William Packer
- 2009
A married couple's (Idris Elba and Beyoncé Knowles) life is thrown into disarray when a temporary office worker (Ali Larter) develops an obsessive crush on the man in this Screen Gems thriller. Cable veteran Steve Shill (Big Love, The Wire) directs from a script by David Loughery, with Beyoncé and her father, Mathew Knowles, acting as executive producers. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles, (more)
- 2009
A Los Angeles detective races to bust a group of hip 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. Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, as well as entertainers T.I. and Chris Brown star in the Screen Gems production. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt Dillon, Idris Elba, (more)
Shante Smith reprises her role from Two Can Play at That Game for this sequel that finds the popular relationship expert who draws on her knowledge of the male psyche to help females accomplish their relationship goals. Vivica A. Fox, Jason George, and Jazsmin Lewis co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vivica A. Fox, Jason George, (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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, (more)
Two hapless stoners who have grown tired rehab become willingly locked into a dangerous scheme to rip off the city's most feared criminal kingpin in this smoked-out comedy starring Danny Masterson and Mekhi Phifer, and rolled in the red-eyed tradition of such Cheech and Chong classics as Up in Smoke. In the world of pot-heads Larry (Masterson) and Rico (Ronnie Warner), the name Mr. Big is a name to be both feared and respected. Thrills are hard to come by these days though, and when Larry and Rico decide to ditch rehab for a shot at the big time, they quickly discover that you don't get a big reputation without playing a big game. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Close friends become unexpected rivals as they struggle to keep their spiritual home alive in this musical drama from writer and director Rob Hardy. David (Michael J. Pagan) and Frank (Sean Nelson) are two close friends who are members of the same Baptist church in Atlanta. The teenagers have developed a deep and abiding faith in Christ, and both aspire to become ministers some day; David, who has also become a star vocalist with the choir, is thought to have a head start since his father is the congregation's pastor, Bishop Taylor (Clifton Powell). However, David's faith is shaken when his mother dies while giving birth to another child, and when Bishop Taylor fails to arrive at the hospital in time, David runs away from home, turning his back on his father and his church. Fifteen years later, aging Bishop Taylor has announced he's retiring, and Frank (Idris Elba), now a reverend, seems poised to take his place. However, the church is in dire financial shape, and no one is sure how long Rev. Frank's flock will have a church to call home. Meanwhile, David (Boris Kodjoe) has used his musical talents to become a top-selling R&B singer, and his latest hit record, "Let Me Undress You," suggests he's given up on the faith of his youth. But David has been undergoing a spiritual crisis, and when he learns his father is ailing and the church is in dire shape, he returns to Atlanta in hopes of finding himself and keeping the church afloat. Not everyone regards this as good news, though; Rev. Frank, who sees his position in the church as a stepping stone to bigger things in the gospel music business and establishing a high-profile ministry, is not eager to share the spotlight with David, especially when the prodigal star begins organizing a large-scale fundraiser for the church. The Gospel features musical contributions from a number of leading gospel artists, including Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Yolanda Adams. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Boris Kodjoe, Clifton Powell, (more)
A man is forced to deal with the dire consequences of his actions in this drama. Emery Simms (Shemar Moore) is a guy who seemingly has it all: a successful business, the respect of his friends, and a beautiful wife, Constance (Vivica A. Fox); however, beneath the surface not all is well in Emery's world. He's been cheating on his wife with a woman named Allannah (Golden Brooks), and he's become unwittingly involved in a murder. Between a talkative witness to the killing and Allannah's former boyfriend who holds a grudge, Emery sees his world is starting to fall apart now that he has trouble he can't solve by throwing around some money. Motives also features Joe Torry, Mel Jackson, and Keshia Knight Pulliam. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shemar Moore, Vivica A. Fox, (more)
A woman's infidelity leads her into a web of larceny and danger in this noir-flavored independent thriller. Mia DuBois (Monica Calhoun) is a psychologist who until recently worked with the police department, counseling the survivors of victims of violent crime. While Mia has entered into a successful private practice, she's persuaded by her former colleagues to take on new client, Tammy (Chrystale Wilson), who is still dealing with the recent murder of her husband. As Mia helps Tammy with her problems, Mia finds herself thinking about her own marriage to Victor (Kristoff St. John), which has hardly been happy lately. As Mia begins wondering if she has other options, she visits a mysterious nightclub, Pandora's Box, where she meets the sexy and mysterious Hampton (Michael Jai White). Mia soon begins having an affair with Hampton, unaware that Hampton is actually working with Victor and Tammy; Mia is soon to inherit $20 million, and Victor is determined to get his hands on the money. Hampton soon shifts his alliances to stay with Mia, but Victor and Tammy are not giving up their shares of the fortune quite so easily. Pandora's Box also features former teen heartthrob Joey Lawrence in a supporting role. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monica Calhoun, Michael Jai White, (more)
- 2000
- NC17
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Atlanta attorney Jermaine (Gary Dourdan) wants to enliven his sex life with wife Jasmine (Kenya Moore) by having a threesome. Jasmine somewhat grudgingly agrees, and Jermaine's buddy Terrance (Soloman K. Smith) hooks him up with the comely Jade (Gretchen Palmer). Jermaine enters into a secret agreement with her to pay for a ménage à trois, but after the deed is done, Jade becomes increasingly unhinged as the married couple expresses no desire for further carnal commingling. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Dourdan, Kenya Moore, (more)
