Eminem scores big in film
by Brian Abrams, reporter

    Plenty of rap artists have attempted movie careers.

   Few become successful in the business.

   Ice T (New Jack City, Trespass) and Ice Cube (Boyz N the Hood, Friday) are probably the more prominent in the Hollywood community.
   Comparable hip-hop performers, though, did not measure up over the past few years in film, including Tone Loc, Big Daddy Kane and DMX.
   Of course, we cannot forget Vanilla Ice.

   Now, Universal Pictures introduces yet another musical artist on screen.

   Casting a famous rap star in the pinnacle of his career, the studio plans to rake in some serious dollars before holiday time.

   This weekend the film grossed more than $54 million, making more than the films in second through fourth places made collectively.

   Then adding the highly admired director Curtis Hansen (LA Confidential) and giving the movie some Oscar-worthy publicity, the filmmakers have themselves a crossover box office hit.

   Furthermore, the movie lives up partially to its hype.

   I will not guarantee 8 MILE will receive any Oscar votes, but every scene revolves around Eminem.

   Showcasing Eminem should please his fans.

   Plus, all of the major ingredients to the storyline emulate other blockbuster movie of the past few years.

   Jimmy “Rabbit” Smith (Eminem) works at a factory, finishing car bumpers in Detroit.

   At the end of the day, he takes the bus home to 8 Mile, the street where his mother (a wretched Kim Basinger) lives in a trailer and drinks her misery away.

   Every week, Rabbit goes downtown with his friend Future (Mekhi Pfifer).

   Future promotes a lyrics contest at the local club, always dominated by the champion rap squad Free World.

   Much like the Cobras from 1984’s The Karate Kid, the Free World ridicules any challenger that comes its way, especially singling out the raw-talented, fair-skinned Jimmy.

   Rabbit gets a love life, too.

   After breaking up with his pregnant girlfriend, he meets Alex (a very naughty-looking Brittany Murphy).

   They share a couple of intimate moments on screen, but soon after, Alex engulfs herself in the surrounding corruption.

   There we find poor Jimmy isolated and challenged from many hardships.

   The soundtrack’s sales should soar over the next few weeks. Reminiscent of John Travolta’s showing off his moves on the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever, Eminem showcases his talents on the microphone throughout.

   Overall, Eminem gives a decent performance, but 8 MILE is unoriginal and disappointing.