Director: Erik White
Run Time: 1 Hr 39 Min.
Rating: PG-13
The Bouw-Man.
Can’t say I’m all that excited for the latest “comedy” from producer “Ice Cube.” Ever since he gave us the hilarious reefer hit “Friday” way back in 1995, it’s been one lame duck film after another. Let’s face it, would your life be any different if “Next Friday,” “Friday After Next,” “All About the Benjamins,” “Are We Done Yet?,” “Are We There Yet?,” “Beauty Shop,” “The Longshots” and “First Sunday” ever existed? The fact that it also rated “PG-13,” suggests that the jokes might be rather tame. You can usually count on films like this having at least a couple of sexual-themed comedy bits, rather its visual or the spoken word. However, the “PG-13” rating is likely to deny the audience of that as well.
Based on what you’re seeing from the preview, I guess there are worse things to go spend your money on. You have a silly little story about a working-class family who wins the lottery. They attempt to keep it quiet, but word gets out and the neighborhood goes crazy. Whether its manipulation, begging or physical force, everybody seems to have an angle on how to persuade the lottery winner for their own personal gain. Something tells me we’ll have either a “money can’t buy happiness” or “fulfillment comes from helping others” point by the time the closing credits scroll.
Prediction.
In terms of putting together a strong supporting cast, it looks like “Lottery Ticket” has succeeded. A plethora of African-American secondary actors are on board for this one, but it remains to be seen who has the biggest roles. I didn’t see a Caucasian actor in the preview, so I’m curious if any made the cut. “First Sunday” made $17.7 million its opening weekend, but didn’t have as much competition as “Lottery Ticket.” A $15 million opening weekend seems appropriate for “Lottery Ticket.”
Opening Weekend Gross: $15 Million
Noodles.
It would be really easy to trash Lottery Ticket as another poorly conceived black comedy based on this trailer. It was like watching the cliche' train slowly roll past as I waited patiently to find something amusing enough to laugh at. To be fair, this could be a case of a trailer not doing its film justice and I sincerely hope that this is the case. Because quite frankly I think there are far too few really good movies featuring a predominantly black cast released these days. It seems like only Tyler Perry is allowed to make movies for the black community that don't come out as straight to DVD releases.
I enjoyed Bow-Wow in Roll Bounce, I think Brandon Jackson was hilarious in Tropic Thunder, and I have a warm spot in my heart for Ms. Loretta Divine (she feels like she could be my aunt). But I'm finding it hard to get excited about seeing this movie. I love seeing fine chicks looking sexy as the trailer shows, but you know you're not going to see a thing with a PG-13 rating. (So I don't even get to look forward to gratuitous boob shots.) I just feel kind of "meh."
Prediction.
This feels like it could be hilarious and a hit, but I'm thinking that its core audience won't rush out to see it first thing. Most folks will probably wait on the word of mouth to tell them the score.
Opening Weekend: Gross: $17 Million
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