When Madea’s (Perry) trouble-making antics land her behind bars, among the cast of characters she meets is Candy (Pulliam), a prostitute whose life is off-track and in need of the type of tough love that only Madea can provide.At long last, Madea returns to the big screen in TYLER PERRY’S MADEA GOES TO JAIL. This time America’s favorite irreverent, pistol-packin’ grandmomma is raising hell behind bars and lobbying for her freedom!

After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea (TYLER PERRY) in front of the judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the best of her and land her in jail. A gleeful Joe (TYLER PERRY) couldn’t be happier at Madea’s misfortune. But Madea’s eccentric family members the Browns (DAVID and TAMALA MANN) rally behind her, lending their special “country” brand of support.

Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway (DEREK LUKE) is on the fast track to career success. But Hardaway lands a case too personal to handle – defending young prostitute and former drug addict Candace Washington (KEISHA KNIGHT PULLIAM) – and asks his fiancée and fellow ADA Linda Holmes (ION OVERMAN) to fill in on his behalf. When Candace ends up in jail, Madea befriends the young woman, protecting her in a “motherly” way as only Madea can.

Though you can buy the stage version of this story on DVD at your grocery store, something tells me Tyler Perry is going to experience his biggest success here, since he’s back in hysteria-comedy mode (and in drags), with a fully grown Rudy Huxtable playing a streetwalker in the clink.

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, drug content, some violence and sexual situations.

Director: Tyler Perry
Stars: Tyler Perry, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: 20 February 2009 (USA)

NOTORIOUS is the story of CHRISTOPHER WALLACE who, through raw talent and sheer determination, transforms himself from a Brooklyn street hustler to become the greatest rapper of all time, THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. This story charts his meteoric rise to fame and his refusal to succumb to expectation and redefines our notion of “The American Dream.”

Apologies to George Tillman Jr., but unless John Singleton, Albert and Allen Hughes, or another filmmaker of their caliber had signed on to develop and direct this biography, what sort of service are you paying to Biggie’s legacy? Derek Luke as Puffy, Angela Bassett as Ms. Wallace, and Anthony Mackie as arch-nemesis Tupac are nice flourishes, I just wish the production hired more behind-the-camera talent, and at least considered a December release for an awards-qualifying run (they must already know the kind of film they have on their hands). Still, with all the posthumous praise, movies, Greatest Hits CDs and dorm room posters his West Coast rival rapper Tupac received, it’s about time Biggie got his big screen due. That strong supporting cast helps take the weight (put not intended) off newcomer Woolard, but judging by the first teaser trailer he looks like he owns this role.

Rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexuality including dialogue, nudity, and for drug content.

Director: George Tillman Jr.
Stars: Jamal Woolard, Anthony Mackie, Derek Luke, Angela Bassett
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: 16 January 2009 (USA)