MOVIE REVIEW | ‘Top Five’ Is Comedic Yet Intriguing Aleigha Nicole! What does a comedian do when he no longer feels funny?! And to think I was getting bored during the first hour of Top Five… Chris Rock found a way to keep me entertained. Top Five, written, directed and starring Chris Rock, is a semi-autobiography of the comedian/ actor. The movie centers comedian, Andre Allen (Rock) whose comedic career is going down the drain. Shunning away from embarrassing quick paycheck films like Hammy the Bear, he’s a recovering alcoholic trying to make it as a serious actor. He’s also engaged to superficial reality star, Erica Long (Gabrielle Union) who tries to talk him into getting married on her Bravo TV show. After a run in with the law (and DMX), it’s not until he debuts his first sober stand up on stage and wows everyone, including himself. The comedic yet intriguing story takes place over a course of one long day in New York City on the opening day of his desperate role in Uprize! Some scenes deal with flashbacks of Andre’s past—including his weird run-in, in ’03, with his handler, Jazzy Dee (Cedric the Entertainer) who provides him with drugs, liquor and women willing do any repulsive thing he asks. Snapping back to 2014, his new movie brings him to the interest of canny NY Times journalist, Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) who’s yearning to do a profile on the star. As they walk through the streets of the city that never sleeps, Chelsea gets Andre to do some serious soul searching. The two are hit with many plot twists that you don’t want to miss! Rock did an amazing job with determining the cast. The film includes a plethora of celebrities, more than two hands can count. From Kevin Hart to Adam Sandler and Whoopi Goldberg, your “Top Five” just may be featured in this movie. Top Five introduced me with few laughs but left me in awe and gave me a better impression than the previews. If this movie is anyway similar to Rock’s real career, his want to be taken as a serious actor has me sold! This movie is more than just laughs, and although it’s very predictable, the movie captured me with a huge smile in the end.