Category Archives: Movie Reviews

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WATCH New Featurette for ‘RESPECT’ Starring Jennifer Hudson – Only in Theaters Aug. 13th!

Hello World,

In just over a week, RESPECT drops in theaters on Friday, Aug. 13! Check out this new clip in which Jennifer Hudson chats about her journey to becoming Aretha as well as the rest of the wonderful ensemble cast.

Also Starring:

Forest Whitaker as C.L. Franklin

Marlon Wayans as Ted White

Audra McDonald as Barbara Franklin

Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler

Tituss Burgess as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland

and

Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington

Be the first to see RESPECT with Fandango’s Early Access Screening on August 8

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW

Listen to Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman”

Written by Gerry Goffin, Carole King and Jerry Wexler

LISTEN NOW

Pre-Save RESPECT Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 

to Your Preferred Streaming Service

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, RESPECT is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.

DIRECTOR: Liesl Tommy

SCREENPLAY BY: Tracey Scott Wilson

STORY BY: Callie Khouri and Tracey Scott Wilson

PRODUCERS: Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, p.g.a., Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Jennifer Hudson, Liesl Tommy, Sue Baden-Powell, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth

CAST: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Kimberly Scott, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J. Blige

FROM METRO GOLDWYN MAYER PICTURES, IN ASSOCIATION WITH BRON CREATIVE AND ONE COMMUNITY

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#RespectMovie

Any thoughts?

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In Time For Father’s Day, Christian Comedian Michael Jr. Stars in ‘SELFIE DAD’ to Debut Friday, June 19!

Hello World,

SELFIE DAD is a Father’s Day-timed inspirational family film, originally planned to be in movie theaters, now coming to premium Video on Demand.

Parenting is no joke! SELFIE DAD is a light-hearted family film about one dad shaking off a mid-life crisis and reconnecting with his family . . . with his Bible in one hand and his phone in the other. Below is the synopsis:

Spiraling into a mid-life crisis and feeling disconnected from his family, Ben Marcus, a reality-TV editor, thinks he can only be happy by fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional comedian. Ben posts his stand-up routines to YouTube, and the videos fall flat. Then his tweener son posts Ben miserably failing on a home improvement project, and much to his teenage daughter’s dismay, it goes viral, launching Ben’s social-media career as Selfie Dad. Although he quickly becomes an award-winning phenom, no amount of success brings Ben satisfaction. Through his friendship with a young coworker, Mickey, Ben finds the secret to a happy family . . . with his Bible in one hand, and his phone in the other. 

And here is the trailer:

SELFIE DAD debuts on premium Video on Demand on Friday, June 19, 2020, and on digital platforms everywhere.

The film stars nationally known Christian comedian Michael Jr., who for two decades has performed over a hundred dates a year for tens of thousands of people. The film also features top-selling female Christian comedian Chonda Pierce along with James Denton, Jamie Grace and Karen Abercrombie (WAR ROOM).

“What better time than Father’s Day for your whole family to enjoy a fun and uplifting story of a dad disconnecting and reconnecting with his family . . . because he reconnected with what matters most,” Michael Jr. said.

Also, sign up HERE for a chance to watch SELFIE DAD for FREE on Father‘s Day. Five random participants will be selected Friday, June 19th!

SELFIE DAD is produced by Kappa Studios and distributed by GVN Releasing. The film retails for $19.99 on the various premium VOD platforms.

Written and directed by Brad Silverman, SELFIE DAD is from Executive Producer Geno Taylor, Producer Paul L. Long and Co-Producer Patrick G. Ingram.

Any thoughts?

 

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Kierra Sheard of ‘The Clark Sisters’ Movie Celebrates No. 1 Billboard Album as She Mourns Grandmother’s Death Due to COVID-19

Hello World,

On the heels of the major success of the recent Lifetime TV original movie The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, Kierra Sheard is celebrating yet another impressive accolade:  Her self-titled album KIERRA (Karew Entertainment / RCA Inspiration) is  #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Album’s chart, #1 on Billboard’s Top Christian/Gospel albums chart, and #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 Christian & Gospel Consumption chart! Released on April 17th, KIERRA has knocked the longstanding #1 Jesus Is King out of the top position, and has garnered more than 3 million streams in its first week.

The album includes 15-tracks with sounds ranging from Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Gospel, and features some live recorded songs which Kierra performed before a sold out crowd in her hometown of Detroit, MI. Demonstrating her lyricism, Kierra either wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks on the album including the beautiful ballad “Grateful,” the authentic and raw “Human,” and “Better.” Assisted by a dynamic team, KIERRA features production from her frequent collaborators, Harmony “H-Money” Samuels and her brother J. Drew Sheard, as well as songwriters Mia Fieldes, Varren Wade, Edgar “JV” Etienne, Justin Brooks and rising Chicago artist Sir the Baptist. In addition to Missy Elliott and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, the album features vocals from other star Gospel Artists Todd Dulaney,  Le’Andria Johnson and Kierra’s nephew Jacob Sheard.

See Kierra’s jubilant Instagram post below:

However, as you can see, Kierra mentioned that she wishes she could tell her happy news to her Nanna. Her grandmother on her father’s side, Willie Mae Sheard, 84, passed away on April 19 due to COVID-19 complications. (Read an excellent article about her grandmother HERE.) Kierra had revealed on Good Morning America that both of her grandparents were sick with COVID-19 at the beginning of this month. See her touching post about her grandmother below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Whoa. This hurts. Either I’m crying or I’m sleep (unless I’m around loved ones) hoping I’d see you there. Writing about you, and watching videos of you, has helped me. At first I didn’t understand. However, I begin to walk through the days of when I’d come and see you. I’d always ask, “how do you feel?” Because only a few days out of more, you’d say, “I don’t feel good.” I’d often try and blame it on malpractice. I asked a natural medicine doctor to come and see about you. I tried to find a solution. I find you, in me because you always wanted to have an answer for people you loved. However, I didn’t like how much you’d say “I don’t feel good.” I’ve asked God, “why now?”. But these things have been my answer. You were tired of not feeling well and I was tired of not having an answer to help you. It broke me apart seeing you in such pain. I also remember seeing your adoration for the Lord. I didn’t see you do anything contrary to God’s way of life. You’d put on and be strong for us during family dinners and church events, but I could tell, you didn’t feel good. You were so strong. You often saying, “you can have this/that when I’m gone…” bothered us so much; but you always had a peace when insinuating that there’s another place of interest. As believers, to be absent from the body and present with the Lord is the ultimate goal. This heaven bound understanding walks us through something so painful with such peace. We prayed and prayed and asked God to heal you, but I’m led to believe that you were ready to tap out of this earthen life. I’ve been challenged to not be selfish but to be selfless and accept God allowing your promised rest. So, I’m still trusting God and seeing that He gave you the years promised (Psalm 90:10) and 14 more years of life with us. But if I reflect on the good things, you lived a good life. What makes it hard, is having to grasp the fact that I won’t see you anymore; until we meet again. I’m even more determined to live like Christ so that I can talk to you again. I love you. I find that I act just like you and I’ll forever remember your lessons. Rest well Nanna. No more days of not feeling good. I’ll miss you.

A post shared by Kierra Sheard (@kierrasheard) on

See what Kierra’s mother Karen Clark Sheard, who Kierra portrayed in the movie, posted about her mother-in-law below.

As Kierra said, she is experiencing a bittersweet moment in life…Congratulations to her and her family on her success, and I pray that her and her family will be comforted as they grieve the loss of their precious matriarch.

Any thoughts?