Reviews

What a refreshing show! Dalen, Juwan and Marcus are unconventional paranormal investigators with a unique approach to Ghost Hunting. And though they use the run of the mill paranormal tools to make contact with the other side (EVPs, EMF's and the like), the most refreshing tool they bring to the trade is comedy.

Didn't think I'd enjoy this trio as much as I do. You'll be terrified in one breath and crying tears of laughter in the next. Definitely worth a watch!

I have to admit that with all of the hoopla surrounding Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog I was inclined not to like it. Call me cynical but the stench of years of internet-hyped duds slowly wafted as the fan reviews of Dr. Horrible flooded the web and my office water cooler.

But, after hesitantly instant streaming this on netflix, five minutes in, I found myself laughing and thoroughly enjoying Dr. Horrible and his ambitious plans for total world domination. A hapless underdog, you couldn't help but cheer for Neil Patrick Harris who nailed the subtle social anxieties of a wanna be evil villain with the right blend of horribleness and nerdy charm.

The first and second acts are hilarious but the laughs slowed to a crawl as the third act turned for a surprising social statement this viewer wasn't particularly ready for; a statement that also felt slightly out of place.

The Time Traveler's wife is a very ambitious film, based on the sensational 2003 novel. As film executives watched copies of Audrey Niffenegger's novel fly off the shelves, I'm sure their little minds were already racing with how much they'd reap in ticket sales before the screenplay was ever written.

The problem is that the film plays exactly as if a few executives thought the synopsis of this book was enough to carry a film: Add a little romance, a lot of time traveling and the movie should sell itself, right? Wrong. What they forgot about was what made this film a successful novel to begin with: the story.

Yes, the film is filled with scenes of a guy traveling through time, and yes we get lots of romance, but we don't know where he goes half the time, why he goes, or how each event relates to the other, for most of the film.

Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana are very likable in their roles, and anyone who enjoys a good romance will enjoy seeing them on screen together, but the only thing either is really given to do in this film is look good in a close up. The beautiful actors, lighting and art direction will hold your attention long enough, but you may find yourself feeling as if someone time traveled into this film and stole all of the good parts before you could get to them.

5/10 stars

"My Man Godfrey" isn't the best of the screwball comedy genre, but it has its moments.

The plot of an unsuspecting homeless man who becomes the object of two high society sisters' childish whims, is a concept ripe with opportunity. William Powell scintillates, giving a witty performance as the mysterious 'lost man' turned butler, and has help from some pretty strong supporting players: Gail Patrick as the evil, snooty, sister; Eugene Palette as the big booming patriarch; and Jean Dixon is enjoyable as Molly, the all-knowing maid.

The thorn in 'Godfrey's' side is unfortunately Carole Lombard, and it isn't her fault that her character is written so one-dimensionally. Irene Bullock is so adolescent, and whiny that you're praying Godfrey steers clear of her, even though she's clearly the film's female love interest. It's a pity that Lombard spends the bulk of the film pining over Godfrey like a two-year old infatuated with a new toy. Hepburn pulled it off in "Bringing Up Baby" not because she was the better actress, but because the script gave her something else to do: Chase a tiger. The most "My Man Godfrey's" script allows Lombard is an opportunity to flop on a couch, while watching her mother's protégé monkey around to entertain her.

Yes, the script pokes a lot of good fun at spoiled heiresses, but it never really gives Lombard the opportunity to rise above the joke and ultimately hurts the film.

It's definitely worth seeing the actors in their prime and fans of the genre should watch for kicks, but, although I wanted to love "My Man Godfrey," I'd sooner re-watch "It Happened One Night" or "Bringing Up Baby" to see greater male/female chemistry.

I stumbled upon this film playing on Showtime and found it to be so riddled with stereotypes that it's hard to watch. 'Diary of a Tired Black Man' is a low-budget, hybrid drama/documentary, which apparently sets out to present and answer the question of why black women and men are incompatible.

The film is not a technically beautiful one, but I'm a huge independent film fan, so I can live with the flaws. The single greatest problem with this film is that it took a subject matter ripe with possibility (an intimate look at Black Relationships in America) and turned it into a lopsided tirade against half of its subject matter--black women--which does the film its greatest disservice.

In between interviews with an assortment of people across America (this film would've fared better solely as a documentary) , the filmmaker interjects staged, dramatic moments surrounding the diary of a 'Tired Black Man,' Jimmy Jean Louis. The badly-written scenes, which are apparently designed to help audiences understand why this particular black man is 'tired,' only highlight the lead's poor choice in a high-maintenance, gorgeous but self-absorbed, airhead. This is a mistake that American men of all races have made, nothing race-based or shocking here, but the laborious scenes, interspersed with the interviews, gives the film a disjointedness that's exhausting to watch. Even Jimmy Jean Louis looks like he'd rather be elsewhere.

With the 'Tired Black Man's' diary writing as its basis, the film seeks to validate nearly two hours of raced-based drivel, without really getting to the heart of the matter: People are ultimately people. Men will be men and women will be women. To single-out universal, relationship issues as a stereotypically 'black problem' is just, well... 'Tired.'

Don't believe the 10 star reviews here written in the same voice. It's truly an abuse of IMDb and an insult to film-making.

You have to really be in the mood to get through this performance, because some parts of this 'Onion' sort of, well... stink.

Not that Zach Galifianakis isn't a brilliant artist. 'Live at the Purple Onion' highlights Zach's unusual approach to comedy and has flashes of genius. But unlike most stand-up releases, this feels very much like a guy working his material out, a dry run-through, if you will, not the kind of show you'd want to pay full-price to see.

The unfinished quality is obviously part of Galifianakis' shtick, but I found myself waiting too long to laugh between jokes and eagerly anticipating Zach's mockumentary-style moments offstage (as his fictitious twin 'Seth') than his moments on stage, where his dramatic stares at the camera were often times funnier than his jokes.

Persepolis is a beautiful and moving story; brilliantly told with eye-pleasing, stylish, animation.

I was tentative about seeing this one because of its heavy subject matter, but the filmmakers handled the story, about the decades-long conflict in Iran, with a light and often humorous touch. The success of which, was due in large part, because the story was told through the eyes of a young girl.

The movie was most compelling when it focused on your young protagonists' life in Iran but seemed to lose focus somewhat in the latter half as it turned into an Iranian version of "My So-Called Life" that, though still entertaining, lost a lot of the first act's urgency. But I highly recommend Persepolis, as it gives voice to the lives of those affected by conflict in the Middle East--a side many Americans are not often used to seeing.

8/10

Though I was apprehensive about venturing into the theater for this one, I found myself laughing out loud and genuinely enjoying the story of Richard Cooper (Chris Rock), a man going through the motions of an unfulfilling marriage. For Chris Rock fans who've been waiting for the comic to finally find his on screen mojo, this one's a real treat.

Rock turns in a subtle but effective performance while Kerry Washington and Gina Torres are great as his dual love interests. Steve Buscemi is perfectly cast as Rock's philandering co-worker and steps in frequently for literal comic relief.

'Wife's' a decent movie with a good message and unlike several films I've seen this year, I can actually watch this one again.

This isn't a great movie but it's good, fun, mindless entertainment.

I'm a huge fan of "Gridlock'd" and went into this film expecting a clever take on the action genre from Vondie Curtis Hall. What I got was an action-packed movie that borrowed from many films before it; its saving grace is its urban twist, the tongue in cheek humor (Kimora Lee's cameo is priceless) and its stars, Tyrese Gibson, Meagan Good and Larenz Tate. If you're fans of either actor, you'll allow yourself to believe the unbelievable moments--and there are many of them.

The action is non-stop, the hip hop soundtrack delivers in all the right places and you could plant a pretty garden in the plot holes but you'll certainly get your money's worth with the gunfights, beautiful people and adrenaline racing chase scenes--and in the end, isn't that what action films are all about?

Silent Hill may only be for audiences who have played and loved the video game. For all else, it makes no sense.

I tried to give the film the benefit of the doubt when Rose decides to take her young daughter--alone--to a known Ghost Town, without assistance from her concerned husband. Silent Hill continues to defy logic from there.

The film does not explain the presence of the monsters that Rose continues to run away from. Half the time, you get the sense that she's in no real danger at all and these never-ending chase scenes become boring and redundant. At one point, I was hoping one of these creatures would rip her to shreds, just to give us something interesting to watch.

I was expecting Silent Hill to be a clever, horror flick that would make me jump at all the right times--but it never happened . The only truly terrifying thing about Silent Hill is that you have to sit through this snoozer for over 2 hours.

As others have stated, there is a backstory to Civil Brand that is probably more dramatic than the film itself. To sum it up in as few words as possible: Black women directors have a difficult road to travel to see a feature film made.

The film is definitely not a masterpiece, but the attempt at telling a story about African American women in prison is a great one. The film makes a point of comparing prison labor to US Slavery--and for good reason, it is certainly free labor, with poor working conditions.

The narration by Da Brat is overkill, but because many scenes were never filmed, I'm sure it was an attempt to make the story cohesive. Lisa Raye was surprisingly decent and Monica Calhoun and Lark Voorhies did what they could with their supporting roles, but N'Bushe Wright was one of the most interesting characters to watch. She has great screen presence and excellent delivery. Hopefully we're able to see more of her.

Civil Brand is not a great movie. It's filled with stereotypes and cliches--but it does bring a new and interesting point of view on women in prison. It's definitely worth renting or catching on television.

The Haunted Mansion is definitely a movie for the whole family to enjoy. By this, I don't mean the son who's away at college buying tickets to see it with friends. If you're looking for blood, gore, sex and violence you won't find it in The Haunted Mansion. That's what makes it refreshing.

I used my 5 and 10 year old cousins as an excuse to see this film and must say: We ALL had a blast. 'Haunted won't go down in history as the scariest movie of all time, but there were just enough thrills, chills and monsters to safely introduce the horror genre to a younger audience. The CGI was pretty nice and Eddie Murphy did a great job of carrying the film with a cast of virtual unknowns. Jennifer Tilly was perfect as Madame Leota. The Evers kids were extremely adorable and funny. The rest of the supporting cast were good, but not very memorable, though.

Overall The Haunted Mansion can be summed up like this: Loads of fun for the pre-teen crowd and adults that are young at heart.

Willie Dynamite is most certainly one of the most flamboyant pimps to ever grace the screen and his "stable" of beautiful women are frequently scantily clad, but don't let the smooth taste fool you, Willie Dynamite is not your average pimp film.

"Willie Dynamite" was at times thought-provoking, frequently intense and entertaining throughout. Watching Willie Dynamite fall from pimp grace makes for some interesting drama.

Roscoe Orman is great as the fallen pimp and Diana Sands is brilliant as always but there is much to be said about the performance of the young Joyce Walker, Willie's newest and most inexperienced 'treat'. This film's motto seems to be 'even an old dog can learn new tricks' as each of the main characters undergo some form of transformation before the credits start rolling.

8/10 stars

The Brothers is a good, wholesome, tale of romance and friendship. Despite a few points off for production value (i.e. boom mics popping up in the frame and composition issues) the film is a well-written, non-stereotypical look at successful African-American men and their relationships with the opposite sex. Witty, honest, and humorous, I recommend The Brothers to anyone who can appreciate a good romantic comedy!

Great performances from Morris Chestnut, Jennifer Lewis, D.L. Hughley and newcomer, Gabrielle Union. I'm looking forward to purchasing this one for my video collection!

A strong cast and a beautiful script made this tale of Love and Basketball a winner, for first-time director Gina Prince-Bythewood.

The love story (or intense emotional roller-coaster ride, if you will) between Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan was so gripping and deep, that the audience became a part of the relationship--heartache and all. Never have I felt so involved in a romance flick. At the end of the movie, I actually did not want to leave the theater...

Most of my dramatic ups and downs could be attributed to the incredible Sanaa Lathan, who delivered such an amazing performance, for a relatively "unknown" actress. Lathan had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand. She spoke lines to the audience, without dialogue; expressed emotion without exaggeration or contemplation. What a dynamic actress!!!

Debbi Morgan, Omar Epps and Alfre Woodard, all incredible actors, themselves, also helped to create this genuine treasure. I plan on buying this one when it hits the shelves!

Naked Acts is a refreshing look at African American arts. The main star, Cicely, was a very complex character with loads of emotional conflict, which makes for a very interesting piece to watch. Very artistic work, in nature. Kudos to Bridgett Davis for an exceptional film debut!

This movie is so complex. Never before had an African writer/director ventured into such unknown territory. This movie is incredible! A black fashion model, who is posing for a fashion shoot amidst the beautiful scenery of Africa, is transported back in time through an African slave trade castle. Great cinematography and artistic creativity. This movie is not only entertainment, it is an experience!