Movies
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A Whole Blue World: Will Smith's Final Form as the Genie Is Revealed
Will Smith promised us blue, and damnit, we got blue. When first-look images of Disney’s live-action Aladdin surfaced in December, Smith’s Genie looked more like a transracial genie, and the original animated film’s fans weren’t amused. But Smith assured us this was only his human disguise, not his final form. Basically, the actor reminded us…
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What Men Want: Inside the Minds of Actor Aldis Hodge, Producer Will Packer and Writer Tina Gordon Chism
If you had the ability to read one person’s mind, who would you choose? Would it be someone you know, a celebrity, or a historical figure? Starring Taraji P. Henson, Aldis Hodge, Richard Roundtree, Tracy Morgan and Erykah Badu, What Men Want follows Ali Davis (Henson), a successful agent who feels stilted in the “man’s…
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'She's Small Like Me': First Look at Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman
As film is a visual medium, it makes sense that buzz heightens once the audience gets a peek at movie stills, photo shoots or other behind-the-scenes photos connected to a film. Such is the case with Harriet, an upcoming biographical drama from Focus Features, chronicling the story of Harriet Tubman, who helped free hundreds of…
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One Moment in Time: Only Once Have 2 Black Women Been Nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in the Same Year
Picture it: 1973, at the 45th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, attended by the most celebrated filmmakers, actors and creators in the world. Two cherished living queens in black history, Diana Ross and Cicely Tyson, sat in the audience awaiting the result as Raquel Welch and Gene Hackman rattled off the Best Actress nominees that year.…
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Sundance 2019: Chinonye Chukwu Becomes 1st Black Female Director to Win Grand Jury Prize
The white mountains in Sundance just got a bit blacker—and we, specifically, have a black woman to celebrate! Chinonye Chukwu, the director of Clemency, has made history as the first black woman in the festival’s 35-year existence to win the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic. Clemency, starring Aldis Hodge and Alfre Woodard, follows Warden Bernadine…
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10 Thoughts About Ocean’s 8, After Watching It 57 Times This Week During the Polar Vortex
There is weather happening outside. During this weather happening period, HBO has been kind enough to air Ocean’s 8 literally every moment of every day, and I was fortunate enough to catch (at least) 57 of these viewings this week. Here are some thoughts. 1. Although the diamond necklace heist was the point of the…
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Julie Dash to Direct Angela Davis Biopic, Iconic Activist Will Be Involved in Production
Criminally underrated and mother of black film, Julie Dash is tackling a much-needed biopic. As the Daughters of the Dust helmer told Shadow & Act at Sundance, she’ll be directing a biopic about Dr. Angela Davis. Filming is set to begin in June. The biopic will come from Lionsgate, with Brian Tucker confirmed as the screenwriter…
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Wakanda Forever? Wakanda For—FREE: Black Panther to Host No-Cost Screenings for Black History Month in 250 AMC Theaters
You thought Wakanda was kidding when it told y’all it’s forever?! Typically in anticipation of the Oscars, nominated films will do a marketing campaign with additional screenings or limited theatrical re-releases. Sometimes, that re-release occurs after they’ve won the golden trophy, too. It’s really the best way to get those “I’ve never even heard of…
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Emanuel: NBA Star Steph Curry Debuts Poignant Documentary About the Murder of 9 Parishioners at South Carolina Church
The crowd was feverish with anticipation to see their NBA All-Star darling, Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry, who, because of flight delays, was late to the stage at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium on Wednesday night. Curry was at the Mecca to premiere the documentary, Emanuel, the doleful story of the 2015 murder of…