'Tha Carter IV' sounds like Lil Wayne's star fading
REVIEW - Instantly striking is just how flat Wayne comes off. While the content and subject matter is nearly identical to his past hits, the energy and passion that sold it before is absent...
Can 'The Help' win over black audiences?
REVIEW - Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer create characters worth watching, people who you root for until the very end...
Hip-hop's reigning duo keep crown on 'Throne'
REVIEW - Together, the two kick out perfectly pompous bars that are at times shockingly grandiose -- which for them is hard to do...
'Beats, Rhymes & Life': A Tribe Called Quest tribute
REVIEW - The film makes an earnest effort to give the legendary hip-hop quartet its props, while critically looking at reasons for the band's breakup...
UN admits South Sudan as 193rd member
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The African nation, which gained independence Saturday, became the U.N.'s 193rd member by acclamation Thursday...
Curt Flood film gives baseball hero his due
REVIEW - I can only imagine what would professional sports would be like without Curtis Flood...
'Square Grouper': New film high on 70s pot smugglers
REVIEW - One thing 'Square Grouper' does exceptionally well is explain the significant economic and cultural impact marijuana can have on a community or country...
Why album '4' isn't make or break for Beyoncé
REVIEW - Beyoncé is flash and substance -- something you don't see much of in pop music -- and she delivers best on stage...
Jill Scott sees the ‘Light’ with strong new album
REVIEW - Given the sheer amount of drama packed into the last several years of Ms. Scott's life, it's no surprise that 'The Light of the Sun' reflects much of that existential turbulence...
'Jumping the Broom' will sweep audiences off their feet
REVIEW - 'Jumping the Broom' is in the tradition of 'The Best Man', 'Love and Basketball', 'Why Did I Get Married?' -- if you love black love, you will love this movie...
