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A look what's coming to the theater

By Steve Persall
Published February 23, 2006

She's still mad, and audiences love it

Last year's stunning $22-million opening weekend for Diary of a Mad Black Woman punched Tyler Perry's ticket to a sequel, Madea's Family Reunion (PG-13). He already had the material, culled from a series of stage plays and home videos almost exclusively marketed to African-American audiences. Perry plays his signature character in foolproof drag, a plump, gun-toting grandmother named Madea.

Most importantly, Perry has the advantage of being a brand name for an underserved demographic. Perry makes comedies specifically, unapologetically, for black families, with dialogue, punch lines and endearments occasionally sounding foreign to anyone else. That he does it with Lions Gate Films' backing is a rare case of Hollywood believing that audience matters.

The faithful are so devoted to Perry that he doesn't need to screen Madea's Family Reunion for opening day reviews. What white male reviewers think wouldn't matter, anyway. All that counts is that Madea is back with another assortment of family squabbles to settle before a happy fadeout. It may not be art, but it's what enough people want to be respected.

- STEVE PERSALL, Times film critic

Despite star voices, 'Doogal' opens very quietly

Check the celebrity voices heard in the animated film Doogal (G) and wonder why this movie isn't higher on the radar. The Weinstein Company apparently called in a bunch of its former Miramax studio favors for a cast that includes Judi Dench, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Ian McKellen, Jon Stewart and William H. Macy. Disney would be pushing Doogal like the second coming of Cinderella. Weinstein is handling it like a neglected stepchild.

The reason is that Doogal was originally released in Europe under the title The Magic Roundabout, based on a children's novel by Serge Danot. Reviews weren't kind. Weinstein bought the rights and translated the screenplay to English so movie stars Americans might pay to hear could be added. Considering the studio's recent animated debut, Hoodwinked, Weinstein appears to be relying on cheap creative shortcuts to pose as competitors with Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks.

Doogal is the story of adventurers seeking three magic diamonds with the power to freeze the sun, before an evil wizard (Stewart) can find them. Beyond that information, you're on your own, since Weinstein withheld the remodeled project from critical review. You get the feeling those celebrities are happy about the decision.

- S. P.

[Last modified February 23, 2006, 08:35:52]