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Blackjack
(TV, 1998)


plot summary
 

From John Woo, the master of action who brought the audiences the internationally successful feature film FACE/OFF, comes a new thrill-a-minute film: BLACKJACK.

Dolph Lundgren stars as Jack Devlin, a high-living security expert, trying to retire from a life of dangerous assignments. But when Jack's close friend catches a bullet while protecting breath-taking supermodel Cinder James, Jack knows he has to leave the comfort of his luxurious Manhattan penthouse to take over the high-risk assignment.

Cinder has just landed a multi-million dollar contract that will see her go down the city's hottest runways. But danger lurks around every corner as her ex-husband, a relentless stalker, pinpoint marksman and bona fide psycho, has his mind set on murder.

Jack's life is complicated further when a newly-orphaned eight-year-old girl, Casey, arrives on his doorstep. Years earlier, Jack saved Casey's life from Russian mobsters as they tried to take her hostage while muscling in on her father's casino. Jack is now Casey's godfather, and he finds his time torn between the mundane but heart warming world of raising, and a deadly world of hide and seek where murder lies behind every door and survival is against the odds.

John Woo brings his magic touch to BLACKJACK and presents a side of internationally acclaimed actor Dolph Lundgren that's never been seen before. Woo sets high stakes for action and excitement, and exceeds them every time. It's a film that starts off fast, kicks into overdrive and has a climax that will blow you out of your seat.

-from Alliance Communications flyer


director/cast
 
John Woo Director
Dolph Lundgren Jack Devlin
Kam Heskin Cinder James
Phillip MacKenzie Rory
Padraigin Murphy Casey
Saul Rubinek Thomas


genre Action / Thriller
rating R for violence

production co(s)

budget

Alliance Communications / Le Monde Entertainment / WCG Entertainment Productions / USA Pictures / Baton

$7-8 million (CAD) (cost 10)

location(s) Toronto, ON, Canada


interesting facts
 

- "Blackjack" was made as a TV pilot for a USA Network television series that wasn't picked up

- Although it came out first, "Blackjack" was filmed after "The Minion" and "Sweepers", that he had made back to back earlier in the summer that year .

interesting quote
 
"Directors have generally overlooked Dolph's great sense of humor. He's very funny." John Woo


webmaster's opinion
 
Deadly, deadly, deadly. I've been eagerly awaiting the release of this movie here in Canada for awhile now (takes some time to filter up north y'see...) and I was not disappointed. You pair up the always-incredible Dolph with John Woo and you have an incredible pairing. The storyline is great - not just a one-track kinda deal, but instead has a few interesting sub-plots woven throughout - and Woo's infamous camera shots are in full-effect. There's no half-ass acting in this flick either - everyone has a clearly-defined character and each is well-developed and superbly portrayed. Most notably is Dolph's character, of course. Jack Devlin is a pretty intriguing guy - a man who laughs, cries, and beats the piss out of the bad guys in some awesome high-kicking scenes. The movie was a made-for-tv one though, and this is evident in certain overly-emotional scenes and some of the editing, but overall it's a great movie and well worth renting. If this is an indication of what Dolph's future movies are going to be like, we've got some great flicks to look forward to...


web links

Internet Movie Database - full details

On the set of Blackjack - article from the book by Christoppher Head

Buena Vista - Home Video


buy this movie
Amazon
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Chapters.ca
- DVD


pictures
 find movie stills here - Blackjack

Screenshots Gallery

Behind the Scenes screenshots


 

ALLIANCE COMMUNICATIONS presents "BLACKJACK " DOLPH LUNDGREN KATE VERNON PHILLIP MACKENZIE FRED WILLIAMSON PADRAIGIN MURPHY TONY DESANTIS and SAUL RUBINEK as Thomas music composed by MICKY ERBE and MARIBETH SOLOMON editor RON WISMAN production designer KAREN BROMLEY director of photography BILL WONG C.S.C. executive producers JOHN WOO TERENCE CHANG CHRISTOPHER GODSICK PETER LANCE executive in charge of production RAMONA NG producer JOHN RYAN written by PETER LANCE directed by JOHN WOO

movie links
Agent Red | Blackjack | Bridge of Dragons | Command Performance | Cover-Up | Dark Angel | The Defender | Detention | Diamond Dogs | Direct Action | Direct Contact | The Expendables | Fat Slags | Hidden Agenda | Icarus | The Inquiry | Jill Rips | Johnny Mnemonic | Joshua Tree | The Last Patrol | Masters of the Universe | Maximum Potential | The Mechanik | Men of War | The Minion | Missionary Man | The Peacekeeper | Pentathlon | The Punisher | Red Scorpion | Retrograde | Rocky IV | The Shooter | Showdown in Little Tokyo | Silent Trigger | Storm Catcher | Sunny Side Up | Sweepers | Universal Soldier | Universal Soldier A New Beginning | A View to a Kill


 

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