“What’s your top 5?” is one of the most frequently asked questions in Hip Hop history, because everyone has some kind of Top 5 favourite. This also stretches beyond just music, but that’s not the point. It’s having that discussion of who’s the best MC, which order, why they’re the best, and of course that also sparks heated debates “How’s Jay not in your Top 5 fam? No Eminem? You’re crazy” is just an example of what goes on during discussions. But we all have our personal favourites for styles, or just who were played frequently growing up. In terms of Comedians, Chris Rock is number 1 in my Top 5 because I’ve pretty much been idolizing him since I was a child, and it’s because of Chris Rock how I was able to form a significant friendship with my best friend. He’s smart, he keeps it raw, and he’s always on the ball, especially with his stand up (Kill The Messenger my least favourite, however). What I was looking forward to in this movie was straight up unfiltered Black commentary from one of the greats. I got just that and then some.

Chris Rock plays a fictional version of himself, but at the same time parodying the likes of many big time Hollywood actors that have had success, but ended up washed up doing terrible movies and reality TV shows to have some kind of relevance. There’s always that ‘I could be great again’ mindset, but it only leads to a downward spiral that will land you on TMZ for all of the wrong reasons. In everyone’s life, when you accumulate a bunch of success, they’ll be that moment when someone or something in your life brings you back down to Earth to accept your humble surroundings. It can all come out through the simplicity of an interview, and in that case, that’s what happens. Rosario Dawson is as fine of a woman I’ve ever laid eyes upon, and she’s a pretty funny actress when put into the right scenarios. I’m glad that it was a very expressive and dialogue heavy film that allowed (what I hope) her true personality to come out.

This movie is hilarious – start to finish. Hilarious. I had tears in my eyes the whole movie. The fact that just about everyone and anyone is in this movie making cameos or having speaking roles, is crazy, but at times I felt like there were a lot of improve, because there were so many comedians (I can only imagine what a blooper reel looks like for this), but also there was a story behind it that had a very adult fairytale approach to it, and that was a sweet touch on top of everything else that was happening. It gives at least a sneak peek into what really goes on behind the cameras, behind the glory, and although it’s a fictional movie, I have no doubts that there are truths to the amount of examples laid out in front. I didn’t expect it to be as raw as it came out, but that’s just what Chris Rock does. It was great, and I’d see it again in a heartbeat. What should that tell you? Go see it. This is my opinion, this is my review

That’s My Word & It STiXX