Can you believe I have never seen Graffiti Bridge until this week?! I found a copy at a local used book/music/dvd store for just $4.95.

I'm sure I've missed many a discussion on here about this film but your patience in humoring my thoughts would be appreciated.

So, my initial thoughts were that he was seriously exposing his "spiritual" nature in this film. Am I crazy or was that billowing white long shirt with one black shoulder strap, his long hair and way too much facial hair supposed to make him look like the typical Jesus images? especially in some of the later scenes in the movie...for example he is standing in the above described costume with his arms sorta crossed and his hands hidden inside the sleeves, while his whole band is gathered around behind him...very disciple-ish...also while he is singing Still Would Stand All Time, there is a very diliberate cross/crucifixion pose that he hits a couple of times.

Overall, I liked the movie...I wouldn't for a second call it a sequel to Purple Rain (which the dvd cover hints at.) It made me wish he would do another movie. It would be interesting to see what he comes up with at this stage in his life, in comparison to PR, UTCM and GB. I think the Prince of today might focus a film more on social, political and global issues as opposed to the women/muse/relationship and music industry issues of the previous films.

plopemc said:

Overall, I liked the movie...I wouldn't for a second call it a sequel to Purple Rain (which the dvd cover hints at.) It made me wish he would do another movie. It would be interesting to see what he comes up with at this stage in his life, in comparison to PR, UTCM and GB. I think the Prince of today might focus a film more on social, political and global issues as opposed to the women/muse/relationship and music industry issues of the previous films.

I agree. I watched it last night and thought What kind of movie will he make today and NOT a documentary ala Kevin Smith style but a real movie. Does he even have the funds for that?

when stevie wonder first watched graffiti bridge he threw up and poked his eyes out with a stick

true story

unique said:

when stevie wonder first watched graffiti bridge he threw up and poked his eyes out with a stick

true story

famous said:

plopemc said:

Overall, I liked the movie...I wouldn't for a second call it a sequel to Purple Rain (which the dvd cover hints at.) It made me wish he would do another movie. It would be interesting to see what he comes up with at this stage in his life, in comparison to PR, UTCM and GB. I think the Prince of today might focus a film more on social, political and global issues as opposed to the women/muse/relationship and music industry issues of the previous films.

I agree. I watched it last night and thought What kind of movie will he make today and NOT a documentary ala Kevin Smith style but a real movie. Does he even have the funds for that?

ooh, now I hadn't given any thought to a documentary...I'm afraid I have to disagree with you on that...I am a fan of documentary style film making...that could be fantastically interesting and revealing...to see him working in his element, living, being himself....yes, a documentary could be the trick...and not too terribly expensive like a "real movie" would be.

Maybe he should just concentrate on making a worthwhile album than poncing around making movies.

could make a great ovie if he had a good director that knew how to use his talents (like Albert Magnoli did for SOTT (ghost directed?), Purple Rain, Batdance

He should settle on something that he's good at....concert films.

I think I started crying somewhere near the beginning of GB, by the end I felt the eyes of the other people in the room on me, because I was his biggest fan and I felt shamed red and embarrassed.

At this moment I witnessed the Rise & Fall of my Prince

I felt sorry 4 the Time & Jill Jones

the colorfulness of the Revolution and even closer the LOvesexy band was gone, they could have at least partially added something for me, I like Mico, but he and Levi's personalities just didn't help even background. Brownmark said nothing but singing in PR and his personality was just awake and ready

I want to pretend this movie never existed. I hadn't seen it in years, and decided to watch it one weekend a few months ago. I remembered why I hadn't seen it in years. It was like torture. Seriously. I never need to see that ever again in my life. It was just... WRONG. So so wrong. This coming from a person who ADORES UTCM, everything about that movie is WIN to me, but GB? OMG I wanted to poke my eyes out.

GB on MUTE would be an improvement cause he LOOKS absolutely gorgeous the androgynous thing he had going on with the hair. So sexy.

Why did you remind me, now I'll never get to sleep tonight.

PR = The Godfather

UTCM = The Godfather II

GB = Godfather III. Never shoulda been made.

[Edited 8/19/10 20:33pm]

Revolution said:

He should settle on something that he's good at....concert films.

Actually, no. he tends to fuck those up to in post-production. As he does with his music, which very seldomly improves when he revisits previously finished productions.

True Story that I have repeated a few times. At the start when ol' Princey uses his ghostly voice..."Are there really angels, or are they just in our mind?" My best friend instantly goes..."If You build it, they will come." He was clowning on Prince using the line from Field of Dreams. Priceless. My friend begged me to turn it off, as he said he wanted to remember Prince and The Time as "Cool." Not these blokes pretending to be funny, and thinking that the name of Baseball Star Robin Yount was some kind of comedy phrase.

Prince make a movie today??? He would play the part of an incredibly talented musician who has written tons of great songs, and then goes on tour singing other people's songs instead. And he would have a ton of female singers that would sing lead on obscure songs like:

I'll Take You There(wow, never heard that before)

Stratus

Come Together

and...yes...the NEVER HEARD BEFORE.....Everyday People(rare rare rare song)

Thank U 4 Lettin' me be an elf....bad bad joke aimed at my beloved Princey

Hair

The Jam

77 Reasons I ripped you off on Lotus Flow3r.com

77 Tracks on 20Ten to make fun of ripping you off for 77 Dollars!!!

Purple Yoda(Barely Taller than the Green Yoda Mix)

Despite my disdain for some of his live shows, and my disdain for him ripping off fans, I usually forgive him very quickly. At least he makes the best original music of any 52 year old out there...and I still love him very much...which is why I am willing to clown on him when he deserves it....Tony M Anyone???

Ok, some lame jokes in here, and some sarcasm. May I have my next Pizza Slice please?

[Edited 8/19/10 23:18pm]

Revolution said:

He should settle on something that he's good at....concert films.

Revolution also said:

stillwaiting said:

Revolution said:

He should settle on something that he's good at....concert films.

Revolution also said:

MJ was a brilliant singer/dancer...best of all time, however, that's all he was. Let's not compare him to Prince, best musician of all time, but rather, compare him to someone like Sammy Davis Jr (who I don't hear anyone calling a musical genius).

I say this in response: MJ is MJ, Prince is Prince. Prince is my favorite, and will take the Purple side in most comparisons between the two. HOWEVER....MJ was a great songwriter, and producer. This cat sits in the studio with Stevie Wonder during the recording of Songs In The Key of Life, he was around real musicians from the day he was 5, up until the day he died. To really think that he was the ONLY Jackson brother who could not play an instrument is ABSURD. He was the ultimate perfectionist, and did not like his guitar or piano playing enough to put it on record. He had the best studio musicians at his disposal, and used them. Just think: Elvis recorded his guitar parts, and nearly everyone who worked with him claimed all his parts were overdubbed in the post production, because he couldn't really play. At least Michael knew his ability was not up to par with the Toto guys and his other help. Michael wrote: Billie Jean, Beat It, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Smooth Criminal, Who Is It, Earth Song, Speechless, and COUNTLESS other great tracks.

Prince is the greatest ever in my opinion. But to sit here and say Michael was just a great singer/dancer is about as absurd a thing I have ever read other than my own signature which is just a slap at fellow orger Bart Van Halen. I doubt Bart would even say MJ was only a singer and dancer.

Dancing is the only thing I give Michael over Prince...but another thing...Prince was my favorite, but Michael had the MAGIC...As much as I love Prince, and defend him day after day after day, he did not have that MAGIC. After Prince sold 21 nights at 02, Michael sold out 50. Promoters said the 49th and 50th show sold out so fast, they wished they could have seen how far it could go. I'm so sad that Michael had all those Yes Men around him who let him die. Can I have my slice of Pizza now?

I'll keep this short, because this has been discussed sooo much here.... My opinion...I agree, MJ was magical at times with his singing and dancing...NOT his playing abilities....shit, Madonna can play a guitar too and Bieber plays drums, but they, like MJ, are not memorable....and this "ultimate perfectionist" label that ppl continue to place on MJ just seems like an excuse for the multiple delays of his music being put out. I don't buy it.

Prince won.

plopemc said:

Can you believe I have never seen Graffiti Bridge until this week?! I found a copy at a local used book/music/dvd store for just $4.95.

I keep seeing the DVD at Big Lots for $3.00. Bought myself a back-up copy. Wife laughed at me for buying a second copy of a terrible movie.

IMO, the comedy of Morris & Jerome (and some great music) makes sitting through this movie worthwhile...

Revolution said:

stillwaiting said:

Revolution also said:

MJ was a brilliant singer/dancer...best of all time, however, that's all he was. Let's not compare him to Prince, best musician of all time, but rather, compare him to someone like Sammy Davis Jr (who I don't hear anyone calling a musical genius).

I say this in response: MJ is MJ, Prince is Prince. Prince is my favorite, and will take the Purple side in most comparisons between the two. HOWEVER....MJ was a great songwriter, and producer. This cat sits in the studio with Stevie Wonder during the recording of Songs In The Key of Life, he was around real musicians from the day he was 5, up until the day he died. To really think that he was the ONLY Jackson brother who could not play an instrument is ABSURD. He was the ultimate perfectionist, and did not like his guitar or piano playing enough to put it on record. He had the best studio musicians at his disposal, and used them. Just think: Elvis recorded his guitar parts, and nearly everyone who worked with him claimed all his parts were overdubbed in the post production, because he couldn't really play. At least Michael knew his ability was not up to par with the Toto guys and his other help. Michael wrote: Billie Jean, Beat It, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Smooth Criminal, Who Is It, Earth Song, Speechless, and COUNTLESS other great tracks.

Prince is the greatest ever in my opinion. But to sit here and say Michael was just a great singer/dancer is about as absurd a thing I have ever read other than my own signature which is just a slap at fellow orger Bart Van Halen. I doubt Bart would even say MJ was only a singer and dancer.

Dancing is the only thing I give Michael over Prince...but another thing...Prince was my favorite, but Michael had the MAGIC...As much as I love Prince, and defend him day after day after day, he did not have that MAGIC. After Prince sold 21 nights at 02, Michael sold out 50. Promoters said the 49th and 50th show sold out so fast, they wished they could have seen how far it could go. I'm so sad that Michael had all those Yes Men around him who let him die. Can I have my slice of Pizza now?

I'll keep this short, because this has been discussed sooo much here.... My opinion...I agree, MJ was magical at times with his singing and dancing...NOT his playing abilities....shit, Madonna can play a guitar too and Bieber plays drums, but they, like MJ, are not memorable....and this "ultimate perfectionist" label that ppl continue to place on MJ just seems like an excuse for the multiple delays of his music being put out. I don't buy it.

Prince won.

well just remember this over 800 million albums sold Vs. about 100million sold= mj wins.

"The Most SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIME" <(fact) vs. "A" Great entertainer= mj wins

My condolences.

mjwifey4l said:

well just remember this over 800 million albums sold Vs. about 100million sold= mj wins.

"The Most SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIME" <(fact) vs. "A" Great entertainer= mj wins

From the perspective of record companies and the corporate world, you are correct.

Since those perspectives are whack and have nothing to do with anything that matters to music, you are incorrect.

Jimi Hendrix was a one hit wonder (technically, look it up), Justin Timberlake has had many "hits" (I can't be arsed to look up how many), by your logic Justin is greater than Jimi...

see my point?

the thing that impresses me about both PR and GB is how both their plots to so closely reflect what actually happens in Prince's life, over and over again.

He's a difficult, isolated, cocky musician, who pushes everyone away, and punishes the people who love him most, and only through the power of music will he rediscover his humanity?

Ok, but that was 1984, and he was still going to fire the revolution (maybe i won't die for you), fire rosie gaines, become the symbol, harass his fansites, police youtube and sue that dancing baby, fire tamar, close npg, and charge $77 for lotusflower.

In GB he's successful, but is turning his back on popularity in favor of spiritual pursuits, which are more important, and only through the power of music will he save himself and everyone else (or something? that one was less clear)

Cool, but again, that was like 20 years ago, way before he went to war with Warner's, became a JH, changed the lyrics in his songs, deleted Erotic City, and warned against repeating his mistakes.

I know he had a heavy hand in both scripts, and i don't see anything wrong with it per se, but it's just surprising how consistent the persona has proven to be. As if Madonna never moved on from Susan, crawling through windows in tutus for 30 plus years.

johnart said:

My condolences.

djThunderfunk said:

plopemc said:

Can you believe I have never seen Graffiti Bridge until this week?! I found a copy at a local used book/music/dvd store for just $4.95.

I keep seeing the DVD at Big Lots for $3.00. Bought myself a back-up copy. Wife laughed at me for buying a second copy of a terrible movie.

IMO, the comedy of Morris & Jerome (and some great music) makes sitting through this movie worthwhile...

I agree...if we could edit out most of the actual scenes and make it one long music video, I would think it was pretty decent. As the movie stands, I don't think anybody was even ATTEMPTING to act.

Prince can't act. He's just awful and laughably so. Watched Purple Rain the other night with a mildy interested party. She was laughing her head off at scenes like Prince stomping up and down in his dressing room, The twirl and "Answer me motherfucker!"

I didn't bother with Graffiti Bridge.

PurpleLove7 said:

... me and the mrs. are watchin' it now

Graffiti Bridge?

You angling for a divorce?

[Edited 8/21/10 16:30pm]

djThunderfunk said:

mjwifey4l said:

well just remember this over 800 million albums sold Vs. about 100million sold= mj wins.

"The Most SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIME" <(fact) vs. "A" Great entertainer= mj wins

From the perspective of record companies and the corporate world, you are correct.

Since those perspectives are whack and have nothing to do with anything that matters to music, you are incorrect.

Jimi Hendrix was a one hit wonder (technically, look it up), Justin Timberlake has had many "hits" (I can't be arsed to look up how many), by your logic Justin is greater than Jimi...

see my point?

Well how about achievements ? record breaking time and time again? and total worldwide influents? mj mj mj mj mj. he waz inducted into the rock n roll hall of hall twice before prince was inducted. he is also the youngest person in history to be inducted at the age of 37. he's in the songwriters hall of fame. every single one of his solo tours have become the largest grossing in HIStory. he's won more awards than any other entertainer in history (over 500). and its not just about record companies and "THE CORPORATE WORLD" becuz when is all said and done it comes down to the FANS. the FANS are the 1's who buy the records, the companies just market them. i kud literally go on FOREVER TALKING ABOUT MJ'S ACHIEVEMENTs. and i dnt see what jimi and justin have 2 do with this. but i love prince 2. but in terms of SUCCESS, FANS, INFLUENCE, TALENT, AND GREATNESS, MJ BEATS EVERYONE..... but when prince breaks ALL of his records and more then we'll talk

Marrk said:

Prince can't act. He's just awful and laughably so. Watched Purple Rain the other night with a mildy interested party. She was laughing her head off at scenes like Prince stomping up and down in his dressing room, The twirl and "Answer me motherfucker!"

I didn't bother with Graffiti Bridge.

I agree with this, and i also think that all of Prince's movies have been terrible, Purple Rain included.

The main problem of this film is that it's supposed to be a "sequel" of PR but it doesn't look/feel like a sequel; yeah, I know, The Time are back, Prince plays one more time the role of "The Kid", but I guess audiences and hardcore fans were disappointed because it looked like a complete different story... I mean, where's the Revolution? why is the kid a spiritual weirdo and a club owner when he should be an international popstar (like the end of PR showed)? why are The Time a bunch of mean gangsters? etc etc. On top of that, the script was awful, as we all know, so the lack of success was dire...

I still think that GB was an unnecessary and impossible sequel; some people say that it should have been a "concert film" with no clear storyline, like SOTT; well, that movie (sadly) flopped so Warners or Prince himself would have surely dissed the idea...

Instead, the man should have done videoclips (not a film) in order to promote GB, which should have been just a (great) new album, not an overblown film/soundtrack project to begin with...

[Edited 8/21/10 17:53pm]

If you watch the outtakes of Graffiti Bridge and then also research out Prince's ambition to make a "Westside Story" type musical...you might come to the conclusion that Prince envisioned an old fashioned musical where people burst out in song in real life, but that the concept was then edited and reshot down to more of the Purple Rain type of reality, but still got stuck with the musical sets...

If I watch it with sense of humor at the ready and take it solely for what it is, I can kind of enjoy it and make it almost through without breaks. Hahaha

less famous brother of jonathon ross, the tv reviewer paul ross who is credited on millions of awful dvd covers as he is the only person to make positive comments about the worst movies in history, said in his review of graffiti bridge dvd release "watching this movie was like being constantly hit with the vomit sticks they have in minority report, i couldn't wait for the end credits until i heard the song playing over them, and then i prayed i would die"