Top Five (2014)

Jack and I loved this story of a comedian trying to be taken seriously as an actor after getting sober. Sounds serious, doesn't it? But with Chris Rock starring, writing, and directing, we laughed plenty, and not only at the dirty jokes. This is Rock's third time in the three-job position, after Head of State (2003) and I Think I Love My Wife (2007), unless you count the documentary Good Hair, and he had no co-writers this time. In addition to the above, his stand-up, and his stint on SNL, I also liked Rock's acting in Nurse Betty (2000), Down to Earth (2001), and The Longest Yard (2005). Rosario Dawson (last blogged in Trance) is great as the reporter with the edgy hairdo. We have supporting star power from J.B. Smoove (most recently in Clear History), Gabrielle Union (last in these pages in Cadillac Records), Tracy Morgan (best known for 139 episodes of 30 Rock, he had a cameo in The Other Guys), Romany Malco (The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), Blades of Glory (2007), Baby Mama (2008), No Ordinary Family (2010-11), and 38 episodes of Weeds (2005-12)), and Cedric the Entertainer (Larry Crowne). And then the cameos: Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, DMX (don't worry if you won't recognize the rapper--he is introduced), Charlie Rose, and many more. Seinfeld is particularly funny. Oh, and don't miss Ben Vereen asking for money in a short appearance.

The title refers to Rock's Andre Allen and other characters listing their top five hip-hop music acts (most go past five), and they talk of many artists, musical and otherwise, e.g. Kanye West, Jay Z, Tyler Perry. As it happens, Kanye and Jay Z are among the producers.

Ludwig Göransson (We're the Millers) is credited with the soundtrack but you're more likely to remember the hip-hop, discussed in detail on this link, with videos.

Don't just take our word for it, Rotten Tomatoes' critics are averaging 90% and audiences 75. It was fourth at the box office, so should play for a while, in between the Oscar hopefuls.