Rating: Summary: It's Old-Fashioned. But Still Funny & Two Stars Are Great Review: Thank Heaven! Steve Martin is finally back in physical comedy. Sure, he was good in "Spanish Prisoner" and "Novocane," but this is the kind of film we fans wanted to see. And delightful Queen Latifah is also great, showing her Oscar nomination is not a fluke.But don't look for any romantic comedy element, which has become the trend of recent Hollywood movies. In fact, this is a comedy you might have seen in the 80s, in which the characters get involved in troubles, and then realize the meaning of life, or something like that. And as other reviewers rightly say, lots of clithe are thrown into the story, with stereotypes and caricatures that might offend some people. Steve Martin is a lawyer Peter Sanderson, which means in this kind of comedy, that he is working too much. So he again cancels the trip to Hawaii with the kids, and his wife divorced him, considering that he is a hopeless case. But he has secret fun; he daily meets Charlene on the net, chatting joyfully with her, giving some free legal tips on this and that. Then when the physical Charlene shows up at the door, well, you know, she turns out an ex-convict Peter least expected to see. Of course, Queen Latifah's Charlene says she is innocent, being framed. And we know from miles away that Peter is going to like her. Not only him, but his kids soon come to like her, and even his partner Eugene Levy seems to have fallen in love with her. There is few things that are really surprising. Even the grumpy matron Joan Plowright looks predictable. (You should know the director is Adam Shankman of "The Wedding Planner") But that fact doesn't mean the film is bad. Actually "Bringing Down the House" is full of joy for those who love this kind of comedy based on incongruous pair of man and woman. The story itself is as stale as last year's cookie, but the characters are certainly fun to see. The two leads are always great, plus you get a reliable support from Levy, who is as funny as the dad in "American Pie." Steve Martin's fans would see many of his irresistible trademark smiles, and don't miss the last sequence which alone can make up for any tedious moments. Steve Martin, using some lingo of the boys in the hood, is dressed in hip-hop costume, and shows a bit of dancing. Oh, so he can still go physical. Many gags are 'potentially offensive' -- for example, Steve Martin grabbing certain parts of Queen Latifah might not be a sihgt you want your kids to see. And a spiritual song sung at dinner party is not to everybody's taste. I didn't care very much about them, but perhaps that's because I am a Japanese, so keep it in mind. Again I say, this is not a romantic comedy; it's a good, old-fashioned comedy in which you get laugh and enjoy yourself. Though this many not be "bringing down the house," it is still fun, especially for the fans of the two stars.
Rating: Summary: Good chemistry and lots of laughs from Steve and Queen La Review: I'm not a big Steve Martin fan, but for some reason I decided to see this movie. I'm glad I did, it was really funny. Instead of being a generic comedy that gets its laughs from racial stereotypes, it's actually more like a parody of generic comedies that get their laughs from racial stereotypes. Some of the jokes are so over the top that they'd be uncomfortable to watch if they weren't so funny (Joan Plowright singing an incredibly offensive negro spiritual is one that comes to mind). Queen Latifah's got charisma to spare, and she has good chemistry with Steve Martin. The supporting cast is hilarious, especially Eugene Levy (who falls in love with Latifah's character, who he calls a "cocoa goddess"), Joan Plowright (who at one point gets high and asks for the nearest all night diner) and Betty White (who plays a character about as ignorant and bigoted as they come). Overall, a very enjoyable comedy.
Rating: Summary: Not as good as I hoped Review: Watching the commercials for this movie, I was sure it was going to be one of the funniest movies I would see this year. I was wrong! Steve Martin plays a lawyer who is looking for love after divorcing with his wife because he was always too busy at work. He thinks he's going to meet a gorgeous blonde lawyer, but instead he gets the shock of his life- Charlotte!(Queen Latifah) It's funny how persistent Charlotte is, like how she throws a party inside his house, etc. She gets along great with his two kids. But sometimes I felt like the comedy was more titled toward to the R rating than PG-13. There are some references to sex, alchohol, etc. and the comedy is very racist. If you think this is a flick the whole family will enjoy, I'd have to stop you there. It's probably suited for ages 14+. This just teaches you to not always follow the commercials. Bringing Down the House is very funny, but isn't worth buying. I'd rent it at blockbuster or whereever if I was you. Overall, this movie is worth watching though! It's funny, heartwarming, and You'll LOVE IT!
Rating: Summary: Tired, Not Funny at All, and Candy Coated Review: Yaaaawwwwwn. What a horrible film. The whole concept of mixing a "whitey-tighty" lawyer Steve Martin with a ghetto-fabulous hipster Queen Latifah does not succeed on the mere situation created. The comedy part of this is completely watered down and force-fed. It's almost as if a "Politically Correct Action Committee" reviewed the script before the movie was released. If the writers wanted to truly make this funny, it should have been more "in-your-face," believable, and more raw. This movie is very dated and we have come a long way in society to the point I view this movie as extremely trite and cheesey.
Rating: Summary: Funny! Review: This movie was funny at times, and other times it was a bit slow. I bought the movie because I liked Steve Martin. His character was like his other characters in most of his movies of the past. Queen Latiefah was very enjoyable as well, her character held back her normally bold personality, but her acting was great! And Eugene "You go me straight-up trippin' boo," Levy, was the best out of them all. I only wish he had more exposure in the film. A must see.
Rating: Summary: TheKingOfComedyMeetsTheQueen Review: It seems like if a movie is Half decent these days,its a HIT."Bringing Down The House" is fantastic from start to finish.I saw this DVD at my Sisters house,with my Aunt and Uncle,and we ALL ENJOYED it.I love the DVD's special additions with the actors talking about each scene,and Queen Latifah's video for the soundtrack.Everytime I go over my Sisters house,she wants to watch this movie again,and so do I.Steve Martin is funnier than ever,and Queen Latifah is perfect for this role.
Rating: Summary: The House Is Going To Fall! Review: The House Is Going To Fall! Could you 'imagine' dating someone who was a criminal? Well guess what this is what part of Bringing Down the House is all about. This is a great movie that I would want all of you to watch if your old enough that is. I really want you to watch this movie because it is so funny (don't say why its funny because don't want to ruin the whole movie, it wouldn't be a surprise then) and when its over you'll wan tot watch it over and over again until you can't watch it no more. One of my opinions about this movie is that the theme was very good. It was very different from other movies themes, because a lot of movies themes are about the same thing. Also it was very funny all at the same The actors in this movie are astounding. The actors in this movie are immense and are see in a lot of other movies too. Also they have won a lot of awards from starring in other movie or best actor of the year. Along with the actors being famous they were awesome. They had fit their part so well. You couldn't tell they were acting, it seemed like they were being their selves. Also the plot wasn't very understandable. It didn't make any sense to my friend and I and we asked some other friends of ours and they didn't either. Since this movie was so good I gave it three stars. Even though it could of done a few more things to have fixed it. I would recommend this movie to anyone who I ready to laugh his/her heads off. So go rent or buy it now its grand! I would really think about watching this if I was you!
Rating: Summary: Good enough for me Review: Bringing Down The House was a very enjoyable movie for me. At first, I didn't think to highly of the idea of putting Steve Martin and Queen Latifah together, but it worked out well. Of course, Eugene Levy's character howie was the character I enjoyed seeing the most as he constantly was flirting with Charlene (Latifah's Character) Anyway, here's a description of the movie. Peter (steve martin) is a tax attorney who is a constant workaholic. Because of this, his wife leaves him and his kids aren't too thrilled to be with him. Kinda of reminds me of the movie Liar, Liar. Anyway, Peter makes a blind Internet date with LawyerGirl. However, Peter doesn't realize that he is talking to an convict in Charlene who is seen in the very back of the picture. Charlene tries to get peter to help clear her name, but he decides he's not having it, but Charlene refuses to take no for an answer. She ends up staying and does help him get his wife back and Peter does find a way to help claim her innocent by going to the downtown club that Charlene's ex-boyfriend is at and get a statement from him that he did set her up. That scene was hilarous especially the way that Peter tried to get by disguising himself as a gangsta. Peter in the end quits the firm he's with and starts up a new one with Howie by his side. peter gets his wife back and howie has a relationship with charlene. It's worth checking out.
Rating: Summary: Seems Longer Than the Actual Running Time Review: In spite of great promises and the name of Steve Martin to bring this movie up- it is the substance of the movie that truly 'lets down the house'. The plot and story tend to drag at various points for extended periods of time. The characters are basically shallow figures that seem to only exist scene to scene without anything to tie it all together. The interaction between them seems, at best, unnatural and very scripted. This is best exemplified by the relationship between the various members of the family portrayed in the film. Otherwise, you have the most trite, tired, and pointless stereotypes on the charactors. Steve Martin is your typical WASP that the socially envious amongst us want to be- a successful tax attorney in a large firm, drives a brand new Mercedes, large house, divorced, three children, plenty of flash cash that he flaunts, member of exclusive country club, etc. His downfall you ask? The typical 'white guy in the movie syndrome'. Totally 'uncool' by hip-hop standards, out of touch with his children, can't dance, speaks in very bland terms, and and a racist under the surface. How about that as being stereotypical? Other stereotypes in this movie include the gold-digger, the ex-wife dating the much younger man, the out of control teenage daughter who sneaks out, and the sexually ambigious, learning disabled younger son of successful and intelligent parents. Throw in the old southern belle heiress with tons of money and it adds even more flavor to the race card. Queen Latifa (excuse the spelling please) portrays the savvy, street smart, and conniving woman who cons her way into Steve Martins life under the pretense that she was wrongfully accused of a robbery. She is probably the only character is the movie that has any depth and definition whatsoever, but then again she is the only 'cool' and 'fashionable' one in the entire picture. Racial overtones are the order of the movie and appear so frequently that no effort is made to thinly diguise them under any sort of humor at all. These range from a paranoid, nosy, bigot neighbor who dreads the presence of any black person on her street to stares of Queen Latifa in the country club (to include her receiving a drink order). The list goes on.... In this movie I am reminded of the mid 1980's Tom Cruise hit "Risky Business". The storyline is very similiar minus a few minor details but you get the point- sucessful suburb dwellers whose lives are rocked by an undesirable showing up and feeling completely powerless to stop them. Events that conclude this movie are highly improbable and pointless and seem to only serve the benefit of showing how 'un-hip' the dazzling suburbanites are.
Rating: Summary: okay... Review: This movie isn't the best movie I've ever watched, nor is it even close to being the worst. It had a few good laughs, but could have been a lot better.
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