Style Wars

Rating:
Summary: If only Wild Style could have gotten this kind of treatment.
Review: I, like many, first saw Style Wars back in the early 80's on PBS as an impressionable youth who was just discovering Hip Hop in all it's forms. It has remained to this day, one of the best (certainly the most honest) accounts of Hip Hop in it's relative infancy. While the focus is squarely on the "writers" (graffiti artists for all you new jacks), we do get to see other aspects of Hip Hop culture in play (most notably b-boying with the Rock Steady Crew). Watching the film on dvd after so many years was literally like going back in time. It not only holds up, it has aged like fine wine. Every shot in the film reeks of NY & Hip Hop in the early 80's. A true, 100% bonafide classic in every sense of the word. The filmakers have succeeded beautifully in capturing the spirit of the time, the place, the people and the culture. This is a true time capsule if there ever was one.
Ok, enough with accolades. Now on to the disc. Dang. Talk about getting the deluxe treatment. Whereas the Wild Style DVD is incomplete (see my review), Style Wars is not only complete, uncut and un-altered, it is absolutely full to brim with fantastic extras...close to 4 HOURS worth. Highlights include art and interviews with many of the films participants. Most notable for me was MIN ONE. He's the tough little curly-haired, white kid who tries to get the rest of the writers to retaliate against Cap for "going over their burners". ("That's never forgive action"). All I can say is he looks like he's been through one hell of a lot in the last 20 years. Very sobering to say the least.
Other extras include outtakes, audio commentary by the filmakers, and (this is very cool) a 30 minute loop of "whole cars".
If you consider yourself a serious Hip Hop head, you have no excuse not to own this dvd.

Rating:
Summary: Please do not add your benighted comments any more...
Review: If you do not think that millions of minorities in the US have created their own "culture" in b-boying/hip-hop/graffitti, then you are either ignorant, naive, or in denial. PERIOD. You evidently have NO IDEA how many people adhere to this style of dance, music and art. And just because YOU don't like it, does not mean that it is not a valid form of expression, or it's own legitimate form of culture.
My suggestion to you: get your own "head examined" (to use some of your overused parlance). Get out of the town you live in, and see that this country has many different types of people, and they all have very different tastes from your own (gee, this should be common sense, right?). And begin to realize that if you think this artform is "hideous", or the films you praise are "some of the greatest pieces of art that this planet has ever produced", then that's just YOUR opinion. If you are too conservative or uneducated (as is likely the case) to realized this, then I'm the one who feels sorry for you!
For the record, I happen to like Japanese films from the 50's (RASHÖMON, and IKIRU to name a couple). Which goes to show that being able to appreciate "Style Wars" does not exclude me appreciating other, very different types of films. It's called "being worldly". Maybe you should look into that...

Rating:
Summary: Undisputed Heavyweight Champ of Hip-Hop Documentaries
Review: In 1983; director Tony Silver, and producer Henry Chalfant dropped this bomb upon the unsuspecting (except for those lucky enough to live in NYC at the time) populus via PBS. The world was exposed to true urban art, and it's unlikely Picasso's- the bombers and taggers of NYC's resilient subway system. Not only that, but also to 'acrobatic body dances like breaking', and to rocking the mic. This is so much more than just a documentary about the evolution of graffiti. It is truly a time capsule, full of unforgettable characters, stuffy bureaucrats, and the chaotic urban landscape of early 80's NYC. There are so many memorable lines and incredible characters indelibly etched in my brain from this film. Just writing this review makes me want to run over to the DVD player and watch it over and over again. I would gladly pay the price of admission (approximately $25) just for the film. However, our good friends at Plexifilm have once again delivered the goods, including a staggering 3.5 hours of bonus footage to accompany this one-of-kind historical document. The bouns footage includes 32 artist galleries, interviews, trains, and ultra-rare photos from the best-of-the best, including: Skeme, Seen, Frosty Freeze, Dondi, Blade, Rammellzee, and many others. This is a must have document for Hip-Hop heads, historians, social anthropologists, and cool people. Buy this now and support good art.

Rating:
Summary: BURN-BABY-BURN!
Review: It's as if Style Wars co-star (and graffiti pioneer) Iz The Wiz was predicting the outcome of this classic documentary when he emphatically yelled:"This is it...this is it!" in one of it's scenes. Some 20 years later, the world over is echoing Iz's exact same sentiments. With Style Wars, creators Henry Chalfant and Tony Silver assembled one of the best and historiaclly correct Hip Hop documentaries to date. Taking place around '81, '82 during the Koch administration, Style Wars delves mostly into NY's subway graffiti and B-boy culture. By far, two of the more illustrious facets in the cultural jewel known as Hip Hop. Style Wars captures graffiti and B-boy pioneers (most in their teens) doin' what they do best and ultimately shaping the course of Hip Hop culture. All the "true-school" legends are here (i.e., The Rocksteady Crew, Dondi, Seen, Dez a.k.a. DJ Kay Slay, etc.) equipped with a vintage NY backdrop and killa soundtrack. As "fresh" as it was back in '84 when PBS "broke" it, Style Wars works because it not only deals with the creative forces behind it's subject matter, but those effected by it as well. From the linoleum kitchen of famed graffiti artist Skeme to the B-boy battlegrounds of the U.S.A. skating rink, Style Wars is there. With unforgettable scenes like dopey Mayor Ed Koch screwing-up at a press conference to graffiti legend Duro mispronouncing the word "negotiate", Style Wars captures it all. Celebrating it's 20th anniversary, Style Wars' recent double DVD release only adds to it's greatness. Packed with 4 hours of nothing but flavor, this double delight doesn't dissappoint. It would've been great to have seen graffiti great Kase 2 (or Noc) make the DVD, but the revisiting of Skeme and Mom Barbara (minus the kitchen) definitely makes up for it. So, if you're thinking of spending your hard earned on anything boasting unadulterated Hip Hop, Style Wars is a sure-shot. In the immortal words of Iz The Wiz: "This is it!" --James "Koe" Rodriguez.

Rating:
Summary: BURN-BABY-BURN!
Review: It's as if Style Wars co-star (and graffiti pioneer) Iz The Wiz was predicting the outcome of this classic documentary when he emphatically yelled:"This is it...this is it!" in one of it's scenes. Some 20 years later, the world over is echoing Iz's exact same sentiments. With Style Wars, creators Henry Chalfant and Tony Silver assembled one of the best and historiaclly correct Hip Hop documentaries to date. Taking place around '81, '82 during the Koch administration, Style Wars delves mostly into NY's subway graffiti and B-boy culture. By far, two of the more illustrious facets in the cultural jewel known as Hip Hop. Style Wars captures graffiti and B-boy pioneers (most in their teens) doin' what they do best and ultimately shaping the course of Hip Hop culture. All the "true-school" legends are here (i.e., The Rocksteady Crew, Dondi, Seen, Dez a.k.a. DJ Kay Slay, etc.) equipped with a vintage NY backdrop and killa soundtrack. As "fresh" as it was back in '84 when PBS "broke" it, Style Wars works because it not only deals with the creative forces behind it's subject matter, but those effected by it as well. From the linoleum kitchen of famed graffiti artist Skeme to the B-boy battlegrounds of the U.S.A. skating rink, Style Wars is there. With unforgettable scenes like dopey Mayor Ed Koch screwing-up at a press conference to graffiti legend Duro mispronouncing the word "negotiate", Style Wars captures it all. Celebrating it's 20th anniversary, Style Wars' recent double DVD release only adds to it's greatness. Packed with 4 hours of nothing but flavor, this double delight doesn't dissappoint. It would've been great to have seen graffiti great Kase 2 (or Noc) make the DVD, but the revisiting of Skeme and Mom Barbara (minus the kitchen) definitely makes up for it. So, if you're thinking of spending your hard earned on anything boasting unadulterated Hip Hop, Style Wars is a sure-shot. In the immortal words of Iz The Wiz: "This is it!" --James "Koe" Rodriguez.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you neonx83
Review: Much like the Nazis (who decided to march on a street near my house the other day and recruit members) had decidedly an opposite effect on me by making me nauseous, neonx83 nascient review actually spurred me to purchase this quality DVD; especially after I looked at what he had given 5 stars. I figured, "This guy's evidently mindless, so I'm sure this must be a great DVD". And let me tell you, I was right (well, for sure about this being a great DVD). I really like the fact that it is presented in a documentary format; it is clear to understand and very informative.
Unlike neonx83 bigot view that... "uneducated black and Puerto Rican kids in the '70s and '80s allowed their idiocy and their total lack of knowledge to spread across America like a wildfire", what this film really portrays is a very important part of American minority subculture/counter-culture. While what these kids did is by no means "academic" in nature, they created their own subculture that is equally complex and important as anything else deemed "intellectual" these days, and they became very good at it! I would certainly refer to some of "kids" who breakdance and graffitti in this movie as "artist"; they had skills and style that would take anyone years to master. Their adeptness at what they could accomplish was by no means trivial; comparable to any virtuoso artist.
Anyway, this documentary is exemplary in showing this subculture's lifestyle. I highly recommend it for those of you that have open minds; however, if your opinions (such as those about "lower class culture") lean more towards neonx83's, then don't bother.

Rating:
Summary: 'A True Classic'
Review: Not only does this film sum up the creativity of working class youth culture in New York in the 70's/early 80's but it also captures other aspects like passion, determination, character, heart, humour, etc.
The watching experience draws you in, to a point where all your childhood memories come flooding back and you can almost see yourself in certian characters in the movie!
Even though I'm a huge fan of the hole'Hip-Hop'culture myself, you dont even have to be to enjoy this classic piece of footage!, if you are then you'll appreciate it a hole lot more!
The film is a joy to watch from start to finish, it features all of NYC's famous writers from Seen to Shy147, from Blade to Dondi, also captures rare footage of the Rock Steady Crew battling Dynamic Rockers, and the interviews, graf gallerys are great additions to the DVD.
Full marks to Tony Silver, Henry Chalfant and Marther Cooper for making this film.
This is Real Hip-Hop!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Missed Opportunity
Review: The film is great. However, for a two dvd set, its a shame the producers didn't track down the losers who we're the subjects of the film and see what they're doing today. I'll bet they're all still living with their moms.

Rating:
Summary: Missed Opportunity
Review: The film is great. However, for a two dvd set, its a shame the producers didn't track down the losers who were the subjects of the film and see what they're doing today. I'll bet they're all still living with their moms.

Rating:
Summary: Easily One of the Worst Things Ever
Review: This "documentary" was horrendous, in every sense of the word. It perfectly symbolizes mainstream America's acceptance of lower-class culture. The film glorifies stupid conversation and incorrect English, being spoken by inner-city, minority youth. Unfortunately, uneducated black and Puerto Rican kids in the '70s and '80s allowed their idiocy and their total lack of knowledge to spread across America like a wildfire; a fire which has since engulfed all areas of a once-better, though not wonderful, society.