Tougher Than Leather

I remember this movie coming to the theatre I worked at in 1988. We had to give multiple refunds to patrons that walked out in the middle of the movie. After seeing it, I understood why. If Runs musical talent paralleled their acting talent, the world would've never heard of them. The story line was weak, the acting was atrocious and just went nowhere. It was something even a 10 year old would be embarrassed to watch. If there was ever a movie on how not to make a movie, this would be it. If fact, it should be renamed How Not To Make A Movie. Maybe then it would get a higher rating. Sad because their musical talent is far above par.

This movie is a gulity pleasure. It takes us to a world where if you punch a guy he files in the air, girls ask you out and murder is cool. Run-DMC basically plays themselves on steriods in this hip hop semi classic. If you haven't seen it, see if you can find it.

Spike Lee turned down this script. That says it all. But I still wish it came out on DVD. I think it's still a Hip Hop classic from that era. Shame it only grossed like 3 million. Problaby cost a million to produce though. They should have promoted this a little bit more. I remember significant delays with this movie being released and problems on the set with Rick Rubin. It should have been a better movie with those caliber of stars. But by 1988 Run-DMC and the Beasties were starting to fade out a little. It was a should have or would have movie. Nowadays, 50 cent gets a 30 million dollar movie budget and top notch promotion.

A film of epic proportions. This film was far ahead of it's time, it wasn't till close to a decade later that we started to see films made by entertainers (rappers) featuring a sound track and an album to accompany it. Tougher Than Leather is similar to movies like Cash Money's Baller Blocking, Choices and Master P's Bout It Bout It. Now almost every rapper has tapped into this market Jay Z, Ruff Ryders, Eight Ball, Three 6 Mafia, Camron (in Empire), all of them. Every camp has their own Scarface tale to tell, and this happens to be RUN D.M.C.'s

Also if you pay close attention there are some amazing cameos, ranging from Slayer to Glen E. Freidman. Slick Rick looks like he's probably 19, Russel's a monster, Runny Ray, Rick... I mean what more could you need? This movie probably won't be recognized until years from now. This is no Beat Street or You Got Served, this is real Hip Hop. D.M.C. is in the pen, Run and J run a train on a white broad, and the head count is absurd. Bodies drop, crack is still relatively new on the scene, I mean this is real hood cinema. Peep it out.

As a B- Movie , a hip hop movie, or whatever, this movie is a blast. You get Run DMC and their friends on a mission. bad reviews are expecting some 'history of hip hop' go read the book. This is more insightful than the history books.