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