What me amazes the most about this picture is the way filmmakers chose to tell both stories; they intercalate the adult boys happenings with old stories about their youth. The youth times are filled with everything a teenager has to face: fights in school, girls and their fears, the prom dance-- specially in the American culture)-, among others. If you are older than 20, you'll surely empathize with what those boys are into, and realize how those problems weren't that big if you look at them now. Also, you will see yourself in Taye Diggs' character, who feels scared about getting married when the day comes-- after all, which man on earth doesn't panic in that situation? Not only the good script is what makes this movie so pleasant; it is interpreted by a whole great cast, with highlights to Taye Diggs and Malinda Williams. "The Wood" also has a message of growing up, and facing life's challenges with integrity-- albeit showing that sometimes some words of friendship and encouragement are what we need to move on. More than that, we still have some spontaneous jokes from the professional cast, delivering some sincere laughs. The only bad thing about the movie is the poor photography direction-- or maybe it was the cable channel the one to take the blame. Congratulations!

Back In the Day Favorite Movies This movie was an absolute joy; one of the best black films I have seen in a long time. It definitely took me back to the days when all those great R&B songs were out and to my first crush and first boyfriend, etc. This movie just put together a whole bunch of good looking black people into a story that's not about violence or any kind of negativity, just pure fun; it's what life is all about for those of us who appreciate but can't fully relate to life in the hood. It was so much fun. I loved every minute of it. The story was great; the acting was convincing, the plot was realistic and it's a movie I will always think about with a huge grin on my face. Two thumbs way up in my book!

This is the type of film that you can just sit back and enjoy. The male leads(Diggs, Epps and Jones) have chemistry as well as their young counterparts. The plot is simple and easy to follow. Roland(Diggs) is about to get married, but chickens out and goes over an old girlfriends house instead.Then Mike(Epps) and Slim(Jones) are sent over there to go get him before the wedding. While getting him sobered up, Mike reminisced on when they first met. This movie is better than movies of the same theme(The Best Man, The Brothers, etc.) because the male leads are more likable and less one dimensional, although Rolands reasons for not wanting to get married aren't explained enough. Also, the girl that plays young Alicia is way too old for the role.Bottom line, the narrative by Epps is good and it's not riddled with stereotypes. Also, the 80's soundtrack is great and this is an entertaining movie. 7/10

"The Wood" tells two interleaved stories of three young black best friends in Inglewood, CA. The adult story takes place on the wedding day of one of the trio while the teen story takes place via flashback. One of a recent spate of films which get "real" and desensationalize the Afro-Am male by taking them out of the ghetto and sticking them in a middle-class environment, "The Wood" is sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, and always entertaining though it is not without its awkward moments. An okay watch for those into best-friends or coming-of-age comedies about black males. (B-)