The Family That Preys

Before I say anything else, let me just say that Tyler Perry is a genius. That guy's movies takes you on an emotional Magic Mountain roller coaster ride. And after puking, you wanna go back and ride it again.

THE FAMILY THAT PREYS stars Sanaa Lathan, Robin Givens, Kathy Bates, and some other Black people probably well-known to other Black people. This movie was the shizzle, my nizzle!

I have to admit that lately, Tyler Perry's recent releases haven't been that great, but this one was on point, yo! I'd have to place it second behind DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN.

Perry's movies always seem to have that perfect dark blend of sassy comedy, deep religious spirituality, and that one too-real emotional scene that makes you go, "Damn!!" Or at least that's what I imagine all the Black people yelling at the theaters. It always deals with heart-wrenching family or relationship problems. The kind that we all may have, but don't want to talk about. Perry brings it to light in all his movies and that's why his movies are so emotional and passionate and well-received. He keeps it real!

This movie is about a rich White family and a blue-collar Black family and how they survive in their respective worlds. You get to see the differences in their cultures, but you also get to see their striking similarities. We're all just trying to survive. We all have problems. I'm actually having problems explaining what this movie is about. All I can say is that it was damn good!! One of the better movies I've seen in awhile.

The characters in this movie were pretty fascinating. You had the wealthy, live-life-to-the-fullest, cold, but really caring mom (Bates). You had the giving, straight-laced, religious mom. You had the cold-blooded, arrogant, womanizing son. You had the condescending, snobby, sleep-her-way-to-the-top wife (Lathan). You had two hard-working husbands. You had the scorned wife. You had that hooker from HUSTLE & FLOW.

Like all his movies, the characters are trying to deal with life the best way they know how. Some are doing it the right way. Some are f@cking up. You get to yell at the screen. You feel what the characters feel. The righteous prevail at the end. The sinners get what they deserve.

Excellent movie. I highly recommend it. Makes you appreciate your own family. Or at least, reflect on your own. I give this movie two "What the f@ck?"s and a "Good for that bitch!!"...