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CONSENSUS
Whether you know anything about turntablism or not, Scratch makes for fun and informative viewing.
CAST & CREW
Mixmaster Mike, DJ Shadow, Afrika Bambaataa
Directed by Doug Pray
more...
SYNOPSIS
Director Doug Pray (HYPE!) pays tribute to the innovative art of deejaying in the electrifying documentary SCRATCH. more...
MPAA RATING
R, language
RELEASE DATES
Theatrical: Feb 15, 2002
Video: Aug 13, 2002
RELEASE COMPANY
Palm Pictures
GENRE
Musical & Performing Arts, Pop Music, Rap Music, Documentary, Music
OFFICIAL SITE
• The Official Scratch Site
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SOUNDTRACK REVIEWS
TRAILER & MEDIA
LINKS
SUBMIT/EDIT ARTICLE
SUBMIT USER REVIEW
FORUM
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 "An energizing, intoxicating documentary charting the rise of hip-hop culture in general and the art of scratching (or turntablism) in particular."
-- Chris Wiegand, BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE
"Immersing us in the endlessly inventive, fiercely competitive world of hip-hop DJs, the project is sensational and revelatory, even if scratching makes you itch."
-- Gregory Weinkauf, NEW TIMES
"A fine documentary can be distinguished from a mediocre one by the better film's ability to make its subject interesting to those who aren't part of its supposed target audience. Judging by those standards, 'Scratch' is a pretty decent little documentary."
-- Jeff Vice, DESERET NEWS, SALT LAKE CITY
"Those moviegoers who would automatically bypass a hip-hop documentary should give “Scratch” a second look."
-- Rob Thomas, CAPITAL TIMES (MADISON, WI)
"There's plenty of footage here of some of the world's best DJs at work, and it's impressive, even for someone uninterested in the genre."
-- Eric D. Snider, ERICDSNIDER.COM
"You don't need to be a hip-hop fan to appreciate Scratch, and that's the mark of a documentary that works."
-- Jon Popick, PLANET SICK-BOY
"Edited and shot with a syncopated style mimicking the work of his subjects, Pray turns the idea of the documentary on its head, making it rousing, invigorating fun lacking any MTV puffery."
-- Melanie McFarland, SEATTLE TIMES
"It's a story of turntablism that will appeal to both newcomers and DJ diehards."
-- Chris Macias, SACRAMENTO BEE
"One of those terrific documentaries that collect a bunch of people who are enthusiastic about something and then figures out how to make us share their enthusiasm."
-- Chris Hewitt, ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS
"Even as it pays earnest homage to turntablists and beat jugglers, old schoolers and current innovators, Scratch is great fun, full of the kind of energy it's documenting."
-- Cynthia Fuchs, POPMATTERS
"It's a smart, funny look at an arcane area of popular culture, and if it isn't entirely persuasive, it does give exposure to some talented performers."
-- Daniel Eagan, FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL
"The message of such reflections--intentional or not--is that while no art grows from a vacuum, many artists exist in one."
-- Walter Chaw, FILM FREAK CENTRAL
"Pray has really done his subject justice."
-- Laura Bushell, BBCI FILMS
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"A nifty portrait of a minor, but intriguing, element of popular culture."
-- Frank Swietek, ONE GUY'S OPINION
"Nothing short of a respectful testament to the ingenious creative drive of the outsider."
-- Marc Savlov, AUSTIN CHRONICLE
"Pray's film works well and will appeal even to those who aren't too familiar with turntablism."
-- Bill Picture, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
""The turntable is now outselling the electric guitar...""
-- Marty Mapes, MOVIE HABIT
"Mixes likeable personalities, inventive photography and cutting, and wall-to-wall toe-tapping music to paint a picture of a subculture that is at once exhilarating, silly, perverse, hopeful and always fun."
-- Shawn Levy, OREGONIAN
"See Scratch for the history, see Scratch for the music, see Scratch for a lesson in scratching, but, most of all, see it for the passion."
-- Chris Gore, FILM THREAT
"The notion that hip-hop is much more than rapping is a persistent theme, and anyone seeking a solid introduction -- or re-introduction -- to that ever vibrant culture shouldn't miss it."
-- Ken Fox, TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE
"You'll be left with the sensation of having just witnessed a great performance and, perhaps, give in to the urge to get on your feet and shake it."
-- Warren Curry, FILMCRITIC.COM
"A good documentary can make interesting a subject you thought would leave you cold. A case in point: Doug Pray's Scratch."
-- Robert W. Butler, KANSAS CITY STAR
"Time with this diverse group of record-spinners makes you appreciate them as the groundbreaking musicians they are."
-- Peter Bernard, SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL
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FRESH 100%
Avg. Rating: 7.6/10 |
"It's all stitched together with energy, intelligence and verve, enhanced by a surplus of vintage archive footage."
-- Chris Vognar, DALLAS MORNING NEWS
"If you, like me, have never been convinced that spinning and mixing other people's records requires a musical skill, these guys will educate you as they twiddle and tweak like amped-up octopi."
-- Megan Turner, NEW YORK POST
"Does what a fine documentary does best: It extends a warm invitation into an unfamiliar world, then illuminates it fully and allows the larger implications of the journey to sink in unobtrusively."
-- Kevin Thomas, LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Not only an exuberant portrayal of hip-hop's self-healing, it's a compelling meditation on the future of making music in America."
-- Ed Morales, VILLAGE VOICE
"Exciting documentary."
-- Terry Lawson, DETROIT FREE PRESS
"An engrossing and infectiously enthusiastic documentary."
-- Ann Hornaday, WASHINGTON POST
"Dense, exhilarating documentary."
-- Stephen Holden, NEW YORK TIMES
"Should appeal to more than just hardcore hip-hop fans."
-- Curt Fields, WASHINGTON POST
"Pray's subjects can wander off into arcane Dennis Miller-esque rants, but he manages to hit the high points and most of the major personalities."
-- Robert K. Elder, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
"Illuminating if overly talky documentary."
-- Dan DeLuca, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
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"...Pray doesn't have a passion for the material. He nonetheless appreciates the art and reveals a music scene that transcends culture and race."
-- Sean Axmaker, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
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* Who are the Approved Tomatometer Critics?
* Mouse over a tomato icon for a publication's original rating. Original rating not available for every publication.
* In fairness to critics whose last name begins with a letter at the end of the alphabet, certain pages are sorted in reverse order, z-a.
* Certain "Scratch" article data provided by the Movie Review Query Engine.
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