Before I Self Destruct
Before I Self Destruct
| 16 November 2009 (USA)
Before I Self Destruct Trailers

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 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.

Reviews
BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment
SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction
Cem Lamb This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.
Celia A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
Lahhlay M 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
scott-vandemotter 50 cent directed and starred in this movie because no one else would. The dialogue is terrible. The "plot" is disjointed. Narration was used very poorly. The sex scene was a joke. The target audience seems to be inner city youth and the message is to stay away from bad influences.I guess when one's music career is not going so well one may be forced to find other outlets for one's creativity.50 Cent has a lot to learn about film acting, directing, producing.....as a matter of fact, just stay out of it.To the poor souls who are considering watching this on Netflix:Unless you hate yourself, do not waste your time on this junk.
Twenty Sixes There are a few hiccups with editing in the movie. But the way the story went was really good. The fact that he is rapper (with no direction background other than his fellow member's music videos). Most of the dialogues, the conversations in the movie were like the ones we have in our everyday life. The storyline was pretty the same old seek revenge. But you feel for the character when he loses his mom and he gets betrayed. 50 Cents's son (Marquise Jackson) can be seen at he beginning of the barber shop shot. For some reason the sex scene looked similar to the movie Shottas. Fifty can act and direct. In my opinion he needs to work as an assistant director with some good directors so that he would get a better perspective if directing anymore movies. All the best Fifty.
allprops1 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)