Customer Reviews

Pimps Up Ho's Down [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Several of the reviewers made comments about what this doucmentary lacked. They obviously are unaware that this film is the third part of a stunning, gritty trilogy, originally aired on HBO as part of the "America Under Cover" series. The first two installments("Hookers at the Point", parts 1 & 2) dealt exclusively with the lives of the prostitutes. The drug addiction, violence, legal entanglements, and broken relationships associated with "the life" were throughly explored. This film is exactly what is claims to be - a look into the life of a pimp. I had an uncle that was a pimp until his death at age 49. This film accurately reflects how he lived. He had the gold, the cars, the 'gators, and the women. He lived fast and he died young. I recommend viewing all three parts of the series. As a stand alone film, "Pimps Up, Ho's Down" is a tour-de-force about the pimpin'.

I gave this 4 stars not because I believe in this mess but because I believe girls/woman who are leaning toward this life style would benefit from watching this first. The pimps look for women who have already suffered abuse from her own family. This makes it easier for them to physically, emotionally and mentally not to mention sexually abuse their prostitutes. They need an already "damaged" woman to exploit her. They specifically say they need women with low self-esteem and those that have been molested as children. They then build their business by furthering the cycle of abuse of these woman. The men who pimp women also lack respect for women. Although they say they don't. It's obvious they don't know the definition of respect. They are parasites who have sold their souls. They control every aspect of a woman's life. They do mention several times that a "Ho" picks them. Which justifies the abuse. They could not deal or relate to women with their self-esteem in tack. They are predators, and abused women are their prey. This movie could help women from refusing the business and seeking counseling in dealing with her issues. If she could see the life she is headed to in advance by seeing and understanding this movie. The men who pimp women also have issues of being inferior so they take that aggression out on someone less inferior which happens to be a woman with pre-existing psychological issues of abuse and neglect. So with that said, these wanna be "men" are no more than "Bitches" themselves. I almost forgot, they have female pimps. They are lesbians. Enough said. However, they are not as ruthless as the men. Many have their girls are dancers/strippers and not selling their bodies. What I can't understand is how we, as a people could ever justify "owning" another human being. Selling them to the highest bidder, then having the audacity to have issues with slavery. These uneducated fools are modern day slave masters. The oppressed have become the oppressor.

Out of the two recent movies about the game. I initially thought that American pimp was the more serious of the two. When looking at the regular edition you may be disappointed by its lack of 'realness' meaning that while it is very entertaining it lacks, the grittyness of the hughes brothers films and owens other films such as Hookers and Johns...etc. Well, I changed my mind when I saw the DVD directors cut. It is almost a completely different film. There is tons more footage and it includes two unseen pimps. This aditional footage provides the grittiness and realism that the regular edition lacked. I emplore you to check this one out and the compare it to American pimp, I am sure that you will agree that it will stand up.

There are only a few films that come around that keeps you thinking long after it is over, "Pimps Up, Hoes Down" is such a film. From start to end it keeps you mesmerized, from crazy clothes to the silly hoes, it grabs your attention and does'nt let go. Probably the most amazing character in the film is Bishop, the ex-pimp. This guy is probably the most dramatic piece of work ever put on film. He needs his own television show, all he needs is a camera and some lights to show off the colorful duds.His vocabulary is extrordinary. All the pimps and hoes are interesting, they pull you into their world and what a glimpse. If you get this film for anything it should be for the Player's Ball. This is one that ranks up there with O.J Simpson's Bronco chase, the ball shows the pimps and hoes in all their glory. In short it is "Tight", you will be viewing this segment for years to come.

Do yourself a favor and get this film, it is nothing short of a masterpiece. Seriously!

I've actually seen both the HBO series directed by Brent Owens and the move "American Pimp" and I'd say that they compliment each other quite well. But, the Owens' documentaries go further in showing in great detail what the lives of the women who work for these pimps are like.

The pimps are allowed to just speak. There's no leading no constant interjection from "journalists" moralizing, just the pimps. And whether they know it or not, we see past all of the outrageous talk and gaudy clothes. We see men who might have been something worthwhile, men who are cruel, men who are outright sociopaths, all using women in the most cold and de-humanizing ways possible, and we see that they are very real. And that is very scary.

For those who've actually seen this documentary I'd suggest seeing "Hookers at the Point" as well. The same un-flinching look given to the pimps is turned towards the prostitutes, and believe me after seeing it one thing will be clear. With the prostitutes descriptions of the violence that they've suffered through and the frank portrayal of the crude and quite ugly sex that they must perform, there is one thing that you can never say again. You can never say that there is anything remotely glamorous or "Pretty-Woman-Like" about prostitution.

These are the fictional pimps of yester-year, hamming it up for the cameras and remembering to good old days. Real pimps today are not like this. These guys would be riddled with bullets within a week of real pimping in the ghetto. The drug dealers invaded the black pimping scene years ago, and now most ghetto pimps are young, extremely violent crack dealers, and they sell crack hoes now too. They use up women more quickly with none of the love for their beetches like the old-timers. If you want to be amused laughing at exaggerations of black stereotypes, this movie is for you. I give it 5 stars for amusement factor, 1 star for accurate portrayal of real life pimping.

This "documentary" on the game wasn't well done at all. Most of the macks don't even seem credible. (See the lesbian pimp who gets engaged to one of her girls; Mr. Whitefolks - 'nuf said) If you want to see a documentary with some historical context and some legitimate pimps, I would recommend "American Pimp" by the Hughes Bros. rather than this home video/film. The only bright spot of this film was the scene where Don "Magic" Juan spots a teenanged reader of his autobiography, and frankly tells the young man "Don't do this to yourself... be a doctor or a lawyer...". Overall this film gets a D-.

I rented this film the other day at my local video rental store because I liked the title, Pimps Up, Hos Down. The box was an added bonus, showcasing a pimp flanked by two hos kneeling at his sides with a plain white background. I couldn't resist the poetry of the title or the metaphor of the box cover art...the pimp and hos operating in their own insular and exclusionary world...the spiritual vacuum of their lives symbolized by an empty white background, the emptiness of their lives expressed to all would-be-renters as subtle as a pistol whipping. The picture's title clearly articulated the theme of the documentary in simple, urban vernacular and I had to see it. If anything, it had to be better than Night Shift, with Shelly Long, Henry Winkler, and Michael Keaton. Pimps Up, Hos Down, much of it filmed as recently as 1997, has a surprising amount to say, although after one viewing I wasn't sure whether it was a documentary or a comedy. The box calls it a Pimpumentary, whatever that means, but I think its all real. If you've ever seen I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, this movie seems to suggest that some of that film's satirical jabs at 70s blaxploitation flics actually happen. Very, very scary. Anyway, its a must see for anyone interested in African American subculture, Women's Studies, or Economics. You can learn a lot from a pimp. I give it 4 out of 5 stars, because even though Ice-T was in it, neither Dolomite or The Mac was.

This film is the perfect compliment to American Pimp, the fine Hughes Brothers documentary. The pimps featured here are extremely compelling to listen to...and you can't take your eyes off of them.

Get this and American Pimp. Both will give you a balanced outlook on The Game. I'm sure your minds are full of negative images and opinions on Pimps. So watch it anyways. If you hate Pimps, you'll still hate them afterwards...but you just may understand afterwards. And that's what it's all about.

...know what I'm sayin...this movie says it all on the pimpingame...know what I'm sayin...you can make your next move your best move...know what I'm sayin...barbeque or mildew, ho-up or blowup...know what I'm sayin...this movie is full of world-class playaz, bowin down ho's and international gentlemen of leisure full of celebrities and festivities...know what I'm sayin...