Jean-Claude LaMarre Movies

Andy Warhol was a phenomenon who warrants a lot of explaining: a completely colorless mega-star celebrity, and a kind of LaBrea Tarpit for a vivid and talented collection of oddballs in the New York scene. He fostered their continued degeneration into weird lifestyles and heavy drug use; and at the same time acted as their mentor, agent, and sponsor. One artist who came to be part of Warhol's "scene" was Jean Michel Basquiat, an antisocial street-bum who went from writing graffiti on alley walls to being the toast of New York City's art world. This film biography chronicles the progression of Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright) and his progression from living in cardboard boxes to penthouses, his romances, his drug use, and his death in 1988 at age 27. Along the way, he never stopped detesting the rich, including art agent Bruno Bischofberger (Dennis Hopper), and he never lost his naivete. Warhol (David Bowie) picks up some of the pieces as Basquiat lurches through the art scene. Cameo appearances by Tatum O'Neal and Courtney Love add spice to this interesting film. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Director Kevin Du Toit pays tribute to the day that most men and women dream about with this romantic comedy tracing the relationships between four black women and the men they long to marry. Finding that special someone can take a lifetime, so it's always important to make good choices while attempting to find a mate. In this comic look at the foibles of modern romance, viewers are invited to laugh along as a group of marriage-minded women endure a series of common complications while en route to the alter. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Actor/director/screenwriter Jean-Claude La Marre offers a controversial new vision of religious history with this interpretation of the Bible that presents Jesus Christ as a black man and suggests that the crucifixion, may, in fact, have been racially motivated. By exploring the last 48 hours in the life of Christ (La Marre), the director/screenwriter places the relationship shared between the Biblical Messiah and his disciples, the mindset of the Romans who occupied Judea, Joseph's relationship with his family, and the manner in which Mary and Joseph's family was affected by Jesus' persecution under the microscope to challenge conventional beliefs and encourage audiences to question the manner in which the story of Jesus has been interpreted by modern, organized religion. Beginning with the preparations of the Last Supper and ending with the Crucifixion that would set into motion one of the most spectacular stories ever told, Color of the Cross aims to tell a timeless and familiar tale from a fresh and thought-provoking new perspective. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Sphear Collins' comedy County General begins when a failing film student begins making a documentary about the hospital where his girlfriend works. Luckily for him, he captures a protest directed at the hospital. Unfortunately, he uncovers some truths about the hospital that some of the bigwigs would like to keep hidden. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

This made-for-cable thriller stars Omar Epps as Ofusu, one of nine asylum-seeking African refugees who sneak aboard a Russian cargo vessel en route to France. When the ship's captain (Joss Ackland) discovers the stowaways, he is reminded by his aggressively ambitious executive officer (Sean Pertwee) of France's current crackdown on illegal immigration, which could result in criminal and financial penalties for the crew and their parent company. To avoid embarrassment, the captain gives in to his exec's suggestion to murder the unwanted passengers and secretly dispose of their bodies at sea. Thus ensues a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, as Ofusu and his compatriots attempt to outwit their malevolent hosts -- who in turn must keep their murderous machinations hidden from a nosy representative of the shipping company (David Suchet). Slick, stylish, and suspenseful, this otherwise conventional thriller employs slasher-movie clichés in a unique setting and benefits from Epps' compelling performance. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

A young woman attempting to start a new life finds her faith challenged at every turn as she leaves home for college and befriends a fellow student with a dark secret. The time has come for Noelle (Eurika Pratts) to strike out on her own, and after packing her bags and saying goodbye to her pastor, she moves in with her ultra-conservative aunt and prepares to pursue a college education. But adjusting to life in a strict Christain household won't be easy for Noelle, especially after striking up a friendship with likeable fellow student Tasha (Ashley Shyne). While it may not be obvious to Noelle from the onset, Tasha is a deeply troubled soul. As Noelle begins to question her faith, a growing chasm opens between the conflicted student and her concerned aunt. Compounding the issue is a blossoming romance between Noelle and handsome classmate Curtis (Kel Mitchell). Despite the fact that Curtis seems like a nice enough guy on the surface, Noelle begins to wonder if romance is really possible during such a turbulent time in her life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

It's Young Guns meets Set It Off in this hip-hop take on the time-tested revenge Western. In the placid frontier town of Flatridge, sisters Sally (Licia Shearer) and Rachel (Monica Calhoun) live in relative peace -- until a roving gang of gold-diggers tear up the burgh, looking for buried riches. In their wake, one of them kills Sally, much to the consternation of Rachel, who happens to have once been a member of an infamous, all-femme gang known as The Roses. With her sister six feet under the ground and the town going to hell under the rule of the marauding outlaws, Rachel leaves Flatridge to round up her former compadres, Kim (Stacey Dash), Ming Li (Marie Matiko), Chastity (Lil' Kim), and Marie (LisaRaye). The fivesome return to the lawless town to oust the bad guys once and for all. Gang of Roses premiered in limited theatrical release at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles before making its way to home video. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

When a vengeful correctional office takes their best friend hostage, two close friends go to great lengths to free their pal in this cross-dressing caper comedy from freshman director John Myrick. Ramses (Glenn Plummer) is in trouble, and if his buddies John and Darnell don't come up with the ransom soon, his problems are about to get much worse. When John and Darnell learn that an African prince has arrived in town with a 20-million-dollar diamond in tow, they enlist the help of their friend Mouse (Jean-Claude LaMarre) in scamming the precious stone. As John and Darnell slip into women's clothes and attempt to get closer to the quirky prince, they soon learn that they're not the only ones with their sights set on the pricey rock. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The debut feature from writer/director/actor Jean-Claude LaMarre, Higher Ed stars rapper/actor Pras as Ed Green, a young track star from New York who jumps at the opportunity to accept a scholarship to a quaint Southern college. Unfortunately for Ed, his big-city problems follow him to his new small-town life. Also starring Aries Spears, Hill Harper, and Leila Arcieri, Higher Ed premiered at the 2001 Urbanworld Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

This comedy drama focuses on the trials and tribulations that a family goes through, always reconnecting over Sunday dinner. As a mother and father observe the sometimes difficult events of their grown children's lives, they have to pick when and where to become involved. From Alex, who opened a failed restaurant with her husband Sam, to Robert Jr. who's just welcomed a new baby into the world, the dinner table sees its share of laughter and tears, but over time each family member learns that they depend on each other to get through it - even when they're at each other's throats. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide

Writer-director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross-cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later, it jumps back to World War II-era Boston, where Malcolm Little (Denzel Washington) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan, Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane; as an adult, he turned to a life of crime, which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail, Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed, who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname (given his family by white slave owners), he meets the real Elijah Mohammed (Al Freeman, Jr.) upon exiting prison, and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz (Angela Bassett) follows, after which X spearheads a well-attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks, however, and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot, X leaves the Nation of Islam, embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory; renouncing his separatist beliefs, his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech, Malcolm X is shot and killed, reportedly by Nation of Islam members. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

Esai Morales becomes a regular in the role of Brooklyn homicide detective Lt. Tony Rodriguez. Setting up shop at the 15th precinct, Rodriguez imperiously takes over the investigation of the murder of an ex-cop's daughter. But after two of his own detectives screw up, Rodriguez relaxes a bit and allows the 15th's own Sorenson (Rick Schroder) and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) to clean up the case. Elsewhere, Andy breaks up with Cynthia (Juliana Donald) and again considers getting back together with his ex-wife Katie (Debra Monk), if only for the sake of his son Theo (Austin Majors). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The stars of Nora's Hair Salon return, along with some fresh new faces, in this sequel that finds Nora's estranged nieces at odds over what to do with their aunt's bustling business. Nora has willed her salon to her beloved nieces Lilliana (Tatyana Ali) and Simone (Stacey Dash), and now the two girls can't agree on whether to sell the business and cash in or continue to cater to their loyal client base. Lilliana is tired of trying to raise a son while constantly playing the role of peacekeeper between feuding stylists Delicious and Xenobia, but the salon holds a special place in her heart that she isn't quite ready to give up. But Simone has decided to sell the shop and make a pretty penny, leaving the conflicted Lilliana to choose between taking the quick payout and using all of her energy to keep the salon in business. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide