Carman: The Champion (2001)

User Rating:

4.9/10   

Director:

Lee Stanley

Writers:

Carman (story)
Lee Stanley (written by) ...

Release Date:

2 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes a dream is the only thing worth fighting for...

Plot:

Orlando Leone (Carmen) must enter the boxing ring once again. Even though the doctor has advised him against it, he picks up his gloves for one last fight, for his father, for his church, for his love, and for his life. |

Plot Keywords:

Boxing | Christian Film | Christian | Boxer | Character Name In Title

Cast

Carman	...	Orlando Leone
Michael Nouri	...	Freddie
Patricia Manterola	...	Allia
Jeremy Williams	...	Keshon Banks
Jed Allan	...	Laracco
Romeo Rene Fabian	...	Cesar (as Romeo Fabian)
Betty Carvalho	...	Geneva
Jay Arlen Jones	...	Johnny
Bill Boggs	...	Himself
Steve Albert	...	Himself
Hector Elias	...	Bernard
Kevin Rankin	...	Scrappy
Simon Brooke	...	Victor Anderson
Scott L. Schwartz	...	Big Mike
Eric Mosely	...	Buddha

Also Known As:

Heart of a Champion (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for street and ring violence, and for drug content.

Runtime:

82 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Code Productions

like an afterschool special...but starring Carman

You may have seen Carman on Christian television networks preaching or explaining eternal damnation in vivid detail. He is also known in the Christian community for his varied music styles -- everything from southern gospel to rap. Yes, rap. This seems to be his attempt at a more mainstream type of "Christian" movie. I don't know that this movie received any type of mainstream success.

What surprised me the most about this movie is how watered down the Christian message is. I would have expected Carman to pull out all the stops, fitting the salvation message in every nook and cranny. In place of a specifically Christian message is a predictable schlocky tale of a former boxer trying to help kids without a chance. Various thug stereotypes are intermixed throughout, along with some romance with a single mom.

There is pretty much no value to this movie besides some actors that got a paycheck. It's just bad enough; but not enough for much MST3K-type commentary. If you are going to go the christian route, find a film that's about the life of Jesus. Otherwise, who cares? You can watch an episode of "Saved by the Bell" and at least that is marginally funny and has about the same quality of a message.