Russell Simmons Movies
Def Jam Records co-founder Russell Simmons first branched out into movies when he acted and co-produced in the 1985 rap movie Krush Groove. Essentially a glorified biography of his own life, with Blair Underwood assuming the role of Simmons, the movie didn't score well with critics but was a box-office success. Another hip-hop based movie followed, 1988's Tougher Than Leather, before Simmons assumed full control of Def Jam when co-founder Rick Rubin left. Almost immediately he set up Rush Communications, dipping his hand in nearly everything from a clothing line, to television comedy, to magazine production. At this time Simmons also began producing movies. Pictures he's backed creatively and/or financially include The Addiction, The Nutty Professor and Gridlock'd. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Movie Guide
In-between rappin' numbers by groups like Run-DMC and The Fat Boys, an almost unnoticeable plot unfolds as manager Russell (Blair Underwood) desperately looks for funding to press more records for Run-DMC's first hit. This gets him into deep water when he borrows from the wrong man and then is left behind after his performers hit the charts and are off on a better life. But all is not lost, after more rap and rock by everyone, the clan returns with salvation at hand. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Blair Underwood, Joseph Simmons, (more)
- 1988
- R
Rappers Run-DMC star in this low-budget exploitation crime drama. After the trio signs with a production company for a concert tour, their roadie Runny Ray (Raymond White) is killed after he witnesses a drug-related murder. The trio investigate their friend's death and delight in the violent vanquishing of a group of white racists. Concert footage of Run-DMC, Slick Rick, Junkyard Band, The Beastie Boys and other groups is also included. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Simmons, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, (more)
This documentary offers viewers an in depth look at the world of hip-hop and rap music as it chronicles a diverse group of performers preparing to give a major concert at Philadelphia's Armory. Interspersed amongst the preparations are interviews with rappers past and present, looks at their personal lives, commentary on their significance and upon the music, and plenty of concert footage. Featured acts and performers include, Slick Rick, who has been imprisoned for second-degree murder; Snoop Doggy Dog and Tha Dogg Pound, Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre, B.I.G; Melle Mel, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Da 5 Footaz, YNN and more. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Craig Mack, Dr. Dre, (more)
- 1995
- NR
Director Abel Ferrara applies his eccentric vision to the vampire genre with this cerebral "Art" film about graduate philosophy student Kathleen Conklin (Lili Taylor), who is bitten by an aggressive female vampire (Annabella Sciorra) and soon spirals into a nightmarish world of blood addiction and existential angst. Driven by her merciless condition, she attacks several of her pretentious friends and classmates (even her professor) and mainlines their blood like heroin. Just as she becomes more bold in seeking prey on the streets of New York, she is waylaid by a potential victim -- actually a sophisticated vampire himself named Peina (Christopher Walken), who chooses to control his own blood addiction through fasting and meditation. Seeming to regain her self-control, she eventually completes her graduate thesis (helped by a bit of vampire nepotism) and holds a party to celebrate, inviting the entire faculty as well as members of her new "family" to join in the festivities. Although the parallels to heroin addiction are in plain view, this is also a study in the essential evil of humankind -- a theme evident in much of Ferrara's work. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lili Taylor, Christopher Walken, (more)
Eddie Murphy gives one of Jerry Lewis' best-remembered vehicles a 1990s overhaul in this hit comedy. Sherman Klump (Murphy) is a college professor and respected biochemistry researcher who is kind, considerate, and a genuinely nice guy. Sherman is also appallingly overweight; coupled with the fact that he's painfully shy and a bit clumsy, his romantic prospects are rather bleak. When Sherman finds himself working with a pretty graduate student, Carla Purty (Jada Pinkett), he falls in love and is eager to impress her, but at an upscale nightclub, his weight attracts the attention of an insult comic (Dave Chappelle) and his bumbling spoils the evening. Sherman's latest project is a genetic weight loss formula, and despondent over his failure to win Carla's heart, he subjects himself to a massive dose. Suddenly, Sherman is transformed into the slim, trim, and handsome Buddy Love; however, the drug also boosts his testosterone level, turning the likable Sherman into the arrogant, skirt-chasing Buddy. In addition to playing Sherman and Buddy, Eddie Murphy also plays four other members of the porcine Klump family, as well as eccentric exercise guru Lance Perkins. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith, (more)
Cult figure Abel Ferrara directed this dark, emotional tale of life among the criminal underworld, set in the late 1930s. The Tempio Brothers -- Ray (Christopher Walken), Chez (Chris Penn), and Johnny (Vincent Gallo) -- work with the mob; Ray is the cool and methodical type, Chez is an angry man who tends to fly off the handle, and Johnny is the odd man out, whose work with labor unions has given him a strong interest in socialism. When Johnny is murdered by rival mobster Gaspare (Benicio del Toro), it has a profound effect on his brothers. Ray is determined to seek revenge, even though his wife Jeanette (Anabella Sciorra), realizing a reprisal will only lead to more violence, begs him to reconsider, while Chez begins losing his tenuous grip on reality, causing no small discomfort for his wife Clara (Isabella Rossellini). In time, both brothers are forced to deal with the ugly repercussions of their family's long-standing criminal lifestyle. Chris Penn's performance as Chez earned him the "Best Actor" trophy at the 1996 Venice Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, (more)
- 1997
- R
In this hard-edged drama with a strong undercurrent of dark comedy, Stretch (Tim Roth) and Spoon (Tupac Shakur) are two friends who share both a passion for music and a dependence on heroin. Stretch and Spoon play in a jazz combo with Cookie (Thandie Newton), and after a New Year's Eve gig, they score drugs and get high together. Cookie lacks her friends' experience with hard drugs and soon ends up in the hospital after a severe overdose. Cookie's brush with death turns out to be a serious reality check for Stretch and Spoon, and they decide that it's time to kick drugs and get clean and sober. But both men know that they can't get off heroin on their own, and therein lies the problem; as they try to navigate a complex maze of social service agencies (who can't help them get treatment because they aren't on welfare), drug treatment facilities (one of which turns them away because they're only equipped to handle alcoholics), and hospitals (where, in order to be admitted as emergency patients, Stretch and Spoon ponder how to go about stabbing each other) in search of a detox program. The two friends begin to wonder if it might simply be easier to stay on drugs than to get healthy. Gridlock'd marked the feature film directorial debut for actor Vondie Curtis Hall, best known for his work on the TV series Chicago Hope; Elizabeth Pena and John Sayles both appear in supporting roles. Rap musician-turned actor Tupac Shakur, who played Spoon, died in a drive-by shooting four months prior to the release of this film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Roth, Tupac Shakur, (more)
A man who's devoted his life to running around on his woman finally meets his match in this comedy. Dray Jackson (Bill Bellamy) is a ladies' man par excellence, who never lets the fact that he has a girlfriend, Lisa (Lark Voorhies), get in the way of making time with as many other women as possible. As he spends a typical day going from house to house "visiting" a number of beautiful females, Dray fills his friends David (Pierre Edwards), Kilo (Jermaine Hopkins), and Spootie (A.J. Johnson) in on the finer points of the art of having as many ladies as you want without getting caught. Dray's sister Jenny (Natalie Desselle) and her friend Katrina (Mari Morrow) are at once disgusted and morbidly fascinated with Dray's cheerful, chronic infidelity, and since Jenny is studying anthropology, they decide that Dray's lifestyle would be a worthy subject for research. Deciding to see what would happen if Dray was really put to the test (and maybe teach him a lesson in the process), Jenny and Katrina throw a party, and they invite Dray -- and all the women whose telephone numbers appear in his address book. Max Julien, best known for his role as the ultra-smooth pimp in the blaxploitation classic The Mack, appears as Dray's lady-killing Uncle Fred. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Bellamy, Natalie Desselle, (more)
HBO's showcase for the finest young talent in urban comedy, Def Comedy Jam, comes to home video with this release, which features Joe Torry, Guy Torry, and host Martin Lawrence serving up standup too fresh and too raw for network television. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
HBO's series Def Comedy Jam provided a showcase for some of the best and brightest new performers on the urban comedy scene, and this home video presents highlights from the show, with Tracy Morgan, Bill Bellamy, and host Martin Lawrence presenting cutting edge comedy that's definitely too rough for prime time. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Some of the biggest, best, and edgiest stars in urban comedy appeared on the HBO series Def Comedy Jam, and this home video release brings together hilarious highlights from the show's run. Performers include Cedric the Entertainer, Mark Curry, and host Martin Lawrence, who perform nightclub comedy you won't be hearing on network television any time soon. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Curry, Cedric the Entertainer, (more)
- 2000
Many of today's hottest comedians got their start playing Def Comedy Jam, a late-night forum for their explosive brand of comedy. Of course, many of the names first featured here went on to greater fame and fortune in the years that followed. Two of the names featured here are George Wallace and Mike Epps. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Some of the hottest young comics got their first big break on the stage of Def Comedy Jam. Freed from the shackles of prime time TV, these comedians used the late night forum to strut their stuff and make the jump from comedy clubs to television and movies. Two of the names featured here are Joe Torry and DJ Robo. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This video acts as a highlights reel for some of today's hottest young comedians, many of whom went from stand-up performances on the HBO series Def Comedy Jam to their own television shows and big-screen comedies. Raw, uncensored, cutting-edge humor is the standard for these classic acts from Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, Sheryl Underwood, and Chris Tucker. Expect outrageous jokes from these comedic superstars, as well as pointed remarks on sensitive social issues .
~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide
~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide
- 2000
- Add Def Comedy Jam: All Stars, Vol. 6 to QueueAdd Def Comedy Jam: All Stars, Vol. 6 to top of Queue
Martin Lawrence is your host for this collection of highlights from HBO's high-rated urban comedy showcase Def Comedy Jam. Former Saturday Night Live regular Ellen Cleghorne highlights this program of outrageous, uncensored standup comedy. Other guests include William Stevenson, Aries Spears, and Arnez J. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Def Comedy Jam gave many young comics of the '80s and '90s the chance they needed to reach a larger audience and strut their stuff on a national stage. Many of these young comics went on to greater fame and greater paychecks in the years that followed. Two of the names featured here include Mark Curry and Steve Harvey. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- 2001
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Russell Simmons is the biggest behind-the-scenes figure in hip-hop. As the founder of Def Jam Records, Simmons helped create one of the strongest and longest-lived labels in rap music; as a manager, he helped make Run-D.M.C. the first worldwide superstars of rap; as producer of the television shows Def Comedy Jam and Def Poetry Jam, he expanded the boundaries of spoken-word performance and established its connection to hip-hop culture; and his Phat Farm clothing line has put him on the leading edge of contemporary urban fashion. Journeys in Black: Russell Simmons is a documentary produced for the BET cable network in which Simmons discusses his career and the ideals which have helped make him a success. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2001
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The inaugural season of Russell Simmons' raw and uninhibited Def Poetry Jam consisted of four half-hour telecasts, originally presented live at The Supper Club in New York. With rapper Mos Def serving as host, the series offers an impressive array of improvisational ethnic poetry, running a gamut from tense and poignant to loud, obscene, and hilarious. Artists represented in this quartet of episodes include singer Jewel, comedians Cedric the Entertainer and Dave Chappelle, and such brilliant performance artists (individually or in groups) as Last Poets, Suheir Hammad, Sarah Jones, Yellow Rage, Danny Hoch, Black Ice, Sarah Jones, Beau Sia, muMs, Poetri, Nikki Giovanni, Steve Colman, and Amiri Baraka. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mos Def, Russell Simmons, (more)
- 2001
A day in the life of hip-hop record company magnate Russell Simmons, an interesting person with drive and business savvy. The style is video vérité, complete with hand-held camera and moments where he meets with friends and family, as well as muses on life and future projects in the back of his car. At other moments, the pace slows to accommodate the passage of real time. Simmons drops in on "Puff Daddy" Combs' birthday party and shows off (with tongue in cheek) his closet full of shoes. Music samples in the background fill out the picture of one man's creative empire, along with plans for the PHAT line of clothing.
~ Leslie Birdwell, All Movie Guide
~ Leslie Birdwell, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Based on a Tony-winning Broadway production, Def Poetry Jam was the brainchild of Russell Simmons, the same man responsible for HBO's improvisational ethnic comedy series Def Comedy Jam. Hosted by rapper Mos Def, Def Poetry Jam was taped live at The Supper Club in New York. A vast array of performance artists, ranging from poets to actors to musicians to comedians, most but not all African-American, were given full license to express themselves in the most emotional, uninhibited, and sometimes obscene manner possible before a large and enthusiastic live audience. Sometimes the poetry was presented "straight," without adornment; and sometimes the recitations were part and parcel of a mixed-media presentation. Hilarious, biting, profane, tender, offensive, but never dull, the series was an expert encapsulation of the feelings and sensitivities of minority artists in post-9/11 America. Also known as Russell Simmons Presents: Def Poetry, the half-hour Def Poetry Jam made its HBO bow in June of 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
- Add Def Comedy Jam: More All Stars, Vol. 2 to QueueAdd Def Comedy Jam: More All Stars, Vol. 2 to top of Queue
Russell Simmons' HBO series Def Comedy Jam was one of the first nationwide showcases for African-American comedians, who could perform raw, streetwise material without censorship or interference; many of the show's guests have gone on to become some of the best known comic talents in America today, and this home video collects more highlights from the show's history. Def Comedy Jam: More All Stars, Vol. 2 features side-splitting material from Martin Lawrence, Steve Harvey, Don "D.C." Curry, Mo'Nique, Tommy Chunn, and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2002
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Some of the best known comedians on the entertainment scene today got their first big break on Russell Simmons' groundbreaking HBO series Def Comedy Jam, and this home video collects raw and uninhibited performances from top-shelf funnymen who've gone on to become headlines on TV and in the movies. Def Comedy Jam: More All Stars, Vol. 1 features sets by Martin Lawrence, Cedric the Entertainer, Joe Torry, Robin Montague, Bruce Bruce, and more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
This documentary, hosted by Tony Dofat and produced in part by Heavy D, takes the viewer behind the scenes for the inside story of rap music. The program hits the mean streets of inner-cities, where the music got its start, and follows its rise to popularity throughout America in some pretty unexpected places. Interviews with rappers, including Puff Daddy, Kid Rock, Redman, Russell Simmons, and Method Man, shed light on the forces out of which the rap tradition springs. Production people and recording executives share their insights about the music and culture of rap. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Seven new half-hour sessions of hilarious, haunting, profane, and profound improvisational poetry are dished up in the second season of HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Produced by Russell Simmons of Def Comedy Jam and hosted by rapper Mos Def, the series, taped at The Supper Club in New York, launches season two with a performance by future Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx, reciting his own composition Fashizzle My Nizzle. Subsequent guest artists include Danny Hoch, Black Ice, Taylor Mali, Erykah Badu, and, light-years away from The Cosby Show, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Curiously, the DVD release of Def Poetry Jam's second season edits out the performances by Talib Kweli and Rakim, among others. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Russell Simmons
