Rating: Summary: Shut Up Gloria Review: On-court scenes are entertaining, even though the Director used an excessive amount of slow-motion. Snipes and Harrelson are entertaining and believable as basketball hustlers. However, Rosie Perez pretty much killed this movie for me. I can't stand her - the way she lounges around the apartment doing nothing expecting her boyfried to support her stupid "destiny" to be on a game show, the alcoholism, the three-foot thick fake Brooklyn meets Puero Rican accent, or how she always seems to get her way by taking a seat on her boyfriend's lap. The scene where whe asks Snipes' wife for a refund is a joke. Just shoot hopes and talk trash, fellas - leave all of the "Movin' On Up" stuff for the Jeffersons.
Rating: Summary: Sports + comedy doesn't get any better! Review: Ron Shelton loves to make sports films. He is given us the wonderful BULL DURHAM, the pretty good TIN CUP and the horrendous PLAY IT TO THE BONE. In the midst of it all, he rolled out the basketball comedy, WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP. I must admit that I avoided this film like the plague as I've never been a Woody Harrelson fan and the ad campaign for the film seemed to suggest a zany comedy, also not one of my favorites. Happily, I was wrong on both counts. The film has much more of a dramatic backbone then suggested and both Harrelson and Snipes exude a load of charisma (and plenty of athleticism) making them pretty likable. The film starts off promising. It seems we are going to get THE STING for the 90s but it gets very convuluted as to many plotlines mess up the basketball court. We've got needy spouses, robberies, b-ball with legends, racial tensions, mob intervention and a guest shot on JEOPARDY. So, instead of THE STING we get a stink. The DVD is a nice transfer and offers a music video. In closing, both Harrelson and Snipes are up for the jump shot but, 2 guys does not a team make.
Rating: Summary: When you say "jump" we ask "How HIgh?" Review: Ron Shelton loves to make sports films. He is given us the wonderful BULL DURHAM, the pretty good TIN CUP and the horrendous PLAY IT TO THE BONE. In the midst of it all, he rolled out the basketball comedy, WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP. I must admit that I avoided this film like the plague as I've never been a Woody Harrelson fan and the ad campaign for the film seemed to suggest a zany comedy, also not one of my favorites. Happily, I was wrong on both counts. The film has much more of a dramatic backbone then suggested and both Harrelson and Snipes exude a load of charisma (and plenty of athleticism) making them pretty likable. The film starts off promising. It seems we are going to get THE STING for the 90s but it gets very convuluted as to many plotlines mess up the basketball court. We've got needy spouses, robberies, b-ball with legends, racial tensions, mob intervention and a guest shot on JEOPARDY. So, instead of THE STING we get a stink. The DVD is a nice transfer and offers a music video. In closing, both Harrelson and Snipes are up for the jump shot but, 2 guys does not a team make.
Rating: Summary: Soundtrack Gets the Film Its Fourth Star Review: Some have trouble with the title of this film, "White Men Can't Jump", and suggest that if there cannot be a film that substitutes the word Black for White and another word for jump, there is a race issue at hand. Racism has nothing to do with this film, and while the title may set off some overly sensitive politically correct censors, not to worry, the film was not made for them. The closest this film comes to presumptions based on color is that a white ball player, Woody Harrelson, probably cannot play with the locales in the rougher parts of LA. Since the character rapidly proves the presumption wrong the idea that stereotypes should be given credence are instantly dispatched.This is a buddy film that features some amazing street style basketball including a two on two tournament, and playing as good as anything you will see on a college court or many pro courts. The credits mentioned some, "stunt players", and I have no way of knowing how much of the playing was done by the stars of the film. But whoever was making the plays was brilliant. Some of the footage was clearly Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, and both have athletic talents. Rosie Perez also deserves mention as the encyclopedic Jeopardy fiend that eventually gets her shot at the money as well. Some of the great moments in the film are either stand alone musical pieces or film that is greatly enhanced by the soundtrack. The music used varies widely, from 3 part acappella harmony, to rap, funk, R&B, country, the one and only guitar of Jimi Hendrix, and the soul of James Brown. This is a fun film when you have a few hours and want to relax, and are not in the mood to be hammered emotionally, lectured at or taxed to ponder great moral issues. Pure fun.
Rating: Summary: Racist! Review: That's would be said if the title were Black Men Can't (fill in whatever you wish), regardless of the meaning of the actual theme of the movie. Then why isn't it the case here? Refuse to allow yourself to see this farce.
Rating: Summary: Very Memorable Review: This flick is loaded with greatness. Wesley Snipes is just so cool in his role. I just love watching his eyes move back and forth when he is trying to show up Woody Harrelson. The rap he delivers about hearing Jimi Hendrix is quite memorable as well. Woody Harrelson gives his Billy Hoyle character lots of depth as both his hustler and sensitive side are played well. Rosie Perez is cute with her concern over the Stookie Brothers. Anyway, the story line has many coemdic and action filled moments that will appeal to a wide audience outside of the basketball world. Go rent it today.
Rating: Summary: Sports + comedy doesn't get any better! Review: This is definately one of the best sports/comedy movies of all time. The basketball scenes are as well done as any you'll see in any movie, and the comedic personalities of Billy Hoyle (Woody) and Sidney Dean (Wesley) are irresistable. The trash talking, the flashy play, the hustling is all smiles for any basketball fan. The most rewarding part of this movie however is the friendship that develops between Billy Ho and Sidney. They look beyond race and class and find a common ground on the blacktop and in each other's games. They're both so likeable in this movie that it's hard not to feel good about the way it all ends up. If you like hoops, and you like comedy it doesn't get much better than this.
Rating: Summary: Makes You Forget About Reality Review: This is one of the best films I have ever seen. I favor its technical side and the very idea itself as well. It depicts a reality that is fictious but it can easily be adopted to the real world. What is the most optimistic about this movie is the fact that a pair of main characters resemble ordinary human beings, like everybody. They need to fight their way thru life and, as it always happens in the real world, they find themselves in better or worse circumstances. The most encouraging thing is their special kind of friendship and their easiness to face whatever life brings. Due to that fact they endear themselves to the audience which turns a blind eye on their hustling activity. Still, they have to have some sort of income and, as long as it does not hurt anybody physically, the audience sides with them. I would very much like to have this movie in my home library but unfortunately there is no version available that is distributed in my region on DVD; and I feel extremely sorry about that; I think I would enumerate this as a main drawback of this movie... Drowsy Existence
Rating: Summary: This is the best all time movie ever made Review: This movie blew Titanic out of the water. It had more passion then Pretty Women. Director Ron Shelton will never be able to top this moivie. He should retire now. I feel that everyone should have to see this movie, because of the passion for the sport of basketball. All young players should watch and see how it is done. Mr. Snypes should have been in the NBA. Noone can match his talent on the court.
Rating: Summary: Great Movie Review: This movie portrays loyalty, betrayal and friendship between two white and black men basketball hustlers. This movie has a lot of swearing and sex. I wouldn't recomend this to anyone under 15 unless you feel comfortable with your children watching this movie. Watch this movie because it is really awesome and I loved it so much.
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