Classic Album Review: DMX, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot

In the mid-90s the hip-hop community was reeling. Everyone was still dealing with the tragic deaths of both 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. and the industry was entering one of its toughest periods it had ever known. People were angry, people wanted answers.

Hip-hop was waiting for something to happen, for someone to take the flag from those fallen stars and continue to bring hardcore rap into the new century. Whether it was out of anger, frustration or timing, DMX was that man.

Soon after those tragedies DMX came along, his Ruff Ryder crew in tow, and brought on some inner-city toughness and machismo that the industry was looking for. While he had done some guest work and had released some lesser known tracks, Earl Simmons, aka DMX was still looking for his breakout.

That breakout came in May of 1998 with his debut album, the aptly titled "It's Dark and Hell is Hot". The album introduced DMX to the masses, and unlike most other hardcore rappers who had more bark than bite, he had the physical presence to go along with his aggressive rapping style.

Filled with barking, growling, and snarling, the album had a personality of its own, personified by the man who made it. Produced in parts by Swizz Beats, Irv Gotti, and Dame Grease, the album is filled with some great tracks including "Stop Being Greedy", "How's It Goin' Down", "X-Is Coming", "Get at Me Dog", "For My Dogs", and of course the "Ruff Ryders' Anthem".

The album itself helped throw the spotlight back on hardcore rap, and showcased that DMX was more than just a growling machine, with him bringing so much emotion to the album while portraying different characters and mindsets throughout, including on the track "Damien".

"X-Is Coming" is one of the most interesting but also dark tracks on the album. The beat a sort of horror or gothic sound to it, referencing the film "A Nightmare on Elm Street" throughout the track as well. DMX delves into some serious lyrics, involving issues such as violence, murder and rape. The beat is haunting, and DMX is fierce on the track as he raps: " And ask you seriously what you wanna do?/Frustratin isn't? Wanna kill me but I'ma kill you!/Now watch me f**k, just a little while longer, please will you?/This is revenge, know that before you die,/Despite how much I hate to see a grown man,/ I'ma make you suffer,/See yo' ass in hell motherf**ker!"



"How's It Goin' Down" was the third single off of the album and could be considered a bit less hardcore than the rest of the tracks. The lyrics go over DMX meeting a girl and eventually carrying on an affair with her, which leads to the girl's current boyfriend attacking a man he believes is DMX. By the song's end, DMX decides that carrying on the relationship would be wrong and tells the girl she should go back to her boyfriend. I actually think this is one of DMX's most underrated tracks because of his ability to change up from his usual hard delivery into a smoother rap style.



One of his best verses on the track comes at the end as he spits: " Aiyyo this chicken got me digging her moves, 'cuz she smooth/Wanna lose, whoever she choose, it's the dues/Respect is not expected but it's given 'cuz it's real /Being neglected and all, expect it, the deal/Lie, cheat, and steal for me/Putting something in a nigga's wig if you squeal for me/Kill for me, you still with me/'Cuz we get down like what."

"Stop Being Greedy" has one of the best beats on the album hands down. It samples a part of a Diana Ross track and from the second the track starts you can see how ferocious DMX is, starting off barking and spitting some fast rhymes. One of the most interesting aspects of the track is something DMx does throughout the album, showing two sides of his voice. He uses the smooth voice to represent no trouble while the angry voice represents hostility and trouble. Lyrics on this track are focused on violence and stress which represents DMX's anger towards greedy people not wanting to help the one who needs it.



The "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" is easily the most recognizable tracks on the album and is also one of the best. Produced by uber-producer Swizz Beats, the repetitive and pounding beat is impossible to ignore. Whether you liked it or not, the song was catchy, and showed off DMX's skills as a rapper as well as his penchant for humor.



DMX brings it full force on this track as he sets the tone and raps: "Niggaz wanna try, niggaz wanna lie /Then niggaz wonder why, niggaz wanna die/All I know is pain/All I feel is rain/How can I maintain, with madd shit on my brain/I resort to violence, my niggaz move in silence/Like you don't know what are style is/New York niggaz the wildest."

While many may not think of this album as one of the best of all time, looking back over ten years down the line, there's no doubt it is. DMX makes his voice a character like no other rapper can, and throughout the album he intelligently battles with the good and evil sides of himself.

On top of that, unlike most of the hardcore rappers of that time, DMX makes his lyrics meaningful and symbolic, rather than just about material issues. He raps about inner strength, as well as qualities like survival, wisdom, strength, respect, and faith, while also maintaining his hard edge.

While DMX may have slipped off in his later years, there is no doubt that "It's Dark and Hell is Hot" is his best work, and easily a classic hardcore hip-hop album.

Soderbergh Helms "Man From U.N.C.L.E."

Over the years, Steven Soderbergh has consistently impressed me with his selection of films. He has proven to be one of the most versatile directors of all-time, seamlessly directing such varied films as "Traffic," "Ocean's 11," "Erin Brockovich" and "The Informant."

Soderbergh now looks to add another film to his already lengthy and impressive resume, with Heat Vision reporting that the director is in line to direct the film adaptation of classic 60's NBC TV series "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." for Warner Bros. Pictures.

U.N.C.L.E. aired on NBC from 1964-68, during a Cold War period that saw numerous spy shows hit the airwaves. James Bond author Ian Fleming was a creator of the show, which focused on the adventures of American and Russian members of a secret agency called the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.

Robert Vaughn and David McCallum starred in the original spy drama as two agents from U.N.C.L.E. who fought the forces of Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity (T.H.R.U.S.H.).

David Dobkin ("Wedding Crashers") was most recently attached to direct and while that's no longer the case, Dobkin will remain onboard as producer alongside John Davis and Jeff Kleeman.

Scott Z. Burns, who wrote the Soderbergh films "The Informant" and the upcoming "Contagion," will likely join to do a rewrite of Max Borenstein's latest script draft.

Soderbergh has kept himself busy lately with projects, including "Haywire," his first foray into action territory, with Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor and Michael Douglas, and is currently shooting "Contagion," a thriller with another all-star cast, this one featuring Matt Damon, Jude Law and Kate Winslett.

Obviously, only time will tell on what tone or style Soderbergh will take on the film, but he could go either way, making things a bit more comical and light, or more serious and realistic. Either way, I'm excited for this project mainly because of the director. I think "Traffic" is one of the most under appreciated films of all time, and "The Informant!" was pure genius.

The director will aim to shoot U.N.C.L.E. at the end of next year.

Marvel Moves "The Avengers" To the West Coast

Marvel's upcoming film "The Avengers" is easily the most anticipated film of 2012, and while it's sure to make a boatload of money, the company is looking to cut corners when it comes to production.

At first, Joss Whedon's film was to be shot largely in New York City and Manhattan, but according to Bleeding Cool the production is looking to scale back tat part of the production, and move things mainly to Los Angeles.

The New York filming will focus mostly on exterior establishing shots with the rest filmed on sound stages or CG-enhanced select locations around Southern California. Many other productions have used this tactic to represent New York, including "Castle," "Mad Men" and the final season of "24," which did a fantastic job of representing the city.

Not only is filming cheaper than shooting on location in New York, but the move significantly reduces the cost of transporting and accommodating much of the film's talent as most reside in the Los Angeles area.

While this could be seen as a negative move, I really don’t think a change of location will hurt the film creatively, which really is most important thing. In addition, I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping the production close to home at Marvel studios, as well as the fact that most of the cast and crew live in the area.

Production is still slated to kick off in February.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg Move Into "Neighborhood Watch"

When Seth Rogen and writing partner Evan Goldberg take on a script, hilarious things happen--take "Superbad," for example.

So, its welcome news that the duo are set to do a re-write on the upcoming comedy film "Neighborhood Watch," according to Heat Vision.

The story, initially conceived by studio exec John Fox, concerns a suburban "neighborhood watch" group, which is actually a front for dads to get some male bonding time away from the family. Things go awry when the group accidentally uncovers a plot bent on destroying the world. In their somewhat over-enthusiastic approach, they stumble upon supernatural evil afoot on their block.

Shawn Levy will produce the film, in which Will Ferrell was originally slated to star, but no actors are currently attached. The project has jumped around a bit, having once had Levy and David Dobkin attached to direct.

Rogen and Goldberg recently finished "The Green Hornet," which is set for a release in January.
I think this is the perfect type of script for these two take on, considering how successful they have been with writing suburban comedies. From "Superbad" to "Pineapple Express," they have shown that the suburban setting is perfect for their brand of comedy.

Rogen would even be a nice fit to star in the film, but even if he just stays on as a writer this project should be better for it.

Track of the Day: November 12th

Brandon Flowers, front man of my favorite band "The Killers" is just a gangsta in his own right. Here's his track "Crossfire". He's playing in New York in December, and I will be there. The man knows how to cut a track.



Whoa 500 posts! heyyy

Trailergasm of the Day

Say what you will about all the alien invasion movies coming out these days, but this one looks to be amazing. The combination of "Black Hawk Down"-realism with "District 9"-documentary style shooting looks to be working perfectly. Aaron Eckhart is still an underrated actor, and this movie looks to be one of the dopest of 2011.



The invasion begins March 11, 2011.

Track of the Day: November 11th

Kid Cudi, "Mojo So Dope"
Man on the Moon II: Legend of Mr. Rager

Couldn't help but throw this bad boy up. The 'kid' is back.

DeNiro, Pfeiffer, Swank Ring In Garry Marshall's "New Year's Eve"

Admit it, somewhere inside you is a soft spot for ensemble romantic comedies. While no one will argue that they ever are Oscar-worthy, they can be fresh and fun, and just pure movie entertainment. In them are usually a nice group of stars we all know and enjoy, mucking it up together in some sort of situation we all wish we could get into.

Following "Valentine's Day," director Garry Marshall is working on a follow-up entitled "New Year's Eve" and is attempting to pull in some big names to take part.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer are in negotiations, while Hilary Swank and Ashton Kutcher are circling key roles in the ensemble project.

The movie tells intertwining stories of a group of New Yorkers as they navigate their way through romance over the course of New Year's Eve.

De Niro will play a bitter dying man in a hospital, while Pfeiffer will be a frustrated secretary who decides to take on her unfulfilled resolutions. Swank would play a producer of the famed Times Square New Year's Eve show, while Kutcher would play a guy who hates New Year's Eve. Obviously.

Lea Michele and Abigail Breslin are already set to star in the project, while "Army Wives" creator Katherine Fugate, writer of the "Valentine's Day" script, has written the film.

Marshall has shown over his career that he is one of the most skilled comedic directors, and after assembling the cast he did for "Valentine's Day," I'm sure he won't have a problem handling all the stars on this film. With De Niro joining, this certainly he has kept himself busy, having appeared in "Machete" and in the upcoming "Little Fockers."

The project is set to kick of filming in mid-December in New York.

Steve Carell to Play a Rock Star’s Love Child

Although Steve Carell is set to depart "The Office" after this season, it hardly means he won't be working. In fact, he is doing the exact opposite, attaching himself to a litany of projects, including a new one set to be penned by Dan Fogelman.

Carell already has worked with Fogelman on his upcoming film "Crazy, Stupid, Love," and according to Vulture, the two will team up again for the Warner Bros. comedy titled "Imagine."

Fogelman (the writer of Pixar’s "Cars" and Disney’s "Bolt") is set to make his directing debut on the film, in which a 60-something Bruce Springsteen-type rocker discovers a long-unopened letter addressed to him from John Lennon. After reading it, he’s shocked to learn that he actually fathered a son, who will be played by Carell.

In my eyes, Michael Scott---I mean Steve Carell--- can do no wrong. He is a bonafide comedy star and this film could potentially be hilarious, especially with the interaction between Carell and his rock star father.

No dates have yet been set for the film, but once production on "The Office" comes to a close for the season, Carell will have all the time in the world to get the ball rolling.

Better "Tintin" Photos Emerge

One of the most anticipated projects in the industry right now has to be Steven Spielberg's motion capture feature "The Adventures of Tintin." Whether you know the character or not, as the release of the film comes closer, be prepared to hear the name a lot.

Tintin is the star of the famous comic strip created by French artist Georges Herge Remi, and the films will encompass three of the stories from the strip including "The Crab with the Golden Claws," "The Secret of the Unicorn" and "Red Rackham's Treasure."

A few photos leaked out recently from the film, showing off how great it will look, but they really didn't do it justice. Now, scans of three more photos from "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn" have come out, truly showing how amazing this film would be. See them below.

Whether you know Tintin or not, the photos have to make any film fan excited, especially considering that Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are both heavily involved in the production.

In the shots we see a first look at twin detectives Thomson and Thompson, the roles Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are set to play, as they question Silk, who is played by Toby Jones, a pickpocket with kleptomania who has been lifting wallets all over town. Another shows Barnaby, played by Joe Starr, delivering a warning to Tintin.

The most revealing shot and easily the coolest is the shot of the bunch which looks like a direct panel recreation from "The Crab with the Golden Claws," with Tintin and Haddock stuck in the Sahara desert after a plane crash.


While I am not the foremost expert on Tintin, just from the look of the characters and the settings, it's clear that Spielberg wants to be as respectful of the source material as possible, which is great for any big fan of the strip out there.

The cast of the film is truly fantastic, with Pegg and Frost joining Jamie Bell as Tintin and Andy Serkis as Haddock. This film is going to be something truly special, and from the looks of it will be one of the most interesting looking animated films audiences have seen in a long time.

The film is set to be released October 26, 2011.