All is Fair in Love and War

Two Can Play That Game is a prime example of how to train your man. Yes, I said “train.” Lets face it, ALL men can use a little training. This movie not only presents a war of love, but also a war of the sexes. The storyline starts out about four women who are all in relationships, Karen, Diedre, Tracey and Shante. Three of the four have dead beat men, but Shante and Keith are the picture perfect couple. They are young, educated and sexy, with well paying careers. Shante’s girls look to her for advice about their worthless men until the tables turn, and Shante’s man is caught at the club with another girl. Of course, he had many excuses, but Ms. Shante didn’t want to hear it. At this point, let the games begin.

The teams are set and ready for battle. Shante and her girls take on Keith and his best friend Tony. Tony is really the mastermind behind Keith. He gives Keith advice about his every move of retaliation. In a sense, Shante isn’t really fighting with Keith, she fighting Tony. Without Tony, Keith would have surrendered in the beginning. Shante soon introduces her 10 day plan to get her man back with a little training on the side. Her plan consists of many tricks; however, Keith threw in a few tricks of his own. The tables turn back and forth throughout the movie, but the biggest moment of battle was at a Miller party that they both showed up to. Keith showed up with Conny (the neighborhood hoochie), so Shante had to play her cards right to turn the tables back around. She managed to find a guy (Calvin) who met her standards and would make Keith jealous. She left the party with him and Keith became outraged as he threw threats all around. Keith threatened to sleep with Conney if she left with Calvin. Shante stood firm and made moves. The funny thing is that Shante expected Keith to be waiting on her when she got home that night, begging for her to take him back. Let’s get real. So, it’s safe to assume that the 10 day program didn’t work. I guess the ladies will have to find a different training mechanism because Shante’s didn’t work out so well.

Two Can Play That Game was absolutely HILARIOUS. Anthony Anderson was extremely funny and Morris Chestnut was OH SO SEXY!!! Monique and Alex Thomas definitely put there signatures on the film, as they were pure comedy. Shante’s 10 day plan was extremely over the top, but the movie is a must see.

Finding Love Where it’s Least Expected

Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) is a beautiful, successful African American senior manager at a prestigious accounting firm, who is on the verge of making partner. She has yet to find a long-term romantic partner and a fulfilling personal life, so her friends urge her let go of her dream of the “ideal black man” and try something new. They set her up on a blind date with a free-spirited architectural landscaper named Brian Kelly (Simon Baker), and she agrees to go out with him only to cut their date short when she learns upon meeting him that he is white. The two eventually meet again at a party and Kenya hires Brian to landscape her back yard. They begin to hit it off over time, but Kenya’s fears about whether her friends and family will accept their romantic relationship threaten to ruin everything. Ultimately Kenya has to make a decision for herself and follow her heart wherever it may lead her.

Sanaa Lathan plays the rigid, uptight, professional Kenya McQueen quite well, and Simon Baker’s portrayal of Brian is also ideal. He has the ability to break Kenya out of her shell, and he encourages her to become more comfortable with herself. This movie creates a realistic picture of a large demographic of African American women in this country, and it is not your typical romantic comedy because it touches on some real race issues, including “the black tax” and reverse racism. I have heard some black males state that this movie portrays them in a negative light, but I do not see that as the case at all. There are plenty of affluent, positive black male characters represented throughout the film, including Kenya’s father, Edmond McQueen (Earl Billings) her best friend’s boyfriend, Walter (Mike Epps) and Mark Harper (Blair Underwood), whom Kenya dates for a short stint. Overall, the most important aspect of the storyline and the film is that true happiness may show up where we least expect it and that in order to find love with someone else, you must learn to be yourself and love who you are first.

The Date Doctor is In

Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith) is a legendary but anonymous “date doctor” in New York City, who helps shy, awkward male clients make good first impressions on the women whom they want to date. Hitch guarantees success for his clients up until the third date, after which they are on their own. In the process of helping his newest client, Albert Brennaman (Kevin James), Hitch meets and begins falling for Sarah Melas (Eva Mendes). Sarah, a gossip reporter for a local tabloid, is the type of woman who is always on the defense when approached by men, but she begins to fall for Hitch until she learns of his occupation, and soon conflict ensues.

Will Smith is ideal as Hitch, with his ability to be a smooth talker with the addition of subtle sarcasm and humor. He has all the right moves, knows just what to say, but manages not to go over the top. Kevin James is also perfect as Albert, a man who is in love with celebrity, Allegra Cole, who doesn’t know that he exists. His character is likeable and his expressions and mannerisms throughout the film are flawless and hilarious. This is a well-written romantic comedy that is fit for both men and women. There is plenty of romance, but this film employs “guy humor” as well. Kevin James’ well-timed, not overly done slapstick scenes are funny and I even found myself laughing out loud a few times. Hitch is a great date movie that is genuine, entertaining, and memorable.

"A Perfect Verse Over a Tight Beat"

Revealing a softer side to the culture, Brown Sugar introduces Hip Hop and love. The storyline is about the love of Hip Hop, with an underlying story of love and romance. Hip Hop is used interchangeably as a metaphor between the love of two friends and Hip Hop as a culture. It’s not what this generation tries to label as Hip Hop. There is no Soldier Boy or no Hurricane Chris. As two friends go through the challenges of life, maintaining a coquettish relationship, they deny their romantic feelings for one another. They share a common ground in their love for Hip Hop, but we later realize that Hip Hop is also being used to express the love that they have for each other. It’s more than a best friend type of love, it’s the kind of love that puts butterflies in the pit of your stomach and leaves your soul on a natural high.

Dre and Sidney are best friends, played by Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan. Dre was a music producer and Sidney was an editor-in-chief for one of the hottest urban magazines, XXL. The chemistry between the two is explosive as the story unravels. Their attraction is evident as it interferes with their love lives. Dre marries Reese, played by Nicole Ari Parker, and Sydney marries Kelby, played by the ever so lovely, Boris Kodjoe. As relationships quickly form, they shatter even faster. The undying love that they share for Hip Hop is evident. However, the saying is true, “love always conquers”, and in the end they acknowledged what was undeniable. As the story started out about tight beats and the love for Hip Hop, it later turned into Hip Hop being used as an expression of their love for each other.

Sidney’s friend Francine, played by Queen Latifah and Dre’s friend Chris (Cav), played by Mos Def both had outstanding parts that really added a comical twist to the movie. Romance runs rampant as the two get sweet on each other. The movie was absolutely hilarious and very entertaining. With a mixture of love and Hip Hop, it has something for everybody. Although it has plenty of romance, it’s not a chick flick; the Hip Hop gives the guys something to vibe to. The movie is real and it’s genuine. It demonstrates a romantic love and the love of Hip Hop, as Dre describes Sidney as “a perfect verse over a tight beat.”