Five Hidden Gem UPN Shows

 

January 16th marks 30 years since the little network that could UPN debuted. Known for hits like Moesha, Girlfriends and fellow Monday night comedies that were staples in Black households (which I wrote a blog about). It was the first home of WWF Smackdown during the height of the Attitude era in 1999 to 2006. It's most famous reality program is America's Next Top Model. Told Chris Rock's life story in Everybody Hate's Chris. Gave the world the teen sleuth classic Veronica Mars. And produced a couple of good Star Trek series for a new generation like Voyager and Enterprise.

Before merging with the CW in the fall of 2006, UPN produced a lot of series in an attempt to branch out their offerings. That were good series that flew under the radar, per usual I'm here to shed some light on those shows. Here are 5 hidden gem shows that aired on UPN.

5. Grown Ups

                                 

This 1999 sitcom was Jaleel White's return to TV after his successful role as Steve Urkel in Family Matters. I didn't realize it at the time, but the title of the show was likely a comment by Jaleel that he was grown now and far different than his Steve Urkel character. Besides that, the sitcom focused on Jaleel's character J. Calvin who goes by J alongside his best friend Gordon and Gordon's wife Shari navigating adulthood.

J deals with relationships, the workplace, and everything that comes with being a twenty something adult in this world. The show wasn't a laugh out loud sitcom by any means, but it had it's fair share of laughs and was in good company with shows like Moesha and The Parkers. So I never quite understood why it did not achieve the same success as other UPN comedies. 

It is available to watch on Tubi currently.

4. Jake 2.0

If Jake 2.0 aired today either on a network or streaming service, it would be a instant hit. That's how good and quite ahead of it's time the show was. Debuting in the fall of 2003, the drama series followed a NSA agent who is a computer wiz Jake Foley. One day Jake is accidentally implanted with nanobots, he suddenly has the ability to control all forms of technology. You know what happens next, there are folks on his tail wanting this human supercomputer and he also set's out to save the day on multiple occasions.

Sadly the series only lasted for 16 episodes with four being unaired. It had some elements of The Six Million-dollar Man, and laid the foundation for the more popular NBC comedy-drama Chuck which debuted a few years later. It's a shame that the show simply was ahead of its time.

3. Kevin Hill

Kevin Hill was a drama series that could be a little sappy, a tad overdramatic, but it had heart and a good story to tell. Looking back now it also was very relevant and shined a light on an often overlooked part of life, the surrogate father. Released in 2004 and starring Taye Diggs, the series followed Kevin Hill a successful and single lawyer enjoying his life as a young man in New York City. His world turns upside down when a cousin of his passes' and he becomes responsible for his 10 month old little cousin.

He soon must balance the responsibilities of being a parent and a working adult. With the help of his support system in the form of coworkers and friends, he does the best he can while learning parenting is not for the weak. Hailed as one of the best new dramas that year, for some reason it only lasted one season. I'm not sure if the ratings just weren't there, or there were other reasons for the show getting cancelled, but it should have lasted a lot longer.

2. Special Unit 2

Debuting in the spring of 2001, Special Unit 2 was a fun, imaginative, sci-fi drama that did not take itself too series. The show's creators also spent a great deal of time developing the world the series inhabited and it's lore before that really was a thing. Set in Chicago, the show followed a secret unit of the Chicago Police Department dubbed Special Unit 2. This group was responsible for policing the "link" population that exist in the city. "Links" were creatures derived from mythology and folk tales that walked amongst common people in plain sight, yet others are oblivious to them. They are called "links" for being the missing link between humans and apes.

This show did manage to last 2 seasons but was cancelled due to change in UPN's management and the desire to go in a different direction. There was so so much potential for more stories to be told and update mythologies for a new audience, and it was a original program not something that was adapted from another medium. It was a highlight of UPN's schedule during it's time on the air, and in today's world may have been a bigger hit. 

1. 7 Days

7 Days in my opinion was must see TV when it aired as it focused on one of my favorite Sci-Fi topics, time travel. This was another show that had a very well thought out plot and backstory, way more than it is given credit for. The series debuted in the fall of 1998 on UPN and follows a secret unit of the NSA who have reversed engineered a time travel device from alien technology found at Roswell. With this device called the Chronosphere aka Backstep sphere a person can go back in time 7 days to prevent a disaster. Due to limitations of the technology 7 days is the cutoff limit, I can't remember if it was explicitly explained why only 7 days, but hey make's for good drama.

The series managed to last 3 seasons on the network ending in the spring of 2001, and for a time aired on a few cable channels. It had it's flaw's but hindsight is always 20/20 and 25 plus years later you can see just how well produced the show was, despite limited budgets and time travel hiccups. However, any time travel story has some hiccups. This was one of the better shows on the network and was well worth it's time on the air.

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Five WB Network Hidden Gems

 

January 11th marks 30 years since the WB network was founded.

Before merging with UPN to create the CW, the WB network built it's foundation on youth oriented dramas. For every 7th Heaven, Wayans Brothers, Steve Harvey Show, Dawson's Creek, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and One Tree Hill there were several dramas and comedies that aired on the network over the years, no one gave a chance. 

5. Do Over

Do Over was a 2002 comedy that took advantage of one of my favorite subjects time travel. It follows Joel Larsen a 30-something who experiences a defibrillator shock and wakes up as his teenage self in 1981, complete with his memories from the past 20 some odd years. He does with anyone with the knowledge of the future would do in the past, do things differently to change the course of his life. Each episode featured a point where using his knowledge he changed something about his life. It only lasted for 11 episodes with 4 episodes going unaired. It was a lot funnier and smarter than it had a chance to be, and was very underrated.

4. For Your Love

Technically For Your Love isn't a WB original, it premiered on NBC in 1998. After 11 episodes it was cancelled, and the WB network picked it up that fall. It achieved great success on the WB running for four seasons on the network. It follows three groups of friends who are all couples and them navigating life and relationships as people do. It was a dry situation comedy, but it was funny and looking at life now as a 30 something. Very very relatable, it is a hidden gem and its a shame it is not available to stream anywhere. 

3. Birds Of Prey

Birds Of Prey debuted in the fall of 2002, although Smallville was a hit on the WB at the time. This show just may have been ahead of its time. In a time the city has been dubbed New Gotham City, the city is left without a protector. In come's Diana Gordon and Selina Kyle's daughter Helena, who take the mantle of Oracle and Huntress respectively. Rounding out the trio is Dinah Redmon also known as Black Canary, who is the catalyst in the series for metahumans. Metahumans are born with super powers and no two metahumans have the same power.

Along with a GCPD detective Jesse Reese and reliable Alfred Pennyworth they work to take down  new age criminals of Gotham City. And the criminal mastermind Dr. Harleen Quinzel who is in the shadows but responsible for most of the crime in the city. The show added new crinkles to the Batman lore which maybe why it wasn't accepted along with additional sci-fi elements. It debuted a good 10 years before Arrow and The Arrowverse took over the network and should be given move credit.

Birds Of Prey is currently available on Tubi.

2. Jack & Bobby

Jack & Bobby was a interesting show in concept, retelling the story of a future U.S. president and his brother both named after members of the Kennedy family. It debuted in the fall of 2004 right before the presidential election that year. The series used interviews conducted by members of the future presidents Cabinet in the form of a documentary, and how their formative years framed their presidency years later.  The show also focused on their single mother Grace a college professor who navigates life while maintaining a steady hand over her son's lives.

The premise while not entirely unique had so much potential. It's a shame it only lasted one season before being cancelled. If given a chance it would have been a future WB classic.

1. Grosse Pointe

This comedy is one that definitely was ahead of it's time, created by Darren Star who created shows like Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place and Sex In The City. The show is full of meta humor before that was honestly a thing. It followed the cast of a fictional soap opera called Grosse Pointe and the misadventures of love, fame, and dealing with management navigating life. With many jokes and scenes based on Beverly Hills 90210, and the drama that occurred behind the scenes of that TV show. It may have been too behind the scenes for most people which likely contributed to it not gaining a following.

Legend has it TV producer Aaron Spelling was pissed about a character loosley based on his daughter Tori and called the network about it. Some changes were made after that, which also likely did not help the show gain traction. However it was still a gem, and besides the jokes and the plot it also had a very catchy theme song performed by one Tom Jones

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10 Underrated Sci-Fi Movie's

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

Last year I learned something new and that is that January 2nd is National Science Fiction Day. A day meant to celebrate the genre and the birth of Isaac Asimov. Science Fiction is one of those genres you either love or hate in all mediums, you appreciate the absurdness of some of the concepts or scoff at the outlandish ideas. I for one enjoy a good sci-fi movie so I decided in honor of the day, to share 10 Sci-Fi movies that I believe are underrated.

10. Push

This 2009 film is likely what gave Chris Evans his superpower bug back to be Captain America, after his role as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four. The film is kind of grounded yet set in an world where citizens with strong telepathy/telekinesis powers are monitored and hunted by a group known as The Division. Chris Evans Nick Gant is a "Mover", he has the power to control objects, and he has to protect Dakota Fanning's character Cassie a young "watcher". Watcher's can see the future to a limited degree and The Division are after them.

There also are various groups known as Sniffs, Bleeders, wipers, pushers, and much more. The movie wasn't very successful but created an original world within in the film. That I wish was explored more in potential sequels. For the time being though it was a fun, sci-fi film.

9. Trancers

1984 Trancers is a B-movie classic, spawning five sequels throughout the late 80's and early 90's. Even by today's standards the plot of the movie is a bit out there, so you can imagine how it was in 1984. Starring B-movie actor Tim Thomerson and a then unknown Helen Hunt. Thomerson star's as a police officer in the 23rd century, he's enjoying the life of retirement until he is called in to track down a notorious criminal named Martin Whistler. Whistler use's pyshic powers to transform his victims into "trancers", trancers are normal people who can become basic zombies and carry out orders. 

The hunt gets wilder when Whistler travels through time to 1984, and Thomerson's Jack Derth must follow him. The additional catch? when they travel through time their conscious takes over the body of their respective ancestors. Yeah, a bit trippy but a good time. 

8. 6th Day

Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in this 2000 film that focuses on cloning, The 6th Day. The film also stars Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rooker, Michael Rapaport, and Terry Crew's in his first film role. It follow's Schwarzenegger's Adam Gibson who goes home one day to see that a clone is interacting with his family. See in 2015 cloning is illegal in this universe, but has been occurring under the table. Gibson now on the run must figure out what is going on and who can he trust.

It has some political and a bit of religious (not too much) messaging in the film. And the concept of cloning maybe did not interest folks enough. However the film has a good message and is a decent film.

7. D.A.R.Y.L.

I will admit when I saw this film as a kid I was not entirely sure what to make of the character Daryl. This 1985 film stars Oliver Barrett (Sebastian in Neverending Story) as Daryl which stands for Data-Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform. That's right Daryl is a robot funded by the military designed as a 10 year old, when one of his creators becomes fed up with project he frees Daryl. Daryl then is taken in by a young childless family, and befriends his next door neighbor Turtle and his older sister Sherie. Who along with his foster parents help him him improve his social skills and behave like a 10 year boy. That is until the government returns hot on his trail.

To be a kid's movie, the film has some ethical questions about robotics, the government/military's role in certain fields. And what does it mean to be a kid and more importantly a human. 

6. Virtuosity

In the mid-90's Virtual Reality was a pretty popular concept that never really took off. That did not stop many mediums from utilizing it for storytelling. This one is very underrated, it stars Denzel Washington as an ex-cop turned convict Parker Barnes and Russell Crowe as a Virtual Reality creation SID 6.7. Sid is a creation of multiple various serial killer personalities within a VR training environment. However, when he is able to get free and step into the real world, Parker Barne's is called upon to track him down and stop him.

The movie is enjoyable, funny and Russell Crowe stole every scene he was in. I believe this was only his third or fourth film in America, and he showed the charisma that would make him the star he is today. 

5. Project Almanac

Time Travel, the butterfly effect, and the found footage genre what could go wrong? Apparently a great deal for this 2015 film, which is not as bad as the reviews it got. It follows a young man David who has been admitted to M.I.T. but is well aware he cannot afford it. He stumbles upon a time travel device his late father was working on and along with his sister, friends, and a crush goes back in time to change some things. Of course every time they use it, a blackout occurs and something catastrophic happens.

It's a solid addition to the Time Travel genre, but may have been a few years too late..or early for what audiences wanted at the time. Give it a chance if you haven't seen it.

4. Tank Girl

This 1995 film starring Lori Petty and based on an independent British comic book is truly a comic book come to life. Lori stars as Rebecca also known as Tank Girl, a freedom soldier of sorts who lives in a land and a time where water has become a precious commodity solely owned and controlled by an evil corporation known as W & P (Water & Power). W &P is led by legendary film villain Malcolm McDowell who plays Kesslee, who is hunting Rebecca's group who runs the last water well not controlled by W&P.

After an attack she is on the run and finds new allies in Jet Girl and a group of half kangaroo half-human brothers known as The Rippers. They set out to free the water supply for all. The movie touches on feminism, the scarcity of valuable natural resources, and is an high-energy wacky perfect for the 90's action movie.

3. The One 

This 2001 film starring Jet Li has a bit of a cult following but still is nowhere near as loved as it should be. The film follows the concept of multiverses years before DC TV, DCEU, and the MCU bought it the halls of pop culture. Jet Li plays a version of himself Gabriel Yulaw who is traveling from multiverse to multiverse killing his doppelgangers and in the process making himself stronger, until he becomes "the one" possessing a godlike power. Ya know on some Highlander stuff. Gabriel sets out to kill his last doppelganger in Gabe Law who is time enough for him.

In the meantime agents of the Multiverse Authority played by Jason Statham and Delroy Lindo are hot on their trails making sure neither becomes "the one". The film was made during a time where everyone wanted to incorporate Matrix type effects into their movies, which may have played a part in why it wasn't well received. Trust me however it is a damn good popcorn movie. 

2. Jumper

Man this movie should have been so much more. Based on the 1992 novel, the film stars Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson. Hayden stars as David Rice a young man who can teleport better known as "jumping" in their universe. Using that to his advantage to life off the grid in a hedonistic lifestyle, he soon realizes a group known as the Paladins are hot on his trail. Led by Uncle Sam's Roland Cox, the Paladin's mission is to hunt Jumpers as they believe they are a detriment to society.

David is on the run in a new way alongside his love interest Millie played by Rachel Bilson and a fellow jumper played by Jamie Bell. The film maybe wasn't action-oriented enough for some folks, but had a cool concept and world building when that really wasn't a thing. It should have been the start of a franchise.

1. Alien Nation

Speaking of franchises, the Alien Nation franchise maybe more well known for it's early 90's TV drama spin-off than the film that sparked it. This 1988 film stars James Caan, Terrance Stamp, and Mandy Patinkin. In the film set in 1991 aliens known as newcomers descended on earth a few years ago and integrated into society. Caan plays Det. Matthew Skyes who partner was killed by an newcomer and now has been assigned with Sam Francisco played by Patinkin. Sam is the first newcomer to join the ranks as a detective.

The two work the case to keep a dangerous potent drug that harms newcomers from hitting the streets of L.A. The movie is funny and created some mythology of the newcomers that was explored in the TV series, such as how they get drunk off of milk and what causes them pain. It also has a strong social commentary message which is even more relevant today on the role immigrants play in society.  

I think it was quite ahead of it's time and should be appreciated more.

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It's A Party: 5 Party Movies You May Have Forgot

 

It's New Year's Eve folks, one of the biggest party days of the year to ring in new beginnings. Whether your at home partying in your living room, or at a event partying the short of it is whatever you define as a "party" you'll be doing. My party will be in my family room watching a movie hoping to keep my eyes open til the ball drops. At the 11th hour yesterday the wheels in my head started spinning about movies where a party is the main setting, precisely party movies you may not remember. For every House Party, SuperBad, Can't Hardly Wait and Project X, there are ton's of party movies that flew under the radar. 

Here are 5 party movies you may not know about.

5.Incoming

Premiering this year on Netflix, Incoming takes inspiration from the John Hughes era of teen comedies and the American Pie era. The film follows a trio of high school freshmen who want to make a name for themselves in their high school career. They get invited to a house party and have their own misadventures throughout the night.

4. Booksmart

This 2019 film directed by Olivia Wilde is actually more true to reality than most people realize. It follows two best friends who have been accepted into Ivy league schools. They've spent their entire 4 year journey in high school in the books and not enjoying those years. When they learn some classmates were able to balance enjoying high school AND being admitted to prestigious colleges. They decide to live a little and attend a graduation party.

3. Sisters

This 2015 film starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler is very underrated. The duo play sisters who have to clean out their childhood home before their parents sell the house. Reminiscing about their youth and both going through respective mid-life problems, they decide to throw one last house party. Needless to say the party gets a little wilder than they imagined.

The film is currently available to watch Max and Hulu.

2.Take Me Home Tonight

This 2011 film starring Topher Grace and Anna Faris definitely flew under the radar. It highlights the wild and excess era of the 1980's, following Topher's character Matt a regular guy who is trying to find his wife through life (like most of us). When he's invited to a fancy labor day party by his crush Tori (Teresa Palmer). Let's just say throughout the night he lives the 80's motto of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.

Take Me Home Tonight is available on Tubi, Prime, and Plex.

1. 200 Cigarettes 

What better movie to end with than a movie set on New Year's Eve? 200 Cigarettes is set on New Year's Eve in 1981, and follows an assortment of characters navigating their day and life on the way to a party hosted by Monica (Martha Plimpton) who's afraid no one will come to her party. This 1999 film had an ensemble cast of who's who before they were truly big stars, such as Christina Ricci, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Paul Rudd, and Dave Chappelle among others.

For some reason 200 Cigarettes has not been made available for streaming which is a shame.

Happy New Year Everyone! 

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5 Forgotten Action Movies Set Around Christmas

 

Christmas time brings Christmas cheer, festive atmosphere's, the season of giving and Christmas movies. While some like cheesy Christmas romantic movies (looking at you Hallmark), or Christmas comedies. Others prefer some good ass-kicking and shootouts for Christmas movies, we all know Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, and Batman Returns are Christmas movies. What about the movies set around Christmas you don't remember? There's quite a few of them and here are 5 to refresh your memory.

5. Detective Knight: Redemption

                                     

This 2022 film stars Bruce Willis in his series of Detective Knight films. Detective Knight is doing a bid after the events of the previous film Detective Knight: Rogue. However he negotiates to get released and help save the Christmas season after a jailbreak gets him jammed up. He has to stop The Christmas Bomber and The Real Saints Of Christmas terrorizing the city. The film of course has some inspiration and remnants of Die Hard.

It's available to watch on Tubi.

4. Assault on Precinct 13

So technically this movie takes place on New Year's Eve, but the Holiday season encompasses Thanksgiving til New Years. With Christmas and New Year's a week apart the Christmas season is New Year season as well. This 2005 remake of the John Carpenter original, follows Ethan Hawke as a struggling Detroit police officer who is working the holiday with a skeleton crew. His precinct is set to be closed, but has to accept some prisoners who have to be rerouted due to a dangerous storm approaching. One of those prisoners is mob boss Marion Bishop played by Laurence Fishburne, before they know it the precinct is under attack and they must band together.

Assault on Precinct 13 is currently not available for free on any streaming platforms.

3. Money Train

I just went through my new years spiel with the previous entry, and here we are again. This 1995 film stars Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes in their third film together, and Jennifer Lopez before she shot to stardom a couple years later in Selena. The trio are a pair of NYPD officers assigned to work the subway system of New York City, and help protect the money train which collects fares at every station. In their way is Donald Patterson (Robert Blake) who runs the subway system, hates their unorthodox ways and any obstruction to the money train running on time. After some hardships, Harrelson's Charlie decides to rob the Money Train on New Year's Eve.

Money Train is currently not available for free viewing on streaming platform.

2. Enemy Of The State

This 1998 film by Tony Scott starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman was ahead of the curve on it's commentary on surveillance. Will Smith plays Robert Clayton Dean, a lawyer unknowingly swept up in a murder coverup from a high-ranking government official against a politician. He soon needs the help of a recluse ex-CIA agent played by Gene Hackman to clear his name and get out of the mess. The movie does not dwell on it's Christmas season setting, but you will notice Christmas lights in the background of various scenes. And the kind of kick-off point when Dean get's thrown into the thrust of thing's he is doing Christmas shopping in a lingerie store for his wife.

Enemy Of The State is currently not available for free streaming (long live physical media).

1. Long Kiss Goodnight

There is a running joke amongst movie fans and Hollywood in general that writer/director Shane Black loves some Christmas. Lethal Weapon is set during that season, along with Iron Man 3, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Last Boy Scout (though I don't remember it). And this film The Long Kiss Goodnight starring Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. Geena Davis plays Samantha Caine an amnesic woman rising her daughter alongside her daughter in a small town. After a car accident she slowly starts gaining new lethal skills she knew she had, and alongside P.I. Mitch (Samuel L. Jackson) she sets out to find her real identity. Besides snow on the ground, there's a Christmas parade and decorations everywhere to let you know it's set during Christmas. 

The film is currently available on Pluto.

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5 Christmas Specials You Don't Remember

 

Christmas time is a very festive time of the year. It brings Christmas lights and decorations, music, movies, special episodes of television series. And those Christmas specials to cash in on the spirit, there are Christmas Specials that are classics and must watch every year. Specials such as Charlie Brown Christmas, A Year Without Santa Claus, and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer to name a few. It's customary that for every classic that's watched every holiday season, there are several people just don't remember. 

Here Are 5 Christmas Special's you likely don't remember

5. Munsters Scary Little Christmas

                                   

In the mid-90's Fox tried to bring back the 60's sitcom family The Munsters into pop culture. They had a TV movie to "reintroduce" the family and this special followed. Released in 1996, the film follows the Munster family as young son Eddie get's homesick and wants to return to Transylvania. His father Herman decides to do a Transylvanian Christmas, but soon everything just goes left. Including Santa and his elves needing assistance from The Munsters to ensure Christmas actually happens that year.

The film is available on Youtube to watch.

4. Santa, Baby!

                                     

This 2001 special that aired on Fox boasted several legendary entertainers as members of it's cast. The like's of Gregory Hines, Patti Labelle, Vanessa Williams, and Eartha Kitt. The film follows a struggling songwriter Noel (Gregory Hines) who with the assistance of his family and a partridge finds the Christmas spirit once again. This special was produced by animation powerhouse Rankin/Bass but for some reason is rarely aired. 

A rip of I believe the original airing is currently available on YouTube.

3. The Town Santa Forgot

Airing on NBC in December 1993, this Holiday special follows the story of a young boy named Jeremy Creek. Jeremy was a mischievous, selfish kid who surely would end up on the naughty list most years.  One day after being punished he decides to write Santa a letter of all the toys he wants, an substantial list by the way. When it reaches Santa he assumes the letter came from a town and not just one person.

Jeremy is dismayed Christmas morning and he realizes Santa forgot to pay his town a visit. He however learns a valuable lesson about Christmas, giving to others and the Holiday Spirit.

Produced by Hanna-Barbera, the special was a staple on Cartoon Network and Boomerang cable channels for years. Unfortunately it's no longer aired and not available for streaming, the most you can find it is on some third party sites if you look hard enough.

2. Jingle Bell Rock 

                                                        

This ABC original special aired in 1995, produced by animated powerhouse Dic is actually intriguing and a bit ahead of it's time with what kid's would understand. Santa Claus has been too generous rarely putting anyone on the naughty list, as such his operation has ran out of funding and he has to lay off his elves. With the likelihood that Christmas will be cancelled for children all across the world, one elf named Buddy set's out to Hollywood and write's a song to enter a talent contest. Buddy has hopes of winning to give Santa the earnings and save Christmas.

The special is available on YouTube from a few different sources.

1. Have Yourself A Goofy Little Christmas

This special aired in 1992 and is canon in the Goof Troop episode list, originally airing as a one hour special and broken up in subsequent airings. It also sadly was the finale of the series, which while sad isn't a bad way to go out. The special follows Goofy and his son Max as they follow their neighbors to Aspirin, Colorado for the holidays. The only thing is Goofy isn't exactly welcomed, but he ends up saving the day anyway.

Only season 1 of Goof Troop is currently available on Disney Plus, unfortunately this special is not available. 

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5 Celebrity Video Games You Don't Remember

 

One day I was aimlessly scrolling through instagram and found a reel referencing a Kris Kross Sega CD video game. I had never heard of it, so I asked some friends and they never heard of it, did a quick google search and sure enough it was an actual game. So me being me that sent me down the rabbit hole of video games featuring celebrities. We all remember 50 Cent's video game, or though not one celebrity but a whole record label in Def Jam Vendetta. And of course the arcade game that is Michael Jackson's Moonwalker or even his dancing game on Wii.

Here are 5 video games featuring celebrities you either never heard of or don't remember.

5. Power Factory: C+C Music Factory

It's very easy to see how this game has been forgotten to time, as C + C Music Factory is really a one-hit wonder group. However, in the early 1990's their song Gonna Make You Sweat was just about in every movie scene or commercial were folks were up and dancing. I guess it's not surprising they were tapped to lead an cutting edge game.

Released in 1993 on Sega CD, the game featured players editing videos to some of C + C Music Factory's games. Actually when you think about it, it was ahead of it's time as about 13 year's later the Nintendo Wii debuted which clearly took hints from this game.

4. Aerosmith-Revolution X

Aerosmith is a legendary rock band, and lead singer Steven Tyler has always had that enigmatic charisma about him. Which is typical with celebrities and the entertainment world someone thought it would be a good idea to make a video game and use the group's likeness for it. Thus we got Revolution X, an arcade game released in 1994.

The plot of the game is Aerosmith have been taken hostage by a group meant to evoke a new world order. The primary player's mission is to save all the members of the group through various levels. The game engine was similar to T2: Judgement Day arcade game and was a critical and fan success. Eventually making it's way to home consoles such as Nintendo and Sega.

3. Jet Li: Rise To Honor

Released in 2004 on Playstation 2, Jet Li: Rise To Honor is a bit of a odd game to be honest in the sense that while the name and likeness of Li grace the title and cover. As well as the fighting style and references to film's of his, the main character is not Jet Li rather a fictional character Jet Li plays. It's kind of confusing at least in my opinion why that decision was made.

The cut scenes of the game are even presented like a movie, and the plot is a bit more in depth than a traditional video game of that time. It received favorable reviews, but not enough to make a sequel.

2. Spice Girls-Spice World

Released in 1998 as the Spice Girls phenomenon was winding down due to Ginger Spice separating from the group. The game is another one that was ahead of it's time and displayed game play that would be perfected year's later with the Wii. In this game players are tasked with getting the Spice Girls ready for a live performance. This is done with choreography, picking which song out of 15 listed the group will perform and then "recording" the performance.

The game received a lot of criticism for the design of the group and the graphics. In addition to the lack of additional features to enhance the game play such as wardrobe changes. For all of the faults, I'm sure diehard Spice Girl fan's love the game regardless.

1. Wu Tang: Shaolin Style

If you know much about Wu-Tang, you know the group is heavily influenced by martial art's films of the 1970's. So it should be no surprise when a video game based on the group was created they followed the same path. Released in 1999 on Playstation, the plot focuses on Master Xin the last master of the Wu fighting style who is kidnapped in Staten Island. It is up to some of his last students coincidentally Wu-Tang to rescue him.

The game is mostly played in fighting tournaments inspired by games such as Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Street Fighter. It was also known for being very gory and graphic with blood for a video game during that era. It also allowed four players to play at one time, quite revolutionary for Playstation at the time. 

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