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Movies / On DVD / Notorious
Notorious

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Notorious (2009)

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Reviews Counted:321

Fresh:227

Rotten:94

Average Rating:6.4/10

Consensus: A biopic that lacks the luster of its subject, Notorious is generic rise-and-fall fare that still functions as a primer for those less familiar with the work and life of the hip hop icon.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for pervasive language, some strong sexuality including dialogue, nudity, and for drug content.

Runtime: 2 hrs 9 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jan 16, 2009 Wide

Box Office: $36,652,959

Synopsis: The dramatic retelling of the life, improbable rise, and violent fall of rapper Christopher Wallace (aka the Notorious B.I.G.), NOTORIOUS plays like A STAR IS BORN set to a rattling gangsta snare.... The dramatic retelling of the life, improbable rise, and violent fall of rapper Christopher Wallace (aka the Notorious B.I.G.), NOTORIOUS plays like A STAR IS BORN set to a rattling gangsta snare. With crisp direction by George Tillman Jr., producer of the BARBERSHOP series, the film is briskly paced and strikes a worthy balance between sensationalized celebrity biopic and behind-the-scenes drama. Angela Bassett anchors the latter with a nuanced performance as Voletta, Wallace’s long-suffering single mother who attempts to shelter him from the mean streets of Bed-Stuy. With deep involvement by those who knew him best--the real Voletta Wallace and Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs (played dynamically by Derek Luke) co-produced--the film nonetheless unflinchingly portrays Biggie’s troubled history as a teenage crack dealer, his chronic infidelity and poor fathering skills, and his own role in stoking the ludicrous coastal rivalry that claimed both his and Tupac Shakur’s lives. As it presents Biggie's side of the murders in boldface, one wonders if a more independent eye would cast Shakur and his cohorts in the villain role so starkly. Documentary quibbles aside, NOTORIOUS delivers an impactful tribute to its subject's genius--revealing to fans and neophytes alike the microphone skills, narrative chops, and fresh vision that made Wallace one of hip-hop’s greatest all-time MCs. Largely, this is due to the ace performance by Jamal Woolard, an amateur rapper who packed on 50 pounds to play the hulking gangsta, and nails his mordant charisma and conflicted inner life with a star turn every bit as on point as Jamie Foxx’s Ray Charles or Val Kilmer’s Jim Morrison. [More]

Starring: Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie

Starring: Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Antonique Smith, Naturi Naughton, Dennis White, Julia Pace Mitchell

Director: George Tillman

Director: George Tillman
Screenwriter: Cheo Hodari Coker, Reggie Rock Bythewood
Producer: Voletta Wallace, Wayne Barrow, Mark Pitts, Bob Teitel, Trish Hofmann
Composer: Danny Elfman
Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures

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    We Gotta Record That
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    Let Me Do That
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    Whatever You Say Big Poppa
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  • Our Minute is Up
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Release:

Apr 21, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • 2-Disc Set
  • Region 1
  • NTSC
  • Note: This Release Features Both the Widescreen Theatrical Feature and Unrated Director's Cut Versions of NOTORIOUS
  • Keep Case
  • Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.40

Audio:

  • DTS Surround 5.1 - English
  • Subtitles - English, French, Spanish
  • Disc 1: NOTORIOUS

Additional Release Material:

  • Trailers: Forced Trailer: WOLVERINE Theatrical Trailer, VALKYRIE, S.DARKO, THE WRESTLER, SETH MACFARLANE'S CAVALCADE OF CARTOON COMEDY

Audio Commentary:

  • 1. Director George Tillman, Jr., Co-writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker and Editor Dirk Westervelt
  • 2. Co-Manager/Producer Wayne Barrow and Biggies Mom/Producer Voletta Wallace
  • Disc 2: Additional Features

Additional Release Material:

  • Deleted Scenes: 9 Deleted Scenes
  • Behind the Scenes: Making of NOTORIOUS
  • Trailers: Trailer Farm: SECRET LIFE OF BEES, GOSPEL HILL, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

Featurette:

  • 1. I Got a Story to Tell: The Lyrics of Biggie Smalls
  • 2. Notorious Thugs:Casting the Film
  • 3. Biggie Boot Camp
  • 4. Anatomy of a B.I.G. Performance
  • 5. Party and Bullshit (Never Before Seen Footage)
  • Disc 3: NOTORIOUS Digital Copy
 
 
 
 

Reviews

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sumitbhagiya12/11/09
0%
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Jeff B.12/9/09
70%
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joe h.12/8/09
60%
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I knew this wouldn't go down brilliantly, but in my opinion Jamal Woolard plays Biggie really... More
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neverwakingworld12/6/09
50%
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bland and biased More
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Dave S.12/5/09
50%
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Not bad, but for me its definitely only worth watching once. I learned alot about rap in that... More
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Jason Ortiz12/2/09
50%
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Michael M.11/30/09
10%
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This was a Huge disappointment, the only performance I could remotely believe was Faith Evans and... More
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Isaiah R.11/30/09
60%
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JL M.11/29/09
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Bryan A.11/29/09
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Antone Z.11/25/09
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David W.11/24/09
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Sam P.11/23/09
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De Alpha Trigga11/22/09
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mv133411/21/09
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Tizzzzz11/21/09
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Weatherbox11/17/09
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adam m.11/16/09
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Does a good job with the music, but misses the true emotion needed to be a good tribute. More
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u j.11/11/09
10%
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LAMEHip hop fans, stay away from this failure.Another attempt to make easy money using the name... More
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Robert G.11/7/09
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