Denzel Drops a new one: What do people think?

Denzel Washington is back on the big screen and ready to take on the New York City transit system in 'The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3."

The Mount Vernon, N.Y., actor stars as subway dispatcher Walter Garber in the remake of this 1974 film.

Despite implausible contrivances left and right, the film moves quickly and is entertaining. Grab a seat and hold on. The movie, which is directed by Tony Scott, also stars John Travolta, James Gandolfini, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli and Aunjanue Ellis.

Walter is having a decent day, doing his job a train dispatcher, when he gets the call that will change his life. A train has been hijacked by a man named Ryder (Travolta) and his cohorts. There are 17 frightened passengers on board, and Ryder aims to kill them if a $10 million ransom doesn't arrive in an hour.  Lady Drama has words for Denzel here.

Click to read more on AOL Black Voices.

Technorati Tags: denzel washington,black celebrity gossip,pelham 123

Beyonce’s New Flick

By Reviews R Me

Most of us don’t expect much from Beyonce on the big screen.  I didn’t expect much either.  I only hoped that I could make it through the movie without throwing up or wondering who in the holy hell told her that she could act in the first place.  But this movie was different.  Beyonce did it right and did it well.  Also, with Idris on screen, you always had something good to look at.

Really, you could call this movie “Fatal Attraction for Black people”, since the white lady was the evil monster and all the black people were scared of her.  Shoot, as crazy as she was, I was scared of her too!

I give Beyonce a B on this performance, which is better than the failing grade she normally gets.  Check out the trailer by clicking the image below:

 

Technorati Tags: beyonce knowels,idris elba,black celebrity gossip,black movie reviews

Lady Drama at YourBlackGossip has choice words for Solange

In the lastest episode of Your Black Gossip with Lady Drama, America’s #1 Gossip Diva beats up on Solange Knowles, gives props to T-Boz, wonders why Chris Brown pleaded not guilty and body slams King Magazine.  Click the image below to watch the show!

Technorati Tags: black celebrity gossip,african american celebrity gossip,keyshia cole,chris brown,beyonce knowels,lady drama,solange,rihanna,jay-z,king magazine

Candids at the Black Oscars

Viola Davis and Taraji Henson were both snubbed from winning an Oscar, but at least they were looking FABULOUS

Queen Latifah
A side shot of the dress
I guess Beyonce thinks the Academy Awards is more important than the Grammys
Alicia Keys and Taraji...I am loving Alicia's dress, but she could have done without the wig

John Legend and his girlfriend

Labels: Academy Awards, black celebrity gossip, red carpet

posted by N. Taylor @ 12:25 AM 0 comments

Technorati Tags: black hollywood,black actors,black actresses,taraji p. henderson,john legend,beyonce,queen latifah,black celebrities,african american celebrities,black celebrity gossip

Madea Dominates at $41M

If anybody had a reason to doubt whether Tyler Perry has become one of the most bankable brands in all of movies, be skeptical no longer.

The domestic dramedy maestro's latest release, Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail," ran away with a big victory on the typically slow Academy Awards weekend, grossing a hefty $41.1 million, according to early estimates from Media by Numbers.

That opening sum is the biggest of all time for a Tyler Perry film, besting the $30 million debut of 2006's "Madea's Family Reunion." Too, it's the top bow in the history of indie studio Lionsgate, improving upon all the Tyler Perry and "Saw" flicks that came before it. The movie's per-theater average of $20,236 ranks in the top 40 for all wide openers ever.

And, no surprise, "Madea Goes to Jail" achieved all this success with a solid A CinemaScore grade from a crowd that included mostly older women. Watch Tyler Perry talk about his success »

Second place went to "Taken," which added another $11.4 million to its four-week tally, bringing said total to $95.2 million. Fellow strong holdover "Coraline" (No. 3) was next with $11 million.

"He's Just Not That Into You" (No. 4) declined a sharp 56 percent to bank $8.5 million on its third weekend. And Best Picture favorite "Slumdog Millionaire" rounded out the top five with $8.1 million -- a sum that brings its domestic total to $98 million.

Click to read.

Technorati Tags: black news,black hollywood,african american news,madea goes to jail,tyler perry

Your Black Reviews: The Secret Life of Bees

There surely won't be a "Secret Life" of this movie, because the powerhouse cast will definitely stand out. The leading ladies- Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo and Jennifer Hudson, along with the now older child-actress Dakota Fanning certainly deliver.

The story (adapted from a novel) follows the troubled life of young Lily Owens (Fanning) who's haunting past never left her, and who struggles with the need to be loved. She and her loving caretaker Rosaleen (Hudson) run away from the hatred of the 1964 town they live in, to a safe haven where they are introduced to three sisters who have immense love for each other, and their honeybees.

"The Secret Life of Bees" is a beautiful movie. They're calling it Oscar worthy. Executive producer Jada Pinkett Smith is surely proud of this one.

Your Black World Exclusive: Review of "The Express"- The Orange Carpet World Premiere

By Chiderah A. Monde

The stars aligned over Syracuse, New York on Friday night for the premiere of the movie “The Express”, a sports feature based on the life of legendary Syracuse University athlete and Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis.

They say the brave die young…. whoever said that must have been talking about Ernie Davis. Davis, who led the Syracuse Orange to its only national football title to date in 1959, was the first African American to win the coveted Heisman Trophy. But his pro football bound career and young life was cut short due to a tragic death by Leukemia at the age of 23.

In the short time that Davis played for Syracuse, he was able to change the game of football forever.

The premiere was held in downtown Syracuse’s historic Landmark Theatre, a place where Davis and his friends spent some time while he was in college. The film’s director Gary Fleger, and cast members such as Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, and Darrin Henson were all in attendance. Other notable attendees included another Syracuse legend- Jim Brown, Davis’s family, and Syracuse Coach (when Davis played) Ben Schwartzwalder’s family.

The movie was certainly one for the history books. I thought the director did a great job of presenting the adversity of the time period in relation to college football, in addition to portraying the life of Ernie Davis and going through the games that made him famous. In my opinion, this was hard to do. How do you separate “The Express”, a football movie based on a true story, from “Remember the Titans”, “Friday Night Lights” or even “Rudy”?

…By not forgetting the most important part…Davis’s unique story.

His triumphs over his childhood tribulations, his courage against the racism prevalent in the country and in the game, his appreciation and love for his family, and his contribution to Syracuse’s legend of 44.

For those of you that don’t attend my school- the jersey number 44 has been worn by legendary Syracuse athletes; three of who were Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little.

Fleder emphasizes the relationships between Davis and Brown, and both of theirs with Schwartzwalder- a tough but fair coach.

I think Davis is the least talked about football legend there is.

Many have enrolled and graduated from Syracuse University without knowing fully who he was, but not anymore. The movie, the new Ernie Davis statue, and new Davis residence hall being erected at the university is sure to change everything. The name Ernie Davis will return to households today, as it once did.

As for the movie, those that see “The Express” will take a lot from it. It opens on October 3rd nationwide, and I urge everyone to see it. The premiere left me feeling the Syracuse pride, but even more so- proud of the contributions of strong Black people like Ernie Davis, who speak volumes for the entire race through their actions and abilities.

Your Black Reviews: Tyler Perry Does It Again

I think "The Family That Preys" just might be TP's second best non-Madea movie to date.....second to only "Why Did I Get Married" (that movie just spoke to all of us). The powerhouse cast and the inclusion of white actors (don't act like Kathy Bates didn't attract audiences) made the movie much more enjoyable for everyone. The message of the movie was not just for black audiences.

"The Family That Preys" tells a story about the struggles of two mothers of different races that maintain a friendship while their childrens' lives need help and guidance. There's family problems, there's lies, there's scandal....

Of course my girl Sanaa was amazing. Lathan's ability to make you HATE her in this movie proves her strength as an actress, she delivers. Taraji Henson, Robin Givens and of course Alfre Woodard help make up the strong women of the cast. Cole Hauser and Rockmond Dunbar play key male roles as husbands in this movie, and then of course, there's Tyler.

The only question I had was....what on earth was Tyler thinking with that hair?

There's laughs (it wouldn't be a TP production without comedy), you might shed a tear, and just like a Jerry Springer episode, you leave with a heartfelt message.

"The Family That Preys" is worth seeing. I give it two thumbs up!

Your Black Reviews: Poetry To The People

What started as a pair of young intellectual black college students entertaining friends around Eastern Connecticut’s campus events, grew into the duo that tours the country “edutaining” crowds as Poetry To The People. Milton “Ranik” Jackson and Kendall “Chosen” Exume came together to form the group during their college years, and now they’ve gained success among more than just the college crowd. Their poetry is real, raw, and deep. People who see the show leave with nothing but good things to say.

I got the latest book from the duo, entitled “Defying Gravity”, and it is nothing short of spectacular. I also interviewed Exume, a young man who’s intellect and compassion far exceed his years. Exume finds the audiences the most rewarding part of performing. He said, “The energy is real and when you can look around and connect with at least one person, it makes everything worth it.”

Both Jackson and Exume are published authors, with anthologies of poetry including Exume’s “Stimulation Through Words”, Jackson’s “Freedom: Next Exit”, and the aforementioned “Defying Gravity” among others. The duo speaks about a variety of topics. From AIDS awareness, to love, to divorce and other life lessons, Poetry To The People gives everybody something to relate to.

Check out their site.

Disney's Black Princess: "The Frog Princess" Debuts in 2009

I'm sure almost everyone has heard about the next Disney princess being black. Some say it is a concept long overdue, others don't think Disney can pull it off. Halloween costumes for young black girls are limited when it comes to Disney. Those parents who don't want to give their children distorted views of reality usually buy the Jasmine or Pocahontas Disney Princess outfits, but even those two princesses are underrated. It just may be that this country will never completely be able to abort the sideways perceptions of beauty. Princess Maddy from New Orleans could be a great addition to the Disney empire, since they plan to bring out "The Frog Princess in traditional Disney movie animation format, or the entire movie could be accidentally a bad idea.

Last year the new Disney addition made headlines:

(MSNBC) NEW ORLEANS - The Walt Disney Co. has started production on an animated musical fairy tale called “The Frog Princess,” which will be set in New Orleans and feature the Walt Disney Studio’s first black princess.

The film, set for release in 2009, also is the first hand-drawn film Disney has committed to since pledging last month to return to the traditional animation that made it a worldwide brand.

“The Frog Princess,” a musical scored by composer Randy Newman, is “an American fairy tale” starring a girl named Maddy who lives in the French Quarter in New Orleans, said John Lasseter, chief creative director for Disney and Pixar Animation Studios.

Why So Serious?: Ledger's Joker is No Laughing Matter

Over the last 20 years, the Batman movie series has become a staple in the summer movie season. Since the original Batman starring Michael Keaton , however, none have compared to the scale of that original film. 2005’s Batman Begins brought an end to mediocrity as Christian Bale’s portrayal of “Batman” has been more dark and human than that any of the other Batman before him. “Batman Begins”, revamped the entire series to a new audience and it was believed that no other batman film could top it. Well once again the Batman has outdone himself. I saw the Dark Knight on opening day and I must say this is by far the best superhero film I have ever seen. It surely lives up to the hype.

The Dark Knight is set two years after Batman Begins; in a time where crime in Gotham city is at an all time high. Batman (Bale) is slowly learning his limitations and is overworked and exhausted. Harvey Dent (Eckhardt) is the new District Attorney and is the apparent hope for Gotham’s crime problem and Batman’s crime fighting replacement. After Dent attempts to clean up the streets of Gotham by placing legal justice back into system everything goes wrong and a new villain appears to fix the problem: The Joker (the late Heath Ledger)

Ledger’s Joker is by far the most sadistic criminal I have seen in any film. He portrays the Joker as not only demented and crazy but as smart and crafty. He is like a mix between Hannibal Lecter and Jigsaw from the SAW movies. It is safe to say that Ledger makes the film. He is simply captivating and with the Joker’s signature psychotic cackling laugh is at times intimidating and scary. There is no doubt in my mind that he will take home the Oscar for Supporting Actor.

Aside from the great acting, great directing and so many twists that will make your head hurt, there is also a lot for the action fanatics. This time around Batman has a heap of new gadgets to put on display. There is the Batpod, sonar cell phones and even a crazy stunt with a balloon and an airplane that you have to see.

The Dark Knight also stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Kane, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman; who really show off their acting chops during the film. Also you might want to keep the kids at home for this one: This is no superman movie.

Tyler Perry's New Movie: "The Family That Preys"

From Blackvoices.com


The new Tyler Perry Movie comes out on September 12th. From the looks of it, this movie will be another blockbuster. Written and directed by none other than Tyler Perry, the cast includes Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodward, Cole Hauser, Sanaa Lathan, Rockmond Dunbar, Taraji P. Henson, Kadee Strickland, Sebastian Siegel, Tyler Perry and Robin Givens.

Here's the movie trailer:

Your Black Reviews: Hancock

Will Smith does it again. It seems as though the whole movie was written for him, and therefore could not have been played by anybody else.

I didn't know what to expect when I first heard that the movie was about a lazy superhero named Hancock, but I knew since it was Will Smith, and since it was his third July blockbuster debut since Independence Day and Men In Black, it would be worth watching. The movie is mostly action, but with a couple laughs, a couple gasps and maybe even a shed tear?

I agree with some critics that the previews gave away a lot of the story line, but there are a few twists they left quiet (like Charlize Theron's character!).

I don't know... some people loved it, others hate it, but I am a HUGE Will Smith fan and if you are too, you won't be let down.

(And ladies, there's only a little bit of Smith-skin in this one, but the skin-tight superhero costume makes up for it!)

The Movie "WANTED": Definitely Worth Seeing.

Featuring an amazing cast including Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Common, "Wanted" is an interesting storyline and a great action packed film that will keep your attention.

At first I did not know what to expect. When my friends told me that's what we were seeing, I could not remember what the movie was about, nor who was in it...that is, until they said "you know, the Angelina movie!"


Angelina Jolie delivers again. That woman is unstoppable. Her role is similar in all of her movies, but she brings something new to each character. "Fox" is one of the most talented and sexiest assassins to hit the screen.

James McAvoy is definitely becoming a household name. After his Oscar-worthy movies like "Last King of Scotland" and "Atonement", he stars in this film as a character named Wesley who doesn't know much about himself or his father, until the secret "Fraternity" finds him and helps him find himself.



Morgan Freeman continues to take on the "God" like ruler roles, but in this hero/villain twist, he makes you really think about the depth of his character "Sloan".

Common is just the sexy assassin on the side. Somewhat like in "Smokin' Aces"...except in this movie he has fewer lines. Nevertheless, his suave demeanor and sexy voice was worth it ladies.

The movie had great special effects and a whole lot of action. If you don't like blood, I don't recommend it. You really have to pay attention to the story line, as with all other action movies- it jumps around. It will keep you laughing, as there are funny characters, and it brought a new meaning to the term Fraternity.

It may just have been me, but I felt like the end was a cliffhanger. If so, I can't wait for the next one!

Cat is HOT HOT HOT

In recent years there has been a shift on the streets of Broadway. Plays that contain a predominantly African American cast have been hitting theaters in record numbers. This trend has also led to a greater African American audience coming out to see Broadway shows. So as a mother’s day present (which was more of a present for myself) I took my mother and aunt to see Tennessee Williams’ classic play “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof”. Due to an all star cast, this play has received a lot of great media attention. It features Terrence Howard, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad , James Earl Jones and is directed by Debbie Allen. Unfortunately on the night of our show Terrence Howard was not in attendance.

“Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” is set on the night of the Patriarch’s “Big Daddy” (Jones) birthday. During this event many family secrets are exposed as the truth of Big Daddy’s health comes to light. Another subject surrounding this event is the condition of Big Daddy’s youngest son Brick. Throughout the play we learn of the problems surrounding Brick’s failed marriage, his drinking and his overall irresponsibility.

Though Terrence Howard was not in attendance the play was still phenomenal. Howard’s understudy, Robert Riley, did a fantastic job playing the role of Brick. Though at times I wished that he gave a bit more enthusiasm to the role , he was still better than I initially though he would be. Rose was simply amazing. She lit up the stage with her overwhelming sex appeal and her quick wit. Prior to seeing the play I have never seen James Earl Jones in a substantial acting role; however I must now say that I am a fan. He was funny, dramatic and far too comfortable cursing. He was not only the comic relief but he was the glue that held the play together. Finally Phylicia Rashad was nothing like Clair Huxtable in this role. Instead she was by far the most powerful on the stage. As “Big Mama” she played a woman who has to come to terms with her husband’s oncoming death. Throughout the play we see her take a journey to her own independence from a man whom she has committed her life to. Overall the entire play was great even though there were some points where the dialogue was a bit too much.

Tennessee Williams is truly a master playwright; therefore I recommend you go see “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” at the Broadhurst Theater before this limited engagement is up on June 22nd.

This time were taking it to the Streets

When I first heard that a sequel to ,“Step Up”, was being filmed, I was a little skeptical to say the least. I though it would be another dance movie with flashy moves and terrible acting. I’m glad to say that I was wrong. Step Up 2: The Streets, was far better than the original. The story line has greatly improved and so have the dance moves.

This time around the story follows a wayward girl named ,Andie, (Briana Evigan) who is now in the care of a family friend following her mother’s untimely death. After some negative media attention, Andie, is given an ultimatum “Get it together or Get Out”. She then is forced to attend MSA ( the school that has now made Tyler Gage famous) in an attempt to appeal to her interest and allow her to straighten herself out. From this point on, Andie, is torn between the dancer she was and the dancer she wants to be. As I said before the acting this time around is much better. Much of the cast are newcomer’s to the Hollywood scene, however, you wouldn’t recognize it. Evigan and Hoffman ( Wilin’ Out)give very impressive performances, though it may win no Oscars, this is the best performance I have seen in a dance movie since “Stomp the Yard”. The movie is also very funny, they all showed great comedic timing and delivery.

The dancing this time around is not a mixture of ballet and hip-hop but strictly street. The moves were unlike anything I have scene in any other dance movie. From the presentation to the actual movements it was simply flawless. I was surprised too see how much break-dancing has evolved from the 1980’s. Whoever said hip-hop was dead needs to rethink that statement. The movie even featured a cameo appearances from Channing Tatum and the Jabbawockeez ( America’s Best Dance Crew).

Step Up 2- The Streets, is a movie that will surprise you with more than just fancy dancing. At its heart is a message of friendship and truth. I think it’s a little cliché, but its it’s not broken don’t fix it- right. I would recommend you go see this movie while it’s still in theaters.

DVD Must See- 3:10 to Yuma

My dad loves westerns. For years he has tried to get me into them; but instead of me watching the movie, the movie watches me. Now I have the cure to my boredom with westerns in the remake of the classic film “3:10 to Yuma”. This remake starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe delivers excitement and suspense as it brings the western into the 21^st century .

Though I haven’t seen the original, I can tell the remake follows the original very closely. Bale plays a rancher ,Dan Evans, who agrees to escort the outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) to the 3:10 train to Yuma Prison. Many westerns have a light-hearted comical feel ,however, this film has a darker tone than the usual western . There is visible gore, point blank shooting, dark lighting and people being killed in their sleep with dinner forks. All these factors ,though somewhat different from what we usually see, allow for very strong performances to prevail.

Bale and Crowe give great performances in this film. We see both actors in roles that we have not seen them in for quite some time. Instead of playing the dark character , Bale, is featured as the family man who is seeking to provide justice. On the other hand Crowe plays the dark criminal with a slight sense of humanity. Also giving great a great performance is the young ,Ben Foster, who is making quite a name for himself in Hollywood. This film evolves from a suspense/ drama to a buddy film ( much like Crowe’s last film American Gangster) creating a touching and heartbreaking end. You’re have to catch 3:10 to Yuma as it ushers in the return of the western to the big screen

Rambo: Saving the Best for Last

By Cine-Brother

I went to see Rambo wondering what everyone else in America might be wondering: How can a sixty something year old man walk around pretending that he is 22 years old? Stallone, a man known for his muscles and white man ebonics, was becoming known for not knowing his own age. In his latest Rocky film, for example, Stallone pretends that there is still some chance that a man on his way to a retirement home can defeat Antonio Tarver. I thought he was smoking crack.

After seeing this film, I had to confess that the old sucker had me hitting the pipe right there in the movie theatre. Say no to drugs, but say yes to this movie.

Rambo gives you 150% of everything that Rambo films have given us in the past: lots of blood, guts, violence, killing and ass whooping galore. If you don't like violence, then you should probably see the movie in the next theatre over.

Yes, the concept might be simple, but the truth is that this simple concept has never been presented this way before. Taking place in Burma, Stallone plays a mildly insane, yet compassionate vet in solitude, who walks away from violence, rather than toward it. But of course, he is drawn into the violence and that is when you get to watch him kick some ass.

Truth is, Rambo was not a complicated film. The same formula, same stuff, same recipe. But damn it was awesome.

On a scale from one to live, I give Rambo a three and a half.

How She Move: Great Dancing, but a Little Dull

by Cine-Brother

Everyone loves a good dance film. “How She Move” fits the bill perfectly, with a mixing of stepping, break dancing and crunk that knocks your socks off. The dancing is great, but the story is a little dull. Perhaps if they’d spent the entire film dancing, you might be able to stay interested. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Most films like “How She Move” have a simple recipe: amazing performances set in the hood, a big contest at the end with prize money that the participants need in order to pay for their grandmother’s surgery (or some other equally scary hurdle). There is also the smooth, charismatic, yet frighteningly evil bad guy with the awesome crew that uses dirty tactics to embarrass the *&^% out of you halfway through the movie. Throw in a celebrity host from BET and a tie at the end between the two rival teams, and you’ve got the standard hood performance thriller. By the way, the lead character usually overcomes some deep emotional conflict and gets the girl (in this case, the boy) as a result of winning the contest. Not all films follow this approach precisely, but you get the point.

The formula is simple, but it works (see “Drumline”, “You Got Served” and “Stomp the Yard” for further reference).

The method is not the problem. But the tactic can be hit or miss. This movie missed the mark, but not entirely.

“How She Move” will keep you interested and entertained. It also has the unique appeal of being focused on the Jamaican-American community, rather than the standard that African-Americans come to expect. Also, the hard bodies of the dancers are amazing to see on screen, with the dancing being second to none.
I recommend seeing this film on DVD, but if you spend your Friday night in a theatre to see this one, you might walk away disappointed. On a scale from One to Live, I give “How She Move” a two.

First Sunday is the Last Movie You Might Want to See

Ice Cube is a genius. But even geniuses get caught slipping. First Sunday wasn’t just a slip, it was a slaughter of good black comedy, full of the typical nonsensical shenanigans that just make you sit there. The film seemed to want to continue perpetrating the myth that Tracy Morgan is actually funny. Most of us have known that Morgan wasn’t funny since his days on Saturday Night Live. A great torture method for terrorists might be to force them to watch Morgan do stand up. I’m not sure who Tracy Morgan had to sleep with to get these roles, but I sure hope it wasn’t Ice Cube.

Katt Williams is the lone star to rise out of this Hot Ghetto Mess unscathed and smelling like a rose. With one brilliantly delivered line after another, Katt Williams makes a case for being the next hot, great comedian. Had Cube Vision been visionary enough to put Williams in the co-starring role (rather than Tracy Morgan), this film would have had a chance.

Set in the “hood” of Baltimore, the film involves two men with checkered pasts who come up with the brilliant idea to rob a church. With very little planning, the two enter the church in the middle of the night and are taken over by the spirit of the Lord. I will let you see the rest, assuming that you can stay awake that long.
One saving grace of the film is that it provides a positive message for black churches, one of forgiveness and community activism. It also teaches lessons on black male fatherhood and making the right choices. Finally, we learn that not all criminals are bad people and some might make different decisions if their circumstances were changed. There was even a teary moment, as Tracy Morgan, whose character is a lifelong orphan, finally has someone sing him Happy Birthday.

The old methods sometimes don’t work in the New Millenium. Ice Cube’s formula of pairing himself with a funny man and utilizing an incredibly low budget for a niche audience worked for the Friday sequels. Even the title “First Sunday” reminds you of “Next Friday”, a film that was incredibly successful using these methods. Also, the use of only Tracy Morgan and a regular Baltimore Street as the backdrop reminds us of Ice Cube and Chris Tucker smoking joints on a porch. The method is fine, but the truth is that these methods are used to keep the costs low and to make your money back on the fact that there have always been so few good black movies for people to choose from. But now might be the time for Ice Cube to try something different, since Bob Johnson, Tyler Perry and others have upped the level of competition for the African-American audience.

“First Friday” should have been titled “Are we There yet?”, since you spend the entire film waiting for it to be over. Cube is a great man, but this was not his greatest moment. Put this in the pile with Norbit.
On a scale from One to Live, I give “First Friday” a One.

Charlie Wilson's War is Worth Seeing

by CinaBrother

I know that this is a black website, but black people usually see more white movies than black ones. So, it is my job to make sure that the non-black movies you see are good. Charlie Wilson's War is one of those good white movies.

Set in the 1980s, the film features events from the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan during the latter part of The Cold War. As you can imagine, the Soviets were beating the you-know-what out of the Afghans. Charlie Wilson, a boosing, drug using playboy, who also happened to be a powerful Congressman (remind you of another less than perfect major politician you know?) took issue with the Soviet presence in the country, launching a one-man financial offensive to counter the Soviets.

Starting with an initial budget of just $5 million, Wilson almost single-handedly gets the budget increased to $1 Billion dollars. With the extra funds, the Afghans are able to fight the Soviets head on. This makes all the difference, as the Soviets retreat several years later.

Of course the film is full of the same arrogance that many Americans feel about their presence in other countries. If ask some Americans, you would think that the world would cease to rotate if our country were not so imperialist in their mindset. But the film is entertaining nonetheless. Also, great performances by Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman don't hurt either.

I recommend seeing Charlie Wilson's War. You will be glad you did.

One Missed Call Misses the Mark Completely

- by the CinaBrother

I went to see the film "One Missed Call" because I was bored. But I later realized that even the boredom of being bored at home could not match the pain of being bored after paying $20 of my hard earned money.

I thought that the concept of the film was interesting: You get a wierd voicemail dated two days into the future. In the voicemail, you hear your own voice right before you die. After which....well, you guessed what happens next.

I thought that the directors and writers for "One Missed Call" might have the ability to take a creatively simple, yet intriguing concept and actually do something interesting with it. The film was originally written by the Japanese, so perhaps they can pass the blame overseas. The notion of using technology to kill people is interesting in the Ipod generation, so there are few excuses regarding why this film could not have been better.

I don't recommend seeing this film, it's just not worth the time. "One Missed Call" is the film that you might want to miss.

Cloverfield Is a Monster in the Uniqueness Category

- By The CinaBrother

Cloverfield is one of those "What the cluck?" films, where you see the first trailor and wonder why in the world any idiot would fall for such a ridiculous publicity stunt. Then, after seeing the trailor 15 times (as a preview to other films you are seeing throughout the year), you realize that you are that idiot.

There are films that get baseless hype, and then there are films that deserve the hype. This film's hype had as much bass as a Public Enemy record. All accolades are well-deserved.

If originality were the only criteria for a good film, this one would get a perfect 10. The filmmakers take the tried and true "Monster eats New York" scenario and add such an amazing new twist that you find yourself hanging on the edge of your seat. Then, there is that little part of you that says "Isn't this just Godzilla all over again?" But you are still hanging on every word of the characters, as you learn that it's the delivery that makes this film worth seeing.

Presenting the same old stuff in a way that makes people excited is truly an art form. Laying out a style of cinematography that includes shaking cameras, pictures of people's feet, and at least one guy who feels the need to document everything, this film hits the mark hard. The bounces all over the place, as the main characters are forced to constantly run. So, if you have a weak stomach, you might want to stay home. The footage is every bit as realistic as "The Blair Witch Project", the last film to pull off a feat of this style. However, the special effects (including the head of the Statue of liberty being thrown out in the middle of a Manhattan street) clearly show that this film's budget was substantially higher.

The quality of acting in a film like this has to rise to an even higher level than other films, since you must feel that these are real people going through a real experience. The actors do a wonderful job of making you feel that you are there and that they are truly afraid.

I wasn't sure what I expected when I checked out this film, but I know what you can expect: a wild and exciting ride that will make you say "wow".

The Bucket List: A Deep Movie that Really Makes you think

I went to see The Bucket List, starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. I am not a senior citizen, and I always get Jack Nicholson confused with the golfer. Morgan Freeman is a distinguished actor in my mind, but far too old to be in anything I would be interested in seeing.

But after this film, I am a fan of Freeman and Nicholson forever.

Two seventy-something year old men find themselves right next to one another in the hospital. One of the men (Nicholson), owns the entire hospital and seems to have more money than Jesus. The other (Freeman) is an intelligent automechanic who has a much deeper perspective on life.

It was the wise, philosophical nature of Freeman's character, mixed with the adventurous, high net worth nature of Nicholson's character that led to The Bucket List. The Bucket List is a list of things the men decide they want to do before they kick the bucket. It includes everything from "Kiss the most beautiful woman in the world", to Sky diving.

The adventure of the film begins when the men find out they both have less than a year to live, and escape from the hospital to scratch items off the bucket list. You are then taken on an adventure that includes going thousands of miles into the sky, visiting the Taj Mahal, and riding a motorcycle across The Great Wall of China.

As a young person, this film made me think. It allows one to realize how short life actually is, and how fleeting the love and happiness in life can become. The film also forces both men to confront their choices in life: Freeman, a constrained, yet content family man, feeling the benefits of love, and the agony of forgotten dreams. Nicholson, a wealthy, fulfilled and powerful man with a virtually loveless life. Both men consider the grass to be greener on the other side, yet they provide each other with a more meaningful perspective in the end.

I recommend this film to anyone who knows they are going to die at some point in the future. That includes all of us, I presume.

The Color Purple on Broadway: Simply The Best

By Declan McPherson - www.YourBlackWorld.com

Oprah has struck gold with The Color Purple. Winfrey has brought the timeless Alice Walker novel to life on Broadway and with the added star-power of American Idol’s Fantasia Barrino, this already great show has become phenomenal.

Many people may believe that the stage version of The Color Purple is simply the film version fitted for the stage. However , the two versions take very different approaches to the Alice Walker novel. I would argue that this version is closer to the book than the film. While the film shows Celie overcoming years of abuse from Albert, the stage version shows Celie as a woman in search of love, who in the end finds that she has always been loved by those around her. The stage version also explores the lesbian relationship between Celie and Shug, so if you’re going with the family just be prepared for a few lesbian kisses during the show.

The performances in this show were brilliant. Fantasia was simply amazing. Her vocals were emotional and powerful. Now we all know that she can sing, but Fantasia is also an actress. Her acting abilities were surprising, to say the least. She was emotional, very funny at times, placing a entirely new spin on the character of Celie. I wouldn’t be surprised if 2008 holds a few movie roles for Fantasia.

Aside from Fantasia’s performance, the entire cast was great. The play holds a mix of all the arts including soul music and African dance. The African scenes were colorful and vibrant. But in the end, it was the music that held it all together with soon to be classic songs like “What About Love”, “I’m Here” and “Look What God has Done”.

The Color Purple on Broadway is sure to soon become an American Classic. Its story is timeless and its music is inspirational. Though Fantasia’s run with the show will soon be over, the overall story is greater than any character that may play the role. I give The Color Purple 5 stilettos.

Ice Cube Takes Second Place with First Sunday

Ice Cube's new flick, First Sunday, was #2 on the Friday box office estimates. The film had an estimated take of $17.25M, putting it second behind "Bucket List", starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. "Bucket List" is estimated to have taken in $18.6M.

Ice Cube, considered one of the founding fathers of the multi-billion dollar gangster rap industry, has turned himself into a high powered film maker. What is most impressive about Ice Cube's resume is that he has been able to produce albums regularly, family films, and urban comedies, sometimes in the same year. Most artists are only able to brand themselves for a particular genre, without the ability to serve multiple demographics.

IceCube has incredibly successful at creating lasting series, earnings millions for the "Friday" series, along with "Barbershop" and "Are We There Yet?"

Some consider Ice Cube to be a film making genius.

"As a business school professor, I can say that Ice Cube is more brilliant than any dot com billionaire," says Syracuse University Finance Professor, Dr. Boyce Watkins. "He was able to take virtually no capital and create multi-million dollar films that served a clear and necessary niche in filmmaking. In fact, the film "Friday" was about two guys sitting on a porch. That's as inexpensive as you can get."


ICE CUBE'S ALL-TIME TOP FILM OPENINGS

1. Barbershop 2: Back in Business - $24.2M
2. Barbershop - $20.6M
3. Are We There Yet? - $18.5M
4. First Sunday - $17.25M (estimate)
5. Anaconda - $16.6M
6. Three Kings - $15.8M
7. Next Friday - $14.4M
8. Are We Done Yet? - $14.2M
9. Higher Learning - $13.2M
10. Friday After Next - $13M

National Treasure is a Treasure of a Movie

I didn't know what to expect from National Treasure: Book of Secrets, the new Nicholas Cage Disney Film. I'd seen the first installment and wasn't quite bored with it. But then again, treasure hunting has never been my thing, since I didn't think people actually do that sort of stuff.

Turns out that this might be a cool sport after all.

Cage does a superb job as an actor, as do the others in the film. The story is well done and Jerry Bruckheimer does his usual smashem up job with this one, making you think that you are watching Mission Impossible. The light-hearted Disney crap was dead on arrival.

In this film, you get to watch Cage break into Queen Elizabeth's study, sneak into the Oval Office, and kidnap the President of the United States.....and that's just the first half of the film.

I was impressed and never found a dull moment in this film. There was only a mild lull at the end of the film, probably caused by the fact that I'd become addicted to seeing action around every corner.

This film is a must see for the Holiday season.

The Great Debaters: The Best Movie of the Year

If Denzel Washington doesn't get nominated for an Oscar after "The Great Debaters", then I will officially become a conspiracy theorist. Those who run to nominate him for awards when he plays a gangster, drug dealer or thug should run just as fast to nominate him when he plays the role of a great black visionary and activist professor. If only all professors had the same guts as Washington.

"The Great Debaters" is another installment in a long line of hit or miss inspirational films made by Harpo Productions, owned by the woman on everyone's refrigerator door. This one hits the mark and strikes it hard, explaining the roots of American racism and inequality, along with the incentives for perseverance and education.

The film features the amazing debate team at Wiley College, an Historically black college in Texas. The team goes through a series of ups and downs, facing racism, heartache and intellectual challenge in order to become one of the greatest debate teams in American history. The film culminates with the team debating Harvard University head to head and whipping them on national radio.

The film was good, damn good. It was also a reminder that Historically black colleges can and are among the very best institutions in the nation. I give it as many thumbs up as I can muster, and I would even give it a toe up if my leg could reach that high.

This film is, without question, the best film of 2007. Just call it the Lord of the Rings for Black folks.

I am Legend Misses the Mark, but Makes all the Money

I had amazing expectations for Will Smith’s latest film. He’s right, aliens sell. So do zombies, and so does Will. The film earned every penny of the millions it has obtained from movie-goers, but it didn’t earn it with great content.
Taking place after the world has come to an end as we know it, Smith is featured as a scientist who is forced to roam the streets of New York City all alone. He and his dog hunt and fish during the day, make friends with mannequins at the video store, and watch reruns of “The Today Show”. At night, they hide from zombies, formerly human, who’ve been infected with a strange virus that makes them mean, aggressive and really really strong.

I think I’ve seen this before, maybe 28 days ago. Or maybe it was that thing with Tom Hanks, you know, the Castaway flick.

Smith carries the film well as the lone actor, until later in the film when he randomly runs into someone else who wasn’t killed by the infection. I found myself excited about the zombies, but feeling like a zombie as the slower parts of the film put me to sleep. I became an angry zombie as my eyes glazed over at the end, wondering “was that it?”

The night before, I’d seen two other creepy films, “The Mist” by Stephen King and “The Demon Barber” with Johnny Depp. I have to say that Will Smith’s flick comes in last among the my creepy adventures this weekend.