Saturday, July 30, 2005

Crash

I wanted to go see Crash at the movies, but unfortunately it wasn’t showing around here anymore so I had to watch a bootleg DVD from the internet. Anyway Friday night I got together with a few friends and watched the movie. I would very much recommend it to anyone. The movie is very powerful. At times I did think there was too much going on and the scenes would change too often, but it was still entertaining and extremely thought provoking. It is probably not the type of movie you would want to watch after drinking a six pack of Abita Amber, but they type of movie you rather watch, they go get a cup of coffee and talk about it with your friends.

Among the many strengths of this movie is an amazing cast including Don Cheadle (btw, I know he was good in this movie, Hotel Rwanda, Oceans 11 and Traffic, but I think his best performance was the doctor on ER with Parkinson’s, give the brother an Emmy already), Sandra Bullock, Terrance Howard, Thania Newton, Matt Dillon, Brendon Fraser, plus many others. But the one actor who stood out the most to me was Chris Bridges, better known as Ludacris. I’m not a big fan of the current crop of rappers turned actors, but Luda impressed me. And his speech in the car where he talks about what is wrong with black folks then goes on a diatribe about how rap has damaged the community was amazing. This is coming from an artist known for lyrics such as “move bitch, get out tha way” and “I got ho’s in different area codes”. In the scene he is in essence lampooning his own music (ok, maybe I look too much into this stuff). Some of the other dialogue and images from the movie were also amazing. I thought the Dillon’s and Howard’s characters were a little over the top, but everything else was on point. I won’t write too much right now, I know I’ll watch it again in the next few days and probably write more, it seems like the type of movie that each time you watch it you will pick up something new. Go see it if you have the chance.

1 comment:

The Underdog said...

You mentioned you weren't thrilled at our current crop of rappers turned actors. I'd go as far as saying i'm not really thrilled with our current crop of actors turned actors. While there are still a few really good actors out there (Denzel, Don Cheadle, Tom Hanks. Kidman),there are a lot of average actors as well. I think we're at a time where there are a lot of young actors who haven't come into their own yet. They haven't had that breakthrough role. As for rappers turned actors, who's out there?

Ice Cube-maybe with training he could do some really good work

Ja Rule- Should probably stick with Segal movies. Don't see him havng any depth.

Andre 3000- He's got potential

Ludacris- you already said he was good in this role. Wonder if he could branch out?

Eminem- Wouldn't mind seeing him in another role.

Snoop- Another typecast brother, but i don't think he or the public has a problem with that.

Nick Cannon- Already proven to be a commodity. The young girls love him. He probably make a better actor than a rapper anyway.

So dare i say that the percentage of good rapper/actors is probably on par with that of good actors. Just a much smaller pool to select from.