Never Die Alone (2004)

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

Director:

Ernest R. Dickerson (as Ernest Dickerson)

Writers:

Donald Goines (novel), James Gibson (screenplay)

Stars:

DMX, David Arquette, Michael Ealy

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:

bikini | limousine | throne | hot tub | massage | 

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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

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: You miss me?
Jasper: Ain't nobody ever missed a rattlesnake, so why would anybody miss *you?*

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Connections

References Scarface (1983)

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Soundtracks

Ballers
Written by Kevin Winston
Courtesy of Associated Production Music

User Reviews

A Dark Trip to the Underworld of the Drugs

When the unemployed white journalist Paul (David Arquette), who lives in a ghetto, accidentally witness the execution of the Afro-American King David (DMX), he takes the wounded man to the hospital trying to save his life. David dies, but officially leaves his car and his possessions to Paul. Paul finds some cassette tapes in the car, and while listening to them, he becomes aware that David was a hideous drug dealer.

When I decided to buy this DVD, I had no information about this movie. What a great surprise for me: it is a dark trip to the underworld of the drugs, indeed a contemporary film-noir, with sordid elements. The very dark cinematography fits perfectly to the story creating an atmosphere very adequate to the theme. The screenplay is very well written, but there are many important deleted scenes available on the DVD that explain many situations and connections of the story. DMX, David Arquette and Michael Ealy have excellent performances, but I found the character of Moon too much clichés of the powerful Afro-American drug lord. The scene of Mike leaving the tunnel in the end of the movie is another clichés that works perfectly, indicating the possible redemption of this character. "Never Die Alone" is a surprisingly good, violent and very real movie, which does not spare the characters addicted on drugs, showing the consequence of their vicious and their destiny. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Nunca Morra Sozinho" ("Never Die Alone")

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Searchlight

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Never Die Alone

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,089,993, 28 March 2004

Gross USA:

$5,645,298

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,923,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bloodline Films, ContentFilm, Fearon Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1