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← Older posts Newer posts →Steve Harvey partners with Warner Bros. film Central Intelligence at Camp Grace outside of Atlanta
June 14, 2016On Saturday, June 11, Steve Harvey partnered with the upcoming Warner Bros. film Central Intelligence at his annual four-day mentoring series at Camp Grace outside of Atlanta. The mentoring camp whose mission is to develop young men into being responsible leaders, encourages young men ages 13-17 to push beyond their preconceived physical limits while also challenging their approach to hard work and dedication. The inspirational day commenced with physical fitness activities led by the United States Army followed by a keynote speech by former NFL player William Brown (Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders,) Tulsa’s Athletic Director Derrick Gragg and actor/motivational speaker/author/activist Hill Harper. The day wrapped up with a visit from Steve Harvey, who shared his story of growing up without his father, having overcome a stuttering problem for which he was bullied as a kid, and taught the young men that despite their adversity, they too, can go to college and achieve an abundance of success. Mirroring Steve Harvey’s story of being bullied, Central Intelligence also has a resonant anti-bullying message that’s exhibited through Dwayne Johnson’s character, Bob Stone. Central Intelligence releases nationwide on Friday, June 17.SYNOPSIS: Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart star in the action comedy “Central Intelligence,” for New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures. The story follows a one-time bullied geek, Bob (Johnson), who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent, coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, Bob enlists the help of former “big man on campus,” Calvin (Hart), now an accountant who misses his glory days. But before the staid numbers-cruncher realizes what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot- outs, double-crosses and espionage that …
Posted in Celebrity Profile, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentTHE COLOR PURPLE ON BROADWAY WINS 2016 TONY-BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL
June 14, 2016 Posted in In The Spotlight | Leave a commentCentral Intelligence in theaters June 17
June 5, 2016About: Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart star in the action comedy “Central Intelligence,” for New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures. The story follows a one-time bullied geek, Bob (Johnson), who grew up to be a lethal CIA agent, coming home for his high school reunion. Claiming to be on a top-secret case, Bob enlists the help of former “big man on campus,” Calvin (Hart), now an accountant who misses his glory days. But before the staid numbers-cruncher realizes what he’s getting into, it’s too late to get out, as his increasingly unpredictable new friend drags him through a world of shoot-outs, double-crosses and espionage that could get them both killed in more ways than Calvin can count. “Central Intelligence” also stars Oscar nominee Amy Ryan (“Gone Baby Gone”), Aaron Paul (TV’s “Breaking Bad”), and Danielle Nicolet (TV’s “The Game”). The film is directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (“We’re the Millers,” “Dodgeball”). The screenplay is by Ike Barinholtz & David Stassen and Rawson Marshall Thurber; story by Ike Barinholtz & David Stassen. It is produced by Scott Stuber (“Ted”), Peter Principato (TV’s “Black-ish”), Paul Young (“Black-ish”) and Michael Fottrell (“Furious Seven”). The executive producers were Toby Emmerich, Richard Brener, Samuel J. Brown, Michael Disco and Ed Helms. The behind-the-scenes creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Barry Peterson (“We’re the Millers,” “21 Jump Street”); production designer Stephen Lineweaver (“Ted,” “Blades of Glory”); editors Mike Sale and Brian Olds (“We’re the Millers,” “Tammy”); and costume designer Carol Ramsey (“Horrible Bosses,” “Dodgeball”). The music is by Theodore Shapiro and Ludwig Goransson. New Line Cinema and Universal Pictures present, a Bluegrass Films/Principato Young Entertainment Production, a Rawson Marshall Thurber Film, “Central Intelligence.” It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. This film is rated PG-13 for “crude and suggestive humor, some nudity, action …
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentMAXWELL AND OMARI HARDWICK ON ESSENCE’S SPLIT-COVER JULY ISSUE!
June 3, 2016No matter the time, these men are always on our minds! In ESSENCE’s hot split-cover July issue cover story, Night & Day, we caught up with two of our fantasy men to kick off our ode to the fellas. First, ESSENCE Festival headliner Maxwell talks about losing Prince, relationships and connecting with fans 20 years after his Urban Hang Suite. Then, Power star Omari Hardwick talks about success, fatherhood and why he’s not judging his TV character, “Ghost.” Plus, in A Few Good Men, ESSENCE presents our gallery of fineness for your viewing pleasure—including Creed’s Michael B. Jordan; Independence Day: Resurgence star Jessie T. Usher; Underground’s Aldis Hodge and more. Maxwell performs on the Mainstage of the 2016 ESSENCE Festival on Friday, July 1st–the Grammy winning soul icon’s forthcoming album blackSUMMERS’night is available for pre-order now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/maxwell/id486768. See Omari Hardwick and the cast of POWER at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival. For more information or tickets, visit ESSENCEFestival.com. ESSENCE’s July issue hits newsstands on June 10th. For more on this month’s issue, visit: ESSENCE.com.
Posted in R&B Pop Culture | Leave a commentTHE LEGEND OF TARZAN In Theaters July 1
June 2, 2016About The Legend of Tarzan: Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Jerry Weintraub Production, a Riche/Ludwig Production, a David Yates Film, The Legend of Tarzan. Directed by David Yates (the last four Harry Potter films, upcoming Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), The Legend of Tarzan is an all-new action adventure that reimagines the legendary character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, starring Alexander Skarsgård (HBO’s True Blood, Diary of a Teenage Girl) as John Clayton III / Tarzan, and Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street, upcoming Suicide Squad) as his beloved wife, Jane. The film also stars Oscar nominees Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, the Captain America films) and Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, Gladiator), with Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris), and two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained). www.legendoftarzan.com
Posted in Movie News | Leave a commentROLAND S. MARTIN CHECKS SNOOP DOGG ON CALLING FOR ROOTS BOYCOTT
June 1, 2016“Why Don’t You Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and Not on Some Good Weed….” – Roland S. Martin Today on NewsOne Now, host and managing editor Roland S. Martin addressed rapper Snoop Dogg’s recent social media post in which he is calling for a boycott of HISTORY Channel’s new miniseries “Roots.” In his post, Snoop Dogg says that he is tired of the brutal American slave narrative being shown on national television. Martin addressed his comments by saying that Snoop Dogg as well as other African Americans are in full denial of American slavery when in fact they should be proud of their ancestors for being survivors. Martin also suggests that instead of Snoop Dogg doing films that depict the Black community in a negative light, he should be collaborating with successful African American directors to depict more positive images of Black American history. “Slavery happened and slavery is real. Too many Americans want to deny what took place in this country,” said Martin. “The reality is Black folks are survivors since the first slave touched down in Jamestown in 1619. So when you slam Roots and want to boycott the show, what you’re saying is that we shouldn’t learn these things, when the fact is we should be learning about these things. Why don’t you stop smoking weed and call countless African Americans out there trying to make those films and looking for folks like you to put your money where your mouth is and not on some good weed. We need all stories being told. If more Americans can own up to the history of America, 397 years we have been here, and how brutal slavery was we should be able to see that.” To watch Roland address Snoop Dogg’s ‘Roots’ boycott social media rant, please click HERE.
Posted in R&B Pop Culture | Leave a commentLove Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story Premieres Sunday, June 12
May 26, 2016By Kimberly Alsup I was excited to dial into a Tele-Press conference with Miki Howard, Teyonah Parris, Darius McCrary, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lisa Raye McCoy, Gary Dourdan, Indira Khan, and Christine Swanson from TV One’s LOVE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: THE MIKI HOWARD STORY, premiering Sunday, June 12 at 7 pm. During the call I was given the synopsis, insight into this true story from the woman herself, Miki Howard, and the intense subjects that are dealt with in LOVE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: THE MIKI HOWARD STORY. CAST: Miki Howard: Teyonah Parris (Survivor’s Remorse) Josephine Howard, Miki’s Mother: Vanessa Bell Calloway (Coming to America, Shameless) Gerald Levert: Darius McCrary (Family Matters) Sylvia Rhone: Lisa Raye McCoy (Single Ladies, Player’s Club) Augie Johnson: Gary Dourdan (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) Chaka Khan: Indira Khan (Chaka Khan’s daughter) DIRECTOR: Christine Swanson EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: D’Angela Proctor SCREENPLAY BY: Rhonda Baraka ABOUT LOVE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: THE MIKI HOWARD STORY: The film, which is produced by Carl Craig and Eric Tomosunas and Rob Robinson of Swirl Films, covers 30+ years of Howard’s life, both professional and personal trials and triumphs, including her relationships with the men, like Gerald LeVert, who played instrumental roles in her life. In an effort to revitalize and rearrange TV One programming, this is the first of Unsung episodes that will be turned into biopics. The highest rated episode was Miki Howard. CHRISTINE SWANSON: “I knew then that what we were embarking upon was going to be epic in terms of storytelling, nuance and passion. Like myself, Miki Howard is a passionate individual who has a love for life. [Her] music was the backdrop to my youth and now I get to translate her story on screen. What a privilege. We hit it off right away and I knew my whole life was in …
Posted in Streaming | Leave a commentROOTS Premieres on The History Channel Memorial Day
May 26, 2016Synopsis: HISTORY® premieres “Roots” on Memorial Day 2016, airing over four consecutive nights at 9 p.m. beginning Monday, May 30th. The four-night, eight-hour event series developed by HISTORY, from A+E Studios, is a historical portrait of American slavery recounting the journey of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship. “Roots” will be simulcast on A&E and Lifetime, in addition to HISTORY. Roots’ will allow new audiences to experience this epic family saga with a new vision that is both incredibly inspiring and tremendously entertaining. Background Information on the Re-made Series, ROOTS: Nearly 40 years after the premiere of “Roots” captivated the nation, take a look back at the cultural phenomenon and its lasting legacy: On January 23, 1977, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the first episode of a new miniseries on the ABC network; a multi-generational exploration of author Alex Haley’s family tree that traversed more than a century of the African American experience, from the colonial-era slave trade through Reconstruction. Over the course of eight nights, “Roots” captivated the nation. Movie theaters shut down, while bars and living rooms filled; dozens of civic leaders across the country declared a celebratory “Roots” week in honor of the program; millions of Americans were inspired to trace their own lineages; and America was forced to confront the brutal reality of slavery and the lingering scars it had left on the nation. Nearly 40 years later, with HISTORY set to introduce “Roots” to a new generation this Memorial Day, take a look back at the television landmark and its lasting legacy – http://www.history.com/news/remembering-roots TV Series: ROOTS Network: History Channel (A+E Networks) Starring: Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, T.I., Anika Noni Rose, Anna Paquin, Mekhi Phifer Air Date: May 30, 2016 (Memorial Day) …
Posted in Inspirational | Leave a commentINDEPENDENCE DAY in Theaters June 24
May 26, 2016SYNOPSIS We always knew they were coming back. After INDEPENDENCE DAY redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction. INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE Action-Adventure Release: June 24, 2016 Director: Roland Emmerich Producers: Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich, Harald Kloser Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe, Sela Ward INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE Official Channels Facebook: Facebook.com/IndependenceDayMovie Twitter:Twitter.com/IndependenceDay YouTube:Youtube.com/FoxMovies Instagram: Instagram.com/IndependencedayMovie Hashtag: #IndependenceDay
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentNEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING in theaters May 20th
May 15, 2016About NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING Returning stars Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Rose Byrne are joined by Chloë Grace Moretz for Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, the follow-up to 2014’s most popular original comedy. Nicholas Stoller again directs in a film that follows what happens when the will of parenthood goes against the bonds of sisterhood. Now that Mac (Rogen) and Kelly Radner (Byrne) have a second baby on the way, they are ready to make the final move into adulthood: the suburbs. But just as they thought they’d reclaimed the neighborhood and were safe to sell, they learn that the new occupants next door are a sorority even more out of control than Teddy (Efron) and his brothers ever dreamed of being.Tired of their school’s sexist, restrictive system, the unorthodox ladies of Kappa Nu have decided to start a house where they can do whatever the hell they want. When Shelby (Moretz) and her sisters, Beth (Kiersey Clemons) and Nora (Beanie Feldstein), find the perfect place just off campus, they won’t let the fact that it’s located on a quiet street stand in their way of parties as epic as the guys throw. Forced to turn to the one ex-neighbor with the skills to bring down the new Greeks next door, the Radners—alongside best friends Jimmy (Ike Barinholtz) and Paula (Carla Gallo)—bring in charismatic Teddy as their secret weapon. If he can infiltrate the sorority and charm his way through it, the thirtysomethings will shutter the Kappas’ home. But if they think that their neighbors are going down without a fight, they have severely underestimated the power of youthful ingenuity and straight-up crazy. The movie was filmed in ATL and stars Zac Efron, Seth Rogen, Chloe Grace Moretz, Rose Byrne and Selena Gomez. Check out the film’s trailer at the …
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