Storyline Fiery preacher Charcoal Johnson, though no model of sanctity, gains
control of a Mississippi Baptist church through personal magnetism; he
uses this springboard to organize a 'Back to Africa' movement among his
fellow Afro-Americans, along the lines of evangelical religion.
Weathering accusations of swindling, he emerges as the self-styled
(future) Emperor of the United States of Africa. But his tin-plated pomp
is threatened by greed, personalities, and practicalities...
Storyline
Lucia Lynn Moses stars as Louise, a young woman who is protected from an abusive stepfather (Norman Johnstone) by Alvin, an ambitious young composer (Harry Henderson). Although Louise is obviously beneath his social station, Alvin secretly marries her. With the help of a street hoodlum named Spike (William E. Pettus), the stepfather hatches a plan to regain control of his daughter. Louise comes to believe Alvin is ashamed of her, so she welcomes the life of vice, wealth and disgrace they propose. Alvin confronts them, shots are fired, and Louise receives a wound in her neck, a powerful symbol of her moral corruption.
IMDB.com Jamie Foxx performs live from the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California.
I thought it was OK. It could have been better but then again he always was better with a script than without. Did anyone notice how a lot of the things he said in his act about Africa was ripped from Richard Pryor's Live On The Sunset Strip? I know Jamie went to Africa to film Ali and everything but some of his Africa routine seemed like a copy of what Richard did originally (about the lions, the stink, etc). The jokes weren't all funny. Some were though. He definitely used his art of imitating celebs and voices to help out this show. Some of the stuff like the celebs he was making fun of was exaggerations but it worked for some of the jokes. It could have used more IMO. I thought he overdid the whole Talibam-Taliwhacker, etc thing though. You could tell his act was not quite as over as other comedians like Rock, Chappelle, etc. Then again that's their forte and they're good at it. This just wasn't Jamie's. I guess he was just trying to do a little too much with his talents. He should stick to acting. That's his thing. Hey, he did win an Oscar and rightfully so.