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The Cookout [2004] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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The Cookout" is not that fulfilling
Review date: 2007-06-29 Rating: 4 out of 10
This movie did not deliver. I love black comedy like the "Friday" movies (except for the last one) but this was NOTHING like Friday. In fact, it was extra lame. There were a few funny scenes but not the way you want them to be. I have to agree with most of the previous comments, here, that this movie will most likely be pretty offensive to most black viewers. It's loaded with stereotypes and predictable humor.
That aside, I did get a chuckle out of a few of the characters. Tim Meadows' conspiracy whacko character was twisted and amusing. Meadows have a talent for subtle humor with over-the-top characters. This sounds like a contradiction, but it isn't. Danny Glover gets a few laughs in as the heavily "ball & chained" neighbor. It helps that his ball in chain happens to be Farrah Fawcett, I suppose. Both Mr. Meadows and Mr. Glover's characters were somewhat stereotypical and unoriginal, but both actors made them work, because they're pros. That old man with a stick was kind of goofy. I mildly enjoy Queen Latifah though, even in a ridiculously written role she was believable and hilarious at times. She at least made it worth my time. I will say Tim Meadows was the highlight of the movie and his lines totaled approximately 5 minutes of dialogue.
I found Jennifer Lewis' character to be intensely annoying. She was supposed to come off as "strong" and as the pillar of the family, but if I had a parent like her, I'd go to huge lengths to avoid her. Just watching her in a movie made me uncomfortable. I'm surprised that Todd's prospective client didn't head for the hills, immediately. Those grotesque fat twins were annoying. The pot smoking scene with them and Mertaw was horrendous. I was disgusted with the way they looked and acted. Ja Rule was very annoying as Bling Bling and his sidekick was just as awful. The dude Big Pu//y from The Sopranos was OK as a doo doo salesman. Rapper Storm P (aka Quran Pender) as Todd Anderson who played the young, newly-drafted NBA star did a pretty decent job in his role. Eve finally play a sweet character. For a hardcore rapper who always plays tough minded characters, it was nice to see her lovable and supple but the time she spent on the screen looked more like a cameo.
"The Cookout" has more flaws then virtues, and it will certainly offend anybody concerned with improving the image of African Americans, but it does have its brief moments but I won't recommend this being that it's unrealistic and forgettable.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Quran Pender
Jonathan Silverman
Tim Meadows
Jenifer Lewis
Ja Rule
Creators:
Quran Pender (Primary Contributor)
Jenifer Lewis (Primary Contributor)
Darryl French (Producer)
Darryl French (Writer)
Jeffrey Brian Holmes (Writer)
Laurie B. Turner (Writer)
Queen Latifah (Writer)
Ramsey Gbelawoe (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Lions Gate
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
EAN: 0031398171508
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC,
Release date: 2005-01-18
Universal product code (UPC): 031398171508
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 97 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004-09-03
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)