Reviews (10)

Great sequel to Black Ceasar
Fred Williamson is the man. He was the sexiest african american actor of the 70's..and still sexy today..:-)

It was a great sequel. The James Brown sound tracks were right on! I would suggest buying the 2 DVD special. It's a great deal. I've seen Black Ceasar and Hell up in Harlem sold for a lot more.

I will always love Fred Williamson. If you are Fred Williams fan..you will like him in One down..two to go" the "Kill Reflex".."Bucktown". I can go on and on.

I own every film that Fred Williamson has been in.

Good movie, but..........
But, not as good as Black Caesar. There was a good deal of action in this film, more than the predecessor, and you can definetly tell that a lot more money was spent on this movie, however it lacked the originality and spontanaity of the first film. The action scenes were better, and the story was very well thought out, but the movie just lacked something. Tommy Gibbs is still a super ... though, and I wouldn't wanna mess with him. "Hell Up In Harlem" just strikes me as a sequel with a LOT of potential, and energy that would have made a fine film, but the tale gets caught up too much in trying to out do the first film, instead of building upon it. ... I think this is a must see for fans of the fisrt film, but don't be surprised if you are disappointed.

CLASSIC FRED WILLIAMSON!!!!
THIS is an awesome movie and I would truly recommend this to any Fred Williamson fan who enjoys his movies and I loved this movie it was pretty good Julius W. Harris and Gloria Hendry returns also and she is a very beautiful woman and they are very good legendary actors and actresses and this movie is really good I would really recommend Tommy Gibbs falls in love again with a minister by the name of Jennifer and may I also add that this is a nice soundtrack also this time this soundtrack is done by Edwin Starr and this is the sequel to Black Caesar !!!!h

Excellent Film
I liked it better than Black Caesar. There is more action and Drama in this one, as Tommy takes revenge on those who set him up in the first one.

Smashing! Fred Williamson in a Rough and Touch Action Film
One video guidebook dismissed it as a "turkey"; another called it "bomb." "Hell Up in Harlem" didn't and won't get critical acclaim, that's for sure. But I say, it's terrific!

Don't get me wrong. From purely artistic point of view, the film IS awful. It doesn't know where it goes; it is full of hurriedly shot scenes with shoddy editing; and most of all, didn't Fred Willaimson die at the end of "Black Caesar"?

BUT ... Yes, but "Hell" still entertains us. And much more fun than you expect from lukewarm reception from critics. Okay, so, let me tell you what you see in this movie. Tommy Gibbs (Williamson) is not dead, and he is sent to a hospital under the guard of gangsters who take hostages of other patients and doctors (wow!) while having the operation. And Gibbs comes back, with his father (Julius Harris), and again they fight and rule. But again another corrupt white DA is waiting for the time to divide and destroy them.

Well, forget the story. The point is, you see lots of action one after another, so you never stop and think about it. Just look how Fred Williamson wipes out his enemies. He assassinates one of them with a rifle from the Broadway signboard; he massacares the mobsters in the Florida Keys with a help from ... two middle-aged, Afro-American maids (the kind of housemaids you see in "Gone with the Wind") who hold guns with most wooden posture and grinning faces. Even Coney Island is no longer a peaceful place for amusement. Fred Williamson takes up a beach parasol (among other things on the beach) and, OUCH!! one of the gangsters meets nasty death instead of the cozy sunshine on his stomach.

Looking back from now, "Hell Up in Harlem" seems to have gone a little too far. The chain of its incredible plot twist and intense actions may make some of us tired of watching it, and some wise-cracking lines may make some of us very uncomfortable (for example, listen to a one-liner about "soul food" and watermelon). But it is still fun. Probably it was produced too quickly, but again Larry Cohen's fast-paced direction seldom gets us bored with unique hand-held camera and authentic locations. And the film gives one of the earliest performance of Oscar nominated Margaret Avery (for "The Color Purple", 13 years later).

Anyway, my final verdict. Don't think; just enjoy watching this outrageous film. This is what you call fun. ... Read more

Amazon.com

And what a day it was: nearly 60 jazz musicians, gathered on a Harlem street one morning in 1958 for what photographer Art Kane rightly, if immodestly, calls "the greatest picture of that era of musicians ever taken" (incredibly, it was also Kane's first professional shoot). Like Ken Burns's Jazz, this 60-minute documentary, an Oscar nominee in 1995, is a mixed-media affair: still photographs and 8 millimeter color footage (shot by bassist Milt Hinton and his wife) of the day itself are combined with interviews, background music, and performance clips of some of the players involved (from legends like Lester Young, Count Basie, Charles Mingus, and Thelonious Monk to lesser-knowns like Maxine Sullivan, Red Allen, and Vic Dickenson) to tell the story. There are anecdotes about 35-cent dinners, all-night jams, and film loaded upside down; about pianist Horace Silver's vegetarian diet and trumpeter Roy Eldridge's high notes; about old friends reuniting and what Hinton calls "just sheer happiness." Looking at the photo years later, Dizzy Gillespie sums it up simply: "There's a whole lotta people I like on there!"

And speaking of Diz, the DVD also includes "The Spitball Story" (produced, like the Great Day documentary, by Jean Bach), an entertaining if slight tale about the trumpeter's days with bandleader Cab Calloway. Seems Gillespie, a renowned practical joker, delighted in launching spitballs at his fellow musicians. Calloway wasn't amused--especially when one particular projectile landed onstage near him. Although Gillespie for once was not the culprit, the two had a nasty confrontation, resulting in Dizzy's firing from the band. It was, he recalls, "the best move I ever made in music." --Sam Graham ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Best jazz documentary there is.
The film tells the full story behind the famous photograph that first appeared in Esquire in 1958 showing all the musicians on the stoop of a brownstone on 125th St. and a fascinating story it is. The film includes stills taken by Milt Hinton that day and a lot of footage taken by Milt Hinton's wife with an 8mm movie camera and it is masterfully edited. In the film we learn how Thelonious Monk held up the whole production by taking so long to decide what jacket he was going to wear. We learn why Count Basie is sitting down on the curb next to a row of neighborhood kids. We learn how amazing it is that the shoot came off at all because it was scheduled for 10 AM. The video also includes a short in which Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Hinton and Jonah Jones tell the story of the famous spitball incident in Cab Calloway's band.

A great day in history
The brainchild of an Esquire magazine art director led to this wonderful moment in our cultural and national history -- almost 60 jazz musicians gathered on 120th Street in Harlem in 1958 for a photograph. This video draws on the memories of some of those who were there: Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Marian McPartland, Art Blakey, Gerry Mulligan, Milt Hinton, Bud Freeman among them -- to recreate the moment. Lots of film footage of the gathering and many touching moments are included, from Count Basie sitting on the curb with the neighborhood youngsters to Thelonious Monk's surprise showing -- late as usual. This was a monumental task, getting 60 jazz musicians to gather at 10 a.m., the equivalent of 4 a.m. in our world, and they did it! This video needs to be re-released, now if not sooner, for all of us who love jazz or want to learn more about its practitioners.

very good.
yeah both these are good but its really all about the photo. great to see some of milt hinton's cine footage from the day and other fotos too. the stories are all good from the musicians interviewed even if the photographer does come across a bit of a pratt sometimes. well worth it if you are a jazz fan or appreciate modern history.

Harlem, the number one Jazz empire!
This is a documentary about the golden age Jazz greats. These are the stories and sounds of the legends in the Jazz industry. The famous Picture of the great Jazz musicians and singers combined on the sidewalk of a street in Harlem, N.Y.. The kids that were sitting on the curb with Count Basie, wasn't supposed to be in the shot; but was used to add a realistic setting to the picture. Then there was the spitball story, told by Dizzy Gillespie himself. Dizzy was always shooting spitballs on the stage when they would be doing a show. He coaxed another band member into shooting them also, and Cab Calloway knew Dizzy had been shooting the spitballs and gave Dizzy plenty of warnings to stop. In one show, while Cab was on stage singing and dancing with some girls, a spitball landed on stage in front of Cab and the girls; right in the spot light. Mr. Calloway stopped the show and yelled at Dizzy, but it wasn't Dizzy that time; it was the other band member. When the other band member admitted to the spitball, Mr. Calloway still claimed it was Dizzy's fault, and fired him. Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Calloway got into a heated argument. The argument turned into a fight, and Dizzy pulled a switch blade on Mr. Cab Calloway; slicing him on the hand. Mr. Calloway, lunged at Dizzy and banged his leg against a large luggage trunk; forming a large bleeding wound on his leg. Mr. Gillespie said in his own words, "That was the best thing that had every happened to me" The fact that Mr. Cab Calloway fired him from the band, Mr. Dizzy Gillespie went on and formed his own band, and created his own success. This is an historial documentary that shouldn't be ignored. I recommend it.

Informative and Interesting!
A Great Day in Harlem: This is a great documentary about one of the most famous jazz photos. With interviews from the photographer, musicians, and even one of the kids sitting next to Count Basie in the front, it gives you a nice background about the photo. Also, there is even some color film footage that was taken by Milt Hinton's wife, along with sequences of photographs that give the feel of motion.

The Spitball Story: A nice mini-documentary about the story behind the spitball that led to Dizzy Gillespie being fired from Cab Calloway's orchestra. Lots of commentary from Diz himself is included (plus Milt Hinton and Jonah Jones), and during the end credits, there's some film footage of Dizzy performing "He Beeped When He Should Have Bopped." ... Read more

Amazon.com

When 17-year-old Sydney's divorced grandparents visit simultaneously, it seems there will be no end to the bickering. Then little brother's science experiment goes awry and instead of preserving roses, he sends both grandparents back to their youth. The young-people-out-of-time story line leads to many "young fella" versus "dissing" language gags. Then doe-eyed grandma gets an eye-opening school lecture on the use of a condom--a funny, but unnecessary scene that gives the movie its Parental Discretion rating for language and mature subject matter. Of course young grandma Cat (Tamera Mowry) looks exactly like Sydney (Tia Mowry), resulting in the inevitable dating mix-ups, until young Grandma and Grandpa predictably fall back in love before literally plunging back into old age. This 93-minute Showtime vehicle for the Mowry twins (TV's Sister, Sister) and their brother Tahj is better than average, although its "street" savvy may leave older teens and true urbanites wincing. Ages 12 and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (22)

I NEED A QUESTION ANSWERED
okay..i love this movie. it is really good. it has a great cast and mark taylor (young gene) is so hot. i think that the actual plot is way out there and really childish. but hey it is the disney channel. but the love theme was great. it just goes to show that sometimes you just have to sacrifice. i love that movie and i would watch it right now if it was on. c/s this is why i wrote this reveiw. okay..i love the movie and all and i fould a lot of info about it but there is one thing missing. a song list. i have been looking for about 3 days now all over the net for a song i heard on the movie. it played during the credits and it sounded like something boys to men would sing. i dont know the title or anything. i just thought that maybe someone might know what the song is. it says a lot about how if we get back together it will last forever. well thanx for all your help. i would really like to know some stuff about that song. i love it. well go watch the movie. NOW! lol LOVE CARLI

I want the soundtrack!
I loved this movie, I am 15 and I'm not always satisfied with disney movies but I loved this one. I even rented it, I've been trying to find the soundtrack forever or download "Hot thang" and other songs from the film but cant find it. I loved the acting and the actors! (Especially Jean...!!) I love this movie!

Seventeen Again
I love this movie because it really hits on real teen peer pressure and what we go through on a daily basis, and I'd like to thank Tia, Tamera, and Tahj Mowry for taking the time out to make this awesome movie. I, myself, am seventeen and I really enjoyed your performances. Tamera, you are so lucky to get to kiss Mark Taylor because he is so HOT!!!!!! Well again I want to say thanks and God bless!
Miyanna,17
Atlanta, GA

Great Movie, Great Actors, and Jean (Mark Taylor) is hot!!!!
I saw this movie on the Disney Channel. It was a great movie, the type that you could watch with the whole family -- the plot is very refeshing. Tia, Tamera and their brother act very well and are convincing. Mark Taylor who acts as Jean is also very good portraying his character because of his naturally deep (it's so SEXY) voice, and and ability to look well in 50's clothing. He is soooooooooooooooooooo fine, I really hope to see him make it big one day.

Seventeen Again
I like this movie it shows alot about science in the movie. And the characters in the movie play a good role. I look just like the young Gene in the movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Frederick Douglass, the self-taught orator, writer, and abolitionist who was born a slave in the South and made a brave escape to the North, was in the words of one historian: "A major figure in the coming of the Civil War, and the way the Civil War was fought. I think you can say he was the conscience of the nation." Douglass campaigned Lincoln to free the slaves and allow African Americans to serve in the nation's army. An early proponent of women's rights, he campaigned for equal rights for all people and he served as America's first African American statesman when he was appointed diplomat to Haiti. He continued his public-speaking engagements up to his death in 1895 at the age of 78. The comments and analyses of numerous historians and excerpts from the writings and speeches of Douglass present a man driven by a dream, and who worked to make that dream a reality to the end of his days. With no contemporaries alive to comment on the private man, and only brief autobiographical excerpts included from his own works, this portrait tends to simplify the controversies of his life (his second marriage to a white woman rocked even the "liberal" North) and deify the man, but few Americans deserve such tribute more than Frederick Douglass. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Courage and Conscience
This accessible overview of Douglass' turbulent life from slavery and persecution to crusading newspaperman and presidential adviser should inform and inspire viewers. This biography recreates the prejudiced atmosphere where the myth of racial inferiority reigned in the South to justify slavery and in the North to rationalize indifference to human suffering. Douglass' fiery speeches still speak to our highest aspirations as Americans united by the creed that "all men (and women) are created equal."

To be Real
This story being a part of history goes without challenge in my mind because, the reports as recorded cannot change what was the way of living then.This is the story of a challenged man , challenged not only by the society that he was a part of but also his own personal being. A must for history enthusiasts. ... Read more

Description

Visionary yet enigmatic, brilliant yet manipulative, Marcus Garvey is one of the most controversial figures in American history.Both a powerful orator and a pompous autocrat, Garvey inspired the loyalty of millions of African-Americans while infuriating many black leaders.He was a strong advocate of black self-help, yet was willing to collaborate with the Ku Klux Klan.He inspired African-Americans to support his economic enterprises, then lost their hard-earned money through mismanagement.This film uses a wealth of archival footage, photographs and documents to uncover the story of this Jamaican immigrant who between 1916 and 1921 built what was the largest black mass movement in world history. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

I thought it was pretty good myself
I am a historian by profession. I did my senior thesis on the Garvey movement during my college days.

Overall, I thought this was an excellent documentary. The DVD is particularly good as it expounds upon things like Malcolm X's parents' role in the Garvey movement, J. Edgar Hoover's vendetta against Garvey, and it contains two complete speeches from Garvey recorded in 1921, the latter of which states the goals of his UNIA.

As for the controversy, one should not expect a serious documentary aimed for adults to show a historical figure as an idealized, angelic being with no human flaws. Let's face it, Garvey had his faults and this documentary deals with that. But it also makes it clear that Garvey made a positive impact on many people from the testimonies of people who actually remembered the Garvey movement. Incidentally, in response to one of the previous posters, this DVD DID mention that Garvey created the Red, Black and Green flag.

Next to reading "Black Moses" or "The Philosophy of Marcus Garvey," this is a good introduction for anyone who wants to learn about Marcus Garvey. See this, read Garvey's own writings, and judge for yourself.

poof! the psuedo imperial grand dragon has been slayed
News flash Ted, white documentaries are glorified too, so stop crying.......................idiot!

Dumb Black Guy Documentry
Save your money!!! Who wants to see this glorification of Blacks!

-1 stars = Not the best "American Experience"
Usually, American Experience can counted on to present intensely fact-based documentaries. This one does not fit the ususal mode of American Experience product. Apparently, Frankthek didn't read the other reviews. One is from Julius Garvey, MD son of Marcus Garvey. That review led me to realize that there was more to the story. I went and did my own research. It seems that there is a great deal of bias in the documentary. The documentary doesn't begin where Garvey's life begins and it doesn't end where it ends. But it seems to want to impress upon you that it does. Nowhere are there facts presented for the viewer to make their own determination. That's why i watch American experience so much. Normally they present the facts, without so much as a critique. In my own research I confirmed some of what Dr. Garvey says in his review. The fraud trial originally ended in a hung jury, a fact left out of the documentary. Garvey met up with an expert elocutionist in Henrietta Vinton Davis, who may have been more influential on him than Billy Sunday. Garvey's second wife, Amy Jacques Garvey was from a well-to-do Jamaican family. Garvey finished his days in London, England; a plaque marks the house where he lived. He was interred in a crypt in England; and his body was brought back to Jamaica in the 60's. This was a very significant time in world history. Africa was getting its independence, the civil rights movement was taking off. Martin Luther King even laid a wreath at Garvey's mausoleum during a vacation in Jamaica. I watched this with a few other people and the consensus was the same. It is not the usual standard for American Experience. So many contradictory statements and so little facts. If anything this documentary will inspire others to go do their own research to get the real facts like I did.

Fine and Factual Documentary
I wish folks would use these pages to REVIEW material and not to further their apparent agendas. 'A Viewer', who is very clear in his/her agenda, saw fit to post five separate diatribes against this film. Apparently 'A Viewer felt that there were some relationships and/or situations which were not adequately covered by the documentary. 'A Viewer', however, makes no reference to any substantiation to any of his/her claims, and so one can do no more than dismiss them.

PBS has always been pretty clear in its political leanings and if they were going to slant this film, and I don't claim in this review that they do, they would certainly have slanted it in the direction opposite that to which 'A Viewer' claims they have slanted it. And I believe they deserve credit for the fact that they chose 'American Experience' to shine a light on someone other than Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks.

The bottom line is, if you're interested in one of history's lesser known black figures, you will find this documentary fascinating. Normally, I would have only given it 3 or 4 stars, but I feel compelled to counteract the damage 'A Viewer' has done by posting 5 reviews - each with only 1 star. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Get it while you can!
It's not very often this generation gets a chance to experience a real old-school R&B show. Thank God Rudy Ray Moore is still around to show 'em how it's done.
Until I saw this video I was only familiar with his stand-up routine and his movies. The singing came as quite a pleasant surprise. The guy can really carry a tune, and has a hell of a voice! He performs some old R&B standards and a few songs from a pair of cds he released a couple of years ago, both of which I now own.
The comedy routines are classic Rudy Ray, which, in my opinion, is just the coolest thing on Earth. The songs and the comedy just sort of drift into each other in an effortless fashion. Leading the band is Jimmy Lynch, who reminds me of Bo Diddly's sidekick Jerome, if anybody remembers back that far.
Rudy Ray Moore may be the last of his kind, but even if he wasn't he'd still be one of the best.

Didn't know what to expect.
My first exposure to Rudy Ray Moore was in his classic movie Dolemite. Sure, there was much reference to sex, and a bit of vulgarity, but that gave the movie its flavor. I laughed a lot with Dolemite, Petey Wheatstraw: The Devil's Son In Law, and Disco Godfather, but this video of his live comedy act just disgusted me.

It's a bunch of people standing around in a club, enjoying Mr. Ray Moore's performance. As anyone who has had any exposure to him knows, he is a pretty vulgar man. I was expecting him to just stand around telling jokes for a few hours, but it wound up being a BIG PERFORMANCE with MUSIC. If it were just jokes, I might be able to take it, however, the jokes were really raunchy. Hearing a man in his mid-60s talk about how large his MALE GENETALIA is, and how much he likes to have sex and all, while the background dancers and band just nod and act like his act is the best thing on the planet.

So maybe if I were drunk or something, I'd watch and enjoy this, but I think I will just stick to the comedy movies, THANK YOU. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In Held Up, a romantic trip turns sour when Rachel (Nia Long) learns that Michael (Jamie Foxx) used the down payment for their future home to buy a classic car. Disgusted, she leaves him at a roadside gas station in the middle of the Nevada desert. Soon the car is stolen, thieves descend to rob the place, and the untimely arrival of the police creates a hostage situation with Michael in the middle. The circumstances want to cascade into mounting absurdity, but the ending doesn't quite provide a strong capper. Still, getting there is entertaining. Foxx is engaging, and the supporting cast--including Julie Hagerty, John Collum, Barry Corbin, and Jake Busey--create a colorful collection of locals. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Not too many laughs...
This is a pretty silly movie. The idea of someone holding up a place at gunpoint, taking hostages, and the hostages eventually sympathizing and siding with the robber... well, it's been done before and much better. The talent of Nia Long is wasted in this movie. Most of her screen-time takes place at the very beginning and end of the film.

I gave this an extra star simply because Jamie Foxx has some funny moments in this. He's a major talent and really deserves to do better films than this. He's a great actor, both comic and dramatic.

The DVD features certainly don't make up for the poor quality of the film. Besides the film's trailer (and a few trailers for other Trimark films) the only feature is a four minute interview with Jamie Foxx.

Very Funny
Coming off a tough deadline, all I was looking for was something to make me laugh. That's why I chose a Jamie Foxx film. He usually cracks me up. And Nia Long is a very talented actress. She's always good, no matter what venue I've seen her in.

These two had great chemistry. Nia is the put-upon girlfriend who's highly upset because her boyfriend has spent their nest egg on a vintage Edsel (can you believe he bought an EDSEL? ). Anyway, they're on vacation, in the middle of Nevada, driving this car that doesn't even have a decent sound system, just an 8-track tape player. He only has one 8-track tape, Tony Orlando and Dawn. I can feel the sister's irritation at this dope.

Once she learns he's emptied their joint account to purchase this car, she gets so angry she leaves him in the middle of a desert town. Then his car is stolen and the fun really begins.

While he's inside a convenience store, after calling the local sheriff to report his car being stolen, the store is held-up by three bumbling criminals. Chaos ensues.

For the rest of the movie, Jamie Foxx's character has one goal, to emerge unscathed out of a hostage situation inside the convenience store in order to make it to the airport before the love of his life flies out of it forever.

Like I said in the beginning, all I was looking for was something to make me laugh. HELD UP was surprisingly deep in some instances. Yes, there is a little bathroom humor, but I don't think I heard the F word once. And that was quite refreshing.

I say, WATCH IT!

funny for the first ride
if you wanna watch this over and over again I , dont...its better if you watch it once. this is about Foxx and his girlfriend leaves him and then he ends up being Held Up by some robbers who are so stupid. the cops come, or should I say uneducated cops come to teh scene. my favorite bit is where Foxx thinks he is grazed with a bullet and it turns out its a dorito chip(the part where the microwave explodes). Jake Busey and Michael Shamus Wiles(military man) add some spark as well.

No Good
Sorry Jamie and Nia -- this one did not live up to expectations. This low budget movie is full of stereotypes (about Hispanics) and quite boring.

I've seen Jamie in at least one other comedy which rocked, and am disappointed with HELD UP from start to finish. Nia is an A-plus actress, and I don't know why she agreed to star in this dud.

Better luck next time, Jamie and Nia. Be pickier about which movies you agree to act in. Otherwise you'll end up like Chris Rock - always acting in stupid movies.

This movie is FUNNY!
I dont recall ths movie ever being in theaters, but that doesn't mean it isn't good, in fact, it's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Jamie Foxx is hillarious as usual, while Nia Long lends her great acting, great comedy, and her great body to this one. The whole plot is ridiculous, but that makes the movie all the more better. It's about a convienence store in the middle of the Arizona desert that gets robbed by a couple of bumbling crooks that have no idea what they're doing. Foxx's character just so happened to be there when the store was "held up" and he needs to get to the airport to make up with his girlfriend (played by Nia Long) before she leaves, but he can't, because now the cops have surrounded the store and set the stage for some great humor. Held Up sits among Wayne's World and Office Space as one of the best comedies ever, so do yourself a favor and buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Def Comedy Jam-A second opinion
I used to love Def Comedy Jam.I used to rent new ones every time I went to my local video store.But now I have seen a lot of other comedians and I decide I don't like them anymore.The main thing I don't like about them is the language.There are comics who cuss and are funny,but these guys cuss just for cussing's sake.All they talk about is sex,sex,and more sex.People,this is not comedy.The only comedian on this show I have EVER heard talk about something other then sex is Paul Mooney.He is not funny,but I respect him for talking about stuff other then sex.If you want a HILARIOUS comedy movie that has NOTHING objectionable to young kids,get Blue Collar Comedy Tour or Jeff Foxworthy's "Totally Commited".That is comedy that you can show to anybody unlike this garbage.

Def Comedy Jam is great
I rented this movie from Blockbuster and thought it would be good. The first show has Martin Lawrence as host and the comedians that are good on this are Pierre and D.L. Hughley. The others are okay. The second one has funny comedians J.Anthony Brown and Adele Givens. Adele really rocked it. She had everyone jumping on their seats, on the floor laughing. J. Anthony Brown was alright. If I were you,I would rent I first and if you like it, then buy it.

The greatest stand up TV Show!
I decided to check this out because I had heard good things about it,and D.L. Hughley is one of my favorite comedians.(This is the exact same reason why I checked out the Original Kings Of Comedy.)I was satisfied.This DVD contains 3 episodes of HBO's groundbreaking comedy series,"Def Comedy Jam".They each contain 4 comedians.They are all hosted by Martin Lawrence.This is one of the reasons why I didn't give this 5 stars.The first two shows on here are very funny,and the third one is OK.Two comedians on the third show aren't funny.One of them was Laura Hayes,from the Queens of Comedy.The other one was one of Russell Simmons' favorites.His name was Gi George.My favorites on here are D.L. Hughley,Ricky Harris,and the very first comedian on here.His name was AJ Jamal.There is A LOT of cussin' and swearin'.Every comedian also tells at least one sex joke.So if you have young children,DO NOT let them come CLOSE to the ENTIRE SERIES.Otherwise,sit back and enjoy the greatest stand up TV show ever recorded.I'm signing off for now.In the mean time check out the rest of the series,I guarantee you will like it.

25 Year-old Comedy Fan
Well, I actually just got this in the mail the other day. I had forgotten that I ordered it. The version I received from Time Life has the "2 Raw 4 TV" extras, and they are definitely worth it. The first two shows are very funny and the third one is OK. Two of the comedians on the third show were not very funny. Each show has four (4) comedians, for twelve acts total. The "2 Raw" segment has about five or six comedians and they are very raunchy but still funny.

There is a whole lot of cussin' and swearin', so if you're faint of heart with regards to profanity, you're going to want to avoid this whole series. Definitely, this DVD is worth the money. I had several friends who used to tape every episode when it used to come on HBO. This saves us a lot of trouble. The picture quality is good considering it was ten years ago and the sound is great. If you like good African American comedy, pick up this DVD. I'm going to check out the rest of the series. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Please Pay Me
Yes, I think anyone who watches this awful movie should be paid to see it.
However, as an actor in the film I believe that I should have been paid for my work. I was never paid for video or cable play, and I filed an action with SAG. The producer appears to have spent a lot of time away from the country, and many of us were never paid. Shame on them. This is not only an artistic failure, it is an ethical failure as well.
Paul Tellstrom

One down two braincells to go for this director.
One of the worst movies I have ever seen. If they wanted to make more money they would be better served selling the DVD as a coaster.

Good to See the gang together again
This was a great action movie.

To see Richard Roundtree, Fred Williamson, Jim Brown..and a big blast from the past..Jim Kelly. I though Jim Kelly was dead.

Anyway, they looked very good together. I enjoyed seeing my heart throbs of 70's in a film together.

All of them..still sexy as ever.

MST3K HERE I COME!!!
This movie had to be the worst thing I ever saw ( Next to Pearl Harbor). How this did not end up on Mystery Science Theatre 3000 I will never know! It is the stupids thing ever. The script was writen by a five year old. The acting is horrible. The editing of the film is discusting. They keep looping footage over and again. The cinematography was pale and down right bad. If u want a good laugh rent One Down Two to Go tonight!! (LOL, this movie ...!) HAHAHAHAHA I can't stop laughing..

Two Words: Blown Away
I can't even begin to describe the quality of the movie. If you could have only one Jim Kelly movie in your movie collection, this movie is definitely one to have. The catch phrases alone are worth the price of this movie. If you're a master of action-fu then this movie is an expert at movie-fu. The lighting, action sequences, and special effects blows "Titanic" out of the water! Can't wait for the DVD! ... Read more

Description

Henry Louis Gates Jr. travels the length and breadth of the United States to take the temperature of black America at the start of the new century. Gates visits the East Coast, the deep South, inner-city Chicago and Hollywood to explore the rich and diverse landscape, social as well as geographic. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Skip shows Black America.
This is a four-part PBS/BBC series on one disc.I wonder if it is supposed to be the New World equivalent to the documentary that Gates did on Africa.I didn't see that series, so my analysis may not be as informed as it could be.This series continues Gates' acknowledgment as a public intellectual.Though the title says "beyond" the color line, it really could have been re-titled "about" the color line.This documentary covers mostly Black Americans talking about race; this is the same that that DuBois contemplated one century ago.To be fair, class does come up here, both in terms of the privileged and the challenged.Also, almost every interviewee does not know what to say when asked the question "Does racism still exist?"On the one hand, they don't want to sound naive, or like a Clarence Thomas or Stephen Carter.On the other hand, they want to more well-rounded in their answer and not sound like Chris Rock's character "Nat X."Many works on "the status of Black America" focus upon crime, education, and health solely.This documentary did go into new or different directions, discussing Hollywood, migration patterns, and success stories.

Gates interviews a large number of Blacks, both stars and everyday people.There is much class diversity here.You can see the richness of the dialogue as Colin Powell says, "Our generation could not use certain words when we were growing up." and then a second later Russell Simmons, a middle-aged man, has to be bleeped out every other sentence.Unfortunately, this series includes far more men than women, very androcentric.By the way, Alicia Keys looked okay in her "Gangsta Love" video.But when Gates interviews her on the set of that video, her booty is sticking out all over the place.Go buy a belt, Ms. Alicia!

It was difficult watching Gates ask simplistic questions of people on topics that he has covered in-depth or his peers have. I did love seeing a learned Black man speaking a bit of Ebonics here and there.In addition, he slips in scholarly quotes from diverse thinkers such as Audre Lorde, William Julius Wilson, and William Shakespeare throughout the series.I am perfectly fine that this work is not as complex as Gates' "Signifying Monkey"; however, it did feel a bit dumbed-down.

I HATE the way he covered Chicago.Whereas he portrays Atlanta as a thriving, black, middle-class Mecca, he shows Chicago as if it were only in decline.Chicago is not Detroit: we are not that post-industrial.The number of Chicago residents did not decrease over the 1990s as other cities in the Midwest and East Coast have.Chicago is still full of bourgie black people (I should know).One of the reasons that Illinois have elected 2 of the only 5 Blacks who have ever served in the United States Senate is because people of all races are so familiar and unthreatened by middle-class Blacks.This piece totally disrespects the Chi!

Further, Harvard is mentioned several times in this work and no other Ivy League is brought up.Yes, Gates is a department head at Harvard, but technically he's a Yalie.You would think he would want viewers to know that there is more than one Ivy.At a time when Brown University appointed the first African-American president, a woman, in the history of the Ivy League while Harvard's president has been in the news for upsetting female faculty and insulting Cornel West and Kenneth Appiah, you would think Gates would be broader in his coverage.

Gates is seen in most scenes walking with a cane.Because Cornel West walks with a cane as well, I am concerned about the health of Black public intellectuals.However, I am glad that the days of Americans hiding their disabilities are gone.In our age, FDR would not have to be ashamed of his wheelchair.

This series would be great for people doing cursory or initial investigations in the status of Black America. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Culled from rare black-and-white footage from the early to mid-20thcentury, this excellent anthology showcases a number of gems from the best andbrightest female vocalists in America. There's the radiant "Empress of theBlues" Bessie Smith in her only recorded film appearance singing "St. LouisBlues." The gospel great Sister Rosetta Tharpe delivers a down-home version of"That Lonesome Road," which is contrasted by jazzy and sassy Dinah Washington's"Lean Baby." The immortal Billie Holliday's touching 1957 TV performance of"Fine and Mellow," recorded with saxophonists Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, andGerry Mulligan two years before her death in 1959, is the finest clip in thiscollection. From Ethel Waters and Sarah Vaughan to Lena Horne, Ida Cox, andPeggy Lee, this set shows why women have been the standard bearers of theAmerican vocal tradition. --Eugene Holley Jr. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Buyer Sings the Blues
The songs may be "complete" as the DVD claims, but what isn't mentioned is the inane narration over the beginning of just about every clip on the disk, which spoiled much of the enjoyment for me. I bought the DVD for the Connee Boswell clip (love those Boswell Sisters), but after the narration there's just eighteen seconds of the song left. By the way, even accounting for the age/rarity of the clips, the quality of them often leaves something to be desired, as well.

THESE LADIES WERE THE PIONEERS.
They had prepared the way for so many female singers of today. Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, and many more. With the stars that are jam packed inside this video, makes the video worth seeing. So if blues and the ladies that sing them interests you, then by all means, take advantage of this must see video; you'll be glad you did.

A Must Have
SO Many Great Talented Ladies Here.These Voices Have Forever Changed The History Of Music.The Music&Depth Of Their Genius is Timeless Check This Out Very Essential.

Magnificent documentary featuring American legends of song.
This acclaimed compilation brings together full-length, rare performances from the great ladies of song: Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Ethel Waters. Hailed by Entertainment Weekly as "a grand parade of American miracles," Ladies captures the excitement of the most distinctive female vocalists in Jazz.

#1313 (60 min, B&W, Hi-Fi)

blues
I like blue ... Read more

Reviews (10)

IN A WORD..........SOLID!
This is classic Blacksploitation! I am such a huge fan of the genre, that when I heard a soundbite from Detroit 9000 on the Jackie Brown soundtrack, I knew that I had to see the movie. And, even better, it had Quentin Tarantino's stamp of approval. More than enough for me!

A gritty, tell it like it is white cop is assigned to find the men who robbed the fundraiser for the first black man to run for Govenor of the state of Michigan. When he realizes that he can't do it alone, he reluctantly agrees to let a young black cop, who happens to be an up-and-comer, help him out. What follows is a mess of gun fights, funky music, and dead pimps. All culminating in probably one of the biggest shootouts/chase scenes in film history! My jaw was dropped and my eyes were open in amazement as Detroit cops and the robbers chased each other all over town whilst expending thousands of rounds of ammo. The ending came as quite a surprise, and nothing that I had seen coming. This film is a very good movie, especially for blacksploitation, and it is a total blast. I watched this on a Friday night with some friends, made some remarks(ala Mystery Science Theater 3000), and totally had a great time. If you like blackploitation, see this. If you like action films, with millions of bullets, and bloody gunfights, see this. And if you like cop movies with great chase scenes, see this! I would love it if Tarantino remade this film, and put Sam Jackson in it. A lot of fun, and worth your time. Hey, if you took the trouble to look it up, do yourself a favor and see it.

BORING!!!!
This movie starts out alright, with some good chase scenes and a few shoot-outs, but then it just becomes incredibly boring. Detroit 9000 becomes so slow paced, that it will put you to sleep.

SNOR-FEST.....ZZZZZzzzzzzzzz

Better than your expectations
This movie is truly more than a standard exploitation flick (not that there's anything wrong with that). Sure, there's some stilted acting and neon orange blood, but beyond that there's a pretty darn good story, and some of the best location shots of Detroit next to "8 Mile". The plot twists will actually surprise you, and the amount of locations will make you wonder how they got enough money to pull this off. "Detroit 9000" is the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" of Blaxploitation, in that it goes beyond the genre but still keeps the mainstays intact. Highly recommended, although I wish the dvd had more (any) special features. Epic.

Good Movie
This was a great movie and I enjoyed it very much! If you like Blaxploitation movies, this is one to see!

A Must-See for Motown
This is the only non-documentary film that I know of to capture anything of the life in Detroit experience. It is a must-see film for anyone who's spent any serious time in Motown. There are classic Detroit scenes such the drive up the Cobo Hall ramp, a dialogue scene in the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inside Cobo, the old Top Hat Coney off Grand Circus Park, a functioning Book-Cadillac Hotel, a skyline before the RenCen, and even a B.C./Marathon sticker and Detroit Tigers "Bill Freehan in action" calendar! This film has early-70s Detroit written all over it. Yet, this film also goes beyond its local setting as well. Its no wonder Tarantino has a special regard for this film. It shows the racial hypocrisy of institutions and the establishment. There is racial opportunism and strife among the politicians and police chiefs. So it is no mistake that the criminals in this film are the only ones racially mixed working in cohesion. The final chase scene is not actually a chase but a slaughter akin to the S.W.A.T./Patty Hearst scene. All the establishment figures are out for themselves, yet they lie continually about racial harmony to hide their ambitions. The thieves are out for themselves yet they're together and have put aside their racial differences. This is a unique film. Too bad the acting wasn't better. Also the editing is a bit staid. Once you get behind these rough spots you'll see a film with a very compelling story line. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Faith Ain't Required, Just A Love of the Blues
Years ago, I used to program a jazz show on a small radio station in southeastern Massachusetts. Between 6AM-7AM, we used to have a gospel segment (which as an atheist, I found particularly amusing and interesting). I came to really love the music. It's some of the most emotional blues you'll ever hear.

"Say Amen, Somebody" is more than just footage of a truly legendary gospel performance. It's testimony to the power of the music and how it moves the people who sing it, play it, and listen to it. Even this "unbeliever" was moved by what he saw.

I first caught this film in 1985 and I've seen it a couple of times since. It never fails to suck me right in.

You'll be moved to sing along in praise!
I saw this during its debut in an arts theatre of Chicago, the setting for some parts of the film and a major birthplace of gospel music. It moved me deeply then and still does today when I see it. A wonderful tapestry of the soul, history, spirit, blues, and people of gospel music, "Say Amen Somebody" is a feel-good documentary film about one of the most prolific gifts African-Americans have given to America culture.

Gospel Music Lovers, Don't Miss This One!
If you're into Gospel Music (the older clasic type) and even if you're not, this is one of the most moving , informative, authentic documentaries I've ever see. Maybe that's why it won an academy award when it was released. I saw it then at the theatre, and later on video, and it's lost none of its power. It took a European to make it, which is just more proof how little we as Americans care about what many consider the most influencial form of African- American music.

Give me that Old time religion
For those who have not yet goten a grip of the new strange stuff in the gospel scene, this is for you. For those who have got all the latest music, this is for you too. It shows the background of songs such as "precious Lord". Also it goes on to show how the gospel music had to fight to be where it was int he early eigthies. Thomas Dorsey is also a little entertainer and Willie Mae Ford Smith is definitely a minister for the truth whatever the cost. Get it and you will not be disappointed

Refreshing
The video was a refreshing look at gospel music and was quite moving. It enabled viewers to discover the history of mucis from the outlook of the insders of those who produced it. The actual music that was performed in the video was nice and one only wished that there was a soundtrack easily available for the movie. This video would be most recommended to those who appreciate the history of gospel in a unique way and also like to appreciate the music from the 30s to the 70s and early 80s. It is video that can be watched by the whole family along with those who are great enthusiast of gospel music. ... Read more

Description

The original "Charlie's Angels"!A beautiful up and coming singerseeks revenge on the mob responsible for murdering her relatives.She and her karate- kicking sidekicks team up to take on The Buddha and his henchmen.In the tradition ofFoxy Brown comes this sexy action-packed blaxploitation film from the '70's presented inexciting Deepvision 3-D and including 2 pairs of special viewing glasses! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A CHANGE OF PACE FOR SHAFT
THIS TIME, JOHN SHAFT [RICHARD ROUNDTREE] IS FORCED TO GO TO AFRICA TO INFILTRATE A 20TH CENTURY SLAVE CARTEL. I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT THEY TRYED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH THE SERIES. THOUGH IT STILL PALES IN COMPARISON TO THE ORIGINAL, IT'S STILL A DECENT ACTION FILM.

Bravo for Shaft!
Shaft does it again! He brings his street sense to Africa and woos an African princess in the process...and right under the watchful eye of her bodyguard! Too smooth! I was actually craving for more after this one...who knows, he might have done the same in Europe had more had been produced! Richard Roundtree was truly one of the hottest names in the business at that time as John Shaft. Get the other two as well to complete the collection ("Shaft" and "Shaft's Big Score").

Worth it for one line
Shaft is discussing an impending female circumcision with the African princess and suggests "We put a little wear and tear on that thing before they cut it off". SMOOOOVE

John Shaft Plays James Bond in Africa
Though the second sequel to "Shaft," there's no remaining trace of the first two "blaxploitation" films. "Shaft in Africa" looks more like a big-budget 007 film, and instead of Roger Moore, put Richard Roundtree in the hero's role.

The pair of director John Guillermin and writer Stirling Silliphant will definetely reminds you of "Towering Inferno," pinnacle of the "disaster movies" in vogue in the 70s, and "Shaft in Africa" has the same feeling -- it is packed with actions and violence, plus costly set (or shots on location). This time Shaft, in order to stop the modern-day slave trading in Africa, has to endure a chains of brutal attacks from enemies and the scorching heat of Afraica. The globe-trotting story leads him from NYC to Ethiopia, and then to France. And Shaft doesn't forget that he is THE sexy guy; Shaft's love is played by beautiful princess Vonetta McGee, and he even spends a good time with a white girl in bed.

If you expect "blaxploitation" films in "Shaft in Africa" you may be diappointed. It is no longer that. The total tone is nearer to films of James Bond (to which Shaft refers briefly) and actions never stop coming on screen between Shaft's one-liners. As far as the actions are concerned, it never lets you down, and you will see unique things here and there that you can find only in the 70s: in one scene Shaft, completely naked, proves that he can do stick-fighting (!).

Overall, "Shaft in Africa" is a good action film. Often its violence is excessive, but the film's pace is always slick and Roundtree plays convincingly the cool and sexy hero. There is no more Isaac Hayes theme song, but Four Tops's great song will make you forget that. And don't miss the airport scene in which Shaft has to take a photo with a lion. This lion (of course, he is a real one) is audacious enough to give him a quick, threatening look to him. Shaft (or Roundtree) doesn't look happy about that.

Please don't say it so loud!
I love bad movies and cult movies and all those groovy flicks from the 70's...but this was beyond bad. C"mon! I expected so much more from our favorite "Bad Mother [shut yo mouth!]..." ... Read more

Reviews (21)

PUT YOUR WEIGHT ON IT
Don't believe the bad reviews folks, this is RUDY RAY MOORE. "Avenging Disco Godfather," is Moore's most serious film, dealing with the harm Angel Dust was delivering to the black community in the late seventies.

Sure things are not as techinically sound as a large budget Hollywood film, but so what. Since Moore was paying for the whole deal out of his pocket, you're going to have to cut him some slack. And yes, the acting is not the best, but no one here is a real professional. So give Moore a break. Despite its shortcomings,Avenging Godfather was a large step for Moore's underground cast and crew.

Godfather is not RR Moore's best movie - Human Tornado is. But watch this film for what it is - an underground classic. So dig it baby and PUT YOUR WEIGHT ON IT!!!!!!!!

A Shermanizing Experience
SOme people slam this film but I offhand can't think of a funnier movie. How many other anti-drug movies end with a disco nightclub-owning cop battling a whip-weilding homosexual? Man, I don't know who won the Oscar that year but Rudy Ray Moore should have won it (especially when he reacts in pain to an object that hasn't even hit him yet). And that...ending...you've just gotta see it yourself, you're not really sure if it was intentional or they just kinda ran out of money. A bargain at any price.

What has he had?
Ok, it's been years since I have seen this (probably 15) but it made such an impact on me that I'm buying it on DVD damnit!

For all out laugh value, you could do much worse. The scary thing is that they are trying to be serious.

Not to ruin anything, but the ending of this movie tweeked me out so hard that I'm still feeling it. You were thinking "Well maybe the godfather sacrificed himself for the good of the community and so that the next generation will be spared the scourges of PCP."

Or:

Disco godfather wakes up with a "Whew! That was a close one, angel dust almost claimed me, but my strong will and clarity of righteous purpose helped me previal."

BUT NO!!! Godfather goes crappin' his pants crazy seeing the "PCP angel/devil" and whimpering "ma ma" then right out of a Steve Ditko comic: "NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

AND THATS IT!

HOLY CRAP!

come on
this movie was so bad there is nothing good to say about it.
Do Not Buy This Film
dnbtf

bad
How do people even think of making such horrible films?
1st of all you lose the plot the second the beginning credits end
2nd of all the acting is terrible
3rd of all these movie is horrible ... Read more

Reviews (94)

A brilliant, scorching movie
Spike Lee takes us to a single block in Brooklyn on the hottest day of the year in his awesomely brilliant movie "Do The Right Thing". The movie opens on a sultry early morning; by the time it ends, on a sweltering midnight of the same day, the heat, and the movie, have built up unbearable tensions that explode in in a confrontation that engulfs the street and everyone in it. At the heart of the block and the movie is Sal's Famous Pizzeria, run by Sal and his two sons from Bensonhurst (also in Brooklyn but it might as well be on the other side of the planet), with its "Wall of Fame" covered with photographs of famous Italian-Americans, glaringly out of place and insultingly insensitive on this African-American street in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The movie presents us with an unforgettable set of characters, including Danny Aiello in a great performance as Sal, Spike Lee as Mookie, his delivery man, Rosie Perez as Mookie's long-suffering and neglected girlfriend, Giancarlo Esposito as Mookie's radical friend Buggin' Out, Bill Nunn as Radio Raheem with his suitcase-size boom box that eats up 20 D batteries at a clip, the nearly legendary husband-wife acting team of Ossie Davis and Ruby Lee as Da Mayor, the street bum, and Mother Sister, the neighborhood snoop (every neighborhood has to have one), Samuel L. Jackson as Senor Love Daddy, and Joie Lee, Spike Lee's real-life sister, who plays Mookie's sister Jade in the film. Among a host of minor characters, the best are the three men parked on the sidewalk, ML, played by Paul Benjamin, Coconut Sid, played by Frankie Faison, and Sweet Dick Willie, played by the late Robin Harris, who act as a kind of Greek chorus to the unfolding events. Much of the speaking parts of these three was ad-libbed on camera, and the actors seem to have had a ball with their characterizations (Buggin' Out: "You wanna boycott Sal's Famous Pizzeria?" Sweet Dick Willie, observing Buggin' Out's every-which-way haircut: "You oughta boycott that barber who f---ed up your head.") Always present, and intrusive, are a squad car with two white cops, who view the neighborhood inhabitants, and are viewed by them, with undisguised contempt. The street, and the environs, are so convincingly portrayed that the heat is palpable; we can almost feel their discomfort as we sympathize at their attempts to alleviate it. One of the most priceless scenes in the film is the loudmouthed "alien" who drives through the block in an open Cadillac convertible and dares the kids to get it wet (when he finally manages to pull over and open the door, Niagara Falls spills out). A demand by Buggin' Out that Sal put some photographs of blacks on the Wall of Fame, which Sal dismisses out of hand, sets the stage for the confrontation that will blow sky-high. Buggin' Out returns to the pizzeria just before closing time with Radio Raheem, boom box blasting away at full volume, and Sal, his last nerve shot, silences the noise with a baseball bat. The resulting free-for-all spills out into the street just as the police arrive; Radio Raheem is pulled off Sal, who he is choking silly, and killed by the police with an illegal choke-hold. The police speed off (one could say they fled the scene of their crime), leaving Sal and his sons alone to face the neighborhood's rage. The pizzeria is torched, the neighborhood riots, and the firetruck arrives with firehoses turned on the rioters instead of the pizzeria, in a scene reminiscent of Sheriff Bull Connor in 1960's Alabama. "Do The Right Thing" is one of the most searing commentaries on American race relations that has ever been put on film. It's provocative, it's insightful, it's profound, it's a masterpiece, and it's definitely Spike Lee's best movie.

Do the Right Thing Review
It's the hottest day of the summer and racial tensions run deep in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn, New York. This is the backdrop for Spike Lee's controversial 1989 film, "Do The Right Thing". Many critics and movie-goers were quick to blast this film for being what they perceived to be a "racist" movie. Most people who say this have probably only seen the movie once and were so quick to complain about its tension-filled ending.

"Right Thing" stars writer-director Lee as Mookie, a somewhat lazy pizza delivery boy who works at the local pizzeria run by Sal and his Italian-American sons. Through Mookie's many trips through the neighborhood, we get acquainted with some of the other "characters" such as the block's "wise man" (or "town drunk", depending on how you perceive him), "Da Mayor" (Ossie Davis). We also get introduced to the trouble-making Buggin' It Out who is intent on boycotting Sal's Famous until they "put some brothas on the wall". Then, there's Radio Raheem, whose boombox blasts Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" loudly through out the movie. He doesn't speak much as the music seems to be his outlet of expression. It also happens to get him in a lot of trouble as the movie progresses.

Lee's treatmant of certain characters in "Right Thing" is questionable at times. He seems to feel strongly that many of the white characters in this New York neighborhood would root for Boston sports teams because their top players are also white. At times, Danny Aiello's Sal seems sympathetic and kind while in the end, he is more or less portrayed as a "closet racist". This might be why some of us are so fast to make observations about the film's racial biases but I've never felt that "Do The Right Thing" has ever been about who is right and who is wrong. In the end, everyone loses out because rather than go about handling certain small problems by compromising, people choose to argue over who is "doing the right thing" and who isn't. In the end, people are hurt and killed, property is destroyed, and all that seems to remain is animosity.

While I may argue with the way that Spike wrote certain characters, this is "his" movie. Would the ending situation have been any different if he had re-wrote them? Probably not. So many of its critics fail to see the big picture with "Do The Right Thing". It isn't about whether Sal was right or whether Mookie was right or Buggin' It Out. The original problem was so small, so minor, and each of the characters allowed it to balloon into a big one. Even the less important characters contributed to the problem by instigating it further. The only character who seemed to understand what was going on was Samuel L. Jackson's almost narrator-like radio DJ, Senor Love Daddy. He understands it, he sees the tension esculating, and he is telling everyone to relax but it's too late. "And that's the triple truth, Ruth".

"The left hand is hate. The right hand is love."
This movie is largely an angry, outrageous film. But it is also a beautiful and enlightening one. DO THE RIGHT THING garnered Spike Lee, writer, director, and star of the film, both praise and criticism. But what you must remember, those who either praise it or look down upon it, is that DO THE RIGHT THING couldn't be further from the truth.

DO THE RIGHT THING was an introduction to Lee's brazen and bold style of filmmaking. He had a part in every aspect: direction, cast, production, writing the screenplay, etc. That's why, if someone is interested in seeing a "Spike Lee joint", I will definitely recommend DO THE RIGHT THING first and foremost.

It's a look at race relations in America circa 1989, a drastic glimpse in which the outsiders, meaning the audience, can feel as if they are right there in Harlem with Mookie (Spike Lee).

Mookie is an unmarried father, a boyfriend to Tina (Rosie Perez), loud and outspoken with her buxom figure. She pushes Mookie to spend more time with her and their son, complaining about him being a deadbeat dad. His excuse? Work.

True, much of Mookie's time is spent working at Sal's, a pizzeria in Harlem, run by white Italians in a neighborhood where the population appears to be around 99.5 percent black.

Other characters include Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn), Da Mayor (Ossie Davis), Mother Sister (Ruby Dee), Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito) and Jade, Mookie's sister (Joie Lee). Radio Raheem's dialogue throughout the film it limited - he more or less expresses his freedom through his incessantly blaring radio. In fact, throughout the entire movie, Public Enemy's "FIGHT THE POWER" blasts throughout the neighborhood. Buggin' Out is irked with a situation at Sal's that he feels must immediately be taken care of. He just wants Sal to "put some brothas" up on his restaurant's walls, right beside pics of Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable. Sal (Danny Aiello) refuses to comply with Buggin' Out's request.

In the end, Radio Raheem and Buggin' Out fuel an argument that quickly evolves into a neighborhoodwide conflagration. Alas, Mookie fuels the fire by hurling a trashcan through the glass window of the pizzeria - his boss' pizzeria - and the brawl proceeds, with Sal and his sons standing on the sidelines.

DO THE RIGHT THING is an odd title for a film like this, some people may think. Is the right thing done? Does Lee believe that the characters in his film did the right thing? I'm not sure. The title can be interpreted in a number of ways, I suppose. First, I suspected it was irony. No, Mookie didn't do the right thing! He fueled the fire and instigated the riot to mammoth proportions! Property was destroyed and damaged! My second conclusion was merely that "doing the right thing" serves as an argument for the people, for people unwilling to make compromises or verbally come to an agreement through reasonable, mature conversation. In reality, the film isn't about who is right and who is wrong and why. You had people like Mookie, who seemed to act on impulse, and then you had Da Mayor, trying to calm the livid people down, trying to talk sense into their heads. People evidently followed Mookie's lead and in the process, they hurt and killed others, seriously damaged and neighborhood properties. Not only that, but mere misun