Customer Reviews

Krush Groove

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Never mind that corny Leonard Maitlin quip. this is the story of the biggest rap label ever, told fictionally. Krush Groove is really DefJam Records, the label that would go on to host the biggest acts ever, including RunDMC, The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, the FatBoys, Kurtis Blow (ALL FEATURED PROMINENTLY AND ACTUALLY DISPLAYING GOOD ACTING SKILLS), and later MethodMan, Redman, DMX and Public Enemy. This film has great performances, an angry Run coming on stage, positively commenting on the other performers quietly and declaring, "but this is my m.. house!" is great. Kurtis Blow does If I ruled the World, the FatBoys do their thing, etc. But in terms of seriousness and social blah blah, watching this movie, seeing the way Russel came up, and looking now at what he's become, is just amazing. They got Blair Underwood to play Russel Simmons, and he does a great job. This movie should, though it probably wont, go down as one of the best accounts of the achievement of the American Dream, through dangerous dealings and dreaming, all types of adversity and successes, in a music that was emerging. The movie was made in 85, and it takes place pretty much exactly as it was being made, with complete faith in its premise, its music, and its eventual success. That's quite amazing because you can now look at it as a historical testament, no exxageration, to one of the biggest cultural movements this nation has ever had. Hip hop heads, we'll go down like the gnostics, amazing innovators and proponents of culture, suppressed by the ignorant and the power-hungry. You'll show this movie to your kids one day.

This movie is so cute, so happy, so silly, so fun. It has become a member of my family. The music is good, the characters are hilarious, and you can pick out bits of truth and history if you look. You can also play "Where's LL?". He is scattered a few places in the movie. And you get to see the real Russell Simmons talking to the character based on Russell Simmons, played by Blair Underwood. MTV had a hip hop day a couple of years ago, and they featured Krush Groove, hosted by Fab 5 Freddy. (You can also see F5F in the beautiful, classic, solid Wild Style.) The only advisory is to erase or fast-forward through the scene in which the Fat Boys (the Disko 3) are in their science class, right before they get into "Don't you dog me.... Aaarh aaarh, aaarh aaarh....". The classroom part contains an unnecessary dissection scene. Watch it and you'll see what I mean. Enjoy this movie, and by all means --- keep the spirit of Krush Groove alive! Word. :)

Krush Groove (1985)
General Plot: An indie rap label tries to get off the ground.
Let's face it. Films like this you don't really watch for the plot. It's all about the music, baby! This film has lots of it, from various Reagan-era hip-hop and contemporary R&B personalities, all delivering first-rate performances. Hip-hop was just beginning to be exposed to mainstream America (and the world!), and "Krush Groove" was a major part of it. in retrospect, some may look at it as "hip-hop-exploitation", but for what it's worth, films like "Ferris Bueller", "Pretty in Pink" and "The Breakfast Club" didn't speak to urban kids at all... But Krush Groove did!

Featured Players:

Rappers who play themselves: Run DMC (Darryl McDaniels, Joey Simmons, Jason Mizell); The Fat Boys; Kurtis Blow. The movie studio insisted on pop-star appeal, so Sheila E was brought in. This was Sheila E's first, and apparently last, starring role in a movie.
L.A. Law's Blair Underwood plays Russell. The real-life Russell Simmons has a bit part as a concert promoter in the film.
Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin plays himself. The real-life Def Jam was also started out of his dorm room at NYU.
Cameos:
Daniel Simmons, father of Russell and Joey (Run), plays the church deacon.
In the club talent show, performances from the Beastie Boys and New Edition (including Bobby Brown. He's at the far left during their bit).
"The Disco Fever", used for most of the club scenes, was shut down a few years later.
80's R&B group Full Force play thug enforcers in the flick. They would also go on to play bullies in the first two House Party films.
LL Cool J plays the kid who crashes the dorm room for an audition. Also, see if you can spot him pushing a cart at a concert scene. He also appears in the closing scenes.
Charles Stettler, who plays the boss of 'Galaxy Records' was the real-life manager of the Fat Boys, and allegedly gave them their name after they ran up a $300 room service bill at a hotel during their first concert tour (their previous name was the Disco Three).
Other Trivia:
Sheila E's pal/mentor/partner Prince visited the set during filming and co-wrote & produced 'Love Bizarre'
The director, Michael Schultz, also directed the 70's comedy Car Wash, which featured Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Danny DeVito. Notice the tribute scene.
The Fat Boys were discovered at a talent show in real life. First prize was a record deal, but the guys really wanted the 2nd place stereo.
Look closely at the Fever club scenes, you may spot a jheri-curled Chris Rock as an extra.
Surprisingly, the film was rated R when it was released.

Krush Groove finally brought the hip hop movie focus back to the mic. This musical manages to have a plot and feature lengthy performances by the Fat Boys, Run-D.M.C., Kurtis Blow, and Sheila E (all as fictionalized versions of themselves). Based on the life on Def Jam Records co-founder Russel Simmons, it showcases Simmons' artists, particularly his little brother Joseph "Run" Simmons. It also highlights soon-to-be-huge rappers the Beastie Boys and L.L. Cool J. Young producer Russel Walker (Blair Underwood) must borrow money from a dangerous loan shark in order to process the records of his hottest act, Run-D.M.C. Logically, selling these records would make enough money to pay back the loan, but Russel seems to find himself still broke and in trouble. Everyone gets by fine in the end by supporting each other and displaying their mad skills.
Krush Groove kept it real by filming in the Bronx, including the Disco Fever club. Owner Sal Abbatiello expected the movie to "be an uplift" and "bring attention [back] to the club" (excellent book Yes Yes Ya'll, 2002). Unfortunately, the media surrounding the filming brought the attention of the authorities, who shut Disco Fever down for good on the last day of shooting for not having all the proper licenses.
The film does well by stressing competition and brotherhood, and by allowing its stars to shine. It convincingly tells of the power of a great MC to rock a party, gain respect, get a date, and (most importantly in Russel Simmons' mind) sell records. It foretells the new focus of public and media attention on the MC, which doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

This is loosely based on the story of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, the boy wonders who founded Def Jam, a record company who roster boasted the best rap acts of the 1980's. It features several of the top rappers of that decade, including RUN DMC, Kool Moe Dee, The Fat Boys and a young LL Cool J (before he got that now buff body of his). Not the greatest film in terms of screenwriting and acting, but an excellent look into the 1980s rap scene.

If your between the age of 25 & 30 and saw this movie years ago.
It will bring back great memories of your childhood. The cast is pretty much made up of rappers and rap groups of hip hop past. So it's worth it just to see all your favorites of yester year, before it was all about shoot em up and other nonsense

I LIKE THIS HANDS DOWN. THIS MOVIE CONTAINS SOME ACTING DONE BY SOME OF THE MASTERS; BY SOME OF THE FOREFATHERS OF HIP HOP WHO STARTED IT ALL I LOVE THIS MOVIE IT HAS A SLAMMING SDTK. I LOVE THE SONG"KRUSH GROOVIN" BY THE KRUSH GROOVE ALL-STARS. IT CONTAINS KURTIS BLOW ACTING AND PERFORMING THAT IS A PLUS. SHEILA E., RUN DMC, THE FAT BOYS, NEW EDITION, AND THE YOUNG BLAIR UNDERWOOD. I LOVE IT AND STILL ENJOY THIS VIDEO.

Watching this movie is definitely a trip down memory lane. Any true fan of Hip Hop will enjoy watching old school artists such as Run-DMC perform. The plot is formulated, but makes for a light-hearted entertaining movie.

Qualtity of the DVD is tight as well.

I first viewd this movie at the age of 14, It is enjoyable now as it was back then. Even better it is on DVD!!! Thanks for keeping the "old skool" hip hoppers grooving!

Great movie brought back memories..
nothing like watching Rev Run in his
prime...