"Belly" Movie Review | The BlackBusters Podcast Ep.75

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Belly is a 1998 American crime drama film written and directed by music video director Hype Williams, in his feature film directing debut. Filmed in New York City, the film stars rappers Nas and DMX in their film debut, alongside Taral Hicks, Method Man, and R&B singer T-Boz and an uncredited cameo from Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer Sean Paul.
Ever since they were kids, Sincere (Nas) and Buns (DMX) have lived life close to the edge, doing whatever it takes to survive. As adults, they build up their kingdom of crime on drug dealing and robbery. But Sincere grows weary of the criminal lifestyle and joins a black Muslim religious group. Buns, on the other hand, sinks deeper into criminality and faces serious prison time. The cops offer him a deal, however -- assassinate the head of the Muslim group, and he will go free.
BlackBusters is a podcast focused on reviewing, celebrating, re-living and critiquing Black film. From the movies we all know and love to those hidden gems, there is no movie too big or small to be praised or roasted.
Join our hosts Director/Comedian/Actor ‪@biggjah‬ and movie/podcast connoisseur Tony Price as they explore the legacy, impact and influence of Black cinema.
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[@Devmac89]

That convo Nas had with the kid was basically the verse from the song one love off illmatic. Loved that part

[@kingbada4988]

To me the most amazing part because he wrote that verse YEARS before the movie came out

[@Rellbronjames9]

Factz let em know bro 💯

[@rcgrizzly94]

Exactly classic track

[@erickinsey7268]

Movie was inspired by nas music . The whoke second act inspired by the original song street dreams . " My man put me down on a share , headed to Delaware with one change of gear ."

[@marleywaters8787]

Didn’t even pre that

[@michaeltarrance6053]

He didn’t snitch on sincere. They asked him what were his aliases. He told them one of his aliases was Sincere….so now every case that has the name Sincere attached, would be pinned on him. Yall totally missed how gangsta that part was.

[@nathanneelyoutlawdiditprod2891]

That's what I've always thought too. Like he was taking the heat for him since they wouldn't be looking for "Sincere" anymore because they think they already got him.

[@Mr.EFonz1]

I was just bout to comment this, he actually looked out for sincere so he wouldnt be on they radar in case they heard the name.

[@slab_holiday]

Over Jr from playas club that dude a piece a shit in every movie

[@nathanneelyoutlawdiditprod2891]

@@multitoned It would bring attention to the homie if they knew who he was or knew his face. If you just give the name of your homie and they only are looking for "(the homie by name)", for all they know, they already got him in custody and whatever charges are linked to that name are with him in custody.

[@SHOTTAeastcoast]

As a youngin I thought he was ratting but as I got older I was like yo X is a G for that

[@2gunzfilms425]

Few things yall got wrong here… Tommy didn’t snitch..he took the rap for Sincere by saying HE was sincere. Shameek was there to kill Rico for snitching…he just got outsmarted Sincere and Tommy were best friends because they’d known each other since babies. We come into the story at the point they’re growing apart as people. Oh and Ike Love/Shameek had a bullet proof vest on when he got shot with the buckshot..Kisha killed him by shooting him in the head

[@suavobaby90]

Man you named all the facts I've been saying for years!

[@richlabs]

Yeah they def missed these key facts of the movie.

[@ricardorayg.9820]

Thank you they missed alot finally somebody got Damn 🙄

[@YNG_GrandaddyHiddenUniverse]

Thank you!!!! 😁 I don’t understand how they missed this tone of the film. Sincere(Nas) character to me almost from the beginning of the film was basically over all the bullshit and moving how they were moving. To me his mind had left the environment way before his physical did which resulted in him having a stoic, almost emotionless personality towards the environment and relationships outside of the ones he care for in his home. I agree with the point that Sincere and Bunz were growing apart and both were seeing that in real time. Sincere to me was trying to at every stop give wisdom to Bunz and bring him along to his next elevation in life while Bunz was trying to hold on to the last of him that was keeping him grounded and somewhat reasonable. Neither wanted to leave the other “Alone” in this world but knew the inevitable was near. Also, I don’t think Sincere(Nas) character was weak at all, I believe they misread his emotions totally wrong. I think how the character was written was purposefully written that way, his expressions were more of a daydreamer being in class thinking about where they are going to go in life and how they are going to get there then weak.

[@Richdell331]

lol what’s funny is that almost everyone who review this movie gets those exact facts wrong 😂

[@adnanojd]

Rip Louie Rankin aka Lennox “ Who want test me come on, I am the Jamaican don dada”

[@twinjerman]

When Nas gave the young Kid the Chain. It was a verse in his song that Hype Williams brung to life 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jay2123ful]

Method man's character had a vest on in that club scene.

[@gifi11]

I don't get how more people don't know that lol

[@bruceleeds7988]

BELLY feels like somebody's rap album on screen, like at any point on the film the movie is showing whateve the rapper wants to talk about at that time, as opposed to a narrative over time. it's more "OK, this scene is about us shooting the opps in the club, this scene is about me getting caught cheating, this scene is about being locked up, this scene is about ex gangsters finding religion"

[@SHOTTAeastcoast]

It's just a long music video

[@trvnksfrm1k]

Cause it is most of the scenes in this movie are based on different lyrics from nas’s 1st 2 albums

[@franceonearcillious8103]

I been rocking with this channel since day 1. But you can definitely tell they ain't from the 90s era..

[@tagz3924]

They just not from New York and don’t understand the culture.

[@blackl567892]

I’m here for it as I rub my hands Birdman style! Glad y’all finally got around to this one!

[@kingshaun829]

I’m sure someone commented already but the convo with the kid on the bench was solely a reference to One Love on Illmatic. I read somewhere that in retrospect, Hype wished they didn’t keep that part in because it didn’t add to the story. The crispy white Avirex tho 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@premeexcel6408]

I think the questions being asked here kind of clarified some things for me from the movie. Like for example, none of these guys are really friends. The closest thing to friends are Bunz and Sincere, but that's limited to opportunity. Belly, short for belly of the beast, means that everybody is food. And everybody is trying ro eat by all means.

[@ericcaesar5457]

As a New Yorker we definitely understand Jamaican pat-ois

[@msblackloveful]

It seems that it was two best friends from childhood that started growing in different directions.

[@MarketingThusfar]

He didn’t snitch on sincere, he gave the police his Alias as sincere so they would think they got “sincere” but really it’s tommy lol

[@blakegriggs2131]

I’m glad I’m not the only one that caught that lol. I’m literally shouting at the tv like “aliases” not “associates”. He looking out for bro. Thanx for commenting cause I was literally bout to type up exactly what you wrote💯

[@MarketingThusfar]

@@blakegriggs2131 No problem as soon as he said that I was like 🤦🏾‍♂️ nah man those are important details to that scene lol

[@RebelKingfrom1995]

I watched Belly the summer of 2013 after I graduated from high school. The cinematography and music makes it🔥🔥🔥. Glad I got some Belly merch to rock in the 2020s.

[@gifi11]

I think this movie is underrated and overly critiqued. I think it's a good movie. The ending scene was amazing and message still holds strong today. Buns and Sin was koo asf. Buns gave him a whole car 😂. What yall want them to do, have sleepovers? NY dudes dont do the lovey dovey ish to much lol.

[@brandonwilson9101]

Lol now this is a tricky one..acting 0 fist plot 0 fist but damn the cinematography, wardrobe, soundtrack, and memorable scenes all get 5 fist! It might be the worst Black classic of all time

[@MrBmick79]

Basically a really long rap video

[@The843legendz]

Still a classic that aged well

[@coreylilbro42]

I like all Bigg Jah’s content. But I don’t think they watch these movies before they critique them. This isn’t the only movie where they got all the facts messed up. Got to do better.

[@BigChi61]

Yeah. It’s like they skimmed through the movie 22mins before the podcast started

[@cassiusclay4087]

Only bad thing Buns did was give the nod to the young kid who shot his boy restaurant, he could’ve stepped in and stopped that but he escalated it…

[@fredericksamuels6722]

Method man had a vest on when he got shot with that 12 gauge

[@robertrodriguez3580]

Yall dropped the ball the on this one!!.. yall needed a street dude on the podcasts to cleanup the grey area..Tony cleary donest like violent hood movies. It Scares him😅.. yall need to stick to rom comedy!!

[@gifi11]

Not even trying to be mean but you 100% right lol. They missed sooo much obvious ish and then tried to make it seem like it didn't make sense.

[@91Definite]

@@gifi11I agree, get a street guy as a guest in some of of these gangsta films

[@gifi11]

@91Definite someone. I think it's some west coast bias too. Like how don't you know why Meth went to Nebraska lol

[@91Definite]

@@gifi11right he was working for Knowledge

[@marckristian81]

I mean, what the f**k Sin!?! I was 18 when this came out and will forever remember the monotone that T Boz brought to that character. I've been arguing since college that Tommy's young girl (Vida) was the best female character in the movie. Sidenote, was T Boz a federal employee? How you get to go INTO the jail when she gets Keisha out? 😅 She walking through the dormitory with the CO like she's the warden.

[@justcam2083]

absolute classic.... used to watch it every New Year's Eve back in the day... yall should do Shottas next

[@Robj007]

I throughly enjoy this episode. Yall sayin the quotes me and my boys say everyday and did say was hilarious and had me smilin the whole podcast. 5 black ✊🏿 for this episode.

[@davidmoett1086]

BAP BAP.BAP!! Been waiting on this! No badda bring no scary business to me! 😂😂😂

[@LilChop3701]

With me being born in ‘01, even before I started doing my homework on hip hop, I’ve always said Belly looked like a long ass music video cutscene 🤣🤣🤣🤣 not knowing who Hype Williams was for the longest 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@whysoserious-vt4hf]

Best opening scene in a movie ever. And as my friends and I have debated and all agreed over time that this is just one long music video ever made.

[@Ggurl707]

First buns sold his soul he says it in the beginning. He didn't get knowledge out because he told him if you get knocked dont call the crib, that's how the house gets raided and Keyshia ends up in jail.

[@gljcnh]

Tone is wrong about the rap thing. The scene with the little kid was literally transposed from a Nas rap. Hype does not know film story telling. Music video is the exact opposite of the number 1 rule of film show font tell..... still props to the show as always....

[@joshuamcneil7673]

They ran out of Money on the Movie and had to put what they had out.

[@c2thafizzo]

Sha did kill Rico before catching that shotgun chest shot

[@robertfranks665]

I always wondered if Rico actually died? Meth hit him a few times in the shoulder and he fell over, but I always wondered if he survived that.

[@sojurok7n]

Another great breakdown, brother Jah and tone. Just wanted to also bring attention to the movie bluehill avenue as a future blackbuster

[@rpsibley73]

y'all need to do CLOCKERS

[@WITTS313BOSS]

Buns used his homeboys name when he got locked up because he knew his name was clean and was going to get him a bond

[@rpsibley73]

when Mef got his head rocked by Tommy's girl with that ash tray😂😂😂😂!!!

[@2gunzfilms425]

First two DVDs i ever purchased with my own money…Belly & Shottas.

[@SHOTTAeastcoast]

Hood classics. They should do Shottas next if they haven't already

[@lawrencetitues3606]

Great Ep. I was waiting for this y'all should do Snow in the bluff in ah future Ep.

[@wesedwards1435]

Yall needed a NY head witchall for this 1...Bunz aint snitch, he covered for Sin so he cant get caught for any crime attached to Sincere's name...Method had a vest on thas why he survived...Belly was a 4.5 black fist coming from a upstate ny native 585

[@elementrill]

“ I sold my soul to the devil, the price was cheap “ Literally were the first words in the film, view the film from that pov. It made Tommy’s salvation that much better in the end

[@TheCfrazier]

Here comes the BOOM!

[@JustCheek]

Sha did kill Rico. He blasted him after he found out he was drugged. He had on a vest when he got shot but ill give you guys that he should of died then.Tommy didnt snitch on Sincere. That asked Tommy if he had any aliases and he said Sincere.

[@91Definite]

Yea he had on a vest after the bar guy shotgun him 😂! Running out the club seeing the cop car popping at it 😂! And getting in the ride with Ghostface as the Getaway driver

[@Mr.Jones41]

We only cared about Keisha because she really is an actor and knew how!!!

[@Mr.Jones41]

Meth might have had a vest on… loll

[@EscoRich36]

Queens in the building I’m glad y’all did this movie

[@TTJJCC]

Method did end up killing Rico in the strip club.

[@gifi11]

Did they watch the movie lol. Meth had a vest on. They didn't hear the heavy breathing

[@55thuman]

I've watched Belly several times...thank you for explaining the storyline.

[@dariand8100]

I could’ve definitely seen 2pac in belly he would’ve killed it

[@sjp1969]

I give it a 3. The acting was too bad to give it any higher. Because of that it is a the Hood Classic. Much like Rudy Ray Moore movie. We champion it just because it was made.

[@lawrencetitues3606]

1 key point y'all missed remember wen knowledge was in jail he lit up ah blunt while calling Shameek then put the blunt on the jail phone

[@jay2123ful]

Rico didn't outsmart nobody he was snitching.😂😂

[@Sincere281]

Because it doesn’t make linear sense and just highlights big moments in those 10 months of Sinceres life is why it makes sense for a black dope boys life back then

[@allcleancalifornia3949]

So they was selling dope that’s how he met Tboz I think Nas was in a different head space bc he had a kid. Favorite scene was them lil white boys on Tommy’s tv when they got back from the robbery.

[@Logie11]

I heard Hype originally had Hov in mind for the role as Tommy

[@chacolot1]

Speaking of songs, Belly reminds me of DMXs Make a Move......will they say it at the end???

[@Rellbronjames9]

I love this podcast ✊🏿💪🏿💯

[@demondburgess7514]

I always assume the Minister they were referring to was Louis Farrakhan not Malcolm X...

[@gifi11]

Because you are correct lol Malcolm died in the 60s. Why in the world would the reference be Malcolm lol. They don't like east coast movies

[@biggangdrako6172]

Meth had a vest on

[@bigpreme1879]

Bunz didn't snitch...he claimed the name sincere as HIS own

[@gljcnh]

Ike love had a vest on

[@YNG_GrandaddyHiddenUniverse]

Thank you!!!! 😁 I don’t understand how they missed this tone of the film. Sincere(Nas) character to me almost from the beginning of the film was basically over all the bullshit and moving how they were moving and was growing apart not just from Bunz but from who he previously was. To me his mind had left the environment way before his physical did which resulted in him having a stoic, almost emotionless personality towards the environment and relationships outside of the ones he care for in his home. I agree with the point that Sincere and Bunz were growing apart and both were seeing that in real time. Sincere to me was trying to at every stop give wisdom to Bunz and bring him along to his next elevation in life while Bunz was trying to hold on to the last of him that was keeping him grounded and somewhat reasonable. Neither wanted to leave the other “Alone” in this world but knew the inevitable was near. Also, I don’t think Sincere(Nas) character was weak at all, I believe they misread his emotions totally wrong. I think how the character was written was purposefully written that way, his expressions were more of a daydreamer being in class thinking about where they are going to go in life and how they are going to get there then weak.

[@therealmarlonbellamy]

This movie is not a hood classic in my opinion. Nas, DMX & Method Man are my favorite artists but this movie is not it. Fun Fact: Tyrin Turner auditioned for the role of Tommy, after not getting the role he got the role of Rico. His intent was the sabotage the role but it became iconic. Him & Hassan Johnson are typecasted because they always play drug dealers. Can we please get blackbusters on the following hood classics: South Central Sugar Hill (1993) Blue Hill Avenue

[@rappernameeddycane]

Definitely Blue hill Ave 💪🏾

[@91Definite]

@@rappernameeddycaneI finally saw Blue Hill Avenue 💯! That movie was great! It’s more like another Sugar Hill but in the 2000’s

[@mramegah]

He did not snitch on Sincere, he told them Sincere is one of his names he himself goes by on the street

[@marckristian81]

And Jah is 100% on the lady assassin. Ox would've been able to walk up and take her out as she writhed on the floor in pain with those broken ankles.

[@91Definite]

He should’ve looked up 😂! But of course his ass was drunk and high

[@heavybre]

Some Movie Suggestions For Y'all: Monster (Netflix) Cradle 2 The Grave Never Die Alone How High

[@jay2123ful]

Tommy definitely said he sold hes soul in the beginning of the movie.

[@kevinnash2444]

Great Review!

[@SHOTTAeastcoast]

Heard the movie was based on a true story. Theres a doc on youtube talking about it

[@blakegriggs2131]

I love what you guys are doing w the podcast. But Tone bro, quick critique: I believe you misinterpreted the word “aliases” for “associates”. Bundy protected Sincere by taking the rap. Totally not snitching

[@fredericksamuels6722]

Knowledge character is played by Power that help start Wu Tang

[@leetheaarceneaux8151]

Will you be doing black classic movies for black history month? If so may I suggest Panther 1995, Deacons For Defense with Forrest Whitaker, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, The Walking Dead ( a film about black soldiers in Vietnam) and Rage In Harlem. The Legend of Sonny Carson also and The Bobby Brown story.

[@copaseticarts9067]

they was at the tunnel in the beginning of the movie ! in iconic club that had rap night on sundays !

[@85juney]

Thought: Sincere was a representation of youth following the crowd in what they think they should be doing. This is why he’s such a “follower” in the movie; Nas showing kids what can happen if they follow the crowd.

[@maxxmadness9866]

Knowledge's girl got booked too if I'm remembering correctly

[@rafprice1]

You're right. He voiced that over the phone to Method Man

[@geraldcrawford9686]

He didn’t snitch on sincere, when he gives the name he was giving it as if it was him so when they ran it it wouldn’t come back with a record. That’s why when he calls him he to get him out he wanted it to be before the fingerprints came back

[@jphuture]

That morning blueish gray is how Rochdale normally looks at that time of the morning

[@chacolot1]

To this day, I'm still mad at AZ for not telling Sincere the ops were right behind him. And I post this in every post I see about him. Most recently drink champs 😂😂

[@SHOTTAeastcoast]

Lmao😂. I was 8 when this movie came.out. would always call Nas and DMX by their movie names.

[@UdaamWright]

I feel you. Every time I see Omari Chadwick I say he gave Janet Jackson AIDS. 😂😂

[@gifi11]

I think he kind of told him lol. I would of left when AZ did lol

[@ricardorayg.9820]

Not all street hitters are cold and caculating shameek did kill rico , Shameek got his target you could tell at the strip club Shameek had a vest on the only issue with the shoot out was how slow the getaway driver took off

[@michaeltarrance6053]

I love y’all. I love the podcast….but yall missed this one miserably…..I get everyone has an opinion but yall clearly missed a WHOLE LOT of points in the movie.

[@bmills6176]

Totally disagree they are right on point. Acting was terrible and bad character was such a follower. This doesn't even come close to state property, new jack city, or in too deep

[@bmills6176]

Nas character

[@michaeltarrance6053]

@@bmills6176it’s all good. It’s opinionated. But when they said he snitched on sincere, you can tell they didn’t understand that scene so you can only question the rest of their perspectives🤷🏾‍♂️

[@91Definite]

@@bmills6176 I feel State Property 2 wasn’t the best. I was hoping State Property 3 happened smh. State Property I might have to watch again

[@gifi11]

Agreed. Meth had on a vest. He went to Nebraska to kill Rico for snitching. Bunz didn't snitch. Sin was clean and they already know who Bunz/Tommy is. He had warrants. So not only didn't Bunz snitch, he added Sins' name to the rest of his aliases . That way, anything dealing with Sin falls on Bunz.

[@85juney]

This might be too local, but y’all have to do Baller Blockin’ (the Cash Money movie)

[@HissanTheMav]

Please react to Sugar Hill would love to hear y'all reaction to it

[@jamaldaniels5542]

Belly was a 2.5 stars for me. I'm sorry. I don't see it. I loved the sets, the visuals, the cinematography, and the star power, but the storyline was just not clear enough, for me. I actually understood it waaay better from having Jah explaining it on why they went from jacking dealers, to selling work in Nebraska, to Jamaica, and Tommy coming back to the States... to me, I also didn't understand the ultimate story arc for Tommy. Was he supposed to go from being that bad of a guy to a reformed man? Did Sincere even have a character arc?? Taral Hicks looked great & added to it (for me)! And, I enjoyed the fun scenes with Method Man, those helped it A LOT- but nah, 2.5 stars for me. Love you guys' reviews! Always interesting, always entertaining.

[@robertfranks665]

Tommy and Sincere were definitely best friends. Tommy was just wild and wasnt really the emotional type. You saw how he flipped out on Black when he heard he wanting to get at Sincere. Tommy wasnt going to hug Sincere in his final goodbye, but you knew Tommy had real love for Sin cuz when Sincere still had possessions of some of Tommy's belongingss, he asked him what he wanted him to do with them like the cars and all that. He told Sincere to accept it as a gift and you know how selfish Tommy was so you know he had love for Sincere.

[@leetheaarceneaux8151]

Can you review Clockers?

[@marstonfobbsentertainment]

When Shameek (Method Man) and Kiesha (Taral Hicks) are fighting, she cries to Shameek, "I hate you!" That was such a personal statement - to hate. It leads me to wonder if Kiesha and Shameek had a backstory...? He knew his way around her home.

[@RickN40s]

i haven't connected all the dots but, im pretty sure this entire move is a collection of nas songs written into a screenplay

[@2KGrind09]

hype just made a 2hr long video ... my favorite part was when they went to Jamaica. Nas & T boz acting was tubi worthy

[@Jfresh704]

Crazy y’all say Nas should’ve rapped this film’s plot. The scene with the kid on the bench is from a verse off his first album illmatic.

[@TenTwelveMedia]

Damn! I worked on this film in Casting under Winsome Sinclair and I wish I was in on this convo lol. All the questions yall had, I have the answers lol

[@jrue305]

Y'all should review every season of the Wire.

[@Tramunity]

The scene where black comes to shoot sincere was in it was written on the message

[@BigChi61]

Yall missed in the Nebraska shootout Ike had a vest on.

[@mj4hire]

It's a East coast thing and to be more specific its about dudes from Queens and Brooklyn.

[@Darell3.0]

I love the movie reviews that y’all put out. 🤝🏾 Thank you. Y’all have to put Idlewild on the watch list! 🤌🏾🤞🏾

[@RevolutionaryRAYRAY]

🙏🏾🦁😎 Why is The BIBLE the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Where is Earth in PANGAEA? I am asking about the Native Language when reading Poetry and Understanding Universal Mathematics beyond a Holistic Scale.

[@DrePierre455]

That was GhostFace Killah driving the Lexus that Method Man jumped in the car.

[@Sincere281]

Some of the questions you have are answered in the movie already.

[@geraldcrawford9686]

Method man’s character had a vest on in the bar scene

[@2Thessalonians1_7]

1) the movie they were watching in Tommy's crib is called "Gummo". Watch that crazy movie lol 2) the scene with Nas and the kid at the end is based on the 3rd verse of Nas's classic song, "One Love" 3) the scene where Lennox gets killed is exactly like the Scarface movie scene, where Scarface got killed by the lone gunman 4) for the soundtrack album, Half A Mil had the best song on there, called "Some Niggas".

[@will_cashgrow2294]

With Nas Dmx and Meth and Ja rule on the hook Dogs for life, 🔥 Made men and Lox Tommy's theme, 🔥 D'Angelo Devil's pie, these 3 words, Pregame JayZ and Sauce money

[@lawrencerainer588]

The thing about the movie is dmx and Nas said it was half of the movie they ran out of the budget I guess I’m not for sure but that’s why the kept saying that belly 2 was coming out so for it to be half a movie it was decent to me I wish they had finished the other half though

[@caseyprice7505]

A lot of people didn’t realize but Nas gives his chain to the young kid on the bench but later on at the end he got the chain back on his neck before leaving for Africa..😂🤦🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️ 3.5 fist man lol

[@91Definite]

Yeah that shit was dumb 😂