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IMDbPro

Imperial Dreams

  • 20142014
  • TV-MATV-MA
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
John Boyega in Imperial Dreams (2014)
A 21-year-old reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future is put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles.
Play trailer1:17
1 Video
5 Photos
Drama
A 21-year-old reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future is put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles.A 21-year-old reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future is put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles.A 21-year-old reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future is put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
    • Malik Vitthal
    • Ismet Prcic
    • Malik Vitthal
  • Stars
    • John Boyega
    • Rotimi
    • Glenn Plummer
    • Malik Vitthal
    • Ismet Prcic
    • Malik Vitthal
  • Stars
    • John Boyega
    • Rotimi
    • Glenn Plummer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 14User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:17
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos

    John Boyega in Imperial Dreams (2014)
    Malik Vitthal in Imperial Dreams (2014)
    John Boyega in Imperial Dreams (2014)
    Imperial Dreams (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Boyega
    John Boyega
    • Bambi
    Rotimi
    Rotimi
    • Wayne
    Glenn Plummer
    Glenn Plummer
    • Uncle Shrimp
    De'aundre Bonds
    De'aundre Bonds
    • Gideon
    Keke Palmer
    Keke Palmer
    • Samaara
    Fat Dog
    • Fat Rat
    Nora Zehetner
    Nora Zehetner
    • Janine
    Todd Louiso
    Todd Louiso
    • Peter Hall
    Sufe Bradshaw
    Sufe Bradshaw
    • Detective Gill
    Jernard Burks
    Jernard Burks
    • Cornell
    Ethan Coach
    • Day
    Justin Coach
    • Day
    Kandiss Edmundson
    Kandiss Edmundson
    • Jail Guard
    Maximiliano Hernández
    Maximiliano Hernández
    • Det. Hernandez
    Larry Hopson
    • Jail Vister
    Wilfred Lopez
    • Jail visitor
    Gregory Mckenzie
    • Businessman
    Zilah Mendoza
    Zilah Mendoza
    • Work Source Woman
      • Malik Vitthal
      • Ismet Prcic
      • Malik Vitthal
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Film critic Chase Whale wrote, "Imperial Dreams is the best film to come out of the [2014] Sundance Film Festival. John Boyega first wowed audiences with his dynamite performance in Attack the Block. Once again playing the anti-hero, Imperial Dreams is another victory lap for this young actor, who's going to go on to do big, big things."
    • Quotes

      Bambi: You call your son Angel Boy cos in the bricks, the softer the name, the harder the man. But Gideon was hard. And you were hard. And your daddy was hard. And look at us. Deceased, derelict, departed. And you swear, Angel Boy won't end up a savage. Dead, smiling on a T-Shirt. He won't work the corner. He won't work the curb. He won't want to be the emperor under this dark Imperial highway. Because monarchs are not elected around here. They're made with a gun. And they reign only until it rains... all over.

    • Connections
      Referenced in WatchMojo: Top 10 Must See Trailers of January 2017 (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      8 Brickz
      Written by N*Bezzy (as Daway Lipsey)

      Produced by Patient Picasso

      Performed by N*Bezzy

    User reviews14

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Imperial Dreams a star-making vehicle for Boyega
    The 2015 Oscars was a controversial affair. For the first time in over a decade, a cast of all- white performers competed for acting awards.

    Next year, expect a slew of honors to recognize diversity.

    Meet John Boyega, a future superstar in the making and protagonist of 'Imperial Dreams' – a likely candidate for award season attention.

    Actor Michael B. Jordan was previously snubbed a nomination as Oscar Grant in his celebrated performance in Fruitvale Station, a similar film depicting former convicts struggling to reform in an unforgiving American system.

    Both films won the Audience Award at the Sundance film festival.

    However, Boyega is better, and so too is 'Imperial Dreams'.

    Director Malik Vitthal portrays Los Angeles as a city devoid of any hope and opportunities, the bright promising rays of a California sun blotted out by ghettos dilapidated with poverty.

    Bambi (Boyega) is a recently released gangster, devoted to living an ethical lifestyle for his young son Day (Ethan and Justin Coach). As he struggles to find work, he attempts to make a living as a writer, finding solace in his words to distract him from illegal persuasions of his past.

    Badgered by his Uncle Shrimp (Glenn Plummer, excellent and reserved like a coiled snake, ready to strike with a venomous bite), Bambi is kicked out of the house unless he makes a drug run to Portland.

    With nowhere to live, he is forced to live with his son in his car in a vacant parking lot.

    He's stalked by detectives Gill (Sufe Bradshaw) and Hernandez (Maximiliano Hernandez), who are eager to pounce and arrest him after any misstep.

    The trials and tribulations are predictable, and are similar to Will Smith vehicle 'The Pursuit of Happiness', but the low-budget production gives the film gritty realism and heart.

    The movie belongs to Boyega. We feel his frustration with each failure, the struggle etching his face with pain and frustration. You root for his character, and his shortcomings break your heart.

    Director Vitthal based the movie a true story. He screened the movie for the films inspiration and he hated the movie, but loved it after watching the audiences positive reaction at Sundance.

    The film is scheduled for a December release weeks before Star Wars Episode 7, which also stars John Boyega.

    Anticipate the actors name headlining movie posters in the future..

    He's that good.
    helpful•10
    1
    • visforhendrix23
    • Mar 5, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 1, 2016 (United States)
      • United States
      • Netflix Site
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Watts, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Super Crispy Entertainment
      • Sam Spiegel International Film Lab
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 27 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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