Talk to Me (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]
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Movie Reviews of Talk to Me (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]
Movie Review: God bless CC and its vanilla suburbs
Summary: 3 Stars
Director Kasi Lemmons ("Eve's Bayou") tackles the true story of Petey Greene, the ex-con who became an immensely popular DJ, community activist, comedian and TV show host in the Washington D.C. market from the mid 1960s up until his death in 1984.
Don Cheadle (who co-produced) delivers another amazing performance, and grabs your attention from the get go, as we find Greene working his first DJ gig-broadcasting live and direct from the warden's office over a jailhouse P.A. system. Judging from his fellow inmates' reactions, it becomes clear that Greene has a natural gift, not only for being hugely entertaining, but perfectly articulating what his audience is thinking as well.
In 1966, Greene is released, and through a series of machinations (and sheer chutzpah) manages to ingratiate himself with Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor), program director of D.C. "soul" station WOL. Against his better judgment, Hughes puts his job on the line and gives the motor-mouthed hustler a shot in the air chair. Before long, Greene's daily delivery of candid ruminations on the social issues of the day and the urban black experience strikes a chord with the D.C. radio audience. The story then follows Greene's subsequent ventures into television, stand up comedy and social activism.
Unfortunately, the final third of the film gets bogged down in the type of biopic clich? that has ultimately demoted other potentially great films into garden-variety banality ("Bird" and "Ray" come to mind). The film is ultimately about yet another gifted performer squandering his or her potential through substance abuse and/or self sabotaging behavior. Haven't we suffered through enough of these predictable story arcs?
I would have liked to have seen a bit more attention to detail in the depiction of the radio station milieu. Let me confess upfront that this is a pet peeve because I have worked in the radio business since 1974, so I tend to get nit-picky about technical inaccuracies in radio-themed films. Oh, and by the way-if I see one more movie set at a radio station that features a scene where a DJ defiantly barricades himself inside the studio and continues to talk while Management and/or security guards struggle to force the door open, I'll rip off my headphones and run screaming into the sunset. It just doesn't happen (that often).
The supporting cast is good, particularly Taraji P. Henson, who portrays Greene's long suffering girlfriend, Vernell Watson, with much aplomb (and a nod to Pam Grier). Cedric the Entertainer hams it up rather amusingly as late night DJ "Nighthawk" Bob Terry (recalling Venus Flytrap on "WKRP"). Also with Martin Sheen, whose talents seem a bit squandered here as a cartoon character GM who gets to fume and sputter and pound the studio window whenever Greene's antics get too risqu? and scream cornball lines like "What in the blue blazes do you think you're doing!?".
I want to stress however, that the film is worth watching for two major reasons. Cheadle and Ejiofor. They are both tremendously charismatic and talented actors, demonstrating an onscreen chemistry that I think could turn them into a Newman-Redford sized juggernaut, should they decide to work together again (with some better scripts, I hope).
Movie Review: One of the best movies I have seen in a long time
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great movie-one of the best I have seen in years. You are just riveted by the story and waiting for the next thing Petey Green (Don Cheadle) is going to say. You also can't wait to see how other people in the story react to Petey, because that is always funny. Chiwetel Ejiofor's portrayal of Dewey Hughes is very strong, making you both like and dislike him at the same time. Taraji P. Henson (Petey's girlfriend, Vernell) was hysterical. I was laughing pretty much throughout the movie. You do have to listen closely...some of the jokes are subtle and take a few seconds to sink in. The music was also great. This is NOT for kids: very bad language and a couple pretty steamy scenes.Movie Review: Just my opinion
Summary: 5 Stars
This was an excellent movie. I can watch this over and over again. Don pulls you into this movie. It also brings out a lot of history and things that black people don't want to talk about any more.Movie Review: Don Cheadle is great.
Summary: 5 Stars
As much as I normally shy away from biopics, this movie sounded so good I couldn't resist. A story that gives much-deserved credit to a man who just wants to shake things up and ends up (at least in part) changing the world is one I wanted to see. It sounds dramatic, and I may be exaggerating to a degree, but Petey Greene was a progressive leader and instrumental in many things, including the Civil Rights Movement.
Petey Greene was a radio personality who got his start as a DJ while in prison - on a ten-year sentence for armed robbery. Creative thinking and good behavior earned him a reduced sentence and passion and persistence got him a job in non-prison radio. Some of the rules bent slightly to keep Greene, a shock-jock who said whatever was on his mind, on the air.
Don Cheadle played Petey Greene. I never knew/saw/heard Petey Greene, but I think I am ok to make the blanket statement that if a movie were being made about my life, and Don Cheadle had the starring role, my story would be in capable hands. Petey Greene seemed to be a very passionate man, and the movie did a great job of showing his passion while still emphasizing the sense of responsibility he felt towards other people. I believe that he knew the power of his voice and he wanted to help people, which he was able to do.
Much like his life, the movie was a roller coaster of emotion. The humor was well-timed and the drama was never stale. While heart-breaking and tragic at times, Petey Greene's life is one that should be celebrated and Talk To Me pays homage to a man worthy of the recognition. I really liked this movie.
Movie Review: KEEP TALKIN'
Summary: 5 Stars
Everybody's said it all about this movie. Petey Green knew what he wanted and that was enough for him. Don Cheadle put his story on the screen so absolutely pin-point on. Somebody please give this man an oscar. Film after film, he lays it on the line. IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO BE RECOGNIZED. Now watch. They'll get him to play a pimp or something slimy, and then everybody will start gushing and come with the rewards. What a waste. But, Brother, you keep coming with the quality parts. And hold on to your dignity.