Zacharek rocks. I love her reviews; they're eloquent, witty, and full of heart, and even when I disagree with her (in which case I'll find myself arguing with her review in my head later, LOL), I'm glad to have gotten her viewpoint.

With that said, I'm so glad someone out there is championing Queen Latifah and a goofy old-fashioned little movie like this, because sometimes this kind of sweet gentle fluffery is -- sometimes -- exactly the kind of escape we go to the movies for.

So the movie won't win an Oscar for Best Picture. So what? It's a joyful little gem about having a little fun, tasting life at its best, about living well before it's too late.

And Latifah gets the kind of star vehicle that too often passes her by. It's wonderful to see a woman this beautiful who seems so comfortable in her own skin, and who doesn't look like an 80-pound heroin addict to boot. Anyone who ever saw "Living Out Loud" already knew that Latifah is a movie star capable of old-time Hollywood glamour, so it's great to see her up front and center like this. She deserves it.

As far as Wal-Mart? Please. She's a self-made celeb who doesn't turn down endorsements. I could give a crap that she shills for Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart sucks. Latifah rocks.

I went somewhat reluctantly to this movie today - the selling point for me being that I would watch Gerard Depardieu read the phone book - in French. And. surprise, I was entertained and somewhat charmed. I agree that this movie proves once and for all that Queen Latifah can carry a film; it's hard to take your eyes off her expressive face - she knows the yearning and the simple pleasure in letting yourself live. It's not big yucks but there some pleasant chuckles and; for those silly snobs carping about mechanics, take a breath, eat some pork fat. It's an amuse bouche not a main course.

Yet another letter from a reader who hasn't even seen the movie...There should be regulations against such things. I was really moved by SZ's review - both because I appreciate her fan-girl enthusiasm over Queen Latifah's beauty, charisma, and talent, and because I am sick to death of movie-goers who insist on being the "smartest person in the theater." Get over yourselves. You're not going to like EVERY movie, but why not at least allow yourself the possibility?

Am I the only curmudgeon who is thoroughly disgusted and dismayed that so many of the movies with female stars involve the main character DYING? Is this a Hollywood phenomenon or does the whole country think that the only good women is a dead woman? Hillary Swank, for example, is in danger of being typecast.

It all reminds me of a line in Time Magazine lo, those many years ago, saying that Love Story was the most romantic movie ever made. Yeah, if romance means a happy ending between father and son.

Grumble, grumble.

Queen Latifah truly is one of the great on-screen people, perhaps of all time. The better scripts will come, and she'll go down in history as one of the all-time greats.

And, uh, she wasn't advertising for Wal-mart. Walmart was advertising for her. The money flowed the other direction, ya mope.

You mean Queen Latifah misprounces "pupp" as "poop"? Wow. That is comedy. To think that I would pay ten dollars for that goldmine of wit. This film looks amazing. I know I would go skiing in the Czech alps if I was going to die. Stephanie should know this wacky feel-good flick must be based on Kurosawa's "Ikiru" about a tiny man who decides to leave his mark after finding out he's only got a short time to live. But Queen Latifah falling on the slopes? Kurosawa clearly missed the boat. After the magic of "Taxi" and "Bringing Down The House" I eagerly await more of Latifah's incredible ouvre--ready for the ten dollar bargain bin at Wal-Mart.

I haven't seen this film yet, of course, but upon reading yours and other reviews it dawned on me that the "live to the hilt now because you're going to die soon" theme may be equally inspired by the 1980s Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan "Joe vs. the Volcano." Of course, I imagine that this film doesn't end the way that one did.

"Taxi" was on cable during the holiday season, and when I was home for Christmas and the New Year, I watched it at least 6 times. I know, it's a silly movie. But it made me laugh quite a lot, and I was simply impressed with and enthralled by Queen Latifah. She absolutely ran away with so many scenes, I just wanted to watch her over and over again. While she didn't have much challenging material to work with, she made the most out of trite dialogue and cliches, securing a spot on my list of my favorite actresses. If you give in and decide to watch "Taxi," for average entertainment, pay close attention to Queen Latifah in the "He winked at me" scene: she's perfect.

Fuck Queen Latifah. -- pool6123

I'd love to! But I'm afraid she'd be too much woman for me. She's got an absolutely radiant smile. And I, too, hope that she'll find a "vehicle" worthy of her obvious talents. I think the closest she came was her supporting role in Living Out Loud.

Queen Latifah can call herself whatever she wishes. It does not change the fact that she is talented. Indeed, she gave the only decent performance in CHICAGO as far as I am concerned, and unlike her two co-stars, she could actually sing.

What's wrong with "Queen Latifah"? She can't have a stage name? Do you object to "Cary Grant" (Archibald Leach) or "Lauren Bacall" (Betty Perske)? Those are just off the top of my head--I am sure there are more recent examples. For that matter, Jack White of the White Stripes wasn't born "White"--he took Meg White's last name when they got married, and kept it when they divorced.

As for the Wal-Mart thing, yeah, I wish she wouldn't shill for them, because I really like her as an actress and personality, and the Wal-Mart association doesn't help.