Delivering sexy hot energy, the film Chocolate City has a Magic Mike feel, but with an intense edge. Well-acted and choreographed, the indie has a good, but ordinary, storyline that may seem trite to some yet exciting to others, especially to women. Even though it’s a ladies only film, there’s much more to it than just sexy dancers. Ladies if you pick up this DVD, better be ready with the drinks and treats because once the word gets out, you’ll be hosting your lady friends for sure.
Michael McCoy (Robert Ri’chard), a college student has been working a job and paying off his tuition while living with his mother Katherine McCoy (Vivica Fox). His 30-year-old brother Chris (DeRay Davis) has not be able to get a job and Katherine has been pushing him to do so since her work hours have been cut back. Expenses have risen and Michael finds out that the family is behind on their electric bill. He accepts an offer from Princeton (Michael Jai White) the manager of a strip club to dance on Ladies Night. The bucks come flowing in and Michael realizes he finally has made it big for himself and his family. When the other dancers see that he’s becoming the star of the club and has been raking in a lot more than them, hard feelings and jealousy starts to boil.
The film moves along at a fast clip getting to the dancing where most of the ladies will have a good time looking at abs and bare butts. Director Jean-Claude La Marre (The Pastor and Mrs. Jones) introduces his characters early on showing their personalities and the problems. He then establishes the reasons why Michael has chosen to take the road of being a rising star as an exotic dancer. Choosing the right cast is paramount in a film like this and La Marre nails it with familiar faces and a reasonably good support cast.
In the starring role Robert Ri’chard plays Michael. Totally ripped head to toe and back to front he’s perfect for his character. In addition, he can dance and move around the stage of the strip club like he’s been doing it forever. An excellent performance both on and off the club stage, Ri’chard shows he has the chemistry for romance and just being a nice guy. This film should catch the attention of producers and cast Ri’chard in future films.
Stepping in as Princeton the strip club manager Michael Jai White (TV series “Black Dynamite”) gives Michael McCoy his chance to get out of debt and save his family. He’s a tough leader of the strip dancing team and works on getting the routines down. When Michael gets beaten and robbed he’s the first one to help him get back on his feet. It’s a good character for White, one that suits him well.
Chocolate City has a killer soundtrack that includes the following artists and performers. Durty & Frontline, Michael Speaks, Evan Kapparelli, Blast, Gia Medley, Butta,
Dre, Teddy G, Clayton Williams, Candice Craig, Trixx, King & Beast, Durty & Smoke, Jeremih ft. YG, and KC. Check out two of the show stopping music videos “Pony” performed by Ginuwine, and “No Way Around it” performed by Beast & King at “Soundtrack Mania” http://www.soundtrackmania.com/chocolate-city-soundtrack-list.html.
Chocolate City has been rated R by the MPAA for sexual content throughout, partial nudity, language and brief violence. Please keep this DVD and other rated R movies out of the reach of young children.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A hot film for the ladies. (B)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Robert Ri’chard, Imani Hakim, Michael Jai White, Tyson Beckford, Vivica Fox, Ginuwine. DeRay Davis, and Jean Claude LaMarre as Pastor Jones.
Director and writer: Jean-Claude La Marre
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content throughout, partial nudity, language and brief violence
Genre: Drama, Dance
Running Time: 1 hr. 31 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: May 22, 2015
Video Release Date: August 4, 2015
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Arc Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
