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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".
Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
CHUCK FAUSH SAYS:
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
CHUCK FAUSH SAYS:
Most will enjoy "Tyler Perry’s The Family that Preys" because once again Mr. Perry keeps it real. The
two leading ladies, Academy Award winner Kathy Bates who comes strong and Academy Award
Nominee Alfre Woodard who sails through every scene with style and grace, were phenomenal. They
both gave stellar performances that were personable and warm.
The movie takes you through a series of turns that makes you assume you know exactly where it will
end up including how the characters are related. But not exactly, as the master of ghetto drama
delivers the unexpected. Bates and Woodard share a friendship that pleasantly surprises at the end
because you figure the south, black and white women, one rich and one not, one has family on lock
and the other has issues with the children wouldn't mix. There's only one relationship this could be,
right? I couldn't have been more wrong, and I was happy about the way the movie unfolded. Yes, they
made the two families from different walks of life learn to work together.
Now let me talk about Sanaa Lathan versus Robin Givens. Wow! I initially thought their roles should
have been reversed. Sanaa should have been cast as the executive and Robin should have had the
role of Rockmond Dunbar's wife. Nope. By the end of the movie, they both convinced me of their
rightful place because they played it exactly the way the off screen game would have been played.
As far as Mr. Dunbar's is concerned, he played a husband in love with a serious fix on his wife
perfectly. He delivers a knockout punch (literally) to the guy who was deserving even though
someone might say he didn't indulge alone...(I'm in trouble now). And Tariji P. Henson (an
ILOVEBLACKMOVIES.COM favorite) who plays Tyler's wife, keeps the characters and the audience
real. She wants a better life for her family, encourages her husband, loves her mama, checks her
sister and acknowledges that life is both joy and pain and even with our mistakes...there is His
Grace. And when seeking Grace, we should be like David in the Psalms - ask for forgiveness, do
good and sing a new song.
The film's tag line says to follow your heart but watch your back. Could there have been more camera
moves? Probably. And I would have liked to seen better cinematography to make the film appear as if
it had a bigger budget. Didn't really need it though. Like with Perry’s other five movies he delivers a
real story with real characters which equals a real good movie.
two leading ladies, Academy Award winner Kathy Bates who comes strong and Academy Award
Nominee Alfre Woodard who sails through every scene with style and grace, were phenomenal. They
both gave stellar performances that were personable and warm.
The movie takes you through a series of turns that makes you assume you know exactly where it will
end up including how the characters are related. But not exactly, as the master of ghetto drama
delivers the unexpected. Bates and Woodard share a friendship that pleasantly surprises at the end
because you figure the south, black and white women, one rich and one not, one has family on lock
and the other has issues with the children wouldn't mix. There's only one relationship this could be,
right? I couldn't have been more wrong, and I was happy about the way the movie unfolded. Yes, they
made the two families from different walks of life learn to work together.
Now let me talk about Sanaa Lathan versus Robin Givens. Wow! I initially thought their roles should
have been reversed. Sanaa should have been cast as the executive and Robin should have had the
role of Rockmond Dunbar's wife. Nope. By the end of the movie, they both convinced me of their
rightful place because they played it exactly the way the off screen game would have been played.
As far as Mr. Dunbar's is concerned, he played a husband in love with a serious fix on his wife
perfectly. He delivers a knockout punch (literally) to the guy who was deserving even though
someone might say he didn't indulge alone...(I'm in trouble now). And Tariji P. Henson (an
ILOVEBLACKMOVIES.COM favorite) who plays Tyler's wife, keeps the characters and the audience
real. She wants a better life for her family, encourages her husband, loves her mama, checks her
sister and acknowledges that life is both joy and pain and even with our mistakes...there is His
Grace. And when seeking Grace, we should be like David in the Psalms - ask for forgiveness, do
good and sing a new song.
The film's tag line says to follow your heart but watch your back. Could there have been more camera
moves? Probably. And I would have liked to seen better cinematography to make the film appear as if
it had a bigger budget. Didn't really need it though. Like with Perry’s other five movies he delivers a
real story with real characters which equals a real good movie.
Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, and Alfre Woodard.
Chuck Faush is host and Co
nContrast, a weekly entertainment
and lifestyle magazine show. Host
and Producer credits include
Simmons Lathan Media, FOX
Sports, Tribune, Inspiration
Network and ESPN.
nContrast, a weekly entertainment
and lifestyle magazine show. Host
and Producer credits include
Simmons Lathan Media, FOX
Sports, Tribune, Inspiration
Network and ESPN.
| 2. Why Did I Get Married? (2007) $55.2 Million 3. Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) $50.6 4. Meet the Browns (2008) $41.9 Million 5. Daddy's Little Girls (2007) $31.3 Million |
Tyler Perry's Box Office Hits
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".
DVD REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
Rated - PG 13
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
For the first time in years, the Whitfields are returning to L.A. for a family reunion being hosted by their
mother (Loretta Devine) with the help of her boyfriend (Delroy Lindo). But each of her kids arrives not
only with luggage but burdened by emotional baggage, so there are pressing issues which need to
be addressed before they can all enjoy the Christmas celebration.
Uncompromising Kelli (Sharon Leal) has a very successful professional career in New York City, but
no man in her life, because she’s picky and refuses to settle. Meanwhile, Melanie (Lauren London),
in from Atlanta, is a free-spirited undergrad in her seventh year at Spelman College where she keeps
changing her major. She’s brought along her latest boyfriend (Keith Robinson), a pre-law major at
neighboring Morehouse College. Arriving from San Francisco is eldest sister, Lisa (Regina King),
who is stuck in a bad marriage to a wife abuser (Laz Alonso) with a mistress (Amy Hunter).
As for the Whitfield males, there’s hot-headed Claude (Columbus Short) who’s ashamed of his white
girlfriend (Jessica Stroup). Quentin, Jr. (Idris Elba) is a struggling jazz saxophonist who has
disappointed his mother by following in his failure of a father’s footsteps. Finally, there’s Michael
(Chris Brown), the baby, a talented teen still living at home who’s been blessed with a beautiful
singing voice. Yet, he’s been reluctant to pursue his dream due to his mother’s aversion to show
business.
This wholesome family flick does a decent job of interweaving the strands of the leads’
predicaments in an entertaining fashion, even if the goings-on tend to be more cartoonish than
credible. Miraculously, the assorted skeletons are revealed and dealt with satisfactorily, ultimately
enabling the very contented Whitfields to gather around the dinner table for a closing Kodak moment
on Christmas day.
mother (Loretta Devine) with the help of her boyfriend (Delroy Lindo). But each of her kids arrives not
only with luggage but burdened by emotional baggage, so there are pressing issues which need to
be addressed before they can all enjoy the Christmas celebration.
Uncompromising Kelli (Sharon Leal) has a very successful professional career in New York City, but
no man in her life, because she’s picky and refuses to settle. Meanwhile, Melanie (Lauren London),
in from Atlanta, is a free-spirited undergrad in her seventh year at Spelman College where she keeps
changing her major. She’s brought along her latest boyfriend (Keith Robinson), a pre-law major at
neighboring Morehouse College. Arriving from San Francisco is eldest sister, Lisa (Regina King),
who is stuck in a bad marriage to a wife abuser (Laz Alonso) with a mistress (Amy Hunter).
As for the Whitfield males, there’s hot-headed Claude (Columbus Short) who’s ashamed of his white
girlfriend (Jessica Stroup). Quentin, Jr. (Idris Elba) is a struggling jazz saxophonist who has
disappointed his mother by following in his failure of a father’s footsteps. Finally, there’s Michael
(Chris Brown), the baby, a talented teen still living at home who’s been blessed with a beautiful
singing voice. Yet, he’s been reluctant to pursue his dream due to his mother’s aversion to show
business.
This wholesome family flick does a decent job of interweaving the strands of the leads’
predicaments in an entertaining fashion, even if the goings-on tend to be more cartoonish than
credible. Miraculously, the assorted skeletons are revealed and dealt with satisfactorily, ultimately
enabling the very contented Whitfields to gather around the dinner table for a closing Kodak moment
on Christmas day.
Laz Alonso, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, Sharon Leal, Keith
Robinson, Regina King, Ambrosia Kelley, Loretta Devine,
Delroy Lindo, Lauren London, Javion Francis, Lupe
Ontiveros and Chris Brown.
Robinson, Regina King, Ambrosia Kelley, Loretta Devine,
Delroy Lindo, Lauren London, Javion Francis, Lupe
Ontiveros and Chris Brown.
This Christmas
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".
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) has decided to live with her father (Billy Burke) to make it easier for her
perpetually overcast Forks, Washington, a dreary town whose only claim to fame is that it’s located on
At her new high school, the socially-awkward 17 year-old proves to be pretty popular, and finds herself
being courted by classmates representing a variety of familiar teensploitation archetypes, from the
handsome hunk (Michael Welch) to the nerdy Asian (Justin Chon) to the jive black guy (Gregory Tyree
Boyce). But the shy loner opts to keep to herself until the fateful day she spots gorgeous Edward Cullen
At her new high school, the socially-awkward 17 year-old proves to be pretty popular, and finds herself
(Robert Pattinson) across the crowded cafeteria.
Bella’s warned on the spot by her gossipy girlfriend, Jessica (Anna Kendrick), that Ed and his four,
equally-pale foster siblings are strange and keep to themselves. In fact, there’s a nasty rumor that they
might date each other, and that their father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli), behaves more like a
matchmaker than a legal guardian.
Nonetheless, from that moment on, Bella finds the aloof pretty boy irresistible. And Edward’s as
attracted to her too, though not exactly for the same reason. What Bella doesn’t know is that he’s a
vampire, albeit one trying to go vegetarian. Yet, her alluring scent operates on him like a drug, leaving
him torn between treating her like a soulmate and like his next meal. So, when the two start flirting in
Biology class, she hasn’t a clue that it takes all his strength to resist sinking his fangs into her neck.
The first hint Bella gets that something’s weird is when Edward saves her life by stopping a careening
car with his bare hands. When she subsequently guesses that he’s a superhero like Superman or
Spider-Man, he instead honestly warns her that he’s bad news. However, she’s already too smitten to
keep her distance. “I trust you,” is the best response she can muster, after he eerily admits, “I’ve never
wanted a human’s blood so much.”
Does this star-crossed romance stand a chance? Will Bella’s dad, the shotgun-toting, local sheriff,
solve the mystery of the serial killer who’s been hunting for humans in time? Or, can the Cullen clan
convince Edward that he’d be better off dating his own species?
These are the burning questions at the heart of Twilight, as inspired an overhaul of the vampire genre
as you could ever hope to encounter. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen), the film is based on
the phenomenally-popular series of young adult novels by Stephenie Meyer.
This visually-enchanting screen version is full of surprising twists, humorous asides and novel special
effects all of which combine to keep the picture quite compelling. Another plus is the convincing
chemistry generated by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, a must when you’re asking your leads to
execute such an improbable-sounding premise. For what female in her right mind would stay in a
relationship with a freak fond of frequently saying scary things like, “I’m a killer” and “I’m the world’s
most dangerous predator.”
Most importantly, since we’re essentially dealing with horror fare here, Twilight must be commended
for serving up two hours of non-stop, edge-of-your-seat tension, as you never know what to expect next
from this endlessly-inventive mindbender. The genre has certainly come a long way from I Was a
Teenage Werewolf.
perpetually overcast Forks, Washington, a dreary town whose only claim to fame is that it’s located on
At her new high school, the socially-awkward 17 year-old proves to be pretty popular, and finds herself
being courted by classmates representing a variety of familiar teensploitation archetypes, from the
handsome hunk (Michael Welch) to the nerdy Asian (Justin Chon) to the jive black guy (Gregory Tyree
Boyce). But the shy loner opts to keep to herself until the fateful day she spots gorgeous Edward Cullen
At her new high school, the socially-awkward 17 year-old proves to be pretty popular, and finds herself
(Robert Pattinson) across the crowded cafeteria.
Bella’s warned on the spot by her gossipy girlfriend, Jessica (Anna Kendrick), that Ed and his four,
equally-pale foster siblings are strange and keep to themselves. In fact, there’s a nasty rumor that they
might date each other, and that their father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli), behaves more like a
matchmaker than a legal guardian.
Nonetheless, from that moment on, Bella finds the aloof pretty boy irresistible. And Edward’s as
attracted to her too, though not exactly for the same reason. What Bella doesn’t know is that he’s a
vampire, albeit one trying to go vegetarian. Yet, her alluring scent operates on him like a drug, leaving
him torn between treating her like a soulmate and like his next meal. So, when the two start flirting in
Biology class, she hasn’t a clue that it takes all his strength to resist sinking his fangs into her neck.
The first hint Bella gets that something’s weird is when Edward saves her life by stopping a careening
car with his bare hands. When she subsequently guesses that he’s a superhero like Superman or
Spider-Man, he instead honestly warns her that he’s bad news. However, she’s already too smitten to
keep her distance. “I trust you,” is the best response she can muster, after he eerily admits, “I’ve never
wanted a human’s blood so much.”
Does this star-crossed romance stand a chance? Will Bella’s dad, the shotgun-toting, local sheriff,
solve the mystery of the serial killer who’s been hunting for humans in time? Or, can the Cullen clan
convince Edward that he’d be better off dating his own species?
These are the burning questions at the heart of Twilight, as inspired an overhaul of the vampire genre
as you could ever hope to encounter. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen), the film is based on
the phenomenally-popular series of young adult novels by Stephenie Meyer.
This visually-enchanting screen version is full of surprising twists, humorous asides and novel special
effects all of which combine to keep the picture quite compelling. Another plus is the convincing
chemistry generated by Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, a must when you’re asking your leads to
execute such an improbable-sounding premise. For what female in her right mind would stay in a
relationship with a freak fond of frequently saying scary things like, “I’m a killer” and “I’m the world’s
most dangerous predator.”
Most importantly, since we’re essentially dealing with horror fare here, Twilight must be commended
for serving up two hours of non-stop, edge-of-your-seat tension, as you never know what to expect next
from this endlessly-inventive mindbender. The genre has certainly come a long way from I Was a
Teenage Werewolf.
