G [a.k.a. Summer G] (2002)

"G" (2002) is a romance drama directed by Christopher Scott Cherot and written by Cherot, Andrew Lauren, Charles E. Drew Jr. The writers loosely based the story from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald but took a hip-hop approach intertwined with black classism. "G" premiered on May 10, 2002, at the Tribeca Film Festival and was theatrically released in 2005—the movie stars Richard T. Jones, Blair Underwood, Chenoa Maxwell, and Andre Royo. 

In the late 90s and early 2000s, love triangle dramas were popular in black films, but many were underground and received little marketing. But "G" has a little more to offer than love triangles. The classism approach adds a layer to the film as the film takes place in the Hamptons. Richard T. Jones plays the title character, Summer G, a successful music producer. He tries to rekindle his relationship with his college lover, Sky (Chenoa Maxwell), who left for Chip Hightower (Blair Underwood), a wealthy man. Those familiar with "The Great Gatsby" understand that one of the book's underlying narratives was old versus new money and how people earned wealth. "G" attempts to explore this narrative and its effects on the thinking within the black community. It also explores our decisions and how their results can have terrible outcomes. However, being familiar with  "The Great Gatsby" is unnecessary to understand the movie, but it adds more context.

"G" isn't a blockbuster movie, but it grossed over $3 million. Unfortunately, the filmmaker's choice of title makes it a difficult film to find today. The alternate title was "Summer G," but they didn't change it during its release. 

Director: Christopher Scott Cherot

Writers: Christopher Scott Cherot, Andrew Lauren, Charles E. Drew Jr

Starring Richard T. Jones, Blair Underwood, Chenoa Maxwell, Andre Royo, Laz Alonso, Lalanya Masters, Nicoye Banks, Jillian Lindsey, Sonja Sohn, Marcia Wright, Damian Young, Alex Carr, Renet Kyles, Johnny Russo, Lisa Ferreira, Andrew Lauren

Storyline

Summer (Richard Jones) is a millionaire rap music mogul who operates his empire from a beachside estate in the Hamptons. The reclusive and publicity-shy G could have any woman he wants, but he still yearns for the one who got away, the girl he fell in love with in college but who chose to marry a prosperous man. Years later, he and his old flame reunite. Sky (Chenoa Maxwell) lives nearby with her husband Chip (Blair Underwood), a duplicitous philanderer born into wealth and figures that give him the right to do what he likes. But old feelings between the two lovers aren't the only ones ignited.

Jamie Foxx: I mIght Need Security (2002)

Starring:

• Jamie Foxx

IMDB.com
Jamie Foxx performs live from the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California.

I thought it was OK. It could have been better but then again he always was better with a script than without. Did anyone notice how a lot of the things he said in his act about Africa was ripped from Richard Pryor's Live On The Sunset Strip? I know Jamie went to Africa to film Ali and everything but some of his Africa routine seemed like a copy of what Richard did originally (about the lions, the stink, etc). The jokes weren't all funny. Some were though. He definitely used his art of imitating celebs and voices to help out this show. Some of the stuff like the celebs he was making fun of was exaggerations but it worked for some of the jokes. It could have used more IMO. I thought he overdid the whole Talibam-Taliwhacker, etc thing though. You could tell his act was not quite as over as other comedians like Rock, Chappelle, etc. Then again that's their forte and they're good at it. This just wasn't Jamie's. I guess he was just trying to do a little too much with his talents. He should stick to acting. That's his thing. Hey, he did win an Oscar and rightfully so.

Go For Broke (2002)

"Go for Broke" (2002) is a prison comedy film written and directed by Jean-Claude La Marre, who stars alongside Pras Michel, Michael A. Goorjian, and LisaRaye McCoy. "Go for Broke" was La Marre's second film, eventually leading him to have over 25 movies written and directed and over 50 produced today. He is a well-trained actor appearing in classic movies such as "Malcolm X," "Fresh," "Dead Presidents," and several T.V. shows. While most of La Marre's films were B-movies, he still provided avenues for Black actors and achieved urban-level success due to his connections with rappers and hip-hop culture.

Director: Jean-Claude La Marre

Writer: Jean-Claude La Marre

Starring Pras Michel, Michael A. Goorjian, LisaRaye McCoy, Jean-Claude La Marre, Bobby Brown, Glenn Plummer, Ed Lauter, Marjorie Joseph, Marcia Wright, Bergen Williams, Ruthie Spiering, Julissa Marquez, Erika Ringor, Johann John Jean, Garry Guerrier

Storyline

After winning the lottery, two guys, Jackson and Rome (Pras Michel and Michael A. Goorjian), are robbed of their $10 million ticket by Belinda, a notorious criminal. Before the police arrest her, she swallows the ticket and is hauled off to prison. To get their ticket back, they devise a scheme to dress as women and get sent to the same prison as Belinda. While successfully infiltrating the women's prison, their plan is slightly more than they imagined as they are caught between gang feuds, predatory inmates, peculiar correction officers, and a warden.