Fronterz (2004)

Director:

Courtney Jones

Writer:

Garth Belcon (writer)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

3 actors. 0 work. 1 shot. What would you do?

Cast

Reno Wilson	...	Tracy Baker / Lil' Problem
Dennis Pressey	...	Ron Lewis / Big Spoon
Garth Belcon	...	Malikai Cameron / Pimp Mississippi Messiah
Tamara Lynch
Ken Garito
Laurence Mason
Ted Danson
Henry Winkler
Blair Underwood
Chastity Bono
Karen Malina White
Phil LaMarr
Cirroc Lofton
Mehrdad Sarlak	...	Rick Zed
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Devin Belton	...	Wardrobe Man at concert
Trumayne Bolden	...	Trumayne
Alexa Goldey	...	Kid in record store #4
Rick Gomez	...	Spin Doctor Fred
Shannon Hamblin	...	Casting Agent
Eve Hogan	...	K.C.
Lisa Ledson	...	Girl at Vermont bar "Excuse me, you were supposed to call me."
Charlee Nash	...	Kid in record store #3
Sydney Nash	...	Kid in record store #2
Jamie O'Brien	...	Vikki-Ann
Lidia Ramírez	...	Marisol Falcone
Arloa Reston
Kyle Robinson	...	Kid in record store #1
David Shaw	...	Dave the audio engineer
Joanna Sims	...	Tanya

Runtime:

USA:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Movie Connections:

Spoofs "Ricki Lake" (1993)

Cast delivers the goods in 'Fronterz'

What happens when three out of work actors decide to take on the ultimate acting challenge by posing as gangster rap artists? Two hours of sidesplitting laughs leaving you wanting more. It's 'Malibu's Most Wanted' meets 'Hollywood Shuffle'. Tonight, the Urbanworld Film Festival in NYC premiered, "Fronterz", and I, for one, can't thank them enough for the gesture. Garth Belcon helps weave a story filled with wit, charisma, and vibrancy. Although the dialogue takes some time to get into, (due to the improvisational tone) once the action starts to move and the characters are defined, the audience can't help but follow along for the ride.

The actors are really what makes this movie so charming and a breath of fresh air. Reno Wilson is hilarious as the honest tough guy of the trio. His comic timing is noteworthy. Dennis Pressey is captivating as the 'sensitive one'. He is unlike any young black actor I have ever seen on screen. Even his smallest gestures radiate emotional responds from the audience. I pray this role will help place him in the mainstream. And of course, Garth Belcon is a comedic genius. Not only is he a fantastic actor in the movie, serving as the 'intellectual one', but also a gifted writer, co-writing "Whiteboyz" in 1999. I look forward to seeing more of his work in the near future. Ted Danson and Henry Winkler are a non-stop barrel of laughs and Blair Underwood makes a true Hollywood cameo as 'The Handsome Chick Magnet', reminding me of the days when Billy Dee Williams did Colt Forty-Five commercials.

Despite a sloppy sound and editing job, director Courtney Jones brings together a unique cast for a journey through the world of working black actors. Filled with great laughs and poignant realism, this movie is worth every buck they spent…and then some! A must see!