The mission of The Department of Afro-American Research Arts and Culture to identify the global significance of the creative contributions pioneered by an international diaspora of Blackness
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Showing posts with label Comedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comedy. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Head of State (2003)


































"Head of State" (2003) is a political comedy written, directed, starring, and co-produced by Chris Rock. Ali LeRoi co-wrote with Rock. This film was Chris Rock's directional debut, which features an all-star cast including Bernie Mac, Lynn Whitfield, Dylan Baker, Nick Searcy, James Rebhorn, Tamala Jones, and several cameos by celebrities. The movie grossed $38 million on a $35 million budget and received many negative reviews from critics. However, it's still a classic comedy with an admiral message within and memorable characters.

Director: Chris Rock
Writer: Chris Rock, Ali LeRoi

Starring Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, Dylan Baker, Nick Searcy, Lynn Whitfield, Robin Givens, Tamala Jones, James Rebhorn, Keith David, Tracy Morgan, Stephanie March, Robert Stanton, Jude Ciccolella, Nate Dogg

A Washington, D.C., public servant, Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), is thrust into the national spotlight when he's asked by Martin Geller (Dylan Baker), the head of the Democratic Party, to run for president after the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees are killed in a plane crash. The odds are against Gilliam, mainly because he has a penchant for telling the truth about what is wrong with the country. Remarkably, his straight-talking style catches on with the public.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Phat Beach (1996)





































"Phat Beach" (1996) is a comedy directed by Doug Ellin. Ellin also co-wrote the film with Cleveland O'Neal III, Brian E. O'Neal, and Ben Morris, which stars Jermaine Hopkins and Brian Hooks, featuring Coolio with a cameo appearance. The movie was successful at the box office, grossing over $1.3 million on a $100,000 budget. The film's soundtrack was primarily hip-hop and R&B, reaching number 40 on the Top R&B Albums chart. Producers marketed the film as the first hip-hop beach movie; it may be the only one ever, considering how one defines a hip-hop beach movie.

Director: Doug Ellin
Writers: Cleveland O'Neal III, Brian E. O'Neal, Ben Morris, Doug Ellin

Starring Jermaine Hopkins, Brian Hooks, Coolio, Claudia Kaleem, Alma Collins, Eric Fleeks, Candice Merideth, Sabrina De Pina, Jennifer Lucienne, Gregg Vance, Tom Lister Jr.

Storyline
Benny King (Jermaine Hopkins) is a self-conscious individual who struggles to gain respect from his family. His friend Durrel Jackson (Brian Hooks) is a fast-talking suave who can't help but focus on chasing women. When King's parents leave for vacation, Durrel convinces King to quit his summer job and head to the beach. However, King is infatuated with the sultry and curvaceous Candace (Claudia Kaleem) as he daydreams about them together. His pursuit of Claudia blinds him to another girl who is genuinely interested in him.