Why 'Straight Outta Compton' Ruled the Box Office

It's not based on a comic book. It's not a prequel, sequel or reboot. And yet, Straight Outta Compton enjoyed one of the best opening weekends of the summer, earning an estimated $56.1 million over its first three days of release. How did an N.W.A biopic become a sensation? For Rolling Stone, I crunch the numbers and offer a few theories. Hope you enjoy.

'Straight Outta Compton' and Gangster Rap's "Problematic" Legacy

Since I saw Straight Outta Compton a few weeks ago, I've been wrestling with its portrayal of the iconic N.W.A: Are they heroes or villains? And what kind of musical legacy has Dr. Dre and Ice Cube left behind? I dive into all that over at Deadspin.

'Straight Outta Compton' Review

Going into the summer, Straight Outta Compton was one of the most intriguing question marks. A biopic about N.W.A, the movie is produced by (among others) Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, and Cube's son plays him in the film. At almost two-and-a-half-hours long, Straight Outta Compton is plenty entertaining, but it's also -- to use a frowned-up critical term -- "problematic." I get into all of this in my Screen International review.