Finally, after sitting on the shelf for 4 long years, Lionsgate is releasing the long-awaited, if you can call it that, film - SLOW BURN, which stars some of today's hottest black actors, Taye Diggs, Chiwetel Ejiofor, LL Cool J, and Mekhi Phifer. But the funny thing is that the film is not being screened on time for critics to put out a review in today's newspapers nationwide.
This typically happens when negative reviews are inevitable and studios want to capitalize on Friday's take before the word goes out. Horror films usually get this type of treatment. "The Hills Have Eyes 2" and "Dead Silence" weren't screened for critics and both films were panned afterwards, but "Slow Burn" isn't in that that genre.
The film was produced in 2003 and then shown at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival. Two years after that, Lionsgate picked it up and is now releasing it. Talk about waiting forever!!
Slow Burn" stars Ray Liotta as Ford Cole, a big-city district attorney with his eye on the mayor's office and a big problem on his hands. One of his deputies, the beautiful assistant district attorney Nora Timmer (Jolene Blalock), has just confessed to killing a man in what she claims was self-defense. A bad situation gets worse when an enigmatic stranger named Luther Pinks (James Todd Smith) turns up at the police station to contradict Nora's story and paint a very different picture of Ford's talented colleague. With his career and perhaps his life on the line, Ford has a mere handful of hours to sort the truth from the lies in a saga involving Nora, a record store clerk (Mekhi Phifer), and a powerful gang lord.
The last time I recall a "black film" wasn't screened on time for review was "Soul Plane"!
Another film not being screened for review is "REDLINE", which stars Eddie Griffin.
Redline" is an auto/action thriller that features the personal exotic car collection of the producer, real estate investor Daniel Sadek. The only thing I know about this film is that Eddie Griffin accidentally crashed and destroyed the Enzo Ferrari, one of only 400 ever produced. I wonder if he did to draw attention.
Poor Eddie! He's such a gifted comedian but he's hasn't a good "vehicle" since "Undercover Brother". That was 5 years ago.
Comments: (38)
Add a comment
By: Lisa on 4/13/2007 9:07AM
These are some fine brother.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: LA MIEK on 4/15/2007 7:48AM
when a cast is mostly black it hard to reach the big screen hollywood is funny that way but maybe it time for all these so call black actors,rappers,basketball player with all this money can start there own production company in put out ther own movies and be able to release there movies when they want to
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: nissi on 4/15/2007 7:44AM
MY Review:
Ummm I saw this movie like a year ago...It left much to be desired...although, it was filled with beautiful black men(all of whom Ive seen play better roles)the lead character is a "no name" actress who was not "believable" in her role...which made the movie look like a "B" movie...I was hopin on its actual release they would add/change actresses to someone like Alicia Keys or even Mariah could have done a better job...and she can't act either...yup its dat bad...but the storyline and plot were ok...mainly cos the guys were so sexy...lol
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: MITCHELL on 4/15/2007 8:20PM
The actors in this movie have a fan base following (the X generation & the Hip-Hop generation) who really could care less about the critique of people who have absolutely no clue as to what entrigues us. I am a forty-six y/o father of two, a 22 y/o son (Navy) & a 15 y/o daughter of whom I am proud & blessed to say are great children. The three of us egarly anticipate the release of this movie. We, like an "entourage" of others will be in the theatre with all eyes on the screen.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Angie on 4/15/2007 8:47AM
I saw the movie in October 2006. I thought it was a decent movie that kept you guessing until the end. I thought the cast did a wonderful job.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Strawberry Jones on 4/15/2007 8:51AM
This movie sucked it was stupid and whom ever wrote it cannot write because it was all over the damn place. I am upset and surprise such great stars even picked that movie to be in after reading the script.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Strawberry Jones on 4/15/2007 8:52AM
This movie sucked it was stupid and whom ever wrote it cannot write because it was all over the damn place. I am upset and surprise such great stars even picked that movie to be in after reading the script.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Elizabeth Coleman on 4/15/2007 9:22AM
With such a strong cast in Slow Burn, it was without a doubt that this was going to be our Saturday movie. We see a lot movies and we thought this movie was great. It had us guessing right up until the end. The actress could have use some more acting lessons though. It did not get the writeup that it should have. I had to go online. I am going to spread the word that this movie is good. We need to stop watching all those black movies that really make us look bad (bad comedies).
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Danielle A.G.Sargent on 4/15/2007 9:50AM
I am an avid movie-not television watcher, and I am sad to give this movie a very low rating, because like Strawberry said..it was ALL over the place! True dat the "beautiful" American/Afrikan actors(Ray L. too) kept me watching the entire movie..that Bo Derek female really bit it, and wasn't convincing enuf to me. I jes thought it would get a little better, and it never really took me there. Lionsgate didn't roar this time! I hope they step it up for future films.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Bunny on 4/15/2007 10:02AM
I seen this movie before as well, and I would have to say it was actually pretty good. True enough they could've used a more well known actress for the lead female role, but "HEY", everybody has to start somewhere. The dumbest movie I seen Taye Diggs in was "The Wood", but he's done so much more and better since, such as "Brown Sugar", "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" for example. Even the role in "..."Stella" was rather lame compared to more recent films, like "Best Man". Point of the matter, the female in the movie role was to be rather distant, and somewhat mysterious. Not quite in touch with herself. She played the role. Everbody that played in this film are well known, and I think with the right publicity it may due good in theaters. I would not recommend this movie to those who can't follow a movie well. You have to pay attention to everything going on to know exactly who's who in this film. Definetly one I will have on the shelf with other good black films such as, "Thin Line...", "Menace to Society", and New Jack City" and the such. Be a good sport and support black films, instead of being a Hater!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This