I was impressed by the film. It had realism and you were able to follow and understand the choices and consequences that surfaced in the the film. For a Low budget film (no disrespect) It was put together very well. I personally do not care for them. You can not honestly compare the flaws of and Indie film to a Major Motion Picture. Resources were limited and you basically make the best with what you have. Yes, Some of the acting was mediocre but you got the jilt of what was trying to be transposed. This film took you on a journey in the day and a life in the narcotics world. I grew up around such conditions and was able to relate to a lot of what was going on. If you were not exposed to this type of lifestyle, you will not understand the film and consider it poor or not fulfilling.I would like to give Jamal Hill his props on this film. If he ever had any future projects in the works I would definitely work with him on it. Thats the vibes and self confidence I see in the production work. If you have not seen it yet, take time to check it out, you won't be disappointed.

One thing is for sure, two things are for certain, making films is a BIT-- and let me tell you, with no money and no time it's a SON of A BIT--. I'm not even talking about getting distribution or studio funding for your next script (Universal's $$$$$), but that's a new whole new topic. This isn't a job it's a life style. Your first film and your tenth will be worlds apart, if you make it to ten from all the discouragement you'll get form the "side lines". If you don't know try it. It's much harder then commenting on films all day. This movie is the beginning of one's journey, watch the conclusion, see how it all plays out. Best wishes. Big up to all indie filmmakers! U can do it, TRUST ME, I KNOW!!!!!

Oh yeah. It has bad actors, bad porn scenes, bad shoot ups, bad drug exchanges, bad everything. I don't know why I saw the whole thing, but I guess I needed to kill some time while cooking dinner. Either they're all crack heads trying to change course in life, or they're actors not worthy of they're titles. Drew is acting OK, but the main character should be expelled from further acting duty. The story is OK, but it seems like they have taken the common Italian Mob film, made a black ghetto version of it with minimized budget and low budget actors. I mean, even the "bling" looks cheap in this movie ! Naw, films like these just can't make it without Ice-T he he. Or, throw in Andre 3000 and make a decent comedy out of it, but please, don't do it like this. 'These clowns wouldn't last a day in Brandbergen', to quote a certain genius.

LOOKING FORWARD TO FUTURE PROJECTS FROM THIS WRITER/DIRECTOR!!! I'm an AD, Camera Operator and Editor who has worked on many independent low budget productions from NYC to LA. Let me tell you, it is HARD to make things happen if you are just starting out! I was in Philly visiting a friend when I heard about the P.U.M.P. festival, where Money Power and Respect won Best Feature. I gotta say I was not looking forward to sitting through yet another low budget DV film. Generally speaking, the casts are amateur, the scripts are terrible and the shooting is really awful. They're often just made for a quick buck.I saw Money Power and Respect and was very happy I stayed. It was not a 'ghetto mess' as I expected. What shines the brightest, I think, is the writing. The characters come across as real people, the young thugs on the rise to 'Scarface-esque' success have their own personalities and outlooks, rather than being one dimensional as they are in many low budget scripts. Also, hats off to the director, J. Hill, who wrote, directed, produced and co-starred as the sophisticated drug dealer Juan. It must have been a ridiculous challenge to wear all of those hats and get the project off the ground.If you are a filmmaker or a writer who has dealt with the frustration of trying to make a SHORT FILM, let alone a FEATURE get off the ground in a minor city (i.e. not LA or NYC), you will appreciate this film.Hell, you'll be inspired to write and locally produce your own scripts, or friends scripts -- because this film was made cheap and has been DISTRIBUTED in Best Buy and Tower and other outlets.The bottom line is, before you can caught up in what the haters have to say -- keep a close eye on young talent like J. Hill. The buzz in Philly is that he has a new project with Lil Zane and Sundy Carter that will be coming out soon, and that will certainly catch the eye of other industry folks who will be looking to throw in some serious loot for future projects. In my experience, having seen many folks come and go, this is a solid debut from a writer/director who has a future in the business.I'm rating this film 7 out of 10 NOT because I think it stands up next to big budget films that I think are 7s out of 10 (like Con Air, Fast and the Furious or, in a different genre, the recent The Breakup with Vince Vaughn) but because it is a very solid debut DV film that outshines many of it's competitors.