Brown Sugar

Rating:
Summary: Intelligently political film, disguised as love story
Review: This film gets 4 stars only b/c I don't believe in perfection. But it is all that and more! Brown Sugar is a cleverly entertaining, but immensely political film that will only be fully appreciated by those who were exposed to real hip hop music pre-gangsta rap/Vanilla Ice/MC Hammer cartoon character [stuff] that totally casts African Americans into narrower caricatures while mocking the creative, intelligent art form in its truest nature.

All of the other reviews will tell you about the plot. I'll break it down like this. The film is metaphorical. Sid (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) represent real hip hop -- the pure creative stuff with great lyrics & true uplifting substance most mainstream folks don't hear on the radio. They each try to get together with other folks (Boris, Nicole) who represent the misguided mainstream that's partially at fault for the overtly racist, simplistic "rap music" that gets so much hype, radio air play and industry promotion attention today.

The marriage between Diggs and Nicole (whatever) doesn't work out in the end b/c (as I understand the point the writers were trying to make) a union between hip hop in its purest, realest form and all that [stuff] that's just designed to sell records to misguided white folks who think that's all there is to the music can't work -- also sending a message that artists shouldn't comprise and sell out just to sell records.

That's why Diggs quits his job & that's why he tries to promote Mos Def's character ... one that represents all the real, creative, intelligent and above ...booty shake rappers who don't get big sales and radio airplay.

This movie courageously attempts to assail the music industry and mainstream consumers who don't know what real hip hop is -- and thus either buy into all of this violent, misogynistic music that gets promoted b/c they really think that's the extent of the life of African Americans OR people that hate it altogether b/c they think since that's all they hear and see then that's the full extent of hip hop music.

The real reason the "Rin and Tin" characters are such laughing stocks is b/c the writers are both mocking the fake music passed off as rap music that sells today in the mainstream AND hoping audiences that see this movie laugh and get the real joke in understanding these characters aren't genuine and thus not real.

Hip hop is a culture of expression -- greatly varied in message and creativity.

Brown Sugar gives a voice to all those fed up with negative, stereotypical rappers getting promoted to predominantly white audiences who often buy into it -- thus shutting out more creative, true, talented rappers with positive, fun and deeper messages in their lyrics.

True hip hop is fun and can articulate every aspect of life like all other genres.

Hopefully, just as in the movie's poetic ending with Mos Def getting radio airplay, real hip hop artists will get the promotion they deserve and give the art form a better name among the mainstream that sadly still knows absolutely nothing about its essence.

As I see it this movie is creative and clever b/c of its parallel between social commentary on the current state of the music industry, what sells, what's real and what should sell with this love story.

Sid and Dre are together b/c "real recognizes real." That's Brown Sugar.

Rating:
Summary: OOOHHH...SO SWEET!....
Review: is "Brown Sugar," the new romantic comedy starring Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan. I loved it. The mix of the love story, where two longtime friends are brought together originally by their love of Hip Hop, who eventually take their relationship to another level, is smart, funny and engaging. Taye and Sanaa are attractive, charming leads who exhibit a chemistry that makes the relationship believeable, making the moviegoer care about the relationship. Nicole Ari Parker, Boris Kodjoe, Mos Def and Queen Latifah lend terrific support. In the movie, their caring for each other and Hip Hop endures and stands the test of time. And isn't that what true love does. When did I fall in love with Hip Hop? It was 1989 and it was this film that helped me remember how wonderful love and Hip Hop both are. As two "Old School" joints once said, "There Ain't Nothin' Like Hip Hop Music," and "There's Nothin' Better Than Love." One of the best films of the year, with one of the best soundtracks ever! See it and feel good.

Rating:
Summary: Keeping It Real!
Review: I like the movie as far as the relationship of Dre and Sidney. I liked how they based their relationship of friendship around
Hip-Hop! They kept it real as far as that goes as well as unique. The acting was on point. The movie also reminded me of my past relationship with my Ex-boyfriend. So I naturally had a instant connection with Brown Sugar the first day I saw it in the theater. So I definitely recommend this movie. It's a good one to add to a video collection!

Rating:
Summary: ON DA HOLE
Review: on da hole its a geat film it goes through different elements of hip hop. da film is dope. its da hip/hop background with a touch or comedy. its abit to do with love but mainly talks about hip/hop which is dope. definatley pick it up

Rating:
Summary: Contrary to what others may believe
Review: I thought this movie was a true breathe of fresh air. Even though others believe that Diggs role wasn't convincing as a hip hop head, you have to stop an realize that this man wasn't just the average hip hop head rocking hoodies and timbs with a backpack. Diggs character was a well rounded educated black man who had a love for his music and still carried himself as a buisness man. Sanaa once again played a great role in the movie. Boris Kodjoe was a dissapointment to me because his character wasn't that big of a stretch for him if you have seen much of his other work. His role was typical and to say he stole the show is a tad bit to much. Mos Def on the other hand did a great job in this movie and put his acting and rhyming skills on display for all to see. This movie in my opinion is a pretty good movie with a few exceptions in acting. This movie is hip hop, not RAP. Their is a difference. If you think I'm playing with you...then look at the MC's that they interview to start the movie...those are hip hop artist, NOT rappers (i.e. rin and tin the spotted dalmations).

Rating:
Summary: Even a Good Cast Couldn't Save This
Review: I am sorry. I loved the cast and I tried with all my heart to feel what the film was about but this was the most boring film I have seen in a long time! With actors like Taye Diggs and Queen Latifah I expected at least some tip-top comedy wisecracking. I nearly fell asleep the first five minutes and I tried my darnest to stick with the movie but I quit watching after the first hour. I couldn't hang on any longer. This is a very boring movie. I don't know what the heck went wrong. The dialogue is pointless and goes nowhere. They talked on and on about nothing! I kept waiting for some sparks to fly instead I ended up slapping myself to keep from dozing. Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs are talented but they have no chemistry whatsoever. Queen Latifah was wasted and...the movie was just plain pointless. It tries to be the Love Jones of the millennium but it doesn't even come close. Love Jones had charisma Brown Sugar doesn't do anything at all. It doesn't make you care about the characters or if they end up together. You just keep wishing it would go a little faster. I've stood in DMV lines that were more exciting then this! At least the DMV lines moved eventually. Don't hate me folks because I tried to give this film the benefit of the doubt but something wasn't working. I can't recommend this to anyone. This was supposed to be like Sleepless in Seattle, oh you'll sleep all right. If you must watch it, watch it on Cinemax like I did. Don't dare spend any money on this. I pray you can get through it. Wow this was boring! I can't say it enough.

Rating:
Summary: Hip-Hop is selling out? How ironic!
Review: Sadly the only worthy performances are by Taye Diggs and rapper Mos Def. I kept expecting this movie to go further but it ended up feeling like a long soap opera. There was no much love and not enough hip-hop. The story and "dialogue" was so predictable at times I could (LITERALLY) say what each character was actually going to speak from their mouths next. Now if that's not predictable I don't know what is. Queen Latifah should have been used more as comic relief becuase the main love "story" was so horrible. And the sad part is, this film is talking about how hip-hop is becoming too commercial and who can not but notice how the totally marketed this movie for its soundtrack. The only good parts are the extras like Erykah Badu's best song everr "Love of My Life (Featuring Common)" the video and "Brown Sugar" by Mos Def w/ Faith Evans. I can't believe they were complaining about being commercial in the music biz and this movie/soundtrack was extremely commercial! If you want a less commercial and FUNNY black comedy check out "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" or for a love story check out "Love Jones." I believe this movie used to be called "Love and Basketball" (boring!) Avoid at all costs.

Rating:
Summary: too true!
Review: This movie was sort of an outcry to musicians to stop this mess that is out now. So called hip hop and rap have been run amok, has been ever since the demise of 2pac and biggie. Lost even more when Jam Jay took the loss shortly after the movie's release. What this movie stands for on top of that though, is that you have to stand up for what u want. Taye and Sanaa wanted each other, but let it slide for quite a while. Even put up with a marriage and an engagement before the two realized they were meant to be more than friends. Even with all that the underlying meaning of the whole thing was that hip hop/rap sucks now. Sanaa even says "what's the differance between loving someone and being in love with them? The same as the differance between hip hop and rap. Loving someone is just saying the words." Just like rap is meaningless b.s. and hip hop was an entire movement, way of life and emotion. Rap is garbage and it's making everyone else look like crap too. But I like the movie. and I love what it had to say in a roundabout way.

Rating:
Summary: Good on the lovin, lukewarm on the music
Review: A ... urban romance, "Brown Sugar" blurs the line between love and hip-hop, examining, with sharp humor, the courtship subtleties among upwardly mobile black Americans. The movie is also a commentary on the state of rap music, a half-baked "real is truth, gimmick is whack" tribute that eats up far too much screen time and dilutes some of the chemistry between the movie's six principals.

Taye Diggs is Dre, a record-executive-in-training smitten with hip-hop journalist Sid (Sanaa Lathan), and she with him, since grade school, when they made eyes over a rap song. Neither admits the attraction and for Dre there's a drop-dead lawyer named Reese (Nicole Ari Parker) waiting in the wings for a marriage proposal. Sid is stung, and she falls for an NBA player, Kelby (Boris Kodjoe), a smooth, get-what-I-want rapper-on-side. Rounding out the sextet is Queen Latifah as Sid's mouthy best friend, and Mos Def as a talented emcee Dre would like to promote on a new label. His own.

Though Diggs and Lathan are the fated couple of "Brown Sugar," co-screenwriters Mike Elliot and Rick Famuyiwa - who also directed - are smart enough to offer Dre and Sid realistic, appealing alternatives. Reese and Kelby are imperfect matches for the respective leads, but their flaws aren't immediately revealed, and when coupling cracks begin to deepen, the blame bleeds to both sides. Parker - memorable as a bit player in "Boogie Nights" and "The End of Violence" - is particularly good as an ambitious-yet-ultimately-decent uptown girl looking to introduce Dre to the society's upper crust. A very good scene at a New Year's Eve dinner party argues, persuasively, that best friends share some moments spouses never will. Lathan works a variation of her beautiful nerd performance in "Love and Basketball," while Diggs, again, is literate and smooth.

"Brown Sugar" is a quieter, more observant picture than some of its predecessors, and yet it doubles as a hammy, idealistic treatise on hip-hop; the movie opens with a series of documentary interviews as current rap artists recount the moment they first fell in love with the music. The script then talks around the subject - casting Queen Latifah and Mos Def is apparently message enough - while failing to indict a music industry that essentially leaves the future of the artists in the hands of one radio station - Hot 97 - to decide who gets airplay, and who doesn't. The movie takes great pains to scold sellouts and one-hit wonders without aiming its arrow at the point-of-entry corruption that rewards such behavior.

But no matter. "Brown Sugar" projects a mature realism on love reaching beyond the limited hip-hop plot. It's a credit to the director, and the performances, that as Dre and Sid unthaw to one another, it's about more than a collection of verses over beats.

Rating:
Summary: Talked too much about Hip-Hop
Review: I enjoyed this movie, but I got tired of them mentioning Hip-Hop a lot. It was nice to see all of those old school rappers and them mentioning the old songs, it brought back memories, but after a while it was like...Okay enough already. Overall, Taye Diggs was wonderful (not to mention gorgeous), and Sanaa Lathan was just as fabulous. She's becoming one of my new favorite actresses.