Biggie & Tupac

On the heels of telling films Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam and Kurt & Courtney, filmmaker Nick Broomfield's latest celebrity-themed dirt doc takes an in-depth look at the unresolved, mysterious murders of rap monarchs Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Biggie Smalls). Providing background info about both men's upbringings, their ruined friendship, and their burgeoning careers, the main focus of the program is speculation on the true cause of the homicides, which took place about six months apart. Long thought to be a case of retaliation (Tupac allegedly slept with Biggie's wife, R&B singer Faith Evans; the two exchanged heated song lyrics; Tupac's slaying was supposedly orchestrated by Biggie), Broomfield here asserts that the blame lies with Death Row (a.k.a. Tha Row) Records CEO and founder Marion “Suge” Knight. Including archival clips and discussion with principals (Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace, Tupac's stepbrother Mopreme, former detective Russell Poole--who left the LAPD while feeling there was a cover-up on the case--and rapper Lil' Cease), Broomfield's most ballsy moment comes during an imposing impromptu in-prison interview with Knight (who looks rather unhappy with the filmmaker). Bringing discrepancies to light, offering compelling evidence, and serving up brazen questions, Biggie & Tupac is a challenging, thought-provoking documentary (barring Broomfield's incorrect--and irritating after 90 minutes--mispronunciation of Tupac's name (“too-pack”?). Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include additional scenes, director audio commentary, and discographies. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a sure to be popular film.] (J. Williams)