Exclusive: Scottie Thompson (Hellfire), David Koechner (Anchorman), Gillian White (Trouble Man!) and Isaiah Washington (Grey’s Anatomy) are currently starring in Christmas action-comedy Dashing Through The Snow.
From writer-director Prince Bagdasarian, the movie is also starring are Hunter Ives (Abstraction), James Di Giacomo (The Kill Room) and social media influencer, Nick Antonyan.
Set in a cabin on Christmas Eve, the film will see US Marshall Jo (Thompson) protecting a pregnant fugitive (White) from a bounty hunter (Ives) and a hitman Santa (Koechner), accompanied by his henchmen of elves.
Washington plays Thompson’s boss, Acting Deputy Director Winters for the US Marshal Service.
James Di Giacomo (Desperation Road) and Sasha Yelaun (The Old Way) are producing, alongside Prince Bagdasarian and Hunter Ives. Filming is underway on location in Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, California.
“I aim to craft a unique blend of dark comedy and action, immersing the audience in a snow-laden...
From writer-director Prince Bagdasarian, the movie is also starring are Hunter Ives (Abstraction), James Di Giacomo (The Kill Room) and social media influencer, Nick Antonyan.
Set in a cabin on Christmas Eve, the film will see US Marshall Jo (Thompson) protecting a pregnant fugitive (White) from a bounty hunter (Ives) and a hitman Santa (Koechner), accompanied by his henchmen of elves.
Washington plays Thompson’s boss, Acting Deputy Director Winters for the US Marshal Service.
James Di Giacomo (Desperation Road) and Sasha Yelaun (The Old Way) are producing, alongside Prince Bagdasarian and Hunter Ives. Filming is underway on location in Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, California.
“I aim to craft a unique blend of dark comedy and action, immersing the audience in a snow-laden...
- 3/4/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Mortal Kombat star plays an LA cop returning home to avenge his brother’s murder in this charming piece of grindhouse schlock
On an unnamed island in the Caribbean, a cartel boss named Manuel (Edoardo Costa) kills bartender Akeem (Tristan Duncan) merely because he spills a drink on Nora (Cami Storm), a young singer Manuel was planning to lock up in his villa and force to sing only for himself, like a canary. The murder is not only grisly and bad management practice, but also consequential because it brings down the wrath of Akeem’s brother Mark, an LA policeman. It turns out Mark grew up on the island where he left behind an ex-wife, Akilah, his mother and lots of old friends. Swearing to find out how Akeem really died, he moves back and a series of fisticuff face-offs ensue as he works through the chain of command,...
On an unnamed island in the Caribbean, a cartel boss named Manuel (Edoardo Costa) kills bartender Akeem (Tristan Duncan) merely because he spills a drink on Nora (Cami Storm), a young singer Manuel was planning to lock up in his villa and force to sing only for himself, like a canary. The murder is not only grisly and bad management practice, but also consequential because it brings down the wrath of Akeem’s brother Mark, an LA policeman. It turns out Mark grew up on the island where he left behind an ex-wife, Akilah, his mother and lots of old friends. Swearing to find out how Akeem really died, he moves back and a series of fisticuff face-offs ensue as he works through the chain of command,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite) has wrapped production on Trouble Man!, an action comedy that he directed and stars in for Samuel Goldwyn Films. Those starring alongside him are Method Man (Power Book II: Ghost), Gillian White (Take Back), Mike Epps (The Upshaws), Orlando Jones (Drumline) and La La Anthony (Power).
Filmed under the Georgia Production Program, the film stars White as Jaxen, a former cop turned private detective living in Atlanta. When famed R&b singer Jahari goes missing, Jaxen is hired to find and save her. As he investigates, he realizes her disappearance is tied to a much larger conspiracy of lies and deceit, which makes him question everyone around him and confront his own past.
White and Michael Stratford penned the script, with Craig Baumgarten producing. Samuel Goldwyn Films financed the pic and will release it next year, following past collaborations with White on the actioner...
Filmed under the Georgia Production Program, the film stars White as Jaxen, a former cop turned private detective living in Atlanta. When famed R&b singer Jahari goes missing, Jaxen is hired to find and save her. As he investigates, he realizes her disappearance is tied to a much larger conspiracy of lies and deceit, which makes him question everyone around him and confront his own past.
White and Michael Stratford penned the script, with Craig Baumgarten producing. Samuel Goldwyn Films financed the pic and will release it next year, following past collaborations with White on the actioner...
- 12/15/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Stars: Michael Jai White, Edoardo Costa, Cami Storm, Jackson Rathbone, Esther Brooks, Wayne Gordon, Gillian White, Amber Townsend | Written by Michael Caissie, Philippe Martinez | Directed by Shaun Paul Piccinino
The Island wastes no time in establishing just how evil its villain, Manuel is. As he’s talking to Nora, a singer auditioning at one of his properties, the waiter spills her drink on her. His response isn’t to fire the man but to stab him in the neck and tell the shocked woman, “Go get cleaned up, you work for me now.”
In Los Angeles Mark and his partner Phil are working undercover setting up a drug bust. This being an action film it naturally goes bad, but that’s not the worst thing Mark is going to have to deal with today. He gets a call telling him his brother has been murdered on the island where they grew up.
The Island wastes no time in establishing just how evil its villain, Manuel is. As he’s talking to Nora, a singer auditioning at one of his properties, the waiter spills her drink on her. His response isn’t to fire the man but to stab him in the neck and tell the shocked woman, “Go get cleaned up, you work for me now.”
In Los Angeles Mark and his partner Phil are working undercover setting up a drug bust. This being an action film it naturally goes bad, but that’s not the worst thing Mark is going to have to deal with today. He gets a call telling him his brother has been murdered on the island where they grew up.
- 8/15/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
"He's never going to stop... you can't save him." "But I can save our island." Saban Films has revealed an official trailer for The Island, another trashy B-movie action thriller – not to be confused with Michael Bay's sci-fi thriller The Island of 2005. This will be out in July for anyone interested in watching. From the stunt coordinator / director Shaun Paul Piccinino, who you have never heard of and never seen any of his other movies anyway. When his brother is killed, LAPD officer Mark (Michael J. White) leaves the city to return to the island he grew up on. Seeking answers and ultimately vengeance, he soon finds himself in a bloody battle with the corrupt tycoon who's taken over the island paradise. Starring Michael Jai White, along with Jackson Rathbone, Gillian White, Gabriel 'G-Rod' Rodriguez, Cami Storm, Wayne Gordon, Gabriel Rios, and Edoardo Costa as Manuel. This junk should...
- 6/8/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
We are grateful to Mr. Michael Jai White for taking the time to sit down with us so that we may bring you this interview where we talk about his new film, As Good As Dead, his past projects (like Black Dynamite), and a couple of hints about what he’s been working on and what we can look forward to!
One of the most prolific names in action cinema is Michael Jai White. He made his incredible mark by taking on a complex role in his breakthrough performance as Mike Tyson in the HBO original film, Tyson, which can still be viewed on HBO Max. He was the first and only actor to date to bring the cult comic superhero Spawn to life on the big screen. And today, you can see him in his new action film, in which he stars and wrote, titled As Good As Dead.
One of the most prolific names in action cinema is Michael Jai White. He made his incredible mark by taking on a complex role in his breakthrough performance as Mike Tyson in the HBO original film, Tyson, which can still be viewed on HBO Max. He was the first and only actor to date to bring the cult comic superhero Spawn to life on the big screen. And today, you can see him in his new action film, in which he stars and wrote, titled As Good As Dead.
- 12/22/2022
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
"He reminds me of some kind of Black Rambo." Samuel Goldwyn Films has revealed an official trailer for an action movie called As Good as Dead, featuring a script written by the American action star Michael Jai White. It's now set to open in December in one month from today. Michael Jai White also stars as Bryant, a man with a mysterious past who moves to a small Mexican border-town to start over and live the simple life. He befriends a local boy and keep him on the straight and narrow by introducing him to martial arts and becoming his mentor. When his past catches up with him, he is forced into a life and death struggle to clear his name, save the boy and get back all that he left behind. The massive cast also includes Tom Berenger, Louis Mandylor, Gabriela Quezada, Gillian White, Michael Copon, Roberto "Sanz" Sanchez,...
- 11/16/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American rights to a pair of coming-of-age dramas: writer-director Alana Waksman’s debut feature We Burn Like This, and writer-director Anna Matz’s first feature, Love You Anyway. The digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group plans to release both titles across internet and satellite platforms on June 28.
Inspired by true events, the former film from Armian Pictures shows the inherited effects of historical trauma and the strength of survival and healing. When 22-year-old Rae (Madeleine Coghlan), a descendant of Holocaust survivors, is targeted by Neo-Nazis in Billings, Montana, her ancestors’ trauma becomes real. As antisemitism continues to rise in the community, we follow Rae on her journey to forgive herself, her mother and the broken world. We Burn Like This also stars Reservation Dogs‘ Devery Jacobs, as well as Kendra Mylnechuk, Angelo Rizzo, Casidee Riley and Megan Folsom.
Inspired by true events, the former film from Armian Pictures shows the inherited effects of historical trauma and the strength of survival and healing. When 22-year-old Rae (Madeleine Coghlan), a descendant of Holocaust survivors, is targeted by Neo-Nazis in Billings, Montana, her ancestors’ trauma becomes real. As antisemitism continues to rise in the community, we follow Rae on her journey to forgive herself, her mother and the broken world. We Burn Like This also stars Reservation Dogs‘ Devery Jacobs, as well as Kendra Mylnechuk, Angelo Rizzo, Casidee Riley and Megan Folsom.
- 6/3/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
While Tyler Perry’s primetime soap opera drama “The Oval” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are many viewers who find its unbelievable storyline addictive to watch.
Three seasons in and “The Oval” is the No. 2 series airing on cable with an African American cast, according to Nielsen ratings. The No. 1 spot is currently held by Tyler Perry’s “Sistas,” which BET recently renewed for a fifth season.
Read on for all the latest about “The Oval,” including details about the show’s cast, creator, and upcoming new season.
Main Characters of “The Oval”
A picture-perfect interracial first couple and their two children are the newest residents of the White House, but nothing is as it seems once they’re behind closed doors in Tyler Perry’s “The Oval.” The show dives into the lives of those serving and surrounding the first family as they navigate their way through the lies,...
Three seasons in and “The Oval” is the No. 2 series airing on cable with an African American cast, according to Nielsen ratings. The No. 1 spot is currently held by Tyler Perry’s “Sistas,” which BET recently renewed for a fifth season.
Read on for all the latest about “The Oval,” including details about the show’s cast, creator, and upcoming new season.
Main Characters of “The Oval”
A picture-perfect interracial first couple and their two children are the newest residents of the White House, but nothing is as it seems once they’re behind closed doors in Tyler Perry’s “The Oval.” The show dives into the lives of those serving and surrounding the first family as they navigate their way through the lies,...
- 4/22/2022
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
Stars: Michael Jai White, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Tom Berenger, Patrick Kilpatrick, Victoria Pratt, Chuck Zito, Gillian White, Randy Wayne | Written and Directed by Scott Windhauser
Cops and Robbers stars Michael Jai White as a hostage negotiator who plays a high stakes game of cat and mouse with a cornered bank robber. As the two men learn each other’s identity, they realise they have a shared past, as estranged brothers do, with scores and grudges to be settled…
Can Micheal Jai White ever get a break? The man had obvious skills, both in acting and martial arts, which we’ve seen in a myriad of his previous films. However lately he seems to have become stuck in a rut of appearing own small cameo roles in films or playing cop roles that don’t show off his skillset. Even when he does get to kick some ass his performance seems stifled.
Cops and Robbers stars Michael Jai White as a hostage negotiator who plays a high stakes game of cat and mouse with a cornered bank robber. As the two men learn each other’s identity, they realise they have a shared past, as estranged brothers do, with scores and grudges to be settled…
Can Micheal Jai White ever get a break? The man had obvious skills, both in acting and martial arts, which we’ve seen in a myriad of his previous films. However lately he seems to have become stuck in a rut of appearing own small cameo roles in films or playing cop roles that don’t show off his skillset. Even when he does get to kick some ass his performance seems stifled.
- 7/26/2021
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
For some of us, over lockdown we’re spent a little too long with our spouses. Working in the same room. Eating all the same meals. Spending every minute of every day with those we have chosen to spend the rest of our lives with. Meanwhile, Gillian and Michael Jai White have been our kickin’ ass, collaborating together on action flick Take Back. What a power couple.
To celebrate the film’s release – which also stars Mickey Rourke – we had the pleasure of speaking to the married duo, as we ask about the joys and challenges of working together on this production. They speak about their shared passion for martial arts, and we ask them about their love. Corny that may seem, but they’re unapologetically open about it, and to be completely honest, it’s a breath of fresh air. They also talk about the very real themes explored in the film,...
To celebrate the film’s release – which also stars Mickey Rourke – we had the pleasure of speaking to the married duo, as we ask about the joys and challenges of working together on this production. They speak about their shared passion for martial arts, and we ask them about their love. Corny that may seem, but they’re unapologetically open about it, and to be completely honest, it’s a breath of fresh air. They also talk about the very real themes explored in the film,...
- 3/30/2021
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Despite Gillian White’s charisma, this B-movie thriller, the story of a lawyer’s run-in with melty-face Mickey Rourke’s hoodlum, seems tame
Clearly intended as a leg-up in the ranks of the female action star for Gillian White, this smalltown revenge thriller starts off well but takes a fatally long time to gather momentum. White plays Zara, a successful lawyer in a desert town whose martial arts skills, courtesy of lethal-but-sensitive husband and dojo partner Brian, make her a social media hit after she disarms a goon threatening a coffee-shop assistant. This lowlife is in fact part of a local human-trafficking ring, masterminded by chihuahua-loving hoodlum Patrick (Mickey Rourke), with links to Zara’s secret past.
Any B-movie thriller worth its salt should get to its inciting incident within the first 20 minutes. Here, it’s the kidnapping of Zara and Brian’s daughter, and it takes nearly 50 minutes to arrive.
Clearly intended as a leg-up in the ranks of the female action star for Gillian White, this smalltown revenge thriller starts off well but takes a fatally long time to gather momentum. White plays Zara, a successful lawyer in a desert town whose martial arts skills, courtesy of lethal-but-sensitive husband and dojo partner Brian, make her a social media hit after she disarms a goon threatening a coffee-shop assistant. This lowlife is in fact part of a local human-trafficking ring, masterminded by chihuahua-loving hoodlum Patrick (Mickey Rourke), with links to Zara’s secret past.
Any B-movie thriller worth its salt should get to its inciting incident within the first 20 minutes. Here, it’s the kidnapping of Zara and Brian’s daughter, and it takes nearly 50 minutes to arrive.
- 3/23/2021
- by Phil Hoad
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Shout! Studios will team with 101 Films International to distribute Christian Sesma’s new action thriller Take Back. Directed by Sesma and written by Zach Zerries, the film stars Mickey Rourke, Michael Jai White, Gillian White and James Russo.
Take Back follows Zara (Gillian White) and Brian (Michael Jai), a couple enjoying their perfect small town life until a mysterious stranger from Zara’s secret past kidnaps their daughter. Now the two must race against the clock to save her life.
Shout! has secured all North American distribution rights and seeks to launch the movie across all major entertainment platforms in 2021. A 101 Films International, Ton of Hats and Seskri Film Inc. production, Take Back is produced by Mike Hatton, Christian Sesma, and Michael Walker. Executive producers are Stefan Colson, Tom Conigliaro, Kimberly Hines, Martin Andrew Lyon, Mickey Rourke, James Russo, and Gillian White.
The movie deal was negotiated by...
Take Back follows Zara (Gillian White) and Brian (Michael Jai), a couple enjoying their perfect small town life until a mysterious stranger from Zara’s secret past kidnaps their daughter. Now the two must race against the clock to save her life.
Shout! has secured all North American distribution rights and seeks to launch the movie across all major entertainment platforms in 2021. A 101 Films International, Ton of Hats and Seskri Film Inc. production, Take Back is produced by Mike Hatton, Christian Sesma, and Michael Walker. Executive producers are Stefan Colson, Tom Conigliaro, Kimberly Hines, Martin Andrew Lyon, Mickey Rourke, James Russo, and Gillian White.
The movie deal was negotiated by...
- 2/4/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CMA Entertainment, a boutique management firm with over 20 years’ experience in developing and managing talent, will acquire Prevail Artist Management, with Prevail principal Lori Kay joining as a talent manager and producer. With the move, CMA continues to grow its management team and expand its production arm.
Kay, a principal at Prevail since 2015, brings with her a talent roster which includes Jeremy Holm, Reema Sampat, Leah Kreitz (Dash & Lily), Aimé Donna Kelly, Michael Oloyede, Paul Rolfes, as well as indie film favorite Katelyn Pearce and Broadway’s Michael Andreaus. She will be based in CMA’s New York City office.
“This expansion will greatly benefit our clients as we continue...
Kay, a principal at Prevail since 2015, brings with her a talent roster which includes Jeremy Holm, Reema Sampat, Leah Kreitz (Dash & Lily), Aimé Donna Kelly, Michael Oloyede, Paul Rolfes, as well as indie film favorite Katelyn Pearce and Broadway’s Michael Andreaus. She will be based in CMA’s New York City office.
“This expansion will greatly benefit our clients as we continue...
- 12/21/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Producer/actor Mike Hatton’s production shingle, Ton of Hats, Inc. in partnership with 101 Films International have announced the surprise completion of principal photography on director Christian Sesma’s Take Back, a martial-arts action saga starring Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler); Michael Jai White; Gillian White and James Russo (Django Unchained).
The producers believe Take Back is among the first independent films to successfully wrap principal photography following California’s (and most other states’) shutdown order, which effectively shut down film production nationwide.
Written by Zach Zerries in his feature-film penning debut, Take Back, shot in nearly complete secrecy in The Coachella Valley in Riverside County California, took place at breakneck speed under strict Covid-19 guidelines set forth by city, county, and state regulations, the industry’s white sheet, “The Safe Way Forward,” as guidance, SAG-AFTRA’s requirements, and the production’s own mandatory “Covid Playbook,” created by Hatton and director Sesma.
The producers believe Take Back is among the first independent films to successfully wrap principal photography following California’s (and most other states’) shutdown order, which effectively shut down film production nationwide.
Written by Zach Zerries in his feature-film penning debut, Take Back, shot in nearly complete secrecy in The Coachella Valley in Riverside County California, took place at breakneck speed under strict Covid-19 guidelines set forth by city, county, and state regulations, the industry’s white sheet, “The Safe Way Forward,” as guidance, SAG-AFTRA’s requirements, and the production’s own mandatory “Covid Playbook,” created by Hatton and director Sesma.
- 8/11/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The company has also picked up ‘The Complex – Lockdown’.
UK-based sales agent 101 Films International has added two projects to its slate ahead of the Cannes virtual market, including Mickey Rourke action thriller Take Back.
The film will commence principal photography on a five-week shoot in California in early July, produced by Mike Hatton for Ton Of Hats with 101 Films’ Andy Lyon and Michael Walker.
101 Films is executive producing the title with Head Gear Films.
Directed by Christian Sesma and written by Zach Zerries, it centres on a couple living the perfect small-town life when a mysterious stranger from the past kidnaps their daughter.
UK-based sales agent 101 Films International has added two projects to its slate ahead of the Cannes virtual market, including Mickey Rourke action thriller Take Back.
The film will commence principal photography on a five-week shoot in California in early July, produced by Mike Hatton for Ton Of Hats with 101 Films’ Andy Lyon and Michael Walker.
101 Films is executive producing the title with Head Gear Films.
Directed by Christian Sesma and written by Zach Zerries, it centres on a couple living the perfect small-town life when a mysterious stranger from the past kidnaps their daughter.
- 6/18/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
Happy Friday and weekend, "Young And The Restless" fans. We hope you guys enjoyed today's big, week-ending, October 25, 2019 episode. We are, of course, back in your face to deliver the skinny on how next week will start up in the next, new October 28, 2019 episode. That's right, guys. The October 28th episode will indeed be the week-opening episode for next week, and the wonderful CBS folks have given us a few teaser descriptions for it. We're going to tell you all about them right now. It sounds like Monday's new October 28, 2019 episode will feature some semi-interesting, possible dramatic scenes as Traci and Jack get a big reminder why they shouldn't dig up past things. The Abbotts get a visitor from a family friend. A public servant woman shows up on the scene and more. We'll go ahead and start off this spoiler session with the Traci and Jack situation. It turns...
- 10/25/2019
- by Megan Jones
- OnTheFlix
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2015 @ 3:10 Pm
2016 is shaping up to be a classic year for fans of martial arts / action movies. All of the big names are back , Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Sammo Hung and lets not forget Jean Claude Van Damme.
So you don’t miss out , we’ve compiled a list of stand out movies which we think you should not miss.
So without further delay here are Amp’s Best Martial Arts Movies to look forward to in 2016
Note: Bookmark this article as we will keep this updated with more news, pictures, posters, trailers as we get them.
ContentsThe Best Martial Arts Movies To Look Forward To In 2016Ip Man 3 (Donnie Yen) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon : Sword of Destiny (Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh)Kickboxer: Vengeance(Jean-Claude Van Damme)The Deadly Reclaim (Wu Jing)The Monkey King 2 (Aaron Kwok)Rail Road Tigers (Jackie Chan)Kung Fu Yoga...
2016 is shaping up to be a classic year for fans of martial arts / action movies. All of the big names are back , Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Sammo Hung and lets not forget Jean Claude Van Damme.
So you don’t miss out , we’ve compiled a list of stand out movies which we think you should not miss.
So without further delay here are Amp’s Best Martial Arts Movies to look forward to in 2016
Note: Bookmark this article as we will keep this updated with more news, pictures, posters, trailers as we get them.
ContentsThe Best Martial Arts Movies To Look Forward To In 2016Ip Man 3 (Donnie Yen) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon : Sword of Destiny (Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh)Kickboxer: Vengeance(Jean-Claude Van Damme)The Deadly Reclaim (Wu Jing)The Monkey King 2 (Aaron Kwok)Rail Road Tigers (Jackie Chan)Kung Fu Yoga...
- 12/11/2015
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
Michael Jai White surprised his wife with some real estate ... on his body ... getting her name tattooed on his wedding ring finger -- a move that hasn't exactly worked out for him in the past. The star of "Spawn" and "Black Dynamite" went to T-Man Tattoo in Studio City, CA Tuesday night to get the sentimental ink for his wife Gillian Waters.T-Man owner Howard Teman tells TMZ ... Michael wanted a very personal touch for...
- 1/18/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The "booty is marinating" for a busy playboy who avoids disaster with his girlfriend while maintaining a half-dozen steamy affairs and looking for more women "who want to be played."
Starring MTV veejay Bill Bellamy ("love jones"), a number of players in HBO's "Def Comedy Jam" and Robert Townsend's "B.A.P.S". and many topless women, Gramercy Pictures' "Def Jam's How to Be a Player" is largely unsavory summer fodder destined to rouse only mild interest.
A crude, exploitative sex comedy about one man who pursues happiness with controllable women who crave his body, "Player" is surprisingly flat in terms of both filmmaking and the elementary screenplay.
Whereas movies as diverse as "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" and "Shampoo" have covered this territory with crowd-pleasing and critical success, "Player" caters to adolescents with fantasies about potent sex lives that have no dire consequences.
There's no doubt that self-nicknamed "Mandingo" Dray (Bellamy) is a charismatic scoundrel, but his victims are willing and use him with care. Undermined by the physical raunchiness and such foul shtick as Gilbert Gottfried's perverted nerd doorman character, the satire is narrated after a fashion by the supremely confident lead.
Under the lackluster guidance of first-time director Lionel C. Martin, a veteran of music videos, "Player" feels like a sitcom pilot for the Nudity Channel. Perfectly dressed himself and prepared for action, with a potent rap, Dray makes the rounds one day with his hapless but aggressively rude pals -- David (Pierre), Kilo (Jermaine "Big Hugg" Hopkins) and Spootie (A.J. Johnson).
Going steady with unsuspecting Lisa (Lark Voorhies), Dray lets his nosy sister (Natalie Desselle) and her flirtatious friend (Mari Morrow) examine his apartment for a college anthropology project. The feisty sister, who has been in love and been hurt, goes on the warpath when Morrow's character falls for Dray.
We're introduced to the hero's lovers in a phone-message sequence that sets the naughty tone, but more extended visits with Beverly Johnson, Stacii Jae Johnson, Amber Smith and Gillian Iliana Waters lead to a climactic party where Dray is set up to lose all his girlfriends and "repent."
The film's nominal high point comes when Max Julien -- star of the 1973 film "The Mack", a poster of which Dray has in his apartment -- puts in a cameo appearance as the inspiration for Dray's prodigious appetite for females. As a jealous husband, Bernie Mac joins the rest of the cast in using manic energy to no avail. Still, Bellamy and everyone else emerge unscathed.
The TV stand-up comedy roots of the creative talent are all too evident, from uninspired production design to awkward pacing, and even the Def Jam soundtrack is not playable enough.
DEF JAM'S HOW TO BE A PLAYER
Gramercy Pictures
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment presents
An Island Pictures production
in association with Outlaw Prods.
Director Lionel C. Martin
Screenwriters Mark Brown, Demetria Johnson
Producers Mark Burg, Todd Baker,
Russell Simons, Preston Holmes
Executive producers Robert Newmyer,
Jeffrey Silver, Stan Lathan
Production designer Bruce Curtis
Costume designer Mimi Melgaard
Editor William Young
Music Darren Floyd
Casting Jaki Brown-Karman,
Robyn M. Mitchell
Color/stereo
Cast:
Drayton Jackson Bill Bellamy
Jenny Jackson Natalie Desselle
Lisa Lark Voorhies
Katrina Mari Morrow
David Pierre
Robin Beverly Johnson
Kilo Jermaine Hopkins
Spootie A.J. Johnson
Uncle Fred Max Julien
Running time -- 93 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Starring MTV veejay Bill Bellamy ("love jones"), a number of players in HBO's "Def Comedy Jam" and Robert Townsend's "B.A.P.S". and many topless women, Gramercy Pictures' "Def Jam's How to Be a Player" is largely unsavory summer fodder destined to rouse only mild interest.
A crude, exploitative sex comedy about one man who pursues happiness with controllable women who crave his body, "Player" is surprisingly flat in terms of both filmmaking and the elementary screenplay.
Whereas movies as diverse as "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" and "Shampoo" have covered this territory with crowd-pleasing and critical success, "Player" caters to adolescents with fantasies about potent sex lives that have no dire consequences.
There's no doubt that self-nicknamed "Mandingo" Dray (Bellamy) is a charismatic scoundrel, but his victims are willing and use him with care. Undermined by the physical raunchiness and such foul shtick as Gilbert Gottfried's perverted nerd doorman character, the satire is narrated after a fashion by the supremely confident lead.
Under the lackluster guidance of first-time director Lionel C. Martin, a veteran of music videos, "Player" feels like a sitcom pilot for the Nudity Channel. Perfectly dressed himself and prepared for action, with a potent rap, Dray makes the rounds one day with his hapless but aggressively rude pals -- David (Pierre), Kilo (Jermaine "Big Hugg" Hopkins) and Spootie (A.J. Johnson).
Going steady with unsuspecting Lisa (Lark Voorhies), Dray lets his nosy sister (Natalie Desselle) and her flirtatious friend (Mari Morrow) examine his apartment for a college anthropology project. The feisty sister, who has been in love and been hurt, goes on the warpath when Morrow's character falls for Dray.
We're introduced to the hero's lovers in a phone-message sequence that sets the naughty tone, but more extended visits with Beverly Johnson, Stacii Jae Johnson, Amber Smith and Gillian Iliana Waters lead to a climactic party where Dray is set up to lose all his girlfriends and "repent."
The film's nominal high point comes when Max Julien -- star of the 1973 film "The Mack", a poster of which Dray has in his apartment -- puts in a cameo appearance as the inspiration for Dray's prodigious appetite for females. As a jealous husband, Bernie Mac joins the rest of the cast in using manic energy to no avail. Still, Bellamy and everyone else emerge unscathed.
The TV stand-up comedy roots of the creative talent are all too evident, from uninspired production design to awkward pacing, and even the Def Jam soundtrack is not playable enough.
DEF JAM'S HOW TO BE A PLAYER
Gramercy Pictures
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment presents
An Island Pictures production
in association with Outlaw Prods.
Director Lionel C. Martin
Screenwriters Mark Brown, Demetria Johnson
Producers Mark Burg, Todd Baker,
Russell Simons, Preston Holmes
Executive producers Robert Newmyer,
Jeffrey Silver, Stan Lathan
Production designer Bruce Curtis
Costume designer Mimi Melgaard
Editor William Young
Music Darren Floyd
Casting Jaki Brown-Karman,
Robyn M. Mitchell
Color/stereo
Cast:
Drayton Jackson Bill Bellamy
Jenny Jackson Natalie Desselle
Lisa Lark Voorhies
Katrina Mari Morrow
David Pierre
Robin Beverly Johnson
Kilo Jermaine Hopkins
Spootie A.J. Johnson
Uncle Fred Max Julien
Running time -- 93 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
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