Kevin Hart has turned into a polarizing movie star.

Hart has shown his talent in the right situations, most notably “About Last Night,” “Top Five” and “Think Like a Man.”

He also has proven to be quite annoying when overused in films like “Ride Along,” “Grudge Match” and “Think Like a Man Too.”

In his latest film, “The Wedding Ringer,” it is more of the latter than the former as Hart shows flashes of talent but is unable to overcome a painfully predictable comedy.

Hart plays Jimmy, the owner and CEO of a company that provides services for grooms in need of a best man. His latest client is Doug (Josh Gad), a likable enough guy who never made any real friends because his family was constantly moving when he was a kid.

Doug not only needs a best man, but seven groomsmen to help complete his wedding party and realize his dream of marrying the love of his life, Gretchen (Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting).

Jimmy is initially reluctant to help Doug but ultimately agrees – seeing the almost-impossible situation as a unique professional challenge.

If you have seen the trailer, then you’ve seen the film’s two best bits – one ending with Gretchen’s grandmother set on fire.

Nothing else in the film measures up to those two scenes, despite the attempt at “Hangover”-style R-rated humor – including a bit with a dog that kind of crosses the comedic line.

Hart’s manic comic style is actually a good mix with Gad’s uptight Doug, but the

chemistry never quite clicks largely because Jeremy Garelick and Jay Lavender’s script constantly aims for the lowest denominator possible only to put in a very forced bromance level third act that tries to get the audience emotionally involved.

You can be both gross and sweet in the right film, but “The Wedding Ringer” isn’t that film. It’s just a disposable comedy that will likely be forgotten by the time the calendar flips to February.

Also in theaters

Expanding nationally after a limited run in December, “Selma” (A-) is a very strong drama based on Martin Luther King’s quest to change equal voting rights in Alabama in 1965.

The film begins with King (played by David Oyelowo) meeting with president Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom WIlkinson), unable to persuade him to step in and eliminate laws in Alabama that were designed to prevent minorities from voting.

King decides to stage a peaceful protest – a march from Selma to Alabama’s capital Montgomery that is met with violent opposition from many of the state’s leaders including governor George Wallace (Tim Roth).

Director Ava DuVernay has crafted an impressive film that doesn’t just chronicle the events in Selma, but serves as an impressive portrait of King both as a leader in the civil rights movement and a flawed family man.

Oyelowo gives an Oscar-worthy performance as King. The English actor may not bear a striking resemblance to King, but he perfectly captures his persona – especially in several scenes in which King is speaking to his followers. It’s a performance that reminded me a lot of Angela Bassett’s work as Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”

“Selma” has come under fire, with some saying Johnson is portrayed in a negative light and was more of an ally than the film suggests. It’s a controversy that I feel is unwarranted, with Johnson coming off as a president faced with tough decisions.

I hope people will overlook the recent news and give “Selma” a chance. It’s a film that really captures the struggles during the Civil Rights Movement, and the man at the center of that struggle.

“Selma” is rated PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including violence, a suggestive moment, and brief strong language and is now playing at the Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10.

— To read Micheal Compton’s thoughts on all things movies, visit his blog at www.bgdailynews.com/sports/blogs/straight_outta_compton/ or on Twitter at twitter.com/mcompton428. Email him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com.