Tougher Than Leather (film)
Encyclopedia
Tougher Than Leather is an American film released in 1988 and distributed by New Line Cinema
. The film was directed by Rick Rubin
and stars the hip-hop group Run–D.M.C. They created the movie to coincide with the release of their fourth studio album also titled Tougher Than Leather
.
, D.M.C.
is released from jail, at which time he returns to New York City
with his band-mates, Run and Jam Master Jay. They are ready to schedule some gigs
and kick-start their musical careers when things take a dark turn. Their friend Runny Ray, played by Raymond White has been murdered; this pulls the group into a seedy world of crime and violence. As they attempt to determine who is responsible for the murder, their own lives become endangered. However, the action is balanced with a series of musical performances by the stars and other late '80's hip-hop stars including Slick Rick
and Beastie Boys
.
, the film is "vile, vicious, despicable, stupid, sexist, racist and horrendously made." This review is typical as the film has been referred to more recently as "poorly executed and explotative fare."
It was briefly available on VHS
, but went out of print within two years due to poor sales and a rumored injunction by the Beastie Boys
and Capitol Records
, their new label. For this reason, it is almost certain that New Line will never release it on DVD.
" genre. Much like earlier films such as Shaft
and Black Samson
, the plot features inner-city anti-heroes who need to take the law into their own hands as they have been neglected by the more traditional avenues of justice.
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
. The film was directed by Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
and stars the hip-hop group Run–D.M.C. They created the movie to coincide with the release of their fourth studio album also titled Tougher Than Leather
Tougher Than Leather
Tougher Than Leather is a 1988 studio album for American rap group Run–D.M.C. and a follow-up to their hit Raising Hell. While the new record did not maintain the same popularity as its predecessor, it obtained platinum status and spawned the favorites "Run's House" and "Mary, Mary" .Tougher Than...
.
Plot
At the beginning of the filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, D.M.C.
Darryl McDaniels
-Video game appearances:*The Warriors - Scopes*Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - Himself- External links :* * * * * http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/12/entertainment/la-et-people-speak12-2009dec12...
is released from jail, at which time he returns to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with his band-mates, Run and Jam Master Jay. They are ready to schedule some gigs
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
and kick-start their musical careers when things take a dark turn. Their friend Runny Ray, played by Raymond White has been murdered; this pulls the group into a seedy world of crime and violence. As they attempt to determine who is responsible for the murder, their own lives become endangered. However, the action is balanced with a series of musical performances by the stars and other late '80's hip-hop stars including Slick Rick
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
and Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
.
Cast
- Darryl McDanielsDarryl McDaniels-Video game appearances:*The Warriors - Scopes*Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - Himself- External links :* * * * * http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/12/entertainment/la-et-people-speak12-2009dec12...
- D.M.C - Joseph SimmonsJoseph SimmonsJoseph Ward Simmons , known by the stage name Rev. Run or DJ Run, is one of the founding members of the influential hip hop group Run–D.M.C., and a practicing minister, known as Reverend Run. Simmons was born in Hollis, Queens, New York. He is the younger brother of Daniel "Danny" Simmons, Jr...
- Run - Jason Mizell - Jam Master Jay
- Richard EdsonRichard EdsonRichard Edson is an American actor and musician.-Biography:Edson was born in New Rochelle, New York. He has one brother, Steven, who resides in the Boston area, and two sisters: Andrea, who resides in Newton, Massachusetts and Jennifer, who resides in New York City. His father Arnold was one of...
- Bernie Carteez - Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
- Vic Ferrante - Jenny LumetJenny LumetJenny Lumet is an American actress and screenwriter noted for her award-winning screenplay for Rachel Getting Married...
- Pam - Russel SimmonsRussel SimmonsRussel Simmons is a co-founder of Yelp, Inc..He was previously an early employee of PayPal.- References :...
- Himself - Adam YauchAdam YauchAdam Nathaniel Yauch , , is a founding member of hip hop trio the Beastie Boys. He is frequently known by his stage name, MCA, and other pseudonyms such as Nathanial Hörnblowér.-Early life:...
- Himself - Mike D - Himself
- Adam Horovitz - Himself
- Slick RickSlick RickRichard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
- Himself
Critical Reaction
While the music usually garners a favorable response, critics generally panned the film. According to The Washington PostThe Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, the film is "vile, vicious, despicable, stupid, sexist, racist and horrendously made." This review is typical as the film has been referred to more recently as "poorly executed and explotative fare."
It was briefly available on VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
, but went out of print within two years due to poor sales and a rumored injunction by the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
and Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, their new label. For this reason, it is almost certain that New Line will never release it on DVD.
Connections to Blaxploitation
In response to the negative reactions to the film, critics like Randall Clark have pointed out the many connections between the movie and the history of the "BlaxploitationBlaxploitation
Blaxploitation or blacksploitation is a film genre which emerged in the United States circa 1970. It is considered an ethnic sub-genre of the general category of exploitation films. Blaxploitation films were originally made specifically for an urban black audience, although the genre's audience...
" genre. Much like earlier films such as Shaft
Shaft (1971 film)
Shaft is a 1971 American blaxploitation film directed by Gordon Parks, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. An action film with elements of film noir, Shaft tells the story of a black private detective, John Shaft, who travels through Harlem and to the Italian mob neighborhoods in order to find the...
and Black Samson
Black Samson
Black Samson is a 1974 American blaxploitation film, starring Rockne Tarkington, William Smith and Connie Strickland. The film was written by Daniel B...
, the plot features inner-city anti-heroes who need to take the law into their own hands as they have been neglected by the more traditional avenues of justice.