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Life Is Hot in Cracktown (2009)

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Average Rating: 5.1/10
Reviews Counted: 6
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 3

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Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 1,913

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Movie Info

Based on writer/director Buddy Giovinazzo's novel of the same name, Life Is Hot in Cracktown explores how crack cocaine infiltrated the streets of urban America by following the journeys of four people whose lives are on a tragic collision course. Pre-op transsexual Marybeth (Kerry Washington) is working as a prostitute in order to save enough money to make her transformation complete. She lives with her lover, Benny, a small-time burglar, whom she hopes to marry after her final operation.

R, 1 hr. 40 min.

Drama

Directed By: Buddy Giovinazzo

Written By: Buddy Giovinazzo

In Theaters: Jun 26, 2009 Wide

On DVD: Aug 25, 2009

Lightning Media

Life Is Hot in Cracktown Trailer & Photos

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Cast

Critic Reviews for Life Is Hot in Cracktown

All Critics (8) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (3) | DVD (1)

While Giovinazzo's crude approach undercuts his occasional stab at gravitas, Cracktown's cast keeps things in the ballpark of relatable humanity.

July 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times

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Glenn Whipp

Los Angeles Times

Top Critic

There are no positive characters in Cracktown. No voice of reason; just the reality of dire circumstances, which cannot be tied up in a pretty Hollywood bow.

July 2, 2009 Full Review Source: BET.com

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Clay Cane

BET.com

One part Crash and one part Menace II Society.

June 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine

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Tim Cogshell

Boxoffice Magazine

Aside from tremendous performances given by Washington and Rasuk, the bleakness in 'Cracktown' doesn't offer a solution that leaves a positive outlook on life.

June 26, 2009 Full Review Source: BlackFilm.com

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Wilson Morales

BlackFilm.com

About as credible as a middle school production of Death of a Salesman. The unspectacular storylines plod along, dragged down by lackluster performances and sloppy direction.

June 25, 2009 Full Review Source: Metromix.com

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Geoff Berkshire

Metromix.com

Life goes far past the boiling point for most of the characters in this hilariously overwrought ghetto soap opera from cult writer-director Buddy Giovinazzo.

June 25, 2009 Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly

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Scott Foundas

L.A. Weekly

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Audience Reviews for Life Is Hot in Cracktown

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This is garbage. There's no reason to follow the lives of a single character involved, they're all one-dimensional losers. The writer doesn't convey anything more than an outsider's glimpse into the subject matter. This movie relies on nothing more than shock value, and it's about as subtle as a sledgehammer. All

August 29, 2011

Jason Calvin

Super Reviewer

The great Buddy Giovinazzo returns after a painfully long hiatus with this fantastically titled masterpiece. It's as if Abel Ferrara and Robert Altman joined forces, only with that nihilistic Buddy touch.Each separate story is compelling with great performances all around (I especially like that Desmond Harrington

August 29, 2009