Just Wright (2010/Fox Blu-ray) + Why Did I
Get Married Too? (2010/Lionsgate Blu-ray)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B-/C+
Extras: C- Films: C-
While
some cycles won’t go away, one that is holding steady, but definitely in
decline is the African American religious melodrama romance film. That is a cycle mainly powered by the success
of Tyler Perry, but all the other studios and production companies (seeing the
immense money his releases have been making) also have been issuing their own
films with some success. However, the
two latest entries are showing how formulaic and weak this has all become.
Just Wright shows the limits of Queen Latifah
as a big screen star, though she has made some formidable films (Set It Off), hits (Bringing Down The House) and appealing, lite entertainment. Here, she teams with Director Sanna Hamri (a
Music Video director branching out into narratives) written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar) about Leslie Wright
(Latifah), a physical therapist who needs more from her life. When she needs to
help out an injured NBA star (Common), she becomes interested, though he seems
more interested in Morgan (Paula Patton), so what will happen? A safe, predictable film. Pam Grier and Phylicia Rashad, as well as a
clever appearance by Terence Blanchard are among the supporting cast, but the
overall result is slight and safe at best… too safe. You could do worse, but this could have been
much better. The 1080p 2.35 X 1 AVC @ 32
MBPS digital High Definition is on the weak side with detail issues and looks
like a limited HD shoot, while the DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix has
some warmth and surrounds, but this is mostly a dialogue-based affair and is
not going to be too dynamic. Extras
include Digital Copy for PC and PC portable devices, three featurettes and a
Gag Reel.
Why Did I Get Married Too? Is the first direct sequel to a
Tyler Perry release and though they got back many of the cast, including Janet
Jackson and Michael Jai White, it too plays flatly and feels like it is not going
anywhere fast. We reviewed the first
film when it came out on DVD, which you can read more about at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6633/Tyler+Perry+%E2%80%93+Why+Did
This is a
rather unnecessary sequel and does not add much to the first release, but fans
might like it, though I think big fans will enjoy if, if not be ecstatic about
it. The 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition
image was shot in HD and has plenty of motion blur, but Perry is using HD all
the time, but I think that has backfired in the long term. However, he is not going to deviate from his
formula much, so that holds. The DTS-HD
MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix is also weak like Wright, dialogue based and not as well recorded as his previous
releases. Extras include a "Couples
Character Guide", two featurettes and a Music Video for the Janet Jackson
song “Nothing”.
- Nicholas Sheffo