"JUST WRIGHT" 4****STARS

 "JUST WRIGHT" starring Queen Latifah as physical therapist Leslie Wright and Rapper-Actor Common as professional basketball star Scott McKnight is a refreshing take on what's really important when you're looking for real love in your life. This romantic comedy is a story that's just right for this day and age. We've all seen the drama surrounding professional athletes love lives in the real world but this film is not over the top in that way. 

It's a heartwarming story about extraordinary people trying to find real love.  In the movie McKnight (Common) can have any woman he wants and he's no different than most athletes. He thinks he wants the kind of beautiful woman that comes with that entitled lifestyle. Wright (Latifah) is different from his usual flavor, she's down to earth, no -nonsense, funny, charming and beautiful in her own right. She's looking for Mr. Right but is always overlooked because men love her company but see her as one of the guys, a good friend or buddy, not the woman they want to build a life with.  

Landing a professional athlete is an art form for her cousin Morgan Alexander (Paula Patton of "Precious") who approaches snagging a professional athlete like it's a business. Morgan is beautiful, calculating and knows how to manipulate the situation so that McKnight (Common) thinks she's the girl he doesn't want to let get away. The only problem here is that Morgan (Patton) is down for the relationship as long as the money is flowing and the starpower is off the charts. But she's really in-love with the lifestyle and will drop McKnight(Common) she never knew him if the situations changes.

Just by chance Wright (Latifah) runs into McKnight (Common) at a gas station after attending one of his games. He treats her like a fan but becomes intrigued by her natural charm and invites her to a party at his house. She of course, invites her cousin Morgan (Patton) who works her magic like a charm and the two become an item. Their perfect relationship hits a bump in the road when McKnight (Common) hurts his leg and in true goldigger form Morgan (Patton) starts pulling away. The media buzz predicting his career might be over is making Morgan (Patton) nervous so she arranges for Wright (Latifah) to be hired as his physical therapist and that's where the chemistry ignites between those two. This is Common's first role as a leading man and it's a slam dunk. 

He's beautiful to look at, charismatic, funny,and a gentleman. His character has layers, he's a man who wants Ms. Right not Ms. Right now and he believes Morgan (Patton) is the love of his life. Wright ( Latifah) has put her feelings for McKnight (Common) on the back burner because she knows he's in to her cousin Morgan. But McKnight (Common) discovers what it's like to really have a real women in his corner when Leslie (Latifah) starts helping him get his leg back in shape. This stellar cast includes former Cosby mom Phylicia Rashad who plays McKnight's mother and Pam Grier("The L Word") who plays Wright's (Latifah's) Mom and James Pickens Jr. (Grey's Anatomy) as her father.  The handsome and sexy Laz Alonzo ("AVATAR") plays a potential love interest for Wright (Latifah). 

There's also cameo appearances from a host of NBA stars including Dwayne Wade, Jalen Rose, Rajon Rondo and Bobby Simmons. You'll enjoy this romantic comedy because it's not a chick flick, men and women can relate to this movie. This is a love story told from both the man and womans' perspective. You'll have to go see "Just Wright" to find out how the story unfolds but I promise you will love it and walk away inspired!!!!

Romantic Comedy
PG
4 Stars

"IRON MAN 2" ***5 STARS**

"Iron Man 2" takes place 6 months after the original movie and the storyline is what you always hope for but never see in these action hero movies. You always wonder what the movie would be like if everyone knew the superhero's identity? In "Iron Man 2" the world knows that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is leading a double life as a Billionare Inventor and the armored Superhero Iron Man. 

 











This movie is fun, it's hip, it's cool and it feels authentic in a style that only Robert Downey Jr. can bring. Stark's heroic accomplishments has given him such influence that he's been able to negotiate a peace treaty amongst the Superpowers of the world. His popularity skyrockets even further with the opening of the Stark Expo which showcases all the latest inventions that will benefit mankind.  While Stark (Downey) enjoys a sort of Rock Star-like status with the general public, his refusal to turn over his armor technology to the military has him at odds with the American government. The special effects are killer and even better than the first movie, but the stellar cast steals the show. 
 


Some of the standout roles include Ivan Danko (Mickey Rourke) the son of a disgraced Russian physicist who collaborated with Stark's father on the first arc reactor. Danko (Rourke) has been brought from a Russian jail to use his technology to take down Stark. Danko (Rourke) is fierce with his whip like attachments that shoot off electric currents when he cracks his whip in attack mode. 

Don Cheadle is Lt. Colonel James Rhodes, Starks' friend and part of his Superhero team complete with his own armored high tech suit. And finally Scarlett Johansson as Natalie Rushman becomes's Stark's new personal assistant after he makes Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) the CEO of Stark Industries. Rushman (Johansson ) is playing a dual role. She's fierce as undercover agent Natasha Romanoff who's fights scenes are like none of seen as she in a cool feline style reaks havoc and mayhem single handledly. She's is definitely a force to be reckoned with. 

Inspite of the backstory I've given you it doesn't even begin to paint a picture of all the interwoven stories that are going on in this sequel which include romance, and one of the characters life is ast stake and betrayal is an underlining theme on several fronts.

"Iron Man 2" is the best of the Iron Man series. It has non-stop drama, action that will keep you on the edge of your seat  and special effect that are mesmerizing. It's a must see movie that won't disappoint you. Robert Downer Jr. delivers once again!!!!
PG-13
Science Fi-Action Thriller
5 Stars