(as Lisa Raye)
(as Judy Ann Elder)
(as Monte Russell)
(as Jossie Harris)
5 October 2002 | bob the moo
Poorly written, poorly acted  a real stereotypical movie from start to end
When Diana gets pregnant in college she moves in her with boyfriend who soon tires of her and moves out. When working in a shoe shop Diana gets met by two strippers who invite her down to try out for the Players Club where she gets taken on. Given the name Diamond by her boss, Diana also gets her cousin involved in the club while she also tries to look after her son and stay in school. Eventually the drama of the club gets intense and catches her up.
I like Ice Cube as an actor. He does stay in the `safe' comedy roles but he has also moved on well since his debut in Boyz n'da Hood. Here he takes on his directorial debut and he does OK. I mean the shots are nice and the camera moves around well enough. Sadly he is let down on nearly every other front. First off, the plot is pretty poor. It's told in flashback and just seems to involve everyone swearing as our heroine tries to go her own way and move up and out etc etc. We are `treated' to the odd dance and fight scene but really the bits don't all come together and it just feels like everyone is swearing over nothing all the time.
The acting is surprisingly bad from several main sources. Lisa Raye's narration is terrible but her performance is actually alright. Calhoun is good looking and quite good but that's about it. Mac is terrible, not funny or believable. Foxx is not bad but could have done more. Wilson and Givens are ugly and nasty  they can't act and I find it hard to believe people actually paid Wilson to get naked!
This film is basically a modern blackploitation film  made for black people to come and watch regardless of quality. The plot is average at best and the performances are mostly poor. The plot is episodic and lacks drive or drama and will leave you feeling bored and distracted. Overall Cube may have directing skills worth watching again but lets hope his next vehicle is better than this.
Monica Calhoun and LisaRaye McCoy would later star together in Civil Brand (2002). Although they play cousins in this movie they play friends in Civil Brand.
St. Louis: If there's anybody here that don't wanna get murdered,
St. Louis: get the fuck out!
In Diamond's first scene in the dressing room, her pony tail is set high on top of her head. When Ronnie guides her into the main room of the club, Diamond's pony tail is pulled back further and is spiky at the top.
After the ending credits, two Ice Cube videos are shown. The first video is Ice Cube - We Be Clubbin. The second video is Ice Cube featuring Mr. Short Khop - My Loved Ones.
Written by Ice Cube and Rick Dutch Cousin (as R. Cousin)
2285 West 20st Street, Los Angeles, California, USA
$5,894,607 12 April 1998