The Players Club Reviews

Calling Pam Grier! If this rude, fresh, surprisingly sympathetic tale of a single mother who's studying for her degree in journalism by day and shaking her moneymaker in a strip joint by night had been made at the height of Grier's fame 25 years ago, no one else would even have been considered for the starring role. Spunky, street-smart college student Diana Armstrong (LisaRaye) is determined to take what the Player's Club has to offer her -- cash money -- and walk away. But it's never that easy: little cousin Ebony (Monica Calhoun), whom Diana is under orders to watch out for, starts working at the club and falls into the acrylic-nailed clutches of Ronnie (Chrystale Wilson) and Tricks (Adele Givens), both well-acquainted with the road to ruin and all the rest stops along the way. Blustering boss Dollar Bill (Bernie Mac) has incurred the wrath of some hard case gangsters, Diana's boyfriend Lance (Monte Russell) is getting all uppity about her stripping and her fellow students have discovered her secret life. Rapper turned actor turned screenwriter Ice Cube turns director with this fast-paced homage to '70s Blaxploitation, and shows everyone involved with the sorry STRIPTREASE how these things should be done. Trashy, flashy and full of panache, not to mention G-stringed booty.