"MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Madea's Witness Protection

Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection based on title alone is ridiculous, so shame on you if you are walking into it expecting anything beyond the absurd. The question though is whether or not Perry's loyal Fanbase is growing weary yet of his Humour. His last three Films have debuted far off-the-mark set by 2009's Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, which opened to the tune of $41 million.

This Comedy's Premise surrounds Wall Street Banking CFO George Needleman (Eugene Levy), whose World is turned upside-down after discovering that his Corporation has been involved in a Ponzi Scheme. Although clear of any intentional wrongdoing, George suddenly becomes the target of an Investigation, is in danger and faces possibly a stiff Sentence. He and his Family are brought down South to live with the outspoken and sassy Madea (Tyler Perry), who might have a thing or two to say about him and his Family's troubled ways.

Playing off the cultural and socio-economic contrasts of White America and Black America, much of the Humour here is not-so-subtle. Much of the Film's more rewarding moments are delivered courtesy of Toronto's own Levy who hasn't carried the weight of a Lead Role in quite some time but is likeable as a naïve Businessman.  Also surprisingly effective is the doe-eyed Denise Roberts as George's Wife Kate - whom surely herself might have drawn upon a personal experience or two as a burdened Wife. 

Unmistakably once again though, Perry is the true Star of it all carrying the weight of not one, but five roles here as Joe, Brian and Madea - plus being Producer and Director. His innate sense of comedic timing and his unwavering delivery are an inspiration to Women, Drag Queens and Gay Men everywhere.  And wait till you see Madea's glamorous Jackie O.-inspired Makeover.

As is the case traditionally with Tyler Perry's Films, all culminates in some sort of a spiritual Catharsis through all the Chaos and Fans will be singing Oh Happy Day even if Critics won't.  Alliance Films releases Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection on Friday, June 29, 2012.

"GOOD DEEDS" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Good Deeds

To attack Writer/Director Tyler Perry's eleventh effort Good Deeds is easy to do. Is it the type of Film that gets campaigned for an Oscar?  No - absolutely not.  How can one argue though with Perry's success, being named the Highest-Paid Man in Entertainment by Forbes Magazine last year?  Clearly he knows what his Audience wants and has a knack for delivering it to them time and time again.

This Romantic-Drama sees Perry breaking outside his Madea mold playing Wesley Deeds, a well-to-do San Francisco Businessman who questions his direction in life after crossing paths with a Janitor in his office named Lindsey (Thandie Newton), a Single Mother living out of her van.  Although they get off to a rocky start, soon they begin developing a bond as Lindsey works evening shifts and Wesley continues logging long hours at work.  A couple tricky obstacles: Wesley is running a company deep in Family tradition and fears disappointing his Mother (Phylicia Rashad) should he walk away and also, he has a Fiancée whom he still loves (Gabrielle Union). Also, his Brother Walter (Brian White) is jealous and volatile, plotting his downfall.

Good Deeds certainly isn't lacking in Melodrama. Slaps are handed, tears are cried, insults are made and punches are thrown.  The writing lacks grace, particularly glaring is an awkward elevator confrontation between Brothers Wesley and Walter, which plays out unintentionally funny. Perry delivers a tense and worried performance, which although required of his character, overall plays flatly.  

Escaping unscathed here is the fabulous Newton, who is committed as a devoted Mother refusing to accept defeat, being really the only one to go through any visible growth and transformation through all of this. Nonetheless, Fans of Perry's work - and there are many - will leave feeling satiated, their appetites fed with a generous helping of Drama.  Alliance Films releases Good Deeds on February 24, 2012.

"OPRAH WINFREY" FINALE AIRING TODAY

Oprah Winfrey - TIFF 2009

Today marks the end of an Era in Television as Oprah Winfrey’s final Show airs later today. The final Taping which took place yesterday was considerably modest compared to her Monday and Tuesday-aired episodes recorded at United Center in Chicago, which featured Celebrity Guests like Tom Cruise, Madonna and Stevie Wonder.

The focus of the final Episode is said to be between Winfrey and her Fans with one chair only on-stage and an audience including names like Tyler Perry, Cicely Tyson and soon-to-be-Divorée Maria Shriver. Fans leaving the Taping reported the experience as being emotional and the Cameras follow Winfrey about as she walks through the halls of Harpo Studios, bidding farewell to members of her staff.

Have some Kleenex ready! And remember, she’s not really gone. The Oprah Winfrey Network is still around!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

"RIO" MAKES IT TWO-FOR-TWO

Still from RIO 3-D

20th Century Fox's RIO 3-D makes it two-for-two at the Box Office this Easter weekend, with $26.8 million from 3,842 theatres. Showing no signs of stopping, perhaps we can expect it on-top for a third?

It always amazes me how loyal Tyler Perry's following is and their support along got him to second spot this weekend with the tenth installment of his Madea Franchise, Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family bringing in $25.7 million from 2,288 theatres. The Film ranks as the Director/Screenwriter's fourth-highest grossing opening ever.

Water for Elephants makes it two Films in the Top Three for 20th Century Fox with the Romantic Drama earning $17.5 million. The Film starring Reese Witherspoon and Twilight Hunk Robert Pattinson, was made for $38 million, looking to be a profitable venture for the Studio.

Former Champion Hop from Universal Pictures fares well still in its fourth week of release, landing in fourth with $12.4 million, doubtedly aided by the fact that it is Easter weekend and it is an Easter-themed Film. To-date it has made $147.7 million worldwide.

The Weinstein Co.'s Scream 4 places fourth this weekend with $7.1 million. Thus far in its two-week run, its tally is $31.2 million in North America and it was made for $40 million.

Disney's African Cats fares well in its debut, showing in only 1,220 theatres, but still landing in sixth spot. The Documentary narrated by Samuel L. Jackson has fared well with Critics, earning a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

Summit Entertainment's well-reviewed Source Code rounds out the Top Ten this week with $5 million this weekend in its fourth week of release.

TYLER PERRY'S "FOR COLORED GIRLS" REVIEW

Still from For Colored Girls

Tyler Perry truly understands the heart of a Black Woman and furthermore, knows how to cater to her heart time and time again.  His latest work For Colored Girls boasts a creme de la creme Ensemble Cast, which in most part needs no introduction.  In addition to taking the directorial reins here, he also pens the screen adaptation of the Tony Award-nominated play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, by Ntozake Shange.  

The story centers around the lives of eight Black women, each undergoing their own internal struggles with story lines that share equal weight and importance.  Perry's Muse Kimberly Elise plays Crystal, the battered girlfriend of an alcoholic ex-solider Beau Willie (Michael Ealy). She also mothers his two children and is the Assistant of Janet Jackson's Jo, a no nonsense woman-in-charge who is an overachiever by trade, yet facing power struggles in her relationship with Trader husband Carl (Omari Hardwick); she suspects his infidelity.  Thandie Newton plays Tangie, the promiscuous and sexually destructive older sister to gentle-spirited Nyla (Tessa Thompson); their mother is the highly-religious and volatile Alice (Whoopi Goldberg).    Phylicia Rashad plays Gilda, a Building Manager who is an outsider looking-in at troubles the women in her building face.  Charity Worker Juanita (Loretta Devine), Educator Yasmine (Anika Noni Rose) and Social Worker Kelly (Kerry Washington) each are integral to For Colored Girls' plot, but sit just outside the core of the story.

No one can deny the sheer talent of this outstanding cast.  With that being said, this is an Actor's Movie, with the Cast being given chances to shine with meaty dialogue and Monologues.  It is however for this reason also that the film is hindered by many moments which on-stage would work, but alas overly showy and melodramatic on-screen (yes, even by Perry's standards).  Without affecting the integrity of Shange's original work, perhaps some more modifications could have been made to Perry's script to make the transitions from central story to  Monologues more seamless.  

Newton is the film's brightest star, excelling fully in the complexity required of her deeply-wounded character, delivering angst and tenderness with equal prowess.  She carries the most hope of garnering an Oscar nomination in this talented bunch.  Elise is simply wonderful, delivering restraint in the spirit of a woman who has for many years been silenced by violence.  Rose as always is radiant, shining a much needed ray of light on the many sombre, heavy moments in the film even after her character is affected by Rape - one of the many weighty subjects For Colored Girls touches upon.  Devine as always is deeply engaging in her whimsicality, never failing to bring a smile to my face.  Quirky Macy Gray who is seen v. little in the film, is deliciously disturbing as an Alcoholic Abortionist.  Despite not quite having the range some of the other Actresses here posses, Jackson also puts forth a career best with her icy delivery of a woman done wrong.  Goldberg unfortunately is grossly underutilized in a one-dimensional role.

TRAILER: TYLER PERRY'S FOR COLOURED GIRLS

Although it's been off my Radar completely, I decided to check out the Trailer for Tyler Perry's For Coloured Girls, which sees a release on November 5, 2010 via Lionsgate/Alliance Films (Canada).  Although Perry's films often seem to follow a formulaic thread of troubled Black Woman who gets saved by God with some over-the-top humour along the way, this one actually looks like a real movie and has something to say. 

The film, based on a Tony-nominated Play by Ntozake Shange and is comprised of series of 20 Poems.  There are seven central female characters whose stories touch upon heavy matter like Abortion, Rape, Abandonment, etc.  Above this, the cast is stellar: Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Janet Jackson, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Thandie Newton ....and so many more.  Don't be surprised if an Oscar nomination or two come of this. 

Jackson is really acting here and could really use some positive buzz with her last couple albums receiving lackluster reception.  I kinda wish Mariah Carey didn't back-out of this project in a role taken-over by Newton, as this would have solidified her place as a real Actress.