Kevin Hart gets serious and Bruce Springsteen gets a spotlight: This week’s best and biggest on Netflix

By Jordan Parker

Check out Jordan Parker's 'The week's best and biggest on Netflix every Friday on HalifaxToday.ca.

Fatherhood

It's no secret that the sometimes-controversial funnyman Kevin Hart has dominated the box-office and stand-up stage for years.

But I, for one, have been waiting for him to leave his comfort zone. With new Netflix original film Fatherhood, he does so in spades.

Despite what you may assume from the previews, Fatherhood is no light-hearted comedic endeavour. Hart doesn't just wise-crack his way through this one.

This is the story of a man who – after the sudden death of his cherished wife – begins taking care of his newborn daughter by himself.

He balances what's best for her with his own career and needs, much to the chagrin and skepticism of his friends and his late wife's family.

Co-writer and director Paul Weitz is no stranger to this kind of material. He began his career with the raucous American Pie, and has been deftly blending drama and comedy with films like About A Boy and In Good Company his entire career.

Hart is the literal heart and soul of this film, and without his relatable, grounded performance, this one doesn't work.

Sensitive performances from Alfre Woodard, Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise, Anthony Carrigan and Paul Reiser also make this one sing.

But it's young Melody Hurd as Hart's character's daughter who really gives the funnyman a run for his money.

This is a whole lot more of a character drama than you'd expect, but it's well worth the time investment.

4/5 Stars

Desperado

The second film in writer-director Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi trilogy, this one is an action film with more style than most things we've seen in decades.

Rodriguez is known for fare like From Dusk Till Dawn, The Faculty, and Planet Terror, but I'd rank this one among his best.

It follows a former musician named El Mariachi who comes to a small Mexican town seeking revenge for the killing of his girlfriend.

He becomes embroiled in a bloody battle with drug kingpin Bucho and his gang.

As is the norm for Rodriguez fare, the cast is eclectic and incredible.

Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek front this stellar ensemble. Joaquim de Almeida is the villain, with supporting turns from Cheech Marin, Steve Buscemi, and an extended cameo from director Quentin Tarantino, who is good friends with Rodriguez.

It's a well-wrought action vehicle with some great set-pieces and awesome action sequences.

4/5 Stars

Blinded By The Light

Rock icon Bruce Springsteen has inspired people across the globe for years.

His working-man music saw people find commonalities and connect with his lyrics for years.

To see this truly spectacular film come about revolving around an Indian family who disapproves of their son's love of Springsteen and the American dream is too good to pass up.

Set in 1987 England, Javed is tired of his life and yearns for something more. Finding a Springsteen record sees him want to live life for himself, and not for his own family's expectations.

Viveik Kaira is stunning as Javed, and with supporting turns from Kulvinder Ghir and Meera Ganatra as the character's parents, a really huge family dynamic is formed.

Dean-Charles Chapman and Kit Reeve also impress as the best friend and love interest, respectively.

It's an enjoyable, music-filled endeavour that Springsteen fans will adore.

3.5/5 Stars

Seraphim Falls

TV director David Von Ancken makes a big-screen triumph with western film Seraphim Falls.

Ancken is known for work on shows like Californication and Hell On Wheels, but this flick – which he co-wrote – shows a whole lot of feature film talent.

This revenge flick follows two men as they engage in a battle for their lives. It's a revenge film through-and-through, and harkens back to simple, well-told westerns of old.

Following the end of the Civil War, a colonel goes after a man to settle some unfinished business.

The performances are what really make the film rise above its pretty routine story.

Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson (pre-Taken fame) do a fantastic job. With a small role for Angelica Huston and a great turn by the deceased Ed Lauter, there's definitely a lot to enjoy here.

Seraphim Falls may come up short with a humdrum ending, but the rest of the film makes it worth the time investment.

3.5/5 Stars

Long Shot

I really wasn't ready to enjoy Long Shot as much as I did, but this movie really, honestly charmed the pants off me.

It follows quirky journalist Fred, who meets up with his childhood crush Charlotte. Only now, she's one of the most important women on the planet.

As she preps for the Presidency, she hires Fred as her speechwriter, and the two get into all kinds of hijinks together.

Surprisingly, Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron make an absolutely wonderful team here. They're funny, sweet and actually have great chemistry.

The supporting performances are all pretty fantastic. Bob Odenkirk, Andy Serkis and Alexander Skarsgard are all game to go into full comedic mode, and O'Shea Jackson Jr. channels father Ice Cube, and has a really wonderful turn.

It's a riot of a film, and one I never expected I'd enjoy this much.

4/5 Stars

Jordan Parker's weekly film reviews can be found on his blog, Parker & The Picture Shows.

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