'TOP FIVE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Chris Rock wrote, directed and stars in this comedy flick about a former stand-up comedian, and popular movie star, who tries to make it in serious film; while also marrying a reality TV star, on TV. It costars Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart, J.B. Smoove and many others. It also features cameos from celebrities like Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, DMX, Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler and Jerry Seinfeld. The film has gotten almost unanimously positive reviews from critics and has been nominated for multiple awards as well (and it's also won a couple). I think it's a well made and funny movie and it deserves all the praise and recognition it's been getting (too bad that doesn't result in big Box Office).

Rock plays a celebrity, somewhat similar to himself, named Andre Allen. Allen was an extremely successful stand-up comedian, who also starred in a blockbuster film franchise called 'Hammy The Bear'. He also had some alcohol problems and legal issues though, in his past, and is now a recovering alcoholic. Allen is now engaged to a popular reality TV star, named Erica Long (Union), that he's supposed to marry on TV. His first serious film, called 'Uprise' (a movie about the violent Haitian revolution), is also being released that weekend. Fans just want to see him do more comedy and 'Hammy The Bear' films though. Allen's also agreed to do a detailed interview, with a reporter named Chelsea Brown (Dawson), that same weekend too.

The movie is funny but what I'm most impressed with, about the film, is Rock's skills as a director and film writer. I already knew he was funny, and could write and deliver a lot of good jokes, but I didn't know he was this talented of a filmmaker. Although some of the humor is pretty silly, it still feels like you're watching real people in real situations. Rock's commentary on the film business, stand-up comedy and reality TV seems pretty spot-on too. He's good in the lead and the supporting cast is almost equally as impressive; Dawson is always beautiful and likable to watch and Union is stunning and gorgeous too. The cameos are also to die for. It's just a really good film!

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