Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Straight Outta Compton is a biopic about the LA centered rap group NWA. Directed by F. Gary Gray and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Director F. Gary Gray isn't necessarily a household name. Though if one were to look up his credentials, you'd start to appreciate him more. He's directed The Fate of the Furious, Friday, and my favorite The Negotiator. The direction in the film has little problems but there's nothing special. Which is why I thought this film didn't get nominated for direction or best movie. The writing, oddly enough, was my biggest complaint.

The movie itself is about NWA, but for the character of Ice Cube, played by his son O'Shea Jackson Jr., has a deeper connection since Ice Cube and F. Gary Gray actually worked together on Friday 20 years ago. Other than looking like his father, Jackson delivers an amazing performance to the point I forget that's not actually Ice Cube on the screen.

The best performance I saw was from Corey Hawkins. He played Dr. Dre in the movie and does a wonderful job showing just how difficult it was for him to make it to where Dre is today. Hawkins didn't really do much before this film, but since then he went on to have a role in Kong: Skull Island and the TV series 24: Legacy as Eric Carter. Look for him in the upcoming Spike Lee movie called Black Klansman.

Jason Mitchell plays Eazy-E and he plays the part well with a few exceptions. There are scenes between himself and their manager, Jerry, that just feel out of place due to the dialogue. Jason Mitchel hasn't done much in the past but reunited with his fellow NWA actor, Hawkins, in Kong: Skull Island.

Paul Giamatti has been in too many movies. He's such a skilled actor that his performance in this movie, however good, suffers. Whenever he's on screen I'm constantly thinking: "Hey, that's Paul Giamatti." Is there such a thing as being too recognizable?

I didn't know the story going in, only bits and pieces. Mostly since I wasn't born at the time. It's a good history lesson and deepens your appreciation for the music genre.

Result: A- (I highly recommend this for any movie enthusiast)

Comments

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (2026)

Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie is another cookie-cutter entry in the Paw Patrol franchise, so there isn't much to say about the story itself. This time, the focus is on Marshall, the team's resident firefighter, or perhaps "firedog" in this case. The movie is wholesome and delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Paw Patrol film, even if it doesn't do much to distinguish itself from the previous entries. Mckenna Grace voices Skye, although you would never know it from the performance. Her voice is so normal for the character that Grace's usual presence is virtually unrecognizable. Terry Crews , on the other hand, voices Alistair Stonewall, and you can definitely tell it's him. His recognizable voice and personality come through clearly and make the character more memorable. Snoop Dogg also makes a fun cameo as Dave, the owner of a yacht who enjoys fishing. It's a small role, but his recognizable voice and personality make it a welcome surprise. T...

The End of Oak Street (2026)

The End of Oak Street starts with Anne Hathaway immediately establishing herself as the film's strongest performer, especially when compared to the wooden performance from Ewan McGregor . The premise of a writer struggling with an unsupportive spouse hits close to home for me. The split-focus direction from David Robert Mitchell isn't particularly new or uniquely executed. Instead, it often feels disorienting without accomplishing what I assume was the intention. Mitchell also struggles with the screenplay, as the dialogue can be atrocious at times and boring the rest of the time. This isn't his first failed attempt at writing interesting characters, which makes it understandable why he hasn't written or directed anything in eight years. Anne Hathaway is easily the best part of the film. She brings enough personality and emotional weight to keep the movie watchable despite the material surrounding her. Unfortunately, even Hathaway can't carry the entire film. Ew...

Sleepwalker (2026)

Sleepwalker is a horror thriller written and directed by Brandon Auman , who quickly reminds us why his career has primarily been in television rather than feature films. Writing for children's television can sometimes get away with simplistic dialogue and storytelling, but those weaknesses become glaring when stretched into a feature-length horror movie. The screenplay is filled with clunky dialogue and predictable horror beats, while the jump scares rarely land. Instead of creating tension, the film repeatedly left me sighing in boredom. Hayden Panettiere delivers a strong performance despite the material she's been given. It's clear that many of her lines weren't written with much care, but she does what she can to make the character feel believable. Knowing this is her final film makes the performance bittersweet, especially because she deserved a much better script to go out on. Fortunately, her performance here doesn't diminish the work she's done in bet...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog