MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Any Given Sunday

Since we have finally begun getting a taste of football weather this week, I decided that this week’s film should be dedicated to the gridiron. Some would say that the off the field antics in “Any Given Sunday” are a bit dramatic but I’m sure these people are not fans of the Cincinnati Bengals who have had over 32 players arrested since 2010.

Nonetheless this movie leads me to a lot of questions that will be answered during this NFL season. Is McNabb playing Cap, the over-the-hill QB who doesn’t realize that his time to shine has come and gone? More importantly, will Cam Newton or Terrelle Pryor be the next Willie Beamen. You be the judge and watch “Any Given Sunday.”

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Gunnin’ for That No.1 Spot

I’m not gonna lie. I’m pissed off about this NBA strike. The season is supposed to be
starting in a little over a month and there has been no progress. Blake Griffin is interning and some guys are playing overseas, but there is no guarantee about the future of your favorite NBA superstars.

Despite not knowing the future of your favorite players, you can find out how some
of them got to the most elite level of basketball in “Gunnin’ for That No.1 Spot.” This movie takes you on a journey with today’s NBA stars (Kevin Love, Tyreke Evans and Michael Beaseley to name a few) during their high school days as they prepare to play at the world renown Rucker Park in New York City.

Although the film isn’t quite the replacement for an NBA season, it certainly is better
than listening to Commissioner David Stern ramble on about why the NBA isn’t in
action.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Waiting for Superman

Kids are our future. A future that is dictated by circumstance, luck, and a lottery. That is if you like and believe the documentary, "Waiting for Superman". The film chronicles the lives of students as they attempt to navigate the cruel and confusing education system. The film will sadden you at one moment, enlighten you other times, and consistently gives you a look to a flawed and unforgiving system. School is in session. Let's see how many of your questions get answered.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: The Benchwarmers

Baseball is here. Peanuts, hot dogs, and the crack of the bat fill the air. After watching Bench Warmers, you will be adding laugher to that list as well. The comedy starring Rob Schnieder and David Spade brings back memories for those of us that played Little League, and reminds all of us how much it sucks to get older. This short film gives you big laughs when you least expect it. Play ball.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: DUE DATE

“Due Date” stars one of my favorite actors Robert Downey Jr. and one of country’s new hot stars Zach Galifianakis. Downey won me over through the years with his consistently good work while Galifianakis won folks over with his show stealing performance in “The Hangover.” In “Due Date”, the two join forces and bring you a host of laughs. After getting thrown off their flight, the two work together to get home for the birth of Downey’s first born, and to scatter Galifianakis father’s ashes. The laughs from these two were long overdue.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: The Social Network

Good friends are hard to come by. Most of us think that money can fix all of our problems. “The Social Network” touches on both of these issues as it tells how “Facebook” was created. What started off as a small idea at Harvard University, manifested itself into a product used around the world. By the end of the movie, just about all of the sites creators felt used. Decide whose side your own. While you are at it, check out Justin Timberlake’s hair. He took it back to the N’Sync days.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Love Jones

Love, what a feeling. “Love Jones”, what a movie. I’m not a big fan of spoken word, but from a young Nia Long, I would have assuredly gone on stage and conjured up something smooth to say. Larenz Tate didn’t disappoint for the ladies either. After seeing this movie, I’m sure a few women would have loved to take a ride on his motorcycle and have him come up to “talk.” Check out “Love Jones”. It comes with all that relationships have to offer: heart ache, passion, hurt, happiness, break-ups, and of course make-ups.


Love Jones (1997) Trailer by Afro-Style-Communication

Movie of the Week: Shottas

Despite the fact that my entire family was born and raised in Philadelphia, at least once a day I am asked if I was born in Jamaica. So to honor my alleged roots, this week’s "Movie of the Week" is “Shottas.” This flick can best be described as the reggae version of “Scarface.” It has a very similar rags to riches story staring musical artists Spragga Benz and Kymani Marley, son of the infamous Bob Marley. So, just in case you run into the same dilemma as me and people question your non-existing Jamaican heritage, pick up some cool Jamaican phrases to say and watch "Shottas".

Movie of the Week: Black and White

Imagine a movie with Elijah Wood, Ben Stiller and Mike Tyson. Now imagine that they are merely the supporting cast. (I wouldn’t use imagine in back to back sentences)That’s what you get in the star studded film “Black and White.” The story follows Manhattan’s upper class teens on their quest to become one with New York’s gritty hip hop scene. Watch as the likes of Raekwon and Redman feed prep school kids’ infatuation with “being down.” Then watch as that infatuation leads to a downward spiral that all the trust fund money in the world might not be able to fix. Watch cultures collide in “Black and White.”

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Beverly Hills Cop

Eddie Murphy was once a comedy phenomenon. He was the young do nothing wrong star of Saturday Night Live. His blockbuster hit Beverly Hills Cop was one of his many rewards for early stardom. The film starred Murphy as he played the role of a Detroit undercover police officer that finds himself in Los Angeles trying to solve the murder of his friend. You will get to see Murphy show off his comedic ability while he entertains with car chases, shootouts, and fist fights.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Beat Street

Graffiti. Family. Great music.Dancing. Drama. Death. Sounds like a hit doesn't it? The 1984 film Beat Street followed a group of young people as they live and breathe hip hop and all the elements that surround it. The movie provides an in depth look at the early stages of rap and makes you feel like you took a time machine back to the 80's. Be careful, you may find yourself writing rhymes and beat-boxing.

Movie of the Week: Grown Ups

Growing up is hard and some of us never do. Leaving behind childhood hopes and dreams can be difficult as we are forced to accept reality. Reliving the "good ole" days with people from our past does helps ease the pain and disappointment.

In the movie "Grown Ups", the superstar cast of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade come together after the death of their youth basketball coach. Even though their lives have taken various twist and turns, the guys still have the ability to make one another laugh and be there for each other in times of need. Growing up may be hard, but having great friends clearly makes getting old a little easier.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: Shutter Island

Leonardo DiCaprio always seems to deliver. He continuously turns in award winning performances that show off the unbelievable range he possesses as an actor. He hit the bulls eye again with his performance as a U.S. Marshall in the film Shutter Island. The movie takes a few twists and turns and will leave you wondering how you didn't figure the ending out sooner. It also reminded me that I need to stay off islands that house crazy people.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: House of the Devil

Jocelin Donahue, the star of The House of the Devil, is living the American dream. She is an actress on the rise in Los Angeles and stared in a movie that was filmed in her home state. In her debut as a lead actress, she stars as a young woman house sitting for extra cash. Since it's a horror movie, all the fun begins when she enters the home on a gloomy night. I'm not a horror film fan by any means. I may be the only kid that was deathly afraid of both Chuckie and Freddy Krueger. However, Jocelin's performance kept my eyes glued to the screen(and my knee shaking in fear:).

Movie of the Week: The Town

Accents make everything sound better. That may be the secret behind Ben Affleck's hit movie "The Town." The movie was not only wicked good (Boston slang), it had a fantastic plot and had excellent shots of the city of Boston. Not to mention 2 hours of dialogue with accents. That's wicked cool.

Movie of the Week: Whatever Works

I missed the boat on Seinfeld but jumped on the Curb Your Enthusiasm band wagon pretty quickly. I am a sucker for a dry smart comment by Larry David. You can only imagine how excited I was when I came across his newest full-length movie. I felt like an animal getting a treat. I nearly rolled over and played dead. An hour and a half of Larry David playing a man that is depressed and trying to kill himself. Who knew sadness and death could be so funny.

Whatever Works Trailer

Blue Chips

With NCAA March Madness fast approaching what better movie to watch this week than ‘Blue Chips.’ Nick Nolte plays a college coach who goes through the struggles of every head coach for a major university: recruiting, winning, and more recruiting. Major roles by Penny Hardaway, Bob Cousy and of course Shaquille O’neal make this a timeless sports flick.

Blue Chips (1994)

Movie of the Week: Cadillac Man

I used to think that Robin Williams could never be funnier than his role in
Mrs. Doubtfire I was wrong. In ‘Cadillac Man’ Robin Williams plays a down-and-out salesman who has two days to sell twelve cars or he’s out of a job. Just when he thinks his day can’t get any worse, a jealous husband holds his job hostage with a machine gun. Check out ‘Cadillac Man’ and be grateful that your work day isn’t this stressful.

Cadillac Man (1989)

Movie of the Week - Taking Woodstock

I missed the 70's. I sure could use a decade of reggae music, protesting, bare feet, sex, and partying. To get my 70's fix, I checked out "Taking Woodstock." After a few moments, I felt like protesting the "Man," wearing bell bottoms, dropping acid (kidding), and buying a Volkswagen minibus. If I could only find my black light. Damn it!

'Taking Woodstock' Official Trailer

Movie of the Week - Mrs. Henderson Presents

Did you ever wonder how we have gotten to a world where strip clubs are so commonplace? Perhaps this movie can provide you with some answers. ‘Mrs. Henderson Presents’ is a riveting film about an elderly woman who buys a theater in London and shocks the town with fully nude plays. Hey guys, this is one titillating chick flick you don’t want to miss. (Pun intended)

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005) Trailer