It's Black Music Month, And the "church girl" in me wants to talk about Gospel Music. The movie god of Sister Act 2 & The Fighting Temptations blessed us with another tale about redemption via choir competitions. The movie is called Praise This. It's a Peacock Original about Sam (played by Chloe Bailey) who was taken to Atlanta, Georgia by her father due to getting in trouble with the law in Los Angeles and is forced to join the Praise Team at church as punishment for getting caught lying to her Aunt and Uncle. And yes, there are some Good, Bad & Diva (shout out to Andre of Black Nerd Comedy) moments in this one. Let's see about them, Ok.
The Good:
The most popular acting names in this movie are Chloe Bailey & Tristan Mack Wilds (PG) So, it was refreshing to see faces that are associated with Gospel & Rap comfortably stand toe to toe with them. 
I want to see Quavo (Ty), Jekalyn Carr (KiKi), and Koryn Hawthorne (Fallon) in more roles. They were fun to watch. This movie is a redemption tale but that was not the only lesson taught
- Being a Truly Nice Person
- Grace & Mercy
- Teamwork
- Loyalty
- Unity
and the main character is the only one learning them. "There could be a room full of baddies, but there is still going to be a weirdo". ~Slim Let's talk about that weirdo aka my favorite character in Praise This, Jess. 
In another reality in the Metaverse, my biological name acts like Jess. She is unapologetically herself no matter what the hockey puck others may think or say. She stole the show. The music is great. There is a little love/attraction for the BHM, Big Handsome Man in the movie. The ladies loved Aaron (played by Druski) There are traditional Gospel songs, Rap music, & Rap & R&B music flipped with Gospel lyrics. Can Chloe Bailey do an album flipping music covers? This a story that gives a glance at the lives of the kind of church girls (and boys) that Beyonce sang about. They aren't pretending to be perfect Christians. They are just living a believable Christian lie.
The Bad:
This movie obviously concluded by making the viewers feel there has to be a sequel. I mean there is "wanting more" and there is "unfinished" in cinema finales. 
The movie ended unfinished. In the 3rd act, a character makes a dating confession and the movie gave us ellipses when an easy period could've been placed in the end with a wink or peck on the cheek. (Oh if they do make a sequel, can we also get a particular bodyguard to admit his attraction to the non-baddie in the room) Also, Mental Health Therapy is referenced but not seen practiced. 4 characters live in a home of a psychologist. We see some of them sing, paint, party, & pray but no counseling. 
The writers could have just been shown as church folks and never referenced to their jobs. I know their behaviors personalities had to help explain the actions of the singing teams. But the pastors' interactions, "beef", & snark was annoying.
The Diva:
"You're not serving a look?" made me cackle. It had to be said. Because one character's choice of wardrobe was too on the nose for me. 
I was over the thot knots but preferred the fun jumpsuit and tucked-in fitted tees. And I want Jess's cat jumper made with books for myself. Now, there was one competing group called The Promise Ringtones whose dresses got 10s across this blog's board every time. They were cute, current, and still showed some skin.
And who let the Prodigal Bros in the competition? I would've had to bind the spirit of lust in Jesus' name from my heart & other parts at every performance they were at. Gosh, they were handsome. *wink*
Praise This is a fun movie. Happy to add it to the list with The Fighting Temptations & the Sister Act series. 
Who has seen Praise This? What did you think? What would you like a sequel? And what would like the plot to be? Alrighty, Praise Him!
As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!
