Pajiba

Good review. Never been the kind of person to enjoy "formulaic movies aimed at African Americans" like this (Tyler Perry's anything, Soul Food, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, etc.), but this sounds like a winner. Plus, I like Regina King in what roles I've seen her in. I really hope that this film makes me forget her role in Miss Congeniality 2, a movie so bad it will haunt my dreams for years to come.

Was on the fence until the mention of Regina King, she IS the Booondocks (in animated form) watching it should be mandatory, for all races. I'll probably have to rent it though, the ain't gonna bring that here.

I really enjoy watching Regina King, but can't STAND Loretta Devine.....thus, I am torn.

And at least it isn't a Tyler Perry film.

Yet unfortunately, I doubt this film would have been green-lighted if not for Mr. Perry and his Ma'Dere. Le Sigh.

Like I said somewhere else before, I was surprised to see a Christmas movie about black people. Aside from "Roots: the Gift", have there been many others? At any rate, I applaud their efforts, despite the lackluster script and presence of the squeaky, simple, asthmatic that is Loretta Devine.

Here's to anticipating that next black Christmas movie with Gabrielle Union... I'm sure it's got the same title as an R&B song...

I don't understand where the hate for Loretta Devine is coming from. She cracks me up... I can't think of a movie of hers where I found her annoying.
And Delroy Lindo. Mmm. There is nothing sexier than a stoic soft spoken man, and he exudes that. And he rocks a mean goatee. It's sad that he seems to have been relegated to Kung Fu Action Movie Sensei/Sidekick roles. (A quick IMDB check just proved that apparently it is *I* that watches too many of those movies).
And finally, while I don't plan on seeing this in the movie theater (mostly cuz I hate Christmasy movies of any sort, unless they're on tv, so I can watch furtively while folding laundry), I don't know if I can buy Regina King as a "put-upon, weak-willed housewife". But if you say she sells it, then I'm game to give her a try.

As a quick aside, you know how sometimes scenes from a movie or a tv show will just stay with you (like my uncanny recollection of The Rock's outfit on Regis and whatsherface Live from a million years ago).... I have a similar memory of Regina King in that Tom Cruise movie, where she thinks Cuba Gooding Jr may be dead, or paralyzed, and one of her relatives makes a stupid comment, and she leaps, LEAPS, over everyone to smack him? I don't know why but I love her for doing that. And as much as I HATED the movie, that scene pops into my head every now and again.

Although this might be more of a rental for me, I'm glad to see the decent review for it. Regina King has always been a fave; she's grown nicely from playing the little sister role to an intelligent grown woman. And yes, she is amazing in The Boondocks. One of the few shows I'll actually watch every week.
The only thing that bothers me is the trailer. Is it just me, or do they pretty much give the secret away w/ Chris Brown's character?

Delroy Lindo! Delroy Lindo! He's one of those actors whose presence in a movie is often its saving grace.

And yeah for Chris Brown, small town Virginia boy who's done pretty well for himself.

Forget Delroy Lindo! Frickin' Stringer Bell is in this movie!! And since I've started to watch The Wire I have vowed to watch Idris Elba in anything he does.

I'll watch anything with Regina King, and Delroy Lindo is a major bonus.

Ditto much love for Delroy and Regina. They can make almost anything better.

Claude/Vermillion, you can only wish to have the success of Tyler Perry. I wonder if your hypocrisy would stand in the way of appearing in one of his movies if he offered you a part? I have an idea for a reality show. It's about a loser who's followed around town by a camera crew as he goes from one audition to the next trying to get a part in a TP film. And after being turned down for roles in Perry's films he developes a hatred for TP and begins stalking him in a clown suit.

Idris Elba! Delroy Lindo! They had me at hello. Or whatever.

Wasn't this the basic plot to "A Very Brady Christmas"?

And at least it isn't a Tyler Perry film.

Exactly. That and the fact the matriarch is actually a woman makes this an automatic upgrade.

Yes, Regina King is awesome. And underrated. She and Nia Long are two of my favorite actresses.

Stella, I think that scene was in Jerry Maguire.

Oh, yeah - Vermillion, marry me! (Drink!)

I usually avoid movies like this in theaters, since I'm a crybaby, and don't like to humiliate myself in public, but I may try to catch it on cable.

On a side note, the local paper had a very similar review, and while I hesitate to think this means they're actually pulling thier heads out of their asses and paying attention to what's on screen, I suppose there could be hope. Ultimately, though, I'm far more willing to trust Pajiba reviewers. Seems safer that way.

Vermillion? Claude? Weaver? III ??????

I also have an idea for a reality show. It's about some asshole named after the teddy bear from Garfield comic strips who sits on his ass, bitches anonymously online, and masturbates while eating creamed corn out of the can. Sometimes he has a point, but most of the time he's just being his douchebaggy self for no reason at all.

The big question is, who do I get to play aforementioned lead? Hmmmm . . .

Oh, so you don't masturbate?

while I won't be seeing this movie--I actually "have a blackened piece of coal in place of [my] heart that feeds on only pure unadulterated hatred"--I am glad to see all the Regina King love around here.

she is fabulous on Boondocks, but I have been a fan for years (227?). I really like her, not only because we look a lot alike--seriously, we look like sisters--but she is also a very talented actress.

oh, and good review Claude--Tripp?--ok, Vermillion.

A few scattered comments.

Matriarchs are /usually/ women, ya know?

I think we need a whole comment diversion about whom we should cast in the Pookie Movie, as Pookie.

Finally, when I saw the previews for this, I didn't actually think 'formulaic black film' at all. It didn't have that vibe. However, there are a couple of things that annoyed me about the preview.
First of all, I absolutely hate the stylistic cliche of character-says-something-snappy/funny-then-walks out-of-the-shot. It's as lame as the man-walks-away-from-explosion-without-looking-back. I saw this at least twice in the previews.

Secondly, was that "This Christmas" song being sung in a /church/? Am I mistaken or were the lyrics something like "Hang all the mistletoe
I'm gonna get to know you better, yeah". Whoah.

Look, I totally understand that Christmas isn't about Jesus for everyone. It never has been in my family. But...that sure looked like a Church they were sitting in...

Ciji, the Christmas movie with Gabrielle Union is opening December 12th: The Perfect Holiday (can't post imdb link, damn u link filter).
As long as Pajiba lets faithful readers/posters give a try at writing reviews, can BarbadoSlim cover it? Please? Pretty please? With cherry on top?

As long as Pajiba lets faithful readers/posters give a try at writing reviews, can BarbadoSlim cover it? Please? Pretty please? With cherry on top?

Posted by: irina at November 27, 2007 2:24 AM
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Hahahahaha

But seriously, I shall not seek nor will I accept such a task. I would be an affront to those who have the passion and craft to do it right.

Matriarchs are /usually/ women, ya know?

amea_gari, I'm pretty sure that Daphne was just saying that she's glad they actually cast a woman for this part, instead of assuming that only a man can play a leader/wise roll, a la Tyler Perry's (and Martin Lawrence's) penchant for dressing up as a woman in order to portray the all knowing, wise "matriarch" in their films.

As for Pookie: The Movie, I vote Dane Cook.

Dane Cook...

Heh, I can hear the promos...there's only one Aktober, one Puhjiba, there's only one Pookie, that's right, like getting a rectal exam except he ain't a doctor and won't be using sterile gloves...*tight close-up, gives finger*

I so love this movie,and I sing every song that was played on the movie all day long.Chris Brown is my teen idol,and I follow and study every move her make,I WANT TO BE THE GIRL VIRGIN OF HIM SOMEDAY.I've got the mover form James Brown to Chris Brown,I sing,dance,crump,mime,I DO IT ALL....Hope to see me and u on the 'Big Screen' together oneday!!!!!!!!

I so love this movie,and I sing every song that was played on the movie all day long.Chris Brown is my teen idol,and I follow and study every move her make,I WANT TO BE THE GIRL VIRGIN OF HIM SOMEDAY.I've got the mover form James Brown to Chris Brown,I sing,dance,crump,mime,I DO IT ALL....Hope to see me and u on the 'Big Screen' together oneday!!!!!!!!

Yeah, what pinkcheese said.

Didn't they already do a movie about Pookie? Wasn't it Kickin It Old School with Jamie Kennedy?

"amea_gari, I'm pretty sure that Daphne was just saying that she's glad they actually cast a woman for this part, instead of assuming that only a man can play a leader/wise roll, a la Tyler Perry's (and Martin Lawrence's) penchant for dressing up as a woman in order to portray the all knowing, wise "matriarch" in their films."

Ah, I got it now! Fine point. Sorry. :)

what I couldn't figure out was the 15 minutes of soul train dancing at the end.

your movie title "this christmas" is it out in store. I have call all over idaho falls. and it not in. I thought it has been release.