My husband and I watched this movie hoping it was one of those video store gems, and we were sadly mistaken. It actually has turned us off this entire genre of film; whenever we see a similar type story depicted on a DVD cover, we walk right by, scared that we will waste more of our hard-earned bucks on a dud. It was badly acted and looked like it was filmed on someone's camcorder. There was an entire storyline that was not even completed (and I haven't seen any advertisement for sequels!!!) We like Ice T and gave it a chance. Unfortunately, now we don't even watch the Law and Order he's on, because we can't believe he did this movie!!! Do not rent this movie, it will be time you can never reclaim!
4 Reviews
Music's Good, But That's About It...
nammage20 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Two reviews: one 1/10, and the other 10/10. Let's see if I can be more open-minded than the other two reviews.
Firstly, I got my copy in a 12 film collection of urban films. Probably the only means of viewing it these days. It does appear to be made with a hand-held camcorder of some kind. Very cheap video. Some big names in this film in the manner of music and film. Doesn't necessarily make it better but it certainly doesn't make it worse.
The opening credits is basically a music video, of sorts. Then a poor shot of someone being shot (no pun intended) then we see Judge Brown, and then Fred Williamson, and Glenn Plummer. What you're first watching, or at least I was, is seasoned actors acting next to unseasoned "actors". I quote that because they're musicians (or nobodies) first, so, it's sort of like watching a Soap Opera, if you've seen one, you'll know what I mean. It's not boring to watch but your mind wanders, which is probably good because then the movie goes by quicker.
There is a story being told about gangs, music, drugs, family, etc., but I really didn't care about any of it mainly because it was consistent and inconsistent at the same time. Not a feat easily achieved, especially since they sort of throw in music videos; in the sense that there were musical acts throughout the film but not that it was a musical where everyone was singing throughout -- though, I would have found that more interesting, to say the least.
The sound was poor in parts. Had to keep adjusting my sound, except when the singing kicked in, that sound was good. Or the comedy act, etc., They threw in a nude shower scene that almost seemed to turn into softcore pornography but then cut away, and that was over. What was the point of the scene? To show nudity? I have no idea.
The acting isn't the problem. I would even go as far to say that the script isn't even the problem (based on the fact there doesn't seem to be a problem in saying one's line as you see in many of these low grade films) but the editing is extremely poor, and the direction is lacking any validity, in my opinion.
An hour in I had no idea what the story was even about. When they get to the music numbers, then, that's the focus. It's the whole song. Like when they had the scene in the recording studio, they spent a lot of time on that scene. They cut away, get on with the story, then all of a sudden they cut back to the recording studio to get the tail end of the song into it. Got to finish the whole song, who cares about the story? (rhetorical)
They did it again after that part, another song, took 10 minutes of the film. As I was watching it I was thinking: "I thought this film was supposed to be about family, drugs, gangs, etc.,?" but what it really is is intermittent music acts throughout the film. Some Rap, some R&B, others a mixture of the two...the funniest thing is, they turned this one into a montage of sorts of what happened up to this point and then after it's over, it cuts to a pool scene with topless girls. Hilarious.
It's not a good film but it's not the worst film, at least that I have seen, and I've seen a lot of films. If to watch it for anything, the music is a 7/10 on its own.
It finally gets to the story, and mainly the story, about an hour and fifteen minutes in but by then, I didn't care.
Overall, it's a one time watch but I'd find it for free or in a big collection of films because to pay to watch it alone would be a waste of money. The music's good, that's about it.
2/10. It gets this rating mainly because there was a story there and when they focused solely on it, it wasn't so bad but it also gets this rating because they spent too much time on the music aspect, and while the music is good, it, by itself, does not make a film.
Firstly, I got my copy in a 12 film collection of urban films. Probably the only means of viewing it these days. It does appear to be made with a hand-held camcorder of some kind. Very cheap video. Some big names in this film in the manner of music and film. Doesn't necessarily make it better but it certainly doesn't make it worse.
The opening credits is basically a music video, of sorts. Then a poor shot of someone being shot (no pun intended) then we see Judge Brown, and then Fred Williamson, and Glenn Plummer. What you're first watching, or at least I was, is seasoned actors acting next to unseasoned "actors". I quote that because they're musicians (or nobodies) first, so, it's sort of like watching a Soap Opera, if you've seen one, you'll know what I mean. It's not boring to watch but your mind wanders, which is probably good because then the movie goes by quicker.
There is a story being told about gangs, music, drugs, family, etc., but I really didn't care about any of it mainly because it was consistent and inconsistent at the same time. Not a feat easily achieved, especially since they sort of throw in music videos; in the sense that there were musical acts throughout the film but not that it was a musical where everyone was singing throughout -- though, I would have found that more interesting, to say the least.
The sound was poor in parts. Had to keep adjusting my sound, except when the singing kicked in, that sound was good. Or the comedy act, etc., They threw in a nude shower scene that almost seemed to turn into softcore pornography but then cut away, and that was over. What was the point of the scene? To show nudity? I have no idea.
The acting isn't the problem. I would even go as far to say that the script isn't even the problem (based on the fact there doesn't seem to be a problem in saying one's line as you see in many of these low grade films) but the editing is extremely poor, and the direction is lacking any validity, in my opinion.
An hour in I had no idea what the story was even about. When they get to the music numbers, then, that's the focus. It's the whole song. Like when they had the scene in the recording studio, they spent a lot of time on that scene. They cut away, get on with the story, then all of a sudden they cut back to the recording studio to get the tail end of the song into it. Got to finish the whole song, who cares about the story? (rhetorical)
They did it again after that part, another song, took 10 minutes of the film. As I was watching it I was thinking: "I thought this film was supposed to be about family, drugs, gangs, etc.,?" but what it really is is intermittent music acts throughout the film. Some Rap, some R&B, others a mixture of the two...the funniest thing is, they turned this one into a montage of sorts of what happened up to this point and then after it's over, it cuts to a pool scene with topless girls. Hilarious.
It's not a good film but it's not the worst film, at least that I have seen, and I've seen a lot of films. If to watch it for anything, the music is a 7/10 on its own.
It finally gets to the story, and mainly the story, about an hour and fifteen minutes in but by then, I didn't care.
Overall, it's a one time watch but I'd find it for free or in a big collection of films because to pay to watch it alone would be a waste of money. The music's good, that's about it.
2/10. It gets this rating mainly because there was a story there and when they focused solely on it, it wasn't so bad but it also gets this rating because they spent too much time on the music aspect, and while the music is good, it, by itself, does not make a film.
lightening quick flick reflecting realities of urban music industry
rperl23 January 2003
Moving story reflecting the realities of the rap industry in the urban market. The story features adult contemporary music, as well as rap music; thus it appeals to both an adult crowd and younger group as well. Acting is in real street manner and characters are extremely realistic. The film comes across as a little rough, but it is very true to its subject matter and type of characters. Good music and surprise ending that punches it home.
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