*“Den of Thieves,” “The Final Year,” and “Forever My Girl” are the Three to See this weekend. “Den of Thieves” is a bank heist with an unexpected twist and black viewers particularly will be pleasantly surprised.
“Thieves” brings to mind “Inside Man,” the brilliant film directed by Spike Lee. In Christian Gudegast‘s cops and robbers thriller, the thieves plan a hit on the L.A. Federal Reserve.
The burglars consist of men who served in the Marines and former Long Beach high school football members. Hot on their trail is Gerard Butler, referred to as “Big Nick, original gangsta cop in the flesh.” Suspicious of Donnie (O’Shea Jackson), Nick shows him a tattoo and says, “This means I’m a member of a gang’ only we have badges…And we’re not the type to put handcuffs on you and drag you down to the station.”
50 Cent, Jordan Bridges, Pablo Schreiber, Evan Jones, and Dawn Olivieri also star in this gripping, gritty gem.
‘The Final Year’
A welcome sight on the screen this weekend is former President Barack Obama in “The Final Year.” In this documentary, director Greg Barker and his team were able follow four important members of Obama’s administration as they worked to keep the United States out of war, promote better relations with Cuba and deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapons program. Global Warming and Climate Control were also discussed.
Secretary of State John Kerry; the ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power; the National Security Adviser Susan Rice; and the Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes all appear as they make pit stops in various countries, including Nigeria to discuss the plight of the 200 students kidnapped. The film opens in select theaters and VOD, on Amazon Video and iTunes, January 19.
‘Forever My Girl’
Ironically, the main protagonist, Liam Page (Alex Roe)—a country singer—in “Forever My Girl” best friend is black and the reason Liam reconnects with the love of his life. And of course this sappy love story is predictable, but necessary doing these apocalyptic time with a mad man in the White House incessantly spewing hate.
Liam leaves fiancé Josie (Jessica Rothe) at the altar to pursue his singing career. He becomes a major superstar but yearns to be back in the arms of his high school sweetheart who—unbeknownst to him—is now his baby’s mama. Josie doesn’t let him off easy and the audience travels that rough road of forgiveness she and the town’s people take.
Directed by Bethany Ashton Wolf, “My Girl” also stars John Benjamin Hickey, Abby Ryder Fortson, Tyler Riggs, Morgan Alexander, and Terayle Hill.
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