Kasi Lemmons

Kasi Lemmons (born Karen Lemmons; February 24, 1961) is an American film director, screenwriter, and actress. She made her directorial debut with Eve's Bayou (1997), followed by Talk to Me (2007), Black Nativity (2013), Harriet (2019), and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022). She also directed the Netflix limited series Self Made (2020), and an episode of ABC's Women of the Movement (2022). She is also known as an actress having started her career with roles in commercials with McDonald's and Levi's. She made her film debut in Spike Lee's School Daze (1988). She continued acting in Vampire's Kiss (1989), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Candyman (1992). Description above from the Wikipedia article Kasi Lemmons, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Candyman (1992)

DarkScaryWeirdSuspenseful

The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bernard Rose
CAST:  Virginia Madsen  •  Tony Todd  •  Xander Berkeley  •  Kasi Lemmons

The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bernard Rose
CAST:  Virginia Madsen  •  Tony Todd  •  Xander Berkeley  •  Kasi Lemmons

Eve's Bayou (1997)

Summer heats up in rural Louisiana beside Eve’s Bayou, 1962, as the Batiste family tries to survive the secrets they’ve kept and the betrayals they’ve endured.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Jurnee Smollett  •  Meagan Good  •  Lynn Whitfield

Summer heats up in rural Louisiana beside Eve’s Bayou, 1962, as the Batiste family tries to survive the secrets they’ve kept and the betrayals they’ve endured.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Jurnee Smollett  •  Meagan Good  •  Lynn Whitfield

Gridlock'd (1997)

After a friend overdoses, Spoon and Stretch decide to kick their drug habits and attempt to enroll in a government detox program. Their efforts are hampered by seemingly endless red tape, as they are shuffled from one office to another while being chased by drug ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vondie Curtis-Hall
CAST:  Tupac Shakur  •  Tim Roth  •  Thandiwe Newton  •  Charles Fleischer

After a friend overdoses, Spoon and Stretch decide to kick their drug habits and attempt to enroll in a government detox program. Their efforts are hampered by seemingly endless red tape, as they are shuffled from one office to another while being chased by drug ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vondie Curtis-Hall
CAST:  Tupac Shakur  •  Tim Roth  •  Thandiwe Newton  •  Charles Fleischer

School Daze (1988)

Fraternity and sorority members clash with other students at a historically black college during homecoming weekend.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Lee
CAST:  Laurence Fishburne  •  Joe Seneca  •  Giancarlo Esposito  •  Jasmine Guy

Fraternity and sorority members clash with other students at a historically black college during homecoming weekend.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Lee
CAST:  Laurence Fishburne  •  Joe Seneca  •  Giancarlo Esposito  •  Jasmine Guy

The Five Heartbeats (1991)

In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Townsend
CAST:  Robert Townsend  •  Michael Wright  •  Leon  •  Harry Lennix

In the early 1960s, a quintet of hopeful, young African-American men form an amateur vocal group called The Five Heartbeats. After an initially rocky start, the group improves, turns pro, and rises to become a top flight music sensation. Along the way, however, the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Townsend
CAST:  Robert Townsend  •  Michael Wright  •  Leon  •  Harry Lennix

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

ViolentSuspensefulDisturbingDark

Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Demme
CAST:  Jodie Foster  •  Lawrence A. Bonney  •  Kasi Lemmons  •  Lawrence T. Wrentz

Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Demme
CAST:  Jodie Foster  •  Lawrence A. Bonney  •  Kasi Lemmons  •  Lawrence T. Wrentz

Vampire's Kiss (1988)

A publishing executive is visited and bitten by a vampire and starts exhibiting erratic behavior. He pushes his secretary to extremes as he tries to come to terms with his affliction.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Bierman
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  María Conchita Alonso  •  Jennifer Beals  •  Elizabeth Ashley

A publishing executive is visited and bitten by a vampire and starts exhibiting erratic behavior. He pushes his secretary to extremes as he tries to come to terms with his affliction.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Bierman
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  María Conchita Alonso  •  Jennifer Beals  •  Elizabeth Ashley

Waist Deep (2006)

An ex-convict (Tyrese) gets tangled up with a gang after his car is hijacked with his son inside.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vondie Curtis-Hall
CAST:  Tyrese Gibson  •  Meagan Good  •  Larenz Tate  •  Henry Hunter Hall

An ex-convict (Tyrese) gets tangled up with a gang after his car is hijacked with his son inside.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Vondie Curtis-Hall
CAST:  Tyrese Gibson  •  Meagan Good  •  Larenz Tate  •  Henry Hunter Hall

Fear of a Black Hat (1994)

Chronicling the controversial career of bad boys N.W.H. (Niggaz With Hats), this uproarious 'mockumentary' lampoons all of hardcore rap's hot-button issues. This underground laugh riot recounts the rise, fall and resurrection of a clueless bunch of would-be rappers ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rusty Cundieff
CAST:  Larry B. Scott  •  Mark Christopher Lawrence  •  Rusty Cundieff  •  Kasi Lemmons

Chronicling the controversial career of bad boys N.W.H. (Niggaz With Hats), this uproarious 'mockumentary' lampoons all of hardcore rap's hot-button issues. This underground laugh riot recounts the rise, fall and resurrection of a clueless bunch of would-be rappers ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rusty Cundieff
CAST:  Larry B. Scott  •  Mark Christopher Lawrence  •  Rusty Cundieff  •  Kasi Lemmons

Hard Target (1993)

When a woman's father goes missing, she enlists a local to aid in her search. The pair soon discover that her father has died at the hands of a wealthy sportsman who hunts homeless men as a form of recreation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Woo
CAST:  Jean-Claude Van Damme  •  Arnold Vosloo  •  Lance Henriksen  •  Yancy Butler

When a woman's father goes missing, she enlists a local to aid in her search. The pair soon discover that her father has died at the hands of a wealthy sportsman who hunts homeless men as a form of recreation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Woo
CAST:  Jean-Claude Van Damme  •  Arnold Vosloo  •  Lance Henriksen  •  Yancy Butler

The Caveman's Valentine (2001)

Romulus, a misunderstood musician turned recluse hiding from personal demons in a New York City cave, finds the frozen body of a young drifter in a tree. The authorities, including his police officer daughter, claim the death is accidental. Romulus is convinced the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Colm Feore  •  Ann Magnuson  •  Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Romulus, a misunderstood musician turned recluse hiding from personal demons in a New York City cave, finds the frozen body of a young drifter in a tree. The authorities, including his police officer daughter, claim the death is accidental. Romulus is convinced the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Colm Feore  •  Ann Magnuson  •  Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Black Nativity (2013)

A street-wise teen from Baltimore who has been raised by a single mother travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives, where he embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Angela Bassett  •  Forest Whitaker  •  Jennifer Hudson  •  Vondie Curtis-Hall

A street-wise teen from Baltimore who has been raised by a single mother travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives, where he embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Angela Bassett  •  Forest Whitaker  •  Jennifer Hudson  •  Vondie Curtis-Hall

Disconnect (2012)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalThought provoking

Disconnect interweaves multiple storylines about people searching for human connection in today’s wired world. Through poignant turns that are both harrowing and touching, the stories intersect with surprising twists that expose a shocking reality into our daily ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henry Alex Rubin
CAST:  Jason Bateman  •  Hope Davis  •  Frank Grillo  •  Paula Patton

Disconnect interweaves multiple storylines about people searching for human connection in today’s wired world. Through poignant turns that are both harrowing and touching, the stories intersect with surprising twists that expose a shocking reality into our daily ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Henry Alex Rubin
CAST:  Jason Bateman  •  Hope Davis  •  Frank Grillo  •  Paula Patton

The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson (1990)

A film about the early life of the baseball star in the army, particulary his court-martial for insubordination regarding segragation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Peerce
CAST:  Andre Braugher  •  Daniel Stern  •  Ruby Dee  •  Stan Shaw

A film about the early life of the baseball star in the army, particulary his court-martial for insubordination regarding segragation.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Peerce
CAST:  Andre Braugher  •  Daniel Stern  •  Ruby Dee  •  Stan Shaw

Drop Squad (1994)

Controversial film about an underground organization that kidnaps and 'deprograms' African Americans who sell out or deny their cultural heritage. Spike Lee is the Executive Producer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David C. Johnson
CAST:  Eriq La Salle  •  Vondie Curtis-Hall  •  Ving Rhames  •  Kasi Lemmons

Controversial film about an underground organization that kidnaps and 'deprograms' African Americans who sell out or deny their cultural heritage. Spike Lee is the Executive Producer.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David C. Johnson
CAST:  Eriq La Salle  •  Vondie Curtis-Hall  •  Ving Rhames  •  Kasi Lemmons

The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (1990)

After a series of small tremors in Los Angeles, Dr. Clare Winslow, a local seismologist, pinpoints the exact location and time of when the long awaited earthquake--"The Big One"--will strike southern California. With this information, she must battle city officials ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Elikann
CAST:  Joanna Kerns  •  Dan Lauria  •  Bonnie Bartlett  •  Lindsay Frost

After a series of small tremors in Los Angeles, Dr. Clare Winslow, a local seismologist, pinpoints the exact location and time of when the long awaited earthquake--"The Big One"--will strike southern California. With this information, she must battle city officials ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Larry Elikann
CAST:  Joanna Kerns  •  Dan Lauria  •  Bonnie Bartlett  •  Lindsay Frost

Afterburn (1992)

Based on a true story, one woman takes on the U.S. military and General Dynamics; maker of the F-16, thought to be the very best tactical fighter in the world. Air Force Captain Theodore T. Harduvel was one of the best F-16 pilots the U.S. had to offer. After much ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Markowitz
CAST:  Laura Dern  •  Robert Loggia  •  Vincent Spano  •  Michael Rooker

Based on a true story, one woman takes on the U.S. military and General Dynamics; maker of the F-16, thought to be the very best tactical fighter in the world. Air Force Captain Theodore T. Harduvel was one of the best F-16 pilots the U.S. had to offer. After much ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Markowitz
CAST:  Laura Dern  •  Robert Loggia  •  Vincent Spano  •  Michael Rooker

Til There Was You (1997)

Two strangers, whose paths are always crossing, finally meet when fate steps in. It took them twenty years to fall in love at first sight.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Scott Winant
CAST:  Sarah Jessica Parker  •  Jeanne Tripplehorn  •  Dylan McDermott  •  Karen Allen

Two strangers, whose paths are always crossing, finally meet when fate steps in. It took them twenty years to fall in love at first sight.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Scott Winant
CAST:  Sarah Jessica Parker  •  Jeanne Tripplehorn  •  Dylan McDermott  •  Karen Allen

11th Victim (1984)

A news anchorwoman from the Midwest comes to Hollywood to learn the truth about the death of her sister, the 11th victim of a killer preying on aspiring actresses, and finds herself possibly the next one on his list despite the help of an overworked cop.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Kaplan
CAST:  Bess Armstrong  •  Max Gail  •  Harold Gould  •  Pamela Ludwig

A news anchorwoman from the Midwest comes to Hollywood to learn the truth about the death of her sister, the 11th victim of a killer preying on aspiring actresses, and finds herself possibly the next one on his list despite the help of an overworked cop.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jonathan Kaplan
CAST:  Bess Armstrong  •  Max Gail  •  Harold Gould  •  Pamela Ludwig

Talk to Me (2007)

The story of Washington D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist in the 1960s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Don Cheadle  •  Chiwetel Ejiofor  •  Taraji P. Henson  •  Martin Sheen

The story of Washington D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist in the 1960s.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kasi Lemmons
CAST:  Don Cheadle  •  Chiwetel Ejiofor  •  Taraji P. Henson  •  Martin Sheen
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