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"3 STRIKES"
(2000) (Brian Hooks, N'Bushe Wright) (R)

Alcohol/
Drugs
Blood/Gore Disrespectful/
Bad Attitude
Frightening/
Tense Scenes
Guns/
Weapons
Heavy Mild Heavy None Heavy
Imitative
Behavior
Jump
Scenes
Music
(Scary/Tense)
Music
(Inappropriate)
Profanity
Mild None None Extreme Extreme
Sex/
Nudity
Smoking Tense Family
Scenes
Topics To
Talk About
Violence
Extreme Mild Minor Mild Moderate


QUICK TAKE:
Comedy: A recently released, twice-convicted convict tries to clear his name from a third crime that will send him back to prison for twenty-five years.
PLOT:
Hoping to get his life back on track and avoid a third conviction that would send him back to prison for at least twenty-five years under the "three strikes and you're out" law, Rob Douglas (BRIAN HOOKS) has just been released from prison for conviction number two. Things immediately go awry when his delinquent friend JJ (DE'AUNDRE BONDS) picks him up instead of Tone (FAIZON LOVE), another buddy from the 'hood.

After sharing a joint, Rob learns that the car JJ's driving is stolen and then flees the scene after JJ gets into a gun battle with the police who've pulled them over. After laying low for a while, Rob visits his indignant girlfriend, Juanita (N'BUSHE WRIGHT), and then heads home to see his mother (STARLETTA DuPOIS) and father, "Pops" (GEORGE WALLACE). While his mom is concerned but happy to see him, his father gets after him to the point that Rob decides to leave home.

Things get worse for Rob as local police detective Jenkins (DAVID ALAN GRIER) eventually figures out Rob's identity, while Tone is after him as well for not backing up JJ who's now in the hospital with a gunshot wound to the butt.

With the help of Mike (E40), a local entrepreneur and Dahlia (MO'NIQUE), a woman with a vital piece of evidence, Rob tries to clear his name while avoiding Tone, Jenkins and the rest of the LAPD.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?
If they're fans of anyone in the cast, they might, but since this film has barely been promoted, it's not very likely that kids will rush out to see it.
WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R
For pervasive language, strong sexual content, some drug use and a brief scene of violence.
CAST AS ROLE MODELS:
Granted, none of what's present is meant to be taken seriously, but considering the criminal behavior, profanity, and otherwise stupid behavior of the major characters, it's highly unlikely that any parents would consider them as positive role models.
CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE


Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.


(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).


OUR WORD TO PARENTS:
The following is a brief summary of the content found in this R-rated comedy. Profanity is rated as extreme due to the use of more than 160 "f" and "s" words combined, while plenty of other profanities and colorful phrases are also used throughout the film. Some of the dialogue is sexually related, while sexual and nonsexual nudity is present, and is some sexually related behavior (between people as well as two computer game characters seen in various sexual positions).

Women are seen as sexual objects or "bitchy" characters throughout the film, some of the characters are criminals or participate in illegal behavior, and several characters smoke marijuana in various scenes. Some drinking and smoking are also present.

The film takes a casual/humorously intended look at crime and criminals, while some violence also occurs in the form of being hit, shot at or, in one case, shot in the butt (with a little bit of blood). A running gag throughout the film includes an uncle repeatedly farting and everyone reacting to the smell. Should you still be concerned about the film's content and its appropriateness after reading that summary, we suggest that you take a closer look at our more detailed content listings.


ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE
  • Some people walk out of a liquor store carrying bottles of booze, including Tone who uses his to crack a man over the head.
  • JJ offers Rob a joint, but he initially refuses since he just got out of prison. After JJ tells him that it's not a felony to smoke it, both he and Rob share the joint.
  • Some people at an outdoor party drink beer.
  • An older family member has an empty beer bottle in front of him and then drinks another, much to the dismay of Rob's father who looks for a beer for himself.
  • Rob lights up a joint in a cab, as does the cab driver, and we then see the cab pull up to a hotel, driving erratically and the windows fogged up with pot smoke (that comes wafting out when the two get out of the cab laughing).
  • Jenkins' partner smokes a joint while on duty and offers it to Jenkins who declines.
  • Carrying a bottle of liquor in his hotel room, Rob appears a bit drunk.
  • People have drinks in a strip club.
  • Tone smokes a joint as does someone else.
  • BLOOD/GORE
  • Some blood squirts out when JJ is shot in the butt and we later see some blood on his pants leg from this wound, as well as on a slightly bloody bandage once he's in the hospital.
  • A running scatological gag has one of Rob's older relatives repeatedly (and audibly) farting (and occasionally belching) and everyone reacting to the smell.
  • In a nightmare, Rob imagines cops storming into his home and opening fire on him, eventually hitting him with bullets and we then see some blood squirting out.
  • DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE
  • Granted that it's a comedy, but the film takes a casual look at criminal behavior (that, for the most part, doesn't have severe consequences).
  • Rob is a twice-convicted felon (although we don't know what for).
  • We learn that JJ has stolen the car in which he's picking up Rob, and when pulled over by the police, he opens fires on them.
  • As in most films like this one, the women are portrayed as sex objects and not much more.
  • Tone has a bad attitude toward just about everyone he encounters (other than the shapely ladies).
  • Other characters also appear to be possible criminals.
  • Jenkins has a hair trigger and clearly doesn't like any criminals he encounters.
  • Juanita steals some of Rob's money.
  • Instead of giving a valet a money tip, Rob gives him some advice ("Stay out of dark alleys") and then drives off.
  • FRIGHTENING SCENES
  • None.
  • GUNS/WEAPONS
  • Handguns/Shotguns/Machine guns: Carried and/or used by the police to aim or shoot at various suspects, some of which fire upon them.
  • IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR
  • Phrases: "Shut the f*ck up," "What the f*ck is wrong with you?" "Sh*thole," "Sh*t birds," "Take a sh*t," "Jack off" (masturbate), "Hootchie kootchie" (for female genitals), "Nigger" (said many times by characters and in songs), "Bitch" (said many times), "Sorry ass," "Punk," "Bitch ass," "Wild ass," "Whores," "Hos" (whores), "Balls" (testicles), "Monkey ass," "Dufus," "Fag," "Punk ass," "Piss," "Bad ass," "Piece of ass," "I've got sperm bigger than you" (what a man says to a kid), "Booty," "Knucklehead" and "Shut up."
  • It's possible some kids could imitate the bad/criminal behavior since it's portrayed in a casual fashion, most of it without severe repercussions.
  • Tone spits while outside.
  • JJ opens fire on the police after they pull him over on the highway.
  • JUMP SCENES
  • None.
  • MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)
  • None.
  • MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)
  • Although the lyrics to many of the rap songs on the soundtrack couldn't be understood, we did hear many uses of the "f" word, along with slang terms for female genitals ("p*ssy"), other profanities and uses of the word "nigger."
  • PROFANITY
  • At least 82 "f" words (26 used with "mother"), 81 "s" words, 16 slang terms for female genitals ("p*ssy" and "hootchie-kootchie"), 51 asses (1 used with "hole"), 19 damns, 19 hells, 1 S.O.B., 5 uses of "G-damn" and 1 use of "Good God Almighty" as exclamations.
  • SEX/NUDITY
  • Rob talks about wanting some "hootchie-kootchie" and then says that he has "p*ssy" on his mind and would like some on his face and that he like to have some "p*ssy potpie."
  • We see a close-up view of a young woman walking along in hot pants that are cut half way up her butt (thus we see the bottom half of her bare butt). Later, she dances in front of Tone (she's standing while he sits) and shakes her clothed crotch (with her legs spread and wearing the same outfit) at him (thus we see her gyrating, half-naked butt).
  • Later, and seeing a torso and above shot of Tone, this woman pops up from down around his crotch. She's shirtless and we see her bare back as well as the side of her bare breast. He then pushes her head back down to his crotch (out of the camera shot) where she presumably performs oral sex on him (based on his facial reaction).
  • Among the personal items returned to Rob upon leaving prison is a condom still in its wrapper.
  • After talking to his girlfriend, Rob states that he could go for some "new p*ssy."
  • Rob's father tells his mother that he's wearing her favorite cologne. When she asks what that is, he tells her "Hard on," and then adds that she probably didn't know you could smell it.
  • A cop plays a video game where we see several animated human characters off in the distance that are involved in various sexual practices. As such, we see the animated man having sex from behind the woman, then her on top of him and then the two in the "69" position (all with movement).
  • A custodial worker in a hospital lustfully admires JJ's butt that's raised in a sling of sorts off a hospital bed. Later, when JJ insults a guard, the guard smiles at him and the custodial worker and then leaves the room as the custodial worker unzips his pants and says that it's "winky" time and then mentions (what sounded like) "nineteen inches of fun."
  • Rob stares at Juanita's butt in her tight white pants and then jokingly humps the bed in a hotel room. She then tells him that he hasn't had any (sex) in a year and that if he keeps messing around he won't get any for some time longer.
  • Juanita walks out into their hotel room wearing her bra, panties and garters (showing cleavage) and gets onto the bed with Rob. He then climbs on top of her as the scene ends with him saying he waited for her and didn't "jack off" while in prison.
  • Seeing a woman bent over in tight-fitting pants, Rob starts making some sexual pelvic thrust gestures in her direction.
  • A woman on the street shows cleavage.
  • In exchange for some important evidence, Dahlia implies that she wants some sexual favors from Rob (telling him that to get what he wants, she has to get what she needs). She then says that they're going to "get busy" and "do that." We then see her dressed in some lingerie that shows cleavage. He then comments that he doesn't have any condoms. In response, she pulls out a box of sexual items, including condoms, an S&M paddle, "something for your ass" (a string of balls) and a very large dildo. Later, we see Dahlia with a pleasured look on her face as she says, "That's how I like it" as we hear the sound of the vibrating dildo Rob's using on her (not seen).
  • Tone goes to a strip club called "Chick "n Strip" where we see several women (some dancing, others not) wearing tiny g-string/thong bottoms that show most of their bare butts (they don't show any bare breasts, however).
  • We see Dahlia watching the news coverage of Rob fleeing from the police and still hear the vibrating sound of her large dildo.
  • SMOKING
  • Tone smokes several times, while Rob's uncle and parole office smoke, as do some miscellaneous characters.
  • TENSE FAMILY SCENES
  • Although it's not played realistically but instead for supposed laughs, Rob's father isn't happy with him, eventually causing the just released con to leave home.
  • TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT
  • The three strikes law.
  • The film's casual look at and display of criminal behavior (that, for the most part, doesn't have severe consequences).
  • VIOLENCE
  • None of what's listed here is meant to be taken seriously.
  • Tone hits a man over the head with a bottle of booze.
  • A prisoner punches Rob in the gut and he and another con push Rob back against a wall.
  • We hear Tone kick one of his dogs.
  • JJ opens fire on the police after they pull him over on the highway. In turn, they return fire and riddle his stolen car with bullets, eventually hitting him once in the butt.
  • A blindfolded kid accidentally whacks Rob in the crotch with a stick while trying to crack open a piņata.
  • Juanita smacks Rob twice.
  • In a nightmare, Rob imagines cops storming into his home (kicking down the door) and opening fire on him, eventually hitting him with bullets and we then see some blood squirting out.
  • Jenkins pulls his gun on an argumentative woman in the station (played for laughs of him having a hair trigger temper).
  • In some movie on TV, we see a character shooting a gun at someone else.
  • Dahlia slaps some man on the head and then pushes him.
  • A woman hits Tone with her purse when he tries to sweet talk her.
  • Rob punches the much larger Tone (not hurting him) and then tries to run away, but one of Tone's buddies trips Rob. The others then gather around and repeatedly kick/stomp down on him.
  • Some police cars crash into each other.
  • For unknown reasons and after they have him surrounded, Jenkins yells out that Rob has a gun. At that point, Jenkins and other cops then open fire on the car Rob's behind.
  • A truck clips a person on the street.



  • Reviewed March 1, 2000 / Posted March 3, 2000

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