dutchbeats Reviews

Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012)

another one for the culture

[10/10 · 19 September 2012]

first, a few words for the rap geeks.... Kool Keith! his rap makes me laugh so fricken' hard every time i watch it holy crap. i also had to rewind Caz's verses a bunch as well as Mos Def's (wow!).

so many incredible exclusive verses and interviews from so many greats from the originators on up. the production value is also top notch and well balanced and contains candid performances by both Ice and his interviewees in a never ending buffet style from start to finish. so many flavors one after the other, which begs for more of the same. he also talks to a couple of producers you might have heard of named DJ Premier and Dr Dre (eeee!)

btw, i think rev run should change his name to rev Buddha lol(just a random thought).

SEQUELS PLEASE!

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011)

Good times.....I said I wouldn't cry!!!

[10/10 · 12 November 2011]

If you grew up with rap and were a fan when Tribe was in their prime, you absolutely will not want to miss this. Michael Rapaport and crew brilliantly document this most ubiquitous, inventive and also accessible group of it's generation. I had to hold back the tears as I revisited those special times of my youth. Being a rap fan and beat maker since the 80's, I now know who was the man behind the productions of their first three legendary(understatement) albums, as the credits on their records always attributed production to the Tribe itself and not one person(that person is Q-Tip). Not that Ali is not also an incredible musician and producer in his own right as evidenced in his post-Tribe super group Lucy Pearl and other production works. As for Phife, you'll just have to see his remarkable story for yourself...

Speaking of Ali, one thing that really stayed with me, his statement about the spiritual and creative benefit of moving on, trying something new, not forgetting the past but working towards the future. In fact, this motto has been employed by all members of the Tribe beginning with Jarobi, who early in the 90's when the Tribe was on the rise decided to leave the group(albeit with an open door policy) to pursue another passion of his that has rewarded him success and happiness.

Many times our most celebrated creative heroes end up on a downward self destructive path and fall from grace, or they refuse to leave behind their formulas and habits at a detriment to their growth and their health, but these guys are champions in life, they are all leading rewarding lives doing some unexpected things, yet still make time to go on tour together. The time during which rap music was truly GREAT was short lived, maybe just a couple years....and it flashed past in the blink of an eye. This documentary will take you there, so much so you won't want to come back!

BTW I really, really, REALLY hope this isn't the last of Michael Rapaport's documentaries on Hip-Hop, clearly he is the man for the job.

Africa: Blood and Guts (1966)

As Beautiful as it is Violent

[10/10 · 16 December 2009]

Quite the conundrum, 80% of the comments focus only on the violence, which is extreme and relentless at times. It should also be noted that the film clocks in at 2 hours and 20 minutes, and, there is a whole other world being presented when the violence stops. Quite simply, the cinematography will knock your socks off; we're talking major motion picture stuff with an original score that keeps evolving and is quite breathtaking(i still haven't seen this on a big screen but, wow). Speaking of breathtaking, visually this film is a feast for the eyes, it's hard to believe at times that i'm watching a documentary; a documentary that will open you up and get inside you and everyone that sees it, with no pun intended and no shame. As someone else said here, it is 'an uneasy time capsule'. The brutality, perfectly balanced with tender and profound beauty. Real situations balanced with oddity and humor.

I mean, the directors won an Oscar for cinematography just before this and at one part of the film they are a breath away from being executed, only to be saved by an officer who points out that they are Italian. Now in 2009, and every day forward until the end of civilization, this collection of moving pictures becomes more and more potent, gaining credence with every new low that so-called 'modern' humanity sinks to, with the temporal yet exquisite fruits of it's labor always just out of reach of the masses. AN ABSOLUTE MUST SEE

Next Day Air (2009)

Na'mean?!??

[10/10 · 13 November 2009]

Hey what can I say I like stuff you don't have to think about! I was surprised how good this flick is; simple and well-paced with genuinely funny moments and actors. There is also some eye candy(as well as nose candy!) but hey, what do you expect from the film directing debut of the guy who makes videos for 50 Cent? It looks and feels like a Guy Richie movie so if you liked those you'll enjoy the 'American version' replete with slow motion shotgun blasted dude flying through the air in slow motion in the apartment. But if you think it's all about violence think again, this film is pure jokes and cameos(cassidy, mos def, debbie allen etc.)with lots of herb smoking and hard hip-hop backdrops. And besides, who hasn't fantasized about hog-tying and slapping the UPS guy? I know I have. Did I mention the dude from Family Matters is in it and totally kicks @##!?

Krush Groove (1985)

Reunited

[10/10 · 3 January 2009]

I put off seeing this back in the day since it was kind of corny and I was into the 'real' hip-hip of the times. I am so glad I finally had the chance to see it though...Rap, Hip-Hop, whatever you want to call it, this is a great piece for the culture in general and probably an awful amount of fun for those that were there to make it. Definitely Def!

P.S. - Recommended accompanied viewing is the 1986 Dutch rap documentary called Big Fun in the Big Town which can be seen on Google video for free. This shows interviews with Russell Simmons, Run DMC and LL Cool J, offering further insight into the story behind Krush Groove(there's other great stuff in there as well but I won't give it away).

Wattstax (1973)

Outta Sight!

[10/10 · 5 July 2008]

This is an absolute gem and a richly textured time capsule in so many ways. Growing up making Hip-Hop in the 80's and 90's I used to wish I was a teenager in the late 60's and early 70's just to be around all of that great music. Seeing this movie now has solidified that dream. I should mention the scene when Rufus Thomas comes on and the crowd literally 'bum-rushes' the field in what today would be considered a riot but as the swarm of people descend from the stands to the sound of Rufus's opening number 'Funky Chicken', the riot is a dancing, feel good frenzy! I don't think anywhere in the world in today's society could so many people swarm into a small space like that and there not be any violence. They were just itching to dance and boy did they ever!!! Then, after Rufus wrapped it up he playfully instructed them to kindly move back to the stands and like angels, every single one of them did as requested in unison! OK one drunk guy stayed but Rufus joked with him and then told the crowd to 'go get him' and on cue some of them rushed the field to 'playfully' scurry him back to the stands.

You've really got to see this movie! Very addictive; I watched it three times within a week of first seeing it. Far out and solid!

Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)

To: The World......Love: Dave Chappelle And The Hip-Hop Generation

[10/10 · 25 December 2007]

This movie healed me and couldn't have come at a better time. I only just saw this recently and what can I say, if you're 29 years or older and you listened to/participated in Hip Hop growing up then here is your Medicine......B*tches(!)

Dave is 31 at the time of filming(I'm 3 yr younger)and he and the artists who share the stage with him are also in the same age bracket and for Hip Hop, represent the last of the 'Golden Era' children.

I myself grew up near Toronto and started making beats at age 12 in 1988(been listening since 84). I had the fortune of gaining respect and many friends with this music and will always hold it dear to me. Watch this movie and you will feel the same way if not for the love of the music(trust me on this one, this has some Woodstock moments but I won't give it away) then at the very least because of the richness of this movie as a documentary thanks to Michel Gondry and all. Many wonderful people are documented along the way, some famous, some not, and as a decadent contrast we have this surprise concert which is Dave's brainchild and lifelong dream and we get the treat of watching this fateful day in Bed-Stuy in glorious surround sound in the comfort of our own home. Oh and did I mention Dave supplies the comic relief?

CHERISH THIS FOR YEARS TO COME - A HIP HOP ESSENTIAL!!!!! ... ...... ........."Do You Want More?!!!??!"