Tougher Than Leather (1988)

the audience applauded

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Blistering performances.

*Spoilers* Sure, this movie is horrible, but its also extremely entertaining and fun. If you like old school rap, this is a must see. The Beastie Boys scenes alone are worth the price of admission. The BBoys get drunk onstage and perform "Scenario", a track that was unfortunately left off of the seminal "License to Ill". There is also a scene where the BBoys and Run DMC go to a fancy restaurant and act like jerks. Hilarious. Russell Simmons is awesome as himself. Rick Rubin may be one of the best producers ever, but his performance here is horrible. Hilarious, but horrible. Runny Ray is great as himself, and you genuinely feel bad for him when he gets shot. Great "live" footage of some RUN DMC classics and even a live performance of "Treat Her Like A Prostitute" by the great Slick Rick. All in all, if you like old school rap and/or cheesy 80s movies, see it! Now, where's the DVD, already?

Spike Lee turned down this script. That says it all. But I still wish it came out on DVD. I think it's still a Hip Hop classic from that era. Shame it only grossed like 3 million. Problaby cost a million to produce though. They should have promoted this a little bit more. I remember significant delays with this movie being released and problems on the set with Rick Rubin. It should have been a better movie with those caliber of stars. But by 1988 Run-DMC and the Beasties were starting to fade out a little. It was a should have or would have movie. Nowadays, 50 cent gets a 30 million dollar movie budget and top notch promotion.

I was a rap fan back from the beginnings with kurtis blow, this was all part of the phenomenom that russell simmons, and rick rubin started with their def jam recordings studio...i remember being like 14 yrs old going to see this movie with my dad, and even at that easily entertained age, i was let down...but...looking back now..they did the best with what they had, the budget had to be a spaghetti string..im sure...so with what they were given....it was the first RAP movie...and ushered us in to the age of tupacs,biggie smalls,redmans,wutangs...opened doors for the movies like friday,house party...they were the FRONT RUNNERS!!! and deserve better ratings then the people rating the show here.... AMEN thank god for run dmcmackdaddyspliffs AKA a white boy who fell in love with those FUNKY BEATZ

What can I say about this breakthrough movie? It's got all the making of a classic...intense special effects, great acting, Run DMC, nail-biting suspense, and the Beastie Boys. You can't help being drawn into the fast-paced story of revenge and greed. But I think its those tender, heart-warming moments that really make "Tougher than Leather" one of Run DMC's best films to date. Take for example the touching scene were Russell Simmons attempts to pick up 2 fly honeys....RS - "Hey Baby you wanna do the wild thing?" FH1 - "No" RS - "Hey Baby you wanna do the wild thing?" FH2 - "Sure"I tell you there was not a dry eye in the house. And that clever scene where Jam Master Jay attempts to get some information out of a bartender with the aid of his "rich friends" Benjamin Franklin and his twin brother. Simply brilliant.But seriously folks: This movie was definitely worth the $2 Australian dollars (1.60 US) that we paid to rent it, but just barely.