"Notorious", a movie just released about the short life of the rapper known as Biggie Smalls is believed to be causing violence across the country.
Studio executives are expected to consider reviving the practice of opening so-called urban films, like the new "Notorious" on Wednesdays instead of Fridays following at least three violent incidents believed to be connected with the movie.
The film placed fourth on the box-office list of top earners with $21.5 million.
The first violent incident that is believed to be related to the movie occurred on January 13, when DJ Drama was allegedly assaulted by members of Young Jeezy's CTE crew at the Atlanta, Georgia premiere of the film.
Then, in Greensboro, North Carolina, one man was gunned down during an argument over the movie right in the theater. He was rushed to a local hospital, and 700 people were evacuated from the Grand 18 theatre, including the film's star, Jamal "Gravy" Woolard, who lives in Charlotte. It was later announced that future showings of the movie had been suspended at that theatre. The victim, 32-year-old Clive O'Conner, was shot twice in the stomach. He underwent surgery Friday night and is said to be in stable condition. But Greensboro police are careful about how they describe the incident...
"We can't say whether or not this shooting is in direct relationship to the movie 'Notorious'... We just can't say,"
And a Greensboro movie-goer, Lisa Chandler agrees with the cops...
“I don’t think it has anything related to the actual (movie) – with Biggie being shot and that whole thing. I think it was just people out and they act stupid. I think its coincidence. I think it gives Greensboro a bad rap and it looks like more than that, but I think when you have a large group of people that are together like that, I don’t think it had anything to do with the movie."
In another incident, during an unofficial after-the-movie party in New York City, four men were stabbed at the Djumbala nightclub in Brooklyn. Police say a 21-year-old victim was stabbed several times. He is reported in critical condition at Brookdale Hospital. And three others who were also stabbed are in stable condition.
Music websites are edgy about blaming the movie for this violence. They say while it's easy for the mainstream media to argue that this violence is a result of the film's subject matter and target demographic, we'd like to point out that that there was also a shooting in Philadelphia at a recent screening of 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.'
