Movie Review: Funny People

When I walked out of the theater after watching Funny People the first thing I thought was exactly the first thing I knew I would think: Needs more Rza! But honestly, other than that Funny People is a good movie, until it takes a dramatic turn for the worst at the end.
The film stars Adam Sandler as Comedian George Simmons, a stand-up comedian turned movie star who could be compared to the real life Sandler, though I was more reminded of Eddie Murphy. At the start of the movie Simmons learns that he has a debilitating blood disease, with only an 8% chance at survival. Depressed, Simmons makes a surprise return to a standup club, to the surprise of opener Leo Koenig (Jonah Hill) and the guy who has to follow Simmons up, Ira Wright (Seth Rogan). Wright and Koenig share an apartment with Mark Taylor Jackson (Jason Schwartzman), an aspiring actor who was just cast in the lead of the TV series Yo Teach! (Think welcome back Carter on Nickelodeon).

Ira isn’t too great at standup, Leo attributes this to his weight loss saying that average looking guys can’t be funny. Ira even ends up paying his co-worker (RZA) to go see his show. Simmons, however sees something in the performance, especially how Ira is able to capitalize off Simmons weak routine prior to his own. The Next day he calls Ira to ask for the two roomies help writing jokes.

Simmons begins doing more standup with Ira as his opening act. He also becomes his Simmons secretary, driver and the person who talks him to sleep. While dealing with serious issues like telling parents and loved ones about his disease, the movie makes no missteps, with seriously funny standup bits and visits to the doctor’s office. The film also features cameos from celebrities and comedians, but Eminem’s cameo was probably the show stealer.

This takes us to an hour and a half in the movie, things are going well and I’m about to give it four to four and half star rating. Until Simmons finds out that the disease is disappearing. This is especially hard to break to his ex-fiancée Laura Anderson, (Director Judd Apatow’s wife, Leslie Mann) who George reconnected with during his farewell tour. Though in perfect health, Simmons uses the opportunity to rekindle the flame, at Anderson’s house nonetheless. While Ira is left to look at the children, his original unease about Laura is reinforced by the arrival of Laura’s husband Clarke (Eric Bana). From here the film takes some strange turns, while supposedly dealing with real life issues, this part of the film is dragged out, boring and unnecessary. In the end, everything is patched together again.

I would highly suggest seeing funny people, just not the full movie. 2.5/5 stars

Grand Puba & Lord Jamar . Tony Touch Freestyle

Wu-Tang Chamber Music- Album Review

After the disaster that was 8 diagrams, RZA must have got back in the lab and realized what fans of the Wu actually wanted. Hard rhymes over beats that can at least be considered "Hip-Hop" as opposed to "experimental". The production on this record is overseen by RZA, but the whole album uses live instrumentation from the group "The Revelations". It also features M.O.P.'s Lil' Fame producing a few tracks as well.

The album features all but three (living) members of the original clan. This is surprising considering the three, GZA, Method Man, and Masta Killa, were the least vocal in their displeasure of the last Wu-Tang album. In their place, the guest appearances may surprise, as all are credible established rappers. This includes Masta Ace, Cormega, Sean Price (BCC), Havoc (Mobb Deep), M.O.P., Kool G Rap as well as AZ and Sadat X, who have basically been written off in the last few years.

So what does a bunch of 30-40 yr old rappers over live instrumentation overseen by RZA create? The answer is the best album of 2009 so far.

The CD starts with an interlude called "Redemption" that uses old Kung-Fu movie voice samples calling for the clan to reclaim it's Honor. The theme of Movie samples, as well as RZA speaking on Wu-Tang wisdom and spirtuality, peices the album together when the music isn't playing. Only 8 of the 17 tracks on this album are actual songs.

The album starts with "Kill to Hard" features Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Ace. Wu-Tang's weakest member holds his own against two lyrical giants in rare form. The production is new, sharp and still Wu-Tang, setting the precedent for the album.

"Harbor Masters" with Ghostface, AZ and Deck features all three MC's pacing themselves over a slow drum beat. With Ghostface and two rappers that many would consider washed-up, AZ and Deck don't miss a beat. In fact, this album may be The Rebel-INS resurrection, as he is back in vintage, show stealing form. Next up is "Radiant Jewels", featuring Raekwon, Cormega and Sean Price. All three lyricist are trying to out-do each other while not ruining the flow of another excellent song.

"I wish you were here" is Ghostface in R&B form with NaS associate Tre Williams, who has proven to be a excellent singer to those familiar with him. Ghost spits a few gem's to the lady's as well "My minds telling me to stay calm, I'm tryin to get it off like a G bomb/ on top of your skin, I'm sliding it in, when I'm done you can wake it up and ride it again".

Any fan of 90's gangsta rap salivates over the dream Raekwon, Kool G Rap and M.O.P. collaboration. "Ill figures" somehow lives up to that guest list over a slow beat, Rae and G Rap slow their flows up and get lyrical. M.O.P. still uses the scream delivery, and yet they make it work. This is by far the best song this reviewer has heard all year.

"Evil Deeds" with Havoc, RZA and Ghostface and "Sound the Horns" with Deck, U-God and Brand Nubian's own Sadat X are better than most rappers best songs, though both suffer from weak choruses. The last official song on the album is probably the weakest, produced and performed by RZA, "NYC Crack" is still not a throwaway song.

With Cuban Linx 2 becoming some sort of a hostage crisis, Wu fans will be held over by this stunningly well done collaboration album. Certainly, the Wu-Tang clan has regained it's honor with this release. 4.5/5