Off the Hook (1999 TV Movie) User Reviews

PosNeg

[PickUrFeetInPoughkeepsie · 9/10 · 30 November 2004]

Off the Hook tells the true story of two aspiring rappers who have formed a duo called PosNeg. One of the men, Walter Velasquez, is the Positive side. His rap lyrics have uplifting themes and he has focus and determination in his everyday life to keep things peaceful, stay out of trouble, and succeed.

The other rapper, Lorenzo Lewis, is the negative side, not only in lyrical content but in his lifestyle. He is always having to prove how hard he and can't stay away from legal troubles involving drugs and such.

The look and sound of the film make it obvious that this was done on a very low budget, and considering that, the acting is top-notch. There are many brilliant performances here by complete unknowns. I found myself very sucked in to the world of PosNeg. It's a shame that so few people have seen this film.

PosNeg

[PickUrFeetInPoughkeepsie · 9/10 · 30 November 2004]

Off the Hook tells the true story of two aspiring rappers who have formed a duo called PosNeg. One of the men, Walter Valesquez, is the Positive side. His rap lyrics have uplifting themes and he has focus and determination in his everyday life to keep things peaceful, stay out of trouble, and succeed.

The other rapper, Lorenzo Lewis, is the negative side, not only in lyrical content but in his lifestyle. He is always having to prove how hard he and can't stay away from legal troubles involving drugs and such.

The look and sound of the film make it obvious that this was done on a very low budget, and considering that, the acting is top-notch. There are many brilliant performances here by complete unknowns. I found myself very sucked in to the world of PosNeg. It's a shame that so few people have seen this film.

Must watch

[dkswift · 10/10 · 3 May 2020]

This Film changed my life. I was sixteen years old when I first watched this. It helped me become a better man. This Film had Great actors, Good story, a cool soundtrack, and the best part about it is, it was about two Black Men trying to make something of themselves. If you have young men in your house, you must watch this with them.

Good idea, poorly executed

[bhart-1 · 6/10 · 13 May 2006]

This movie is about two black males who are trying to escape ghetto life by producing a rap album as the duo "posneg" (positive, negative). Whereas the character "pos" starts a family and moves his life in a positive direction by continuing with a career, the "neg" character begins selling crack to make money and ends up in jail. The two later reunite, only for further problems to arise.

A possible explanation for these differences between two people from the same neighborhood is that their parents raised them differently, with "pos"'s upbringing being the more supportive and nurturing. Though different, the two are great friends and have a unique collaborative sound while rapping.

The story and the rapping support this movie, the problem lies in the writing. The conversational dialouge is far too simplistic and on the nose to convey actual emotion to the audience and that is what the movie sorely needed. Also, the video quality appeared to be that of a home video camera which aided the movie at some points (appearing more realistic) and harmed it at other times (can't actually make out the image). Sound is also subpar.

Not bad but not good.