21 Jump Street Page - Richard Grieco - Article 5

Rated :R

Genre:Action/ Drama

Director & Screen Play:Craig Corman

Written & Cinematography By:Todd Barren

Music:David Stone

Producers (Philippines):Viva Films, Premiere Entertainment Productions and Concorde New Horizons

Information:

Theatrical Release Date (Philippines): Feb 7, 2001
Taken from the novel of Harold Robbins
Run Time:

Casts

Richard Grieco
Will Foster Stewart
Athena Massey
Joyce Jimenez
Theresa Loyzaga
Jaime Fabregas
Eddie Garcia
Jose Marie Avellana
Bob Soler
Rustica Carpio
Noni Buencamino
Bart Guingona
Louie Kee
Cris Aguilar
Louie Katana

Story:

Vital Parts' story begins in the year 1992, TY Kinnick (played by Richard Grieco) is a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, spending his leave-time in Hong Kong with his wife, Rachel Kinnick (played by Athena Massey). Despite misgivings, he is coaxed by his easy-going but criminal-minded best friend , JJ Kane (played by Will Stewart), into serving as an accomplice in a drug deal. The nature of their relationship takes a sinister turn when JJ shoots him, leaves him for dead and runs off with the drugs, the money and his wife. TY survives this massive betrayal, only to be convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to twenty-five years imprisonment in Shek Pik prison. There he forms a close bond with his cellmate, Howie Chang (played by Bart Guingona).

In the fifth year of TY's sentence, Hong Kong is turned over to the Chinese, and the Red Army takes over the management of Shek Pik. Large numbers of prisoners are moved around and are sent to "labor education campus." TY and Howie are included in one group, but TY is rescued and set free by a high-ranking Chinese official named Xen Pu (played by Louie Katana).

TY returns to L.A., where he once again encounters his ex-wife, Rachel. From her, TY learns of JJ's plans to have him killed. Despite misgivings, TY embarks on a personal vendetta against JJ, which takes him from scenic Marina del Rey to the city of Manila in the Philippines, where JJ runs a syndicate front exporting tropical fish. In the process of tracking down JJ, TY encounters two women who aids him, Lina Balang (Teresa Loyzaga), the mysterious svelte GM of the Stardust Club, and Inez Rohas (played by Joyce Jimenez), a waitress at the club who falls in love with him.

TY fails at his first attempt on JJ's life, and on his second attempt is mistakenly accused of assassinating JJ's boss, syndicate head Ferdinand Ibarra (played by Eddie Garcia). TY now finds himself a fugitive facing unknown enemies at every turn. He discovers an international conspiracy involving the illicit trade of transplant organs, fronted by Dr. Jose Garzon (played by Jaime Fabregas). Events rush into a bloody conclusion as TY chooses to make his stand in the Tunnels of Corregidor, in the last desperate attempt at revenge and discovering the identity of the mastermind behind all the villainy befalling his once-tranquil life.

Manila Bulletin (Feb. 4, 2001)

"Vital Parts is a film by Craig Corman based on the bestselling novel of Harold Robbins. This suspense thriller will hit local theaters on Feb. 7... Vital Parts has taken a long time to be released as the producers - Viva Films. Premiere Entertainment Prodictions, and Concorde New Horizons - opted to wait for the right time for it to be shown. And they believe the right timing is now. Grieco flew to Manila where most parts of the film were shot. He liked the script of "Vital Parts" that he wasted no time in agreeing to do it. He found the script to be very interesting and intriguing as well. He thinks it poses a challenge to his ability as an actor, that's why he decided to do it... Grieco is not just an actor and a model. He's also a singer, having inked a contract with Edel Records, Germany that released his CD "Waiting For the Sky To Fall." He has also done ads for Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, and Chanel but after being bitten by the acting bug, Grieco set his eyes on being an actor. Fans remember him for the series 21 Jump Street where he shared stellar billing with Johnny Depp... Vital Parts written by Craig Corman with cinematography by Todd Barren, also stars local actors Theresa Loyzaga, Jimmy Fabregas, Jose Mart Avellana, Bob Soler, Cris Aguilar, Noni Buencamino, Bart Guingona, Ructica Carpio, Will foster Stewart, Athena Massey, and Louie Kee.

My personal comment about the movie. Well I live very near to where some scenes were shot, Quezon Avenue. While Richard was shooting the movie he was interviewed by a number of local (Philippine) news. One of them was TV Patrol at Ch.2.

Showing at MM Theaters PI: FESTIVAL SUPERMALL, GLORIETTA 1, ROBINSON'S ERMITA, SM MEGAMALL, SM NORTH EDSA, SM SOUTHMALL, STA LUCIA EAST GRAND MALL, STARMALL CINEMA.