Description: Even with his personal life out of control, no one commands the rave club audiences like deejay and ex-con Jason St. Julian (LL Cool J). That makes him the perfect target for ruthless cop Marcus Caldwell (Howard Hesseman) who forces Jason to become his eyes and ears at the dance club owned by drug dealing Danny Simon, the same man responsible for sending Jason to prison. While waiting for the big drug deal to go down, Jason flirts with danger every time he flirts with scintillating Monica Collins (Victoria Dillard), Danny's main squeeze. Even in a world of conscienceless hit men, cutthroat cops and sadistic drug lords, Monica is the most dangerous player of all. This suspenseful, action-packed film pioneers an exciting new genre of hip hop film noire where the only thing that moves faster than the music is the plot.
If only for Gene Anthony Ray The only reason I got this was because of Gene Anthony Ray in a very minor role. I could have cared less about LL running around without a shirt on or him doing the damn thang with Victoria Dillard (Spin City) on a picnic table.
It's directed by Debbie Allen and prodcued by Tim Reid. As far as I am concerned, this should be in your collection because black people are behind the scenes.
Little-Seen Thriller Starring LL Cool J-- Out of Sync was a mid 1990's film that was set up as a vehicle for LL Cool J (James Todd Smith), and following New Jack City and Deep Cover, it follows in the African-American themed "Urban Noir" sub-genre of crime thrillers. The film was produced independently (the BET network was involved with financing), it was given limited release in 1995 (apparently, one copy was made, shopped around to several major urban markets over the course of a few months) before eventually showing up on home video. The film was directed by Debbie Allen (the former Fame actress who became a prolific TV director, and who has a cameo here) and also co-produced by Tim Reid (Venus Flytrap on WKRP in Cincinnati). Here, LL plays Jason "The Saint" St. Julian, a popular hip-hop nightclub DJ who became a mainstream MTV-style celebrity, but who fell on hard times when his drug abuse got out of control. At this point, he's living in a run-down apartment, owes money to a loan shark, and because no clubs will hire him, he's forced to DJ illegal rave gigs for cash. A cop named Caldwell (Howard Hesseman) crashes Jason's latest party, and at the police station, gives him an offer--become a police informant on a drug dealer the police are targeting, or go to jail. Jason agrees to the deal, and soon ends up the personal DJ for the lavish parties that a prominent drug dealer, Danny, gives--only, he also winds up being caught in the spell of Monica Collins (Victoria Dillard), the drug lord Danny's current girlfriend. Eventually, Jason finds out that Monica is the sister to a former girlfriend of the gangster, and she intends on getting revenge--so Jason is torn--does he continue to inform on his boss and risk being killed, or does he continue his flirtation with Monica and risk being killed? Seemingly, his only other option is jail time--and of course, there's still the matter of ducking the loan shark. As in many such films, friends and enemies are not always what they seem.
All the actors do a decent job, given the low-budget circumstances. Dillard as the femme fatale is very pretty, and yes, she does get a love scene with the hero. Other actors in the film include Yaphet Kotto ("Homicide: Life on the Street", "Running Man") as Quincy, bar owner and a friend to Jason's late father who gives him friendly advice; also, future Mad TV actor Aries Spears plays Jason's buddy Frank.
Trivia: At the time, Allen and LL were co-stars on the sitcom In the House, which lasted 1 and ½ seasons on NBC before moving to UPN (where Allen's character was dropped).
Out of Snyc This is an Okay Movie for LL Cool J. This is really early in his movie career so you can see his comfortable transition to the screen. I liked Ariel Spears as his buddy. The plot was mediocre and Victoria Dillard played her part well, but her I realized her outcome by the scene at the disco with her boyfriend the drug dealer
Out of Sync This was a decent movie to see. Any movie with LL Cool J in it is worth seeing, especially when he is sexin up a beautiful woman. I am looking for the soundtrack to this movie, whether it be on tape or cd. If anyone has or knows where I can find the soundtrack to this movie please email me, lnyx@dwsd.org. Thank you
Truth of story. This is a real good movie. In the tradition of Tougher than Leather, with Run-DMC. Some real Hip Hop flavors to enjoy. And if you like L.L. Cool J, then this is the right movie for you, I loved it. It's B-Boyish, it's hardcore, it's down to earth, it's all that. It has lots of personality and some great film shots, of how the streets really look.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
