iloveblackmovies
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
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
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
best animated feature so far this year, is dope on it's own terms. The animation is very futuristic and
admittedly probably get lost. But who cares? The head Jedi George Lucas and his team of
filmmakers built this movie for fans.
"The Clone Wars" introduces brand-new heroes like Anakin Skywalker's butt-kicking padawan
learner, Ahsoka, who comes across more like a hood rat from Brooklyn than an intergalactic warrior.
Is she really the first black female Star Wars character? But it also features old favorites like black
Jedi Mace Windu played by Samuel L. Jackson in the tired prequels. He is the only recognizable star
to lend his voice to his animated self in the movie.
Overall, "The Clone Wars" is a groundbreaking masterpiece and perhaps the future of animation.
You can have your lovable elephants, kung-fu fighting pandas and Charlie Chaplan like trash
receptacles. I've got the Force and it's with me.
admittedly probably get lost. But who cares? The head Jedi George Lucas and his team of
filmmakers built this movie for fans.
"The Clone Wars" introduces brand-new heroes like Anakin Skywalker's butt-kicking padawan
learner, Ahsoka, who comes across more like a hood rat from Brooklyn than an intergalactic warrior.
Is she really the first black female Star Wars character? But it also features old favorites like black
Jedi Mace Windu played by Samuel L. Jackson in the tired prequels. He is the only recognizable star
to lend his voice to his animated self in the movie.
Overall, "The Clone Wars" is a groundbreaking masterpiece and perhaps the future of animation.
You can have your lovable elephants, kung-fu fighting pandas and Charlie Chaplan like trash
receptacles. I've got the Force and it's with me.
Samuel L.
Jackson is
back as
Jackson is
back as
Ahsoka is
the new
padawan
learner.
the new
padawan
learner.
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - R
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
Rated - R
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
earns its R rating, as it relies heavily on salty language and a decidedly blue brand of humor. The film’
s formulaic premise is familiar enough, despite the overindulgence in profanity, the N-word, coarse
humor and graphic sexuality.
Shamelessly borrowing elements from The Blues Brothers, Thelma & Louise and Trains, Planes and
Automobiles and other buddy flicks, this rollicking road comedy makes up for its lack of originality with
an earthy enthusiasm and infectious energy likely to endear it with any audience. Another plus is the
sense of nostalgia generated by the movie’s postscript affectionately acknowledging the passing of
both Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes, a couple of cultural icons who died after shooting was completed
but prior to the picture’s release.
Floyd Henderson (Mac) and Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson) are former R&B legends who sang
backup in a trio which a generation ago enjoyed a string of chart-topping hits. However, the group
disbanded after front man Marcus Hooks (John Legend) decided to pursue a solo career. Floyd and
Louis then tried touring as a duo, but a love triangle with a woman named Odetta (Monyetta Shaw) led
to their breakup and quick slide into obscurity.
Now, 20 years later, Marcus has just died and the music industry is planning a big tribute concert to
him at the Apollo Theater in five days. Floyd sees this as an opportunity to mount a comeback. So, he
shows up unannounced at Louis’ home to find that his estranged partner’s still wants nothing to do
with him, at least until a promise of a 60-40 split of the $40,000 purse.
With Louis conveniently afraid of flying, the two agree to drive cross country from L.A. to New York in
what else but a classic convertible, a staple of the road genre, in this case a vintage Cadillac
Eldorado. Floyd has already booked warm-up gigs at nightclubs in several cities they’re planning to
pass through en route, so that they’ll be ready to perform by the time they hit the stage at the Apollo.
Of course, judging from movies, the whole point of embarking on any road trip is the concatenation of
calamities which invariably ensue, and Soul Men certainly has its share of such surprises, ranging
from a flat tire to a heckler to a drunken fan to a stint in jail to a one-night stand with a toothless
groupie (Jennifer Coolidge). The plot thickens when our heroes rendezvous with Cleo (Sharon Leal),
an aspiring-singer who might be the long-lost daughter of one of them by way of Odetta. Cleo accepts
the pair’s offer to join the group and the trio arrives at the Apollo with the paternity issue resolved and
right on time to give dearly-departed Marcus a glorious sendoff.
Yeah, you’ll laugh here and there at the outrageous antics of Bernie and Sam (who even prove they
can sing and dance here), given their screen chemistry and larger than life personas. Just don’t
expect the flava of this cinematic equivalent of bubblegum to last past the closing credits and you
won't be disappointed.
s formulaic premise is familiar enough, despite the overindulgence in profanity, the N-word, coarse
humor and graphic sexuality.
Shamelessly borrowing elements from The Blues Brothers, Thelma & Louise and Trains, Planes and
Automobiles and other buddy flicks, this rollicking road comedy makes up for its lack of originality with
an earthy enthusiasm and infectious energy likely to endear it with any audience. Another plus is the
sense of nostalgia generated by the movie’s postscript affectionately acknowledging the passing of
both Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes, a couple of cultural icons who died after shooting was completed
but prior to the picture’s release.
Floyd Henderson (Mac) and Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson) are former R&B legends who sang
backup in a trio which a generation ago enjoyed a string of chart-topping hits. However, the group
disbanded after front man Marcus Hooks (John Legend) decided to pursue a solo career. Floyd and
Louis then tried touring as a duo, but a love triangle with a woman named Odetta (Monyetta Shaw) led
to their breakup and quick slide into obscurity.
Now, 20 years later, Marcus has just died and the music industry is planning a big tribute concert to
him at the Apollo Theater in five days. Floyd sees this as an opportunity to mount a comeback. So, he
shows up unannounced at Louis’ home to find that his estranged partner’s still wants nothing to do
with him, at least until a promise of a 60-40 split of the $40,000 purse.
With Louis conveniently afraid of flying, the two agree to drive cross country from L.A. to New York in
what else but a classic convertible, a staple of the road genre, in this case a vintage Cadillac
Eldorado. Floyd has already booked warm-up gigs at nightclubs in several cities they’re planning to
pass through en route, so that they’ll be ready to perform by the time they hit the stage at the Apollo.
Of course, judging from movies, the whole point of embarking on any road trip is the concatenation of
calamities which invariably ensue, and Soul Men certainly has its share of such surprises, ranging
from a flat tire to a heckler to a drunken fan to a stint in jail to a one-night stand with a toothless
groupie (Jennifer Coolidge). The plot thickens when our heroes rendezvous with Cleo (Sharon Leal),
an aspiring-singer who might be the long-lost daughter of one of them by way of Odetta. Cleo accepts
the pair’s offer to join the group and the trio arrives at the Apollo with the paternity issue resolved and
right on time to give dearly-departed Marcus a glorious sendoff.
Yeah, you’ll laugh here and there at the outrageous antics of Bernie and Sam (who even prove they
can sing and dance here), given their screen chemistry and larger than life personas. Just don’t
expect the flava of this cinematic equivalent of bubblegum to last past the closing credits and you
won't be disappointed.
Soul Men
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize
Theron star in "Hancock."
Theron star in "Hancock."
The Dark Knight
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize
Theron star in "Hancock."
Theron star in "Hancock."
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
There are precious few giggles as Smith navigates through a bittersweet love story that allows
Rosario Dawson to deliver the best performance of her career. The two have a fair amount of
chemistry together but “Seven Pounds” isn’t a romantic comedy. Not even close. It’s a tough life
lesson and a very difficult viewing experience. Watching “Seven Pounds” requires an emotional
investment. And like any investment there are ups and downs.
Smith is Ben Thomas who is on a mission to change peoples’ lives. What Thomas really wants is the
Delorean that Michael J. Fox used in “Back to the Future” to go back in time. No such unrealistic
device is available for him in this painfully realistic movie. What unfolds is a morality tale that will have
many viewers double thinking at their next trip to the DMV (Department of motor Vehicle).
Smith has never been this subtle in a movie. Gone is the swagger that lifted him to stardom in
“Independence Day.” Gone is the playful machismo that Smith delivered in “Bad Boys.” Gone is the
“Fresh Prince” like humor that made “Hitch” a huge hit. He’s “Ali” focused but more human. A serious
thespian locked in on a character that isn’t particularly likable but merely tolerable thanks to Smith’s
balanced performance.
Overall watching “Seven Pounds” is like examining a scar as it heals. It’s painful at first then you begin
to marvel at the bodies self-healing process only to get upset that an ugly mark has been left behind
as a constant reminder of the damage done.
“Seven Pounds” is a risky choice for a superstar who could sleepwalk and earn millions for far less
changeling material. Hah-ray for Smith for taking on a bold challenge. A double hah-ray for Smith who
pulls it far more effectively than he did with “Hancock” this summer. As he gets older Smith seems to
be getting smarter. The result is a maturing actor unafraid to do big boy things.
Tell us what you thought about SEVEN POUNDS. Click here
Seven Pounds
