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Bringing Down The House (Widescreen Edition)

Bringing Down The House (Widescreen Edition)

List Price: $19.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Talented cast carries predictable, fast-paced comedy
Review: Steve Martin plays off of Queen Latifah in this enjoyable comedy. While the story and action are silly and unrealistic in many scenes, the main duo of Martin & Latifah bring charisma to their roles, while the story is spiced up by subplots, one involving a character played by Eugene Levy (The Dad from the American Pie films), another involving veteran English actress Joan Plowright, and additional supporting roles by Jean Smart as Martin's ex-wife and another actress playing a nasty sister-in-law. The one scene that I think should have been pared down or removed is where Latifah and the sister-in-law get in a vicious, bruising fight. Betty White has a small role as a racist neighbor who happens to be the sister of Martin's boss, making for some good laughs. Overall, this story is contrived, formulaic, and seemingly tasteless at times, yet it works very well due to great casting and performances, which make the humor in the film seem funnier than it otherwise might be. The DVD has some interesting bonus looks at the cast & filming, making this a worthwhile DVD to buy or rent.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Marginal Steve Martin - Queen Latifah comedy has its moments
Review: Give it to the studios--unusual pairings have paid off over the years. Steve Martin and John Candy; Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy...wait a second I see a trend here. Actually the former two comedic performers contrasted well with Martin's comedic style. Latifah also comes off well in what is, essentially, a buddy movie.

Martin and Latifah meet through the modern day classifieds ; internet dating made remarkably difficult. Martin sees a picture with Latifah in it and mistakes the attractive blond in the picture for Latifah (it's pretty easy to do once you see the photo). Clearly a match made in hell, Latifah and Martin immediately clash. The cliche about opposites attracting doesn't apply here. Martin's tax lawyer is straight laced and keeps a tight control on his emotions. Suddenly the focus is for Latifah to help Martin win back his ex-wife.

Eugene Levy virtually steals this picture from the stars. Levy has always been an underappreciated performer and like most of the material he is in (whether it be trash or treasure), he always shines. His performance as a buddy of Martin's virtually blows the star off the screen. Part of the reason is Levy's innate talent the other reason is that Martin's character is underwritten and, really, not given much to do beyond reacting to his circumstances. In Martin's comedy classics The Jerk and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, it's clear that he's best when he acts and reacts against other performances. He needs to get something started before he can use his comedic flair in reacting to it (he's second only to Kelsey Grammer in the comedic slow burn).

The movie is enjoyable and there are many sequences that are fun. It just doesn't hold together as well as it should. Perhaps it's an example of marketing and packaging put before creativity. Either way, House is an enjoyable little comedy but by no means a comedy classic.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Watch this and have a laugh please
Review: Thumbs up to Queen Latifah for making us laugh and at the same time reminding us that no matter what color you are, deep inside we are still one and the same. Steve Martin (as funny as ever) makes a terrific homeboy and Joan Plowright is a classic as a spoiled rich woman who gets a taste of the wild side before the end of the movie. A wonderful soundtrack with a cameo by Kelly Price. A must-see!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: one of the funniest movies ever
Review: This movie......is hilarious! If you are an adult then I suggest you get a teenager to help translate for you. Im 13 and watched it with my mom an the whole time, she was like "What does that mean" thank God i had already seen it. But the best scenes are when Charlene and Ashley get in a fight at the country club, when Peters client....ummmm.... Mrs.Arness??? goes to the club!well there are just to many to name. But this movie has a two great leads! And also a great supporting cast; Betty White Kimbery J Brown, Eugene Levy(Freak Boy) the little boy who plays Georgy (i forget his name), Jean Smart, Missi Pyle, and others.Anyways buy it rent it.....either way you have to see it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A mixed bag
Review: What could be funnier than Steve Martin and Queen Latifah together in a movie? Probably Steve Martin and Queen Latifah in a movie with a good script. This one is pretty predictable and is full of the old cliches of guy-who-works-too-hard and is turned into a human being by a happenin'-girl-with-a-heart-of gold. There are a few other cliches of a racial nature, some of them funny and some of them pretty tasteless. Martin and Latifah do set off some sparks together and Eugene Levy, Betty White and Joan Plowright support them well in parts which they play better than they are written. Martin is hilarious when he tries to play a homeboy in a black nightclub, but the gangster element in the film is never very convincing. This film is good for a few chuckles, but don't expect too much.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Could of been better
Review: Seeing the previews for this movie it looked hilorious! but after watching the movie it could of been funnier.Yes there were the good parts that you would laugh out loud at but it got kind boring and seemed like it just dragged on.you best bet would be to rent it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Ok with some flaws.
Review: Martin and Latifa's chemistry was good and the movie did have it's funny part. The bad part was that practically every supporting character was a racist, from the neighbor, to the sister the the heiress. As a white person I didnt find these character's funny. Also one racist is enought, but three?

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Absolutely atrocious
Review: I wouldn't give it one star. Quite simply this movie is crude, offensive, stereotypical garbage. As an African American I'm embarrassed I wasted my time watching this junk. The racist comments used in this movie just for a laugh were unacceptable. The Aunt Jemima type outfit Queen Latifah wore in one scene was deplorable. A low point in her career. Sneaking an African American person in your house so no one can see who your guest is says it all about this movie..disgusting. Betty White and all who were involved in this project should be ashamed.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Downer of Movie
Review: I've tried really hard to enjoy this movie. But the constant racial jokes really bothered me. It would be one thing if it was done in good taste for example Undercover Brother. But mostly in this movie it was mean-spirited. My only delight in this movie was Steve Martin and occasionally Queen Latifah who was outstanding in Brown Sugar and Chicago was likable but not lovable in this movie.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Queen Of The House
Review: Bringing Down The House is a comedy that tries very hard to make you smile--and sometimes it does just that. But when it was all over, I thought, it could have been better.

After an online dating mix-up, lawyer Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin), finds himself helping a recently released prisioner (Queen Latifah). Sassy Charlene may be free, but she is sure she was set up, and wants to find those responsible. Having no where else to go...she moves in, making herself at home. Peter's assistance is complicated, as he and his pal Howie (Eugene Levy) try to land an important client (Joan Plowright), and he tries to make amends with his Ex-Wife (Jean Smart) and kids (Kimberly J. Brown, Angus Jones). Uptight Sanderson just may learn a few important lessons with Charlene around. The film also marks an appearance by a favorite of mine, Betty White, who plays a nosey neighbor. Rounding out the main cast, is Michael Rosenbaum, a rival lawyer to Sanderson.

Directed by Adam Shankman, the film has its moments to be sure, but they are few and far between. The premise has Martin reliving an earlier film with Goldie Hawn called Housesitter. Many plot elements of Bringing Down The House seemed to mirror that film Another problem is that like so many comedies made today, the best laughs were seen in the trailer. Therefore, by the time they become part of the film. you already know what's going to happen. How it all plays out is very predictable. One more thing, as good a Martin can be...why does it seem like he only plays a carbon copy of every character that he's played for the last 15 years?

On the plus side, you can always count on Levy, and his deadpan style to provide some chuckles. I was also taken by Latifah. Even with the limitations of the script, she still manages to shine...somehow.

The extras on the DVD help to make the film a bit more enjoyable, than it was, when I saw it during its theatrical release. There's a handfull of deleted scenes, that were as usual, wisely cut from the picture. More to my liking, is the gag reel, which includes a few chuckles. Also worth a listen, is a solid commentary track, with director Adam Shankman, writer Jason Filardi, and Queen Latifah. As I expected, Latifah is as much herself offscreen as she is on film-down to earth and fun. More ho-hum is the behind the scenes featurette and the hokey "Godfather of Hop" featurette. Both are kind of just taking up space. Queen Latifah's music video "Better Than the Rest" tops off the bonus material

Overall, the film is disappointing, in my humble opinion. Talented folks like Martin and Latifah deserve better films than this. If you are a fan Martin or Latifah, than by all means, you should check this out. For all others see it as a rental only


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