Hugh Grant steals the show here in his role as the billionaire 'villain' obsessed with the movie star Danny Franscesco (Josh Hartnett). Not that this is great inspiration, but he gave off Jimmy Savile vibes to me. It's not necessarily too much of a bad thing in a film like this, but none of the main agents are given any depth of character at all. We learn virtually nothing about Sarah Fidel (Aubrey Plaza), J.J. (Bugzy Malone), and even the lead, Orson Fortune (Jason Statham). It tries to tell a story with some intrigue but most won't be surprised by the twist. For a movie with Statham, the action leaves a little to be desired as well, as does the dialogue, such as Sarah's cringe sex jokes.

This movie plays as an interesting time capsule for the mid-'60s with the racism and sexual uprising themes, but there is too much going on and trying to be pushed by the writers/director in only 2 hours. In the end, many do not feel important to the plot and it feels like the film could have been much shorter. There is some great acting and entertaining scenes, but it all doesn't gel together well. It's one of those movies that I would like increments of 0.25. 3.25

Disc One: 1.1 Life After Death Intro N/A 1.2 Somebody's Gotta Die ★★★★☆ Brilliant storytelling and rapping from the great. "If I go, you got to go." 1.3 Hypnotize ★★★★★ Classic. 1.4 Kick in the Door ★★★★☆ I don't love the production on this, but Biggie holds it down with his rhymes. 1.5 Fuck You Tonight (feat. R. Kelly) ★★★ I love R. Kelly but this is a poor girl track from Big. 1.6 Last Day (feat. The LOX) ★★★★☆ Enjoyable rapping and gutter hardcore beat. 1.7 I Love the Dough (feat. Jay-Z & Angela Winbush) ★★★★☆ Back when pop-rap was good. 1.8 What's Beef? ★★★★ Like Last Day, great rapping but the beat could have a lil something extra. "Beef is when I see you (I see you) Guaranteed to be an ICU, and I'm through" 1.9 B.I.G. Interlude N/A 1.10 Mo Money Mo Problems (feat. Ma$e & Puff Daddy) ★★★★ A bit too 'Puffy'... 1.11 Niggas Bleed ★★★★☆ 1.12 I Got a Story to Tell ★★★★ Disc Two: 2.1 Notorious Thugs (feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony) ★★★★ Some nice fast rapping. 2.2 Miss U ★★★★ 2.3 Another (feat. Lil' Kim) ★★★☆ 2.4 Going Back to Cali ★★★★★ That funky beat! 2.5 Ten Crack Commandments ★★★★☆ 2.6 Playa Hater ★★★ LOL. Big gets his Barry White crooning going. Not as bad as it should be. 2.7 Nasty Boy ★★☆ I don't like this much at all. The worst beat on the album. 2.8 Sky's the Limit (feat. 112) ★★★★★ Smooth as silk. A great inspirational hip hop tune. 2.9 The World Is Filled... (feat. Too $hort & Puff Daddy) ★★★☆ Comes and goes. Nothing too memorable. 2.10 My Downfall (feat. D.M.C.) ★★★★★ You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You) Beta 2.11 Long Kiss Goodnight ★★★★☆ There's a bit too much going on on the chorus, but the verses and transition are good. 2.12 You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You) ★★★★★ One of my favourite tracks of all time. Thoughtful lyrics, verses, hook, and great production. Like Big did with 'Suicidal Thoughts' he gets deeper with the final track of the album. Overall, like his debut, the beats could be greater on a number of tracks, but as you'd expect Biggie can hold down a beat that isn't brilliant. Apart from that, there are some tracks such as 'Nasty Boy', 'Playa Hater' and 'Fuck You Tonight' that are particular let downs. A lot of good songs though. Very close to a 4.5/5

For me this is slightly better than her debut as the weaker moments are stronger and the best are still songs that I never tire of hearing. The build up in 'See You When You're 40' is superb. Best Tracks: White Flag, Life For Rent, See You When You're 40, Don't Leave Home, See the Sun

A few years ago I decided to try a whole album from Dido after remembering her hits from back in the day along with the 'Stan' feature and then it felt like all I played for weeks was Dido. This has a couple of moments that are too slow like 'My Lover's Gone' and 'Isobel' but the best all have immense replay value. Best Tracks: Here With Me, Hunter, Thank You, Slide, Take My Hand, Worthless