Sean Combs Movies
Initially rising to fame thanks to his skillful rhymes and savvy business skills, rapper-turned-actor Sean Combs surprised audiences who may have doubted his dramatic abilities by turning in a moving and unforgettable appearance as a death-row inmate whose wife seeks solace in the arms of the man who executed him in Marc Foster's acclaimed 2001 drama Monster's Ball. Though subsequent roles in the 2003 musical comedy Death of a Dynasty and the 2004 made-for-television drama Love in Vain give testament that Combs' Hollywood aspirations are still very much in tact, he continues to hold on to his status as one of hip-hop's most powerful players thanks to a series of hit albums and collaborations, as well as a successful clothing line which bears his namesake. Born to a working class couple in Harlem, NY, the murder of Combs' father when the future superstar was a mere two years old prompted his mother to relocate to Mount Vernon to provide a safer environment for young Sean and his sister, Keisha.Combs' skills for paying the bills was evident early on when the entrepreneurial youngster landed a paper route at 12, and not long after that the aspiring businessman was receiving his higher education at the esteemed Howard University. An internship at Uptown Entertainment found Combs' connections expanding and real-world experience growing, with Combs achieving the status of director of A&R for the company by the age of just nineteen. In the years that followed, Combs would not only shape the careers of such popular artists as Mary J. Blige and Jodeci, but also build a successful career as a recording artist himself with such albums as his debut No Way Out and the follow-up Forever. Combs' performance in Monster's Ball opposite Halle Berry may have been the first feature performance that brought him widespread recognition in film, though to that point, the multifaceted rapper had made numerous cameos and personal appearances on multiple talk shows and awards programs.
Although he maintained a successful music career, he also wanted to make it as an actor. To that end, he appeared in the sequel to Carlito's Way and earned positive reviews for his work in a 2008 version of A Raisin in the Sun. In 2010 he had an excellent supporting turn in the comedy Get Him to the Greek and spoofed himself in I'm Still Here. He also executive produced the high-school football documentary Undefeated which won the Oscar for best Documentary Feature. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
An ambitious young record company executive attempts to transport an unpredictable rock star to L.A.'s Greek Theatre in time for his hotly anticipated comeback performance in this spin-off of the comedy hit Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) has just landed his dream job in the record industry, and he's eager to prove his worth. His first assignment: travel to London and escort British rock god Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) to the show that will re-ignite his career. Before he departs, Aaron is warned by his boss Sergio Roma (Sean Combs) to never let Aldous out of his sight, and never underestimate his capacity for mayhem. Immensely talented yet deeply tortured, Aldous hit the bottle hard after his popularity began to wane and his girl walked out on him. Aldous is locked in the midst of an existential crisis, and rues the thought of being accompanied across the pond by an insincere sycophant. Though it seems like sex is the only thing Aldous ever thinks about, his thoughts turn to romance when he discovers that gorgeous model/pop singer Jackie Q (Rose Byrne) will be in Los Angeles at the time of his concert, too. Jackie Q is the love of Aldous' life, and he'll do anything and everything to win her heart. With the concert fast approaching and Aaron's fledgling career on the line, the race is on to get Aldous to the Greek, and ensure the big show goes off without a hitch. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, (more)
The football program at Manassas High School in Memphis, TN, has earned a powerful reputation during the school's 110-year history, but unfortunately it doesn't happen to be a positive one. The Manassas team has never been eligible for a single play-off game, and no one expected this to change before Bill Courtney entered the picture. Courtney was a businessman and football fan who took it upon himself to do something about the Manassas football program; he volunteered his services as coach and began shaping a hapless team into one with genuine prospects. Filmmakers Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin followed Courtney and his players through the 2009 season, and their documentary Undefeated examines the coach's efforts to give the school a winning record, as well as the sometimes complex relationship between Courtney, a white, wealthy businessman, and his players, who are all black and mostly come from communities stuck in a cycle of poverty and crime. Undefeated received its world premiere at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Fox Searchlight presents the tragic life story of rap star Notorious B.I.G. from director George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food) and executive producer Sean "Diddy" Combs. The script is provided by Cheo Hodari Coker and Biker Boyz writer/director Reggie Rock Blythewood. Jamal Woolard portrays the slain rapper, with Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, and Anthony Mackie filling out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
- Starring:
- Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, (more)
Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan, and John Stamos all return to reprise the roles they originally played on Broadway in this made for television take on Lorraine Hansbury's timeless play about a 1950s-era Chicago family longing for a better life. Walter Lee has died, and now his widow Lena Younger (Rashad) is about to receive a $10,000 check from her late-husband's insurance company. Everyone in the family dreams about the ways their lives will be changed with the arrival of the money, family matriarch Lena - who longs to retire from her job as a domestic servant for a wealthy white family - in particular. Having lived in a one room tenement apartment ever since she and her late husband originally married, Lena is eager to purchase a house of her own and provide her family with a real home. Lena's son Walter Lee, Jr. (Combs), currently employed as a chauffer, and has recently become taken with the idea of purchasing a liquor store as a means of solving his family's financial woes. Like her mother-in-law, Walter's wife Ruth (McDonald) is also a domestic servant for a white family, and dreams of the day she can walk away from her job. While Walter's sister Beneatha (Lathan) strives to become a medical professional, tuition is expensive and she is currently being pursued by two men - wealthy but superficial George Murchison (Sean Patrick Thomas) and intellectual classmate Joseph Asagai (David Oyelowo). Much to everyone's surprise, Lena uses the lion's share of the money to purchase a home in the all-white residential neighborhood of Cllaybourne, splitting the remainder between Walter (for his entrepreneurial endeavor) and Beneatha (for tuition). Around the same time Walter loses his share of the inheritance to a smooth talking con man who claimed he could help finance the liquor store, the Claybourne "home improvement" association makes the discovery that the Youngers are black and sends emissary Mr. Lindner (John Stamos) to try prevent their neighborhood from becoming integrated by buying the house back. Now faced with the prospect of losing it all, Walter considers making a deal with Mr. Lindner in order to recover his losses. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sean Combs, Audra McDonald, (more)
- 2008
Directed by filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and produced by journalist Elvis Mitchell, this collaborative documentary offers an informative collection of portraits of twenty influential African Americans ranging from powerful CEOs to prolific artists, well-known politicians, and dedicated activists. Artist Bill T. Jones discusses the reaction of his contemporaries after he described himself as an artist first and a black man second, Chris Rock describes how equality in sports didn't come about until there were bad black athletes in the major leagues, and Vernon Jordan ponders the reason why there is a clear definition of black America while white America remains a vague, undefined standard. Other conversations find Academy Award-winning actor Lou Gossett Jr. discussing institutionalized racism and its effect on his onscreen career, museum curator Thelma Golden reflecting on the times when people mistakenly assumed she was her own assistant, and, by contrast, the manner in which author Toni Morrison was encouraged as a young girl to believe that women can be just as strong as men. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elvis Mitchell
- 2007
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Hip hop fans know just what a remarkable impact the late Notorious B.I.G. had on the world of modern music, and in this documentary filmmakers come closer to uncovering the man behind the myth than ever before. His loose, silky smooth flow and unique rhyme style made him stand well apart from the pack, yet despite his success Notorious B.I.G. would eventually become an unfortunate victim of the violent East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud. With seldom seen home video footage, newly-released interview captured shortly before his death, footage of the crime scene, and recollections from such close friends and collaborators as Easy Mo Bee, Raekwon, Ditty, and Method Man, this comprehensive portrait of a hip hop superstar will have fans dusting off their old copies of Life After Death for another, nostalgic listen. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- 2005
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R&B superstar Usher shows off his sexy and soulful style in this home-video release. Usher: Rhythm City, Vol. 1 -- Caught Up features a 30-minute short film which expands on Usher's video for the song "Caught Up," as well as a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the movie. Also included is the original "Caught Up" video and clips for the songs "Yeah," "Confessions," "Caught Up," "Burn," and more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Usher
- 2005
Another of MTV's reality-based sitcoms -- or was it a sitcom-based reality show? -- Run's House focused on the family of rapper-turned-minister Joey "Run" Simmons, of Run-D.M.C. fame. Preferring to be called "Rev Run," the protagonist was the benign ruler of a rambunctious but good-natured household consisting of his wife, Justine, and children, Russy, Diggy, Angela, JoJo, and Vanessa. Holding the "plot" together was Run's ongoing effort to keep his brood reined in while busily recording his comeback album (a situation surprisingly close to that of the like-vintage TLC documentary series Tuckerville, which featured Tanya Tucker and her family). It so happened that his kids also wanted to be in showbiz, an aspiration that Run was fully in favor of provided they kept their grades up and their heads on straight. Run's House began running on October 13, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Joey "Run" Simmons, Justine Simmons, (more)
In this belated prequel to director Brian De Palma's 1993 crime drama, gangster Carlito Brigante (Jay Hernandez) rises through the ranks of the New York underworld to establish himself as Spanish Harlem's most powerful kingpin. As the intoxication of ultimate power tightens its firm grip on the rising heroin czar, he soon learns that greed and deception are the unspoken laws of the street. With no one to trust except for his two brothers in crime, Carlito begins building an empire founded on supplying the city's addicts with the one product that is always in demand. His dreams of ruling the city finally becoming a reality, Carlito soon learns that the only way to sustain his power is through loyalty and respect. Adapted from author Edwin Torres' acclaimed novel, Carlito's Way: Rise to Power also stars Mario Van Peebles, Luis Guzmán, and Sean Combs. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jay Hernandez, Mario Van Peebles, (more)
One of the biggest artists in hip-hop, rapper Jay-Z surprised fans in 2003 when he announced he would retire following the release of his hotly anticipated collection The Black Album. In November of 2003, not long after the album hit stores, Jay-Z staged a special show at New York City's Madison Square Garden, in which he performed alongside some of the most popular and influential acts in hip-hop and R&B, including R. Kelly, Beyoncé Knowles, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, ?uestlove, Pharrell Williams, P. Diddy, and more. Billed as Jay-Z's final solo performance (though he would stage a collaborative tour with R. Kelly in the fall of 2004), Fade to Black is a concert documentary that captures both the action on-stage and the celebration behind the scenes; the film also features an inside look at the making of The Black Album. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jay-Z
Hip-hop mogul Damon Dash (Paper Soldiers) directs this semi-autobiographical film based on his life as the proprietor of Roc-a-Fella Records. Ebon Moss-Bachrach stars as David Katz, a reporter who, upon interviewing rap producer Damon (Capone), finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the high-class world of hip-hop. Before he knows it, Katz ignites a war within the label that could bring down the operation for good. A bevy of celebrities from all walks of life make appearances, including Riddick Bowe, Lorraine Bracco, Mariah Carey, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Carson Daly, Jay-Z, Chloe Sevigny, James Toback, and countless others. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Devon Aoki, (more)
- 2002
With Ozzy's new album about to hit the streets, Sharon, Kelly, and the family patriarch head to New York City for a promotional tour that includes appearances on TRL and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Meanwhile, Jack proves a little too rebellious for the "hippy" camp he's attending and begins to pack his bags for the voyage home. With everyone returning home in time to celebrate Kelly's 17th birthday, an all-out celebration ensues and, much to her parent's dismay, the birthday girl gets a tattoo. Amidst all of the birthday chaos, Jack entertains an overnight female guest behind a locked bedroom door. In addition to featuring an appearance by O'Brien, rapper Puff Daddy also turns up in this episode. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, (more)
- 2002
Given a limited theatrical release in May of 2002 under the title The Hamptons Project, this two-part TV documentary is the handiwork of Oscar-winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple (Harlan County USA). Shot between Memorial Day and Labor Day of 2001, the program chronicles the residents and visitors of the Hamptons, New York's ritziest (and most celebrity-studded) resort community. Highlights include the annual Steeplechase; a "going the rounds" session with an aspiring singer; a young woman's efforts to land an eligible (and, one assumes, wealthy) bachelor; an elaborate wedding and equally elaborate funeral; and a school-auditorium piano recital by local resident Billy Joel. Other famous faces making cameo appearances are Alec Baldwin, Christie Brinkley, and Sean "P-Diddy" Combs. The TV version of The Hamptons was shown in two two-hour installments by ABC on June 2 and 3, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
In this reunion of Swingers co-stars Jon Favreau (making his feature directorial debut) and Vince Vaughn, the two star in a new Mob comedy set in the underbelly of New York City. Favreau plays Bobby, an aspiring boxer who has a lackluster record but refuses to give up his lifelong dream. Ricky (Vaughn) is a loose cannon hanger-on who dreams of breaking into the mob. When Bobby begins to get close to old-time Mob boss Max (Peter Falk), Ricky believes it is a way into organized crime. Max is more interested in Bobby carrying out orders, but he allows the two to perform a job In New York under the supervision of a smooth crime lord (music mogul Sean Combs). Ricky then is powered by the idea that he and Bobby are bigwigs in their new community of acquaintances and begins to assume the role of a high roller -- at the expense of his friend. Made, also written by Favreau, also features Sopranos regular Vincent Pastore, Famke Janssen, and Faizon Love in supporting roles. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, (more)
- 2001
- R
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Director Marc Forster, winner of Best Feature at Slamdance for his debut film Loungers (1996) and the "Someone to Watch" Independent Spirit Award for his indie drama Everything Put Together (2000), follows up those acclaimed projects with this intense, racially charged romance. Billy Bob Thornton stars as Georgia prison guard Hank Grotowski, a hard-drinking racist ex-cop whose father, Buck (Peter Boyle), is dying of emphysema and whose son, Sonny (Heath Ledger), works the execution detail at the prison's death row. When Sonny commits suicide, Hank is devastated and quits his job, spiraling into a deep depression until, one night, he comes to the aid of Leticia (Halle Berry), a beautiful African-American woman whose son, Tyrell (Coronji Calhoun), has been hit by a car. When Tyrell dies, Leticia and Hank find themselves to be unexpected soul mates linked together by tragic grief. It's not long before Hank discovers that Leticia is the widow of Lawrence Musgrove (Sean Combs), the man whose execution by electric chair he and his late son helped to orchestrate. Monster's Ball (2001) is based on a screenplay by actors Milo Addica and Will Rokos, who spent five years developing their script into a feature. Their title refers to the name of an English tradition requiring jailers to throw a party for a condemned man on the night before his death. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Starring:
- Billy Bob Thornton, Heath Ledger, (more)
- 1999
For the absolute best in the world of hip-hop music, why not go straight to The Source? Collecting some of the hottest acts on the scene onto one stage for an unforgettable night of music and awards, the 1999 Hip-Hop Music Awards features such talented performers as Lauryn Hill, Puff Daddy, DMX, and many, many more. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- 1998
Diana Ross hosts this four-hour TV special tracing the rise of Berry Gordy's Detroit-based Motown record label during the '60s. Clips were compiled from a variety of sources, including such TV shows as Teen Town, Where the Action Is and It's What's Happening Baby. The history covers the label's leading acts (Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye) and explores the talents who created the Motown style -- songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland and Norman Whitfield, choreographer Cholly Atkins, finishing-school director Maxine Powell, arranger Maurice King, and the rhythm section (pianist Earl van Dyke, drummer Ben Benjamin, and bassist James Jamerson). With background on Gordy, the story moves forward into Motown's film/TV production, the solo career of Diana Ross, the Commodores, Teena Marie, Rick James, and many others. Interviews include Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Branford Marsalis, Clive Davis, Jesse Jackson, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, George Schlatter, Julian Bond, Diahann Carroll, RuPaul, and Rod Stewart. The special premiered as a two-parter (February 15th and 19th, 1998) on ABC. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, (more)
- 1998
This 1998 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by David Duchovny and features musical guest Puff Daddy. ~ Skyler Miller, Rovi
- Starring:
- David Duchovny, Sean Combs, (more)
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