Soul Men (film)
Encyclopedia
Soul Men is a 2008
American
music
-comedy-drama
film
directed by Malcolm D. Lee
and written by Matthew Stone and Rob Ramsey. It stars Samuel L. Jackson
and Bernie Mac
. It was released on November 7, 2008.
Both Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac died in unrelated circumstances in August 2008. Director Lee said the film was heavily re-edited to soften the tone of the film, as a tribute to the two actors.
singers, Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson
) and Floyd Henderson (Bernie Mac
), who have not spoken to each other in 30 years, reluctantly agree to travel across the country together to a reunion concert to honor their recently deceased lead singer, Marcus Hooks (John Legend
). Cleo (Sharon Leal
), a beautiful young woman in an abusive relationship, who is believed to be Floyd's daughter but is really Louis' daughter, accompanies them as a new singer. A few problems come their way, involving Cleo's wanna-be gangsta rapper boyfriend, Lester (Affion Crockett
), Floyd's fling with Rosalee (Jennifer Coolidge
) and a lot more leading up to their big performance at the Apollo Theater
, and the duo reform a bond that they lost 30 years ago.
In 2008, however, it is found out that Marcus had passed away due to a fatal heart attack in Sweden, so Floyd and Louis are called to come back together again as "The Real Deal" for a tribute performance in honor of their lead singer. The two have not spoken to one another since their break-up, having been holding a grudge on each other, due to their own differences about having a successful life.
The film opened at #6 with $5,000,000 behind Zack and Miri Make a Porno
, Changeling
, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
, Role Models
, and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (which Bernie Mac was also in). At the conclusion of its domestic theatrical run on February 5, 2009, the film's gross was $12,082,391 which makes the film a flop
.
2008 in film
This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
American
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
music
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
-comedy-drama
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
directed by Malcolm D. Lee
Malcolm D. Lee
Malcolm D. Lee is an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. He has directed such films as Undercover Brother, The Best Man, Roll Bounce, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, and Soul Men. He also directed an episode of the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris...
and written by Matthew Stone and Rob Ramsey. It stars Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
and Bernie Mac
Bernie Mac
Bernard Jeffrey McCullough , better known by his stage name, Bernie Mac, was an American actor and comedian. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L...
. It was released on November 7, 2008.
Both Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac died in unrelated circumstances in August 2008. Director Lee said the film was heavily re-edited to soften the tone of the film, as a tribute to the two actors.
Main Summary
Two former backup soulSoul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singers, Louis Hinds (Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
) and Floyd Henderson (Bernie Mac
Bernie Mac
Bernard Jeffrey McCullough , better known by his stage name, Bernie Mac, was an American actor and comedian. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L...
), who have not spoken to each other in 30 years, reluctantly agree to travel across the country together to a reunion concert to honor their recently deceased lead singer, Marcus Hooks (John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
). Cleo (Sharon Leal
Sharon Leal
Sharon Leal is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in movies such as Dreamgirls, Why Did I Get Married?, Why Did I Get Married Too? and the televisions series Hellcats.-Personal life:...
), a beautiful young woman in an abusive relationship, who is believed to be Floyd's daughter but is really Louis' daughter, accompanies them as a new singer. A few problems come their way, involving Cleo's wanna-be gangsta rapper boyfriend, Lester (Affion Crockett
Affion Crockett
Affion Crockett is an actor, writer, dancer, rapper, comedian, music producer, and director, and maker of YouTube videos. Affion began his career as a dancer at age 10, winning breaking and popping contests with his older brother...
), Floyd's fling with Rosalee (Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge
Jennifer Coolidge is an American actress best known for playing "Stifler's mom," the older woman in the film American Pie ; Hilary Duff's stepmother in A Cinderella Story ; Paulette, the manicurist in Legally Blonde and its sequel; the voice of Aunt Fanny in the animated feature Robots ; for her...
) and a lot more leading up to their big performance at the Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
, and the duo reform a bond that they lost 30 years ago.
Synopsis
The film opens with a biography of a legendary R&B/Soul male group: Marcus Hooks & The Real Deal, in which later in 1977, after years of success since 1972, they disbanded; Marcus became a successful solo artist, while Louis Hinds and Floyd Henderson, Marcus's former bandmates, broke up later in the same year, with Louis in drugs and struggling and Floyd becoming successful again as an spiritual entrepreneur.In 2008, however, it is found out that Marcus had passed away due to a fatal heart attack in Sweden, so Floyd and Louis are called to come back together again as "The Real Deal" for a tribute performance in honor of their lead singer. The two have not spoken to one another since their break-up, having been holding a grudge on each other, due to their own differences about having a successful life.
Cast
- Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. JacksonSamuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
as Louis Hinds - Bernie MacBernie MacBernard Jeffrey McCullough , better known by his stage name, Bernie Mac, was an American actor and comedian. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Mac gained popularity as a stand-up comedian. He joined comedians Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and D. L...
as Floyd Henderson - Sharon LealSharon LealSharon Leal is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in movies such as Dreamgirls, Why Did I Get Married?, Why Did I Get Married Too? and the televisions series Hellcats.-Personal life:...
as Cleo Whitfield - Sean HayesSean Hayes (actor)Sean Patrick Hayes is an American actor and comedian. He is widely known for his role as Jack McFarland in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, for which he won an Emmy Award, four SAG Awards, one American Comedy Award, and six Golden Globes nominations.He also portrayed comedian Jerry Lewis in the...
as Danny Epstein - Affion CrockettAffion CrockettAffion Crockett is an actor, writer, dancer, rapper, comedian, music producer, and director, and maker of YouTube videos. Affion began his career as a dancer at age 10, winning breaking and popping contests with his older brother...
as Lester "The Court Jester" - Adam HerschmanAdam HerschmanAdam Herschman is an American actor.-Film work:Herschman is perhaps most known for his role as Glen in the 2006 film, Accepted. Adam also stars as Archie in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay , Phillip in Soul Men and as Mr. Pickle's employee in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry...
as Phillip - Fatso-FasanoFatso-FasanoFatso-Fasano is an American film and television actor, best known for playing Marvin on the television series Weeds from 2006 to 2007.-Filmography:#Soul Men as Pay-Pay#Welcome to the Captain as Bouncer #1...
as Pay-Pay - Jackie LongJackie LongJackie Long is an American actor, writer, producer, singer, director, comedian, and musician from Pasadena, California...
as Zig-Zag - John LegendJohn LegendJohn Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
as Marcus Hooks - Jennifer CoolidgeJennifer CoolidgeJennifer Coolidge is an American actress best known for playing "Stifler's mom," the older woman in the film American Pie ; Hilary Duff's stepmother in A Cinderella Story ; Paulette, the manicurist in Legally Blonde and its sequel; the voice of Aunt Fanny in the animated feature Robots ; for her...
as Rosalee - Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
as Himself - Mike EppsMike EppsMichael Elliot "Mike" Epps is an American stand-up comedian, actor, film producer, writer, singer, and rapper. He is best known for playing Day-Day Jones in Next Friday and the sequel-to-the-sequel, Friday After Next, and also starring alongside Ice Cube in All About the Benjamins...
as Duane Henderson - Millie JacksonMillie JacksonMildred "Millie" Jackson is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and comedienne. Three of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 copies....
as Floyd's ex - Randy JacksonRandy JacksonRandall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
as The Narrator (voice) - Sara EriksonSara EriksonSara Erikson is an American television and film actress.-Career:Erikson is known for her recurring role as Robyn Marquette, Vince's scheming ex-girlfriend and co-worker in What I Like About You, and various characters in the Jeff Foxworthy series Foxworthy's Big Night Out...
as Chastity - Vanessa Del RioVanessa del RioVanessa del Rio is a retired American pornographic actress.-Early years:Vanessa del Rio was born Ana Maria Sanchez and raised in Harlem, New York, the daughter of immigrants from Cuba and Puerto Rico background. Her mom would take her to see movies of Isabel Sarli whom Vanessa credits as a big...
as the full figured neighbor
Reception
Soul Men received generally mixed reviews from film critics. Based on 73 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes reported that 45% of critics stated that Soul Men features lively performances from Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson, and some hilarious moments, but ultimately suffers from an unoriginal script. On Metacritic, another review aggretator, reported that critics gave the film an average score of 49/100, based on 23 reviews.The film opened at #6 with $5,000,000 behind Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Zack and Miri Make a Porno is a 2008 romantic comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, distributed by The Weinstein Company, and starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks. It is Smith's second film not to be set within the View Askewniverse and the first not set in New Jersey. It was...
, Changeling
Changeling (film)
Changeling is a 2008 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by J. Michael Straczynski. Based on real-life events in 1928 Los Angeles, the film stars Angelina Jolie as a woman who is reunited with her missing son—only to realize he is an impostor. She confronts the city...
, High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is a 2008 American romantic musical film and the third and final installment in the High School Musical trilogy. Its theatrical release in the United States began on October 24, 2008...
, Role Models
Role Models
Role Models is a 2008 American comedy film directed by David Wain about two energy drink salesmen who are ordered to perform 150 hours of community service as punishment for various offenses. For their service, the two men work at a program designed to pair kids with adult role models. The film...
, and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (which Bernie Mac was also in). At the conclusion of its domestic theatrical run on February 5, 2009, the film's gross was $12,082,391 which makes the film a flop
Box office bomb
The phrase box office bomb refers to a film for which the production and marketing costs greatly exceeded the revenue regained by the movie studio. This should not be confused with Hollywood accounting when official figures show large losses, yet the movie is a financial success.A film's financial...
.
DVD sales
The film was released on DVD on February 10, 2009 and by the 5th week, about 483,360 units have been sold, bringing in $9,443,721 in revenue. This does not include blu-ray sales.External links
- Soul Men 2008 Movie Official Website
- Soul Men 2008 Community
- Soul Men 2008 Movie Review at Netkushi.com Soul Men 2008 Movie Review