Brown Sugar

Rating:
Summary: Brown Sugar (or, How May Times Can I Say "Hip-Hop" ?)
Review: When I first saw this movie about the love for hip-hop and between a man and a woman, I was like, "Huh? What?" But thanks to the viewer from Seattle, now I know the connection with hip-hop and a relationship. Sid (the very "foooine" Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs)'s eventual love for each other represents hip-hop in its purest form. Dre marrying Reese (Nicole Ari Parker, from Soul Food) and Sid courting a basketball player, Kelby (Boris Kodjoe, also from Soul Food; ironically, Kodjoe and Parker play lovers on that show) signify hip-hop trying to branch out to mainstream (Kelby's NBA affiliation represents "mainstream") in hopes to be better appreciated. When both of those relationships flop, Sid and Dre try to get together through the course of the rest of the movie. (Think of when Nas released the crossover album, "It Was Written"; now he's spending his time trying to win the streets back.) It's a fight to save hip-hop from itself.

Now that I understand the movie, I still have some problems with it. First off, this movie looks like "The Best Man" coupled with "Love and Basketball" because the same actors are in this movie, not helping the criticism that all black movies are the same. Also, the same thing kept happening over and over again in this movie: Sid and Dre kiss, Dre tries to win her over, but it doesn't work. I was ready to say, "Just get together already!"

Furthermore, I agree with some other reviewers, they're playing the "hip-hop" word out a lot, especially since this is more of a romance flick than a hip-hop flick like "Wild Style". It's like they're desensitizing the term with every breath of it.

But overall, a great movie (it IS where my future wife and I had one of our first dates), but I wish that Mos Def (who stole the show) would have played the role of Dre. He is so dynamic as an actor.

Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: If you have ever seen this movie and didn't feel good coming out of it, well, I don't know what to tell ya. I thought it was beautiful. You have two different stories that just happen to go together. The story of Hip hop vs the story of a couple who just happen to be good friends, loved hip hop and each other(but really didn't know it initially).You see them both working in the entertainment industry Dre as a Record Producer for a hip hop record company, and Sidney as an editor for a hip hop magazine(like Source). When Dre starts to record a song for a biracial rap duo who dresses in black n' white, to do a song based on the Paul McCartney Michael Jackson duet"The Girl is Mine" called "The 'Ho is Mine", Dre balks, gets up and quits on the spot. Not being able to get a hold of his wife, he calls his best friend Sidney who comforts,supports him and gives him the money to start his own record label.Something the wife couldn't stomach and and cannot resolve within herself, which brings on the breakdown of her marriage with Dre. One of my favorite scenes is when Dre is in Sydney's apartment and coming to the realization that perhaps he had loved her after all. That romantic scene is one of the best in my opinion. Anticipation. Umm. I have read that this movie is underrated, I would tend to agree. But despite of it all, it is darn good. Go see it and by the way. I fell in love with hip hop with Rapper's Delight and The Breaks. You can't beat it. I lived in the Bronx and moved to Alabama, and was real glad to see my fellow natives throw down like they did. They say that Hip hop is dead because of Jam Master Jay. I don't think so. I think there is more. Peace.

Rating:
Summary: Friendship + Love + Hip-Hop = Brown Sugar
Review: What can I say, I'm a sucker for Romantic Comedies. When you can combine a good story, decent acting and still make me laugh, you've done a really fine job with a movie.

The movie begins with a series of testimonials from several Hip-Hop greats (Common, Russell Simmons, Talib Kwelli and a few others) describing their passion for rhyming. It's a rather realistic part with clearly some emotion involved.

Brown Sugar is a story of 2 neighborhood kids who meet each other while watching a couple of rappers do their thing on the streets of New York. They're 10 years old at the time. Both completely fall in love with Hip-Hop and instantly become close friends.

Now all grown up and highly involved in the World of Music, Dre (Taye Diggs) and Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) are still the best of friends. And though they have never seriously considered dating each other, it's quite apparent from the beginning of the movie that they obviously have strong feelings towards one another.

As the story takes various twists and turns in their personal lives, including Dre's marriage to Reese (Nicole Ari Parker) and Sidney's marriage to Kelby (Boris Kodjoe), the fact that Dre and Sidney are so close remains too obvious. Neither of them would dare to admit it, thinking they're just friends and hoping that their current relationships work out.

Things complicate a great deal when Dre quits his job at Millenium due to the label's lack of support for real talent and instead opting to go with the attention-grabbing fakes that are manufactured and fabricated to sell albums. He finally has enough and decides to start his own company.

Does Dre succeed? What happens to his marriage with Reese? What about Sidney and Kelby? Well, to obtain answers to those questions, I would strongly encourage you to check the movie out.

The acting in this movie for the most part was good. Taye Diggs has earned his reputation and is definitely the star of the film. He's just flexible enough where he could go from being romantic to serious to goofy and yet still maintain that edge.

Sanaa Lathan tries, she's got probably the hardest gig here and I certainly give her an A for effort. Would love to say she was outstanding, but a couple of scenes here and there could probably use a little improvement. She seems a little too emotional at times.

Nicole Ari Parker, playing a role of a wife who's clearly her husband's 2nd choice, does a relatively good job. At times, she seemed a little slutty. I'm guessing that was on purpose. I'd want to see her in a few more movies and see how she does.

Boris Kodjoe, I thought, wasn't very good. He looked somewhat disinterested and lackluster. It could have been a part of his role, though, as he's an NBA Player in the movie. Perhaps that was the whole point, but I surely didn't care for it.

Queen Latifah didn't really act. She was as real as you'd expect. No $50,000 dresses, $250,000 rings or any real romance for her here. She instead was funny, outspoken, and definitely entertaining.

Almost as entertaining as Mos Def, who plays a role of an up-and-coming rapper. Talk about a good debut (I might be wrong on this, but I don't remember him in any other movies). He looked like he was completely comfortable and secure with his role. He was very funny and casual. I hope he gets a few more roles, he looked really promising.

As far as pacing in the movie goes, I'd say there were a part or two where it could have been edited a little better, getting rid of some of those extremely uncomfortable situations. For some reason, I always feel like I'm getting a wisdom tooth pulled when watching a part of a movie where someone's put in a very uncomfortable situation. (I find myself thinking, "Oh, no, please don't do that. It's not needed!").

While the movie is mostly a love story and focuses a lot on the relationships of friends and couples, you'd be a fool if you didn't also see the strong hints about the Music Industry. Yes, catchy songs and gimmicks sell, but why can't a giant company like Millenium give some real talent a shot?

As I was watching the movie, a song kept on popping up in my head. A song by Dead Prez entitled "Hip-Hop".

All in all, Brown Sugar was definitely worth my $8.25. It was entertaining, educational, humorous and had just enough sappiness where it wasn't the only thing there that I enjoyed the movie. Without a doubt, Director Rick Famuyiwa achieves just about everything a good movie needs. His characters are very much developed. They're intelligent and deep. They understand that there's more to life than being rich and famous.

Be sure to pay attention to the music! I won't be surprised to see a soundtrack come out real soon. There's a lot of good stuff here, just not any one single song in a complete form.

Go see it now!

Recommended: Yes!

Movie Mood: Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older
Viewing Method: Studio Screening/Premiere
Film Completeness: Looked complete to me.
Worst Part of this Film: Nothing
Would See Film Again: Yes, but I'll wait for it on video

Rating:
Summary: Another Side of Taye Diggs
Review: I liked this film for a number of reasons. First, it was well casted. Second,I like the way the director told the story using music and flashbacks and thoroughly COMPLETED the story. Third, (and most of all)I LOVED seeing Taye Diggs in a more playful and realistic acting role. I felt like we were actually seeing his personality come through in all of Dre's whispering conversations with Sid on the phone. Everyone in the audience was really into this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Creamed Coffee With Exrta Fruity Rum Cake
Review: I did not know what I was going to see(my lady dragged me in) and when I first saw the title I was skeptical. That did not last long.This was a delightful introduction (for the aliens on earth) to a generation of music that seldomly gets the respect it deserves, neither from the perspective of the talent it takes nor the cultural elixir it provides to its generation in much the same vein as swing, blues, jazz and the 'sounds of motown' did "back in the day".
Having made its acquaintance it settled into its rightful background to another of those deliciously stimulating experiences for any audience capable or incapable of a sincerely platonic relationship at any level, from either sex.
This is the pulse of the movie.
Both Diggs and Latham are excellent specimens overtly representing both sexes,themselves creating all types of wholesome, shameful fantacies (oxymoronic?--YES)for either sex.
To the "normal", the overwhelming majority, those miserably incapable of friendship with the opposite sex without ever exploring the possibilities of eventual seduction, this plot will be excruciating for you...you will know from the 'git go', this is a rediculous game they are playing.Why are they torturing themselves with friendship?
For the "abnormal" ,those souls that are blessed (viewed with contempt)with the strength of respect for the boundaries of true friendship, this plot and these characters will create a stir in parts of your anatomy you do not associate with Plato's definition.
Anyone of you representing either group will be mercifully relieved before it's over.
Then you will have your own review, from your other half, about your own claims of platonic integrity. Be careful.It's delicate and the evening can change in ways you cannot forsee.
I advise you to make an informed decision on who you'll be seeing this movie with.
My only reason for not rating this five stars is because it's blatantly "Love and Basketball/ The Bestman" combined...with their identical stars. But their aura is powerful together and readily overlooked.
Having said all that, it's worth all the risks.If you get through your "review" with your mate,you'll take this home with you, happy to confirm your own truth.

Rating:
Summary: The movie nailed it exactly
Review: Brown Sugar bring me back to when I was younger, and fell in love with hip hop the day as a lil kid I saw hip hop music making people just pop and lock. You could see, and feel the energy, and Brown Sugar brings it all back to life, and as for me makes me like feel like a kid again when most songs were filled with a message easy to see, and not about dubs, or paper, or ice, if you know what I mean. Thanks to all the actors and the director Rick Famuyiwa. I think this movie could help change where Hip hop is going, or bring it back to its roots, you could say. That's all I'll say about the film for now to not give away much, but all those old school people who started listening in the early 80's, you're going to really like this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Br0wN sUgAr
Review: Dre (Taye Diggs) and Sidney (Sanaa Lathan. `Love And Basketball`) have been friends since back in the day, when they met watching rappers freestyle rhymes in the local park. Years later, their friendship still stands, with Dre a talent scout for a music company, and Sidney a leading hip-hop journalist. When they reconnect in New York after years on separate coasts, both of their lives have changed. Dre is about to be married to a lovely young woman (Nicole Ari Parker, `Boogie Nights`), and Sidney tries to fight off the long-dormant feelings she has for Dre. While trying to find out what happened to the hip-hop of old, Sidney struggles to understand her tricky situation with Dre, which just so happens to be eroding exactly when Dre discovers his attraction to her.

`Brown Sugar' is a celebration of love, and a mourning of the death of hip-hop music. It is the second film from director Rick Famuyiwa to explore the roots that tie African Americans to hip-hop, the first being his 1999 comedy `The Wood.' Famuyiwa obviously has a fondness for the early-80s era of street corner rhymes and break dancing, and he translates that love without a drip of sweat. `Brown Sugar' is more about the loss of dignity that hip-hop is currently going through, and how that loss parallels the ascent into adulthood for most individuals. It's fascinating to watch Famuyiwa fiddle around with this theory, but he loses his control on the subtext because, in the end, `Brown Sugar' just aches to be a tepid romantic story.

And there lies the ultimate weakness of the final product. The romantic `A' plot is so clearly hackneyed, so remarkably uninteresting, that it's a real endeavor to sit through. Famuyiwa doesn't assist his film by making the hip-hop `B' plot strong enough that it towers over everything else he has to offer. The most discouraging part of `Brown Sugar' is that it appears Famuyiwa truly seems to believe that he's doing something different with his romance, something that the audience can't see coming from a mile away. He's wrong, and the film suffers for his naiveté. Maybe he was too blinded by the power of his two leads (as he should be, they are both excellent here) to realize that there is precious little surprise to this drowsy story. The same lackluster effect was in play in the recent `Sweet Home Alabama,' and while the two films couldn't be further apart, they do share a storytelling quality that suggests laziness when attempting to mount what should be a sweetness, but instead comes off as laborious instead.

With so much already accomplished in the first hour in setting up character and tone, Famuyiwa drops the ball when the focus becomes solely about Dre and Sidney going through the motions over hooking up for good. You don't need a doctorate to figure out what going to happen, but the crucial fun factor isn't there to support the formula conclusion. `Brown Sugar' is most compelling when Famuyiwa is trying to communicate his feelings about the music world and relationships, and not in the formulaic vessel that carries this tale.

Rating:
Summary: Weak, weak, and weak.
Review: This movie is insulting to the intelligence. The script is childish. Mostly cliches that are handled so badly they give cliches a bad name. ( If that's possible ). I was hoping for some hip hop history, but got more of a "Dumb and dumber". Left after 45 mins.....don't say the it got better later on.....it's not possible.

Rating:
Summary: Brown Sugar: The Epitome of the "Feel Good Movie"
Review: "There's A Difference Between Rap And Hip-Hop
It's Like Loving Someone And Being In Love
One Is Just A Word"
-Sanaa Lathan as "Sydney" in "Brown Sugar"-

OH MY GOD!! Plz ppl, go watch "BROWN SUGAR". support this movie!!! It's the best movie i've ever seen.

I've never seen a movie that made me:
· Laugh so much
· Have a permanent smile on my face
· Cry because I was yearning to be around when there was real hip hop
· Wanna just be with the one i love
· Desire to have a meaningful, beautiful relationship
· Just feel good all over!

Plz ppl, this movie needs support. We don't get many movies like this anymore. They are few and far btwn and the one's that do come out aren't of this caliber.
If we don't go watch it they'll take it out of the theatres early, and then they won't make movies like this again.
And believe me, we need movies like this. One's that will uplift us, teach us to laugh, smile and cry.

...I think I've just fallen in love.

Rating:
Summary: When Harry Met Sally With Soul!!!
Review: "So, when did you fall in love with hip-hop?"

Hip-hop heads rejoice!! There has been finally been a movie made out hip-hop and for hip-hop revolving around a love theme. Sydney Shaw (Sanaa Lathan, "Love & Basketball") and Dre Ellis ("The Best Man", "How Stella Got Her Groove Back,") star in this romantic comedy about two best friends' love for hip-hop and the ultimate love for each other. When full-time careers bring them closer to each other, Sydney as a respected writer for XXL magazine and Dre as label executive for Millenium Records, they find they love for one another--and hip-hop-- has not changed, or has it? Despite pressure from Sydney's cousin, played none other by Queen Latifah, ("Set It Off"), and unsigned talent/cabbie driver, Cavi, (rapper Mos Def at his funniest) both seem to be reluctant to go forward with something more than friends. When Dre decides to marry his sweetheart, Reese, (Nicole Ari Parker of Showtimes, "Soul Food") of a few minutes, er months, things definitely heat up!! Is he doing this in spite of Syd or because he can't have her? Sydney moves on and meets Kelby (Boris Kodjoe of Showtime's "Soul Food" fame) and soon finds herself engaged to be married in about the same amount of time Dre spent romancing his Reese. But is her heart with him? Or is it with Dre? I won't spoil the movie, but DO check this one out. Hip-hop heads will be delighted at all the cameos from new and old school rappers!! Don't sleep on this one!!