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Movies / On DVD / Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme

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Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme

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Reviews Counted:18

Fresh:16

Rotten:2

Average Rating:6.9/10

Rated: Not Rated

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:Jul 16, 2004 Limited

Synopsis: Although carefully constructed rap songs have become a staple of the mainstream music scene, most freestyle rhyming remains undocumented, with a variety of talented rappers seeing their words... Although carefully constructed rap songs have become a staple of the mainstream music scene, most freestyle rhyming remains undocumented, with a variety of talented rappers seeing their words floating off into thin air after they pass through their lips at the speed of a high-powered locomotive. FREESTYLE: THE ART OF RHYME aims to remedy this state of affairs by highlighting some of the best freestylers out there. Viewers who have seen 8 MILE will be familiar with the freestyle battles that go down, and these are featured here, alongside rhyming and commentary from a number of rap luminaries; Mos Def, The Roots, Jurassic 5, and The Last Poets all feature. As well as the spectacular rhyming skills, the film also offers some prescient comment on how many kids have been saved from a life of crime by discovering their freestlying talents. An informative, educational, and entertaining documentary, this is a great opportunity to witness some breathtaking performances by a group of unheralded artists. [More]

Starring: Mos Def, Roots, Last Poets, Jurassic 5

Starring: Mos Def, Roots, Last Poets, Jurassic 5


Studio: Organic Films

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Release:

May 24, 2005

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Reviews for Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
N/R

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Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
07/15/05
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters

there’s too little evidence that freestyling in itself deserves even the short 75 minutes allotted for this film

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
05/06/05
Mark Athitakis
Mark Athitakis
Filmcritic.com

The film's conventions have become hip-hop doc clichés.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
09/24/04
Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

Watching some of the best freestylers riff like Charlie Parkers with thesauruses is often breathtaking.

Full Review Source: Orlando Weekly | comment Comment
09/23/04
Todd Deery
Todd Deery
Orlando Weekly

The only downside of watching the movie? The rhythm gets you, and you’re likely not going to want to sit still in your seat.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles CityBeat | comment Comment
07/27/04
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
Los Angeles CityBeat

The skills on display in Freestyle are too varied and idiosyncratic for one movie to contain, but this one at least offers a heady, rousing education in an art form that is too often misunderstood.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
07/26/04
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Very innovative chronicle of a notable culture.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
07/23/04
Tim Cogshell
Tim Cogshell
Boxoffice Magazine

Not since the groundbreaking Wild Style has there been a hip-hop film this exciting to watch.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
07/23/04
E! Online

Even if you have no previous interest in or extensive knowledge of hip-hop, Freestyle will draw you in, accomplishing that rare feat of making the creative process interesting while also telling a story.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
07/23/04
Kevin Crust
Kevin Crust
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A thoughtful overview of a major musical movement, from its churchy roots to its urban present, from its aggressive front to its spiritual underpinnings.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
07/21/04
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
Hazel-Dawn Dumpert
L.A. Weekly

An engaged and knowing look at the underground world of improvised rap, concentrating on artists less interested in commercial success and cutting records than in the 'spontaneous right now' of 'nonconceptual rhyme.'

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
07/20/04
Fred Camper
Fred Camper
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Impromtu energy.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
07/19/04
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

Dispels myths about the 'gangsta' aura that clings to rap and shows this poetry of the streets in all its different forms: social protest, entertainment and aggression.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
07/16/04
Jami Bernard
Jami Bernard
New York Daily News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A solid documentary that examines the art's roots, from ad-libs by black preachers to 'toasts' delivered by Jamaican immigrants over instrumental tracks in the '70s South Bronx.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
07/16/04
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Where 2001's Scratch focused on 'turntablism' and the art of the DJ, Kevin Fitzgerald's brief but engaging documentary takes a look at those who do the actual rapping -- the MCs

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
07/16/04
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Despite cloying narration, Fitzgerald's footage and interviews are fantastic.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
07/13/04
Hua Hsu
Hua Hsu
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Makes for an interesting close-up on an art form whose intricacies could all too easily go unnoticed.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Merle Bertrand
Merle Bertrand
Film Threat

Ebullient hip-hop documentary.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
01/21/02
Phil Hall
Phil Hall
Film Threat
 
 
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