You probably saw “Belly” in 1998. It was that “hip-hop” film directed by Hype Williams, the famed video director (Tupac, TLC, Missy, Busta) starring DMX, Nas, Method Man, T-Boz and more. It was his first film, a predictable urban street drama about money, power, respect and drugs. The most interesting part — and some critics claimed this was one of the movie’s biggest pitfalls — was that it was shot like an extended music video. Hype couldn’t help it. Style is his specialty. It was also a beautiful thing to see rappers and R&B artists flexing their acting muscles. Six years later, Artisan Home Entertainment releases the “Belly Special Edition DVD.”
Here’s what you get besides the hip-hop-fueled flick: director’s commentary, multiple “Spoken Word” featurettes, the “Grand Finale” music video, a trailer gallery and a deleted scene (extended strip/dance club action). The CD includes the following songs (& more): Ja Rule: Story To Tell
DMX, Sean Paul, Mr. Vegas: Top Shotter
Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek: Crew Love
Noreaga, Maze: Sometimes
Wu-Tang Clan: Windpipe
Bravehearts: I Wanna Live
In other news, DMX launched Bloodline Films and is set to release an adaptation of Donald Goines’ crime novel “Never Die Alone.” T-Boz is working with Dallas Austin on a movie called “Jelly Bean” about a roller skating rink they frequented as teens. Hype is working on his second film, a live-action remake of the 1960s Japanese cartoon series, “Speed Racer.”
