J. Valentine is the singer, and Bailey, who we hear more of, is the rapper on this mixtape. It begins with the artists' own vocals over well known beats such as 'I'm Sprung', 'Stay Fly' and 'Can I Have It Like That', before getting into what I think are pretty much all original songs. It really does feel like an old mixtape from back in the mid '00s. I checked this out for J. Valentine and unfortunately none of his songs excel. As with his album, 'The Testimony', there is too much upbeat R&B that doesn't hit the mark at all, often with poor production, that is again a product of its time. 'Hide Me' has a catchy beat and the other better songs are carried by their famous production. Best Tracks: I Rep Da B.A.YYYYY, Hide Me, Bailey Freestyle (Run It)

That mother-in-law... WOW! The character almost makes this unbearable. Thankfully her time on screen isn't as prominent during the second half of the movie as the first. I can see this being fresh for audiences in the '60s but watching it in its totality for the first time in 2022, much of the comedy doesn't hit to any laugh out loud level and it drags on. For example, how long were Emeline and Melville trying to break out of the mechanic or the two men in the plane for? I mean, the opening credits, while creative, take 7 minutes! There are some chuckles to be had but everything just seems that touch drawn out. And what is with the son and girlfriend's dancing... 00 2.5-3/5

Before listening to this project, I'd just checked out 'Love & Other Drugs' and was hoping this would be more of the same. Unfortunately, there is a lot more upbeat R&B, and when there are ballads, they aren't as strong. A decent listen but there aren't enough high points. Best Tracks: Late Night, I Shoulda Been With You, She Worth the Trouble

I saved this project to my to-listen-to list after his song with Bobby V from earlier in 2022 and after these 7 songs I am now a fan. Hopefully the rest of his discography lives up to the best songs on this. The opener along with 'New Sex' are the weakest moments but are still enjoyable tracks. The following 'Don't Get No Better' is dope featuring some R. Kelly flavour as do others like the aforementioned 'New Sex'. The best moments are fantastic. Good vocals, enjoyable production, catchy hooks, songs that feature variation and the features all add to the songs in a positive manner. If only more R&B got made like this these days. It's really dropped off since the early-mid 2010s. Best Tracks: Don't Get No Better, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cry 4 U

What the ... is this? "It took writer, producer, and director Barry Levinson over ten years to develop this movie." Imagine spending 10 years on this mess. The vibe of the movie is just weird and off. From the visuals, the acting, the characters, the toy factory feeling unfinished. Nothing seems right. Of all of the ideas they could have come up with with the theme of the toy factory, it's incredibly bewildering that this plot is what they put to paper. I also don't know who the target market was for this movie. There is some child humour like the vomit and bodily function jokes and the cool toys of course, but then other aspects of the plot like the cheating, war plot, and language don't fit. Stylistically there is something unique, and LL Cool J is trying, but that's basically the only positives I can find. "Don't call the police because it's a family business". Haha. You've gotta love that rationale.