Keith David Movies

Documentary filmmaker Peter Spirer directed this follow-up to his film Beef. Just like the first movie, Beef II studies the many feuds that both fuel and plague the world of hip-hop music. Featuring narration by actor Keith David (Platoon, Clockers), the film features interview with such rap stars as Cypress Hill, 50 Cent, Nelly, Ice Cube, Sticky Fingaz, and many others. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury picks up where the original Pitch Black left off as Riddick is pitted against a ruthless bounty hunter in this animated prequel to the big-event summer movie The Chronicles of Riddick. Vin Diesel returns as the voice of the mysterious hero, with Keith David and Rhiana Griffith also reprising their roles from the first film. Directed by acclaimed animator Peter Chung (Aeon Flux, The Animatrix: Matriculated), this 30-minute direct-to-DVD feature promises highly stylized action and dynamic visuals that are sure to amaze and delight. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

A teen learns that all the gadgets in the world can't help him overcome his awkwardness around the opposite sex in this big-budget family entertainment. In Agent Cody Banks, Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz plays a young man plucked from suburban obscurity to be trained as a CIA super-agent. His mission? Get friendly with his classmate Natalie (played by another teen TV star, Lizzie McGuire's Hilary Duff) so that he can uncover her father's diabolical scheme to create indestructible robots. To compound his problems, Cody also has to deal with the same stresses as any adolescent: nagging parents, insufferable classwork, and a fragile sense of self-esteem. Agent Cody Banks was produced by MGM, not coincidentally the studio responsible for another popular spy franchise, the venerable James Bond series. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

Originally intended as a four-part miniseries, Kingdom of David: The Saga of the Israelites made its U.S. debut as a two-part PBS special on May 14 and 21, 2003. Narrated by Keith David, with character voices provided by an impressive lineup of prominent actors, the program is dedicated to the thesis that the Israelites and the Jewish faith changed human history "as much as any empire that ever existed." Persecuted and slaughtered for practicing monotheism at a time when the prevailing belief was in multiple gods, the Kingdom of David kept itself united and solvent by passing along the history and traditions of its elders in written form (the "religion of the book"). Among the subjects explored are the formation of the laws of the Jews, the origins of their customs, and their strongly held and strictly enforced moral values. Individual episode titles include "By the Rivers of Babylon," "The Book and the Sword," "The End of Days," and "The Gifts of the Jews." As often as possible, Kingdom of David was filmed on the exact locations where the historical events described herein occurred. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Can a high-attitude African-American politician who says what he thinks stand a chance in a presidential campaign? Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is a straight-talking alderman representing a inner-city neighborhood in Washington, D.C. In the midst of a hard-fought race for the White House, the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates are killed in an airline crash, and with little time to prepare a new campaign, the Republican candidate, Vice President Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy), seems all but guaranteed to win. With practically nothing to loose, party head Martin Geller (Dylan Baker) approaches Gilliam and asks him to stand as the Democrat's presidential candidate. While Gilliam is dubious at first, before long his streetwise style and willingness to face the issues head-on earns him surprising figures in the polls, especially after he persuades his short-fused older brother, Mitch Gilliam (Bernie Mac), to join the ticket as vice presidential candidate -- a big jump for a bail bondsman. Gilliam's love life also becomes more complicated as his ex-girlfriend Kim (Robin Givens) decides she wants him back now that he has a shot at the White House, even though Gilliam only has eyes for Lisa (Tamala Jones). Head of State marked the directorial debut for comic and actor Chris Rock, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, John Stewart, aka The Green Lantern, must come to the rescue of his fellow "Lanterns," several of whom have pitted their lives against the alien minions of the evil Despero. John is alerted to this peril by another "Lantern" named Kilowog, who has escaped the villain's clutches and made his way to the headquarters of the Justice League. Complicating matters is the presence of Stewart's mentor and former sweetheart Kama Tui, who has apparently sold out to Despero. ~ All Movie Guide

This ambitious cable TV documentary miniseries used the Bible and other written historical sources as a starting-off point for a brand-new exploration of the life and times of Jesus Christ. A team of archaeologists sought out verification of the words of the Scripture by excavating the area in and around the Holy Land, while a group of historians pored through ancient manuscripts and cross-referenced the results. Though some more pious observers feared that the series was a debunking exercise, at no time did anyone involved in the series deny the existence of Jesus or his influence on modern civilization. However, certain fascinating theories, backed up by the expert's findings, were promoted, among them the notion that the Bethlehem in which Christ was born may have been a smaller town with the same name as the more famous Bethlehem, one closer to the home turf of Mary and Joseph. Other speculations: The Last Supper might have been an invention of the early church, tied in with an existing Easter ceremony, and the Crucifixion could well have taken place some distance from the Rock of Calvary. Also seen were new and occasionally contradictory theories concerning the "lost" years between Jesus' childhood and his emergence as the spiritual head of a new religious movement. Individual episode titles in the four-part series included "The Lost Youth of Jesus," "From Galilee to Jerusalem," "The Way of the Cross," and "The Mysteries of Golgotha." In the Footsteps of Jesus was telecast by the History Channel from April 15 to 18, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Leonardo Ricagni, director of the 1998 Uruguayan comedy El Chevrolé, helmed this straight-to-video ensemble crime thriller, in which the main character is a bag of money. Initially belonging to a casino on an Indian reservation, The Chief (Russell Means) hires The Hitman (Chris O'Donnell) to track the bag down when it turns up missing. As The Hitman gets closer and closer to finding it, the bag of dough passes through the hands of several other nameless characters, including The Waitress, played by Rachael Leigh Cook, The Drifter, played by Jeremy Davies, and The Sheriff, played by Keith David. Before hitting American video-store shelves in 2003, 29 Palms screened at the München Fantasy Filmfest and the Cologne Fantasy Film Festival, both in Germany. The film should not be confused with the 2004 Bruno Dumont picture of the same name. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Inside Islam traces the roots of this often misunderstood faith back to its origins within the Hebrew Bible, as well as providing information concerning how the religion's central tenets helped spread Islam throughout the world. This video provides information on what the Qu'Ran says about topics ranging from violence to suicide, and how many aspects of Islam have been distorted by extremists. Experts such as Khaled Abou el Fadl, author of Speaking in God's Name, offer their insights on the challenges facing the controversial religion today, among them being a crisis in authority and deep divisions among many sects. Islam is the second largest of the world's predominant religions, as well as the fastest growing. Inside Islam originally aired on the History Channel. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

Calvin (Ice Cube) never wanted to take over the family business, a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Disgusted with the shop's crime-ridden neighborhood, and caught up in his moneymaking schemes, one morning Calvin decides to sell the shop to the shady Lester (Keith David). Chastised by his pregnant wife, Jennifer (Jazsmin Lewis), for his rash decision, Calvin spends the day cutting heads at the shop, and starts to understand the importance of the legacy his grandfather and father have left to him. The bickering barbers include Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer), the old-timer with his own unique perspective on black life; Terri (rapper Eve in her film debut), a hot-tempered woman with a trifling boyfriend; Jimmy (Sean Patrick Thomas), a college educated snob; Ricky (Michael Ealy) a reformed criminal; Isaac (Troy Garity, the son of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden), a white B-Boy, whom no one is ready to let cut their hair; and Dinka (Leonard Howze), a recent African immigrant who's too shy to express his feelings for Terri. Calvin learns to appreciate them all, and discovers that the place where they work is more than just a place to get a haircut -- it's a meeting place for the neighborhood, a place where folks can speak their minds and find out what's happening. Calvin gradually changes his mind about selling the shop, but it may be too late. Meanwhile, a bumbling thief, J.D. (Anthony Anderson) spends a painful day trying to crack open the ATM he's stolen from the grocery store across the street. Barbershop was directed by Tim Story and produced by George Tillman Jr. and Robert Teitel, the producers of Soul Food. Barbershop had its world premiere at the 2002 Urbanworld Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide