A Ratchet American Classic

This is a film for those unfamiliar with the term "ratchet" which I believe is a variation of the words wretched and ratchet. The term is currently in vogue amongst urban youth of all stripes and some white hipsters. Another similar phrase is "so ghetto" which this also is. Some of Pam Grier's films from the seventies approached this(Coffy, Foxy Brown)but this is the full kitchen sink of ratchet. Guns, gangsters, strippers, whores and desparate characters abound. Its amazing that Bernie Mac never got to do a Tarantino film after his performance as "Dollar Bill". Jamie Foxx is o.k. in this but doesn't really drive the film. Lisa-Raye is not a good actress but hits the notes squarely enough to make this a watchable flick.

Art is not aspirin