25 February
By
On
In Movie Reviews

THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY Director: Lee DanielsStarring: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Miss Lawrence, Natasha Lyonne, Leslie Jordan Andra Day won people over with her inspiring anthem “Rise Up” She’s making the leap to the big screen as songstress Billie Holiday in The United States vs Billie Holiday. In 1937, an anti-lynching bill fails to pass through Congress. Billie Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit” directly addresses the history of lynching which angered the Feds every time she attempted to perform it in clubs. Garrett Hedlund stars as Harry Anslinger who was the commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. HeRead More →

22 February
By
On
In Special Series

CELEBRATING BLACK FILMMAKERS February marks Black History Month, which is something that should be celebrated more than one month out of every year. That being said, now is the perfect time to invest in Black filmmakers who strive to create art, not only as entertainment but as a lens on Black culture and Black history. The more we celebrate and invest in these films, the more studios will realize that there is an appetite and need for these films and to not merely see them as niche material. Here are some some of the best Black filmmakers working today and a selection of their work.Read More →

14 November
By
On
In Interviews

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER–The 2013 Full Uncensored Directors and Writers Roundtable Earlier this month, I posted “The Actors Roundtable” from The Hollywood Reporter and now two more have been released in this series, “The Directors Roundtable” and “The Writers Roundtable”. I love watching them discuss various aspects of their careers and how they got to where they are at in the industry. It is interesting hearing what motivates them and scares them. Don’t forget to check back in as I will continue to post these roundtables as they are released.  I have also provided link to my reviews of the films I have seen so far.Read More →

16 August
By
On
In Movie Reviews

LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLERDirector: Lee DanielsStarring: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Lenny Kravitz, Cuba Gooding, Jr. Terrence Howard Director Lee Daniels has lined up one hell of an ensemble for his latest movie. The movie is a who’s who of Oscar winners and heavy hitters. Do not let the trailer fool you; the story is more about the butler’s family than all the presidents the butler worked for. As a young boy, Cecil Gaines (Whitaker) grew up working as a field servant and a house servant on a cotton field. When he is old enough to leave that volatile environment, he gets taken inRead More →

10 May
By
On
In Movie Reviews

THE PAPERBOY (2012) Director: Lee Daniels Starring: Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack It is the summer of 1969 and it is one hell of a scorcher out there. “God must have been sweating it was so hot”, proclaims Anita Chester (Gray). Sherriff Call killed so many of the African-Americans in this small Florida town that even the white people were afraid of him. That is until the day he wound up dead. She introduces all of the key players in this tale of sweat, murder, and the wrongful imprisonment of the man accused of the murder of Sherriff Call. At the time,Read More →