Comedy has real-life tinge of tragedy

Movie: "Soul Men"

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac

Director: Malcolm D. Lee

The story: Two long-estranged members of a '60s soul group reunite and hit the road to honor a recently deceased colleague at an Apollo Theater tribute.

The buzz: This comedy has a real-life tinge of tragedy due to the August death of co-star Bernie Mac and soul legend Isaac Hayes, who has a cameo in the movie and died the day after Mac. Director Malcolm D. Lee ("Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins") includes a few scenes of Mac performing some excerpts from his stand-up act (to warm up a crowd of extras on the film set) in the movie's closing credits to salute this fallen star.