might be making a few more trips to this place over the next couple months to touch base about some new albums I'd been getting...

anyone who knows me from my early days here knows that I wanted to avoid this album and this film like the plague...

next thing I know, one of my friends sends me only Prince's tracks... it wasn't all bad, I guess... although granted, there was cheesyness to go around. I listen to it now and a lot of it sounds like older songs with a new paintjob... ("Tick Tick Bang" I liked in its original form, but for the official soundtrack version... blech, no thanks)..

another friend recently sent me the movie, that I finally decided to break down and watch after 5 years of feining the notion...

I went on with the following mindset: a) don’t expect anything like Purple Rain and b) it was probably gonna suck. A little artsy, but most likely, I wouldn't get into it.

In some ways, it wasn’t as bad as I figured and others made me crave some familiarity. The Revolution, Apollonia, anything. Not so much that it was ANTI-Purple Rain… but pretty close in some ways. From an artistic POV, I totally got it. In fact, I could probably fall victim to the captivity the visuals had, so off the wall in places. It’s like they say: the intention was good, but the execution sucked. Not just the acting, but in places, the story lagged, didn’t quite work or I downright hated it.

The first intro of Ingrid Chavez acting… I didn’t get it. She looked overwhelmed by Prince, but not in the fan girl way. Touching her face with her hands and what’s up with that? I kinda figured her to be a muse like Xanadu. She was there to inspire self belief in Prince. But Aura wasn’t very well defined as a character and feels like a blip on the radar compared to Prince and Morris (and what Apollonia was in the other film).

BTW, the last 10 minutes after “Melody Cool” felt like a real cop-out. They kinda did it with Purple Rain… things suck, The Kid’s gotta pull a rabbit out of the hat… I just had this feeling that “Still would stand” would be the movie’s “Purple Rain”… and just like that… Morris Day comes around. End of film.

One gross difference:

They didn’t blur lines in this film… Morris IS the villain in this and Prince is the hero. You’d think a guy like Morris, his ego couldn’t get any bigger. Really DID NOT like him much at all. Supposedly the story’s about him taking over all the clubs in the city and only three remain—Melody Cool's, George Clinton’s place and The Kid’s GLAM SLAM. I saw the name and was like “oh yeah, that’s right”… formerly First Avenue in this case. Morris is finally challenging the fact that Billy Sparks left the club to both of them in his will. WHAT THE HELL TOOK HIM SO LONG? I mean, they clearly have their two corners established and Morris is just getting greedy like some tycoon. And his thugs seem to do most of the heavy lifting for him.

He and Jerome, the dream team, were back together, but there were only two highlights... in the entire movie. When he’s charming Aura at his club, Jerome is hiding under the table doing this and that, like adding more to her drink from Morris’s glass. Then after we have “Thieves,” they got her passed out at his place, he’s saying some gibberish about her falling in love with the first person she sees when she wakes up… The Kid breaks in, blows out the only candle in the place, this whole dialogue exchange between Morris and Jerome had me in stitches and the end of it was priceless… only big laugh in the whole movie… Jerome at least looked like he still had a bit of dignity. It seemed by the end that despite The Kid being an introvert, he got more people coming to see him than Morris. Red Flag!

I couldn't help but take notice of this one guy who kept saying “I wanna rap… when you gonna let me rap… I never got a chance to rap”… The second time, maybe a little bit after that, the gears started turning… forgot the exact phrasing in my head, but it was something like “isn’t that Tony?” or “omg its Tony”… followed by “oh crap, it’s Tony” and “NO!!”… and sure enough, he got his wish during the credits… “NPG part 2” was the same music, but instead of Prince singing, it’s Tony rapping.

(I learned afterward discussing the movie that it wasn't Tony, but short-lived NPG member T.C. Ellis... but the foreshadowing was EERIE).

I didn’t expect a number from “Elephants & Flowers”… the flower child thing was brought in Prince’s face paint, lol… one plus was keeping the title track in the credits, which I could probably skip after the cast list… was really disappointed that, as lame and cliché the first track is, it only got an instrumental in the beginning… At least the first NPG track had a cool performance number, a good set-up for the band… thought nothing like “Let’s go Crazy.”

None of the protégé tracks (except Melody Cool, that was pretty… well, cool), sucked. The Time really didn’t hit it for me this time by any degree.

Jill Jones has somewhat of a cameo in this, virtually unrecognizable except for those gorgeous eyes. She’s work for Morris now, but not too fond of him, I don’t think. She sings for “Love Machine,” which Ingrid lip-synchs to for the rest of it. He has another girlfriend he keeps calling Grace that I thought kinda looked familiar. Her name is Robin Powers, I liked her a lot and thought she deserved a little more screen time… to put Morris in his place.

The only other connection to the previous film aside from the characters… supposedly Francis L died from suicide and his mom moved into a nursing home. I’m thinking… they didn’t look that old and its only 6 years since the other movie. What’ up with her living in a nursing home? (Morris also made an unfair comment that rivals “how’s the family?”, saying she was in the nuthouse… that’s a stretch!). Prince writes several hypothetical letters to his dad, most appear in the narrative. Sometimes he still considers suicide so the film has a very dark tone in places. This was just after Prince’s spiritual phase so it was a little disconcerning, the thoughts in his head.

Before the conclusion… a few things I forgot to mention… interesting “tick tick bang” was used as this movie’s “Darling Nikki” and it seemed to crash and burn all the same… he used it to get back at Morris, parading the song on the streets and it didn’t have the intended impact. One of the NPG said “I knew we should have done a different song”… I had to laugh at that cuz it makes sense (it and “Darling NikkI’ weren’t quite appropriate, lol)… if that guy was Tony, I gotta say something like “I don’t think a rap would have helped any better, so NO!!”… and “The ? of U” was kind of a make-out scene or sex scene… Prince is noted for not being the greatest on-screen kisser, but I couldn’t even tell if he was still bad in that department or not… it was kind of a hot scene… common themes were all these lyrics written on walls, she gave him lyrics for “Graffiti bridge” at some point… and the phrase “Its just around the corner”… took me half the movie to kinda figure that one out.

Overall, though, I’d say the movie is passable. The dialogue (however little there is) excels, writing of the characters, not so much. The strongest point was the visuals, they helped capitalize on giving shape to the music in the album at this point in his career.

If you don't see it as a movie but as a colletction of music videos with some random blahblah interludes, then it's quite enjoyable.

Jill Jones has somewhat of a cameo in this, virtually unrecognizable except for those gorgeous eyes. She’s work for Morris now, but not too fond of him, I don’t think. She sings for “Love Machine,” which Ingrid lip-synchs to for the rest of it. He has another girlfriend he keeps calling Grace that I thought kinda looked familiar. Her name is Robin Powers, I liked her a lot and thought she deserved a little more screen time… to put Morris in his place.

Intresting note: Jill and Ingrid both lip sync "Love Machine." Elisa Fiorillo is the vocalist on this track.

The cinematogrpahy is excellent in Graffiti Bridge. He got Bill Butler, who's most famous movie is Jaws.

But the movie is soooooo bad because of the script.

Great post Glad to see you back here, my friend!

Ingrid Chavez is the film's worst aspect, IMO. Prince wrote the part for a gorgeous, enigmatic actress (his first choice was Madonna, but she turned it down). Ingrid is far from gorgeous, and her idea of "enigmatic" comes off more like "spaced out."

The biggest compaint I tend to hear from people is that the movie isn't a worthy sequel to Purple Rain. But, Prince didn't intend for it to be a sequel. It was meant to focus completely on Morris Day and the Time. However, WB execs insisted on Prince being in it as The Kid, returning to the "band rivalry" concept, etc. so that there would be enough "familarity" to attract a large audience. Prince relented, and because of this he had to come up with weak explanations for the absence of his parents (dad died from the gunshot wound, mom was thrown in an asylum). Even worse, the absences of Apollonia and The Revolution are never addressed AT ALL. Prince never wanted the "sequel" aspect; WB forced his hand, which is a real shame.

Overall, I don't think the movie is as horrid as people make it out to be; had it been released in today's "High School Musical/Glee" culture, it likely would have been better received. I dig the film's visual style, which I suspect was inspired (in part, at least) by Tim Burton's Batman, released the previous year.

bluefish said:

Great post Glad to see you back here, my friend!

Ingrid Chavez is the film's worst aspect, IMO. Prince wrote the part for a gorgeous, enigmatic actress (his first choice was Madonna, but she turned it down). Ingrid is far from gorgeous, and her idea of "enigmatic" comes off more like "spaced out."

The biggest compaint I tend to hear from people is that the movie isn't a worthy sequel to Purple Rain. But, Prince didn't intend for it to be a sequel. It was meant to focus completely on Morris Day and the Time. However, WB execs insisted on Prince being in it as The Kid, returning to the "band rivalry" concept, etc. so that there would be enough "familarity" to attract a large audience. Prince relented, and because of this he had to come up with weak explanations for the absence of his parents (dad died from the gunshot wound, mom was thrown in an asylum). Even worse, the absences of Apollonia and The Revolution are never addressed AT ALL. Prince never wanted the "sequel" aspect; WB forced his hand, which is a real shame.

Overall, I don't think the movie is as horrid as people make it out to be; had it been released in today's "High School Musical/Glee" culture, it likely would have been better received. I dig the film's visual style, which I suspect was inspired (in part, at least) by Tim Burton's Batman, released the previous year.

The first season of Glee had great scripts to stand on with characters that had good storylines, that's why it was a hit.

I saw GB in the theatre on it's release and like most who did, really hated it. But as one poster said here, if you treat it now not as a feature film but as a collection of videos connected with useless jibber-jabber, it's not so bad. Much like "The Beautiful Experience" special or better yet The Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" misstep...

Weird, but I actually prefer the GB version of Tick Tick Bang, and think that some of his best solo work is on that soundtrack.

And for what it's worth, I think the movie isn't THAT bad, I've seen worse ("Pooty Tang", anyone?). Plus Prince looks hot in it and gives a few good musical performances and Ingrid Chavez is great eye-candy. It's not the total steaming pile of shit most fans will insist it is.

Analyst said:

Weird, but I actually prefer the GB version of Tick Tick Bang, and think that some of his best solo work is on that soundtrack.

And for what it's worth, I think the movie isn't THAT bad, I've seen worse ("Pooty Tang", anyone?). Plus Prince looks hot in it and gives a few good musical performances and Ingrid Chavez is great eye-candy. It's not the total steaming pile of shit most fans will insist it is.

What? Pooty Tang is awesome. Guess who directed Pooty Tang? He's big now.

ufoclub said:

Analyst said:

Weird, but I actually prefer the GB version of Tick Tick Bang, and think that some of his best solo work is on that soundtrack.

And for what it's worth, I think the movie isn't THAT bad, I've seen worse ("Pooty Tang", anyone?). Plus Prince looks hot in it and gives a few good musical performances and Ingrid Chavez is great eye-candy. It's not the total steaming pile of shit most fans will insist it is.

What? Pooty Tang is awesome. Guess who directed Pooty Tang? He's big now.

Just cuz it's Chris Rock doesn't mean it's not shitty. I saw in in the theater the weekend it came out...and it was my idea that we all see it...and then after that no one ever asked me to pick the movie again.

Analyst said:

ufoclub said:

What? Pooty Tang is awesome. Guess who directed Pooty Tang? He's big now.

Just cuz it's Chris Rock doesn't mean it's not shitty. I saw in in the theater the weekend it came out...and it was my idea that we all see it...and then after that no one ever asked me to pick the movie again.

Chris Rock didn't direct it.

It was Louis C.K.

His worst movie but...New Power Generation, ? of U, Thieves and even The Latest fashion..make a great soundtrack!!

ufoclub said:

Analyst said:

Just cuz it's Chris Rock doesn't mean it's not shitty. I saw in in the theater the weekend it came out...and it was my idea that we all see it...and then after that no one ever asked me to pick the movie again.

Chris Rock didn't direct it.

It was Louis C.K.

I just know that at the time the whole Chris Rock angle was being pushed in the marketing of the thing, which is part of the reason why I wanted to see it because I thought if he was associated with it, it'd be funny.

Goddamn, was I wrong about that. Horribly wrong. Appallingly wrong.

Paisley4u said:

His worst movie but...New Power Generation, ? of U, Thieves and even The Latest fashion..make a great soundtrack!!

Dude, like...seriously?

You just named off some of the worst songs on there, barring Question of U and Thieves in the Temple.

Pretty much the ONLY good songs on that disc, are the ones Prince did by himself, and "Round and Round" by Tevin Campbell.

Although "Shake" is a guilty pleasure of mine....but, off the top of my head I can't even remember if that was ON the soundtrack or not, that's how little attention I pay to the songs that don't have Prince in them.

The very best songs on there are Joy in Repetitiion, Question of U, Tick Tick Bang, Elephants and Flowers imo; with "Joy" literally being one of the best tracks he's ever done in his whole career.

Yes, I said it. It's that epic.

You just named off some of the worst songs on there, barring Question of U and Thieves in the Temple.

Pretty much the ONLY good songs on that disc, are the ones Prince did by himself, and "Round and Round" by Tevin Campbell.

Although "Shake" is a guilty pleasure of mine....but, off the top of my head I can't even remember if that was ON the soundtrack or not, that's how little attention I pay to the songs that don't have Prince in them.

The very best songs on there are Joy in Repetitiion, Question of U, Tick Tick Bang, Elephants and Flowers imo; with "Joy" literally being one of the best tracks he's ever done in his whole career.

Yes, I said it. It's that epic.

first time I heard the soundtrack, my favorites were "we are the NPG," 'the ? of U," "Joy in Repetition" and of course "Theives in the Temple" which I knew from a greatest hits album

then for a while all I listened to were "The ? of U" and "Joy in Repetition"... because they're among the best he'd done EVER...

both are pretty hypnotic in their own way, but the imagery in "Joy in Repetition" is a thing of absolute beauty. I love when his work just comes to life like that

Analyst said:

Paisley4u said:

His worst movie but...New Power Generation, ? of U, Thieves and even The Latest fashion..make a great soundtrack!!

Dude, like...seriously?

You just named off some of the worst songs on there, barring Question of U and Thieves in the Temple.

Pretty much the ONLY good songs on that disc, are the ones Prince did by himself, and "Round and Round" by Tevin Campbell.

Although "Shake" is a guilty pleasure of mine....but, off the top of my head I can't even remember if that was ON the soundtrack or not, that's how little attention I pay to the songs that don't have Prince in them.

The very best songs on there are Joy in Repetitiion, Question of U, Tick Tick Bang, Elephants and Flowers imo; with "Joy" literally being one of the best tracks he's ever done in his whole career.

Yes, I said it. It's that epic.

U´re right, my answer was just a quick respons forgetting one of his best songs Joy in repetition!! I do love NPG and Latest Fashion was my guilty pleasure at the time, ok?

I´m not saying this album is great but still..the soundtrack beats the movie!

DreamyPopRoyalty said:

first time I heard the soundtrack, my favorites were "we are the NPG," 'the ? of U," "Joy in Repetition" and of course "Theives in the Temple" which I knew from a greatest hits album

then for a while all I listened to were "The ? of U" and "Joy in Repetition"... because they're among the best he'd done EVER...

both are pretty hypnotic in their own way, but the imagery in "Joy in Repetition" is a thing of absolute beauty. I love when his work just comes to life like that

Not coincidentally they're also both from that halcyon 85/86 period.

As a huge prince fan i really enjoyed GB. Great music and the video scenes were amazing. Having George Clinton, Mavis Staples, Prince and the Time in one film was more than enougth for me.

Can see from a story point of view how some people may have been dissapointed if compairing to purple rain.

My mom dropped me off at the theater as a kid so I could see it on opening day. She sure as hell wasn't buying TWO tickets for that bullshit.

I got inside and there was almost nobody there. IN MINNEAPOLIS!! The lady in front of me literally threw popcorn at the screen during some scenes.

The worst part was seeing my hero over-lipsynch to my favorite song at the time (SWSAT) in a one-armed lycra jumpsuit. Whew...I'm think I'm still scarred by that.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

My mom dropped me off at the theater as a kid so I could see it on opening day. She sure as hell wasn't buying TWO tickets for that bullshit.

I got inside and there was almost nobody there. IN MINNEAPOLIS!! The lady in front of me literally threw popcorn at the screen during some scenes.

lmao..damn

bluefish said:

...

The biggest compaint I tend to hear from people is that the movie isn't a worthy sequel to Purple Rain. But, Prince didn't intend for it to be a sequel. It was meant to focus completely on Morris Day and the Time. However, WB execs insisted on Prince being in it as The Kid, returning to the "band rivalry" concept, etc. so that there would be enough "familarity" to attract a large audience. Prince relented, and because of this he had to come up with weak explanations for the absence of his parents (dad died from the gunshot wound, mom was thrown in an asylum). Even worse, the absences of Apollonia and The Revolution are never addressed AT ALL. Prince never wanted the "sequel" aspect; WB forced his hand, which is a real shame.

...

^^ Is this true? What is the source for this information?

That would change my perspective on the GB fiasco (tho' I still haven't seen GB, kind of like how I refuse to rubberneck a car crash ).