Top Five

First Hit:  Although there were some funny bits, this film was disappointing.

I’ve been a Chris Rock fan for as long as I can recall. I, unfortunately, came to this film with hopes of seeing something interesting and good.

What I felt was bored about 1/8 of the way in until the last ¼ of the film when it got interesting and with some traction. That is not to say that there weren’t parts in between those two points that I didn’t laugh or enjoy – it is just that they were few and far between. To point out one of those segments was when he was with family or the people he grew up with – they had some funny riffs.

Here “Top Five” refers to the top five rappers each character is asked to state. The film is about Andre Allen (Rock) who is trying to promote what he thinks is a serious film about a black slave uprising in Honduras. The small clips the audience sees of the film shows that it is horrible. He’s also marrying Erica Long (Gabrielle Union) a reality TV star with no discernible talent.

To use a vehicle to discover where Allen is in his life the film uses a reporter Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) who also masquerades as a male New York Times critic by another name who always bashes Allen’s “Hammy” films. Her interviewing him gives context to discover Allen's state of mind. We know what is going to happen at the beginning of the film and the path to the end is predictable and lacks imagination. What is worse the whole “Top Five” bit isn’t strong enough to create a touchstone or transition touchstone.

Rock only stands out when he does a brief standup routine. It is also where he discovers what he’s good at doing. Else Rock is monotone and appears bored. Union is fine as the reality star that wants to marry Allen because she has nothing else going for her. Dawson is the best thing about this film and there are scenes where she shines. J.B. Smoove is strong as Silk, Allen’s bodyguard. Rock both wrote and directed this film and although he had good intentions, it fell flat.

Overall:  This was a poorly constructed film although the intention might have been good.

2 Days in New York

First Hit:  At times funny at other times it felt like it was pressing.

Julie Delpy playing Marion also wrote and directed this film. This is her 7th directorial effort of which one, 2 Days in Paris, was the only one I previously watched.

Like 2 Days in Paris, she wrote, directed and stars in this film. Perfectly understandable because in today’s film making system; sometimes the only way you get work is to make it yourself. In this film Marion (Delpy) is living with Mingus (played by Chris Rock).

He’s a semi-famous radio personality and she is a struggling photo artist. They each have children from previous relationships. Marion’s father Jeannot (played by Albert Delpy), sister Rose (played by Alexia Landeau), and a former lover Manu (played by Alexandre Nahon) come to visit them from France.

They are an odd lot with Jeannot and Manu being held at immigration/customs because they are trying to smuggle 35 pounds of sausages into the country. The cultural differences, lifestyle differences, and language misunderstandings make sections of this film very funny.

However, the same components that make it funny at times, get in the way. There is also the issue that Delpy appears to channel Woody Allen by the the continual talking and over explaining his previous actions.

Delpy is good at times but overall the character wore on me. Rock is toned down from being an intense Rock and here it works. Albert Delpy is amusing to watch and is the funniest character in the film. Nahon is the second funniest, but his role felt a little pressed as well. Landeau was very good as the sister who, although being a child psychologist, has a set of her own issues. Delpy and Landeau wrote the script which at times was great and other times labored. Delpy gets some good performances from the actors.

Overall:  The film just doesn’t have enough to make it really good.

Good Hair

First Hit: Although not necessarily a well filmed or a cohesive documentary, it was very informative and definitely shed light on black women’s hair.

Chris Rock isn’t an effective documentary interviewer and at times the questions were more about making either a joke or a blatant impactful statement lacking thoughtfulness.

However, his being unafraid to ask point blank questions; like when he asked Maya Angelou about the her first time to use a “relaxer” was something the audience wanted to know and is the kind of questioning which propelled this film.

There is a multi-billion dollar industry for black hair products and services that I didn't know existed. People spending $1,000 - $3,500 for weaves when they may be only making a teacher’s salary was almost jaw dropping. The harsh chemicals to straighten hair can be and are dangerous but they're sold by the case load.

To learn how much time and effort women spend on their hair which cannot be touched was amazing. The scenes which discuss this and the look in the men’s eyes when they were asked if they ever touch their woman’s hair were insightful as well as hilarious.

Al Sharpton talked extensively about the importance of hair care and how James Brown took him under his wing in this department. The interview segments with Ice-T were direct, funny, and to the point about the impact of hair care in the black woman’s world.

The event which is the center point of the film is the annual Bronner Bros. Hair Show in Atlanta Georgia and the hair styling contest that makes this event the apex of black hair care. Rock interviews the contestants and we see each of their performances.

Rock isn’t the best in-depth interviewer but he has the wherewithal to ask hard and direct questions and because Rock is a comedian, we get a large number of laughs in along the way.

Overall: Not a great documentary, but a very interesting and eye opening look into another world – black hair care.