I have to admit, I look forward to taking road trips if for nothing else than to experience peaceful open highways and munch on a good piece or two of fried chicken. My kids, on the other hand, tire quickly after solving word puzzles, playing license plate games and counting cows on the side of the road. Sooner or later, the mantra comes in unison, “Are We There Yet?” And so I begin my call-and-response, “No baby, not yet, now take a nap.”

For any parent to survive a road trip, it takes the four “P’s” – planning, patience, prayer and punishment threats. The final “P” rule is for siblings who call it quits on their truce, and are slapping, pinching and punching one another as you’re zooming down the highway.

Such situations are heavily compared to what playboy Nick, played by rapper/actor Ice Cube, encounters in the film "Are We There Yet?" In hopes of getting in good with divorcée Suzanne (Nia Long), Nick agrees to drive 300 miles from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, Canada with her two children for a holiday visit. Though Nick thinks this trip is a “no brainer,” Suzanne’s kids have other plans.

For fiery 11-year-old Lindsey (Aleisha Allen) and her rambunctious 7-year-old brother, Kevin (Philip Daniel Bolden), no man is good enough for their mom. Nick’s tricked-out Navigator goes from a “bomb” vehicle to one that looks like it’s been bombed by the end of the trip. Unlike most campy family films, "Are We There Yet?" adds flavor and edgy humor, guaranteeing more giggles from all ages.

“I just knew that putting the personality like myself with a couple of kids was funny,” says Ice Cube when asked what prompted him to take the role in his first family film. He says that while he’s offered a lot of roles, he hadn’t seen a good script offering this much humor in a way that black audiences could relate to. “I like neighborhood comedies and dramas about the world that I grew up in--- 'Boyz-N-The-Hood,' 'Friday,' ''Barbershop,' 'All About the Benjamins.' Those are the kinds of films that really appeal to me and the people that I know and grew up around,” explains the actor, who also served as co-producer for "Are We There Yet?."

Since Cube’s first film in 1991, "Boyz-N-The-Hood," he has appeared in nearly 25 films, and has grown into a producer and director. Through Cube Vision, the star has produced the "Barbershop" and "Friday" film franchises, as well as the upcoming film "Beauty Shop." As an accomplished actor, Cube’s next role is playing secret agent Darius Stone in the "XXX" sequel, "XXX: State of the Union." The married father of four says because black power in Hollywood is still not where it should be, not many black producers have “green light” juice when it comes to making films. And, black actors still have limited choices of the film roles offered. However, Cube continues to be a box office hit with his latest, "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" grossing over $66.1 million.

One actress making the right choices is Nia Long. Choosing to act opposite one of her favorite actors, Ice Cube, Long says was an easy decision. “I just adore Cube. He’s real smart and has really grown as an artist,” says Long, who plays good girl cop Sasha Monroe on the NBC crime drama, "Third Watch." The busy actress has since earned an NAACP Image Award for that role.

Playing the role of a divorcée single parent was also an easy fit for Long. After ending a long-term relationship, Long has taken on the real-life role of single parenting her 4-year-old son, Massai, whose name means “warrior” in Swahili. She and Massai are bi-coastal with homes both in New York and L.A. Long was born in New York and moved to Iowa City, Iowa, as a child before moving to California with her schoolteacher mom, who is also a single parent.

Accepting the role of Suzanne in "Are We There Yet?" also offered Long another prime opportunity to bring along Massai to the set. During shooting in Vancouver, Massai and the other kids on the set went on “field trips” to the aquarium, zoo and nearby parks. Massai plays her nephew on "Third Watch." Long says it’s a juggle to create a schedule that ensures Massai attends school, works on the set and also has “mommy time.” Though Long had an opportunity to star opposite Jude Law in the film Alfie, she admits that it’s tough making career sacrifices that cause her to be separated from Massai. In Alfie, Long worked on what she calls an “emotionally-grinding” two-month film schedule, but says the film gave her an opportunity to test her acting chops on a colorful dramatic role.

“While it’s not a film that my son is old enough to see or understand, it’s one that I was intrigued by and wanted to explore,” she says. One of the busiest black female actors in the business, Long considers herself blessed with the roles that have come her way. “I know when to trust my instincts and have faith in the decisions about the roles that I take. It takes a lot of thought and a lot of faith.”

Playing opposite Ice Cube in "Are We There Yet?" is also a blessing for moviegoers looking to see a good black family film. Buckle up for the ride of your life. "Are We There Yet?" is rated PG for “language and rude humor.”



Angela D. Scott lives in the Los Angeles area and is the Special Sections Editor, L.A. Parent. This professional writer is a single mother of two daughters, Shani and Samara.