Tom "Tiny" Lister, Jr. Movies
Hardly diminutive, Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr. has made his imposing presence felt in a multitude of films since the mid-'80s. Originally a professional wrestler nicknamed Zeus and Z-Gangsta, the 6' 5" 275 lb. Lister retired in 1985 to pursue an acting career. After making his movie debut in director Hal Ashby's final film 8 Million Ways to Die (1985), Lister spent the rest of the 1980s working primarily in A and B movies heavy on action, including Runaway Train (1985), Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), and Walter Hill's Extreme Prejudice (1987). Lister earned his first starring role playing his wrestling alter ego Zeus in the Hulk Hogan vehicle No Holds Barred (1989). Lister continued his run of B films in the early '90s, as well as appearing in Walter Hill's higher profile actioner Trespass (1992) with future co-star Ice Cube, and Jean-Claude Van Damme's Universal Soldier (1992). As the 1990s went on, Lister played roles in a more varied assortment of films, including the quirky Johnny Depp/Marlon Brando/Faye Dunaway romantic fantasy Don Juan DeMarco (1995) and the Quentin Tarantino-wannabe noir Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995). Lister got to act for Tarantino himself in Jackie Brown, as well as play the President in Luc Besson's The Fifth Element. Lister's 1990s career also benefited from the decade's surge in African-American filmmaking, beginning with his starring role in Mario Van Peebles' Western Posse (1993). Lister subsequently starred as neighborhood bully Deebo opposite Ice Cube in the sleeper hit comedy Friday (1995). After appearing in comedian Martin Lawrence's A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996), Lister played a supporting role in Ice Cube's directorial debut The Players Club (1998), and starred as a hood in Master P's I Got the Hook-Up (1998). Adding to his eclectic credits in 2000, Lister notched another hit reprising his role as Deebo in the sequel Next Friday (2000), and co-starred as one of Satan's sons in the Adam Sandler comedy Little Nicky (2000). ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
Sin City becomes the sight of a horrific vampire plague when a gang of vicious bloodsuckers descend upon the gambling paradise and soak the dry desert sand with warm wet blood in director Fred Williamson's two-fanged shocker. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Brian Cox directs the urban comedy Keepin' It Real. Rap star Kurupt appears as hip-hop wannabe Raw-D, who convinces his girlfriend, Joslyn (Portia Realer), to steal a recording from her father, a big music industry producer. Taking a turn toward road movie, Joslyn has to drive out to deliver the recording to her demanding boyfriend. Along the way, she gets involved in a chase and encounters dangerous thugs and other bad guys. She begins to question her romantic commitments after she meets a kind stranger. Also starring Sean Blakemore and Tiny Lister Jr. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
This independent feature from director Tony Hewett brings together filmmakers and actors based in Austin, TX. Set in the suburbs, The Duo is about two bumbling superheroes trying to fight bad guys. Calling themselves the Terrific Two, the comic book-inspired crimefighters consist of Best Man (Bill Wise) and Buddy Boy (Ryan Wickerham). Also stars Cynthia Aguiar, Marie Black, and Friday star "Tiny" Lister Jr. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
A pair of minor league crooks discover they're playing way out of their league when they have to face off against a legion of supernatural beasts in this tongue-in-cheek horror opus. Two low-level thieves think they've discovered a big score when they manage to steal a rare and ancient artifact that's long been held in a secret tomb. However, they don't realize just how big an item they've lifted until they realize that the relic is capable of summoning up demonic spirits; taken from its sanctuary, the artifact lets loose a legion of monsters upon the world, and the thieves are forced to turn to an angel of the dark world in order to send the demons back from where they came. Rodney Rowland and Kevin Patrick Walls star as the thieves in over their heads, while the supporting cast is dotted with horror and exploitation film notables, including Karen Black, Robert Davi, Brad Dourif, and Michael Ironside; former teen pop singer Deborah Gibson also appears in a cameo role. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Rowland, Kevin Patrick Walls, (more)
- 2001
Two legends of old-school hip-hop -- Ice-T and Kool Moe Dee -- star in this hard-edged urban drama. Slim is a boxer whose days in the ring are over; he's too old and too slow to be a contender any more, but he's too young and too broke to retire. Desperate for a new job, Slim is hired by a pimp to act as bodyguard for the prize girl in his stable. However, Slim and the hooker soon become infatuated with each other, and as they edge into an affair, Slim finds himself the target of the pimp's gangster henchmen. Out Kold also features action star Tommy "Tiny'' Lister Jr. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ice-T, Tom "Tiny" Lister, Jr., (more)
- 1995
Morganstern (William H. Macy) offers Greene (Anthony Edwards) a permanent position as attending physician -- prompting an unexpected response from Greene's wife, Jenn (Christine Harnos). Elsewhere, a woman with breast cancer demands that she be given a painless death in the ER, while Carol (Julianna Margulies) struggles to convince another patient (Bobcat Goldthwait) that he hasn't already died. Carter (Noah Wyle) doesn't like being outperformed by fellow student Deb (Ming-Na). And a poisonous snake is somehow let loose in the ER. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this sci-fi horror outing a terrorist turns into an unstoppable mass of electromagnetic energy after an attempted prison break goes horribly awry. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joe Lara, Evan Lurie, (more)
- 1991
Accusing his cousin Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) of not being "black enough", Will challenges Carlton to spend three nights in one of LA's toughest neighborhoods, the MacArthur Park district. Much to Will's surprise, Carlton wins over a street gang called the Alligators by becoming their financial advisor, aka "C-Note." In fact, Carlton flourishes so well in his new surroundings that Will must figure a way to lure his cousin home before Aunt Viv (Janet Hubert-Whitten) finds out. As it happens, however, Viv is even more effective at "taming" the Alligators than Carlton! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Some sources list John Morrissey as director of 9 1/2 Ninjas, while others credit Aaron Worth. There's no confusion, however, as to whom the "one-half" is. That honor goes to leading lady Andee Gray, who joins an all-male Ninja training group. Gray gets a big kick out of her lessons (no pun intended), until she realizes that she's been followed. It seems that a rival contingent of ninjas intends to assassinate her. And that's only one of the many surprises in store for the viewers of 9 1/2 Ninjas; this is no run-of-the-mill chopsocky effort, but a dizzy plunge into near-surrealism. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Phenicie, Andee Gray, (more)
- 1987
In this comedy, a journalist and her husband, an editor, present their very different thoughts on her pregnancy in their respective columns and become a big hit with their fans. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Matheson, Margaret Colin, (more)
- 1985
Jeff Bridges plays an LA sheriff who loses his job due to his inability to stay away from booze. While attending an AA meeting, Bridges is invited to attend a party, where he meets the beauteous Alexandra Paul. Also at the party is an old enemy of Bridges', druggie Randy Brooks. It doesn't take long for Bridges to figure out that Brooks is a pimp and Paul is one of his hookers. She begs Bridges to help her break away from Brooks. Not long afterward, Paul is killed, and Bridges crawls back into the bottle. Eventually sobering up, he vows to avenge Paul's death. Much blood is spilled before the killer is revealed (it isn't who you think); along the way, Bridges gets a new lease on life when he falls in love with ex-hooker Rosanna Arquette. An enormous flop, 8 Million Ways to Die is redeemed by Jeff Bridges' powerful performance. One hopes that the orignal Lawrence Block novel wasn't quite as confusing as the film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Rosanna Arquette, (more)
When CJ decides to carry on family tradition by organizing the biggest jam of the summer, everything seems to go off without a hitch until a corrupt cop known as "Blue Eyes" and his older brother's baby-momma Kanisha step into the fray. With two sizable roadblocks to overcome, it seems that there's no chance this year's bash will be as successful as late year's. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Luke Goss and Lance Henrikson star in first time writer/producer/director Brett A. Hart's unforgiving tale of a vengeance pitting a mysterious man with a dark past against a sadistic tormentor intent on pushing his prey to the limits of human endurance. Eddie (Goss) is a family man who had just pulled off the highway for a quick cup of coffee when he was confronted by master manipulator Jimmy (Henrikson). Armed with a high-powered sniper rifle and a pair of walkie-talkies, Jimmy will now force Eddie to take the longest walk of his life. The setting is the Mojave Desert, and Eddie must walk north. Should Eddie turn in any other direction, Jimmy will put a bullet in his brain without hesitation. But this is no ordinary stroll in the sand, because along the way Eddie will be confronted with a series of ambushes and traps designed to wear away at both his dehydrated flesh and increasingly fragile psyche. Later, as the pair confront one another at their final destination - an open grave - it becomes painfully obvious that the men who once seemed polar opposites share more in common than appearances may suggest. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lance Henriksen, Luke Goss, (more)
Two out-of-work do their best to find a job and make the rent in this comedy starring Godfrey and James Leary, and featuring Tiny Lister. It's been well over a decade since Jamal and Dex hit the audition circuit in search of that career-boosting breakthrough role, and neither has managed to land so much as an onscreen speaking role. Now fresh out of cash and facing eviction, Jamal and Dex begin pounding the pavement in search of a job despite a rather serious lack of experience, skill sets, and ambition. If they could just catch a break before the end of the day, perhaps these two lovable losers can manage to keep a roof over their heads long enough to land the audition they've been waiting for. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Godfrey, James C. Leary, (more)
When a threatening gang of terrorists hijack an oil rig off the coast of California, it's up to a former Navy Seal to ensure that their deadly plan is thwarted in this explosive action entry from veteran genre specialist Anthony Hickox. When Lamont Dixon (Eddie Griffin) took a job as a tugboat captain, he thought his days as a fighting military man were behind him, but when an offshore drilling protest unexpectedly turns into a terrorist hijacking, Dixon must leap into action to save the entire state of California. As the hijackers reveal part of their scheme and Dixon begins to suspect that there is more to the elaborate plan then they let on, his only hope is to team with sexy FBI agent Lisa Reed (Vivica A. Fox) to coordinate a counterstrike from the shore and save the lives of both the hostages and thousands of unsuspecting citizens. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Griffin, Breckin Meyer, (more)
The undead discover a new home in the far reaches of space in this blend of science fiction, action, and horror. In the year 3000 A.D., the crew of a commercial space freighter happens upon the wreckage of the Demeter, a massive space ship that has been missing for nearly a century. Aware that there's a substantial bounty being offered for the return of the ship's cargo, the freighter's crew begin exploring the Demeter to see what remains, and they discover that the ship's hold includes a large cache of black coffins. However, the real surprise lurks inside the coffins -- a gang of vampires, taking advantage of the darkness of deep space, have taken refuge in the Demeter's payload, and they soon begin attacking those who have discovered them. Can the freighter's crew keep the menace at bay until the ship's orbit takes them into the path of the sun? Dracula.3000 includes a stellar exploitation cast, including Casper Van Dien, Erika Eleniak, Coolio, Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., and a special guest appearance from Udo Kier. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
From a script from first-time scribe James Gibson comes this filmed adaptation of ex-gangster Donald Goines' 1974 novel Never Die Alone. Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson (Juice, Bones), the films stars David Arquette as Paul Pawlowski, a reporter who takes an interest in gang kingpin King David, played by rapper/actor DMX. When King David is killed, Pawlowski happens upon the criminal's journal and envelops himself in his story. From there, the rise and fall of King David is covered in flashbacks as Pawlowski makes his way through the diary. Aisha Tyler and Jennifer Sky co-star. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- DMX, David Arquette, (more)
James Foley directs the slick crime caper Confidence, written by first-time screenwriter Doug Jung. Told in flashback, smooth-talking con man Jake Vig (Edward Burns) relates an elaborate scheme orchestrated by his gang :Gordo (Paul Giamatti), Miles (Brian Van Holt), and Big Al (Louis Lombardi). The crew pulls off a swindling job stealing money from a guy named Lionel (Leland Orser), who turns out to be a mob accountant for the crazy crime boss known as the King (Dustin Hoffman). After the damage has been done, Jake and his crew attempt to pull off an even bigger scam to make up for their mistake. This time the con involves the King's enemy, the mob-connected banker Morgan Price (Robert Forster). Two corrupt cops (Donal Logue and Luis Guzman) join Jake's team while the King appoints his henchman, Lupus (Frankie G.) to oversee the operation. Rachel Weisz plays Lily, Jake's love interest who is also in on the scam. Eventually, Andy Garcia shows up as FBI Agent Gunther Butan, who has been perpetually chasing after Jake. Confidence premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Burns, Rachel Weisz, (more)
This throwback to the frolicsome comedies of the 1970s is from writer/director D.J. Pooh, creator of Friday (1995) and 3 Strikes (2000). Dr. Dre stars as Sean, who's financially strapped and on the verge of losing his home and his car until his roommate Dee Loc Snoop Dogg suggests he join him as an employee at the local car wash. Tensions mount between the pals when the establishment's eccentric owner Mr. Washington (George Wallace) promotes the more mature and responsible Sean over Dee Loc, and Sean is subsequently forced to crack down on his scamming buddy's side hustles and locker room assignations with female co-workers. When their boss is kidnapped, however, Sean and Dee Loc must work together to save their employer, their jobs, and their friendship. Angell Conwell and Tom "Tiny" Lister Jr. co-star in this urban farce flavored with a hip-hop soundtrack. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, (more)
A confidence man discovers too late that he's on the other end of a dangerous scam in this tense thriller from England. Leo Garfield (John Hannah) is a small-time gambler and con artist who is eager to get out of the business. Bruno (Brian Conley), a brutal underworld leader, wants Leo to manage his gaming operations. While he's in no position to say no, Leo doesn't want to work for the unstable gangster. Hoping to raise enough money so that he and his wife Lily (Famke Janssen) can leave the country, Leo agrees to murder Gloria (Amanda Donohoe), the wife of a mobster named Julius (Peter Stormare). However, Bruno's brother Caspar (Ian Burfield) is convinced that Leo is up to no good, and he hopes to get some information from Lily by passing on unwelcome news -- Elmo (Fred Ward), Lily's former partner in crime, has just been released from prison, and he wants revenge for her betrayal of him after a bungled robbery. Leo goes through with his assignment to kill Gloria, only to discover that he's been set up -- the woman in question was a prostitute hired by Julius, who videotaped her death and is now demanding $500,000 in blackmail from Leo. Circus was the feature film debut for director Rob Walker, who had previously worked in British television. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lucy Akhurst, Christopher Biggins, (more)
In this sequel to the urban comedy Friday, rap music star Ice Cube returns as Craig Jones, a streetwise man from South Central Los Angeles who has a knack for getting into trouble. This time out, Craig is still trying to outsmart neighborhood bully Debo (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.); after Craig gets the better of Debo in a fist fight, Debo is determined to flatten Craig in a rematch. Looking to stay out of Debo's way, Craig decides that it would be a good time to visit his cousin (Mike Epps) and uncle (Don "DC" Curry), who have recently won the lottery and moved into a spacious new home in the suburbs. Like Friday, Next Friday was written by Ice Cube and his frequent musical collaborator DJ Pooh; music video director Steve Carr made his feature debut with this film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
A hired killer (Kristy Swanson) joins forces with one of her targets after seeing him with his son, but while this saves one man's life, it also means the one-time killer is now a hunted woman, with operatives of a classified government agency hot on her trail. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristy Swanson, Michael Madsen, (more)
Rapper/ actor Ice Cube directed this urban comedy-drama about African-American single mother Diana (Lisa Raye), who aims for a career as a broadcast journalist. To finance her education, she works as a stripper at the raucous Players Club, run by hustler Dollar Bill (Bernie Mac). When naive Ebony (Monica Calhoun), Diana's young cousin, also signs on at the club, Ronnie (Chrystale Wilson) attempts to lead Ebony into prostitution, creating conflicts, while club deejay Blue (Jamie Foxx) begins dating Diana. This film is Ice Cube's feature directorial debut; he also scripted and appears in a supporting role. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- LisaRaye, Bernie Mac, (more)
Recording star and rapper Master P is the executive producer, screenwriter, and co-star (with A.J. Johnson of The Players Club) of this comedy about two South Central Los Angeles scam artists operating a business in a vacant lot. Working out of their van, Black (Master P) and Blue (Johnson) deal in TV sets and boomboxes, but when a driver mistakenly drops off a cell phone shipment, Black and Blue are ready to dial "C" for cash, bringing in both a local hacker (Anthony Boswell) and sexy Sweet Lorraine (Gretchen Palmer). Business is on the upswing, but then a hood (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.) has a deal go sour and blames Black and Blue. A phone security man (Frantz Turner) and the FBI are also closing in. Rapper Ice Cube does a cameo. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Master P, A.J. Johnson, (more)
Daniel Simpson (Justin Theroux) is headed to the home of his wealthy family to celebrate Thanksgiving, with his girlfriend Suzanne (Alyssa Milano) at his side, but Daniel is not looking forward to the holiday. He's long felt like an outcast in his family, and his staunchly conservative parents don't much care for him or his ideals. Thanksgiving dinner turns into an ugly argument, as Daniel's father insists that his son should take over the family business, a prospect that holds no interest for Daniel. Wanting to take a break from the ugliness, Daniel and Suzanne head down to the basement to cool off and collect their thoughts. However, while Daniel and Suzanne are trying to relax, a gang of thieves, led by Jim (Ice-T) and Tiny (Tiny Lister Jr.), break into the house and murder the family. Daniel and Suzanne realize that they're the only survivors, but do they hide in the cellar as the gang robs the house of its valuables, or try to escape before they're found and executed? Below Utopia was released on home video under the title Body Count, doubtless thanks to the presence of Ice-T in the cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Justin Theroux, Alyssa Milano, (more)
