Turn It Up (2000)
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8% of critics liked it
(38 reviews) -
38% of users liked it
(1,822 ratings)
Prakazrel Michel, better known as Pras from the top-selling R&B group The Fugees, stars in this urban drama based on both his solo album Ghetto Superstar and his novel of the same name. Diamond (Pras) is an up-and-coming musician who is trying to use his creative gifts to work his way out of the… More Prakazrel Michel, better known as Pras from the top-selling R&B group The Fugees, stars in this urban drama based on both his solo album Ghetto Superstar and his novel of the same name. Diamond (Pras) is an up-and-coming musician who is trying to use his creative gifts to work his way out of the ghetto after the traumatic death of his mother. But he soon discovers that the music industry is nearly as corrupt and dangerous as the streets he's trying to leave behind, and Diamond is guided into a life of crime by his shady friend Gage (Ja Rule). In addition, Diamond must content with the unexpected pregnancy of his girlfriend Tamara (Tamala Jones), and attempts by his father Cliff (Vondie Curtis-Hall) to mend their contentious relationship. Turn It Up, which was produced under the title Ghetto Superstar, also features Eugene Clark and Patricia Velasquez. Madonna helped to produce the film through her production company, Madguy Films. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Adetuyi
- Written By
- Robert Adetuyi
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Sep 6, 2000 Wide
- Studio
- New Line Cinema
Critic Reviews
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Robert Koehler, Variety
Turn It Up is a hip-hop downer that makes the high-risk high-life of contempo gangstas seem glumly routine.
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Christy Lemire, Associated Press
Surprisingly, for a movie about music, the sound is lousy. Some of the songs sound distorted because they have so much bass. In other moments, the dialogue is so low, it's hard to understand what the characters are saying.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
It has action and violence, to be sure, but it may prove considerably more serious and uncompromising than its audience expected.
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Ernest Hardy, Film.com
As both writer and director, Adetuyi doesn't bother bringing any emotional or psychological twists or nuances to these familiar character types; he gives them no depth whatsoever.
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Vicky Edwards, Chicago Tribune
The film uses every standard urban drama story line in the book.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Pras
as Diamond
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Ja Rule
as Gage
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Vondie Curtis-Hall
as Cliff
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Tamala Jones
as Kia
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Jason Statham
as Mr. B
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Eugene Clark
as Marshall
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John Ralston
as Mr. White
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Chris Messina
as Baz
- Lauryn Hill
- Patricia Velasquez
- Wyclef Jean
- Vondie Curtis Hall
- Pras Michel
