Crossroads

Rating:
Summary: Britney Makes a Splash in Her Film Debut
Review: Since not very many people have been able to write a decent review of this movie, I felt compelled to do so. A movie as refreshing as this is worth it, in my humble opinion.

"Crossroads" is the story of three girls (Britney Spears as Lucy; Taryn Manning as Mimi; and Zoe Saldana as Kit) who decide to take a road trip to pursue their individual dreams. Lucy wants to travel to Arizona to see the mother (acted by Kim Cattrall) that skipped out on her and her father (played admirably by Dan Akroyd) when she was three; Mimi has aspirations of a singing career and wants to head to California for an open audition; and Kit just wants to tag along to California to visit the man that never has any time for her, her husband-to-be. Close friends when they were tiny tots, they grew apart as they reached maturity, each taking the individual path that life has led them.

Lucy is the all-around brain and good girl who never disobeys her father. And - surprise, surprise - she can sing and dance, too! Mimi is five months pregnant, garnering a reputation that precedes her wherever she goes. And Kit is just a stuck-up, always-clamoring-for-a-mirror type of girl who takes wicked delight in her popularity and good looks. Little do these three girls know that life will bring their lives full circle. And that at the end of the road, they will be as close as they've ever been.

Now when I first heard that Britney Spears was going to be in a movie, I had my own conclusions. I had seen her act on an episode of "Sabrina: The Teenage Witch" a few years back; you could definitely tell that she was new to the acting thing. But then she went and did "Saturday Night Live" the next year and really showed the world that she was capable of something more. Her performance as Dawn Paslowski, the bad-to-the-bone Mousketeer, was particularly memorable. And after having seen her strut her stuff in her feature film debut, I can officially declare it - Britney Spears can act, whether people like to admit it or not.

Britney has a very natural acting ability, which comes across so smoothly on-screen. It seems as though she's barely making an effort; that's how real it looks. And she does more than dance, sing and smile in this movie - I was genuinely moved by some of the things the script called on her to do. She has two - yes, two - crying scenes, the second one being an absolute standout. There is something in that very poignant scene alone that deserves praise. It was almost a little too real. This is something you've never seen out of Britney. Anyone who slams her performance obviously doesn't know good acting.

And the rest of the cast is outstanding as well. Taryn Manning is a delight as the preconceived Mimi, giving her a strength and endearing quality that the character needed to have in order to make her believable. And Zoe Saldana as Kit is just fabulous - she touches all the right chords with the character. She can be fussy, she can be funny, and she can be moving. I especially loved the casting of Dan Akroyd (as Lucy's father) and Kim Cattrall (as Lucy's mother). Their mere presence in the movie lends a credibility to the film that otherwise might not have been there. Not that the film wouldn't have been able to stand on its own without them; it's just that with two high-caliber stars like Akroyd and Cattrall, it lends it that certain "star-quality" style. And just to note: Cattrall and Britney look so much alike in the movie, you really do believe that they are mother and daughter. And, of course, we can't forget about the hunk behind the wheel, Ben (played by Anson Mount). Mount lends a ruggedness - yet a very real feel - to the movie that definitely needed balancing out due to all the female goings-on. His and Britney's chemistry in their scenes together is definitely something to watch for.

As far as the DVD goes, you can't go wrong with it. It has a host of features, highlighted by behind-the-scenes featurettes and commentaries by the director and writers. I have never before listened to a commentary while watching a film, but I did for this film, and it was very interesting. There are several bonus features in this package, and they just add to an already stellar DVD. The transfer is absolutely brilliant - I have never seen a picture look so sharp.

I really enjoyed this movie. I had my apprehensions, but Britney - supported by an excellent ensemble cast - allayed those apprehensions. Just because it has Britney Spears on the cover, don't assume that you're getting a particular type of movie. This one was everything I didn't think it would be - funny, charming, endearing, scary, heartfelt, and most of all - real.

Kudos to the cast and crew for making a movie that people everywhere can relate to. I, for one, was genuinely touched by it.

Rating:
Summary: Crossroads
Review: Britney, Spear yourself before you make another movie 'cause you ain't ready for Hollywood.

Rating:
Summary: It's so bad it's good
Review: You've gotta love Britney Spears, but this movie was pretty terrible. I had to see this movie on a red-eye flight because I couldn't sleep and I needed something to distract me. I probably would have had more fun staring at the back of the seat in front of me. The plot was very stupid and the acting was pretty horrible. However, it was such a bad movie, that it was actually kind of entertaining. Someone had to work really hard to make it this bad, and I think this person deserves some major credit

Rating:
Summary: Britney fans only
Review: To me, "Crossroads" was a soapy movie made by, for and about Britney. In other words, pure marketing strategy.
Glad for Britney if she's had fun shooting it, but I personally don't see the actress in her, or she should take lessons.
One-star rating because you cannot rate zero, but honestly, it's not worth spending your money on it, unless you're a huge Britney fan.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE!!
Review: Im never really liked Britney Spears but this movie was a great start on her acting career. This film is a little bit of everything> This movie will make u cry,laugh and even shock you
because the one part is very suprising! Very suspenful with just the right amount of "girl Power" lol. VERY WORTH THE MONEY!!!

Rating:
Summary: the #1 Britney fan in this whole universe
Review: i'm the #1 Britney fan in this whole universe...and ofcourse i'll say: its a GREAT movie..its a MASTER PIECE...i like this movie soooooo much...so if you're a Britney fan..you have to buy this...you won't be sorry i'm sure.

Rating:
Summary: Ouch...this hurt
Review: I tried to give Britney the benefit of the doubt here, but this movie was just bizarre and full of distracting subplots. It's suppossed to be a road trip and instead you are given miscarriages and date rape and parental rejection. Geesh, lighten up a little Brit! It should have been lighter in tone so it didn't end up so achingly melodramatic. Britney was actually fine in terms of acting but the story was horrible-and what was up with the stripping pole in the middle of karaoke bar?

Rating:
Summary: Fun and Cheesy.
Review: Crossroads is not going to be winning any awards anytime soon, but it is well worth taking a look at. With overall good performances and some fun scenes, Crossroads is one of those films that you can sit back and watch and have a good ole time. Britney Spears is the star of the movie, and believe it or not, she very sincere and charming in her first motion picture. She looks incredible on camera and you can't take her eyes off her. Taryn Manning almost steals the show from Britney as her trailer trash friend who persuades her and her other child hood friend to take a road trip to California to audition for a record label.
Zoe Saldana as Kit is wonderfully bitchy and absolutely beautiful. She makes the most out of her shallow role that could have made her very unlikeable. The plot is kind of cheesy and their are a few moments where you may laugh or role your eyes in certain scenes, but for the most part Crossroads is a lot of fun. You'll either hate it or love it. Just take it for what it is. A fun female buddy flick with Britney Spears.

Rating:
Summary: A road trip of personal soul-searching and self discovery
Review: I am a father of a daughter who absolutely loves Britney Spears. So, of course she knows that this movie is out on video, and really wants to see it. I, being a protective parent, one who honers the motion picture rating system, told her I need to preview it, and judge if it's ok for her to see or not (she's 7 and the film is rated PG13 for sexual content and brief teen drinking).

I will also admit, before this movie, and before buying my daughter the Britney Spears Dance Beat video game for the Sony Playstation 2, I wasn't a real big Britney Spears fan myself. I knew who she was, and recognized a song or two of hers on the radio, but that had been the extent of it.

But, after watching Crossroads, with the intent of checking it to make sure my daughter might be able to watch it, I will say, in all honesty, I loved this movie. Let me try my best to describe the film, without giving too much away (not wanting to ruin anything for someone who hasn't yet seen it).

The movie opens with 3 young girls, children, putting personal items into a box, items that have resembelance, and significance to their dreams, promising that after they graduate from high school, they would return to that same spot, dig up the box, and reexamine the dreams and goals they set for themselves; also swearing the would be friends for ever.

Well, for ever is shortened to eight years, as we see these same girls, in the midst of their high school graduation, not being able to stand each other; they simply grew apart over the years.

The friends; Lucy (Britney Spears), Kit (Zoe Saldana), Mimi (Taryn Manning), reluctantly return to the scene in which they burried their "box of dreams" as children just eight years earlier.
Lucy reveals her dreams was to go to Arizona to see her mother (Kim Cattrall), who had left her and her father (Dan Aykroyd) when she was very young; Kit's dream was to marry her high school sweetheart; Mimi admits to being unhappy where she is, and wants to travel and see the world. Mimi also reveals she wants to go to L.A. for an audition for a record label. She convinces Kit and Lucy to tag along with her, and so they set off to sunny California.
Lucy's main intent for traveling with them, was to be dropped off in Arizona so she could see her mother. A very emotional scene here. Kim Cattrall, as Lucy's mother, does not look too thrilled to see her own daughter, and actually asks Lucy "why are you here?" She doesn't even try to hide the fact that Lucy is very much unwelcome, and admits that she never wanted Lucy; Lucy was an umwelcome accident.
Lucy, heartbroken, reunites with her friends, and continues their quest to L.A.
Kits turn for shattered dreams. She surprises her fiance, and becomes surprised herself when she catches him with another woman.

The entire road trip, throughout the movie, is also a quest for personal soul-searching and self discovery, and re-kindling what had started out as a broken friendship.
A very touching movie. But, alas, I will have to break the bad news to my daughter, as it is not intended for younger viewers.
Here's why: In a couple scenes, they show Britney Spears in just her underwear (no nudity...just underwear); and there are moments of sexual intent (even tho they don't show anything...not appropriate for children). There is sexual innuendo and sexual dialogue.
I hope this review has been helpful; and I hope I haven't spoiled anything for those who have not yet seen Crossroads.

Rating:
Summary: Grammy's? It's Time for an Oscar!
Review: I was rather skeptical about this movie but again I was proven wrong, Girl Power is back. I know this wasn't an Acion Movie but I just have to say "It was Action Packed".

I couldn't believe the courage of young Britney Spears as she sets off across the country to find her mother. This movies is not as cliched as one would think.

I thought this would be a great movie for young women who aren't sure of themselves, I think this movie would give them the self confidence that many of our young women in america need today. On the same note try buying "A Walk to Remeber" another great story and another great review by me. I could see the self empowerment and confidence of each young women as the movie progressed such as when the young Britney Spears enters a karaoke contest to win some money. Young women could learn from this example i.e. self assertiveness, confidence in one's self, and ambition. All traits that young women need to succeed this crazy world of ours.

It's evitable that there be comparions to other crossover musician's as stated above Mandy Moore, but also with the greatest DIVA of all time Miss Mariah Carey. Unlike Madonna she is a talented actress. Just watch "Glitter" it's Mariah life story. It's an inspiring story for all kids.

But there is one more comparison to be made and that is to the GREATEST crossover talent the Universe has ever seen "Vanilla Ice" starring in "Cool as Ice". This man brought the rap scene to the main stream openning the doors for such "Vanilla Ice" wanna be's Eminem. The man coined such memorable one liners like "Drop the Zero and get with the Hero" and "Too the Extreme". Unlike Arnold Schwarzenagger, Vanilla Ice actually came up with his own lines.

Sorry but no one can measure up to the man "Vanilla Ice". Well if Britney Spear's came out with Crossroads 2? I might have to reconsider!