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PrintableBlaqueKnight said: Yep. I said it. This movie kills Prince's movies. It wore a lot of hats (drama, comedy, action, musical) only it was done many times better than Under The Cherry Moon. I'm only saying this now because I know it will be compared to UTCM by orgers even though they have very little in common other than being period pieces of sorts. Its a very different animal, coming closer to "Harlem Nights" than UTCM but it was well executed. Big Boi, in my opinion stood out in the acting department. Andre was a solemn, kinda awkward character - which made sense, since he plays a mortician by day, piano player by night with a very overbearing father. Faison Love projected more in this movie than I've seen him do in any other movie. I kept waiting for Terrence Howard or Ving Rhames to steal the scenes but it never happened. They played their perspective parts and it went smoothly. The end is kinda weird but overall, I'd say they pulled it off nicely. There are a few little things I had issues with but you have to go into the movie understanding that its part fantasy. I mean really, nobody wakes up from bed and breaks into song...at least nobody SANE. The dance sequences were some of the best I've seen in years on film and the songs, although lacking a 30s sound, did retain that 30s feel. This movie is better classified as a fantasy than anything else. Clocks sing, a flask with a rooster on it talks. Not exactly real life occurances to people NOT on drugs. Major props due to Brian Barber, Andre and Big Boi for making a movie with an almost all black cast and managing to keep the ghetto out of the movie. Also, there's a nice Cicely Tyson cameo. Its a long movie but definately worth the watch. The one thing this movie isn't which is what makes it better than Prince's movies, is self-indulgent. The characters are developed very nicely and there is a LOT of talent in this film.
-- I could make a movie better than UTCM. (LOL) What is your point dude. Outkast is trying to do their Purple Rain. I wish them luck they are a great group but you need to stop comparing them to P. They are not at dude's level yet. [Edited 8/24/06 17:25pm] | |
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blackguitaristz said: P was basically "doing Morris" in a lot of the scenes. He and Jerome's lines were basically what Morris and Jerome would have said if Morris was in the film. The end result was a big ego trip on P's part. To me, THAT'S what ruined the film. Him firing the director and him directing it at the 11th hour is crazy as hell. To his credit, P did a good job for someone who isn't a director, but still. The plot was weak from the get. WB probably wanted P's face all in full frame 98% of the film cuz WB knew the script was whack, so P's appeal HAD to save the film, which it didn't.
 'UTCM' was a mess.I still enjoy watching it from time to time.It's one of those films that is so bad that it's good,lol. | |
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sexxydancer said: I doubt seriously that Outkast could do anything better than Prince!
 I bet they could make a better movie than "Graffiti Bridge",although that's not saying much 
... [Edited 8/24/06 4:59am] | |
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I totally agree! I doubt seriously that anything Outkast could b better than anything Prince! [/quote]
how about this thing called rap | |
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SoulAlive said: blackguitaristz said: P was basically "doing Morris" in a lot of the scenes. He and Jerome's lines were basically what Morris and Jerome would have said if Morris was in the film. The end result was a big ego trip on P's part. To me, THAT'S what ruined the film. Him firing the director and him directing it at the 11th hour is crazy as hell. To his credit, P did a good job for someone who isn't a director, but still. The plot was weak from the get. WB probably wanted P's face all in full frame 98% of the film cuz WB knew the script was whack, so P's appeal HAD to save the film, which it didn't.
'UTCM' was a mess.I still enjoy watching it from time to time.It's one of those films that is so bad that it's good,lol.If 'Under The Cherry Moon' was a mess, what does that make 'Graffiti Bridge'?  | |
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SoulAlive said: blackguitaristz said: P was basically "doing Morris" in a lot of the scenes. He and Jerome's lines were basically what Morris and Jerome would have said if Morris was in the film. The end result was a big ego trip on P's part. To me, THAT'S what ruined the film. Him firing the director and him directing it at the 11th hour is crazy as hell. To his credit, P did a good job for someone who isn't a director, but still. The plot was weak from the get. WB probably wanted P's face all in full frame 98% of the film cuz WB knew the script was whack, so P's appeal HAD to save the film, which it didn't.
'UTCM' was a mess.I still enjoy watching it from time to time.It's one of those films that is so bad that it's good,lol.Yep, I enjoy it as well. Overall, it's a fun movie. Believe it or not, I think P had the potential of being a pretty good actor, if he wasn't so caught up in portraying this "image" 24-7. He showed in UTCM that he had strong comedic skills. He's one of the greatest "performers" of our time, so he has the ability to transfer that into be a good actor. He's just to self absorbed to do that. SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him." http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com | |
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Meloh9 said: I totally agree! I doubt seriously that anything Outkast could b better than anything Prince!
how about this thing called rap[/quote] I don't listen 2 rap anyways,so I'll never know! | |
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SoulAlive said: sexxydancer said: I doubt seriously that Outkast could do anything better than Prince!
I bet they could make a better movie than "Graffiti Bridge",although that's not saying much
I doubt this,2!
... [Edited 8/24/06 4:59am] | |
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laurarichardson said: Outkast is trying to do their Purple Rain.
Read closer, please. This is BRIAN BARBER'S MOVIE, NOT OUTKAST's. Its nothing like Purple Rain other than it being about musicians and having musical numbers in it. Brian wrote and directed this movie. Exactly how in the HELL does that make this Outkast's movie? | |
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sexxydancer said: Meloh9 said: I totally agree! I doubt seriously that anything Outkast could b better than anything Prince!
how about this thing called rap I don't listen 2 rap anyways,so I'll never know![/quote] So why listen to Outkast or comment at all? They are a hip hop duo. That's the problem with Outkast these days. I asked the question "does it seem like Outkast are loosing their chemistry as a group" and nobody answered. That's probably because most orgers are Prince fans who started to listen to Outkast because they heard that The Love Below sounds like a P album or because they sound different than most of what is todays pop music. I bet not many folks on the org remember them ever having chemistry together in the first place, because they never heard the first five albums It's like for some people Outkast has become an alternative to Prince. | |
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People, please don't tell me u take UTC seriously
as a movie..that shit is CAMP AS FUCK..it's worse than GLITTER in that respect.. MR. T sez..I pity the fool.. -780909.jpg)
I think P had the potential of being a pretty good actor, if he wasn't so caught up in portraying this "image" 24-7. He showed in UTCM that he had strong comedic skills. He's one of the greatest "performers" of our time, so he has the ability to transfer that into be a good actor. He's just to self absorbed to do that.
Tell me ur kidding, please...  ...Your coochie gonna swell up and fall apart... | |
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Martinelli said: blackguitaristz said: I think P had the potential of being a pretty good actor, if he wasn't so caught up in portraying this "image" 24-7. He showed in UTCM that he had strong comedic skills. He's one of the greatest "performers" of our time, so he has the ability to transfer that into be a good actor. He's just to self absorbed to do that.
Tell me ur kidding, please... I agree with Z on this one, but he's praising Prince more than the UTCM film itself. You need to go back and read his earlier post: blackguitaristz said: P was basically "doing Morris" in a lot of the scenes. He and Jerome's lines were basically what Morris and Jerome would have said if Morris was in the film. The end result was a big ego trip on P's part. To me, THAT'S what ruined the film. Him firing the director and him directing it at the 11th hour is crazy as hell. To his credit, P did a good job for someone who isn't a director, but still. The plot was weak from the get. WB probably wanted P's face all in full frame 98% of the film cuz WB knew the script was whack, so P's appeal HAD to save the film, which it didn't. | |
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BlaqueKnight said: laurarichardson said: Outkast is trying to do their Purple Rain.
Read closer, please. This is BRIAN BARBER'S MOVIE, NOT OUTKAST's. Its nothing like Purple Rain other than it being about musicians and having musical numbers in it. Brian wrote and directed this movie. Exactly how in the HELL does that make this Outkast's movie? ----- No one is going to see the movie because it is a Brian Barber film. People will go see it because of Outkast. You act like Brian is Steven Speilberg or something. | |
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Martinelli said: People, please don't tell me u take UTC seriously
as a movie..that shit is CAMP AS FUCK..it's worse than GLITTER in that respect.. MR. T sez..I pity the fool..
I think P had the potential of being a pretty good actor, if he wasn't so caught up in portraying this "image" 24-7. He showed in UTCM that he had strong comedic skills. He's one of the greatest "performers" of our time, so he has the ability to transfer that into be a good actor. He's just to self absorbed to do that.
Tell me ur kidding, please... ----- No one is kidding.If Prince had let someone else direct his movies and he took the time to study acting he could of had a carreer in film. | |
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From Aint-It-Cool News:
Hola all. Massawyrm here. What a God damned waste of potential. No really. A God damned waste of potential. Here we have Idlewild, a film I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time now – a film so laden with talent and an intriguing premise that it got me all sorts of excited. But it’s a mess, a complete mess that fails to live up even remotely to any expectations you might have for this film. It’s not that it’s entirely terrible, but enough of it is to ruin any hopes of this being anything resembling a truly entertaining piece of film. The list of flaws in this film are great and many – but it all boils down to one core problem. The script. Easily the laziest writing I’ve seen in quite some time, Idlewild steals virtually every cliché prevalent in this kind of film and then quite literally has no clue what to do with them. The film opens up with a flashback reminiscence establishing the lifelong friendship of our two main characters Percival (Andre Benjamin – AKA Andre 3000) and Rooster (Antwan A. Patton – AKA Big Boi.) Must be important, right? Nope. Not a bit of it. Because from that point on, the two characters share about 5 minutes of screentime together. Idlewild is two separate stories that happen to take place at the same time, and have little, if anything, to do with one another. And neither of those stories is particularly new or interesting. Story one is about a talented musician who is being held back in his small town by an overbearing father that believes his son’s place is the family business. And story two is about…a talented musician…who inherits a nightclub and all the gangster trouble that comes with it. The only thing more been there/done that than the story ideas is their execution, each story beat being telegraphed long before it comes to fruition. But that’s not all – because the elements you don’t see coming, well, they’re just fucking nonsensical. Complete and total where the fuck did that come from? moments, followed by half assed implementation that almost begins to lead in an interesting direction only to veer directly back into cliché for resolution. There are entire elements to the story that end up unexplained and utterly irrelevant, no matter how important they really should be. In one case, a character is revealed to not be who they claim…only to have it turn out that another character knew all along and simply kept their mouth shut. Okay, that can be interesting. It’s even more interesting when that story comes to a head and the character who knew is confronted and claims “I can explain!” But they never do. And you’re left to scratch your head asking What the Fuck? Are you kidding me? It’s just left hanging, as if that characters motivation doesn’t actually matter. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT’S THE THRUST OF THE WHOLE FUCKING STORY! At least it is when that little factoid is revealed. That entire plot twist hinges on that explanation. An explanation that never comes. Idlewild is chock full of bullshit like this. Dangling plot threads, cardboard characters, plot holes you could drive the Porkchop Express through, and oh yeah, Deus ex Machina. Yeah, that’s right. God even shows up. And when he does, it’s to hand a character one of the single most overused movie clichés in the history of overused movie clichés. Gee, I wonder what’s so important about a character being handed a Bible before he goes into a gunfight? You feelin’ me? Six-year-olds reading this review are smacking their foreheads over that one. Making it more bizarre is that the character in question has this incomprehensible story arc involving a flask. That he keeps on him at all times. In his breast pocket. Naw. That would be too fucking silly. But it’s a musical, right? Who needs a real, involving story when you’re making a musical? You just need thin plot threads to take you from number to number? Right? Wrong. Because for the most part, Idlewild doesn’t seem to think it’s a musical. There are several songs, but they’re all numbers performed at the club. Or at least most of them are. Despite the reality Idlewild tries to set up, it breaks its own rules by having two musical numbers that seem entirely out of place. They just happen, out of nowhere, and serve zero purpose. And to make matters worse – both sequences look like you could chop them out of the movie and put them immediately on Mtv. You know, there’s a longtime movie reviewer cliché that This movie looks exactly like a two hour music video. Most times it’s unwarranted – just a slam at the style over substance approach many filmmakers take with their films. Here, this comment is actually the case. It IS a two-hour music video. Entire sequences in this film point directly to a music video director helming it. And sure enough, that’s exactly what this is. It’s a first time feature by a guy who has been directing Outkast music videos for 10 years. Someone who got the resources to make a two-hour version. So what, right? At least the music looks like it’s going to be an original blend of modern Hip Hop with thirties era jazz. Nope. The music is almost entirely modern Hip Hop. Only the last song in the film, the one played during the credits (that you may be familiar with from the trailer) sounds like this. The rest sounds exactly like every other Outkast album ever made. Which is fine, except that when juxtaposed with a story set in the thirties it simply feels wrong. From the looks of it, this appears to be something akin to Moulin Rouge, a film out of time that blends different styles together to create a single, unique universe. But that’s not what this is. It’s a film set in the thirties with musical acts that rap. There’s no creative use of Jazz or Blues mixed into a majority of the music. Just standard, by the numbers, Outkast. And the cast, oh God, the cast. It’s amazing. And a total fucking waste. Faizon Love and Ving Rhames, two of my favorite actors working today, both do fantastic jobs…in the first fifteen minutes of the movie. Then they’re gone. Ben Vereen, a perfect choice for a musical like this if ever there was one – a man that can sing, dance and knows how to act – gets a few scenes as the drunken, overbearing father. And his performance is great, for how little they use him. How about screen legend Cicely Tyson? She appears in exactly one scene. Patty LaBelle? Half of a scene. Comedian Bruce Bruce? Half of Patty LaBelle’s half-a-scene. Bill Nunn? About thirty seconds spread out through the film. Macy Gray? One of the few characters actually around for most of the film that serves virtually no purpose at all but cackle from the background. Pretty much every actor of note or name presented in the trailer is either vastly underused or a glorified cameo. The only big name in the film that gets any love whatsoever is Terrence Howard, who turns in one really great scene before his character is transformed into a mustache-twirling villain with zero depth. And when you begin to think about how lame this film is compared to what it could have been with this concept, this cast and the musical talent behind it – well, it doesn’t live up to anything it promises to be. I mean, come on, you get Patty LaBelle in your film…as a singer…and we can’t even get a Patty LaBelle version of an old Jazz classic, or at least something that sounds like one? But the movie isn’t a complete wasteland. Both Andre Benjamin and Paula Patton turn in believable performances, despite just how clichéd and predictable their story and dialog is. And while each of the above named cameos doesn’t garner the screentime or role they deserve, each and every one of them turns in a performance of note. There isn’t a weak link in that bunch. And each of them manages to elevate their poorly drawn characters into memorable roles through the force of their talent alone. I mean, Jesus, Cicely Tyson alone delivers a performance that feels as if she’s been enduring an entire films worth of pathos, and makes you feel it in a few short lines. And while Writer/Director Bryan Barber may have no sense of story whatsoever, the guy sure knows what to do with a camera. Sections of this film are absolutely gorgeous, and often quite inventive. His camera work alone makes me want to go back and check out his music videos. Which of course only adds to further frustration with the film. The guy clearly isn’t a worthless director. He got great performances and stunning shots. If only he knew how to tell a story. Then he’d be someone to watch. Give this guy a great script and a producer that makes him stick to it, and he could make for one hell of a director. Just keep him the hell away from the editing room – because when the story isn’t being nonsensical, the editing sure is. All in all, I cannot recommend this film at all. If you’re into Outkast, check out the soundtrack. But only check this out if you set your expectations incredibly low. Probably the biggest waste of two hours I’ve spent this week, and frankly, I haven’t done shit this week. At all. Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em. I know I will. - Massawyrm Ya gotta admit that's a pretty damned scathing review.  "TELL IT LIKE IT IS MAN! DON'T HOLD BACK!"
Still, it ain't all doom 'n' gloom - Harry Knowles apparently liked it, although even he thought it was a mess but "loved the mess" regardless. Not sure what that says about the movie, but hey:  | |
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lastdecember said: Well I am hoping this film is noted for the fact that it employs an all black cast and doesnt represent "gangsta style" and other negative things. Though i dont think it will have "youth" support that is the sad thing, and thats the medias fault for their glorification of those stereotypes and not supporting another side. As for its comparison to UTCM, i still dont see the comparison, better? well we are talking about 20 years ago, alot has changed in Moviemaking and things like that so to compare the two is unfair. Its like when people said the new Miami Vice was better, WTF?? I mean, maybe you thought the dialogue was better or effects, but u just cant compare. So i wish Outkast well with this project, in terms of well i mean "NOT" charts and $$ im talking about maybe it will change the mindset of people about Black Film Making, and dont get me wrong, the biggest problem in this genre is caused by Black Film Makers themselves, buying into the stereotypes.
I agree that "the kids" may not get "Idlewild".It's a period piece which means it's more "gangster"than "gangsta".They could've made another "dirty,dirty south"hip hop flick full of cameos and collabos.Big ups to Outkast for being artistic instead of playing it safe. larry luvlife
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I was at the sneak preview on Tuesday and I loved it. The storyline is solid and the plot is well paced. Dre and Big Boi turned in good performances for two guys who aren't actors. I think Big Boi was the most fun to watch, and I have to admit Dre almost broke my heart at the end. Terrence Howard plays the role of an eeeeevil mofo better than anyone else I can think of. Ben Vereen's character could have been fleshed out better but he did a lot with the little he had to work with. It was funny, sad, sexy and exciting.
The song and dance scenes were spectacular in true Hollywood fashion and the costumes and scenery are very nicely done.The animated sheet music and talking whiskey flask added nicely to the fantasy feel of the film. I don't know what movie that boneheaded reviewer saw, but I had big fun with the movie. I plan to see it again plus I will buy the dvd. I'm not into hip hop that much but OutKast is the exception because I love Dre's personality and imagination and I think Big Boi has a good flow. What's so cool about the movie is that it's a whole lot more than hip hop. I truly wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. The film definitely benefits from having actual veteran actors supporting the lead characters, which is the main reason it would be considered better than UTCM. All three of Prince's films were pretty much carried by the outstanding music and Prince's powerful, magnetism. The only complaints I have about Idlewild is that there's really no depth to any of the female characters and then there's the fact that Dre really should take some singing lessons if he's going to insist on singing. I never let critc's opinions stop me from seeing a movie because I rarely agree with anything they say. I liked it so much that I posted a comment on Imdb. Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise. | |
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laurarichardson said: BlaqueKnight said: Read closer, please. This is BRIAN BARBER'S MOVIE, NOT OUTKAST's. Its nothing like Purple Rain other than it being about musicians and having musical numbers in it. Brian wrote and directed this movie. Exactly how in the HELL does that make this Outkast's movie? ----- No one is going to see the movie because it is a Brian Barber film. People will go see it because of Outkast. You act like Brian is Steven Speilberg or something. Not at all. I'm just being clear as to who wrote and directed it. Its Brian's story no matter who plays in it. | |
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Must be tough beating a masterpiece like "UTCM" LOL
UTCM is like and elvis movie. Absolute rubbish really, but its good dumb fun. | |
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thesexofit said: UTCM is like an elvis movie. Absolute rubbish really, but its good dumb fun.
Ykno, that is a perfect comparison!  | |
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I'm gonna see this movie tomorrow.Really looking forward to it. | |
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SoulAlive said: I'm gonna see this movie tomorrow.Really looking forward to it.
It opens tonight. Do you shake seasoning onto your popcorn? | |
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ok so who else saw the film? | |
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Meloh9 said: ok so who else saw the film?
I saw it..have you? If so, what did you think about the movie? Studiotraffic-One of the fastest ways to get payed on the net! | |
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dragondayz said: Meloh9 said: ok so who else saw the film?
I saw it..have you? If so, what did you think about the movie? I moved to a small town and I have to wait to see it later, that is why I am trying to see what you guys thought | |
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BananaCologne said: From Aint-It-Cool News:
Hola all. Massawyrm here. What a God damned waste of potential. No really. A God damned waste of potential. Here we have Idlewild, a film I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time now – a film so laden with talent and an intriguing premise that it got me all sorts of excited. But it’s a mess, a complete mess that fails to live up even remotely to any expectations you might have for this film. It’s not that it’s entirely terrible, but enough of it is to ruin any hopes of this being anything resembling a truly entertaining piece of film. The list of flaws in this film are great and many – but it all boils down to one core problem. The script. Easily the laziest writing I’ve seen in quite some time, Idlewild steals virtually every cliché prevalent in this kind of film and then quite literally has no clue what to do with them. The film opens up with a flashback reminiscence establishing the lifelong friendship of our two main characters Percival (Andre Benjamin – AKA Andre 3000) and Rooster (Antwan A. Patton – AKA Big Boi.) Must be important, right? Nope. Not a bit of it. Because from that point on, the two characters share about 5 minutes of screentime together. Idlewild is two separate stories that happen to take place at the same time, and have little, if anything, to do with one another. And neither of those stories is particularly new or interesting. Story one is about a talented musician who is being held back in his small town by an overbearing father that believes his son’s place is the family business. And story two is about…a talented musician…who inherits a nightclub and all the gangster trouble that comes with it. The only thing more been there/done that than the story ideas is their execution, each story beat being telegraphed long before it comes to fruition. But that’s not all – because the elements you don’t see coming, well, they’re just fucking nonsensical. Complete and total where the fuck did that come from? moments, followed by half assed implementation that almost begins to lead in an interesting direction only to veer directly back into cliché for resolution. There are entire elements to the story that end up unexplained and utterly irrelevant, no matter how important they really should be. In one case, a character is revealed to not be who they claim…only to have it turn out that another character knew all along and simply kept their mouth shut. Okay, that can be interesting. It’s even more interesting when that story comes to a head and the character who knew is confronted and claims “I can explain!” But they never do. And you’re left to scratch your head asking What the Fuck? Are you kidding me? It’s just left hanging, as if that characters motivation doesn’t actually matter. DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT’S THE THRUST OF THE WHOLE FUCKING STORY! At least it is when that little factoid is revealed. That entire plot twist hinges on that explanation. An explanation that never comes. Idlewild is chock full of bullshit like this. Dangling plot threads, cardboard characters, plot holes you could drive the Porkchop Express through, and oh yeah, Deus ex Machina. Yeah, that’s right. God even shows up. And when he does, it’s to hand a character one of the single most overused movie clichés in the history of overused movie clichés. Gee, I wonder what’s so important about a character being handed a Bible before he goes into a gunfight? You feelin’ me? Six-year-olds reading this review are smacking their foreheads over that one. Making it more bizarre is that the character in question has this incomprehensible story arc involving a flask. That he keeps on him at all times. In his breast pocket. Naw. That would be too fucking silly. But it’s a musical, right? Who needs a real, involving story when you’re making a musical? You just need thin plot threads to take you from number to number? Right? Wrong. Because for the most part, Idlewild doesn’t seem to think it’s a musical. There are several songs, but they’re all numbers performed at the club. Or at least most of them are. Despite the reality Idlewild tries to set up, it breaks its own rules by having two musical numbers that seem entirely out of place. They just happen, out of nowhere, and serve zero purpose. And to make matters worse – both sequences look like you could chop them out of the movie and put them immediately on Mtv. You know, there’s a longtime movie reviewer cliché that This movie looks exactly like a two hour music video. Most times it’s unwarranted – just a slam at the style over substance approach many filmmakers take with their films. Here, this comment is actually the case. It IS a two-hour music video. Entire sequences in this film point directly to a music video director helming it. And sure enough, that’s exactly what this is. It’s a first time feature by a guy who has been directing Outkast music videos for 10 years. Someone who got the resources to make a two-hour version. So what, right? At least the music looks like it’s going to be an original blend of modern Hip Hop with thirties era jazz. Nope. The music is almost entirely modern Hip Hop. Only the last song in the film, the one played during the credits (that you may be familiar with from the trailer) sounds like this. The rest sounds exactly like every other Outkast album ever made. Which is fine, except that when juxtaposed with a story set in the thirties it simply feels wrong. From the looks of it, this appears to be something akin to Moulin Rouge, a film out of time that blends different styles together to create a single, unique universe. But that’s not what this is. It’s a film set in the thirties with musical acts that rap. There’s no creative use of Jazz or Blues mixed into a majority of the music. Just standard, by the numbers, Outkast. And the cast, oh God, the cast. It’s amazing. And a total fucking waste. Faizon Love and Ving Rhames, two of my favorite actors working today, both do fantastic jobs…in the first fifteen minutes of the movie. Then they’re gone. Ben Vereen, a perfect choice for a musical like this if ever there was one – a man that can sing, dance and knows how to act – gets a few scenes as the drunken, overbearing father. And his performance is great, for how little they use him. How about screen legend Cicely Tyson? She appears in exactly one scene. Patty LaBelle? Half of a scene. Comedian Bruce Bruce? Half of Patty LaBelle’s half-a-scene. Bill Nunn? About thirty seconds spread out through the film. Macy Gray? One of the few characters actually around for most of the film that serves virtually no purpose at all but cackle from the background. Pretty much every actor of note or name presented in the trailer is either vastly underused or a glorified cameo. The only big name in the film that gets any love whatsoever is Terrence Howard, who turns in one really great scene before his character is transformed into a mustache-twirling villain with zero depth. And when you begin to think about how lame this film is compared to what it could have been with this concept, this cast and the musical talent behind it – well, it doesn’t live up to anything it promises to be. I mean, come on, you get Patty LaBelle in your film…as a singer…and we can’t even get a Patty LaBelle version of an old Jazz classic, or at least something that sounds like one? But the movie isn’t a complete wasteland. Both Andre Benjamin and Paula Patton turn in believable performances, despite just how clichéd and predictable their story and dialog is. And while each of the above named cameos doesn’t garner the screentime or role they deserve, each and every one of them turns in a performance of note. There isn’t a weak link in that bunch. And each of them manages to elevate their poorly drawn characters into memorable roles through the force of their talent alone. I mean, Jesus, Cicely Tyson alone delivers a performance that feels as if she’s been enduring an entire films worth of pathos, and makes you feel it in a few short lines. And while Writer/Director Bryan Barber may have no sense of story whatsoever, the guy sure knows what to do with a camera. Sections of this film are absolutely gorgeous, and often quite inventive. His camera work alone makes me want to go back and check out his music videos. Which of course only adds to further frustration with the film. The guy clearly isn’t a worthless director. He got great performances and stunning shots. If only he knew how to tell a story. Then he’d be someone to watch. Give this guy a great script and a producer that makes him stick to it, and he could make for one hell of a director. Just keep him the hell away from the editing room – because when the story isn’t being nonsensical, the editing sure is. All in all, I cannot recommend this film at all. If you’re into Outkast, check out the soundtrack. But only check this out if you set your expectations incredibly low. Probably the biggest waste of two hours I’ve spent this week, and frankly, I haven’t done shit this week. At all. Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em. I know I will. - Massawyrm Ya gotta admit that's a pretty damned scathing review. "TELL IT LIKE IT IS MAN! DON'T HOLD BACK!"
Still, it ain't all doom 'n' gloom - Harry Knowles apparently liked it, although even he thought it was a mess but "loved the mess" regardless. Not sure what that says about the movie, but hey: I saw the film today and I have to say that this critic is on point and I'm a big Outkast fan. This film was like their recent albums. Separate but together. The plot was all over the place and not in a positive way for me. Between Big Boi and Andre 3000, I was more interested in Big Boi's story. He surprised me. He was pretty good and I liked his performance more than Dre's, even if it did seem like he was playing himself. The same can be said with Dre but he seemed kinda wooden to me and I was surprised because Dre's done films. I expected a little more from him. People here are comparing this film to UTCM but I can see all 3 of Prince's films in Idlewild. I wasn't trying to search for anything Prince related in the film, it just came out. The performances at the club, Dre's interaction with his Dad and Paula Patton's character reminded me of Purple Rain. The time period and Dre himself reminded me of UTCM and the messy plot reminded me of Grafitti Bridge, except Idlewild had a fighting chance where GB was Dead On Arrival. Plus it was the first thing Outkast has done that I didn't really like, just like GB was the first thing P did that I didn't like. The "old pros" like Cicely Tyson, Ving Rhames, Ben Vereen and even Terrence Howard were great and helped make it not be such a bad film for me. Macy Gray was good too. Plus, BB and A300 are so good together. The chemistry they have is so perfect and its a shame that they didn't have many scenes together because I think this could have helped with making the story more cohesive instead of it seeming like it was 2 films at once. And maybe I was reading too much into it but this film made me wonder if Outkast are about to hang it up. I just had that feeling towards the end of the film and I they don't but time will tell. IMHO this film was not all that good. I'd give it a C-. I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that | |
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The problem with a film like this is that its out in a time where our society has been conditioned to formulate an opinion about EVERYTHING. There are those expecting a plot that rivals any Oscar-winning film, special FX along the lines of the Matrix series, choreographed dancing like Chicago and acting the likes of Denzel, Angela Bassett and Lawrence Fishburne from a little movie on a shoestring budget written/directed by a first-time film director who usually directs music videos lead acted by two rappers with very little previous film experience. There are just way too many armchair critics these days. I agree that it appears that the duo is no more, especially after seeing the film and some of their recent interviews (106th & Park - Outkast is touring without Andre this go round). The story lines were split. When they were on the screen together, they had great chemistry and it could have been even better if the plotlines had become more entwined. Even Robin Thicke's wife did a good job for a new actress. Still, this was better than ALL of Prince's movies in my opinion, even though I'm fond of Purple Rain. I understand that it (PR) was still a weak azz movie despite the fact that I liked it. This movie (Idlewild) is not weak. Its not perfect but it can stand alone as a movie without the popularity of its characters to hold it up. Prince's movies can not, in my opinion. | |
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Just saw it last night. I was amazed at the cinematography, dancing, and Andre did an excellent job acting. Terrence Howard's role was believable, but when isn't it? This man can act. All in all, it was very well put together. Gets E plus from me. [Edited 8/27/06 5:08am] | |
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Was not feeling this movie at all. Went last night with an opened mind. I love the cd, had high hopes for the movie but thought it fell flat on its own creative head. Besides the opening sequence, that rivaled Pee Wee's Big Adventure, it just went belly up. The acting was just OK. Music was good (hello, that IS what we say when we go see a Prince movie), dancing was good. But they really tried to do too much. And when did this movie get made? Listening to two old tracks in the dramatic scene???
Anyway, could have been much much better. ---------------------------------
 Funny and charming as usual | |
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Another thing that bothered me was that Outkast did songs off of Speakerboxx/Love Below in this film  . What's the point of having a soundtrack of new music if your are going to go back and play songs off of your last CD? Since the Prince argument has come into this, we didn't hear any songs off of 1999 in Purple Rain or Around the World in a Day in Under the Cherry Moon. And the songs that were done from S/TLB were unecessary IMHO. That rubbed me the wrong way.I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that | |
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