Taxi (Widescreen Edition) (2004) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Jimmy Fallon is a cop who is such a bad driver he loses his license. Queen Latifah is a cab driver with a souped up Taxi who is a great driver. When Fallon comandeers Latifah's cab to stop a bank robbery, vehicular mayhem and fun break out! Add to the mix the fact the bank robbers are Brazillian Super Models and you have a surreal good time for all!
Ignore the critics who have cut this movie to shreds. Its pure escapist fun that rates four stars. Enjoy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Taxi (Widescreen Edition) (2004)

Sassy hip-hop star Queen Latifah brings hilarious attitude to this hard-driving, high-octane comedy action blast! Latifah plays Belle, New York’s fastest cabbie, whose taxi-driving expertise – not to mention her loaded-to-the-max vehicle – comes in handy when a fumbling young undercover cop (Jimmy Fallon) must crack a bank robbery plot hatched by a gang of supermodels! Don’t miss this tire-squealing, stop-on-a-dime comedy with a topflight cast of stars, including NYPD Blue's Henry Simmons, Ann-Margaret and supermodel Gisele Bundchen!

Get 57% OFF

Click here for more information about Taxi (Widescreen Edition) (2004)

Stranger Than Fiction (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The idea of "Stranger Than Fiction" appealed to me the moment I first heard of it. Harold Crick, played by Will Ferrell, wakes up one day and hears a voice. An omniscient narrator is relating his life with precision and no one can hear that voice but himself. It turns out that the voice is Emma Thompson, playing a famed author who is actually writing a novel about a character named Harold Crick. And it's the same Harold Crick. What is being put down in fiction is also concurrently happening in real life. It's a tricky concept, one that I felt might be impossible to pull off effectively. Well, not only does "Stranger Than Fiction" pull it off--it succeeds grandly as a surprisingly thoughtful, amusing, and moving contemplation of life. For Harold must immediately confront his mortality when the narrator informs him/us that he will soon die!
The complicated narrative of the film is pulled off brilliantly. The overlapping structure necessary to maintain the momentum and cohesion of the film must be attributed to a clever, intricate screenplay. Literate, witty, and real--it's a real treat. Lots of interesting effects help to pull the two worlds together making even the most mundane moments of Harold's life visually compelling. The movie's construction is fascinating and enjoyable.
Will Ferrell reins in his typical "overgrown kid" persona, and plays Harold as a real guy. It's refreshing and while I've never considered him a leading man type--his tentative romance with Maggie Gyllenhaal (while a bit of a stretch) is played very credibly and sweetly. Dustin Hoffman, as a literature professor helping Harold discover what book he's in, is having a great time. But it's Emma Thompson that stole my heart. As the author, she is a complete neurotic mess--but as she begins to realize what is happening, something in her transforms. Her character provides much of the film's insight and it's most powerfully dramatic acting. It's a deft balancing act, and as usual--she hit all the right marks.
After a near perfect movie, we have to bring both stories of Harold to an end. The movie turns into a poignant examination of sacrifice. If Thompson kills Harold in her novel, it will be recognized as a great piece of literature. If she lets him live, the novel will be just another routine bit of entertainment. This art versus commercialism angle is absolutely enthralling, and also surprising since it is raised so late in the film. There are moments of real power as everyone faces important life decisions--but these aren't false "lessons," they are genuine emotion that the film has subtly earned.
Ultimately, the ending is exactly what the film wants it to be. While I didn't find it the most satisfying choice--it is perfect for the movie because by this point the film itself is mirroring the novel within the film. It's a clever bit of trickery and very unusual. I admired "Stranger Than Fiction" very much and would give it 4 1/2 stars as an original and intelligent treat. KGHarris, 11/06.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

STRANGER THAN FICTION - DVD Movie

Get 16% OFF

Click here for more information about Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

The Secret Life of Bees (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is the best movie I have seen in a long time. I think I had tears in my eyes through 75% of the movie. This is Dakota Fanning's best performance. Jennifer Hudson was spectacular. Queen Latifah delivered like never before. Everyone was amazing in this film. Don't waste your time renting this one because it's one to own. You really connect with the characters and the issues at hand. This is a must see movie.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

SECRET LIFE OF BEES - DVD Movie

Get 43% OFF

Click here for more information about The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

Living Out Loud (1998) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Spectacular. Yes, a superb masterpiece that was completely snubbed at the Oscars. Living Out Loud rose above and beyond all other movies. Richard LaGravenese, screenwriter for Bridges of Madison County and The Fisher King gives a fine directing debut about a lonely upper east side woman who searches for a new life after the man she believed she loved for 20 years leaves, for a younger woman.
A unique tale of two stories intertwining from sudden devastating and life altering moments, starring the sensational Holly Hunter as Judith, and Danny Devito, as her building's elevator man, Pat.
The movie is a classic. Holly Hunter always surprises the audience with notably fine characters. She brings Judith to life as a woman searching for the reality that lies within herself. Danny Devito is wonderful as the man who brings substance to the screen. He plays a subtle man, only wanting the best out of life. Though misfortunes and tragedy always seem to strike at the most inconvenient of times. The two come together, shining the screen with passion amongst friends, who are geared toward two different entities in life.
Queen Latifah is simply dazzling and vibrantly amazing with her jazz vocals. The opening sequence with Lush Life scored and set the pace for what would lie ahead in the movie. Becoming friends with Judith, help both of them realize the love of their lives is not just within the souls of another man; the truest meaning is within their own self.
The movie flowed so elegantly, it certainly is more than your usual chick flick. I, being a 28 year old male, and a die hard movie fan, was thrown for a loop once I saw this movie a while back. I felt something deep, a hidden meaning that we all should look into. The movie was so real, unlike a lot of the movies out there that we chase for in a fantasy. I could go on and on about this movie, but I don't want to spoil any bit of it. All I have to say is from the start - with Queen Latifah rendition of Lush Life and all other poignant songs see jazzes herself into; the inner self of Hunter and her fantasy scenes, especially the crack baby thought; to the meeting and friendly journey of Devito and Hunter; the huge club scene, where Hunter lives out another one of her fantasy's; and then the end, the reality of life and the experiences and chances we take doing what we want out of life.
In the end, you hope that Holly Hunter does Live Out Loud, Danny Devito find his passage in life and that Queen Latifah moves from rap to jazz, cause she is just fantastic. I would have thrown Oscars to Hunter for best actress; Devito, best actor and; best supporting actress, Queen Latifah.
Again, this movie is a classic. It should be re-released. Movie-goers never had the chance to experience this movie the way it should be, due to the huge success, and my judgment of a good but not excellent film, As Good As It Gets.
Believe me when I say that you should watch this movie over and over and over again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Living Out Loud (1998)

Click here for more information about Living Out Loud (1998)