Dynamite Is His Game.
118 Mins. Starring: Eddie Murphy, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, Ron Cephas Jones, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Barry Shabaka Henley, Bob Odenkirk, Tip 'T.I.' Harris, Snoop Dogg & Wesley Snipes . Director: Craig Brewer.
Murphy's 'Raw'. You would have once thought it 'Delirious' that the 'Beverly Hills Cop', mega 80's star could get back to this 'Coming To America' level. Well trading places...the jokes on you now. Are you ready for another '48 Hrs'? As he has two sequels on Netflix double-tap for these formidable franchises and star vehicles. Don't call it a comeback...because it's permanent. Just like it was all meant to be in the end for the man whose even returning to his roots to host 'SNL' like his 'C.T.A. 2' set and trailer being right next to the one for another, long-awaited, legendary franchise sequel in 'Bad Boys For Life', for a perfect picture, beautiful, nostalgic moment on Will Smith's Instagram with him, Martin Lawrence and here co-star Wesley Snipes. But before all that the streaming service and director of 'Dolemite Is My Name' ('Hustle and Flow' and 'Black Snake Moan's' Craig Brewer (who will also be 'Coming 2 America 2')) may just hand him that Oscar he's been robbed blind missing since he supported 'Ray' star and another classic comedian he's inspired Jamie Foxx, in what was meant to be his grand return to the stage in Beyoncé's 'Dreamgirls' showstopper. Still for all the 'Pluto Nash' s### 'Dr. Dolitte' before Downey Jr, inspired by 'Dr. Strangelove' has been getting over the years, there has still been diamonds in the rough and gems of performances from a screen one who has still kept the kids entertained with his family of characters like 'The Nutty Professor'. And just look at the billion dollar blockbuster, green machine franchise 'Shrek', that was all a DreamWorks, no Disney. This man's no donkey. For every 'Norbit', there's a 'Bowfinger' for the man who masters multiple parts like his hero Peter Sellers in an underrated Swiss Army Knife tool to his acting arsenal. And there's still been a sweet soul and heart to characters like 'Meet Dave', or the actions speak louder than words beautiful, heartfelt message of 'A Thousand Words' (an underrated fond family film, albeit pushed back more than my hairline). He 'stick 'em up' robbed the show in Ben Stiller's 'Tower Heist' ensemble and let's take this moment to remember 'Life' with trailer park boy Martin Lawrence as one of those nostalgic, late 90's great comedies with more heart and wise lived that life smarts than given credit for or seen today, because we never will again. And in this age of 'Irishman' Marvel like CGI (hey, hey Scorsese), nothing beats the ageing make-up of old man Murphy. Comedy gold. "The upper roooom"! They simply don't make movies like that anymore...and we wish they just did. But now with his first R-rated movie since then, it's time for 'The Golden Child' to take it back like a boomerang to the golden era. Hollywood, Los Angeles, 1970's.
Beautiful Blaxpoitation era cinema is celebrated in the same year Netflix also reboots Samuel L. Jackson's 'Shaft' modern-day, f### funky soulfully with the original bad mother "shut your mouth" Richard Roundtree once again, with this amazing aesthetic and wonderful wardrobe decked out. As Comedy Central's Top 10 stand-up of all-time goes from the storm soul of James 'Thunder' Early in 'Dreamgirls', to giving us a better late than never, brilliant biopic to Rudy Ray Moore. Or as we all now know him better, like the movie he made, 'Dolemite'. That's the stage name of the stand-up to actor of his own (see the parallels people...perfect). The rhythm and bruise of a comedian, whose signature rhyming style and "I'm so mean I make medicine sick" Ali like statements, with a parental advisory sticker made many believe him to be the undisputed 'Godfather of Rap' like a gang from Sugarhill. So whether you are a fan of Kendrick Lamar or Rakim you have to give it up for him, respect...paid in full. But from stage to screen (think of his made movies like a Tommy Wiseau 'Disaster Artist'...but to be Franco, with worse acting) Moore had the hustle as well as the flow like a Terrence Howard rap movie that lead him to a record deal, which he turned into a beautiful jazz album before the hip-hop 'Empire' state of family came calling like Taraji P. So who else but the scrapping for his career and now celebrated in projector lights like his name in the bright, without being beamed up like Nash to Pluto to play him than Eddie? What has he done for you lately? Well just look! Funny, forthright and just Eddie, it's Murphy's guffaw once again. Bringing the drama only to the screen for something as good as his 'Dreamgirls' moment of coked up, eyes are the soul gone defeat, as this man in the mirror stares down himself and his father...just like they were the same person. Funny that. About to breakdown before pimping out his wig with the finest hat and using that like his "better not bring your kids" loud language as armour to truly protect himself and win the inner turmoil of this personal battle. The comedy and tragedy from a true stand-up actor is clear to see like in his eyes during his Variety 'Actors On Actors' sit down with 'Shrek' co-star (who he actually never met on set) Antonio Banderas, fourth wall breaking, knowing nod to camera reaction to the 'Desperado' star saying life is all about the pain aswell as the glory. Beautiful, like his embodiment of Dolemite in an inspiringly indelible red carpet moment where he stays behind from his name in lights to work the cheering crowd who have formed a lasting line for him and waited for this opportunity almost as long as he...and we all have. And when he does it with those jokes, that character, energetic enthusiasm, heart and smile...in this moment it's not just Rudy Ray anymore. It's pure Eddie.
Oscar's Academy may come calling for Murphy with an envelope. But if they do they should have a signed, sealed and delivered one in support for Best Actress Da'Vine Joy Randolph too. One of the real stars of the show here in an all star cast is having her coming out party in this grand return moment for a legend of our generation. She's got next like she's got her own stage in the Broadway musical of 'Ghost'. Or like Keegan-Michael Key. The Key to C.C. dynamic duo Jordan's Peele is making his own Hollywood name as a writer here like the redefining, horror definitive 'Get Out' and 'Us' director...and he doesn't need 'Keanu' to do it. He stole the show in last year's 'Predator' reboot and he does in again amongst all the big names here. Like comedy great with a new special, 'Next Friday' and 'The Hangover's' Black Doug (hey cut it out with that s###) Mike Epps. Or the 'Get On Up' musical backing of "Oprah rich", 'Pineapple Express' and 'This Is The End', "Take Yo Panties Off" star Craig Robinson (rumour as it Aziz was meant to be in this (not really. I can't back that up) too...but it's too late for him, he's in the hole already). And what more can we say about the incomparable 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' star Tituss Burgess? Like 'Funny Or Die' cooking and Broadway singing that's no act with jazz man Jeff Goldblum or that legendary 30 second super spot, "girl I don't fold clothes", Lenor commercial that's the longest relationship I've had in years (that look). That's not it either, as 'This Is Us' and Marvel's own Harlem hero for hire Blaxpoitation, silver-age celebration 'Luke Cage', Bobby Fish barbershop star Ron Cephas Jones is the original Dolemite. Bumming around, asking if you've got some teeth like Obie Trice. Whilst fellow Marvel and X-Men academy star Kodi Smit-McPhee is nightcrawling around with a camera like Jake Gyllenhaal. Add 'Collateral' character actor great Barry Shabaka Henley (last seen at the Sinatra tux table of Gaga's father's poker friends in 'A Star Is Born') and some real rapper actors like 'ATL' and 'American Gangster's' Tip 'T.I.' Harris, almost unrecognisable in bearded disguise and glasses to match like a knockout Howard Cossell, Jon Voight in 'Ali' and 'Training Day' and 'Starsky and Hutch', 'Soul Plane' star Snoop Dogg doing his 'Do The Right Thing' best Mister Señor Love Daddy impression and you just have to play this man. And if 'Coach Snoop' doesn't break enough bad for you like an 'El Camino' Netflix movie then you better call Saul or Bob Odenkirk on top 'Long Shot' form. Because Brewer's brew has everything, even a show and scene stealing Wesley Snipes who may even have his own red carpet introduction to the Academy this coming February. For not one, but two redemption stories that aren't even taxing. Here, camping it up to a thespian ego living off his one janitorial moment onscreen on Roman Polanski's 'Rosemary's Baby', Snipes is back and even funnier than his meta evading 'Expendable's' character and in-joke before he comes back to America with Eddie next year. And let's not forget to mention, but not spoil a classic comedy cameo in this epic ensemble too. But none holds the stage quite like the raw and ready for his redemption return master. All to the last frame and beautiful tribute in the name of his brother, late, great, star of Comedy Central's 'Chappelle Show' and those real life Rick James and Prince playing basketball stories, Charlie Murphy (rest peacefully... still can't believe you're gone. Let alone that it's been two years). The King of Comedy is back...Eddie is his name. And that's a mother####### wrap! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Shaft' (2019), 'The Disaster Artist', 'Hustle and Flow'.
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