Anne B. Real (2003)

One of my all time favorites.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

First of all, I should mention I'm 49 years old and white and don't care for rap music.But this appeared to be a quality production, with important lessons, positive messages, good writing and good acting. Just don't get too attached to anyone because in this neighborhood, you can't be sure anyone will survive to the end.Cynthia's father was a dedicated teacher at an aging New York City high school in a bad section of the city. When she was young, he gave her Anne Frank's famous diary to read.Now Cynthia is a student at that high school. Her father is deceased and her family is on welfare. They include Cynthia, her mother, her grandmother, her brother Juan, her sister Janet, and Janet's baby. Cynthia's mother is Latina and doesn't look black. I'm not clear on her father's racial background but he had a Spanish-sounding name. Anyway, Cynthia looks black and thinks of herself as black.Several teachers at the school, particularly Michael, believe that at least some of these kids can be reached, despite what the neighborhood is like. Cynthia is one of them, though she has had difficulty since her father's death. But reading about Anne Frank has inspired her and she now writes rap lyrics inspired by Anne. As "Anne B. Real", she raps in front of a mirror. In the same mirror she imagines people she knows criticizing her.Meanwhile, Juan supposedly has had a job, but the only way he seems to make money is by selling lyrics to up-and-coming rapper Deuce. Deuce wants to impress those who can make him a star, so he claims the lyrics are his own. Of course, so does Juan--who, by the way, uses too much of his money to buy drugs, and gets into situations that could put him behind bars.Cynthia's friends include Kitty, who looks very white but is more street in her speech than most of the movie's characters. She could be considered comic relief. There is also Jerome, who has been on his own since age 12, and he has to get by delivering drugs. Darius is a very European-looking Latino who seems to want a romantic relationship with Cynthia.Deuce has a girlfriend who is quite pretty and thinks she is "all that". I didn't catch her name but she adds a lot.The stories of Deuce and Cynthia are interesting, and both characters have a lot of determination, but Cynthia is the strongest character here. She needs to be strong, too, because she will be put through a lot (so will the audience), and JNyce is quite effective. But despite this movie taking me out of my comfort zone, I think it was a worthwhile experience.

Stuntwoman and first-time director Lisa France has somehow created an F-word-'free' rap move that works! If you want profanity, just re-rent "8 Mile," but if you'd like to see a highly original rap movie then this is the one to check out. How often do you get to see movies about impoverished teens using historical literature to translate their feelings to others, as well as to fuel their customary outlets of creativity - in this case rap.You can guess how it all ends up but this is still an effective drama and with its mild language a definite must-see for family viewing as well as young aspiring rappers. Literature and rap - who'd a thunk it?

I'm no fan of most rap and hip hop or most poetry, for that matter, so I was amazed by this movie. It captured me. Not only did it give me a new appreciation for the art of "rhyming," but the compelling story and talented cast really won me over.At the risk of mis-branding this film a "chick flick," Lisa France has tapped into an inner voice and angst that's too typical of American teenage girls (and women). When we allow others (let alone ourselves) to discourage us from pursuing our dreams and talents, we are our truly own worst enemies.In reality, this is no "chick flick." It's a gritty slice of city life, with its share of violence and loss. You won't find any incarnation of Meg Ryan here (not even in the pleasant surprise of Jackie Martling's brief stint as a curmudgeonly teacher).Simply put, I was swept away, by the music, by the energy, by the writing, by the acting, by the vision and visuals, and, of course, by the unique play of words flowing from the experience of this aspiring teen "rhymer" against the inspirational words of Anne Frank and the resulting evolution of this teenage girl. This is a movie you will want to own and share with friends of all ages and watch over and over again.

Directorial debut for first time feature film director, Lisa France proves success out of the box. She was able to get an incredible performance out of first time actors young and old. It is not easy for a director to capture the perfect performance, but it's even more of a challenge when working with new talent. Lisa France could very well be the first female director to win an Oscar. I can't wait to see what she has in store for her audience next.