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Summary: I loveded this movie!
Review: Plain and simple this is a great movie that represents all that there is to "represent" about minorities in film. This has my friends and I in stitches from laughing so hard, in fact many of my friends are now known to us only by the characters that they most resemble. Two years ago I was best man at my friend Dr Cookie Head Jenkins's wedding. Yes it appeals to all levels of learned individuals. Highly reccomend this beauty.
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Summary: Enjoyable, instructive and thoroughly entertaining...
Review: Robert Townsend is delightful and appealing; knowing what he went through to get this film made makes me admire him all the more. I am in awe. Not only is the film funny, smart and entertaining...it is a true original. With the help of the Wayans brothers, and other unknowns of the time (that are better known now than in '87), this is a film about integrity and conscience, as well as confidence and belief in yourself. A great lesson and a fine film. Robert Townsend shows brilliance and promise, as star & director. His later films couldn't quite match this first blast of originality. Though racial stereotypes are pretty much the center of attention, the broader theme of integrity and self-respect shine through like a beacon...a beacon that I wish more directors of racially-themed films would heed. (John Singleton comes to mind; never since matched the gut-power of "Boyz 'n the Hood".) The fact that Mr. Townsend is so self-effacing, while still refusing to give in, made me want to stand up and cheer. It's a fun film, well made, and perfectly entertaining. If it wasn't for some of the (stereotypical) language, I would recommend this as a lesson for kids. A most admirable effort.
Rating:
Summary: Hollywood Shuffle - A hilarious laughfest
Review: RObert Townsend made this movie on a low budget, but you would never know it. He is superb in this movie and this is a laugh a minute. The movie deals with the silliness of stereotypes in the movies. Its a great movie for those of us who like to laugh at ourselves and dont take life too seriously. I promise you that you will love this movie. It is one of my alltime favorites. It also is out of print as I understand because some found the depictions in the movie to be insensitive. I didnt. There was pressure from others however to stop pressing this movie thus it is hard to find.
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Summary: Robert Townsend's best film. A must see for all.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant satire of the REEL Hollywood
Review: Robert Townsend, on a very limited budget, crafted one of the best glimpses of the biases and stereotypical labeling encountered by many hoping to "make it big" in Tinsel-town. While 2002 is being heralded as a banner year with the Oscar nominations of Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Denzel Washington in major acting categories, Townsend's film still bites due to the fact that there are still areas wherein people of color are pigeon-holed. The cast of somewhat familiar faces (Ann-Marie Johnson, Keenan Ivory Winans, and the late character actress Helen Martin, among others) seems to relish their roles and attack them with exuberance. The writing of the respective vignettes is excellent, matched equally by the direction of Townsend. Every time I see a cop show featuring a black or Latino "criminal," I can't help but think of the send-ups of such casting in "Shuffle." After viewing this flick, one may never look at police dramas in the same light.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant satire of the REEL Hollywood
Review: Robert Townsend, on a very limited budget, crafted one of the best glimpses of the biases and stereotypical labeling encountered by many hoping to "make it big" in Tinsel-town. While 2002 is being heralded as a banner year with the Oscar nominations of Halle Berry, Will Smith, and Denzel Washington in major acting categories, Townsend's film still bites due to the fact that there are still areas wherein people of color are pigeon-holed. The cast of somewhat familiar faces (Ann-Marie Johnson, Keenan Ivory Winans, and the late character actress Helen Martin, among others) seems to relish their roles and attack them with exuberance. The writing of the respective vignettes is excellent, matched equally by the direction of Townsend. Every time I see a cop show featuring a black or Latino "criminal," I can't help but think of the send-ups of such casting in "Shuffle." After viewing this flick, one may never look at police dramas in the same light.
Rating:
Summary: Townsend "hits the nail on the head!"
Review: The sad thing about this 13-year-old film is that the Hollywood that it parodies still exists today! Black actors are still, for the most part, pigeonholed into supporting roles with lesser importance than their white counterparts. One can count the "superstar" actors of color who are big box office, and they still are playing roles that many times are sexless, overly noble, and, occasionally, subservient!
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Summary: I LOVEDED THIS MOVIE
Review: There are more memorable lines in this movie than Chevy Chase's Vacation. My favorite being, "Why do you be gotta pull a knife on me?"
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Summary: Truth in comedy!!
Review: This movie had me in tears, it was sooo funny. There were people who saw the movie with me who didn't think it was funny at all. Robert Townsend just showed actors and actresses what they look like when they accept the minstrel parts in movies, television and the like. If someone doesn't laugh at it they ought to ask themselves if they are part of the solution or part of the problem. Wonderful movie, I'm buying it to share with my children just in case they ever want to go that route, they'll know what not to do!!
Rating:
Summary: Overlooked Classic!
Review: This movie is a great, even to someone like me who isn't very high on comedies! Even though this movie was filmed on a shoe-string budget, it's a classic. Townsend blasts the stereotypes of blacks in Hollywood, sending a positive message about maintaining his dignity as an actor, and makes you laugh. Very Highly Recommended.
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