Movie Description
Rapper Pras Michel (of the Fugees) stars in this tale of a gifted young musician with big dreams. Partially based on Pras's autobiographical book and album GHETTO SUPASTAR, the story also features other real-life musicians, such as Ja Rule, Faith Evans, Bootsy Collins (who plays himself), Harry-O, and MTV host DJ Skribble. Pras is Diamond, who's involved in the drug world with his childhood best friend Gage (Ja Rule), but wants to get out and be legitimate in order to to pursue his musical career. Gage believes in Diamond, but knows they need money to get anywhere, and he's willing to do anything to get it. His impulsive hotheadedness soon gets both men into more trouble than they can handle, compounded when Diamond's girlfriend announces she's pregnant. When Diamond's estranged father comes back into his life after the sudden death of his mother, they find common ground in the music they both love. But Diamond's pulled in two directions: toward his dreams, his girl, and his family, and toward his loyalty to his best friend. TURN IT UP is a gritty, realistic portrayal of urban life and undying dreams.
| Credits | | Producer: | Guy Oseary | | Cast: | Tamala Jones, Vondie Curtis-Hall |
| Details | | Sound: | Stereo Sound, Surround Sound |
Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Snap Case
Pan & Scan - 1.33
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
DVD-ROM Features:
Web Access
Script-To-Screen, Theatrical release: September 6, 2000
The film was shot in Toronto.
This film is Adetuyi's feature film directing debut, though he has been a screenwriter for the past eighteen years.
Director Robert Adetuyi used original artwork from Toronto artists throughout the film.
Adetuyi relied on his actors to advise him in order to achieve the greatest authenticity; in one scene, Pras insisted he would never bring his girlfriend to a hip-hop club because it would be too dangerous. Adetuyi rewrote the scene, leaving the girlfriend character out.
Editorial Reviews
"...[Writer/director Robert Adetuyi] has a sharp ear for streetwise dialogue and an eye for seedy urban ambiance..."
New York Times - p.E5 - Stephen Holden
"...Pras is poised and persuasive, but it is rapper Ja Rule, in his acting debut, who energizes the entire film....TURN IT UP boasts strong musical selections an and effective score..."
Los Angeles Times - p.C4 - Kevin Thomas
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