Starring: Eminem , Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Evan Jones, Omar Benson Miller, De'Angelo Wilson, Eugene Byrd, Taryn Manning

Director: Curtis Hanson

Official Website: http://www.8-mile.com/

8 Mile stars Eminem in his film debut playing a white rapper from Detroit trying to make it in a black man`s territory (ie: Himself) in this successful multi-faceted movie proving there is at least one person who can both sing and act.

The movie itself is most successful because it`s more than just the rough neighbourhood flick, more than the hollywood hero ending, more than the race issue movie, it`s all of the above. Not many movies make you feel the way it does about it`s characters, including lead characters.

The real story of this flick is the lead character, the ever loveable Eminem. After seeing it, I debated whether he really deserved the credit for his skillful rendition of himself in a hollywoodized world. Anybody can play himself. But if all actors got to play themselves in a movie, would their characters be as interesting and compelling as B. Rabbit, Eminem`s character? The answer is definitely no. For this, Eminem, you get much applause from this so-called critic (Hey, it`s not like a lot of people read this stuff).

I wish they utilized the supporting cast more. In the end, Eminem really got to the top with the help of his "homies", not the mom or the girlfriend who got more screen time and got their names in the main cast (Basinger and Murphy). That is sort of the idea the movie is trying to get through; B.Rabbit gets through on his own, but why bother developing their characters when they have no real effect on the ending?

Whether you love him, hate him, or both, this movie wouldn`t be what it is without Eminem`s presence. At points you want to yell in frustration wanting him to succeed, times you want to smack him for being such an a-hole, and that`s what makes him so great... Give it a chance and see it!

In short:
Comedy: The "Diss Contests" are pretty comical, else none
Violence/Language: Trust me kids, you`re parents won`t want you seeing this after they know how violent and dirty this one is
Nudity/Sex: Love Making scenes, but no nudity
High Points:Eminem`s character, multi-dimensional film
Low Points: Too dark at times, redundant characters

Rating: B+