Dave Chappelle hits back at controversy and asks, ‘Am I canceled or not?’
By: Stacy M. Brown/ NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Comedian Dave Chappelle said he’s been disinvited to film festivals, and no company or studio will entertain his new documentary because of the fallout from his controversial Netflix special, “The Closer.” And while he’s willing to meet with the transgender community and Netflix employees who voiced […]
Dionne Warwick shines in new documentary on the life of the legend
By: Stacy M. Brown/ NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Film director Dave Wooley has known and worked with the legendary Dionne Warwick for two decades, and the only thing about her greatness that surprises him is that major studios haven’t come calling about her new, award-winning documentary, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over.” “We are […]
Respect: Jennifer Hudson Talks Faith and Finding Your Voice
By: Nsenga K. Burton Ph.D. Jennifer Hudson, who Franklin hand-picked to play her before her death in 2018, rose to fame as a contestant on American Idol in 2004. Hudson was lambasted by cantankerous host Simon Cowell who said Hudson was “out of her depth” in the contest and would not make it in the […]
BOOKS: Author Jerald L. Hoover Releases Part II of the “Hero” Book Series for Young Adults
Spurred in part by the success of general audience titles like, “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” by Lemony Snicket and “A Wrinkle in Time,” by Madeleline L’Engle (which was each produced as a film), the category also includes books by African American authors that explore themes familiar to Black teens. Following the relative success of the first part of his series for young adults, Hoover’s newest entry into the fray, “He Was My Hero, Too,” shares many of the same themes.
In Remembrance: Cicely Tyson
The world has lost a true legend as Hollywood icon Cicely Tyson died at the age of 96. The pioneering African American actress — who gained an Oscar nomination for her role as the sharecropper’s wife in “Sounder,” won a Tony Award in 2013 at age 88 and touched TV viewers’ hearts in âThe Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” — was in the middle of promoting her new memoir, “Just As I Am,” when she quietly passed away.
FILM REVIEW: Yusuf Hawkins — Storm Over Brooklyn
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Why did the NYPD ask the Hawkins family not to publicize their son’s death? How did Bensonhurst’s Mafia ecosystem influence an arrest? What happened to Mondello, the bat-wielding mob and the killer? Who attempted to assassinate Sharpton? The film answers questions you couldn’t conceive.
Yusuf Hawkins walked into a nightmare. This is what happened to him and those around him. His innocence and tragic murder made him a martyr who was eulogized at his funeral: “God takes the life of one who is pure to save those who are not pure.” For that to be true, lessons and principles have to be learned by those left behind. Has that happened?
FILM REVIEW: ‘Sometimes Always Never’ is touching film about sustaining within loss
CHICAGO CRUSADER — The Virtual Cinema experience was created to assist temporarily closed independent theaters. By purchasing a “ticket,” you will be directly supporting Music Box Theatre, as all revenue is being shared between distributor and exhibitor just as if you bought your ticket at the theater’s box office.
Chuck D continues to speak truth to power
ROLLING OUT — Even as a mentor in rap, Chuck D continues to put in work behind the mic. In 2017, Public Enemy released the album Nothing Is Quick in the Desert and they are preparing to release their 14th studio album this summer, Loud Is Not Enough. Chuck D is also a member of the group Prophets of Rage, which features members of Rage Against the Machine and Cypress Hill. And he recently formed a group called Night Train with Speech from Arrested Development and Daddy-O of Stetsasonic.
#FIYAH! LIVESTREAM: Stephanie Mills Talks About Music, Social Justice and Her Son’s New Book
#FIYAH! LIVESTREAM — STEPHANIE MILLS — With a career that spans more than 35 years, Mills has distinguished herself as an actress and performer whom her manager says is just as much at home on the Broadway stage as in the recording studio. Her endless string of hit records include, “Whatcha Gonna Do with My Lovin,’” “Never Knew Love Like This Before,” “If I Were Your Woman,” “I Feel Good All Over,” “You Putting a Rush on Me,” “I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love,” “Something in the Way You Make Me Feel,” and “Home.”
Hollywood leading ladies Ava, Megyn spar on Twitter over Kaepernick comments
No playing nice in the sandbox this weekend for two of Hollywood’s most high-profile women who had a lot to say over a comment made by Colin Kaepernick.
