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DVD Files: “Righteous Kill” Is A “Righteous” Thrill

By Kris McKusick | January 12, 2009

I wrote an article back in September of last year, previewing the movie Righteous Kill and saying I’d for certain see it on the big screen. Well, I lied. I never got around to seeing Righteous Kill in the theaters and apparently I’m not the only one; the movie did poorly at the box office and there was very little positive buzz from critics.

So now I’m here four months later to give it the positive buzz it deserves. Righteous Kill stars Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino as two cops tracking a serial killer. The killer has tallied fourteen victims by the time the police department’s investigation leads to a killer within the department.

DeNiro gives a winning performance as Turk, a 30 year veteran of the police force under suspicion for the murders. Al Pacino is credible as his sidekick but his performance is kind of disaffected; we, naturally, expect more from Pacino in this role given the fact that some of his best career performances are as cops.

Rapper turned actor, 50 Cent, is typically awful in the role of the drug kingpin, Spider, a role he was born to play. Maybe I’m being a little harsh on 50. I thought he did an outstanding job in his first feature role, the autobiographical Get Rich or Die Tryin.’ But now, whenever I see 50 (Curtis Jackson) on screen I’m amazed by how much he lacks in charisma and conviction. When he’s given a scene with one of the heavyweights, he simply looks like he doesn‘t belong.

John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg give stellar performances as fellow cops. Leguizamo is typically brilliant as the cop trying to implicate DeNiro’s character, Turk.

Overall, the script these great actors are given to work with is kind of weak. It doesn’t really provide enough spark to let the two screen legends flex their muscle. So you just have to accept Righteous Kill for what it is: a low brow thriller, a perfect rental, and a must-see for any Pacino or DeNiro fan who couldn’t get enough of Heat.

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Hip Hop Wars: 50 Cent and Lil Wayne Exchange Insults

By Kris McKusick | January 1, 2009

So it’s officially 2009 and 50 Cent is picking fights again. 50 Cent is known for his past beefs with The Game and Ja Rule. Now he is getting into it with who else but 2008’s hottest rapper, Lil Wayne. On New York radio station Hot 97, 50 Cent ridiculed Lil Wayne’s astronomical first week sales figures with the claim that “he’s a terrible songwriter and a whore,” referring to Wayne’s omnipresence in Hip Hop and R&B.

When Wayne first heard of the insults, he acted like he wasn’t offended by claiming that it was an honor to get dissed by someone of 50 Cent’s stature. Now, it appears, he is firing back. In a track entitled “Lousianimal,” Wayne takes several shots at 50 - in one lyric proclaiming “I’m all about a dollar, f two quarters/ Bitch I’ll pour syrup in that Vitamin Water,” referencing 50’s famous ad campaign.

Honestly, though, maybe these two should duke it out to see who makes the worst album. C.U.R.T.I.S., 50’s last album, wasn’t just bad, it was downright egregious. I threw it in the trash after one listen. Wayne’s third Carter installment has garnered way too much critical acclaim for what it really is: his most uneven album yet.

So imagine the possibilities of a worst album contest. My money would have to go on Fiddy - he has made a career out of not trying. (Have you heard Candy Shop and Wanksta? I rest my case.) And for that comment I better start donning a bulletproof vest. Oh well, in the words of David Spade, “Just shoot me.” On second thought…

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Bling On The Block

By Dillon Wallin | September 14, 2008

Hip-hop’s biggest chains, rings, pendants, and bracelets will be up for bidding on October 1.

The auction, called “Hip-Hop’s Crown Jewels,” will be hosted by the Phillips de Pury Company, and the profits go to three non-profit organizations run by rap mogul Russell Simmons.  The 50 pieces of custom-made jewelry on the block are worth an estimated $3 million.

Some of hip-hop’s most famous bling is amongst the items going under the gavel: Tupac’s Diamond and Ruby Crown ring, Slick Rick’s diamond eye-patch, Missy Elliot’s diamond, black diamond and gold turntable ring, Biz Markie’s black and white diamond headphones pendant, Pharrell Williams’ pave diamond Gucci link necklace, and Lil’ Jon’s massive diamond and yellow diamond pendant which, at nearly 12 pounds, is weighed down by 3,756 round-cut white diamonds set in 18K yellow and white gold.

Other contributors include Diddy, 50 Cent, MC Lyte, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and the late Notorious B.I.G.

The pieces will be available for viewing in New York City from September 22-30.

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Righteous Kill Puts The “I” In Intrigue

By Kris McKusick | September 4, 2008


Righteous Kill finds legendary actors, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, on the same side of the fence playing two New York City Detectives tracking a serial killer. This is quite a contrast since we last saw these two legends on screen in Michael Mann’s epic thriller, Heat.

Heat (one of the best movies of the nineties), was a classic cat and mouse thriller, Pacino playing good guy, DeNiro a lifelong criminal on the brink of a massive heist. The two legends go head to head in a masterful face off between good cop just doing his job and a criminal steadfast in his forbidden ways.

Thirteen years later we get to see this dynamic duo on the same side, an intriguing development if there ever was one. The script offers the scenario of two cops tracking a killer, who has struck again after several years causing cops to question whether they put the wrong suspect behind bars. The film also stars rapper 50 cent (Curtis Jackson), John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg.

Righteous Kill serves up the capital I in intrigue and the mere mention of all these actors sharing the screen together is enough to put my rear in the seat. Who’s with me? We’ll surely find out when this film opens September 12.

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Stevie Wonder to be Honored by Library of Congress

By Judith Brown | September 4, 2008

Stevie Wonder, who certainly needs no introduction, will be honored by The Library of Congress with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Winners are recognized for their lifetime achievement, while transcending musical styles which promote expression and cultural understanding.

The 58-year-old Wonder, a self-taught prodigy, appeared on American Bandstand at age 12, and music hasn’t been the same since.

His songs include, “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (which has been sung by every B-rated torch singer this side of the Mississippi…just an observation), “My Cherie Amour,” “Superstition,” “Living for the City,” and far too many to mention.

He’s collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned artists, like Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Bob Marley, to name just a few; and his music’s been used by Will Smith, Coolio, Warren G, 50 Cent, and others.

The 58-year-old Wonder will receive the Gershwin Award on February 23, 2009.

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What’s Playing In Michael Phelps’ Earbuds?

By Dillon Wallin | August 15, 2008

Whatever U.S. Olympic swimmer and gold metal collector Michael Phelps is listening to before getting in the pool these days, it’s working.

Olympic athletes are using music to propel themselves through the water, around the track and toward their goals in Beijing. Eugenia Tanaka, a member of the Australian women’s badminton doubles team, likes “really fast music, and really loud music so I get pumping.” Gilbert Tuhabonye, a long distance runner from Burundi (who just missed making the Olympics this year), prefers the bright and lively sounds of Zairean artist Koffi Olomide.

Some athletes use music not to pump themselves up for competition, but to relax. Former U.S. Olympic rower Jennifer Devine plays the piano to calm down between practices. China’s sports system uses soothing music (as well as meditation, yoga, hypnosis, and “uplifting” stories and films) for its athletes.

Country music seems to be the choice for American athletes when relaxing, but when something energetic is needed to get the blood moving, the most popular choice, hands-down, is hip-hop.

Lebron James of the U.S. men’s basketball team listens to Jay-Z before games. Men’s soccer player Freddy Adu likes 50 Cent and Eminem.

And Phelps? He likes Fiddy and Eminem too, as well as Snoop Dogg. But his favorite pre-race song is the one that he was listening to the first time he broke a world record. “I ALWAYS listen to DMX. The song is called ‘Party Up,’ says Phelps.

Next time you see Phelps poolside, just know that he’s about to go all out, up in here, with some help from DMX.

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