Fear of a Black Hat (1994)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Rusty Cundieff

Writer (WGA):

Rusty Cundieff (written by)

Release Date:

3 June 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Plot:

A mockumentary chronicling the rise and fall of a not particularly talented--or particularly bright but always controversial--1990s hip-hop group, NWH (Niggaz with Hats). |

Plot Keywords:

Hip Hop | Satire | Reference To Paula Abdul | Fake Documentary | Fictional Band

Cast

Mark Christopher Lawrence	...	Tone Def
Larry B. Scott	...	Tasty Taste
Rusty Cundieff	...	Ice Cold
Kasi Lemmons	...	Nina Blackburn
Howie Gold	...	Guy Friesch
G. Smokey Campbell	...	Backstage Manager #1
Bobby Mardis	...	Promoter #1
Brad Sanders	...	Promoter #2
Moon Jones	...	Jam Boy
Tim Hutchinson	...	Reggie Clay
Faizon Love	...	Jam Boy (as Faizon)
Deezer D	...	Jam Boy
Darin Scott	...	Security Head
Devin Kamin	...	Vanilla Sherbet (as Devin Kamienny)
Jeff Burr	...	Chicago Cop

Also Known As:

The Trial of N.W.H. (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | UK:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Ontario) | USA:R

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

When the film was screened at Cannes, the only slot it was allowed was a single midnight showing. Unexpectedly, it became the first film to sell out the slot. It was then extended to several other midnight showings, all of which sold out.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: An ITC logo sign is clearly visible to the left in the record company's office.

Quotes:

Geoffrey Lennox: "Guerillas in the Midst", man, that is gonna be *crazy* large. And the album "Fear of a Black Hat", that's gonna be bigger than "Wild Thing". Oh, man, you brothers are gonna be large for the simple fact that you're with me. And I got the wining team, and I am large. I am larger than large. In fact, I'm so big they call me Dinosaur.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Tropic Thunder (2008)

Soundtrack:

Buried and Bald (Wear Yo Hat!)

Hilarious parody of the hip-hop world.

I don't remember when I first heard about this movie, but I rented it about six years ago, and it still remains one of my favorite comedies. I will admit, you probably will despise this movie if you know nothing about rap music. But if you are a rap fan, even a casual one, you will love the inside jokes and references. One of the best lines in the movie is about the difference between a b**** and a h**; I still use this line today and get lots of laughs with it. One of the best performances comes from Larry Scott, who played nerd Lamar in `Revenge of the Nerds'. It is unfortunate that this movie will likely never get a DVD release.