Customer Reviews

Black Cloud

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There are several things about this film by Rick Schroder that make it special. One is the location. The cinematography of the beautiful Canyon de Chelly is spectacular. One has the feeling of a John Ford/John Wayne western at times. Another plus is the wonderful company of indigenous actors. Russell Means is a standout as the boxing coach. Julia Jones is impressive as the single Mom who is in love with a troubled young man played by Eddie Spears. Spears does a good job as a mixed blood Indian youth in the midst of an identity crisis. Tim McGraw's music is an added plus to the film, and it works well. Although McGraw made his acting debut in the film, he seems very natural in the role of the sheriff. The boxing scenes are very well done, thanks to an adviser who worked on Rocky, The Champ, and a lot of other films of that genre. This is Rick Schroder's tribute to the West that he loves, Native Americans, etc. It's a good debut for him as a filmmaker.

I'm a big fan of Rick Schroder's acting in such programs as "Lonesome Dove" and "NYPD Blue," so I really wanted to like "Black Cloud," his debut as a director/screenwriter, a lot more than I did. The film's not terrible, but it is something of a disappointment. To begin with, Schroder did himself no favors by making a boxing movie at the same time that two other actors-turned-directors, Clint Eastwood and Ron Howard, released veritable masterpieces of that genre. And then, though Schroder the director shows confidence and visual flair, Schroder the screenwriter doesn't seem quite sure of the story he wants to tell. Does he want a rousing boxing flick in which the underdog triumphs a' la "Rocky," or a searing indictment of the racism and dead-end prospects young Native Americans face? Frankly, I found the second story by far the more effective of the two, particularly as acted by Eddie Spears as the titular character, a young Navajo boxer consumed by frustration and hatred of the white man's world. (His hatred, at least in the context of the movie, is thoroughly justified; every major white character except one in this movie is an irredeemable monster.) When he sticks to Black Cloud and his plight, Schroder works strongly and sharply, and he elicits excellent performances not only from Spears as Black Cloud, but also from Julia Jones as Black Cloud's girlfriend Sammi and Nathaniel Arcand as his best pal Jimmy. (Schroder also contributes a sharp performance as Eddie, Sammi's vindictive ex-boyfriend and the father of her child.) But these scenes never really mesh with the boxing portions of the movie, so that the entire film in the end seems soft and diffuse. Schroder's directing of his actors is uneven; Russell Means is a little shaky as Black Cloud's boxing coach, and Tim McGraw is downright bad as the bigoted local sheriff. Also, Schroder makes the mistake of segueing into Navajo mysticism, which produces some embarrassingly awkward screen moments, particularly toward the end. "Black Cloud" is good enough to make me hope that Schroder will do better with his second effort, but not quite good enough for me to recommend.

This DVD has two filming debuts, Rick Schroder (Lonesome Dove, NYPD Blue) as director and Tim McGraw as actor. Both are good debuts. The script was also written by Rick Schroder.

"Black Cloud(2005)" is about the personal struggles and triumphs of Navajo boxer Black Cloud. (Full name) Black Cloud (Eddie Spears) faces racism from the local residents and city police near the Navajo rez. Local Sheriff Powers (McGraw) knows about the personal struggles of the Navajo Nation people. And he sees Black Cloud as a survivor, so he gives Black Cloud the benefit of the doubt when he gets in trouble. The only outlet Black Cloud has is boxing. Boxing keeps Black Cloud out of trouble when it is so easy to find on the rez. When an Olympic scout (Peter Greene) sees Black Cloud fight on the boxing under-card of an arrogant Olympic hopeful Rocket Ray Tracey (Pooch Hall), he sees Black Cloud making the Olympic boxing team. But will Black Cloud's personal demons get the best of him? Black Cloud's father is an alcoholic. He has constant parties at his house and has no time for his son. So, Black Cloud seeks out his coach and mentor, Bud. (Russell Means)

Black Cloud's girlfriend Sammi (Julia Jones) has a son by rodeo circuit, white bull rider Eddie. (Schroder) When Eddie tries to reunite with his ex, Sammie, Black Cloud's anger gets the best of him and he opens a can of whip ass on Eddie. Will this put an end to his Olympic shot?

The character relationship and dialogue could have been developed more. The background, relationships and why Black Cloud does not trust the white man were not explained thoroughly. A lot of the stereotypical Native association is utilized like alcoholism, trust, mysticism and poverty. But this is the first time I've seen Native Hip Hop in a film. The typical hard partying and attitude came along with it. Native Hip Hop has been actually infiltrating and influencing the younger generation on the rez for many years. Whether that is good or bad can still be debated.

The film shows the beauty of the Navajo Nation rez located at the four corners. Rick Schroder utilizes boxing coach Jimmy Gambin (Rocky, The Champ) to train the boxers. The boxing elements in the film are action packed and realistic.

Recognizable Native actors include; Nathaniel Arcand (Jimmy), Saginaw Grant (Grandpa) and Branscombe Richmond (Peter). "Seinfeld's" Wayne Knight makes a special appearance as the special favor, white power monger Mr. Tipping.

Rick Schroder (Little Ricky in Silver Spoons) utilizes his experiences from acting and growing up in the entertainment industry to help with filming. The DVD shows his potential as a director, but his script writing on this film could have been more polished. Will the financial risk of movie making leave Schroder high and dry in the future?

Wow - this is a really reat NDN movie - Eddie Spears is great as Black Cloud - really has a great scowl down - wonderful to see this young actor's career take off and really growing with each role he has undertaken. Rick Schroder - did an excellent job of capturing NDN angst, survival and spirit to continue...
Even though the venue for the movie was boxing - great story line.
Nancy Lind

I'm not a big Ricky Schroeder fan, but I am a Russell Means fan.
In fact, I probably wouldn't have watched the movie if it weren't for him. I don't think he's getting near the credit he deserves for his contribution to the movie, but that's just me. All in all, it's a good movie, and I feel that it gives an accuarate portrayal of modern life of young American Indians on the Rez today, simply because Russell Means, being who he is, would not have been a part of it if it didn't, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mr. Means.

I purchased the movie before even seeing it. I just knew I wanted to see it and keep it as a movie. After reading initial reviews of it, I thought it would be great. I always like good boxing movies, but better yet..I liked good human characters.
Let's see what Ricky can do with this one under his belt and onto bigger better things.
Go BlackCloud!
Go Ricky!

When I read customer reviews about this film, I had mixed feelings about whether I should take the time to even watch it. So when I made up my mind to order it, I had to rent it to see if I'd made the right choice. I'm glad I did, because this film touched me.
Here's this young twenty-something year old Black Cloud who is trying to live a good life. He's a up and coming boxer who has this great girl and tries to make a honest and meaningful perspective on his life. Then he finds out that his veins flow the blood of white men who, from his point view, are the bain of existence because of what his people have suffered under the white man's reign. That's where self-destruction takes Black Cloud on an emotional rollercoaster, and he begins to make decisions that he'll eventually regret.
Losing himself in what he has learned to be his doomed heritage, Black Cloud turns his back on everything that he once stood for. He quits boxing, breaks up with the love of his life, Sammie, and hangs with the crowd that were once losers in his eyes.
With a drunk for a father, and noone else to turn to, he finally seeks advice about his mixed blood heritage from his grandfather who spiritually and emotionally guides him to the truth.
As Black Cloud comes to terms with who he really is and accepts it, he begins to slowly pull his life back together.
It definitelely wasn't what I expected. This film is much more to the eye when really studied. You'd definitely have to watch it more than once to get where its coming from. For a film that had a budget of just under a million dollars, I thought it was brilliant. The cinematography just made me want to be in the film myself. It was capturing and cast a new light on Native American acting.
Good job, Mr. Schroeder!
P.S. I'm hoping there will be a Black Cloud 2. I would like to know more about how Black Cloud copes with obstacles in the boxing world and what effects it may have on his relationship with Sammie. And they never really said if Jimmy died or not, only that he was touch and go (didn't look like he was going to make it).
Eddie Spears is an actor who brings grave emotion to his character and can't wait to see more of his work.

Managing a move rental store years ago, this is what we called "B" movies. This is an A+ movie, hands down!! Wonderful story of pride and dreams. I was surprised to learn that Ricky Schroder, wrote, directed and produced this movie, per the back of my box. You will not be disappointed if you like family clean movies. There is a couple of fight seens that you may want to check out before letting the little ones watch with you. Other than that, I only have good, good things to say.

This is by no means a great film, but it is certainly better than many reviewers here give it credit for. Schroeder is to be commended for his efforts. The low budget is evident throughout, but the acting is solid and the message an important one. Even if it is a bit overwrought, one of the greatest issues for American Indians today is struggling with their identity and where they fit in this world. What some may see here as melodramatic racism is actually a very real stigma that many "mixed-bloods" have to face. In the end, this facet of the film makes it an important one, and a decent addition to the woefully inadequate genre of Native American film.

Eddie Spears is excellent - I hope to see him get more work. If only Indians could get roles in films where their ethnicity was not the primary character.

I attended the premier in Connecticut and talked at length with Rick Schroder about his project as writer/director. It was shot on a small budget but the result is amazing. The storyline is authentic and the cast and acting is excellent. Lead actor Eddie Spears (Lower Brule) is spectacular and believable. It's alchemy on film. Buy this movie!