Brooklyn's Finest

"Who shot ya? Mob ties like Sinatra, Peruvians tried to do me in, I ain't paid them yet, Tryin to push 700's, they ain't made them yet, Rolex and bracelets is frostbit; rings too"

-Brooklyn's Finest (Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z)

This is a movie that I had been pretty excited about ever since I saw the trailer. It made me think could this be the new New Jack City?

You can't help but witness the familiar staples of the tough streets and housing projects as they are put on full display: murder, drugs, prostitution, white slavery, theft, police corruption and killings in the name of law and order. Brooklyn's Finest demonstrates overcoming personal demons, life skills, personal triumph and much more. You feel their pain and they take on each new day. It's truly survival of the fittest...eat or be eaten!

After watching the movie one will realize the movie relies heavily on perpetuating all kinds of stereotypes to move the story and pretty much suggests a level of corruption that if plausible would render our society fatal. However the story does works, primarily due to the fast paced action and superb acting. All in all it seems to manage being able to keep the audience's attention. One is kept wondering how the various subplots will work themselves out and who will survive the war in the end.

The true stars of this film are what I like to call a Triple Threat (Gere, Cheadle, and Hawke). They truly bring life to the film, you can't help but focus on each of their stories. In addition, the supporting cast helps to balance the darkness that is exhibited throughout the movie. And to top it off the camera work is gritty , extensive and realistic and the supporting cast members are tops in this well-made and interesting drama.

I will admit I was not to keen on the ending, but I have come to realize that maybe this is Fuqua's style for movies such as this (hence Training Day). In addition, even though the end may not be want we want, but it is actually reality and that gives it an authenticity different many other films.

Grade: A-

Rewind Wednesday: Pretty Woman

We are back!! This Rewind Wednesday is a doozy! I had to consult with some of my other fellow movie buffs to see what we would reveal this week. And I think I got one for ya!! Pretty Woman which made its debut in 1990 is one of thse films that probably everyone can relate too in some sort of fashion.

Pretty Woman was initially intended to be a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles but was reconceptualized into a romantic comedy. The film was a critical success and became one of 1990's highest grossing films, and today is one of the most financially successful entries in the romantic comedy genre, with an estimated gross of $464 million USD.

Casting of Pretty Woman was a rather lengthy process. Garry Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve for the role of Lewis, and Al Pacino turned it down. Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before turning the leading role down. Gere agreed to the project. Now after reading about this next part my jaw dropped, Julia Roberts was far from the first choice for the role of Vivian. Many successful A-list actresses including Molly Ringwald (turned it down because she felt uncomfortable with the content in the script, and did not like the idea of playing a prostitute). In several interviews that she would later state that she "regrets turning the role down." Even Meg Ryan was a top choice of Marshall's (Director), turned it down. Some others included Michelle Pfeiffer who would turn the role down as well, because she did not like the "tone" of the script. And lastly Daryl Hannah was considered, but turned the role down because she believed it was "degrading to women". Interestingly enough, When all the other actresses turned down the role, Julia Roberts, who was relatively unknown at the time, with the exception of the film Steel Magnolias, was able to win the role.

Many movies have paralleled from this original to make it more interesting for various audiences. The Princess Diaries (1 and 2) as well as the television series Ugly Betty have stemmed off from this timeless movie.

I can definitely say that Pretty Woman is one of the better romantic comedies made and definitely one to watch again... And again.... And maybe again lol.

"Who knew it was so much fun to be a hooker?... She walked off the street, into his life and stole his heart."