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.

[SPOILERS] Bud and Sissy's relationship seemed a bit far fetched. They get married off a whim, and then despite the domestic violence and real lack of empathy from Bud, Sissy wants him back and they live happily ever after. There is no doubt that these relationships exist, but it just could have been written better-for lack of a better word. It's like the movie needed another 20-30 minutes to solve these issues. However, other than that, I really enjoyed this. It shows the escape that these hard working country folk needed-in this case through mechanical bull riding. We also get to see some of John Travolta's dancing fresh off Saturday Night Fever. There are many well acted engaging scenes and the movie always maintained my interest.

Nas kills it. Hopefully we do get a Premo collab album one day. It's great to hear Rick again. Wayne is annoying as usual. Joey spits well. Run do their usual thing and Remy and Rapsody come together for a decent song but the worst one here. The production is all enjoyable enough, from one of the best to do it. Some songs have no hook, and when they do it's pretty much just samples and scratches. Maybe I'm the only one, but I much prefer a three verse song than these two-minute songs that is becoming more of a trend than I'd like to see. There is something to like in all of these songs, but 'Beat Breaks' is the only moment that gets close to wowing me. Nas is the best rapper here and the beat is the most likeable too. It all comes together nicely on the meat in the sandwich. I really like Slick Rick's part of the finale as well, who sounds amazing over these types of beats, but Wayne stops that song matching Nas'. As I'm lenient when rating long albums when a few songs don't work if there is enough heat, if you're only going to give me five songs, they all need to be amazing for a high rating. 3-3.5/5. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★ Best Tracks: Beat Breaks

This has a strong '90s feel, that is a positive aspect of the album, with some beats feeling like ones I've heard before, but too much of it comes and goes with some of the topics not being interesting. It's extremely non-offensive hip hop sonically and lyrically in that anyone into boom bap and classic rap will enjoy spinning this, but there is nothing I'll be going back to here for a higher rating. It's another case in hip hop of posthumous critical elevation. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: Only a Coward, Nutshell Pt. 2, Dear Dilla [Reprise]

A decent mainstream gangsta rap album from Banks. I enjoy the extra variety and diverse voices we hear on this compared to his post 2020 albums. The feature list has some noteworthy names like Mobb Deep, Scarface, 8ball, Rakim and Musiq Soulchild. The second song is my pick with its hard raps, catchy hook and dope production from Young RJ. 'Help' is the one truly poppy song here and it's surprising that it wasn't a single, instead 'Hands Up' was the only single from this album. There isn't anything amazing here, but there's not much that has me desperate to hit skip either. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Survival, Cake, Make a Move, Get Clapped, You Know the Deal, Gilmore's