Stars:
Curtis Jackson
Summary: Two films exploring the connection between hip hop culture and gang violence: GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' and TUPAC - RESURRECTION.
GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' sees Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson giving fellow rapper Eminem (8 MILE) a run for his money, by starring in a movie based on his own life story. A quiet young man, Marcus goes off the rails when his loving mother is brutally murdered in an apparent drug deal gone wrong. But turning his back on a life of crime--in order to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a rapper--isn't easy, as his chequered past refuses to let go. Photographed with a gritty tenderness by Declan Quinn and featuring another scene-stealing turn from Terrence Howard, GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN' is equal parts social commentary, crime thriller, and heartfelt drama. Slain rapper/actor Tupac Shakur is paid tribute in director Lauren Lazin's acclaimed biopic TUPAC – RESURRECTION. The hip hop icon led a fascinating life; from run-ins with the law and stints in jail, to feuds with East Coast rappers that ultimately led to his murder, at the tender age of 25. Unusually, Lazin doesn't rely on friends, family members, or associates to piece together the story, but lets Shakur himself do the talking, as if he's speaking from the grave. The result is an original and insightful autobiography that paints a vibrant picture of a passionate individual who gave voice to a generation of disenfranchised youths and whose legacy lives on in his music. RESURRECTION is a must-see for anyone interested in American popular culture.