"Sidewalks" has two reviews of the Will Ferrell film, which opened nationwide on August 4, 2006.

MOVIE REVIEW #1 by Sidewalks' Justin Langston

Do you like NASCAR racing? Do You like Will Ferrell? Would you like to see a film staring Will Ferrell about NASCAR racing? Fans will want to race to the theaters to see this "Days of Thunder" on laughing gas comedy. In this hilarious flick, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” Will Ferrell is the famous and infamous Ricky Bobby.

As a young boy, all Ricky wanted to do was to become a race car driver and go fast just like his dear old dad Reese Bobby (Gary Cole, “The Brady Bunch Movie”). He finally realizes his dream, while working on a pit crew as a "jackman", for driver Terry Cheveaux (Adam McKay). Terry takes himself out of the race, during a pit stop, for a bathroom break and a chicken sandwich. Needing a new driver to finish the race, Ricky's gets behind-the-wheel and his dream was born.

This is Will Ferrell's first starring role; he also has a hand in writing and producing the movie along side writer/producer/director/actor Adam McKay who has a love for NASCAR.

Ferrell is followed by an all-star cast which includes John C. Reilly (“Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator”) who plays teammate and incompetent best friend of Ricky Bobby. Reilly is right at home in comedies and does his character justice, with stupid one liners and a hillbilly attitude. Reese Bobby (Cole) is the runaway bum of a father figure, trying to "steer" Ricky in the right direction and whips him into shape to get back in the driver’s seat once again. It's pretty unusual to see Michael Clarke Duncan (“The Green Mile,” “Sin City”) in a comedic role since most of his previous films are dramas. Duncan plays Lucius Washington, a pit crew chief that supports Ricky Bobby at any cost. He does a decent job though he could use some pointers from the pros. Greg Germann (TV’s “Ally McBeal”) is the cunning Larry Dennit Jr., who plots to sabotage Ricky by bringing in a new driver, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen, TV’s "Da Ali G Show" and movie “Ali G Indahouse”). Molly Shannon (“Saturday Night Live,” “Super Star”) has an almost forgettable role as wife of Larry Dennit, Jr.

If you're a serious race fan, the racing scenes are fast enough to satisfy even the most enthusiastic race fanatic. Over all this is Will Ferrell's funniest since "Old School" and will stand up with its competition like "Little Man". A go see.

MOVIE REVIEW #2 by Sidewalks' executive producer Richard R. Lee

Assuming you already read Justin Langston’s review of “Talladega Nights,” I won’t go into details about the cast.

I have to admit I’m almost a 40-year old virgin when it comes to Will Ferrell’s movies. I never seen him in the films “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Old School,” but I found him laughable during his years on NBC's “Saturday Night Live.” I had no advance expectation on how or if Ferrell could carry a movie on his own.

The newly-leaned Ferrell does a good job in playing wannabe racer Ricky Bobby, who wanted to follow in his deadbeat dad’s (played by Gary Cole) career as a racer. This movie could have easily played as a drama, but since this is a Will Ferrell movie, comedy it is with many one-liners and silly gimmicks to keep the film moving.

The beginning of the film saw Ricky getting his chance to go behind-the-wheel in a race after the driver (played by the film’s co-writer and director Adam McKay) decides to take a long pit stop with a delicious chicken sandwich. Ricky’s first semi-race was a success, and he soon finds himself the talk of the town in the NASCAR circuit. Ricky’s rise to fame came suddenly with a new personal lifestyle that includes money, a big house, a wife (the beautiful Leslie Bibb, best known for the TV series “Popular” and currently NBC's "Crossing Jordan") and two bad mouthed kids (named Walker and Texas Ranger, played by Houston Tumlin and Grayson Russell). Ricky’s childhood friend, the sometime clueless Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), continues to be by Ricky’s side through all of this as a pit stop worker and fellow driver.

As the film progress, Ricky begins to lose his rich and comfortable world: the owner’s son (Greg Germann), who despised Ricky, hires another hotshot driver, gay Frenchman Jean Girard (the film’s scene stealer Sacha Baron Cohen); Ricky has a serious crash that makes him scared to drive fast; Ricky losing his wife to best bud Cal; and Ricky moving -- with kids in tow -- back to his mother’s (Jane Lynch) house and taking a job a pizza delivery boy (or in this case, man).

The middle of the film moves a little slow. Scenes with Ferrell becoming so-called paralyzed in a wheel chair and his fears of driving do not have much impact. Additionally, the character of Ricky’s father, who carries a beer in almost every scene, is so one dimensional that it looks like any TV show episode when a loved one returns into someone’s life (“I wasn’t there for you because…”). The ending is stronger with a couple of surprises that were not expected.

The movie has great NASCAR racing scenes. The action is quick, and the special effects make the actors look like they are behind the wheel (except for Cohen’s scenes when he drinking tea or reading a book while racing). To make the film feel realistic, advertisers and hundreds of product placement get their face time in this film, too (restaurant chain Applebee’s gets major acknowledgements), as well as FOX's, ESPN's and NBC's on-air announcers getting their chance to call the action in the booth and on the track.

Ferrell’s and Reilly’s best friends relationship and the appearance of Cohen’s Girard are the strongest part of the film’s characters. Ferrell’s sons are hilarious with the vulgarity, and Bibb is great to look at (as well as Amy Adams, who plays assistant Susan, especially during a restaurant scene. Makeup does make a difference sometimes). Unfortunately, cameos appearances by “Saturday Night Live’s” Molly Shannon and Conan O’Brien’s former sidekick Andy Richter are wasted in the film.

Off hand, don't leave the film so quickly when the end credits appear. There are hilarious blooper scenes and silly standups from the cast.

Overall, if you are looking for a good laugh, this film won’t make you feel like you lost $40 (assuming you buy two adult tickets and two large popcorn and drinks). Go to the theatre to see the great racing scenes (and, for some of you, the chance to see Ferrell in his jockeys not once – but twice) on the big screen. If not, buy or rent the DVD when it comes out. You won't waste 105 minutes of your life.

Production: Sony Pictures
Rated: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language, drug references and brief comic violence
Directed by: Adam McKay
Written by: Will Ferrell and Adam McKay
Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Gary Cole, Michael Clarke Duncan

England born singer Corinne Bailey Rae is making her way in this musical world of manufactured groups and singers.

With veteran artists like Nora Jones, Nelly Furtado and Joss Stone, who are already commanding a huge audience, how will the song writer / guitarist from across the ocean, keep her head above water?

Her self titled debut album has already spawned two singles "Trouble Sleeping" and the playful, hit single "Put Your Records On", which has listeners buzzing both overseas and here in the states. Corinne herself describes her sound as soulful, though at first listen, her sound is more earthy and organic than simply soulful. When you think soul, most think of the original "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin or Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, but here's what distinguishes Corinne Bailey Rae from the rest of the typical soul singer (not that the singer mentioned above are "run of mill"). Her cutesy, raspy voice is soothing to the ear, yet bares just enough soul to compete with today’s heavy hittin' soul singers.

Song writing is top notch and Corinne's guitar playing demands to be heard. Corinne Bailey Rae's album is not heavily reliant on synthesized sounds, nor is it concerned with computerized instrumentation, and because of that, the album is simply clean sounding and has some breathing room to it. This album is an essential part of the ever-changing scene of music today. And Corinne Bailey Rae will help shape the way we think about soul music for the coming years. A much needed album these days.

-----

CORINNE IN CONCERT (added August 1, 2006)

Corinne takes her audience to church in a live concert performance at Bimbo's 365 club in San Francisco on Thursday, July 27, 2006.

Two opening acts started out the evening, stoking up the crowd who wait in anticipation for Corinne Bailey Rae to appear. They finish with a somewhat warm response from listeners. Nearly an hour passed. And like in some foggy dream, Corinne enters a smoke glazed stage. Immediately she has the audience in her spell. She begins the set with one of her hit singles "Trouble Sleeping", and fans follow suit singing along with her. She has them right where she wants them. The crowd shouts "we love you Corrine" as she smiles and laughs a little, responding to them "I love you too".

Still commanding the stage and her audience, Corinne goes on to play her hit single "Put Your Records On". The entire club moved their bodies to the soulful sounds. You could literally feel what she was singing; you couldn't help but feel the rhythms. Corinne Bailey Rae doesn't speak much, but with some sweet giggles, she is able to explain the inspiration behind her music and the meaning of her songs. Then she expresses her love for San Francisco.

Several songs in, and the concert is coming to a close. Corinne plays her last song, or so we thought. She exits the stage with grace, but the crowd wasn't letting her go. They began to chant, shout and clap for an encore. A few minutes later the band returns to the stage. Corinne plays her last and most haunting song also the last song on her album "Seasons Change". Corinne leaves her fans in awe. She gives a wonderful performance. It's not to be missed.

Christina Aguilera has far surpassed her counterparts like Britney Spears, Mandy Moore, and Jessica Simpson, and her voice is far superior. Additionally, she's pretty damn sexy as well. Her new single "Ain't No Other Man" is a far cry from "Genie in a Bottle". "Ain't No Other Man" will have a significant impact on the slumping pop queen category and will by far cause the rest to go back to the drawing board.

Teaming up with high profile producers D.J. Premier and Charles Roane, these two and Christina have produced a track that's vast becoming the hottest thing around and the album hasn't even been released yet. Working with D.J. Premier was a choice of Christina's, this is because of his influence on the hip-hop world, producing hits for artists like Notorious B.I.G., Gang Starr, Nas, KRS-One, and the list goes on. Both Christina and D.J. Premier have a love for early jazz, soul and the blues, from the 20's 30's and 40's, and they've applied these forms to her new album, with no title at this moment. (The CD is due to be released late summer early fall).

Mixing hip-hop and jazz just as D.J. Premier with the previous artists mentioned above, their chemistry is fantastic and the two have provided the pop music genre with something to reckon with. Look for the album this fall.

("Sidewalks" Executive Producer Note: Christina Aguilera's video for "Ain't No Other Man" can be seen on "Sidewalks: Video Nite" episode VN#442 ("TGK"))

Yessurr !!

They call him Skateboard P. a.k.a Pharrell Williams (one half of the Neptunes) producer extraordinaire and his solo album "In My Mind" is slick as snot. Pharrell rhymes so vividly over his trademark beats, but those beats are not your typical Neptunes beats. Pharrell has really branched out here, sounding fresher than ever, distinguishing himself from the artists he produces, such as his partner in crime Chad Hugo, his N.E.R.D projects, and the rest of the everyday rapper you hear on the radio.

There's not a track on the "In My Mind" that will cause you to press the skip button. Thus making this album one of the most original rap/R&B albums since Run D.M.C.'s "Walk This Way" featuring Aerosmith. Skateboard P. comes out smelling like a rose on this one, not recycling any of his tracks or beats. Oh!!! Did I mention the all-star cast Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Pusha T? The list goes on. Whatcha still sittin' there for.... go get the album.