I saw this movie by mistake, I was browsing around, and started watching it from the beginning, thinking "the second this gets lame I'm turning it off". But alas, it was gritty, realistic and very engaging! A proper hood movie.I never ever liked 50 cent, I always thought he was just this big mumbling beast, I never could figure out why people actually bought his records. I was full of prejudice before watching this one. REady, to watch something REAL if it looked like B.S.Anyway, in this movie 50 cents actually acts. And when I say acts, I mean, he display tons different shades of emotion- him as well as his co-stars.(his brother, his mother, his hood friends down the street). And when I say he displays I'm not say he OVER-display, actually he's subtle.The dialogs smell REAL from 10 miles, even the humor. Sometimes even unexpect great dry humor.You feel really urban in this one.The violence is realistic, and the feel is what I look for in a good Blaxplotion, I repeat a GOOD blaxploitation.The only thing that's bad about this movie is the poster, which is really,really bad. If this movie had another name attached to the directing/writing ....People would have taken this movie seriously.Not because 50 direction and lead acting is bad CAUSE IT IS NOT. but because of the reputation 50 has: as a uni-emotional mumbling beast.Had he used a pen-name for the director, and a pen-name for the writer, then this would movie would make all those "10 best hood movies" list. I have no doubt about that.There's a scene when 50 cent had to shoot a gang member. There were 4/5 minutes of tension and suspense and fright, like I haven't felt in a long time in the genre. (this is due to the directing , acting, and location)If the producers are listening, REMOVE THAT UGLY COVER, give a pen- name to the director and writer.. AND see this movie rise and finally take the proper CREDIT it fully deservesif you like the genre I highly, highly recommend it. I'll def watch it again, like real, real soon.

I usually like to state the positive prior to the negative. This flic had so little production value that I am at a loss for props. Music tracks deserve ups. The fact that he did not make it "autobiographical" deserves ups. I have seen many community college media department films that scored better production points. Script, Acting, Cinematography, Lighting, Music fades and placement... all at "student" level. Not just bashing Mr. Jackson. I have deep appreciation and respect for his part in his audio artistic efforts. The overall concept of the story was not that bad either but I must say that for such a successful/talented audio artist, this film was a disgrace.

There are a few hiccups with editing in the movie. But the way the story went was really good. The fact that he is rapper (with no direction background other than his fellow member's music videos). Most of the dialogues, the conversations in the movie were like the ones we have in our everyday life. The storyline was pretty the same old seek revenge. But you feel for the character when he loses his mom and he gets betrayed. 50 Cents's son (Marquise Jackson) can be seen at he beginning of the barber shop shot. For some reason the sex scene looked similar to the movie Shottas. Fifty can act and direct. In my opinion he needs to work as an assistant director with some good directors so that he would get a better perspective if directing anymore movies. All the best Fifty.

I thought Curtis Jackson's performance in this movie was shockingly amazing,I personally thought Curtis Jackson's acting would be okay due to seeing his last performance where his acting wasn't completely top notch,But Curtis proved me wrong with his amazing performance in this crime drama action movie.This movie's about Clarence(Curtis Jackson)about to make it in Basketball but his career goes down the drain when he badly injury's himself,He then finds a job at a supermarket.But then his mum get's caught between a drive bye and end's up getting shot,Clarence(Curtis Jackson) then finds out by police telling him and he then tries his best to raise his little brother Shocka(Elijah Williams).But since the supermarket didn't pay him well he doesn't have enough money for the rent and then someone offer's him a deal that will get him enough money to pay the rent and live a better life.Clarence(Curtis Jackson)then live's a life of crime.Although the acting was not completely perfect i thought every actor in this movie done a good job.I Also see a new career for 50 Cent perhaps's directing and Writing movie's this movie show's potential.