The cover is a little misleading, showing The Notorious BIG prominently on the DVD cover and listing Biggie and Diddy as stars in the movie. This documentary style movie deals with the rise of Lil Kim and Junior Mafia after Biggie's death. That is an oxymoron. It is mostly shot with camcorders showing parties, events, and concert clips of Lil Kim and Junior Mafia. It also looks like the cameos are from artists that happen to be there. Life After Death deals with the topic of snitching and whether Lil Cease snitched or not. D Roc, the confidant and bodyguard plays himself AND plays himself. This just gets a puff of smoke out of five flames.
Confessions of a Call Girl
A hooker named Tory Adams (Tamala Jones) leaves the business. Her successful businessman husband
(Bokeem Woodbine) has no idea about her recent past. A former John (Clifton Powell) snaps when he realizes that Tory was only in love with his money. He stalks her and violently forces himself into her "new" life. Tory sees a therapist (Lynn Whitfield) to help her deal with her past and her addiction to the power of sex and tricking. There is a smoking hot girl on girl scene, threesome, graphic violence, plot twist, and a surprise ending. The production and sound are outstanding for a low budget movie. This is a MUST see. It gets a 4.5 out of 5 flames.
Young Ceasar
This is a typical ghetto tragedy in the likes of New Jack City, Sugar Hill, Get Rich or Die Trying, or Blue Hill Avenue. Young boy on the come up, selling drugs, becomes successful, has a woman he wants to please, wants to get out the game, feels a need to do one last
deal. Sound familiar? Some of the actors are familiar in this straight to DVD drug flick with plenty of gun violence and four letter language.
Besides the typical writing, the cinematography, sounds, lighting, and hip hop score is above average. It is not a hood classic but worth seeing. 2.5 out of 5 flames.
RUN-DMC Live at Montreux 2001
The DVD is a must have if you are a fan of RUN-DMC or hip hop. Being one of the last live performances recorded of all three members makes this DVD a keeper. The set features all the classic hits plus spotlights how the group still appeals to the current younger fan base. The fact that this was also recorded overseas also emphasizes how the group still has international appeal. Anyone who is a fan of the hip hop culture will appreciate and enjoy this DVD.
3.5 out of 5 flames.
Smokin' Aces
Get your popcorn ready cause you won't have a chance to leave your seat on this ride. This is a very violent action flick with an all star cast (Ben Affleck, Ray Liotta, and Andy Garcia). Alicia Keys has a major role playing a character you would not associate with her music. In her feature debut she is believable and captivating on screen. Jeremy Piven of Entourage headlines the cast and Common (also in his first movie) has plenty of face time and lines in front of the camera. The movie is set in Vegas and gives a glimpse of the glamour shows, underworld, and the people that support it. There are plenty of funny scenes but don't mistake this for a comedy. A bounty, a series of murders, several contract hits, plot
twists, a love connection, a surprise alternate ending, and lots of bonus
features makes this a must for the DVD collection. 4
out of 5 flames
Bloodline
Bloodline is another hood film straight to
DVD. Set in Miami, this typical sibling rivalry movie pits good brother (cop) verses bad brother (drug dealer). You watch them both as they move up the ranks, have success, start relationships, and gain importance while on a collision course to confront each other. Although they both live in the same city, neither know what
the other has grown up to become. Although it contains plenty of sex, violence, and profanity, this
film would probably make a better video. Take your favorite artist rapping about a cop and a thug. Then, edit Bloodline down to four minutes and I give it
a three out of five. Watching the whole thing. 2 out of 5 flames.
Restraining Order
The premise is pretty good but this "B" movie fails to start at a logical place or conclude in any way but
predictable. With that being said, the movie does cast black actors and actresses in non-traditional and dramatic roles. Reggie Gaskins (Friday After Next, Eve) plays an attorney and strictly platonic friend to nutty ass Robin Givens. Their relationship is misunderstood by Robin
Givens honorable, hardworking, blue collar, all-loving husband. No matter how much he tried to suppress it, sparks begin to fly. Fights, kidnapping, and gun play all lead up to the
finale. A little better camera work, attention to details, and more of Mari Morrow (the
role playing, handcuffed girlfriend in National Security) and I would agree with the Hollywood Black Film Festival nomination for Best Feature.2 out of 5 flames.
Katt Williams - The Pimp Chronicles Part 1
Not a bad comedy routine. The main problem is that it lacks variety. It seems like Katt spends most of his time telling jokes about smoking weed. If that's your thing, you'll love his routine. Otherwise, you might want to wait for part 2. 3 out of 5 flames.
Flavor Of Love - The Complete Second Season
It's the ghetto fabalous version of "The Bachelor" with a pimpish twist. 20 women compete for Flavor Flav's love. Before it's all said and done last season's runner-up, New York, enters the competition and really kicks this reality series into high gear. She comes in second again to the winner Deelishis. The special DVD features were no big deal but the three disc set is definitely entertaining. (Rating: Not Rated)
3 out of 5 flames.
Death Before Dishonor
The is not a cinematic masterpiece but it does have cameos and appearance by every New York artist you can think of. It talks about very specific cases involving 50 Cent snitching, Lil Cease (snitching) and others in the hip hop industry. The basic code the movie hammers home is, if you are grinding and get caught, understand that
it's part of the game. Do your time and don't involve or help the police. Note, Puffy and Shyne are not mentioned at all in
this piece. Anyway, watch your friend's bootleg copy.
(Rating: Not Rated) 1.5 out of 5 flames.
Save The
Last Dance 2
After
the devastating loss of her mother, Sarah (Julia Stiles) moves from the suburbs to live with her father in Chicago. She's accepted into Julliard where she can
pursue her goal of becoming a ballerina. Her love for hip-hop music causes tremendous conflicts between her school and her career.
If you're into love stories with good music, plenty of dancing and a few lessons about life, this is the movie for you.
(Rating PG-13) 2.5 out of 5 flames.
The cover is a little misleading, showing The Notorious BIG prominently on the DVD cover and listing Biggie and Diddy as stars in the movie. This documentary style movie deals with the rise of Lil Kim and Junior Mafia after Biggie's death. That is an oxymoron. It is mostly shot with camcorders showing parties, events, and concert clips of Lil Kim and Junior Mafia. It also looks like the cameos are from artists that happen to be there. Life After Death deals with the topic of snitching and whether Lil Cease snitched or not. D Roc, the confidant and bodyguard plays himself AND plays himself. 
A hooker named Tory Adams (Tamala Jones) leaves the business. Her successful businessman husband
(Bokeem Woodbine) has no idea about her recent past. A former John (Clifton Powell) snaps when he realizes that Tory was only in love with his money. He stalks her and violently forces himself into her "new" life. Tory sees a therapist (Lynn Whitfield) to help her deal with her past and her addiction to the power of sex and tricking. There is a smoking hot girl on girl scene, threesome, graphic violence, plot twist, and a surprise ending. The production and sound are outstanding for a low budget movie. This is a MUST see. 
This is a typical ghetto tragedy in the likes of New Jack City, Sugar Hill, Get Rich or Die Trying, or Blue Hill Avenue. Young boy on the come up, selling drugs, becomes successful, has a woman he wants to please, wants to get out the game, feels a need to do one last
deal. Sound familiar? Some of the actors are familiar in this straight to DVD drug flick with plenty of gun violence and four letter language.
Besides the typical writing, the cinematography, sounds, lighting, and hip hop score is above average. It is not a hood classic but worth seeing. 
The DVD is a must have if you are a fan of RUN-DMC or hip hop. Being one of the last live performances recorded of all three members makes this DVD a keeper. The set features all the classic hits plus spotlights how the group still appeals to the current younger fan base. The fact that this was also recorded overseas also emphasizes how the group still has international appeal. Anyone who is a fan of the hip hop culture will appreciate and enjoy this DVD.
Get your popcorn ready cause you won't have a chance to leave your seat on this ride. This is a very violent action flick with an all star cast (Ben Affleck, Ray Liotta, and Andy Garcia). Alicia Keys has a major role playing a character you would not associate with her music. In her feature debut she is believable and captivating on screen. Jeremy Piven of Entourage headlines the cast and Common (also in his first movie) has plenty of face time and lines in front of the camera. The movie is set in Vegas and gives a glimpse of the glamour shows, underworld, and the people that support it. There are plenty of funny scenes but don't mistake this for a comedy. A bounty, a series of murders, several contract hits, plot
twists, a love connection, a surprise alternate ending, and lots of bonus
features makes this a must for the DVD collection. 
Bloodline is another hood film straight to
DVD. Set in Miami, this typical sibling rivalry movie pits good brother (cop) verses bad brother (drug dealer). You watch them both as they move up the ranks, have success, start relationships, and gain importance while on a collision course to confront each other. Although they both live in the same city, neither know what
the other has grown up to become. Although it contains plenty of sex, violence, and profanity, this
film would probably make a better video. Take your favorite artist rapping about a cop and a thug. Then, edit Bloodline down to four minutes and I give it
a three out of five. Watching the whole thing. 
The premise is pretty good but this "B" movie fails to start at a logical place or conclude in any way but
predictable. With that being said, the movie does cast black actors and actresses in non-traditional and dramatic roles. Reggie Gaskins (Friday After Next, Eve) plays an attorney and strictly platonic friend to nutty ass Robin Givens. Their relationship is misunderstood by Robin
Givens honorable, hardworking, blue collar, all-loving husband. No matter how much he tried to suppress it, sparks begin to fly. Fights, kidnapping, and gun play all lead up to the
finale. A little better camera work, attention to details, and more of Mari Morrow (the
role playing, handcuffed girlfriend in National Security) and I would agree with the Hollywood Black Film Festival nomination for Best Feature. 
Not a bad comedy routine. The main problem is that it lacks variety. It seems like Katt spends most of his time telling jokes about smoking weed. If that's your thing, you'll love his routine. Otherwise, you might want to wait for part 2. 
It's the ghetto fabalous version of "The Bachelor" with a pimpish twist. 20 women compete for Flavor Flav's love. Before it's all said and done last season's runner-up, New York, enters the competition and really kicks this reality series into high gear. She comes in second again to the winner Deelishis. The special DVD features were no big deal but the three disc set is definitely entertaining. (Rating: Not Rated)
The is not a cinematic masterpiece but it does have cameos and appearance by every New York artist you can think of. It talks about very specific cases involving 50 Cent snitching, Lil Cease (snitching) and others in the hip hop industry. The basic code the movie hammers home is, if you are grinding and get caught, understand that
it's part of the game. Do your time and don't involve or help the police. Note, Puffy and Shyne are not mentioned at all in
this piece. Anyway, watch your friend's bootleg copy.
(Rating: Not Rated) 
After
the devastating loss of her mother, Sarah (Julia Stiles) moves from the suburbs to live with her father in Chicago. She's accepted into Julliard where she can
pursue her goal of becoming a ballerina. Her love for hip-hop music causes tremendous conflicts between her school and her career.
If you're into love stories with good music, plenty of dancing and a few lessons about life, this is the movie for you.
(Rating PG-13) 