Preaching to the Choir

I've seen this movie . Not because I like gospel so much , ( the contrary) besides Mahalia Jackson. I watched this movie because Eartha Kitt would be in it , but WHERE was she ? Only that tiny little bit she had to play. Too short almost to be noticed and too DULL for herself to be able to let see what acting she CAN do. I wasn't upset because of a certain use of language. The film is NOT about "being Christian" , the film is a story with singing gospels. It's a dull movie ( sorry for you, Eartha , you tried your best ). This movie is just not inspirational and will be okay to rent or to see on TV , IF it makes it to that item....

The title of this movie and basic outline -- of two brothers dramatically affected in different ways by painful events in their childhood -- dangles the promise of an interesting story idea, but then goes on to destroy that promise offensively.

When the two brothers grow up, one becomes an uptight pastor at Harlem church, and the other becomes a rapper whose most prominent promo item is a drawing of his face with a satanic feel. The rapper gets in trouble (predictably) as a result of his behavior, which leads to the brothers confronting their relationship with each other, amidst a background of cardboard church people.

The synthesis coming from this clash of opposing minds is not redeeming at all. The movie seems to say that good and evil aren't really good and evil, that the pastor is in essence just as bad as the rapper, and the best approach is to average out the good and evil without examination. To what do they average, I wonder?

It is extremely clear that no one of any influence on this production is Christian, or understands in any way what it means to be a Christian. As a result, the movie displays some superficial trappings of religion but no deeper reality. Sadly, there are many real instances of problems in the church where the members and leadership act in ungodly ways (I know - I've been victimized by them), but this movie turns that into a farce. Further, there are no roles demonstrating someone with a true, life-changing belief.

If you are in any way a believing and acting (i.e. "real") Christian, I strongly urge you to avoid "Preaching to the Choir". If you are not, be advised that what you see in this movie represents only the secular world relabeled as Christianity, so the writers/producers don't have to take responsibility for their own attitudes.

"I haven't had sex in ________ years," says the elderly woman in church. "See me after (choir) rehearsal," says the young black male.

These kinds of bits in the film, while probably seen by those who produced and sold it as "just comedy" or "edgy" (that's the latest industry buzz word), really reveal how far it is possible to miss a targeted audience - even offend them. Having a casual conversation in a church about screwing an old woman? Is there any story context that would mitigate the impropriety here? Or does "Christian" mean anything anymore?

The latest in the secular-meets-saintly hybrid widget in the urban genre, this movie strikes me as an attempt to make a project about gospel music, without having to respect the Gospel itself, and to sell shock value and sizzle - at the expense of the serious-minded urban Christian community.

I loved it. It points out how two people closely related can process the same tragic event in their mind and heart and react to it differently. I cannot say enough about these brothers and the beautiful relationship that continued non stop with their aunt. The level of respect they had for her was wonderful to see. She spoke they listened. I thought both brothers had so much to offer others. They were different in so many ways yet so much alike. I was glued to my television as I watched the drama unfold.

I cannot say enough about Eartha Kitt whom I adore. I loved the musical selections as well. There was one scene of the brothers in church talking. I must have watched that at least 50 times and laughed every time I viewed it.

Enjoyable for entertainment, excellent acting, soundtrack, picture quality and story content. True to life. Depicts hope, love, encouragement, family, and humor

Just saw this at the 9th annual American Black Film Festival in Miami, and really enjoyed this -- good acting all round, funny, family-friendly, and beautiful cinematography as well. Harlem's historic and contemporary cultural vibrancy is nicely worked into the scenes (in one scene, Zulu courts a young woman who works at the Studio Museum of Harlem, where they talk in front of Kara Walker's silhouette paintings).

It's an accessible mainstream-type comedy with a lead actor who might be the next Denzel Washington (he's certainly handsome enough, as is the actor who plays his brother).

There's a theme of redemption at work here. Two brothers, one a hip-hop star called Zulu and the other the Baptist preacher at a Harlem church, have had conflict in their relationship for years, but when Zulu's life is endangered as the result of a contract dispute with a record company owner, they have to work through their problems and help each other. The minister brother's church is losing membership and has become stagnant, but Zulu's presence attracts curious teens and Zulu revitalizes the gospel choir. Each brother finds a way to help the other. Lots of entertaining secondary characters, light violence, some sexually suggestive humor (akin to what you might see on many broadcast TV shows).