Madea's Family Reunion (2006)

Once again, Tyler has put together a grand movie; I went to the first showing of it here in town and the theater was PACKED; not many seats left; yet, it was a great movie; Cicely and Maya giving us lessons; Maya with the wedding poem; The wedding itself;(nothing short of beautiful); the daughters, the men, Joe, Madea; great combination; Like I mentioned on Tyler's site when I commented on the movie; some movies make you think, some leave you with a short feeling, some just leave a lasting impression and make you empowered; this movie did that and more! I higly encourage those to see this movie and be empowered to do wonderful things;

Tyler Perry really did it for me in this movie he shows African American culture at it's finest. He also has some of the best actresses playing in this movie. Add all this with an entertaining funny twist and you will have money well spent. I love the soundtrack as well as the art that is showcased in this movie. My favorite part of the movie is at the family reunion where Cicely Tyson does her thing and SPEAKS to "her family". Well done Tyler keep them coming.WARNING:DO NOT GO TO THIS MOVIE WITHOUT A BOX OF TISSUES BECAUSE YOU WILL BE LAUGHING SO HARD.

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Hats off again to Tyler Perry. This movie was excellent,and definitely a must see!!!

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Pros:

Storyline, cinematography, acting, positive themes, family friendliness

Cons:

Tacky wedding set, sometimes preachy, some content disturbing for kids and victims of abuse

Full Review:

Caution--This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

I first saw this film in the theater in March. I was in the market for a quality show to celebrate Women's History Month and the tail end of "365 Days of African American History." But it was Friday night and I was also in the mood to laugh. So I convinced my date to see "Madea's Family Reunion" rather than the action flick he was lobbying for. We'd both seen the stage version of "Madea's Family Reunion" and all of Tyler Perry's other shows on DVD and knew the film would be fun. But we didn't anticipate the degree to which Mr. Perry and his pistol packin' alter ego, grandma Mabel "Madea" Simmons (one of three characters he plays in the film), would load so many dead-serious and inspirational messages into this scenic gem.

The ethnically diverse audience at the cinema where we saw the film seemed to concur. We all gasped and guffawed, oohed and aahed at the appropriate moments (except one, which I'll address later), and stayed to watch the outtakes and extra treats rolled alongside the credits. Mr. Perry knows his audience...he kept us enraptured, in the palm of his hand, until Madea broke the spell and directed, "You can go home now."

The film's script, music (which writer, producer, actor, director Perry had a hand in), cinematography, casting and wardrobe pleased the senses, with one major exception that profoundly disappointed me. Not everyone seemed to agree; I was surprised (and red faced) to be the only one in the theater to react audibly to the rendering of the "Springtime in Paris" wedding theme pulled together by wedding planner Milay Jenay Lori (played by Jenifer Davis). When I saw it, I couldn't help but blurt out, "That's awful!" Everyone else in the theater was silent. They were probably either wishing I'd pipe down or wondering, as I was, why--given the movie's ample budget, the beauty of some scenes and realistic homeliness of others--the bridal set had to be so goldarn tacky. But that's a minor matter, like a ding in the fender of a top-of-the-line sports car, or the fact that fine-as-wine and manly-but-artistic Frankie (played by Boris Kodjoe) was not as wealthy as the equally fine, "love you to death," Carlos (played by Blair Underwood).

"Madea's Family Reunion" is not just a gem. This blockbuster's also a cash cow. According to Wikipedia, "On opening weekend, February 24, 2006 Mr. Perry's movie version of Madea's Family Reunion opened at number one with $30 million, more than triple the amount it cost to make." Furthermore, as IMDb reports, "After the first week record-breaking release of the first "Madea" film by Perry, Tyler, Lions Gate Home Entertainment acquired a seven-picture deal of the remaining Madea films." In addition to his commercial and critical success, Mr. Perry's website reports that he is currently celebrating being the first playwright of this genre to be sponsored by a major pharmaceutical company, Glaxo Wellcome.

I'm thrilled at Mr. Perry's success. Like single-mother Whoopi and motherless-at-an-early-age Madonna, the N'Awlins native and adult survivor of child abuse has joined the ranks of wildly popular self-made millionaires who have overcome substantial personal tribulations, taken odd jobs to finance their dreams, and even spent time homeless. Mr. Perry began writing stage plays at age 18, and so far has conquered stage and screen. Next on the horizon: his first novel, Don't Make a Black Woman Take Her Earrings Off: Madea's Commentaries on Love and Life. I can't wait to get between those sheets!

Recommended:

Yes

Available Viewing Format:

Theater, DVD,VHS

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I thought that with Tyler Perry would not be able to match "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," but I was wrong!!!! Madea's Family Reunion is actually better. You laugh and you cry: it's a real morality play that's fun to watch.

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Surfer, Dude (2008)

Dudes, comparisons to Spicoli aside, this is a unique little comedy about the religious philosophy of Wake 'n' Bake Surf Culture. Matthew McConaughey is absolutely brilliant as So Cal surf legend Steve Addington. A modern day stoner Buddha seeking enlightenment thru the meditation of carving waves, riding girls, and sipping doobage. McConaughey walks thru almost the entire film shirtless and barefooted, wearing only a pair of baggies. Even when McConaughey is just walking down the street, he's surfing. He's like a fish out of water, brah. His swaggering swaybacked bowlegged performance is fully righteous. And, totally funny. (Not quite, but almost as good as his role as Wooderson in DAZED AND CONFUSED.) His performance is DEAD ON TUBULAR. (Ladies, you're gonna want his bod.)

Obviously, this film is not for everyone. But, this short comedy is rife with religious and aesthetic symbolism. I was stoked by its heaviosity, brah.

Like an aesthetic Christ, The Addman is a free spirited surfer, baptized in The Ocean, who cares nothing for the material world of money and fame. He seeks only religious adoration and worship of God thru The Living Wave, The Sacramental smoke of The Wisdom Weed, and The Unification of The One Body thru sexual concourse with chicks. Upon returning home after being away from Cali on a surfing sojourn, Addington is tempted by The Devil into a starring role on a TV Reality Show about surfers, ala Big Brother, and a chance to profit from his digital image in a virtual reality game called FREE SURFER. Representing Lucifer, ex-surfer and evil TV producer Eddie Zarno (Jeffrey Nordling) entices The Addman with a totally humongous bag of sheckles. "We own his image. And his image is reality." But, Addington is hip to the fact that the illusion is transitory and meaningless. While contemplating a monitor of virtual tropical fish in Zarno's beachhouse studio, The Addman poses this saltwatery Zen koan: "Something's wrong with these fish, dude." No way, brah. The Addman refuses to sell his soul to The Devil for material gain. "I'm not some _ssclown in a greenroom. I'm a surfer, dude."

For what does it profit a dude to gain the world, and lose his wave?

The Devil metaphorically breaks The Addman's skeg, and there is a sudden drought of waves. "Something's bogus, dudes." Totally like Christ, The Addman wanders the desert beaches in prayer, for MORE than 40 days and nights, fasting from the pleasures of The Scented Lotus Blossom and the sustenance of The Good Green, until God's return on The Waves of Everlasting Life Giving Water. It's The Addman's Dark Night of The Soul, man. BRAH?! Why hast thou forsaken, dude?!

Willie Nelson as John The Baptist, who passes his shepherd's rod to The Addman. Will Addington become The Good Shepherd of The Goats? Yay, though I surf through the barrel of the shadow of death I will fear no shark infested waters, for thy rod and thy board they confront me, dude.

Who else but Woody Harrelson, as The Apostle Peter and The Addman's dope smoking manager? "We got financial worries, brah."

Will the Addman sacrifice himself on The Cross of Virtual Surfboard to save the souls of his brahs? You grommets should ask yourselves only one question: WHAT WOULD THE ADDMAN DO?

A perfect Double Feature alongside Swayze's POINT BREAK. Funny, symbolic, and full of topless chicks and bud. (Bitchin'!) This film is defintely worth the rent for Matthew McConaughey's performance, and for all the stoner surfer aesthetes out there. It's like THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST for surfers, dude. Hodads, landlubbers, and non-philosophers might want to avoid this one.

"Love and waves, that's what we need in these dark days."

Whoa!

I see so many reviews about this that say it isn't surfing. How many of you have hung at the beach and surfed every day? I know lots of surfers who are just like Addington. If you hang at one break long enough you'll find them and generally it doesn't take long! I enjoyed this movie cause it was about a surfer who finds his "world" under attack and has to deal with the greatest hardship (no waves) that could happen. Have you ever lived through a wave drought? Usually won't last longer than a week but it sucks none the less! It didn't have slash and burn hardcore surf footage: so what? It's not a surf video. Having Keith Malloy double as Addington in the water was good style. He rips on a longboard. I rate this highly because it's an accurate depiction of what some surfers are like and how they are focused on nothing but waves!

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For those who rated this 1 star..... after reading each of your reviews careful and thoughtfully, I understand why you would rate this film the way you did.... you don't get it. And that's okay. For those who want a movie that goes way outside the lines, then this is a movie you will enjoy. Enough said on that.....

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This is a simple movie, not made to be dissected, competed with or watched for the plot or action. rather, the film provides a taste of SoCal that is partly mythical and partly disappearing and for that alone i loved it.

there's something wholesome about the film, left me feeling good which does not happen too often for me, and almost never with the large commercial blockbusters. to see Willie Nelson's smile, that alone was worth waiting for. mcConnaughey does a good job, as does Harrelson & most of the crew.

in other words, this is not about surfing. it is about friendship and about knowing what you love.

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This movie is a complete waste of time. I happen to be a surfer, which is what got me interested to rent this movie in the first place. Everything about this movie is unbelievable. The plot sucks, and the production seems like you are watching a low-budget movie from the 80's. Almost like the intro to some 80's porn. It is a complete insult to what surf culture is about. We are not all stoners!

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Never Been Kissed (1999)

First off I want to say I strongly disagree with Dave McCoy, writer of the Amazon review for Never Been Kissed. Did you see the movie? Drew Barrymore put in a beautiful performance. And yes, I can believe her to be a "dopey, unattractive" newspaper reporter trying to relive her high school experience. If you saw Barrymore in The Wedding Singer you will agree that she played a very well poised young woman, not a "geek to the core" girl. When I first watched this movie I felt sorry for Barrymore's character, regardless that in real life she is a movie star and beautiful person. That has nothing to do with the movie. When you walk into a movie theatre you don't think about the star's status in the lime light but of what they're trying to portray and I think Barrymore played a very convincing role. Movies are made to wrap us up in the feelings and emotions of the characters so that we can relate to what the character is going through and I felt what Josie was going through. The next time you watch a movie, Dave McCoy, I suggest you leave your ideas of the star's status at home and focus on what the actor is trying to portray. I believe Barrymore portrayed Josie better than any actress in Hollywood. I mean, can you honestly see Neve Cambell or Gwyneth Paltrow in this part? No. And those of you looking for a romantic movie that makes you grab your heart and scream for joy all at the same time, buy this movie. It has everything from a forbidden love, waiting to be lit by the desires of two people, a man who sees a woman instead of a girl, waiting for some sign that the passions of his heart can be revealed and a woman, still a girl in many ways, waiting for the perfect moment when she will know that the one she yearns for is the one right infront of her, to a man just waiting for his chance to make the big leagues. It's a story of growing up and finding yourself. And the ending is wonderful. What every kiss should be like. A must see for all romance lovers.

First of all I have to disagree whole-heartedly with the 'official' review of this film. Never Been Kissed is a wonderful, feel-good movie that will leave you with a huge smile on your face long after it's ended.

I'm not a 'teen' and I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Drew Barrymore is great and totally believeable as the nerd who is an ugly duckling on the outside but a swan on the inside, who returns to school for an undercover job as a reporter, where she ultimately finds herself.

When I saw this at the pictures, the whole audience was totally absorbed by the film and vocally sympathised with Josie's humiliating flashbacks and laughed out loud at her charming awkwardness.

David Arquette as her 'cool' and 'popular' brother was inspired casting and Michael Vartan as the teacher she falls for plays his part perfectly.

These three actors alone make the film well worthwhile. Watch it and see.

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First and foremost, I would like to say that I heartily disagree with Mr. Dave McCoy's editorial review. Mr. McCoy stressed that there was a "complete inability to buy Barrymore as unattractive, awkward, and unpopular." This could not be further from the truth. In "Never Been Kissed," Drew Barrymore stars as Josie Gellar, a news reporter for the Chicago Sun Times. As the film opens, Josie receives her first undercover assignment: she must enroll in a local high school, where she will collect information about teenagers today. Josie, though excited by the challenge, is worried: her own high school years were spent as an unattractive geek, being endlessly ridiculed and humiliated by her peers. Despite what Dave McCoy said, Barrymore plays a very convincing role and is completely believeable as a geek. David Arquette, who plays Josie's lively brother Rob, also puts in a great performance. And Michael Vartan, who plays Josie's English teacher and the object of her affections, does a great job as well. This movie has an excellent ending, and it teaches you that your status in high school does not affect your career or your plans for the future. "Never Been Kissed" is the first movie I have seen in a long time that is both hilarious and meaningful at the same time, making it a definite "must-see" for everyone. I highly recommend this wonderful film to anyone looking for a great flick, even if that person has, well, never been kissed.

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I have never been a huge Drew Barrymore fan, but this movie changed my opinion of her somewhat. She plays Josie Gellar a painfully shy editor for the Chicago Sun Times, and through a comedy of errors, ends up being appointed as an undercover reporter at a local high school. This film switches back and forth between the past and present as we see Josie try to fit in with the students. She was shy and tortured by her peers the first time around which left her with some pretty deep scars. As she comes to terms with her life from the past and present, her biggest story ends up being of that struggle.

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I purchased this movie for an upgrade to my dvd. It is not a great film,but it is a cute movie and I have always enjoyed it as a guilty pleasure. But this Blu-ray is a very poor transfer. Detail gets lost,colors sometimes pop,sometimes are washed out. The sound isn't what you would expect either. I had to keep adjusting the volume. If you already own the dvd, I would say to keep it and not do the "upgrade" since the Bd looks like an upconverted dvd anyway. I now know to read reviews before thinking every Blu-ray will be an upgrade.

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Straight A's (2013)

"Mom told me to come." After his mother tells him to visit the family he abandoned, Scott (Phillippe) surprises his sister in law (Paquin) and her kids. Decidind to wait for his brother to come home Scott stays and begins to form a relationship with Katherine's kids in spite of her requests. When Scott begins to act like his old self she wants him out, but he is determined to listen to his mother's advice...even though she is dead. I know what your thinking, a man hears his dead mother and listens, that can't make a good movie. You would be wrong. The acting in this is really good, but the story of each character is so well written and thought out that it really makes the movie that much more enjoyable. 99% of movies like this are very predictable and for the most part this one is too, but there is a twist in this I did not see coming, which also adds to the enjoyment of the movie. This is a surprise sleeper that is very much worth seeing. I recommend. Overall, a little low budget movie that proves good movies can be made with a good script. I give it a B+.

This is your typical heart warming amusing feel good indie flick starring indie perennial favorite Anna Paquin as Katherine. Long lost "white trash Uncle" Scott(Ryan Phillippe) rides in one day on a horse to greet his sister-in-law and former girlfriend. He obeys the indie formula and immediately bonds with his nephew and niece. He claims he is being guided by visions of his dead mother to come back and make amends...a man who has spent the bulk of the last eight years in a mental institution for substance abuse. Chaos erupts and from chaos comes order.

The script is somewhat formulaic with a slight twist on the end. Good acting, slow at times.

Parental Guide: F-bombs. No sex or nudity. Paquin in a sexy sando shirt showing side breast, cleavage and high beams. Personally my low brow tastes liked "Uncle Buck" better. Worth a rental.

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Very good movie and acting. Not predictable which is a must for me!! Highly recommend this movie for date night

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The film focuses on the relationships of a family two brothers and their shared love interest, their forgetful father, and the legacy of their mother.

It's been years since I've seen a movie with Ryan Phillippe that I would watch and this is one. Luke Wilson has always been a favorite of mine. And Anna Paquin has always been an actress that I've wavered whether I love or dislike her. The casting was perfectly done.

Ryan as the irresponsible, wandering brother the black sheep of the family who's been gone for 8+ years. Luke as the perfect husband/provider (the opposite of his brother) who is contemplating divorcing his wife. And lastly, Anna as the woman who has loved both brothers. At first, the younger one Scott and after he left due to a fallout with his father; then she fell for William.

Katherine and William have a marriage that is perfect on the outside; not so much on the inside. Katherine is too busy to spend time with her children or family. Instead, the duties of child-rearing and caring for the house are foisted onto a maid. William is always out of town, a fact that is recognized by Katherine's "so-called" friends.

When Scott shows up after a long absence, he turns their world inside out and manages to bring Katherine, William, and their children back together. Be prepared to shed a few tears at the end.

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I liked this movie very much. Really some great acting. The ending was totally different than the way I thought it would end.

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