Think Like A Man

Sony Screen Gems, Rainforest Films and USC born and bred, Director,  Tim Story’s, “Think Like  A Man,” certainly came up with a secret weapon on this one.  It’s yay so tall, dark and has a mouth that when it opens, nice little golden nuggets of funny roll out.  Its called a Kevin Hart.  This funny man, brings out the flavor in any mixed company.  Following the movies pre-screening at USC’s, George Lucas Building’s, Ray Stark Theater this past week, the question and answer session began which was hosted  by African American Cinematic Arts Society’s, group moderator, Cachet Lamar.

Ms. Lamar asked how Tim felt about actors who  may not be able to take direction and how some actors; acted around other actors who they have never worked with. Story calmly said, “in the case of Kevin Hart.  Kevin was pure 100% improv.  We had to let him roll and we filmed as much as we could get.  We just let him do his thing and kept filming.”  The movie made claim to a variety of artist and actors, which include Chris Brown, (Alex)  Gabrielle Union, (Kristen), Taraji P. Henson (Lauren) Michael Ealy (Dominic) Jerry Ferrara (Jeremy) Regina Hall (Candace) Terence J (Michael) Jenifer Lewis (Loretta) and Romany Malco (Zeke).

Cameo appearances were made by radio and television talk show host, Wendy Williams, comic, Bruce, Bruce, radio and television personality, La La Anthony and  r&b singer, Ciara, need we say more.  Steve Harvey appears as himself.  Things get real serious, when Kevin (Mike) tells his peeps that he has been put out of the house and is getting a divorce.  The other brothas, including the ones from anotha motha, two devoted husbands,  one a not to be tied down kinda man,  one who thinks that he’s gotta have it and especially if she has it,  and the other side kicks follow suit as the movie progresses.

A very appealing series of love mayhem happens when the ladies turn, “Think Like a Man, Act Like A Lady”, Harvey’s book, into a way to get the guys to make commitments, treat them like they should be treated and to wait for the pootie tang, aka cookie.  Now all of you should know by now, that “Think Like A Man” surprised itself.  According to supportive movie goers, it was no lightweight contender as it stood in the ring with Hollywood’s, long standing box office heavyweight, “The Hunger Games” which fell into 3rd place this week.    Warner Brothers,  “The Lucky One, ” set up shop in the number two spot, resting at $22.8.

Steve Harvey, comic, now book writer, must have looked pretty funny as he marched into his whatever bank, to collect his part of the big payback, a cool,  $33 million, straight outta the box and all in one weekend.   Who told Hollywood that an all African American group of comedic actors with a bit of mixed culture representation, couldn’t bring a smile to a wide and broad audience.  Hell, it even made your tummy feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Tim, didn’t always know how to direct, although he knew that, direct, was all he ever wanted to do.  He expressed to his native community of USC, exactly this such thing.

The host and moderator, USC’s, Cachet Lamar,  gave an impressive question and answer session; as she fired off questions that Tim had to think about.   Story’s debut onto the Hollywood scene was credited with, “Barbershop” and “Fantastic Four’s,” “The Silver Surfer”.  The down to earth Director, expressed his willingness to learn and to, “just do it.” “It takes dedication, vision and the determination to make a movie and make a good one,  he said.” Screen Gems get a thumbs up for believing in Story’s dreams.  His nightmares can be delivered for burial; as he shows how dreams do come true, especially when Sony Screen Gems are logging  the content.

Firing back at Ms. Lamar’s intelligently poised questions, Tim confidently spoke to a packed house, which stretched around the corner. The invitees were a group of eager industry insiders, invited public and of course, the USC African Arts Cinematic Society.  This group of some of the countries brightest future directors, producers and the like, took in Story’s guidance, like kids who slurp down Cherry Coke brain freezers at 7-Eleven.  There was complete silence as Tim talked about, his climb to the top, and his discontent with making a first movie.

Writer, Don Scott, who worked with Tim as a writer on, Cube’s, “Barbershop” was in the audience as well as Producer, William Packer, as support and as proof that being a filmmaker hadn’t always been so easy.   The most important highlight of the evening was, Director, Tim Story’s admittance that having agents, managers and a crew didn’t change the man inside.   He is to this day, humble about his status; sticks close to family and friends and pretty much has stayed true to his roots.  He advised the group that one should never, ever, treat anyone unkind in this business.  “One knows not when or where the person ignored, or mis-treated might have to be used as a link to get from the bottom of the ladder to the top,” Story said.  The climb taint easy and some days, seem to never end.  Nuff said, see the movie, bring a friend or two and after you see it, go home and “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man”.  The person who meets you at the door, just might be the one, who could make you fall in love all over again.