Hip Hop Holiday

Phat Beach (1996) is a movie that I recently watched for the first time in a long time on Tubi. The storyline follows a pair of friends looking for a quick buck and to score some honeys; and for one of the friends, get their parents off their case. One of the friends has a plan to go to the beach to sell sunglasses. Unfortunately for them they spend more money than they make once at the beach and they will need to find a way to make some funds to get home.

This movie is directed by Doug Ellin (Entourage) and stars Brian Hooks (Bulworth), Eric Fleeks (The Glass Shield), Jermaine Hopkins (Lean on Me), Coolio (Dangerous Minds) and Tom Lister Jr (Friday).

I always thought it was funny that this movie was advertised as having Coolio in it, and he's barely in it. 😂 This has a lighthearted storyline that steals elements from House Party and Friday but isn't nearly as good as either of them. The premise had potential, and there are a few solid one-liners that will make you smirk, but the decision making and comedic elements were average or over used. The females in this are gorgeous, and the strip club scene is fantastic. The soundtrack is solid too.

Overall, this is a below average addition to the comedic genre that's still worth a watch. I would score this a 4/10 and recommend seeing it once.

Jermaine Hopkins wants to spend his summer taking a writing course. His father insists he get a job at the local burger joint. His friend, Brian Hooks, talks him into quitting his job, taking his father's car and driving down to Los Angeles in search of women.

If you're looking for a well produced movie about a hapless dolt confronted with an unending series of stupid, underdressed, overendowed young women and stupid, obnoxious men, who triumphs because of a magically unreturnable volleyball serve, this is the movie for you. Add in what was clearly intended to be funny situations, but which will make you cringe into fetal position if you have any empathy at all, and you have this movie.

Clearly this was intended to be some sort of Ferris Bueller-gone-wrong movie. However the only thing that goes wrong is the movie, from beginning to end.

This is the epic tale of a overweight young man and his player buddy Darnell's trip to the beach, the Phat Beach! The fat boy steals his father's Benz and off they go, with visions of fat booties in their heads. Once they get there, Darnell is getting mo' booty than a bike seat and the fat man (whose name I can't remember, else I'd use it, I'm not trying to offend the overweight here) keeps getting rejected. He sees his dream girl and chases her as best as he can, but she is cruel to him. The film then begins to get pretty depressing with the fat man wandering around alone while Darnell keeps getting them ladies. There is something I like about this movie, and I honestly don't know what it is. Nothing really happens in it, it isn't very funny, there is little to no nudity, Coolio is in it for about three seconds, but I am always drawn back to it. About once a year I get a craving for Phat Beach. It takes all kinds, I guess. In Phat Beach related news: I gave this DVD to a friend for his birthday. His house was broken into on my birthday and a bunch of stuff was stolen, including this DVD. Bizarre.

Is nothing else on TV? Are you really bored? Well, then watch Phat Beach. However, don't rent it and definitely DO NOT buy it. That would be a big mistake.

I watched this on TV and found myself laughing at certain points. I did not laugh long and I did not laugh hard. However, there were subtle jokes and comments I laughed at. If you are looking for an extremely funny "hood" movie then watch Friday. If you are looking for a powerful emotional movie (something that this movie tries at..kind of) watch something like hoop dreams or Jason's Lyric. If you are lookin for some good black "booty" go watch a Dominique Simone porn flick, because the nudity in this movie is nearly non-existent. However, if you have nothing better to do and this is on cable, go ahead and watch it. You will be slightly amused.

***3 out of 10***

this film changed the way i thought about movies, it raises the bar, no film is close at the moment, except Donnie Darko!!! when the film finished i was truely moved and the hairs on the back of my neck were on end all night.(either that or the heating was off!!!!). the character development was sublime, the plot-addictive. and when it was all over i felt, i had connected with the phat guy. contrary to other peoples opinions, joshs, this film is well worth buying and will be a regular discussion point along with the greats like star wars and the godfather I & II. a truely excellent movie, one which i will share this pleasure with my children in 20 years time, it is that good!!!