... THIS IS WHAT WE DO HAVE:
With juggernaut sized movies like the Spiderman, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises spinning webs, bewitching magic or drowning us in the sea of huge marketing campaigns, it's easy for smaller films, like those featuring a mostly African-American cast, to get lost in the shuffle.
So we here at 3BAAS have put together a list of summer releases that you want to keep your eyes on--or off--but at least you'll know they're out there.
THE SALON. Vivica A. Fox fights City Hall to keep her neighborhood beauty salon open when the Department of Water and Power threatens to seize her land for a development project. Mark Brown, who wrote and produced “Barbershop,” directs as well this time. With Terrence Howard and Monica Calhoun. The movie's website describes it as "irreverent and sassy." We're sure!
THE HIP HOP PROJECT. Fed up with rap music's focus on money and violence, a formerly homeless teenager, Kazi, brings together a group of New York teenagers for a special project and encourages them to produce an inspirational hip-hop album. This documentary traces the evolution of the group as they reach down deep inside their lives to create very personal music they hope will transform the entire music industry.
AND THEN CAME LOVE. When her little boy pleads for a daddy, a single mother (Vanessa Williams) decides to track down the anonymous sperm donor who made him possible. Kevin Daniels, Eartha Kitt, Stephen Spinella and Ben Vereen co-star in this romantic comedy directed by Richard Schenkman.
TALK TO ME. Don Cheadle stars in the true story of Ralph Waldo (Petey) Greene Jr., a Washington D.J. who became a voice for African-Americans in the city. Kasi Lemmons directs; with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mike Epps and Martin Sheen.
AND WE SHOULD ALSO MENTION...
DADDY DAY CAMP, the sequel to Eddie Murphy’s 2003 hit, “Daddy Day Care.” Eddie wasn’t available this time, so the filmmakers got Cuba Gooding Jr. Hilarity, it goes without saying, ensues.
RUSH HOUR 3. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are in Paris this time and hilarity ensues.
SHREK THE THIRD. Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, as the voices of Donkey and Puss'n Boots are back and hilarity ensues again!
EVEN MONEY. Forest Whitaker, joins an all-star cast including Kim Bassinger, Danny DeVito and Kelsey Grammer.
OCEAN’S THIRTEEN. Same crew, (with Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac), different heist, but now Al Pacino is the bad guy. I'll crush 'em like a cockroaches.
EVAN ALMIGHTY. Hilarity ensues when God (Morgan Freeman) commands a newly elected congressman (Steve Carell) to start building an ark in his Virginia backyard. Wanda Sykes also stars.
1408, from a Stephen King story of the same, uh, number, the hair-raising tale of a supernatural researcher resolved to spend the night in a haunted hotel room. Starring Samuel L. Jackson
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY with Ving Rhames.
RESURRECTING THE CHAMP. Samuel L. Jackson is a former boxing champion living on the streets.
THE COMEBACKS. The losingest college football coach in recorded history assembles a new team of misfits and losers, hoping for the best, with . It's a comedy, and featuring the talents of Carl Weathers, Andy Dick and Dennis Rodman undoubtedly hilarity ensues.
AND THEN CAME LOVE. When her little boy pleads for a daddy, a single mother (Vanessa Williams) decides to track down the anonymous sperm donor who made him possible. Kevin Daniels, Eartha Kitt, Stephen Spinella and Ben Vereen co-star in this romantic comedy directed by Richard Schenkman.
TALK TO ME. Don Cheadle stars in the true story of Ralph Waldo (Petey) Greene Jr., a Washington D.J. who became a voice for African-Americans in the city. Kasi Lemmons directs; with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mike Epps and Martin Sheen.
AND WE SHOULD ALSO MENTION...
DADDY DAY CAMP, the sequel to Eddie Murphy’s 2003 hit, “Daddy Day Care.” Eddie wasn’t available this time, so the filmmakers got Cuba Gooding Jr. Hilarity, it goes without saying, ensues.
RUSH HOUR 3. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are in Paris this time and hilarity ensues.
SHREK THE THIRD. Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, as the voices of Donkey and Puss'n Boots are back and hilarity ensues again!
EVEN MONEY. Forest Whitaker, joins an all-star cast including Kim Bassinger, Danny DeVito and Kelsey Grammer.
OCEAN’S THIRTEEN. Same crew, (with Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac), different heist, but now Al Pacino is the bad guy. I'll crush 'em like a cockroaches.
EVAN ALMIGHTY. Hilarity ensues when God (Morgan Freeman) commands a newly elected congressman (Steve Carell) to start building an ark in his Virginia backyard. Wanda Sykes also stars.
1408, from a Stephen King story of the same, uh, number, the hair-raising tale of a supernatural researcher resolved to spend the night in a haunted hotel room. Starring Samuel L. Jackson
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY with Ving Rhames.
RESURRECTING THE CHAMP. Samuel L. Jackson is a former boxing champion living on the streets.
THE COMEBACKS. The losingest college football coach in recorded history assembles a new team of misfits and losers, hoping for the best, with . It's a comedy, and featuring the talents of Carl Weathers, Andy Dick and Dennis Rodman undoubtedly hilarity ensues.