Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Numbers 40 - 31


The list goes on with the next ten, numbers 40 – 31

40. Juice – Tupac Shakur was the bomb in all of his portrayals and this role was no exception. Omar Epps was good too.

39. Antoine Fisher – This film was sad, yet triumphant. A film about a boy who lived through the worst abuse imaginable, but came out on the other side with the help of a psychologist played by director Denzel Washington.

38. Dead Presidents – Larenz Tate and Chris Tucker were stellar in this film about the trials and tribulations of Vietnam veterans. This film also marked the first time I noticed Terence Howard, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

37. Stormy Weather – With a cast that consist of Lena Horne, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, and the Nicholas Brothers how could you go wrong?

36. Harlem Night – While this might not have been the best vehicle for the talents of Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and Redd Foxx you have to love the idea that they all graced the same screen at the same time. The fight between Eddie and Della Reese is classic and funny as hell.

35. Car Wash – One of my favorites from the seventies. It had a superb soundtrack performed by Rose Royce, with guest appearance by the original Pointer Sisters, Richard Pryor, and George Carlin.

34. Basquiat – The rise and fall of tortured artist Jean Michel Basquiat is chronicled in this film.

33. New Jack City – Wesley Snipes gives a bone-chilling performance as Nino Brown in this film about indulgence and the world of illicit drug distribution. Ice Tea, Chris Rock, and Allen Payne round out the cast.

32. Dreamgirls – American Idol’s Jennifer Hudson won the supporting Oscar for her performance as the dismissed diva. This is the film version of the Broadway play based loosely on the life of Diana Ross and the Supremes. Beyonce portrayed the main character, with supporting help from Oscar nominee Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

31. Uptown Saturday Night – This is the first and possibly the most popular of the three films made with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier in the lead roles. Though not my favorite of the three, it does have its moments.

2 comments:

X. Dell said...

Harlem Nights was panned by a lot of critics, but there wre some great scenes in it. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Murphy and Pryor as father and (adopted) son. And I could watch Redd Foxx and Della Reece (a really nice lady, whom I had the great fortune to meet) in just about anyting.

Malcolm said...

I was pleased to see "Stormy Weather" make the list. I had taped this off of American Movie Classics years ago back when they actually showed older, quality films on a regular basis.