The Players Club

I had pretty low expectations for "The Players Club". It was directed by Ice Cube, who I never knew had been behind the camera, and it's the only movie he ever made, suggesting that it wasn't particularly successful.

My expectations were well and truly surpassed. "The Players Club" does get off to a rough start. It has a generally amateurish feel to the shots and edits, or perhaps just a low budget feel. Also the pacing seems strange - quite a lot seems to happen very quickly, and I felt the need to come up for breath.

But I persevered. There's just so much to like about "The Players Club". It's got a great ensemble cast, many entertaining characters, and quite a few unexpected twists and turns.

I say check it out.

This isn't the greatest movie in the world, but it is a definitely a hood classic. If you watch this movie for any reason at all, do it because of Bernie Mac. Dolla Bill is one of the funniest, most entertaining characters I've ever seen. So many great one-liners. "If I raise out this chair, its gone be trouble.....trouble." The movie actually could have been about him. That would have probably been a better movie.

The movie is star studded. The cast of Friday is pretty much in the movie. Lisa Rae is very beautiful and she carries the movie pretty well. Bernie Mac is still the stand out, but I think Diamond's story is pretty entertaining. I was entertained the whole movie despite the flaws. Ice Cube is an excellent writer. I think he could have directed more movies and he would have gotten better. I try to support artists instead of putting them down.

Check it out.

This film is actually interesting at several levels. It is serio-comical so it has good contrast. Lisa Ray is delicious with her obvious attributes, mesmerizing eyes, and just perfect voice. Dollar Bill, the character played by Bernie Mac is simply funny.

To the extent that there is a theme, it is one of black exploitation by other blacks, the operative color being the green of money, and it was refreshing to see the absence of non-African Americans so that the themes and action were not framed within the usual, tired aria of white economic oppression, and rather the interactions between the characters are the focal point. The criminals portrayed with the guns are more cartoonish than not, yet the real and abhorrent predators become apparent as the ones victimizing Ebony.

Not an academy award winner, but good entertainment. Gets a 7 in my book.

This is basically a black, very superior version of "Striptease" and "Showgirls." It's not as sexy as "Showgirls," but what I really looked for was a better plot. This had one. LisaRaye gave an impressive debut performance as a college student trying to make ends meet. Bernie Mac can make the most dramatic piece of dialogue into stand-up comedy with his extraordinary vocal strength and stamina. I was very impressed with Ice Cube, his writing-directing debut, because, honestly, I didn't know he was capable. I like how he staged the scenes and built suspense. The great thing about it is that there is a considerable amount of violence, but no one is killed. For once, a black film where everyone lives. Another thing, this movie has the best, most vicious catfight I have ever seen.

Unremarkable but ambitious story from writer-director Ice Cube. A young woman recalls her emotionally wrenching experiences while working at a raunchy black strip club, specifically having to appease the sleazy customers, her skirmishes with reprehensible rivals, and wild parties on the side, all while maintaining her dignity as she strived for a better life. Intriguing story is accompanied by a talented cast, powerful moments, and some fine performances, but too often resorts to familiar plot twists and lame stereotypes. Not a bad piece of work for first-time director Cube, but would've benefited from more creativity. **