Rych McCain Hollyhood Notes

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Loved To Death - TV Movie

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Loved To Death - TV Movie

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

TV ONE'S ORIGINAL MOVIE LOVED TO DEATH PREMIERES SUNDAY, JULY 21 AT 8 P.M. ET/7C, FOLLOWED BY AN ENCORE AT
10 P.M.

Malinda Williams, MC Lyte, McKinley Freeman, Tobias Truvillion and Chrystee Pharris Deliver Chilling Performances in New True Crime Summer Movie

Inspired by actual events, LOVED TO DEATH follows Monica (Williams) and Jackson's (Freeman) relationship after the two meet over a pair of dropped keys. The couple move in together and are soon faced with financial troubles stemming from Jackson's unemployment. Feeling threatened and insecure, Jackson becomes physically abusive towards Monica. Seeking a way out of the relationship, she strikes up a connection with fellow church member, Dre (Truvillion). Monica ultimately ends her relationship with Jackson and gets engaged to Dre, but Jackson is determined to win her back by any means necessary.

McKinley Freeman as Jackson & Malinda Williams as Monica

"I felt compelled to participate in the LOVED TO DEATH project because I know that so many individuals are in toxic/abusive relationships and many aren't even aware," said film star Williams. "Abuse shows up in a myriad of ways. Yes, there is the physical aspect that we all understand but many don't understand that physical abuse is usually the escalated result of other types - mental, emotional and even financial. This movie offers some insight into the nuances of those abusive behaviors and how to recognize when and how things could turn tragic."

L-R Chrystee Pharris, McKinley Freeman, Malinda Williams & Tobias Truvillion (TV One Photo)

LOVED TO DEATH is directed by Lee Davis and written by Chad Quinn. Produced for TV One by Asylum Productions, David Rimawi served as executive producer with David Michael as producer. Scotty Mullen served as casting director. For TV One, Karen Peterkin is Executive Producer in Charge-of-Production; Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting; and Brigitte McCray is Senior Vice President of Original Programming.

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Monday, July 15, 2019

Rattlesnakes - Film

Rattlesnakes - Film

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

Actor/Producer Jimmy Jean-Louis Scores Big At 2019 PAFF With Rattlesnakes!

As with every year, the Pan African Film Festival always deliver good films and of course, there are the one or two that standout more than the others. One of the exceptions this year was “Rattlesnakes,” starring Jimmy Jean-Louis who also produced it. The screenplay was written and directed by Julius Amedume and is an adaptation of the original acclaimed British stage play by play write Graham Farrow of the same name.

The film is a nail biting, suspense thriller focused on Jean-Louis’ character Robert McQueen whose day takes a turn for the worst when he is kidnapped and held hostage by three angry husbands who are hell bent on getting revenge after accusing him of sleeping with their wives. The project went on to win the PAFF Audience Award Narrative Feature and saw a limited theater release.

Actor/Producer Jimmy Jean-Louis

Jean-Louis was just grateful that they were able to finish the movie. They shot in December of 2018 in Santa Barber and wildfires caught up to them. They had to abruptly scramble out while leaving their equipment inside a house. During the following two or three day down time several crew members left. Luckily, they were able to retrieve their gear and pick up shooting again.

Another sticking point was the rattlesnakes. They rented them for an allotted 8 hours only and had to have three just in case one wouldn’t act right. They also required wranglers for each snake. Plus shooting at night, the snakes were kind of sleepy but in the grand scheme of things, they performed like they were supposed to. Writer/director Amedume says it took him 16 months to write the script after conferring with Farrow and the producers.

Angry Husbands ready to do McQueen in

In terms of casting, crew and other logistics, Jean-Louis reiterates that this project was a cooperative collaboration of friends who knew each other from working together. The entire movie was shot in 12 days with 10 hour days. Both cast and crew showed up each day hitting the ground running. In short, they were all in it to win it.

A beat up hostage Robert McQueen (Jean-Lewis)

Jean-Louis was born in Haiti and spent the first years of his life in the slums thereof until he moved to Paris to be with his mom at age 12. He basically led an off-on homeless street life until he broke into theater and worked 3 years in the stage musical “La Belle Epoque,” in Spain. He them embarked on a successful modeling career in France, Spain, Italy, South Africa and the England.

Packed theater for the screening

In 1998, Jean-Louis relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting and soon began booking TV and movie roles. He may best be know for his role on NBC’s “Heroes,” as the charismatic Rene aka The Haitian. He co-starred with Oscar winning actress Mo’Nique in the classic film “Phat Girls.” His most impressive role to date was playing the true life Haitian Revolution leader Toussaint Louverture were he won Best Actor at the Pan African Film Festival and a nomination for Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Jean-Louis is fluent in English, French, Italian, Creole, and has worked in many parts of the world including France, England, Indonesia, Cuba, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico to name some.

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