Once again Max (a Jack Russell Terrier), and his sidekick, Duke (Newfoundland mix), take viewers on a journey into secret pet world. In this film, Max faces a potentially radical life change: his owner Katie gets married and has a child, Liam. Originally unsure about how Liam’s coming on the scene will affect him, Max prepares for the worst. Only to have Liam love him as much as Katie does.

On a family trip to his grandparents’ farm, Max meets Rooster, a Welsh Sheepdog, who teaches Max lessons that will help in the countryside and beyond.

Before leaving, Max leaves his favorite toy with his pal, Gidget (a Pomeranian) for safekeeping. But the toy bounces out the window into a cat-packed apartment. She has to figure out how to get it back. Snowball (a rabbit) visits a circus and decides to free an unfairly treated white tiger named Hu.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 has the same characters featured in the start-of-the-art 3D animation which made the original film a success. But it has more plots than you’d see in a two-hour drama. The market for this film is children; however, I have to wonder if they want to see all of this on-screen busyness.

There’s a star-studded cast providing the voices: Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Dana Carvey, Bobby Moynihan, and Harrison Ford. Kevin Hart’s voice just doesn’t fit the little white rabbit named Snowball.  Maybe a Pitbull. But not a small bunny.

As I have said before I don’t understand why studios spend bundles hiring big name stars to do the voices. Kids don’t care. The characters’ voice can be from unknown performers.

Ultimately, The Secret Life of Pets 2 provides the visual stimulation and characters that viewers would like to see, and it musters a See It! rating.

It’s rated PG and is 86 minutes in length.

Jordan Peele is back with another thriller, and you get at least two opportunities to see Taraji P. Henson and Michael Ealy in movies in 2019

1. What Men Want

What Men Want is a twist on Mel Gibson’s 2001 movie, What Women Want, and is the story of a female sports agent (Taraji P. Henson) who has been constantly edged out by her male colleagues. Once she learns to listen to men’s thoughts, she shifts her strategy in her race to sign the NBA’s next LeBron James. Among the costars is Richard Roundtree who back in the 70s played John Shaft who was a bad mother. . . shut your mouth! Just remembering Shaft!

What Men Want is expected to open on February 8, 2019. 

2. The Upside

Inspired by a true story and based upon a hit 2011 French film, The Upside stars Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston in a warm comedy about a recently paroled ex-convict who begins an unlikely friendship with a paralyzed billionaire. Bet you can guess who plays the ex-con and who’s the billionaire. The Upside opens on January 11, 2019. 

3. Us 

After his provocative 2017 megahit Get Out there was no doubt that Jordan Peele would be back writing and directing, but he's holding the storyline for Us close to the vest. Nevertheless, we do know, it will be a thriller and it stars Lupita Nyong’o, Elisabeth Moss, and Black Panther’s Winston Duke. Us is scheduled to be released in the United States on March 22, 2019, but if you’re going to South by Southwest, you might be able to catch the World Premiere of Us on March 8, 2019. 

4. Pet Sematary

This a remake of the 1989 film based upon Stephen King’s seminal horror novel, Pet Sematary. This version is set in rural Maine where Dr. Louis Creed, his wife, Rachel, and their two young children find a mysterious graveyard hidden deep in the woods near the family home. When tragedy hits the family, the doctor turns to his eccentric neighbor, Jud Crandall for advice, setting off a horrific series of events that the doctor could have never imagined. Pet Sematary opens on April 5, 2019, and stars, Jason Clark and Jon Lithgow. 

5. Jacob’s Ladder

After his brother dies in combat, Jacob Singer, played by the blue-eyed brother, Michael Ealy, returns home from battle-worn Afghanistan only to fall into a deep state of paranoia as he comes to believe that his brother is still alive, and life is not what it seems. Jacob’s Ladder, a remake of the 1990 film of the same name, doesn’t have a release date as of yet. However, the film’s distributor, LD Entertainment, says Jacob’s Ladder is expected to open in 2019.

6. Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral

A fun-filled family reunion becomes a disaster as Madea and her kin travel to backwoods Georgia, where they plan a funeral that could unearth some deep dark family secrets. Of course, Tyler Perry heads the cast in Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral, along with Courtney Burrell, Patrice Lovely, and Ciera Payton. Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral opens on March 1, 2019.

7. The Best of Enemies

Inspired by the true events during the civil rights era, The Best of Enemies stars Taraji P. Henson as Ann Atwater, a fiercely determined civil rights activist in North Carolina, and Sam Rockwell as the Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan. The two conduct a 10-year battle, which ends in an abrupt and unlikely way in 1971. The Best of Enemies is based on the book, The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South by Osha Gray Davidson opens on April 5, 2019. 

8. The Intruder

Michael Ealy (yes, him again) and Meaghan Good star in The Intruder, a psychological thriller about a young married couple who buys a beautiful Napa Valley home only to find that the previous owner (Dennis Quaid) simply won’t let the property go and will stop at nothing to drive them out. The Intruder opens on May 3, 2019. 

9. Fighting With My Family

Fighting With My Family is based on the 2012 documentary, The Wrestlers: Fighting With My Family, depicting the WWE career of the professional wrestler, Paige. The movie stars Florence Pugh as Paige, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson makes an appearance. Fighting With My Family opens at Sundance on January 28, 2019, and nationwide on February 14, 2019.

10. Aladdin

The musical romantic fantasy Aladdin returns. Having been released in an animated version in 2017, this edition features real living and breathing humans. Aladdin stars Mena Massoud as the title character alongside Will Smith as the Genie.

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Kevin Hart defends Tiffany Haddish and Katt Williams doubles down

It all started with comedian Katt Williams going after Tiffany Haddish’s edges during a guest appearance on the Atlanta radio show, Frank and Wanda in the Morning.

Williams also had a lot to say about Mo’Nique and Kevin Hart.

Although Williams and Haddish made up at The Emmy Awards, Katt Williams continues to check Kevin Hart after Hart stood up for Tiffany Haddish.

And now, the feud between Williams and Hart is amped.

Will this family feud settle down?

Is Katt Williams jealous of other people's success?

Hit us up on YouTube with your thoughts.

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Kat Williams

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Nelly settles sexual assault case; plus Katt Williams, Bill Cosby, Tyler Perry, Kanye, Lil’ Wayne, and more!

WHAT’S THE 411’s QUICK TAKES

In this episode of What's The 411 recorded on October 2, 2018, journalist Kizzy Cox, and comedian Onika McLean start off the episode with birthday wishes for Onika, and the acknowledgment of the death of Onika's cat, Glitter.

In this Quick Takes segment, Kizzy and Onika are talking about news stories related to film and TV producer Tyler Perry gifting a house to the mother of an actress who used to work for him; Lil’ Wayne’s new album, Tha Carter V; rapper Kanye West’s antics and strange performance on Saturday Night Live, The rapper known as Nelly, settles a sexual assault civil case with Monique Green, who accused Nelly of forcing her to have sex with him on his tour bus; an Ohio police chief orders an FBI investigation into the arrest of porn star, Stormy Daniels, and; to end this Quick Takes segment on a high note, actor Geoffrey Owens, who was shamed by people on Twitter for working at Trader Joe’s, is taking producer Tyler Perry up on his offer. Owens is going to appear on 10 episodes of Perry's hit, "The Haves and the Have Nots" on OWN.

WHAT’S POPPIN' – CULTURE & THE LAW: BILL COSBY

Actor, comedian, and philanthropist, Bill Cosby, who was once America’s TV dad in the 1980s, has fallen from grace. A Pennsylvania jury convicted Cosby of three counts of aggravated indecent assault. The judge agreed with the prosecutors that Cosby is a "sexually violent predator," which carries a sentence that will last at least three years and no more than 10 years.

WHAT’S POPPIN' – CULTURE: KATT WILLIAMS’ FEUD WITH OTHER BLACK COMEDIANS

It all started with comedian Katt Williams going after Tiffany Haddish’s edges during a guest appearance on the Atlanta radio show, Frank and Wanda in the Morning. Williams also had a lot to say about Mo’Nique and Kevin Hart. Although Williams and Haddish made up at The Emmy Awards, Katt Williams checks Kevin Hart after Hart stood up for Tiffany Haddish. And now, the feud between Williams and Hart is amped.

WHAT’S POPPIN' – CULTURE & THE LAW: DR. CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD HEARING

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford takes center stage as the US Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to “afford” Ms. Blasey Ford with an opportunity to tell her story of an alleged sexual assault when she was a teenager by Judge Brett Kavanaugh, who is up for Senate confirmation to ascend to the U.S. Supreme Court. There were a number of takeaways from the hearing, but most people are shaking their heads over was a clash of gender politics.

VIDEO CONVERSATION: Angela Rye is getting death threats for dating rapper Common; Tyrese child custody case settled for now; Congrats to Cardi B., and more

In Episode 119 of What’s The 411, journalist Kizzy Cox, and comedian Onika McLean are talking about the following:

QUICK TAKES:

Political commentator, Angela Rye has received death threats reportedly for dating rapper/actor Common.

Karreuche Tran and her manager, Jacob York, were on the Angie Martinez Show on Power 105FM. When the topic of Karreuche’s appearance on Iyanla Vanzant’s Fix My Life came up, York said it was good for Karreuche to be on the show, but as far as Ms. Vanzant is concerned, ‘she’s fake’!

RZA files trademark lawsuit against a Brooklyn dog walking company, ‘WOOF-TANG CLAN’.

Rapper Snoop Dogg is not one to mince any words. He clapped back at Donald Trump and cussed him out in a video in defense of Lavar Ball, the father of the UCLA basketball player who was arrested in China for shoplifting, and football player Marshawn Lynch, who recently took a knee during the National Anthem. If you check out the video, be sure to not to watch it at work.

Congratulations to Jordin Sparks she got married to Dana Isaiah in a secret ceremony in July, and she is now pregnant with her first child. The baby is due next spring.

In more baby news, congratulations to Kevin Hart and wife Eniko Parrish Hart on the birth of their son, Kenzo Hart.

Producer/director, Jordan Peele, says golfer Tiger Woods is in the ‘sunken place’ for golfing with Donald Trump.

And, Nigerian women are set to make history as the continent of Africa’s first African Olympic bobsled team is all women. The Nigerian women's bobsled team will be competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Feb 9th – 25th, 2018. 

Shout out to rapper Cardi B for her historic Grammy nomination. Cardi B is the first female rapper to be nominated in the Best Rap Song category.

WHAT’S POPPIN’ - CULTURE

The floodgates are open. Since the sexual abuse allegations from women against Harvey Weinstein, women’s sexual abuse claims against powerful men are now being taken more seriously. Even Terry Crews has opened up about being groped by another man.

Q. Kizzy, why do you think people now believe women now?

WHAT’S POPPIN – FILM AND POLITICS

Actor Denzel Washington places blame for black incarceration with parenting, according to several news reports. During a reporters’ press briefing about his new film, Roman J. Israel, Esq., Washington stated:

“It starts at the home…It starts with how you raise your children. If a young man doesn’t have a father figure, he’ll go find a father figure…So you know I can’t blame the system. It’s unfortunate that we make such easy work for them.”

Q. Is Denzel Washington right, is he overstating the issue, or do you think he is missing underlying issues?

WHAT’S POPPIN – RELATIONSHIPS

It’s a whole new world. Prince Harry (UK) proposed to American actress Meghan Markle. The royal wedding is scheduled for Spring 2018.

WHAT’S POPPIN – RELATIONSHIPS

As you probably know, singer/actor Tyrese Gibson and his former wife Norma Gibson, have been engaged in a brutal custody battle over their 10-year-old daughter. Well, according to TMZ, the judge in the case ruled Tyrese will have his daughter for Christmas and New Year’s, and both Tyrese and his former wife, Norma Gibson, will get 50/50 joint custody beginning in January.

Q. What do you think about the judge’s ruling in this case? Did the judge get this custody battle right?

PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

Our Photo of the Week is a wedding photo of professional tennis player, Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, one of the co-founders of Reddit.

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Our Motivational Quote of the Week is:

“You can’t win in life, if you’re losing in your mind. Change your thoughts, and it’ll change your life.”

A quote from Tony Gaskins, and posted by Raqiyah Mays on LinkedIn.

Insecure actress Yvonne Orji is set to join Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish in the movie directed by Malcolm D. Lee

Regret is growing at NBC for pushing Tamron Hall out the door to make room for former FOX News host, Megyn Kelly.

Prior to Kelly’s debut, NBC was reportedly in a "panic" over the fear that Megyn Kelly could not attract non-White and younger audiences for her daytime show.

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According to reports, Tamron Hall, the former Today show anchor is being dragged into the ugly divorce of Jesse Jackson Jr. — and the former U.S. congressman is not happy about it.

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Can we just say that Black Girl Magic was on display at the US OPEN!

While tennis star, Serena Williams was out on maternity leave, her sister Venus, Madison Keys, and Sloane Stephens were holding it down.

All three made it to the US OPEN semi-finals and this was the first US OPEN women’s final with two Black women at center court and their names were not Williams.

Congratulations to Sloane Stephens for winning it all!

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The Kevin Hart comedy Night School just added another name to its roster. Insecure actress Yvonne Orji is set to join Hart and Tiffany Haddish in the movie directed by Malcolm D. Lee.

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Musician, John Legend, revealed in an interview with The Guardian, a British newspaper, he tried to break up with Chrissy Teigen years ago and she was not having it. The breakup lasted 90 minutes.

New York Fashion Week, Nicki Minaj, Megyn Kelly, Kevin Hart, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, and so much more in this episode of What’s The 411

This episode of What’s The 411’s consists of QUICK TAKES of topical news about John Legend and Chrissy Teigen; Jesse Jackson Jr.’s messy divorce; Megyn Kelly; Kevin Hart’s new product; Sloane Stephens winning the US OPEN; and of course, lively discussions about Usher’s legal team clapping back at allegations that Usher knowingly exposed people to the herpes virus; and singer-songwriter John Mayer trying to hit on hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj. In the spirit of New York Fashion Week, we feature the Elegance of Africa Fashion Show, along with a shout out to fashion stylist, June Ambrose in our photo of the week, which you can see on our website at www.whatsthe411.com. In the 411onBooks section, Troy Johnson, president and webmaster of AALBC.com; and Ruth Morrison, What’s The 411TV’s CEO and Executive Producer, give a shout out to Marcus Book Store in Oakland, California.

Kevin's Hart's What Now? Tour is the centerpiece of this film. Hart performs before a record-setting, sold-out performance filmed outdoors in front of 50,000 people at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. However, the movie opens with a skit which includes Halle Berry and Hart in a spy type role participating in a high stakes card game with Don Cheadle. Hart then leaves that setting to go to Lincoln Federal Field.

Kevin Hart: What Now? is a collection of already seen skits performed in front of a large, impressive audience with big screens and lot of lights.

However, there is no reason to see Kevin Hart: What Now?, now; it gets a Rent It rating.

The opening scene with the undercover agent storyline adds very little to the film and it's as if the comedian is trying to figure out a way to work with the sexy Halle Berry and as if Don Cheadle said, "Hey, man, find me a role in your next movie!" The opening segment seems forced, and doesn't work.

Once the movie moves on to Hart on stage, the routines are the ones his fans have heard before, for example, how he doesn't have lights on his long driveway or how he wouldn't want to be with a woman who survives a mountain lion attack.

Kevin Hart uses the "N" word generally, and the "B" word in reference to women, neither of which is necessary for Hart to be funny.

Of course, Kevin Hart: What Now? has its funny moments like when Hart talks about the impact private school has had on his kids, taking the "edge" off of his son.

But ultimately, Kevin Hart: What Now? is a perfect production for the Rent It rating. Kevin Hart: What Now? is entertaining, but there is no need to rush to see it.

Kevin Hart: What Now? is rated, R for language and adult themes and is 96 minutes in length.