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Before I Self Destruct

  • Video
  • 2009
  • R
  • 1h 19m
IMDb RATING
4.7/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
Before I Self Destruct (2009)
ActionCrimeDrama

A coming of age story about an inner-city youth raised by a hardworking single mother. When his dream of becoming a basketball player fails to materialize, he finds himself employed in a sup... Read allA coming of age story about an inner-city youth raised by a hardworking single mother. When his dream of becoming a basketball player fails to materialize, he finds himself employed in a supermarket. After his mother is tragically gunned down, Clarence (played by Jackson) is cons... Read allA coming of age story about an inner-city youth raised by a hardworking single mother. When his dream of becoming a basketball player fails to materialize, he finds himself employed in a supermarket. After his mother is tragically gunned down, Clarence (played by Jackson) is consumed by revenge and takes up a life of crime in order to support his younger brother.

  • Directors
    • 50 Cent
    • J. Jesses Smith
  • Writer
    • 50 Cent
  • Stars
    • 50 Cent
    • Clifton Powell
    • Elijah Williams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.7/10
    1.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • 50 Cent
      • J. Jesses Smith
    • Writer
      • 50 Cent
    • Stars
      • 50 Cent
      • Clifton Powell
      • Elijah Williams
    • 21User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast62

    Edit
    50 Cent
    50 Cent
    • Clarence
    • (as Curtis Jackson)
    Clifton Powell
    Clifton Powell
    • Sean
    Elijah Williams
    • Shocka
    Sasha Del Valle
    Sasha Del Valle
    • Princess
    Gabriel Ellis
    Gabriel Ellis
    • Rafael
    Michael Wright
    Michael Wright
    • First Victim
    Anthony 'Treach' Criss
    Anthony 'Treach' Criss
    • Cedrick
    Gabriel Casseus
    Gabriel Casseus
    • Freddie
    • (as Gabrielle Casseus)
    Kar Fearon
    • Miss Jenkins
    • (as Kar)
    Los Jones
    • Jay
    • (as Carlos Jones)
    Shorty Red
    • Tiny
    Eve Lora
    • Mrs. Ortiz
    Tayuana 'T.J.' Jones
    • Ronette
    LoLa Monroe
    LoLa Monroe
    • Mona
    • (as Angel)
    O.G. Mack McLean
    • Mr. Harris
    True Love
    • Roberto
    Elaine F. Liebmann
    • Miss Garrett
    Adrienne Williams
    • Counselor
    • Directors
      • 50 Cent
      • J. Jesses Smith
    • Writer
      • 50 Cent
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews21

    4.71.7K
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    Featured reviews

    9allprops1

    great film lots of potential for Curtis Jackson

    I watch this film last night and i was like,WoW,i did not move from the chair till it was all over,it was deep,original,and well done,great acting,just shows you how life is really like in the hood,i can relate to this situation,cause i'm from the hood,not to far from were this took place,from Newark,n.j so stuff like this really happens,he really took this film to another level,and i think this is a stepping stone,for what is yet to come in the future,he is more focus,and his acting has hit another its peak,the man can act,there is no doubt about that,well done Curtis aka 50 cent,i hope there is a sequel to this one,in (Newark)
    2sconard2

    Hard to find any value

    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.
    4lil_mexx31

    Typical Street Movie

    Recently watched this movie on youtube. So many times i wanted to turn it off because it was so bad, but it was so bad I couldn't turn away if that makes any sense. The acting at times was quite comical but I've seen worse. 50 Cent's acting has improved since "Get Rich or Die Trying". However that's not saying much as he can still seem a bit stiff and often times can come across as being "robotic" in some scenes.

    The "kill" scenes are pretty authentic and brutal. The story is basic but lacks depth. I've seen worse street movies than this (Belly 2). I will commend 50 Cent for directing/writing/acting in this movie. It's hard work and for a debut in directing/writing, he did pretty well. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone, but if your a fan of 50 Cent and G Unit, then feel free to check it out.

    4.5/10
    rossipaddy

    a Proper HOOD movie

    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 deserves

    if you like the genre I highly, highly recommend it. I'll def watch it again, like real, real soon.
    10wisetoni

    This movie shows what can happen when you are lead down the wrong path

    I am very proud of 50 cent. I found his acting to have improved greatly. I also found for this to be his first directorial film he did an excellent job in directing it. i love the idea of him bringing in new fresh faces in the movie. I felt these actors did a great job. i was impressed. the story line was great. i am patiently waiting for him to direct another movie. I find this movie to be realistic and many people will identify with the story line. It showed the struggles one has to go through in order to try to make it. It also showed sadness and sorrow.

    i highly recommend this movie to all to see.

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    Related interests

    Bruce Willis in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The directorial debut from Curtis Jackson (50 Cent), and was delivered with his fourth album 'Before I Self Destruct'.
    • Soundtracks
      Come With Me
      Performed by Mass Hysteria

      Produced by Ky Miller for Mudd Monkey Inc.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 16, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 自我毀滅
    • Filming locations
      • Paterson, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Kreative Film Empire
      • Cheetah Vision
      • G-Unit Film & Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 19m(79 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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