Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Philippa All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Chrysanthepop 'Empire' is a film that had a lot of potential but due to the bad writing, several plot holes and weak direction, the film fails. I mean, is Victor Rosa really that stupid to not put anything on paper when making a business agreement with a stranger, which involves so much money? Was Jack really stupid enough to give his mother's telephone number to Victor and to continue using the same name? The ending (well, most of the film actually) is downright predictable.John Leguizamo tries his best to bring out the main character but it suffers due to the bad writing. His voice-over starts well but as the film proceeds towards the end, the monologues/dialogues get worse. The actor is no doubt talented and one couldn't have done more with such a role. Yet, his acting shines in several scenes. Newcomer Cotto does well even though she merely plays the 'typical' girlfriend who's against his 'job'. Sarsgaard and Rosselini (miscast) are wasted and Richards adds some comic relief. The characters of the Caucasians were very much caricatures.On the whole, it still wasn't a completely terrible flick. Just one that could have been way better. For me, it was John Leguizamo's acting that made it worth the watch.

ma-cortes The picture talks upon a dealer (John Leguizamo) with a lot of success on south Bronx who loved for his girlfriend (Dalilah Cotto) develops an economic relation with a Wall Street yuppie financier (Peter Saasgard) and his fiancée (Denise Richards).In the motion picture , shot in 22 days , there are tension , a love story , thriller , emotion , intrigue and a little bit of violence . The movie is fast moving and is enough amusing but happens many events . The pic obtained moderated success and didn't attain the box office that the producers wanted . The suspense movie is correctly narrated but there're some storyline gaps and the twisted plot makes it a few ridiculous . The film is classified ¨R¨ for violence and some sex and isn't apt for little boys , being for + 18 years' viewers . John Leguizano's fine interpretation as a drug dealer who becomes involved dark issues , he is good but plays as Latin stereotypes . Director Franc Reyes originally wanted John Leguizamo to play Jimmy , he liked the part of Victor so much that he got the filmmaker to give him that part . Leguizamo used his star power to help bring bigger names to the project . Dalilah Cotto and Denise Richards are attractive and enjoyable and Peter Saasgard as a hotshot business manager is magnificent . Isabella Rossellini as a Colombian drug lord is miscast and the veteran Sonia Braga hands a role very secondary as the starring's mother . The musical score by also actor Ruben Blades is nice and the movie is rightly directed by Fran Reyes .

Optimo Although I am a fan of the leading cast, I may not have seen it if not for the fact that I grew up with Carlos Leon-the now famous, or rather, infamous "donor" of Madonna's (and his) first child, who plays Hector, and as a rival drug dealer gets it between the eyes.It's hard to suspend your disbelief when you know the guy, but even so, it worked for me-and for that reason. As a former city slicker, graffiti artist, general street punk, and now screenplay writer wannabe, I understand why critics and members here alike, took a stab it the flick. It was obviously low budget-but that isn't a bad thing, and it was well executed for the budget. Reyes gets my full respect for writing it-and for a new kid on the block, hit the street running. Sure, it's been done in one way or another, but most things have. The key to a film like this is that it's always new to some degree because every thug that strives to get out of the ghetto is still a different person, even if he goes about it in a way that isn't entirely unique. I went to Music and Art High School in Harlem, and being half Cuban and half white put me at odds with some ballbusters there. I know what a subway smells like in the heat of the summer as the stench of urine makes it's way up my nose, and what a loaded gun feels like to my face. I've puffed blunts before the terms was commercially known. This is why I give The Writer/Director 2 thumbs up. Because I also Grew up on the upper west side with my father in a doorman building, lurking in the streets uptown was my choice for thrill seeking. I can see why some mainstream white audience took potshots at this film, but they don't REALLY know the score. As someone who has some REAL stories to get out there myself, I hope to follow along the REAL VIBE. Sure, I know that I've got to be original and throw a few twists, but films like this will always have stereotypes because they do exist. It's cliché' cause it's true. My films will have a couple of strong stereotypes ... of course, and that's OK, it's about the struggle of the character, and the process of bringing it out in a way that does NOT require suspended disbelief. Keep it real.

Robert Clarke A little gem of a gangster film. Not totally original, it could be seen as a homage to many of its predecessors, yet it delivers and keeps you interested right until the very end.John Leguizamo plays local drug dealer Victor Rosa who sees the opportunity yo "branch out" into other areas and let his drug money work for him in the stock market when he meets, through his girlfriend, a up and coming wall street executive. Problem is that he finds it harder and harder to move away from his dangerous life on the streets, and still ends up having to deal with his crew of trigger happy homeboys, rival drug dealers and drug kingpins - which turns out to be a hell of a lot harder than before.Leguizamo is brilliant in the lead role and has good support from the likes of Peter Sarsgaard, as his new wall street chum, and Vincent Laresca as his best friend from childhood. Its also good to see old stagers Isabella Rossellini and Sonia Braga again.Denise Richards (not really having to act here, which suits her fine) and unknown Delilah Cotto are good eye candy, and do well as the sexy female leads.An A for effort to all involved.