First Sunday
by David E. Talbert
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DVD details
Actor: Ice Cube, Katt Williams, Loretta Devine, Michael Beach, Tracy MorganDirector: David E. Talbert
Brand: Sony
Producer: Ice Cube
Producer: David E. Talbert
Writer: David E. Talbert
Producer: David McIlvain
Producer: Jessica McCullagh
Producer: Julie Yorn
Producer: Matt Alvarez
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 96 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-05-06
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Reviews of First Sunday
DVD Review: Forgivably Funny
Summary: 3 Stars
I go into this review on the defensive. Looking up some information on the movie, I peeked and saw it is not highly esteemed by professionals or amateurs. Sporting a likable Tracy Morgan and the natural presence of Ice Cube, I found `First Sunday' to be flawed, but funny. There's an undeniable sit-com presence in its making, and there's a whole lot of suspension of disbelief that doesn't get off the ground, yet 'First Sunday' did get me chuckling fairly often once it got going and made me a little misty eyed when they went for the message and feeling.
The hijinx begins with Durell (Ice Cube) and Lee John (Tracy Morgan) two long-suffering buddies staying in trouble. I can't say I could figure out the starting circumstances even after rewinding, but I think they're delivering drugs by transporting wheelchairs. They aren't very good criminals. Most criminals aren't, but they aren't all that effective, either. Let's just say they get quickly caught and don't have the cool to slip out of the knot. Facing court, their trial is held by a judge (Keith David) who has seen them many times before. Perhaps out of compassion or out of disgust, he trades their time for 5,000 hours of community service. Immediately, their outbursts indicate they aren't too grateful, but service they do.
It's a hard break for Durell's estranged lady love (Regina Hall) who doesn't have enough money for her beauty salon which requires back pay. Durell brings over forty dollars, but she announces she will have to leave and take their son (C.J. Sanders), to Atlanta where her livelihood will be more affordable. He doesn't want to lose him, and it doesn't help that her new lover, Ralph, is built like a gym rat, so he`s determined to do something.
We get a lot of random scenes on the community service circuit and in a massage parlor, but one day Durrell is inspired. Distracted by the bottom of an attractive woman, Durell finds his way to her church. He and Lee John join them on a Sunday, but are no closer to converting as much as following up on Durell's lustful interest in Tianna (Melinda Willams). It is after the financial reports are read at church that they get an idea: After hours they will come and rob the church.
I won't give up the core of the bumbling adventure, but they end up being caught on a night the Deacon (Michael Keith David) checks the safe, a financial meeting takes place with the pastor (Chi McBride of `Boston Public') and Rickey, the choir director (Katt Williams) is engaged in singing practice. The confrontation turns to a hostage situation that brings most of the movies heart and humor.
It must be conceded that this movie is dumb. However, if one considers the premise of 'Some Like It Hot,' an AFI comedy classic, where the characters escape witnessing a mob massacre by dressing in drag and going to Florida, then dumb can count. It's how you do dumb that matters. Don't get me wrong, by no means am I saying this is the next 'Some Like It Hot,' but I found it more entertaining than `Liar Liar,' and it exceeds the reputation of `Big Momma's House 2'.
As someone who liked watching 'The Tracy Morgan Show,' a Cosby inspired sitcom, I felt that Morgan was likable, but somewhat limited here. He was shrill, but I enjoyed Ice Cube's collected and believable performance. The supporting cast, especially the church personnel, give natural performances, but Katt Williams steals the show as Rickey, the choir director.
I can forgive 'First Sunday''s failings. Despite the temptation to dismiss the film as just another stupid comedy adventure, `First Sunday' is forgivably funny. It is entertaining with a moving message and a supporting cast that helps bridge the credibility gap.
Description of First Sunday
FIRST SUNDAY (DVD MOVIE)Ice Cube continues his winning streak as a likeable everyman in family movies with First Sunday, an initially silly, disposable comedy that picks up emotional power and authenticity by the second act. Cube plays ne?er-do-well Durell, an out-of-work Baltimore dad who needs over $17,000 to keep his ex from taking their son with her to Atlanta for good. Desperate to raise the cash but hamstrung by his self-defeating attitude and the criminal antics of his goofy sidekick, LeeJohn (Tracy Morgan), Durell gives in to temptation and decides he and LeeJohn should rob a church. The crime goes badly when it turns out a number of parishioners are in the building at the time, and a hostage situation develops. Events take a twist when the would-be thieves become the beneficiaries of Christian charity and forgiveness from the men and women they?ve kidnapped, and a bigger criminal is revealed in the congregation?s mix. A terrific supporting cast including Michael Beach, Chi McBride, Keith David, Malinda Williams, Loretta Devine, and Katt Williams bring strong humor and dignity to the film?s latter half, compensating for some unpleasant missteps (a pointless scene at a massage parlor) earlier in the story. Writer-director David E. Talbert is especially sharp during a spirited, gospel performance scene, which simply crackles on screen. --Tom Keogh
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