Rating: 
Summary: The Legacy
Review: Great film! This is a funny film, but, this is more than a Black comedy. This is a poignant story of understanding a legacy. Calvin, protrayed by Ice Cube, is a restless young man at a crossroad, deciding what he wants to pursue in life. He is a third-generation barbershop owner running a marginal business in the community. Frustrated to achieve more in life than his Father or Grandfather, we see him as a twice-failed businessman, looking to break away from running the barbershop and being 'just a barber'. By selling the business, getting out from the debt, and starting a recording studio business, he sees this as the path to this future. But, after selling the business, he then begins to realizes what the barbershop means to the community, the influence it has on the patrons, and the role his Father and Grandfather played in helping others for the past generations. He learns that this is the legacy that was pass on to him, and we see he is proud to accept that role.
Rating: 
Summary: Much ado about nothing . . . .
Review: I rarely review films but this particular movie has received so much publicity I felt compelled to see it and further motivated to write about it. The movie is set in a Southside Chicago barbershop owned by a typical Ice Cube character who has inherited it (and its debt) from his deceased father. Cube decides to sell the shop to the neighborhood loan shark to pursue his true dreams of producing music. Everything after this storyline is predictable ' Cube changes his mind about the sale, the loan shark won't return the shop etc. A parallel story line consist of the slap stick comedy of two characters who drives a truck into a convince store and steals the ATM. This storyline is by far the funniest part of the movie, but its milked so much that it becomes ineffective. Save for the comedic relief offered by the thieves, the movie is nothing more than an continuous display of racial stereotypes which, in a fully racialized American society, is funny to different people for different reasons. The reasons for the objections raised in the media about the movie's irreverent commentary on famous African American leaders and causes may have some validity. While I certainly don't believe that African American leaders and public figures are beyond comedic reproach, I can understand how the dialogue in the film can be misunderstood. It was clear to me that the entire dialogue on Rosa Parks, O.J. Simpson, etc. was deliberately written into the script to generate publicity. It's stated in the movie by one of the characters that 'what I'm about to say is going to upset some people'. And upset it did. So the media latches on - newspapers, radio talk shows, the CBS evening news ' there's been no end to the discussions on the appropriateness of the remarks made in jest. The result of the media exposure has proven to be very effective in promoting sales (over $40mm so far) but I don't think the movie is worthy of being taken so seriously. Forward thinking, reasonably intelligent people will see the film for what it is, a sometimes-funny movie with poor acting, weak story line and about thirty minutes longer than necessary. Backward thinking, shallow, racist, moviegoers may well see the film as validation of a host of stereotypes that they hold regarding African Americans and the Civil Rights movement. Regardless of the varied opinions of the movie, there's one thing I'm certain of - the film producers are craftier at marketing than they are at filmmaking. Unfortunately the success of their marketing is at the expense of a few highly revered African American historical figures. But such is the case with comedy . . . everything's funny as long as it's happening to someone else. You can wait on the video for this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved It!!
Review: Well, let me talk about this movie here. Folks I know went before me, and since we had a storm here(Isidore),and I was off work, I figured the best thing to do was to see this movie and I wasn't disappointed. Now Ice Cube should have just held on and don't take no money from no loan shark. He was in that much of a problem to get the money from that source? And Cedric the Entertainer. Chile, he was too much. his comments on our civil rights leaders was cold.That is probably the only time I didn't care for the movie. Anthony Anderson and Larenz Tate as the two bungling ATM robbers brought quite a bit of laughs. Especially when one knows there is No money in it, and its seems inpenetratable to break in it.Eve cracked me up when she caught her boyfriend with a women, and the guy that was African and had a crush on her, that was so sweet. I enjoyed it,I felt good coming out of it, and I recommend it highly to others.Mostly because it wasn't violent and you could take your kids to see it, but with the controversy surrounding it, I still recommend it.You be the judge. Peace.
Rating:
Summary: it's about time....
Review: that we get a movie that doesn't show us getting shot at every fifteen minutes! Barbershop was a pleasant surprise because the dialogue was well thought out and well scripted. You could tell that there was some improvision in the movie but it flowed. What I could do without though was the whole ATM subplot of the movie. It was necessary for the ending but it still didn't fit for me. Otherwise than that, it was a good film and I plan to go see it again soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Barbershop
Review: I had seen Ice Cube in "Where's the Benjamins" I liked that though it put blacks in a sterotypical scene, with the police not surprised that black dudes might/had stolen money, so I was curious what this film held for Ice. This film is warm and touching, (he loves his wife and expected baby not many Dad's talk to the Mommie's belly to the baby)I loved the by-play between the other hairdressers in the shop and the feel that it was a friendly place to be. One customer plays checkers from the moment they open until close. It is a good movie/video
Rating:
Summary: Barbershop
Review: Barbershop is a very good look into the epicenter of the urban community, or what many recognize as the congregation center for male communication. This feature film from the team who brought us Soul Food, weaves the largest plot (keeping or selling the handed-down establishment) to the smallest plot (the bumbling antics of two very bad crooks). In the end, viewers will leave Barbershop with a belly full of laughs and a heart full of love. The plot centers on Ice Cube's character that inherits the barbershop from his deceased father. Recognizing the tremendous debt that he is now responsible for, he can only see the shop as a burden. Ignoring the real value the barbershop holds as an age-old institution in the community, he accepts an offer from a neighborhood loan shark who plans to turn the barbershop into a strip joint. With a superbly talented and diverse cast, Barbershop features some notable performances. Cedric the Entertainer reaches new comic heights as the 70-year-old barber turned mentor to the crew of "Gen-X" barbers. Rapstress Eve plays the only female barber with the occasional stank attitude that arises from either someone in the shop drinking her apple juice or the actions of her cheating boyfriend. Stepping out of his typical tough-guy characters, Ice Cube also hits the jackpot with this juicy role as a tormented man always looking for that next big break. Watching the film and hearing the dialogue between the characters will remind male viewers of past barbershop experiences from childhood to adulthood. These experiences include everything from the older men who are fixtures within the barbershop, to the heated "topic of the day" that everyone weighs in on. And of course, no comment is ever spoken in soft tones. Without giving anything away, Barbershop is a must see, must support film by all. If you ever wanted a taste of what goes on in your neighborhood barbershop, check this film out. It has everything but the pool table and the weight set in the back room!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Showcase of Talent
Review: This had to have been one of the best movies I've seen in a while. Ice Cube did a wonderful job in portraying Calvin. Cedric The Entertainer - what can I say - funny as always! I think it had such a positive message as well as an excellent cast. Not a lot of cursing, so you can feel free to take the children. People of all races can feel comfortable about this movie that in my opinion will be just as good to view 5 years from now!
Rating:
Summary: Fresh, funny, and hip! A gem for the family to enjoy!
Review: Ice Cube has really come into his own. It was just over 10 years ago when he first appeared on the big screen in the gritty urban drama, "Boyz In The Hood," as the greasy jheri-curl wearing Doughboy, and now he has reappeared in another urban masterpiece worthy of the aforementioned praise as "Boyz" received years earlier. Calvin (Ice Cube) has inherited his late father's local barbershop, a staple in the South Side of Chicago community for over 40 years. Calvin reluctantly runs the shop, because he has bigger dreams of running a recording studio. When he falls behind in his payments, he sells the shop to a local loan shark (played by Keith David, also of "Dead Presidents" and "Eye for an Eye" fame). He soon realizes what a BIG mistake this was. Not only does he realize the jewel he has is gone, but the fact that the loan shark wants to change the business into a strip club!! Calvin tries to return the money to the loan shark, only to be told that the shop can become his if he can repay $40,000 by 7pm that night. In other news, one of his barbers, who is also a two-time felon, is being harassed by the local cop for possibly stealing an ATM machine from the mini-mart next door. The hilarious capers that ensue are played out by none other than Anthony Anderson (of "Two Can Play That Game", "Kingdom Come" and "Romeo Must Die" fame) and Lahmard Tate of (Don't Be A Menace...") fame. The predicaments these two nuts find themselves in is downright funny! Cedric the Entertainer sprinkles his comedic edge all through this movie that will have you crying in tears! Look out for rapper Eve in her movie debut (and she's not that bad either.) Barbershop is a family-oriented flick, that is non-violent and doesn't use a lot of cussing, either. You will enjoy every minute of it.
Rating:
Summary: Best Thing in a long time
Review: No ? Cedric "The Entertainer" carried the film! I loved every bit of this movie! No minute is wasted! Just go to see it for whatever kind of movies you like to watch! Something for everybody!
Rating:
Summary: Ice Cube is Chill
Review: As the owner of a neighberhood barber shop, Ice Cube has some important decisions to face. His father was the original owner of the store, and now Cube is faced with the decision to sell or not. Of course, you have to throw in the snide commentary by none other than Cedric the Entertainer and a verbal melee from other characters. All in all, a wonderful film.
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