Customer Reviews for
Cellmates
Reviewed by: StanleyK on 2/11/2012 10:54:12 PM
Browsing through Amazon's new VOD section I found this little hidden gem. What first caught my eye was a goofy-looking Tom Sizemore on the cover. When did he get out of jail/rehab? Anyway, I also recognized the guy that played opposite of Jack Black in Nacho Libre, Hector Jimenez. Not expecting much but an hour or two of distraction from this likely mediocre movie I was delighted to have found a well-made and very funny film! Cellmates stars Tom Sizemore who plays Leroy Lowe, a KKK leader sent to prison for tax evasion. He is first put into a cell with a fellow KKK member played by Kevin Farley, who is hilarious as the simpleton, Bubba. They get along "like two peas in a pod," but a sudden change of events pairs Leroy in a cell with immigrant farm laborer Emilio (a lovable and funny Hector Jimenez) who instantly riles Leroy's racial prejudices. Leroy complains to the Warden (an impeccable Stacey Keach) but the Warden won't listen to Leroy's complaints. All he cares about are his prize-winning potatoes that are cultivated by his inmates. After much (hilarious) conflict and fighting, Leroy and Emilio learn to get along and eventually become friends as Emilio helps Leroy win the love of the Warden's maid and Leroy helps Emilio write to the U.S. Justice Department for his wrongful imprisonment. Everything from the acting to the directing and writing to the cinematography were excellent and were beyond what I was expecting from just seeing the cover. This is a genuinely funny and heartwarming movie that has intelligence, and bravely takes the taboo issues of race and immigration in the U.S. and makes them okay to acknowledge and even laugh at!
Reviewed by: dungeonimp1 on 2/11/2012 10:44:45 PM
Soooo funny!!! I like that they can joke about the KKK and racism in America. This is a great movie for everyone! Highly Recommended!
Reviewed by: wb315 on 2/11/2012 10:29:16 PM
Hector Jimenez from Nacho Libre is hilarious in the comedic take on racism in America. The film is very well done. All the performances are on target and you're never quite sure where the story is headed. Great old fashion story telling with superb direction and writing. No cursing or violence, I'd say it's great for anyone under 13.
Reviewed by: campbelle67 on 2/11/2012 10:23:06 PM
I'm a big fan of Tom Sizemore but hadn't seen him in a comedic role before. Turns out, he's hilarious. Most superb actors can be great in comedic roles (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Morgan Freeman) and Tom Sizemore is no exception. He plays Leroy Lowe the Grand Dragon of the Texas Ku Klux Klan. It may not sound very funny from that description but the film tastefully has fun with Mexico/America relations and actually has a lot to say. The writing is superb and I highly recommend you check out this feel good gem of a film!