Premium

January. 02,2006      R
Rating:
5.6
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Reginald "Cool" Coolidge is a struggling actor, fed up with taking stereotypical African American roles and waiting for his big break in a legitimate production. Until this time comes, he works at his mother's boyfriend's gas station to repay him for covering his college tuition. One day at the station, his ex-fiancé - and one true love - reappears at the pumps after 3 years of silence. Cool discovers that it is 36 hours until her wedding to a local lawyer. As Cool embarks on last-ditch attempts to win her back, he takes on the biggest "role" of his life while also learning the secret to mastering his craft.

Dorian Missick as  Cool
Zoe Saldaña as  Charli
Hill Harper as  Ed
Frankie Faison as  Phil
William Sadler as  Cole Carter
Sean Nelson as  Austin Price
Novella Nelson as  Jayme
Eva Marcille as  Farrah

Reviews

Plantiana
2006/01/02

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

... more
Artivels
2006/01/03

Undescribable Perfection

... more
Bergorks
2006/01/04

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

... more
Hayden Kane
2006/01/05

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

... more
walter-downs
2006/01/06

I don't believe I have ever seen either Dorian Missick or Zoe Saldana in a movie previously; I loved their chemistry together. I have to say that Zoe Saldana has just become one of my favorite actresses. Her performance was impeccable, and she has great depth as an actress. I appreciate the kind of movie that Mr. Chatmon is bringing to the screen and hope he is blessed with the opportunity to evolve and showcase his talent and fulfill his vision. The movie starts out with an emphasis on the shallow and somewhat pathetic life that "Cool" is currently caught up in. Don't be fooled. The moment Missick and Saldana come together a new dimension opens. This is an enjoyable movie, and I hope it is well supported. Most people are searching for good movies to watch; tell someone to pick it up.

... more
Pete Chatmon
2006/01/07

I usually don't do this but I've recently started following the chat rooms on PREMIUM and it's been very rewarding to see the response. When we set out to make this film, from a script I started writing in 1999, our objective was to show that emotion and the human experience is something that is universal. I believe we have succeeded in doing that. Putting black characters in the film does not make it only accessible to black people and this film has something for everyone. After all the festivals, reviews, comments, and awards the film has received, it seems like we're striking the right chord and people agree. PREMIUM is all about adding more to the cinematic menu so be sure to check it out when we hit theaters and DVD later this year! Spread the word...

... more
imizrahi2002
2006/01/08

no disrespect meant to the horse... i've seen THOUSANDS of movies...literally... i could teach a course if i wanted to...including much of the history of film...innovators, etc... if you want to see a trite, shallow movie about a shallow person then this is the film for you... i can't believe ANYone could recommend this... i'm just hoping to save you the disappointment... i was looking forward to something enjoyable, based on many of the comments here...i kept thinking, 'it's GOT to get better...it's GOT to'. and it's not like it doesn't have it's moments... i think i counted two... but the ending made me forget what they were...

... more
Heather Henderson (UrbanFilmCritic)
2006/01/09

Read my past reviews, and you know how rare it is that I sing the praises of any film made after 1985.Premium is one of the best independent films I have ever seen. I realized after the screening at the Urbanworld Film Festival just how much garbage I've watched lately. I hope Mr. Chatmon is able to get a theatrical release so that everyone can have an opportunity to see the movie, but if it does go straight to DVD, it will be a rare gem in the secondary market.I don't want to over-inflate the movie. It wasn't a complex story with a lot of special effects or over the top dramatizations. It was a very simple story that was divinely executed. Everyone did what they were supposed to do. The film maker had enough respect for his audience not be the director, the writer, the star, the key grip and the caterer. He selected his role, he focused on that and hired people to do the rest.It's a character study and a date movie. And its good. I've been a champion of the urban independent film maker for a while. This movie reminded me why...UFC

... more