Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →Watch Trailer for MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
November 26, 2013In Theaters November 29 MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM Synopsis: MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM is based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society. Idris Elba (PROMETHEUS) stars as Nelson Mandela alongside Naomie Harris (SKYFALL) as Winnie Mandela with Justin Chadwick (THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL) directing. Cast: Idris Elba and Naomie Harris Director: Justin Chadwick Official Site: http://mandelafilm.com/ #Mandela MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM will open in Atlanta theaters, Wednesday, December 25, 2013!
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentHoliday Cheer: Tips To Lift Your Spirits
November 25, 2013By Jazmyne Butler With the holidays quickly approaching, many are excited about visiting family and friends and spreading holiday cheer, but thoughts of loneliness, financial concerns and just the mere pressure to be cheerful can make some feel sad during what is supposed to be the most joyful time of the year. Regardless of challenging circumstances, focusing on gratefulness can make your holiday season brighter. Mood Lifters For Holiday Blues #1: Appeal to Your Senses. Whether you enjoy a warm mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or a cup of herbal tea, delighting yourself with a tasty treat may do more than just satisfy your taste buds. Feeding your five senses may help change your mood. Open your window shades and let sunlight in. Brighten your home by decorating a Christmas tree, illuminating the room with lights or filling the room with music that prompts relaxation. Whether it is Christmas carols or gospel music, listen to something that encourages your best mood. Jan Banks, a former mental health therapist of seven years from Vicksburg, MS, emphasizes the importance of self-care and a positive environment. “You really have to focus on me time,” Banks said. “Whether it’s working out, quiet time, meditation or listening to soothing music, it’s important to take moments to yourself. Surround yourself with positivity and things that encourage and uplift you.” Scholars have concluded that certain pleasant fragrances can have a positive effect on your mood. Light a candle of an aroma that calms and uplifts you, allowing that scent to boost positivity. #2: Take Care of Your Financial Obligations. “Tis the season to be jolly,” but be sure not to over-indulge in “retail therapy,” which is sure to be a temporary fix. Don’t create more problems for yourself, by creating or increasing debt or …
Posted in 98TH ACADEMY AWARDS | 1 CommentT.D. JAKES JOINS “BLACK NATIVITY” CAST FOR STAR-STUDDED NEW YORK PREMIERE
November 25, 2013Exec Producer T.D. Jakes celebrated the premiere of his new film “Black Nativity” starring Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Jacob Latimore, Mary J. Blige, Nasir Jones, and Jennifer Hudson in New York, November 18. In addition to the star-studded cast, Jakes was joined at the famed Apollo Theatre by other industry notables including Antonio Banderas (“Machete Kills”), Vondie Curtis-Hall (“Black Nativity”), Zendaya Coleman (ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars”), Grace Gibson (“Black Nativity”), Melanie Griffith (FOX’s “Raising Hope”), Luke James (“Black Nativity”), Director Malcom D. Lee (“The Best Man Holiday”), Director Kasi Lemmons (“Black Nativity”), Producer Celine Rattray (“Black Nativity”), NY Giant Aaron Ross, Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross, Rotimi (“Black Nativity”), Media Mogul Russell Simmons, Antonique Smith (“Abduction”), Singer/Songwriter Sting, Producer Trudie Styler (“Black Nativity”), Ben and Jewel Tankard (Bravo’s “Thicker Than Water”), Al Thompson (“Lenox Avenue”), Courtney B. Vance (ABC’s “Revenge”), Eric West (“World War Z”), and Lynn Whitfield (“The Dempsey Sisters”). Black Nativity opens in theaters nationwide Wednesday, November 27, 2013. Photo captions Forthcoming!
Posted in Photos | Leave a commentBLACK NATIVITY in theaters THANKSGIVING
November 25, 2013In a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes’ celebrated play, the holiday musical drama BLACK NATIVITY follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs (Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs’ rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Langston embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey and along with new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family. BLACK NATIVITY was directed by Kasi Lemmons and stars Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Tyrese Gibson, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Jacob Latimore, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Nas. Views more news about BLACK NATIVITY –http://www.foxsearchlight.com/blacknativity/?gclid=CO-6vdzZ_roCFTJo7AodvRwAXw
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentSonya’s 5 Holiday Fashion Tips
November 22, 2013There is no better time than the holidays to go a little bolder and more colorful in fashion style and glamour! From chandelier earrings, sparkly tops and sassy, sequined dresses, you can shine at Christmas time. With holiday parties kicking off in full gear, not to mention New Year’s Eve celebrations, why not kick it up a notch and allow your fashionista to emerge! SONYA’S HOLIDAY FASHION TIPS 1. ONLY FLAUNT OUTFITS THAT FLATTER YOUR FIGURE. We were all born with different shapes & sizes, so don’t get deceived and think that you’re a size smaller or larger than you actually are. There is nothing more unflattering than someone wearing an outfit that is too tight or too loose. Wear fashions that compliment your shape. If needed, use undergarments to help give a more svelte look. 2. KEEP IT STRIKING. You’ve heard the adage “Keep It Simple.” But for the Holidays I say “Keep it Striking – Not Simple!” A blah outfit at a holiday party makes you look dull and boring! If you’re a little shy and prefer not to socialize with others, go ahead and wear something drab. But even if you’re not in the best mood, your more appealing outfit will elevate your spirits. Wear something that shows that you have a sense of holiday cheer and excitement. Keep it STRIKING if you want to Strike up a conversation! 3. GO COLORFUL. Find out what color looks good on you and wear it well! And yes, red is the color for Christmas! Not only is it traffic stopping, but red is the color of love and emotion. Studies have shown that red puts you in a winning mindset, attracts men to women faster and makes men more desirable to women! Other hot colors of the season are …
Posted in Music & Film | Leave a comment‘Scandal’ Casts ‘Treme’ Star to Play Kerry Washington’s Mother
November 16, 2013Khandi Alexander has booked a recurring role on the Shonda Rhimes drama and will appear in flashbacks starting this week. ABC/Richard Cartwright; Charley Gallay/Getty Images “Scandal’s” Kerry Washington (Inset: Khandi Alexander) Prepare to meet Olivia Pope’s mother on ABC’s Scandal. ‘Scandal’s’ Joe Morton Talks Olivia-Rowan’s Dysfunctional Relationship Treme‘s Khandi Alexanderhas booked a recurring role on the third season of the Shonda Rhimes political fixer drama,The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. Alexander will play Maya Lewis — otherwise known as the mother to Kerry Washington‘s beleaguered fixer, Olivia. She’ll first appear during Thursday’s episode and be seen in flashbacks. PHOTOS: On-Set With the Gladiators: Inside the Fast-Paced World of ABC’s ‘Scandal’ During last week’s Scandal, Huck (Guillermo Diaz) and Jake (Scott Foley) discovered that President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) shot down a civilian airliner with more than 300 passengers on board, including Olivia’s mother, under orders from Olivia’s dastardly father, Rowan (Joe Morton). Foley previewed that Scandal will flash back to when Olivia was a little girl and Goldwyn told THR that Olivia’s mother becomes a “major issue” in her life. “You can only imagine what that would be like to find out that your mother did not die in the way that you thought she died, in terms of it being a willful act. It’s surreal for Olivia,” Goldwyn told THR. “The audience can imagine what that must be like to find out that your mother was murdered along with hundreds of other people. So the fact that her father was behind it is incomprehensible. It’s going to really complicate [Olivia and Rowan’s relationship] because Rowan remains a very dangerous person. It’s not like everyone can just expose him or take him out. It becomes a very volatile and dangerous situation. You can imagine how devastating it is for Olivia.” PHOTOS: Nudity, Slapping, Pranks! ‘Scandal’ Cast Share Their Most Scandalous Moments NAACP Image Award winner …
Posted in Highlight | Leave a commentBox Office: ‘Best Man Holiday’ Surges Friday, Could Cross $33 Million
November 16, 2013The African-American comedy could come much closer to “Thor: The Dark World” than expected. 3:13 PM PST 11/15/2013 by Pamela McClintock Malcolm D. Lee‘s sequel The Best Man Holiday — opening nearly 15 years after the first film — could approach or cross $33 million in its North American debut, vastly exceeding expectations. The Universal comedy is pacing to gross $13 million or more on Friday, possibly eclipsing Thor: The Dark World for the day, although Thor 2 is still tipped to stay at No. 1 in its second weekend with a gross north of $37 million. Thor 2 could approach $450 million in global ticket sales by the end of the weekend — catching up with the entire gross of the firstThor ($449.3 million) in another major victory for Disney and Marvel Studios’ Avengers universe. From Universal, Best Man Holiday — projected to top out at $20 million — sees Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall,Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Monica Calhoun and Melissa De Sousa reprising their roles. The first film, opening to $9 million in 1999, is credited with helping to usher in the era of aspirational African-American comedies. Black films have been making strong gains at the North American box office, with Fruitvale Station, Lee Daniels’ The Butler and 12 Years a Slave all overperforming. Those movies — all dramas — are drawing a mixed audience, while Best Man Holiday is expected to play primarily to African-Americans, similar to Tyler Perry‘s pics. Universal spent a modest $17 million to make the sequel, which Lee produced with Sean Daniel. Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-best-man-holiday-656588 Photo: Universal Pictures
Posted in Movie News, In The Spotlight | Leave a comment‘Scandal’ Star Kerry Washington Pregnant (Report)
November 16, 2013The actress secretly wed NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha in June. Kerry Washington is going to be a mom, according to multiple reports. The Scandal actress, 36, is said to be expecting her first child with husband Nnamdi Asomugha, a 31-year-old cornerback with the San Francisco 49ers whom she secretly wed in June. Peoplereported that the baby is due in late spring. The news of the wedding, which took place June 24 in Hailey, Idaho — and even the relationship itself — came as a big surprise to fans of the actress, who doesn’t talk about her personal life. Washington was previously engaged to actor David Moscow. A rep for Washington declined comment on the pregnancy reports. PHOTOS: Inside the Fast-Paced World of ABC’s ‘Scandal’ Earlier this year, she received her first Emmy nomination for her role as political fixer Olivia Pope on Scandal. Photo: Invision/AP Images Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scandal-star-kerry-washington-pregnant-651752
Posted in Movie News | Leave a comment‘Best Man Holiday’ Cast Reveals Favorite Holiday Traditions at Premiere
November 16, 2013by Meng Liu A long-awaited reunion came to fruition on Tuesday night when the cast of The Best Man Holiday, the sequel to the 1999 ensemble pic The Best Man, gathered together for the Hollywood premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The holiday film reunites most of the main cast — including Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut and Sanaa Lathan — from the original ensemble pic, which opened in theaters 14 years ago to a warm critical reception and box office success. Written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee, The Best Man Holiday brings the group of friends together over the Christmas holiday, as they deal with old and new rivalries and romances. On the red carpet, the stars couldn’t conceal their delight and joy at the thought of being together with their loved ones again during the most festive time of the year. “Every year at the beginning of the Christmas season, we play the Jackson 5 Christmas album at our home. I love it,” Harold Perrineau told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet. Lee, who also helmed the original film, revealed that his favorite holiday traditions involve “eating and drinking,” along with spending time with his family. As for Diggs, who played the protagonist Harper Stewart in the original film and returns for the sequel, his holiday moment comes with “watching my child open up his gifts.” The cast was also eager to talk about the eye-catching dance number that appears in the second film, featuring the male characters dancing along to new Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain?” “Choreography was something that stays with me. I love dancing and it was even better just being able to dance with all my fellas. That was a great moment,” Giggs told THR of the scene. “It was …
Posted in In The Spotlight | Leave a commentTHE BEST MAN HOLIDAY: In Theaters November 15
November 15, 2013Synopsis: After nearly 15 years apart, Taye Diggs (television’s Private Practice), Nia Long (Soul Food), Morris Chestnut (Kick-Ass 2), Harold Perrineau (Zero Dark Thirty), Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow), Sanaa Lathan (Contagion), Monica Calhoun (Love & Basketball), Melissa De Sousa (Miss Congeniality) and Regina Hall (Scary Movie franchise) reprise their career-launching roles in The Best Man Holiday, the long-awaited next chapter to the film that ushered in a new era of comedy. When the college friends finally reunite over the Christmas holidays, they will discover just how easy it is for long-forgotten rivalries and romances to be ignited.
Posted in Cinema | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts →
