Marlon Wayans' New Movie Finds Laughter Amidst Horror #ahauntedhouse #nowplaying

“One of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is a smile” – Marlon Wayans

There’s no shortage of actors, producers, writers and directors who make films intended to gain awards, fame and fortune -- this is the movie business, after all. So while actor Maron Wayans is hoping for a big audience, his main goal, however, is to make people laugh. Last night, I attended a reception for the funny man’s latest flick “A Haunted House,” about a couple who encounters strange events after moving into their dream home.

The scenes in this film are infused with characteristics from modern-day horror films, which makes some fans quick to file it in the “Scary Movie” department but he insists that you think twice when categorizing it as a spoof picture. “It’s not a parody, it’s a Horror-Romantic Comedy with parody moments,” says Wayans.

Having watched “A Haunted House” at an advance screening in December 2012, I think that Wayans’ genre clarification holds some weight. This movie exceeded my expectations with a hilarious depiction of ghost whisperers, paranormal events, alternative lifestyles and the fears of what happens when a guy’s girlfriend moves in with him. Although “A Haunted House” channels themes from horror films such as “A Devil Inside” and “Paranormal Activity,” the overall plot of this Wayans production stands on its own.

I personally haven’t watched any of the horror movies that he bases some of the action on in his film, so my familiarity with a few does not extend beyond than their movie trailers. Yet, I still managed to not only follow the story in Marlon Wayans’ movie with ease but was also able to enjoy this film without much of any previous knowledge of the horror elements that underlie it -- which is something that I can appreciate. As the Oscar season kicks into gear to celebrate movies released in 2012 -- a year that, ironically, brought us sorrow via an elementary school shooting, Hurricane Sandy, “The Dark Knight Rises” massacre and related tragedies, we now get to start the New Year off with a happy face in 2013 -- thanks to a funny little movie called “A Haunted House.”

“A Haunted House” is now in Theaters!

Check your local listings for showtimes.

So tell me,
When was the last time YOU found yourself laughing hysterically at the movies?

‘I’m Fine, Thanks’ in a Nutshell -- Extended Edition #indiefilm

Grant Peelle's directorial debut “I’m Fine, Thanks” is a fast paced documentary produced by Adam Baker, with a catchy soundtrack.

"I'm Fine, Thanks" DVD and Poster BundleIts bright, crisp and welcoming scenes are uplifting amidst tales of self-doubt, panic attacks, deteriorated health and most importantly -- longing. The subjects are longing for the day when it feels good to get out of bed in the morning; to live a fulfilled life, whatever that looks like.

Through home video footage, interviews with people who each have a different definition of the American Dream, clips of his crew and narrated tours of a cross-country road trip to end complacency, Peelle makes it clear that “the day” to finally go after a dream never comes to those who just sit back in their rut and wait for it to arrive. The day to live a dream is today. The time is now. “I’m Fine, Thanks” blends humor, adventure and sometimes tragic reality checks that illustrate one thing - being fine is a miserable way to live.

No one has to bathe his or her brain in caffeine just to tolerate a job that he or she hates. No one has to work so many hours that he or she develops a hole in the intestine after sleepwalking for days on end while ones’ immune system plummets. It is heartbreaking -- alarming even, to climb a ladder, reach the top and then realize that you have it leaned up against the wrong wall. Realizing that you don’t even know what the right wall is, however, is even scarier. Continuing on paths that disappoint you is one way to guarantee that it will never be found.

Actresses Virginia Wilcox, Claire Kennedy-Vega and I at the East Coast Premiere of "I'm Fine, Thanks." Photo by Dave LaTulippe; Courtesy of Grant Peelle.

When people follow their dreams and live a life that is in alignment with who they are, they don’t answer the question “How are you?” with “I’m Fine, Thanks.” They respond with “I’m fucking great! Never been better. How about you?” 

I don't know about anyone else, but that's the kind of response that I'd like to make more often than not. It beats the alternative!

What started as my attempt at writing a short review turned into this extended assessment. So, it looks like there will be two review series from now on at this blog: short reviews such as the one on “Blitz” and not-so-short ones such as the one on “Player Hating: A Love Story.”

‘Player Hating: A Love Story’ - The Extended Edition (Movie Review) #indiefilm #documentaries

The Indie Fest USA International Film Festival’s Audience Impact Award winning documentary “Player Hating: A Love Story” had a well-received theatrical debut in the Spring. I managed to score an advance peak at the film for my Birthplace Magazine review and am reminding those who may not have had the chance to see the movie in theaters, that it is available On Demand, to download and on DVD.

In preparation for a soon-to-be-posted interview that has been a long time coming, I attempted to write an In a Nutshell review of this documentary but after two revisions, it still clocks out at way over my minimum word count -- placing it among the growing Extended movie review files. Here are the results.

“Player Hating: A Love Story” is a documentary chronicling the weeks leading up to a Brooklyn-bred hip-hop artist’s first major album release. Live concerts and in-store appearances are a mere backdrop to what lies behind those microphones, hard beats and brutal lyrics. Rapper Half-a-Mill and his Godfia Criminals give filmmaker Maggie Hadleigh-West an all-access pass into their daily grind of passion, fears, motivation and struggle to navigate the treacherous neighborhood that seems to breed violence, poverty and despair.

Judgment of these men and their associates may come easy within the first few scenes -- even going so far as to condemn them for the choices they make. After all, what man in his right mind would drive around in a car laced with bullet holes as his infant child sits in the passenger seat? It doesn’t take long, however, to get wrapped up in the lives of the few who dream of better possibilities outside of the dire circumstances they face every day.

From the blunt stairwell interviews in the housing projects to street fights and tragic hospital visits, “Player Hating: A Love Story” shows a genuine connection with Half-a-Mill and his crew while championing their efforts to change the course of what seems like an inevitable fate of either imprisonment or death.

It’s not that hard to like them or maybe also grow to understand them, even if you don’t relate to them.

All of their hopes and dreams of escaping this assumed destiny rides on the back of one man’s music career. Having the weight of the Crown Heights neighborhood on his shoulders does not deter Half-a-Mill’s unstoppable and passionate quest to create a better life for his family -- maybe even going so far as to buy an ocean.

In an environment that thrives on gangs, drugs, broken families and unemployment, Half-a-Mill is often reminded that all of the talent, record deals and drive in the world may not be enough when he is surrounded by more people who will do whatever it takes to sabotage his progress -- people who want him to fail because he has the audacity to try.

Yet, he prevails in his journey while viewers watch in support of this 26 year-old man’s tenacity for music, money, fame and most importantly, safety -- hoping that he can make it there in one piece.

In a Nutshell - “Player Hating: A Love Story” is about more than music and screaming fans who wait in line for autographs. It does not feature corporate-backed and manufactured gangstas who brag about all of the marijuana they smoke in the expensive cars that they drive on exotic lands where they go through women like we go through soap. This is the kind of movie that you probably wouldn’t find on MTV, BET or related “music” channels unless a censored version is released. All in all, I think it’s well worth watching.

Have YOU ever experienced player hating in your life? If so, how did YOU handle it?

What is the most recent Hip-Hop themed movie that YOU watched?