Clifton Powell Tuesday 22nd July 2008 HBO presents the 'New York Intl. Latino Film Festival at the DGA Theatre' - Day 1 - Arrivals New York City, USA
Clifton Powell
Clifton Powell
Civil Brand Review
By Blake French
Bad
Civil Brand might think that it carries an inspiring message about courage, hope, and sacrifice, but it's really nothing more than pieces of other movie's messages pasted together. Civil Brand wants to be The Shawshank Redemption, Last Dance, and The Green Mile, but instead comes off as made-for-TV fare, which is no surprise given the fact that director Neema Barnette has helmed nothing but. To call it preachy would be an understatement; the film wants to be a rowdy, boisterous bible-thumping preacher from the south -- and it has the energy and conviction to be one -- but it forgets to bring an original sermon to the altar.
As Frances Shepard (LisaRaye) enters Whitehead Correctional Institute -- a maximum-security prison for women -- she does not fit in with her fellow inmates, who are hardened criminals, drug-addicts, and murderers. She was a young mother and nurse, but after accidentally killing her abusive husband, she was convicted of murder. Fellow prisoner Little Momma (Lark Voorhies) -- 17 years old and pregnant, and also the prison's resident preacher -- quickly befriends and informs her that she's just joined the most lucrative businesses in the country: the prison industrial complex.
Continue reading: Civil Brand Review
Friday After Next Review
Weak
After writing and starring in the funny homeboys-and-hemp comedies "Friday" and "Next Friday," rapper-actor Ice Cube isn't quite out of ripe screwball ideas, but "Friday After Next" spreads them pretty thin. In fact, the "Pink Panther"-styled cartoon opening credits are the biggest laugh in the movie.
Story proper begins with slapstick cousins Craig (Cube) and Day-Day (Mike Epps) back in Compton after spending the last film in the suburbs. Desperate for rent money after a "ghetto Santa" breaks into their apartment at Christmas time, swiping presents and cash, the guys take seasonal security jobs at a dilapidated strip mall where their grumpy, squabbling dads (John Witherspoon and Don "D.C." Curry) have a barbecue joint.
Armed with nothing but a second-hand uniform and a whistle, thickwit Day-Day thinks he's suddenly a supercop, rousting church-lady carolers for loitering, but running away from gangbangers when he rubs them the wrong way. Meanwhile Craig has his eye on a drop-dead gorgeous salesgirl (K.D. Aubert) at the strip's new clothing outlet, Pimps & Hos. (Other stores include Holy Moly Donuts, check cashing, liquor and 94-cent stores, and Toyz in the Hood.)
Continue reading: Friday After Next Review
Clifton Powell
Occupation
Actor
Clifton Powell Movies
Civil Brand Movie Review
Civil Brand might think that it carries an inspiring message about courage, hope, and sacrifice,...
Friday After Next Movie Review
After writing and starring in the funny homeboys-and-hemp comedies "Friday" and "Next Friday," rapper-actor Ice...
