The Best Man Holiday

I started watching this movie thinking it was another black comedy (I love those) so I was a bit disappointed because there where not a lot of funny scenes (though Terrence Howard was funny as hell). After I realized it wasn't a laugh your ass off comedy there was a lot more drama. I must say that in the end I really enjoyed watching this, it just took me a moment to switch.

Only after watching this movie I read that it was a sequel. That answered a few of my questions about the character development and plot.

I really liked the plot though and the character development was good, so I'll be watching the 3rd movie when it comes out.

So if you're into black movies and don't mind drama this is one you should definitely watch.

I just returned home from seeing this movie. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was everything that a movie is supposed to be. The characters have multiple layers, the storyline has multiple things going on and visually it's lovely. The music in this movie was great. I can't wait to get the soundtrack. But the actors in it were stellar. Terrence Howard was in his prime. He was just so funny and Added perfect humor during the right moments. Beautiful Morris Chestnut was intense and Nia Long is everything. Taye Diggs is the wonderful actor that he always is. I could go on and on about all of the actors in this movie especially the children. They were all so beautiful and so talented. It's a must see.

Best Man's Holiday, is a timely-well written and acted movie. It touches on so many social issues people are going through in the now. It is surprising how emotional involved you will be caught up in scenes. It's a roller coaster of highly amusing moments on second, followed by an altar call of your conscience reflecting on unresolved past issues the next. The movie will have you unexpectedly grabbing for popcorn salt covered napkins to use on tear ducts, then laughing so hard followed with, "what if -, thank you, goodness (smirk)…,you have got to be kidding me and oh YES (I know that's right)," moments. And then more need of those crumpled salt and oil napkins you discarded in the empty popcorn bowl.

So warning! Save your eyes, bring tissue and make sure the cell phone is charged. You'll be calling family and friends after seeing this movie. You may end up seeing them sooner than you thought possible or vowed ever to do again.

'THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY': Three Stars (Out of Five)

Sequel to the 1999 ensemble buddy film 'THE BEST MAN' reuniting the friend group, 14 years later, for the holidays. Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Regina Hall, Harold Perrineau, Monica Calhoun and Melissa De Sousa all reprise their roles from the original film. Malcolm D. Lee once again wrote and directed the movie. It's funny in places and sentimental enough for a Christmas film; about what most viewers will expect I think.

The movie finds Lance and Mia Sullivan (Chestnut and Calhoun) having a weekend Christmas party that they invite all their old friends to. Lance is retiring this year, as a star running back for the New York Giants, and Mia has some tragic news she's kept secret from the rest of the friend group. Lance hasn't been on speaking terms with his old best friend, Harper Stewart (Diggs), since the events of the original movie. Harper is now expecting a child with his nine-month pregnant wife, Robin (Lathan). Making things hard for them is the fact that Harper recently lost his teaching job, which he hasn't told Robin about, and hasn't written a hit book in years. At the advice of his agent (John Michael Higgins) he's thinking of doing an unauthorized biography on Lance. He'll of course have to smooth things over with him first in order to do so. Each of the other friends has their own drama and troubled relationships.

I never saw the original 1999 hit so I can't honestly say how this sequel lives up to it but I'm guessing fans of the original film would be pleased. It seems like your average old 'friends reunion movie'. Perhaps it's a tad too melodramatic (in places) but there are enough decent laughs to keep it entertaining. My favorite performance is by Terrence Howard, who undoubtedly has the most comedic role, but he is also my favorite actor in the thing. I don't usually go for these types of films but I definitely wasn't bored (for it's 2 hour-plus running time) and I'm pretty sure fans of these flicks will be more than pleased.

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I just watched The Best Man Holiday and it was a dynamic movie both in directing and story line. Very few movies that are directed by blacks (Malcolm D.) and carries a fine cast of actors that can maintained a consistent high level of theatrical performance on a silver screen in any given season is rare. We need more movies like this that show's, black people as people and not this narrowly defined monolithic people, and that we can hold families, relationships and friendships together almost in a biological bond that can withstand the test of time. Nothing beats physical imagery to relay these concepts then using the silver screen, video and television as the vehicle. The whole story focus around Mia (Monica Calhoun). And Lance (Morris Chestnut) did a beautiful job building on Mia's role that just expanded out to the other actors that really show'd their craft.