Soul Men

Soul Man is was it is... crude, rude, and genuinely funny. It has two of the hardest working actors in showbiz - the late great Bernie Mac and Samuel L Jackson as two has been soul stars on a road trip to a funeral / tribute concert of the late great Marcus Hook (John Legend).

This is comedy at full speed, it makes no apologies and takes no prisoners - but is also genuinely full of laughs.

All in all I think Mac wouldn't mind this being his last movie - never a man for great subtlety here the pair look like they had a lot of fun making this and the best bits are the improv off-script rants.

It's no comedic masterpiece, and the plot is cheesy, and the whole thing is just a beer and pizza adventure - but you have to admire the energy and fun.

A fitting tribute to Bernie Mac who loved life and people and was a very very, very hard-working stand-up comic.

A former back-up singer turns car salesman Floyd Henderson (The late Bernie Mac) recently retired somewhere in California. He finds out that the lead singer of their previous soul band Marcus Hooks (John Legend) recently died of a heart attack. Their former manger Mr. Epstein is taking over by his son Danny (Sean Hayes), who wants Floyd to sing for Hooks' tribute concert at the Apollo Theater in New York City. But Danny wants the former second back-up singer turned former criminal Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson) to sing at the concert as well. At first, Louis refuses until Floyd convinces him to do the tribute for money. But Louis and Floyd haven't sing for nearly thirty years! There's some personal problems between these two former friends to solved before reaching the tribute concert of the late former colleague.

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man, Roll Bounce, Welcome Back Roscoe Jenkins) made an enjoyable loose comedy about music, friendship and redemption. Jackson and Mac are extremely well cast in their roles. They actually sing pretty well with some dance moves. Also this was one of the better roles that Mac got to play before he passed on unexpectedly. In some ways "Soul Men" is "Grumpy Old Men" with soul music and a little "Midnight Run" throw in for good measure. No one could curse vulgarity as funny as Jackson and Mac would say.

The DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The DVD has a lively audio commentary track by the director and screenwriters Matthew Stone & Robert Ramsey. The DVD also has plenty of short featurettes of behind the scenes footage, interviews with the cast & filmmakers and tributes to the late Bernie Mac and Oscar-Winner Issac Hayes (Also his last film in a brief supporting role). The only two things are missing from the DVD is Deleted Scenes and Outtakes, which the filmmakers mention in the commentary track that a couple of sequences were cut. "Soul Men" was a box office disappointment and the film critics has mixed opinions but it will certainly found an audiences an Blu-ray/DVD and on television... sooner or later. Die-Hard fans of Jackson and especially Mac will have a blast with this movie. Jennifer Coolidge in a small memorable supporting part (Best known as Stifler's Mom in the "American Pie" series) has an genuinely funny sequences with Mac. This has a pretty good soundtrack as well. Certainly worth a look. Super 35. (*** 1/2 out of *****).

It was a straightforward almost Blue Brothers film, but who cares? It has music, honesty, and is truly a reminder of the sad loss of Bernie Mac.

Many of the so called clichés are actually representative of so much that truly happens in life. This may not be the most important film in the world, but it's heart is in the right place. And it sings a certain song of life, friendship and forgiveness.

That's all that it needs to provide. I am surprised that it received so much negativity on some pages. Just sit back and enjoy. If only the music business had so much respect for past legends. Sometimes it happens, and this also goes to show that some musicians really live from retaining their audience, as it is all they have that sustains them.

I just returned from seeing "Soul Men". I laughed so hard. Samuel L Jackson is such a versatile actor. I love him in so many movies. Sam and Bernie played well off each other. And please stay for the credits because there is some scenes of Bernie being interviewed and doing his comedy act. He uses the f word in his act.

It was very funny seeing Sam in corn rows and with the gray in them. That alone is worth seeing.

It was very nice that they dedicated the movie to Bernie Mac and Issac Hayes who died one day apart from each other. They will both be missed.

Samuel keep on making these wonderful movies.

These are some smoooooth dudes!

Great little film that has good music and good laughs, the first comeback show is hilarious.

There is not a lot that needs to be said here...if you enjoy the actors, like good music and a laugh then this is a YES :)