"The Best Man Holiday"...Grab the Tissue...

Prepare to break out the tissue for this one, because the floodgates of tears will soon follow…

It has been 15 years since The Best Man (1999) debuted on the Hollywood screen, and the reunion could not have been any sweeter. The Best Man Holiday comes at a great time to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. 

So just in case you have not seen the first movie or it’s been a little while, here is a quick, updated primer. The whole cast from The Best Man returns and are doing pretty well for themselves in their respective lives and careers. The only new editions are the children and a new flame/significant other. Harper (Taye Diggs) is an author and former teacher at NYU; his wife Robyn (Sanaa Lathan) has gone from being a budding caterer to a full-time Chef; Harper’s best friend Lance (Morris Chestnut) is playing professional football in the NFL and is on the brink of retirement; his wife Mia (Monica Calhoun) is a housewife; then there is Jordan (Nia Long) who has moved through the corporate ranks of BET and now works for MSNBC as an executive producer; her new boyfriend Brian (Eddie Cibrian), one of the new additions to the cast, is a top business man who works on Wall Street; then there is Julian aka Murch (Harold Perrineau) who has become one of the leading innovators in education and runs his own school with the assistance of his wife Candace (Regina Hall); and the final two Shelby (Melissa De Sousa) has now become a reality TV star, and Quentin (Terrence Howard) who has added some stability to life now owns a managing firm. Even though time has passed and life changes have taken place there are still some secrets that have remained and others that have surfaced. As the saying goes…“some things just never change”.

The Best Man Holiday is one of those sequels that could have failed tremendously, but it somehow manages to successfully get past the sophomore curse. Keeping in mind it is rare that a sequel can get a whole cast to return when more than a decade has passed. Truthfully I think, when it comes to original movies and not ones centered off someone who was alive, this definitely makes the list as an excellent film featuring a Black majority cast in a while. One of the highlights of this movie is that it definitely lives up to being a comedy-drama. A large amount of the humor comes from the cast cracking jokes on each other, in some ways a love-hate type vibe, it just seems like it’s a part of their various relationships and friendships.

The film should also be recognized for its non-comedic performances. Keep in mind, if you have not seen the original, there is a lot of already existing drama that has taken place: characters have dated each other, had sex with each other, or liked each other, in the group. As a result of this, there is a lot of existing and lingering chemistry between characters thus their history causes friction. Nevertheless, naturally there seems to be one thing, which brings them together and bond like a family. Unfortunately this one thing may bring on the tears, which might make the viewer a little cheerful for the specific comic relief between Shelby and Quentin. Needless to say, the writing and performances will positively test your sense of empathy.

Now although the film is, overall, beautifully captured, there are a few issues. For example, (without giving any spoilers) Harper and Lance's relationship is somewhat forced and less natural, in comparison to other relationships from characters in the film. And the situation once it is brought to the light, which causes conflict between the two, after it is resolved, is certainly sort of obligatory and slightly annoying. Needless to say it does help push the story along. Another issue could be seen in Lance’s character; to a degree he portrays a Tyler Perry-style faith in Christianity, which might be overbearing at times. Even with these minor problems, The Best Man Holiday still does not disappoint. If nothing else the film has definitely kept up with the times as one reporter from The Washington Post said it clearly delivers in that with one plot point “it is able to revolve around social media run amok, off-handedly invoking everyone from the current president Barack Obama to MSNBC star commentator Melissa Harris-Perry, to T.V. sensation Olivia Pope and to ‘Blurred Lines’ singer Robin Thicke."

So, I remind you again, be ready to laugh and cry all in one sitting, because the dramatic moments are so touching it will truly leave an emotional weight on you. Know that you will laugh and cry, and laugh and cry some more. All in all, this film will undeniably make you appreciate life, family, and friends. On a final note, The Best Man Holiday succeeds in presenting new directions and viewpoints for Black actors. It's difficult to find representations of Black Love in pop culture that are not ratchet, oversexed, or overly comedic. Well, The Best Man Holiday provides a refreshing alternative.

"The Best Man" sequel is set for November 2013 Release

Well looks like the gang is getting back together...Please believe I am doing my 'Happy Dance' right now!! Thanks to a Universal Pictures email announcement the studio is set to release an untitled sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man for Friday, November 15th, 2013.

No synopsis has been given except for the fact that Malcolm D. Lee will be serving as the director and one of the producers of the film along with Sean Daniels (The Mummy series) co-producing.

Also there have been no concrete casting roles set, but rumor has it that the sequel will reprise the original cast which includes Sanaa Lathan, Monica Calhoun, Melissa De Sousa, Harold Perrineau, Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Terrance Howard, and Morris Chestnut.

It will be interesting to see what the storyline and plot will unfold. There is a lot of potential in this cast and for this film.

So I am very much looking forward to what is in the works. If nothing else at least I know that a date has been set. Sounds good to me!!

Day 13: Black Movie Month: Top Black Movies That Need a Sequel"

Earlier on today Essence Online featured an article about some of the top Black Movies that needed a sequel, or already have one in the works. Well I had to take a look at this list and see what they came up with, and they had some great ones and then some that well, should have been reconsidered. So I kept some of the films from the list to give you a condensed version.

Already in the Works

 *The Best Man (1999): Luckily as we saw earlier this week this one will actually happen!!

 *Sparkle (1976): Here is another one that will be coming back to the screen! This 70s classic sequel will be starring Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter.

 *Waiting to Exhale (1995): This one will be a definite MUST SEE!!

Would Be Nice

 *Set It Off (1996): What happens after Lida escapes? That has always been a mystery to me...

 *How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998): Now this one would definitely be interesting and I am sure we can think of the perfect folks to be cast in their roles.

*Harlem Nights (1989): Three names Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart

*Love Jones (1997): This would be #1 on my list of sequels no questions asked!

*Love & Basketball (2000): Will the basketball genes flow to the child?

*Eve's Bayou (1997): Even 14 years later this story would resonate in our minds...Just that deep

 *Deliver Us From Eva (2003): Not too sure about whether this one is really needed, but maybe someone else might see something that I don't see

*Coming to America (1988): Just because we wanna laugh!!

 *Brown Sugar (2002): Just to see the story all over again...

 *Juice (1992): It's a classic tale, why not?

 *Crooklyn (1994): Gotta love a good family story

*School Daze (1988): I would be curious to see Spike Lee take on this project with an up-to-date look of the HBCU life and culture

 *Precious (2009): This just might happen, considering the success of its predecessor

 *New Jack City (1991): "This story of money, power, and respect never gets old."

 *Boyz In the Hood (1991): What happened after Tre (Cuba Gooding, Jr) and Brandi (Nia Long) went to college?

Now every single movie on this list may not need a sequel but just the idea of it maybe happening is all that matters here. So what do you think? Any to add or delete? Share your thoughts...

Day 11 Black Movie Month: "The Best Man" and a SEQUEL

Day 11 of Black Movie Month!! Today's spotlight is special because not only are we featuring the film The Best Man but it is official there will be a SEQUEL!!!

And to top it off our dreams have come true folks, after some speculations began when the cast the cast met up for a reunion a few months ago, director Malcolm Lee has decided to make it a reality.

Universal Pictures has officially signed on to be the studio home of Best Man 2! Deadline Hollywood reports reports the original director, Malcolm Lee, will return to the helm. And he's working on locking down the original YBF cast featuring Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Moore, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, and plenty more:

Universal has set Malcolm D. Lee to write, direct and produce Best Man 2, a sequel to the 1999 film. Lee wrote and directed the original, a comedy in which a writer (Taye Diggs) is preparing to be the best man for his football player buddy (Morris Chestnut), but the timing is bad because the writer’s autobiographical novel is about to pop and it describes how the best man bedded the bride. Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau, Nia Long and Sanaa Lathan also starred. The original grossed $35 million. Lee’s plan is to ask the original cast to reprise; in fact, I’m told the whole idea came out of a reunion dinner he held with most of the cast members, and they sparked to the idea of a re-team and so did the studio.

I am usually not a fan of certain sequels happening, but this is definitely the exception to the rule! Check out the trailer for The Best Man and look back on the memory of a classic black film!!

Do we smell a 'The Best Man' Part 2?

Could there be a chance that The Best Man, one of my top 5 movies, will have a sequel?

Can you imagine 12 years ago on January 29th, The Best Man was #1 at the box office!!! Well on this past weekend the entire cast along with director Malcolm Lee got together to celebrate in West Hollywood.

When a got word that the entire cast met up for drinks this past weekend, I just knew something good is going to come out of this. This is one of those type of black movies that had so many great messages that we could relate to and such a long-lasting impact on its audience. Even today we can still find ourselves talking about this film and relating to the situations.

Front row: Monica Calhoun, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, and Terrence Howard  
Back Row: Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, Melissa DeSousa, and Director Malcolm Lee 

Just beautiful!!

Director Malcolm Lee said about the cast's reunion:

On Saturday, January 29th, the cast and the director of the 1999 film, The Best Man, which opened at #1 in the box-office, got together in West Hollywood for drinks and dinner to reminisce, catch up and discuss the future. It's hard to believe we all haven't been in the same space for over 12 years, but it was like we've seen each other everyday. It was a joy to reunite with the "Black Pack", one of the best casts ever assembled in my view. Judging from the laughs, conversation and smiles we'd all love to find a way to collaborate again. God willing it'll happen.

I so would be first in line if this happens. I remember back in 1999 leaving the theater after watching The Best Man and saying this is a classic in the making!!

Let's keep our fingers crossed!!

Here's a little flashback for ya...

Sex And The City 2 Gets Jazzy!!

Well these movies are on a roll for the Summer. They are coming in and taking no prisoners!! Upon entering into the the theater you could feel the energy of all the anxious fans awaiting to see the much anticipated Spring flick Sex And The City 2. Women and surprisingly many men have been waiting for the follow-up of the 2008 film. I came into this movie already knowing that there were mixed reviews, however I came with an open mind ready to be entertained.

We get a chance to see into the lives of our four favorite NY divas two years later. They are moving forward and have aged quite gracefully.The audience is able to fall right back in love again with the story that we have grown to love and cherish from the original HBO tv series. So grab your manolo's, some of your best girlfriends, a cosmo or martini and enjoy the ride.

Director and writer Michael Patrick King does another great job weaving a tale of love, faith, religion and humanity within a cinematic time frame of  2 and half hours (probably my only gripe), and at the same time he manages to pull out a compelling and riveting  human drama of innocence based on pure emotion. With this screenplay, he is able to drop hypocritical and moral ambitions to make you see the relevancy of the comments on the modern outlook of the world. This in itself makes the movie rise several notches above anything attempted in Hollywood.

I can appreciate the fact that we get a chance to see growth in the characters, we even get a flashback to how it all began. We get a closer look at the lives of Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha and what has happened in the past two years. The themes carried out through this move really make you take a look at your own self and your relationships. And top it off we get a little bit of international flavor. Each character is able to play off of the other, complimenting who they are in this story. When watching the series I would always wonder what it would be like for them to step outside their comfort zone of NYC and travel across the seas. With this film you get a chance to see that. Not only that, we get to see the true survival skills in action as the ladies have to embark upon a new set of rules unlike what they are used to.

SATC2 is a movie appropriate for its time. The movie is able to deal with some serious themes of complacency, getting older, family/marriage, commitment, change, and most importantly stepping out on faith; however it's told with humor (Samantha and menopause...hysterical) and entertainment. At the end of the film there is this sense of empowerment that makes you just want to step up your game!! And most importantly they do not disappoint with the fashion...love it!!

Some stories are built on passion, some on courage and some on hope. With every sequel there should be growth and I think SATC2 did that successfully. Very rarely do you come across a love story that encompasses itself around a journey.Whether you are married, engaged, or single you can still find some enjoyment with Sex And The City 2.

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars

Sequel Fever for Will Smith

SEQUEL FEVER!!

Will Smith is planning to give his fans all they can handle by signing on to do "Hancock II" and a prequel for "I am Legend"

Will Smith has sequel fever. The box-office magnet is in talks to finalize follow-ups to both "Hancock" and "I Am Legend." A Hollywood insider said, "He is ready to do both. Producers are just trying to get Charlize Theron to sign on for the 'Hancock' sequel." As for "I Am Legend," it will be more of a prequel as Smith's character died at the end of the zombies-take-Manhattan movie. "It will be about how the disease spreads and the fall of the last great American city. It will also develop the relationship between Will's character and his wife." A rep for Smith said, "There have been talks about both of these projects."

Hmmmmm.... this will be interesting this must be the season for prequels and sequels. Well he did an alright job in Bad Boys II so we shall see how these work out. Both movies Hancock and I Am Legend were pretty decent films so this should be interesting to say the least!