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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 65 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Awesome Movie Mar 08, 2005
By GHoSTMuT
Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer and Cam`Ron brought eighties back to life for me in this film. This film is almost like watching a documentary. I was sixteen in 86 and living in Harlem. I remember cell phones the size of bricks and beepers with no read outs. This was the age when only doctors and drug dealers carried beepers. I remember when "The Rooftop" was Harlem's hottest club. And if you had the dough Dapper Dan could make you a Gucci or Lois Vuiton jacket or suit. When Timbs were strictly an "uptown" thing. You could go to the club or "The Pro Rucker" (a famous harlem B-ball court where summer league games were held), and see these cats upclose and in person. Ghetto superstars Alpo (Rico), Richie Rich (Mitch) and yes the likable character AZ (Ace). Now remember im only sixteen broke and working at Mickey D's. So I don't know the story behind the glam. Just what I see and ofcourse the ghetto gossip. I say gossip because in the hood by the time the story reaches you, "he had a 38" some how manifests itself into "he had two chrome UZI's". I also remember the late model European whips. The truck jewelry and the wads of cash these dudes carried around as pocket change. I went to school with Alpo's lil sista. She had a gucci bag for every day of the week and wore a mink coat in the winter. It was crazy. In the Seventies Harlem belonged to Nicky Barnes. The eighties belonged to Alpo (Rico), Richie Rich (Mitch) and AZ (Ace). In closing, this movie isn't quite "Scarface". But a great gangster flick none the less, based on a true story as told by AZ.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
The Fullest Extent of Urban Life May 12, 2005
By Latanya Collins
"U Better Believe It"
I can understand many of the bad reviews that I have read surrounding this film. Many have refered to this movie as a typical hood film and it is; but, at a level that captures the realm of economic prosperity (due to the crack-cocaine epidemic) that saturated ghettos everywhere. Unlike New Jack City, it was more realistic. It opened the project doors and windows for America to see.
It was based upon a true story, and presented cameo of each of the 3 actual hustlers (drug-dealers)that conquered Harlem in the mid 80's. Excellent film.
In order to really be able to appreicate the film at a height, I think that it is beneficial to have some knowledge of that time period ... and maybe even some knowledge of the hood.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
The American dream, their way Apr 01, 2005
By Samario C. Oliver
The one thing I appriciate about this movie, is it's feel to realisim, and the feel of old harlem hood movies. It's not another State Property, Baby Boy or some horsecrap gangsta movie.
This movie is about Ace(Wood Harris) and his best friend Mitch(Mekhi Phifer) who get good buisness going out, but Mitch is put behind bars when he tries to get a nusience off his block. So Ace makes his move, and makes everyone happy becoming the top dog around.
But in the world of Harlem drug dealers, there's always a load of backstabbing snakes filled with envy. They try to get their way by kidnapping, jacking, and murder. And this movie tells that in a very balievable way.
This movie is highly underratted, and should be seen by everyone in the intrest of hood, or gang movies. Even Cam'ron's preformance is nice too. This movie delievers with actors who can act, and not crap like State Property run by rappers.
peace
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Personal, True Account of the Gangsta Life Apr 14, 2003
By mirasreviews
Ace (Wood Harris) is a young man working in a dry cleaners in 1985 Harlem. His friend Mitch (Mekhi Phifer) sells cocaine, drives flashy cars, and has cash to burn. When Mitch goes to prison and a couple of coincidences leave Ace with a ball of cocaine in his pocket and customers waiting to buy, Ace decides to enter the drug-dealing business that he had previously shunned. He quickly rises to prominence as the cocaine kingpin of Harlem. When Mitch is released from prison, Ace brings him into the business as a partner, along with Mitch's volatile acquaintance from prison, Rico (Cam'ron). When violence erupts, Ace begins to question whether the money that his cocaine business has provided him is worth its cost.At first look, Paid In Full seems to retread a lot of territory that has already been covered in a slew of films about inner-city drug-dealing since the 1980's. There are a couple of things that set this film apart, however, and make it worth seeing. This film emphasizes the characters' development and inner struggles more, and the trappings of the gangsta lifestyle less, than most films on the same topic. And Paid In Full is based on a true story: the story of AZ, Rich Porter, and Alpo, three young men who controlled the cocaine trade in Harlem in the mid-1980's. (Called Ace, Mitch, and Rico, respectively, in the film.) Azie Faison, who was AZ back then, cooperated with the film and wrote an early version of the screenplay. He has since criticized the film for glamorizing the gangsta lifestyle too much and not being a strong enough cautionary tale. I don't find that Paid In Full glamorizes the lifestyle all that much, but its criticism of gangsta life is not heavy-handed either. Perhaps it is better that the film did not moralize as much as it could have because that tends to alienate the audience. You will have to see it and judge for yourself. The film's faults are more annoying than serious. I found it slow in parts. And there is a lot of carelessness with accuracy. The film states at the outset that it takes place in 1985-1986. But the Saab sports cars that the drug dealers are so fond of driving are not 1980's models. And someone talks on a cell phone in one scene -a little, modern cell phone, not a huge 1980's model. First-time feature film director Charles Stone should try hard to avoid this sort of sloppiness in the future, as it can ruin a perfectly good movie. I recommend Paid In Full for its realistic depiction of a particular lifestyle -and its consequences- in a particular time and place in American History. It is especially interesting because the events are seen through the eyes of someone who actually lived them.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Real Gangsta flick! Nov 11, 2002
By jCapp
This movie was a tribute to the 80's gangsters Alpo, Rich Porter and AZ. THe realness of the movie was attributed to the great acting and real life imagery used by Charles Stone III. The murder scenes, ghetto settings and drug usage was all real life during the 80's and the movie portrayed this thoroughly. I recommend this film to those who enjoy Hip Hop/ Gangsta movies.
See all 65 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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The
Importance Of Lighting In Interior Design
by Jessica Ackerman
Everyone knows how important
paint color, furniture choices and artwork are to
interior design. One aspect of design that is often
overlooked, however, is lighting. Lighting not only
affects the brightness of the room, but it can also
change the way a paint color looks, cast shadows in ways
that make the room seem smaller and have an impact on
the presentation of art work.
There is no light like
natural light. If you are buying, building or
remodeling, opt for as much natural light as possible.
Oversized windows and skylights are two ways to get the
most natural light. Of course, not everyone is in the
position to be able to do that, so you'll have to work
with what you have.
How much natural light do
you get in your room? If the room in question faces
north, you won't get as much natural sunlight as you
would in a southern facing room. Rooms that face south
get bright, natural light throughout the day. Rooms that
face east will only have good natural light in the
morning hours and western facing rooms will have the
most light during the afternoon.
Once you are familiar
with how much natural light is in each room, you'll be
able to make informed choices about what additional
lighting may be necessary. Keep in mind that rooms with
little or no natural light will need artificial lighting
- even during the day - in order to look their best.
Here are some types of lighting to consider.
1. Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is
perfect when you want to showcase a piece of art or a
special piece of furniture or other item. Since light
draws the eye, it will bring attention to the features
in your room that you wish to highlight.
2. Hanging Light Features
Chandeliers and smaller
hanging lamps can be beautiful as well as functional. A
trip to the local home improvement store will quickly
show you how overwhelming the choices can be. You'll
want to select lighting that blends in with your
existing dÃÂécor. For example, a crystal chandelier in a
country themed dining room probably isn't the best
option. If you don't choose carefully, your lighting may
stick out like a sore thumb and become more of an
eyesore than a lovely accent.
3. Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is a
good choice for a room that needs extra light throughout
the day. Because the lighting won't interfere with the
existing decor, it can work in almost any room. It
provides abundant light without taking up a lot of space
or interfering with other aspects of the room.
4. Lamps
Using lamps are a way to
add not only additional lighting, but also punches of
color. If possible, see how much light the lamp gives
off before leaving the store. Many lamps serve as
decoration more than as a light source and give off very
little light. If you love the lamp, but it doesn't give
off quite enough light, consider changing the shade
which will usually solve the problem.
When decorating your
home, remember how important lighting is, and give it
the same thought and attention you give to the other
details of decorating your home.
About the Author
Jessica Ackerman is the
featured author at Wall DÃÂécor and Home Accents. Shop today
for great deals on
metal wall sculpture ,
home
accents and more unique wall dÃÂécor products.
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