(2012-04-27 20:29:35)

Sweet

This review is from: Honeydripper (DVD) I had never heard of this movie and happened to catch the tale end one night on HBO. I couldn't find it in the video store. So, like always I thought check Amazon.There it was and a great prices. This is a great movie about the history of our country. A world our children and their children will never stand by and allow the mis-treatment of another Human, any where and for an Reason.

colinbarnard-1

(2012-04-27 02:14:06)

A Welome Return by America's Great Independent Working Class Film Maker

This is not a great movie by any stretch, but it is a very GOOD one. Myrating should be 7.8. IMDb, invest in some higher technology! JohnSayles proves yet again what can be done when there is unity of visionon a film, and when everyone involved passionately believes in whatthey are doing. Any limitations this film has must surely be due to thebudget (was there one?) rather than any creative lapses on Sayles'part.In fact, the only problems I have with "Honeydripper" are technical:some of the shots are out of focus, some of the scenes drag, and thereis not a lot of dramatic tension to carry the piece along. It isenough, though, for those of us who can handle something more relaxedthan the kinetics of Michael Bey or Steven ("I'll do anything for anOscar!") Spielberg."Honeydripper" is really a small character study of a working classman, surrounded by good people, who is trying do do right by them andhimself. It is a romance for the nostalgia of the Deep South in 1950, aperiod where Jim Crow was on the cusp of yielding to John Kennedy.It is also a romance for music, where Gospel and Blues was about tofuse and metamorphise into Rock 'n Roll. Sayles loves everything he isdoing; you can feel the writer/director's respect and integrity throughthe camera and the screen.Unusual for a Sayles film, Danny Glover anchors the piece as itscentral character, the axis upon which the story and all the charactersrevolve. All the characters are complete human beings, with only a fewdrawn as caricatures. I don't mind.This would be a good film to show as a double bill with "The GreatDebators". Several themes overlap, but "Honeydrippers" is the moremature film. Here, a man's biggest grievance is not being able to livein dignity as a man who pays his way. Sayles' characteristic characterarcs provide us with many dignified men and women who achieve thatdignity by finding ways to honestly pay their way. They do it with joy,love and creativity.Another fine Working Class film from Cinema's Working Class Hero.

Steve Skafte

(2012-04-16 03:20:04)

shades of Lone Star

I guess my main problem with "Honeydripper" was the lack of realconflict or dramatic central theme to the story. It's a quietsmall-town drama of the sort I usually love, but with the sense ofbeing a bit of an afterthought. Rather like a story that was written ona slow afternoon when nothing much else was going on. That might workfor something of a little more personal nature, but this is a film ofarchetypes and experiences, not of one-on-one human interaction.So what is good about it? When Sayles' direction is at its best,"Honeydripper" is a heavy and real film. Best scenes are when thecharacters tell stories to themselves, and any scene with Keb' Mo'.Danny Glover is real good too, as is Stacy Keach (even with Keachplaying the sort of role he always does). But by the end of the film,it all starts to feel a little arbitrary. By the final scene, we getthe sense that not much happened, and something should've. It's in noway not worth watching, though. Give it a shot.

(2012-04-15 06:38:56)

A great look at the pre-Elvis music scene in the south!

I love movies that provide insight in how 20th-century American music developed in the transitional period between the heyday of blues and the coming of rock and roll! It's fascinating to see, looking back, how people were dumbfounded at the idea of an electric guitar ("How does it make a sound? There's no soundhole!") The 50's and 60's were definitely the most exciting decades for being a musician--new ideas, musical styles and technology were developing at rapid speeds all over the place. What this movie does is provide an insight in how these kind of changes impacted a smalltown community in the south in 1950. The famous Guitar Sam (a character very obviously inspired by real blues artist Guitar Slim) backs out on a gig at the Honeydripper. No problem, some local upstart kid with an electric guitar can fill in for him--as Guitar Sam! The people in the community are so technologically deprived that they don't even know what Guitar Sam looks like, even though they eagerly flock to the club to see him perform!Danny Glover does a great job in portraying the down-on-his-luck club owner, who needs to free himself of debt and his own demons stemming from an incident in his past. Keb Mo also does a great job in playing the guitar-playing character who embodies these demons.Great music from Keb Mo and the other artists who supply the music. The piano playing during the end credits is some of the best blues piano playing you will ever hear! Fantastic! Great movie! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Seamus2829

(2012-04-07 15:22:16)

John Sayles On (Again)

John Sayles has done it again. He has taken a world class cast(including Danny Glover),some crisp photography,a very well written &directed script & a music score to die for, and has made screen magic.The story concerns an embittered juke joint owner (Glover),an exmusician himself,trying to make ends meet with a club on the outs,whois trying one last move to avoid closure by hiring a well knownmusician named Guitar Sam,to try & fill his club. Add a few otherelements (a wife who is serious about re-connecting with her faith,acorrupt sheriff,and other elements),and the formula for a successfulstory is all set. The story is set in the racial segregated South of1950. Although the film was shot in 2007, it is now just getting somescattered distribution. This film deserves far better than it'sgetting. The music score (composed and/or arranged by Sayles' favouritecomposer,Mason Daring)is a out & out toe tapper (which includes DeltaBlues,Stride Piano,Gospel,Rhythm & Blues--years before it would becoined 'Rock & Roll' by Alan Freed). Honestly, Honeydripper (the nameof the juke joint coined by the films title) is one for anyone who isinterested in early creative black music(s).

ShootingShark

(2012-04-06 23:56:03)

Touching, Skilfully-Made Drama Of Small-Town Nightclub With Outstanding Cast

In rural Alabama in 1950, Tyrone "Pinetop" Purvis is struggling to makeends meet at his club, The Honeydripper. With too many bills due, hepins all his hopes on promoting a show by the popular Guitar Sam. Butwhen Sam doesn't turn up, Pinetop hatches a crazy scheme to run theconcert anyway …Another richly observed, well written and beautifully acted perioddrama by Sayles, sort of a companion piece to Matewan. Its strengthsare many; an interesting story with great characters - we want Pinetopto come through despite his faults - excellent photography and terrificmusic from that great shifting period between blues and rock and roll.Best of all is the incredibly talented cast, all of whom bring a richindividuality to their roles; I especially like Dutton and Hamilton,but contemporary bluesman Keb' Mo' pretty much steals the show asPossum, the mysterious blind geetar-picker. It's one of a few movieswhich successfully mixes actors and musicians in the cast, eachbringing out the best in the other, and Sayles' regular composer MasonDaring's music is a enchanting mix of old standards cleverly interwovenwith new material. There are many terrific scenes - Delilah swaying inthe revival tent as she struggles with her faith, Pinetop's story ofthe servant left alone with the master's piano, Sonny singing MidnightSpecial in his jail cell, all the cotton-fields scenes. Artfully shotby British cameraman Dick Pope in authentic Alabama locations, this isone of those well-crafted, truly American movies, which provides a richhistorical escape into a colourful and fascinating landscape. Thedirector appears in one of his usual minor roles as theclipboard-carrying no-nonsense liquor salesman.

Ssgoldfine-1

(2012-03-30 08:46:23)

Honeydripper

Saw the movie, Honeydripper, with Danny Glover at the Palm Springs FilmFestival today and it was wonderful Music was delightful and greatcharacters, great photography, and I predict a big hit in 2008. It hasbeen an audience favorite and probably be in the Best of Fest nextMonday. Glover is outstanding; may be a little long, but every personin the film is well characterized. As a movie reviewer, I have given itFIVE STARS. I would like to know when it goes into general release so Ican tell people all over the country. The blues music, rock n rollblends together. I recommend it highly. If this film came out in 2007it would easily be in my top ten films of the year.

vasssos

(2012-03-30 02:54:46)

What a great film

I've just watched this film in Wolverhamptn, UK and I found itabsolutely amazing. It's a slow paced, character driven film withexcellent performances from all cast. Cinematography and music are sowell-put into the film that makes you want more even tho it's about 2hours long. The writers put a lot of effort into their characters soyou feel for each one of them. There's some romance in there and a fewjokes that made me smile a few times but the thing that made it for mewas the tension I felt through out the film and the personal struggleof each character. The only thing i didn't like was the heavy accentfrom some characters that made the dialogues hard to follow but I guessthats because English isn't my native language.. 8/10

(2012-03-22 10:03:43)

Dang It! And, I have been waiting so long....

I have been waiting for a while for the John Sayles movie. And, I did enjoy it...somewhat. The music was grand. But, the movie seemed sluggish and random. Go for the music and some of the acting. However, I had HIGH hopes for this one...but, the best I can give this is a C!And, I waited so long....

lastliberal

(2012-03-21 11:34:01)

Singing is one thing, Slick. Whether people want to look at you while you're doing it is another.

Good movie to watch on the anniversary of our involvement in Korea, anda new base opens down the road to prepare troops to be sent to the warthat will apparently never end. But, this movie is worth watching forthe music alone. If you like blues and early rock and roll, this is thefilm for you.But, it isn't just about music. It is also about relations betweenBlack and White in the 1950s South. There are some powerfulperformances by some powerful actors like Danny Glover, Charles S.Dutton, and Stacy Keach; and interesting new faces like Yaya DaCosta(Take the Lead).A good story with an great backdrop. Maybe just a little long.

(2012-03-17 11:15:13)

x

a great family move, wounderful look into the blues and rock-n-roll era. ther was action adventure history and most important romance.

(2012-03-17 05:11:24)

good but not great

This review is from: Honeydripper : Widescreen Edition (DVD) Nice movie, R rated title, but not so much. sometimes slow but acting is superb!

mustangboy66

(2012-03-12 19:36:19)

It is a movie, after all...

This movie got my attention right away with the music in the earlyscenes. But that's also where it lost me. There are only a smallhandful of movies about music that really capture the true essence oflive music performance, and for me, this movie is ultimately not one ofthem. I'll say, though, that I enjoyed the movie as a whole. Butknowing live music performance like I do, the "Guitar Sam" show sceneleft me squirming on the coach. It was far too "rock and roll" for theera, and the situation. And for a throw-together band, far toopolished. Because of this, I couldn't help wondering if they have alsomissed the mark with their representation of life as an AfricanAmerican in the 1950's south-something I have NOT experienced formyself. It seemed pretty bad in the movie, but maybe it was FAR worsein reality. Like I said, I did enjoy the movie as a whole. But couldn'tthe band mess up ONE ending, at least?

(2012-03-12 04:57:56)

John Sayles Does It Again

John Sayles, perhaps more than any other American filmmaker, has his finger on the pulse of what make this country special. A gifted storyteller, not one of his films is alike, but hes's at his best when he takes a small moment in time and uses it to explore a major change. EIGHT MEN OUT uses the Black Sox scandal to reflect the loss of innocence of our nation. LONE STAR uses a murder mystery to unearth skeletons long hidden, etc. With HONEYDRIPPER, Sayles latest, he explores the moment Blues Became Electric, opening the door for Rock & Roll, the dominant music of the last half of the 20th Century. He does so in the style of the late August Wilson, using quiet rhythms and essentially one locale to tell the story. In the process, he gets allows his stellar cast to deliver some great performances, including Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Keb Mo, Vondie Curtis-Hall and newcomer YaYa Dacosta, as China Doll. Gary Clark, Jr. is a little stiff in his acting debut, but once he picks up the guitar, he puts a smile on your face. Parts of the story may move a little slow, but Honeydripper's built for comfort, not for speed. Once you know the plot, you'll begin to pick out minor details in the fabric of the film that absolutely glow. Mind you, this is a film that could never be made within the Hollywood studio system, so if you're looking for Rush Hour 3, then move along. But if you like a good story told well or just love the Blues, Honeydripper deserves a spot on your personal video shelf.

(2012-03-10 23:40:05)

I really REALLY tried to like it.

I'm a big fan of the blues and thought, "Hey maybe we've got another great blues film here"Maybe with a full story and full characters and lots of great music eh?I mean, there are some big names in there so it's gotta be good right?Wrong. The story is transparent, the characters are fairly empty, the whole thing just dragged on and on...the music was good though.Do yourself a favor and just go watch "Crossroads" again, so much better.Glover, I want my [...] bucks back... and 1.5 hours of you staring at paint dry...just so we're even.

(2012-03-10 08:51:30)

excellent

This review is from: Honeydripper (DVD) I got excellent service. I received my order in only a few days. The product was of great quality. It was very easy and convienent.

(2012-03-06 03:45:41)

Honeydripper a movie you can enjoy

This review is from: Honeydripper (DVD) I really liked how John Sayles went about making this movie and the actingwas very impressive. There are plently of sub plots that are going on while the main plot unfolds and to give some props to the director and the actors they pull it off without a hitch. This movie is a pleasure to watchand I recommend the movie Honeydripper highly.

J

(2012-03-05 21:39:10)

The King of Rock

A good story that wasnt told till now! Even if Kel Mitchell didnt have a lil part in this movie, it was still good! It tells us about a part of history that isnt much known nowadays! Danny Glover is always a good actor!

filmflamflim

(2012-03-04 19:03:11)

perhaps a good idea, but weak execution

Reading other reviews of this, I was quite looking forward to watchingit. I was expecting interesting characters and lots of good music.After t started, I kept waiting for the music. There was talk and sillydramatic events. Then there was more talk and more silly dramaticevents. This continued for quite a while. There were characters whoreally had very little to do with the story of the film. A couple ofscenes take place in a church, for example, and they go on for severalminutes each, but, in the end, they have nothing to do with the story.Then, finally, the climax of the film: the music came and after only afew minutes, the film was finished. I cannot recommend it.

(2012-03-03 21:43:16)

What a Waste Of Time - What A disappointment

This review is from: Honeydripper (DVD) I should have read all the reviews before I bought it. I live in Australia and I had to import it. Arriving yesterday I eagerly sat down to watch and got the same reaction as the other 1 star review. What a wasted opportunity. I love music from that era and I thought I would be in for a treat especially as Gary Clark was involved. BIG MISTAKE. I'm not sure what the movie was supposed to be about, it sure wasn't about the music. Roosevelt Sykes would be rolling in his grave.