J.B. Smoove Movies
A native of Mount Vernon, NY (born Jerry Brooks -- hence the initials), standup comic, comedy writer, and actor J.B. Smoove began his career as a dancer in an hip-hop ensemble, performing as J. Smoove. The performer transitioned to schtick early on and cut his chops in Manhattan-area clubs, then landed a few small roles in Hollywood features (including the 2001 Pootie Tang and the 2002 Mr. Deeds), before striking gold on Saturday Night Live as both a sketch writer and a sketch participant. Smoove culled greatest attention, however, for his recurring role during season six of Curb Your Enthusiasm; he played the über-confident, street-smart Leon Black, a member of an African-American family adopted by Larry David and his wife after their residence is decimated by a hurricane. Smoove later acknowledged that the popularity of the role "set fire" to his career and led to roles on the sitcoms Everybody Hates Chris and 'Til Death. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 2007
- Add Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 06 to QueueAdd Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 06 to top of Queue
HBO's hit series Curb Your Enthusiasm, featuring TV's most cantankerous character, is back and funnier than ever. Writer-producer-comedian Larry David stars as himself in a comic vision of his life. This year, David's world is especially off-kilter: An African-American family, displaced by a hurricane, moves in with the staunchly progressive Davids; and in episode 6 ("The Tivo Guy"), Larry and his wife, Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), decide to separate. In addition to David, cast regulars include Jeff Garlin (as his manager, Jeff Greene) and Susie Essman (as Jeff's wife, Susie). The series also features appearances by guest celebrities playing themselves, such as returning favorites Ted Danson, Richard Lewis, and Mary Steenburgen. Season 6, originally telecast in 2007 over HBO, adds Vivica A. Fox as Loretta Black and Tia Carrere as Cha Cha.
- Starring:
- Larry David, Cheryl Hines, (more)
- 2003
- Add Def Comedy Jam: More All Stars, Vol. 4 to QueueAdd Def Comedy Jam: More All Stars, Vol. 4 to top of Queue
The greatest names in comedy rocked the house for nine season on HBO - now this amazing collection will rock yours again and again. Too explosive for regular TV, Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam features today's hottest comedians at their wildest and funniest. Whether you're laughing for the first time or catching your raucous favorites, Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam is the ultimate comedy experience - so outrageous that you'll definitely be back for more!
- Starring:
- Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, (more)
One of Frank Capra's best-loved stories gets a modernized and wildly slapstick reinterpretation in this romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler. When Preston Blake (Harve Presnell), a remarkably wealthy media magnate, dies with neither a wife nor children, the question on the lips of most of his associates is who will inherit the estate. The surprising answer turns out to be Longfellow Deeds (Adam Sandler), a cheerful but half-bright proprietor of a small-town pizzeria, as well as part-time greeting card poet, who was a distant relative of Blake. In order to claim his 40-billion-dollar inheritance, Deeds heads to New York City, where Blake's former associates, Chuck Cedar (Peter Gallagher) and Cecil Anderson (Erick Avari), introduce him to the city while trying to figure out how to get their hands on his new fortune. Meanwhile, Mac McGrath (Jared Harris), the producer of a sleazy tabloid television show, wants to get the inside scoop on Deeds, and comes up with perfect way to get it: he sends beautiful but unscrupulous reporter Babe Bennett (Winona Ryder) to sweep Deeds off his feet while she's wired for sound. Convincing Deeds that she's from a small town just like himself, Bennett quickly wins his heart, but while his affection is sincere, hers is not. He also displays a curious eagerness to defend her good name with his fists which quickly gets him in trouble. Meanwhile, as Deeds becomes the new laughing stock of New York thanks to Bennett's stories, Deeds decides it's time he did something big with his money, while Cedar and Anderson think they've finally found a way to take control of Deeds' holdings. Mr. Deeds also features supporting performances from John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, and Conchata Ferrell. John McEnroe and Rev. Al Sharpton make cameo appearances as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adam Sandler, Winona Ryder, (more)
This comic spoof is spun off from a character that first appeared on The Chris Rock Show, and is written and directed by Louis C.K., one of that show's producers. Lance Crouther stars as Pootie Tang, a crime fighting superhero and recording artist who speaks in an unintelligible gibberish that seems to be a combination of Ebonics and street slang. Despite his communication problem, Pootie is a hero to children, whom he attempts to protect from the evil Dick Lecter (Robert Vaughn), a corporate fat cat out to corrupt America's youth with alcohol, tobacco, and junk food. Pootie also runs up against an artistic imitator (David Cross) and a sleazy recording executive (Andy Richter) Pootie Tang co-stars Chris Rock, Dave Attell, and Bob Costas and Conan O'Brien as themselves. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lance Crouther, Jennifer Coolidge, (more)
- 1998
Comedian and TV writer Louis C.K. wrote, produced, and directed this comedy about New York photo shop owner Charles (Chuck Sklar), labeled a "mean bastard" by his mailman (J.B. Smoove). After a date with nympho Lola Vagina (Heather Morgan) goes nowhere, Charles meets elderly Florence (Martha Greenhouse). Married to a gambler (Joe Dolphin), Flo hasn't heard from her son (Greg Hahn) for two decades. After her husband is killed by a pack of wild dogs, Charles and Flo marry -- but then her son returns and she also decides to adopt a gun-wielding teen named Clean (Bruce Brown). It's all too much for Charles, who decides to head back to his photo shop. Gagwriter Louis C.K. has scripted for David Letterman, Conan O'Brien (seen here in a cameo), Dana Carvey, and Chris Rock. Filmed in black-and-white with Super-16 blown up to 35mm. Shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Sklar, Martha Greenhouse, (more)
- 1998
Detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) investigate when a teenager is wounded. The trail of clues leads to the mysterious death of a young woman. Ultimately, a vicious drug operation enters the picture, at which time the detectives fade into the background and the D.A.'s office, represented by A.D.A.'s McCoy (Sam Waterston) and Carmichael (Angie Harmon), take over. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
