Critic Reviews
Scratch (2001) Rank 3 Reviews
Expert Review Summary
based on (52) reviews
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San Francisco Chronicle (Neva Chonin)
Filmmaker Doug Pray's new DJ documentary, "Scratch," resembles "Hype!," his 1996 film on Seattle's grunge scene, in its meticulous chronicling of the rise of a culture-shaping genre. The difference comes with its conclusion: Where "Hype!" traced a ...read the complete Scratch movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Neva Chonin)
CinemaSpeak.com (Ryan Kugler)
Doug Pray's Scratch does what a good documentary should. It informs, enlightens, and entertains. The film is finally seeing the light of day after receiving raves at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, and people that decide to seek it out won't be ...read the complete Scratch movie review at CinemaSpeak.com (Ryan Kugler)
The Movie Chicks
This documentary is about the birth of hip-hop, which is not the same thing as rap - this showcases the DJs that create the beat behind rappers and other artists. A form of music that started as "scratching" on party tracks, but now has ...read the complete Scratch movie review at The Movie Chicks
Washington Post (Ann Hornaday)
Engrossing and infectiously enthusiastic documentary. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Washington Post (Ann Hornaday)
Film Threat (Chris Gore)
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. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Film Threat (Chris Gore)
The Onion (A.V. Club) (Noel Murray)
It's a doozy of a story, too, about a group of musicians who use the technology of the present and the mindset of the future to make a delicious hash out of the best parts of the past. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at The Onion (A.V. Club) (Noel Murray)
TV Guide (Ken Fox)
Throughout, 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. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at TV Guide (Ken Fox)
Washington Post (Ann Hornaday)
Washington Post (Curt Fields)
Focusing on the evolution of the hip-hop DJ, or "turntablist," it mixes history with a look at the current scene. Even if the names Mixmaster Mike, GrandMixer DXT (formerly GrandMixer D.ST), Qbert or X-Ecutioners mean nothing to you, their creative ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Washington Post (Curt Fields)
San Francisco Chronicle (Neva Chonin)
It's a documentary that invites viewers inside its story to groove along with a genre that's changing the past, present and future of contemporary music. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Neva Chonin)
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Ray Conlogue)
This engaging documentary is an excursion into the immense "art" form of hip-hop. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (Ray Conlogue)
Reel Movie Critic (Brenda Sexton)
An unforgettable early zealot of this innovation, Afrika Bambaataa, founder of the Universal Zulu Nation in the Bronx, used this music and DJing as a way to keep kids off the streets and out of gangs. Once the music drifted farther uptown into some of ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Reel Movie Critic (Brenda Sexton)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Sean Axmaker)
Scratch could use some of the wit and jagged energy that defined ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Sean Axmaker)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Dan DeLuca)
Filled with wildly inventive sound, as records are cut up and recombined on the spot. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Dan DeLuca)
Miami Herald (Evelyn McDonnell)
Chicago Tribune (Robert K. Elder)
It lays the groundwork for such collaborations by suggesting that all forms of music must come full circle before evolving into something new. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Chicago Tribune (Robert K. Elder)
filmcritic.com (Warren Curry)
Ain't It Cool News (Vern)
Washington Post (Curt Fields)
Should appeal to more than just hardcore hip-hop fans. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Washington Post (Curt Fields)
Village Voice (Ed Morales)
Scratch's strongest moments are the live performance sequences, where hip-hop becomes an ultra-rhythmic spiritual experience, with roots in West African trance ritual and South Bronx gang solidarity. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Village Voice (Ed Morales)
The New York Times (Stephen Holden)
Dense, exhilarating. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at The New York Times (Stephen Holden)
New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
A loose-limbed documentary about the hip-hop D.J. scene that, for know-nothings like me, is highly informative without being in the least academic. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at New York Magazine (Peter Rainer)
Variety (Dennis Harvey)
Works best as a straightforward appreciation of the music. Though docu's structure wears out full viewer interest after an hour or so, few will come away with staid prejudices (i.e. that turntablism isn't "real" musicianship) intact. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Variety (Dennis Harvey)
Planet Sick-Boy
Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
If nothing else, Scratch firmly establishes Herbie Hancock's "Rockit," with its showcase on the scratch wizardry of GrandMixer DXT, as the "Like a Rolling Stone" of two turntables and a microphone -- practically every DJ, MC and hanger-on interviewed ...read the complete Scratch movie review at Philadelphia City Paper (Sam Adams)
filethirteen.com Review
Movie Magazine International (Purple)
Dual Lens - Review
New York Post (Megan Lehmann)
Pray will force you to look at the music as more than just gobbledygook created by musical-bower birds who can't spell. ...read the complete Scratch movie review at New York Post (Megan Lehmann)
Reel.com DVD review (Jeffrey Wachs)
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