Music Box (TV Series) Don't Try to Understand: A Year in the Life of Earl 'DMX' Simmons (2021) User Reviews

As A DMX Fan This Made Me More Sad Than Happy

[Theedg3 · 8/10 · 28 November 2021]

As a huge DMX fan this doc made me more sad than happy. To me after Pac and Big left the scene this man took the reign for hardcore rap, delivering some of the best storytelling in the game. You believed what he said, it felt real, you could feel his pain. He was the man when I was growing up as a teen and it was easy to see why. Earl Simmons had it all.

This is not a documentary celebrating Earls best moments, this is a sad, depressing look at the end of his life. From the get go you can feel something is off with him mentally at this point in his life. You can tell inside the dog is hurting but he still has fight. Even witness some behavior that feels cringeworthy. This doc had me shedding tears the whole time. To me like watching a friend deteriorate before your eyes.

I would rather listen to Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood or a more recent post humous album Exodus to celebrate the man, the myth, the dog.

A Struggling Man's Battle for Redemption

[katbkaliski · 10/10 · 27 November 2021]

I thought this was a great documentary. I loved the last couple of scenes in particular, extremely touching moments with members of his family. It was amazing to see the effect DMX had on so many peoples' lives. He had tremendous healing power for a tremendous number of fans. His fatigue and frustrations were palpable at times, so then you can see why his old stomping grounds were where he seemed most comfortable and at ease. I enjoyed watching his bond with and love for his family and the powerful connection he had with his sons, and other struggling men. This film lets you be a fly on the wall for his last year of his life. It's nice to think he is resting in peace.

Couldn't possibly understand

[shampoooop-805-686778 · 3/10 · 4 January 2022]

Like the Juice Wrld doc from the same series, this piece relies on video footage without supporting interviews or narration.

While I understand the style and not wanting to be Behind the Music 2.0, of I didn't already know so much about DMX, I would know very little from this doc, aside from him being an addict with legal troublea and 15 kids.

The raw footage of his interaction with his kids, his fiance, his friends as he gets out of prison, the locals at the pool hall in Elmsford, the kids where he spent some of his childhood... It's interesting and a nice view of how he is at this time, but doesn't explain a full picture of who he is.

Obviously, this was not the producer's intentions. The project was derailed by X going to rehab and skipping the interview portion, which leaves us to wonder what this feature actually could have been with more insight.

God Had His Back

[nrgigaba · 9/10 · 10 February 2022]

It's a miracle he lived till the age of 50. His life was a lesson, and I may never have known how much he was going through, how much pain he carried in him, or who he was if it hadn't been for this documentary.

After watching this documentary, I'm a huge fan of DMX. This will help future generations understand what it's like to live with an addict.

I strongly suggest it. Don't Make an Effort to Understand: Earl 'DMX' Simmons: A Year in the Life.

5 for the filmmakers; zero for their choice in subjects

[deglispiriti · 5/10 · 30 November 2021]

I don't normally rate films by ideology. But this one I will. He hurt more people than he helped, including himself. Period.

Too bad the utter brilliance of the filmmakers (especially at the end-insanely profound). Was much more important than the subject himself.

As A DMX Fan This Made Me More Sad Than Happy

[alexpeychev · 10/10 · 3 January 2022]

As a huge DMX fan this doc made me more sad than happy. To me after Pac and Big left the scene this man took the reign for hardcore rap, delivering some of the best storytelling in the game. You believed what he said, it felt real, you could feel his pain. He was the man when I was growing up as a teen and it was easy to see why. Earl Simmons had it all.

This is not a documentary celebrating Earls best moments, this is a sad, depressing look at the end of his life. From the get go you can feel something is off with him mentally at this point in his life. You can tell inside the dog is hurting but he still has fight. Even witness some behavior that feels cringeworthy.