8 Mile (2002)

A young rapper, struggling with every aspect of his life, wants to make it big but his friends and foes make this odyssey of rap harder than it may seem. (IMDb)

The rap battles laced throughout are awesome and really get your adrenaline pumping, but they’re by far the best parts of the film. Though Jimmy is a decent protagonist, the gritty drama of poverty and racial tension in his life is never fully realized (though the themes do come together poignantly in his final confessional rap battle), thanks to a script that doesn’t take the time to develop any plot points beyond a couple scenes (the caught-cheating romantic interest being a perfect example).

6.5/10 (Alright)