IDLEWILD

[Moviefan02000]

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/universal_pictures/idlewild/idlewild_bigreleaseposter.jpg

Plot Summary: A musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager Rooster (Big Boi) must contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club while his piano player and partner Percival (André Benjamin) must choose between his love, Angel (Paula Patton) or his obligations to his father (Ben Vereen).

Starring: Andre Benjamin (Four Brothers), Antwan Patton (ATL), Terrence Howard (Crash), Cicely Tyson (Because Of Winn-Dixie), Paula Jai Parker (Hustle & Flow), Faizon Love (Blue Crush), Patti LaBelle (On The One), Macy Gray (Training Day)

Written & Directed by: Bryan Barber (debut)

Studios: Universal Pictures, HBO Films

Rated: R (for violence, sexuality, nudity and language)

Running Time: 1 hour 59 minutes

Release Date: August 25th, 2006

[chinton]

Easily one of the best times Ive had at the theater all year. It was so enjoyable I actually have seen it three times. First thing since this is a musical the music is fantastic youll be wanting to listen to it over and over. I love how fuses rap with ragtime big band music. Its so distinct and different. The dance sequences are great and the editing is really well done. There are also so many little and bizzare things throughout the movie that I loved. At one point one of the main characters sings to a corpse. Throughout the movie one of the main characters flask which has a protrait of a rooster on it talks to him. Also the opening title sequence is phenomenal. One of the best title sequences ever where the cuts are edited accoriding to the jazz backbeat. The acting is also pretty good. Consider Outkast aren't actors they do a fine job.

Now yes the story is slightly formula but I still enjoyed it and the characters nonetheless and the movie is so distinct and frankly bizzare I applaud it. Im not sure why this isnt being embraced by more critics.

I love this movie.

9/10

[biglaughs]

my roommate is super excited about this one - it looks good but I don't know if it looks good enough for me to pay for in theatres...

[chinton]

I think it is.

[ilovemovies]

Wow. I wasn't expecting that. I wasn't really expecting a glowing review like that. I always thought it looked interesting and there are some good actors in this movie. But your review makes me want to see the movie a little more. Maybe this will be 2006's hidden gem?

[Lazy Boy]

Two of the members of one of my favorite musical groups, alongside the actor who gave the best performance of 2005? Count me in, your review sold me on it, chinton.

[dman476]

It looks interesting visually, but I wasn't sure.
I don't like OUtkast's music at all, but I do like Jazz a whole lot.
Still, it is THEIR film so I thought I'd be skipping it all together, but your review makes me warrant at least a rental chinton. :)
How did you see it so early BTW?

[Moviefan1234]

While I do love Terrence Howard, this doesn't look like something I'll enjoy very much.

[chinton]

Since critics have alreayd started hating it I have no doubt that this will be not liked by many (not surprised as its odd and the story is formula) this will be my most underrated film of the year.


I saw it early cause I work for the studios. I saw the first time for work but loved it so much I managed to see it two more times for fun. Ive seen it 3 times now.

[dman476]

Whoa...Chinton works for a studio...Universal....I remember.
That's so cool...
What do you do (if you don't mind me asking)? :D

[ilovemovies]

Originally posted by chinton
Since critics have alreayd started hating it I have no doubt that this will be not liked by many (not surprised as its odd and the story is formula) this will be my most underrated film of the year.



Despite having a rotten rating (38%) at rottentomatoes, if you look at cream of the crop, only one of the reviews is negative.

[MadsenOMC]

Originally posted by ilovemovies
Despite having a rotten rating (38%) at rottentomatoes, if you look at cream of the crop, only one of the reviews is negative.

And it is from Peter Travers, who really should not be considered cream of the crop.

[EDsoulsurvive*]

I'm always down for a good musical, and Idlewild looks to be just that.

[chinton]

I was really surprised about the Rolling Stone review. I mean I can kind of see why some critics way too bizzare or formula but at the very least the title sequence and dance/musical sequences freakin roc

[Strider]

I like Outkast and their music, but I'm not sold on their new album/soundtrack or this film. While it has Terrence Howard and seems to have a great visual style, it doesn't look that interesting.

I might see it, I might wait for DVD.

[chinton]

I just bought the album yesterday. Not a fan. The only songs I did like are from the movie.

[imnotcreative]

I'm excited for it. It should be visually and musically stunning if anything at all. That's enough for me.

[Shockwave]

...is it odd to not really care for outkast but still think this looks solid?;)

[chinton]

I just dont get the critics. It seems like half of them are having a hissy fit over the fact the movie is weird different, and cant be placed into one genre. Hello that can be a good thing so stop whining and enjoy something original.

[chinton]

isnt anybody going to see this?

[Shockwave]

I am. I was going today, but i saw that my local Carmike got in Little MIss Sunshine today. (8/10)

I think it looks like a solid change of pace from the rest of the pack, and i do enjoy movies without a clear genre to latch onto.

[chinton]

nobody bothered to see this

[dman476]

Lazy Boy saw it; he gave it a 5/10. :(
Sorry....
I didn't have time to see it, if that makes you feel better?

[chinton]

darn it oh well

[Lazy Boy]

Color me disappointed...I like Outkast, I thought Andre Benjamin had sparks of charisma in his other screen roles prior to this, but...it just didn't click. Moulin Rouge got the whole wild and wacky "pop music meets antiquated time setting" gimmick down, and moved me at the same time. This didn't. The music was forgettable, the dance numbers got repetitive, it just wasn't zany enough (yeah, the singing cuckoos and the talking flask, but it doesn't earn enough points just on that).

A whole lot of talented actors wasted in smaller roles. Terrence Howard was pretty good, and I really liked Paula Patton. But, Benjamin was stoic and stone faced throughout, despite one glimpse of awashed emotion at the end.

[chinton]

oh well I was hoping someone would like it as much as me.


I s till insist the title sequence is brilliant.

[anakinsrise]

My review of Idlewild

THE GOOD:
If you liked movies like THE WIZ or BUGSY MALONE,you will enjoy most of IDLEWILD.Some amazing musical numbers,visually fun and stunning.André Benjamin continues to impress me as an actor following up his good performance from last years 4 Brothers.Terrence Howard good as the villain,i mean the guy can just stand there and out act almost everyone.

THE BAD:
Paula Patton cant act !!!! Yes she's beautiful,and fun to look act but it was as if she was reading her lines off a teleprompter.Hopefully she will take some acting lessons or go back to directing documentaries.
I would praise her for her singing voice but it was dubbed for the movie.
To much wasted talent.If you're going to put Patti Labelle (MILF)in your movie,let the voluptuous diva belt out a few tunes!!! And what was the purpose of the obnoxious Jackie Longs Monk character in the film ,each time he popped up i rolled my eys and counted the minutes until his scenes were over.

Scale of 1-10 a 6 1/2

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0417225/th-26.jpg

[The Poonchy]

just a note, not all critics are hatin'--EW gave it an A-... fairly impressive letter grade.

that being said, i'm SUPER EXCITED about this movie. along with snakes on a plane and silent hill, this has to be the most anticipated movie of the year for me (amazing movies to anticipate, right?).