Belly (1998)

13% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
86% of users liked it
(32,209 ratings)

Music video director Hype Williams made his feature film debut with this visually inventive urban drama. Tommy Brown (DMX) and his friend Sincere (Nas) are gangsters who have learned how to make a good living by dealing drugs and pulling armed robberies. Tommy and Sincere have been able to move out… More Music video director Hype Williams made his feature film debut with this visually inventive urban drama. Tommy Brown (DMX) and his friend Sincere (Nas) are gangsters who have learned how to make a good living by dealing drugs and pulling armed robberies. Tommy and Sincere have been able to move out of the ghetto in Queens where they were raised and relocate to an upscale section of Manhattan; they would seem to have it made, but both realize that their lives are headed toward a dead end. Sincere begins getting in touch with his African roots and tries to convince his girlfriend Tionne (Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins) that they should emigrate to the Motherland, while Tommy has a religious awakening and joins the Nation of Islam. Along with top-selling rappers DMX and Nas, hip-hop artist Method Man and R&B singer Taral Hicks also appear. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Hype Williams
Written By: Hype Williams
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Nov 4, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Jul 25, 2000
Studio: Artisan Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
All style and very little substance in this oft-told tale of inner-city angst.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael S

I like Nas and DMX... I think DMX in particular is a pretty decent actor given the roles he's been dealt. But "Belly" is complete garbage. What I find most shocking is that numerous people I know cite this as one of their favorite films! That's the only reason I… More
I like Nas and DMX... I think DMX in particular is a pretty decent actor given the roles he's been dealt. But "Belly" is complete garbage. What I find most shocking is that numerous people I know cite this as one of their favorite films! That's the only reason I even decided to see this to begin with (it was forced on me) and hated just about every minute of it. Terrible.
Nani V

The beginning was awesome...yes...the colors....it was great.
Lenny M

Think Nas "Hate Me Now" Music Video on the Big Screen mixed in with a plot about drugs. Smooth visuals but given the director, pretty much a music video without the dubbing. Great Soundtrack, opening scene best part.
danny d

fantastic, nas should do more serious acting, he was great. this film really helps to show the mind set of someone who cant get out of their own way, and it has a great message of redemption at the end.
Chosen 7

Classic
Leo L

Fantastic!
Kevin M

DMX and NAS are not actors, although Hype Williams does a great job in directing these untalented career-long posers across a long-spanning music video. The 'Jamaican club-scene is visually memorable, but I think everyone is too caught up in the Scarface mentality to realize… More
DMX and NAS are not actors, although Hype Williams does a great job in directing these untalented career-long posers across a long-spanning music video. The 'Jamaican club-scene is visually memorable, but I think everyone is too caught up in the Scarface mentality to realize that neither of these two characters got an education. Ghetto dreamers will die with this movie tucked in their in-dash DVD-player.
Ashton R

My brother has been bugging me for years to see this, and tonight he finally drug me to his house to watch it. I must say I was quite impressed; it was lovely to behold with all the stark colors and amaziang cinematography. The dialogue was also very well done; almost had a… More
My brother has been bugging me for years to see this, and tonight he finally drug me to his house to watch it. I must say I was quite impressed; it was lovely to behold with all the stark colors and amaziang cinematography. The dialogue was also very well done; almost had a Tarantino-esque flair to it. And for being musicians, the acting wasn't half bad. Definitely the best performances you'll EVER get out of a bunch of rappers. But even for all of this I found it to be kind of boring. The story just didn't grab me and seemed cliche. Not really my kind of thing to tell you the truth, but for people who like this kind of thing, it's the best of its kind.