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Reviews
ATL (2006)
Much better than the rating would indicate.
I really don't understand the low user rating for this film - the number of "one" ratings is unnaturally high, suggesting that there was some sort of campaign to skew the rating lower. ATL is a very good movie, despite it's rather clichéd plot. It's made with energy and style and an obvious love for the characters. I was especially impressed by the movie's complex understanding of how these characters talk and interact with each other. I'm kind of a sucker for this kind of movie (I was also a fan of The Wood, a much lighter and brighter version of ATL), so I may have "over-rated" it slightly - but believe me, it does not deserve its current 3.7 rating.
Pick Up the Mic (2006)
Much better than I expected.
My partner was recording some tracks when the director was in Minneapolis filming for his documentary. So he got a cameo - which was the main reason we went to the Minneapolis premier of this film. I'll admit - I didn't expect much. But "Pick Up The Mic" is really very good, and arrives at a lot of unexpected insights into the differences between "gay rappers" and "rappers who are gay." There are some surprisingly moving moments, and some great music, and some honest assessments of what the scene means. I felt like it could have used some editing (i.e. cutting) near the end - it's a little padded with performance footage. But overall, it's an impressive and inspiring piece of work. Recommended.