MOVIE CLASSICS: Ghost Dog – The Way Of The Samurai (1999)
As a huge fan of Asian cinema and culture it was inevitable that I'd eventually get round to sharing my thoughts on this film.
Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai (1999) follows a relatively linear plot; hired assassin is turned on by his crime employers and must strike back, standard Hollywood material at first glance. However, the films writer and director Jim Jarmusch is far from the Hollywood sentiments of this genre, being one of the most prolific independant filmmakers of the last few decades.
MOVIE CLASSICS: La Haine (1995)
CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO
I came across my old portfolio from when I studied Film back at A-Level (I think that's Senior High School in the U.S.?) ... anyway I came across a review I wrote for a french film called La Haine. I remebered how good it was so thought I'd put a review down:
Written and directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, La Haine (translated as “Hate”) follows the story of three adolescents in the suburbs of Paris during the aftermath of one of the many real-life riots of the 90’s. Vinz (Vincent Cassel) plays a Jew portrayed as a doomed figure of criminal stereotypes. Constantly seeking respect from his fellow peers, he models his thug image after Robert DeNiro’s “Travis Bickle” from Taxi Driver. Said (Said Taghmaoui) is an Arab and provides the films voice over, as well as being the disillusioned rogue. Hubert is a boxer who takes a more philosophical approach to the ghetto life, wanting to leave the violence behind.
MOVIE CLASSICS: The Motorcycle Diaries
The Motorcycle Diaries is a classic in its own right. For me, it's a rare film that only comes along once every few decades. Elegant, thought provoking and realistic are all words that spring to mind when thinking of the cinematography from this movie. The acting and script are authentic and, with few exceptions, stay true to the tale of Ernestro 'Che' Guevara de la serna and his epic journey across his home continent of South America alongside best friend, Alberto Grenado.
To see what this has anything at all to do with Hip Hop and read more about this classic flick, keep reading after the jump.
MOVIE CLASSICS: 80 Blocks From Tiffany’s Re-Released After 25 Years
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW VIDEO
This is where Hip Hop was born, and "80 Blocks From Tiffany's" it's a must for you to understand the rough environment where it all started, and why Hip Hop became a major voice for the community. Now that it's finally available in DVD it's a must for any Hip Hop head.
South Bronx, south, south BRONX!...
About:
Five Day Weekend and Traffic Entertainment are proud to announce the release of 80 Blocks From Tiffany's, director Gary Weis' 1979 documentary about the South Bronx and its gang culture. The previously unavailable film is now out on DVD, marking the first time it has been offered to the public in decades, and is accompanied by a handful of exciting bonus features.
Director Gary Weis was still working as a short film creator for Saturday Night Live when he came up with the idea for 80 Blocks after reading a Jon Bradshaw article, "Savage Skulls." Published in a 1977 issue of Esquire Magazine, the piece centered on two gangs based in the South Bronx at the time -- the Savage Nomads and the Savage Skulls. Weis became infatuated with the story and, soon after striking up a dialogue with Bradshaw, he convinced SNL producer Lorne Michaels to help him produce the film. Just two years later, in 1979, Weis and Bradshaw brought a camera crew to speak with members of both gangs, along with police officers, community activists, and civilians.
80 Blocks From Tiffany's: Website • Facebook • IMDB
•J•
UPDATE: Movie Classics (New Category)
From this post forth I declare any throwback/classic movie related post to be appropriately named 'Movie Classics.' I say 'this post forth' but it's actually already been done on my 'City of God's Son' post, but we won't count that. So you can rest assured if you see the 'Movie Classics' title above a post, by clicking 'read more' you will be enlightened or taken back to a time of a classic Hip Hop-related big/small screen release. As with the 'City of God's Son' post, this won't necessarily mean the content it's self is centered around a particular classic film or video. Instead it can be just a passing reference to certain actors or films that relate to the general theme of the post.
Bottom line, make sure you check such posts out for some obscure and background info on some certified Hip Hop inspired gems of cinema.
Peace
{EDIT} I recognise the over-use of the word 'post' in this write-up, synonyms for the word 'post' will be thoroughly researched and noted. That is all.
MOVIE CLASSICS: City of God’s Son
This project is one of those things where you can't help but think, 'Why the hell didn't I think of that?' After all, we all form some sort emotional attachment to the music we listen to. Music we love becomes the soundtrack to our lives. I may be alone on this one but, I'm always playing out situations and thinking up scenarios to go along with the songs oozing from my headphones. What Kenzo Digital and the crew have done here is create something that completely encapsulates everything good about 90's Hip Hop culture. Ok maybe not everything good but damn, anything that includes the likes of; a 90's Nas and Jay, Samuel L, Ghost, Rae, Laurence Fishburne and Delroy Lindo deserves everyone's attention. If like me, you get that old 90's nostalgia type feeling of days when movie quality was grainy and the majority of Hip Hop music videos were shot in front of project buildings then this my friend, is most definitely for you.
MOVIE CLASSICS: Kid ‘N Play – Class Act (1992)
CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH THE TRAILER
Our bredrin over at T.R.O.Y blog dropped today a great post and one that I personally relate to in a big way. A throwback to one of the classics movies from way back in the day Kid N' Play's "Class Act"
T.R.O.Y:
"1992's Class Act was hip hop duo Kid N' Play's first and only movie together that wasn't part of the House Party series. It is the third of four films starring Kid 'N Play following House Party (1990) and House Party 2 (1991), and preceding House Party 3 (1994)."
Continue reading and DOWNLOAD the movie over at T.R.O.Y blog
I always wondered, why through out the years, I could never find the DVD for this...well it turns out that it was never released. Only available on VHS, till this day....but thankfully, it looks like someone did a quality rip, for us all to re-enjoy this CLASSIC.
Maaan I have soo many good memories of these movies y'all & like pretty much anyone that grew on Kid N' Play I knew the steps to the dance, and used to watch it on the regular...GOOD TIMES
Major props to Thomas at T.R.O.Y for posting this
And to those few that are not familiar here's a little reminder, on why Kid N' Play are legends in this game:
CLICK IMAGES ABOVE TO WATCH THE VIDEOS
•J•
A Tribute To J Dilla & Nujabes
DopeFM Valentines Mix (Exclusive
-
2,430 Fans Like
-
2,094 Followers Follow
-
527 Subscribers Subscribe
WIB Store Now Open
Categories
Monthly Archives
Word Is Bond Exclusives
Ads
Tags
Ads
