Rating: Summary: A takeoff on Heaven can Wait Review:
Director: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Format: Color
Studio: Paramount Home Video
Video Release Date: December 4, 2001
Cast:
Chris Rock ... Lance Barton/Charles Wellington, III/Joe Guy
Regina King ... Sontee Jenkins
Chazz Palminteri ... King
Eugene Levy ... Keyes
Frankie Faison ... Whitney Daniels
Mark Addy ... Cisco
Greg Germann ... Sklar
Jennifer Coolidge ... Mrs. Wellington
Wanda Sykes ... Wanda
John Cho ... Phil Quon
Mario Joyner ... Apollo M.C.
Bryetta Calloway ... Gospel Singer
Martha Chaves ... Rosa
Brian Rhodes ... Charles Wellington, III
Herb Lovelle ... Trashman
Kedar Brown ... Heckler
Adam Dannheiser ... Doorman
Malcolm Devine ... Singer
Collette Wilson ... Singer
Maiesha McQueen ... Singer
Robin Montague ... Woman in Balcony
Hollie Harper ... Woman in Balcony
Scott Wickware ... Bouncer
Jack Newman ... Bob Krantz (the Middle-Aged Guy)
William Lynn ... Elderly Man
Leah Miller ... Tina Lovette (the Party Girl)
David Huband ... Maitre'd - Serge
Woodrow W. Asai ... Asian Man
Laz Alonso ... BET Announcer
Dennis Pressey ... M.C. at Comedy Shock
Arnold Pinnock ... Joe Guy
David M. Rodriguez ... Flower Delivery Man
Linda Maurel-Sithole ... Protester
Gwen Stewart ... Protester
Chris Ausnit ... Protester
Mary Burton ... Reporter outside Hospital
Jernard Burks ... Man in Wheelchair
Clem Moorman ... Patient
Hollis Granville ... Sick Person
Mung-Ling Tsui ... Reporter inside Hospital
Paulette Sinclair ... Blanche
Ali LeRoi ... Crazy Hostile Dreadlock Guy
Reginald Footman ... Dreadlock's Buddy
Michael Port ... Mugger
Colin Fox ... Director
Paul Hecht ... Director
Jack Jessop ... Director
Kenny Robinson ... Club M.C.
Mary Kate Law ... Fur Protester
Roger Kugler ... Hit Man
Roma Torre ... Herself
Harlin Kearsley ... Mike Green
Dan Duran ... Reporter
Jimmy DellaValle ... Hot Dog Vendor
Justin Peroff
Mandy Lee Jones ... Teenager in Heaven
The plot is exactly the same as the old movie, Heaven Can Wait, starring Warren Beatty, and first released as Here Comes Mr. Jordan. The latter two films, however, were played rather straight, without the humor in Down to Earth. There are differendes, too. Instead of a death-defying wish to be a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, like Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) in Heaven Can Wait, His counterpart in Down to Earth, Lance Barton (Chris Rock) is a black comedian who wants to play in the old Apollo theater before it is closed.
Like Pendleton, he is temporarily issued the body of a millionaire, or perhaps a billionaire, until another more suited to his talents can be found.
This movie has some hillarious ramifications, and is truly entertaining. Like Joe Pendelton, Lance falls in love in his temporary body, which presents a problem since he is not allowed to keep that identity, but must 'move on' when a more permanent body is found for him.
This movie is filled with comedy, when his aged white host acts like a hip black comedian. Unlike some other reviewers, I thought it a wonderful, diverting film.
Joseph (Joe) Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books
Rating: Summary: ... Review: "Down to Earth" is a great movie. One of the best comedies I have seen in my whole entire life. Chris Rock is hilarious in this new DVD. I can't think of a better movie to get other than "Down to Earth." You'll be laughing like crazy while seeing this movie. If you're looking for a rrreeeeeeaaaaaallllllyyy funny and long comedy buy "Down to Earth" from Amazon.com now before it's out of stock. Here's your chance so get out your creditcard or a parent if you're a kid and order "Down to Earth" on DVD or VHS now!
Rating: Summary: Down In The Dumps Review: A comedian (Rock) accidentally dies before his time in a bus accident. When he gets to heaven, there's no room for him yet, so they send him back to Earth temporarily in another body... and he falls in love with a crusading social activist (King). The hitch? They sent him back in a "most unsuitable host body"... a rich white man whose wife and mistress want to kill him. (Mark Addy plays an unemployed actor pretending to be an English Butler).
Rating: Summary: down here on earth Review: An aspiring Black comedian is killed in an accident before his big break. The angels made a mistake; it is not his time to go yet. So begins the process of finding a new body... Until the permanent body is found, he needs to temporarily reside in an old rich White man's body... As a result, most of the movie is revolving around Chris Rock's adventures in his temporary body... This movie falls into the comedy genre and is able to pull consistent laughs from the audience, however, it falls short in the technical field. The script is a bit loose and the acting skills are not up to the par either. All in all and interesting mediocre comedy...
Rating: Summary: A great romantic comedy Review: Chris Rock (Beverly Hills Ninja) is hilarious! As well as Eugene Levy (Best In Show) and Jennifer Coolidge (Best In Show). Lance Barton (Rock) goes to heaven to find that Keyes (Levy) made a mistake, accidently taking Lance's life way too early! I reccomend this movie to anyone who just wants to kick back, relax and enjoy a great feel-good film.
Rating: Summary: Stinks Review: Chris Rock is not funny and he can't act. 'nuff said.
Rating: Summary: A thoroughly average movie. Review: Chris Rock is one of the funniest comedians around. Unfortunately it didn't come out in this movie. Perhaps it was the poor script, or maybe it was the lack of chemistry with the female lead. In any event the movie simply doesn't do justice to Rock's style of humor. It was very evidently toned down to appeal to the masses, and because of that it simply didn't work. While the plot of this movie has potential this version of it was simply boring. Don't spend your money on it, you'll only be dissapointed.
Rating: Summary: AWESOME DOWN TO EARTH COMEDY Review: Chris Rock's in his first big leading role "Down To Earth".This movie has great comedy, and stand up comedy material and cool soundtrack featuring: DMX,Snoop Doggy Dogg, Lauren Hill, Mystikal and many more.The movie was based on Warren Beatty's hit film of the 70's "Heaven Can't Wait". Lance Barton(Rock)is a stand up comedian who cant bring it in a big audience and gets booed alot, but it all changes when he gets hit by a semi-trailer and goes to heaven, finding out that it wasnt his time to leave yet they try and find him a body.The body which selects is the 15th richest man in america 'Mr Wellington' a cut throat buisness man who is tryng to close the down Brooklyns own hospital, which the reporter Sante Jenkins hates Wellington and protest against this doing. The reason Lance picks Wellington is because he has the hots for Miss Jenkins.Lance changes everything with the hospital for Miss Jenkins also working on material for his stand up act in the Apollo as it is about to close.We see alot in this HILAROIUS film as Lance forgets that he is in a white body, we see him driving down to street with snoop dogg in the stereo system, also see him in a black comedy club doing black comedy. The film has a sad but happy ending, it is weird but you just have to watch it.Surprisingly this film is only PG, knowing Rock's stand up comedy acts we would all think this was going to be M, but anyway it is made out to be a GREAT family movie thats packs alot of laughs.This is a must get for Chris Rock fans and also for comedy fans,it is a fun movie from start to finish and well deserves to be in you collection.The is not many Special features on the DVD, but the movie makes up for it. HIGHLY RECOMENDED
Rating: Summary: AWESOME DOWN TO EARTH COMEDY Review: Chris Rock's in his first big leading role "Down To Earth".This movie has great comedy, and stand up comedy material and cool soundtrack featuring: DMX,Snoop Doggy Dogg, Lauren Hill, Mystikal and many more.The movie was based on Warren Beatty's hit film of the 70's "Heaven Can't Wait". Lance Barton(Rock)is a stand up comedian who cant bring it in a big audience and gets booed alot, but it all changes when he gets hit by a semi-trailer and goes to heaven, finding out that it wasnt his time to leave yet they try and find him a body.The body which selects is the 15th richest man in america 'Mr Wellington' a cut throat buisness man who is tryng to close the down Brooklyns own hospital, which the reporter Sante Jenkins hates Wellington and protest against this doing. The reason Lance picks Wellington is because he has the hots for Miss Jenkins.Lance changes everything with the hospital for Miss Jenkins also working on material for his stand up act in the Apollo as it is about to close.We see alot in this HILAROIUS film as Lance forgets that he is in a white body, we see him driving down to street with snoop dogg in the stereo system, also see him in a black comedy club doing black comedy. The film has a sad but happy ending, it is weird but you just have to watch it.Surprisingly this film is only PG, knowing Rock's stand up comedy acts we would all think this was going to be M, but anyway it is made out to be a GREAT family movie thats packs alot of laughs.This is a must get for Chris Rock fans and also for comedy fans,it is a fun movie from start to finish and well deserves to be in you collection.The is not many Special features on the DVD, but the movie makes up for it. HIGHLY RECOMENDED
Rating: Summary: Super Romantic Comedy & Minor Flaws Review: Down to Earth surprised me because I assumed I was getting ready to watch another ignorant black movie and I wasn't in the mood. I was glad to see my first impression was wrong. Down to Earth is a wonderful romantic comedy. Chris Rock does what he does best, keep it funny. He has chemistry with all the characters including Eugene Levy, Chazz Pa(? ) and Regina King. Lance ( Rock ) is a struggling comedian finally winning his chance to become something great. His life is ended when he's confronted by a lovely vision ( Regina King )while riding his bike. Little does Lance know his number is up and Keys ( Eugene Levy ) is the messenger that takes him up to heaven. Lance is given the option of returning back to earth as a rich white man. The fault with this is that when Lance becomes Charles Wellington, he doesn't KNOW anything about Charles. But shouldn't he know everything if he has BECOME Charles? I guess the filmmakers didn't see the slip-up. Once Lance claimed the body he would have automatically become the dead guy. So why was it he didn't know anything about...himself? Anyway, Charles is a " bastard " to hear Sontee Jenkins tell it. Sontee ( Regina King ) has stolen Lance's heart and the only way he can woo her is through Charles' body. That's when the fun really begins. As predicted, Lance slowly charms Sontee until she falls for him. He also ends up with a shot at playing the Apollo. Everything is where it should be and his life has never been better, except that ( it isn't his life is it?). By the time Lance gets in the true groove of being Charles, the angels find another body. Lance tries to allude them so he can keep Sontee and his newfound good fortune but it all comes to an end. But as all romantic comedies go, Lance ends up getting the girl in an entirely different form. This was predictable at times. It's a remake of Heaven Can Wait with Warren Beatty. We KNEW Lance would get the girl. We KNEW his dreams would come true. The major faults were stereotypical jokes and behavior against blacks. It wasn't a big deal in this particular film, but it was there and it wasn't needed. This film relies heavily on the differences between the black and white cultures. It does move the film along, but it gets tiresome after the fourth " see-how-we're-different " joke. The actors give convincing performances. Rock is not my first choice for a romantic lead, but he IS the funniest man in America and he was the hottest comedian in 2001. There is no question why Rock was awarded this film deal. Regina King puts in another great performance. Down to Earth is entertaining but would have been even better with a stronger male lead. But make no mistake, I love Chris Rock.
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