Stan Lathan Movies

This documentary examines the hip-hop record industry through the eyes of contemporary hip-hop artists such as Big Boi, Andre 3000, Kanye West and many more. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide

Russell Simmons' HBO series Def Comedy Jam was one of the first nationwide showcases for African-American comedians, who could perform raw, streetwise material without censorship or interference; many of the show's guests have gone on to become some of the best known comic talents in America today, and this home video collects more highlights from the show's history. Def Comedy Jam: More All Stars, Vol. 2 features side-splitting material from Martin Lawrence, Steve Harvey, Don "D.C." Curry, Mo'Nique, Tommy Chunn, and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Roly-poly comedian Cedric the Entertainer was host and principal instigator of this weekly, half-hour variety series. Combining the best elements of The Jackie Gleason Show and In Living Color, the series offered brash, cutting-edge comedy sketches with a full complement of recurring characters, among them the Love Doctor, Mrs. Cafeteria Lady, and heat-sensitive golf commentator Raj. One of the series' early highlights was the Mexican soap-opera spoof "Que Hora Es?," designed for people who never got past third-year Spanish (in one sketch, two Latino lovers pitched woo at one another by counting to ten in their native tongue). Joining in the general hilarity were regulars Amy Brassette, Shaun Majumber, and Wendy Raquel Robinson. Telecast in tandem with the Fox Network sitcom The Bernie Mac Show, Cedric the Entertainer Presents debuted September 18, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The inaugural season of Russell Simmons' raw and uninhibited Def Poetry Jam consisted of four half-hour telecasts, originally presented live at The Supper Club in New York. With rapper Mos Def serving as host, the series offers an impressive array of improvisational ethnic poetry, running a gamut from tense and poignant to loud, obscene, and hilarious. Artists represented in this quartet of episodes include singer Jewel, comedians Cedric the Entertainer and Dave Chappelle, and such brilliant performance artists (individually or in groups) as Last Poets, Suheir Hammad, Sarah Jones, Yellow Rage, Danny Hoch, Black Ice, Sarah Jones, Beau Sia, muMs, Poetri, Nikki Giovanni, Steve Colman, and Amiri Baraka. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Some of the hottest young comics got their first big break on the stage of Def Comedy Jam. Freed from the shackles of prime time TV, these comedians used the late night forum to strut their stuff and make the jump from comedy clubs to television and movies. Two of the names featured here are Joe Torry and DJ Robo. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide

Martin Lawrence is your host for this collection of highlights from HBO's high-rated urban comedy showcase Def Comedy Jam. Former Saturday Night Live regular Ellen Cleghorne highlights this program of outrageous, uncensored standup comedy. Other guests include William Stevenson, Aries Spears, and Arnez J. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Host Vanessa Williams takes audiences on a tour through decades of African-American music and dance -- and explores their influences on the film industry. This made-for-TV special, which includes a historical retrospective of a number of American movies, features interviews with such luminaries as Quincy Jones, Ice-T, Spike Lee, and Russell Simmons. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide

HBO's series Def Comedy Jam provided a showcase for some of the best and brightest new performers on the urban comedy scene, and this home video presents highlights from the show, with Tracy Morgan, Bill Bellamy, and host Martin Lawrence presenting cutting edge comedy that's definitely too rough for prime time. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Having racked up excellent ratings for the 1987 TV movie Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion, the producers concocted yet another "retro" film, 1989's An Eight is Enough Wedding. Dick Van Patten returns as Tom Bradford, who anxiously prepares for the wedding of his oldest son David (Grant Goodeve). While most of the original cast shows up for the nuptials, Tom's wife Abby is played by Sandy Faison. She replaces Family Reunion's Mary Frann, who in turn had replaced the original Abby, Betty Buckley. Dick Van Patten's real-life wife and son Pat and Jimmy also show up in supporting roles. Like Family Reunion, An Eight is Enough Wedding was telecast opposite the World Series (on October 15, 1989, to be exact); and like the earlier film, Wedding won its timeslot in the ratings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide