Death of a Dynasty (2003)

47% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
17% of users liked it
(108 ratings)

Hip-hop mogul Damon Dash (Paper Soldiers) directs this semi-autobiographical film based on his life as the proprietor of Roc-a-Fella Records. Ebon Moss-Bachrach stars as David Katz, a reporter who, upon interviewing rap producer Damon (Capone), finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the… More Hip-hop mogul Damon Dash (Paper Soldiers) directs this semi-autobiographical film based on his life as the proprietor of Roc-a-Fella Records. Ebon Moss-Bachrach stars as David Katz, a reporter who, upon interviewing rap producer Damon (Capone), finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the high-class world of hip-hop. Before he knows it, Katz ignites a war within the label that could bring down the operation for good. A bevy of celebrities from all walks of life make appearances, including Riddick Bowe, Lorraine Bracco, Mariah Carey, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Carson Daly, Jay-Z, Chloe Sevigny, James Toback, and countless others. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Damon Dash
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 7, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Aug 30, 2005
Studio: TLA Releasing

Critic Reviews

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Half home movie, half product placement, and almost completely worthless.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
This narcissistic mockumentary is less a film than a full-length promotional video for Roc-a-Fella Records mogul/director Damon Dash.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
A mockumentary that veers unsteadily between satire and an infomercial for Dash's Roc-A-Fella records.
Anita Gates, New York Times
Watching Damon Dash's playful movie is like entering a room where a large, too noisy party is going on and never fully adjusting to the dark or the din.
Richard Harrington, Washington Post
Death of a Dynasty is, like the music it parodies: aggressive, over-the-top, louder than life and in your face.
David Hiltbrand, Philadelphia Inquirer
There is a funny movie to be made from the outrageous egos and excesses of rap music. Death of a Dynasty is not that movie.
Michael Szymanski, Wordmag.com
The story offers an inside look at the wild recording world...
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
Death of a Dynasty is fun stuff, and this is coming from a guy who hasn't bought a hip-hop CD since NWA broke up.
Todd Gilchrist, FilmStew.com
Truly terrible for plenty of reasons, not the least of which being Damon Dash's barely competent directing.
Damon C. Williams, Philadelphia Daily News
Death of a Dynasty accomplishes what it set out to do -- to make a few laughs.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Sure, having bottles of Armadale vodka crammed into every other shot could be read as a pointed swipe at crass endorsements of luxury liquors. But when you know Armadale is owned by Roc-A-Fella, it looks a lot like crass product placement.
, E! Online
Definitely funny as the hip-hop world pokes fun at itself and others, but it's frequently pointless, especially as the "plot" unfolds.
David Sterritt, Christian Science Monitor
Dash is a good sport in poking barbed fun at the PR machinations of today's music business.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Cast

            Ebon Moss-Bachrach as David Katz

            Devon Aoki as Picasso

            Capone as Damon

            Robert Stapleton as Jay-Z

            Rashida Jones as Layna

            Kevin Hart as Lackey

            Lorraine Bracco
            
            Mariah Carey
            
            Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs
            
            Flavor Flav
            
            Ed Lover
            
            Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels
            
            Charlie Murphy
            
            Michael Musto
            
            Michael Rapaport
            
            Dan Stapleton
            
            Kari Wuhrer
            
            Dr. Dre
            
            James Toback
            
            Russell Simmons
            
            Busta Rhymes
            
            Q-Tip
            
            Chloë Sevigny
            
            Drena De Niro
            
            Peter Sarsgaard
            
            Master P
            
            Walt Frazier
            
            Jay-Z
            
            Damon Dash as Fresh to Def

            Jamie-Lynn Sigler
            
            Carson Daly
            
            Gerald Kelly as Biggs

            Duncan Sheik
            
            Phillip Bloch
            
            Riddick Bowe
            
            Samantha Cole
            
            Jam Master Jay
            
            Sale Johnson
            
            Shoshanna Lonstein
            
            Samantha Ronson
            
            Richard Turley
            
            Mr. Blue
            
            Mark Ronson
            
            D. M. C.
            
            Jamie-Lynn DiScala
            
            Denise Rich
            
            Big Joe
            
            Aliya Campbell
            
            Georgie Greville
            
            Nore
            
See full cast

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