Back in the Day (2005 film) explained

Back in the Day
Director:James Hunter
Producer:Kip Konwiser, Stephen Baldwin, Donald A. Barton, Van Burrows
Starring:Ja Rule
Ving Rhames
Music:Robert Folk
Cinematography:Donald M. Morgan
Editing:Chris Holmes
Distributor:First Look Home Entertainment
Runtime:103 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

Back in the Day is a 2005 crime drama[1] starring Ja Rule and Ving Rhames and directed by James Hunter.[2] [3] [4] The film premiered on BET on May 13, 2005.

Plot

Reggie Cooper is a young man who lives with his father in order to avoid the violent gang activity that almost claimed his life when he was a teenager. However, when his recently paroled mentor, J-Bone reconnects with Reggie, and when his father is murdered, Reggie slips back into a life of crime. Reggie murders a local preacher, whose daughter later develops a relationship with him.

Cast

Production and reception

In early 2003 Ja Rule announced that he was to act in a film alongside Ving Rhames.[5] Filming was slated to take place in Puerto Rico during September of the same year.[6] The film was written by James Hunter and Michael Raffanello, directed by Hunter, and scored by composer Robert Folk.[7] The film was primarily produced by DEJ Productions, at the time its most expensive to date, with budget estimates of $5 to $10 million to over $10 million.[8] [9] Filming ended in 2004,[10] [11] and by April DEJ was preparing a potential theatrical release.[9] Back in the Day premiered on BET on May 13, 2005, and was released to DVD on May 24.[12]

Reviewer Ed Huls called it conceptually similar to several other urban crime dramas, but noted the cast and production values made it a high-end release in the genre, and compared it to classic gangster films: "one could easily picture Cagney or Bogart in the Rhames role."[13]

David Kronke of the Los Angeles Daily News wrote: "No original gangstas in this movie, but plenty of unoriginal ones... How did such a ridiculous script lure so many talented actors?"[14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Gates . Anita . What's on Tonight . . May 13, 2005.
  2. Web site: Ja Rule Joins Rhames' Film Gang. August 28, 2003. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20141003113902/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/69368/ja-rule-joins-rhames-film-gang. October 3, 2014.
  3. Book: Film Review. 2006. W.H. Allen. 978-1-905287-28-4. 151. en.
  4. Web site: Hard Work Pays Off: Meet Successful Entrepreneur James Hunter (press release). September 18, 2020. Accesswire. AP News.
  5. News: February 1, 2003. Ja Rule to star in films alongside feisty actresses. The Springfield News-Leader.
  6. News: August 31, 2003. Short Cuts. The News Journal.
  7. Book: S. Torriano. Berry. Venise T.. Berry. Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema. 2015. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 978-1-4422-4702-4. 40.
  8. Netherby. Jennifer. Blockbuster eyeing big score on 'Monster' DVD. Daily Variety. 282. 65. March 26, 2004.
  9. Kipnis. Jill. April 17, 2004. 'Monster' deal. Billboard. 116. 16. 54.
  10. Web site: Reid . Shaheem . Ja Rule Learns From Fish, Gets To Do His First Sex Scene In Latest Film Projects . https://web.archive.org/web/20141115231518/http://www.mtv.com/news/1495368/ja-rule-learns-from-fish-gets-to-do-his-first-sex-scene-in-latest-film-projects/ . dead . November 15, 2014 . . en . January 5, 2005.
  11. Web site: Reid . Shaheem . Ja Rule Getting Pointers From Ving Rhames, Laurence Fishburne . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210221700/http://www.mtv.com/news/1486121/ja-rule-getting-pointers-from-ving-rhames-laurence-fishburne/ . dead . February 10, 2021 . . en . April 1, 2004.
  12. Web site: Stars Ving Rhames and Ja Rule Put New Spin on Classic Tale With Explosive Urban Drama 'Back In The Day' (Press release). Top40-Charts.com . . en . May 7, 2005.
  13. Huls. Ed. Back in the Day. Video Business. 25. 16. April 18, 2005. 16. Reed Business Information. 0279-571X. Gale General OneFile.
  14. News: Kronke . David . BET Fills The 'Hood With Unoriginal Gangstas . . May 14, 2005.

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