Categories: Movie Reviews

Top Five- Blu-ray Movie Review

Top Five (Blu-Ray): Reviewed by Jim Milton

Synopsis

In this film, directed and written by Chris Rock, we follow Andre Allen (Rock), a former stand-up legend who is promoting his new film in NYC. While wandering the city, he meets a charming journalist (Dawson) who helps him confront his past and contemplate the future through a series of funny encounters. Will he ever be taken seriously?

Specifications

Paramount
2015, Color, Rated R, 1 Hr 41 min
5.1 DTS-MA, 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Cedric the Entertainer
Directed by: Chris Rock

Rating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:
Violence: Mild
Sex: Yes
Language: Yes

Commentary

I feared that being a middle-aged white guy this movie written and starring Chris Rock would leave me confused and bewildered. The only thing I am still not clear on is the “top five” reference…which I think is supposed to be your “top five favorite singers”. When characters named their top five, the only name that sounded familiar was Kanye. I told you I was white! The film seemed to be somewhat autobiographical and Rock is poking fun at of how superficial Hollywood and entertainment in general, have become. Many of the scenes were quite funny, even to me (the white dude). Yes, there are scenes of heavy drug usage, naked hookers and plenty of off-colored jokes…but that is what Rock mocks the best. I found his connection of the Planet of the Apes movies to the assassination of MLK hilarious! The only really unfunny scene is at the end in the stripper club when none other than Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler and Whoopi Goldberg show up. THAT scene was not only unfunny, it was downright awkward. So, why do I think it is autobiographical? Chris plays a comedic stand-up guy that has done some comedy movies (Andre plays a bear called Hammy that works on the police force…sort of a bizarre Lethal Weapon movie) but now wants to make serious films (his latest film is about a Haitian slave revolt in the late 1800’s). No matter how he tries, his fans still want him to make another Hammy movie. I get it. It’s hard for a comedian to be taken seriously…but hey, Bill Murray did it! But then again, he’s a middle aged white guy.

Technical

The picture and sound are really first rate. The surround sounds bring in the bustling NYC street sounds and the picture is well lit and good looking, even in the night clubs. Colors are vivid and natural looking. Chris Rock knows how to shoot a good looking film!

Extras

There are over 45 minutes of extras: Commentaries, “It’s Never Just a Movie”, The making of, Top 5 Andre Allen stand-up outtakes, Top 5 moments you did not see in the film and deleted scenes. (DVD and digital copy are included).

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."