iloveblackmovies
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The Love Guru
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Even though you've seen every comedic antic Mike Myers has in his arsenal before, he still manages
plenty of laughs as a wacky spiritual guru in his latest flick "The Love Guru." Yeah you get a bunch of
fart and sex jokes. But most of them are ridiculously funny. Mike Myers is at his funniest best even if at
times it seems as if he's coasting through the proceedings. However, dude is a gifted comic genius
who seems to elevate his game when he’s portraying some odd ball character with the aid of a ton of
latex. Would love to see Myers and Eddie Murphy in an acting dual. Say Norbit versus Fat Bastard. Talk
about a make-up artist wet dream.
Back to "The Love Guru.”
You do you have to be a true Myers fan to dig this off-beat and juvenile comedy which sadly gets a bit
preachy toward the end. Myers is Pitka, sort of a celebrity religious healer, who must help a hockey
player, played by Romany Malco, get his mojo back to please his gorgeous wife played by Meagan
Good and help win the Stanley Cup (It’s the Super Bowl of hockey). But yo, if you need a guru to help
you get excited about Good, a.k.a. Miss King Magazine, then you got serious problems beyond the
scope of a fake Ghandi.
Jessica Alba, who couldn't out act an elementary school acting troupe, and Justin Timberlake who is
actually quite funny but wasted in this movie also star. Overall "The Love Guru" ain't in the same
league as any of the Austin Power flicks, even the crappy third one which was sabotaged by Beyonce's
horrible acting. But it is entertaining enough to warrant a trip to the multiplex. If nothing else, it's worth
checking out Meagan Good on a forty foot screen.
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Even though you've seen every comedic antic Mike Myers has in his arsenal before, he still manages
plenty of laughs as a wacky spiritual guru in his latest flick "The Love Guru." Yeah you get a bunch of
fart and sex jokes. But most of them are ridiculously funny. Mike Myers is at his funniest best even if at
times it seems as if he's coasting through the proceedings. However, dude is a gifted comic genius
who seems to elevate his game when he’s portraying some odd ball character with the aid of a ton of
latex. Would love to see Myers and Eddie Murphy in an acting dual. Say Norbit versus Fat Bastard. Talk
about a make-up artist wet dream.
Back to "The Love Guru.”
You do you have to be a true Myers fan to dig this off-beat and juvenile comedy which sadly gets a bit
preachy toward the end. Myers is Pitka, sort of a celebrity religious healer, who must help a hockey
player, played by Romany Malco, get his mojo back to please his gorgeous wife played by Meagan
Good and help win the Stanley Cup (It’s the Super Bowl of hockey). But yo, if you need a guru to help
you get excited about Good, a.k.a. Miss King Magazine, then you got serious problems beyond the
scope of a fake Ghandi.
Jessica Alba, who couldn't out act an elementary school acting troupe, and Justin Timberlake who is
actually quite funny but wasted in this movie also star. Overall "The Love Guru" ain't in the same
league as any of the Austin Power flicks, even the crappy third one which was sabotaged by Beyonce's
horrible acting. But it is entertaining enough to warrant a trip to the multiplex. If nothing else, it's worth
checking out Meagan Good on a forty foot screen.
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The Wackness
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - R
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
VALERIE FREEMAN SAYS:
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - R
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
VALERIE FREEMAN SAYS:
Clifford "Method Man" Smith in "The Wackness".
Samuel L. Jackson hates white people, Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant and big
green leafy foliage that hangs over his property line in the racially charged drama “Lakeview Terrace.”
(Abel Turner), who is a Los Angeles police officer, is so full of rage toward the couple in this killer
combo of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “Cape Fear” but it’s a lot of fun watching Jackson
who is at his best in a long time even if much of the racial commentary he spews out stings.
green leafy foliage that hangs over his property line in the racially charged drama “Lakeview Terrace.”
(Abel Turner), who is a Los Angeles police officer, is so full of rage toward the couple in this killer
combo of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “Cape Fear” but it’s a lot of fun watching Jackson
who is at his best in a long time even if much of the racial commentary he spews out stings.
BEST
1. Changing Lanes (2002) as Doyle Gipson an
everyday business man who has to battle a young
2. Jungle Fever (1991) as Gator Purify the dancin'
crack head who was lucky enough to have the
most beautiful smokin' partner in the universe
(Halle Berry) in one of director Spike Lee’s best
films.
3. Pulp Fiction (1994) as Jherri curl wearin' bible
quoting hit man Jules Winnfield in the film that
redefined the crime drama.
4. Eve's Bayou (1997) as Louis Batiste a playboy
southern doctor who also seduces his own
daughter in this poignant masterpiece.
5. Jackie Brown (1997) as Ordell Robbie a pot
smokin' trash talkin' gun dealer in this Quentin
Tarantino classic.
1. Changing Lanes (2002) as Doyle Gipson an
everyday business man who has to battle a young
2. Jungle Fever (1991) as Gator Purify the dancin'
crack head who was lucky enough to have the
most beautiful smokin' partner in the universe
(Halle Berry) in one of director Spike Lee’s best
films.
3. Pulp Fiction (1994) as Jherri curl wearin' bible
quoting hit man Jules Winnfield in the film that
redefined the crime drama.
4. Eve's Bayou (1997) as Louis Batiste a playboy
southern doctor who also seduces his own
daughter in this poignant masterpiece.
5. Jackie Brown (1997) as Ordell Robbie a pot
smokin' trash talkin' gun dealer in this Quentin
Tarantino classic.
WORST
1.The 51st State a.k.a. Formula 51 (2001) as
Elmo McElroy a kilt wearing master chemist
seduced by the dark side to sell drugs.
2. Snakes on a Plane (2006) as Neville Flynn a
loud talking FBI agent who battles a plethora of
snakes on a plane in this cheesy B-movie.
3. The Great White Hype (1996) as boxing
promoter Rev. Fred Sultan a clear but poorly
executed parody of real life boxing promoter Don
King.
detective in the clumsy update of the classic
Blaxploitation flick.
5. The Man (2005) as Derrick Vann a detective on
the case to find out who murdered his partner in
this mistaken identity farce.
1.The 51st State a.k.a. Formula 51 (2001) as
Elmo McElroy a kilt wearing master chemist
seduced by the dark side to sell drugs.
2. Snakes on a Plane (2006) as Neville Flynn a
loud talking FBI agent who battles a plethora of
snakes on a plane in this cheesy B-movie.
3. The Great White Hype (1996) as boxing
promoter Rev. Fred Sultan a clear but poorly
executed parody of real life boxing promoter Don
King.
detective in the clumsy update of the classic
Blaxploitation flick.
5. The Man (2005) as Derrick Vann a detective on
the case to find out who murdered his partner in
this mistaken identity farce.
| 1. Jurassic Park (1993) 2. Goodfellas (1990) 3. School Daze (1988) 4. Betsy’s Wedding (1990) 5. Iron Man (2008) |
Academy Award. And the winner is… of course there isn’t an official category for Best Samuel L.
Jackson impersonation. I’m just sayin’ he’d win for this performance where he effectively and
convincingly yells, rolls his eyes and smirks. Love those evil grins and there still must be snakes on
that plane. Brilliant!
Jackson has been in racially divisive films before. Remember him as the “Soul Train” dancin’ crack
head in “Jungle Fever” and when he played the straight-laced Barack Obama like black man
opposite the petty criminal played by Nicholas Cage in the wickedly funny and underrated comedy
satire “Amos & Andrew?” In “Lakeview Terrace” Jackson is the center point. But none of his antics
work if you don’t buy the chemistry between the lovey dovey couple. Kerry Washington’s and Patrick
Wilson’s genuine interaction helps the audience to side with the couple despite the film’s constant
insistence that their relationship is taboo and that Jackson ’s character has every right to break them
apart.
It’s too bad it takes the film too long explaining Jackson ’s character’s true motivation. Before we
learn what truly ticks him off the film spirals out of control as it transforms into a silly adult cartoon
with one of the weakest endings in recent memory. Enjoy the first half which features sharp writing
full of painful racist insults and ugly stereotypical viewpoints. “Lakeview Terrace” has a lot to say
about race. It just has a hard time concluding the proceedings.
Shawn Edwards is a film critic for Fox 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri . Edwards co-founded the
African American Film Critics Association and is currently working on his third documentary “Our
Heroes: The 25 Best Black Sports Movies (Ever).”
Jackson impersonation. I’m just sayin’ he’d win for this performance where he effectively and
convincingly yells, rolls his eyes and smirks. Love those evil grins and there still must be snakes on
that plane. Brilliant!
Jackson has been in racially divisive films before. Remember him as the “Soul Train” dancin’ crack
head in “Jungle Fever” and when he played the straight-laced Barack Obama like black man
opposite the petty criminal played by Nicholas Cage in the wickedly funny and underrated comedy
satire “Amos & Andrew?” In “Lakeview Terrace” Jackson is the center point. But none of his antics
work if you don’t buy the chemistry between the lovey dovey couple. Kerry Washington’s and Patrick
Wilson’s genuine interaction helps the audience to side with the couple despite the film’s constant
insistence that their relationship is taboo and that Jackson ’s character has every right to break them
apart.
It’s too bad it takes the film too long explaining Jackson ’s character’s true motivation. Before we
learn what truly ticks him off the film spirals out of control as it transforms into a silly adult cartoon
with one of the weakest endings in recent memory. Enjoy the first half which features sharp writing
full of painful racist insults and ugly stereotypical viewpoints. “Lakeview Terrace” has a lot to say
about race. It just has a hard time concluding the proceedings.
Shawn Edwards is a film critic for Fox 4 News in Kansas City, Missouri . Edwards co-founded the
African American Film Critics Association and is currently working on his third documentary “Our
Heroes: The 25 Best Black Sports Movies (Ever).”
Patrick Wilson and Samuel L. Jackson
SAMUEL L. JACKSON'S 5 BEST & WORST MOVIES
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Lakeview Terrace
DVD REVIEW
Rated - PG
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
Superbowl. The talented tomboy’s real-life exploits are the subject of this bio-pic, an against-the-odds
sports saga which seeks to tug on your heartstrings at every opportunity.
For, Jasmine had innumerable personal obstacles to overcome off the field, starting with the trauma
of abandonment by her (Malcolm Goodwin) father. His conspicuous absence, in turn, translated into
less quality time with her exhausted mom (Tasha Smith) who had to work long hours at the diner to
make ends meet. And things are no better for Jasmine in middle school where she found herself
mercilessly teased by mean girls.
A blessing in disguise arrives in Jasmine’s Uncle Curtis (Ice Cube), a down-and-out alcoholic who
walks town cradling a football every where he goes. The former high school standout’s need to clean
up his act conveniently dovetails with his niece’s for a father figure and an after-school activity.
Of course, it isn’t long before Curtis is teaching his promising protégé to play quarterback and
encouraging her to try out for the local all-boys team. In fast order, Jasmine’s ability soon wins the
starting job, followed by a string of victories that takes the team to the title game. While The
Longshots doesn’t have nearly the charm of Ms. Palmer’s Akeelah and the Bee, at least this well-
intentioned variation on the theme does offer a wholesome message apt to be appreciated by
minors.
A pleasant, if predictable, tale of female empowerment ideal for the under ten set.
sports saga which seeks to tug on your heartstrings at every opportunity.
For, Jasmine had innumerable personal obstacles to overcome off the field, starting with the trauma
of abandonment by her (Malcolm Goodwin) father. His conspicuous absence, in turn, translated into
less quality time with her exhausted mom (Tasha Smith) who had to work long hours at the diner to
make ends meet. And things are no better for Jasmine in middle school where she found herself
mercilessly teased by mean girls.
A blessing in disguise arrives in Jasmine’s Uncle Curtis (Ice Cube), a down-and-out alcoholic who
walks town cradling a football every where he goes. The former high school standout’s need to clean
up his act conveniently dovetails with his niece’s for a father figure and an after-school activity.
Of course, it isn’t long before Curtis is teaching his promising protégé to play quarterback and
encouraging her to try out for the local all-boys team. In fast order, Jasmine’s ability soon wins the
starting job, followed by a string of victories that takes the team to the title game. While The
Longshots doesn’t have nearly the charm of Ms. Palmer’s Akeelah and the Bee, at least this well-
intentioned variation on the theme does offer a wholesome message apt to be appreciated by
minors.
A pleasant, if predictable, tale of female empowerment ideal for the under ten set.
| Ice Cube and Keke Palmer |