Undercover Brother

Another long time coming review!

Speaking as a whiter than sour cream kind of Dude I don't have the slightest damn clue how I got exposed to this movie around probably 8 or 9 years old. All I know is I had it on DVD and knowing precisely two things about black cinema, jack and shit, I enjoyed it a good bit but it's been about 20 years since last I saw it and this here idea for the reviews this week has been brewing for some time. First thing I gotta say is, this is a 2002 ass movie! It absolutely wears it's 70s influence on it's sleeve but make no mistake it is very easy to discern when this movie came out, that ain't necessarily a bad thing but holy moly is it noticeable! Taking a very super spy edge with an organization of black agents battling against a faceless supervillain known only as The Man (no not Becky Lynch) recruits a new member in the form of the parachute pants wearing, afro laden, soulful Undercover Brother. The plot is pretty dirt simple and focuses more on the wild characters within this world, but it's very serviceable and has some decent moments of parody and acknowledgement of the world. Will say the casting is actually pretty good with Eddie Griffin who has a lot of humor and too cool for school energy as our lead, Chi McBride who I just love that man in anything so that's an easy win for me, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor certainly has that sass and ass kicking thing down pat, Dave Chappelle who big shock was the funniest person in the whole damn flick for my money was another easy win, my man Gary Anthony Williams looking sharp and hey props to him he got Denise Richards before the end, speaking of which Denise I love you to death and I got nothing but respect and appreciation for you and your career so it was a treat seeing you again! Certainly don't have a problem saying this movie soundtrack is also a big winner with more classic funk and soul stuff like James Brown and Kool & The Gang, mixed with more modern stuff like Michael Jackson and Mary J. Blige, which thank you for that movie cause I love the fuuuck out of her song! The only real negative I could hold steadfast on and even then it's minor is the tone and presentation of the movie is split, like I said it wears the 70s with pride but it kinda rams heads with the modern new millenium style of production and I do kinda wish it picked one or the other. But the movie works well enough, pretty good sets and location shooting, the humor can miss at times but has enough solid hits and a meta style that makes it original, casting was so on point they somehow got Billy Dee Williams and James Brown in the movie which is both amazing and impressive, also made me tolerate and even kinda enjoy Neil Patrick Harris that gets you half a point alone movie! Could some point at the stereotypes and black vs. white moments and have a problem with it? Well even with someone like me who got majorly called out on the mayonaise part, I refer you to clause 4 subsection A under "learn to take a joke"! 2.5 stars, 7/10 from me, and we'll look at not only a more faithful homage but a superior film in my opinion next time!

The World Is Not Enough

Better than the last?

Eh, it's kind of a toss up. Tomorrow Never Dies is just a bit of action entertainment to watch on a lazy afternoon this one is more standard Bond fare. It's very well done and story wise is the best of the Brosnan era, with Bond protecting an oil tycoon's daughter after he is murdered by a rogue criminal only to slowly fall for the woman and hunt down her father's killer. I would say this is Brosnan's best performance, mainly because he has more material to work with and can occasionally prod more emotional levels while still having his classic Bond persona present. Sophie Marceau is great as Elektra King, sort of a combo of Tracey and Tania with a dash of Fiona Vulpe, she is lovely in this movie and has a big impact on the series' standards. Robert Carlyle makes for an interesting villain as Renard if only because of his relationship with Elektra and I do quite like the whole backstory that he got shot in the head but didn't die and the bullet is killing off all his senses slowly while making him stronger, that's kinda cool. I may get some good grief over this but I don't hate Denise Richards as Christmas Jones, yeah it's silly to think she could be a nuclear physicist and her line delivery isn't always top notch but I've seen worse in this series and she's barely in the movie until past the halfway mark. She never annoyed me or made me roll my eyes, she was just there so I never took great issue with her. I quite like how M has a more prominent role in this and actually gets dragged into the danger, it helps up the stakes and get you more invested near the end. The action is more lax this time around though that pre-title sequence is great, but it's really not that kind of Bond film and it's more about Bond and Renard's relationship with Elektra which is handled very well. It's never dull and I guess I do enjoy it more than the last movie. I'd give it a solid 8/10 this time around. I somehow doubt the next movie will do as well, if good at all but we shall wait and see as I review the movie that put the Bond franchise on hold for many years, Die Another Day.