Chris Brown Movies
Born in Tappahannock, VA, R&B vocalist Chris Brown shot from obscurity to instant celebrity in 2005, when the release of his blockbuster single "Run It!" (produced by Scott Storch) qualified the then 16-year-old as the first male solo recording artist to issue a track that went straight to the top of the Billboard singles chart. In no time at all, Brown landed a covetable recording contract with Jive records, and his first two albums, an eponymous 2005 release and the 2007 Exclusive, performed sensationally well. Like many of his R&B and hip-hop predecessors, Brown soon segued from music into filmed entertainment, first as the subject of the 2006 documentary Chris Brown's Journey, then with supporting dramatic roles in such productions as the dance-themed urban drama Stomp the Yard (2007) and the holiday-themed family drama This Christmas. Brown graduated to star billing with his turn in Phenom (2008), as a high-school basketball whiz-turned-professional player whose team must go head-to-head on the court with the team to which his NBA-playing father belongs. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
A Los Angeles detective races to bust a group of notorious thieves before they can carry out a 20-million-dollar heist in this crime thriller from director/co-screenwriter John Luessenhop and writing partner Avery Duff. Their heists are planned to perfection, and they never leave behind a shred of evidence. But when greed gets the best of the gang and they agree to one last job, one seasoned detective (Matt Dillon) vows to put them behind bars for good. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, (more)
- 2008
After a high school basketball prodigy (Chris Brown) goes pro and snooping journalists discover that he's the illegitimate son of a prominent NBA star, the playoffs get particularly interesting as father and son's respective teams appear poised to square off in the biggest game of the year. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Chris Brown
Three filmmakers attempting to shoot a gritty documentary about life in the inner city find their mission complicated as the best friend of one of their subjects attempts to take center stage in the film, drawing the trio behind the camera directly into the very world they were attempting to observe objectively. Brooklyn-based filmmakers Justin, Dana, and John were determined to make their mark in the film industry by crafting a film that allows the viewer to experience firsthand the hardships of living in the city. While Justin chooses to hit the beat with NYPD cops Dan Masterson and Alex Mora (the latter of whom is currently aiding his son in a valiant fight against cancer) his partners opt to focus on telling the tale of Thomas Coventry - an underprivileged African American youth who seems poised to break the cycle of poverty that has plagued his family for generations. When Thomas' unstable friend Nate complicates the situation, however, violence and emotion quickly threaten to cloud the filmmaker's objectivity. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michael Stahl-David, Matt Servitto, (more)
A young man finds that the moves he learned on the street may help him make a better life for himself in this youth-oriented musical drama. DJ Williams (Columbus Short) is a 19-year-old growing up in Los Angeles; while DJ is at heart a good kid and a gifted street dancer, he runs with a dangerous crowd, and one night an underground dance competition turns into a brawl and DJ ends up in jail. DJ's younger brother has already died a violent death, and his mother, hoping to put him back on the straight and narrow, sends DJ off to Truth University, a historically African-American college in Atlanta. At first, DJ feels like a misfit at Truth, but when he gets a chance to show off his dancing skills, he attracts the attention of two campus fraternities. Greek life is a major presence at Truth, and each year the fraternities take part in a "stepping" competition, in which the members show off their synchronized dance moves. DJ joins the ONO house, and is eager to help them take the championship away from their campus rivals, but in time he also comes to understand the brotherhood and community service that's a key part of his fraternity's background. DJ also has more on his mind than dancing and studying when he meets April (Meagan Good), a beautiful coed. Produced under the title Steppin', Stomp the Yard also stars Ne-Yo, Brian J. White, and Jermaine Williams. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Columbus Short, Meagan Good, (more)
Upon gathering together under one roof for the first time in seven years, an estranged family celebrating Christmas rediscovers long-forgotten bonds in this holiday family reuniondrama starring Delroy Lindo, Regina King, and Mekhi Phifer. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, (more)
Pop-flavored R&B vocalist Chris Brown gets up close and personal with his fans as film crews follow him from the Grammys to the U.K. and Japan in preparation for his first international concert tour. Of course a Chris Brown release wouldn't be complete without the inclusion of such chart-topping hits as "Run It!", "Yo (Excuse me Miss)", and "Gimme That", and in addition music videos for each one of those three fan favorites and a live performance from Rhapsody.com, Brown also offers a peek behind-the-scenes with a look at the making of the videos, a quick lesson in krumping, and a hilarious collection of bloopers. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
An aspiring ballerina from a wealthy family learns some lessons about both dancing and life from a roughneck with soul in this teen drama. Tyler Gage (Channing Tatum) grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in a rough section of Baltimore, and has been in and out of trouble with the law most of his life. Finding himself before the judge yet again, Tyler is sentenced to 200 hours of community service, and he ends up mopping floors at the Maryland School of the Arts. Tyler catches the eye of Nora (Jenna Dewan), a gifted ballet student who is trying to incorporate hip-hop moves into her classical routines. None of Nora's fellow students seem to be on the same page as her, but Tyler is a talented street dancer with strength, moves, and enthusiasm. Despite the misgivings of the school's administrators, Nora persuades Tyler to team up with her for a major class project. Tyler gains a new self-respect as he gives in to the discipline of the dance academy, but he wonders if this new opportunity means turning his back on who he really is. Matters become all the more complicated when Tyler and Nora realize they're falling in love. Step Up was the first directorial credit for choreographer Anne Fletcher, who designed dance routines for the films Bring It On, She's All That, and Boogie Nights. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, (more)
