Tougher Than Leather

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.

What can I say about this breakthrough movie? It's got all the making of a classic...intense special effects, great acting, Run DMC, nail-biting suspense, and the Beastie Boys. You can't help being drawn into the fast-paced story of revenge and greed. But I think its those tender, heart-warming moments that really make "Tougher than Leather" one of Run DMC's best films to date. Take for example the touching scene were Russell Simmons attempts to pick up 2 fly honeys....

RS - "Hey Baby you wanna do the wild thing?" FH1 - "No" RS - "Hey Baby you wanna do the wild thing?" FH2 - "Sure"

I tell you there was not a dry eye in the house. And that clever scene where Jam Master Jay attempts to get some information out of a bartender with the aid of his "rich friends" Benjamin Franklin and his twin brother. Simply brilliant.

But seriously folks: This movie was definitely worth the $2 Australian dollars (1.60 US) that we paid to rent it, but just barely.

I bought this film based entirely on the fact that I'm a RUN DMC fan, and I wasn't disappointed. It's surprisingly well directed, considering Rick Rubin is a record producer and as far as I know had no experience, and the acting is much better than you might expect. Jam Master Jay is especially good in a Tarantino-esqe storytelling scene in the beginning when DMC is released from prison and Jay and RUN go to pick him up. Run is also very good. DMC was great in his action scenes, and even though his lines weren't done wonderfully, he's not at all bad either. In fact, everyone does surprisingly well, for being mostly Musicians and their producers and managers. Jenny Lumet is really sexy as well as being a pretty good actress, I'm surprised that I haven't seen her more. Great action sequences, excellent introduction, and totally cool party scenes with Slick Rick and the Beastie Boys rapping, and DMC drinking from a 40 of OE. A very underrated movie!

This is a low budget action move set in the rap music industry, starring one of the most popular groups of the first wave of rap stars, Run-DMC. Though produced on a shoestring and rough around the edges, this fun little epic captures the style and period when rap music was king far better than slicker more hyped films like KRUSH GROOVE. The acting is a bit shaky at times, but Run, DMC, Jam Master Jay and the others project an impressive charisma. The entertaining story moves along at a fast clip, with our heros out to avenge the death of a beloved roadie at the hands of some slimy music industry sharks who have a sideline laundering drug money. Cameos by rap music heavyweights like The Beastie Boys, Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin and LL Cool J add to the amusement. Director/co-writer/co-star Rubin's father Mickey gives a nice performance as a mafia kingpin who is less than thrilled with his son's chosen profession. Co-writer Ric Menello went on to direct several classic music videos for The Beastie Boys and LL Cool J. All in all, not too shabby.