Rating: 
Summary: Exceptional
Review: I have yet to see a movie starring Denzel that was bad. His acting ability is phenomenal and I'm sure it takes him days after the film is done to come out of character. Whether true or false his acting is what's being judged in this movie. Not black against white. The story line, plot, dialogue etc. is the focus of MY review. This movie was moving and told a story of a boy who by a fluke (destiny) stumbled upon a book that stirred within him the passion that he lacked thus uncovering evidence that was withheld that set a bound man free!
Rating: 
Summary: YOU'D HAVE MORE FUN IN A REAL HURRICANE
Review: After you finish watching this movie, you'll want to punch yourself in the face. You'll be fighting your way back to the video store to return this "insightful" movie. Directed by Norman "I Can't Direct" Jewison, this cornball of a picture had dialogue written straight from a comic book. Okay, so it wasn't about boxing but about the life of a man wrongfully accused of murder and spending years in prison. Let me tell you something about these so-called "true" movies. Next time you watch one of these "factual" movies, read the disclaimer that is something like "some events were changed and some characters were added." Even if it doesn't read that, it'll have something like "based on a true story." "Based" means anything. My belief on these "based on" movies is the person actually existed, but everything in this story could be from slightly altered to fantasy. Personally, I think this hoodlum did it, but leave it to Hollywood to make a bad guy a good guy. I'm very happy about one thing in watching this kamikaze movie-I didn't have to pay for it, I got it from the library. But still, I did waste valuable gas driving there. Oh why do I do these stupid things. Anyway, back to the movie. According to this movie, Hurricane (Denzel) finally gets his freedom after some Canadian hippies get the evidence to release him. On the DVD, one of the bonuses is Director Jewison giving insight to the movie. Then there are those scenes that didn't make it. Well, both these "bonuses" were as worthwhile as brushing your teeth with glue. Jewison, wherever you are, haven't you caused enough pain? So if you like fight movies, don't watch this. But if you like survival stories, still don't watch this. But if you really need to see a movie, read a book instead of watching this. But there are those Denzel fans who'll watch any movie he's in, but I don't think they'll want to watch this. On a scale of 1 to 5 punching bags, I give it a 0.
Rating: 
Summary: the hurricane
Review: let me just say after reviewing the movie hurricane it scares me to think that because of a mans skin color he could be sentenence to an unfair trial and be punish for a crime he did not commit .yet the truth be known crimes like this have been going on for years . and the crime i speak about is predjudice.but looking at the movie for one to overcome that adverisity not only made him a unherald champion inside the ring but outside koodoos denzel washington for once again a brilliant performance
Rating:
Summary: White man is bad, black man is good.
Review: This is your typical story that shows blacks as the mistreated people that just cannot get a break from the evil white man. A black man, accused of a crime he did not commit, is pursued by relentless white people that will stop at nothing ... blah blah blah. It is the same story that has been told in Hollywood thousands of times before.
Rating:
Summary: Moving and powerful
Review: I bought the books after watching this movie. Before I watched it I thought it might have been average. But the Directing was great, the drama and story was also great, the music was great. But the greatest thing about this is the wonderful acting job buy Washington. I really thought he was the Hurricane. I is my favorite drama of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary performance by Denzel in an ordinary film.
Review: I really wanted to like this movie more than I did. In fact I wanted to love this movie. I wanted to be able to rave about it to my friends and family. Unfortunately the Hurricane while it's a good movie, with a great performance from Denzel Washington but it isn't the great movie should be. I am a big Norman Jewison fan. He's made some really great films (in the heat of the night, A soldiers story, and justice for all among others) I went into the Hurricane expecting to see an even handed portrayal of the struggle of Reuben 'Hurricane' Carter. That being said first off Denzel's performance as Reuben hurricane carter is one of the best perfoamences of his career. The fact the he didn't recieve and oscar for his performance is a absolute travesty. His performance was 100 times more intense , more involving and outright amazing that Kevin Spaceys in American Beauty. And I'm a Kevin Spacey fan. Jewison's direction is also very good as well. The fight scenes are amazing. They're almost as good as the one's in raging bull. The black and white cinematography adds a real energy to them. My problem with the hurricane lies in the fact that the producers changed some facts to make the story a little more pallatable to the masses. I had no problem with the subplot of Lazarus and the the three freindly canadians that help in freeing the hurricane. I have no problem with them changing the facts to make the story more entertaining. I just wished that they had taken a little more care to tell his story more clearly. For instance, What happens to the hurricane's wife? after he tels her to divorce him she completely drops out of sight. What did these Canadians do for a living? I know they were lawyers but did any of them actually work? and What about John Artis? The other man who served 20+ years in prison. The only mention of him in the hurricane is a less 2 minute stanza where Denzel talks about him being his hero. I would've liked to hear more about his struggle. Maybe in the interest of time that these things were glossed over but in watching the Hurricane again (2nd time) I noticed some of these glaring plot holes that I'd expect to see in a cheesey Hollywood thriller and not in a biographical drama. Overall I'd recommend the Hurricane largely because of Denzels powerhouse performance. You wont see many that are better. It's not a perfect movie but a good one whose intentions and hearta are in the right place.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational!
Review: I got to tell you Denzel surely pulled this one off. His acting performance was beyond great. Sometimes you have to wonder if you can act a certain roll someone else is doing and there is no doubt in my mind that no one could have pulled this off like Denzel. The movie was great and to believe that it is a true story made it so much better. I have to commend Hurricane for staying true with himself and never giving up. It was nothing but a blessing that those people and that young man came into his life. I really and truly enjoyed this movie. It was even a tear jerker. A must watch.
Rating: 
Summary: Les Miserables?
Review: The Evil Cop, played by Dan Hedaya, will remind more literate viewers of Javert, which should place several seeds of suspicion about this movie. Quite obviously Jewison is familiar with famous French literature, which is great! but what works in literature can seem dubious in an enterprise which purports to be even a RELATIVELY truthful retelling of incidents which occurred in Real Life. Hedaya's cop must be one of those "composite" characters we're warned about before the picture starts -- this character seems totally unrealistic, a hack writer's concoction. I seriously doubt that a (presumably) world-weary Jersey cop would have the time or energy to carry on such a senseless personal grudge over one youthful offender -- and the word "racist" doesn't explain it away, either. As portrayed here, this a totally PERSONAL antagonism against Carter. The question is: why? Jewison declines to answer. In any case, it doesn't make much sense. Another big problem is the handling of the Canadians. These are strange people: why do two men and one women live together? What is this -- "Three's Company"? How do they live so well, and how did they support themselves while investigating Carter's case? Why did they adopt a kid they barely knew? They're like little white angels from the Great White North, improving the lives of everyone they meet. I know there's more to their story than what's presented here, but Jewison again declines to get into it. The real story would've been nice. Having said all that, I must also say that even though I'm giving this picture only 2 stars, I'm also recommending it because of the astonishing performance by Denzel Washington. Never mind Rubin Carter's story for just a minute: if you need any more proof that racism is alive and well in this country, consider Washington's being passed over for Best Actor in favor of Kevin Spacey in *American Beauty*. Spacey larked about quite amusingly in that film, but COME ON. Rubin Carter was 30 times the more difficult role, and Washington bravely succeeded in not only doing it well but doing it unforgettably. Never has dignity been better presented on screen. It's a crime that there isn't an Oscar gathering dust on his mantle. Like most guys I pride myself on not crying in movies that are trying to choke you up, but some of Denzel's scenes dragged forth more than one tear out of this kid's eyes, I can tell you. Therefore I suggest that you see this film for an incredibly moving performance. But if you want a straighter story about Rubin Carter's case, read any number of books that have been written about him -- I've not read them, but I'm hoping they get closer to the truth than what's presented here. For that matter, listen to Dylan's tune on the subject -- he makes a more detailed, compelling case for Carter's innocence than this movie does.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie for kids to see
Review: The subject is tough, but the real hero of this movie is a 13-year-old kid who took the initiative to write to a man in prison he believed didn't belong there and made the commitment to help get him out. Adults will be just as taken with this movie. Denzel Washington gives a fine and deep performance. Even those who already know the story of the Hurricane will be moved. Controversy still swirls around the facts of this case, but there can be no doubt that a man denied his rights was improperly sent to jail, and finally, quite properly, set free.
Rating:
Summary: Denzel is great!
Review: In this movie, Denzel Washington gives us another brilliant performance in his portrayal of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. He gives the character dignity and integrity, even while in prison for a murder he didn't commit. The actor who played Lesra also did a very good job in his portrayal of a young black kid trying to find his identity. Although I have never read the book and don't know anything about the actual story, I thought the story told in the movie was brilliantly done. The flashbacks and flashforwards were effective in engaging the viewer in The Hurricane's story. The one shortcoming in the film was the very short court scenes. I would have liked to seen more of that, including both his initial trial and the federal court where he was set free. I would also have liked to see some of his second trial, even if this would have made the movie three hours long. As it is, I thought this was a very enjoyable movie. If you liked Denzel in GLORY, MALCOM X, and HE GOT GAME, you'll love him here. This is also a must see for any drama fan. Very well done!
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