illegal downloaders as hackers infiltrated Sony Pictures during Thanksgiving weekend by leaking “Annie” and other 2014 movies. Annie modernizes the classic Broadway musical and breaks barriers with the world’s first Black Annie, played by Quvenzhané Wallis.

Also starring Jaime Foxx, Cameron Diaz, and Rose Byrne, Annie is a movie the entire family can enjoy. This seasonal musical is filled with age-appropriate laughter and impressionable song. But, it is 11 year old Wallis that holds the film’s fate in the palm of her small hands.

Wallis is fun, adorable, and most important, relate-able. Little Black girls and children without families around the world can easily gravitate towards the shining presence that Wallis has on screen. She has so many notches on her belt; however, the Academy Award nominee can add most adorable to her resume too.

Every child will leave the theaters mimicking little orphan Annie’s tunes and dance moves- just like they did with Frozen!

Cameron Diaz should scratch musicals, singing, and anything that requires harmony, pitch, and rhythm off her bucket list. The There’s Something About Mary star sang like her life did not depend on it. Even in the movie, the plot purposely pokes fun at her character’s bad musical talents.

Digital hacking and piracy has reached an all-time low. In this case, the attack has created diplomatic turbulence and financial loss. The FBI has identified North Korean ties to the cyber attack on Sony Pictures. President Obama held a press conference on December 19 disagreeing with Sony’s decision to pull ” The Interview” – a comedy about a plot to kill North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. President Obama claims the Asian country was “imposing censorship”.

Sony Pictures released an official statement: “Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like.”

The problem with Sony’s adversity and setback is the multi-billion dollar entity is basking too much in their sad ambiance. Instead of moving quickly and diplomatically, they have created a huge domino affect of unnecessary, rash decisions.

I agree with President Obama. However, Sony should have never created this chaos by initially supporting such a movie with such controversial topic. Don’t run scared now, Sony!

4 Stars: Unfortunately, Annie is a harmless bystander deeply effected by recent events. This cyber attack should not deter audiences from witnessing this excellent, holiday film. Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie is a true inspiration, making an historical, timeless impact on every young girl across the globe.

December 24, 2014 1

This Is Where I Leave You Passes

Movie Scene Queen hasn’t hosted a screening in over two weeks and before you go through cinematic withdrawal, here’s TWO opportunity for you and a guest to see Tina Fey’s new movie, This Is Where I Leave You.

When their father passes away, four grown and world-weary siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and stay there together for a week, along with their free-speaking mother (Jane Fonda) and a collection of spouses, exes and might-have-beens. As the brothers and sisters re-examine their shared history and the tattered states of their relationships among those who know and love them best, they reconnect in hysterical and emotionally affecting ways.

The screenings will be held Tuesday September 16, 2014 at 7:30 pm and Wednesday, September 17th at 7:00 PM (note the earlier start time). Both screenings will be held at AMC Waterfront 22.

Please comment below with your favorite Tina Fey or Jane Fonda movie AND which screening you’d like to attend.

MSQ’s Favorite Jane Fonda Movie: Monster-In-Law (2005)
MSQ’s Favorite Tina Fey Movie: Baby Momma (2008)

Much Love,

Movie Scene Queen

September 3, 2014 104

Neighbors

Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne star in Neighbors as Mac and Kelly Radner, a couple with a new baby and the neighbors from Hell. Shortly after getting settled into their new home, the Radners found out a fraternity is moving next door. The new Neighbors are led by a cocky and unruly fraternity president, Teddy (Zac Efron). After a few noise disturbances, the Radner wages a war against the band of brothers. Rogen co-produced Neighbors alongside his childhood friend, Evan Goldberg, and This Is The End (2013) producer, James Weaver.

In true Seth Rogen form, Neighbors possesses inappropriate, radical humor, excessive nudity, and shameless impressions, creating non-stop laughter. Also, in alignment with other Seth Rogen movies like Knocked Up (2007), there’s always a deeper issue besides the goofs and giggles. However, once you get to the serious climax you are already so exhausted from unwarranted laughter that the bulk of the plot gets swept under the rug.

I appreciate Seth Rogen’s consistency though. From The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) to Neighbors, he has literally plays himself in every movie. Rogen has lost some weight but he’s still the same old Seth. The most notable characteristics, like consistency, are sometimes criticized by main stream media. But, I truly admire his work.

It’s necessary to take a few moments to discuss the impeccable physique of Zac Efron. Ripped straight from page 36 of an Abercrombie and Fitch catalog, the actor is flawless. The movie makes its own jabs at Efron’s attractiveness, but he’s nothing too shy of a young Mel Gibson. The 26-year-old might be one of the most beautiful men I have ever laid eyes on. (Ok, that’s enough!)

Other than Maya Rudolph, black actors, specifically female comedians, have yet to infiltrate the world of mainstream comedies in the new millennium. Stepbrothers (2008), Anchorman (2004), Pineapple Express (2008), Superbad (2007) and other new millennium amusing films don’t have any African Americans in leading roles. Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, and now, Kevin Hart literally created their own genre of comedy movies to cater to the Black people.

Saturday Night Live’s last slavery stunt with comedienne Leslie Jones is a prime example of how White America doesn’t not fully comprehend the integration of African American comedy and sensitivity. I got the joke! I even chuckled at the joke! But the full execution of the skit was poorly timed and confusingly aggressive. Jones’ look was a complete mess, which made the skit almost unbearable to watch. SNL creators should have flagged that segment with stupidity and corniness before it aired.

3.5 Stars: Neighbors should come with a bold disclaimer. Although extremely humorous, the movie is highly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. But what else did you expect from Seth Rogen and his team of racy creators? The movie is in theatres Friday, May 9th.

May 12, 2014 0

Neighbors Passes

What would you do if your family moved next doors to the neighbors from hell?

A couple with a newborn baby face unexpected difficulties after they are forced to live next to a fraternity house. Mac and Kelly Radner (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) must figure out a way to subdue the intensive conflict between the two parties. Neighbors is in theaters May 9th.

To watch the movie’s official trailer, CLICK HERE!

This Wednesday, April 23rd, Movie Scene Queen will host a special, super advance screening of Seth Rogen’s new comedy, Neighbors. The showing will be held at AMC Waterfront 22, beginning at 7:30 PM. If you’d like tickets, please comment with your first AND last name. Your name will be placed onto a RSVP list for you and one guest. (When all the passes have been redeemed, I will mark the film poster above with a CLOSED sign)

Much Love,

Movie Scene Queen

April 21, 2014 41

Insidious Chapter 2

From Film District, Insidious Chapter 2 is about one family’s continued quest to save their loved ones from evil spirits that haunt their home.

In 2011’s original release of Insidious, mother and father, Renai and Josh Lambert (Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson) find their son, Dalton (Ty Simpkins) trapped in a supernatural after-life world. In the sequel, the Lamberts are displaced and staying in Josh’s parent’s home as local authorities investigate a murder.

The Lamberts always assumed it was the house that was haunted, but even in grandma’s house they are still victimized from old, tormented ghosts. After a few nights at grandma’s, Josh’s mother, Lorraine (Barbara Hershey), is startled by an extra unearthly spirit in her home and she quickly enlists the help of paranormal activity investigators to figure everything out.

A lot of juicy questions are answered in Chapter 2. On the other, a lot of new questions are posed as well and the movie, of course, leaves you with a cliff hanger to introduce a possible Chapter 3. As for Chapter 2, some of the scariest moments compel you to yell at the movie screen, jump in your seat, or let out a big scream. The movie wasn’t entirely scary and some of the most serious scenes are trumped with goofy, silly quickie, leaving a safe balance of terror and laughter.

Michael Beach graces the screen with his serious, refined presence. Beach plays a local detective who is investigating the homicide at the Lambert residence. He seems to always play the same roles; sober, controlled, and quiet. Although Beach, has yet to have a huge, breakout role it does not mean he has not had some memorable ones. Last time, I saw Beach he was creeping with Faith on Soul Food.

3 STARS: The movie had some cliché horror movie moments such as the White woman accidentally falling as she’s being chased by a crazed killer or the awful, obnoxious music that plays on the really intense part. Despite the difficulty of the sequels, Insidious Chapter 2 is a great date movie!
Don’t be afraid to see Insidious Chapter 2 as it opens this Friday the 13th!

September 23, 2013 1