Rachel True – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Tamra Davis
Written By: Chris Rock, Nelson George & Robert LoCash
Story By: Chris Rock & Nelson George
Cinematography By: Karl Walter Lindenlaub
Editor: Earl Watson

Cast: Chris Rock, Deezer D, Khandi Alexander, Allen Payne, Rachel True, Phil Hartman, Charlie Murphy, Stoney Jackson, Richard Gant, Art Evans, Lawanda Page, Theresa Randle, Willard E. Pugh, Chris Elliot, J.D. Daniels, Shar Jackson, Vanessa Lee Chester, Shirley Hemphill, Lance Crouther

A “rapumentary”, covering the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike: members of the rap group “CB4”. We soon learn that these three are not what they seem and don’t apear to know as much about rap music as they claim… but a lack of musical ability in an artist never hurts sales, does it? You’ve just got to play the part of a rap star

The film is Rough around the edges, dated by now but still manages to be funny.

The movie is inspired and funny. The film is especially good at making fun of it’s main target the Gangsta rap scene and it’s excess. while it was still going strong. This is more a mainstream and Low budget studio film but not a self aware mockumentary that lends itself to spoof like the movie FEAR OF A BLACK HAT. The funnier and better made of the two films. Though then again I was older by the time I saw the later film and more into hip hop and rap, knowing it’s history by that time.

This is where my love of Chris Rock and his comedy began. I had seen him in SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. And remembered him in small roles in movies like BOOMERANG, BEVERLY HILLS COP 2 and NEW JACK CITY. But this film felt like it spoke to my generation. Even as I was too young to Watch it. I still saw it in the theater twice and it’s a movie I still watch and return to many times over the years. While not the best made, it still feels fun.

Though there were movies more aimed at me and my age group at the time in particular for urban audiences were the KID n’ Play series of movies like CLASS ACT and the HOUSE PARTY movies which were also rated R and while racy. These films also felt inclusive and rebellious. This is also a film that feels compromised to a degree. As it has a coherent storyline, but gets distracted many times and leaves a lot of plot threads dangling. Which it seems like the credits hint at with cut scenes playing during.

Over the years Chris Rock had been a comedian that I can constantly respond to and identify with. He has the subject of a character who has The whole more suburban upbringing but wanting to feel more down and street as that is what sells and selling yourself out as well as your culture. Just as the contrast between his long term girlfriend versus the groupie who is always around Teaching the characters to be themselves over all the gimmicks get have tried over the years to be popular or get noticed.

The film also gives the late Charlie Murphy an iconic role as the villain Gusto. He is menacing and also hilarious and one of the first performances I truly remember him in. The film even has Chris Rock’s his old SNL co-star The late Phil Hartman in a supporting role. Even though race is involved the movie keeps it’s focus on African-American characters and culture.

While never the best skit writer this is the beginning of Chris rock’s comedic voice more on issues and subjects. It’s still not as sharp as it is now. As at times scenes seem to be more parody or episodic skit like ideas interwoven into the story. It allows the cast to be funny and do some of the lifting.

Behind the scenes Nelson George a writer who I am a big fan of who I had not discovered yet. Whose writing is more about being a music and culture critic. As well as now being an accomplished writer and screenwriter these days. He is one of the producers and Co-writer of the screenplay.

The film aspires to be a little more than it is. It starts off by being a comedy though that takes us to the middle of the film. After that the movie loses it’s focus until the third act where it figures it needs to ends soon and forces more plot elements introduced earlier into the main fold.

As the film does show the motivation for the characters but then as they are achieving their dream they are pulled into controversy by a politician looking for publicity. While also being on the run from the actual Gangster they are emulating. The problem is that the film leaves many loose ends and only seems to solve a few of the problems.

Most will come to the film for comedy and maybe even a nostalgic look back. I will admit that I am an unbiased fan of this and most Chris Rock movies. I support them eve. As some have been disappointing and more focused on remaking stuff and riffing off of it instead of being original. Here at least he seems off to a good start. This was before he made a comeback with his stand-up special BRING THE PAIN. Though this was after he had left SNL. This seemed like a culmination of his stand-up and comedic voice. That showed thematic ideas behind his comedy then.

The film feels too short but that might be due to cuts and. It too much else to add on as that might have introduced other things that would need to be spread around throughout the film. I wish the movie was longer more of an epic. So that it had time to tie up a bunch of loose threads that are left dangling and tackle some other subjects.

Rachel True cast in another girlfriend role in a budding comedians first lead role in a film they co-wrote (HALF BAKED) and here and even now still looks the same age.

This film lead to a crush and being a fan of actress Khandi Alexander as she looks so drool worthyingly hot in the film. As the ultimate groupie and early model for the mm and finding financial gain from it.

If you remember these days and drone this movie is a test and a great way to look back. If not this movie might not be as strong for you. I can admit I owned the soundtrack to this movie though some parody and at the end a throwback classic to hip hop. There are some songs that are remakes of classic hip hop songs throughout, but most of the music is original. Like the music the movie is very misogynistic. No real strong female voice and when there is quickly becomes more humor and a thorn in the side would expect a little better treatment considering the director is female Tamra Davis.

One of the reasons the film still resonates for me is that I was growing up during that time so it was part of my generations pop culture and at the heart of it. It was one of the first films that felt like it was directed towards me and my generation other the. Being able to identify with it and the lead character.

Learning to be yourself and find your own voice even after being a personality or copying someone else brought you fame. Which is strange because then at the end we find the characters supposedly really rapping but obviously not the actors and they are rapping a classic hip hop song that isn’t theirs. This is also implicated early In the film where they lip synch to rap. Think WAYNE’S WORLD with bohemian rhapsody only here the tape deck is messed up in his car so it goes fast one second and slow the next even as they all dress up in the car like RUN DMC, as that is who the tape they are listening to is by, but also when we see their many attempts to rap and get discovered they usually fail because they are trying gimmicks and not really being themselves or truthful at all. It doesn’t help that we never really see them write or focus on the writing and rapping part ever. The only time it seems like they actually might have talent individually is in the montage of scenes when they break up and the individual singles released.

I realize this is more a silly comedy, but the message is presented. So that it is more in the background. It is just not really focused upon The film is a movie of it’s time. As it came out and partially satirized gangsta rap while it was still around and starting to come upon the end or a new generation of it. While it was dwindling. That was hip but bold and not too late where it would have been more obvious.

This is a kind of classic. One of those films most of my generation remember for better and worse and probably pass it on to another generation. If only as some kind of time capsule.

Grade: B-

Written, Edited & Directed By: Greg Araki Cinematography: Arturo Smith

Production Design: Patti Podesta

Cast: James Duval, Rachel True, Christina Applegate, Nathan Bexton, Guillermo Diaz, Jeremy Jordan, Kathleen Robertson, Jordan Ladd, Ryan Philippe, Heather Graham, Charlotte Rae, Chiara Mastroianni, Debi Mazar, Joshua Gibran Mayweather, Mena Suvari, Sarah Lassez, Alan Boyce, Jason Simmons, Beverley D’Angelo, Denise Richards, Teresa Hill, Traci Lords, David Leisure, Eve Plumb, John Ritter, Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan, Christopher Knight, Stacy Kennan, Devon Odessa, Stephane Sednaoui, Gibby Haynes,

In it’s own way this film is like a nihilistic beach party movie. Way removed from Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

This film is a kind of spoof teen movie like SCREAM making fun of teens and teen movies. While being one but being modern and way over the top. Showcasing what teen moves at the time shows away from showing Drugs, Sex, Suicide, eating disorders, homosexuality, date rape, murder, alien invasions and face it all a rough edge.

The film has cameos and appearances galore which makes it feels like a Robert Altman cast with spot the guest star of musicians and actors who were recognizable at the Time. As well as established actors from television. Where some seem here more to challenge their image and be a bit rebellious

This is a low budget odyssey meant to be surreal with great art direction. The film certainly has a diverse cast where an African American character is the most popular and sought after female in the film. And a Great alternative 90’s soundtrack.

It’s an ensemble so the story and film Is supposed to feel unfocused at times. At heart this film wants to be a comedy. Yet hits in serious issues but at other times ends them in more silly ways.

Though the couples are sexually fluid throughout this is the closest at the time Of director Greg Araki making more heterosexual cinema. As before this most of his film had been considered queer cinema. Though this film has a few same sex pairings.

This is kind of a preview of what his future film KABOOM and Television series NOW APOCALYPSE would be like only more structured. Kind of wish it had more of this films madness and world. Love or hate the films of Greg araki they are never boring.

This is a dark decadent comedy that allows sitcom stars to play against type with different stories going on while an alien invasion is taking place. Letting the stars play more dirty and against type.

This is certainly a film to experience and while more a cult classic that at times tries to find art and beauty in trash. Yet always aspiring to be trash. In more a sharp and stylish way then a John Waters way.

The actual leads of the film are mroe the lesser known names in the cast.

This film seems more like an examination, dedication and showcase of the culture at the time, more California based. Where as it seems full of good looking people, fashion and fads, but they are usually doing the worst or bad things and we get to know some more then just face value. To see what lies inside them and what they cause. As sometimes even the most pretty beauty is all they have to offer. Nothing else really.

The film ends nihilistic like most of Araki’s films here we are all lost or doomed in this unpredictable universe and no matter what all we try and search for is to not be lonely and have that person to go through the best and worst with.

This plays like a demented , warped satire of BEVERY HILLS 90210 and teen movies and culture of the 90’s. The film takes place over one day in california. It follows a group of teen friends and their misadventures. No real solid plot as much of the movie just seems to happen, not much seems actually planned.

Though it’s a teen movie it definitely is not for kids. It tackles all the usual subjects. Drugs (tons of them) Infidelity, Date Rape, Suicide, Love, First dates, Butit also includes new ones like Zombies, Cross Dressing and Fetishes. The film also takes typical cliched characters and turns your pre-concieved notions of them and turns them on their ear.With characters named Dark, zero, ducky, Lucifer, Dingbat, Kozy, Hand Job, and Egg. you know this is not your typical film.

It’s has a very surreal stlye. The saturated colors in scenes. One character even has the lyrics of a song superimposed on his bedroom walls that surround him at every turn. It tries to be more punk style if film more then anything else.

This is the third part of Greg Araki’s Teenage apocalypse trilogy though his film KABOOM deals with similar subjects. Truth be told this at the time was the first film of greg araki’s that i enjoyed. The film is a nihlistic piece of work as usual fro him in his early work. He calls this his first heterosexual film. As most of his previous work was considered gay cinema.

Even though the film takes place in one day. the characters change clothes numerous times throughout the film.

This film is filled with both tons of cameos giving it a all star cast and filled with at the time many up and coming actors. The film is filled with sex but oddly very little nudity. Though it does contain plenty of graphic shocking violence.

This film feels like a chance for the young stars of the film to distort whatever images they have in film and television. To show they have an edge and sense of humor. It also gives them a chanceto do a indie film. Which was the cool thing to do at the time. The film is almost like a time capsule to 90’s culture.

It is a beautiful film to look at no matter how trashy it tries to be. The art Direction, Camera work are truly admirable, but in the same mindset. The film can make things beautiful, but also stomach turning even the characters.

Just like the film the soundtrack is very vivid itself. Scoring the film with uneasiness and energy.

This film is crazy and definately out there, but i can honestly say i enjoyed it enough to give it a mild recommendation.

Grade: B

Tag: Rachel True

CB4 (1993)

NOWHERE (1997)