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List Price: $26.97 | | Label: Starz / Anchor Bay
Salesrank: 18555
Released: August 25, 2009 |
| Our Price: $17.27 |
| Used Price: $6.70 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Based on the 1993 best-selling novel by Buddy Giovinazzo, LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN shows the gritty, hard realities of a neighborhood, as well as the struggling, proud people who attempt to survive. The intertwining stories come together in a powerful climax of love and salvation, showing that despite the obstacles of life in the inner-city, humanity and hope can still prevail. (Unedited Version)
Description of Life Is Hot in Cracktown (unedited version):
The damaged lives on view in Life Is Hot in Cracktown exist in a corner of urban purgatory, where disconnected stories slither through roach-infested streets. The different strands include a teenager (Evan Ross) climbing the ladder of the thug life; a transgender prostitute (Kerry Washington) and her sensitive beau (Desmond Harrington); two small kids being raised by a careless mother (Illeanna Douglas); and a couple (Victor Rasuk, Shannyn Sossamon) trying to make it honestly, and failing. Director Buddy Giovinazzi based his script on his own 1993 collection of stories, and he certainly doesn't skimp on the unpleasant detail--something like A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, another gritty drama based on its director's own literary work, looks positively happy-go-lucky by comparison. Unfortunately Cracktown also begs comparison to an array of TV treatments of similar subjects, where it comes up noticeably short. The cast is full of decent people, including Lara Flynn Boyle for a single puzzling scene. Whether you ever wanted to contemplate gorgeous Kerry Washington as a transsexual or not, she gives a typically committed performance, and her scenes with Harrington actually summon up some degree of tenderness. The rest of this grueling direct-to-DVD exercise requires a high level of tolerance for the grimier side of druggie existence, of which there is a great deal on display here. --Robert Horton
Life Is Hot in Cracktown (unedited version) Reviews:
A weak story hampered by uninteresting characters 
2009-11-22 - I got this movie a few months ago as part of the Vine Program. I tried on several occasions to watch it but could never find a reason to watch it more than a few minutes at a time. I finally just gutted it out and forced myself to wait it out until the end. I think I managed to finish it on my sixth try.
This is easily one of the least pleasant movies that I have ever seen. It starts with the characters. The film is essentially an anthology show, telling the story of a number of characters in an area of a city that has been destroyed by drug culture. OK, this is all well and good, but regardless of intent, a film is only as good as its characters. I can honestly say that there was not a single character that I cared about even in the least. I can honestly say that there was not a single minute of the film that I cared for in the least. The film is an unremitting exploration of the inconceivably bleak existence of a string of completely unlikeable characters. The film has no redeeming qualities. The writing is wretched, the acting adequate but unable rise above the horrid material, and the narrative bleak without redemptive features.
Not many movies have left me feeling as bored and soiled as this one. Honestly, if I had not felt obligated by getting it through the Vine Program, I would not have finished it or reviewed it.
Film fires a clean shot, yet ultimately misses the mark. . . 
2009-11-20 - I did not expect entertainment. Prior to seeing the film, I read a handful of plot synopses on "Life is Hot in Cracktown" which all painted a picture of a complex narrative spanning dozens of characters and their problems with sex, drugs, money, or life in general. I also sough out specifics on why the film is rated R, to wit: strong violence, rape, drug content throughout, graphic sexuality, nudity, and pervasive language (for those who keep score). I was aware of the comparisons to the 2004 Oscar-winning film "Crash", high praise to be certain, and further evidence that this was to be a weighty film. The sort of film that wrestles with the inexplicable human predilection for self-destruction and its inevitable fallout on the unfortunate bystanders.
So I did not expect entertainment. Unfortunately, in trying to so fervently rail against the injustices of man, the film collapses under its own weight as it minutely details the flaws and excesses of each character yet provides no cohesive statement about the entire convoluted affair. It isn't that the film should provide some cliched moral lesson or even a hollow attempt to suggest solutions, it's that the film comes off as an excessive and overwrought effort to shock the audience with explicit depictions of, well, nearly everything. Aside from the graphic rape scenes, one of the most disturbing scenes was one in which three young men robbed and horrifically brutalized an elderly man in his own apartment. Watching the film unfold gives the impression that it seeks to exploit the very vices it is presumably intended to attack.
The low budget is a plus for this film, however, as the lack of Hollywood gloss only heightens the gritty feel. Though the cast is composed of relatively unknown actors, it's a strong collection of up-and-comers along with a handful of veteran C-listers. Desmond Harrington (of "Dexter" fame) and Kerry Washington ("The Last King of Scotland") were two stand outs. "Life is Hot in Cracktown" is an ambitious film that ultimately bites off more than it can chew. There's a good deal to appreciate here, especially for a low budget independent, yet there's simply not a great deal to recommend.
Very recognizable Characters 
2009-11-19 - When I watched this movie, I recognized many of the characters instantly. The down on his luck family man. The cop wanting to control the run away crime in his neighborhood. The teenager who turned to gangs to fit in and "be a man". While many of these sound like they could be standard, cliche' characters I think that each one goes well beyond what we have seen in other movies, however it may not be as well done as Crash was, in my opinion.
Imagine Cracktown as the worst, most run down place around where you live. Think about how hard it would be to get out once that became your home. I think that is the story that this movie delivers. How easy would it be to turn to drugs or crime as a way to escape, even temporarily?
I loved this movie. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars is because the stories went by so fast. I could have done with out one of the stories so that the others could have been more fleshed out. Still, it was a great watch and I recommend it. (And no, I'm not a fan of the genre).
From The Book Of Short Stories By Buddy Giovinazzo!
2009-10-25 - Life in "Cracktown" is not so hot for stars Kerry Washington, Desmond Harrington, Victor Rasuk, Shannyn Sossamon, Evan Ross, Brandon Routh, Illeana Douglas, Edoardo Ballerini, and Lara Flynn Boyle in the unflinching drug drama, "Life Is Hot In Cracktown". Based on the best-selling novel by writer-director Buddy Giovinazzo, the four stories that comprise this film are reminiscent of the After School Specials you might remember from back in the day, artfully begging the viewer's attention with an addictively watchable cast and stories. Rated R for strong violence, rape, drug content throughout, graphic sexuality, nudity, and pervasive language (as stated on the rear cover), "Life Is Hot In Cracktown" features Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) video, Dolby Surround 5.1 & 2.0 English and Spanish audio, plus the following Special Features: Behind-the-scenes featurette & Deleted Scenes. Running time is 100 minutes.
I enjoyed the grittiness. Very realistic (if you know what I mean)
2009-10-15 - This is a very gritty, urban (ghettoish) movie. There were scenes that were down right disturbing, but it happens. You may hate it, but this is why we need more social programs and parental responsibility. The violence was needed. I enjoyed it.
