Rating: 
Summary: Stunning film.
Review: If you love words, this film is for you. A heart-breakingly honest look at the life of a young man in Washington DC. The film reveals the potential he has and the obstacles he faces as he tries to combat the gangs and stereotypes of black DC with his spontaneous and incredible poetry. Most people should see this film; it's not suitable for younger kids though.
Rating:
Summary: The power of rhyme
Review: My cultural background is as far removed from the setting of this film as could be and still it managed to hit me in the face with a force and let me awestruck. I read a review mentioning Shakespeare and I agree, I read another one saying how white middle classes had been blind to the renaissance of poetry in the ghettos, I agre again, and I wish to add that it feels like (we)the middle classes of the world have lost what it takes to create life-changing poetry, we revel in irony and knowledge but we have lost the power of epic poetry, the magic of words because we can so readily protect ourselves in the trappings of materialism or in the dryness of sarcasm. This has to be one of the best movies I have seen recently, but it's also more than just a movie, an amazing experience.
Rating:
Summary: definitely worth it
Review: One of the things that struck me so hard about this movie is the way it shows the power of the powerless. The scene where Joshua spits out rhymes in the faces of his would-be attackers in the prison yard is one of my favorite scenes ever filmed. This movie has a shocking, tender, and powerful energy. I especially recommend it to those who live in or near DC.
Rating:
Summary: Makes you think
Review: Short and simple...Mind Nourishing. Unlike any film I've ever seen. The poetic verses spat during key points within the film was inspiring. Saul Williams broke the last piece of the mold in his portrayal of a small time dealer/verbal phenom. This movie, for me set in motion the content of my own writings. If you love verbal art get this DVD. You will not be dissappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Slam speaks to black culture in any ghetto in the U.S.
Review: Show it to your kids, frineds, parents/gaurdians and learn from it. The only contradiction with the movie is that, once again, it is white america bringing you black culture. The cast did contibute in all facets of the film, which made it a moving, powerful, real and black film. Sonja Sohn and Saul Williams poured soul in to the metaphor.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly poetic and raw
Review: Slam is a must see! This movie's power is absolutely amazing! It is both poetic and raw at the same time. There a couple scenes during which I was totally holding my breath and I didn't even realize it until the scene was over and I began to breathe again. It conjured up SO many emotions both during and post watching the movie. The power of it is so unbelievable! I immediately had to call my friend who recommened this movie to me and share my excitement. I then proceeded to share my enthusiasm about this movie with everyone I saw the next day! I would suggest seeing this movie immediately (if not sooner)
Rating:
Summary: Two Words: Sound Power
Review: Slam is not a silent film. Slam does not come off quiet and demure, though it is not a grossly violent film, nor is it preachy. This film artfully reinstates the importance of sound power, the beauty of the poetic imagination, and even ties in a bit of old Egypt. Leaving the story line altogether, this movie's dialogue moved me like a modern day Shakespeare. Never before Saul Williams (save Shakespeare) had I viewed a world where words and a stage (or camera) were so intensely exhilarating, inspirational, and emotionally giving. Slam holds nothing back. This is NOT just a film about a prophet in the ghetto. This is not just a film about poets. This is not just a film, period. When the closing credits rolled, I could do nothing more than sit in silent awe, hand over heart, trying to collect and tame the mad mess of thoughts running amuck in my head space. I won't ruin the story line for those who have not seen this film, but I will say that it is without a doubt one of the most gripping films I have ever seen, not forgetting that I am a film nazi and only boost the absolute greats (Fellini, Bergman, Lee, Tarkovsky, Allen and Smith...to name a few). This is an ABSOLUTE must see for all types and ages! I promise you won't regret having ever seen it and guarantee that once you have, you will recommend it to your friends, co-workers, strangers in the market, and your old, un-cool parents. Seriously, see this film!
Rating:
Summary: A successful story teaching the harsh truths of urban youths
Review: Slam is the story of an amazing, young spoken word artist, who faces the cruel realities of Southeast D.C.. Ray, who is portrayed by Saul Williams gets busted fleeing the scene of a crime, and is found with an illegal amount of marijuana. While in prison awaiting his fate, Ray befriends a young women who is there to teach writing to inmates. Lauren helps Ray come to a realization about himself. Ray learns anger is what oppresses, and once you get past that anger your mind is free. This harsh truth is accepted by Ray, as he changes his mind set, and helps others to see this way. What makes this movie so phenomenal is the emotion the viewer experiences throughout the film. This is not another story about ghetto life. Ray is a character who is easy to like and identify with. His charasmatic demeanor and articulate speech, give him strong leadership qualities. His poetry speaks the truth, and send goose bumps up your spine. Ray realizes the world he wants to be in, which is not the crime and revenge ridden streets of Southeast D.C.. However he is unaccepting of the middle passage he must take to get there, being two to ten years in prison. As the viewer waits to find out Ray's fate in an upcoming hearing the story comes to an end. The dramatic ending of Ray running through the streets of D.C. leaves the viewer in suspense, as this could be the last open air he will breath for some time. This powerful story though fiction, is one that is faced by thousands of urban youths in our inner cities today. Saul Williams plays an excellent role in this moving feature.
Rating: 
Summary: 0 - 10? Not even close!
Review: Sometimes people are so desperate to see themselves represented on screen, they lower their standards and laud crap like SLAM, and critics, so eager to jump on something "new," spew superlatives like Halloween candy. As a poetry slam movie, it ......, having absolutely nothing to do with the slam scene, despite the lame montage at the end featuring soundbites from notable slam personalities. Remove the slam aspect and look at it as a poetry movie and it becomes passable, with interesting work from Williams and Sohn. As a prison movie, it was simply laughable, particularly the scene where Williams' character escapes the cliche prison yard beatdown by reciting a poem! The acting and "script" were atrocious. Sohn was the lone bright spot but not nearly enough to save this derivative tripe from cliche hell. This SLAM gets a big zero!
Rating:
Summary: One of the most moving films I have ever seen!
Review: The initiation story of Ray(Saul Williams) an African-American, mystic Hiphop poet, who journeys like Odysseus or Orpheus to the land of the dead(i.e. prison) and finds the way out of the cycle of violence surrounding him through the healing power of the Word- through poetic speech.With Saul Williams,Sonja Sohn, and music by DJ Spooky.
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