Slamma Jamma

Posted by Slamma Jamma on July 10th, 2017

A former college basketball star tries starting a new life after being released from prison in ‘Slamma Jamma,’ Timothy A. Chey’s religious-themed sports drama.

Slamma Jamma is a faith-based drama starring real-life slam dunker Chris Staples as a basketball-playing ex-con who returns to his old L.A. neighborhood to turn his life around. There's very little in the way of strong language (rare use of "damn," "hell," and "oh my God"), sexuality, or substance use, but you can expect some gun threats and violence. A store clerk is shot and killed in a robbery, though viewers don't see the bullet land. And gang members who sell drugs are featured in the story. Spoiler alert: A major character dies in a long, sad hospital scene. Christian messages are delivered throughout (i.e., "God will be with us;" "God has a plan"), and fans who like high-flying jumps over men and motorcycles may enjoy the basketball action.

Unless you're a fan of the physical act of the slam dunk (of which there are plenty in this film), there's nothing to recommend in this artless redemption story. The plot has zero surprises, and, curiously, redemption isn't even a factor. The criminal charges that sent Michael to prison were false, so he never needed redeeming. And yet he continually talks about being a "changed man."

What's more, writer-director Timothy A. Chey relies on every urban cliché. A rich athlete and struggling underdog vie for the heart of a good woman. The gang life offers easy money -- if only the hero will sell his soul. The climactic contest looms large, with never a doubt about the outcome. Slamma Jamma has a decent message -- hanging onto faith and fortitude is a decisive way to rise from the ashes of youthful "mistakes" -- but the film itself is weighed down by so many missed opportunities that it's hard to watch.

Written and directed by Timothy A. Chey, “Slamma Jamma” is a story about faith, redemption and slam-dunking. Chey, a very spiritual man, known for his documentary film “The Epic Journey” where he travels around the world uncovering stories of God’s miracles. Here, he infuses a similar sense of ‘hope in the face of adversity’ into the Slamma Jamma script.

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Slamma Jamma” is well-meaning at its heart, there’s comedy, some singing and even a cameo with Jose Canseco … if you needed that semi-celeb name you can recognize. But “Slamma Jamma” is heavy on the melodrama in the script. Cue up the violins, over acting and shout outs (think awards show acceptance speeches to God). Chris Staples in his role of Michael Diggs, delivers a pretty good performance (and he’s not bad to look at either!) for his first acting gig.  He stated, “I had turned down the role a couple of times due to other commitments, but felt that when they asked a third time and my schedule had miraculously cleared up, I just knew that this was a role I was meant to play.”