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Reviews
Bringing Down the House (2003)
The most offensive movie in years...
I am an African-American who enjoys comedies of all kinds, including off-color, semi-racial comedy. But this movie was anything but funny.
The premise and plot of the movie were not bad. But what made the movie offensive was Queen Latifa acting like "Aunt Tomisina". After a great performance in "Chicago", how could she accept this role? And she is the Executive Producer?
What put the movie over the top was the dinner scene where "The Queen" was serving the family and their guest in a maid costume. She should have worn an "Aunt Jamima" costume, scarf in all. And then the old woman began singing a slave song. Ughhhhh!
Finally, the most offensive thing is reading these reviews. People are calling this movie "a great family comedy". Is this how white people think of us? Lazy, shiftless ex-cons. Watch Spike Lee's "Bamboozled". This movie makes Spike's point.
Chicago (2002)
Great movie!!!
I did not think I would like this movie. I am an African-American male who loves car chases, sports and explosions. "Chicago" was by far the most entertaining movie I've ever seen, period. I found myself tapping my feet and bobbing my head to the great music. The plot was average, at best. But the acting carried this movie. And when I found out that each of the actors/actresses sang their own songs, I was even more impressed. Oscars all around!!! 10 out of 10.
25th Hour (2002)
Good, not great...
***Spoliers herein*** I think "25th Hour" is a good, but not great movie. There are three parts that I did not understand:
1)Again Spike Lee devoted too much time to characters that were not important to the plot of the movie (i.e. "Gator" in "Jungle Fever"). The horny teacher and his "naive" student had little to do with the movie. The scene in the club when they kissed was not needed. 2)The underlying theme of the movie is "who set Ed Norton's character up." There was time alotted to "prove" his girlfriend wasn't guilty. The same amount of time should have been given to the Russian mobsters in thier search for the "snitch". 3)Finally, Monty's "favor" that he asks of his good friends. To beat him up to make him ugly? Why not have them fight about Naturale or about the dog or about thier friendship?
Other than that, the movie was good. The acting was great. And I love the references to 9/11. 7 out of 10
Bamboozled (2000)
Great Movie
This is one of Spike Lee's best films ever. You have to look at this movie under one premise, satire. (Possible Spoiler) Lee shows how certain networks (WB, UPN, etc.)take African-American actors/actress and turn them into something they are not. But he takes it to the next level: blackface. This movie made me laugh. This movie made me cry. Also, a hidden satire, how the Mau-Mau's were so "Pro-Black" but always rapped about violence. Look at this movie with an open mind.
Gladiator (2000)
Great Movie
I was very hesitant to watch this movie based on the commercials. I thought it would be a boring movie about a guy fighting lions. But, the movie is great!!! It combines an action movie with a love story (love of country). It definitely ranks in my top 10 of all time. Honestly, this is one of the few movies EVER that made me cry. Great plot, excellent acting and wonderful script.
American Beauty (1999)
Great Movie
I love "American Beauty"!!! I love it for a reason many people may not understand. I am an African-American living in the suburbs and I look at white people everyday and think to myself, "wow, they live great lives. Nice home, two cars, white picket fence; the American dream." This movie shows that the grass is not always greener...We all have problems in our lives, no matter what race, social status or economic background.
The Fan (1996)
So many things wrong with this flick...
From a baseball fan's point of view, there are so many things wrong with this movie. I don't want to spoil the movie, but, everything from home/road uniforms to the ballpark to (possible spoil) the fact that Primo was in a hotel sauna when he was killed instead of the team's sauna. I like the plot, but the script is terrible. De Niro should be ashamed of himself for accepting this role.
Phat Beach (1996)
The worst movie ever.
This is the worst movie ever made. The acting, the script, the location, everything! I would have given it a little chance if there were attractive women in the movie, but even they were bad. You would think that a movie with the word "beach" in it's title would have good-looking women in it. Wouldn't you?
Blazing Saddles (1974)
One of the funniest movies of all time.
I love this movie!! This is the type of movie that you could watch a million times and never get tired of laughing. By far, one of the funniest quotes in movie history is when the Mexican bandit tells Headly Lamar, "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges." I'm laughing while I am typing this.