Zebrahead

Amazon.com

A hard-hitting and impressive low-budget independent film about love and racism, Zebrahead is a volatile mix of social commentary and powerful acting. Michael Rapaport (Mighty Aphrodite, Beautiful Girls) is a white urban high school student enamored of black rap culture who pursues and falls in love with the cousin (N'Bushe Wright) of his black best friend. Their intense romance brings out racial tensions in their school, among their friends and at home. Problems escalate as a notorious gang banger goes after the girl, forcing a schoolwide confrontation with violent results. With the flavor of a modern urban Romeo and Juliet love story and a showcase for the debut of two exceptional young actors, Zebrahead is a provocative sleeper film well worth checking out. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

To View Again.......2007-01-10

I saw this movie when it first aired, wanted my kids to see it as well,
touch on social aspect in america.

Held up better than I expected.......2006-04-16

I rented this to show a friend and was pleased that it held up so well over the years. The only thing dated was the hair-dos

As a Jew who grew up in largely black neighborhoods I can relate to the sense of being caught between worlds. My experience of coming from a Jewish background puts me on the outside of mainstream society in ways that the film barely touched on, but overall a great film.

Great character development and growth, The relationships between Zack and Dee as well as Zack and Nikki felt natural. I highly recommend it and may bring it in to show to my Job Corps trainees.

Very good story..........2005-10-22

Very good story and somewhat of an underrated movie that most
people probably don't know about. It's a story of a white
guy trying to fit in and show that he shares some of the
same interests as mostly black town. Along with that, he
meets a beautiful young black women and interest grows.

It doesn't go all THAT deep and isn't truly anything original,
but it's a feel good movie that with solid actors keeps you
watching to the end.

Generations, races, Detroit, music.......2005-09-01

I saw this movie when it was first released. My first contact with modern pop music of the techno/hiphop (or whatever it is calld) era. Having watched the DVD about 12 years later, I was somehow disappointed. The story takes the viewpoint of teenagers and explores their relations among each other and with older generations - not unlike movies in the mold of Rebel Without a Cause. For people who do not belong to that age group this can be a bit boring. Zebrahead is definitely woth watching if you are interested in townscapes. Quite a lot of good, interesting location shooting in Detroit.

Poignant and Very Real.......2004-11-23

"Zebrahead" is living proof that low-budget films can have just as great an impact if not greater than the big name movies. This movie sends an important message, and it is one that everyone should see.

The place is Detroit, Michigan with a large African American population. Our main character is Zack (played fantastically by Michael Rapaport), a white Jewish high school kid fascinated with African American culture and rap music. When Zack isn't driving his jeep with the rap music blaring its bouncy rythem, he is an exquisite DJ who creates his own cassettes.

After Zack breaks up with his white girlfriend, he gains an interest in the new girl from New York; beautiful Nikki (played nicely by N'Bushe Wright), who is African American and the cousin of Zack's best friend Dee (played by DeShonn Castle) who is also African American. After gaining permission from Dee and getting advice from his lust-loving father (played by the late Ray Sharkey) and his grandfather at their inner city record store "Saul's Melody Land," Zack starts dating Nikki much to the dismay of Nikki's family, peers at school, and the hot-headed, tough-talking school bully Nut (played wonderfully by Ron Johnson).

Racial tensions boil to a head when Nut wants the gorgeous Nikki for himself and doesn't want a white guy like Zack standing in the way. Nut's attempts to get Nikki to be his are met by her turning him down, which adds fuel to the growing fire of anger building inside of him and his anamosity toward Zack. Despite Nut, Nikki's friends advising Nikki to stick with her own race, (particularly a mop-haired, spectacle-wearing preacher kid) and the stares and curiousity that Nikki gets from Zack's white friends, Zack and Nikki are determined to stick together.

All hell breaks loose at the local skating rink after Nut's violent tongue turns physical and Dee is killed. Nut disappears and the school is left to mourn over the loss of Dee and intensly discuss who should have done what, who is to blame, and of course the issue of black and white. One reviewer summed it up very well; while an Asian girl sobs in her seat, the African American preacher kid gets into a heated fight with an Italian, and not far away, Zack and Nikki are holding each other in grievance and love.

It is a story about love, jealously, friendship, violence and race. Put all these issues together and you get a remarkable, poignant, realistic film that opens our eyes to the morals and dilemma's of life and the struggle against controversy. To me, the stars of the film are Michael Rapaport (Zack) and Ron Johnson (Nut); both do oustanding with the characters they portray. Anger, emotion, attitude, language; both do a flawless job with everything.

If you have not yet watched this movie, go to your local video store and rent it right now! Once you've seen "Zebrahead" you will never forget it, and you will automatically want to add it to your movie collection. Believe me; it won't collect much dust on your shelf. "Zebrahead" is highly recommended.

The Show Must Go Off! Zebrahead Live at the House of Blues

Average customer rating:

Yes, they can do it live...
Simply amazing!!!

The Show Must Go Off! Zebrahead Live at the House of Blues
Starring: Zebrahead
Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00020X8IE
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Description

Forget everything you've ever heard or thought about Zebra Head. Until you see them with 8 24P cameras in Dolby 5.1 Surround, at the House of Blues in on their home town O.C. turf, you haven't seen them, and you haven't heard them. Directed and mixed by two other O.C. natives, Joe Escalante and Jon St. James, this super long concert answers the eternal question, what is a Zebrahead? English subtitles tell you what they're singing about, and Japanese subtitles tell you what they're saying in between songs. Recorded in 5.1 surround. Special features include DVD Special Features include lyrics on Subtitle Track, Photo Gallery, Trailers/ Previews, Band Commentary Track. **NON STANDARD PRICING**

Customer Reviews:

Yes, they can do it live..........2004-09-01

After 3 studio albums, Zebrahead finally decides to release a live DVD. They put on a long 20 song set; mainly being a CD release party for their newest effort MFZB. Most of the songs performed here, are from the new album, but there are several from the past albums as well. The DVD is quite a nice package, including band commentary, extra footage (off the stage), 5.1 surround sound, multi-angle camera shots, and a photo gallery.

Some of you might have a few questions about the performance. I am blown away by the studio recordings of these songs, but can they play them this well live? Can they make those squealing guitars from the album come to life? Can they pull off the timing and the intensity of their lyrics? Can they replicate the production skills found on the album? The answer to all these questions is - YES. The guitar work is unbelievable, and very inventive; even pulling off some Tom Morello style pick-on-the-strings-scratching, that sounds like turntables. Both vocalist give an amazing performance, playing off each other very well. The glue that holds the whole show together is the production skills. None of instruments or vocals overpower each other, making the overall concert pleasing to the ears.

Zebrahead has amazing stage presence. Be assured, Zebrahead is far more of a punk band, than a rap metal band, which seems to be a common misconception. They are often very comical between sets. They play a version of Jay & Silent Bob's "F***, F***, F***" song they are so famous for. The lead singer even raps a few lines from N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton". They even play a very cheesy version of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger".

All in all, Zebrahead comes off very strong, confident and comfortable on stage. I would recommend it to any Zebrahead fan.

Simply amazing!!!.......2004-06-08

Zebrahead has to be the best band that has yet to make it big. Over their career, they have probably had about 15 songs that would be major radio hits, their last album was #1 in Japan, but still they have yet to make it big in the states. This DVD was filmed at their last cd release party at the Disneyland House of Blues and represents everything of why their live show is one of the best. Their hilarious on stage dialogue rivals that of the mighty NOFX and they play every song with emotion and energy. Buy this DVD! Even if you have never heard of Zebrahead, trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Blood/Sweat & Beers/Live in Tokyo
Starring: Zebrahead
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000B9G6V2
Release Date: 2005-09-13

DVD:

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