3 Strikes (2000)

0% of critics liked it
(29 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(6,892 ratings)

Noted hip-hop producer DJ Pooh, who co-wrote the urban comedy Friday, makes his directorial debut with this comedy-drama. A young African-American man is enjoying his freedom after his second stretch in prison. Under the "three strikes and you're out" law, another brush with the police could mean… More Noted hip-hop producer DJ Pooh, who co-wrote the urban comedy Friday, makes his directorial debut with this comedy-drama. A young African-American man is enjoying his freedom after his second stretch in prison. Under the "three strikes and you're out" law, another brush with the police could mean life behind bars, so he's determined to stay out of trouble. He quickly learns, however, that trouble has a way of finding him, no matter where he goes. DJ Pooh also stars in 3 Strikes, alongside N'Bushe Wright and Brian Hooks. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: D.J. Pooh
Written By: D.J. Pooh
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 1, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Joe Leydon, Variety
Relies much too heavily on multiple repetitions of gags that aren't especially funny the first time around.
A.O. Scott, New York Times
A second-string effort.
Dave Larsen, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Unoriginal and insulting, 3 Strikes goes down without scoring a single chuckle.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
A sloppy hash of a movie, poorly directed and plotted in a way that looks as if it were improvised on the spot.
Michael Atkinson, Mr. Showbiz
Pooh's 3 Strikes aims a good deal higher in concept than, say, your average booty movie - but the crude, witless jokes are on exactly that level.
Tom Keogh, Film.com
A giddy farce with sporadic laughs and no staying power.
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
It would be easier to forgive some of the film's excesses, however, if it were actually funny.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Embarrassingly slipshod comedy tripe.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Has far more than three strikes against it.
Mike Miliard, Boston Phoenix
This one used up all three of 'em in the first few minutes.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Without much of a story, convincing performances, or visual style to spark your juices, the mind tends to wander.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
A laughless comedy.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
Pooh wastes a wonderful cast.
Steven Boone, Citysearch
3 Strikes is depressing and grim, but not in any useful or interesting way.
Jim Judy, Screen It!
There's absolutely no momentum -- comedic or otherwise -- to propel the film or hold one's interest in what transpires.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's disposable, forgettable and aimed at an audience that doesn't care.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
The problem with the film is of course the weak script. Slapstick requires impeccable timing, and this doesn't have it.
Susan Granger, rec.arts.movies.reviews
This is a truly dismal cinematic experience!

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Hilarious!

Cast

            Brian Hooks as Rob

            N'Bushe Wright as Juanita

            Faizon Love as Tone

            E-40 as Mike

            Starletta DuPois as Moms

            George Wallace (II) as Pops

            David Alan Grier as Jenkins

            Dean Norris as Officer Roberts

            Barima McKnight as Blue

            Meagan Good as Buela

            Mo'Nique as Dahlia

            De'aundre Bonds as J.J.

            Antonio Fargas as Uncle Jim

            Harmonica Fats as Grandpa

            Mike Epps as Dee

            Vincent Schiavelli as Cortino

            Kurt "Big Boy" Anderson as Dre

            David Leisure as District Attorney

            Angela Wright as Joaney

            Gerald S. O'Loughlin as Judge

            Phil Morris as Mr. Libowitz

            Lydell M. Cheshier as Orderly

            Jerry Dunphy as Himself

            Richard Fancy as Captain

            Bennet Guillory as Stan Wilson

            Kam Hon as Inmate

            Dennis Howard as Governor

            John Verea as Saldamo

            Yolanda Whittaker as Charita

            Bob Cherry as Aerobic Video Girl

            Roger White as Inmate

            Rashaan Nall as T-Bird

            Marcus Morton as Taxi Driver

            D.J. Pooh as Taxi Driver

            Terence Winter as Patrol Officer

            Jascha Washington as Little Boy

            Shawn Fonteno as Big Mo

            Jeff Garcia as Valet

            Sacha Kemp as Aerobic Video Girl

            Darreck D. Burns as Barber

            Elan Carter as Aerobic Video Girl

            Avonte' Cherie as Aerobic Video Girl

            Melanie Comarcho as Woman In Police Station

            Christel Cottrell as Receptionist

            Bruce Fairburn as Patrol Officer

            Kevin Finn as Patrol Officer

            Rod Garr as Hospital Guard

            King T as Liquor Store Thug

            Layback as Inmate

            Michele Maika as Hotel Concierge

            Regino Montes as Old Man

            Wayne Richardson as Pilot

            Terrence Stephens as Inmate

            John Tamburro as Pilot

            Angela Tracy as Fly Female
See full cast