Never Die Alone (2004)

A drug kingpin's return home touches off a turf war.

Director:

Ernest R. Dickerson

Writers:

Donald Goines (novel), James Gibson (screenplay)

Stars:

DMX, Michael Ealy, Drew Sidora

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
DMX	...	King David
Michael Ealy	...	Michael
Drew Sidora	...	Ella
Antwon Tanner	...	Blue
Robby Robinson	...	Man in Apartment
Luenell	...	Jasper (as Luenell Campbell)
David Arquette	...	Paul
Clifton Powell	...	Moon
Wealthy Linn Gener	...	Asian Girl
Jeff Sanders	...	Sentry Guard #1
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister	...	Rockie
Shakira Vanise Gamble	...	Co-Worker
Big Daddy Wayne	...	Red
Damion Poitier	...	Alvin
Eric Payne	...	Orderly

Storyline

A film noir centering around a hard-boiled, stylish kingpin drug dealer, called King David, who returns to his hometown seeking redemption--but ends up only finding violent death. King David's final moments are spent with Paul, an aspiring journalist who knew him for just a few minutes; yet King David would forever more have an impact on Paul's life. Half preacher, half Satan, and all street smarts, King David had recorded the story of his exploits on audiotape, leaving behind an often-poetic sermon on villainy and its consequences. The tapes reveal that the cycle of violence and retribution, which his actions have spawned, has come back to him, full circle, as he suspected they might all along.

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Plot Keywords:

drug dealer | kingpin | death | retribution | blood spatter | 

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Taglines:

No king rules forever.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, drug use, sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Searchlight

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chronique mortelle

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$47,702 (South Africa) (18 June 2004)

Gross:

$47,702 (South Africa) (18 June 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bloodline Films, ContentFilm, Fearon Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this film, DMX plays Michael Ealy's father. In real life, DMX is only 3 years older than Ealy.

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Quotes

King David: We reap what we sow, that's what the bible says. Payback's a muthafucka, I think James Brown said that. Same shit, we all know the story... or at least we pretend that we do...

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Connections

References Scarface (1983)

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Soundtracks

"Cold Wind"
Written by George Duke
Performed by Rhoda Jordan

User Reviews

Interesting concept ......

.....but it just misses the mark here. I have been a fan of Donald Goines novels since I was a teen. I have often wondered why so-called gangsta rappers of our generation have glorified fictional icons like Scarface (Al Pacino) when there are better real life examples of hardcore gangstas like Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim who wrote about their turbulent lifestyles in graphic, candid detail in several real-life novels. When I heard about NDA I was excited that maybe someone had finally picked up the ball. Too bad this film falls just short of the mark. It tries very hard to lock onto a theme but comes across as disjointed and rambling. DMX aka Earl Simmons produced, as well as, starred in this flick. DMX's gruff demeanor is well suited for the Donald Goines anti-heros, but he needs to work on the acting skillz a bit. A very good supporting cast of known and not-so-well known actors. All in all I would say that this film is just a small step above the flick Belly -- just a little more violent and very crude. 2 out of 5 stars.