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October 2004

By Tonisha Johnson

Hair Show

Official Site: www.hairshowthemovie.com
Director: Leslie Small
Written by: Andrea Wiley & Sheree A. McGee and Devon Greggory
Studio: Urbanworks
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: October 15, 2004
Starring: Mo'Nique, Kellita Smith, Taraji P. Henson, David Ramsey, Joe Torry, Gina Torres, Reagan Gomez-Preston, Vivica A. Fox, Serena Williams, Keiko Agena, Bryce Wilson and Andre B. Blake.


   

 

   

Another low budget, low expectational; classified "Black Exploitation" film filled with brand name actors that make the film go nowhere...again.

Has anyone learned anything from The Cookout fiasco?

First, before the film subject itself. Let me start off with the title. Hair Show was recreated from the original name, Beauty Shop, which coincided with the Beauty Shop movie from the spin off of Barbershop by Ice Cube. There was much confusion as the moviegoers complained of being duped.

Actress/Comedian Mo'Nique from The Parkers fame did not bring any magic to Peaches, a broke hair stylist from Baltimore who finds herself in a trick bag when she owes the IRS 50,000 in back taxes, due in just a few days.

She tries to escape the watchful eye of the IRS by fleeing to her sister Angela' (Kellita Smith) sophisticated hair salon in Los Angeles by clever invitation from receptionist/gofer Jun Ni (Keiko Agena). Angela is in need of help with rival hair salon that is out to steal her glory and put her to shame as well.

To no ones surprise, the story unravels to pieces as tons of actors and actresses with plenty of talent such as Vivica A. Fox, who plays herself, which makes you want to think "Diva" attitude for real as she is a star who needs her hair done and her nails did. The imaginary dream-like sequence shows Mo'Nique and Vivica fighting of a bad perm as Peaches is convinced that she is losing her touch and her confidence.

Time is running out for the two as they are challenged to a dual at the annual Hair Competition. So sure that she will win, rival Fiona (Gina Torres) puts her shop up as the prize. Angela retaliates the same although she is nervous and has second thoughts.

Meanwhile, tons of bad acting fills the rest of the empty film. Jun Ni (Keiko Agena) is shacking up with boyfriend Brian (Joe Torry) who wants a typical nail clerk at any salon to get seasoned and do some serious cooking. While Peaches is trying to figure out a way to find cash, she teaches Jun Ni how to cook soul food. Finally, the chicken and beer is so finger licking good that she gets some. Crisco grease and all.

Plenty of tasteless jokes and drag queens; Hair Show couldn't fight its way out of a wet paper bag. Once again, these films about stories that we all know are dreadfully done even though they have good intentions of bringing a black experience to screen. And although films like The Cookout who tries to take a family event and share it with the public; brings too much to the light and saturates the story line with heads twisting, fingers snapping, hands on hip, rolled eyes and teeth sucking street culture; that it is to bad to watch.

It is bad enough that there are only 20 black films made per year and only 5 have substance. Why not take the time to make sure that the filmmakers and storyline are of quality; instead of crappy artistic less movies that bring nothing to the table.

Damn the movie. This junk needs to head straight to DVD.