"THE COOKOUT" (2004) (Storm P, Eve) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Heavy Mild Heavy None Moderate Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild None None Moderate *Moderate Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate Mild Moderate Moderate Mild QUICK TAKE: Comedy: A young man is drafted by the NBA, and he and his family must deal with his sudden wealth as his family stages a big cookout. PLOT: College basketball star Todd Anderson (STORM P, a.k.a. QURAN PENDER) is selected first in the NBA draft, by the New Jersey Nets. Though this nice kid swears he'll never "change," he's excited by his contract (some $30 million over six years), and begins spending money excessively. Much of this expenditure comes at the behest of his family, including his mother Emma, later called Lady Em (JENIFER LEWIS), and father JoJo (FRANKIE FAISON), and assorted cousins. When his new girlfriend, Brittany (MEGAN GOOD), helps him select a mansion in a gated community (where the security guard is played by QUEEN LATIFAH), he must appease his mother's hurt feelings by allowing her to orchestrate a cookout. It so happens that on this same Saturday, Todd's agent Wes (JONATHAN SILVERMAN) sets up an interview with a representative for a wireless phone network, Miss Peters (MARCI REID), with the possibility of an endorsement contract, if Todd can appear the proper, clean-cut superstar. The family members who show up for the cookout - as well as a jealous former schoolmate (JA RULE) -- don't fit this image, and so Todd's earning potential is threatened. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? Some teens may want to, especially if they're fans of someone in the cast, but younger kids probably won't. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For drug content, sexual references and language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: STORM P (QURAN PENDER) plays a genuinely nice kid buffeted by the desires of his family and friends. He spends his money unwisely and eventually learns the value of real friendship. JENIFER LEWIS plays his assertive mother, eager to live off his money, and quick to compete with her own sister Nettie and Todd's girlfriend Brittany. JONATHAN SILVERMAN plays Todd's able agent, who advises his client to cut back on his spending. QUEEN LATIFIAH plays a security guard who spends her work hours talking with her boyfriend on her cell phone. Having failed to pass her final exam at the police academy, she's insecure, loud, and pushy. MEGAN GOOD plays Todd's "squealy" girlfriend Brittany, more interested in his money than his emotional well-being, easily duped by his mother. DANNY GLOVER plays Judge Crowley, Todd's new neighbor, who initially seems stuffy, then smokes pot with Todd's cousins. FARRAH FAWCETT plays Mrs. Aileen Crowley, alarmed by her new neighbors, then impressed when her husband turns more lascivious after he gets high. TIM MEADOWS plays Todd's Uncle Leroy, who has failed the bar exam 15 times, but offers frequent "legal" advice, especially focused on the social and legal effects of racism. JA RULE plays Bling Bling, Todd's childhood schoolmate, jealous of his success and determined to make money by selling sneakers signed by Todd on E-Bay; he brings a gun to the cookout to force Todd to sign the shoes. ROBERTO VANDERPOOL plays Wheezer, Bling Bling's dumb, acquiescent partner, who sucks on his asthma puffer like it's a crack pipe. EVE plays Becky, Todd's childhood friend returned many years later, to show him the value of friendship and family. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this comedy that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 1 possible "f" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are also uttered. Sexually related dialogue is present, some women are seen in revealing attire, some suggestive dancing occurs and a couple is seen in bed (possibly suggesting sex). Some hitting occurs, as does some threatening with guns. Various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes, while some drink, smoke or do drugs (pot) and some crude humor is present. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Miscellaneous people drink beer at the cookout. A fancy chef, Sven, hired by Brittany, drinks wine in the kitchen. Todd's cousins Willie and Nelson overeat and smoke pot at least three times (suggested by clouds of smoke around them and their constant hunger). Wheezer's use of his asthma puffer resembles someone smoking a crack pipe. Reporters are disappointed that Todd has no "drug abuse, drinking, or domestic abuse" in his background. Judge Crowley tells Willie and Nelson that before he was married, he drank malt liquor. At the party, Judge Crowley, now high on pot and wearing a track suit and medallions, comes on to Mrs. Crowley. BLOOD/GORE The camera focuses on the dirty diaper of one of Lil Dee's babies. The grandfather complains that he and Lil Dee's kids have too many "rules," then tells the kids to go outside with him, where "We're gonna poo-poo ourselves." A skunk sprays Wheeze (he thinks it has "farted" on him). A back roads truck driver who gives Bling Bling and Wheeze a ride talks about his work, which is collecting and selling manure (which he refers to repeatedly as the s-word). Todd farts in bed with Brittany. Todd's "country" cousins Jerome and Jasper arrive at the party carrying a dead deer, and talk about spilling its "brains" on the floor (this is not shown, though someone slips on the spot later). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE All the characters act greedy, pursuing Todd's money. Although it's a comedy, some viewers might not like various racial, gender and sexual stereotypes that are on display. A mean kid teases grade-school age Todd for his short pants: "Where the flood at?" The security guard yells at a Girl Scout who is selling cookies. Mrs. Crowley calls her new neighbors "Negroes," and appears racist, though she's married to Judge Crowley, a black man (the camera's reveal of his race is supposed to be a joke). While Lady Em insists to reporters that Todd has learned "family values" from his parents, the film makes jokes about this idea, based on disparities between different classes' ideas about "values"; the reporters are disappointed that Todd has no "drug abuse, drinking, or domestic abuse" in his background. Brittany is a gold-digger, focused on her appearance (nice clothes, makeup and her car). A street basketball player grumbles that Todd is going to play with "pimps and punks" in the NBA. Wes tells Todd to "return this crap," that is, his expensive house and furniture. Todd asks, "Why you buggin', man?" and says that he and Brittany, while unmarried, are "kickin' it." Todd farts in bed with Brittany Emma is mean to Brittany (who is greedy and annoying), sending her on repeated runs to buy the proper sort of ham for the cookout, essentially to keep her off the premises. A DMX song on someone's car radio refers to "niggas" and "bitches." The grandfather complains that he and Lil Dee's kids have too many "rules," then tells the kids to go outside with him, where "We're gonna poo-poo ourselves." Judge Crowley tells Willie and Nelson that before he was married, he drank malt liquor and married the wife for money only. Willie and Nelson ask Judge Crowley about his wife, "What about them nipples?" He admits they're "nice big gumdrops." Caught while trying to hotwire Brittany's car, Wheeze and Bling Bling then carjack it, and make her drive them to Todd's new house, at gunpoint. Willie and Nelson disrespect the security guard by calling her a "rent-a-cop" and opening their car window so pot smoke billows out. The security guard finds out her boyfriend (who remains unseen throughout the movie) has been cheating on her with Lil Dee. FRIGHTENING SCENES None. GUNS/WEAPONS Bling Bling carries his handgun in several scenes. At one point, he threatens to use his gun, calling it a "gat" and pointing at his crotch (near where he has the gun stashed). The "country" cousins - Jasper and Jerome -- carry shotguns in several scenes. The security guard carries her gun, while she's dressed in a S.W.A.T. outfit. Caught while trying to hotwire Brittany's car, Wheeze and Bling Bling then carjack it, and make her drive them to Todd's new house, at gunpoint. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "Daggone bills," "You trippin,'" "Negro, please!," "I'll knock your block off," "Rent-a-cop," "Crap a salt lick," "Why you buggin', man!?" "We're gonna poo-poo ourselves," "Niggas," "Bitches," "Kickin' it," "Poo-poo" "Dumb ass" "Pimps," "Punks," "Chicken-heads," "Hos" (whores) and "Jackass." Brittany and Lil Dee wear tight outfits showing much cleavage and their midriffs. A mean kid teases grade-school age Todd for his short pants: "Where the flood at?" Brittany squeals repeatedly, to show her pleasure. The grandfather swings a baseball bat in the house. Willie and Nelson eat lots of chips and pretzels and behave disrespectfully around adults. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) Rap music by artists including DMX, B Rich, Bud'da, and Too Short, funky songs by Rick James ("Mary Jane") and the Mary Jane Girls ("All Night Long"); as well as other, less overtly suggestive songs are heard. A DMX song on someone's car radio refers to "niggas" and "bitches." PROFANITY At least 1 possible "f" word, 1 slang term using male genitals ("c*ck" but used as a double entendre with a term for a rooster), 6 "s" words, 19 asses, 8 hells, 6 damns, 2 craps, and 1 use each of "Oh Lord" and "Sweet Jesus." SEX/NUDITY An early photo in the opening titles "scrap book" jokes about Lil Dee being "pregnant again," and the family refers to her children not having known fathers; one child calls Todd "Uncle-Daddy." Bling Bling threatens to use his gun, calling it a "gat" and pointing at his crotch (near where he has the gun stashed). Willie and Nelson ask Judge Crowley about his wife, "What about them nipples?" He admits they're "nice big gumdrops." The security guard complains that her boyfriend has called "some other trick's name." Brittany and Lil Dee wear tight outfits showing much cleavage and their midriffs. Leroy complains that golf is a game in which "white guys want to put white balls in the earth, symbolically showing how they want to rape the planet." Todd's cousins suggest that Brittany's buttocks are appealing: "I wouldn't mind parking in that every day of the week!" Todd asks, "Why you buggin', man?" and says that he and Brittany, while unmarried, are "kickin' it." Becky and Todd kiss, sweetly, at the end of the movie. Earlier, they're in the same bed, possibly implying sex or fooling around (he's asleep, she's awake). Leroy and Miss Peters (a prim white lady) dance lasciviously at the end of the movie; then he kisses her and she jumps on him, to embrace and kiss. The butler dances with Lil Dee at the end. The security guard finds out her boyfriend (who remains unseen throughout the movie) has been cheating on her with Lil Dee. The security guard warns Todd not to bring "chicken heads" or "hos" to his house, because "This ain't no Ludacris video up in here." Brittany worries that Todd wants to "splish splash" in a bathtub with Becky, after she sees a picture of the two of them as babies in a tub. Brittany redecorates Todd's house, to remove Lady Em's tacky décor, and includes a large rooster statue in the kitchen, eliciting comments about her having a "big cock in the kitchen." At the party, Judge Crowley, now high on pot and wearing a track suit and medallions, comes on to Mrs. Crowley. She licks her lips and shudders, and then begs to "go home." Brittany tells Lil Dee, "You, little ghetto bird, need to invest in a diaphragm." Bling Bling is upset when the family laughs at his old nickname, "Percival Ass-Smoking." SMOKING Wheeze smokes cigarettes, Leroy smokes cigars, and Uncle Frank smokes a cigarette at the cookout. TENSE FAMILY SCENES The premise of the film is family tension - will Todd support his family? Will he choose Brittany over his mother (who calls her a "nasty girl")? Nettie and Lady Em discuss their own sisterly competition, and Nettie admits that she wants her son, Jamal to make money like Todd; but Jamal wants to be a doctor. Tired of the ruckus, Todd yells at his family and tells them to "get out." Brittany and Lil Dee, potential in-laws (if Brittany married Todd, which she's trying to do), accuse each other of being greedy and conniving. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT Young sports stars making millions of dollars. Offensive race, gender, sexual and class stereotypes (including two characters who act gay). The importance of family loyalty, even when family members behave badly. Poor diets (too much sodium). VIOLENCE A street player hits Todd in the face when they're playing basketball . Bling Bling and Wheeze fight over a road map and crash their car. Bling Bling threatens to "knock [Wheeze's] block off." Lady Em pulls Mrs. Crowley from the shed roof where she's spying on the party, and throws her onto the ground, by way of "inviting" her to the party. Bling Bling waves his gun around to scare the family, and the security guard breaks into the house to save the family. Reviewed September 3, 2004 / Posted September 4, 2004

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