Cloud Ten Pictures » judgment

I pity the fool who replaces Mr. T!

Cloud Ten Admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:17:05 +0000

Andre van Heerden with Mr. T on the set of Judgment

One of my favorite shows during the 1980′s was the supremely over-the-top “A-Team”. Even as a kid I realized how unrealistic and cheesy it was and yet loved every minute of it. Literally thousands of rounds of ammunition could be fired, hundreds of pounds of explosives could be detonated, multiple vehicles could be flipped and crashed and burnt – all by “an elite commando unit” – and yet no one was ever killed or seriously hurt. Most of the damage was always done by a cleverly made “cabbage cannon” or by someone with a bad attitude.

That someone was the irrepressible – and I would argue irreplaceable – Mr. T.

Mr. T posing for the camera on the set of Judgment

Mr. T. is not an actor. He’d be the first to tell you that. He’s a real deal tough guy and an icon. He was famously discovered by Sylvester Stallone who was looking for someone to play the ultimate unbeatable antagonist in ROCKY III. One night he was watching the “World’s Toughest Bouncer Competition” on TV (they actually had to throw people and knock down doors) and Mr. T. won. Stallone took one look at him and knew he’d found his guy.

I had the enormous pleasure of directing Mr. T in JUDGMENT. During the interview process to see if he was the right fit for the character he told me: “Mr. T don’t do love scenes and Mr. T don’t rollerblade.” And yes, he said it in that unmistakably growly voice of his.

After talking with him and realizing that Mr. T. looks and sounds and generally “is” the person you see on screen, I had to go back and change our characters name from “Tim” to “J.T.” and change all of his lines of dialogue. Mr. T isn’t about clever repartee. He doesn’t use long or complicated sentences. He’s a direct, honest, man of action.

During those revisions I came up with some of my all time favorite lines. J.T. was part of the Christian-resistance along with Helen Hannah (APOCALYPSE, REVELATION, TRIBULATION). But unlike Helen he didn’t have any problem using violence against Macalousso and those who had sworn allegiance to him. He was someone you’d hate to stand against but love to have on your side. No one else could deliver the lines that Mr. T. could: “Violence is the only language he understands. Black eye for black eye, broken tooth for broken tooth!” “If they want fire and brimstone, then they’re gonna get it!” “You keep that up and you’re gonna need Amazing Grace!” “Do I look patient to you?”

But while Mr. T’s on screen personas are intimidating, it’s not hard to see the big heart and soul behind the gold chains, mohawk and scowl. When he came to our set he was over 50 and still looked great. And while others were complaining about long days, or dirty locations he was always smiling and ready to do his best. He visited an injured crew member in the hospital. He helped plan a birthday surprise for co-star Corbin Bernsen. When he laughs he covers his mouth – just as his mother taught him. He shared personal stories about how he became “Mr. T” and how Jesus Christ was his strength and salvation while battling cancer. Film crews rarely ever get star-struck. They’re used to working with big stars day in and day out. But with Mr. T. it was different. I often found myself, along with many others, humming that catchy “A-Team” theme just because he was around.

I saw this week the trailer for the up-coming “A-Team” movie. It’s got some big stars in it (Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel) and they’re certainly trying hard to capture the look and feel of all of the original characters. It looks like they come pretty close. But while some characters may work with one actor stepping in for another – I don’t think anyone can replace Mr. T. As they say today: “he’s the real deal.”

- Written by Andre van Heerden, Cloud Ten Pictures Writer/Director

Flashback To The Eighties – Win A Free Movie Starring Mr. T

Cloud Ten Admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:53:00 +0000

So for today’s blog post, I just decided to have some fun.

You remember the Eighties.. well the Eighties wouldn’t be the Eighties without big hair, Rubik’s cubes, breakdancing, Nintendo, and – of course – Mr. T.

I remember growing up as a kid in the Eighties myself, watching countless episodes of THE A TEAM with Mr. T starring as B.A. Baracus.

The signature mohawk, gold chains, and tough exterior were all part of who he was on the outside. But who is Mr. T?

Let’s find out…

Laurence Tero Tureaud a.k.a. Mr. T

His real name is Laurence Tero Tureaud, and he is the youngest of twelve children. He grew up the son of a minister in the Robert Taylor Homes projects in Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. T was a bodyguard for some famous folks like the one above

He joined the Army and became an MP. He returned from the Army and used his skills to land a job as a bodyguard for some fairly well known folks including: Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson, Steve McQueen, Leon Spinks, Joe Frazier and Diana Ross.

Of course he has an extensive list of films and television credits that can be seen HERE

But something you may not know is that Mr. T is a self-proclaimed born again Christian and that he truly has a heart of gold.

Mr. T has spent quite a bit of his time, talent and treasure working on projects that are aimed at keeping kids on the right track.

In 1984, he made a motivational video in which he talks to kids about appreciating their origins, handling peer pressure and controlling anger.

He also released an album called Mr. T’s Commandments in which he encourages kids to stay in school and away from drugs.

In addition, Mr. T has a humanitarian heart. He has donated quite a bit of money and clothing to the Hurricane Katrina victims.

At Cloud Ten Pictures we are both blessed and pleased to have Mr. T as one of our movie stars. He stars in our feature length film JUDGMENT and if you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to watch the trailer for this film and to consider picking it up for your personal library.

I am a child of the Eighties and I will always remember those years fondly. I hope you’ve enjoyed a little on Mr. T. And as always, thanks for being a part of the Cloud Ten Pictures Blog.

Win a free copy of JUDGMENT starring Mr. T

Here is a tough Mr. T trivia question for you:

Mr T. appeared on the TV Shopping Channel selling an oven… what was the name of that oven?

Make sure you are following the blog in order to participate.

First person to comment with the correct answer wins.

(NOTE: your comments will not be visible until Monday when I publish them, in order to allow everyone a fair opportunity at winning the film)

Your friend and blogger… Eric

Preparations Are Being Made For The Third Temple in Jerusalem, Prophecy Coming True

Cloud Ten Admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Preps are being made for the Third Temple to be built.

The other day I was working on my Facebook as I normally do, and I ran across a post that a friend had put out about the preps being made for the building of the Third Temple.

Of course, for those interested in Biblical prophecy, and most Cloud Ten Pictures fans are, this is of great interest.

I also thought it interesting to note that as of earlier this year, all the furniture for the Temple has already been made, and all the priestly garments as well. The building of the Temple and its completion will signify an important milestone in Prophecy.

Time is short.

According to Scripture, the building of the Third Temple signifies the remaining portions of end times prophecies will follow at a rapid rate.

The coming of the Messiah, JESUS CHRIST could be sooner than most might expect…but first… the anti-Christ will be revealed….

Actor Gordon Currie plays Nicolae in the LEFT BEHIND series by Cloud Ten

Please read the following Prophecies:

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

The abomination of desolation is when the Antichrist stands in the holy place of the rebuilt Temple and falsely declares to the world that he is God.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Just thought it interesting that this was taking place, and thought you might like to know.

Trailer for LEFT BEHIND WORLD AT WAR – Cloud Ten Pictures

For our fans, you know that our films from the LEFT BEHIND series and the films APOCALYPSE, REVELATION, TRIBULATION and JUDGMENT all deal with the end times. If you haven’t seen them, I invite you to click on any of the above titles to watch a trailer of the film and learn more. If you are interested in purchasing the film, you may do so directly at those links as well.

God bless brothers and sisters and stay alert. The King cometh soon.

Your friend and blogger… Eric

CONTEST – Free Copy of a Cloud Ten Pictures Film

Cloud Ten Admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:40:00 +0000

The Cloud Ten Pictures Blog officially has over 100 followers!

First off I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been following my blog. I pray that it has been a cool and fun little blog to keep up with.

I’ve thought about having a contest for awhile now on the blog where I can give away one of our films to a blog follower.

So to see who is paying attention to the blog, I’m gonna hold a little contest.

Every person that comments on this blog entry before July 13th, has a chance to win one of our DVD titles FREE.

Here are the rules:

1. Make sure you are a blog follower of this blog. (your name should show up on the right, you can follow through Facebook or via Yahoo or Google) Do not post anonymously.

2. Tell me which of our films you’d like to have if you win and why you picked this film.

3. Post your comment on this entry by midnight EST on July 12th.

That’s it. Here are the titles you can choose from. Just click on the title to read more about the film:

APOCALYPSE – Richard Nester, Leigh Lewis

DECEIVED – Judd Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr.

THE GENIUS CLUB – Stephen Baldwin, Tricia Helfer, Tom Sizemore

JUDGMENT – Corbin Bernsen, Jessica Steen, Mr. T

LEFT BEHIND – Kirk Cameron, Chelsea Noble, Clarence Gilyard

LEFT BEHIND II: TRIBULATION FORCE – Kirk Cameron, Chelsea Noble, Clarence Gilyard

LEFT BEHIND III: WORLD AT WAR – Kirk Cameron, Lou Gossett Jr.

REVELATION – Jeff Fahey, Nick Mancuso, Carol Alt

SAVING GOD – Ving Rhames, Dean McDermott, Ricardo Chavira

SMUGGLER’S RANSOM – Anthony Tyler Quinn, Marina Resa, Jeff Doba

TREASURE BLIND – Brian Shoop, Daniel Brookshire

TRIBULATION – Gary Busey, Margot Kidder, Howie Mandel

WATERPROOF – Burt Reynolds, Orlando Jones

So there it is folks. Again, thank for following the blog and my best to you in your shot at a free DVD.

Guaranteed one blessed winner. Maybe more depending on the number of entries. God bless!

Eric S. Highland
Executive Public Relations Consultant
Cloud Ten Pictures / Cloud Ten Entertianment