Scratch (Ws Dol Dts)

Starring:Yoga Frog, DJ Premier, Mix Master Mike, Lucas MacFadden, DJ Z-Trip, DJ Swamp, Frank Cuevas, DJ Jazzy Jay, DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, DJ Q-Bert, Grand Mixer DXT, Grand Wizard Theodore, Afrika Bambaataa
Director: Doug Pray
Studio: Palm Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In the language of hip-hop, the MC raps on top of the beats. The DJ--or turntablist--supplies the beats. Doug Pray's lively documentary is a tribute to these unsung heroes of the "scratch." His approach is neither dry nor academic and is designed as much for the masters of the form as for the fans. Pray was also behind Hype!, which focused on the Seattle scene in the 1980s and 1990s. In his 2002 follow-up, he travels as far back as the 1970s (DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa) and roams the U.S. from New York (Gang Starr's DJ Premier) to the Bay Area (DJ Shadow, Q-Bert). After watching the film and grooving to the beat, you're likely to wonder if there's a soundtrack to accompany it. Fortunately, there is--Bill Laswell, producer of Herbie Hancock's seminal "Rockit," is behind a compilation featuring many of the same artists celebrated in Scratch. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Description
Director Doug Pray (Hype) pays tribute to the innovative art of DJing in the electrifying documentary Scratch. Featuring the most legendary figures in the DJ scene, Pray's film is at once a deeply insightful historical document and a highly entertaining glimpse into the world of underground hip-hop. Modern luminaries such as DJ Shadow, Mix Master Mike (of the Beastie Boys), DJ Q-bert, Rob Swift, and DJ Swamp are interviewed alongside living legends like Afrika Bambaataa, Jazzy Jay, and Grand Mixer DXT, in order to paint a broad, comprehensive picture of how DJing has evolved over the years.

Amazon.com

Director Spike Lee has never shied away from controversy, and with Bamboozled he tackles a thorny mix of racism and how images are bought and sold. A frustrated TV writer named Delacroix (Damon Wayans), unable to break his contract, tries to get fired by proposing a new minstrel show, complete with dancers in blackface. But the network loves the idea, and Delacroix hires two street performers (Savion Glover, who is truly the finest tap dancer since Fred Astaire, and Tommy Davidson) whose hunger for success and ignorance of history combine to make them accept the blackface. Despite protests, the show is a huge success--but gradually, the mental balance of everyone involved starts to crumble. As an argument, Bamboozled is incoherent--but how can racism be discussed rationally in the first place? Lee takes a much braver approach: Every time something seems to make sense or make a point, he complicates the situation. At one point, Delacroix goes to see his father, a standup comedian working at a small black club. Delacroix perceives his father as a broken failure. But his father's routine is full of articulate critiques of white hypocrisy, and the older man describes refusing to play the narrow movie roles that Hollywood had offered him, while Delacroix has convinced himself that his minstrel show is actually doing some social good. And what is the effect of the show itself? Lee obviously finds blackface abhorrent, but the minstrel routines are perversely fascinating and Glover's dancing, even when he mimics Amos and Andy-era routines, is outstanding. Most cuttingly, Lee points out parallels between minstrel and contemporary hip-hop personas. By the time it's over, Bamboozled won't have told you what to think, but you will have to think about these issues--and that alone is a remarkable accomplishment. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Spike doesn't feed the idiot box.......2007-06-11

This movie uses satire to tapdance on the abstract line between cultural parody and racial undertones. Only Spike Lee could pull it off in such an entertaining and thought provoking way.
He hits on some vital nerves that pertain to networking and incorporating racial themes into television programs. In this movie, the studio doesn't care about being politically correct, it's all about ratings. Totally sell out to get paid. The programs don't need to be intelligent, as long as America keeps on watching.
Damon Wayans is the creator of the new controversial show, which initially started off as his attempt to get fired. But the show was an immediate success, and he is forced to live with its repurcussions.
Bamboozled is a funny movie, but it also grasps some serious topics. It's very brash and irreverent as it juggles with stereotypes and layers of human compassion.

Spike Lee is probably one of the best director we have, his.......2007-05-26

movies are always original, I don't always "get" them, but they are well done, thought provoking, and full of fresh ideas, not stale re-hashes of other bad movies. This one is no exception, although I didn't quite understand why a smart, good looking, tv executive, living in a beautiful Manhattan condo, making a six figure+ salary, would want to sabotage his own career? And why the two actor/dancers, after being "discovered" and become big tv stars would want to do the same? And why did Jada's brother kidnap one of the dancers and kill him? What was the point? What did it prove? I don't know, but, like I said, Spike does get you thinking. Enjoy!

Spike lee never fails to get me thinking.......2007-05-12

just wanted to know does anyone else see any comparison between the delima of the main character in the movie wanting to quit the show which had become #1 , with its contraversial content conflicting with his morals with that of the real life dilema that caused Dave Chappell to quit his #1 show and run off to South Africa? is it just me or is there something spooky similar about it?

Anyways back to the review ............. great movie, intellectual, provoking, spike lee: genius ....... as always xxxxxxxxxxx

MY FAVOURITE SPIKE LEE JOINT!!.......2007-04-01

This will entertain and half way through massively educate you!!

This is one of those films you will either absolutely LOVE or HATE!!

I personally LOVED IT, the DVD is one of my prized possessions!

Basically if you are interested in the representation of African Americans in the media then this film will interest you. If you couldn't care less it probably wont!

Definitely food for thought....

Just as School Daze opened eyes, this film made me thing seriously about the sacrifices black entertainers make in order to be successful!!

A Typical Spike Lee Film.......2007-03-23

I had to watch this movie for my english class it was a typical Spike Lee Film- meant to be funny, but leading astray until his point was to make a political statement. The film went from racial satire to blatant racism. Yet another great Spike Lee film.

Average customer rating:

Great, interesting, but not completely comprehensive
Absolutely Essential!
A genuine treat
Good documentary, but came up short in the trenches..
some very good points

Scratch (Ws Dol Dts)
Starring: Yoga Frog , DJ Swamp , DJ Premier , Mix Master Mike , and Frank Cuevas
Director: Doug Pray
Manufacturer: Palm Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

Biography | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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The Freshest Kids - A History of the B-Boy
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Wild Style
DJ Qbert's complete DO-IT-YOURSELF, Vol. 1 Skratching

ASIN: B00006AL1G
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Amazon.com

In the language of hip-hop, the MC raps on top of the beats. The DJ--or turntablist--supplies the beats. Doug Pray's lively documentary is a tribute to these unsung heroes of the "scratch." His approach is neither dry nor academic and is designed as much for the masters of the form as for the fans. Pray was also behind Hype!, which focused on the Seattle scene in the 1980s and 1990s. In his 2002 follow-up, he travels as far back as the 1970s (DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa) and roams the U.S. from New York (Gang Starr's DJ Premier) to the Bay Area (DJ Shadow, Q-Bert). After watching the film and grooving to the beat, you're likely to wonder if there's a soundtrack to accompany it. Fortunately, there is--Bill Laswell, producer of Herbie Hancock's seminal "Rockit," is behind a compilation featuring many of the same artists celebrated in Scratch. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Director Doug Pray (Hype) pays tribute to the innovative art of DJing in the electrifying documentary Scratch. Featuring the most legendary figures in the DJ scene, Pray's film is at once a deeply insightful historical document and a highly entertaining glimpse into the world of underground hip-hop. Modern luminaries such as DJ Shadow, Mix Master Mike (of the Beastie Boys), DJ Q-bert, Rob Swift, and DJ Swamp are interviewed alongside living legends like Afrika Bambaataa, Jazzy Jay, and Grand Mixer DXT, in order to paint a broad, comprehensive picture of how DJing has evolved over the years.

Customer Reviews:

Great, interesting, but not completely comprehensive.......2007-06-10

I would have liked to see this be more up to date, and a bit more comprehensive. The DVD case lists DJ Krush (whom I am a fan of) as one of the DJ's featured, but it only very quickly just shows him and mentions his name which I thought was a bit cheap. The piece on DJ Shadow was interesting. I like the different aspects the movie covers: technical, social, history, as well as a taste of some of the personalities.

DVD extras are interesting. Particularly some of the instructional how-to stuff. Almost makes me want to get some equipment and try it!

Absolutely Essential!.......2007-02-07

Goes down in my favorite hip-hop videos of all time.

My favorites are this, breakin, breakin 2, and freshest kids.

This actually helped lead me into breakdancing. From there I got How To Do The Robot - Breakdance Instructional DVD or Top 20 Breakdance Moves. These ones turned me from a hip-hop spectator into a serious breakdancer.

All of these are essential!

A genuine treat.......2007-01-12

From the opening sequence to the closing credits, this DVD presents the story of Hip Hop from its roots to present day. Impressive performances, interesting interviews and chock full of the people who made the music that influcenced almost all popular music of today. A must-see for any true Hip Hop fan.

Good documentary, but came up short in the trenches.........2006-05-13

This is a good documentary and I can appreciate that it was done since none of the pioneers put one out(like Crazy legz did for Freshest Kids). This documentary is more towards the general audience that don't have any knowledge of DJ'in or hip hop. But us old school guys won't get much out of it. There wasn't much of the history at all, especially during the 80's - unknown dj, hashim, mantronix, twilight22, magic mike, uncle jamm's army, even the original world class wreckin' cru (the "dr dre." scratch). Qbert was on here, but there was no mention of the IMAGINE battles they had in the San Francisco bay area during the mid 80's, im sure these battles where part of his inspirations. This would be like putting together a boxing documentary giving Joe Lewis & Rocky marciano 15 min, then jumping right to floyd mayweather & completely omitting Sugar Ray Leonard and Ali.

Overall, its decent, but falls short on a history lesson and us old schoolers wont' get much out of it.

some very good points .......2005-09-02

all of the above have good info, and I agree I would like to see a more varied mix, but show it to someone who has no idea about the scene, and they will be impressed.

Average customer rating:

Nora Gets Real

Broken English
Starring: Tim Guinee , Josh Hamilton , Dana Ivey , Bernadette Lafont , and Melvil Poupaud
Director: Zoe Cassavetes
Manufacturer: Magnolia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Zodiac (Widescreen Edition)
Fracture (Widescreen Edition)
Little Children
Breach (Widescreen Edition)
Disturbia (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000OU082G
Release Date: 2007-08-21

Customer Reviews:

Nora Gets Real.......2007-06-29

Nora (the usually whacked-out though always effective Parker Posey) is a late 30's Guest Relations manager in a groovy NYC hotel. She is at the end of her rope relationship-wise having spent the bulk of her romantic life avoiding love and having love avoid her. We all know a Nora: hungry for a man, a relationship but when a "good catch" (whatever that means to Nora) comes near, Nora thinks of a hundred reaasons why it wouldn't work and retreats behind the emotional wall she has psychically built for herself: a wall of regret and lame excuses held together with the cement of many years of tears and self-loathing.
Her mother, Vivien (the National treasure and director Zoë Cassavetes' mother as well, Gena Rowlands) encourages her to grab life by the neck and shake it until it releases something good and so Nora, uncharacteristically attends the party of one of her co-workers and in the process meets a laid-back, good-natured Frenchman, Julien (Melvil Poupaud of "Time to Leave") whose "Broken English" has Nora confusing his saying "I'm hungry" with "I'm Angry."
Nora and Julien spend an idyllic weekend in New York and director Cassavetes manages to avoid all the usual clichés as Nora basically freaks out, pulls back and unfurls again both emotionally and physically while Julien watches, reacts in a calming, encouraging manner much to Nora's surprise who is both attracted and repelled by Julien's coolness.
"Broken English" is a small film not likely to attract much attention but that would be a shame because what Cassavetes has managed to do is to make not only the ridiculous sublime but to also make, in it's quiet, well observed way... the sublime human and believable.

Bobby's World - Scratch 'n' Sniff Episodes

Average customer rating:

Bobby's World is an awesome place 2 visit
LOVED IT
Childhood all over again :)
I wish it had some extras!
Love me some Bobby!

Bobby's World - Scratch 'n' Sniff Episodes
Starring: Debi Derryberry , Katie Leigh , Frank Welker , Kevin Michaels , and Howie Mandel
Director: Tom Tataranowicz
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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Bobby's World - The Signature Episodes
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ASIN: B0001Q4BMQ
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Customer Reviews:

Bobby's World is an awesome place 2 visit.......2005-01-11

I loved this cartoon as a kid, and I would watch it faithfully whenever it was on (after-school & weekends). I saw this while searching through the discount rack ($5.99) at the Best Buy across the street from my school and picked it up immediately. I'm happy that I did as about a week later I got pretty sick and laid in bed all day watching Bobby's World and it allowed me to laugh and reminisce, making feel worlds better in the process.

LOVED IT.......2004-07-11

My son watched Bobby's World as a child and we enjoyed it right along with him. Howie is terrific as Bobby - journeying along with Bobby's imagination is quite a ride. Its a cute show for kids (my 2 and 4 year olds now watch it), although some of things you could get away with in 1990 you can no longer say in most cartoons (eg - Derek calling his brother Bobby stupid and a dweeb).

I sit and watch the episodes over and over again - especially "Swim By Me" and the song "I was at the bottom of the pool..." and I'm not one to usually do that.

Its an affordably priced, enjoyable program. I recommend it.

Childhood all over again :).......2004-06-30

I loved Bobbys World as a kid. And i still do now. When a friend pointed this out to me on the net i went insane. I had been searching for the show on TV...but no one played it anymore. Its only about $13 canadian so its a great buy. If you have kids, get it for them and they can experience the great time we had while watching it.

It comes with a scratch and sniff card. I tried to figue out the smell for a while...but then i relised the answer was at the bottom. The card is a joke, it says "[Answer: Cardboard]". (a early reviewer did not notice this). The DVD also includes Uncle Ted's adventure (i believe thats the title), which teaches kids how to get over the very common fear. Fear of the Dark. The DVD also includes the episode with the very popular "Fish Don't Stink" song. I'd suggest this to anyone with 13 buck lying around.

The one down side is that the episodes are of the normal quality. No upgrades, so it doesn't use the capibility of the DVD.

I wish it had some extras!.......2004-06-13

I love Bobby's World :) For people who haven't heard of this wonderful show, it was created by Howie Mandel & is about this little kid (Bobby of course) who just does regular stuff w/ his family, but it's always more exciting to him because he has such a big imagination. It was one of my favorite shows as a kid & I was so happy when I saw the DVD in the store. I wish it was a whole season, but at least this way it's less expensive (around $10.00 usually), & there is going to be other BW DVDs coming out.

This DVD has 5 eps which are all really cute & funny, as I think every BW ep is. The eps include: 1) Uncle Ted's Excellent Adventure 2) Bobby's Tooth or Dare 3) Swim By Me 4) Fish Tales 5) Jets, Choo-Choos and Cars

The only thing wrong w/ this DVD (& the reason I only gave it 3 star) is that there are no extras whatsoever. I would've liked to know how Howie Mandel got the idea for Bobby, or they could've had maybe a behind the scenes thing showing the characters being drawn, but no, nothing like that. Also, there's no captioning. Hopefully there'll be stuff in the DVDs to follow. Other than that, the DVD's worth getting because it's very reasonably priced and this is a great show!

Love me some Bobby!.......2004-05-14

This was one of my favorite cartoons back in the day. They don't make cartoons this good anymore. The only great cartoons left are Spongebob(legendary), the New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Dragonball Gt(My favorite cartoon of all time, which was made in the 80's. So trust me Bobby's world dvd is great.

DVD-Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar #1- Starting From Scratch

Average customer rating:

another fine Homespun product!
great beginner blues DVD

DVD-Easy Steps to Acoustic Blues Guitar #1- Starting From Scratch
Starring: Happy Traum
Manufacturer: Homespun Tapes
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Learn to Play Blues Guitar Level 1

ASIN: B0009IW98E
Release Date: 2005-05-01

Description

So you want to play the blues? Well, veteran guitarist, instructor and Homespun Tapes founder Happy Traum offers the very best way for you to get started!

This basic course in fingerstyle blues guitar breaks it all down into easily digested topics for novice players. You'll start by learning the basic blues forms and getting them securely under your belt. Then, Happy provides a number of "easy steps" that will build up your guitar technique, increase your understanding of the style, and help you develop the ability to start playing great blues songs.

Some of these steps include learning basic blues chords, syncopated strumming patterns, 12-bar and 8-bar blues progressions, bass runs, and more than a dozen variations for the all-important blues turnarounds, intros and endings. As you work your way through this lesson, Happy imparts numerous tips, suggestions and invaluable information about music theory and musicianship that will affect all of your guitar work.

As you conquer each of these basic steps, your playing will get stronger and more confident, and you'll be well on your way to becoming an accomplished blues guitarist.

Customer Reviews:

another fine Homespun product!.......2007-04-18

Great DVD for those who already know how to play basic guitar chords and want to learn the blues. From the first 15 minutes, Happy will have you playing 12 bar blues and begins to show little "secrets" that sound quite impressive, though not difficult to play. Happy's enthusiasm for acoustic blues is contagious and if you have already learned to play basic guitar chords, you are ready for this DVD. It is like having expensive lessons in your home. Play the DVD for 15 minutes; shut it off, and practice every day. After a few days, turn it on for the next segement, and repeat. Some of the DVDs are quite easy, where as others may require more practice between "lessons". If you do not know the basic guitar chords and wish to learn, Homespun has many other excellent products, including David Hamburger's Acoustic Guitar Method, vol 1 and 2. Homespun DVDs make it possible to have terrific lessons in your own home. Affordable, well directed (you get the split screen of the right hand and the left hand), and enjoyable, I have found no better instruction for the guitar or piano than Homespun.

great beginner blues DVD.......2005-09-09

This is a wonderful product for folks like me who are just starting their exploraton of the blues. Happy does a great job with the basics and then piles on a lot of variations and tricks that make even the most basic 12-bar sound fun and interesting. I would certainly recommend it for novices. More advanced players might skip the beginning and move on to Disc 2 but this is a great foundation for beginners.

Average customer rating:

Spike doesn't feed the idiot box
Spike Lee is probably one of the best director we have, his
Spike lee never fails to get me thinking
MY FAVOURITE SPIKE LEE JOINT!!
A Typical Spike Lee Film

Bamboozled
Starring: Damon Wayans , Savion Glover , Jada Pinkett Smith , Tommy Davidson , and Michael Rapaport
Director: Spike Lee
Manufacturer: New Line Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005LO5Z
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Spike doesn't feed the idiot box.......2007-06-11

Spike Lee is probably one of the best director we have, his.......2007-05-26

Spike lee never fails to get me thinking.......2007-05-12

MY FAVOURITE SPIKE LEE JOINT!!.......2007-04-01

A Typical Spike Lee Film.......2007-03-23

Average customer rating:

Just My Two Cents
TARIQ TROTTER IS SO SEXY!
HOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Worthwhile
Brooklyn Babylon

Brooklyn Babylon
Starring: Tariq Trotter , Karen Goberman , Bonz Malone , David Vadim , and Rahzel
Director: Marc Levin
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
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Slam
Prison Song
WhiteBoyz
New Jersey Drive
Rude Boy

ASIN: B00005OCJM
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Description

Hip hop phenomenon Black Thought stars in this powerful story of two lovers who cross the battle lines between their worlds - and ignite an all-out urban war that threatens to tear both their worlds apart.

Customer Reviews:

Just My Two Cents.......2004-11-23

Okay, I have to admit, I bought the DVD only because Black Thought was on the cover. Being the huge Roots fan that I am, I felt obligated to give it a viewing. I was not greatly impressed with the script until I considered the source, Bonz Malone (he plays Scratch in the film.) The original script was only 10 or so pages long, meaning that a lot of the dialogue is improvised and it feels that way. Tariq does hold his own as does the female lead, to me, the "supporting" cast is where the film folds up shop. This is a great film that can be used in an educational setting perhaps in a Social Studies class. Reason being because it focusing in on tolerance and helps to bring to light some of the parallels that the two waring fractions have in common. This is best demonstrated during the dinner scene at Sara's house. At any rate, I guess I have to justify my rating of four stars. Two stars because of the soundtrack alone, which by the way is not available (what a pity). The other two stars are earned because of what it is trying to convey; despite the differences that society has being focused on for eons, we still have more things in common, one of which is the ability to love.
Just give it a viewing if you know someone who owns the movie and make your own decision. That is my two cents worth.

TARIQ TROTTER IS SO SEXY!.......2003-01-18

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM, I REALLY LOVE THOSE, SEXY KISSABLE LIPS! OHH YEAH, THE MOVIE WAS GREAT!

HOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2002-05-21

This is the best hood love story i have seen.Black Thought and the rest of The Roots had a great performance. Black with his love for a jewish girl and hate for the rest of the jews.He lets his heart decide and not his mind or boys. Him and his crew are the best in the music business.if you like this movie I recommend you to get all their cds.Peace.

Worthwhile.......2002-02-24

This is an independent film about forbidden love and the ensuing violent cultural clashes between Brooklyn's African-American and Jewish Communities. The storyline is somewhat predictable, but the film's musical score, detailed cinematography, and suprisingly decent acting make it a worthwhile watch. The chemistry between the main characters Sol (Tariq Trotter) and Sara (Karen Goberman), was not entirely believable, and the acting by the secondary actors could have used some touching up. Allusions to Ancient Babylon and King Solomon's Empire put an interesting twist on the story. You will see visually spectacular footage of Brooklyn's Carribean Festival (a kind of Mardi Gras celebration). If you've never seen or heard the Roots perform, you are in for a treat. They present an evocative style of Hip-Hop, without relying on those played out themes (i.e. money, sex, violence). The sound they create is truly organic and full of musical integrity. Yes, we've seen forbidden love stories before, but none quite like this.

Brooklyn Babylon.......2001-12-20

This movie was an excellent display of the Rastafarian backround and the Jewish backround. Both of the characters did an excellent job and also the supporting cast too. It was very, real, modern, and entertaining. The music was superb and displayed a great mixture of both worlds. If you haven't seen this movie, go see it. It grabs you with the cultural aspects of both peolple. It's a winner!

Average customer rating:

Horrible, Horrible Movie....But I Think Its Supposed To Be That Way
Ultimate Pile Of CRAP!
Unbearably Kruddy Movie

UKM - Ultimate Killing Machine
Starring: Michael Madsen , Mak Fyfe , Steve Arbuckle , Victoria Nestorowicz , and Erin Mackinnon
Director: David Mitchell
Manufacturer: Peacearch
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( U ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000HLDFPY
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Description

Two friends end up in jail and are now at the hands of a Doctor who plans on turning them into ultimate killing machines. -A bone-crunching bloodfest that will shock your senses -Starring genre favorite Michael Madsen

Customer Reviews:

Horrible, Horrible Movie....But I Think Its Supposed To Be That Way.......2007-02-23

UKM is a Horrible, Horrible Movie....But I Think Its Supposed To Be That Way. I give it 2 stars because i think thats the feel they were going for. Michael Madsen is one of my favorite actors but this movie does him no justice. The acting is bad, the story is cheesy and even though its a short movie it feels like its dragging a bit. Save yourselft from 80 minutes of torture and get saw I, II or III instead.

Ultimate Pile Of CRAP!.......2007-02-03

Let me start by saying Michael Madsen is still a great actor but not in this film. It starts out looking like it going to be a pretty decent film do not be fooled. The plot is based on some scinetist who are working on a chemichal that is suppose to make some ultimate soldiers. They test it on one of their own top guys but it has a bad side effect. Instead they bring in the botom of the line recriuts to do their test. Well you can see where this going no where. That is basically where the story takes you. They esacpe and discover they have incredible power which they can not control. They run around in this low budget warehouse that is post to be a top secret base. It has a bad plot with below average acting and a terrible and predictable ending. This movie has a cool cover but that is where begins and ends. Do not even bother renting this stinker because it offers nothing but time wasted.

Unbearably Kruddy Movie.......2006-12-12

Did Michael Madsen lose a bet? Or is he just a bad investor?

Every once in a while I indulge myself with a little mindless horror. I'm not sure what it is that prompts this, perhaps it's the promise that I don't have to think, that I will be partaking in something wholly visceral. In any case, I will give almost all horror movies a chance, and, for the most part, I'm pretty forgiving, because horror movies are one of the few genres that really don't have high aspirations. They propose to offer you something (a few scares, some squeamish moments, a slathering of melodramatic creepiness, and usually some gratuitous nudity), and that's it.

This movie is billed as a horror film. It is not a horror film. In fact, I'm not entirely sure what to call it.

The story concerns four screw-ups who, for their own reasons, have joined the U.S. Army. Because they are so weak, dumb, or personality-challenged, they have been elected for a special program that gives new meaning to the phrase, "An Army of One." It turns out that a highly classified program, overseen by a military official played resentfully by a phoned-in Michael Madsen, is attempting to use stem cells and various other chemicals to create Ultimate Killing Machines out of weak or wounded individuals.

Never mind the weird poltical statement this film tries to make (stem cells are mentioned numerous times), the story loses steam after the first fifteen minutes. One of the first test subjects (the man on the DVD box cover) gets way out of hand and escapes from his cell, going on a killing spree in the military compound, squeezing heads like rotten oranges and occasionally peeling off people's faces. He purposefully avoids the four confused teens, however, who, by this time, have each been given their own separate doses of the UKM drug.

Which means, there is a kind-of gross looking, very angry military mutant (?) man going around killing every bad guy in the film, while the protagonists (the teens) with whom we are asked to sympathize, run around trying to get out and come to terms with the changes their bodies are going through (One fun effect of the UKM drug? -- they get super duper horny! Ha ha! Awesome!). It's hard to be engaged in a film when the "good guys" are in virtually no danger whatsoever. Even the scenes when the UKM is stomping around, gritting his teeth, and dispatching of military personal are boring.

There is, virtually, no story here, and no character to focus our empathies on. This is a splinter of a kind of interesting idea that's already been done many times before, and better. Not even for camp value is this movie worth purchasing or even watching. The appearance of Michael Madsen among all of these over-acting new faces does nothing to assuage the utter banality of the film. I thought he'd add an element of humor or life to the movie, but he hardly seems there at all, and when he does "act" (i.e. read his lines without falling asleep in front of the camera) it is with a facial expression that seems to say, "What on God's green Earth am I doing in this movie?"

If you view even ten minutes of this thing, you'll start wondering, with equal confusion, why you're still watching.

Average customer rating:

No Instruction
Fantastic!

X-ecutioners - Built to Scratch
Starring: The X-Ecutioners
Manufacturer: KOCH VISION
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

DJ Qbert's complete DO-IT-YOURSELF, Vol. 1 Skratching
Turntable Technique: The Art of the DJ
Scratch (Ws Dol Dts)
DJ Qbert's Complete Do It Yourself, Vol. 2: Skratch Sessions
Scratch - All the Way Live

ASIN: B000127Z8C
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Description

Learn the innovative techniques that master turntablists Roc Raida, Rob Swift and Total Eclipse use to create the mind-blowing sounds that have catapulted them to international stardom. Built to Scratch is a step-by-step tutorial designed to teach novices everything they need to know to become masters of the turntable from the techniques of scratching to backspinning to beat juggling and more!

Customer Reviews:

No Instruction.......2007-06-04

This video gives a short, basic overview of DJ terminology. If you do not know the names of the different scratch and juggling techniques, this may the video for you. If you are looking to learn how to DJ, scratch, beat match, juggle, etc., then save your money. Poor production and lack of any intstruction makes this video worethless to all but complete begginers.

Fantastic!.......2005-09-12

The X-Ecutioners have always rated as my favorite scratch DJ's, but after watching this DVD I am even more adament that they truly are the greatest scratch DJ's ever. Starting out with the basics of scratch and moving on to things that honestly made my eyes bug out, this DVD was worth every single penny.

Average customer rating:

Frustrating
Save your $$$ and rent this instead.
Scratch live DVD
Garbage

Scratch - All the Way Live
Starring: Scratch: All the Way Live
Manufacturer: Immortal (Red)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Scratch (Ws Dol Dts)
X-ecutioners - Built to Scratch
Freestyle - The Art of Rhyme
DJ Qbert's complete DO-IT-YOURSELF, Vol. 1 Skratching
The Freshest Kids - A History of the B-Boy

ASIN: B0007YXQSW
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Description

Scratch Worldwide Media presents the greatest live performance DJ film to date.

From the producers of the critically acclaimed film Scratch, Scratch: All The Way live is a live concert film shot during the historic scartch tour, featuring live performances by Mix Master Mike, X-ecutioners, Z-Trip and The Original Jazzy Jay, as well as a live installation by Obey Giant creator Shepard Fairey. Filmed by acclaimed director Doug Prey (Hype!, Scratch) using 24p cameras and multi-track recorded for 5.1 Dolby surround sound perfection.

Bonus Features
5.1 Dolby Digital &
2.0 Dolby Stereo

Picture Digitally Mastered For Ultimate Video Quality

Audio Commentary track With Director Doug Prey, DJ Z-Trip, and The Scratch Tour Producers

"How To" with Obey Giant's Shepard Fairey On Wheat-Pasting And More

Graffiti Slideshow

Scratch All-Star Jam Session

TV Spot For The Mix Master Mike Album "Bangzilla"

Theatrical Trailers For Both "Scratch" Films

Customer Reviews:

Frustrating.......2006-05-12

I got the fortunate oportunity to see the Scratch Tour 2003 (to which this DVD is a part of) when it rolled through Chicago. At the time, I was just starting to get interested in the art of DJing and saw this as a perfect chance to see what some of the pros do in a live setting. The show was a shocker all the way around. Jazzy Jay delivered the old school jams, and X-cutioners scratched the night away (which is why I ended up leaving the show a bit early). Z-Trip caught me off guard with a wonderful mash-up set, like what he normally does. What differes from the Chicago set verses this is we got Q-bert instead of Mix Master Mike (a welcome trade if you ask me). So I thought this DVD would be a great way to remember all those great times from the show in Chicago.

What a waste...

As stated by everyone else, this DVD is so flawed it just destroys what little content there actually is. Short cut teaser sets. Horrible editing and directing. A generally pretty lame crowd. And a really boring set from X-Cutioners that just seems to go on and on and on and on... I don't know what the producers of this DVD were thinking but they really missed the mark with this. The good news is the little amount of footage of sets from Jay and Z-trip do show some solid plays (though Jazzy Jay using Final Scratch does have sort of a WTF quality to it). Mix Master Mike is still scary behind the decks but not as enjoyable as Q-bert was. The X-cutioners set was just too techincal to really be all that fun. Too much scratch technique, not enough actual music.

Ultimately, this DVD gives off one or two impressions: either the L.A. stop on the tour wasn't that great to begin with or next time they really need to learn how to design and produce a concert DVD. Don't get suckered into this waste of plastic and time.

Save your $$$ and rent this instead........2005-10-22

What could have been a great disc is instead filled with MTV style cuts on meth, annoying pans to the "hotties" in the audience (what is this, a baseball game?), short cuts from the sets, and an idiotic editor who thought it would be a good idea to cut away from the action for the occasional "(DJ) is the best" confessions by the other DJs (i thought that's why the disc has an audio commentary and extra features).

The gig wasn't 60 minutes, so why was the DVD only that long?

Jazzy Jay's segment was too short (12 minutes) and here's a tip to the director/editor - when the audience of hipster college kids aren't dancing, don't show them!

Z-Trips segment was too short (13 minutes) a running theme in this review. Maybe the unseen part of his set was wicked cool, but the parts that are on the DVD are bland. Non-fans of Z won't become acolytes from seeing him on this disc (unlike his short bit on "Freeze" - that was a wake up call).

X-Ecutioners segment (15 minutes) was marred by bad sound - maybe their segment was recorded on a C-80 blank tape. Truly headache inducing - nothing like what you get when you see them live.

Mixmaster Mike's 14 minute segment? Maybe you think he 'bit' from Z-Trip's style (uh... no), but he worked the crowd better than anyone else (he awoke the zombies who watched Jazzy Jay's set) and, man oh man, that man can cut!

The credits roll, i stop caring, i return the DVD to Netflix (glad i didn't buy this one), and finish reading "Can't Stop Won't Stop."

Scratch live DVD.......2005-07-04

Jay uses a laptop because he's running a program called Final Scratch that allows him to digitize some of his records. It's just new technology, you can hate it if you want, but it all comes down to the fact that he's an original party rocker and he just wants to make people have fun. And he is a forefather of scratching. Listen to Mike and Z Trip talk about him on the DVD. Respect.

Z Trip's set is awesome. He's getting big now, and you can see why here. Really creative. Everything from old school hip hop to Pantera. Ever seen a moshpit at a hip hop concert? Well, here you go.

I think the X- Ecutioners were a little off that night. They are pretty technical and sometimes it doesn't translate. They are the only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars. But it's still impressive to see them perform. And this is probably the last footage of them before they broke up.

Mike's set is absolutley insane. That last reviewer said "no tricks, nothing new." Dude, what were you watching? Mike pulls some crazy stuff out of his brain. His crabbing technique is nuts. He even nails the lighting guy in mid-performance for making it look like a "rave." I can't repeat what he says here, but trust me, it's priceless. He and Z Trip get the crowd moving like I haven't seen in a while. I guess if that's what you mean by Mike "biting" Z Trip, then yeah, I agree. In any case, Mike is one of the most technically sophisticated turntablists out there (the other being Q Bert) but Mike really knows how to rock a party, too.

I haven't watched all of the bonus features yet or listened to the commentary, but I did watch the Shepard Fairey feature, and it's definitely part of the reason I like this DVD so much. He's really well know in the street-art world and this is a good insight into what he does and how he does it. I'm actually kinda surprised that his part hasn't gotten more hype, I think people just don't realize that it's on there.

I recommend this DVD to anybody who is already down. For those of you who are merely interested, check out Mike's part and feel your head spin.

And if you're still not convinced, check out a couple other online reviews, like the one from the last issue of RS.

Garbage.......2005-06-15

This shows what hype all this has become. SCRATCHING is beautiful but this movie sucks. It is a live performance w nothing new. No tricks, jazzy is using a laptop. Mixmaster mike bites z-trips routine. and the x-cutioners show off that they can do a whole lot of noise and make everything sound wack.
Final rating WACK AS HELL. save your money for your groceries or for porn.

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