Movie Review: “Madea Goes to Jail”

Seen on: February 21, 2009

The players: Director: Tyler Perry, Writer: Tyler Perry, Cast: Tyler Perry, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke, Tamela J. Mann, Vanessa Ferlito

Facts of interest: None whatsoever.

The plot: This time, Madea goes straight to jail, where she inspires other prisoners and offers them a valuable life lesson.

Our thoughts: Tyler Perry’s funniest character returns to the big screen in “Madea Goes to Jail,” and while she clearly leads the film’s most hilarious scenes, her onscreen time remains a little too limited for my taste. It’s a shame, really, because Madea’s the only one injecting the film with decent enough comic energy.

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Review: "Notorious"

Seen on: January 17, 2009

The players: Director: George Tillman Jr., Writers: Cheo Hodari Coker, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Cast: Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Antonique Smith

Facts of interest: George Tillman Jr. also directed "Men of Honor."

The plot: Follows the life and career of Christopher Wallace, who's also known as Notorious B.I.G.

Our quick thoughts: No dream was too big for Christopher “Biggie” Wallace (Jamal Woolard), a Brooklyn boy who abandoned his drug-dealing habits to pursue his dream of a career as a hip-hop artist. George Tillman Jr’s intriguing biopic “Notorious” recounts the short but eventful life of the influential musician, who quickly rose to fame but ended up losing his life in a tragic shooting at the young age of 24.

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