tagged w/ Black Actors
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We get a first look glimpse at Denzel Washington in the new film ‘Safehouse,’ opening Feburary 10, 2012. The film, directed by Daniel Espinosa, centers around Washington transporting a criminal to a safe house after the old location is compromised. Ryan Reynolds and Vera Farmiga co-star. The official synopsis reads:
“When a CIA-operated safe house is targeted by a group of bad guys, the facility’s house-sitter is tasked with the dangerous job of moving the criminal who is being hidden there to another secure location.”
http://blackactors.net/2011/11/first-look-at-denzel-washington-in-safe-house/We get a first look glimpse at Denzel Washington in the new film... more
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British actress Christine Adams plays the main villain on Fox’s hot new series Terra Nova. The Steven Spielberg executive-produced sci-fi drama is predicted to be a ratings gold mind for the network.
Nova centers on the Shannons, an ordinary family from 2149 when the planet is dying who are transported back 85 million years to prehistoric Earth where they join Terra Nova, a colony of humans with a second chance to build a civilization.
So who is this strikingly beautiful actress and what’s the story behind her role on the show? Adams plays Mira, a rogue leader of one of the independent colonies near Terra Nova. We were able to dig up the original casting notice for her character:
"FEMALE (30s; any ethnicity) – MIRA. Beautiful but battle-hardened, with wiry muscles stretched over a willowy frame, tough, uncompromising, Mira is the leader of a renegade colony near Terra Nova, called Triple Junction, whose people are characterized by Frank Taylor as being bitter, paranoid malcontents who couldn’t adjust to life at Terra Nova. Mira makes no secret of her hatred and contempt for Taylor and the colony, though her situation forces her to trade with them. Despite being the beloved and respected leader of her little band, Mira is deeply worried about her ability to lead them with limited resources, but she does her best to hide her vulnerability beneath the demeanor of a confident leader. She seems to have an insight into Terra Nova leader Frank Taylor that few have – and her opinion of him isn’t good."
Adams has appeared in the films “Batman Begins,” “The World is Not Enough,” and Disney’s “TRON Legacy.” Her television credits include “NY-LON,” “Home Again,” “Dr. Who,” “Fortysomething,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Heroes” and “Lie to me.” Most recently, Adams starred as Lena Boudreaux on legal drama “The Whole Truth.”
A native of London, Adams always wanted to be an actress and studied at Middlesex University. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.
http://blackactors.net/2011/09/meet-terra-nova-star-christine-adams/British actress Christine Adams plays the main villain on Fox’s hot new series... more
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Showtime gives us a first glimpse at it’s new dark comedy “House of Lies,” which stars Don Cheadle in the leading role of Marty–a cutthroat consultant willing to do anything to get paid. Marty leads a team of equally ambitious consultants who will jump through hoops and end up in hilarious predicaments to get clients what they need.
The series premiere of House of Lies is scheduled to air January 8, 2012 on Showtime.
http://blackactors.net/2011/09/don-cheadle-in-house-of-lies-promo-teaser/Showtime gives us a first glimpse at it’s new dark comedy “House of... more
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Queen Latifah is returning to the big screen in the new Todd Graff-directed comedy Joyful Noise.
Noise tells the story of an unlikely partnership between two strong-minded women who are forced to work together to save a small town Gospel Choir after budget cuts threaten to shut them down.
Latifah joins a diverse cast which includes Courtney B. Vance, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Dexter Darden, and Kris Kristofferson.
“Every time that I do a movie, when I get into a position of power and my voice actually meant something, I realized that I could no longer walk out onto a set and look at a bunch of white males,” Latifah, who was a producer on “Wright,” told MTV News earlier this year. “That was just no longer acceptable. I need to see dynamics. I needed to see what I just came out of from walking off the street when I came in here. Where are the women? Where are the people of color? I need to see that in front of me, ’cause I just don’t feel like it’s right.”
http://blackactors.net/2011/09/joyful-noise-trailer/Queen Latifah is returning to the big screen in the new Todd Graff-directed comedy... more
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Actor Rockmond Dunbar, best known for his portrayal of Kenny on Showtime’s Soul Food, has come under fire for questionable statements made during an interview with the UrbanDaily.
The actor discussed his distaste for Black Hollywood and called for a cancelation of the actual term. While Dunbar praised “White Hollywood” for “accepting” him, the actor slammed Black Hollywood staples like Essence, NAACP Awards, JET, and Ebony for not embracing him and his career more.
When asked about his feelings about Black Hollywood and White Hollywood not embracing black actors, Dunbar responds:
There’s a really awkward answer for that. Just recently I posted on Facebook, “There is no Black Hollywood!” After my 25 years of doing research and studying, I cannot find the CEO. I can’t find the president and there are no board members. There isn’t even a public service number I can call to get help as a black producer, actor, director. There is no Black Hollywood and I hate separatism. Let’s just cancel out the term “Black Hollywood.” We should just call them Hollywood actors and watch their films because they’re great, not because they’re black.
Some of my actor friends and I were talking about this and I was the only one who spoke from a place of honest hurt. I was hurt because I’ve played a prolific father of three and a devoted husband on the longest running drama. I’ve played a black heart surgeon on Heartland. I’ve played so many different characters that my career is diverse. But on Soul Food, it was our third NAACP nomination. I was walking the red carpet and a guy waved me over for an interview and asked, “How do you feel about being snubbed for the third year in a row?” I said, “What are you talking about? We’re nominated as a cast.” He said, “Yeah, the cast is nominated, but you are the only one who hasn’t been nominated in an individual acting category.” That question devastated me for years. It burned a little bit. Idris Elba was on the show and he said, “Man, I get nominated by NAACP for playing a drug dealer and you play a father and haven’t been nominated.” Gary Dourdan said the same thing. He thought I was going to get nominated and I didn’t.
So when you talk about White Hollywood accepting us, White Hollywood has accepted me. I have been on a number of shows where I have been the only black character. Sons of Anarchy is in its fourth season and didn’t have a main black character for the first three. You rarely see me in Jet Magazine, Ebony, and Essence. You rarely see me in black publications, but I’m a Goodwill Ambassador with diplomatic status for West Africa. So this whole notion of Black Hollywood existing, I haven’t felt it. Maybe I need to cut a rap album or something. [laughs]
Read the full interview here.
http://blackactors.net/2011/09/rockmond-dunbar-declares-there-is-no-black-hollywood-claims-white-hollywood-has-accepted-me/Actor Rockmond Dunbar, best known for his portrayal of Kenny on Showtime’s Soul... more
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We’ve put together a list of the sexiest black actors and their sexiest roles. Flip through our gallery to see our picks from the past and the present. Did your favorite actor make the cut?
Visit blackactors for the full list.
http://blackactors.net/2011/09/top-10-sexiest-black-actors/We’ve put together a list of the sexiest black actors and their sexiest roles.... more
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HBO has picked up the boxing drama that is loosely based on Mike Tyson‘s early life. British actor John Boyega, star of the hit film ‘Attack The Block,’ has been cast in the lead role of Spike Lee‘s ‘Da Brick.’
The Hollywood Reporter stated that Boyega will play Donnie, who, after his release from juvenlie detention on his 18th birthday begins an exploration of what it means to be a man for himself and those around him.
Milauna Jemai (NCIS) will play Lynette, Donnie’s mother, with him he reconnects with following a 14-month separation.
Julito McCullum (The Wire) will play Kevin, Donnie’s best friend and the one person he can’t leave behind, no matter how much he may want to.
Kamahl “Naiqui” Palmer (Gossip Girl) is set as Malik, the moral center of Donnie’s tight group of friends who is looking for direction between his middle-class upbringing and the harder realities of his environment.
Da Brick is described as a contemporary exploration of what it means to be a young, black man in a supposedly post-racial America.
http://blackactors.net/2011/09/the-cast-of-spike-lees-da-brick/HBO has picked up the boxing drama that is loosely based on Mike Tyson‘s early... more
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Zoe Saldana is the epitome of a working actor. Just as her blockbuster action flick Colombiana opens in theaters this weekend, details emerge about her new supernatural thriller Dominion.
STORY: Critics Slam Zoe Saldana’s Physical Appearance, Performance in ‘Colombiana’
In the film, Saldana’s character will be half-human, half-angel. No details have been given about the plot, but we’re told it’s going to be intense.
VIDEO: Zoe Saldana Kicks Ass in ‘Colombiana’ Trailer
Saldana will also co-produce alongside Robbie Brenner, the man behind Machine Gun Preacher. You know, the new flick with all the poor little black kids running around. Hopefully, with Zoe’s producerial input, the film will turn out better than what Preacher is expected to be.
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/zoe-saldana-to-produce-star-in-dominion/Zoe Saldana is the epitome of a working actor. Just as her blockbuster action flick... more
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New York Magazine writer David Edelstein wrote a scathing review of Zoe Saldana‘s performance in her new film Colombiana. However, her performance wasn’t the only thing he criticized. Edelstein also dissed Saldana’s physical appearance as well.
“But Saldana’s thinness is also alarming: You say, “Yowza!” and then, “Yikes!” In close-up, she’s drawn and hollow-eyed, with a voice that — even if it’s hers — doesn’t sound as if it’s coming from her head. She’s too listless and strung-out and weirdly disembodied to make you feel much empathy,” said Edelstein.
Saldana wasn’t the only performance to rub this disgruntled writer the wrong way. He also took a dig at young actress Amandla Stenberg, Saldana’s 12-year-old co-star. Edelstein writes “The child actress who plays Cataleya when her parents are slain by a Bogota crime lord is strikingly robotic..”
Edelstein isn’t the only one talking ish about Saldana’s body. Writer Kyle Buchanan, a critic from the same magazine, wrote an entire article on Zoe’s physical appearance. “Saldana looks like a spider doing a cartwheel,” Buchanan wrote in his article.
Have writers gone too far? Or is it all fair game? Share your thoughts below.
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/writer-slams-zoe-saldana-appearance/New York Magazine writer David Edelstein wrote a scathing review of Zoe... more
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Soap opera star Texas Battle is featured in newly released footage from MTV’s Death Valley, a new action-horror comedy show. The Bold and Beautiful actor plays Officer Johnson, a member of the LAPD’s Undead Task Force who tracks down the zombies in California’s San Fernando Valley with a camera crew in tow.
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/watch-texas-battle-in-death-valley-video/Soap opera star Texas Battle is featured in newly released footage from MTV’s... more
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Jaqueline Fleming has quietly worked as an actress on hit sitcoms since the 90s. This year the actress has gained more notoriety after starring opposite Terrence Howard in the critically acclaimed film “The Ledge.” Fleming plays Howard’s dishonest wife in the Matthew Chapman-directed indie thriller.
STORY: Watch ‘The Ledge’ Trailer
Fleming is also apart of the highly-anticipated TD Jakes film ‘On the Seventh Day.’ The thriller follows a couple whose past secrets unravel when their six-year-old daughter is kidnapped. The actress has also landed the role of underground railroad pioneer Harriet Tubman in the new Tim Burton-produced film, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.” The big budget film is about Lincoln avenging the death of his mother after she’s killed by a vampire. Lincoln brings down a system of ancient vampires/slave masters who use their slaves as food. And of course, he runs into historical figures like Harriet Tubman.
BlackActors spoke with Fleming to discuss some of her upcoming projects, how she got her start in the business, and what her future plans are in Hollywood. Read the exclusive interview.
BA: Thanks for taking the time out for this interview. First off, I want to congratulate you on all of your recent success. You’re really making a name for yourself in Hollywood. How did you get involved in acting?
JF: I was always fascinated with acting. I was probably about 3 years old when my family said I was reciting commercials and re-enacting them. I was drawn to theatre early on and performed as Dorothy in the wizard of oz I believe in the 3rd grade. I did plays all throughout school and ended up at Columbia film college where I did loads of theatre. Got my first agent in Chicago and did tons of commercials so I could afford to do theatre full time( didn’t really pay anything doing theatre…lol!) but I didn’t care. I loved it that much. Did my first studio film, Losing Isaiah. A small speaking role opposite Halle Berry and she actually is the one that encouraged me to go to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and tv.
BA: You’re also an acting coach..
JF: The coaching came by accident. While in New Orleans doing volunteer work at Children’s hospital I was approached about coaching. A lot of the tv shows I have done are in syndication and people in the hospital were like “Are you an actress!? Do u teach acting to kids?” So I looked for a place to coach some kids and ended up renting a room, and two weeks into it the owner of the building said she could no longer afford it. I took it over and thus began Jaq’s Acting Studio, which has just made 3 years. I hired awesome teachers to teach at the studio, and I am now more than just the face of the studio. Greeting actors as they come in and talking to them about the acting program, and the journey ahead of them.
BA: You’re attached to so many great projects. How have you been dealing with all of your recent success?
JF: Not sure really. When I first got to Hollywood I worked a lot right away, but I wasn’t spiritually grounded enough to handle Hollywood and all it entails. Now a decade later, I am a mentor and a business owner. I am very centered and grounded, so it feels right. I am humbled every time I get a part or someone wants to interview me. I’m in a place of gratitude and I hope the journey I am on has a purpose to drive and positively impact those around me.
BA: I just saw your new film ‘The Ledge.’ You’re acting alongside Terrence Howard. What was that experience like?
JF: It was like WHAT!!! He blew me away! He is so talented. He doesn’t hold anything back when he performs! So you just roll with him. He gives you so much to work with in a scene. I can’t wait to work with him again!
BA: You guys have some really dramatic scenes in the film. How were you able to bring so much authenticity to that role?
JF: For that role, my struggle internally was relating to the characters choice to have children with his brother for love. I had to wrap my head around that and dig deep. I spent so much time on the character backstory to understand the choice she made. I could never do it, personally.
BA: How did you land the role? Tell us about the audition process.
JF: Well, I fought like hell for that role. I dug so deep I couldn’t stop crying. I felt I had to be that woman’s voice. I had to tell her story. I wanted the challenge because I didn’t understand her at first. I wanted to embrace someone so opposite of me. I wanted to know what it felt like to love that hard. To know you would do anything to make someone happy. I had to experience that as an actress. I wanted that challenge and the director [Matthew Chapman] cried when Terrence and I finished our scenes. He said “I knew it, Jaqueline! I knew this role was for you.” I wanted to feel that pain and I did. It made me feel so alive and drained at the same time.
BA: You’re playing Harriet Tubman in Tim Burton’s ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter’. What can you tell me about your role in the film?
JF: It was absolutely phenomenal on so many levels! It was more challenging than any other role I have ever done.
BA: Timur Bekmmbetov directed the film. What was it like working with such an edgy director?
JF: You gotta really be on your A-Game because he is very detailed and moves quickly. It’s not the time for an actor to learn the process [when working with him.] I would like to work with him again.
BA: You don’t look that much like Harriet Tubman, so you must have given one hell of an audition. How did you land the part?
Read the full interview at blackactors.net
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/jaqueline-fleming/Jaqueline Fleming has quietly worked as an actress on hit sitcoms since the 90s. This... more
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More than 10 Million black African slaves were sent to several islands throughout Latin America during the middle passage. There were only 400,000 slaves sent to the United States. The native population was nearly wiped out due to disease and mass murders. The descendants of those slaves have not disappeared. Their faces can be seen on television sets and in movie theaters around the world.
As the New York International Latino Film Festival comes to a close, we celebrate Latino/Hispanic actors and actresses of black African ancestry. Note: Neither “Hispanic” nor “Latino” refers to a race, as a person of Latino/Hispanic ethnicity can be of any race. Like non-Latinos, a Latino can be of any race or combination of races.
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/afro-latinohispanic-actors-you-should-knowMore than 10 Million black African slaves were sent to several islands throughout... more
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Reports are swirling about Will Smith being courted for a big budgeted James Cameron-produced remake of the 1966 sci-fi flick Fantastic Voyage.
In the film, a diplomat is nearly assassinated. In order to save him, a submarine is shrunken to microscopic size and injected into his blood stream with a small crew of scientists.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a source says Smith will meet with the loosely attached director Shawn Levy and the films producers in the next couple of weeks. The film is being held together by the prospect of Will Smith signing on. If he passes, and another high profile star can’t be found to replace him, the film is likely not going to happen.
Levy’s film credits include Night at the Museum movies, Cheaper By the Dozen and Date Night.
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/will-smith-wanted-for-fantastic-voyage/Reports are swirling about Will Smith being courted for a big budgeted James... more
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“Contagion” follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.
Laurence Fishburne plays an important doctor in charge of controlling the pandemic and finding a cure. Sanaa Lathan plays his wife.
Contagion opens in theaters everywhere on September 9.
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/laurence-fishburne-appears-in-official-contagion-posters/“Contagion” follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that... more
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The world might be smitten over the new film ‘The Help,’ but one black actor isn’t so impressed with it. Wendell Pierce of HBO’s Treme sent off a few scowling tweets about the film. “The movie The Help was painful to watch.” “This passive segregation lite was hurtful,” he tweeted last night.
Pierce went to a screening with his mother, who told her son for the first time that she, too, had once been “the help”; she was angry that the movie was sentimentalized and didn’t touch on the curtailed education options for black children that often steered them toward a lifetime of maid service. “[I was] watching the film in UptownNewOrleans to the sniffles of elderly white people while my 80-year-old mother was seething,” wrote Pierce. “She told me how she wasn’t allowed in the kitchen. She couldn’t eat during a 12 hour shift. Only left overs if there was any. She couldn’t drink water from the kitchen but had to go to the faucet out doors.”
Even more problematic for Pierce was the presence of Emma Stone‘s lead character: “Hollywood loves the formula: the Great White Savior. I am tired of this cliche. These black women didn’t need a young white woman be empowered.”
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/tremes-wendell-pierce-disses-the-help/The world might be smitten over the new film ‘The Help,’ but one black... more
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Newcomer James Jolly stars with Alicia Sixtos in a new indie thriller The Custom Mary, which is being screened this week at the New York International Latino Film Festival.
The Custom Mary is about a cultural and spiritual journey of Mary (Alicia Sixtos), a young modest Latina, in East LA, set amidst the world of Lowriders, storefront preachers, and a dangerous religious attempt to clone Jesus.
Searching for identity and religious meaning in the world, Mary becomes involved in an East Los Angeles storefront church, where a young, charismatic minister enthralls her. At the same time, she meets Joe (James Jolly), a passionate and self-empowered African-American lowrider.
Mary struggles with her identity, torn between her budding feelings for Joe, and her conflicted pull of faith in a dangerous religious group who believes they can clone Jesus, with Mary’s help. Mary becomes pregnant, and as the day of birth approaches, both Joe and her storefront religious community fight for her attention. Battling real and imagined truths, Mary begins a secret journey to the desert of California, seeking answers in a surprising and surreal way.
Jolly talks to us about how he got the role in this film, and what advice he has for other black actors trying to get their foot in the door in this exclusive interview.
BA: Tell us about your background and how you got into acting.
JJ: I am from the windy city better known as Chicago. I was an only child raised by two Haitian parents growing up on the Northside. It is said to be not as “cool” as the Southside or the Westside growing up as a Black kid. All lies. Well, some of them anyway lol I decided to pursue acting professionally one year after graduating college. I didn’t know anyone in the business so I just called up some friends and asked people for referrals to anyone remotely involved. Eventually, I was able to start on a path with some Improv classes at IO – Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic) and a casting internship. Two and a half years later, I moved to Los Angeles where it is not so windy. Chicago, I still love you but just saying…
BA: Tell us about your new film “The Custom Mary.”
JJ: The Custom Mary is a story that takes place in East LA with a modern day Joseph, Mary and an attempt to clone Jesus. Yes, THE one and only. I play the character of Joe. Instead of a carpenter, my character works as a car mechanic on lowriders.
BA: How did you land the role? What was the audition process?
JJ: I heard about the role through an online casting notice on the Actors Access website. The first audition consisted of a monologue and a cold read. At the time, it drove me nuts because I couldn’t find one that worked best for me. The filmmakers were playing around with the idea of the Joe character also being a spoken word artist. I had a much easier time finding an appropriate poem to perform. Shout out to HBO Def Poetry and Youtube! Sometimes, I have a nervous habit of taking my keys, and phone out of my pockets in an audition room. When I left the audition, I realized I left my cell phone on the floor so I had to go back. At the time, I was thinking: “Great. Time for an awkward moment.” I had to jump a locked gate to get back to the room because I didn’t want to disturb casting by ringing the buzzer. When I told the team that, they laughed. Little did I know, they thought that was an endearing moment that they found to be akin to Joe and it helped put me in the running early. A few weeks later, they called me back in for chemistry reads with some of the women reading for Mary. A few days later, I found out I got the part.
BA: Were you worried about offending religious people when you signed on for this project? It is a movie about cloning Jesus Christ, after all.
JJ: I did go back and forth during the audition process as to whether or not this was the right project for me. I come from a very conservative, Christian Baptist upbringing. While I do not consider myself to be very religious in the traditional sense, I did feel a sense of accountability to not misrepresent a faith shared by so many people around the world. Plus, I didn’t want to go to hell in a hand basket lol I realized though that the script genuinely treated and respected this sensitive material in a way that is explorative and not exploitative. What it does exploit however, is the hypocrisy that is present when religious leaders abuse their teachings to take advantage of their position and devout followers.
BA: With the history of bad blood between Blacks and Hispanics in Los Angeles, were you nervous about filming in East LA? What was the reaction?
JJ: I was aware of that history but I wasn’t concerned. We were shown love and support in all of the communities we used for the film and the feeling was absolutely mutual. From visiting a few of the lowrider meet-ups, to the crowds that would draw when we had the lowriders on set, one could see that there is still a sense of unspoken unity between the groups.
BA: What advice would you give other black actors trying to make it in Hollywood?
JJ: At this early stage in my career, I think it so important to balance this pursuit with a life filled with hobbies, activities, and healthy, loving relationships. Not only will it help enhance your work, it gives you patience, perspective and stamina in a business where roles and stories that call for Black actors are severely lacking. That said, no matter how inexperienced you may think you are, stay open as possible to creating, writing and producing projects for yourself.
BA: Whats next for you and your career?
JJ: I’m being considered for a few things but nothing is signed and dotted on the line as of yet. That means, I am for hire right now folks! Lol
Meanwhile, I am auditioning for film and TV, writing and developing material, and staying focused on solidifying my brand.
BA: Why should people see The Custom Mary?
JJ: You should see The Custom Mary because it is a fresh and curious take on a story that you already know. It has a VERY diverse ensemble cast, unexpected twists, and a lot of heart! It is the little indie that could lol
BA: Thank you for taking the time out to answer our questions. Good luck and we hope to do it again for your next project.
JJ: Thank you BlackActors.net for the support and giving artists a platform!
The Custom Mary is being screened at the New York International Latino Film Festival on Aug 17 and Aug 20 at AMC Empire in Times Square. Buy tickets online here.
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/the-custom-mary/Newcomer James Jolly stars with Alicia Sixtos in a new indie thriller The Custom Mary,... more
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Things got a little crazy on the latest webisode of Bandwagon. In last night’s episode, Tracie (Tracie Thoms) introduces her old high school friend Chandelier Champange Desire Johnson to her new gal pal Yvette (Yvette Nicole Brown). When Chandelier mentions the new project Tracie is pitching around town, an urban musical based off “Glee,” the conversation takes a hysterical turn.
Watch it on BlackActors.net
http://blackactors.net/2011/08/watch-bandwagon-season-2-episode-4/Things got a little crazy on the latest webisode of Bandwagon. In last night’s... more
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The official trailer for the long awaited film about the Tuskegee Airmen was just released. Red Tails will be released in theaters on Jan 20, 2012 and features many of our favorite black actors.
The films stars Terrance Howard, David Oyelowo, Cuba Gooding Jr., Nate Parker, Marcus T. Paulk, Andrew Royo, Neyo, Tristan Wilds, Kevin Phillips, Michael B Jordan, and a slew of other black actors.
George Lucas, the executive producer of “Red Tails,” said in a statement: “I’ve wanted to do this film for a great many years. So it is especially gratifying to see it all come together.” He added: “The Tuskegee Airmen were such superb pilots that it was essential for us to create visual effects that would live up to their heroism and put audiences in the cockpit with them. They were only in their early 20s when they performed these amazing feats. They became the best of the best — the top guns.”
http://blackactors.net/2011/07/red-tails-trailer-tuskegee-airmen-film-gets-release-date-photosvideo/The official trailer for the long awaited film about the Tuskegee Airmen was just... more
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http://blackactors.net/2011/06/zoe-saldana-joins-infinitely-polar-bear-the-words/
Vulture reports that Zoe Saldana is in negotiations to star opposite Mark Ruffalo in the J.J. Abrams–produced marital drama Infinitely Polar Bear, for which screenwriter Maya Forbes (Monsters vs. Aliens, The Larry Sanders Show) will make her directing debut. (Shooting is set to begin in September.) Think of the film as the dramatic version of Mr. Mom, albeit one on Abilify. Ruffalo plays a bipolar husband and father who goes off his medication, and then loses both his sanity and job while struggling to hold onto his marriage. Saldana would play his put-upon wife, who, after going back to work, ends up moving out of the house, leaving him with the kids.
Incidentally, in tracking this project we also heard rumblings that Saldana plans to go from Polar Bear straight to a Star Trek sequel in November, though we’re still getting mixed messages on whether Abrams will direct.
It’s also being reported that Saldana is confirmed for a role in the new star-studded Bradley Cooper film The Words. Details on her role in the film have not been revealed as of yet.
Visit BlackActors.net to read the full story.http://blackactors.net/2011/06/zoe-saldana-joins-infinitely-polar-bear-the-words/... more
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THE GUARD is a comedic fish-out-of-water tale of murder, blackmail, drug trafficking and rural police corruption. Two policemen must join forces to take on an international drug- smuggling gang – one, an unorthodox Irish policeman and the other, a straitlaced FBI agent.
Sergeant Gerry Boyle (Brendan Gleason) is an eccentric small-town cop with a confrontational and crass personality and a subversive sense of humor. A longtime policeman in County Galway, Boyle is a maverick with his own moral code. He has seen enough of the world to know there isn’t much to it and has had plenty of time to think about it.
When a fellow police officer disappears and Boyle’s small town becomes key to a large drug trafficking investigation, he is forced to at least feign interest when dealing with the humorless FBI agent Wendell Everett (Don Cheadle) assigned to the case. Left to run his territory to his liking for many years, he is not at all impressed when the FBI comes to town.
Agent Everett has led an American life of privilege, complete with the highest levels of formal education. Consumed with his pursuit of justice, Everett has no interest in the district of Connemara other than as a backdrop to solve the case. He underestimates the townspeople, especially Sergeant Boyle. Everett looks down on Boyle as a low-level provincial policeman with a limited and flippant view of the world. Boyle sees Everett as a by-the-book policeman with a chip on his shoulder and no understanding of how the real world runs.
Despite the fact that Boyle seems more interested in mocking and undermining Everett than in actively working to solve the case, Boyle finds that circumstances keep pulling him back into the thick of it. First, his tiresomely enthusiastic new partner disappears. Then his favorite hooker attempts to blackmail him into turning a blind eye to the case. Finally the drug-traffickers he’s trying to find try to buy him off – as they have every other member of the local police force.
As unconventional as Boyle is, these events unwittingly offend his murky moral code. He realizes that he needs to take matters into his own hands, and that Everett is the only person he can trust. And so the scene is set for an unlikely friendship and explosive finale.THE GUARD is a comedic fish-out-of-water tale of murder, blackmail, drug trafficking... more
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