Rating: 
Summary: "Bringing Down the House"? Yeah, That Sounds About Right!
Review: There are a few movies like "What About Bob?", "Folks", "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot", & "Drop Dead Fred" that I can honestly say I HATE with an intense passion. I feel these movies are among the worst films of the 90's. And why do I hate these movies? Because I can't stand to watch a movie where there is one character who is so annoying and starts to destroy the other character's life with mishaps after mishaps. When I see these things I can honestly feel my blood start to boil. Because in the movie the "victim" never acts the way a real person would. They just let this person storm all over their life. I swear if I was put in a situation like that, you would see my face on the 6 o' clock news. I watch these movies and I start to wish the characters would cause permanent harm to them. And it's right about now, your starting to get scared of me lol. But honestly I just can't stomach a movie like this out. Why do the characters let them do this do them and they have a smile on their face!!!! If would have known in advance "Bringing Down the House" was going to start off like that, I never in a million years would have planned on seeing this movie. And the character played by Queen Latifah in this movie follows in the tradition of movies I'm talking about. I hated her character! And I know what many of you are thinking. You're probably saying, I think your taking this movie and movies like it, too close to heart. And, you know what, your right! And I know this was suppose to be a comedy. And I know I shouldn't let it bother me so much because if for any reason, it's bad for my health. But, it's just that as I watch these movies I start to think, what would I do if that was me. "Bringing Down the House" breaks one of the rules that no movie should break. A movie should NEVER have an annoying character in the lead who gets what they want. If the annoying character is in a supporting role and he or she gets their's in the end, I'm fine with that. There are just a few movies that I can think of where it's was okay for the character to be annoying. Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" is one. And let me tell you why. Because even though Felix is a pest to Oscar. Oscar TELLS HIM HE'S A PEST! Remember the scene where Oscar takes Felix's food and throws it against the wall? That was something that would happen in real life. And when you see that scene you laugh, because you know you would do the same thing. Or what about a movie like "Good Neighbor Sam". There's a movie I like to watch also. Because Romy Schneider isn't really annoying. She's helpless in that situation. Despite the fact that she does make Jack Lemmon's life a little harder. And even if I didn't mind the annoying character played by Queen Latifah I still wouldn't like the movie. Because for a comedy it's not funny. I didn't laugh once. Did I smile? Yes 2 or 3 times in fact. And for a movie that's number one at the box-office when I went to see this the place was almost empty. And NO ONE was laughing out loud. One of the mistakes this movie makes if by giving anyway too much in the trailer. The whole idea of Queen Latifah number one, being the woman Steve Martin meets online and the fact that she's a convict should of been a secret. The impact of that would of been stronger and probably would of caused a big laugh. But, going into the movie we all know what to expect. The most of the movies "funny lines" are given away too. Like what Eugene Levy tells Queen Latifah. We've all seen it in the the previews and by the time we see it on the screen, it's not as funny to us anymore. And another thing about the trailer besides the jokes is the fact that the trailer makes the movie predictable. I bet, even those who haven't seen the movie can guess where the film is going to go. Steve Martin plays Peter Sanderson who is a laywer and meets Queen Latifah online thinking she's a good looking blonde. Now, Martin has been divorced from Kate (Jean Smart) for a while I guess, I don't remeber them saying how long. ANYWAY, Latifah wants Martin to open up her case again and clear her name. Now, eveything I've just said should of been a surprise, but no. All of this information, which is basically the whole movie is given away. Is anyone else starting to get a little ticked off at how trailers give away all the info of the movies? And there's going to be a big surprise between Martin and his wife. But, even though I'm tempted to tell you, I won't. Because that wouldn't be fair. And another problem I had with the movie is Eugene Levy. He's barely used in the movie and when he is, he's not funny. Levy really started to get noticed again after the "American Pie" films. And if you've seen those two movies you know how funny Levy can be doing so little. But here he's given even less to work it. So why was he even put in the movie? I know I'm the odd man out here, because everyone likes this movie. But, I'm sorry, even if I try I can't get over how annoying Queen Latifah is in this movie. And like I said I can't stand that in movies. I will say something in the movie's defense, For people who think the movie is racial it isn't. Are there some jokes that will make the audience up tight? Yes. But, when we see and hear these characters make those jokes we can see how wrong it is. And it just makes the characters look dumb. So no, I wouldn't say the movie is offensive as far as it's "jokes" go. Bottom-line: An annoying movie with an annoying character played by Queen Latifah. That breaks the whole film. One of the few movies I never want to see ever again! And I'm sure I can't be the ONLY person who feels that way!
Rating:
Summary: ugh...
Review: There was a TV and Movie cliche in the 70s and 80s about a high-school girl who isn't 'popular' -- she is shy and frowsy, wears glasses and hugs her books to her bosom, gets laughed at by the cool girls and guys, and pines for an unreachable alpha male. Of course, in the middle of such stories, there was always a sympathetic friend or two to teach her how to be fun and beautiful, ditch the glasses and books, loosen her attitudes and hair, enjoy rock music and dancing, and finally become the "it" girl who gets the guy. This tremendously bad bad movie with Martin and Latifah tiredly updates this tired story with racial boundaries standing in for social ones. I learned from this movie that black people are always blessedly hip, white people are almost invariably uptight and racist, and that the goals of life are 1) to be as limber as possible, 2) to spout street jargon smoothly, and 3) to initiate pre-pubescent kids into the world of reading with T&A magazines. The only whites exempt from tight-buttitude are two kids (kids are hip by default in such stories, and are by nature more wise than their benighted parents) and a curious mutant creature played by Eugene Levy -- a middle-class laywer so up on the very latest urban lingo that each of his utterances seems like a tape recorded reading of a hip-hop lexicon. The script wears Levy out with this supposedly comic device until you realize you were sick of it the first time he did it. In fact, the first time ANYONE does their "characteristic" thing in this flick (Latifah doing her head-swerves, Betty White making a disparaging comment about another race, Missi Pyle sneering bitchiness) we instantly know that nothing original, fun, or nice will be forthcoming. I chuckled a couple of times, but I hated myself later. I left the theater depressed, really -- not that I belonged to the white race, but that I was part of the human one. Comedies should lift one's spirits, not deject them. Too bad this stuff makes money. It means not just that more junk like it will be produced, but that our culture is a pigpen full of slop-feeders. Weep for us all.
Rating: 
Summary: It's about TIME Martin's back!!!
Review: Finally a good comedian like Steve Martin returns to the screen, enough Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock already!!! I saw this the first weekend it came out, and oh my god was I laughing hard!!! Steve Martin is just as great as he always is(this is right up there with Planes Trains & Automobiles!), and Betty White is just as funny as ever. and of course Euguene Levy(aka the dad from American Pie) will get you laughing. Yes, I will agree with all the reviews, some of the "white-black" jokes in this movie do go a little too far,, but it's still funny. Perhaps the biggest reason I loved this movie was for Kimberly J. Brown, who played Mr Sanderson's daughter. I have fallen so incredibly in love with her, she is so beautiful! A hillarious movie, perfect escape from all the romantic comedy junk that's been coming out latley I sure hope Kimberly J Brown will be in more movies like this.......
Rating: 
Summary: This Movie Had Me Straight Trippin' Boo!
Review: Before I get into the review for this film, let me just start of by saying this. Steve Martin is back. We see a brilliant comedian returning to glorious form in this film and we are thankful to have him back. Hopefully, it won't be such a long time before we see the wild and crazy guy we all fell for in the first place again. That said, let's move on. This film is cute and hilarious from beginning to end. Steve Martin plays tax attorney Pete Sanderson, a stiff kinda guy who seems to go by the book and have everything in order. He is separated from his wife Kate(Jean Smart, who keeps looking lovelier and far removed from her "Desigining Women" days), and has two children, a boy and a girl(Angus Jones, and Kiimberly J. Brown from "Rose Red"). We see Pete talking to 'Lawyer-Girl' in a chat room on his lap top. Well, they finally come face to face and it isn't what Pete thought. 'Lawyer-Girl' turns out to be an ex-con named Charlene(Played with such ferociousness by Queen Latifah). She comes in and invades Peter's home, life, and career. She wants him to help her with her case and to prove that she is innocent for the armed robbery crime she went to jail for four years for. Peter, at first, wants nothing to do with her, but then changes his mind when it appears that Charlene is a woman who won't be denied. The infectious Charlene steps into the lives of Peter's children and friends. Most notably, his friend and co-worker, Howie(Eugene Levy), who refers to her as a 'coco goddess'. The only thing that didn't work for me, and made me feel a bit uncomfortable, was the role of Peter's racist neighbor, Mrs. Kline, played by Betty White. I hate to see such a beloved person as Ms. White in such a negative role. It didn't get much laughs from me, but it did from the rest of the audience. The rest of the story isn't anything we haven't seen before. Peter becoming looser and to re-connect with ex-wife Kate. All during this, he is trying to work with a very wealty client, who is played by Joan Plowright. Most of the humor here works. If it's not funny, something that is comes up very quickly. It's a joy all the way thru. Latifah has such a great presence. She is really becoming a performer to be reckoned with. She is very charismatic, with charm and warmth to her as well. I was really surprised with her. Martin is genius. After having been thru films like "Leap Of Faith", "Sgt. Bilko", "The Out Of Towners", and others, it's nice, as I said earlier, to have the brilliant funny man back. It was well worth the wait. Now, if only the curse of 'bad movies' would disappear for his fellow amigos, Chevy Chase and Martin Short!!. Steve's scenes doing the dancing in the underground club is priceless. His slang he says while there is a comic gem to behold. He's really back on his game here. Let's get to a subject that has been dogging this entertaining film. Is it racist?. No. Are certain characters in the film racist?. Yes. A lot of critics and other reviewers seem to focus on that one subject and don't see anything else. Do they have a point with going on and on about how awful it is?. No, they don't. They say it's awful and makes white people look like idiots. Does it make white people look like idiots?. No, it makes THESE white people look like idiots. There's a difference. But people would much rather make a fuss and turn something into something bigger because it seems like they are out looking for it. Charlene works with Peter in the film on how to loosen it up a bit and relax. Maybe some of these critics should listen to Charlene and unbind their underroos a bit. There are many other things to enjoy here. First of all, the houses and neighborhoods. If there's one thing that made me not like this movie, was how it made me jealous that I wasn't living there. Levy's continuing banter with Latifah is hilarious. They could of used him a lot more than they did. I also never thought I would see the day where Joan Plowright is in a hip hop club and smoking dope. There is one heck of a vicious cat fith between Charlene and Peter's sister in law at the posh club they go too. You really didn't see something quite like that fight coming. Maybe a fight, but nothing like that!!. There is also an appearance by "Smallville" co-star Michael Rosenbaum, who is wearing one mighty fake looking wig. "Bringing Down The House" is a fun and uproarious film. Definitley the funniest film so far this year.
Rating:
Summary: "YOU GOT ME STRAIGHT TRIPPIN' BOO!"
Review: This is a really funny movie, including Peter (Steve Martin), and Charlene (Queen Latifah), why they're a great on-screen team, why in one part they should show them married, in their honeymoon,..., and then having kids Sarah (Kimberly J. Brown) and Georgey (Angus T. Jones). I like the part where Charlene hit Peter, where Charlene was fighting with Peter's x-wife's sister, and where Peter's x-wife's sister was acting like she was at TaeBo,... For something you should know, I suggested you should rate it PG-13 for Language, ..., Mild Violence, and Drinking, but they have a good cast: Steve Martin (Peter Sanderson), Queen Latifah (Charlene Horton), Eugene Levy (Howie), Jean Smart (X-Wife), Kimberly J. Brown (Sarah Sanderson), Angus T. Jones (Georgey Sanderson), and Joan Plowright (Virginia A.) featuring William Shakespeare. I give it a (5 out of 5).
Rating:
Summary: bringing down the house
Review: I loved it. Myself and the audience laughed all the way through it. I'm never going to listen to what the critics say again. They ought to get a life. But then, THEY loved Solaris!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't want to have to think about a movie. I'll read the newspapers if I want to think about something. I'm at a theater to be entertained and "House" did just that, Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Make a House call!
Review: I love going to a movie where the audience laughs during the entire movie (intentionally, that is). I wasn't expected to have so much fun during this movie but it proved to be a laugh riot. Steve Martin and Queen Latifah make a great comedy team . The supporting actors only add to the fun. Betty White as Martin's racists/homophobic neighgbor, Joan Plowright as a rigid heiress that Martin needs to bring as a client to his law firm, and Eugene Levy is hilarious as Steve Martin's best friend at the law firm, who makes no qualms about his feelings for Latifah's Charlene. The fight scene between Latifah and actress Missi Pyle is worth the admission alone. I recommended this film to a friend at work who later told me that she and her husband thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm betting you will too. Its a great film to take a group of friends to and just laugh and be silly.
Rating:
Summary: Very good...but not perfect
Review: I enjoyed this movie. I was silly at times but overall it was very entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: HILARIOUS AT TIMES But Not Quite Four Stars
Review: This is not a movie to be taken seriously, but rather a lighthearted formulaic comedy where incidents and misunderstandings resulting from the different races and class status of the characters are meant to provoke laughter. In fact, it is a testament to how much the role of interracial relationships in films have changed that movies such as this and MAID IN MANHATTAN can be produced as comedies appealing to diverse audiences where the social commentary is done lightly and subtly, in comparison with such films of the previous era as GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER or recently FAR FROM HEAVEN. Steve Martin is Peter Sanderson, a divorced tax attorney whose two kids are in the custody of his ex-wife Kate (Jean Smart). He is trying to convince a wealthy widow, played very convincingly by Jean Plowright with the aid of her ever present canine companion, to become an (undoubtedly very profitable) client of his firm. Simultaneously he is engaged in an online dialog with "lawyer girl" Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah) through a legal chat room. When they meet, Charlene turns out to be not a white Ivy League attorney but rather a black "jailhouse lawyer" ex-con claiming that she was framed in her conviction for armed robbery and trying to clear her name. Of course, Peter's efforts to ditch Charlene are doomed to fail, and her appearance at his home and country club attracts the interest of his racist neighbor (Betty White) and sister-in-law (Missi Pyle). Eugene Levy is perfectly cast as Peter's partner, who finds Charlene extremely captivating and attractive and thus tries to develop a relationship with her while protecting Peter from the potential consequences of his predicament given the classism and racism of his partners, clients and neighbors. Most of the story is very predictable and formulaic, and from the beginning you know that all wrongs will be avenged, good will prevail and love will overcome. It is the excellent casting and fine performances that make this great fun rather than just cute. Queen Latifah is sensational and the real star. It is a great tribute to Steve Martin that despite his central role, he is so low key and true to his movie personna that he allows the other performances to come to the fore. All are universally good, but Eugene Levy and Missi Pyle steal the spotlight at times in their supporting roles. This was very funny at times; I viewed it with a large audience and there was frequent laughter throughout the theater. My only reasons for not rating it four stars in a very close call were that it was too predictable and obvious and that it suffered from insufficient editing and thus was somewhat too long given the thinness of the story. If you want serious social commentary or think comedy based on racial stereotypes is inapppropriate, then this probably won't appeal to you, as some of the earlier reviews indicate. But if you like to see those steotypes debunked, like to laugh at inane comments, stupid situations, and the other standard elements of a Steve Martin comedy, you should enjoy the really fine performances in this film.
Rating: 
Summary: A few windows get rattled . . .
Review: . . . but I don't think this movie quite "brings down the house". We've all been there and done that too many times; i.e., the whole suburban "honky" (Steve Martin) and street-smart African-American (Queen Latifah) partnership. The movies -- at least since the Sixties -- have never tired of illustrating the contrast between the two cultures and playing it for laughs. You, however, may be tired of it, as I am. Which is not to say that *Bringing Down the House* doesn't have its humorous moments (Jean Smart warming up with a few Tae-Bo exercises before having a cat-fight with Latifah is worth a belly-laugh), and the 3 principle actors -- including Eugene Levy, who once again effortlessly steals every scene he's in -- are in total control of the material. They know their characters, and they know how to wring the maximum laughs from them. Unfortunately, the writers felt this movie needed a "plot", and so we must endure implausible story-turns that lead to Latifah, who starts the movie as an ex-con, getting her name cleared. When Martin, dressed as a "homey" (ballcap, gold chains, etc.), is forced to dance hiphop-style at a black club, one is sourly reminded of Warren Beatty's terrible *Bulworth*. And African-Americans may get a little irritated at the way in which the "villain" of the piece turns out to be that old stand-by: the penitentiary-veteran Black Dude who runs his criminal empire from the local "club". This, and the unoriginality of the script as a whole, curdles the humor.
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