BREAKING AND ENTERING

, 120 min, 2006

Director: Anthony Minghella
Writer: Anthony Minghella
Stars: Jude Law, Robin Wright, Vera Farmiga

Anthony Minghella’s Breaking and Entering is an interesting but not wholly successful first attempt at a “hyperlink” film, a hit-and-miss affair connecting a cross-section of characters from both sides of the economic and cultural divide in modern day London via a series of astonishing and perplexing robberies; the results are intermittently absorbing.

NORBIT

Zero stars – Without a doubt, Eddie Murphy’s “Norbit,” a pitiful excuse for a “comedic star vehicle” for the Oscar-nominated supporting star of “Dreamgirls,” is the worst film of this or possibly any year! Murphy stars as three people: the title character, a nerdy black man who when he was much younger met a girl he really liked who was nice to him and ultimately they lost touch; Rasputia, the frighteningly overweight, but even uglier in spirit, girl who just about forced him into a relationship; and Murphy also plays the offensive stereotype of the Chinese restaurant owner who adopts Norbit after the baby is dropped off on his doorstep. This film is badly made, vile in its attitudes towards women, obese people, stereotypes of blacks, Asians and other minorities, and ultimately offends humanity. In short, “Norbit” is trash. If this film has a “redeeming” value (not enough to get another half-star though) it’s Eddie Griffin (yes, you read correctly) and Katt Williams (a loud but talented comedian) as two enterprising pimps in the neighborhood who just want to have a business career without complications. This duo provides the only (admittedly bad) laughs in this 93 minute monstrosity. Appallingly, a nominee for the Best Makeup Oscar in 2008!