BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT (2016) My rating: 7.5/10

Barbershop: The Next Cut is a comedy with a profound message. A third sequel to the barbershop series tries to send a message about the senseless killings of our youth in our communities who are too often  hit by stray bullets intended for those involved in gang activity. Children are being killed so often, this Chicago neighborhood is trying to come up with a solution that can be implemented quick and easy. Calvin Palmer (Ice Cube) and his wife Jennifer Palmer (Jazsmin Lewis) are watching their son Jalen (Michael Rainey, Jr.) change from a sweet loving kid to a hard headed rebellious type that is staring to head down the wrong path. Calvin and Jennifer, being in denial, is blaming their son’s new attitude on his current buddy, Kenny (Diallo Thompson) who is the son of Rashad Jones (Common), Calvin’s best friend. In the meanwhile, gangs are running rampart in the Chicago neighborhood and more youths are getting killed in the crossfire and recruited by these gangs. One-Stop, (J.B. Smoove) a hustler who sells real estate among his many other talents, works in Calvin’s barbershop, which is now co-ed as the barbershop is also a beauty salon with Angie (Regina Hall as Calvin’s partner. Calvin is entertaining the idea of moving to the north side of town where it is safer to raise his son and operate his shop. The usual gang is back in session with Terri  Jones (Eve) as Common’s wife, Draya (Nicki Minaj) as a hair stylist and over sexed trouble maker, Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) as the oldest barber, J.D. (Anthony Anderson) as the caterer, Raja (Utkarsh Ambudkar) as the Black Indian barber, Jimmy James (Sean Patrick Thomas) as the Congressman and Isaac (Troy Garity) as the over-the-top White boy player. New comer Jerrod, (Lamorne Morris) who comes off as a gay guy and Bree, (Margot Bingham) a hair stylist become love interest for each other, despite the gay rumors. The overall goal of the Barbershop is to force a cease fire among the gangs, causing peace and trust and most of all, no killings of youth for days at a time, in exchange for free services offered by the barbershop/hair salon during the cease fire. Of course there’s much more to this so you will have to see the film to find out how it all works out.

Barbershop is a little corny but sends an excellent message and is well acted as well as entertaining. It’s been in the queue for several weeks, which tells me that it’s worth seeing. Also, a couple of fun surprises were incorporated into the ending so check it out!  I enjoyed it.

THE OTHER WOMAN (2014) – My rating: 8/10

I expected a summer fill-in that wasn’t going to be anything but a girly, cute flick.  The Other Woman was just that but it was really good.  Not too girly and well written.  I had a good laugh because this movie was actually funny.  I’m impressed because it didn’t lose focus on the end result, which I can’t speak on because that would spoil the movie.  Ladies, if you don’t like you mate looking at extremely sexy women, don’t see this flick.  If you don’t mind, you’re in for some sexy scenes.  Cameron Diaz is as sexy now as she ever was.  I was glad to see a sensible plot on how to deal with a cheating spouse.  Mark King, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau  is your average type of a lying, cheating husband.  Leslie Mann  played his unsuspecting wife, Kate King. Cameron Diaz played Carly Whitten, one of many unsuspecting mistresses and Kate Upton played Amber, another unsuspecting mistress.  These 3 women get together and plot a sweet revenge that has the audience cheering them on.  Don Johnson, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Kinney round out the supporting cast that contributed to the success of this movie.  I highly recommend The Other Woman, it’s very funny and very entertaining.