Yet another piece from my newspaper. Listen, they say to node what you know, and this is what I know. The first piece from my newspaper can be found in the Breakin' node.
In the early 1990s, a movie trilogy was released to the viewing public. This trilogy
combined the values of education, fighting against oppression, fun and, most importantly,
having a hairstyle at least ten inches tall. I am speaking of none other than the House Party
trilogy (I have seen copies of House Party 4; considering, however, that it has no actors
featured in the original trilogy, I decided that it was best left in its own category: horrible).
These movies should be a part of everyone's cinematic education. Whenever I
bring them up, though, nobody seems to know what I'm talking about. There's no quicker
way to end a conversation than to say, "Hey, do you remember the scene in House Party
where he raps to avoid being sodomized in jail?"
To prevent that from happening to anyone else, I present this handy guide to the
House Party trilogy. Read it, love it, and use it.
House Party (1990)
Tagline: If they get caught, it's all over. if they don't, it's just the beginning!
Starring: Christopher Reid (Kid), Christopher Martin (Play), Martin Lawrence
(Bilal)
Plot Summary: Play's parents have gone out of town, and he's holding the
hottest party ever. Kid wants to go, but he's grounded! On top of that, three punks (Stab,
Pee Wee and Zilla) have decided to teach him a lesson! Can Kid make it to the party,
avoid the punks, and still get the girl?
Personal Reaction: As a reviewer on the Internet Movie Database said, "If you're
still jiggy with hip-hop, see this movie." That sentence sums the film up: it's outdated enough
to be funny, and still real enough to be true. Plus, for all five of you who saw Undercover
Brother, you can finally understand the reference to Kid 'N' Play. And need I mention
that, in the opening sequence, they "blow the roof off [that] sucka," literally?
House Party 2: The Pajama Jam (1991)
Tagline: I'm pretty sure it's just "The Pajama Jam" again.
Starring: All of your favorites from the first, plus Queen Latifah!
Plot Summary: Kid's finally going off to college, so he can follow his dead
father's wishes! But wait! Play gave Kid's tuition to a fake record executive! And Kid's
girl has been brainwashed by a militant feminist! How can Play help his friend stay in
school and also win back his girl? I don't know, but it probably involves a Pajama Party!
Personal Reaction: There's not much more to this than what you see up there.
The punks are back, and now they're campus security, and they keep trying to hurt Kid.
Or something. This movie is a little fuzzy, simply because they spend an hour leading up to
the party, and half an hour on the party. It should be the other way around! Write your
congressman and demand more party in your House Party 2: The Pajama Jam!
House Party 3 (1994)
Tagline: The best house party yet.
Starring: The usual suspects, plus Bernie Mac, Chris Tucker, Eddie Griffith, and
TLC!
Plot Summary: "Come to a new House Party where Kid, after a lifetime 'playing
the field,' falls in love and is about to get married. Playplans to throw the rockin'est
bachelor party ever - until Kid's three wise-crackin' nephews come to town, intent on
showing Kid and Play what parties are all about..." - Michael Oglesby, as quoted on
the Internet Movie Database.
Personal Reaction: Okay, I'll come clean. I haven't seen this one. But I imagine
that Kid spoils his relationship with his fiancé, and then the party helps them reconcile,
somehow. The punks aren't credited, so I imagine that these "wise-crackin' nephews" are
to blame for Kid's estrangement from his fiancé! It did gross $19,300,000 in the USA, so
it can't be all that bad.
There you have it. The
soundtrack is "kickin'", the lyrics are "fresh", and the moves are "outrageous"!