A slightly dated but nonetheless fascinating snap shot of musical history, Beat Street is an urban musical detailing the roots of hip-hop. Set in early 1980s New York, the film focuses on the lives of a small group of young people setting their experiences against the larger backdrop of the city's burgeoning music scene. The story of up and coming DJ Kenny and his relationship with jazz musician Tracy may only be a device, but it's surprisingly effective, as is the ultimately tragic tale of graffiti artist Remo. The movie's real raison d'ĂȘtre, however, is to showcase the sounds of the street and thus is full of some of hip-hop's most influential names--Melle Mel, Doug E Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, The Rocksteady Crew, Jazzy Jeff and Arthur Baker--and while the combination of electro and rapping may sound a little crude to modern ears, there can be no doubt that Beat Street is the sight and sound of history being made. On the DVD: Beat Street on disc comes with pretty basic picture quality, but the soundtrack has benefited greatly from the digital remastering. The extras are limited to a collection of stills from the film and an amusing guide to break beats, which seems like a wasted opportunity. Given the nature of the movie, it's something of a shame that this disc doesn't go deeper into the subject matter. For a far more detailed examination of how the music of Kraftwerk blended with the sounds of American city streets, go to Volume 3 of the excellent BBC series Dancing in the Street. --Phil Udell
Director Jill Sprecher's critically acclaimed film assembles an all-star ensemble cast in a fresh and whimsical look at the invisible everyday and destiny shaping miracles that we've come to call ""fate."" In five distinct New York tales the lives of seemingly disparate characters: a public defender (Matthew McConaughey) whose life suddenly mirrors that of the criminals he prosecutes; a college professor (John Turturro) facing a poignant crossroads an envious businessman (Alan A
When successful Dallas architect Nancy Lyon died in agony from arsenic poisoning it seemed that no-one could unravel the mystery surrounding her death; someone was about to get away with murder. However District Attorney Jerry Sims is determined to find the truth... Based on a true story.
When successful Dallas architect Nancy Lyon died in agony from arsenic poisoning it seemed that no-one could unravel the mystery surrounding her death; someone was about to get away with murder. However District Attorney Jerry Sims is determined to find the truth... Based on a true story.
Based on a play by Miguel Pinero Short Eyes is made up of a series of appalling episodes in prison in which inmate Bruce Davison is depraved by fellow inmates. Their reason for this is that he is a short eyes the prison slang for a man who sodomizes little boys. Despite their own notorious past they believe Bruce to be the scum of the earth and proceed to treat him accordingly.
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