Martin's new stand-up movie:

[Sugar_N_Spice]

I saw the movie and thought it was funny, but no where near as funny as "You So Crazy". OS of the jokes were a bit much for my taste though, esp. at the end (I'm scarred for life, y'all!)...But, I'm glad to see Martin back on his feet, learning from his mistakes, and moving on with his life...

I think BB2 and BS2 will be funny. But I'm about the potential plot for BMH2 also...

[Bamboozled]

Still Going Strong! : An Interview with Martin Lawrence
Interviewed by Wilson Morales
Blackfilm.com

Not many people realize this, but comedian-actor Martin Lawrence has been one of the most profitable actors for studios to date. His first comedy concert film "You So Crazy" was a moneymaker for Savoy Pictures back in '94. "A Thin Line Between Love & Hate" was the second biggest picture for New Line Cinema in '96 and "Bad Boys" with Will Smith was the highest grossing picture for Sony Pictures in '95. Martin has had more hits since then as well as a few flops like "Black Knight". He also went through personal issues that almost ended his life. Now he's back to tackles those issues and tells the world what really went down in a new comedy concert film, RUNTELDAT.

WM: Is this your chance to put your own spin on your stuff?
ML: No question. In a comedic way.

WM: Did you get everything in the story that you wanted to get?
ML: I think so, for as much as I can get in ninety minutes. I guess; but it was a lot of fun. To be able to tell this story and not in an angry way. I'm very thankful.

WM: When you decided to do your concert film, how difficult was it knowing that you were throwing in part of your life in there?
ML: Well, it was difficult in the sense knowing that I had to go back and relive it. It's one thing to go through everything that I've been through and then get past it and you've moved on doing movies, whatever. But to go on and do standup and to go back in and get out the paper clippings and the news reports and all these things of yourself. It's kind of hard thing to go through, but it was very therapeutic for me because it reminded me and gave me some understanding and humbled me to a degree of saying "wow, that was you that been through it." And the best thing about now is that you have now to get yourself together.

WM: Tell me how you are able to do this, because some performers, they hate the press?
ML: I don't like the press either. But, not all press. I like the
good press. I like the people that report accurately. There are
talented, honest anchors out there and journalists that I have a
great deal of respect for and we need them. They are the ones that help shape the consciousness, the pulse of a lot of us; a lot of people in a good way. But the ones who sensationalize bullshit and just run around and talk negatively and misinform people and don't do all their work, I have no respect for them. I think they are the scums of the earth. That's why this movie is called "Runteldat". A lot of them with their hatred and their hateful words in trying to knock somebody down are the same people who didn't want me to be here and wouldn't want me sitting at this table and talking about this movie and things like that. So, while they're thinking that we wouldn't be here, we're still here and "Runteldat" is about to drop.

WM: Has your comedy changed much since you quit doing drugs?
ML: I don't think it has. When you say doing drugs ... I smoked a joint. You make it like a m*therf*cker was freebasing or some sh*t! God has blessed me for it to be just as sharp or just as funny, I believe as is it has always been. I thank God I haven't lost that.

WM: How come you do the comedy films instead of the HBO specials?
ML: Because this is a movie. This is the American Dream. This is like for anybody that has been down and got up, this is what this film is. This is not just a cable/comedy special. This has a lot of heart, it's honest and it's more honest than a lot of non-fictional movies that are productions that are put together. This is one man on stage coming from an honest place but giving you a comedic perspective on things from my opinion. That's why I say "Runteldat". People are quick to talk about the negativity, but when it's positive, I don't hear people running that around too much. So, "Runteldat." This is positive, it's funny. I laughed as I was dealing with the marketing of this movie. I drove around one night and I was looking for the poster and I had to go over to the Black area, the "urban" area, and I see a poster here and there. So, I asked the marketing people why don't you have it up in the suburbs, the white areas. The said "no, this is for the Black people, this is going to get your audience, the Black people." I'm going, this is not just a Black movie, this movie is for everybody. So, please, I hope you all tell that story.

WM: Talk to me a little bit about the process of transferring
material that was sort of personal and hurtful to you into comedy and can you really laugh about stuff?
ML: I mean you laugh to a certain degree. The laughter sometimes is just part of the masquerade of the pain. But, if it can help me to understand a road that I don't want to travel again, or something I don't ever want to go through again then it's necessary. It's needed for me to be able to find a comedy spin on it and find a way to laugh. I can't ask for other people to laugh if I'm not laughing myself.

WM: After all you've been through with the movie and personal issues, what has helped you keep ground, you mentioned your family, what else besides that has helped you stay focused?
ML: My spiritual side of things, my perspective of that. Really it's my family and friends and my appreciation and not taking things for granted that just helped me to understand that it is what it is. Life is what it is. When we finish this interview, we'll all get up and go on about our merry ways. It is what it is. You work hard to have good days and a good life.

WM: What's next?
ML: What's next? I have a movie coming out with Steve Zahn called "National Security" which is an action comedy. But it's very funny and Steve is a good guy to work with. He's a white guy, but I call him "brother". I say brother `cause he's so cool. He's one of the most talented guys out there. And then I leave in August with Will Smith, Big Willie. We head to Miami to start filming "Bad Boys II" along with Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. I say this time and time again, but I'm excited about this movie. To do this again after so many years; everybody kinda went off and had their own success and
to come back and see everybody after all these years, it's great. I'm anxious to see if somebody's going to show up to the set with an ascot on. But this is not a movie, but an event, so you all might want to get up on that one.

WM: Do you have a funny story from the road doing the comedy tour?
ML: We had a lot of fun and they just showed me a lot of love and I was real appreciative of them coming out and not being so judgmental, but just really willing to have a good time and embrace me and what I had to say.

[pinkey08]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
I went and saw it Monday so that there would be less folks in the audience and yall I was the ONLY soul in the theatre.


It definitely was not as funny as his old Def JAm stuff. Was it me or did it lag @ times? I was sitting there like claaaaaawd. It might have helped @ this point to have some of the colored coalition in the theater with me because I was worried I was going to fall asleep at times.

Yeah there were like 4 funny parts but that walking ( I really thought it was just me who wondered why he kept walking and running) distracted me.

His social/political commentary threw me. To me Chris Rock is like the PERFECT social/political comedian.

I did enjoy the Jesse Jackson crack w/in the MLK skit as well as the crime scene and parts of his whole bouts with the police.

I guess I am just really used to Ced's comedy now but I enjoy Martin in movies.

I am waiting for Bad Boys 2 and I believe there will be a Blue Streak 2. . . I hope he does NOT do sequels for every movie.

I agree with you, it was cool but it wasn't all that funny. I was ready to go.
________
YOUPORN

[AKA2D '91]

I picked it up today. It's okay, but I would prefer to see his antics on "Martin".

I laughed, but it wasn't ALL THAT.

[2Tuff2Quit]

See now, I don't know about him and Will Smith doing another bad boys. When they did the first one they were both at almost the same levels in their career, and they were both hilarious in it. Now they are both in two totally different playing fields as far as their careers. Will is a big time actor gettin paid millions for each picture. And to be honest Martin has not been the money maker at the box office since Bad Boys. Big Mama's House was aight, Life was funny, but mainly because of Eddie Murphy. Either way he wasn't as funny as he used to be. Ever since Martin fell off for a lil bit, he comedy hasn't been the same. He was the funniest in the earlier Martin episodes and in Bad Boys. I clare if he plays one more cop... It just seems to me like if they did Bad Boys 2 UNLESS Martin is coming with the same intensity and comical style that he had in the first one, that Will will be carrying alot of the movie and having Martin just there as a side kick recycling the same kinda stuff he has done in the last couple of movies. I just hope they have good writers, and they find their chemistry again. It has been so long since they have worked together. I mean win or lose Will is going to have another big time movie waiting for him, but this could be Martins chance to get himself back out their and break out of the stereotypical "Martin" roles that he has been taking so far. I have "You So Crazy" on tape and I LOVE IT!, but lately I can't watch him, cuz it just isn't the same. I feel as if he is playing the fool in most of these movies. Taking the comedic roles that the other black comedians don't want(and for good reason..they suck).I want the old Martin back with the edge....that's all

"I had told Craig an nem that I was gon kick it with them. SORRY. See ya when I see ya"
"CCCrazy DAAA-Ranged"
"YO MY MAN, give her two slices of cheese!"