Top Five
Hey folks, sending you the conclusion of our new release movie reviews with Top Five, starring Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, & Gabrielle Union.
First I have to hand it to Rock for this being a film that he wrote, directed, and stars in. It was an insightful film that sparks a lot of conversation about the current condition of Hollywood and the struggle that some celebrities have with drugs and the contrast of relevance & happiness.
Andre Allen, a comedian that has established himself as a famous comedian, seeks to make a mark as a more dramatic actor and show that he has more range of talent than just telling jokes. As he is promoting his latest film, he is interviewed by a reporter that challenges his way of thinking about his life thus far and pushes him to really look at the Hollywood culture that he has submerged himself in. The movie takes an interesting journey into Allen’s path to stardom and the ups and downs of being a person in the spotlight.
The exchanges between Allen and Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) are really powerful in the fact that they are raw and exposing. Brown challenges Allen in a way that strips his character bare and makes him see himself for what he is in Hollywood. They both have their own issues to address and they are used as devices to really bring out the truths of the other. It’s a beautiful exchange in dialogue that makes for some good talking points.
Gabrielle Union’s character proved to be a very interesting point in Rock’s evaluation of Hollywood celebrity. Her character, Erica Long, is a reality star that is marrying Andre Allen and is showcasing the wedding planning and event on her TV show. As things in the movie come to a head there’s a really interesting conversation that she and Andre have that proves to be most revealing. Chris Rock leaves a commentary here about reality stars that is eye-opening and refreshing.
A key theme in the movie is the title sake “Top Five” question. It’s a question that exposes you in a very real way. This movie focuses on one’s top five favorite rappers. As you rank these rappers it reveal a lot about one’s character and shows you what’s important and relevant to you. The Big Bosses’ Top Five:
- Rakim
- KRS-One
- Pharoah Monch
- Mos Def/ Yasin Bey
- Kendrick Lamar
My 6th man would be J.Cole but my 5th spot is in a constant state of flux (which may be too revealing of my mental state) and J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar battle for it with every album release. Honorable mention would go to ASTRO, but this young lad is on the rise so who knows.
When you come here, I try to give you reviews that give you the most about the film without taking too much away from the film. I want to be honest with you and tell you is the film worth seeing, but, ultimately I want you know what is worth spending money on. I tell you exactly what the movie should be worth to you as an audience member. This film, although powerful in its message, still would not be what I consider to be worth the ticket of seeing prime time and full price. This is not a family oriented piece, but it makes for excellent conversation between a group of friends having dinner or a lunch. Your best bet is to see this movie early in a matinée to save money. I know Regal Cinemas has $5 movies every Tuesday, all day. So you may want to wait to see it at that time. Overall, a great film that provides thought-provoking conversations, but it’s not worth the price of a full ticket.