My thoughts on Something From Nothing

My thoughts on Something From Nothing

It was definitely entertaining and easier to watch then some of the other films we've seen, still it was severely lacking a narrative structure. I would have preferred a chronological retelling of the history of Hip-Hop, tracing it's development through it's many distinct eras and an explanation of how its various sub-genres emerged. Instead, it offered a bunch of seemingly random interviews, grouped together geographically instead of chronologically. Many of the interviews were insightful, or at least entertaining, but they were lacking context. The artists that were interviewed individual significance to Hip-Hop was never explained. At times the film seemed to merely be a vanity project for director Ice-T, with excessive shots of him walking in slow-motion, or looking thoughtfully into the distance, while he spoke in voice-over. There were several notable artists that were not interviewed or even mentioned (though that may be because they refused to take part in the project). The film seemed to assume that the viewers already had a basic understanding of Hip-Hop and who the artists being interviewed were. Still, compared to many of the deadly-serious topics of the other films we've seen, it was nice to take in some light entertainment.

Same same but different

1/2 Revolution was intriguing to me as I have lived through those kinds of riot. The images punched me right in the stomach. As mark noted, it seemed after a while that the film was more about the filmmakers than the revolution, but then again, It was about the revolution as they experienced it. I have a special place in my heart for the handhelds although they sometimes give me motion sickness. But they do capture the unsettledness, and chaos running through your body in that kind of situation.

Let's rap about the movies

ok, this is really bad, but I can't help myself...

Let’s rap about the movies…

Revolution is scary not groovy

But the filmmakers should’a told a story.

Five part structure, not too gory

By the people, for the people, Not!

Those women and men abused, full stop!

Patriarchy, the military, nothing to be done?

Saturday’s films not exactly fun.

Rugged individualism and socialism meet,

China, boxing, and Mohammed Ali, sweet!

Saturated colors, astounding rhymes and beat

Filmmaker barely civil, and glory be Ice-T.

Monday’s movies lighter and mighty.

**with apologies to the master rappers in the movie:)

Sundance Films thus far

heY er'body,
I wanted to give my thoughts on a few of the films we have seen. There were things that I really liked about all of them. Despite the composition of 1/2 Revolution; I felt it really captured the mass confusion that must have been going on with all the Egyptians in the streets. To me it seemed very chaotic with the overwhelming darkness. Maybe this is what the director wanted us to get out of it.
For Law in These Parts, I kept thinking that there really is no solution to the many problems in that part of the world that have been caused by war. I felt it was very thorough with all the variety of long interviews. I thought it could have had more cinematography; maybe more geographical shots of the peoples locations in relation to the conflict zones.
I almost cried during Invisible War. What a horrible thing for service men and women. I thought this film captured the pain perfectly of the victims who were trapped by policies that perpetuated the crimes. What a groundbreaking film of exposition.
For China Heavyweight, I really enjoyed the cinematography. It was truly beautiful the way the landscape and different scenes were shot. The story made me think of young kids all around the world who have few options as far as opportunities go. I especially felt connected to the character when he walked out for the Q and A with the director and producer.
Something from Nothing made me want to meet all the pioneers of modern hip hop and rap. I could not get over how creative this form of expression really is. Every rapper had a different style. Some I really liked, and some I couldn't even believe. I think its all about free style. Anybody can take time and script a rap, but only "verbally cold rhyme spit-ers" can really deliver the flows that make you reanalyze what you've just been told.