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Skip 'First Sunday' Service

By Christin Roby
Black College Wire

If January is known as the "dead season" or "dumping ground" in the movie business, then 'tis the season for "First Sunday."

Wikipedia.org Ice Cube in 2006 photo

This heart-warming comedy is written, produced and directed by David E. Talbert., who has received many NAACP awards for his plays. But he fell short with this "humor" flick. The film stars Ice Cube (of "Friday" and "Are We There Yet?") and Tracy Morgan (of "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock").

Durell, played by Ice Cube, and LeeJohn, played by Morgan, are told they must pay a $17,000 debt in one week or Durell's son will be taken to Atlanta by his mother. The two desperate friends scheme to rob a wealthy neighborhood church. As the robbery is taking place, a strange turn of events leaves the two spending the evening with the preacher, the preacher's daughter, the deacon, the choir director and the elder of the church.

As in his previous roles, Ice Cube plays an intelligent guy who just can't seem to get a break, looking for any way out of his situation. His sidekick, LeeJohn, is goofy, but has an honest heart.

Bringing most of the humor to the movie is Rickey, the choir director, played by Katt Williams. With his antics and loopy observations, he adds a sprinkle of laughter to the movie.

Talbert's film meant well but didn't fare too well in the box office. Opening at No. 2 its first weekend with $17.8 million, the film only descended from there. The next week the movie dropped to No. 5 on the charts and grossed only $7.8 million. Was the sharp decrease because the word got out about the movie and the paper-thin plot?

Set in Baltimore, the film sheds light on the many stereotypes that plague the African-American community. The church is found in the heart of the urban community, across the street from the liquor store. The church members include the flamboyant choir director, the church "mother" who provides the insight, the sweet church secretary, the preacher's daughter who is adored for only her body and the fatherless children.

Many thought that because the movie was released with big-name celebrities, it would be a hit, but it seems they were wrong. Perhaps one issue was the lack of true, witty humor. The best thing the movie had to offer was unflattering clichés that attempted to make the audience laugh, and the predictable ending.

The only thing that saves the movie from a complete "F" is the fact that it has some underlying seriousness, including the unemployment rates in the African-American community. GRADE: D

Reviews represent the opinions of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Black College Wire.

Christin Roby is a student at Howard Univrsity. A version of this article originally appeared in The Hilltop.

Posted Jan. 23, 2008