Customer Reviews

Fear of a Black Hat

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When a friend reccomended this movie, some time ago, I was kind of reluctent to rent a movie about a rap group that has a thing about hats. I eventually broke down and did rent it. This movie is a great satire/parody of rap and its' various movers and sometime shakers. The obvious comparison between this movie and This is spinal tap begins and ends with the music element. Fear of a black hat hits every social/cultural hot button there is while streaming along with truly funny developments that mirror real life events. In short buy this movie and laugh your ass off.

You don't have to know a thing about rap music to love this screamingly funny satire about culture clash, the media, fame, hypocrisy and a lot more.

A black woman (college-educated, oh-so-serious public TV type) is filming a documentary on a three-man rap group from the streets. Calling their mean selves Niggas With Hats (NWH), they're very concerned, at least while on camera (which is all we see) with maintaining their "hood" persona.

All their managers are mysteriously shot dead while NWH are "out of town" (wink, nudge). Early on they switch from using family members as managers to employing Jewish white boys. Before the film ends, they go through six of these poor fellows.

The dialog between the group and their middle-aged Caucasian record company owner is sidesplitting. With misplaced confidence, the businessman feels compelled to speak street talk in a doomed attempt to bond with his artists. We watch the astonished faces of our rappers as they listen to his ludicrous slang, which dates back to Malcolm X's time.

NWH even puts out a Christmas album called "Ho, Ho, Ho's." A rival rap group dogs their rise to fame, each outfit trying to destroy the other. NWH finally prevails, however, when it's discovered that the opposition's lead singer went to a prep school and even edited its yearbook. His career ruined, the antagonist and his crew are banished in shame.

There's an angry Spike Lee wannabe and an opening act, Vanilla Sherbet, a bouncy white rapper who insists he was raised by a black family. The concert audiences are pimply white youth who ape the group's moves, clothing and speech mannerisms and for whom the rappers can barely disguise their utter contempt.

Relating these details in no way spoils the fun, for it's the telling of the tale and the facial expressions of those to whom all of this happens that make the movie.

No matter what your age or background, you'll be howling out loud at many parts of this parody. See it soon.

This film had the misfortune to be released slightly after Chris Rock's far-inferior Rap music satire, "CB4," and, therefore, disappeared without a trace. What a crime! This comedy stands far above not only "CB4" but most other comedies released at the time and since. It doesn't break any new ground: it's a mock documentary on a fictitious Rap group ["N.W.H." (Niggas With Hats)] and their rise and fall. It does for Rap what "This Is Spinal Tap!" does for Heavy Metal and no less effectively, I might add. Indeed, there are many similarities between this film and "Tap" (just as Tap can't keep a drummer, N.W.H. can't keep a white manager) but this flick does NOT come off as a pale rip off. Writer-director-star Rusty Cundeiff never again reached the hilarious heights scaled here (his subsequent films are the good "Tales From the Hood" and the abysmal "Sprung") with his fantastic debut. All the performances are spot on, from working actors you've seen many times before but whose names you probably don't remember. N.W.H. features Cundeiff, Larry B. Scott ("Lamar" from "Revenge of the Nerds"), and Mark Christopher Lawrence (who's done more commercials and TV guest spots than you can shake a stick at) and the Interviewer is essayed by Kasi Lemmons who shortly thereafter ditched acting to become a director ("Eve's Bayou"). The film does a remarkably thorough job in hitting all the appropriate satirical targets (rival rap groups, misogynistic lyrics, L. A. riots, groupies, etc.). There has not been one person I know whose viewed this film and has NOT become a "Hat" convert. It is simply a hysterical comedy in a day and age where quality laughs are in short supply.

This movie was enjoyable from beginning to end. Alot better than CB4 which was okay but definitely not as gag laden as this film in the mockery of a behind the music documentary. You can never get tired of this film!

This is a hilarious movie that has made it to my All Time Favorite list. I recommend this movie highly and assure the rap and R&B fan many laughs. This film is a guaranteed good time. My Hat is off (only temporarily) to Rusty and his posse for a job well done. A must see! Every single person I have asked to see this movie has come back to say 'thanks'. See it and tell a friend! Even though its been out for awhile, you'll still laugh your _ss off! If you don't agree FYM ASMD (you have to see the movie to appreciate the acronyms)

They made one of the funniest movies ever even funnier. Hilarious deleted scenes and commentary from Rusty. Unbelievably funny interviews with Rusty, Mark, and Larry. When Larry was interviewed they made him seem like he couldn't differentiate between the movie and reality. I was laughing to the point of tears. There is also a hosted version feature where they interrupt in the middle of the movie for an "intermission". The DVD also has 12 full-length music videos that were in the movie. Still the funniest movie I ever seen to date

If you have ever seen this flick, you know that this is THE rap-umentary! You'll have to scavenge your local video store to find a copy to rent...but it is TOTALLY worth it! Hopefully the studio will see the light and put this bad boy out on DVD....but until then...RENT IT! If you remember the early and middle 80's rap and hip hop scene, you will laugh your posterior off. This movie is a parody of EVERYTHING cool that happened during that period. Watch it once, watch it twice, watch it thrice...and you will jump on the band wagon that this movie deserves to be released on DVD with full-on commentary....original aspect ratio...and al of the other goodies that have made DVD the format of choice.

This movie is the "Spinal Tap" for the hip hop set. This movie is very dated, but very hilarious, the jokes never get old. I have seen this movie hundreds of time and am glad to see it come to DVD finally. Rusty Cundieff is a talented writer, as well as a great actor, and should be noted as one of the best that black cinema has to offer.

This movie has everything I love - rap music, hilarious comedy, and great acting. This parody touches on so many elements of rap culture that ring so true to life. Ever seen the DMX reality show on BET, "Soul of a Man"? There is an episode where he shows off his weapons collection in much the same way that Tasty Taste does. That's just one example of how Fear of a Black Hat is still so relevent even today.

The commentary on the DVD answers every question a viewer might have and is very funny as well. This DVD will become your favorite, it's great to watch after a night out or on a Sunday afternoon. The soundtrack is so great that you'll find yourself bumping Ice Froggy Frog as you peel out of a parking lot. Watch this movie because it's the greatest!

everything the others said that was good i agree with. i think that maybe people reading these high raves expect us to put something bad in, but there's nothing on the down side unless... unless you're a religious person who feels uncomfortable with swearing and sexual situations.
i liked this movie so much that a year after giving this movie (on vhs) to a friend i re-bought it (on dvd) for myself.