Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Expend4bles, which co-stars 50 Cent, we’re counting down our favorite movies starring rappers! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Back in 1996, Will Smith was an up-and-coming actor wrapping up his run on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and was one year away from releasing the biggest rap album of his career. The year also brought him A-list status, as he was one of the anchors of the hit movie Independence Day, which not only catapulted Smith to uncharted territory for a rapper-turned-actor, but also upped the stakes for what a summer blockbuster could be. Independence Day had all the spectacle that we now come to expect from a summer movie, with effects that still look fantastic, and a fun story with a colorful cast of characters. Smith just radiates charisma as Captain Steven Hiller. He brings some much-needed heart and comedy to what otherwise would have been a movie that took itself way too serious. Independence Day doesn’t work without Smith. Just look at what happened to the sequel… (Mike Hilty)
Occasionally we want to watch movies just to have a good time, and The Italian Job (2003) satisfies that prerequisite in spades. It’s a caper story with grin-inducing chase sequences that centers around the pursuit of $35 million in gold bars. Unwilling to share any of it, Edward Norton double-crosses his crew as the mustache-twirling villain, Steve, leaving his eclectic gang of cohorts for dead and absconding with the riches for himself. Fueled by the quest for comeuppance, Mark Wahlberg leads as strategic mastermind, Charlie, but he’s upstaged in nearly every scene by the other members of his team, including their guy in the chair, Lyle (Seth Green), the getaway driver, Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), and explosives aficionado Left-Ear (Mos Def). Reluctant to join the team, safe-cracker, Stella (Charlize Theron), drives a bright red, classic Mini Cooper, which is one of the few points of comparison between this movie and the original film from 1969, but it’s not just for show, because this movie is lousy with Mini Coopers, also utilizing three modern versions of the automotive icon, because their size allows them to nimbly navigate narrow spaces and gloriously race through Los Angeles traffic. This is just a fun heist flick, brimming with creative set pieces, bookended by an ingenious opening heist in Venice, and a closing game of chicken that pits Wahlberg’s Mini against Norton’s helicopter. Character development, schmaracter development; enjoy this mindless escapism and pulse-pounding action on unabashed display and don’t apologize for it. (Jonathan Fedee)
Sometimes the act of loving movies can be a frustrating exercise. Case in point: Hustlers is a great movie that was hot in the streets for a minute, and then was largely forgotten by the end of 2019. I will truly never forgive the Academy for snubbing Jennifer Lopez for Best Supporting Actress after she delivered one of her best performances. She dominates every moment on screen, a true testament to her talent as a performer, and also to the writer/director Lorene Scafaria, who gave Lopez the best possible material. Scafaria generally just knocked it out of the park. The script is tight, seamlessly weaving comedy with tension into a fascinating story based on true events. Every scene pops with color, from the various set designs to the costumes worn by each of the characters. I also cannot be happier that Scafaria was behind the camera for a film depicting an industry/profession (strip clubs) that has for so long been a target of the male gaze. Instead, Scafaria shows the women taking their power back, owning their situation and, as the title indicates, hustling to make better lives for themselves. A special shoutout to the whole cast, particularly Cardi B in a small role that easily could have been distracting, but instead leads to a couple truly wonderful scenes showing a community of women backstage. I will forever go to bat for Hustlers, one of my favorite films from 2019 that I think needs more love. (Nashua Doll)
I started listening to Eminem around the 7th grade, not long after the release of Encore, and I have been a fan ever since. I was beyond excited when I discovered there was a movie based around his life in Detroit. It’s called 8 Mile, and is named after the famous street he grew up on. The movie tells the story of Jimmy “B-Rabbit” (Eminem), a young rapper in Detroit working a factory by day, and participating in rap battles at night. This film grabs this point of Em’s life incredibly well, dealing with his struggles and family issues. Brittney Murphy and Michael Shannon join the cast of characters in his life. Director Curtis Hanson works well with Eminem to help the rapper be an actor and craft this story. This film gave us the song “Lose Yourself,” which won Eminem and the movie the Oscar for Best Original Song. (Austen Terry)
The original John Wick was a surprise hit. So when a sequel was announced that promised to expand upon the world that the initial entry only hinted at, it was an exciting proposition. After having dipped his toe back into the waters of his old life, Wick (Keanu Reeves) has a marker called in on him for an assassination job. The job finds him globetrotting with a price on his head, and at odds with his target’s bodyguard (Common). John Wick: Chapter 2 takes everything great about the original and steps it up a notch. The action is bigger and better, we get to see more of the assassin underworld, and we get another cast of memorable characters for Wick to interact with. Common’s role in that is not insignificant. He does well with the action and as a foil for our protagonist. (Jake Bourgeois)
Before the titular end to the work week was a YouTube viral sensation that will haunt millennials until the day they die, Friday was a stoner comedy classic. Ice Cube is a Hollywood mainstay at this point, but when he led this 1995 F. Gary Gray flick alongside Chris Tucker, he was still a relative newcomer to the acting scene. Ice Cube and Tucker star as Craig and Smokey, respectively, a duo who’d be content to just sit on the porch all day. However, their day gets a little more interesting when they must come up with $200 to pay back the local dealer before the day is done. The film’s transition from stoner classic to modern-day meme sensation is one of many reasons it has stood the test of time. There are plenty of laughs, ridiculousness, and famous faces to keep it interesting. The cast is also low-key stacked, with Regina King, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, and Michael Clarke Duncan to name a few. Spending a day lounging around to check out this cult classic is anything but a waste of time. (Jake Bourgeois)
Ice Cube has proven to be a versatile actor capable of handling drama, but his greatest strength is always playing the aggressively angry straight man in an absurd comedy. The struggle here was picking between 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street. While the montage of the drugs kicking in from the first movie is the funniest bit, the sequel has the edge overall. This is especially true for Ice Cube who, as Captain Dickson, gets to go off on Jonah Hill’s Schmidt, both as an employee and as someone dating his daughter. The comedic chemistry between Hill and Channing Tatum is electric, and it’s a crime they aren’t doing more work together. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller proved once again as directors that they are important comedy voices, and there are great supporting performances from Wyatt Russell, Jillian Bell, Nick Offerman, and many more. The self-referential humor is taken to new heights in the sequel without becoming overbearing. This is most evident during the end credits, as another hilarious montage shows a slew of sequel ideas. These are two of the best, if not the top two, comedy movies of the past 11 years, and 22 Jump Street has the advantage as the best of them all. (Jason Mack)
I never really appreciated until now just how clever the premise of Men in Black is. What if all those conspiracy theories about aliens were true? It also has one of the best-structured opening acts. The first scene shows us that aliens on Earth are disguising themselves as humans, and if anyone sees what they are, agents like K (Tommy Lee Jones) will erase their memory. NYPD detective James Edwards, later J (Will Smith), happens upon one of these aliens doing things that he finds weird, showing us that he has no more knowledge of these aliens than the audience. Edwards is recruited into the MIB organization not because he shows excellent knowledge or marksmanship, but because he has a basic understanding of recognizing a dangerous alien. Shortly after, K explains why this is a secret with a profound speech that no one ever talks about, which begins with, “A person is smart. People are dumb.” Jones and Smith’s chemistry, and some compelling and witty dialogue, make this a thoroughly engaging experience. The layering of the humor and more minor details means you will notice new things on a second or even a third viewing. Vincent D’Onofrio is the actual standout performance as the villain Edgar, with how he visually portrays an alien wearing a human’s skin. The way he shuffles around and the muffles sound of his voice, I never have a hard time believing it is an alien creature inside a body he wasn’t used to. (John Tillyard)
I must admit that until I was looking at the films that qualified for this list, I had never even heard of Juice. Wanting to cross something off of my list of shame, I loaded it up on Max with zero expectations and came away completely blown away by how much I loved it. Telling the stories of Q (Omar Epps), Bishop (Tupac Shakur), Raheem (Khalil Kain), and Steel (Jermaine Hopkins), four Black teenagers living in Harlem, the film offers fascinating insight into life on the streets in 1990’s New York, and the harassment that they face from both other gangs and the police. There’s a sharp pivot in both tone and genre roughly halfway through the film that is masterfully done, with both halves of the film feeling distinctly different yet complimentary to one another. What is most impressive to me is the lack of experience on both sides of the camera, as this is not only the feature film debut of both Epps and Shakur — both of whom give excellent performances — but also the directorial debut of Ernest Dickerson, who up to that point was best known for his collaborations with Spike Lee as a cinematographer. Juice isn’t frequently discussed, but given its stellar craftsmanship and poignant themes, it absolutely deserves to be. (Jake Hjort)
What a tragedy it was to lose John Singleton so young. The man was able to make films about communities almost completely overlooked by the film industry. Boyz N the Hood is a seminal piece of Black culture in America. It shows young men trying to navigate the challenges of the experience that so many young Black men live through in this country. The authenticity and passion that went into this film is poignant and moving. There is a great sense of humor, impactful drama, and visceral bits of tragedy. The likes of Cuba Gooding Jr. and famed rapper, Ice Cube, deliver such an impressive pair of performances that feel so real and naturalistic. Ice Cube launched a whole new career for himself thanks to his performance as Doughboy. Gooding Jr. launched a decently successful career as well. You even have Laurence Fishburne, who delivers gravitas and wisdom in his role as Furious Styles. If you have a dry eye by the end of this electric film… I honestly don’t know what to tell you. (Shane Conto)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
One of my favorite movies of the year so far is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Its unique art style, combined with the heart of its story, left me with a very big smile on my face both times I saw it in theaters. I especially love the use of actual teenagers to portray the titular characters. This movie focuses on how lonely and isolated they feel, so when they discover they aren’t the only mutants in the city, they are suddenly filled with a sense of community they didn’t know they could. The leader of the mutants is Super Fly, voiced by Ice Cube. His presence in this film is palpable and imposing. He is such a great well-defined villain who is scary at times, and Ice Cube really delivers. His performance has comedic moments as well as dastardly ones. It is also quite radical to see a TMNT movie using a villain that isn’t the Shredder or Krang for once! Whether you are a longtime turtle fan or new to the franchise, I think Mutant Mayhem is worth checking out with some friends and a pizza. (Nick Ferro)
Raya and the Last Dragon
I love a good animated hero (or villain)/sidekick duo! Shrek has waffle-loving Donkey, Mulan fast-talking Mushu, Jafar the angsty and antagonizing Iago, and Raya the whimsically quirky water dragon Sisu. Having a sidekick companion that’s slightly left of center can add needed levity to a more serious storyline, and Sisu (Awkwafina) does just that in Raya and the Last Dragon. Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) has been searching for the fabled last dragon, Sisu, in an effort to save her world from evil monsters known as the Druun. Committed and undeterred in her quest to find Sisu and triumph over the nefarious monsters, this story could have easily maintained a more serious tone. Especially given the mostly stern and dower score combined with the desolate, beautifully detailed scenery filled with battling factions of a once unified world. Fortunately we got a rainbow-colored firecracker to lighten up the darkness with Awkwafina’s Sisu. She provides a fun and much-needed joy, wackiness, and enthusiasm in the role as a companion for Raya, breaking up the seriousness of the circumstances. Raya is an easily overlooked animated adventure, but one worthy of a watch because of its beautiful backgrounds, fighting factions, impressive voice cast, and one delightfully, ditzy dragon. (Patrice Downing)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Okay everyone, get your towels ready, because as improbable as it may seem, I had never seen The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy prior to this BEC….. okay, that’s actually pretty probable. Anyway, there is quite a lot I do enjoy about this movie, mostly due to the moments of absurdity it brings to the table. I enjoy Mos Def as Ford Perfect, I love Martin Freeman, and of course the inclusion of Alan Rickman is a plus. I also greatly enjoy the parallels of the story: a character who is all but forgettable on a planet viewed as being in the way, both of which turn out to be far more valuable than one could expect. It may not be the answer to the ultimate question, but it’s worth the time. (Joseph Davis)
Get Him to the Greek
In the mid to late 2000s, Judd Apatow had a run with raunchy, outrageous comedies. You couldn’t go to the movies without seeing a poster or trailer with the line, “From the Director/Producer of The 40-Year-Old, Pineapple Express, and Superbad,” and Get Him to the Greek is another film of comedy gold. A spinoff of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, with Russell Brand reprising his role of washed-up rocker Aldous Snow, and Jonah Hill as Aaron Green, it follows a young talent scout (Hill) trying his best to get Aldous from London to L.A. for a 10th anniversary show at the Greek Theatre. Through a journey of sex, drugs, and rock and roll across the world, along with a mind-f**k of a night in Vegas, Aaron’s boss and record company owner, Sergio Roma (Diddy), comes into town to ensure Aldous makes it for the show by any means necessary. Diddy shines as the uptight but slightly unhinged Sergio to ensure that Aaron gets the job done with Aldous still intact. Even though the film is a little outdated and controversial, Get Him to the Greek is still a laugh. (Chantal Ashford)
Four Brothers
I have been waiting to talk about this movie, as it was recommended to me a while ago, and I loved it. Four Brothers tells the story of the four Mercer brothers: Bobby (Mark Wahlberg), Angel (Tyrese Gibson), Jeremiah (André 3000), and Jack (Garrett Hedlund). They come together again to attend the funeral of their adoptive mother, Evelyn (Fionnula Flanagan), and vow to John Wick-style take revenge on those who killed her. This film is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine, but it is surprisingly decent. Wahlberg, Gibson, André 3000, and Hedlund work well together, and you can see them being brothers. (Austen Terry)
Be Kind Rewind
A film whose title dates it terribly, 2008’s Be Kind Rewind is one of the aughts’ forgotten Jack Black comedies, but I wish it got more love. Mike (Mos Def) and Jerry (Black) work in a failing movie rental store owned by Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover), who leaves one day to find out why the other rental stores are profitable. While he’s gone, Jerry has an accident that causes the magnetic tape of the VHS movies to be erased. Without product, Mike and Jerry decided to film their own versions of famous movies and rent those to the people of the neighborhood. The premise of this movie is a film lover’s dream of getting to film yourself performing some of your favorite scenes. Black and Mos Def work extremely well together as they play off one another’s comedy styles. Interestingly enough, those big stores whose business model Mr. Fletcher wants to copy started closing about two years after this movie. But what this movie says about movies and the film industry is a measure that still holds true, especially in today’s climate. (Austen Terry)
16 Blocks
Sometimes you want a classic, old fashioned story of redemption with two seemingly incompatible parties. 16 Blocks is here for that, as it follows washed up alcoholic veteran NYPD detective Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis). By 2006, Willis had this role down to a science yet still somehow never makes it feel stale. 16 Blocks follows Jack as he must escort witness, Eddie Bunker (Mos Def), to testify against a group of corrupt NYPD detectives. Struggling between his loyalties to his fellow detectives and his obligation to protect and serve, as well as a potential hidden personal conflict of interest, Jack goes above and beyond to protect the handful that is Eddie. While 16 Blocks has its share of action and twists that by themselves make it a great film, it’s really Mos Def’s ability to make you root so hard for Eddie that makes it a true delight. It’s hard to put into words just how effectively he makes you want to cheer, while also feeling endless anxiety for every well-intentioned and selfless decision he makes. This was the second time I’ve seen Mos Def on screen, and it more than cemented my desire to find more works that he’s been a part of! (Matt Lawson)
Also See: Higher Learning, Den of Thieves, Set it Off, Fast Five, Bad Boys, The Farewell, Crazy Rich Asians
