Chuck D Movies
Celebrated newsman Tom Brokaw headlines this feature-length, eponymous documentary portrait of the life of revered civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.. A program originally produced for cable's History Channel to commemorate the 40th anniversary of King's death, it affords equal attention to King himself, the myths and legacies that have gestated in the wake of his assassination, and the enduring messages from King that will live on permanently, passed down to successive generations. A who's who of interviewees also turns up for rare insights and revelations, including President Bill Clinton, Bono, Condoleezza Rice, Harry Belafonte, and King's son, Martin Luther King III. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Brokaw, Andy Young, (more)
- 2007
Crossover: A Worldwide Basketball Odyssey documents how the sport has affected numerous people in different countries, regardless of their socio-economic status. A number of men and women from various walks of life explain how their involvement in the game bettered them in some capacity. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2007
In 1987 Public Enemy emerged as one of the most formidable forces in rap music with the release of their landmark sophomore album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back; nearly 20 years later, Chuck D and the crew still have what it takes to get their powerful message across while whipping the crowd into an absolute frenzy. On the heels of Public Enemy's 2007 release How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul, a wide variety of musical artists including Henry Rollins, Jonathan Davis, Tom Morello, Talib Kweli, and the Beastie Boys come together in order to reflect on the power of a group whose influence continues to be felt even as they move forward to blaze new trails. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck D, Flavor Flav, (more)
- 2006
A "quilombo" is a community of rural Brazil that was founded either by runaway slaves or established on an abandoned plantation, and in this documentary filmmaker Leonard Abrams offers an extensive look into the ceremonies, dances, and lifestyles of the typical quilombo, as well as the fascinating history of these tightknit communities. Brazil was a brutal place for slaves, and most did not submit to their masters willingly. Though thousands of slaves escaped, others opted to organize political and militant movements designed to force white farmers from the land. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck D
Championship boxer Muhammad Ali was known for his colorful way with words, and in this documentary produced for ESPN Public Enemy front-man Chuck D takes a look at just how the famed pugilist charmed his fans before pummeling his opponents. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Public Enemy front-man Chuck D hosts a thrilling look back at a dozen of Muhammad Ali's most memorable bouts in this release featuring fights that were hand picked by the legendary pugilist himself. Additional interviews with Ali's opponents and the fight fans who were there to witness history in the making provide a vivid portrait of one of the most exciting eras in sports history. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2005
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In this documentary narrated by Public Enemy front-man Chuck D, the career of basketball pranksters The Harlem Globetrotters is explored from their 1948 upset against the Minneapolis Lakers to their historic 1951 trip to Berlin. Told from the mouths of former Globetrotters, various NBA coaches, celebrities, and basketball fans from all walks of life, the story of the Harlem Globetrotters is one of the most entertaining success stories ever to emerge from the world of professional sports. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The Queen Mother of all dirty words (as it was once described by Jean Shepherd) is examined through all its linguistic, sociological, legal, and ethical implications in this documentary. Filmmaker Steven Anderson interviews dozens of people about the history and function of "the F word," including language historians who have a hard time nailing down its origin, writers (including Hunter S. Thompson and Ben Bradlee) who talk about its role in literature and press freedom, comedians (among them Drew Carey, Janeane Garofalo, and Billy Connolly) who ponder its frequent presence in hipster humor, pop musicians (such as Ice-T, Pat Boone, and Alanis Morissette) who offer their theories about its role in contemporary culture, and social critics (including Michael Medved and Dennis Prager) who believe its currency is taking America into a dangerous place. F*ck also includes footage of famous figures caught using the word unexpectedly and animated sequences by Bill Plympton. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
The United States Congress named 2003 the "Year of the Blues" as part of an initiative by several musical education groups to make more Americans aware of the history and heritage of blues music, one of America's most important homegrown art forms. To kick off this celebration of the blues, a special concert was held at New York City's historic Radio City Music Hall, and Lightning in a Bottle documents a memorable evening of music from a star-studded roster of artists. Offering a glimpse at the rehearsals and preparations that went into putting the show together as well as the evening's best performances, Lightning in a Bottle includes appearances by B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Macy Gray, Buddy Guy, Chuck D., Solomon Burke, David Johansen, Jimmie Vaughan and Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Alison Krauss, and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Ruth Brown, (more)
The biggest names in show business come together to offer their opinions on one of the most inflammatory words in the English language in filmmaker Todd Williams' revealing and thought-provoking documentary. In its long and complex history, the word "nigger" has gone from a cutting and derogatory racial slur to a term of endearment frequently used by African-American youth culture. Though the word has in a sense been "taken back" by the very people that it targeted, it still has the power to anger and enrage when taken out of its new context. As a variety of celebrities including Quincy Jones, Russell Simmons, George Carlin, Damon Dash, and Bryant Gumbel offer their opinions on this polarizing word, the taboo of language is broken to reveal an ever-changing society that is constantly attempting to make sense of a dark past while simultaneously attempting to build a brighter future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2004
- PG13
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Marking the directorial debut of Adam McKay, former head writer for Saturday Night Live and founder of the Upright Citizen's Brigade, Anchorman is set during the 1970s and stars Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, San Diego's top-rated news anchorman. While Burgundy is outwardly willing to adjust to the idea of females in the workplace -- even outside of secretarial positions -- he certainly doesn't want his own job challenged. Keeping that in mind, it's no wonder that the arrival of Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), an aspiring newswoman, is, in Ron's eyes, not the studio's most welcome addition. After Veronica pays her dues covering so-called female-oriented fluff pieces (think cat fashion shows and cooking segments), the ambitious Veronica sets her eyes on the news desk; more specifically, on Ron's seat behind it. Not unpredictably, Ron doesn't take the threat lightly, and it isn't long before the rival newscasters are engaged in a very personal battle of the sexes. Anchorman was co-written by Ferrell, and features supporting performances from David Koechner, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, Tara Subkoff, and Maya Rudolph. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, (more)
- 2003
Part of The Blues documentary film series on PBS, Godfathers and Sons is directed by Marc Levin. This installment explores the Chicago blues, the influence of Chess Records, and the connection between blues and hip-hop. Revolutionary rap group Public Enemy notes the 1968 Muddy Waters album Electric Mud as a major influence on the development of their sound. Working closely with Chess Records heir Marshall Chess, along with Public Enemy's Chuck D, Levin travels to Chicago to make a record with contemporary hip-hop artists and veteran blues musicians. Modern electric blues rockers Sam Lay, Magic Slim, and Koko Taylor provide performances and interviews. Includes archival footage of Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Godfathers and Sons was originally broadcast by PBS on October 2, 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
A film crew sets out on a journey across the country to discover how money is made in the world of hip-hop. Director Maxie Collier takes us inside the process as he selects his Paperchasers crew and travels across the United States, interviewing people making a living off hip-hop, from street rappers selling tapes out of their trunks, to clothing designers, a hairdresser, DJs, record producers, and recording artists. They're all out to make money, and Collier wants to learn how it is done. In Atlanta, the crew catch rap superstar Ludacris and his crew just months before they sign a record deal and blow up. Collier documents his crew's struggles to land interviews with media bigwigs like Rap-A-Lot's J. Prince and Def Jam founder Russell Simmons. Collier also captures the fluctuations in his personal relationships with producer Yvette Plummer, also the mother of his son, and soundman Marquez Edmond (aka "Marquez the Greatest"), as the pressures of making the film wear on the bare-bones crew. Paperchasers, featuring appearances by Fat Joe, Damon Dash, Flava Flav, and James Brown, had its world premiere at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2003
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Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. joins forces with hip hop powerhouse Rapstation to offer an informed look at the people, music, and videos that define the current rap scene in a video magazine that seeks to be as formative as it is entertaining. In addition to revealing conversations with some of today's most popular hip-hop artists, the premiere issue of Chuck D.'s Hip Hop Hall of Fame also offers bonus concert performance by KRS-1, home movies featuring Fab 5 Freddy and Futura Run DMC, and Davey D. offering an essay on "The Birth of Contemporary Rap Music" in addition to doing interviews on the streets of New York City. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
James Brown: Soul Survivor spans more than four decades of the one and only Godfather of Soul, documenting the rise and fall of the "hardest working man in show business." Through archival footage, excerpts read from his biography, and interviews with the people closest to the man, you get an inside look at the music and political times which helped shape Brown's career through the ages. Various friends lending thoughts in the program include the Rev. Al Sharpton, rapper Chuck D, Little Richard, and former long-time musical director Fred Wesley. Performances include segments from a House of Blues gig along with rare, behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of the maestro at work. Originally aired as part of the American Masters television documentary series, this 90-minute special was later released on DVD under the Polydor label. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Brown
- 2000
Seven short films from up-and-coming African-American filmmakers are collected on this video release. Breakdown stars Vanessa Williams as a traumatized witness to a shooting at a bus station. A Gut Feeling follows two police offers out on an unexpectedly eventful call; Spike Lee served as executive producer for this short. A prominent lawyer is haunted by his past in the film Kings. Breakfast at Ben's tells the story of a man who worked his way out of poverty, and now wants to do something for the community he left behind. The Gift concerns an artist who has lost his sight, but is faced a new set of anxieties when he's told surgery might be able to restore his vision. Hip Hop: The New World Order takes a look at the global impact of rap and hip-hop music, and includes interviews with Chuck D. from Public Enemy and members of the Roots. And True is a comedic short subject that inspired the Budweiser "Whassup?" commercials. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
First, a little background: in 1955, the Director's Guild of America created the pseudonym Alan Smithee, which film directors are allowed to use if they feel their work has been tampered with to such a degree that they no longer want the credit. (For example, if you look at the credits of the expanded and heavily narrated TV version of Dune, you'll notice the director is not listed as David Lynch, but as Alan Smithee.) An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn is a comedy about a film editor (played by Eric Idle) who finally gets his big break -- he's given the opportunity to direct a big-budget action film starring Sylvester Stallone, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jackie Chan. But filming does not go well (the budget eventually balloons to 200 million dollars) and the producer, James Edmunds (Ryan O'Neal), tampers with the final cut of the film. As a result, the hapless neophyte director doesn't want his name to appear on the credits. But his real name is Alan Smithee, so what's he supposed to do? In a stunning example of art imitating life, director Arthur Hiller was supposedly unhappy with the interference of screenwriter and producer Joe Eszterhas on this project and chose to remove his name from the credits -- so An Alan Smithee Film carries the directorial credit of none other than Alan Smithee. Rappers Coolio and Chuck D appear as the filmmaking Brothers Brothers; Chuck D also contributed to the film's score. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ryan O'Neal, Coolio, (more)
- 1997
Two young women travel across the country in an old Saab armed with Hi-8 cameras, experience as Hollywood production assistants and a strong desire to capture the true character and spirit of the American people. Their journey leads Kristin Hahn and Shainee Gabel to interview a wide variety of people ranging from cultural and generational icons such as journalist Hunter S. Thompson to author Studs Terkel to actor/filmmaker Robert Redford to politicians Christine Ferrari and George McGovern to ordinary citizens, including a young gas station attendant, an aging waitress to local historians. As they progress, the woman discover that despite many modern problems, the optimistic American spirit is still alive. Other celebrities interviewed include U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, independent filmmaker John Waters, country singer Willie Nelson, rap artist Chuck D.., rock singer Michael Stipe, and Native American activist and spokesperson Winona LaDuke. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Redford, Michael Stipe, (more)
