Joyful Noise

Move over, Sister Act, Joyful Noise is full of fun, laughs and music that will have you grinning from ear to ear. The film brings gospel and country together by uniting singer-actresses Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, who fit together just as delightfully as peanut butter and jelly.

The film begins with the church choir that Vi Rose Hill (Latifah) and G.G. Sparrow (Parton) belong to, losing their director to a heart attack. When Vi Rose is assigned the position of choir director, an unmistakable tension arises between herself and G.G. This tension is maximized when G.G.'s rebellious grandson Randy (Jeremy Jordan) arrives in town and takes a quick interest in Vi Rose's daughter Olivia (Keke Palmer).

The choir is working hard to win the national choir competition so they can put their small town on the map, but winning will require the group to trust Randy's modern, upbeat style of music, but stubborn Vi Rose is not so trustworthy.

The small town in which the characters live is alive with romantic energy, troubles and diversity among the families which adds many twists to the plot, including the appearance of  Vi Rose's absent husband (Jesse L. Martin). Not to mention the phenomenal collaboration of two of country music's greatest icons, Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson, for one of the songs.

You don't have to be religious or only into gospel or country music to enjoy this film – it does a good job of making Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Usher, to name a few, sound simply heavenly. The title of this film says it all: if you want a good laugh and a fantastic soundtrack, go see this film.

(Warner Bros.)

- Catherine Klug