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Ben Barber (Kevin Hart) is madly in love with his girlfriend Angela (Tika Sumpter) and wants to get married. But, before Angela will say yes, Ben will have to get the approval of her overprotective brother and last remaining relative, James (Ice Cube). James also happens to be a hardened police officer in the Atlanta PD, and Ben happens to be a security guard who’s just been accepted into the police academy. In an attempt to show James he’s worthy of Angela, a ride along is scheduled. At first it’s all fun and games, but, when the two stumble into the dirty dealings of criminal mastermind Omar (Lawrence Fishburn) it’s all business, now to save their own necks. Going for shock value with fast talking absurdity and often the low hanging fruit of blue humor, the writers of Ride Along haven’t exactly created cinema magic with their prose. Tough sells in the acting department as well; while there are bit parts from the likes of John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill and of course Laurence Fishburne, the work from our two leads is rough at best. Stale in concept and stale in performance this one just screams January release or straight to DVD. Pass on the Ride Along, rated PG-13.

In 2005 four members of Navy SEAL Team 10 were set to capture and or kill Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd (Yousuf Azami) in the mountains of Afghanistan, the mission was titled Operation Red Wings, in brief the mission was compromised and a disaster. This is the detailed and brutal story of SEALs Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch), and Matt ‘Axe’ Axelson (Ben Foster) and their perseverance in the face of danger. Directed by Peter Berg, intense gripping action, choreography, and cinematography pull the viewer into the narrative with a degree of realism that almost leaves the taste of blood in the mouth and a kick in the gut, but above all, an even greater sense of respect for the U.S. armed forces. And, while the film can be interpreted as military propaganda, or overly patriotic, it can also be seen as an example of the horrors of war, and anti-war propaganda in the same brush stroke. Ultimately, interesting characters make for rich and compelling re-enactment and a slightly better understanding of our fellow humans in Afghanistan. Worth your time, Lone Survivor is rated R.