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Life of a King

  • 20132013
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Cuba Gooding Jr., Malcolm M. Mays, and Kevin Hendricks in Life of a King (2013)
Trailer
Play trailer2:11
2 Videos
31 Photos
  • Drama

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

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jake Goldberger
  • Writers
    • Jake Goldberger
    • David Scott
    • Dan Wetzel
  • Stars
    • Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Dennis Haysbert
    • George Dick
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jake Goldberger
  • Writers
    • Jake Goldberger
    • David Scott
    • Dan Wetzel
  • Stars
    • Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Dennis Haysbert
    • George Dick
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Life of A King Trailer
    Trailer 2:11
    Life of A King Trailer
    Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:12
    Theatrical Trailer

    Photos31

    Cuba Gooding Jr., Dennis Haysbert, and Malcolm M. Mays in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. in Life of a King (2013)
    Malcolm M. Mays in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. in Life of a King (2013)
    Malcolm M. Mays and Blake Cooper Griffin in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. and Dennis Haysbert in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. and LisaGay Hamilton in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. and Dennis Haysbert in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. and Malcolm M. Mays in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr. and Dennis Haysbert in Life of a King (2013)
    Jake Goldberger in Life of a King (2013)
    Cuba Gooding Jr., Dennis Haysbert, and Jake Goldberger in Life of a King (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    Cuba Gooding Jr.
    • Eugeneas Eugene
    Dennis Haysbert
    Dennis Haysbert
    • Searcyas Searcy
    George Dick
    • Jamalas Jamal
    Thurston Hill III
    Thurston Hill III
    • Henryas Henry
    J.D. Walsh
    J.D. Walsh
    • Fritzas Fritz
    Rachae Thomas
    • Katrinaas Katrina
    Derrick L. McMillon
    Derrick L. McMillon
    • Billy Westas Billy West
    • (as Derrick McMillon)
    LisaGay Hamilton
    LisaGay Hamilton
    • Sheila Kingas Sheila King
    Richard T. Jones
    Richard T. Jones
    • Perryas Perry
    Meakil Bell
    • Dariusas Darius
    Lyn Alicia Henderson
    Lyn Alicia Henderson
    • Ms. Gadbawas Ms. Gadbaw
    Alani Ilongwe
    Alani Ilongwe
    • Cliftonas Clifton
    • (as Carlton Byrd)
    Kevin Hendricks
    • Peanutas Peanut
    Malcolm M. Mays
    Malcolm M. Mays
    • Tahimeas Tahime
    Hammerton Killick
    Hammerton Killick
    • Derekas Derek
    Glenn Fontane
    Glenn Fontane
    • Lucasas Lucas
    Pepi Sonuga
    Pepi Sonuga
    • Michelleas Michelle
    Ketra Long
    • Kendallas Kendall
    • Director
      • Jake Goldberger
    • Writers
      • Jake Goldberger
      • David Scott
      • Dan Wetzel
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Ex-felon, Eugene Brown, establishes a Chess Club for inner city teenagers in Washington, D.C.
    • four word title
    • title in title
    • ex felon
    • washington d.c.
    • chess club
    • 1 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Think before you move.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug content and brief violent images - all involving teens
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Real life Eugene Brown has cameo at registration desk in final tournament sequence.
    • 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.
    • 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.

    • Soundtracks
      Days Undone
      Written by Michael Gennaro Catanese and Michael Richard Post
      Performed by The Jay Vons

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Inspiring
    "Life of a King" is a good movie with a great story, good actors and an excellent Cuba Gooding Jr. as main character. It's all about morals, ethics and the meaning of life and constantly reminds us that we are responsible for our own actions.

    Sure we've seen the same kind of movie before. "Dangerous Minds" for example to name just one. However, it does not get old and keeps you entertained the whole time. There was not one single boring moment. The chess "theme" I really liked. For once it's not football! And even as an experienced chess-player myself I can say that everything is totally legit and realistic.

    Nothing more to say. Watch it.
    helpful•14
    2
    • JayDoubleU84
    • Mar 13, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 22, 2013 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Жизнь короля
    • Production companies
      • Animus Films
      • Serena Films
      • Steakhaus Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,547
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,231
      • Jan 19, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $44,161
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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