The organisers of the Oscars have invited a record number of new people to vote for next year’s Academy Awards following the row over a lack of diversity.

So remember when Vin Diesel's Xander Cage died in a short film setting up the sequel with Ice Cube? Yea let's forget all about that, because he's back baby.

Ride Along 2 is in cinemas now and the stars of the film, Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, brought their tour to Ireland for a visit.

Those big awards movies have mostly released by now, which means we might have a few less tears in the aisles and a couple more laughs. Also an inside look at when the world's markets exploded, but maybe some people find that funny.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Ride Along 2 is in cinemas on the 22nd of January 2016, reuniting stars Ice Cube and Kevin Hart for more action and comedy. And they're coming to Dublin!

Straight Outta Compton was a surprise success when it hit cinemas earlier this year, bringing in more than $200 million worldwide on a $28 million budget and providing Universal Studios with another triumph.

Ice Cube would vote for Kanye West as President.

’Straight Outta Compton’, detailing the rise of the world’s most notorious rap group, N.W.A, is taking the box office by storm. Founding member Ice Cube and his son O’Shea Jackson jr, who stars in the film gives Susan Griffin the low down.

There’s action and photogenic drama at cinemas this coming week thanks to Hitman Agent 47 and We Are Your Friends.

Did you see Ride Along and think ’I’d really like to see another similar movie with the same two fellow?’ Well this one is for you!

Our quick guide to tonight's television.

A surprise cameo on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly was a reminder that, contrary to widespread assumptions, Dr Dre had not retired from hip-hop.

Ken Jeong will be tasked with attempting to assassinate David Hasselhoff in a bizarre new comedy.

Ice Cube has defended his decision to take on police officer roles in Hollywood.

Ice Cube has blasted the MTV Movie Awards for giving the Best Onscreen Duo trophy to Paul Walker posthumously.

'American Hustle' and 'The Wolf of Wall Street' lead the 2014 MTV Movie Awards nominations.

'American Hustle' and 'The Wolf of Wall Street' lead the 2014 MTV Movie Awards nominations.

Non-Stop ****

MasterChef Ireland and Hector both make welcome returns.

'22 Jump Street' is "crazier" than the original film, according to Ice Cube.

KELVIN Mercer, aka Posdnuos, had no idea.

Snoop Dogg needs "a lot of weed" and "females" to write new tracks.

Eminem almost quit rap after his first ever public performance.

SATURDAY

Pickles and ice cream. Bacon and cupcakes. Chocolate and potato chips. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. Some pairings shouldn't work, yet somehow the result is delicious – and in 21 Jump Street's case it's a hilarious surprise.

Sigourney Weaver has signed up for new movie 'Rampart'.

Ice Cube is planning to reunite with Dr Dre on his new album, ‘I Am The West’.

Rapper 50 Cent wants to star in a romantic comedy – to get a girlfriend.

Rapper and actor The Game is the latest star to be linked with 'The A-Team' movie.

Vin Diesel's return as thrill seeker Xander Cage has been left hanging in the balance after director Rob Cohen pulled out of the third 'XXX' movie.

Hollywood star Joaquin Phoenix confirmed today that he had given up acting to become a hip-hop musician.

Rapper Snoop Dogg has been given the go-ahead to proceed with his tour of Australia, just days after officials Down Under announced they were reconsidering their initial visa approval following a flurry of complaints.

Australia’s immigration department says it is conducting a full character assessment of rapper Snoop Dogg, including his criminal history, as it considers whether to grant him a visa for a planned concert tour later this year.

The sort of film that doesn’t disappoint … you get what you expect, but very little else.

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman's buddy movie 'The Bucket List' has ended Nicolas Cage's treasure hunt at the top of the US box office.

Actor/rapper Ice Cube has launched an ambitious new TV-style network website.

The jokes wear thin rather quickly in ‘Are We Done Yet’ (SPHE, €24.99).

The move-to-the-country storyline has been done often enough in the past – Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House and The Money Pit spring to mind – but while it may have worked adequately back then it doesn’t quite come off here.

Rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube has slammed the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, for failing to do enough to help the poor in the west-coast state.

Rapper Ice Cube has vowed to shake-up the hip-hop industry after expressing outrage at its commercialism.

Rapper Ice Cube attacks actor-turned-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on his latest album.