Zwei junge Freunde, die in organisierte Kriminalität und Drogenhandel verwickelt sind, stellen fest, dass ihre Prioritäten unterschiedlich sind.Zwei junge Freunde, die in organisierte Kriminalität und Drogenhandel verwickelt sind, stellen fest, dass ihre Prioritäten unterschiedlich sind.Zwei junge Freunde, die in organisierte Kriminalität und Drogenhandel verwickelt sind, stellen fest, dass ihre Prioritäten unterschiedlich sind.
- Auszeichnungen
- 1 Nominierung insgesamt
- Knowledge
- (as Power)
- Wise
- (as Stanley Drayton)
- Rev. Saviour
- (as Minister Benjamin F. Muhammed)
Empfohlene Bewertungen
In all honesty, the first time I watched this film, I actually turned the volume down -- I was enraptured by the way each scene was composed on the frame. Visually, this movie is stunning. The director has a striking style, and besides that, he is PRODIGIOUS -- there appears to be no end to the ways that he can make his compositions rich in visual entertainment and information. I can enumerate a list of techniques he used here, but that will be an exercise in boredom for today's cyber-nauts. Even more important, the compositions are never created for their own sakes, which was my initial criticism the first time I saw it -- they really do propel the film. The style is integral to the story. Get the film and you will see what I'm referring to; if you disagree, say so in your review.
80% of the film seems to be a riff on the hip-hop video aesthetic (never mind the fact that the director greatly defined the recent shape of this aesthetic) and myth. In it's third act, however, it uses the very same conventions -- outlaw figures, ostentatious style, and violence -- to confront and question these aesthetics. In the climactic ending, this criticism is embodied in the confrontation between one of the heroes of the film (DMX) and a figure symbolic of actual figures from black history. The director actually used an anachronism to face down a contemporary hero, and argues for the relic.
What the film argues for, as embodied by the final speech of the Minister character, is a message so powerful and relevant -- particularly to the very people who will associate themselves the most with this film -- that it will leave you breathless. It is a timeless message passed down from antiquity, framed by the most daring and contemporary of directors. It is an exhilarating juxtaposition.
What of the title, "Belly?" A belly is what a pregnant woman has; it is the external shape of soon-to-be-born child. It is the womb, the source of life. It is the promise of what is to be, as well as the origins of what is. If you abstract it, it's shape will be that of a circle - the symbol of wholeness, of the journey to individuation. It is the same difficult journey that the movies' anti-heroes take.
BELLY is a powerfully visual, yet simple tale about redemption. Not to be missed.
8 out of 10
This movie is directed by Hype Williams in a rare major motion picture project for him and stars DMX (Exit Wounds), Nas (Big Momma's House), Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins (House Party 3), Method Man (Power) and Oliver 'Power' Grant (When Will I Be Loved).
This is one of those movie that had some potential but ends up being more style than substance. The character development, acting and storyline is pretty interesting and worthwhile, especially since the cast is made up solely of rap artists. The script is solid and the cinematography and use of colors is awesome. The soundtrack and narration is legendary and almost makes the film worth watching alone. There's a club shoutout with Method Man that could have been executed better and an obvious Scarface ripoff scene that is eye rolling. I did like the actual ending of the movie and what ends up ultimately happening to the characters which feels realistic.
Overall this is an uneven movie that is worth a viewing. I would score this a 7/10 and recommend seeing it once.
Why did critics hate this? Why do they in general hate movies like this? The film immediately reminded me of "The Harder They Come", "Pusher" (Nicolas Winding Refn's fantastic Danish film), "Laws of Gravity", "Kids", "Clerks", "Mean Streets", "Zebrahead", "The Killing of A Chinese Bookie", "Boogie Nights", "Rome, Open City" and "The Bicycle Thief". Why does it seem that film critics love neo-realism if its 'white', but usually hate it otherwise.
If you're a fan of these kinds of movies, give this one a chance. Unfortunately, with the unfavorable judgment from up on high that this film received, I doubt anyone will read these words. Darn critics. I don't usually insinuate things like this, but I have to wonder if a racial aspect is at play here, that maybe xenophobia deflected a lot of critics from giving this one a chance. Oh well, I loved it in any case.
Wusstest du schon
- WissenswertesThe scenes where the characters are seen smoking weed in the film are real, the marijuana blunts being smoked are not props.
- PatzerWhen Roger is offering Tommy a deal, he tells him that, unless he cooperates, he will, "go to jail forever." Jail is where suspects are held before trial or for short sentences, typically less than one year. Prison is where someone would go to serve a longer sentence, especially one lasting "forever." A law enforcement officer, especially a high-ranking one like Roger, would know the difference and not use the terms interchangeably.
- Zitate
Rev. Saviour: I knew you were coming... so I sent everyone away... because I believed my final moment was at hand. Before you pull that trigger... and take my life, I would like the chance to tell you some things, perhaps to think about after I am gone. Don't worry about me stallin'. My people have orders to leave me to my studies for another 15 minutes. I will only take five. Can you bear with me? Will you? Then make up your mind. Today marks the change of not only a New Year, but a new millennium. Take a look around. The majority of the youth roam the streets... dealing in drugs, sex and violence, thinking these things have no real effect on life. Crimes without real punishment. An uncaring, unfeeling generation... without knowledge of self. This is the future of our nation, the future of our people. Do you think hatred and evil will go unpunished? The world is now feeling the heat... from flames it has kept burning since the beginning of civilization. You represent that fire. You and I are just a small part of God's plan. The evil men of this world have applied every method possible... to deceive its occupants. And each time with greater success than anticipated. But no more. Tonight, with this new millennium, God will begin to overcome this evil. I represent the truth... to the people. Without truth, nothing is sacred. The lie-that's what the devil is all about. You know that, that's why you're here. The truth is, we all play a grave role... in our own destruction. Your money. Your lifestyles. The things that people value and covet so dearly... are the bait that lures them out of the light. Through the love of others... I have power. The truth gives me this. Those that fear me send you here, here to murder all that I say. They use what you fear against you. Your fear of death, your fear of imprisonment. Where in this world is anyone safe from death? You see the lies you've been told? The path you take is not your own. Have you ever thought about how precious a life is? How difficult it is to create? How loosely and easily it has been for you to take away? Brother, help me. Help me to do what's right. Help me to stop the slaughter of our children. Help me to put an end to the disrespect... and the dishonor of our most valuable resource: the black woman. Help me put an end... to the destruction of the young mind through the use of drugs, alcohol. Help me to build up a population of great thinkers. People who create change... through thoughtfulness and spirituality. Will you choose that truth? Will you? Will you choose the light over the darkness? Hold it, stay where you are. Will you choose life? It's time. It's time, man. It's time.
- VerbindungenFeatured in Mýa Feat. Noreaga & Raekwon: Movin' Out (1998)
- SoundtracksBack to Life
(a cappella version)
Performed by Soul II Soul
Written by Jazzie B (as Trevor Berrisford Romeo)
Published by SONY/ATV Music
Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.
Top-Auswahl
- How long is Belly?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box Office
- Budget
- 3.000.000 $ (geschätzt)
- Bruttoertrag in den USA und Kanada
- 9.639.390 $
- Eröffnungswochenende in den USA und in Kanada
- 3.454.776 $
- 8. Nov. 1998
- Weltweiter Bruttoertrag
- 9.639.390 $
- Laufzeit1 Stunde 36 Minuten
- Farbe
- Sound-Mix
- Seitenverhältnis
- 1.85 : 1
Zu dieser Seite beitragen
