2pac Shakur Filmography

    Tupac's films are also great. He co-stars with people like Janet Jackson, James Belushi, Mickey Rourke, Tim Roth & Duane Martin.

Gang Related DVD	Gang Related Soundtrack
Starring: Tupac Shakur, James Belushi Director: Jim Kouf Released: October 8, 1997
Two corrupt cops who work in an inner-city precinct set up fake drug deals, sell coke to dealers, then kill them, and keep the money for themselves, they get away with it because these kinds of killings in these seedy areas almost always get filed under 'gang related' when no suspect is in sight. However, their plan begins to fall apart when their most recent victim turns out to be an undercover DEA agent and now they's got federal agents looking into the case. What happens next depends too much on surprise for me to reveal it, but the despair and desperation comes across extremely well as the two cops struggle to cover up what they've done. Without mentioning specifics, I'll just say that betrayal, distrust, and out-of-control violence sets in as a result of the decisions made. Breat chemistry between Belushi and Shakur, they have a gritty and almost comic spirit together. The opening scene is one of my favorites, in which the two sitting, bored and exhausted in a seedy motel room waiting for their next victim, have a conversation about wishing hey were in Hawaii. (Shakur: "How can you think about Hawaii now?" Belushi: "I'm here... I don't wanna be here... so I think about being in Hawaii, so as not to get depressed about being here.") Even the tension-filled and confrontational scenes later in the film showcase the two actors' talents, particularly Tupac. I could not rightfully deny him his respect as an extremely charismatic and convincing actor. In fact, if his final performance here is any indication, I think he had the potential to become a really great actor... and this is enough cause for even a non-fan to mourn his death.

Gridlock'd DVD	Gridlock'd Soundtrack
Starring: Tupac Shakur, Tim Roth Director: Vondie Curtis Hall Released: January 29, 1997
The movie is about two heroin addicts, Stretch (Tim Roth) and Spoon (Shakur) who are desperately trying to kick their drug habit after their fellow musician friend Cookie (Thandie Newton) OD's on New Years Eve. Thus begins their hilarious harrowing journey through an uncaring beaurocracy, including a rude hospital worker, a desk clerk with a short temper... and the list goes on and on. Not only that, but Stretch and Spoon have to get into a detox center before they're captured by the police who think they've committed a drug-related double homicide, when in actuality, the real murderer is a drug dealer (Vondie Curtis Hall) who is trying to kill them both for stealing his dope. WHEW!     Shakur and Roth have outstanding chemistry together in this film. Both turn in terrific performances and deliver occasionally hilarious one-liners. Gridlock'd is Vondie Curtis Hall's directorial debut, so props to him. He did a very fine job. He also wrote the screenplay.

Bullet DVD	Bullet Soundtrack
Starring: Tupac Shakur, Mickey Rourke Director: Julien Temple Released: January 21, 1997
Rourke was the epitome of cool. Tupac was the ultimate villain. There was brotherhood, violence, drugs, real-life drama, and good music - the essential elements of a classic gangsta movie. There are moments in the film that are pure brilliance such as the depiction of various drug induced hazes and the schizo brother's observations and all. Most of the funniest lines in the movie is from the near psycho Levine. Overall, Julien Temple and his collaborators have done a good job. It is a fine film.     Brilliant acting from 2pac, Rourke and especially Levine. What a wonderfully refreshing character Levine has made Louis into. Worth watching for his performance alone. Rourke is in his element as the underachieving hard Jewish lad who had promised so much.

Above The Rim DVD	Above The Rim Soundtrack
Starring: Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur Director: Jeff Pollack Released: March 23, 1994
Kyle played well by Duayne Martin is a high school basketball great who needs more coaching than his coach can handle because most of his needs are off the court. Shep (Leon) is a former high school great who never made the big leagues beacause he was accused of killing his brother during a one on one game on a roof. Shep taunted his brother for not being near the player he was but obviously never intended manslaughter. The interesting piece is that Shep has a mental block and cannot move past this incident. He even seems to be in severe depression. Kyle needs coaching and Shep needs to be needed. Seems simple. Not so fast! In comes Birdie played by Tu Pac who is livid when his living big brother Shep returns to bury their dead mother and wants no part of his underworld ways. Birdies influence is more effective on Kyle than Shep, But that's about to change! Good perfomances by Marlon Waynans, Kyles friend Bugaloo and Bernie Mac the bumb in the park, Flip. Good Soundtrack. The movie moves fast but keys in on more than just jumpers and foul shots. This is not a movie about basketball rather a basketball movie about people with zeal, integrity, emptiness and anti social behavior. Some characters have more than one trait. Some have more than one flaw. While watching this one you'll want to see where everyone ends up.

Poetic Justice DVD	Poetic Justice Soundtrack
Starring: Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur Director: John Singleton Released: July 23, 1993
Poetic Justice is about a girl named Justice (Janet) who writes poetry and is trying to get through hard times that have happened in the past and start over. Justice and her friend Keisha take a trip to Oakland with Keisha's boyfriend Chicago and friend Lucky (Tupac). Justice and Lucky fall in love through the movie. This is a really good flick to watch again and again. It also has a great ending and the bomb soundtrack.

Juice DVD	Juice Sountrack
Starring: Tupac Shakur Director: Ernest R. Dickerson Released: January 17, 1992
Juice is about four best friends who quickly grow distant after a store robbery goes horribly wrong. It's a pretty involving story with some shocking scenes (though not as violent as they're reputed to be) and Omar Epps is okay in the lead role. But, let's face it. This is Tupac's movie. I didn't expect his debut role to be as powerful as it was! By now, I'm sure all fans have heard his now famous line, "I know I'm crazy. And you know what else? I don't give a ..." Truer words were never spoken about a movie antagonist.     Pac's performance is truly amazing, let's not forget, he was a trained actor before he even got into hip hop, so this maybe shouldn't be SO surprising, but for the fact that he hits it so well because, well, it's him. This is Omar Epps first movie and he was excellent, as was the guys who played Rahim and Steel. The movie is great and well shot, with excellent music throughout. It's primarily the story of a dj (Epps), really, just trying to get on, and his friends, and the possibilities that can erupt in every man's struggle for respect. This film is unique. There's cameos by tons of rappers, including Special Ed, EPMD, Latifah, Naughty by Nature, and others.