Skip to main content

Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (Review)

I'm just in from the world premiere of Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins. WHRJ is the new comedy starring Martin Lawrence, directed by Malcolm Lee (Roll Bounce; Undercover Brother both underrated and well-worth your time). It's the story of a Hollywood hotshot who takes his new fiancee and his son to his parents' 50th wedding anniversary/family reunion.

Mr. Lawrence as usual shows off his comedic genius. He has steadily become a sure bet in Hollywood. This time Lawrence is flanked by a cast of stars that at times threaten to steal the movie. Mike Epps (Reggie, a straight-up fool) and Mo'Nique (Betty) in particular shine in their roles as cousins to Lawrence's talk show king, RJ Stevens aka Roscoe Jenkins. The gift of gab runs deep in this family. Michael Clarke Duncan has never made me laugh so hard as Otis, Roscoe's unlikely little brother. Anytime the three of them were on screen the audience's laughter drowned out the dialogue. Watch for the softball scene in which Mr. Epps dares to imitate Mr. Duncan on screen. It feels loose like an outtake and its clear that the cast are having a ball.

Then there's Cedric The Entertainer as Clyde, the uber-competitive cousin (Roscoe buys Dad a plasma TV to watch football games; Clyde buys Dad seasons tickets) who literally brings down the house with Lawrence in one of the best slapstick sequences this century. Joy Bryant plays Roscoe's equally winner-centric fiancee Bianca. Director Lee handles the comedy as well as the sentimental subplot dealing with Roscoe's terse relationship with the family patriarch played by James Earl Jones. Did I mention this is an all-star cast? WHRJ has got some great laughs and a believable character arc for Roscoe as he deals with his Daddy issues and being a father, too. Entertaining from top to bottom.

After the movie was the afterparty at Hollywood and Highland. Universal went all out for this premier. One of the finest I've attended. I had a chance to speak with most of the stars and share thoughts about the film with them. Mr. Epps and Mo'Nique were very charming. Michael Clarke Duncan is the man. And Cedric, well, he's always entertaining.








I had a chance to compliment Alfre Woodard (not in the film) on her Obama pin. She was pleased to see mine. Yes, it arrived in the mail just before I left the house. Lots of folks sporting Obama accessories. And then there was the Home Run King. Yes, that Home Run King. I was surprised to find that I'm taller than Mr. Bonds. Yes, I'm a Dodger fan and I've booed Barry my share, but he has that swing. And he's friendly and that's a great smile isn't it?


Best of all I had a chance to catch up with an old acquaintance from Hoyaland, Mr. Lee. I hadn't seen him in years and suffice to say I'm proud of him and pleased for him. He's directed a grip of movies that I would recommend to anyone. Big ups, Malcolm. Best of luck with Roscoe Jenkins and your new picture, too.


Peace & Disco Beats

Comments

DAVE said…
Malcolm owes me for all the Spike Lee stuff I bought from him at G'town..but big Ups to him and his career..
8:45 AM, January 29, 2008
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Being There [Grammy Recap]

Hey Soul Mates, Check out your boy. Yes, I did look that damn suave at the Grammys last night. Look, the tickets very clearly said "black tie." What could be less rock and roll than black tie? Not wearing "black tie." Frankly, the hipsters and the club girls just looked silly. Maybe I'm getting sartorially conservative, but you must be clean for the Grammys. We arrived early in the afternoon. A beautifully mild afternoon in downtown L.A. and not a sign of the predicted rain. I wanted to experience the whole nine, so we got there in time for the "Pre-telecast" ceremony. This is where 97 of the 108 gramophone statuettes are awarded. It was much more entertaining and endearing than the actual broadcast. The winners were genuinely moved, were not limited in their speech time and came in all stripes. Now, very few of the acts I voted for won. But the day did start off with a bang as OK Go won best short form video for the treadmill hopping video for Here...
5 comments
Read more

John Lennon 40 Years On

Remembering John Lennon today. Forty years have flashed by. I can still hear my clock radio turning on to the incongruent sound of the Beatles on Dec. 9, 1980 and wondering why? I think about John every day. I am fortunate to have been able to make pilgrimage to Mendips, Abbey Road and Strawberry Fields, NY; to play on stages like the Cavern, the Jacaranda and the Troubadour where he performed or made trouble, or both. Here’s a quick playlist for you and me. (Just Like) Starting Over I Should Have Known Better Bless You Nobody Told Me Strawberry Fields Forever Nowhere Man Enjoy the day. Fill it with peace. Fill it with music. #JohnLennon #Liverpool
Post a Comment
Read more

Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air - Book Review

“The Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air” is a trippy new mystery novel from Phillip Mottaz. It captures the grit and gilt of the City of Angels with the flair of a contemporary Raymond Chandler. The brisk pace and wit are reminiscent of Douglas Adams’s entries in the detective game. Flourishes of  Fletch  and “Medium” also spring to mind. However, Mottaz has added a psychic/mutant/superhuman touch and his own comedic voice, structure and internal monologues to the proceedings that help the author announce his own style and the arrival of a literary heroine for a new generation. Hairstylist and budding private investigator, Danica Luman is the perfect character to convey the irony, angst and sarcasm needed to tell a 21st century L.A. crime story. Danica also represents anyone who thought it would be neat to get tangled up in a mystery and the darkly comic cautionary tale that follows. The genre is recognizable, but Mottaz offers a fresh take on the not-ready-for-prime-ti...
Post a Comment
Read more