Edition:
November 14, 2008
Public Notices - DBA Info • CONTACT
US: News Department • Display
Advertising • Classified
Advertising
|
||
Movie Reviewers
These days, irreverent humor seems to imply crude, vulgar and raunchy. This Motown singing buddy picture with Samuel L. Jackson (“Snakes on a Plane”) and Bernie Mac (“Ocean’s Thirteen”) generates a few chuckles, but would never pass the Tyler Perry seal of approval. Their mean-spirited, potty mouths might even make a veteran Marine blush.
Narrated by American Idol’s Randy Jackson, “Soul Men” also features cameos from TV journalist Soledad O’Brien, local weather woman Jackie Johnson and soulful composer Isaac Hayes. Sadly, Mac and Hayes died suddenly after this film’s completion. This is not unlike the “Wizard of Oz” curse. Every major star of that film has since passed away!
Floyd Henderson (Bernie Mac) and Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson) are former members of a Motown trio. In their prime, Marcus, the lead singer had left the group for a successful solo career, leaving the two in a downward spiral. Now that Marcus has met his maker, the two remaining members have a chance to redeem themselves and sing again. The tribute concert will be at the infamous Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Floyd is eager to get back on the scene, but Louis believes, “The past is gone and I want it to stay gone.” He is a bitter man and a bad mother- . . . talking about Shaft! It’s not that they are swearing at each other so much, which they are, but they repeatedly utter a limited vocabulary of exceptionally rank expletives in exchange for normal conversation.
With support from promoter Danny Epstein (Sean Hayes, TV’s “Will and Grace”) and his assistant Phillip (Adam Herschman, “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay”), the duo start their road trip in Floyd’s vintage green El Dorado. The personalized license plates connote “mothership” for this brother from another planet.
To their credit, Mac and Jax do their own singing and dancing. They’re not dreadful, but their performances would barely qualify for karaoke night at the Lake House. However, the tunes are upbeat and they do appear to be having fun; much more fun than we had. In fairness, some in the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves just fine.
Along their way across country, they make numerous stops that include some giggles and jiggles. Part of their excellent adventure includes trashing hotel rooms, kinky sexcapades and finding a long lost daughter Cleo (Sharon Leal, TV’s “Boston Public”). Conveniently, Cleo can actually sing and comes to their help at the most-timely moments.
Although seemingly on a mission from God, these brothers are singing the blues. After they headline at an Amarillo hoedown, the term takes on a “ho” new meaning. Then, at the Peabody Hotel in Nashville, the most unlikely scenarios crush any chance of salvation in this excuse for a storyline from Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone.
Samuel L. Jackson continues to be the busiest man in show business. He’s not very discriminating in his choice of roles, but he certainly makes the most of each one; he cashes a pretty fair paycheck to boot. Bernie Mac is generally a funny guy, but he came up through back alley coffee houses more receptive to ribald comedy. Therefore, those accustomed to off-colored humor might enjoy seeing Mac in his farewell appearance.
“Soul Men” is 103 minutes and rated R for pervasive language and sexual content including nudity. Director Malcolm Lee (“Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins”) seems to have gone for an African-American version of the “Blue Brothers” with Dan Akroyd and John Belushi. Although Mac and Jax enjoy great chemistry together, the primary difference is Akroyd and Belushi could actually sing and dance.
Produced by the Weinstein Brothers, who have been struggling lately, “Soul Men” has its moments, but is almost instantly forgettable. Good music improves almost any movie, but if a cross between country and rock is a “crock,” we’re still trying to figure out what you’d call a cross between country and rap. Hmmm . . . boom shocka locka locka.
Ron’s Rating: D Leigh’s Rating: D
|
|
