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Violence Abounds at Two Notorious Screenings

David Hall — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:49:34 +0000

If you’re planning on heading to a theater to catch Notorious, the new biopic about rapper Biggie Smalls, it might be wise to keep your guard up. Two unrelated acts of violence occurred Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 during events related to the film’s debut.

One man shot another man twice in the abdomen during an argument in a theater hallway at The Grand 18 Four Seasons Station cinemas in Greensboro, NC. 700 people who were in the cinema complex were evacuated, and the victim, 32-year-old Clive O’Connor, was rushed to the hospital for surgery. No further information about O’Connor’s condition has been released and police said that as of Saturday night, no arrests have been made.

Coincidentally, actor Jamal Woolard, who plays rapper Christopher “Biggie” Wallace in the film, was at the theater during the incident. According to Greensboro police, Woolard vacated the theater shortly after the episode.

Police released a statement that they do not know if there is a connection between the film and the shooting.

The following evening, four men were stabbed at Brooklyn’s Djumbala night club, which was advertising an “official” after-party for Notorious. One of the victims was stabbed numerous times and remains in critical condition. The other three men were stable.

The film’s distributor, Fox Searchlight, said that although the party claimed to be “official,” it was unrelated. Despite these scares, the film brought in a sizable $21.5 million at the box office in its opening weekend and reviews are mostly positive.

So go enjoy “Notorious,” but kick the needless violence to the curb!

Show some respect to Biggie Smalls! Leave the stabbing at home.

Review: No No No Notorious!

Krystal Clark — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:00:43 +0000

The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls was one of, if not the best rapper to ever touch the game of rap music. By today’s standards, running a close race with the late Tupac Shakur, B.I.G is referred to as the greatest rapper who ever lived. As one of the first artists signed to former hip hop dynasty Bad Boy Records, the rapper broke the mold by selling albums off of his lyrics and not his looks. With a full life that was shortly lived, its no surprise that the film industry came knocking to produce a biopic on the late, great Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace.

Over 11 years ago, at the young age of 24, the Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down in the streets of L.A. This unfortunate incident occurred just 6 months after former friend, then foe Tupac Shakur was murdered under the same circumstances in Las Vegas. This film’s purpose was to give insight into the slain rapper’s life as he rose from his poor Brooklyn neighborhood to the top of the Billboard charts. Newcomer Jamal Woolard plays the lead role, in which he seemlessly projects the size, voice, and bravado of the late rapper.

The film begins with a flash forward to that unforgetable night where the rapper was fatally shot and uses a voice over narration by B.I.G. to detail his life in retrospect. From that point on we backtrack to the young Christopher Wallace as a chubby, glasses wearing kid, who gets walked home from school by his overprotective, Jamaican native mother (played by Angela Bassett). The series of events that shaped Wallace’s childhood, like most of us, caused him to strive for certain things in his adult life, that eventually played a huge part in his downfall.

For the most part, throughout the film we are exposed to several named characters that fans of the Notorious B.I.G. may recognize, such as Lil’ Kim (Naturi Naughton) and Lil’ Cease (Mark John Jefferies) who were both members of the rappers entourage/rap group Junior Mafia. The film shows us how Wallace went from selling drugs on the street corner, to making hits in the studio, with the help of super producer Puff Daddy. The film was produced by the late rappers mother Voletta Wallace, who wanted the movie to show her son as a man, not just a musician. Yet, I don’t really feel as if we get beyond a certain point in terms of his internal struggles. Important events such as the East coast, West coast beef, which inadvertently may have been the cause of both his and Tupac Shakur’s deaths, was just glazed over in a montage. I would have loved to see more of what happened behind those events, because not only was it an important part of his life, but it’s a part of hip hop history.

In terms of performances, one actor stood out to me like a sore thumb, Antwon Fisher star Derek Luke. Luke portrayed Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, the man who promised a 19 year old Biggie Smalls he’d make him a millionaire by the time he was 21. When I first heard of Luke’s casting as Combs, I was beyond skeptical. Luke is a mere 5 years younger than the real Combs, who I thought was still young enough to play himself. Even though these two look nothing alike, Luke was able to draw me in with his dead on imitation of the infamous Puffy “swagger.” Combs was the mentor and best friend of the late rapper, a dynamic Luke and Woolard pulled off with ease. The combination of wardrobe and writing, paired with Luke’s ability to mimic Puffy’s signature dance moves won me over. His performance was definitely the highlight of the movie, which is coincidentally produced by Sean Combs and his Bad Boy Films company.

Overall, I think Notorious was a good attempt at making an accurate biopic of a tragic figure. The soundtrack to the film alone plays a great homage to the rap scene of the ’80′s and ’90′s, which is an integral backdrop to the films story. The bottom line is that the film isn’t perfect by a long shot, but it’s worth the money. Notorious is directed by George Tillman, Jr, whose previous credits include Soul Food, and Men of Honor.

The film is rated R, and is playing in wide release everywhere.

Movie Releases: Notorious, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, Hotel for Dogs…

Mali Elfman — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:17:28 +0000

Well, have you seen The Reader, Milk, Slumdog Millionaire, Gran Torino and The Wrestler already? All of those definitely should be on top of your list above any of the films this week. BUT! If you’re looking for something “simple” there are a few okay films this week. My Bloody Valentine 3-D is supposed to be a fun-filled horror ride. Notorious is definitely the best film in terms of quality that is being released this week. And you can’t help but sing “No-No-No-Notorious” whenever you see the poster, can you? The rest of the films are good for plane flights.

Here are this weeks movie releases…

My Bloody Valentine 3-D | Reviews | Showtimes and Tickets
Notorious | Reviews | Showtimes and Tickets
Defiance [wide] | Reviews | Interviews: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell | Showtimes and Tickets
Chandni Chowk to China [limited] | Reviews | Showtimes and Tickets
Hotel for Dogs | Reviews | Showtimes and Tickets
Paul Blart: Mall Cop | Reviews | Showtimes and Tickets

Trailers below…

My Bloody Valentine 3-D Trailer:

Notorious Trailer:

Defiance Trailer:

Chandni Chowk to China Trailer: N/A

Hotel for Dogs Trailer:

Paul Blart: Mall Cop Trailer:

Movie Trailer: Notorious

Jess Nelson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:08:22 +0000

After watching the teaser for Friday the 13th I have to admit that this one has the same dark and stormy night kind of feel to it. Notorious B.I.G. certainly lived up to his description after death.

We have all gotten to know Biggie through the prolific use of his music in movies and in our homes but also through his outspoken friends. Many of his cohorts in Hollywood have never let his image go away. Frankly, I’m surprised that we have gone this long without a glimpse into the late Christopher Wallace’s short life. Although his story of rags to riches we have heard a million times before, I think that his influence on Hip Hop is too great for him to be just another dead rapper. I am personally very excited to see this movie if only for the superhot soundtrack.

R.I.P. Biggie Smalls. You will never be forgotten.

Trailer after the jump.

Photo via www.wikipedia.com

New Trailer: Biggie Small Story in Notorious

Mali Elfman — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:00:06 +0000

Biggie’s Back! Well not really. Sorry. But he’s made it to the big screen! Biggie on the big screen!

Director George Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor) has decided to bring tell Biggie’s story in his new film Notorious, which will be released January 16, 2009. The film is stars Jamal Woolard, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie and Angela Bassett.

Check out this little sneak peek trailer they’re just released. I think I see a young P. Diddy (Puffy then) in the trailer…do you?

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Violence Abounds at Two Notorious Screenings

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