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The Hurricane

The Hurricane

List Price: $14.98
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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A disingenuous film
Review: When I watched the movie, I was captivated by Washington's performance, but I felt like the other reviewer, that much of the movie lacked credibility and was emotionally manipulative. It was obvious that the story had been simplified and dumbed down for dramatic effect. Absolutely no effort was made to explore the psyche of the movie's villains - they were simply manifestations of evil, out to get Rubin Carter.

After reading reports about The Hurricane, I was shocked that almost nothing in the movie is based on the real events and I felt utterly cheated. Some things to consider: Rubin Carter had a mediocre boxing record and was hardly the "legendary boxer" that the movie alleges; he was never jailed for attacking a child molester, but apparently for a mugging; one of the victims lived for a month and was able to communicate with authorities - she didn't die at the scene as the movie suggests; the evil sheriff and key villain who was out to get Carter since childhood never even existed and was made up by the filmmakers for dramatic expediency (indeed, the key investigator had already passed away when the movie contrives a scene where he intimidates the Canadians); Carter was not convicted by an all-white jury, as the movie suggests; some of Carter's alibis later admitted to lying; Carter reportedly failed a lie-detector test and refused to take another. Indeed, there is no evidence that he was ever framed - his conviction was overturned because prosecutors at his second trial argued that he had been motivated by revenge for an earlier shooting at a black establishment. When you take these points into account, it seems clear that the movie crosses the line between dramatic adaptation and fabrication. This is all the more distasteful when you see how many people find inspiration in a movie so dishonest.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Hurricane Is one of the best of 1999
Review: What helped this movie was the fact that only my friend and I were in the theater, that makes a big difference. Denzel Washington gives an oscar worthy performance. That is if he beats Kevin Spacey, for American Beauty. The screenplay was good, and you could almost feel Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter's pain. Everyone should see this movie. The Acedemy Awards should have nominated this movie for best picture. It was better than the Green Mile, and that's nominated.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Overpraised beyond belief
Review: "The Hurricane" is one of the most disappointing films I have seen in a long, long time. I thought it was going to be a powerful story, a illuminating biopic about Rueben Carter's false imprisonment and ultimate freedom. Instead, all i got was a santized, manipulative and entirely uninvolving movie that did not have any focus or depth. It totally lacked character explorations, the Canadians and the cops were sketched out like virtual cartoons. There was a heavy feel of "Hollywood" around it, making it feel painfully one-sided, the climax in the courtroom felt like an excuse to pull at the audiences emotions. The script is basically the film's biggest weakness, lines like "Hate's gonna put me in prison, love's gonna bust me out" just don't sound credible. Although Denzel Washington turns in a respectable performance, it's not good enough to really merit an Oscar. Why did critics praise "The Hurricane" so much? It is definitely not worth the price of admission or video rental, and it totally ruins the perception of Reuben Carter's inspirational life.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Incredible
Review: This was the most amazing movie I have ever seen. It changed my life in a mental sense that I never knew could happen. If you are looking for an inspirational movie, see this.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not a natural disaster movie
Review: Just how much pain and resilience can the human spirit endure? This is question asked in Denzel Washington's latest great achievement in film.

Washington plays Rubin "Hurricane" Carter who has been wrongly convicted of a racial murder during the early sixties. It turns out that he wasn't just mistaken as the killer but set-up by a man who has wanted him to pay for a long time.

When I first walked into this film I knew the story and the ending but what kept me in my seat and glued to the screen was the ingenious portrayal by Washington. After two real dismal films like "Fallen" and "Bone Collector", I began to wonder if Hollywood would ever give this wonderful actor another chance. When Washington was "Malcolm X" we believed and felt for the enigmatic historical figure. Now with Hurricane Carter we also believe in him.

Director Norman Jewison's film is also brilliantly layered. The flashbacks and recreations aren't confusing but exhilarating as we are pulled into the world that made this man hate, love and explore the world he did not create. What is also amazing is just how deep this story goes. The revelations involved are what keep the bodies in the seats.

My only small problem with this film is Dan Hedaya who plays Hurricane's arch-nemesis Det. Vincent Della Pesca. Hedaya's not a good enough or exhilarating enough actor to really get to the grime within this man. Hedaya has represented evil in a lot of his films but never has personified it like what was needed here. I often imagined what the film would have been like if an "A" list actor had been in this role. I remember fondly "Crimson Tide" where two Academy Award winners butted heads in greatest scenes of that film. Who do you think could have been a great actor here?

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: big talker
Review: should change his name to big talker saying nothing of any intellgence. Other things might be a matter of opinion but this is not; Carter lost 7 of his last 15 fights and was not #1 ranked contender by anyone. Look that up you loud mouthed idiot, then go slap yourself

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "And the Oscar goes to..."
Review: Well, it should've gone to Washington for his breathtaking performance in this biopic from 2000. Washington captures the very essence of the different modes of "Hurricane" Carter, a man wrongly incarcerated for a crime that he didn't commit. Washington superbly displays the various sides of this most complex man: anger, defiance, reflection, intelligence, humility, and perseverance. As others have hypothesized, Denzel's win for "Training Day" was a reward for Academy oversights for earlier tremendous performances...and his work in "The Hurricane" ranks as one of his best.

Besides the work of Washington, the film benefits from marvelous turns from co-star Vicellous Reon Shannon as a young man enamored of the boxer and determined to right the wrong that has befallen Carter. The young man possesses the right amount of "wide-eyed innocence" as he confronts a man that he discovers in a long-forgotten autobiography. Who cannot be moved when man and boy share a tender moment by touching through the bars of the convict's cell???

This kid deserved a supporting acting nod, if nothing less.

And a film that sports such stellar character performers as Rod Steiger, Debbi Morgan, Dan Hedaya, Harris Yulen, Clancy Brown, and David Paymer is a cut above the others. Liv Shrieber, Deborah Unger, and John Hannah are wonderful as Canadians that assist Shannon's "Lesra" as the lad works to free his friend.

While there are a few slow moments, the overall film is worth viewing...and owning.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A great story of love and hope!
Review: This is a great movie that brings you mixed feelings. It gives you anger, sorrow, strength, compassion, love and hope! This movie is based on the true life story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, played by Denzel Washington. He's chased by a racial driven detective since the age of 11. Being dealt the wrong hand in life, he spends half of his life (wrongfully accused) in jail. I didn't like the directing in the first half of the movie. The director, Norman Jewison, kept jumping from one time frame to another, sometimes without you knowing. During the second half of the movie, it started settling down. It focused more on Hurricane and his relationship with Lesra and his 3 Canadian tutors. Lesra was inspired by Hurricane's publicized book. Hurricane befriends Lesra and his 3 tutors. In fact, they devote their entire lives in trying to prove Hurricane's innocence. Something that activists, famous actors and musicians failed to do before them. This wasn't your typical jail-type of movie. It didn't have any rape, drugs or violence. I look forward to reading the out-of-print hard copy of Hurricane's book, "The 16th Round...".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Denzel Delivers
Review: *a marvelous performance by denzel washington (possibly the greatest of his career) highlights an inspirational story of an unjust imprisonment
*this movie delivers brilliantly on the bringing together of human races and souls
*take this story of courage to heart, as it is based on the true story of rubin "hurricane" carter

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Pack of Lies
Review: I saw this movie when it first came out and was duped into believing the lies and fabrications it peddled. It's great fiction, but not a single bit of it is based in fact or reality. I wish I could sue the creators of this propaganda so I can get the money back I spent on it. Please don't waste your money on this anti-American trash. It's sole purpose is to further degrade our trust in our government and perpetuate the blacks-as-victims and whites-as-persecutors storyline of the leftist lunatic fringe. I suggest you do a simple internet search and learn the truth about this piece of human garbage called Rubin Carter.


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