The Gospel (2005)

David (Boris Kodjoe) is a successful R&B singer who is drawn back home after his father Fred (Clifton Powell), a bishop of a church, takes ill. David has been estranged from his dad since the death of his mom 15 years before. David had accused Fred of not being there for him or his mother due to Fred's devotion to the church. David's return is not met with gladness by everyone, in particular his boyhood friend Charles (Idris Elba), and a choir member named Rain (Tamyra Gray). Rain has doubts about David's relationship with the Lord.

Charles (Idris Elba), is elevated to head pastor, but all is not well. The church needs money to continue operating. Charles and his wife Charlene (Nona Gaye), are having martial problems revolving around a health issue that she has. Minister Hunter (Donnie McClurkin) was expecting to be named the head pastor, and he's resentful of Charles. It also seems that the feeding of Charles' ego is more important that preaching the gospel.

This story is basically the prodigal son story from the Bible, updated to modern times. If you are familiar with that story, you already know the end of the movie. The beginning scenes play like several music videos. I understand the selling point of the movie was the music (and it is great by Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond and others), but I would have liked to get into the story much faster. The progression of David back to his church roots wasn't made very clear.

Donnie McClurkin is a best selling contemporary Gospel artist, and he doesn't do a bad acting job here. Boris Kodjoe appeared in Madea's Family Reunion (2006). Idris Elba was a rival gangster to Denzel Washington in American Gangster (2007). He is British, but does a good American accent. Omar Gooding, who appears here as the manager of Kodjoe's character, is the brother of Oscar-winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. Nona Gaye's dad was the late, great Marvin Gaye. Tamyra Gray was a contestant on "American Idol". Radio personalities Myra J, Tom Joyner and Miss Dupree have cameos.

Obsessed (2009)

Everything is going well for asset manager Derek (Idris Elba). He and his wife Sharon (Beyonce Knowles) have just moved into a new house. They have a cute kid named Kyle (Nathan and Nicolas Myers). Derek is up for a promotion at his job. Then temporary worker Lisa (Ali Larter) shows up.

It's clear from the get-go that Lisa likes Derek. We soon learn that Lisa's feelings about Derek are way over the top. After Derek rebuffs Lisa's sexual advances during an office Christmas party, he thinks that's the end of the matter. But Lisa's antics become more bold. When Lisa attempts suicide, Sharon instantly suspects Derek of cheating on her. Resse (Christine Lahti), a police detective, is also not believing Derek's claims of innocence. He is in danger of losing everything, not only at home, but at work. Lisa leaves town, but just when Derek thinks the nightmare is over, it begins again.

If you've seen Fatal Attraction (1987), you've seen this movie. The only difference is that the married couple victimized by the stalker is African-American. Beyonce has more to do in her role than she has had in her previous films. I liked how she stepped up to quash the nonsense that Larter's character was putting out. I couldn't help but think that's how a lot of African-American women I know -- including myself -- would have handled that. However, the trailer gives away the ending, and the plot follows a predictable path.

Idris Elba, who's from England, has appeared in several films including American Gangster (2007). He does a good American accent. Ms. Knowles is primarily a singer, but has added acting to her resume in prior films such as Dreamgirls (2006) and The Fighting Temptations (2003). Ms. Larter is a cast member on the sci-fi series "Heroes". Ms. Lahti was a cast member on "Chicago Hope" (1995-1999). Jerry O'Connell (Stand By Me, 1986) and Bruce McGill (Animal House, 1978) also appear in the film.

This Christmas (2007)

The Whitfield family comes together for the holiday, but there are so many secrets being hid. MaDear (Loretta Devine) covers up that she's been living with Joe Black (Delroy Lindo), a deacon at the church she attends. Quentin (Idris Elba), a musician, had to scram from Chicago because he owes big money to a bookie. Claude (Christopher Short) has secretly wed. Lisa's (Regina King) husband Malcom (Laz Moore) has put her up to suggesting to the family that they sell MaDear's cleaning business for reasons of which Lisa is not fully aware. The youngest Whitfield son, Baby (Chris Brown) is hiding a dream of his from everybody. Meanwhile, career woman Kelli hides her heart from an admirer, Gerald (Mekhi Phifer).

Unlike a lot of holiday-themed film, this movie is not overly sappy and sentimental. There are plot devices that you see coming from a mile away, but you forgive them because the characters are likeable. I especially liked Lindo's character, a stand-up guy. Chris Brown, who is known as a singer, does well in his role.

Ms. Devine was one of the original Dreamgirls in the Broadway musical of the same name. Idris Elba is originally from the U.K.; he played a bad guy in American Gangster (2007). Mekhi Phifer appeared in the remake of Shaft (2000) and he was in Soul Food (1997). Regina King played Cuba Gooding Jr.'s wife in Jerry Maguire (1996), and as a kid, she was a regular on the TV sitcom "227" (1985-1990).