Desk jockey detectives Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) stumble onto the heroic forefront in Adam McKay's latest laughfest collaboration ('Anchorman,' 'Step Brothers') with Ferrell. This is more than a straight-ahead send-up of the "buddy cop" convention, as Ferrell and Wahlberg burrow past the laughs until something almost recognizable and real emerges. Grade: B.  

Writer-director Rodrigo Garcia ('Looking at Her' and 'Nine Lives') tells the story of three California women (played by the capable trio of Annette Bening, Kerry Washington and Naomi Watts) dealing with issues pertaining to, as the title overtly suggests, mothers and children. Check out Samuel L. Jackson, who in a supporting role does his best, most subtle work in years. Grade: B-plus.  

Bernie Mac's last film before his untimely death is a let-it-rip, irreverent comedy invested with the comedian's trademark brand of earthy humor. Floyd Henderson (Bernie Mac) and Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson) haven't spoken since their days singing together as a duo ended 20 years ago after the departure of their R&B group's leader, but his passing presents an opportunity for Floyd and Louis to reunite for a memorial concert at the Apollo Theater.  

Bernie Mac’s last film before his untimely death is a let-it-rip, irreverent comedy invested with the comedian’s trademark brand of earthy humor. Floyd Henderson (Bernie Mac) and Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson) haven’t spoken since their days singing together as a duo ended 20 years ago after the departure of their R&B group’s leader John Legend (Marcus Hooks). Legend’s recent passing presents an opportunity for Floyd and Louis to reunite for a memorial concert at the Apollo Theater if only they can make amends and survive a cross-country drive together. "Soul Men" opens Friday.