My Movie Review: "Top Five"

Chris Rock's movie "Top Five" is easily one of my favorites from this year. I laughed from the opening until the closing credits. Chris Rock plays Andre Allen a once very hot comedian/actor who had it all and lost it all. He is on a comeback promo tour for his new serious movie. Because he is a comedian, no one wants to take him seriously. Coupled with the fact that he is embroiled in this high powered engagement with a reality tv star, it seems like Allen cannot win. Enter a New York Times critic to shake things up via a profile. I love the journey this movie takes us on. You get to see the highs and lows of celebrity. Chris Rock did a great job weaving this tale. I like that Allen is loosely based on himself but there is enough difference between the two to not get clouded by it. It is absolutely wonderful to see Rock in a role like this. I believe the world has been missing his brand of comedy.

I loved that this movie starred some of the dopest comedians. Cedric the Entertainer, Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Pharoah, Leslie Jones, Adam Sandler, JB Smoove as well as Hassan Johnson (wee Bey Brice from "The Wire") Rosario Dawson, and Gabrielle Union. Everyone was great in this movie. But, I have to give all the props for surprise cameos to DMX. His scene was hilarious and unexpected. It was my single favorite standout moment in the film. This was the definition of a romantic comedy. I enjoyed it. I cannot wait for it to come out on dvd because I will be purchasing it. It's a must see movie in my opinion. Get into "Top Five."

My Movie Review: "Annie"

When I was a little girl, I fell in love with "Annie." Every single time it came on, I had to watch it. I tortured my parents with it. I knew every word and every song. My love for it has never gone away. Even now, I will still watch it any time I can catch. I own two dvd copies of the original "Annie." Suffice it to say, I am a FAN. Have been since the first time I saw it in 1982 as a 3 year old. It is my absolute favorite musical. As much as I loved the original, I did not care for the 1999 made-for-tv movie. It was just ok. When I first heard that Jay Z & Will & Jada Smith were redoing "Annie," I was over the moon excited. They had chosen Willow Smith to play "Annie" and I thought that was perfect. But, then a few years passed and I lost hope. Until Oscar nominated Quvenzhane' Wallis replaced Willow and the movie was a go. I knew that I would have to see this version. I was  excited for months.

"Annie" was released on Friday, December 19, 2014. The movie stars the aforementioned Wallis, as well as Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Rose Bryne. Jamie Foxx takes on the Daddy Warbucks role as tech savvy billionaire Will Stacks who is running for Mayor of New York City. Cameron Diaz is Ms. Hannigan and Bryne takes on the role of Stacks' assistant, Grace. This "Annie" keeps a lot of the original moments. But, this is an updated, 2014 version of it. The songs are all a little remixed. I did miss one of my favorite musical numbers though. It would be "We Got Annie." I really enjoyed this movie. Wallis was adorable as a street tough but sweet Annie. She lights up every scene she is in. I loved that the directors/producers/writers were able to still add a few twists to a story I hold so dear. Diaz as Ms. Hannigan is comedic gold to me. I loved Foxx as Stacks. This movie really made me anxious for another Foxx cd. The movie was really cute and very family friendly. I want to see it again and will be purchasing it when it is released on dvd. Must see for me. I cried more than once while watching it. Representation really matters. There is something very significant and important about Wallis, a Black girl playing "Annie" in 2014. Little Black girls need to see themselves on a screen in a positive light. And, Black women need to see their younger selves represented as well. It is necessary. At the end of the movie, the entire theater clapped. Everyone loved it. Get into "Annie."