News

Art Evans, the actor who appeared in Die Hard 2, A Soldier’s Story and so many more movies and TV shows beginning in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 82. The cause of death was diabetes.

Art Evans had well over 100 credits to his name, normally playing smaller roles. One of these key ones was in Die Hard 2, in which he played an air traffic controller who aids in John McClane’s latest fight against terrorists. Another came in 1984 with A Soldier’s Story, co-starring alongside Howard E. Rollins Jr. and Adolph Caesar as an army private. While Caesar would end up receiving the bulk of the attention (receiving Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations), Evans was also making his own mark.

Art Evans got his career started the previous decade — after time studying theater and on the stage — earning his first credit on sitcom Chico and the Man.

Veteran film and television actor Art Evans, who played Leslie Barnes in Die Hard 2, has died. He was 82. Evans passed away on Saturday, December 21, of complications from diabetes, as confirmed by his wife, Babe Evans. His obituary noted he “passed away peacefully” while “surrounded by family.” “Art was not only an incredible actor but a devoted husband, friend, and source of light to everyone who knew him,” Babe said in a statement to EW. “His laughter, passion, and love of life will be deeply missed. While our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the legacy of joy and inspiration he leaves behind.” Born on March 27, 1942, in Berkeley, California, Evans’ acting career spanned over 40 years, with over 120 credits across film, theater, and television. He started out at Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being in Los Angeles before landing the starring role in The Amen Corner, which made its Broadway debut in...

At 82, Art Evans, a talented character actor known for his vast work in film and television, passed away. His diabetes, which he had been fighting for years, caused problems that led to his death on December 21. Babe Evans, his wife, confirmed the news and paid heartfelt tribute to his life and career.

“Art was not only an incredible actor but a devoted husband, friend, and source of light to everyone who knew him,” she said. “We will miss his laugh, passion, and love of life very much.” Even though our hearts are heavy, we are proud of the joy and influence he leaves behind.

Evans began his acting career at Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being. He was born in Los Angeles on March 27, 1942. He made it to Broadway and played the lead role in “The Amen Corner” in 1965. In the middle of the 1970s, he moved on to TV,...

Art Evans, the actor best known for his role as Leslie Barnes in Die Hard 2, has died. He was 82.

Evans died “peacefully in his sleep” surrounded by family on Dec. 21, a rep told The Hollywood Reporter.

“We are heartbroken to share that Art has passed away,” said his wife, Babe Evans. “Please respect our privacy at this time. A memorial will be held for friends and family to attend at a later date. Thank you.”

Evans’ Leslie Barnes is an air traffic control tower employee who helps Bruce Willis’ John McClane stop terrorists. In addition to the Die Hard installment, the actor also appeared alongside Denzel Washington and Adolph Ceasar in 1984’s A Soldier’s Story as Private James Wilkie.

During his career, Evans amassed more than 120 credits. On the big screen, Evans als appeared in films such as Christine, Big Time, Youngblood, National Lampoon’s Class Reunion, Fright Night, School Daze,...

Art Evans, the actor known for his roles in Die Hard 2 and A Soldier’s Story, has died. He was 82.

The actor’s rep tells Deadline he died on Saturday, Dec. 21 of diabetes, “a condition he courageously managed for many years.” No other details were immediately available.

“Art was not only an incredible actor but a devoted husband, friend, and source of light to everyone who knew him,” his wife Babe said in a statement. “His laughter, passion, and love of life will be deeply missed. While our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the legacy of joy and inspiration he leaves behind.”

His talent reps LyNea Bell and Charleen McGuire remembered him as “a remarkable talent who touched many lives with his work. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”

Born March 27, 1942 in Los Angeles, Evans came up at Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being before landing...

Art Evans, a film and television actor known for his roles in “Die Hard 2” and “Fright Night,” died Dec. 21. He was 82.

Evans’ death was confirmed to Variety by publicist Erica Huntzinger. The cause of death was not disclosed, although the obituary noted he “passed away peacefully” while “surrounded by family.”

In a statement, Evans’ wife Babe Evans said: “We are heartbroken to share that Art has passed away. Please respect our privacy at this time. A memorial will be held for friends and family to attend at a later date. Thank you.”

Evans amassed over 120 credits in film and television over the past 50 years. Starting at Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being in Los Angeles, he took a starring role in “The Amen Corner” which eventually transferred to Broadway in 1965. One of his early credited film roles was the first victim in the John Carpenter 1983 film “Christine.”

Evans went...

Thirty-nine years after they made the vampire classic Fright Night (watch it Here) together, several members of the film’s cast are set to reunite with writer/director Tom Holland – and will be joined by special guests Mark Hamill and Rosario Dawson – for a live reading of the script! This event has been put together for Table Read, which is an award-winning podcast, a top charter on Apple Podcasts, and Realm partner. It’s scheduled to take place on April 20th in Burbank, California, and more information can be found at the Table Read link.

Holland will be directing the script reading, which is being produced by Table Read’s Shaan Sharma, Mark Knell, and Jack Levy. Reprising their roles from the film will be Chris Sarandon as Jerry Dandrige, William Ragsdale as Charley Brewster, Amanda Bearse as Amy Peterson, Stephen Geoffreys as Evil Ed Thompson, Art Evans as Detective Lennox,...

Get ready to watch more Freevee this February! Most of the free streamer's new additions will come all at once on the first of the month, including the three-time Oscar nominee "A Soldier’s Story" directed by the recently departed Norman Jewison, the franchise-launching "How to Train Your Dragon," and more classics of the past four decades.

Check out The Streamable’s top picks for Freevee’s February additions, and continue below to see the full list!

Watch Now Free amazonfreevee.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Freevee in February 2024? “A Soldier’s Story” | Thursday, Feb. 1

Early-career Denzel Washington appears in a supporting role in this Oscar-nominated adaptation of Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “A Soldier’s Play.” But it’s Howard E. Rollings Jr. who leads the cast here as Captain Richard Davenport, a Black Army investigator who travels to a remote military base to look into...

July brings new channels to Pluto TV, including the Godzilla Channel, which features 30 films, such as “Godzilla Vs. King Chidorah” and “Godzilla vs. Biollante,” as well as the 1998-2000 animated adventure “Godzilla: The Series.” The Hollywood Squares Channel is also debuting. Celebrities in nine separate tic-tac-toe boxes provide right — and wrong — answers to contestants longing to hear “circle gets the square!”

July continues the streamer’s Summer Popcorn Movies with the “Mission Impossible” franchise starring Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt, an agent of the Impossible Missions Force (Imf). Cruise has played the super-fit spy since 1996, as well as produced the series. The seventh iteration, “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1,” has a theatrical release date of July 12.

Check out the first “Mission Impossible” trailer

“The Soldier’s Story,” a gripping 1984 drama nominated for three Academy Awards, is a jarring mystery about the death of a black sergeant stationed at a...

It’s time for a new episode of the Revisited video series, and in this one we’re looking back at a 1980s classic that is widely considered to be one of the best vampire movies ever made, writer/director Tom Holland’s Fright Night (watch it Here)! To find out what we had to say about Fright Night, check out the video embedded above.

Fright Night has the following synopsis:

Teenage Charley Brewster is a horror-film junkie, so it’s no surprise that, when a reclusive new neighbor named Jerry Dandridge moves next-door, Brewster becomes convinced he is a vampire. It’s also no surprise when nobody believes him. However, after strange events begin to occur, Charlie has no choice but to turn to the only person who could possibly help: washed-up television vampire killer Peter Vincent.

The film stars Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Roddy McDowall,...

Friday night is morphing into Fright Night for the Michigan Democratic Party.

With just five days to go before Election Day, the cast from the 1985 cult classic are gathering for a virtual live reading of the script along with special appearances by Star Wars star Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson and self-proclaimed Fright Night superfan Michael Rosenbaum. The event, scheduled for 8 p.m. Et, will raise funds for the party in the swing state.

Fright Night stars confirmed to attend are Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding, Art Evans and Chris Hendrie. Per her tweet, Michigan attorney general ...

Friday night is morphing into Fright Night for the Michigan Democratic Party.

With just five days to go before Election Day, the cast from the 1985 cult classic are gathering for a virtual live reading of the script along with special appearances by Star Wars star Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson and self-proclaimed Fright Night superfan Michael Rosenbaum. The event, scheduled for 8 p.m. Et, will raise funds for the party in the swing state.

Fright Night stars confirmed to attend are Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding, Art Evans and Chris Hendrie. Per her tweet, Michigan attorney general ...

Donald Cammell danced to his own tune; he only directed four films over twenty-six years before taking his own life, but each was unique and thrilling in their own peculiar way. Case in point: White of the Eye (1987), his meditation on toxic masculinity and dead ends told through the prism of an Americanized Giallo film; it’s a film that purposely piles on the unease until the images shatter the screen with style and sheen.

Released by Palisades Entertainment Group Stateside in May of ‘88, White actually premiered in its native U.K. the previous summer, as well as playing at Cannes that year. Prestigious? Sure, for those who followed Cammell’s unusual career trajectory through tumult and triumph. As for the general public, White was definitely a question mark - a horror film, a thriller, or an odd domestic drama? - and sank without a trace. But thirty-three years after its debut,...

Variety has exclusively learned that Urban Movie Channel has set the new multi-generational family drama “A House Divided” for a summer 2019 premiere.

The series follows the direct descendants of Letty Sanders, who was enslaved in the 1800s and later became the wealthiest black woman in Los Angeles. The show centers on present-day members of the Sanders family, whose legacy is being threatened by the passing of its matriarch, a government investigation, and newly discovered secrets.

Currently in the beginning stages of production, the new series will star Demetria McKinney (Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne”), Paula Jai Parker (“Ray Donovan”), Lawrence Hilton Jacobs (“The Jacksons: An American Dream”), Brad James (“Superstition”), David McKnight (“Hollywood Shuffle”), Taja V. Simpson (Fox’s “Lethal Weapon”), and Art Evans (“Die Hard 2”).

“A House Divided” comes from Dan Garcia, the creator of Umc’s series “Bronx Siu.”

“A thrilling tale of scandal and secrecy...

Why does Fright Night, the 1985 vampire teen horror-comedy curio, endure as a great movie long past its expected sell-by date? Because writer/director Tom Holland’s Fright Night extends its core subject matter, vampiric transformation, into a studied allegory for the painful, violent uncertainty of adolescence. And because it unflinchingly tackles the two underlying themes at the core of the best horror fodder: sex and death. In the spirit of Halloween, this writer wanted to tackle one of his favorite ’80s creature features. So welcome to the first Tfh review of Fright Night… for real.

Let’s quickly cover the pitch. Devout teen cinephile Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale), his girlfriend Amy (Amanda Bearse) and their odd-duck third wheel high school colleague “Evil” Ed (Stephen Geoffreys) all tackle severe self-doubt, that most teenage of impulses, as they combat Charley’s new next-door neighbor, the elegant, supremely confident apple aficionado Jerry Dandrige...

Crooked treasure hunters tangle with menacing black gangsters in this crime-action siege movie from 1992, with a fine filmmaker pedigree. The late Bill Paxton leads a great cast — William Sadler, Ice-t, Art Evans — in a tense standoff that turns into a murderous ordeal when it’s discovered that a million-dollar cache of gold is to be had. The Shout Selects extras include an informative interview with co-writer Bob Gale.

Trespass

Blu-ray

Shout! Factory ‘Shout Selects’

1992 / Color / 2:35 1:85 widescreen 1:37 flat full frame / 101 min. / Street Date June 27, 2017 / 27.99

Starring: Bill Paxton, Ice-t, William Sadler, Ice Cube, Art Evans, De’voreaux White, Bruce A. Young, Glenn Plummer, Stoney Jackson, T.E. Russell, Tiny Lister.

Cinematography: Lloyd Ahern II

Film Editor: Freeman Davies

Original Music: Ry Cooder

Written by Bob Gale, Robert Zemeckis

Produced by Neil Canton

Directed by Walter Hill

A lot of movies struggle and strain and suffer to get made, and then...

For the first time ever, Donald Cammell’s obscure 1987 serial killer thriller White of the Eye is available on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States (the UK arm of Arrow Video brandished its own striking package of the title in early 2014). Director of only four features, including his iconic 1970 debut Performance (co-directed by Nicolas Roeg), Cammell’s quartet of features were all labors of love, the filmmaker undergoing significant set backs on each project up until his death following 1995’s Wild Side.

With seven to ten years in-between each outing, this feature marked the end of a decade long hiatus following 1977’s adaptation of the Dean Koontz novel Demon Seed starring Julie Christie. Adapting from an obscure novel by brothers Laurence and Andrew Klavan (a notable writer of mystery thrillers) writing under the pseudonym Margaret Tracy, Cammell’s wife and actress China Kong co-wrote the screenplay. With his experience...

What if you discovered that the person you married was capable of the unthinkable? One answer to that question is presented in Donald Cammell's 1987 thriller White of the Eye, coming out on Blu-ray and DVD tomorrow from Scream Factory. Ahead of the film's high-def home media release, we've been provided with three White of the Eye Blu-ray copies to give away.

------------

Prize Details: (3) Winners will receive (1) Blu-ray copy of White of the Eye.

How to Enter: For a chance to win, email contest@dailydead.com with the subject “White of the Eye Contest”. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Entry Details: The contest will end at 12:01am Est on November 22nd. This contest is only open to those who are eighteen years of age or older that live in the United States. Only one entry per household will be accepted.

------------

White of the Eye...

Much like Stephen King's novella A Good Marriage, Donald Cammell's White of the Eye asks the question, "How well do you really know your spouse?" Ahead of Scream Factory's November 17th Blu-ray and DVD release of the thriller, we have high-definition clips from the film.

White of the Eye Blu-ray / DVD: "A twisted killer is on the loose. He tortures and dissects his victims as part of a primitive ritual. If you’re a wealthy, attractive woman, stay out of isolated desert community, because you are fair game. Housewife Joan White gradually comes to suspect that her opera-loving husband Paul might know more than he’s letting on... All the clues lead to one man who is clearly innocent. But nothing is as simple as black and white in Donald Cammell’s 1987 suspense thriller White Of The Eye, arriving for the first time on Blu-ray™ in a special...

Much like Stephen King's novella A Good Marriage, Donald Cammell's White of the Eye asks the question, "How well do you really know your spouse?" On November 17th, Scream Factory will release the 1987 thriller on Blu-ray and DVD, and we have a look at the film's cover art and list of bonus features.

Press Release: A twisted killer is on the loose. He tortures and dissects his victims as part of a primitive ritual. If you’re a wealthy, attractive woman, stay out of isolated desert community, because you are fair game. Housewife Joan White gradually comes to suspect that her opera-loving husband Paul might know more than he’s letting on... All the clues lead to one man who is clearly innocent. But nothing is as simple as black and white in Donald Cammell’s 1987 suspense thriller White Of The Eye, arriving for the first time...

Alex Rocco, the veteran tough-guy character actor with the gravelly voice best known for playing mobster and Las Vegas casino owner Moe Greene in The Godfather, has died. He was 79. Rocco died Saturday afternoon of cancer at his home in Studio City, his son, Sean, said. Rocco, who studied acting with the late Leonard Nimoy, a fellow Boston-area transplant, also was the voice of Roger Meyers Jr., the cigar-smoking chairman of the studio behind “Itchy and Scratchy” on The Simpsons, and he played Arthur Evans, the father of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s character, on the stylish

read more...

Stars: David Keith, Cathy Moriarty, Alan Rosenberg, Art Evans, Michael Greene, Danielle Smith, Alberta Watson, William G. Schilling, David Chow, Pamela Guest, Marc Hayashi, Mimi Lieber | Written by Donald Cammell, China Kong | Directed by Donald Cammell

Arrow Video are good at finding the cult movies that although sometimes obscure always deserve to be watched. White of the Eye is a release that fits into this criteria, for the most part it would be just another average serial killer movie until Donald Cammell adds some style to it. With a hint of mysticism and an artistic touch White of the Eye is a unique mystery that although flawed is well worth the experience.

Taking place in an isolated desert community a sound expert Paul White (David Keith) finds himself a suspect in the killings of some of the local suburban housewives. Trying to prove his innocence, memories from the past are...

Best known for starring in TV series Millennium and three films in the Alien franchise, Lance Henriksen is back in the genre for new project Gemini Rising.

The film explores the possibilities of alien technology when used by the wrong people.

An underground experiment on Earth uses technology found in an extraterrestrial spaceship to create an army of drones.

Director Dana Schroeder's sci-fi thriller centres on Colonel Cencula (Henriksen) whose plans going awry when an agent decides to foil the plot.

Lisa Morgan (Amy Hathaway) hopes to intervene before disaster arises. Meanwhile, other characters are caught in the Colonel's path of destruction, including a brainwashed doctor played by Dave Vescio.

The first trailer for Gemini Rising has now been issued, with the film said to be more along the lines of Kill Bill and the Manchurian Candidate than any obvious sci-fi films.

Official synopsis

Lisa Morgan is an ex-homeland...

The first trailer and a few stills from sci-fi thriller Gemini Rising, starring Lance Henriksen and Amy Hathaway, have been released by Pathfinder Productions. Check out fan favorite Henriksen as rogue Colonel Cencula.

From the Press Release:

Gemini Rising explores the possibilities of alien technology when used by the wrong people. In the darkness of space an alien spacecraft is discovered. An underground experiment back on Earth uses this technology to create an army of drones. Director Dana Schroeder’s sci-fi thriller brings both humanity and nefarious plans together in the film’s first trailer.

In the trailer Colonel Cencula (Lance Henriksen) finds his plans going awry when an agent decides to foil the plot. Lisa Morgan (Amy Hathaway) hopes to intervene before disaster arises. Meanwhile other characters are caught in the Colonel’s path of destruction, including a brainwashed doctor played by Dave Vescio.

The director is Dana Schroeder,...

Pathfinder Productions have released the first trailer for sci-fi thriller Gemini Rising which stars Lance Henriksen, Amy Hathaway, Brian Krause, John Savage, Dave Vescio and Art Evans, and comes from director Dana Schroeder (Lost Soul). Check out the official synopsis:

Lisa Morgan is an ex-homeland security agent and highly competent martial artist who gets drawn into the nefarious plans of the egomaniacal Colonel Cencula. He runs a top secret research facility, buried in an extinct volcano on an uncharted tropical island. Cencula plans to use Alien technology to build an army of drone soldiers. Our heroine becomes an unwitting accomplice to the rogue Colonel’s plans until she discovers the true nature of the research. She must stop him from succeeding at all cost.

Exploring the possibilities of alien technology when used by the wrong people, Gemini Rising sees an underground experiment use alien technology to create an army of drones here on Earth.

Gemini Rising is a new sci-fi thriller starring Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Amy Hathaway (Joyride) and Dave Vescio (House of Flesh Mannequins). The film takes place partially in deep space and also on Earth. Alien technology has given a ruthless Colonel (Henriksen) too much power. Now, he is using an alien being and its knowledge to develop science for warfare. All of this can be seen in the film's first official trailer. The clip is below and fans can expect partially computer generated imagery and action scenes. A release date is still to be announced, but fans of film can take a look at the shadowy alien and the characters inside. Director: Dana Schroeder. Producers: Peter Tunney, Fabian Winkelmann, Cyril O’Reilly and John Rogers. Cast: Lance Henriksen, Amy Hathaway, Brian Krause, John Savage, Dave Vescio and Art Evans. The film's trailer is here: The film's fan page is below: Gemini Rising...

If you've ever seen Tom Holland's original Fright Night, then I probably don't need to tell you just how special the characters are in the film because you're already well aware. But for those of you out there who may not be as familiar with Holland's story, allow this writer to indulge a bit in the world of my favorite horror film of all time and take this opportunity to bring you up-to-speed on just what makes Fright Night so special, even after 26 years.

In Fright Night Holland tells us the story of teenager Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale), who discovers his new next-door neighbor, the always charming Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon), is hiding a dark secret: He's really a bloodthirsty vampire who has plans to turn Charley's community into his own personal meal ticket, and I guess you could say he starts off by feasting on the local prostitution population,...

Some early details are emerging from space on the new sci-fi film Gemini Rising. Lance Henricksen will star and this feature is about discovery, as a Nasa crew find alien technology on an abandoned ship. Shooting has already taken place for this production and Gemini Rising will release late in 2011. So, prepare to see something out of this world, with more cast and crew details on this film below.

The plot outline for Gemini Rising is here:

"During a deep space mission, Nasa crew discover a derelict alien craft, entombed in the darkness of space. The astronauts make a startling discovery, an extraterrestrial being, comatose but alive, and a strange bioengineered pod" (Gemini).

Release Date: Q4 2011.

Director: Dana Schroeder.

Writers: Michael Todd, and Kenny Yakkel.

Producers: John Rogers, Steven Ameche, and Mark Butler.

Cast: Lance Henriksen, Amy Hathaway, John Savage, Brian Krause, Dave Vescio, Anthony Vitale, Art Evans, James MacPherson,...

This is a reader’s (he called himself Charley Brewsterrr) review from a test screening that took place in Orange, California.

I can just see it now, studio execs walking into video stores and combing the aisles looking for something to remake without any care in the world. It is a safe gamble to re-imagine something that was successful before because if it doesn’t gel, it is an out because it worked before and they can push blame elsewhere. God forbid someone takes a chance on an original script as opposed to worrying about losing their cushy job. Don’t get me wrong brother, I am not a hater when it comes to redoing a story. From wave one remakes like The Thing and The Fly, to more creative bankrupt outings like Dawn of the Dead and The Ring – all I want is a good movie, and those four titles delivered.

"Metro" stars Eddie Murphy as a wisecracking but top-notch cop -- only his name is not Axel Foley, he's got a little more facial hair, and he's stationed in Northern, not Southern, California. As "San Francisco's top police hostage negotiator," the actor provides his usual incandescent star power to a vehicle that's not particularly worthy of his talents.

Because of his renewed star wattage from "The Nutty Professor" and the lack of midwinter competition, the film should do respectable opening business, but it's hard not to think that it wouldn't do even better with "48HRS". or "Beverly Hills" in the title.

Murphy plays Scott Roper, who brings his own unorthodox brand of negotiating to tense hostage situations, such as bringing along a dozen donuts. Roper's got the usual problems -- a gambling addiction, a relationship on the ropes, a testy boss (Denis Arndt) -- and now he's even being saddled with a new partner, McCall (Michael Rapaport), a whiz-kid Harvard graduate who can read lips.

Early in the film, Roper's superior (Art Evans) is killed by Korda (Michael Wincott), a vicious jewelry thief. Korda is later involved in a hostage-taking situation of his own. And during his attempted escape, Roper and McCall give chase, resulting in a spectacular sequence involving a runaway cable car in which seemingly half the autos in San Francisco get demolished; between this film and "The Rock", it's hard to imagine that there's anything of the city left.

Although Korda is captured, he still manages to wreak havoc, hiring his cousin to go after Roper's girlfriend (she has succumbed to his charms once more). When that plan goes awry, Korda escapes from prison and attempts to finish the job himself.

Thomas Carter's film is a fairly straightforward, intense cop thriller, enlivened by Murphy's frequent touches of humor. The uneasy blend between action and comedy is only partially successful, with both the film and its lead performer torn between "Dirty Harry"-style fierceness and "Beverly Hills Cop" hijinks. The plotting is strictly formulaic, with the hackneyed romantic subplot particularly egregious. Screenwriter Randy Feldman, no stranger to the genre ("Tango & Cash"), doesn't exactly provide sparkling dialogue, although he does have the chief bad guy comfort an underling by saying: "It's not your fault you're stupid." The best writing comes in the brief sequences where Murphy is training his new partner in the art of hostage negotiating.

Murphy doesn't disappoint here. Rapaport, graduating to a big-time studio feature, is sadly underutilized and is allowed to showcase his own idiosyncratic brand of comic timing only sporadically. Carmen Ejogo, making her American film debut as Murphy's love interest, has the looks and charm to justify his character's leaps of daring to save her. Wincott is a suitably intense and scary villain.

Carter's direction is most effective in the film's many action and chase sequences, which involve the usual copious amounts of people leaping onto the hoods of speeding cars. He's a little too fond of playing tricks on the audience, however. In one scene, he provides a fake-out involving a turning mirror not once, but twice; it was hard to tell if the resulting groans from the audience were relief or derision.

METRO

Touchstone Pictures

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Director Thomas Carter

Producer Roger Birnbaum

Screenplay Randy Feldman

Executive producers Mark Lipsky,

Riley Kathryn Ellis

Co-producers George W. Perkins,

Ray Murphy Jr., Randy Feldman

Director of photography Fred Murphy

Editor Peter E. Berger

Music Steve Porcaro

Color/stereo

Cast:

Roper Eddie Murphy

McCall Michael Rapaport

Korda Michael Wincott

Ronnie Tate Carmen Ejogo

Capt. Frank Solis Denis Arndt

Lt. Sam Baffert Art Evans

Earl Donal Logue

Running time --117 minutes

MPAA rating: R...

Counterprogramming with a vengeance, ''Trespass'' offers a full slate of assaults, shootings and beatings for those who have had it with holiday cheer.

Although the film plays as if writers Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis and director Walter Hill were suffering from serious testosterone imbalances, as the only new hard-action picture in the theaters, it should do a bang-up business during the season.

Mainstream possibilities, however, are limited, partly by a harsh black-vs.-white racial division, and while the film's exit may not be sudden, it should be abrupt.

Essentially a stripped-down update of ''The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, '' the film features two Arkansas firemen, Vince (Bill Paxton) and Don (William Sadler), who discover a map to stolen gold hidden years before in an abandoned East St. Louis factory complex.

However, that self-same industrial wasteland is now a killing ground for a gang of local black drug dealers headed by the ruthless, if dandified, King James (Ice T), or KJ as he's known. Vince and Don stumble over one of KJ's executions and before you know it have barricaded themselves in a room while KJ and his gang lay siege.

Vince and Don have a pair of involuntary guests, Bradlee, a homeless old coot (Art Evans) who knows every nook and cranny of the factory, and Lucky (De'Voreaux White), KJ's younger brother who gets taken hostage in the initial confusion. As a result, the white boys have a key to escape and KJ a reason to hold off in a frontal assault.

So Hill is stuck with a 90-minute standoff that he dresses up with a mutiny in KJ's gang led by the ultraviolent Savon (Ice Cube), some pickoff attempts on both sides, and the white boys' frantic attempts to hide the fact they have a fortune in gold on them.

So we have incidents of macho strutting piled on one another and punctuated with violent incidents, until everything gives way to a cataclysmic, bloody climax.

There are a few perfectly executed action bits, but they don't build so much as merely succeed one another, marking time to the foregone conclusion. And, strangely, despite their scale and speed, they lack enthusiasm and energy.

The young cast -- which also includes Stoney Jackson, Bruce A. Young and John Toles-Bey -- is plainly talented, but for the most part have done their best work in other films.

Despite the racial breakdown, and the presence of some mostly irrelevant video work that evokes the Rodney King incident, the action is too cartoonish to set many racial fires.

TRESPASS

UNIVERSAL

Director Walter Hill

Producer Neil Canton

Writers Bob Gale, Robert Zemeckis

Director of photography Lloyd Ahern

Production designer Jon Hutman

Editor Freeman Davies

Color/Dolby

Vince Bill Paxton

King James Ice

Don William Sadler

Savon Ice Cube

Running time -- 104 minutes

MPAA Rating: R

(c) The Hollywood Reporter...