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← Older posts Newer posts →“42” in Theaters April 12
April 6, 2013SYNOPSIS Academy Award® winner Brian Helgeland (“L.A. Confidential”) wrote and directed the drama “42,” starring Chadwick Boseman (“The Express”) and Oscar® nominee Harrison Ford (“Witness”). Hero is a word we hear often in sports, but heroism is not always about achievements on the field of play. “42” tells the story of two men—the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey—whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball. In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team, breaking Major League Baseball’s infamous color line. But the deal also put both Robinson and Rickey in the firing line of the public, the press and even other players. Facing unabashed racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting in kind, knowing that any incident could destroy his and Rickey’s hopes. Instead, Number 42 let his talent on the field do the talking—ultimately winning over fans and his teammates, silencing his critics, and paving the way for others to follow. In 1997, Major League Baseball retired the number 42 for all teams, making it the first number in sports to be universally retired. The only exception is April 15th—Jackie Robinson Day—commemorating the date of his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger. On that day alone, players from every team proudly wear Number 42 to honor the man who altered the course of history. Rounding out the main cast of “42” are: Nicole Beharie (“Shame”) as Rachel Isum, who would become Robinson’s wife; Christopher Meloni as Leo Durocher; Andre Holland as Wendell Smith; Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese; Hamish Linklater as Ralph Branca; Ryan Merriman as Dixie Walker; and T.R. Knight as …
Posted in Cinema | 1 Comment‘Temptation’ Star Jurnee Smollett-Bell on Her Wakeup Call from Tyler Perry
March 30, 2013by Rebecca Ford “I thought it was my brother or someone playing a prank on me,” the “Friday Night Lights” actress tells THR about the phone call she received from the prolific director. Jurnee Smollett-Bell got a wakeup call from Tyler Perry. Literally. The actress, known for playing Jess Merriweather on two seasons of critical darling Friday Night Lights, was asleep in bed one day when she got a phone call from an Atlanta number. “He said, ‘This is Tyler Perry.’ And I was like, ‘Shut up. This ain’t no Tyler Perry.’ I thought it was my brother or someone playing a prank on me,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter with a laugh. It turns out that Perry had written a script with the lead role in mind for her. “I read it and it thoroughly intimidated me,” says Smollett-Bell, 26, who was a newlywed at the time. She wed musician Josiah Bell in October 2010. The film sees Judith (Smollett-Bell), a marriage counselor who has been married to her childhood sweetheart (Lance Gross) for six years, struggling with the temptation to have an affair with a suave social-media mogul (Robbie Jones) who is a client at her firm. “I had to go and think about what it would be like to cheat on your husband. Who wants to do that a year after you get married?” she says. But Smollett-Bell was up for the challenge. And it turns out she would be challenged from day one of the shoot. On the very first day, she had to shoot one of the sexiest scenes of the film, in which her character first commits a cheating act with Jones while they’re on a flight together. “The first day was us having to be very convincing that we were having this seductive …
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a commentTYLER PERRY Greets Thousands of Fans in Atlanta
March 22, 2013TYLER PERRY, KIM KARDASHIAN SHINE ON THE “BLACK” CARPET FOR Tyler Perry’s TEMPTATIONAtlanta Movie Premiere Thousands of Tyler Perry fans came out to greet the movie mogul, the cast of Tyler Perry’s TEMPTATION and his special invited A-list guests at AMC Parkway Pointe in Atlanta, March 16. Tyler Perry drove right up in his luxury vehicle, stepped out amongst the crowd – with a warm grin – and mingled, posed for photos with excited fans and proceeded to grant press interviews. Fans cheered, screamed and clamored around Perry . . . but when Kim Kardashian came on the scene, there was even more pandemonium. Kardashian was definitely the highlight of the “black” carpet hoopla, in her black, lace dress with leather leggings. Other stars on hand included Jurnee Smollett, Lance Gross, Robbie Jones, John Schneider, Tika Sumpter, and “Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss, to name a few. Many church and political dignitaries were also on hand, as special invited guests, such as Congressman John Lewis, Pastor Paula White, Bishop Paul S. Morton and Pastor Marvin Winans. Tyler Perry’s TEMPTATION hits theaters nationwide March 29. More Captions & Video Footage from Atlanta Premiere forthcoming. SYNOPSIS: An explosive romance about forbidden desires, TYLER PERRY’S TEMPTATION tells the provocative story of Judith, an ambitious married woman whose temptation by a handsome billionaire leads to betrayal, recklessness and forever alters the course of her life. Cast: Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Judith), Lance Gross (Brice), Kim Kardashian (Ava), Vanessa Williams (Janice), Robbie Jones (Harley), Renée Taylor (Ms. Waco Chapman), Ella Joyce (Sarah), and Brandy Norwood (Melinda). TYLER PERRY’S TEMPTATION is written for the screen, produced and directed by Tyler Perry. Lionsgate and TPS Present, A TPS/Lionsgate Production, A Film by Tyler Perry.
Posted in Movie News | 6 Comments‘American Idol’ on the Charts: Fantasia Looks for Another ‘Win’
March 17, 2013The season three winner works on her longest streak of Top 10 hits on Adult R&B. Also: Kelly Clarkson extends her record-setting total of No. 1s with “Stronger.” ONE RUNG AWAY: For the third week in a row, Fantasia’s “Lose to Win” is standing in place at No. 11 on the Adult R&B chart, just one step away from breaking into the top 10. The good news is that no song has passed her by, as last week’s top 10 is this week’s top 10, so there is still an outstanding chance that this latest single will become Fantasia’s eighth top 10 hit on this chart. Also working in her favor: her four preceding singles have all reached the top 10, making it her longest stretch of top 10 titles on this chart. “Lose to Win” could extend that streak to five top 10 hits. Fantasia made her Adult R&B debut in July 2004 with her coronation song, “I Believe.” While that single went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, on Adult R&B it only went as high as No. 22. The follow-up, “Truth Is,” captured first place and remained there for 13 weeks. Fantasia’s next single, “Baby Mama,” stopped at No. 24, but that was succeeded by “Free Yourself,” which spent three weeks at No. 1. Next came “Ain’t Gon’ Beg You” (No. 27) and “Hood Boy” (No. 29), and then Fantasia returned to the top 10 with a No. 2 single, “When I See U.” A potential streak of top 10 hits was interrupted by the follow-up, “Only One U,” which reached No. 19. PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Season 12: The Top 10 Finalists Fantasia next charted with “Put You Up on Game,” a collaboration with the legendary Aretha Franklin. That single peaked at No. 10, …
Posted in Fitness | Leave a commentMindless Behavior ALL AROUND THE WORLD in theaters March 15
March 14, 2013Synopsis: Teen r&b/hip-hop boy band ‘Mindless Behavior’ has been stirring up a frenzy wherever they go, singing and dancing their way into the hearts of millions as they travel across the US on their first major headlining tour. Coming from humble roots and rising to super stardom, Roc Royal, Ray Ray, Princeton and Prodigy hit the road for the biggest tour of their lives. From their early aspirations of becoming stars to fulfilling their wildest dreams, this concert documentary captures the movement that is ‘Mindless Behavior,’ which reminds us all that with hard work, confidence and the ability to embrace and celebrate your own individuality, we can all be ‘Mindless’ 24/7. Starring: Roc Royal, Princeton, Prodigy and Ray Ray Trivia Answer: ‘Mindless Behavior’s’ eagerly anticipated second album, All Around the World, featuring the single “Keep Her On The Low,” was released on March 12. Target will carry the exclusive deluxe album containing four bonus tracks- available only at Target and Target.com beginning March 12.
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a commentSonya Jenkins on the Red Carpet at the 2013 Trumpet Awards
March 13, 2013Click on video to see Sonya’s Spotlight Web Mag Publisher, Sonya Jenkins, on the Red Carpet at the 2013 Trumpet Awards with Rickey Smiley, Charlie Wilson, Anthony Hamilton, the Wilbourn Sisters and More! Check out more Trumpet Awards photos & coverage here: http://sonyasspotlight.com/?p=4725
Posted in Spotlight | Leave a commentTYLER PERRY’S TEMPTATION – In Theaters March 29
March 9, 2013An explosive romance about forbidden desires, TYLER PERRY’S TEMPTATION tells the provocative story of Judith, an ambitious married woman whose temptation by a handsome billionaire leads to betrayal, recklessness and forever alters the course of her life. Cast: Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Judith), Lance Gross (Brice), Kim Kardashian (Ava), Vanessa Williams (Janice), Robbie Jones (Harley), Renée Taylor (Ms. Waco Chapman), Ella Joyce (Sarah), and Brandy Norwood (Melinda). TYLER PERRY’S TEMPTATION is written for the screen, produced and directed by Tyler Perry. Lionsgate and TPS Present, A TPS/Lionsgate Production, A Film by Tyler Perry.
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentSNITCH – In Theaters February 22
February 13, 2013Official synopsis: In the fast-paced action thriller Snitch, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars as a father whose teenage son is wrongly accused of a drug distribution crime and is looking at a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Desperate and determined to rescue his son at all costs, he makes a deal with the U.S. attorney to work as an undercover informant and infiltrate a drug cartel on a dangerous mission — risking everything, including his family and his own life. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Nadine Velazquez and Jon Bernthal. The film is set to open in theaters across the United States on February 22. Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=9992
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentHigh Tea with High Heels at the Hyatt
February 13, 2013High Tea with High Heels is a proud tradition of the Trumpet Awards that combines the elegance of high tea, high heels and high fashion to create a truly unique event honoring a select group of distinguished Women. Guests enjoyed a proper tea, an exclusive fashion show and entertainment at the Hyatt Atlanta, January 25. 2013 HONOREES Ms. Daphne Williams Adderly -Entrepreneur – Nassau, Bahamas Ms. Albertha Williams Bartlett, Esquire – Attorney with the Attorney General’s Office -Bahamas Ms. Cleretta Blackmon -Mobile Beacon -Mobile, Alabama Ms. Jacqui Caffey -Institute of Protocol -Atlanta, Georgia Ms. Janice Colbert -Capitol City Bank -Atlanta, Georgia Ms. April Kelly-Drummond -Denny’s, Inc -Spartanburg, South Carolina Ms. Nellie Dunaway Duke – West Georgia Women’s Forum -Atlanta, Georgia Ms. Vanessa Foster – Anheuser – Busch -St. Louis, Missouri Ms. Connie Harper – Cleveland Call & Post -Cleveland, Ohio Ms. Sharmeen Hawkins – President & CEO SOAR Hospitality Group, LLC – Atlanta, Georgia Ms. Kimberly Holland – Sports Management Firm – (Icon Management Inc.) – Atlanta, Georgia Mrs. Ruth Hopkins – Pasadena Journal News – Pasadena, California Ms. Jennifer Jackson – Central City Productions – Chicago, Illinois Ms. Sonya Jenkins – Entertainment Journalist – Atlanta, Georgia Dr. Angela Jamison Johnson – J & J Family Dentistry – Atlanta, Georgia Ms. Janet Williams-Kemp – Accountant – Nassau, Bahamas Ms. Ethelyn Lundy – Interior and Architectural Designer – Palos Verdes Estates, California Dr. Veronica McIver – Dentist – Nassau, Bahamas Ms. Candy Moore – Wells Fargo & Company – Atlanta, Georgia Ms. Brenda Morrow – Chick-fil-A, Inc. – Atlanta, Georgia Ms. Dottie Peoples – National- International Recording Artist – Atlanta, Georgia Ms. Elaine Pinder – Entrepreneur – Nassau, Bahamas Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice – Dean – EVP Morehouse School of Medicine Ms. Cheryl …
Posted in Photos | Leave a commentTHE 14th ANNUAL SUPER BOWL GOSPEL CELEBRATION
February 8, 2013FANTASIA, DONNIE MCCLURKIN, MARVIN WINANS, BISHOP PAUL S. MORTON AND MORE JOINED HOSTS SHERRI SHEPHERD AND KIRK FRANKLIN FOR GOSPEL CELEBRATION The 14th Annual Super Bowl Gospel Celebration kicked off Super Bowl Weekend at the University of New Orleans, Lakefront Arena on February 1, 2013. The show was hosted by Emmy Award-winning co-host of ABC’s “The View,” Sherri Shepherd, and seven-time Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin. The evening was full of great performances, memorable moments and appearances by NFL players and special guests, all on one stage to celebrate the love of faith, gospel music and football. The show, sponsored by American Family Insurance and Toyota, airs in national syndication over broadcast television stations during February 2013. The evening kicked off with this year’s NFL “Players’ Choice” — hip-hop Christian artist Lecrae — with a sensational performance of “Tell The World” that brought the audience to their feet. Lecrae, personally chosen by top NFL Players, also performed his song “I Know” later in the evening. Bishop Paul S. Morton gave a soul-stirring performance of “Let It Rain.” Myron Butler turned the arena into a praise party with a foot-stomping performance of “Set Me Free.” Grammy Award-winning artist and American Idol winner Fantasia performed a heart-warming rendition of the Sam Cooke classic “A Change Is Gonna Come” with her mother, Diane Barber. They also left the audience anointed with an awe-inspiring performance of “Nobody Greater.” Perhaps the most memorable event of the night was a special appearance by Ray Lewis of the newly crowned Super Bowl XLVII champions — Baltimore Ravens — who was honored with the prestigious “Lifetime Of Inspiration” Award. The award honored Lewis for his faith-filled determination to overcome trials and tribulations on and off the field, while recognizing him for his remarkable football career. Ray Lewis, …
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