I got it wet, but I didn’t wash it.”

You may yet be unappreciative of the art form of moving a vinyl record back and forth using various sophisticated techniques. Or you may already a great admirer and simply wish to know more about the historical development of scratching. Either way, Doug Pray’s documentary, Scratch, fascinatingly emphasizes the importance of the Hip-Hop DJ and the turntable as a musical instrument, charting the rise of the unique subculture since its creation in the 1970s.

Read on:
http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/scratch

Awww…I wanted to tell you something sexy!”

Alrighty then….

There was a time when mainstream Hip-Hop music meant something. When DJs were considered to be the backbone; producers made beats that were experimental and innovative; and emcees fierily delivered lyrics that were politically, socially and party orientated all at the same time.

Read on:
http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/rhyme-reason

Boyz n the Hood (1991) (***** out of *****):

1991 seems like a long time ago now, but Boyz n the Hood is still one of the most thoughtful and realistic dramas about life in the ghetto that I’ve seen.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/boyznthehood

New Jack City (1991) (*** out of *****):

I really wish that I had seen this movie back when it was released in 1991 — I might have appreciated it a lot more. New Jack City, to me, just didn’t seem as “edgy” or as “ambitious” as it supposedly was back then; in fact, I thought it was characterized by hackneyed expressions and ideas. It did, however, have a very charismatic and respectable performance from Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown — an “Urban Tony Montana”, it would seem — and one of the most definitive Hip-Hop soundtracks ever to accompany a film.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/newjackcity

Juice (1992) (**** out of *****):

Ernest R. Dickerson makes his directorial debut with Juice, a story about four black youths living in a world of Hip-Hop and violence. For them, music and the dangers of gunplay are coincided.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/juice

White Men Can’t Jump (1992) (***1/2 out of *****):

White Men Can’t Jump was written and directed by Ron Shelton. It’s an enjoyable Comedy about two basketball hustlers (Snipes and Harrelson), who firstly compete with one another and then decide to join forces to con money from opponents on the courts of Venice Beach, California.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/whitemencantjump

Menace II Society (1993) (***1/2 out of *****):

The premise to Menace II Society is pretty much identical to that of Boyz n the Hood. One guy talks shit about some other guy’s mother, gets capped, then a bunch of bigger, badder American Americans serve justice via the bullets of their UZIs, and so on and so on.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/menaceiisociety

Friday (1995) (*** out of *****):

Ice Cube is not a good actor — in fact, he’s a pretty bad actor — and Friday doesn’t contain much of a storyline, either. But it’s a testament to the charisma of Chris Tucker as ‘Smokey’, the loud-mouth marijuana junkie, and John Witherspoon as the over-the-top father that Friday still manages to succeed with its audience. In most places, it’s quite a funny Hip-Hop ghetto comedy.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/friday

Higher Learning (1995) (***1/2 out of *****):

John Singleton’s Higher Learning deserves some respect for its exploration of a number of sensitive issues that many University students encounter at some point in their lifetime — some of which include institutional racism, rape, and the individual desire to be accepted. While some of the characters lack emotional complexity and the story at times may feel a little “preachy”, the film is still a pretty enjoyable and thought-provocative experience — one that’ll linger with you for quite some time afterwards.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/higherlearning

Gang Related (1997) (**** out of *****):

Tupac Shakur’s life (supposedly?) ended in September of 1996 and fans have been investigating the evidence ever since. The people are divided in debating whether or not the rapper/actor is still alive: Some are willing to accept the current facts that the star is no longer with us, while others are so intrigued by the references to today’s culture in his music that they have no definite answer as to where he is. The one thing that I’m sure they will all agree on, however, is that he was never really given the chance to develop his promising talents as an actor.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/gangrelated

Rhyme & Reason (1997) (**** out of *****):

There was a time when mainstream Hip-Hop music meant something. When DJs were considered to be the backbone; producers made beats that were experimental and innovative; and emcees fierily delivered lyrics that were politically, socially and party orientated all at the same time.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/rhyme-reason

In Too Deep (1999) (***1/2 out of *****):

In Too Deep uses the familiar premise of a cop going undercover in the gang world and then questioning his own morals. The obvious comparisons with Donnie Brasco didn’t really do it any favours at the time of its release, but that really doesn’t mean that it’s a bad film. A combination of intense atmosphere and sharp performances make this an intriguing slice of urban cinema.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/intoodeep

Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai (1999) (***** out of *****):

Let’s start by saying that Ghost Dog isn’t for everyone. Most will consider it a weird film, considering that it tracks a solitary African-American, Hip-Hop-listening assassin, who follows the ancient code of the Samurai. On top of that, he lives on the rooftops and has a fascination for pigeons; his best friend is also a Haitian ice-cream salesman named Raymond, who doesn’t even speak a word of English.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/ghostdogwayofthesamurai

Next Friday (2001) (*** out of *****):

Next Friday, the sequel to 1995′s weed-smoking buddy-comedy Friday, may not have Chris Tucker as part of the cast, but it still manages to be just as idiotic and un-PC.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/nextfriday

Training Day (2001) (****1/2 out of *****):

Training Day is easily the most entertaining and fascinating movie regarding police corruption that I’ve seen. Rappers have been screaming about dodgy law enforcement dealings for years in their songs, but none will tarnish the reputation of the LAPD as much as this entry within the mainstream movie world (if that is at all possible, of course).

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/trainingday

Scratch (2001) (**** out of ****):

You may yet be unappreciative of the art form of moving a vinyl record back and forth using various sophisticated techniques. Or you may already a great admirer and simply wish to know more about the historical development of scratching. Either way, Doug Pray’s documentary, Scratch, fascinatingly emphasizes the importance of the Hip-Hop DJ and the turntable as a musical instrument, charting the rise of the unique subculture since its creation in the 1970s.

Read on:
http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/scratch

How High (2001) (***1/2 out of *****):

Think The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on cannabis and you’ll have a basic idea about How High, a carefree stoner comedy starring rappers Redman and Method Man (founding member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan).

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/howhigh

8 Mile (2002) (**1/2 out of *****):

If hearing Eminem’s voice on numerous radio stations and music television channels wasn’t enough, director Curtis Hanson decided to create the rags-to-riches Hip-Hop musical 8 Mile to exhaust all mainstream possibilities and tell the world how great the white rapper is.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/8mile

Bomb the System (2002) (***1/2 out of *****):

Not since 1982′s Wild Style has there been a major film concerned with graffiti art. Why is that, you may ask? Well, creating such elaborate pieces of work on city property is often considered vandalism by many authorities, which is punishable by law. But “bombing”, as the artists call it, is about marking one’s territory and contesting others with an artist representation of the mind; it’s about communicating a social message in an attempt to gain respect on the streets. For them, it’s a lifestyle.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/bombthesystem

Biggie & Tupac (2002) (*** out of *****):

Perhaps the most unintentionally funny thing about Biggie & Tupac is British director Nick Broomfield cruising along the streets of New York to the sounds of Hip-hop act Gang Starr as if he’s some kind of pimp journalist out to save the day. The documentary, which attempts to uncover new information about the killings of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, plunges him into the heart of the Hip-Hop community, which he never seems quite so comfortable with, and results in him mostly making a prat of himself.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/biggie-tupac

Tupac: Resurrection (2003) (**** out of *****)

Narrated by Tupac Shakur, himself, Tupac: Resurrection is a very intriguing insight into the short life of the controversial, multi-platinum-selling rap artist who was brutally gunned down in 1996.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/tupacresurrection

The “N” Word (2004) (**** out of *****)

The “N” word is considered to be a touchy subject, particularly among black Americans, even today. Used in the derogatory sense to refer to black people, as well in eye dialect form as “nigga”, an informal slang term, there is cause for debate whether its common use in the modern day is right or wrong.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/thenword

Notorious (2009) (**1/2 out of *****):

Tupac Shakur already had his (excellent) big-screen film about his life, Tupac: Resurrection, nine years after his death in 2003; however, it’s taken nearly thirteen years for his greatest rival, The Notorious B.I.G. (AKA Biggie Smalls, AKA Christopher Wallace), to finally get his.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/notorious2009

Malcolm X (1992) (****1/2 out of *****):

Malcolm X is considered to be one of history’s most influential and controversial public speakers concerned with the dangers of racism in our society.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/malcolmx

Mississippi Masala (1992) (***1/2 out of *****):

Indian-born filmmaker Mira Nair directs this charming romantic dramedy concerned with the controversial nature of an interracial relationship.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/mississippimasala

Training Day (2001) (****1/2 out of *****):

Training Day is easily the most entertaining and fascinating movie regarding police corruption that I’ve seen. Rappers have been screaming about dodgy law enforcement dealings for years in their songs, but none will tarnish the reputation of the LAPD as much as this entry within the mainstream movie world (if that is at all possible, of course).

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/trainingday

John Q (2002) (*** out of *****):

Healthcare is a serious issue in the United States, especially to those who can’t afford it, and John Q (Washington) is the working-class everyman who desperately need a heart transplant for his dying son, Mike (Daniel E. Smith). He and his wife, Denise (Kimberly Elise), have insurance, but are told that they don’t have enough money in their agreement to cover a big operation. Frustrated and confused, they are given the run around and start to appeal against the decision, but have no luck.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/johnq

Out Of Time (2003) (***1/2 out of *****):

Out of Time is a simplistic and predictable crime thriller with a laid-back feel to it. It stars Denzel Washington as Matt Whitlock, a chief of police in the small Florida town of Banyan Key, who spends his nights having an affair with Ann Merai Harrison (Sanaa Lathan), the wife of a pig-headed, ex-American football quarterback, Chris Harrison (Dean Cain). He is also going through a divorce with a homicide detective who he is still in love with, Alex Diaz-Whitlock (Eva Mendes), and has to cover his arse when he inadvertently finds himself at the centre of her murder investigation..

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/outoftime

Man on Fire (2004) (**** out of *****):

Some say that the best things in life are the simple things. That is true in the case of Man on Fire (a remake of the 1987 flick of the same name), which has a straight-forward revenge premise built upon a very impressive emotional base involving its characters.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/manonfire2004

Deja Vu (2006) (**** out of *****):

“Don’t even attempt to understand time travel, it’s just not scientifically possible,” — those were the wise words of a friend of mine shortly after completing The Terminator marathon towards the end of our University days. Still, though, having just finished watching Tony Scott’s confusing, but wonderfully entertaining, Science-Fiction movie Deja Vu for the first time (literally five mins ago), I am intrigued to piece together all my thoughts concerning what actually just happened. I doubt I’ll come to a logical conclusion, but, hey, let’s give it a go.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/dejavu

American Gangster (2007) (***1/2 out of *****):

Ridley Scott’s American Gangster is a good film — and I mean “good” in the sense that it has similar elements to the classic gangster hits that many of us grew to love.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/americangangster

The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) (*** out of *****):

A good actor can make even the dullest of films seem satisfying. That is true of Denzel Washington, who scene after scene single-handedly manages to make The Taking of Pelham 123 at least watchable from start to finish.

http://www.andycarrington.co.uk/thetakingofpelham123

She’s just not monitoring what she’s putting in her mouth.”

Uhhhh…what?!?!

Oh! I just put it in my mouth for the first time!”

(Location: White Wolf Cafe.)

It’s going to be a hot one one out there today. You’ll be sweatin’ like Paris Hilton’s boyfriend in a STD clinic!”

(Heard on 98.9 WMMO.)

That was the first time I ever threw-up on somebody…and I swear it’s because he touched me.”

Ummm…WHAT?

Person #1: I had a dream about you last night”
Person #2: “I like that!”

I want to marry that couple!”

(Overheard by a woman in downtown Orlando, about a ridiculously cute married couple.)

The things I do for money.”

When are you going to have another baby?”

NOTE: The person on the receiving end of this question just had a baby about a month ago!

So excited for my celebratory I’m not married tacos today! I’m not married tacos are the best kind of tacos.”

Person #1: I just hope the book doesn’t turn out like the movie and have subtitles.”
Person #2: “A book with subtitles would just be a book.”

Why is that breaking news? S#*t like that happens all the time in the ‘hood!”

(What: Referencing a news story. Location: Somewhere on the West side of Orlando.)

I just found a cat hair in my mouth!”

Ewwwwwww!

Dude, if you wish to be little miss sunshine don´t forget your pompons next time

You know I wish I was French, so I could walk around with my little baguette all the time!”

Dude, I would totally whack your paddy if you weren’t married!”

(Overheard at Wall Street Plaza in downtown Orlando, in response to a gentleman’s t-shirt reading “Paddywhacker”.)

Also Check Out: Changin’ Lanez Charger Gang

“I’m like, two seconds away from taking my pants off!”

(Overheard by a very pregnant woman.)

Oh my god, I’m starving. I’m going to kill your dog and eat it.”

(Location: Downtown Orlando.)