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Life of a King (2013)

PG-13 | | Drama | 22 June 2013 (USA)
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Ex-felon, Eugene Brown, establishes a Chess Club for inner city teenagers in Washington, D.C.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Eugene
... Searcy
George Dick ... Jamal
... Henry (as Thurston Hill III)
... Fritz
... Katrina
... Billy West (as Derrick McMillon)
... Sheila King
... Perry
Meakil Bell ... Darius
... Ms. Gadbaw
Carlton Byrd ... Clifton
Kevin Hendricks ... Peanut
... Tahime
... Derek
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Storyline

Ex-felon, Eugene Brown, establishes a Chess Club for inner city teenagers in Washington, D.C.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

chess | See All (1) »

Taglines:

Think before you move.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug content and brief violent images - all involving teens | See all certifications »

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Details

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Release Date:

22 June 2013 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Jogada de Rei  »
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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,709, 17 January 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,709, 17 January 2014
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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Eugene Brown lives in North Carolina now. And lives with his fiancé Frances. See more »

Goofs

After Tee wins his first tournament in a library, The moderator declares that he has been disqualified because the parent signature was obviously forged by a child. It is impossible to tell the signature of a 16 year old or older teen from a 45 year old parent let alone one who was possibly illiterate and clearly drug addicted as Tee's mother was. While the Moderator could have made his claim, it is unlikely that 20 seconds would not be put forth by someone challenging the faulty logic. In fact, this immediately caused questions by 50% of viewers in one random screening. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Searcy: [knocking over the king] Wanna play again? Chance to get those cigarettes back.
Eugene: I'm scared, man. I don't got too many friends on the outside. Not any more.
Searcy: Just keep your eye on the end game. Everything'll fall into place.
Eugene: I'm gonna miss you chess man.
Searcy: Listen to me, Eugene. Every day you out there, you out there for me, and every other brother in here. 'Cuz I'm never gonna be out there again.
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Soundtracks

To The Top
Written by Aceyalone (as Edwin M. Hayes Jr.) and Stefan China Taylor
Performed by Aceyalone
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User Reviews

 
Character and Chess are King
21 January 2014 | by – See all my reviews

While this may seem to most "yet another Chess movie," I assure you it is not. Life of a King is more closely related to the movie, "Fresh." These movies use the game to discuss the deeper challenges facing the most vulnerable population in America. They invite people who are disconnected from these issues to use the game as a portal of understanding. The story portrayed in Life of a King could have been told without any mention of the game of Chess. Mr. Brown's redemption is played out in urban neighborhoods every day. We could have exchanged the game of Chess with basketball, golf, tennis, football or any other tool used by a responsible motivated adult to mentor lost youth. Yet, America seems to be more receptive to and in need of a different perspective on black youth. Yes, these kids have brains, soul, heart and character. This is a movie which highlights all of the above. The Life of a King is anchored by an enduring hope in the goodwill and potential of children. When many have lost hope in this generation of children, portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr., this movie is a needed reminder of what is missing; a champion for hope. No, this movie is not filled with the high intensity and hyper realism so popular today. And I am grateful for that. As a matter of fact, I was so grateful for the throwback 60's track that opens up the movie. It's a foreshadowing message that the answer to today's problem might not be something new. It might not require computers, or high stakes testing. It might not involve a "New School Transformation Model for Student Empowerment Through Advanced Study and Understanding with STEM." It might just involve men with passion getting involved with their neighborhood boys. It might just be a character development initiative. Maybe, it's just that simple.
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