Sunday, December 30, 2012

Paula Jai Parker Is A Freak, and I Like It: "Sprung" Film Review

I have seen this movie at least 10 times, however, I just watched Sprung for the first time in at least 15 years tonight (Thanks for the nostalgia Netflix). As my wife and I waited  for the film to start, I explained to her how often I used to watch this movie and my deviant reasons for seeing it so many times.  You see, Sprung, used to be apart of the Cinemax 2 a.m. movie line-up or more commonly know as "Skin-a-max" (but really as a 14 year old boy this was the time I locked the door and grabbed my favorite bottle of Jergens). So I would stay up late and watch "Skin-a-max" and more often then not Sprung was one of the movies you would see after Red Shoe Diaries or another movie that focuses on a lot of heavy simulated humping. As a 14 year old boy I only focused on certain (NUDE) parts of the film so now as an adult I was excited to see if the movie was actually any good or if it would only be forever and solely intertwined with me developing my masterbatory style.
           Sprung, was released in theaters in 1997. Now although the film is over 15 years old, it's still very modern in a couple of ways that I believe still make this movie enjoyable to watch but still allows it to keep its time capsule effect. The movie revolves around 4 people who all meet at a party, exchange a few good lies, and of course love and hilarity ensue. The plot in itself isn't that original, but the acting, the clothing, the sexuality, and the mild cartoonish style of the film are executed very nicely.
            The cast for Sprung consists of Rusty Cundieff (Montel), Joe Torry (Clyde), Adina (Paula Jai Parker), and Tisha Campbell (Brandy). The Montel character is one that I as a light skinned/artsy black man could relate to. Cundieff, who is also the director if the film, does a good job making the character easy to like despite his social awkwardness. He's the epitome of a charming fuck up. Montel's best friend, Clyde is quite the opposite. Torry, brings an undeniable personality to the character. Although he's loud, aggressive, a meat head, and really only concerned with getting his dick wet as often as possible, he is redeemed and humanized by the care and concern he shows for his childhood buddy Montel. Now Clyde meets a sexy little freak named Adina at a party. Adina is quintessentially the exact same person as Clyde EXCEPT she does not have to work nearly as hard to fuck whomever she pleases because she's the most powerful creature on Earth, a sexy black woman. I think it's very important to say that she is my favorite character in the film for so many nasty, freaky, filthy, dirty, (did i mention)nasty reasons BUT it's really her personality that shines through her character that is the biggest turn on. Finally, Brandy is the best friend of Adina (however Campbell and Parker look so much alike that I think they could have played sisters) and is in the cross hairs of Montel's love gun. Tisha Campbell plays a character who, in a lot of ways reminds me of her "Gina" character in Martin but with like a 85% sexiness boost.
            As stated previously, one of the draws to the film, in addition to the acting, is the clothing. I'm sure when this film first came out, the attire was not a big deal. But let me tell you, however fly Clyde thinks he is in his suit in the opening scene, it is equally as hilarious 15 years later. Mostly it's funny to see how we used to dress back then (hell who am I to poke fun, in 1997 I had a red and white mesh Nike outfit, and you couldn't tell me SHIT when I wore it to the 1st day of school). However, one reason why I stated that Adina is my favorite character is because of the way she dresses. Her outfits AND her wigs/weaves were way ahead of their time. In fact, I'm almost certain that she has about 8 different wig changes and at least 4 different hair colors throughout the film. It would be easy to see Nicki Minaj playing Adina if there were to be a remake or Sprung (although I don't even think Nicki can play nasty the way Paula Jai Parker does....mmm mmm mmmmmmm!)
            Sex, sex, sex! That's the main way in which one gets another sprung....giving up some amazing, earth bending, messy, skeet skeet, we need new sheets fucking! Sprung definitely has some attention grabbing sex scenes which is why it was my one of my favorite movies to watch prior to my (unfortunate) discovery of Internet porn. The best of the scenes comes pretty early in the film when Clyde and Adina do it. Not the best because the scene is sexy (but it is because Adina displays her tremendous riding skills! Yeeee-haw!) but because it's probably the funniest sex scene in film. Hats off to Joe Torry, not many men would have the balls and the sense of humor to let a woman throw their legs up in the air and dominate them on film like that.
        The final unique quality of this film is the cartoonish undertone it has. From getting bonked on the head and seeing birds and stars to the elaborate imagination cut aways (Family Guy style) you can't help but be tickled seeing such cartoonish antics in a R rated black romantic comedy. I think this is directly attributed to the time in which this movie was conceived. You see 1997 was the Puff Daddy/Busta Rhymes, fish eye lense, brightly colored, cartoony music video era (or what I like to call it, the good ol days when music videos were creative and over the top). Back then a black person could be goofy or even silly and still be considered cool and didn't have to worry about the abstract thought of "keeping it real".
          Ultimately, what did I learn from watching a movie that once previously served as a part of my "Jergens Sleep Aid Kit"? Well, that once I got over the sexuality of the film (which apparently has taken me 15 years to be mature enough to overcome) that this movie is FUCKING HILARIOUS! I'm happy I re-watched this film as an adult because I got every joke and innuendo thus time. A lot of conversations went over my head as a young teen and all I knew of this movie then was that there were black people and they are fucking and Adina/Paula Parker is a freak.....and I like it. Also, I enjoyed this film because it's interesting to see how people dated and interacted with one another pre cell phones and facebook. There is a scene in the film in which Montel sends a letter to Brandy so that they could reconnect. That shit does not happen now! 2012 Montel would have shot Brandy a text and posted on her wall. I not only recommend this film but if you have Netflix and 2 hours to kill then load this movie up and get ready to laugh and grab you a bottle of Jergens.

*Rating: 7/10

No comments:

Post a Comment