Eminem Movies
A phenomenally successful Grammy nominee whose controversial rhymes earned the ire of the more politically correct while simultaneously topping the charts and selling millions of albums to fans who could appreciate his warped sense of humor and pop-culture satire, rapper Marshal Mathers (aka Eminem) came out of left field to dominate the rap music scene before making the inevitable transition into film in the semi-autobiographical drama 8 Mile. Born in St. Joseph, MO, to a single mother whose father quickly abandoned both her and their future child, Mathers spent the majority of his destitute youth traveling between his hometown and the sometimes harsh streets of Detroit. Inspired to pursue a career as a rap artist after his uncle played the soundtrack to Breakin' (1984) for the impressionable nine-year-old, Mathers quickly became enamored with such popular rappers as Ice T and LL Cool J, performing in front of his bedroom mirror nightly and obsessively lip-synching to their skilled and often complex rhymes. Settling in Detroit when the aspiring rapper was twelve years old, Mathers showed little interest in school and dropped out shortly after failing the ninth grade three times due to lack of involvement. It was then that Mathers decided to fully immerse himself in pursuing a career as a rapper. Impressed by his debut album Infinite (1995), Rap Coalition's Wendy Day helped Mathers (now going almost exclusively by the moniker Eminem) to gain a spot in the 1997 Rap Olympics in Los Angeles. Though he didn't take first place, his demo landed in the hands of Interscope Records executives and an appearance on a L.A. radio show resulted in an enduring partnership with legendary rapper and producer Dr. Dre. From this point on there was no looking back and Eminem's uniquely obscene brand of humor proved a formidable force in the world of not only rap music, but also popular music (2000's The Marshal Mathers LP was the first rap album ever to be nominated for Album of the Year honors at that year's Grammys). Having made numerous videos in addition to appearances in such films as Da Hip Hop Witch (2000) and Dr. Dre's The Wash (2001), Eminem was no stranger in front of the camera, and would soon take a starring role in 8 Mile (2002). Directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential [1997]), 8 Mile loosely detailed Mathers' rise to stardom while struggling to overcome both racial and personal boundaries. An emotional drama that exposed the tempermental artist to a much wider audience, 8 Mile proved a huge hit at the box office and sent DVD sales soaring when released on home video. By the time the 75th annual Academy Awards rolled around and a visibly surprised Barbara Streisand pronounced Eminem the winner in the Best Song category, fans (many likely as shocked as Streisand herself) rejoiced for the success of their favorite underdog rapper.~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Judd Apatow casts his former real-life roommate Adam Sandler as George Simmons, a comic superstar who learns in the movie's opening scene that he suffers from a rare blood disorder that will likely kill him within a year. This news gives him the impulse to go back out and work on his standup, something he hasn't done in years thanks to the massive success of his movie career. At a club, he meets struggling standup Ira Wright (Seth Rogen), takes a shine to him, and hires the young man both to write jokes and to be his personal assistant. Ira, who's been sleeping on a friend's pull-out couch and working a day job at a deli, enjoys the glimpse into the superstar lifestyle, but soon the protégé discovers how selfish and egocentric his mentor really is. Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill, and a host of famous standup comics make cameo appearances as themselves. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, (more)
- 2005
- Add Eminem: Live From New York City to Queue Add Eminem: Live From New York City to top of Queue
Eminem: Live From New York City captures the best-selling rapper performing over two-dozen songs before a typically high-energy Big Apple crowd. The setlist includes the hits "Stan," "The Way I Am," "Just Lose It," and "My Name Is." The performer shares the stage with other artists such as D12 and Stat Quo. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Eminem
- 2005
- Add Holla Back: Video Magazine, Vol. 6 to Queue Add Holla Back: Video Magazine, Vol. 6 to top of Queue
Holla Back: Video Magazine, Volume 6 features stories about an MC battle between 50 Cent and Jadakiss, as well as pieces on Tupac Shakur and Eminem. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Hip-hop star 50 Cent makes his movie debut in this hard-edged urban drama inspired by the rapper's own life. Marcus (Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, aka 50 Cent) grew up in a tough New York neighborhood and was left to fend for himself after the death of his mother when he was a kid. Marcus fell in with a powerful crime boss (Bill Duke) who gave him an opportunity to make a good living -- by selling drugs. While Marcus has misgivings about his life of crime and has an interest in expressing himself as a rap artist, his success as a dealer makes it hard for him to get away from the life. However, when a heist goes wrong and Marcus is shot several times, he has a change of heart and decides to leave his old life behind. He begins pursuing his dream of making it in music, and with the support of his girlfriend (Joy Bryant) he begins recording a demo tape. Marcus' new songs are inspired by the gritty realities of his old life on the street, but just as it looks like he might be able to land a record deal, he discovers that some of his old business associates aren't too happy about Marcus telling folks about their actions. Get Rich or Die Tryin' was directed by Jim Sheridan, best known for his tough but atmospheric stories of life in Ireland (In The Name of the Father, My Left Foot). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Curtis Jackson
- 2004
This 2004 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Kate Winslet and features musical guest Eminem. ~ Skyler Miller, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kate Winslet, Eminem, (more)
- 2003
- Add Hardware Music Videos: Hip Hop, Vol. 1 to Queue Add Hardware Music Videos: Hip Hop, Vol. 1 to top of Queue
Ever wondered just what it is they're blurring out (and garbling on the soundtrack) of your favorite hip-hop videos? Well, here's your chance to find out -- Hardware: Hip Hop, Vol. 1 includes uncensored and not-approved-for-airplay versions of music videos from Dr. Dre, D-12 and Eminem, Afroman, Jay Z, Shaggy, Sir Mix-A-Lot and more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Controversial rap star Eminem makes his acting debut in this hard-edged urban drama, inspired in part by incidents from the musician's own life. Jimmy Smith (Eminem), known to his friends as Rabbit, is a young man trying to make his way out of the burned-out shell of inner-city Detroit. Rabbit's entire life has been a hard climb, and it certainly hasn't gotten any easier lately; Rabbit has just been dumped by his girlfriend, forcing him to move back in with his emotionally unstable mother, Stephanie (Kim Basinger), and he's getting along especially poorly with Stephanie's new boyfriend. Rabbit has a factory job that's tough, demeaning, and doesn't pay especially well, and he's convinced his skills as a rapper are his only real hope at a better life. Rabbit makes music with a crew of DJ's and MC's who call themselves Three One Third, among them his close friend Future (Mekhi Phifer), but his status as a white kid making music in a predominantly African-American community and culture is extremely intimidating, and after Rabbit freezes up in the midst of an MC battle, he's convinced he's missed his chance and that he's doomed to lead a marginal life as a factory rat for the rest of his days. With the help of his friends, and his new girlfriend Alex (Brittany Murphy), Rabbit struggles to work up the courage and the confidence to take one more shot at making his dream a reality. 8 Mile was shot on location in Detroit; the name refers to 8 Mile Road, a thoroughfare along the city's perimeter which effectively separates the middle-class suburban neighborhoods from the lower-class inner-city. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Eminem, Kim Basinger, (more)
- 2002
This 2002 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Kirsten Dunst and features musical guest Eminem. ~ Skyler Miller, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kirsten Dunst, Eminem, (more)
One of the most acclaimed and infamous rappers in America, Eminem lit out for a tour of Europe after the whirlwind success of his album The Marshall Mathers LP, and a camera crew tagged along to capture the action on-stage and off. Eminem: All Access Europe features footage of Slim Shady himself in concert (including appearances by special guests Xhibit, Dido, and Marilyn Manson), as well as Eminem and his crew relaxing Hamburg, Oslo, Paris, London, and other European destinations. Selections include "Stan," "The Way I Am," "B**** Please II," and more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- 2002
Hip-Hop Uncensored Volume 3: Hustlemania follows the lives of rap stars DMX, Eminem, D-12, Juvenile, and others. See them rehearsing, traveling to gigs, recording their songs, and partying backstage. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
This documentary on the cocky Caucasian rapper who is championed by some and vilified by others as sexist and homophobic uses interviews with Eminem (Marshall Mathers) himself, as well as with his friends and family. It contains footage from his concerts and commentary from music luminaries such as Bono, Dido, and Courtney Love. Mathers, a protegé of Dr. Dre, got his start in Detroit at the age of 14, and both his The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP CDs have sold millions in the hip-hop underground market. Purporting to reveal "the real man, behind the mask," the documentary also looks at the Mathers' family photo album and traces his rise from his poverty-stricken roots. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi
Slim Shady is a character like no other, being the slightly crazed alter ego of rap musician Eminem. The star finds an outlet for outlandish behavior in the persona of Slim Shady, who manages to get into various scrapes in this animated parody of the rap music scene. The program pokes good-natured fun through Slim Shady's antics, along with those of his eccentric friends. He also lays down a music groove, through clips from concerts and music videos. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi
This throwback to the frolicsome comedies of the 1970s is from writer/director D.J. Pooh, creator of Friday (1995) and 3 Strikes (2000). Dr. Dre stars as Sean, who's financially strapped and on the verge of losing his home and his car until his roommate Dee Loc Snoop Dogg suggests he join him as an employee at the local car wash. Tensions mount between the pals when the establishment's eccentric owner Mr. Washington (George Wallace) promotes the more mature and responsible Sean over Dee Loc, and Sean is subsequently forced to crack down on his scamming buddy's side hustles and locker room assignations with female co-workers. When their boss is kidnapped, however, Sean and Dee Loc must work together to save their employer, their jobs, and their friendship. Angell Conwell and Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr. co-star in this urban farce flavored with a hip-hop soundtrack. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Starring:
- Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, (more)
- 2000
Rap musicians find something new to be afraid of in this hip-hop-themed parody of The Blair Witch Project. A supernatural being known as "The Black Witch in the Project" is terrorizing some of the biggest names in rap music, and a number of performers fear for their lives -- so much so that The Street Don, an underground music tycoon, is offering a reward of $10 million to whoever can find and capture the witch. As The Street Don presents daily television reports on the witch's latest victims, everyone who can scare up the courage (and needs the money badly enough) hits the streets looking for the she-demon, while a number of rappers discuss their own horrifying encounters with the Black Witch. Da Hip Hop Witch features appearances by top-selling recording artists Eminem, Mobb Deep, Pras, Ja Rule, Vitamin C, Killah Priest, Spliff Star, and Vanilla Ice. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Detroit rapper Eminem creates a lot of headlines along with his award-winning and controversial rap music. Transferring his hot-button lyrics to music videos didn't do much to soften the messages, but it did win him a Best Video of the Year award from MTV in 2000. E contains seven director's cut versions of some of Marshall Mathers' most popular songs. The songs are taken from The Marshall Mathers LP and The Slim Shady LP and include "Stan," "The Way I Am," "The Real Slim Shady," "Role Model," "Guilty Conscience," "My Name Is," and "Just Don't Give a F*ck." ~ Jessica Frost, Rovi
Eagle Vision presents this concert film, capturing on-stage performances from the controversial and wildly successful Up in Smoke Tour. Hip-hop mega-stars Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and Eminem perform some of their best-known songs and are captured off-stage in exclusive home videos in this 2000 release. Songs featured in The Up in Smoke Tour include "You Can Do It," "Nigga You Love to Hate," "We Be Clubbin," "Kill U," "Dead Wrong," "Under Influence," "Marshall Mathers," "Criminal," "The Real Slim Shady," "Roll That Shit, Light That Shit, Smoke That Shit," "Da Chronic Spot," "Next Episode," "What's My Name," "G-Thang," "Bitch Please," "What's the Difference," "Forgot About Dre," "Fuck You," "Let Me Ride," and "Still Dre." ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- 1999
For the absolute best in the world of hip-hop music, why not go straight to The Source? Collecting some of the hottest acts on the scene onto one stage for an unforgettable night of music and awards, the 1999 Hip-Hop Music Awards features such talented performers as Lauryn Hill, Puff Daddy, DMX, and many, many more. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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