First Sunday

Let me start off with the downsides of this movie. There was a lot of unbelievable material, and it got so out of hand at times that I really couldn't enjoy it for how ridiculous it was being. Some of the acting was poor, and I felt the actors and actresses really didn't care how they portrayed their characters, except maybe a few, and therefore they ended up being unlikable and ultimately forgettable. Most of the funny material wasn't funny at all, and I got super tired super fast with all of the lame jokes and mundane, black comedy antics. Not to mention it was predictable to the point where I wasn't enjoying any surprises.

Now, the actual upsides. I did laugh a few times, and it was because the material was actually humorous. No, it wasn't hysterically rolling on the floor laughing, but it got smiles and chuckles nonetheless. It managed to keep me entertained, and I was actually sucked into the story plot a little. I became interested because even though most every attribute about this film is average or poor, the plot truthfully seemed endearing to me, for some odd reason, and overall, while the movie is mediocre, and I certainly wouldn't watch it again, it's not terrible. I wouldn't recommend it, but you don't have to completely avoid it, per say. It was nothing special, but if you feel like watching it, be my guest.

I really enjoyed this film for a number of reasons. I think Katt Williams is hilarious all by himself and was a great person to cast as choir director. I thought the plot was not as generic as most theft-based plots that hit Hollywood. I thought the transitions that happened as the film developed were fun to watch. Overall I thought the movie was really good.

If you are trying to decide whether or not you want to go see this movie, consider this as you make your decision. First, the film is stereotypical. The main characters live in and attend church in a run down community exposed to crime, drugs, and other stereotypical things you expect to find in a stereotypical community overrun with stereotypical people who are stereotypically Black or Hispanic. Second, the film is funny. Things that are funny to people who understand the complexities and realities of being Black will realize this; people who do not understand will find it challenging to find the comedy. Third, the film will not be an Oscar nominee. The movie was not so well shot, scripted, edited, or presented that you will see it up for major awards. That being said, a number of movies come out every day that are entertaining but are not award-winning and we watch them because we want to be entertained. This is another one of those films. So, if you want to be entertained, you understand the positive and negative inner workings of Black society, and you do not mind viewing a film that displays both stereotypes and truths about the way Black people live, move, and have their being, this movie is for you.

I'm baffled by the anger in some reviewer's critiques. Sure, this movie is hardy Citizen Kane or even up to the level of the Barbershop movies, but it's not terrible. It's main issue is its inability to sustain a tone. Instead, it varies between pathos, light comedy and (of all things) hostage drama.

As with the Barbershop movies, the persistent theme is community and family. The central characters are two petty criminals who remain criminals because of previous convictions. This isn't a laughable theme. A felon has a very difficult time making a living. When's the last time you saw a job application which didn't ask about previous criminal record? Anyway, in an effort to both pay off scary people and maintain family cohesiveness, two of society's losers decide on one more crime.

The subsequent series of events combine serious situations with interesting characterizations and then throws in some scenes of such silliness that they tend to stomp a bit on the rest of the movie. Approach with an open mind and you'll be for a light, decent movie with some interesting character sketches.

It's a return-to-feel-good-ol' reliable that never fails to bring back laughs and surprises with forgotten scenes. Although maybe best known as a comedy, there are several quite touching scenes that say a lot about relationships between couples, parents and children, and community. Quite the cast! There's Olivia Cole and Loretta Devine! Keith David, Chi McBride, Rickey Smiley, and Katt Williams! A number of actors who never really got their due, especially Malinda Williams and Regina Hall. It's held up well. I'll continue to come back to this film for many reasons. It's inexplicable why the overall rating isn't higher.

I went into this movie looking for laughs and that's exactly what I got. The premise of the film is rather daffy; two decent men are in desperate need for money; one (Ice Cube) to prevent his beloved son moving to Atlanta with his mother who has no other choice since she has debts that she cannot afford; the other (Tracy Morgan) secured a deal with a Jamaican thug to sell wheelchairs but messed it up, lost the wheelchairs and now owes the guy a lot of money. So what do they do? They stumble upon this church, they sit, they enjoy the music and the singing; and notice that the church's deacon handles a lot of money for the church's upcoming repairs. The next day, Tracy Morgan's character LeeJohn suggests they rob the church to Ice Cube's Durell's outrage. He immediately refuses but after an impass concerning his son's departure, he becomes determined to do it. But not everything goes according to plan, quickly the two are compelled by circumstances to turn the robbery into a hostage situation.

The main characters are not thugs, they are men who are driven by despair and see no other way out to get money on such short notice. They are driven by their enclosing circumstances; at many points during the movie they struggle with their morality. Durell is a serious man, but has a soft spot for his son. LeeJohn is a goofy man-child who doesn't even have an idea of when his birthday is. The most interesting aspect of the plot is that when the two men realize that the money they are after is not actually there, meaning somebody stole it first; which can only be one of the people having a meeting on the church that same night.

It has many ingredients to make it appealing; the interactions between hostage takers and hostages, Katt Williams' funny input, the final message of the movie delivered by Momma T (Olivia Cole) and the funny exchanges between Durell and LeeJohn.

Ice Cube plays his usual self, acting all tough but warm inside; Tracy Morgan also plays his usual character, very similar to his character Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock. That's what functions, that's the verified formula for comedic success. The other supporting actors give fine performances: Chi McBride as the Pastor, Loretta Devine as Sister Dory, Malinda Williams as the Pastor's daughter Tianna, the aforementioned Katt Williams as the church's choir director and Michael Beach as the deacon, who is great!

I had a nice time watching this flick and would definitely watch it again when in the mood for comedy. It can be a bit stereotypical at certain moments, but is definitely very watchable.