It was late, and I was only going to check out the trailer for this hip-hop documentary before heading off to bed--but by the time I got up next, the credits were rolling. Thus is the power of Kevin Fitzgerald's film to draw you in. Mos Def, Supernatural, Juice, ?uestlove, Craig G and a whole posse of talented MCs demonstrate their almost superhuman powers of freestyling: improvised rhyming off the top of their heads, often in cyphers (close circles of highly focused rappers) or battles (8 Mile-style verbal duels that leave one of the competitors utterly humiliated.) Through a snazzy structure and a never-ending barrage of words, "Freestyle" provides a fascinating window into a vital subculture, its history, its spiritual meaning, and its connection to the traditions of sermonizing and jazz. (Compare prices.)

More Music DVDs:  Femi Kuti Live at the Shrine - Festival Express - The Kids Are Alright - Some Kind of Monster - Grateful Dawg - Plastic People of the Universe . [posted by Jurgen.]