4/5
Dad Keeps Embarrassing Me.
When 'Will' came out this month, movie megastar, the original Agent Smith who is even big enough to pass on 'The Matrix', showed us the way yet again. Just watch that Tik Tok that's gone about as viral as Smith's sensational second career as a YouTuber before he serves for the Oscar throne as 'King Richard' with the Williams sisters. The way that took the West Philadelphia born and raised (where's did he spend most of his days? Do you even have to ask) Fresh Prince who moved in with his Uncle and Auntie in Bel-Air to Hollywood and beyond infinity as his buzz welcomed aliens to earth. But during the age of 'Big Willie Style' and that very album for the new man in black, one of Will Smith's good friends was waiting in the wings. Or the interludes. The hilarious Keith B. Real. Do you remember? Don't act like that, you know you got it! That album sold more than Taylor Swift...or maybe even 'Independence Day' for the King of the fourth of July movie-going weekend. Still, not with me? OK. You've got Spotify. I'll wait like Will with those two guns (word to Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington) in 'Bad Boys II' when another classic Def Comedy Jam stand-up talent was trying to tell people that were shooting at them that they weren't immigration. Hilarious right!? But does that voice that's constantly getting thrown out by Smith's legendary bouncer Charlie Mack (first out the limo) and slapped by Jada sound familiar. Yep, that's right! Beat Shazam. That's Jamie Foxx. Before the Oscar for 'Ray'. 'Any Given Sunday'. Even 'Ali' with Smith, when Foxx was in Will's corner again for his 'Collateral' and 'Miami Vice' director Michael Man's boxing biopic as Bundini Brown. This compared to Smith's star stratosphere was almost a before they were famous moment, even though Jamie had his own show named after him like 'Martin'. Now as 'Will' lines everyone's bookstores and shelves Jamie has his own good book to go next to the Hollywood God. 'Act Like You've Got Some Sense' and read it too.
Spidey senses right now are tingling at a buzz which is scrolling and sawing through the timelines and fan theories as the second trailer for this Christmases 'Spider-Man' trilogy conclusion 'No Way Home' dropped this week like bird s### made of cement. Whilst the big question and mocked up leaked photos is on whether Jamie Foxx's 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' co-star Andrew Garfield and the original Tobey Maguire will suit-up as Peter Parker alongside Tom Holland. The latters post credits cameo in Tom Hardy's connected 'Venom' movie and all those universe web weaving Easter Eggs in Jared Leto's 'Morbius' trailer has us hoping they'll go into the spider-verse like the classic animation. Besides all the villains are there like the return of Foxx's electric Electo character that gave us the most epic showdown amongst the bright lights of Times Square in 'TASM2'. Putting the big city of New York in another blackout. And you have to love the new duds and the classic comic crown call-back for Foxx. Even if we did like the Blue Man Group look in Manhattan. Let's just hope Jamie keeps the electricity in his voice. Speaking as such as he talks about the pleasure of "getting to kick Spider-Man's ass" here you have to get the audiobook version of this autobiography that will join you in company when you get ready for work in the morning and take the train home. Not only is it easier on the hands, you lazy readers that love to just scroll through stuff, it's chocked full of Foxx's sly, charismatic charm and the art form of his impressions. Everyone gets it. Sidney Poitier in regal introduction (that's Mr. Poitier to you...and me). Snoop Dogg in a meet the family moment similar to welcoming your daughters first date round in again, hilarious 'Bad Boys II' fashion (you've all done it, just not with The Doggfather). And the best and funniest impression you'll ever hear of Jay-Z. It's crazy! It sounds so much like your boy.
Names are dropped, sure. This is Hollywood and the man who also moves in music circles and comedy circuits. This is the man that played Ray Charles and in the same year provided that voice for Kanye West's 'Gold Digger'. He took your mooooney. He hosted better parties than Diddy. Introduced Ed Sheeran to the industry. You only have to watch many a Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to see he is a master of storytelling like he is of ceremonies. Just check the one about Bobby and Whitney and whilst we're here that Denzel impersonation too that he even impressed on Washington himself. OK, alright! 'Django' has had out attention since his Mr. Cab Driver sold us and Jada Pinkett in Real reunion on his "cool groove experience" Island Limo's idea before all the 'Collateral' damage happened with Tom Cruise. But the most important name is Foxx...and not his. His daughters. Corinne and Annalise Bishop. Corinne who provides the foreword even narrates the chapter names...which are as creative as the careers of these Foxx's themselves. Earlier this year Corrine Foxx even produced her father in his return to the small-screen sitcom world for the family comedy 'Dad Stop Embarrassing Me' based on their lives. Sure, the show tanked like Jamie and our R&B friend (what's up Babbs?), and Netflix have couched and cancelled 'Dad Stop' after it barely got out the gates. But that's Netflix for you and they still have 'Project Power' with Foxx. But there was nothing embarrassing about that delightful, charming, inoffensive show that took us back to both the golden, good old days of television sitcoms before streamers and Foxx's salad days of having an Eddie Murphy family of his raw characters he created and played himself to delirious effects. It was just in and the wrong time. But how about this book? It serves as more than a sequel or a companion to the show. Instead more like a behind the scenes documentary to the family and home life of a Hollywood legend and his real, lasting legacy. Besides for all the inspired impressions and charming character, what's better than the real thing? 'Act Like You Got Some Sense', Eric Bishop's grandmother Esther Marie Talley, the woman who raised him and the tribute subject of his beautiful piano, 'Unpredictable' song 'Heaven' told him, to which he named his book. And check the dust jacket of Jamie Foxx's memoir like running a cloth over it and straight out the foxxhole you can see the words 'I Taught My Daughters' crossed out for the common sense of this books sub-heading, "And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me". Sure this book my be a parenting guide, but it's no Dad of the year hubris pitch. Even though this man is that type of father like Vader is Luke's. Instead this awesome autobiography were Dad doesn't embarrass is a celebration of love and life. The man may not be married and that's his choice and his right like it is everyone and anyone's to do what they wish with their heart, so long as it doesn't hurt another. But it's clear all he's learnt in this life and everything he continues to be educated on comes from the work and worth of the women in his life. Act like you've got some sense and listen to those teachings too. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
