Diff'rent Strokes – Complete First Season

"Diff'rent Strokes" made its broadcast debut on November 3rd, 1978. Who could forget Gary Coleman's' "Arnold" and his innocent banter? The show centered around two Harlem boys (Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as "Arnold" and "Willis" respectively); whose mother's dying wish was for her employer to take care of her boys. The benefactor is "Phillip Drummond" played by Conrad Bain, who also has a daughter of his own "Kimberly" played by the late Dana Plato.

The show revolves around "Arnold" and "Willis" trying to assimilate to an upscale lifestyle and "Mr. Drummond" trying to learn how to be a father to these boys. This is a classic "fish out of water" syndrome that worked well. These kids grew up right in front of our eyes and gave us memorable storylines – who could forget Nancy Regan's "just say no" message?

Ultimately these kids grew ...Read the entire review

Soul Plane – Unrated

The Movie

"Soul Plane" is the urban take-off of the old "Airplane" movies. It's a movie without a star actor or director. Jessy Terrero takes his turn directing his first major film. Jessy is better known as a music video director. That talent is put to use as this movie feels like one big rap video.

Unknown comedian Kevin Hart stars as Nashawn Wade, an out of luck wannabe entrepreneur. Nashawn has a mishap on an airline – I'll save you the bathroom humor and sues the airline to the tune of $100 million. Using his newfound fortune, he founds N.W.A. – Nashawn Wade Airlines, with the help of his knucklehead cousin Muggsy (Method Man). "Soul Plane" is the story of their maiden voyage.

The cast is made mostly of "B" level comedians and rappers that want to be actors. The two "biggest" names in the movie play insignificant parts – Tom Arnold as...Read the entire review

Graffiti Bridge

Body of Review

Prince has been dominating the news media as of late. A platinum CD ("Musicology"), hit tour and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, has the purple one back in the limelight. Warner Bros. has now released three of his full length movies starting with the 20 year anniversary issue of "Purple Rain". "Purple Rain", both the movie and the album, catapulted Prince into stardom in the early 1980's. "Graffiti Bridge" was the not so successful 1990 sequel to that movie.

Prince is back, playing the role of "The Kid" with Morris Day reprising his role as the arch nemesis. Both musicians now operate separate nightclubs in the "Seven Corners" area. Morris owns all but one club, The Glam Slam which is co-owned by Morris and The Kid. Morris doesn't play nice and tries to intimidate The Kid into selling his half of the club.

Part of the appeal of "Purple...Read the entire review

Under the Cherry Moon

The Movie

Rewind back to 1986. Prince was on top the world as a musician. "Under the Cherry Moon" was his follow up to 1984's smash hit "Purple Rain". Originally directed by Mary Lambert (music video director for Madonna, Bobby Brown and Janet Jackson), she left the project citing "creative differences" with the star. Prince ended up directing this movie himself and put his own stamp on it.

Critically panned, "Under the Cherry Moon" was shot entirely in France and in black and white. Supposedly, Prince wanted the movie to "feel" like a classic tale of love. Prince plays the role of Christopher Tracy, a Miami native that makes his living playing the piano and the women. Joining Christopher in his gigolo lifestyle is his buddy Tricky (Jerome Benton). Christopher and Tricky are trying to make their way by sleeping with rich women and spending their money.<...Read the entire review

Good Times: Season 3By now everyone is familiar with the 70's hit comedy show "Good Times". Norman Lear was a sitcom king during those days. "All In the Family" begat "Maude" and "Maude" begat "Good Times" – so in essence "Good Times" was a spin-off of a spin-off.

The series debuted on February 1, 1974 starring dramatic actress Esther Rolle. Rolle played the role of Florida Evans, a role that was originated on the show "Maude". "Good Times" was the first mainstream view of the African American household. The Evans world was essential bleak – nothing but the hard ghettos of Chicago. But the family did have just that – a family. Other actors that rounded out the Evans clan included veteran John Amos as the father James, Bernadette Stanis as sister Thelma, Ralph Carter as militant little brother Michael, and of course Jimmy Walker as the scene stealing oldest Evan's child J.J...Read the entire review

Channel X

What's It About? - Well here is the box description: Welcome to the Fonz and Mike show! In this cutting-edge urban underground Hip Hop cartoon show, Fonz and Mike take control of a TV station to bring you irreverent humor, comic interviews with recording artists and animated shorts from a Hip Hop perspective. Featuring the music of DJ Johnny Juice, Channel X takes you where no cartoon has gone before! Channel X is the urban South Park! If you thought The Slim Shady Show was hot, wait until you see this!

Now here's my take: "Channel X" bills itself as an underground hip hop cartoon. Dave Chapelle's show can be silly, but funny. "Da Ali G. Show" can be silly, but funny. "Channel X" is very silly, but not always funny. The premise is Fonz and Mike, two co-hosts to an underground talk show. Fonz and Mike interview famous people, including rapper Lil Kim and th...Read the entire review

Johnson Family Vacation

The Movie:
Cedric the Entertainer is an extremely funny comedian, but unfortunately that fact doesn't come across on the big screen in "The Johnson Family Vacation". Cedric stars as Nate Johnson, a man that's simply trying to take the family to the annual family reunion. Nate's immediately family includes wife Dorothy (Vanessa Williams), teenage daughter Nikki (Solange Knowles), teenage son D.J. (rapper Bow Wow), and the very cute little girl Destiny (played by child actor Gabby Soleil).

If all of this sounds somewhat familiar, it's because this movie has already been done – National Lampoons Vacation is the classic that "Johnson" heavily borrows from. This film tries to be the urban update, but it's just simply nowhere near as funny. Cedric is a great at physical comedy (remember the Budweiser commercials), but playing the straight-laced Nate rel...Read the entire review

Park Day

The Movie
"Park Day" is a sometimes compelling, often times not, drama set in New Haven, Missouri. The move chronicles the lives of three young people who find themselves at a critical crossroads. There's Steve Johnson – portrayed by Harper Hill, who can't decide what he wants out of life. He really wants to write – and indeed narrates the story, but faces pressure from his father to "make something of himself". Steve is smitten with Tamala (Monica Calhoun), the sister of his best friend and rough neck John Eric (played by Lande Scott). John Eric is a wild soul of sorts, not really going anywhere in life with no outward ambitions. Tamala desperately wants to escape it all, but neglects the courage to leave the town she's always known.

The movie takes place during one celebratory day – known as Park Day. Park Day is an annual late summer homecoming commem...Read the entire review

Tupac Resurrection

The Movie
Tupac Shakur was without a doubt, one of the most controversial figures of his time. Tragically killed on September 13th, 1996 in Las Vegas, Tupac still lives on even in death. Many have said that he was a ghetto poet, while others have said that he was just another gangster rapper. The film allows Tupac to tell us who he was. "Tupac Resurrection" isn't the typical documentary, rather it is a film that is narrated entirely by Tupac Shakur himself.

The movie opens with a Tupac song – "Staring at the World Through My Review" and the camera panning the city of Las Vegas. The camera pans the streets and suddenly the song ends and gunshots ring out. "Yes, I got shot", chillingly says the voice of Tupac. From this moment on, Tupac leads us through his life from early childhood to eventual death.

Director Lauren Lazin makes her feature f...Read the entire review

Opening Thoughts– Hailing from St. Louis, the Torry brothers are a pair of funny comics. Joe Torry is best remembered for following Martin Lawrence as the host of HBO's Def Comedy Jam. Joe also played opposite of Janet Jackson and the late Tupac Shakur in "Poetic Justice". Most recently, Joe has had a recurring role in UPN's "Girlfriends". Guy Torry has had more success on the big screen with roles in "American History X", "Life" and "Pearl Harbor". Guy has also written episodes of "Martin" and "Moesha". This DVD is filmed in Biloxi, MS and both brothers take the stage.

Review - First up is Guy Torry, performing in Biloxi, MS. Guy makes sure to let everyone know that he is not his older brother Joe. Guy starts out by making fun of Joe and his tight shirts. Guy hits on everything from R. Kelly to Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. We also get his takes on people in the new...Read the entire review

Opening Thoughts– Quick, name the last mainstream, successful Black woman comic. Kind of hard huh? Well Adele Givens would have to be the closest out there. An original "Queen of Comedy" hailing from Chicago, Adele hasn't enjoyed the mainstream success that other "Def Comedy Jam" alums have – think Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac or Chris Tucker. Having said that however, Adele is an extremely funny comic.

Review - The show is taped in Gulfport, Mississippi and Adele is performing before a packed house. Adele has been around for a while. She makes no qualms about not being lady-like; as a matter of fact it's one of her running jokes. She touches on events like the DC sniper, sex and 9/11. She's able to talk about current events from a Black female point of view. There is even a very funny bit on former New Jersey Net Jayson Williams, who is currently on trial for manslaughter...Read the entire review

Teddy Pendergrass has been a soul icon since the early 1970's. His start came as a drummer for the group "Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes". He quickly became lead singer of that group and churned out hits such as "If You Don't Me By Now" and "I Miss You". Teddy went solo in 1978 and had several hits, including "Turn Off the Lights" and "Close the Door". Teddy's appeal with ladies was undeniable, including many "ladies only" concerts. Sadly Teddy was a serious car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Confined to a wheelchair, Teddy made a comeback in the mid 80's. A precursor to current R&B singers like Jaheim and Johnny Gill, Teddy Pendergrass is an original. This DVD is a live performance in Los Angeles, recorded sometime in 2003. Here's a breakdown of what you're treated too..

The Performance:

1. Close The Door- The disc opens with a classic h...Read the entire review

The Original Latin Kings of Comedy

Opening Thoughts: Filmed in El Paso, Texas, at the Abraham Chavez Theater, the Latin Kings of Comedy is Latino's answer to the hit comedy tour "The Kings of Comedy" that featured Black comedians Steve Harvey and crew. The movie opens with Cheech Marin, of "Cheech and Chong" fame. Throughout the course of the movie, Cheech serves as the host. Essentially the show is headlined by George Lopez (from ABC's the George Lopez Show) and comic great Paul Rodriguez. Two lesser known acts serve as the openers.

The Movie: First up is former boxer Joey Medina from New York. I personally wouldn't go to a show just to hear him, but his stage time isn't that bad. He (like all of the acts), touches on many differences in the different cultures. After Joey, Alex Reymudo hits the stage. Alex isn't quite as funny as Joey and his time on the st...Read the entire review

Intro:

Robert Townsend has been a mainstream comic forquite sometime (over 15 years).  Before there wasChris Rock, Dave Chapelle or even the Wayans – there was Townsend.  Townsend's satirical brand of comedy inspiredshows like "In Living Color" and eventually Blackcomedy shows like "Def Comedy Jam". "Partners in Crime Vol. 2" was an HBO comedy special that airedin 1991.  We get to see some early looks ata few thenunknown comics like Sinbad, David Allen Grier and John Witherspoon.

Audio/Video:

Read the entire review

Opening Thoughts– One of the top Black comics in the game today is D.L. Hughley. The star of ABC's "The Hughleys", D.L. doesn't shy away from any controversial topic.

Review - D.L. Hughley, one of the "Kings of Comedy" hits it hard again with this hour-long stand-up routine. Filmed during this years Black Expo in Indianpolis, D.L. hits all of the right topics. From Bin Laden to Bill Clinton, D.L. touches on everything. He has an uncanny ability to hit our funny bone by talking about real life. We get treated to his muses on childeren, the differences between Whites and Blacks, and his political views. Once again, D.L. succeeeds in making us laugh.

Audio/Video-
This DVD is presented in a fullframe format and 5.1 surround sound.Most of the sound stage is limited to the front and center channelshowever. The video is very jerky at times, and does not have the...Read the entire review

Opening Thoughts– The top Black comic today is arguably Chris Rock. A notch below Rock, are the self-proclaimed "Kings of Comedy" - Steve Harvey/D.L. Hughley/Cedric the Entertainer/Bernie Mac. The Kings have been able to cross-over and become mainstream comics. So now come the "B" players, these are comics that are known in the Black community, but have yet to find cross-over sucess. That is the type of comic featured in "Latham Entertainment Presents: An All New Comic Experience". On that disc we are introduced to Bruce Bruce, a fine comic in his own right. The DVD was filmed in Indianapolis at the Murat Theater and we are treated to great up and coming comic.

Review - Bruce Bruce is a very engaging comic. You may be familiar with him as the host of BET's ComicView. He opens his performance by picking at members of the crowd and covering topics that most Black comedians ...Read the entire review