Visitors Review

Ssgoldfine-1 (2012-05-25 08:33)

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.

(2012-05-24 12:06)

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.

(2012-05-23 01:12)

A very good surprise

I was looking for a musical when I came across this and started to watch. Was surprised to find it a story about how music saved a man, his family, his business, and a drifter. It's a very good depiction about the times and the struggles the blacks had and that they could make it by sticking together. I gave it 5 stars only because that's as high as it goes. Oh, and by the way, I'm white.

mustangboy66 (2012-05-22 05:20)

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?

(2012-05-22 08:22)

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.

ShootingShark (2012-05-21 20:56)

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.

(2012-05-21 06:56)

Not to be missed film

Just loved this film, although the story was pretty predictable, the music was outstanding. The cinematography was compelling and filled with great actors. Everyone left the theater with a smile on their face and their toes tapping. Try not to miss this one!

Michael O'Keefe (2012-05-20 12:06)

Blues at harvest time.

Picture 1950's Alabama at harvest time. Tyrone Purvis'(DannyGlover)former swinging little juke joint, The Honeydripper lounge,whistles a lonesome long-gone blues. Business is no business and he maybe forced to shut 'er down. But wait, he may be able to save theHoneydripper with just one big ass rockin' Saturday night. He will hirethe legendary Guitar Sam to be his champion. But any news is just morebad news...Guitar Sam can't make the gig for being in the hospital. Sothe story goes, Tyrone must quickly find another guitar-slinger to saveface and his Honeydripper. A versatile cast featuring: Lisa GayHamilton, Charles S. Dutton, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Mable John, Gary ClarkJr., Keb' Mo' and Stacy Keach. Volatile soundtrack featuringelectrifying rockin' blues from the likes of: The Aces of Spades, GaryClark Jr., Mable John, Keb' Mo', and even Hank Williams.

(2012-05-19 06:03)

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.

rlange-3 (2012-05-18 16:04)

10 for the music; 5 for the rest

The songs are to die for, and really make this a great movie to see.It's a peek into the cultural heritage of the blues and gospel inAmerica, and the deep roots of rock and roll emerging from a segregatedSouth. It's a bit stereotyped racially. The whites are all one dimensional,unsympathetic crooks and bigoted bastards except for one cloyinglycondescending alcoholic woman. The black characters offer a morerealistic and well acted mix and are multidimensional and intriguing.Glover is excellent, and you are really pulling for him by the end ofthe movie, along with his wife who stands by his side under tremendousstress. There is a real emphasis on the positive side of a familyliving out tough times which makes the story compelling. Theinteraction between Maceo and darn near everyone else, especially thesewing woman, was hilarious and entertaining.On the downside, it was very slow to develop. The pace during the first2/3 of the movie was downright glacial. Some of the scenes could havebeen cut and a few more songs thrown in instead. It was a bit hard tobelieve that the guitarist at the end didn't check his amp before sucha critical performance. Still, these are minor points that did littleto detract from an overall good movie. Anyone with an interest in music and its roots should see this movieand will enjoy it thoroughly.

Cliff Sloane (2012-05-17 03:40)

High-school level story hidden behind great music

This is a story right out of the "Hey, kids, let's put on a show!"cliché. One implausibility piled on top of another in a "feelgood"/"right will triumph" pattern that is SO OVERWHELMINGLY dominantin American movies. John Sayles has long been one of my favoritedirectors/screenwriters, so the foolishness of this movie came as ashock.What happened? Where has the creator of "Casa de los Babys" and "LoneStar" gone? What happened to the creator of such exhilarating plots as"Limbo" and "Passion Fish"? I can only guess that he farmed it out toone of his kids, or an intern, or something like that. This movie fitsin more with the rush job of the Scorcese-produced blues films thanwith a Sayles project.Here is my "disclosure" statement. I have been a working musician andhave spent most of my adult life in the company of musicians. Thismovie reveals some of the biggest complaints musicians have about theirportrayal by non-musicians. The biggest is that non-musicians don'tunderstand the role of rehearsals, individual practice and the hugeamount of work and effort it takes to seem "talented." This movie isanother example, and a rather extreme case at that.I also have a question for Keb Mo. Why do you sign on to so manyprojects that undervalue your efforts? I am thinking of the NPR BluesHistory radio series and now this. Don't you have more leverage thanthat?

lastliberal (2012-05-16 12:14)

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.

(2012-05-16 04:47)

It is all about the music

In an era when the southern blues are giving way to rock and roll,this is a story of a small cotton town.The young guitar player comes in riding the rails, the older piano player is running (badly) the honeydipper club.The story is about the coming together of the forces in the town to make something new."Time to make way for what is coming next."I liked the plot and the music here.

along-23 (2012-05-15 17:01)

sweet musical trip down south

OK, let me say right off the bat I am a little biased. This film wasshot here in Alabama, and most of it was filmed right here in my homecounty of Butler. One of my high school classmate's son is featuredthroughout the movie as "Lonnie" and other folks I know served asextras or performed as part of the choir.And I loved seeing the people and places I know up on the big screen. Ithink Maggie and John are "da bomb." The woman is a hugger; I love thatwarmth. John's the most down-to-earth guy.That being said, I can also honestly report to you "Honeydripper" is agood movie - not perfect, but very much worth seeing. I think DannyGlover is sensational in the lead role as Pine Top and he and CharlesDutton are totally believable as two old pals fighting the odds to savePine Top's blues club. Keb' Mo' is delightful as the "Greek Chorus"known as Possum, a mysterious and witty blind guitarist.If you love blues music and early rock 'n' roll; if you enjoy a storythat takes its time, one filled with complex characters and somememorable lines penned by Sayles - a movie made with love and lots ofheart - then "Honeydripper" just might be for you.

Steve Skafte (2012-05-15 11:52)

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.

(2012-05-15 07:06)

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.

C (2012-05-12 23:59)

Delightful movie

It is one of those movies, where the word predictable will be a common part of many reviews, but at the same time the movie was quite delightful. It was reminiscent of a nice fiction book, with some real themes in it. Danny Glover was great, and the young guitar player was fabulous. I enjoyed the film.

Nat Williams (2012-05-12 08:58)

Vaguely interesting, but plodding and too long

I got "Honeydripper" based on the sleeve information, which made itseem like it might be interesting in the same way that the excellentSamuel L. Jackson vehicle "Black Snake Moan" was. The movie did keep myattention somewhat, but I was disappointed with its slow pace andmeandering nature. Plus, the director could have done a better job ofdepicting basic elements of the plot. For instance, on the "big night"that is supposed to be making money for the club, there appears to beabout 12 to 15 people in the nightclub. I don't think he could havemade enough money to pay expenses on that. Anyway, I guessdisappointment is my basic reaction. If you're interested in blues inthe integrated Deep South, check out the aforementioned "Black SnakeMoan." It is a superior movie.

vasssos (2012-05-12 01:55)

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

vnikolaidis-1 (2012-05-11 16:28)

Sayles and Renzi give us a winner in Honeydripper

John Sayles and Maggie Renzi have offered their audiences so manyentertaining 'slice of life' movies but this is the best one yet. Slowand lazy times in the South don't necessarily mean the living is easy .. . Tyrone has to make some heavy-duty decisions if he wants to stay inbusiness . . . decisions that could make or break not only his businessbut his reputation as well. f you have your own business you may feelmore anxiety as Tyrone tries to bring in customers. And the music isnot to be missed. Blues and Keb'Mo' and rockin'roll music are anintegral part of the narrative. The love story between two of theyounger generation (don't want to give away a spoiler) is very sweet.High quality ensemble cast.The relationships between the charactersplay true to real life.