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Rhyme & Reason A Review by |
| I'm a member of
netflix.com, which explains why I review somewhat older DVD releases. If you're unaware of
netflix, its a DVD rental company, that works over the internet and through the mail. They
send you DVDs, you send them back when you're done. Alot like brick and mortar chains like
Blockbuster and Hollywood Video, only now when you rent porn there is no one there to look
down upon you. So I use netflix to get a chance to check out some flicks I missed in the
theater and since I've only had my DVD player for a year, some of the movies I review
happen to be somewhat old. Like Marshall Mathers, if you have a problem with that: sue me.
So the old movie that came in my mail last week, was the rap documentary titled Rhyme & Reason. If any of you have seen "The Show", this movie is very, very similar to that flick. The documentary is made up of interviews with hip hop artists of the past, present, and possible future. The movie doesn't really have any one focus, instead it just lets you get closer to some of rap's biggest stars and hear what they have to say about the game they play. Some topics that are disccussed include: origins of rap, hip hop vs. rap, female rappers, gangster rap, the death of tupac and biggie, the Jack the Rapper convention, the recent rise in popularity, and the business of the industry. I really enjoyed this documentary, even more than Def Jam's The Show. It doesn't have the live performances like the Show, but instead opts to tell more of the story of hip hop, rather than show it in action. I liked how the movie never gave the viewer help on what to think with text or voice-overs. Instead every word in this movie is uttered by hip hop artists...just how it should be. While watching this movie, its funny to notice how much has change in the 4 years since this movie was released. In Rhyme & Reason, Puffy Combs is shown as a bedheaded, pants sagging, low budget thug. That's a huge change from the GQ image and big money he's throwing around these days. Also, its amazing to see what at the time was a very underground Redman. In the movie, he's going insane trying to spread the word on his album, while these days the foolio is on MTV every other week. Method Man is shown in a simlilar way. He comes off as a raw and rugged individual who you could never imagine getting commercial success. It's almost comical to see how much his image has changed in such a short span of time. But not all is good about Rhyme & Reason, some of those that they talked to are all but gone today. People like Mr. Flava in Ya Ear, Craig Mack, Lost Boyz, Salt N Pepa, and others don't have the effect on the culture they once did. Because of this, its hard to really care what they have to say. Also, KRS-ONE runs his mouth a little way too much on this film. I know every rap documentary needs some one from the beginning to give their film crediablity, but focus more one someone who has their ego in check, like Kurtis Blow. The Blastmaster annoys me to no end. In closing, I couldn't imagine a hip hop fan who wouldn't dig this movie. With appearances by Ras Kass, Dr. Dre, Chuck D, E40 & The Click, Master P, Ice T, and others; you really can't go wrong. If you like hip hop, you'll like this movie. If not, there's nothing for you here. Rating:  out of four. |
-Now that you've read something, he's written. Wouldn't you like to find out more about Goc? Here you go. |
