Idlewild was in Georgia? I thought Idlewild was and is in Michigan, just SW of Baldwin.

It is not possible to underestimate a movie that killingly bad.

Don't hate this movie until you've seen it. Unless you're not a fan of music. The old and new songs Outkast has put together for the movie are brilliant. The new album/soundtrack for the movie mixes big band swing with hip hop, jazz with hard drum beats, and everything in between. It's so different than anything I've ever heard. Just to see the cast Barber got to sign on for this and the hell they went through to get HBO to distribute a film of this genre is worth the price of admission alone.

But seriously, this movie sounds kind of amazing.

Heck, if it's half as good as the video for "Hey Yaa," then it'll be the best movie of the Summer.

I loved this experience! That's what it was - a movable event. Idlewild is not a movie I'm supposed to like - being a baby boomer - a well educated black woman who doesn't particularly care for hip hop. Nevertheless ...what a great way to keep the gray matter poppin' - so much going on - romance, music - visual treats through the costumes, the dance... Andre and Big Boi's synchronicity is magical - they are two different sides of the same coin - they don't perform together but they are together. Wonderfer! Ok - it was a fictional place - I guess - because would a black man be dining in the first class dining car of what - Amtrak? in the 40's. The photography was... - ok I'll just say it - sensual - reminded me of some of the God father scenes - a little more sepia - but sensual. Cicely Tyson - what a beautiful woman! I want to know why she was on that road and where she is going. Terence Howard was too scary - he is getting typecast. I just loved Bruce Bruce's cameo - "I'm not that big." Only twice was I pretty sure what was going to happen - so most of the time I was on edge. Big Boi surprised me. He had always been the more hip hop (therefore unfathomable - my 23 year old son kindly interprets for me) In "Idlewild", Andre was sensitive (beautiful big eyes) and fantasy-believable as a nerdy/artistic/nut. But Big Boi showed out! If you leave before the credits finish at the end - you'll miss more treats. Great entertainment - Better to me than "Chicago". Where is the soundtrack? - I bought the CD specifically looking for "In my Lab" and the first song Percival's love interest sang.

When the movie was not about the famous historical place for blacks to go. I was wanting to see some of the history of this non-fictional place and a lot of folk were mislead by the name. The movie was good in its own rights but the name should have been changed to protect the legacy. Dang gee... our history is so messed up, it will have people being confused about the eden for blacks and where it is. By the way, it is in Michigan!

Many critics who are bashing the movie are comparing it to a drawn-out music video, but they are obviously those ignorant of what are the major components of a truly brilliant musical. The movie seamlessley meshes drama, romance, suspense and comedy into a fast-paced visual that is highlighted magically with inserts of music that are fusions of hip hop, jazz, funk and blues.

Idelwild is a masterpiece. With many contemporary films--particularly those targeting a mainly black audience--containing more fluff than filling, it was surprising to find that Idelwild imaginitively evoked a connection between the viewer and the film by portraying a diverse range of characters who could really act! The major stand out was definitely the charismatic Big Boi who is often overshadowed by his eclectic partner Andre 3000. Though his character can be crudely chalked up to being a womanizing thug by those less imaginative, the reality is that Big Boi's character Rooster was a man forced to grow given a multitude of life-changing moments thrown at him in succession. Able to be comic and almost tender at once in his various given scences, Big Boi was a pleasure to watch and his character was one you wanted to cheer on.

The casting choices of the movie were excellent and cameos of Patti LaBelle and Cicely Tyson thrilling. For those expecting to find many of the songs on the soundtrack, may be disappointed however, for many can be found on the prior release of the double CD Speakerboxx/Love Below.

All in all, the movie is well worth the inflated cost to see a movie in the theatre. Stellar costuming, hip music, brilliantly executed dancing, good acting and great casting make it a treat! Due to the adult themes, I strongly advise against taking small children though it may be tempting to have them see a movie that has a predominate black cast and it is well-written and directed.