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Capone Is Moderately Entertained By FIRST SUNDAY (Despite Its Homophobia, Stereotypes, And Low-Class Treatment Of Women)!!
Hey folks. Capone in Chicago here.
Pointing out the flaws in this passable Ice Cube-Tracy Morgan comedy is a bit like going to the beach and singling out individual grains of sand. The plot about two desperately broke men who rob the church coffers is chock full of sincere positive messages about forgiveness and community, and it's just as loaded with incredibly irresponsible themes about lying to the police about being held hostage at gunpoint just because the robbers/hostage takers turn out to be good guys going through a rough patch. But FIRST SUNDAY is one of those films that has just enough going for it to at least be moderately entertained by it. I'm in no way dismissing the film's homophobic humor, stereotypes and low-class treatment of women, but there are a handful of actors and scenes that made this movie bearable.
As much as Ice Cube has effectively abandoned his career as a serious actor, Tracy Morgan finally has something resembling a chance at film roles. He's very funny here and even gets a couple scenes in which he emotes a little. Also capturing my eye is comic Kat Williams, who is growing on me one bad film at a time. This is the first time, however, that I thought he added something to the proceedings as the church's flamboyant choir director…yes, I said flamboyant. On the more serious side of things, I was happy to get a mini-"Boston Public" reunion with Chi McBride and Loretta Devine pulling down the heavy dramatic moments playing the church preacher and loyal church member, respectively. These two actors are on my short list of people I just love seeing in anything; they've both been in their share of junk, but they are so rarely bad, I'm almost overjoyed to see them.
FIRST SUNDAY comes to us courtesy of writer-director David E. Talbert. Although this is his first feature film, Talbert is one of the more recognizable names in writing and directing black theatre and "inspirational" musicals. He still has a ways to go as a strong filmmaker, but Tyler Perry made the transition from stage to screen work, so why not Talbert too? FIRST SUNDAY is a dud with moments of inspiration that add up to enough for me to recommend the film, but there have already been worse crimes committed against screens in America this year than this movie.
Capone
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Did all the talkbacks that were recently posted just get re-ordered?
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Just two Bale stories in quick succession. Which is also a bit weird but in a different way.
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that means i'll be seeing it one way or another.
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looked sucky.
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"FIRST SUNDAY is a dud with moments of inspiration that add up to enough for me to recommend the film, but there have already been worse crimes committed against screens in America this year than this movie." Read this sentence again, Capone. Do you recommend it or not?
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A black man running around in his underwear?? Stop it, you're killing me..I've got to catch me breath...whew....ummm, I do find it funny the way Morgan says "White Jeesus"....
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Jan 11, 2008 9:53:00 AM CST
Ice Cube needs to get that Ring of Jesus Fire back...
by reynard muldrake
and do worthwhile flicks like Three Kings. Damn fine film. And just realized it was 9 years ago almost...ouch.
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is going to be filet mignon, some are going to be greesy cheeseburgers. And enjoying some junk food/movies from time to time is okay. I think Capone gets that.
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... those Friday films!!
Although I havent seen those and I wont be seeing this!
Im not an Ice Cube fan and I cant beleive some one out there is even considering him to play BA in the A-Team movie? -
the absolute tip-top!!! It'll beat titanic for sure.
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They think it's "fun and exciting"... weird, but what can ya do?
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Yes, but sometimes greasy cheeseburgers leave a bad taste in my mouth and give me awful sshhiiitttsss....
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..so I take it this will be Don Imus' favorite film of the year?
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Jan 11, 2008 11:02:31 AM CST
Homophobia, Stereotypes, And Low-Class Treatment Of Women
by iamjack'suserid
So it will be a movie version of some rap song...ANY rap song? I think the brevity of this review reflects certain demographic "reaching out", because who in their right minds would want to see an Ice Cube movie? This review reminds me of when white celebrities who are accused of racism or something similar spend a day or so with the "black community" and then go on with their lives, like Dog the Bounty Hunter did. I think its just a way of trying not to look like a racist, because in today's world of Jacksons and Sharptons around every corner ready to spring, you have to be proactive lest you want to be marched against.
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I did find the aside to the BIG black lady in the commercial to be funny. ("Move and I'll bust a cap in yo' ass!" "Don't worry honey, he ain't got that many bullets...")
But other than that, nope, not gonna see it! -
I'm not the only one that this was a Friday -quel of some sort
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is hilarious. i am in no way promoting this film, cuz i'm sure it isn't as good as some of the potential that's in it, but watch his stand up. HI-FUCKIN-LARIOUS!
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Jan 11, 2008 1:47:30 PM CST
Homophobia, Stereotypes, And Low-Class Treatment Of Women
by crazyhorse2099
If you DON'T want homophobia, stereotypes, and low-class treatment of women in your African American film comedies, your only real option is something by Tyler Perry.
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why the fuck is this movie being reviewed here? Am I going to have to slog through reviews of every goddamn movie that gets a theatrical release now? I thought this was a site for nerds, not date-raping jocks.
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kat williams character was funny. the rest is generic barber shop 1 caliber hijinks. sans the "ethnic wit", mostly.
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i thoiught it was at first.
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i thoiught it was at first.
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...so where's our obligitory "inspirational coach/teacher" movie? You can't have a January without one.
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Jan 11, 2008 10:37:21 PM CST
since when are comedies Homophobia-Stereotypes-Sexist free?
by bmacsmith
i like my comedies heavy on the political incorrectness, thanks.
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For nearly a quarter of a century, rap music has been a genre far broader than you recognize. While the "Gansta' Rap" sub-genre tends to get the most exposure (primarily due to its popularity with young white males). Additionally, the Reverends Jackson and Sharpton are almost exclusively *invited* to dialog about racial politics *after* situations have come to a head. Whether or not this review is an attempt to "reach-out," that conclusion can't be drawn based on the premise you offer. While you're entitled to your opinion, it's dishonest to present it as informed analysis. That said, I just don't see where "First Sunday" has the wherewithal to do much but bring in slightly more than its estimated negative return, if one controls for marketing costs. Right now, it would seem that the same percentage of Hollywood that "gets" Black films is equivalent to the percentage that "got" genre movies in 1989.
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I am inclined to believe your post was an attempt to give the illusion that you exude some sort of intelligence, and to illustrate that with the fact that you happen to listen to rap music. Unfortunately, your sentence fragments and word excesses reveal your failure. FYI, a quarter of a century is only 25 years, and hardly anything rap can brag about. Also, I don't remember presenting anything as "informed analysis"; this is after all an 'Aint It Cool News' article talkback (lol).
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Simply add a comma at the end of my first sentence, and replace the following "While" with "though"... and feel much better about yourself! :-) By the way, your “inclinations” seem to be the problem, fellow poster. Were you to replace them with an informed opinion, it would be nice. Still... the reality here is that you simply aren't qualified to make gross generalizations about rap music or Rev. Jackson. For much the same reason, I tend not to make broad generalizations about Fellini films... not having viewed that entire body of work. Furthermore, the difference between you and I is that I normally like to know what I'm talking about, instead of trying to hide simpleton comments behind what I think are "funnies." Discarding the fact that I actually didn't claim to listen to rap music, the idea that you would be inclined to write something as obvious as "a quarter of a century is only 25 years" likely illustrates the full depth of your thought process. I mean... that's just a breakthrough in linear thinking. It's up there with saying a square only has 4 sides and a foot is only 12 inches. Sheesh. Do you even recognize the grand irony of this particular talback's title being on AICN?
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