For example, Lottery Ticket, which opened Aug. 20, has a cast composed of experienced actors, along with veteran rapper Ice Cube; and rap’s baby boy, who grew up performing for throngs, Bow Wow is just as magnetic on screen as on stage. In another soon to be released film (Aug. 27)Takers, the king of hip-hop, fresh out of prison, T.I. turns in a phenomenal performance along with Chris Brown, who is putting back together the pieces of his shattered image and his dream by carving out a new entertainment niche for himself. The performances of T.I., Bow, Brown and Ice Cube are all indicative of their immense talents and genius, and they continue to cement their positions as box-office magnets. “There’s not a man on this earth that works harder than me,” vaunts T.I. “When it comes to working hard and perfecting my craft, I don’t need any motivation to better myself … It’s the way that I am built,” he adds with emphasis.
Lottery Ticket is an engaging comedy about long-shot opportunities in the black experience. Although the movie indulges in urban stereotypes, the laughter it elicits and the comic relief it provides are welcomed during a time when the reality of the recession offers tangible justification for playing the lottery. The actors and their music are a product of the same environment, and their performances will resonate well with African American and urban audiences. The fact that these relative Hollywood newcomers are so relatable may mean that they’ll be pulling up stakes and moving to Beverly … Hills that is, where the big screen prospects await.
The Hollywood/hip-hop connection is flourishing with artists like Beyoncé, Queen Latifah and Common getting top billing, and audience attachment is even more evident in the reaction to cameo appearances from rap royalty like Diddy and the re-emerging Chris Brown — fans identify with them both on stage and on-screen.
The hope is that just as these artists have turned the corner on Hollywood’s idea of black actors, they will also transcend the screen images of violent, menacing, pistol-waving thugs and dope dealers. But the big picture is that they are working actors and roles are sometimes limited to the exploitive stereotypes of the past.
But in the meantime, take yourself and a friend out for a night of hilarious fun and sidesplitting laughter watching your faves do what they do in Lottery Ticket. You’ll enjoy them and perhaps see yourself in some of the situations that unfold in the film. –phil mi
