Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →Seventh Annual BronzeLens Film Festival August 25-28 – Atlanta
August 21, 2016The seventh annual BronzeLens Film Festival (BronzeLens) will take place over the course of four days, August 25-28 in Atlanta, Georgia. Since its inception BronzeLens producers have brought national and worldwide attention to Atlanta, helping to showcase the city as a leader in the thriving film industry. Festival programming is set to be a creative platform designed to empower, entertain and educate attendees from various disciplines and inspire aspiring filmmakers. Selected juried films include the work of filmmakers representing the United States, United Kingdom and Africa. More than 49 films will be screened including a collection of shorts, features, webisodes and documentaries. Narrative fiction, documentary, webisodes and short film screenings coupled with the who’s who of the film industry are the core components that have established BronzeLens as one of the nation’s most substantive film festivals. BronzeLens events will take place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis (Festival Headquarters), SCADShow, Georgia Pacific Center Auditorium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights and South Fulton Arts Center. BronzeLens Film Festival Highlights: Thursday August 25 BronzeLens Film Festival kicks-off Thursday August 25 with All Shorts All Day, a full day of short film screenings at the Atlanta Marriot Marquissponsored by BET Networks. Winner of the BEST SHORT will be presented with a $5000 cash prize award from BET Networks. Becoming a Camera Ready Vendor: How to do Business for Film and TV, sponsored by the UGA Small Business Development Center at Clayton State University will kick-off festival programing. Afternoon Legal Mash-Up series on Story Legalities, Music in Film, and People in Film: Talent, Crew and Employment LawDiscussions will be led by some of the industries foremost legal talents, providing critical information on what it takes to conduct business successfully within the film and entertainment industry. Producer, Casting Director and CEO of So Chi Entertainment, Brett Dismuke (The Undershepherd, 35 & Ticking and Black Coffee) will be joining other film executives for a conversation …
Posted in R&B Pop Culture, On the Scene, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentHIDDEN FIGURES – New Trailer Debut during the 2016 Olympics
August 15, 201620th Century Fox has just released the FIRST poster for their upcoming film, HIDDEN FIGURES, based on the women you don’t know behind the mission you do. This incredible untold story stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer & Janelle Monáe and hits theaters this January. Check out the trailer for HIDDEN FIGURES below.
Posted in MOTIVATION | Leave a commentMAJESTIC AMERICAN GYMNASTS SURGE TO WOMEN’S TEAM GOLD
August 10, 2016SIMONE BILES AND HER US TEAM-MATES PROVED THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY AN UNTOUCHABLE FORCE AS THEY BLEW AWAY ALL OF THEIR RIVALS TO WIN THE WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS TEAM TITLE AT RIO 2016 ON 9 AUGUST. Biles’ samba-themed performance as the last competitor put the finishing touch to USA’s trouncing of the seven other teams, who were left scuffling for silver and bronze. There were a few wobbles, even for the normally unflappable Biles, but those imperfections did not stop them sweeping to victory by a massive 8.209 points over second-placed Russia. China finished third to claim the bronze. GETTY IMAGES The USA’s margin of victory was the biggest at any international tournament since the open-ended scoring system was introduced to artistic gymnastics in 2006. The Americans put in such a commanding performance that Biles needed to better a target of just 7.591 points with her final floor performance to secure her first Olympic medal and deliver a second consecutive team title for her country. So her score of 15.800 left her and her four team-mates – Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian – whooping with joy as they clinched top spot on the podium. Biles credited the victory to teamwork and diligence. “I think we are so successful because we believe in ourselves,” Biles said. “It hasn’t been easy but we have done everything we could have done to get where we are.” Biles’ team-mate Hernandez also said the triumph showed how hard the competitors worked for one another. “This is my first really big competition so to get a team gold from that, it’s just insane. We come into workouts every day with a very determined mindset, and just to get everything done, and that really showed off today. “We’re always building each other up and making …
Posted in TV News | Leave a commentUNSUNG HOLLYWOOD PROFILES ACTRESS AND AUTHOR MEAGAN GOOD TONIGHT AT 8PM ET/7PM CT ON TV ONE
August 10, 2016FROM CHILD STAR TO LEADING LADY, WATCH MEAGAN GOOD SHARE HER JOURNEY ON AN ALL-NEW UNSUNG HOLLYWOOD TONIGHT AT 8PM ET / 7PM CT ON TV ONE – Meagan details her struggle with getting roles in Hollywood. Growing up can be hard to do, especially in front of the camera in Hollywood. From starring in commercials at the tender age of four to her breakout role in the critically-acclaimed drama “Eve’s Bayou,” Meagan Good has grown up in front of our very eyes. But Meagan has undergone her fair share of growing pains in Hollywood. See Meagan and those closest to her chronicle her journey and sometimes precarious transition from child star to leading lady. Tune in to Unsung Hollywood tonight at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TV One. Click here to watch a promo for tonight’s episode. For more information, clips and promos, visit the network’s YouTube Channel and website at www.tvone.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #Unsung. With an accomplished career that began at an early age, Meagan Good has developed into one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actresses for both film and television. Good was most recently seen in the CBS series “Code Black”, where she plays the role of Dr. Grace Adams. She was also seen starring as Lara Vega on FOX series “Minority Report,” which premiered in September 2015. Good also starred in in the coming-of-age film “A Girl Like Grace,” which she also co-produced and premiered at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. She also appeared in “Think Like a Man Too,” the sequel to the 2012 smash hit, “Think Like a Man,” based on the best-selling book by Steve Harvey. She was also featured in “Anchorman: The Legend Continues,” the sequel to …
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a commentHANDS OF STONE In theaters August 26
August 9, 2016SYNOPSIS HANDS OF STONE follows the life of Roberto Duran (Edgar Ramirez), the Panamanian fighter who made his professional debut in 1968 as a 16 year‐old and retired in 2002 at the age of 50. In June 1980, he defeated Sugar Ray Leonard (Usher Raymond) with guidance of his trainer Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro) to capture the WBC welterweight title, but shocked the boxing world by returning to his corner in their November rematch, famously saying the words “no mas” (no more.) Starring: Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramirez, Usher Raymond IV, Ana de Armas, Ellen Barkin, John Turturro Directed by: Jonathan Jakubowicz Written by: Jonathan Jakubowicz Produced by: Jay Weisleder, Carlos Garcia de Paredes, Claudine Jakubowicz, Jonathan Jakubowicz SEE NEW YORK PREMIERE PHOTOS HERE: http://sonyasspotlight.com/hands-of-stone-premiere-and-after-party-robert-de-niro-edgar-ramirez-usher-beyonce-jay-z-and-others/
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentBEN HUR In theaters August 19
July 20, 2016Bursting with action – including a chariot race for the ages – and elevated by themes of justice, liberty, redemption & radical forgiveness, it tells the classic story of Judah Ben–Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala(Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title and separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery and despair. Co-star, Morgan Freeman, also delivers a stand-out performance. For more information on BEN HUR visit BenHurMovie.com. In theaters nationwide – August 19, 2016 in 2D, Digital 3D and IMAX 3D.
Posted in Movie News | Leave a commentGRAMMY WINNING DUO MARY MARY RELEASES BRAND NEW MUSIC AND VIDEO AFTER FOUR YEAR HIATUS
July 20, 2016ON BET.COM THURSDAY, JULY 21ST AT 2PM EST / 11AM PST SET TO PERFORM NEW SONG ON FOX TV’S “THE PREACHERS” TALK SHOW ON FRIDAY, JULY 22ND Four-Time GRAMMY Award winning artist Mary Mary, is back after a four year hiatus with a powerful song entitled “Back To You” – inspired by the upcoming Paramount/MGM movie, BEN HUR. Written and produced by Warryn Campbell (Tyrese, Kelly Price, Musiq) the duo, Ericaand Tina Campbell along with Warryn, was struck by the movie’s message and strong forgiveness storyline, after a meeting with the movie’s marketing company, D3 Entertainment Group. The video will exclusively premiere on Thursday, July 21 at 2pm EST / 11am PST on BET.com. On Friday, July 22nd the group will perform their song and be interviewed on FOX TV’s “THE PREACHERS” talk show. Click here to find out when it’s on in your area. Mark Burnett (The Voice, Shark Tank) produced the epic American historical motion picture BEN HUR. This Paramount Pictures/MGM movie debuts in theaters nationwide on August 19, 2016. Bursting with action – including a chariot race for the ages – and elevated by themes of justice, liberty, redemption & radical forgiveness, it tells the classic story of Judah Ben–Hur (Jack Huston), a prince falsely accused of treason by his adopted brother Messala(Toby Kebbell), an officer in the Roman army. Stripped of his title and separated from his family and the woman he loves (Nazanin Boniadi), Judah is forced into slavery and despair. Co-star, Morgan Freeman, also delivers a stand-out performance. For more information on BEN HUR visit BenHurMovie.com. In theaters nationwide – August 19, 2016 in 2D, Digital 3D and IMAX 3D. .
Posted in On the Scene | Leave a comment“QUEEN SUGAR” TO DEBUT WITH TWO-NIGHT PREMIERE EVENT TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, AND WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 AT 10 PM ET/PT ON OWN
July 14, 2016New Original Drama Series From Award-Winning Filmmaker Ava DuVernay and Executive Producer Oprah Winfrey and Warner Horizon Television “Queen Sugar,” the new original one-hour weekly drama series from award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay and executive producer Oprah Winfrey, debuts as a two-night event on Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The series will regularly air Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT for the remainder of its 13-episode first season. Led by acclaimed film director DuVernay, who directed the first two episodes, all episodes in the series’ debut season are directed by women. For a sneak peak of the series, click here (with embed code): http://www.oprah.com/own-own/First-Look-OWNs-New-Original-Drama-Queen-Sugar-by-Ava-DuVernay Produced by Warner Horizon Television, the contemporary drama “Queen Sugar” chronicles the lives and loves of the estranged Bordelon siblings in Saint Josephine, Louisiana: Nova (Rutina Wesley “True Blood”), a world-wise journalist and activist; Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner “Unforgettable”), the savvy wife and manager of an NBA star; and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe “Awkward”), a formerly incarcerated young father in search of redemption. After a family tragedy, the Bordelons must navigate the triumphs and struggles of their complicated lives in order to run an ailing sugarcane farm in the Deep South. “Queen Sugar” is produced for OWN by Warner Horizon Television. The executive producers are Ava DuVernay, Melissa Carter and Oprah Winfrey. The series is inspired by the book by Natalie Baszile. The contemporary drama begins as Charley, a savvy and spirited woman living an upscale Los Angeles lifestyle, returns to her family home – an 800-acre sugarcane farm in the heart of Louisiana – when her father has a stroke. There, she reunites with her estranged siblings Nova and Ralph Angel, who are each navigating their lives and love relationships. Together, they must learn to rely …
Posted in Inspirational, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentTV ONE’S NEWS ONE NOW AIRING LIVE 2-HOUR SPECIAL, “BLACK AND BLUE AMERICA: THE RACE CRISIS,” TUESDAY JULY 12, 7-9 A.M. ET
July 11, 2016Only Daily News Program Dedicated to Black Viewers Extends Daily Live Broadcast To Cover the Black Lives Matter Movement and Tackle Racial Tensions Following Recent Tragic Shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Dallas Police Officers In response to the recent tragic shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Dallas Police Officers, TV One’s NewsOne Now is airing a live two-hour special, “Black and Blue America: The Race Crisis,” tomorrow, Tuesday, July 12, 7-9 a.m. ET. Hosted by Roland S. Martin, the first daily news program dedicated to Black viewers, News One Now is extending its broadcast to cover the Black Lives Matter movement, community policing, and strategies to eradicate police brutality throughout America. An encore will also air later that night at midnight (12 a.m. ET). “The developments in the past week necessitate the need for TV One’s News One Now to extend our show two hours and to re-broadcast at night,” said Martin. “As the only national daily show focused on African Americans, we have led on covering police brutality and the calls for accountability from Black Lives Matter. We believe going in-depth isn’t just our duty, it’s our responsibility to every African American in the country.” Martin will speak with several panelists including members of Black Lives Matter, law enforcement officials, and political analysts about the evolution of America’s race culture, specifically the Black community’s relationship with law enforcement. Additional topics throughout the special News One Now two-hour broadcast, “Black and Blue America: The Race Crisis,” will include: Nationwide Protests and Arrests Dallas Interfaith Memorial Service Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore’s Alton Sterling Case Recusal Dallas Police Chief David Brown’s Press Conference Escalation of Violence and the Role of Black Lives Matter Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter Role of Community Policing to Ease Racial Tensions …
Posted in MOTIVATION | Leave a commentRihanna’s new single “Sledgehammer” Video Debuts
July 11, 2016Paramount Pictures and IMAX® Corporation announced that the video for Rihanna’s new single “Sledgehammer,” written for director Justin Lin’s highly anticipated film “STAR TREK BEYOND,” from Paramount, Skydance and Bad Robot, made its debut exclusively in IMAX theatres on Thursday, June 30. The single of “Sledgehammer” is available now for purchase, download and streaming on all DSP platforms. “Sledgehammer” marks the first music video shot entirely with IMAX® cameras. Director Floria Sigismondi used the new ALEXA IMAX® camera, the same camera that was used to film the key battle sequence in “CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR.” The ALEXA IMAX 65mm camera is a next-generation revolutionary 2D digital camera developed through a partnership between ARRI and IMAX for use by today’s leading filmmakers working in the IMAX® format. The camera, when combined with IMAX’s digital re-mastering process, delivers the highest level of digital image capture and playback resulting in stunning lifelike images with pristine clarity, incredibly fine detail, vivid colors and a higher dynamic range for superior contrast. The “Sledgehammer” video is produced by Maven. Said Sigismondi: “I have been a fan of ‘STAR TREK’ since I was a little girl. I loved the idea that it explored new territory and the unknown. So being able to be the first director to shoot a music video entirely with IMAX cameras and use this revolutionary technology to explore a different type of new territory was a dream come true.” Rihanna has taken the music, entertainment and fashion industry by storm. As an accomplished performer, she has sold 60 million albums and 215 million digital tracks worldwide, making her the top-selling digital artist of all time. She has released eight albums, achieved 14 number-one singles and won eight Grammy Awards. With more than 8.5 billion views and 21 Vevo certified videos, she is the most …
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts →
