CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story

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source: CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story

So I give VH1 an A+ for this one!! The actresses and actors did an outstanding job!! This project was well thought out and the creative process was clearly a team effort. Although Lisa wasn't able to share her complete side, I believe this film helped us understand her a little better. After watching other biopics on other networks I have to say this one is in the cream of the crop! Again I commend all involved with this GREAT BIOPIC!!!!

This is what happens when censorship gets in the way of a good story. It got extremely annoying hearing all of the f bombs muted for the simple fact that it was on VH1. Despite the great casting of the leads, Lisa Lopes's complicated story has been severely condensed for the sake of playing it safe and saving time. The reason why she burned down her boyfriend's house was not just because he had been cheating on her and she was drunk. He had been physically, psychologically and emotionally abusive to her for a long time. The morning of the fire, they had gotten into a huge fight, resulting in her being severely bruised up, and finally snapping when she saw he had brought shoes that were not meant for her. By taking that context out, and focusing only on her alcoholism and not explaining why she was like that, she is repainted just as the media painted her - a drunken crazy woman who was mean to her boyfriend and not a victim. Lopes was indeed a complex, but intensely rich, vibrant character full of life and nuance. What a shame. If the subject of the film is such an inconvenience, why tell it in the first place?

VH1's original film CrazySexyCool tells of the rise of one of the biggest acts in urban music history, TLC. Beginning in Atlanta in the early 1990's, the film delves into the humble beginnings of Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins (Drew Sidora), Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes (Naitia Kirkland) and Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas (Keke Palmer) who dominated the US and global charts in the 90s and early 2000s. Remaining members Watkins and Thomas served as executive producers on the film, however it's the performance of Kirkland (aka Lil'Mama) that will be the most talked about for her uncanny portrayal of the group's late rapper Left Eye. Running over two hours, the film covers the group's explosion on the hip-hop scene as they were discovered and signed by Pebbles (Rochelle Aytes) and LA Reid (Carl Anthony Payne II), the latter who has gone on to become one of the most notable music executives in the business. The film gives equal time to the girl's relationship dramas as to their financial worries, which caused them to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and renegotiate their contracts before their third album release. The film's score interlaces notable instrumental and acapella sections of the group's hits, including What About Your Friends, Unpretty, No Scrubs and Waterfalls. However, it's the section featuring the track Creep that is the most memorable, with the production capturing the tumultuous events that lead to the infamous arson incident featuring Lopes and former partner Andre Rison. Solid performances by Aytes and Evan Ross (Dallas Austin) and incredible recreations of TLC videos will leave fans more than pleased, however some die-hards may feel as though the film misses out the perspective of Lopes, whose creative and spiritual journey towards the end of her life interrupted the group's promotions of their album Fanmail. For that, audiences will find documentary The Last Days of Left Eye as an insightful look into the inner world of the L in TLC. Along with Straight Outta Compton, this is one biopic that is likely to stand the test of time and is a must see for R&B music aficionados.

Watching just for nostalgia and it didn't disappoint. Anyone who was around when TLC came out will remember all of the events here as it starts right before the trio broke. So, there were not too many surprises. I just sat back, listened to the music and enjoyed seeing their path to fame. I like how they handled some of the more sensitive subjects. The acting was decent. I mean, KeKe, Drew and Lil Mama...what's not to like there? Going back and getting a better glimpse at Lisa Left Eye Lopez and the events leading up to her death was surreal. I remember that like it was yesterday. These ladies were pioneers for sure and this was a tasteful tribute to their success. If you are fan, you will for sure want to watch this.

The TLC story was a perfect made to T.V movie. I think I was more excited about this movie than my girlfriend. We both were hanging around and waiting for the movie to premier. I loved TLC growing up just because they were the "It" group at the time breaking all types of barriers. Both guys and girls were into TLC. There Genre was after political hip-hop and right before gangsta rap, so it didn't matter who you were, TLC was a group you wanted to here at the time. The movie was well produced and great story writing. everything we wanted to know about TLC that we didn't know was covered. I enjoyed the way all the characters were portrayed. Lil' momma did an excellent job portraying Lisa (left Eye) Lopes and her extremely charismatic ways. In my opinion it would take someone with real talent who did not have to try to hard to imitate left eye and someone who was not going to underact either. Lil' momma was the ideal actor. Pebbles was portrayed as the antagonist and I think that in order to tell their story precisely, they had to make sure pebbles was portrayed as accurate as possible, despite her allegations of slander. In all, I think this was a fun movie to watch and it hits close to home especially if you grew up right around the time they were blowing up in the music industry. They told their story without going overboard and sharing the most important highlights of their life and turning points. I think Lisa (left eye) lopes would be proud.

While true fans won't be able to help themselves from wanting even more (an extended miniseries with more actual performance footage as TLC and the opportunities when they performed solo i.e T-Boz Touch Myself, Left Eye Ladies Night etc. or collaborations with other artist, the effort and end result of the VH1 TLC bio film must be applauded for its authentic feel. Viewers will double take and squint to determine if actual footage is being intertwined with new cast scenes. Ariana Neal rapping for her Dad as little Lisa with the big twists in her hair resembles and performs so well. It is clear all the talent studied footage and made good use of the time they got to spend with T-Boz & Chilli and gave it their all. Hopefully the film will be made available commercial free for permanent download purchase and in stores with extended commentary and footage (concert, TV and movies i.e House Party; performances "b&w" checkered outfit medley of songs, too much booty in the pants & the last performance with Lisa in the ripped jean dresses+ videos...it would make a crazy sexy cool Christmas gift (Sleigh Ride).

I loved every bit of this film & each person in this did such an amazing JOB!

As far as biopics go, this was one of the better ones. I liked learning about the group and its origins, including seeing things I had known about and seeing thing I hadn't. I liked the recreations of the videos, seeing them meet, the auditions for the record company, their first going out on the road, Left Eye displaying her "crazy" personality (including acting out in the bars and burning down Andre Rison's house), and the bandmates' reactions to her tragic death. I think this was pretty accurate and well made with excellent performances and good concert scenes. *** out of ****