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photo courtesy of mrpatok

photo courtesy of mrpatok

Last week I decided to take a break from the grind of pursuing freelance work to go see Soul Men with Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson. It was really surreal to watch a new movie where two of the actors had recently passed away.  I mentioned in previous posts how difficult it is to put aside the analysis cap as a writer when going to the movies. I really wanted to watch this movie from an entertainment standpoint because my mind needed the break.

Here’s what I was able to enjoy before the critic stepped in:

·        I loved the grit of Samuel L.’s character, Louis Hinds. I’m a big fan of sarcasm anyway.

·        Bernie Mac’s character, Floyd Henderson talked a big game and as the movie progressed he began to back it up with action.

·        It was great to see Sean Hayes from Will & Grace, he was funny as a TV exec and didn’t seem type-cast at all. I saw him as the actor who played Jack McFarland from Will & Grace instead of seeing as Jack McFarland.

·        Jennifer Coolidge was hysterical. She’s played a variety of roles, one of which includes the salon owner in one of the Legally Blond movies.

·        One surprise was Cleo, played by Sharon Leal. I won’t give her character away in the film other than to say she’s more than a back-up and her voice was something truly not to be missed.

I had forgotten how much swearing goes on in some Black movies. I know for those opposed to it, they find little need for it but it was highly necessary in this instance and lent to the humor.

It reminded me of the weekend family parties that would just materialize. It would start with Grandma’s cooking and Grandpa playing cards on the porch. Before you knew it there’d be four to six men on the porch and just as many women in the kitchen with kids running in and out. There’d be the strong whiff of fried chicken in the air along with lots of trash talking. When the lightening bugs came out and the kids could no longer play ball in the street the party would move inside till late in the evening.

Soul Men was very entertaining. I’m glad I held the critic at bay long enough to laugh and revisit the times of my youth visiting Grandma’s house.  

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