rome2002

I give this movie two thumbs up and five stars. It was very entertaining. It seems that the movie isn't getting much publicity as it has only been shown in selective theaters across the United States. I first heard about the movie back in April and have been wanted to see this film ever since. I'm glad that I finally got the chance to view this work of art.

Now, I appreciate the artistic talent of Mario Van Peebles ever since "New Jack City" (a good movie) but recently some of his choices for certain film roles left me wondering what was he thinking. But this movie is so much different. It's dedicated to his father, Melvin. The film takes place back when Melvin Van Peebles (played by the brilliant Mario Van Peebles) was getting ready to film the cult hit film, "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song," which led the way for other popular Blaxploitation flicks of the '70s like "Shaft" and "Superfly." Admist the pressure of making a low-budget movie and Hollywood cynicism about black entertainment, the film also deals with the rocky relationship between Melvin and a very young Mario (played by Khleo Thomas). The movie also features an all-star cast including Nia Long, Joy Bryant ("Antwone Fisher"), Paul Rodriguez and Ossie Davis with cameos from those who have helped Melvin's vision come alive.

As I stated above, I really enjoyed the movie. I hope that Mario continues to create movies that are enjoyable as this one is. The scenes that I've enjoyed were the ones that involved Melvin and his crazy friend Bill (Rainn Wilson) and the ones involving his relationship with his son. Try to catch this movie as it is still being shown in a few theaters.

This movie shocked me from the start. I thought that this movie was going to be like all those other stupid, young and insipid teen movies that we are forced to see all the time. But I was surprised to see that this wasn't one of them. This movie surpassed them. James Van Der Beek (TV's "Dawson's Creek") and the lovely Shannyn Sossamon are the leads of this amusing, yet disturbing, movie. Its originality reminded me of "Pulp Fiction" and "Go". I give this movie two thumbs up and 4 1/2 stars.

When I learned that "Pandora's Box" was finally coming to selected theaters located in Baltimore, I was more than thrilled. After viewing Rob Hardy's first film, "Trois", I was surprised to see that this young, up-and-coming director pushed the envelope with powerful dialogue and talented actors such as Gary Dourdan ("A Different World", "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") and Kenya Moore ("Senseless"). "Trois" was definitely a must-see. Now with "Pandora's Box" Rob Hardy and his crew at Rainforest Productions have made another film that pushes the envelope even further.

"Pandora's Box" is about a psychologist named Mia (Monica Calhoun) who helps a troubled patient (Chrystale Wilson) deal with the untimely death of her husband (Tyson Beckford). But soon after, Mia finds her her own life being examined as she takes her patient's advice and becomes involved in the underworld of sexual empowerment. She then meets Hampton Hines (Michael Jai White), a mysterious stranger who Mia becomes intrigued by. As emotions grow strong and her marriage to her husband (Kristoff St. John) going down the drain, Mia commits several acts of adultery and infidelity with Hampton only to find herself getting even deeper in a world of sex, money and murder.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, you are missing out on a good and entertaining movie. But please remember to leave the kids at HOME!!!!