Film Reviews

A look at three big new releases

Coming 2 America

As sequels go, a gap of 33 years isn’t insignificant. But that’s how long it’s taken Eddie Murphy – famous for Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, Doctor Dolittle, Holy Man and others – to reprise his iconic character Prince Akeem, who enchanted audiences way back in 1988 as the African Prince Akeem dropped into New York City in pursuit of a wife.

Naturally the story has moved on a generation and in this reworking our main man is returning to the states to groom his son into becoming the new Crown Prince.

Coming 2 America is a movie that flows nicely, with co-stars Arsenio Hall (Akeem’s advisor Semmi) and James Earl Jones (as his father) leading the line.

It’s cheeky, pseudo-cultural, edgy fun, and is a perfect spring feelgood flick. The only regret is that so few will be able to see this at the cinema… America ain’t what it used to be!

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Nicolas Cage, playing himself, accepts the offer to attend a billionaire fan’s birthday bash, inadvertently working as a CIA agent. The party host is a drug kingpin and he becomes ensconced in the movie industry as the intelligence service look to put a case together to nail the super-criminal.

What develops is a rather engaging, absorbing, original take on a pretty standard concept and Cage is, well, Cage. In many ways it’s like an episode of Ricky Gervais’s Extras without the insults. In support, Pedro Pascal and Tiffany Haddish are great foils in a casting that works well.

It may be too early to suggest this is a triumphant return to form, but against a landscape of precious few releases, it will garner more attention than it would have otherwise received, and for Cage that’s probably well deserved.

Godzilla v Kong

The superhero smackdown, released in cinemas and streamed through HBO, has everything you would expect of the genre – CGI at every turn, a combative plot, a colossal budget, and implausible outcomes.

Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown and Rebecca Hill star in director Adam Wingard’s repositioning of these two giants; with Godzilla, who previously saved the world (on more than one occasion) striking out at Kong and all those who protect him.

The battle rages hard and long, and the mechanics are magnificent. Ultimately though, you are left with the feeling that while these two ogres fight for supremacy, us humans are mere pawns in the battle; a rather insignificant pimple on the backside of civilisation… just don’t tell that to the financiers behind this $200m colossus, who are most likely already licking their wounds.

Events for Carers from Carers in Bedfordshire

Are you a carer? A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. To join any of our events listed please book in advance. To do so visit www.carersinbeds.org.uk and go to the What’s On page to book online, or email events@carersinbeds.org.uk or call Dawn on 07772 231183 (Mon – Thurs).

All these events are on Zoom. If you sign up, we will send you the joining details nearer the time of the event.

Mindfulness Course for Carers (via Zoom) Thursday 8th April 2.00pm - 3.00pm (For 8 consecutive weeks)

For carers and former carers An explanation of what mindfulness is, how it is beneficial followed by an introduction to different techniques.

Understanding Stress (via Zoom) Monday 12th April 7:00pm - 8:30pm or Tuesday 13th April 3:00pm - 4:30pm

For carers, the person they care for and former carers How to identify triggers of stress and ways of coping with it.

Managing Challenging Behaviour with Primary School Age Children (6-week course via Zoom)

Tuesday 13th, 20th, 27th April and 4th, 11th and 18th May 6:00pm - 7:00pm Aimed towards parent carers but open to all Based on the Manchester Model of Challenging Behaviour for Primary School Aged Children, this 6-week course aims to promote positive relationships, attachment and pro-social behaviour through sensitive responding.

Managing Worries and Improving Self-esteem Wednesday 28th April 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Young adult carers 18 - 30 years old A talk with young adult carers about managing their worries and improving their self-esteem.