Description

Daughter of a legend.Rising superstar.Proud mother and wife.Natalie Cole seemed to have it all, but a recurring addiction to drugs and hidden grief took her from the top of the charts to the depths of despair.In this powerful and authorized story of her life, Natalie shares her inspiring journey back, and the enduring spirit of the man who led the way -- her beloved father.Directed by Robert Townsend. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"This Will Be" a great video to own!
Natalie Cole's story, which was based on her best-selling autobiography, comes to vivid life on screen. Like Ms. Cole's book, this movie pulls no punches about the seemingly fairytale life she had as a child to her bouts with drugs, her rise to fame as a singing star, her family life, only for it to all come crashing down due to her addiction--and her amazing comeback due to the one thing she was running away from all her life: acknowledging the legacy of her father, the legendary pop/jazz artist, Nat "King" Cole, who had died a tragic death from lung cancer at the age of 45. At the time of his death, Natalie had just turned 15, and has said that his death was something she never got over, but never had the chance to grieve, which eventually led her to drugs. That, and the need to be daring and experimental. But she explains that it wasn't until the mid-80s when she was in rehab for the second time that she realized this. Bottom line was, she missed her father tremendously.

Diahann Carroll is fantastic as Maria Cole, Natalie's strict disciplinarian mother, and James McDaniel captures the gentle and understanding man that Nat Cole was perfectly, even though his role is not a large one. The two young actresses who play Natalie as a child are enchanting, and Theresa Randle as the young adult Natalie pulls out all the stops for a Emmy-deserving performance.

One of the most touching and true scenes in the movie is when Natalie, playing herself, has to break the news to her young son right before a concert that his father has passed away, then she goes on stage and dedicates her hit song "Our Love" to her former husband. The emotion is very real, and you can tell that Natalie was reliving the pain she must've felt then. Also at the very end of the film, you see real footage of Natalie singing the smash "Unforgettable" with Nat on video at the 1992 Grammy awards. Another heart-touching moment. It also shows the ups and downs of the music industry and how certain situations are handled and overcome. A phenomenal story. Highly recommended! Now if only we can bring Nat's story to the screen....

A GREAT LOOK AT NATALIE COLE'S LIFE
I SAW THIS MOVIE ON TV AND IT WAS FANTASTIC. IT SHOWS HOW SHE USED DRUGS AND HOW IT AFFECTED HER LIFE AND CAREER. IT SHOWS HOW SHE WAS NOT CLOSE TO HER MOTHER. HER MOTHER DIDN'T WANT HER TO BE A SINGER. UP UNTIL THE LAST 30 MINUTES OR SO, THE ACTUAL NATALIE COLE TAKES OVER AS HERSELF. THE MOVIE ENDS WITH NATALIE RECORDING A DUET WITH NAT "KING" COLE AND HER PERFORMING ON THE GRAMMYS. ALL TOGETHER: FANTASTIC ... Read more

Description

The record-setting number one concert film, EDDIE MURPHY: RAW shows Eddie Murphy doing what he does best: making people laugh.Filmed live at New York's Felt Forum, Murphy delights, shocks, and entertains with celebrity impersonations, observations on 'love, sex and marriage in the 80's, a remembrance of Mom's hamburgers and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Stand-Up Comedy At Its' Best
In the same tradition of raunchy stand up comedy kings such as Richard Pryor and Red Foxx, Eddie Murphy's comedy pokes fun at many groups and celebrities. Filmed at the height of Eddie's status as the world's biggest film star (while on contract with Paramount), "Raw" is an hour and a half of hysterical impersonations and skits.

Written by comedy star/director Keenan Ivory Wayans ("Scary Movie"; "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka"; television's "In Living Color") and directed by Robert Townsend ("Meteor Man"; "Hollywood Shuffle"), Raw's highlights include Eddie's trip to San Francisco (where he is greeted at the aiport by flamboyant gay men), his trouble with women, and celebrity put downs.

The most memorable skit in this film probably has to be Eddie's imaginary wedding to an African tribal woman who gets corrupted by American women upon her arrival to the U.S. "Unfoofoo" (his African wife's name) and Eddie's discussion of how he met her made me laugh out loud. Truly, only a comedy genius could have thought of such a funny skit.

Although not a film for young kids due to its' use of foul language and discussion of sexual situations, the film showcased Murphy at his best, long before his string of family oriented films ("Dr. Doolittle" "Nutty Professor"). While there is a new king when it comes to raunchy comedy nowadays (Chris Rock) Eddie still remains one of the best. "Raw" is a showcase of great comedic writing and performance.

Four -and-a-"HALF!" stars
The year was 1987 and after been widely known for his classic "Delirious" stand-up act and Beverly Hills Cop movies, Eddie Murphy comes to New York City to perform his latest act in this feature called "Raw". If you were laughing at the jokes from "Delirious", then chances are that you were rolling on floor in laughter when you watched this.

Before the performance is a Keenan Ivory Wayans-produced sketch where it shows Eddie as a kid (played by Deion Richmond [Kenny on "The Cosby Show"]) telling a nasty joke in front of his family, which sets the tone of what his act will be: funny but in bad taste. If you look closer, his family members consist of other people who weren't famous yet like Tatyana Ali ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") and Samuel L. Jackson.

Now, on to the act (directed by Robert Townsend, I might add). Though he does less impressions of stars than he did in "Delirious", it is still hilarious to see him do a fed-up Michael Jackson, a scolding Bill Cosby, and a dead-on impression of Richard Pryor, his idol. The audience is noticeably having a good time and even catches Eddie cracking himself up when he talks about getting arrested by a certain type of police.

In this day and age when African-American comedians' whole routine is usually about how black folks are different from white folks, you wonder if they ever studied Eddie Murphy's monologues, because Murphy had a LOT more to speak on. See the discussion on prenuptial agreement: if you (the man) don't get one with your wife, when it's time for your divorce, she'll ask for "HALF!" of your money. Of course that comes off as misogynistic and derogatory, but it's just comedy, not necessarily commentary.

You'll bust a gut laughing at Oomfufu, Eddie's pretend wife; his mama's hamburger that's "better than McDonald's"; and his reenactment of a fight that happened in a club. His funniest jokes, however, revolve around how the audience members' reactions might be: for example, when he suggests that women would rather be alone with her man instead of seeing this show, a woman would say, "That's true! [Eddie's] funny, but he ain't that funny!"

I knocked off a half-a-star because the bit about his drunk father, first introduced in "Delirious", ran too long. But that doesn't make "Raw" any less of a classic. If you've been living under a rock up until now, see this film today.

Eddie Murphay At His Best
This is one the all time greatest Stand up performances ever. The Title "Raw" says it all. This is Eddie Murphy at his best, raw and uncut. From his jokes about TV shows and its characters to childhood, cheating, divorce, Italians, and his belligerant father, you'll be laughing from start to finish. Its been 17 years and I still enjoy it as much as the first time I saw it. I could go on for days about this film, but it's far better than words can describe. Seeing is definately believing. From the Richard Pryors and Red Foxxes to The Chris Rock's, Bernie Mac's and Dave Chapelle's ... "Eddie Murphy Raw" is the undisputed King of Comedy!!!

he gets away with it!!!!
This has got to be the most unbearably crude, politically incorrect comedy routine ever - and he pulls it off, with real style!!! OK, it is somewhat dated, coming from the 80s, but this man has got to be one of the funniest comedians since Bill Cosby. They are both geniuses. But Murphy takes being black head on (head first?), as well as men-women, gays, you name. If you can stop laughing, there is something to offend EVERYONE. He is also a first rate actor/impersonator. Best I've seen in a long time = I am getting ready to return to the states, and this is the PERFECT preparation in the age of Bush II.

PAINFULLY FUNNY!!!!!
THIS IS ONE OF EDDIE'S BEST STAND UP MOVIES EVER I LOVE THIS I LOVE THE WHOLE VIDEO I LOVE IT. I LOVE EDDIE HE IS SO FUNNY IN THIS MOVIE HE WILL HAVE YOU CRYING HE IS SO FUNNY. EVERY SINGLE JOKE HE TELLS IN THIS MOVIE IS VERY FUNNY AND I LOVE IT THEREFORE, IF YOU ARE A FAN OF EDDIE MURPHY THEN YOU WOULD DEFINITELY ENJOY THIS MOVIE!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Fabulous; Great Plot; Must See Film
Upon seeing "Holiday Heart" recently, I was left with a heartwarming feeling. A slightly unusual Christmas tale, but very well done. As in any movie, there were certain parts that were less than realistic (Social Services would've been all over this situation) and I would've liked to have seen a little more development of the relationship between all the characters, but as I usually say, I don't watch movies for reality, I watch them for entertainment or escape. I'll watch A&E, Discovery, and The Learning Channel for reality television.

The always-enjoyable Ving Rhames looked a little uncomfortable portraying a drag queen at first, but was impressively camping it up by the end of the film. There was a fine supporting cast as well, especially the exceptional Alfre Woodard as the mother who struggles with her drug addiction. Jesika Reynolds did a fine job in this role as the heartbroken daughter, and Mykelti Williamson was excellent as usual as Silas. Kudos to Robert Townsend for a lovely and slightly surprising story.

This is probably one of my Top Ten of movies that one must see for the realistic plot and the plot formation. There was more creative thought into the plot and dynamics between the characters and this is not your "normal" movie, however, it shows a paradox between being a drag queen and also being a Christian, which is cool. It's heart warming, yet realistic in a world that values quick answers and easy solutions. It offers hope and reality. The lines are well written. The music is great. The actors and actresses are well chosen. Top notch film.

"Holiday Heart" attempts to be a touching lite drama about a burly drag queen who befriends a female druggie and her daughter. Rhames works hard to fit into his character and his dresses and, to his credit, pulls it off. The film in general is a little schmaltzy around the edges, makes obvious efforts to push the viewers buttons for the desired result, and tells a story which beyond the unique premise is unoriginal. Nonetheless, the viewer who sets skeptical analysis aside and goes with the flow may just become pleasantly engrossed in this heart warming tale of strange bedfellows.

All in all, if you have a chance to watch this movie, I highly recommend it! You've got to give Ving Rhames credit for being in full drag on stage lip-synching "Baby love, my baby love..." Showtime delivers another "No Limits" performance.

loved it
I normaly hate watching most tv movies, but as I was channel surfing, one day, I came across this and seeing Holiday (Ving Rhames) saving Wanda(Alfre Woodard) from an beat down, it just stopped me and I began watching. Seeing Wanda slowly go from a women who loves and cares for her daughter, to a druggy and prostitute, broke my heart. And seeing Ving take a role that not many men will do,(except the guys in "To Wong Foo with Love Julie Newmar") that takes guts, and style.

Heart Warming & Aching
From my direct knowledge, being sober for 9 years. I thought this movie was the best realistic performance I have ever seen! I'm a treatment specialist for Addiction and it will be a movie I would show to my clients. This movie made me laugh and cry. Robert Townsend Out did himself with this movie.

Warm
I was truly surprised to Ving Rhames portraying a gay character given that he possesses a manly image. Even more surprising, he did a convincing job of portraying a drag queen with an open heart. I saw this film for the first time on BET with my mother. Alfre Woodard and the ingenue give realistic portrayals of the characters. Watch it and be warmed.

Heart-warming!!!!
This is a heartfelt movie it really does warm your heart it is about a Alfre Woodard a crack user with a daughter that she mistreats and steals from it is about them meeting a drag-queen"Holiday"(Ving Rames) who feels sorry for them and helps them out and allows them to live with him and him and Nikki becomes the best of friends and Wanda the crack user ends up dying this is a good movie and a real tear-jerker!!!!!
I would truly recommend any Alfre Woodard and Ving Rhanes fan to buy this dvd because it is very good with superb acting!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Robert Townsend has managed to build an entire career on the basis of one funny movie (The Hollywood Shuffle)--even though he hasn't had one that was anywhere near as funny since. Case in point: This would-be comedy about an unwilling black superhero. Townsend plays a schoolteacher in a bad Washington, D.C., neighborhood that is controlled by a vicious drug gang (recognizable by their blonde-dyed hair). Then he is hit by a meteor and suddenly finds that he has super strength and can fly (and can read the minds of dogs). But Townsend's writing is surprisingly weak and, despite a cast that includes a mugging Bill Cosby, Eddie Griffin, Robert Guillaume, and sadly miscast James Earl Jones, this movie is never able to get off the ground. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great movie, great fun
... sure it's not the best movie ever, but great if you like this type of comedy...
It's been years since I last saw this movie though, but I might buy it next month (Depends on if I get enough money to buy it)

Good ideas. poor execution. Meteor Man is very very rocky.
Robert Townsend's the Meteor Man was supposed to be a satire of Comic books and Superheroes. Unfortunately, it's a poor copy of the Batman TV show of the 60's without any of the humor. Townsend makes a ton of mistakes here and all of them make the movie one of the worst you'll ever see.
Meteor Man could have been a lot of fun to watch; a black superhero satire film is really an interesting premise. While Townsend is very good at satire he doesn't know that the method of acting in this type of satire is actually "Camp." In order to make fun of Comic books and Superheroes you must understand the mechanics of comedy and what style works best to tell the jokes in. Superheroes are already farfetched and the only way to poke fun at them in their world is for the characters to take themselves seriously. Unfortunately, Townsend tells to cast to take their roles for a joke and that's a big mistake. "Camp" only works when the actors play their roles seriously. The serious performances working in tandem with the satiric jokes pokes fun at the ridiculousness of the situations the hero involves himself in as opposed to how it's seen in the real world and that's what makes it funny. When the actors are aware of the joke we can't laugh with them or at them. Contrast MM to the Batman TV show, Wild Wild West, or Sam Raimi's Hercules, Xena, or even the Tick TV series. In each of these shows the actors take their roles so seriously that we laugh at how absurd the situations are as opposed to the real world. We know about the jokes that the characters don't.
Townsend's second mistake was casting big name stars in the film. To make Camp work you need to cast unknown actors in the roles so they blend into the characters. People Like Bill Cosby, Luther Vandross and James Earl Jones stand out like sore thumbs in this film and look so ridiculous that we can't laugh at the jokes they tell. The use of then rapper Big Daddy Kane, commedian Sinbad and the group Another Bad creation wearing bad blond fades just look cartoonish. Smaller actors taking their roles seriously would have made this work.
Townsend's third and final mistake in this film was the script. It's not serious. It makes comic books look cartoonish. On top of that it's preachy and shallow; it's clear that he didn't research comic books or superheroes at all before writing it. The origin and the powers of the meteor man come together so poorly that we can't suspend our disbelief at his superhuman abilities. A meteor slamming into a man would kill him, not give him powers. Him toching a meteor rock and getting powers would make sense. On top of that his powers are inconsistent. Flight and Super Strength make sense but the ability to read any book by touching it had me scratching my head.
I don't see this film as a creative failure for Robert Townsend. I'm glad he tried to do something different and original with a Black film. Meteor Man had the potential to be something great, however, Townsend didn't do the necessary research to make this type of comedy work. He might have watched the old Batman show for reference, but didn't take the time to dissect the jokes to understand what made them funny like he did in his great first film Hollywood Shuffle. I'm hoping someone tries another film like this because I think someone who understands the style of humor that camp is could make a truly great film.

Worst movie I have seen in a long time.
There are dozens of clever, offbeat films worth watching, but this isn't one of them. Makes Pootie Tang look like an Oscar winner.

One of my Favs.
I Thought this movie was good maybe not the best but i thought it was good. many cameo appearances many celebs. Even though some people thought the movie wasnt that funny i thought it was. Especially the last scene. I cant wait til it comes out on dvd february 18th. Im definetly getting it and i think you should too.

What can you say?
Even though actors like Bill Cosby appear in this movie, Robert Townsend's acting and directing of humor is sadly unfocused and becomes little more then sad at trying to be funny, when it is not. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The rise and fall of a '60s group
"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

This is a must have
The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

Much Dap to Robert Townsend
for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.

Wonderful Movie!!
Wow, what a film! It is a movie about a fictional vocal group from the 60's that is loosely based on The Dells( as opposed to The Temptations, like a lot of people thought). Writer/director/actor Robert Townsend works overtime to make sure we get the whole story of how a vocal group had to make it in the 60's. Michael Wright steals the show as the lead singer who is asked to leave after showing up too late, too many times due to drug and alcohol abuse. Michael Wright has a (should have been) Academy Award winning scene in a parking lot after a show where he sings to prove he still has the chops, only to embarrass himself in front of his ex- group members. The pathos is palpable as the rest of the cast hits the right note of sorrow showing that they still respect him, but now pity him. There are plenty of moments like this, both dramatic and musical that will make the hair stand up on your neck. The soundtrack really resembles songs from this era and I am definately interested in getting the soundtrack.

Good Movie
It's one of the better films on black music group singers. the casting and acting was one of the better. I would recommedn this movies for entertainment. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Carmen - A Hip Hopera
I think that this movie is definately worth your money and your time. It is fabulous and it involes alot of r'n'b singing and music. The story is fabulous and of course the actor is fabulous: BEYONCE KNOWLES!

See it for Beyonce if nothing else...
While the movie it self isn't the best of the best, the scences with Beyonce are electrifying and worth seeing. I gave it 3 stars because the movie isn't worth buying, by it's definitely worth a 4 dollar rental to enjoy the magic of Beyonce on the screen. The suduction scene and the cards scene are worth your 4 bucks alone. Don't put money on this film making you sit on the edge of your seat, it's not that type of film. To put it in perspective try and rent the original carmen (if you can find it!) and the hip-hopera and watch both. So go out one tuesday nite when you have nothing better to do and engage yourself in this enjoyable when not so memorable experience.

This movie sucked!
I thought this movie was going to be much better. I really love musicals so I expected much more from this film, not only were the songs horrible but the acting was not at all convincing. I rented this movie from Blockbuster and it took me three nights to watch it because I kept falling asleep. Yes, it is that boring! I almost didn't want to finish it but I had to see if it would get better, it didn't. Do not waste your time with this movie. There were no powerful or memorable songs or parts and there was no plot. I didn't care about the characters or what happened to them. It was just dumb. Beyonce was all right as Carmen, she has a beautiful voice but that's all that kept this movie going. I can understand why a guy would want to watch this movie, there is plenty of Beyonce strutting her stuff but if you are a girl and you are watching it for the reason I did, looking for a love story with great music as a backdrop, then forget it, you won't find it here.

Who's the bad-boy cop??
i thought beyonce was brilliant in this movie, with a great voice...also i think the guys in the cast were very sexy!!!
by the way does anyone know the name of the bad-boy cop in the film??? hollor back!! xxx

lil bow wow
This movie was okey.The only good parts were when lil bow wow was in it and the rest wasn't good. But i would c it again 4 bow wow. That wuz da only reason y i got it cuz of him. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What was director Robert Townsend thinking? His movies, such as The Five Heartbeats and The Hollywood Shuffle, are sweet, enjoyable little pictures. But this "comedy" about two flashy Georgia women hoping to find money and men in Los Angeles is stereotypical, unfunny, embarrassing, and boring. Halle Berry and newcomer Natalie Desselle are trapped in pitiful roles playing against the distinguished but miscast Martin Landau and a wasted Ian Richardson. B.A.P.S., by the way, stands for black American princesses. There are better urban comedies out there, the badly named Booty Call for one. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Terribly funny and uplifting when you are down in the dumps.
I liked this movie; it made me laugh at a time when I was down in the dumps. I know Ms. Berry and Mr. Landau have been in better movies; but this one showcases their ability to be funny. Besides, if you cannot have any fun now and then; why make movies in the first place. The plot is great because it shows just what can happen when two blacks girls follow their dreams. Even though it doesn't seem like it will work out for them in the end, it really does after all. Troy Beyer is the writer, Robert Townsend directed, black actors starred in it. Give this movie a break; it is a comedy; it is not supposed to be a drama like "Titanic". The scenes in the restaurant were funny and realistic; two black girls meeting celebrites they have only read about and heard about. If that is not funny I don't know what is. When will we (African-Americans) start giving each other credit for our accomplishments in the film industry??? It is high time we started recognizing each other's talent. When we do, others will recognize our talent as well.

About time a campy BLACK comedy came along!
I for one am sick of reviewers like Mr. Maltin automatically panning everything that isn't of the same level as say "The English Patient" or "Casablanca". Some movies are just straight up comedy, aiight already?! While this movie does portray stereotypes such as the trashy ghetto fabulous urban black wannabe diva and the ultra snobby and stuffy white Beverly Hills millionaire, these stereotypes are (it seems to me) intentional and just add to the laughter! Yes, the plot is contrived, yes it probably couldn't happen in real life, but who gives a s@#$? It's funny as hell, filled with celebrity cameos, and let's face it - where else could one see Miss Halle Berry sporting gold teeth, finger waved platinum blond hair, and vinyl hot pants?! The hairstyles and clothes alone are enough to laugh oneself into intensive care! This movie is the type I have been waiting to see for quite awhile, a campy black comedy for the 90's!

Absolutely Hilarious!!!!
Long before Halle's Oscar, she was just another B star celeb. This movie is her best comedic performance to date. Halle shines as a southern girl who decides to live her drams of being famous in LA with her best friend (Natalie Desselle) and wind up acting in a much bigger role than they anticipated. Natalie played the perfect chubby, but funny sidekick to Halle's Niecy. Although it starts as a comedy, it ends with excitement and joy. I recommend this movie to everyone who needs a great laugh!!!

LOVED THE MOVIE
THE MOVIE IS HILARIOUS. YOU HAVE TO THINK OF HOW GREAT OF AN ACTING JOB SHE (HALLE BERRY) DID IN THE MOVIE CONSIDERING WHAT SHE WAS GOING THROUGH IN HER PERSONAL LIFE. SHE WAS FORCED TO BE FUNNY AT A TIME IN HER LIFE WHEN NOT A DANG THANG WAS FUNNY. YES, THE PLOT IS STUPID AND THE CHARACTERS ARE STUPID, BIG DEAL, THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT FUNNY. THE MOVIE ISN'T MEANT TO BE SERIOUS, IT'S MEANT TO BE FUNNY. THE SOONER THAT PEOPLE REALIZE THE PURPOSE OF SOME MOVIES, THE SOONER THE WILL BE LESS OFFENDED, OR WHAT NOT. MOST MOVIES ARE FICTIONAL, AND HAVE PEOPLE DO AND SAY THINGS THINGS THAT WOULD NEVER BE DONE OR SAID IN REAL LIFE. IF YOU LIKE SCREWBALL MOVIES THIS IS DEFINITELY THE MOVIE TO SEE. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE 13TH TO FINALLY GET THE DVD!!!!!

Fiiiinnne and yo' sef
Monster's Ball is ain't but then again, was it really intended to be?
Lots of fun, far from serious, light and entertaining. It was nice seeing Martin Landau in such a different role, too. I do think the intent of the movie was satirical and therefore meant to be enjoyed with all the sense of humor one could muster--(with that in mind)I laughed all the way through. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Still Robert Townsend's best movie
Even though I really enjoyed THE NATALIE COLE STORY and THE FIVE HEARTBEATS, HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE is still my favorite film by Robert Townsend. It takes a humorous but and oh, so true look at the struggles Blacks have to go through in the film industry to get decent roles, which are still scarce for Blacks in Hollywood today. Townsend plays a struggling young actor who refuses to compromise his self-respect by playing demeaning roles. Just like it was back in the early days of film when Blacks only played mammies, ignorant and shiftless Uncle Toms, Blacks today are mostly regulated to roles as gang bangers, drug dealers, hookers, golddiggers, the asexual best friend of the white hero, etc. unless your name happens to be Denzel Washington. This movie is hilarious. For anyone considering film as a career, or just anyone who loves to laugh, this is the movie for you!

hilarious comedy
Hollywood Shuffle is a spoof of many of the 'blaxploitation' films of the seventies. This was hollywood's introduction to Robert Townsend, as he wrote and starred in the film, reportedly financing it with credit cards.

Townsend stars as an actor trying to break into the bigtime. He finds it tough to break out of the hollywood ideas for black actors. The movie sends up several popular films, including Dirty Harry and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Be sure to look for the Siskel and Ebert parody.

Not very deep, and probably not for those who can't laugh at themselves. Some of the humor might be considered insensitive. I consider it hilarious.

Satire and the Establishment
Most of the reviews have touched most facets of the movie and even mentioned allusions. But I enjoyed the film and will say a few things as well. I think this movie could be used to describe the current situation in Hip-Hop. The "sell-outs", stereotypical roles, and perpetuation of amorality is rampant in most Hip-Hop acts. Townsend is talking about the lack of equality and degeneration of black probity in this film, which is currently at an all-time high in modern music. This movie not only commentates about prejudice in Hollywood, but the ignorance of the people who consume the stereotypical garbage. This movie is hilarious and disheartening. The absurdity strikes home when you realize that these formulated characters and shows appear on your television today. This film did remind me of Bamboozled as well, but Hollywood Shuffle is nowhere near as caustic toward [stereo]type-casting. There is intelligence in the black community and this film blasts the one-dimensional depiction of black people.

Robert Townsend's best film. A must see for all.
Robert Townsend's first film Hollywood Shuffle is a hilarious satire that cleverly condemns the way Blacks are treated in the entertainment industry. It's clear that Townsend knows his material and uses that insider knowledge to poke fun at the sterotypical way blacks are portrayed on TV and in film. Through satire Townsend makes fun of Hollywood while telling everyone the truth about how hard it is for black actors.

Desperate to get the lead role in "Jivetime Jimmy's revenge" struggling actor Bobby aspires to become a superstar while working at a dead end job at Winky Dinky Dog. During Bobby's journey, we learn that and the road to stardom for African-Americans is full of compromises that force intelligent hardworking black actors to degrade and humiliate themselves in order to get a break. As he gets the lead role in Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge, Bobby must wonder if his dignity and self-respect are worth sacrificing to achieve his dream.

Robert Townsend makes a groundbreaking film and his cast of then unknowns gives great performances. After this film was produced most of the cast of this film went on to successful careers John Witherspoon, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Rusty Cundieff are just a few of the people who became stars as a result of this film I think every African-American who wants to work in the entertainment industry or any African American who already is and actor needs to watch this film. I also think a certain Black actress who just compromised herself to win an Oscar really needs to watch this film. It will make you think about the way they portray people of color in media.

"Winky...dinky...daaaaawwwwg!!!"
This movie is absolutely hilarious. Mixed with biting satire and an all-star cast of then-unknowns this was easily one of the funniest films of the 1980s. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is the dated feel and the obvious low-budget look. However, at times there is a charming independent look to the movie that helps to ignore the cheesiness. There are plenty of memorable scenes, quotable dialogue, and gallons of Jerry-Curl!!! This is a noteworthy comedy and should be seen by anyone with a passion for social satire. Great fun. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The rise and fall of a '60s group
"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

This is a must have
The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

Much Dap to Robert Townsend
for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.

Wonderful Movie!!
Wow, what a film! It is a movie about a fictional vocal group from the 60's that is loosely based on The Dells( as opposed to The Temptations, like a lot of people thought). Writer/director/actor Robert Townsend works overtime to make sure we get the whole story of how a vocal group had to make it in the 60's. Michael Wright steals the show as the lead singer who is asked to leave after showing up too late, too many times due to drug and alcohol abuse. Michael Wright has a (should have been) Academy Award winning scene in a parking lot after a show where he sings to prove he still has the chops, only to embarrass himself in front of his ex- group members. The pathos is palpable as the rest of the cast hits the right note of sorrow showing that they still respect him, but now pity him. There are plenty of moments like this, both dramatic and musical that will make the hair stand up on your neck. The soundtrack really resembles songs from this era and I am definately interested in getting the soundtrack.

Good Movie
It's one of the better films on black music group singers. the casting and acting was one of the better. I would recommedn this movies for entertainment. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Exellent and highly entertaining film...
I saw this on cable, and it really was well produced, and although the film doesn't mention that Little Richard's main influence was Esquirita. This film may not be completely accurate, but it is a lot of fun to watch. The birth of jump blues & r&b started with Esquirita, but Little Richard made it a household name.

Little Richard: little facts and little development
This has to be the worst dramatization of a pop/rock singer's life. Opening with one or two insignificant scenes (including an 11 year-old Richard in a dress), it quickly jumps to the "Little Richard" incarnation, complete with flamboyant hair and a penchant for high shrills and signature screams. What the film fails to convey is Richard's infamous meeting with Esquerita (whom he met at the Macon bus stop at one in the morning, doing god-only-knows what). They went back to Richard's pad and stayed up together until the sunrise, with the South Carolinian, Esquerita, showing off his dandified musical act, playing "Mint Julep" over and over, and demonstrating his entirely original screams and shrills. In his autobiography, Little Richard fully gives Esquerita props for this essential element of the Lil Richard act. In this weak dramatization of his life, there is no development of Richard's style or sound. The details are insignificant and the content devoid of important facts or significance.

LITTLE RICHARD: Little facts and little significance
This has to be the worst dramatization of a pop/rock singer's life. Opening with one or two insignificant scenes (including an 11 year-old Richard in a dress), it quickly jumps to the "Little Richard" incarnation, complete with flamboyant hair and a penchant for high shrills and signature screams. What the film fails to convey is Richard's infamous meeting with Esquerita (whom he met at the Macon bus stop at one in the morning, doing god-only-knows what). They went back to Richard's pad and stayed up together until the sunrise, with the South Carolinian, Esquerita, showing off his dandified musical act, playing "Mint Julep" over and over, and demonstrating his entirely original screams and shrills. In his autobiography, Little Richard fully gives Esquerita props for this essential element of the Lil Richard act. In this weak dramatization of his life, there is no development of Richard's style or sound. The details are insignificant and the content devoid of important facts or significance.

Enough With The Pancake 31!
Little Richard had been talking about a movie of his life as far back as 1962. Around the time of his critically acclaimed *book* biography, "The Life & Times of Little Richard" (Charles White, Crown, New York), he mentioned Michael Jackson, Prince, or Eddie Murphy as his celluloid self. About fifteen years later Leon got the job. I'm not familiar with the gentleman's work, but I strongly believe that he did the best possible job of all. Murphy would have been great if the story took us into the late '60s/early '70s, but the younger actor managed to capture the "soul" of the early Penniman, as he achieved worldwide fame on his first major record release, and nearly saw it taken away, or at least tarnished by unfair competition and by a perfectly legal but unfair recording contract. And by his own offstage indulgence. By the way, if you look at the 45 rpm picture cover of LR's "Ooh! My Soul"/"True, Fine Mama" you'd think for a second that it was this actor. The resemblance actually does help here.
In some ways we can compare Richard's biopic with Jerry Lee Lewis' biopic. They both disappointed the deep fan, the historian, but served the purpose of introducing a Legend to those who knew very little about them. The movies got alot of folks interested. "Little Richard" wins out by the strength of the acting.
Those who read the Charles White book need to (almost) forget the book while they watch the movie. There's a large amount of distortion and exaggeration. There's a certain amount of invention: "By The Light of the Silvery Moon" was his first RCA release, complete with *1956* arrangement? - okay...Tutti Frutti" was recorded in 1953? - it may have been first *performed* in 1953, but it sure wasn't recorded that year! (In record business years, *two* years is like two lifetimes!) The lady companion he found after his fame was named...Lucille? More than one source mention a free-spirit named Lee Angel.
Ofcourse most musical biographies exaggerate to make the "story" work. Too bad, however, that in this case we have an incredibly influential musical genius portrayed as an incredibly influential gender-bending eccentric who sent the kids into orbit. How about a minute or two on how he changed the way music sounded and the way musicians performed? In short, the movie is too image conscious.
Another concern is in the portrayal of two Richard contemporaries, Sam Cooke and Pat Boone. Cooke, who was a very close friend of Richard and who wrote for him in the early '60s, for some reason gets a disparaging comment in the dialogue, and Boone, the good Country ballad singer/poor Rock and Roll singer who ofcourse recorded third-rate covers of LR's first two classics, is shown in a crass split-screen: the great "Long Tall Sally" versus the terrible "cover version" as Pat struggles with the intricacies of the composition at a studio mike.
Altogether the real Little Richard did a fine job as Executive Producer. Just like in his recording career, whenever he took the reins as Producer, or Co-Producer, we got something special.
Strangely, however, just as critics and fans have neglected his most important contributions over the years, the Architect himself seems to have gotten caught up in the same confusion.
[Longtime fans and historians note that the soundtrack recording of "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" and an unidentified folk/work song are *new*].

The Georgia Peach
I grew up with the music of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Elvis and really never understood the real stories behind these influential rock artists. This made for television movie accurately recreates the life and times of the man who really did put the "rock"in rock and roll. Although I have only watched a portion of the dvd, I can recommend it to anyone who has any interest in this always fascinating artist who still contributes today: check out his performance on "Kindred Spirits", the Johnny Cash tribute album. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Must see
Excellent - should be a must see for all high school seniors and college freshmen. This movie showcases excellent African-American talent as they present the hardships and struggles of A. Phillip Randolph and the Pullman Porters in trying to establish a union. It is an almost forgotten part of our history that should be remembered.

Captivating!!!
A simple movie in a college, something other than the usual lecture, a few hours to relax during an early morning Saturday class... That's how this movie started; yet it opened my eyes, taught me some history and made me wonder where the strength of the "Georges" came from. Captivating, enjoyable and action packed, this story also teaches the viewer an important history lesson, as well as a lesson of life and freedom and our fellow man. Maybe the directing wasn't perfect - I don't remember. Maybe the actors weren't the best - I don't remember that either. But for what I walked away with - I give the movie: Five Stars!!! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Still Robert Townsend's best movie
Even though I really enjoyed THE NATALIE COLE STORY and THE FIVE HEARTBEATS, HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE is still my favorite film by Robert Townsend. It takes a humorous but and oh, so true look at the struggles Blacks have to go through in the film industry to get decent roles, which are still scarce for Blacks in Hollywood today. Townsend plays a struggling young actor who refuses to compromise his self-respect by playing demeaning roles. Just like it was back in the early days of film when Blacks only played mammies, ignorant and shiftless Uncle Toms, Blacks today are mostly regulated to roles as gang bangers, drug dealers, hookers, golddiggers, the asexual best friend of the white hero, etc. unless your name happens to be Denzel Washington. This movie is hilarious. For anyone considering film as a career, or just anyone who loves to laugh, this is the movie for you!

hilarious comedy
Hollywood Shuffle is a spoof of many of the 'blaxploitation' films of the seventies. This was hollywood's introduction to Robert Townsend, as he wrote and starred in the film, reportedly financing it with credit cards.

Townsend stars as an actor trying to break into the bigtime. He finds it tough to break out of the hollywood ideas for black actors. The movie sends up several popular films, including Dirty Harry and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Be sure to look for the Siskel and Ebert parody.

Not very deep, and probably not for those who can't laugh at themselves. Some of the humor might be considered insensitive. I consider it hilarious.

Satire and the Establishment
Most of the reviews have touched most facets of the movie and even mentioned allusions. But I enjoyed the film and will say a few things as well. I think this movie could be used to describe the current situation in Hip-Hop. The "sell-outs", stereotypical roles, and perpetuation of amorality is rampant in most Hip-Hop acts. Townsend is talking about the lack of equality and degeneration of black probity in this film, which is currently at an all-time high in modern music. This movie not only commentates about prejudice in Hollywood, but the ignorance of the people who consume the stereotypical garbage. This movie is hilarious and disheartening. The absurdity strikes home when you realize that these formulated characters and shows appear on your television today. This film did remind me of Bamboozled as well, but Hollywood Shuffle is nowhere near as caustic toward [stereo]type-casting. There is intelligence in the black community and this film blasts the one-dimensional depiction of black people.

Robert Townsend's best film. A must see for all.
Robert Townsend's first film Hollywood Shuffle is a hilarious satire that cleverly condemns the way Blacks are treated in the entertainment industry. It's clear that Townsend knows his material and uses that insider knowledge to poke fun at the sterotypical way blacks are portrayed on TV and in film. Through satire Townsend makes fun of Hollywood while telling everyone the truth about how hard it is for black actors.

Desperate to get the lead role in "Jivetime Jimmy's revenge" struggling actor Bobby aspires to become a superstar while working at a dead end job at Winky Dinky Dog. During Bobby's journey, we learn that and the road to stardom for African-Americans is full of compromises that force intelligent hardworking black actors to degrade and humiliate themselves in order to get a break. As he gets the lead role in Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge, Bobby must wonder if his dignity and self-respect are worth sacrificing to achieve his dream.

Robert Townsend makes a groundbreaking film and his cast of then unknowns gives great performances. After this film was produced most of the cast of this film went on to successful careers John Witherspoon, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Rusty Cundieff are just a few of the people who became stars as a result of this film I think every African-American who wants to work in the entertainment industry or any African American who already is and actor needs to watch this film. I also think a certain Black actress who just compromised herself to win an Oscar really needs to watch this film. It will make you think about the way they portray people of color in media.

"Winky...dinky...daaaaawwwwg!!!"
This movie is absolutely hilarious. Mixed with biting satire and an all-star cast of then-unknowns this was easily one of the funniest films of the 1980s. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is the dated feel and the obvious low-budget look. However, at times there is a charming independent look to the movie that helps to ignore the cheesiness. There are plenty of memorable scenes, quotable dialogue, and gallons of Jerry-Curl!!! This is a noteworthy comedy and should be seen by anyone with a passion for social satire. Great fun. ... Read more

Description

A contemporary, urban retelling of the classic story, Carmen: A Hip Hopera follows the life of a police sergeant whose world is turned upside down when an irresistible woman enters his life. Through song, the star-studded cast tells the tale of their passionate romance and tragic demise. It's Moulin Rouge done hip-hop style! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Carmen - A Hip Hopera
I think that this movie is definately worth your money and your time. It is fabulous and it involes alot of r'n'b singing and music. The story is fabulous and of course the actor is fabulous: BEYONCE KNOWLES!

See it for Beyonce if nothing else...
While the movie it self isn't the best of the best, the scences with Beyonce are electrifying and worth seeing. I gave it 3 stars because the movie isn't worth buying, by it's definitely worth a 4 dollar rental to enjoy the magic of Beyonce on the screen. The suduction scene and the cards scene are worth your 4 bucks alone. Don't put money on this film making you sit on the edge of your seat, it's not that type of film. To put it in perspective try and rent the original carmen (if you can find it!) and the hip-hopera and watch both. So go out one tuesday nite when you have nothing better to do and engage yourself in this enjoyable when not so memorable experience.

This movie sucked!
I thought this movie was going to be much better. I really love musicals so I expected much more from this film, not only were the songs horrible but the acting was not at all convincing. I rented this movie from Blockbuster and it took me three nights to watch it because I kept falling asleep. Yes, it is that boring! I almost didn't want to finish it but I had to see if it would get better, it didn't. Do not waste your time with this movie. There were no powerful or memorable songs or parts and there was no plot. I didn't care about the characters or what happened to them. It was just dumb. Beyonce was all right as Carmen, she has a beautiful voice but that's all that kept this movie going. I can understand why a guy would want to watch this movie, there is plenty of Beyonce strutting her stuff but if you are a girl and you are watching it for the reason I did, looking for a love story with great music as a backdrop, then forget it, you won't find it here.

Who's the bad-boy cop??
i thought beyonce was brilliant in this movie, with a great voice...also i think the guys in the cast were very sexy!!!
by the way does anyone know the name of the bad-boy cop in the film??? hollor back!! xxx

lil bow wow
This movie was okey.The only good parts were when lil bow wow was in it and the rest wasn't good. But i would c it again 4 bow wow. That wuz da only reason y i got it cuz of him. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Too Funny!
Extremely hilarious. I've been searching for this movie for almost two years...every since I saw it on Lifetime. Jenifer Lewis is perfect for this "mockumentary" on a washed-up diva who tries to make a comeback. She and a full cast of well-known entertainers will have you grabbing your stomach from laughter. I'm on my third week of renewing my rental for this movie. Trust me, you will love this movie.

Dynamite and Funny as you know what, but that ending....
Loved this movie. There are SO many genuinely funny and campy moments here. Patti Austin at Peaches Yancy's funeral is a hoot; the woman just won't STOP singing! Jennifer Lewis is fabulous and so is young lady that plays Jackie's faithful daughter Entendre (Make that a DOUBLE Entendre). The only complaint I have is the ending. All of the sudden we get this bittersweet, force fed weeper ending which doesn't fit into the framework of the rest of the movie. Overall, though it doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the movie. Just a minor quibble, since the ending of ANY movie does leave an impression. It almost has the feel of something that was forced on Robert Townsend by the Network. Maybe not. Please buy this DVD, though. If you appreciate the ridiculous excess of modern and classic Divas you'll love it!!

Absolutely hilarious
This SPINAL TAP-like mockumentary is absolutely hilarious and the commentary track by director Townsend is equally entertaining. JENNIFER LEWIS is amazing. She's a brilliant comedic actress who is shamefully underused in movies and this is a perfect vehicle for her. It does for her what JACKIE BROWN did for Pam Grier. The supporting cameos are laugh-out-loud funny, best being Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Curry, Loretta Devine, Isabel Sandford, Kathy Griffith, Rikki Lake, Sean Hayes, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Eva Marie Saint, Dolly Parton, Grace Slick and Diahann Carroll.

So Cliche It's Good
All the diva jokes and funny one liners are all very typical and cliche of this type of movie, but still between Jenifer Lewis and Tim Curry they manage to pull it off and still make it a damn good movie.
While reading through the other reviews for this product, I noticed that everyone constantly praises Lewis but unless I missed something, no one said a thing about Curry.
I'm not trying to take the spotlight away from Jenifer Lewis...she was amazing considering that this is her first movie. However, no one has acknowledged Tim's great work on the film.
I heard someone comment the other day that his acting was too [unrealistic]and over the top in this movie. Hello! ... He's supposed to be acting like that, considering that he plays the part of the host of a low budget documentary. Some people can be real stupid, ...
Anyway, I thought I was going to die laughing when I saw the look on Tim's face when Jackie's cross-dressing dress designer came into her dressing room. I also loved it when Jackie's playmama said that white people all smelled like wet potatoe chips. Again, Tim's face was priceless. He's the kind of actor that's good enough that he needs no words to get his point across, the expression says it all.
Another one of my favorite parts is when he admits to Jackie that when first asked to do the documentary he had never heard of her, and then she said, 'They played my records in England,' and he replies, 'Yes...but I never heard them.'
Anyway, it's filled with plenty of other gut busting scenes. I've waited and waited for this movie to be released on DVD after I first saw it on Lifetime...and finally my wish has come true.
Buy Jackie's Back today, it's so bad it's good.

Top-notch music and comedy
This movie is so well-loved by everyone who sees it, that when I sing the theme song "Yield" in public, everyone immediately recognizes it (and laughs). Definitely the funniest comedy ever...why it wasn't released to theaters is a mystery. Wish we had a soundtrack album with all the great songs. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great movie, great fun
... sure it's not the best movie ever, but great if you like this type of comedy...
It's been years since I last saw this movie though, but I might buy it next month (Depends on if I get enough money to buy it)

Good ideas. poor execution. Meteor Man is very very rocky.
Robert Townsend's the Meteor Man was supposed to be a satire of Comic books and Superheroes. Unfortunately, it's a poor copy of the Batman TV show of the 60's without any of the humor. Townsend makes a ton of mistakes here and all of them make the movie one of the worst you'll ever see.
Meteor Man could have been a lot of fun to watch; a black superhero satire film is really an interesting premise. While Townsend is very good at satire he doesn't know that the method of acting in this type of satire is actually "Camp." In order to make fun of Comic books and Superheroes you must understand the mechanics of comedy and what style works best to tell the jokes in. Superheroes are already farfetched and the only way to poke fun at them in their world is for the characters to take themselves seriously. Unfortunately, Townsend tells to cast to take their roles for a joke and that's a big mistake. "Camp" only works when the actors play their roles seriously. The serious performances working in tandem with the satiric jokes pokes fun at the ridiculousness of the situations the hero involves himself in as opposed to how it's seen in the real world and that's what makes it funny. When the actors are aware of the joke we can't laugh with them or at them. Contrast MM to the Batman TV show, Wild Wild West, or Sam Raimi's Hercules, Xena, or even the Tick TV series. In each of these shows the actors take their roles so seriously that we laugh at how absurd the situations are as opposed to the real world. We know about the jokes that the characters don't.
Townsend's second mistake was casting big name stars in the film. To make Camp work you need to cast unknown actors in the roles so they blend into the characters. People Like Bill Cosby, Luther Vandross and James Earl Jones stand out like sore thumbs in this film and look so ridiculous that we can't laugh at the jokes they tell. The use of then rapper Big Daddy Kane, commedian Sinbad and the group Another Bad creation wearing bad blond fades just look cartoonish. Smaller actors taking their roles seriously would have made this work.
Townsend's third and final mistake in this film was the script. It's not serious. It makes comic books look cartoonish. On top of that it's preachy and shallow; it's clear that he didn't research comic books or superheroes at all before writing it. The origin and the powers of the meteor man come together so poorly that we can't suspend our disbelief at his superhuman abilities. A meteor slamming into a man would kill him, not give him powers. Him toching a meteor rock and getting powers would make sense. On top of that his powers are inconsistent. Flight and Super Strength make sense but the ability to read any book by touching it had me scratching my head.
I don't see this film as a creative failure for Robert Townsend. I'm glad he tried to do something different and original with a Black film. Meteor Man had the potential to be something great, however, Townsend didn't do the necessary research to make this type of comedy work. He might have watched the old Batman show for reference, but didn't take the time to dissect the jokes to understand what made them funny like he did in his great first film Hollywood Shuffle. I'm hoping someone tries another film like this because I think someone who understands the style of humor that camp is could make a truly great film.

Worst movie I have seen in a long time.
There are dozens of clever, offbeat films worth watching, but this isn't one of them. Makes Pootie Tang look like an Oscar winner.

One of my Favs.
I Thought this movie was good maybe not the best but i thought it was good. many cameo appearances many celebs. Even though some people thought the movie wasnt that funny i thought it was. Especially the last scene. I cant wait til it comes out on dvd february 18th. Im definetly getting it and i think you should too.

What can you say?
Even though actors like Bill Cosby appear in this movie, Robert Townsend's acting and directing of humor is sadly unfocused and becomes little more then sad at trying to be funny, when it is not. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

HARD TO ENJOY
It is with a heavy heart that I write a bad review for a Robert Townsend film. But, quite frankly, it must be done. The script is pretty good. It's not original by any means but it was well thought out and the acting was great. But it was really hard to enjoy any of this movie's good attributes because it's very difficult to watch. I'm not certain if it was poorly filmed or the transfer to DVD was done by someone who wasn't highly skilled. The film had a grainy quality to it but it didn't seem intentional as if done in a semi-documentary style. Many times you would hear dialog between two charactors who were barely visible. Their faces would be more than half way off the screen leaving the viewer with nothing to see but blue sky. What made it so bad was that I watched the trailer of this movie on the DVD which was very clear and in widescreen (which the film is not). Is this really the same man who is responsible for "The Five Heartbeats", "Hollywood Shuffle" and "Meteor Man"? I may have enjoyed this movie more if it wasn't so hard on the eyes.

A lawyer's rage sets a bloodbath in motion.
A lawyer is enraged at how dealers, rapist and killers skirt the law. One night he puts together a packet naming a dozen thugs that should've been sent to the syringe and not the street. His anger subsided he returns to his good suburban life. Until one morning he sees someone shambling towards him, drenched in someone else's blood. It is one of his colleagues, who received the packet and has begun the slaughter. This is Townsend's best film. This is Townsend as a hybrid of spike lee/quentin tarantino. The Action, the story, the cast. They keep you rooted to your seat till the bloody end. ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The rise and fall of a '60s group
"The Five Heartbeats", one of my favorite films by Robert Townsend, is a wonderful movie about a fictional singing quintet's rise to fame in the 1960s. It somewhat echoes the story of the Temptations, but in actuality, it could have been a profile of just about any black male singing group of that era (it was supposedly based on the story of The Dells). The struggles to get to the top, what happens when you get there, the egos, trying to keep up with musical trends and of course, the racism, backstabbing, and shady characters -- it's all included here as a very real look into just how ruthless the recording industry can be. There are scenes that will make you laugh, make you cry, and just make you feel good all over!

With strong performances from Leon, Robert Townsend and Michael Wright, this movie is a CLASSIC and extremely enjoyable. Also included in the cast are Hollywood legends Diahann Carroll and dancer Harold Nicholas. I highly recommend this...great acting and great musical scenes add up to a GREAT FILM. Get it today!

This is a must have
The Five Heartbeats is one of my favorite movies. Robert Townsend does an excellent job. This movie is action packed (The beginning), funny (Big red), and heartbreaking (Eddie on drugs). This movie is one of the best. This is a must have.

Much Dap to Robert Townsend
for telling the Story od the Dells&congradulations to them for fianlly getting into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame after waiting way to long. this story deals with the Music Industry&Mirriors alot of the same Politics you see today.Racisim,Sexisim,Bad Contracts,Drugs,Hustling,Pimping,&all still waiting on that Hit to Emerge.the Cast was Strong in this Film.Dap for Holding it down.Brother Townsend knocked this Film out just as he did with "Hollywood Shuffle".also He had a cool Role in "Cooley High".this is a Film that spoke then&Speaks even more today about the Shady Industry.

Wonderful Movie!!
Wow, what a film! It is a movie about a fictional vocal group from the 60's that is loosely based on The Dells( as opposed to The Temptations, like a lot of people thought). Writer/director/actor Robert Townsend works overtime to make sure we get the whole story of how a vocal group had to make it in the 60's. Michael Wright steals the show as the lead singer who is asked to leave after showing up too late, too many times due to drug and alcohol abuse. Michael Wright has a (should have been) Academy Award winning scene in a parking lot after a show where he sings to prove he still has the chops, only to embarrass himself in front of his ex- group members. The pathos is palpable as the rest of the cast hits the right note of sorrow showing that they still respect him, but now pity him. There are plenty of moments like this, both dramatic and musical that will make the hair stand up on your neck. The soundtrack really resembles songs from this era and I am definately interested in getting the soundtrack.

Good Movie
It's one of the better films on bla