Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Pretty Good

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Soul Men was a film that was racked with problems right from the start. Originally the film kept getting pushed back because of a law suit by the R&B group, Sam & David, which claimed it to be a farce on their life story. The group also accused the producers of copyright infringement for using their style and the title of one of their songs, "Soul Man". The law suit was finally settled and the movie was released in 2008. Then, days before the films release, two of it's stars, Bernie Mac and Issac Hayes, died on back to back days, a tragedy that created a public relations nightmare. For those reasons, this film wasn't widely distributed or advertised, which is a shame because it was one terrific film. The story starts 30 years after a legendary R&B group, Marcus Hooks & The Real Deal, broke up. We see the remaining members, Samuel L. Jackson in trouble with the law, and Bernie Mac, living in a retirement community, when they learn about the sudden death of Hooks. Record executives, quick to capitalize on his death, organize a tribute show at the Apollo in New York, and invite the Real Deal to participate. This means that two men who hate each other and haven't performed in almost 30 years, need to get their act together in a hurry if they want the big pay day and a chance at a come back. The film is an absolute riot, with Mac as the old lonely man and Jackson as the bitter forgotten convict. Their chemistry was nothing short of amazing and the big surprise was that both men can actually sing and dance! Even though they must have said mother f'er about a thousand times, I found the film to be very clever, funny, and original. If it wasn't for all the problems it had, this movie would have done much better than it did and it is without a doubt, worth watching.

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.

Bernie Mac's final appearance in a feature film should have been a joy to watch, something to delight and surprise. Unfortunately, the surprises in this movie are predictable. Usually his material is snappier and his delivery more genuinely robust. Here he looks thin and haggard; struggling with the light-weight fare hashed-out by writers Ramsey and Stone. Another surprise is Samuel L. Jackson's lackluster performance, which in some strange way outshines his co-star. It doesn't help that the two stars are stuck with a story line that's even more tired than their acting.The genuine delight here is the energetic efforts of Affion Crockett, playing Sharon Leal's wannabe gangster rapper boyfriend, Lester. He handles his dialog with such clueless chaos that he makes his unsympathetic character almost endearing – no small feat for this thankless movie.The theme of Soul Men is the unlikely reunion of a singing team of sparring partners, financially and emotionally down on their luck, conned into performing at a memorial concert for their fallen (and despised) band member. Louis and Floyd are at home on the stage, crooning and gliding in sync, just like the old days (with a few glitches along the way). One song by the late and great Issac Hayes is worth listening to, during the closing credits (Why wait until the end to play such a lovely song?).Of course there's the standard supporting cast of white characters, portrayed as stupid, dumb or an astounding combination of the two. They, like Jackson and Mac, deliver their lines dutifully. An especially tasteless scene involving a white mother and daughter groupie duo signaled that Soul Men slid into the trash can effortlessly. Clearly, when I want to fondly remember Bernie Mac, I'll have to catch reruns of his beloved TV series, "The Bernie Mac Show".

The premise is, a trio from the 1970s had broken up years ago, but the lead singer just died at age 63. As a tribute to him his two back-up singers are asked to travel to the Apollo in NYC to be part of this tribute. They had not spoken in years, no longer were in any kind of shape to perform, but on the promise of a $40,000 payday they head east in a car.Samuel L. Jackson is Louis Hinds, one of the two men. The late Bernie Mac is Floyd Henderson, the other man. They are clearly hostile towards each other and we soon find out it is because of a woman, a former back-up singer, that both of them had romanced, but she is now deceased.On their trip with was anything but "uneventful" they make a stop to beg money from the former lover, not knowing she had died. There they meet Sharon Leal as Cleo, the woman's daughter. And, she happens to be an age where one of the men may be her dad.A funny side man is curly-haired Adam Herschman as Phillip, an entertainment intern who is given the task of seeing that the men get to NYC. The entertainment boss is deftly played by Sean Hayes as Danny Epstein.The movie has some funny moments but has far too much crude and filthy language for most mainstream audiences. My wife refused to watch it, but I did because I like the actors.SPOILERS: First off there was no $40,000 payday, that was just what Floyd told Louis to get him to make the trip. Second, it turns out that Cleo is Louis' daughter and he is indigent because he had arranged years ago to have all his royalties from past recordings to go to her for her welfare. But all three of them make it to the Apollo and perform, with Cleo making her singing debut.