"Jumping the Broom" is not coming to theaters until Mother's Day, but we have about 200 seats on reserve at the Rave University City 6, 4012 Walnut St. All you have to do is be among the first readers to send an e-mail to JumpingTheBroomPhilly@gmail.com. (Don't e-mail me personally, since the reservations will be handled by a third party.) Screening passes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. And even though we are guaranteeing seats, come early to ensure admittance.
Beginning at 6:30, representatives of the film will be set up in the lounge area giving out passes and, of course, Valentine's Day candy. And what's Valentine's Day without flowers, champagne and chocolate? We'll give away some as door prizes. The film is scheduled to start at 7:30, but make sure you're there at least an hour early so you won't be disappointed.
I'm pretty sure this is going to be a feel-good chick flick, but I've seen only the movie trailer (www.jumpingthe broom-movie.com). "Jumping the Broom" is about two families from different sides of the tracks, as they say, who meet in Martha's Vineyard for a weekend wedding. Picture an Ivy League-meets-around-the-way kind of culture clash: "The Watsons are upscale. The Taylors are down home. . . . They've got to learn to be one big happy family."
In one scene, the groom, played by Laz Alonso ("Stomp the Yard," "Jarhead"), defends his overbearing mother by saying, "If it wasn't for my mother, I wouldn't be the man you want to marry," to which the bride, played by actress Paula Patton ("Hitch," "Precious") shoots back, "If it wasn't for your mother, I wouldn't be questioning if you're the man I want to marry."
You can definitely tell where this movie is going, but I'm looking forward to seeing it, since the images are so beautiful. And I was pleasantly surprised by two other films from pastor T.D. Jakes, "Woman Thou Art Loosed" and "Not Easily Broken." Entertainment mogul Tracey E. Edmonds, as you may recall, brought us the 1997 film "Soul Food" and served as executive producer of "Soul Food: The Series." Edmonds and Jakes are co-producers on "Jumping the Broom," which should count for something. Hope to see you there.
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