To simply state... its A MUST SEE!!!!
Now that I have the silly grin off my face and my tears are dried up, I can concentrate on writing this blog.
Two days ago I get a DM on Twitter from my tweet pal @socamomDC inviting me to the preview of Joyful Noise, DC which was sponsored by
Rolling Out Magazine and American Airlines. I was thrilled. Not only would it give me a chance to meet her for the first time, but to actually get out of my daily routine of work, commute and spending the evening watching reality tv shows that makes me seem like I have turrets syndrome.
Queen Latifah has definitely landed on the tippy top of the hip-hop totem pole. She has outdone herself as the Executive Producer of this
Warner Bros. film. I'll admit, I woke up one morning and saw the trailer for it on tv. Said to myself "Nicki Minaj sings one line about Dolly Parton and here she is starring in a movie." Really I did say that. I even rolled over and didn't think twice of the movie. Then I saw it again later that day and paid attention...ahhhh a movie I can take in one Sunday afternoon. But my Sunday came sooner than I thought.
Here I was sitting in a theater room with Brian Dickens (you know him as Fantasia's manager), media personality Jawn Murray, and the event host Gospel recording artist Byron Cage...it was a packed house, with a very polite and orderly group of adults...this was grown folk mingling.
Where do I even begin about this movie??? So much to say. But I'll start by saying that Joyful Noise wasn't stuffed with the typical African American cast that consists of Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut, Gabriel Union...nope, not-a-one.
The cast was made up of fresh new faces that complimented each other well. They were fresh faces supported by Queen Latifah, Courtney B. Vance (of The Preachers Wife...yup he's a preacher again), KeKe Palmer (with her Angela Basset stance), and in a refreshing, returning and welcoming role Dolly Parton ( the legendary all American icon that she is).
Joyful Noise is about a small town Georgia church choir that has persistently competed in the Joyful Noise national competition. A competition they could never seem to win because of the choir lead by Kirk Franklin ... definitely a tough act to beat. When the beloved choir director dies, everyone seems to have lost hope that they have a chance to win the competition, unless some changes are made from their boring routine. Vi Rose (Queen Latifah) and G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) can't seem to get their differences settled, bringing a small Christian, yet comical, feud between the two, yet uniting the choir all the way to the finals.
The movie is undeniably hilarious. Its clean plot, comical and inspiring and at times quirky quotes brings us a message of hope, love, joy and the unity of family.
I wouldn't steer you wrong. It's Glee meets Sister Act with a musical soundtrack feel of Dream Girls...one you can listen to just about everyday. Sure the plot is as predictable as can be, but it is totally refreshing from the reality tv shows that bombard us every day.
I say on January 13th, take the family out and enjoy some quality time...
Now if ONLY I can get the image of Lil Kim trying to bust out of Dolly Parton's face, I'll totally ignore the fact that I sat there expecting to see Queen Latifah bust out in her "Set if Off" persona ... I tell you there are some things you just can't let go...