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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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Bamboozled
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Reviewed
by: |
B.
Lou Goodwin |
| Genre: |
Comedy/Parody |
| Video: |
1:78:1
Widescreen |
| Audio: |
5.1
Surround Sound or 2.0 Stereo Surround Sound |
| Language: |
English
|
| Subtitle: |
English
|
| Length: |
136
minutes |
| Rating: |
R |
| Release
Date: |
4-17-2001
|
| Studio: |
New
Line Platinum Series |
| Commentary:
|
Featuring
Spike Lee |
| Documentaries:
|
Making
of the Film |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
Yes,
Cast and Crew |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Theatrical
Trailer included |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
Yes-Deleted
Scenes |
| Music
Video None: |
Yes |
| Other
Collectable Booklet: |
Animated
Art Gallery, DVD-ROM features including access to the film directly
from the screenplay and access to the original website. |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Damon Wayans,
Savion Glovier, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Tommy Davidson, and Michael
Rapaport |
| Screenplay
by: |
Spike Lee |
| Produced
by: |
John Kilik and Spike
Lee |
| Directed
By: |
Spike Lee |
| Music: |
Terence Blanchard |
| The
Review: |
Bamboozled
is a dull, lifeless movie that even Spike Lee fans would have
to hesitate to watch. The movie is so wrapped in trying to get
its message across that it was never developed into the film
it could have been. It has been billed as a humorous parody
of American television but the one thing that this movie truly
lacks is humor. The leading character, Pierre Delacroix (played
by Damon Wayons) decides to create a new television show based
on the old black minstrel shows. He hopes by getting his boss,
a white man who is continually explaining how he understands
the black people, to produce a show that is racist and offensive
that his boss will fire him. With the help of his assistant
(Jada Pinkett-Smith), he pulls in two black street performers
to go on stage in blackface. Unfortunately, the show catches
on and the ratings spike. Pierre starts to win awards for a
show that promotes everything that he has always fought against.
He loves the accolades and as you probably suspect, this movie
can only end badly. From Pierre's bad accent, which is deliberate,
to the pointless violence of the end, this movie is terrible.
If you enjoy dull documentaries or if you collect movies on
the representation of race in the media, I would recommend this
film. Otherwise, just say no. |
| Image
and Sound |
Some parts
of this film have been shot to give the impression of a handheld
camera to add realism. Most of the colors used in this film
are dark or stark white. This is so that when color is used,
it grabs the eye. From Mr. Delacroix brightly colored shirts
to the red lipstick used by the minstrel players, color especially
red, is used to grab the attention of the masses and reinforces
the black & white theme of the movie. As for sound, there is
a choice between 5.0 Surround Sound and 2.0 Stereo Sound. The
difference between them is minimal and music score of this film
is forgettable, but on a positive note the dialogue was clear
and easily understood. The music is unremarkable and the visual
style is interesting but not enough to make this movie worth
watching. |
| The
Extras |
As for extra
features, this DVD is loaded. The theatre trailer should not
be missed; it is the most exciting item on the DVD. The filmographies,
commentary by Spike Lee, and the original documentary are mildly
amusing additions that contribute to the social/political meaning
of the film. As for the deleted scenes, music videos, and the
animated art gallery, these bits of fluff are mildly diverting
and if you have time, please stop in and take a peek. The best
part of the entire DVD, is the "Script-to-Screen" option on
the DVD-ROM. This cannot be missed by any of the aspiring screenwriters
out there; it gives wonderful insights that you might not get
anywhere else. |
| Commentary |
Not Reviewed |
| Final
Words: |
As for extra
features, this DVD is loaded. The theatre trailer should not
be missed; it is the most exciting item on the DVD. The filmographies,
commentary by Spike Lee, and the original documentary are mildly
amusing additions that contribute to the social/political meaning
of the film. As for the deleted scenes, music videos, and the
animated art gallery, these bits of fluff are mildly diverting
and if you have time, please stop in and take a peek. The best
part of the entire DVD, is the "Script-to-Screen" option on
the DVD-ROM. This cannot be missed by any of the aspiring screenwriters
out there; it gives wonderful insights that you might not get
anywhere else. |
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