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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2016)
April 13, 2016 The Skanner Page 7 FILM REVIEW: ‘Meet the Blacks’ ‘Hood Meets High Society in Politically-Incorrect Parody of ‘The Purge’ By Kam Williams For The Skanner News By Kam Williams For The Skanner News A A fter coming into a small fortune under suspicious circumstanc- es, Carl Smith (Mike Epps) de- cides to move his family from the ghetto in Chicago to Blanco Cielo, an exclusive development in Bever- ly Hills. Accompanying him on the cross-country trip are his wife Lorena (Zulay Henao), dating-age daughter Allie (Bresha Webb), and adolescent son Carl, Jr. (Alex Henderson). Upon their arrival, Carl proceeds to offend everyone he encounters, starting with the gated communi- ty’s security guard whom he calls too dark-skinned to profile another black person. Despite the fact that the Afri- can immigrant is merely attempting to do his job, he is also accused of having the Ebola virus. Next, when Lorena hires an Asian manicurist (Kathrien Ahn), Carl asks her to give him “some Chinese head.” Charming. And during a get acquaint- ed stroll around the neighborhood, he manages to antagonize assorted neigh- bors, too. More importantly, however, he also learns that “The Purge” is set to start at 7 p.m. If you are familiar with the hor- ror flick of the same name, then you know that means that all crimes will be legal during the impending 12-hour period, even murder. What ensues is a politically-incor- rect parody closely patterned on the original. After sundown, a number of adver- saries descend on the estate, one-by- one, each with evil intentions, includ- Arts & Entertainment Chillin’ with Cube & Cole: The ‘Barbershop: The Next Cut’ Interview ing a Ku Klux Klansman (Michael Caradoona), a repo man (DeRay Da- vis), a revenge-minded parolee (Char- lie Murphy), Carl’s ex-wife Shoranda (Tameka “Tiny” Cottle) and his crazy cousin Cronut (Lil Duval). Unfortu- nately, co-writer/director Deon Taylor decided to appeal to the lowest com- mon denominator repeatedly during this unfunny, demeaning throwback reminiscent of Amos ‘n’ Andy. Anything for a laugh, regardless of how self-hating or hurtful the joke might be. An expletive and N-word- laced descent into modern minstrelsy. ctor, writer, pro- ducer, director, rapper, father – “reigning Renais- sance king” could be a good term to describe the one and only Ice Cube. Coming of age in 1980s Los Angeles, Cube experienced the roiling stew of street knowl- edge, sports fanaticism, Margot Bingham and Deon Cole in Barbershop: The Next Cut and social injustice in a city at the forefront of hip-hop’s expansion decades making memorable films. He from local sound to global phenome- has been part of films that have cumu- non. latively grossed over $1 billion at the Twenty-seven years after N.W.A – box office. the group Cube co-founded with Dr. The N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and DJ Yella – Compton took in box-office receipts of released their archetypal gangsta rap over $200 million worldwide. Cube’s masterpiece Straight Outta Compton, successful film franchises also include the group’s 2016 induction into the the Friday, Are We There Yet?, Ride Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with an intro- Along, and Barbershop franchises. ductory speech by their spiritual heir Deon Cole plays the hilarious Kendrick Lamar, is a mark of how far co-worker Charlie, a fan-favorite on Cube has come. ABC’s hit comedy Black-ish. Deon is Cube made his feature film debut in also one of the lead roles in the TBS se- director John Singleton’s 1991 hit Boyz ries Angie Tribeca. And he continues n the Hood. From that auspicious be- to be a featured guest correspondent ginning, he has become one of the most on Conan, for which he was also a two- bankable, likeable names in Holly- time Emmy nominated writer. wood as a writer, actor, and producer. Here, Cube and Deon discuss co-star- His production company, Cube Vision, founded in 1995, has now passed two See CUBE on page 11 Poor (0 stars) Rated R for sexuality, violence, ethnic slurs, drug use and profanity Running time: 90 minutes Studio: Hidden Empire Film Group Distributor: Freestyle Releasing Happy Mother’s Day Let Portland Prime help you make Mom feel like a queen! We’re serving our full menu from 11:30am-10pm on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2016 All moms get unlimited mimosas with their meal and a $25.00 gift card to be used on another visit at Portland Prime. www.PortlandPrime.net (503) 223-6200 121 SW 3rd Ave Portland, OR 97204 HOURS OF OPERATION Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. @portlandprime
