Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →KIRK FRANKLIN’S ‘DEN OF KINGS’ EPISODE TWO AVAILABLE NOW –
July 25, 2025FEATURING TYLER PERRY, JAY “JEEZY” JENKINS AND DERRICK HAYES WATCH NOW PHOTOSRon Hill, Phil Thornton, Tyler Perry, Kirk Franklin, Trell Woodberry, Jay Allen, Jeezy and Derrick HayesTyler Perry, Kirk Franklin, Jeezy and Derrick Hayes In Kirk Franklin’s Den of Kings, a new dinner conversation series hosted by Franklin. In the second installment of the hit series, Kirk Franklin brings together Tyler Perry, Jeezy, and Derrick Hayes for a transparent conversation about legacy, leadership, faith, and the true meaning of being a boss. Topics include:• Why vulnerability matters in leadership.• The real cost of success.• Rewriting the Black male narrative.• Mentorship, manhood, and mental health. https://youtu.be/yA2Y8jP4M6g?si=whR4EoNV9iD5qIe_ Previous Episode: https://youtu.be/OT6mXEAQVJM?si=xjLxQnlf3RNf-PtJ
Posted in Fitness | Leave a commentThe Pickup Coming to Prime Video Globally on August 6, 2025
July 25, 2025The Pickup brings together two generations of comedy for an explosive and hilarious partnership that showcases the chemistry between old-school experience and new-wave energy.The film delivers heart-pounding thrills, sharp comedy, and unexpected mishaps — everyone’s in for a hilarious and wild ride.Directed by Tim Story, who’s known for his work on The Blackening, Barbershop and Ride Along, the film blends high-octane action with sharp humor.In addition to Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, and Keke Palmer, the film features a diverse cast including Eva Longoria, Marshawn Lynch, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, Andrew Dice Clay, and Ismael Cruz Córdova. In the action-comedy The Pickup, a routine cash pickup takes a wild turn when two mismatched armored truck drivers, Russell (Eddie Murphy) and Travis (Pete Davidson), are ambushed by ruthless criminals led by a savvy mastermind, Zoe (Keke Palmer), with plans that go way beyond the cash cargo. As chaos unfolds around them, the unlikely duo must navigate high-risk danger, clashing personalities, and one very bad day that keeps getting worse. Directed by Tim StoryWritten by Kevin Burrows & Matt MiderProduced by John Davis, p.g.a., John Fox, p.g.a., Eddie Murphy, p.g.a., Tim Story, Charisse Hewitt-Webster, p.g.a.Starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Jack Kesy, Andrew Dice Clay, Marshawn Lynch, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i and Keke Palmer Run Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes | Rating: R | Genre: Action, Comedy #ThePickupMovie@PrimeVideo@AmazonMGMStudios@CultureRated@PrimeroLatino@PrimeComedy
Posted in Reboot | Leave a commentGood Fortune In Theaters October 17
July 24, 2025In GOOD FORTUNE, a well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) and a wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen). Starring Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari, Keke Palmer, with Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves Directed By Aziz Ansari Executive Produced By Aniz Adam Ansari, Jonathan McCoy, Christopher Woodrow, Connor DiGregorio
Posted in Movie News | Leave a commentPrince – Sign O’ The Times – Experience it in IMAX® August 29
July 24, 2025Sign O’ The Times is widely celebrated for capturing the artist at his creative peak—blending electrifying concert footage with cinematic storytelling, powerful visuals, and genredefying sound. Now, enhanced with IMAX’s precision surround sound audio, customized theatre geometry, and crystal-clear images, Prince’s virtuoso performance is set to mesmerize fans old and new in the most epic format available. “Prince – Sign O’ The Times” features some of Prince’s most iconic tracks, including “If I Was Your Girlfriend,” the anthemic title track “Sign O’ The Times,” and “U Got The Look,” Prince’s smash hit duet with Sheena Easton. The film showcases Prince’s unparalleled musicianship, stagecraft, and style, highlighting his timeless impact on music and popular culture. Director & Star: PrinceProducers: Robert Cavallo, Joseph Ruffalo & Steven FargnoliCo-Producer: Simon FieldsDirector of Photography: Peter Sinclair Runtime: 85 MinutesRated: PG-13 IMAX Official Channels:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMAXUSCAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/IMAXX: https://twitter.com/IMAX#IMAX Prince Official Channels:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/princeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/prince/?hl=en X: https://x.com/prince#PrinceSignOTheTimes https://youtu.be/ncDxgkcBBmA?si=OMIbsXc4ByBMTyod
Posted in Cinema, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentBeyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER TOUR- ATLANTA – A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
July 12, 2025By Sonya Jenkins Beyoncé’s performance on night two of her four-night Atlanta tour stop was a spectacle of infectious song and dance with shimmering, glitzing, and glamorous Broadway-style stage fanfare at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Friday, June 11. In her iconic, colorful shining armor, Beyoncé soared high above her audience while sitting pretty on an oversized horseshoe and then a gold robotic horse. The occurrence sounds like a fairytale, but it was a reality for the sold-out crowd of “Beehives” (Beyoncé’s dedicated fan base). Beyoncé, affectionately known as Queen Bey, understood the assignment and delivered an extraordinary performance that surpassed any live show I’ve witnessed. I’ve attended decades of concerts and several of Queen Bey’s concerts over the years, including when she performed with Destiny’s Child over 20 years ago. For Cowboy Carter night in Atlanta, Beyoncé truly outdid herself. Her fans “booted up” and got prissy in festive attire, donning cowboy chapeaux for the occasion. While some of Beyoncé’s intriguing acrobatic-like moments made me a bit jittery, especially considering the Cadillac prop that titled while she was high above the audience at one of her Houston shows just a few weeks prior, the performer’s fearlessness helped to dissolve the rambunctious crowd’s apprehensions, as well as mine, as we mostly video-recorded Beyoncé’s “up-high” moments in awe. Amidst breathtaking heights and an almost three-hour show, the multiple Grammy-winner stunned in her opening act by singing songs “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Freedom” “Ya Ya,” “Oh Louisiana” and more. The already hyped crowd went into controlled pandemonium when Beyoncé performed “Texas Hold ‘Em,” “Crazy in Love,” and a rendition of Frankie Beverly’s “Before I Let Go,” where a video of the late Beverly was added as a sing-along. Beyoncé also performed songs from her Destiny’s Child album, which included “Say My Name” and “Bills, Bills, …
Posted in Elevating, 57th NAACP Image Awards, In The Spotlight | Leave a comment“MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING” in theaters Now
June 2, 2025Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present A Tom Cruise Production Tom Cruise “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING” SYNOPSIS Our lives are the sum of our choices. Tom Cruise is Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.. EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Chris Brock PRODUCED BY Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie BASED ON THE TELEVISION SERIES CREATED BY Bruce Geller WRITTEN BY Christopher McQuarrie & Erik Jendresen DIRECTED BY Christopher McQuarrie STARRING Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman and Angela Bassett, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Mark Gatiss, with Rolf Saxon, Lucy Tulugarjuk
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentHeads of State – Prime Video July 2
April 23, 2025The film is an action-packed comedy about the U.S. President (played by John Cena) and the UK Prime Minister (played by Idris Elba), who must set aside their rivalry to thwart a global conspiracy and save the world — if they can work together. ● The film is a global adventure blending explosive action and sharp comedic banter that takes audiences on the run and for a thrilling ride. ● The film combines fast-paced action sequences and creative stunts with a heavy dose of nostalgia fit with all of the 90s charm of the golden era of buddy action comedies. ● This film is helmed by Ilya Naishuller, the filmmaker behind Hardcore Henry (2015) and Nobody (2021). ● The film features an all-star ensemble cast including Idris Elba, John Cena, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Stephen Root, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle and Paddy Considine. The film reunites John Cena and Idris Elba since The Suicide Squad — but this time, they’re not trying to kill each other…probably Directed by Ilya Naishuller Screenplay by Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec and Harrison Query Story by Harrison Query Produced by Peter Safran, p.g.a. and John Rickard, p.g.a. Executive Produced by Marcus Viscidi, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, John Cena, Idris Elba Starring Idris Elba, John Cena, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Stephen Root, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle and Paddy Considine
Posted in Movie News | Leave a commentSHADOW FORCE IN THEATERS MAY 9th
April 23, 2025In SHADOW FORCE, Kyrah (Washington) and Isaac (Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. They broke the rules by falling in love, and in order to protect their son, they go underground. With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family’s fight becomes all-out war. Directed by: Joe Carnahan Written by: Leon Chills and Joe Carnahan Produced by: Kerry Washington, p.g.a., Pilar Savone, p.g.a., Stephen “Dr.” Love, p.g.a., Sterling K. Brown Cast: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Cliff “Method Man” Smith
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentEXTRAordinary: How To Be In Demand in Television & Movies as a Background Talent
March 27, 2025By Sonya Jenkins – Orginally Published May 2024 For many actors, winning an Oscar is the ultimate accolade, which brings respect in an industry that is oftentimes competitive and toiling. Having a passion for the craft, getting regular work and generating a lucrative salary are motivations that keep most actors in the acting game. But the starting point of becoming an actor, could just be becoming an Extra – also known as a Background Talent. There are many Oscar winners who first started out as extras. Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis, Lady GaGa, Viola Davis, Donald Glover, Terry Crews, Channing Tatum, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Megan Fox, George Clooney, Bruce Willis and Marilyn Monroe are just a few huge movie actors who started as a background talent. I’m still actually compiling the long list! What set these actors apart from the regular background artist is the belief in themselves that they were indeed, EXTRAordinary, instead of just an Extra. Yes, being considered an Extra or a background talent isn’t too appealing to many actors, especially when extras are at the bottom of the totem pole in pay and often don’t get much respect. But like many things in life, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish that truly matters. . The journey to becoming an actor can be one of the most frustrating journeys one might experience in job hunting, but it can also be one of the most incredible and rewarding journeys, if you have the right attitude. Your destiny as an actor is determined by your talent, but it is also determined by what you think of yourself and persistence. Whether you’re a background talent or principal actor, never think of yourself as someone of little significance or as just an extra. Think of yourself as EXTRAordinary. …
Posted in Elevating, MOTIVATION | Leave a comment56th NAACP Image Awards
February 27, 2025The 56th NAACP Image Awards was a showcase of Black excellence, resilience, and joy at a time when we need it most. It was a night of powerful moments — of honoring our past, celebrating our present, and inspiring our future. If you missed the Saturday show, you can still experience it. A Tribute to the Eaton Fire Survivors — Morris Chestnut stood alongside 22 survivors of the Eaton Fire, honoring the families who lost everything. “Altadena is more than a neighborhood. It’s a legacy,” he said. Ledisi, backed by Adam Blackstone and the BBE All-Star Band, delivered a moving tribute, reminding us that in times of loss, our community stands together. Former Vice President Kamala Harris accepts the Chairman’s Award — The former Vice President stood among giants, joining past honorees like President Barack Obama and the late John Lewis. “Our strength flows from our faith,” she said, challenging us all to push forward in the fight for justice. The Wayans Family inducted into the Hall of Fame — For over three decades, the Wayans have shaped Black comedy. Damon, Marlon, Kim, and other members of the family took the stage to honor their roots and their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans, who they credit with leading the way. “He saw the future before the rest of us did,” Marlon reflected. Dave Chappelle receives the President’s Award — With his signature mix of humor and truth, Chappelle reminded us of the moment we’re in. “Your institution [NAACP] is sadly more relevant than it’s been in a long time,” he said. “Community is everything.” Keke Palmer named Entertainer of the Year — 20 years in the industry, Keke Palmer accepted her award with grace and gratitude. “Nobody has uplifted me more than you all,” she said, recognizing the culture that shaped her journey. Deon Cole’s unmatched …
Posted in 98TH ACADEMY AWARDS, In The Spotlight | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts →
