Krush Groove

Given the popularity of b-boy culture, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood came knockin' and 1985's Krush Groove, which followed Charlie Ahearn's before-its-time 1982 indie docudrama Wild Style, was the mixed result, walking a fine line between awkward fiction and the realities of the 1985 hip-hop scene. Blair Underwood stars as Russell Walker (a fictionalized version of Def Jam cofounder Russell Simmons, who also appears in the film), a producer trying to retain control of the Krush Groove label and his top acts Run DMC and Kurtis Blow, while a concurrent storyline features rappers The Fat Boys as corpulent high school musicians hoping to land a record contract. Unfortunately, the rappers have to “act” within the confines of Ralph Farquhar's badly structured screenplay that willy-nilly tosses in the usual complications, including a love triangle and shady business dealings, and director Michael Schultz has trouble with pacing even when he isn't grinding the film to a halt for the big musical numbers. Still, this is one for the time capsule, thanks to Spike Lee's regular cinematographer Ernest Dickerson's meticulous capturing of the cultural moment (lots of Jeri Curl and Adidas), coupled with the energy of the performers, including Run DMC and Sheila E., who are upstaged by striking, if fleeting, cameos by New Edition and the then-lesser-known Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. Sporting a decent widescreen transfer, solid Dolby Digital stereo sound, and nice extras (including an engaging commentary track with Schultz, Underwood, and Source magazine editor Brett Johnson), this is recommended, overall. (D. Fienberg)