What People are Saying about ‘Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions’

"The decisions that you make, or don't make, are going to affect your future" - #MuddyLions

After opening to sold out shows and finishing #4 at the box office, “Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions” received an extended theatrical run in Richmond, Virginia for another week – playing at Criterion Cinemas at Movieland now until October 17^th! I attended the premiere of this family film, about a young boy torn between the expectations of the Boy Scouts and that of his inner city neighborhood, back in the spring – and it was a wonderful experience.

Needless to say, it’s inspiring to see how audiences -- who went to the theater this week and saw the film -- share the same enthusiasm that I have for “Troop: 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions” -- a story that unites men, women and children from all walks of life. Some audience members are even returning to the theater to see it again – this time, bringing their friends and family with them to enjoy the show.

Over the next seven days until October 17^th, you have a choice to support this locally produced independent film by joining moviegoers at Criterion Cinemas. You also have a choice to share this information about the movie with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and anyone else you know who are missing out on one of the most inspiring movies of 2013 and don’t even know it.

No matter how large or small your role in being a part of this film’s release, it will give director Patrick “Praheme” Ricks a chance at bringing “Troop: 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions” to additional cities while also making it possible for him to continue making movies that matter.

If you do nothing else this weekend, I’m asking you to watch the interview that TVJerry/SIFTER did with Praheme and spread the word about the #MuddyLions at Criterion Cinemas in Richmond, Virginia...

Showtimes are listed as follows; Together, let’s bring about good consequences for a filmmaker who had a vision, worked hard at making his dreams come true and not only reached a huge milestone in seeing that vision come to life on the big screen, but is also welcoming his audience along for the journey!

Troop: 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions

Now Playing at the Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas at Movieland

1331 North Boulevard

Richmond, VA

Daily Showtimes: 11:40am / 2:20pm / 4:50pm / 7:00pm / 9:40pm

Monday Movie Meme - Choices, Chances and Consequences #MuddyLions

The theme for this week's Monday Movie Meme is inspired by "Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions," a family film directed by Praheme -- now playing at Criterion Cinemas at Movieland in Richmond, Virginia through Thursday, October 10th October 17th.

Starring Tim and Daphne Reid, Michael LeMelle and Terrell Donnell Sledge, "Troop 491: the Aventures of the Muddy Lions" is about a young boy named Triston whose mother signs him up for the Boy Scouts, to keep him out of trouble. He soon learns that doing the right thing is not always easy.

After witnessing a murder, Triston becomes the target of a local criminal while also being a person of interest during a police investigation. Will he follow the code of the streets or the code of the scouts? -- Which brings us to the main theme of this independent film and this week's Monday Movie Meme: Choices, Chances and Consequences.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies involving adults who try intimidate or harm children for the purpose of trying to cover up, justify, or expose, illicit acts. Here are my selections for this week's Choices, Chances and Consequences theme.

The Client

A mob lawyer's suicide leaves behind details that puts one little boy in danger during this crime thriller starring Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. The District Attorney's office seeks this kid's cooperation to take down a notorious crime operation even if it compromises his safety, while the mafia is out for the little boy's blood.

The Professional

The corrupt cop pulls out all the stops in a pursuit of murdering the only remaining witness-- a young but fiesty girl -- to his drug pushing, family-killing deeds, in this drama starring Jean Reno and Natalie Portman.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- and on to -- the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

First of all, the question in this case is not about who wants to harm a kid. I mean, who isn't trying to intimidate, injure or even murder -- the poor little wizard in this adventure fantasy film starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint?!! For every person that fails to get to Harry Potter and those who have his back, there is someone else, already in pursuit to try and finish the job.

Heaven & Earth

A teenage girl is jailed, tortured and raped after being accussed of being a spy; she's ostracized by her village as a result, in this biodrama starring Hiep Thi Le and Tommy Lee Jones.

Did YOU ever hear or see something that you wish you didn't, when YOU were a child?

What movies involving adults trying to intimidate or harm children would YOU add to this list?

                                                            ***SPREAD THE WORD!!!***

If you live in or near the Richmond, Virginia area, I would highly recommend that you check out this movie. ALSO, if you have a family member, friend, old classmate, former flame, colleage, associate, buddy, etc. who is in or near Richmond, VA, please share this information with him or her and encourage this person to go see "Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions!"

The Showtimes for "Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions"

are as follows:

11:40am /2:20pm / 4:50pm / 7:00pm / 9:40pm

Criterion Cinemas at Movieland
1331 N. Boulevard 
Richmond, VA 23230 

                                                            ***SPREAD THE WORD!!!***

In addition, today's post marks the start of a #MuddyLions week here at The Madlab Post. #MuddyLions is the Official hashtag for 'Troop 491' -- use it on Twitter and your other social networks when referencing this post and/or the film.

Monday Movie Meme - And the Award Goes To... #UWFF Edition

The 17^th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks, recently announced its 2013 Award Winners. Among them are Best Narrative Short winner “CRESCENDO,” directed by Alonso Alvarez. The period piece set in 18^th century Holy Roman Empire, about one woman’s life-changing experience, took home a $5,000 prize, presented by HBO.

The narrative feature "FULL CIRCLE," directed by Solvan "Slick" Naim, won an Audience Award. Having just returned from this festival after celebrating new independent films with veteran and budding talent, it’s only fitting that the theme for this week’s Monday Movie Meme honors all of the narrative, screenplay and documentary works that were in competition at Urbanworld: And the Award goes to….

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies featuring scenes that involve some type of award ceremony.

The ritual does not have to be fancy but it does have to involve a group of people who gathered to give recognition to at least one or more individuals.

It doesn’t matter if anyone actually receives said awards, so long as the intent to give them is present in the scene.

This is unlike our previous Sisterhood of the Award Recipients meme, in that it focuses more on events in movie scenes, rather than specific awards given to a character in a scene. Here are my selections for this week’s And the Award goes to… theme.

Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions

Badges of honor are distributed to a group of boy scouts in this Family film about a boy named Triston who struggles with following the “no-snitching” policy of the streets and living up to the code set by his new circle of friends, after witnessing a homicide. Directed by Praheme, “Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions” opens on October 4^th at Criterion Cinemas at the Movieland; 331 North Boulevard, in Virginia.

Beverly Hills Cop 3

A police detective creates an embarrassing scene during an awards dinner by the local law enforcement, honoring community service work, in this action comedy starring Eddie Murphy.

The Bodyguard

Tension flares during an Oscars broadcast in this romantic drama starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. The main character – a famous singer is nominated for Best Actress for her performance in “Queen of the Night” but that doesn’t stop her security agent/lover from remaining on the job during one of the craziest events ever experienced by the characters involved in this movie's awards show scene.

Think like a Man

Lauren (described as “The Woman Who is her own Man”) gets a rude awakening from her new boy toy during a company event where she is honored for her strides at work, in this romantic comedy starring Taraji P. Henson and Michael Ealy.

Also, Some Honorable Mentions from my Family:

Here are movies that I either didn’t watch or did see but don’t have much interest in trying to remember what type of awards ceremonies took place during these films, but they make the list nonetheless...

Dreamgirls - a musical drama, set in the 60s about female soul singers who cross over into the pop genre, topping the charts, starring Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson.

Blankman – an action comedy about a low-budget superhero, starring Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier and Robin Givens.

The Five Heartbeats – another musical drama about the trials and tribulations of a black all-male singing group…also set in the 60s, starring Robert Townsend, Michael Wright and Leon.

What movies have YOU watched that feature award ceremonies of one type or another?

*Solvan Naim photo by Terrence Jennings