Russell Crowe has gone from being one of the biggest stars of the world to someone who barely deserves top billing over Ryan Gosling in this film.  Think about it: when was the last time Crowe had a huge hit?  I think he was the best thing about Man of Steel, but that had a mixed reception and he had a supporting role.  You have to go all the way back to 2007’s 3:10 to Yuma to find a Crowe starring vehicle that was a success (and that a modest one; if you discount that it’s back to 2005’s Cinderella Man).  He needs a hit.  I’m not sure if The Nice Guys is it, but it the trailers have been funny and have very much the same kind of vibe as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang: the Shane Black film that begin Robert Downey Jr.’s career resurrection and one of the most underrated films of the last 25 years.  I’m not sure if this is THAT.  After all, the last time Shane Black crossed my radar he directed the worst film in the MCU in Iron Man 3, but I hope this delivers.  The Nice Guys hits theaters on May 20, 2016.

Photo courtesy of People Magazine