eddie griffin Tagged Articles at Cinematical

As quite possibly the whitest man alive, I feel compelled to tell you about a new documentary called Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy. The film will be produced and directed by stand-up comic Darryl Littleton and Robert Townsend (director of the brilliant satire on the black experience in Hollywood -- Hollywood Shuffle). The film is inspired by Littleton's book Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh, which you can pick up at Amazon here. The film will contain "archival clips, reenactments depicting the evolution of black comedy, and interviews with comedians and social critics." Sounds like it could be both informative and very, very funny.

Variety reports that the filmmakers have already done interviews with comedians like D.L. Hughley (co-star of the thankfully canceled Studio 60), the Wayans brothers (stars of films like White Chicks and Little Man -- neither of which I'd imagine will be discussed in the documentary), Paul Mooney (comedy legend who did those hilarious "Ask A Black Dude" and "Negrodamus" bits on Chappelle's Show), Tommy Davidson (of In Living Color and the shamefully underrated Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls), character actor Reynaldo Ray, Marla Gibbs (from The Jeffersons and 227), Eddie Griffin (star of the very funny Undercover Brother), and stand-up comedian Katt Williams. Representing the social and political commentary side, there will be discussions with Cornel West, Michael Eric Dyson, Russell Simmons, and Stanley Crouch. I sure hope they can swing an interview with the great Spike Lee, I could listen to that guy discuss anything all day, and he seems an ideal speaker for the project. There are no release details yet for the film.

I really enjoy it when I can catch a trailer for a movie I know nothing about. No casting reports, no "buzz," no six months of wild/mild/non-existent anticipation; just a promo clip for a flick I've never heard of. Something like this happened when a friend emailed me this link with the subject line "Fast and Furious 4: The Suckening??" Well no, actually, it's a car racing thriller called Redline, and it stars the likes of (get this mix) Angus Macfadyen, Eddie Griffin, Tim Matheson and Wyclef Jean.

While trying to snag a handy plot synopsis for you guys, I came across the following info: All the cars used in this "illegal race" adventure belong to real estate tycoon producer Daniel Sadek ... including a $200,000 Porsche Carrera GT that gets demolished at one point. (Must be nice to be that rich!) Apparently Redline is about a very illegal car race, which explains why the trailer reminds me of Torque meets The Cannonball Run -- only funnier than both of those movies put together. With a story by the very wealthy producer and direction from Jackie Chan's old stunt double, Redline looks to be a grade-A classic of unintentional hilarity. We'll find out on April 13. Until then, check the trailer.

(Visit Autoblog for some car geeks' reactions to the upcoming movie.)

Here's something you don't see every day (and thank God for that): a vanity project -- for cars. I mean, sure, you could look at Redline as the second directorial effort from stunt coordinator Andy Cheng. Or, maybe, a chance for Eddie Griffin and Nathan Phillips (whose representatives have taken to using his presence in Snakes on a Plane as a selling point -- I bet they never dreamed it would actually be a highlight of his resume) to become the new Bad Boys. But, really, let's just call a spade a spade: the movie is being produced by Daniel Sadek so he can show off his cars. Yes, really.

The movie is an "auto thriller," whatever the hell that means and, in addition to Griffin and Phillips, it will star Sadek's Phantom, Lamborghini Murcielago, Enzo Ferrari, Ferrari F430, Ferrari Scaglietti and two McLarens. Oh, and his Porsche Carrera GT will be destroyed in the movie! It's ok, though, because he has two. They're both worth $200,000, by the way -- just in case you were wondering. Um, woo hoo? Honestly, does this interest anyone who isn't Sadek? What kind of person would spend $26 million (the film's projected budget) to let people know he has cool cars? And who would agree to appear with those cars in a movie? This whole thing is more than a little repulsive, if you ask me. Anyone who reads this and thinks the movie sounds incredibly cool, please explain the appeal in the comments -- I need a little help here.