Does it happen as you get older? Is it just me? I'll answer my own questions. Hell no! There is nothing more likely to start a fight in a movie theatre than having someone sitting behind you yap on and on while the movie is playing. I'm not talking about the guy/girl (usually a guy) who blurts out smart comments during the movie.
I'm talking about endless chatter, not even movie related.. Paid $10.50 and they have no interest in any part of the movie til the explosions or laughter sparks off. Then they're lost, asking what happened? Watch the movie and shut your mouth; that'll go a long way to finding out.Even when attention is paid, the genius that everyone within earshot is treated to.. it's priceless.
Ex - The big 'surprise' of the movie is revealed (I won't say what it is for those that didn't see it) it's obvious to everyone in the theatre. I mean jaws have dropped or whatever and moved back in place.. 2 - 3 minutes later, this dumb bitch sitting behind me says.. "Oh, that is…."
It's hard to explain just how Dumb Blonde this girl sounded. She was black, but you know that type of chick with a head full of air and bubblegum brains.
She's laying across this guy's lap and had been tossing this shit out consistently for the past 20 minutes. They walked in late and just took a seat in the row behind me.
But it was after that last comment that I found my mind drifting away from the screen, floating through the clouds. I'm standing at the crossroads, white-suited down like your boy Pac. I could go down the path of telling the guy she's with to shut his bitch up or move to the opposite end of the row.
With age also comes wisdom. From the one-sided conversation you could tell the guy wanted her to shut up too, but if I tell him there's gonna be some WTF out of her mouth and fuck you from him. Then dumb shit like a half full Coke is gonna get something started that's gonna cause everyone in theatre to take notice, security running in and the whole mess. This girl was annoying but not worth that kind of racket.
So I moved to saner pastures. Had I not been by myself, it would've been a different situation. It's not gonna be me and a chick moving on down, she better be on some Bonnie to the Clyde and throw the popcorn.
What They Say
"This is a superb film with a lot to say about people, not stereotypes. And it does so with vigor and intelligence, not a crushing need to play to the lowest common denominator."
- Brian Orndorf, Efilmcritic.com
"Grittier than the sweetly nostalgic, '70s-era ROLL BOUNCE (2005), this character-driven ensemble piece has the same sense of optimism and pulses with contemporary hip-hop rhythms. The story is familiar, but terrific performances and a vivid sense of place elevate it above the average teen-oriented picture."
- Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide
"T.I. is not the best actor out there. He's not even in the top 60%. More often than not, he relies on posing with the same semi-contorted face to show us he feels pain, frustration, anger, happiness, love and more. Of course, the face looks the same, so you have to guess which of these emotions he is trying to convey to us."
- Willie Waffle, Waffle Movies.com
"a good message isn't enough to justify a $10 ticket. You also need a good movie."
- Stephen Whitty, NJ Star Ledger
My Opinion
The beauty of ATL is that it isn't all about the drugs, crime, and killing that you'd imagine would be part of a movie set in place T.I. likes to call The Trap. Funny thing about the trap / hood (or the ghetto, if you like) is within the "hard living" there are people living lives as normal as anyone living in suburbia. Cancel out money and the comfort that provides. I'm talking about kids being kids, teenagers being teenagers, barbecues, video games, birthday parties, summer jobs, hang out spots, and in this case.. roller skating. Who would've thought ATL was a Boyz in Da Hood version of Roll Bounce?
ALT rises above the average rapper/hood flick, by successfully bringing you into that ATL neighborhood with characters and a story that everyone can relate to.
Who doesn't know a New New ( I wear all the new shit) or hasn't seen the Twins stunting in the High School hallways (What ch'all doing? 'Nothing. Looking cute'.) How about Big Booty Judy or the friend who can't keep the most basic job, but always has another one that they dislike just as much the next week?
Small touches like that are what make the movie work.
It doesn't hurt that the acting is on point.
T.I. does a good job playing the regular guy. I've heard he was great, but I'm sticking with good. I'd take a guess that his character is the person you'd see if you really knew him. His girlfriend in the movie - Lauren London - does just as well with her part. Evan Ross (Grandson of Diana Ross) plays T.I.'s brother. Helping Chris Brown and T.I. to bring back the lightskin brothers. (despite Big Boi's comment :) He didn't miss a beat.
It was a surprise to see Jason Weaver, he's in so few movies, underrated on a comedic level, personally I've liked him since his days on Thea.
I'd be wrong not to mention Big Boi's character. Andre isn't the only member of Outkast who can pursue another side of the entertainment business. It was the first time I've seen him act. He took on the 'bad guy' role aunatural. He reminded me of a guy I met in Seattle when I was younger. Same character. Same shine. Dude didn't walk me into a pen of pitbulls, but he causally pulled out a loaded nine - check that out - drove me through the hood, kids with stacks in their bedrooms and an AK sitting in the corner, like it's normal. All the while he's grinning slick, checking me out, like, what you know bout dat?
He thought I knew more than I did.
All in all ATL was much better than I expected from the previews. More entertaining than Get Rich or Die Trying, yet it showed the same struggle. All the members of T.I.'s crew, including himself, were looking for ways to make a mark on the world. Through each character's story it showed the negative, positive, and the just getting along aspects of making that mark. By the end, they all shine in their own way - even Uncle George.
Although the film's success wasn't all on his shoulders, it may open the door for T.I. to take on another role in the future. Maybe that'll be outside of the Trap, that's when we'll see if he can act. I Robot 2 !? I'm joking. Seriously. Don't do it. I know your reading this Alex, I beg of you. The hero's got to save the world in the film. Those robots would get to giving him an.. I.. Jammie *freeze* I know.. The end.
3 sticks of butter and some Nachos
