If Not Great Cinema, Upbeat 'Almost Christmas' Can Offer a Great Escape for Those Down in the Doldrums

Cheryl (Kimberly Elise), Aunt May (Mo'Nique), Rachel (Gabrielle Union) and Sonya (Nicole Ari Parker) get down on it in a scene from "Almost Christmas." Quantrell D. Colbert photos for Universal Studios.

BY VW

WALTER Meyers (Danny Glover) will be celebrating his first Christmas  without his beloved late wife, by all accounts, a paragon of all things.

His children and their families, as well as his sister in-law, May (Mo'Nique), descend on the Alabama homestead during the five days leading up to the holiday. Walter's most fervent wish is that they all get along during this brief period.

This is the premise of "Almost Christmas." Directed by David E. Talbert from his script and produced by white-hot Will Packer, the film opens in U. S. theaters today.

Of course, family members bring with them all the hurts and slights - real and imagined - dating to their first memories particularly the two sisters, dentist Cheryl and law student Rachel (Kimberly Elise and executive producer Gabrielle Union, respectively.)

Walter (Danny Glover) is working on a masterpiece.

It's a familiar story. To that end, empathy will abound. A notable difference is that the mainly winning "Almost Christmas" cast is not virtually all-white, rather all-black. There is a token nonblack (white) character in the form of Brooks (John Michael Higgins) as the smarmy campaign manager of fledgling politician and oldest son, Christian (Romany Malco).

Like so many films of its ilk, "Almost Christmas" is lighthearted with hardly a serious bone in its body. As expected, too, all's well that ends well.

There are a few funny and tender moments, namely the scenes between Rachel and next-door neighbor, Malachi (Omar Epps). They have unfinished high-school prom business marked by misunderstandings. Laugh-worthy, too, are the lightning-fast text exchanges between the two older grandchildren, Niya (Nadej Bailey) and Cameron (Alkoya Brunson), during contretemps at Christmas dinner.

Aunt May (Mo’Nique, right) takes the family on a world tour of her cuisine.

Tender and funny are Walter’s attempts to replicate his late wife’s sweet potato pie recipe. Also toggling between these poles is the tag football scene, one of the few that is unself-conscious in a film that is too aware of its consequence.

In the main, though, DET’s script is forced, contrived and hackneyed (prescription drug-addicted football star son, Evan [Jessie Usher]; Christian’s ethical dilemma; the enmity between Cheryl and Rachel).

Malachi (Omar Epps) and Rachel (Gabrielle Union) have been laboring under a misapprehension for years.

Meanwhile, kids in films can be too cute for their own good. It is the case with Dee (Marley Taylor),) the youngest of the grandchildren. On occasion, incidentally, her upper middle class accent deserts her. Speaking of accents, the Southern variety is absent in this Alabama family, though DG retains one that can be applied to the black, blue-collar everyman done good.

In “Almost Christmas,” some scenes are embarrassingly uncomfortable and simply not funny, though the latter is clearly the intent. All with J.B. Smoove as Lonnie, Cheryl’s journeyman pro basketball player husband, fit into this category. Silly is an apt characterization.

Dee (Marley Taylor), Niya (Nadej Bailey) and Cameron (Alkoya Brunson) are excited about a big fall.

Ditto for those with Mo’Nique’s Mary, who has sung backup for everybody from Chaka Khan to Stevie Wonder. She gets to play the stereotypical coarse, vulgar, large, loud black woman role. In her best scene, she recounts the backstory for each dish she has prepared on the first night that the family gathers. It is almost uproarious.

But would it not have been far more interesting for KE or Nicole Ari Parker (Sonya) to play this role and for Mo’Nique to portray the successful dentist or perfect housewife/loving mother? Here is a place an actor can show off her chops, no? Clearly, JBS and Mo’Nique are the comic relief. Alas, their efforts are manifested as so much buffoonery.

Evan (Jessie Usher) confronts Walter (Danny Glover) about something that has been bothering him.

If these significant shortcomings can be overlooked, "Almost Christmas" will be rather enjoyable. Because it is a bit of nonsense with sufficient laughs to chase away the blue devils, it can be an antidote for holiday blues.

On this score alone, it is balm, for sometimes silliness is just the thing.

"Almost Christmas" is rated PG-13 for suggestive material, drug content and language; visit http://www.almostchristmasmovie.com to learn more about the film.

'Think Like a Man Too' Leaves Its Source Material for Las Vega$; 'Jersey Boys' Leave Newark for the Top

These women mean business in "Think Like a Man Too." Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.

IT'S summertime and the livin' is easy …

Fasten you seatbelts, Dear Readers, because this probably won't be the last time you read that line on these pages. Officially, summer commences tomorrow morning, but for all intents and purposes ... The catchphrase is my version of, “It is what it is.”

Speaking of which, “Think Like a Man Too.” The sequel to “Think Like a Man,” which was inspired by Steve Harvey's delightful, delicious, damning best-seller, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” opens in U.S. theaters today. (http://www.bit.ly/1pQ4g3Y; see video below)

In the spirit of full disclosure, Yours Truly has not seen this film (scheduling conflict) from pretty much the same team as the first one. However, I have seen a film's worth of trailers. My reportback is that “Think Like Man Too” is not a sequel of the “The Godfather Part II and Part III” variety.

The thread on which hangs this one is the impending nuptials of cute couple Michael (Terrence J) and Candace (Regina Hall), with meddling mama (Jenifer Lewis) in tow. Because a wedding is involved, the action quits Los Angeles for Las Vegas. And everybody knows what happens in Las Vegas besides bachelor and bachelorette parties.

To be clear, “Think Like a Man Too” is not a good film. It is not fine art or high cinema. It is lowbrow, and one wonders whether screenwriters David A. Newman and Keith Merryman aspired toward better.

It has as its forerunner, though, an entertainment that banked nearly $100 million worldwide on a budget of $12. Its budget is double that. While what came before it was inspired by a book, “Think Like a Man Too” is inspired by the aforementioned box office receipts. Of course, this is the conventional reasoning for franchise films.

To its credit, this romantic comedy does have a few moments, a few of them funny. Kevin Hart, who has become a box office It Boy ("Ride Along,” “About Last Night”) in two year's time, gets quite a bit of screentime as Cedric. Unfortunately, this talented comedian-actor brings with him extra servings of buffoonery. If only that talent would be channeled into cleverness!

Regardless of its place (or lack thereof) in the cinematic pantheon, “Think Like a Man Too” will probably double the box office haul of “TLAM” for several reasons. First, it has a built-in audience. It boasts a cast of mostly black actors portraying the upwardly mobile class, always a sight for sore eyes in mass media as this group continues to overcome. They are universally good at their craft, good-looking and good-natured. Though these players are involved in puerile, banal business, they don't slip into the muck.

Finally, “Think Like a Man Too” will do well because … it's summertime. You know the rest.

Also opening today is “Jersey Boys.” Clint Eastwood's film is based on the smash Tony award-winning Broadway musical of the same name. It tracks the rise of the young men who would become the pop singing sensation, The Four Seasons, from the mean streets of Newark to the top of the record charts. (See video below).

"Think Like a Man Too" is rated PG-13 for crude sexual content including references, partial nudity, language and drug material; visit http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thinklikeamantoo/ to learn more about the film.

“Jersey Boys” is rated R for language throughout; visit http://www.jerseyboysmovie.com/ to learn more about the film.

War of the Sexes, It's ON! in 'Think Like a Man'

ON the surface, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” might appear to be a difficult book to adapt into a screenplay.

On second thought, though, not at all. It would not come as a surprise to learn that comedian-actor Steve Harvey wrote the book with an eye toward a film deal.

SH's best seller is a relationship advice book geared directly toward women. It is also a bit of an etiquette guide as it regards relationships. Further, “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” could be described as a love letter to women in the form of honest, no-nonsense counsel on attracting and keeping a good man. There are many dos and donts. Character breakdowns of what SH describes as the major types of men, women and behaviors are discussed and dissected.

The types, such as The Player take flesh-and-blood form as Zeke (Romany Malco) in the film, “Think Like a Man,” which opens nationwide today. (See trailer above).

Seemingly, all screenwriters Keith Merryman and David A. Newman, who are pretty faithful to the book, were tasked with was to contrive some behaviors that fit types. It’s not such a stretch to personify Strong, Independent – and Lonely – Women in the image of Lauren, Taraji P. Henson’s balls-busting media company executive or to decide that Mama’s Boy, Michael (Terrence Jenkins), would drive his parent (Jenifer Lewis) to church every Sunday. Any real difficulty might have come in which behaviors to keep and which to toss.

“Think Like a Man” opens with a humorous, narrated cartoon sequence that explains the hunter nature of men. Cleverly, it is narrated by SH who also acts as a Greek chorus, dispensing advice directly from the book. The book was published in 2009. Still, practically everywhere he goes, SH is peppered with relationship questions. He’s become a hero to women, a villain to no-good men – a turncoat who has revealed all of the gender’s secrets.

The action in “Think Like a Man” is set in present-day Los Angeles. Early sequences open on a group of male friends having beers at their regular hangout, doing what many men do when they are amongst themselves – talking shit, sometimes about women.

Mya's (Meagan Good) eyes open after she reads a certain book in "Think Like a Man."  Photos and poster from Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

Many of the book’s character types are represented. While they are jawing, the narrator introduces them by way of their type with an accompanying scene. "Dreamer" Dominic (Michael Ealy), for instance, is losing his girlfriend after his latest career switch. He’s had at least three or four beforehand. His buddy, Michael, loses his girlfriend when he invites his mother to their Valentine’s Day dinner. Wisely, girlfriend sees that three’s a crowd and takes her leave.

Meanwhile, SH, playing himself, is on a book tour and women are learning about his book. Mya (Meagan Good) picks up one after her latest one-night stand with a character portrayed by Chris Brown in one of several cameos. Tired of being a Sports Fish and with pretensions toward being a Keeper, Mya begins applying what she learned from the book, particularly the 90-day rule, on Zeke.

For her part, realtor Kristen (Gabrielle Union) is using her kernels of knowledge to prod longtime live-in boyfriend, Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara), into growing up. To get a grownup sofa and move into digs more befitting of their station in life.

“Think Like a Man” is engaging and has some really funny and tender moments such as when Mya serves Zeke an unexpected nightcap. It takes a little of the breath away. Another truly romantic scene unfolds when Dominic prepares Lauren a sumptuous dinner after she discovers that he is not a star-chef-in-the-making.

Dominic (Michael Ealy) doesn't always feel he is good enough for high-powered executive, Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), in "Think Like a Man.

While there are two nonblack male actors among the main characters, there are no nonblack female counterparts. Further, all of the characters are either black (or appear to be) or white (or appear to be) – nothing in between. Taking into consideration that films such as “Think Like a Man” endeavor to draw the widest possible audience, it is surprising that no overtly Latinos or Asians were cast.

Notably, none of the black men in the film are pursuing nonblack women, particularly white women. SH, an executive producer of "Think Like a Man" and a black man who loves black women, may have played a significant role in that decision. Of course, on this score SH and the other producers could be pandering to demographics, figuring (perhaps wisely) that many black women would be turned off by the film – adversely affecting box office – if the brothers were hooking up with white women. This is a movie after all – a great escape – and the sisters deserve a break from the harsh drumbeat of reality, the powers that be may have reasoned.

It should also be noted that Kristen is the only woman in the film with a white boyfriend –  in the form of Jeremy. Is this a commentary on the dearth of eligible black men? Or does it feed into the myth propagated by many black men and some black women that white men aren’t interested in marrying black women? Hmmm …

Candace (Regina Hall) has stiff competition for Michael's (Terrence Jenkins) heart in "Think Like a Man."

As engaging as “Think Like a Man” occasionally is, it is far from perfect. Too often the film is puerile; at times it borders on stupid. Just about any scene with Kevin Hart’s Cedric fits into these categories. Clearly, he is the comic relief, except the film doesn’t need it. Sometimes, the level of stupidity and coarseness is surprising. A prime example is when a buttoned-down, dignified-looking man who is half of a married couple about to buy one of Kristen’s listings uses an expletive.

Despite it shortcomings, including an ending with little basis in reality, “Think Like a Man” is a good date movie. It will be the subject of much discussion and debate over the coming weeks.

“Think Like a Man” is rated PG-13 (for sexual content, some crude humor, and brief drug use). .

'It Gets Better' Is the Height of Fashion

Uber stylist and businessman Derek Warburton displays one of his many talents in the Richie Rich Spring 2011 show in September 2010 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York. Photo from Derek Loves Shopping.

BY JENNIFER MENDOZA

“WHY should I look back over the past? The only reason is because it’s the only way It Gets Better,” entrepreneur Derek “Fabulous” Warburton reveals in his personal video diary.

The international stylist and tastemaker (http://www.dereklovesshopping.com/) is a supporter and hosted an It Gets Better Project lounge at the Empire Hotel during the recent Morcedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. In his video, openly gay DW talked about his experience with teen bullying during high school (http://www.itgetsbetter.org/#ag84z-HixSI)

The goal of the It Gets Better Project is to send a message of hope and raise awareness about teen bullying by supporting kids who are the victims of it and who are contemplating suicide. It specifically aims to make young LGBT people aware of famous and prominent people who are out and proud about their sexuality.

Contributors who make at least a $30 donation to the It Gets Better Project receive a free T-shirt. Photo from It Gets Better Project.

The It Gets Better Project supports young kids’ sexual preference. It gives them the back up that even some family members don’t give them. Regardless of whether you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual, people should respect you for who you are is the message of the project.

DW's Fashion Week party attracted other supporters, including Eve, Kat de Luna, Gabrielle Union, Keri Hilson, John Bartlett, Amy Chan, Mike Ruiz and Miss Jay. Many of them followed the example of others around the world, including President Barack Obama, by making their own video calling for an end to bullying.

“Youth can’t picture what their lives might be like as openly gay adults," the It Gets Better Project says on its Web site. "They can’t imagine a future for themselves. So let’s show them what our lives are like. Let’s show them what the future may hold in store for them."

Visit http://www.itgetsbetter.org/ to learn more about the “It Gets Better Project.”