Myron Clemons
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
ccorral419
On day six of 2018, music video and indie film director Joseph Kahn, and writer Alex Larsen (Kid Twist "King of the Dot") presents a street spoken word battle rap film that surpasses it's producer Eminem's 2002 "8 Mile". While this in-your-face, loud (sound track by Eminem ft. dr. Dre and music by Brain Mantia and Melissa Reese), fast moving and at times crude delivery in dialogue film may not be everyone's cup of tea, the performances, relevant dialogue, comedic tone, interesting special effects and the opportunity to peak into the underground world of battle rap should to be missed. Where "Hamilton" introduced history to the live stage, "Bodied" brings rap to the big screen. Enter young college caucasian grad student Adam (Disney "Austin & Ally" star Calum Worthy), smack in the middle of a competition trying to explain the language spoken within battle rap to his equally out of place girlfriend Maya (Rory Uphold - "HelLA" TV). Doing his graduate thesis on "battle rap" and the use of the "N" word, Adam knows the lingo and all the players. Quickly he befriends lead battle rapper Behem Grymm (Jackie Long "The Comebacks" 2007) who takes him on as a reluctant protege. Once in, Adam realizes he's got it in him to battle rap, combining his his smart boy eduction and historic knowledge of the craft. Making a terrific reappearance on the big screen is the mature Anthony Michael Hall ("Sixteen Candles" 1984), as Adam's well respected literary professor and father. The film is also filled by many of today's battle rappers, who also coached the films stars in the craft. This is a well made indie film, packed with comedy and drama, that will surly be a huge stepping stone for its director, writer and especially it's main stars Calum Worthy and Jackie Long. You will want to be one of the first to see this film. "Bodied" was screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2018.
