DOWN TO EARTH
I really like the concept of the movie "Down To Earth". It is about a young black man (Chris Rock) who dies in an accident and is sent to heaven. However it wasn't actually his time to go, so he is allowed a second chance. Only problem is, he has to return to earth in the ... Read review
Down to Earth, a tepid reworking of Warren Beatty'sHeaven Can Wait(itself a remake of ... more
1941'sHere Comes Mr. Jordan), tries to mould comedian Chris Rock into an amiable romantic lead, but it softens the scathingly observant humour that made Rock a stand-...
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Acclaimed as the funniest man in America, Chris Rock delivers a first-rate performance in ... more
this romantic comedy about a man who gets a second chance at life and love. Struggling black comic Lance Barton (Rock) knows what it's like to die on stage. But w...
Down to Earth, a tepid reworking of Warren Beatty'sHeaven Can Wait(itself a remake of ... more
1941'sHere Comes Mr. Jordan), tries to mould comedian Chris Rock into an amiable romantic lead, but it softens the scathingly observant humour that made Rock a stand-...
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Struggling black comic Lance Barton (Rock) knows what it's like to die on stage. But when ... more
his life takes an unexpected turn straight to heaven Lance is sure there's been a mistake. Miraculously he's right! An angel tells Lance he was taken premature...
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Director: Giuseppe Tornatore - Original Language: Italian - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana
Advantages: some funny jokes, interesting plot, nice romantic angle, Jennifer Coolidge and Greg Germann's double act Disadvantages: a TEENSY bit far-fetched!
DOWN TO EARTH
I really like the concept of the movie "Down To Earth". It is about a young black man (Chris Rock) who dies in an accident and is sent to heaven. However it wasn't actually his time to go, so he is allowed a second chance. Only problem is, he has to return to earth in the body of an old fat white man. But, then again, it was a RICH old fat white man. So maybe it won't be so bad. Right?
... ...comedy act doesn't really go down quite as well when you're making black people jokes in a white man's body.
And, when you suddenly change from money-grabbing mean guy, to someone who puts people BEFORE money, your former associates aren't necessarily going to like it. Especially when they're prepared to go to any lengths to stop you - even if that means killing.
--------------------------------------------------- more
DOWN TO EARTH
I really like the concept of the movie "Down To Earth". It is about a young black man (Chris Rock) who dies in an accident and is sent to heaven. However it wasn't actually his time to go, so he is allowed a second chance. Only problem is, he has to return to earth in the body of an old fat white man. But, then again, it was a RICH old fat white man. So maybe it won't be so bad. Right?
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
Lance: Hey I still look like me. King: You are you. Lance: I thought I was Wellington. King: You are Wellington. Lance: Well thanks for clearing that up.
Lance Barton is about to find himself hit by a truck. He was actually meant to SURVIVE, but a paranoid angel by the name of Mr Keyes plucks him from the accident BEFORE the point of impact, and so he finds himself waiting to get into Heaven - a place where, if your name ain't down, you ain't getting in.
Lance IS on the list - but he's not expected for another fifty years. After making sufficient fuss ("You killed me! You took my body!") and getting the management, Mr King, on side, he is offered a second chance - but he can't have his old body back. Finally, in desperation, he takes the body of Charles Wellington, a man who has just been murdered by his wife and his employee (who are also having a rampant affair with one another).
He quickly discovers that Charles wasn't the nicest person in the world when he immediately meets Sontee Jenkins, a fiery and mouthy girl who is totally against Charles and everything he stands for. Apparently Charles has bought a Brooklyn hospital, and this means that all the poor people who can't afford medical care will no longer be able to get what they need. Charles might have been mean, but Lance isn't - he can see Sontee's point. And he is already starting to fall for her. Trouble is, how on earth can he get Sontee to love him back when he isn't even comfortable in his own body?
At the same time, he is having to deal with two other problems - his murderous wife, who still can't understand how Charles managed to survive but wants to be to be reunited with him now; and the fact that his comedy act doesn't really go down quite as well when you're making black people jokes in a white man's body.
And, when you suddenly change from money-grabbing mean guy, to someone who puts people BEFORE money, your former associates aren't necessarily going to like it. Especially when they're prepared to go to any lengths to stop you - even if that means killing.
This film is based on the screenplay of a 1978 movie written by and starring Warren Beattie, called "Heaven Can Wait". This is a similar story, about a quarterback who is taken to heaven by accident and comes back in the body of a murdered millionaire, where he then buys the LA Rams so he can be a quarterback for them again.
"Down to Earth" follows this pattern fairly closely. When Lance, an aspiring comedian before his death, wants to continue to pursue his career in his new body (that of millionaire Charles Wellington), he buys his own comedy club in order to showcase his skills. Charles' wife was also one of his murderers, which is also true in the Beattie story.
The main difference appears to be the fact that Lance is going from being a young black male to being a white man, and he finds it hard to acclimatise to this - especially as, when he looks in the mirror, he still sees the person he was before his "death". But he can't do the same things he could do before - singing along to rap music gets him beaten up, for example. He's hasn't just taken on a new body -he has taken on a new race and a whole new identity with it.
Lance is a very likeable hero and Chris Rock plays the part well, coming out with some choice one-liners at times. His character seems essentially like a very sweet guy who really cares about people, but also has determination to succeed in his own choice of career.
Eugene Levy, as usual, is superb in his role - that of the bumbling Mr Keyes, a constant worrier who is slightly TOO cautious for his own good. His role isn't a huge one, but it is fairly important. As is the role of Mr King, Heaven's manager, which Chazz Palminteri plays like a tame member of the Mafia - harmless when unprovoked but he looks like he could get you killed if he wanted (which, funnily enough, he could!)
Then there's Wanda, the maid with the big gob who is NEVER satisfied. She is quite a character and provides quite a bit of the comedy in the film.
However, the best performances came from Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde, etc) and Greg Germann (Ally McBeal) who played the murderous nymphomaniacs, Mrs Wellington and Sklar. They were a fantastic double act, especially their reaction when "Charles" says to them "I know y'all tried to kill me" after he's apparently returned from the dead. The way they sucked up to him in person then plotted against him made me really mad, but made me laugh at the same time.
I really enjoyed this film first time I watched it, and I have watched it several more times since. It's the kind of film I enjoy because it is essentially a romantic comedy, but the "back to life" angle is also very interesting in my view.
The one thing that can be a little confusing is the way that we always see Chris Rock's character as HIM, rather than seeing him as Charles. In the same way that, in Quantum Leap, Scott Bakula's character would be in a different body each week but he would still look like Scott Bakula most of the time, Chris always looks like Chris. Occasionally, if Lance was doing something that looks strange on an old fat white guy, such as rapping, or dancing, or making black jokes, they would show Charles from everyone else's perspective but this was only to illustrate that point. However, after a while, you get used to this.
I would definitely recommend watching this film. It's funny, it's full of action and it has a great r & b / hip-hop soundtrack backing it up - but its also romantic and sweet too!
Advantages: Some funny one liners Disadvantages: Nothing new
This film is loosely based on the 1978 film 'Heaven Can Wait' starring the heart throb of the day Warren Beatty, so you find a lot of the events in this film very familiar if you have seen the aforementioned film.
Chris Rock plays Lance Barton, a struggling comic, whose act is just not funny, and all he dreams of doing is appeating on the stage at the legendary Apollo theatre, and not being booed off stage by the critical audience, which is what ... ...that The Apollo is being closed down, and the final night is going to be the place to showcase your talent, and he sets his sights on getting one of the coveted slots for that last night. His life seems to be on the up. He thinks he has enough talent to make it big, and he has also just met the woman of his dreams, a lady called Sontee (Regina King), so it is not surprising that he is not concentrating 100% as he cycles home....and is hit and killed ...
nicanddarrell 09.03.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Down To Earth (DVD)
Advantages: Chris Rock's comedy performance. Good supporting cast. Good soundtrack. Disadvantages: Overuse of the same joke.
...himself in the US, but Down To Earth represents his first mainstream effort as a lead character. And it is a good effort for a man who, although in his mid thirties, brings a fresh new face to our screens.
The story deals with failing black comedian Lance Barton, who is determined to work on his terrible stand-up act and win over his audience. One night, after another poor performance, whilst cycling home he is distracted by the sight of a beautiful ... ...driving in front of him...BANG! He awakens to find himself in Heaven - portrayed here as a casino-like paradise run by head angel Mr King. When he discovers he was brought to Heaven accidentally too early, Lance is determined to return to Earth to sort out his act and meet Sontee. The angels owe him a favour and offer him a 'loaner' - a person who has just died, but yet to be discovered.
He ends up choosing the body of Charles Wellington, a 53-year-old ...
MrRPriest 13.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Down To Earth (DVD)
Advantages: supporting cast Disadvantages: just not funny
...to a white man getting down to it. At the end of the day this film is so very average, not a lot happens. By no means is it an awful film but considering that Rock is meant to be carrying this film you have to ask the question. Why isn't this film funny?" Maybe it's due to the fact that it's a remake of a film that was a re-make of another film that was an adaptation of a play. I don't know. ...
utero 19.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Down To Earth (DVD)
Advantages: virtuoso stuff from Comedian Chris Rock Disadvantages: too much like Heaven Can Wait
If you think you've seen this film before - you have. It's a re-make of 'Heaven Can Wait'....and if you've seen this review before you have too, as it was posted by one of Ciao's newest members 'dr_know-all' as his own earlier today. However any notion you might have that it was all his own work, don't bother. Like all of the 8 film reviews the 'Doctor' has placed on Ciao so far - they are ALL stolen from worthy members of Dooyoo. In fact, I wrote ... ...Dooyoo as the Ciao site was down.
I have since received the following completely lame excuse from the member concerned:
"Comment by dr_know-all (21.06.2001 14:10) READ THIS, I KNOW YOU SEEN COPYS OF DOOYOO OPINOINS DONE BY ME, IF YOU SHOULD KNOW I DO NOT DO THIS FOR MY OWN BENEFITS, I LOVE TO HELP CHARITIES AND AS FAR I AS IM CONCERNED THATS EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING. ALL MONEY I GENTEATE FROM THIS I AM GIVING TO CHARITY. I MAY OF TAKEN YOUR OPINOION ...
flashpointz 21.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Down To Earth (DVD)
Advantages: chris rock Disadvantages: just not funny enough
...you know he is knocked down by a truck and killed- luckily those heavenly angels realise its not his time to go (oops) and deliver him back into the temporary body of a middle aged white rich bloke, whose wife is trying to kill him, there after much hilarity ensues. Or rather, it should have. Just as you are getting into the film you think the potential for comedy is there, unfortunately it just doesn't materialise and you're left with lots of hit ... ...film is that there is perhaps too much focus on Chris Rock and the rest of the supporting characters are just too weak and under developed, plus they give decidedly below par performances on the whole. There are some good moments in the film- all the bits where Chris Rock is on stage are very funny, he is eminently watchable and the main source of comedy is the rather predictable black vs white culture clash. The film also suffers from a 12 rating. ...
sarah1 28.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Down To Earth (DVD)
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Advantages: Very funny, excellent value Disadvantages: Obviously not for those who don't appreciate Northern humour!
Another christmas present for me to review for all my fellow Ciao-ers!
Peter Kay has long been one of my favourite stand up comedians. Whilst obviously being well known, he has not fallen into the trap some well-known stand ups do and become commercialised, appearing on every other TV show trying to plug their own failing tour.
Peter sold out both of his the tours featured in this double box set, the second one being part of his record breaking 'Mum wants a bungalow tour'. In 180 nights he reached over 300,000 people with his infectious, downtoearth northern humour.
The first DVD is taken from Blackpool Tower - hence the name. He runs through a multitude of topics and all are smoothly linked in and just as funny as the last one. He shows great comedian-audience interaction, often jumping his 18(ish) stone frame downto be ...
Advantages: Hillarious moments and great performances from very young actors and actresses Disadvantages: At times Plot can be a little dull.
After watching the series on television and finding them hillarious I decided to invest in the DVD. The series follows a family and the rather peculiar opinions and actions of their kids. My favourite character I have to say is Ben, a 7 year old boy who likes to bend the truth and generally get up to mischeif. It's a DVD that most people can relate to and is generally downtoearth. Each episode is about half an hour long so its a good little time filler. In every episode you are garunteed at least one laugh out loud moment and is perfect veiwing for the whole family. Overall its a brilliant little DVDto have offering a few hours of great comedy and laugh out loud moments. ...
Advantages: A routine by someone who is just 5ft 1 Disadvantages: quite repetetive and needs co-ordination
with the repetetive moves I think in a short time I will be able to have my own choice of music playing. At the moment though I am still needing the odd prompt from the dvd and needing to listen and pay attention
The extras - In this section you will find information on healthy eating with some suggested menus to help you build a balanced diet. There is some lighthearted behind the scenes footage taken when making the dvd. To inspire you at the beginning of the exercise you see Vicky as she was before when she weighed in at 10 stone and was a size 16 culminating with a 2 and a half stone weight loss 3 months later.
I paid £11.48 for the dvd and in my opinion it is good value for money, as it is a complete workout and lasts for 50 minutes. The overall running time is 64minutes. I found it a good downtoearthdvd . As for the effectiveness its too ...
The story of Lance Burton, a comedian, who unfortunately dies in a bus accident. When he arrives in heaven he learns that he was not supposed to die for another fifty years, so he is ordered back to earth and given the body of a middle-aged man...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT; TECHNICOLOR DIST. SERVICES, ACORN MEDIA; ARVATO SERVICES
Release date
24/12/2001
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
PHE 8102
Barcode
5014437810236
Production Designer
Paul Peters
Screenwriter
Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, Louis C. K., Ali Leroi, Lance Crouther
"...It's fun to see one of the sharpest, most fearless comics working today impersonating a flop..." (Entertainment Weekly, p.42, 02/03/2001)
"...There are some neat bits of humour....Entertaining, deft..." (Sight and Sound, p.42-3, 01/07/2001)
"...Affable..." (USA Today, p.6E, 16/02/2001)
DVD Description
Comedian Chris Rock updates 1978's HEAVEN CAN WAIT with a decidedly modern flair in this romantic comedy. Lance Barton (Rock) is a struggling comedian whose dream is to perform at New York City's legendary Apollo Theater before it closes its doors forever. One night, while riding his bike, Lance is crushed by an enormous truck. Before he can come to terms with what has happened, he is strolling through Heaven, talking to the smooth Mr. King (Chazz Palminteri) and the bumbling Keyes (Eugene Levy), the angel who prematurely snatched Lance away from Earth. Mr. King agrees to make up for this mistake by returning Lance to New York, only instead of being a black bike messenger, Lance is now Mr. Wellington, a powerful white businessman who just so happens to be the enemy of Sontee (Regina King), the woman he has become infatuated with. Wooing Sontee with a new commitment to using Mr. Wellington's money philanthropically, Lance embarks on a mission to perform at the Apollo, even if he doesn't seem to fit the mold. But just when everything begins to fall into place, Mr. King returns to throw another glitch into Lance's plans. Coasting along on the charm of Rock and King, DOWN TO EARTH is a charming story about the power of fate, set to a bouncing hip-hop soundtrack.
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