Director
Ms. Pat le encuentra el lado cómico a ser padres, a los amantes de los animales y a las tendencias en labios mientras explora su doloroso pasado con humor y honestidad.
Director
Filmmaker Robert Townsend executive-produced the following fifty-six-minute program for Criterion’s Meet the Filmmakers series in 2018. In it, he and Charles Burnett reflect on Burnett’s groundbreaking career in cinema, returning to South Central Los Angeles and the shooting locations of his landmark films KILLER OF SHEEP and TO SLEEP WITH ANGER.
Himself
Filmmaker Robert Townsend executive-produced the following fifty-six-minute program for Criterion’s Meet the Filmmakers series in 2018. In it, he and Charles Burnett reflect on Burnett’s groundbreaking career in cinema, returning to South Central Los Angeles and the shooting locations of his landmark films KILLER OF SHEEP and TO SLEEP WITH ANGER.
Director
In 1990, actor, comedian, writer and director, Robert Townsend, went against every obstacle in Hollywood, relying on his faith, street smarts, and tenacity to bring his passion project, 1991’s The Five Heartbeats, to big screens. The Motown-flavored story of the rise and fall of an African-American vocal group in the 1960s, the musical drama is the subject of Townsend’s documentary, Making The Five Heartbeats. The documentary chronicles the inspiring journey of a young black writer/director (Townsend) determined to present a new image of black people in cinema while endeavoring to create a classic.
Writer
Coach Banks (Robert Townsend) is used to calling all the shots for his championship high school basketball team and in his own love life. But that’s about to change when he meets, Talisa McCoy (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), the mother of a star player, new to Jackson high. She’s a beautiful, strong-willed single mom, with her own ideas on a winning team…and the perfect man. Now, this coach will have to learn a few new plays if he’s going to stay in the game.
Director
Coach Banks (Robert Townsend) is used to calling all the shots for his championship high school basketball team and in his own love life. But that’s about to change when he meets, Talisa McCoy (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), the mother of a star player, new to Jackson high. She’s a beautiful, strong-willed single mom, with her own ideas on a winning team…and the perfect man. Now, this coach will have to learn a few new plays if he’s going to stay in the game.
Coach Banks
Coach Banks (Robert Townsend) is used to calling all the shots for his championship high school basketball team and in his own love life. But that’s about to change when he meets, Talisa McCoy (Salli Richardson-Whitfield), the mother of a star player, new to Jackson high. She’s a beautiful, strong-willed single mom, with her own ideas on a winning team…and the perfect man. Now, this coach will have to learn a few new plays if he’s going to stay in the game.
Thanks
Bill Cosby shares his hilarious new observations on life and family in this comedy special, his first televised concert in 30 years.
Director
Bill Cosby shares his hilarious new observations on life and family in this comedy special, his first televised concert in 30 years.
Director
Sixteen-year-old Xtra Keys hopes to raise his son better than his boozy, razor-edged mother raised him, and he just might get his wish when he's thrust into an unorthodox alternative school full of underprivileged boys.
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Scooby-Doo, Shaggy y toda la pandilla se están preparando para unas relajantes vacaciones. ¡Siempre y cuando no haya monstruos ni fantasmas! Sin embargo, Velma dirige la Caravana del Misterio a una Fiesta de Vampiros. No es muy normal hasta que el grupo se topa con un teatro lleno de vampiros cantando, presidido por el ídolo Bran con su ancestral cántico de resurrección, devolviendo a la vida al poderoso vampiro Lord Valdrona. Ahora, el festival está por todo lo alto, las estacas desaparecen y la pandilla está en peligro. Shaggy está seguro de que le han mordido, ¡sálvese quien pueda!, y ¡Lord Valdrona quiere a Daphne como su mujer! En esta nueva película, las criaturas de la noche no son los únicos que te pondrán los pelos de punta. La pandilla al completo está preparada para cantar y bailar, y así salir de esta de una vez por todas...
Self
A look at the development of film making and its contribution to the social and political times form the perspective of Black film makers.
Director
Ocean (Monica Calhoun), a 27-year-old highly-motivated mother has found her calling in managing a neighborhood apartment building along with the residents and the problems found within. As she struggles with a new job, a new home, her own children, a difficult niece, and the issues of other tenants, all within learn something about taking action and using compassion in their own lives.
Self
Documental sobre el humor afroamericano.
Director
Documental sobre el humor afroamericano.
Producer
Robert Townsend stars as the patriarch of a family devastated when his wife is killed in a senseless auto accident. Reeling with grief, each family member must find courage and vision to carry on, ultimately eager to do the mother proud.
Holden Cole
Robert Townsend stars as the patriarch of a family devastated when his wife is killed in a senseless auto accident. Reeling with grief, each family member must find courage and vision to carry on, ultimately eager to do the mother proud.
Director
Protagonizada por Ving Rhames como el legendario Sonny Liston, la película narra la vida del polémico campeón mundial de boxeo.
In the 70's, Langston Faizon Santisima, barely 18, left his native Cuba on an impossible quest- to direct a film starring Bruce Lee. Against all odds, and with no background in film making, the aspiring young director made it to Thailand where created a legendary but lost martial arts classic- thus becoming a founding father of the martial arts movie genre. Or not...
Bobby Taylor (archive footage)
An hour-long documentary designed to celebrate the spirit of the independent filmmaker from D.W. Griffith to Quentin Tarantino. Interview footage and film clips are blended together to form a chronological approach to the subject matter.
Alan Chambers
Alan Chambers (Townsend) is a lawyer and sick of his job. He corrals his friends into forming a vigilante group. Everyone goes along with it at first, until it turns sour and innocent people start dying, and Alan is the only one left standing.
Himself
Es un cortometraje documental sobre el actor / comediante Richard Pryor.
Mr. Five
Un chico vende su alma al Diablo a cambio de conseguir popularidad en la escuela. Sin embargo, cuando se da cuenta de que la popularidad no es tan maravillosa como esperaba, hará todo lo posible por romper el pacto para que las cosas vuelvan a ser como antes.
Mr. UB
Un macarra es reclutado por un servicio de espionaje afroamericano con la misión de que salve al mundo. Comedia del subgénero parodia con semejanzas a "Austin Powers" y un reparto lleno de estrellas del famoso programa americano "Saturday Night Live". (FILMAFFINITY)
Director
In the 1920s, the rights of American workers to join a labor union was still considered an open question, and African-Americans were routinely denied their civil and economic rights. 10,000 Black Men Named George, the title, refers to the fact Pullman porters were often called "George" by white passengers, which was considered a racial slur.
Book of Love delivers humor along with the mysteries of unrequited love and relationships gone bad. The film's story line focuses on three men living, dating and loving in Los Angeles in the 90's. They struggle with heartbreak and insecurity as a result of failed relationships. The three characters’ stories unfold through sessions with their therapist – sessions that are often as comedic as they are insightful.
Director
An engaged Philadelphia policeman falls in love with a beautiful woman while dealing with a corrupt superior.
Director
Holiday Heart es drag queen y acaba de perder a su amante (un oficial de policía), cuando encuentra a Niki, de 12 años, y a su madre drogadicta, Wanda. Heart encuentra alivio a su corazón roto y un nuevo sentido cuando se convierte en figura paterna para Niki y recibe a las dos mujeres en su vida. Pero cuando Wanda inicia una relación amorosa con su traficante de drogas, Silas, esto puede poner en peligro a Niki y amenaza con destruir la improvisada familia.
Director
The true life story of famed singer Natalie Cole, daughter of Nat 'King' Cole. Gripping drama of her struggle with addiction and living in her father's shadow while still maintaining her own celebrity status.
Director
The story of Little Richard Penniman, from his poor Southern upbringing to dealing with the trials and tribulations of being a Black singer in the 1950s, to his born-again phase and brief "retirement" from rock and roll.
Actor/director Sidney Poitier discusses his life and career. He tells of his upbringing in Jamaica; the difficulties he encountered in New York City at the start of his career; his involvement in the US civil-rights movement; and efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. Friends and acquaintances, as well as other performers, give their insights about what makes him so special.
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Los Marshall parecen una familia normal y corriente, pero en realidad son superhéroes, cada uno con un poder especial. Sin embargo, el jovencito Scott va a cumplir 14 años y todavía no ha dado muestras de tener ninguna habilidad sobrenatural. Scott no quiere defraudar a su familia por no tener poderes, por lo que empieza a fingir que sí los tiene. Todo va sobre la marcha y nadie duda de él, hasta el día en que toda la familia menos Scott es capturada por un malévolo criminal, convirtiéndose en la única persona que puede salvarlos.Scott no tendrá más remedio que utilizar su inteligencia, convenciéndose así que se necesita algo más que poderes especiales para ser un héroe de verdad.
Director
Los Marshall parecen una familia normal y corriente, pero en realidad son superhéroes, cada uno con un poder especial. Sin embargo, el jovencito Scott va a cumplir 14 años y todavía no ha dado muestras de tener ninguna habilidad sobrenatural. Scott no quiere defraudar a su familia por no tener poderes, por lo que empieza a fingir que sí los tiene. Todo va sobre la marcha y nadie duda de él, hasta el día en que toda la familia menos Scott es capturada por un malévolo criminal, convirtiéndose en la única persona que puede salvarlos.Scott no tendrá más remedio que utilizar su inteligencia, convenciéndose así que se necesita algo más que poderes especiales para ser un héroe de verdad.
Peyton Cody
El inspector fiscal Al Benjamin llega a la comunidad rusa de Brooklyn para investigar un fraude millonario relacionado con la gasolina.
Charlie Love
El Capitán mercenario "Hawk" vuelve a la acción otra vez para salvar a un rehén. Pero él y su equipo son traicionados. Nada es lo que parece...
Director
Showtime's "In the 20th Century" is a millennium-related strand of feature-length documentaries in which famous directors take on major subjects of their choosing. In the second of the six films, "From Behind Closed Doors," filmmaker Robert Townsend delves into America's fraught relationship with sex and sexuality, using New York's Times Square as the focal point as he traces 100 years of sexual mores and practices.
Robert Townsend
A British documentarian profiles washed-up diva Jackie Washington as she prepares for her comeback concert.
Director
A British documentarian profiles washed-up diva Jackie Washington as she prepares for her comeback concert.
Louis Gossett, Jr, Robert Townsend and Andre Braugher come together to each direct a short story, all of which are interconnected through themes of love and family. Set in the same predominantly black neighbourhood in North Philadelphia, these threecompelling tales tell the stories of an up-and-coming heavyweight boxer, a vegetable vendor, and a man who must protect a family member from the abuse of another.
Director
Louis Gossett, Jr, Robert Townsend and Andre Braugher come together to each direct a short story, all of which are interconnected through themes of love and family. Set in the same predominantly black neighbourhood in North Philadelphia, these threecompelling tales tell the stories of an up-and-coming heavyweight boxer, a vegetable vendor, and a man who must protect a family member from the abuse of another.
James Saunders
Joseph is the youngest member of a large family that owns a successful garment business in Los Angeles. His father, Jacob, makes no attempt at hiding the fact that Joseph is his favorite son, resulting in the constant envy and resentment of his brothers. Eventually, in their bitterness, they plot revenge against this favored son. When Joseph accompanies his brothers on a trip to New York, they commit the ultimate betrayal, stranding him there, a virtual prisoner in a corrupt, modern-day sweat shop.
Director
Nisi y Mickey son dos chicas de provincias ambiciosas que trabajan como camareras con el objetivo de poder conseguir el dinero necesario para abrir el restaurante de sus sueños. Las dos vuelan a California para asistir a un casting para un vídeo músical. Allí intentan estafar a un millonario y aprenden a ser "Black American Princess"
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Cultural theorist Stuart Hall offers an extended meditation on representation. Moving beyond the accuracy or inaccuracy of specific representations, Hall argues that the process of representation itself constitutes the very world it aims to represent, and explores how the shared language of a culture, its signs and images, provides a conceptual roadmap that gives meaning to the world rather than simply reflecting it. Hall's concern throughout is the centrality of culture to the shaping of our collective perceptions, and how the dynamics of media representation reproduce forms of symbolic power.
Himself
Rudy Ray Moore tells all as only he can in this all-new retrospective legendary career. From his humble beginnings to his crowning as "King of the Party Records," Rudy Ray guides us through his struggles and triumphs in the film and music industries.
Producer
Una noche mientras pasea por la calle, Jefferson Reed, un hombre tímido y amable, es golpeado en el pecho por un trozo de meteorito. Desde ese instante adquiere una serie de singulares poderes, algunos de los cuales son una versión pobre de los que tienen los grandes superhéroes de los comics. Jefferson quisiera olvidarse del asunto pero unos criminales sin escrúpulos comienzan a aterrorizar a la gente del barrio.
Screenplay
Una noche mientras pasea por la calle, Jefferson Reed, un hombre tímido y amable, es golpeado en el pecho por un trozo de meteorito. Desde ese instante adquiere una serie de singulares poderes, algunos de los cuales son una versión pobre de los que tienen los grandes superhéroes de los comics. Jefferson quisiera olvidarse del asunto pero unos criminales sin escrúpulos comienzan a aterrorizar a la gente del barrio.
Director
Una noche mientras pasea por la calle, Jefferson Reed, un hombre tímido y amable, es golpeado en el pecho por un trozo de meteorito. Desde ese instante adquiere una serie de singulares poderes, algunos de los cuales son una versión pobre de los que tienen los grandes superhéroes de los comics. Jefferson quisiera olvidarse del asunto pero unos criminales sin escrúpulos comienzan a aterrorizar a la gente del barrio.
Jefferson Reed
Una noche mientras pasea por la calle, Jefferson Reed, un hombre tímido y amable, es golpeado en el pecho por un trozo de meteorito. Desde ese instante adquiere una serie de singulares poderes, algunos de los cuales son una versión pobre de los que tienen los grandes superhéroes de los comics. Jefferson quisiera olvidarse del asunto pero unos criminales sin escrúpulos comienzan a aterrorizar a la gente del barrio.
Producer
In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
Duck
In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
Writer
In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
Director
In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the guys learn many hard lessons about the reality of the music industry.
Maubee
La vida es fácil en el Caribe, pero es dura para el jefe de policía Xavier Quinn. Apodado "El poderoso Quinn" por los sarcásticos isleños y con su mujer reprochándole que no se ocupa lo suficiente de su familia, se ve arrojado a la acción cuando Maubee, su amigo de la infancia, es acusado de asesinato.
Standup Comic
This mockumentary about fictional movie studio Adequate Pictures boasts an interesting cast. Tony Randall hosts, and James CoCo (practically on his deathbed) stars as head of the studio. Includes parodies of everything from silent comedies to porn, including an ultra violent "three stooges" style comedy team who put a new spin on the eye poking gag.
Extra
Comedia que parodia el género del blaxploitation de los años 70. Jack Spade regresa a su hogar tras su servicio militar, y se encuentra con la muerte de su hermano pequeño por "sobredosis de oro". El barrio no es el que era, y los proxenetas y los traficantes se han hecho los dueños. Jack, con la ayuda de unos vecinos, le va a plantar cara a Mr. Big, el amo del barrio. (FILMAFFINITY)
Writer
Director Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle) knows how to construct and, when necessary, even milk a laugh for optimal effect. This second riotous volume in the Partners in Crime collection features more ribald moments culled from Townsend's laugh-filled HBO variety show. Sinbad, David Allen Grier and Damon Wayans also star.
Director
Director Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle) knows how to construct and, when necessary, even milk a laugh for optimal effect. This second riotous volume in the Partners in Crime collection features more ribald moments culled from Townsend's laugh-filled HBO variety show. Sinbad, David Allen Grier and Damon Wayans also star.
Director Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle) knows how to construct and, when necessary, even milk a laugh for optimal effect. This second riotous volume in the Partners in Crime collection features more ribald moments culled from Townsend's laugh-filled HBO variety show. Sinbad, David Allen Grier and Damon Wayans also star.
Director
Tras "Delirious", éste es el segundo especial grabado en formato película de Eddie Murphy. Grabado en Nueva York, el cómico se centra en las repercusiones de "Delirious", las consecuencias de la fama, las relaciones de pareja, y en su familia.
Writer
TV Special with a variety of comedians
TV Special with a variety of comedians
Producer
Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor catches the ire of his grandmother for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of conflicted dreams satirizing African-American stereotypes in Hollywood, and must reconcile his career goals with his desire to remain a positive role model for his little brother.
Writer
Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor catches the ire of his grandmother for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of conflicted dreams satirizing African-American stereotypes in Hollywood, and must reconcile his career goals with his desire to remain a positive role model for his little brother.
Director
Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor catches the ire of his grandmother for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of conflicted dreams satirizing African-American stereotypes in Hollywood, and must reconcile his career goals with his desire to remain a positive role model for his little brother.
Bobby Taylor
Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor catches the ire of his grandmother for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of conflicted dreams satirizing African-American stereotypes in Hollywood, and must reconcile his career goals with his desire to remain a positive role model for his little brother.
Manny
A failed window dresser exploits a being with rat-like features in an effort to make money.
himself
Rodney Dangerfield hosted this HBO special which includes fantastic performances by some of the best new talent of 1986. Comedians include Jeff Altman, Roseanne Barr, Sam Kinison, Bob Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert Townsend, and, of course, Rodney Dangerfield.
Writer
Rodney Dangerfield hosted this HBO special which includes fantastic performances by some of the best new talent of 1986. Comedians include Jeff Altman, Roseanne Barr, Sam Kinison, Bob Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert Townsend, and, of course, Rodney Dangerfield.
Dwight
Four students who work on different jobs during their vacations in summer are tired of doing the same thing every year. Therefore they decide to open up a moving company together and confront themselves with the former boss of one of them.
Jerome
Dos hermanos, uno de los cuales posee una enfermedad cerebral que causó la muerte de su padre, deciden participar en una competición en bicicleta a través de las montañas Rocosas en Colorado.
Corporal Ellis
En el año 1944, un sargento es asesinado en un camino solitario cerca de la base militar de Louisiana. La presión ejercida por las autoridades y por la opinión pública obliga al ejército a enviar, para que se encargue de la investigación, al capitán Richard Davenport, un abogado negro con un excelente expediente universitario.
The Sorels - Lester
Tom Cody, atractivo, soldado heroico y afortunado regresa a su antiguo vecindario para rescatar a su hermosa ex novia, la estrella de rock Ellen Aim, de las garras de una banda de malvados motociclistas que la han secuestrado. Junto con el productor de Ellen, Billy Fish, y los dos puños de su compañero bebedor de cerveza, McCoy, parte a un mundo de humo, neón, calles salpicadas de lluvia, coches contaminantes y enemigos mortales para traer a Ellen de regreso.
James
A 29-year-old lawyer falls for a 43-year-old woman.
Randy
A group of graduating students from a midwestern high school comes to New York City on a trip to celebrate the impending end of school. The students include: Roger Ellis, an ambitious teen aiming for success in big business; David, an aspiring rock star; Judy Matheson, a stagestruck coed actress wannabe; Denise, a free-spirited girl hoping to obtain a degree of sophistication; Fred, a lotharo looking for any Big City woman to be with; and Jon Lipton, a would-be artist hoping to make it big. Mickey Rooney also appears briefly as himself during the backstage scene at the play "Sugar Babies."
Thin Boy
Life imitates art when two Manhattanites — pompous teacher Willie and quiet photographer Phil — become friends after a thought-provoking screening of "Jules et Jim," Truffaut's classic film about a decades-long ménage à trois. Soon, the men meet Jeanette, a sexually liberated southern transplant who promptly falls for both of them. Frustrated passions curdle into jealousy as Jeanette entertains love affairs with each in the ensuing years.
Russell Baker
A fictionalized drama about the first women to enter the U.S. Military Academy in 1976 and the reactions they faced.
gang member (uncredited)
Una batalla de proporciones gigantescas va a tener lugar en los bajos fondos de la ciudad de Nueva York. Los ejércitos de la noche, con más de 100.000 integrantes, quintuplican los efectivos de la policía. Se enfrentan a los Warriors, una banda callejera a la que acusan injustamente del asesinato del líder de un grupo rival. Es la historia de un mundo insólito de subculturas, de guerrillas entre bandas nocturnas, desde Coney Island a Manhattan, pasando por el Bronx. Los miembros de los Warriors luchan por sus vidas, intentan sobrevivir en la jungla urbana y aprenden el significado de la lealtad.
Musician
A new highway threatens a Chicago neighborhood, so to protest the residents throw a block party.
Basketball Player in Gym Class
En los años sesenta, un grupo de amigos, alumnos de la escuela superior Cooley, pasan los días estudiando y haciendo gamberradas propias de su edad. Pero un mal día, la muerte de uno de ellos en circunstancias violentas, acaba con las bromas y hace madurar a muchos.
