Mike Epps has been getting consistent work. He might be the Kevin Hart of the older generation. His latest project is the spoof film, Meet the Blacks, a parody of films like The Purge. Take an adventure with the Black family as they try to survive their new neighborhood.

Synopsis:

The Black family is getting out of Chicago in hopes of a better life. After Carl Black recently came into some unexpected fund$. Carl takes his family and leaves the hustling lifestyle behind for something better. Carl, his wife Lorena, son Carl Jr., daughter Allie Black, and cousin Cronut pack up and move to Beverly Hills.

Turns out, Carl couldn’t have picked a worse time to move. They arrive right around the time of the annual purge, when all crime is legal for twelve hours.

Cast:

• Mike Epps – Carl Black
• Gary Owen – Stranger
• Zulay Henao – Lorena
• Lil Duval – Cronut
• Bresha Webb – Allie
• Charlie Murphy – Key Flo
• DeRay Davis – Tyrone
• Lavell Crawford – Parole Officer

Crew:

• Director/Writer/Producer – Deon Taylor
• Writer – Nicole DeMasi

Meet the Blacks is in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available here.

The post ‘Meet the Blacks’ in Theaters appeared first on Films of Color.

In 2016, people are tired of whitewashed properties. We have gotten a taste of diversity and seen how successful it could be, so we are beyond the days where a white cast is needed to draw viewers. And we specifically want to tell our own stories.

However, Hollywood hasn’t made it there yet. They’re hellbent on this narrative that films starring Black people/people of color don’t do well, despite the abundance of evidence that contradicts it. We tried to tell them that this wasn’t a good idea. What did they do? They sunk $140 million into their little whitewashed film. And their return of investment? $14 million domestically for opening weekend and $5 million for their second weekend. So much for their theory that they needed a white cast to draw an audience.

How much money are they’re going to piss away on films like these before they invest in more diversity?

The post ‘Gods of Egypt’ Falls from Grace appeared first on Films of Color.

I try to keep this a space of positivity, so I haven’t brought up Nina starring Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone. But the trailer and poster came out and I can’t hold my tongue anymore.

Nina should be a precautionary tale about producing biopics. I’m not one of those people who thinks that an actor has to have a strong resemblance to their subject, but if you’re going to go that route, at least make it tasteful.

The poster is atrocious. Zoe Saldana looks like she’s in blackface. It’s painfully obvious that’s she in a lot of makeup. They tried to hard to make her look like Nina, and it just ended in disaster. If the producers wanted someone who looked like Nina, they should’ve gotten someone else.

The trailer is no better. Zoe looks bad in the trailer. The trailer was badly edited. At least I hope it was badly edited. I hope it’s not indicative of the film. It’s hard to discern what happens in the film except for a lot of drinking, smoking, and psychotic episodes.

I don’t know. It’s hard to have high hopes for this film, but it may surprise us. Maybe Zoe gives a masterful performance. What do you think of the poster and trailer?

Nina will be released in theaters April 22. Tickets are available here.

The post ‘Nina’ Trailer – Nina Simone Deserves Better appeared first on Films of Color.

Beyoncé released a new song, “Formation,” this last Saturday (Saturday before the Super Bowl) and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. The song came with a video and a Super Bowl performance. And with that came all the think pieces and criticisms. But that’s become the life of Beyoncé, one where every move is analyzed and picked apart. 

It got me thinking. I wrote about Serena Williams getting a biopic. But what about Beyoncé? It seems like every singer is getting one, dead or alive, legendary or not. It’s only a matter of time before someone sinks their hooks into Beyoncé’s life story, especially given her immense popularity and accomplishments. 

The Destiny’s Child era alone would provide enough material. It would be fun to see some of her iconic shade recreated, like the infamous luggage incident. But then there’s her meteoric rise to being the Beyoncé we know now, her evolution from “Crazy to Love” to “Drunk in Love.” Dropping surprise albums and selling out concerts in less than hour. Then there are personal stories to tell. There’s the journey she went through to start a family, culminating in the birth of Blue Ivy. You could even include the tabloids suggesting how Blue was born via surrogate. The relationship with her father. They just have to make sure to include how Keri Hilson and Keyshia Cole said something negative about Beyoncé, and their careers ended. 

I’m not sure who should play Beyoncé. It probably wouldn’t have to be a singer because I’m sure no one wants anyone to rerecord her songs, fearing they might not be able to do her justice and incur the wrath of the BeyHive and general public. Someone up and coming would be nice.

Now for someone like Beyoncé, the biopic would have to be released in theaters, if only because the BeyHive would riot otherwise. Lifetime doesn’t want those problems. 

What parts of Beyoncé’s life would you want a biopic to focus on? Who would you want to play her?

The post A Beyoncé Biopic Is Inevitable, Right? appeared first on Films of Color.

Yesterday the 2016 NAACP Image Awards were aired on TVOne. The Oscars may be so white, the Image Awards were live and fully in color. We have a snippet of award winners and photos from the event below.

Outstanding Motion Picture:
Straight Outta Compton

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture:
Michael B. Jordan, Creed

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture:
Sanaa Lathan, The Perfect Guy

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:
O’Shea Jackson, Jr., Straight Outta Compton

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:
Phylicia Rashad, Creed

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture:
Beasts of No Nation

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film):
Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington, Creed

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film):
Ryan Coogler, Creed

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series:
Terrence Howard, Empire

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series:
Taraji P. Henson, Empire

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series:
Anthony Anderson, Black-Ish

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-Ish

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
Mike Epps, Survivor’s Remorse

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:
Marsai Martin, Black-Ish

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:
Joe Morton, Scandal

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:
Regina King, American Crime

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special:
Queen Latifah, Bessie

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special:
David Alan Grier, The Wiz Live!

Outstanding Comedy Series:
Black-Ish

Outstanding Drama Series:
Empire

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special:
The Wiz Live!

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Kenya M. Barris, Black-Ish – “The Word”

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series:
Mara Brack Ali, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff, Being Mary Jane “Sparrow”

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television):
Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo, The Book of Negroes

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:
Don Cheadle, House of Lies, “The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule”

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series:
John Ridley, American Crime

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television):
Dee Rees, Bessie

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film):
Loretta Devine, Doc McStuffins

Outstanding Children’s Program:
Doc McStuffins

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series):
Marcus Scribner, Black-Ish

Congratulations to all the 2016 NAACP Image Award winners. A full list of winners can be found here.

The post 2016 NAACP Image Awards Recap appeared first on Films of Color.

Witness the lengths one man will go to for his family when 1982 arrives on DVD, Digital and On Demand from Codeblack Films and Lionsgate. From the producer of the 2015 smash hit The Perfect Guy, 1982 features an all-star cast including Hill Harper, Sharon Leal, Bokeem Woodbine, La La Anthony, Quinton Aaron, introducing Troi Zee, with Wayne Brady, and the legendary Ruby Dee in her final performance. An Official Selection of the Toronto Film Festival, the 1982 home entertainment release includes audio commentary with actor Hill Harper and writer/director Tommy Oliver.

Synopsis:

Tim Brown is a devoted family man who has worked hard to provide a good life for his wife Shenae and daughter Maya. But all is threatened when Shenae’s old boyfriend returns from prison and lures her back into a dangerous lifestyle. Though his wife has abandoned him, Tim refuses to give up hope, fighting against impossible odds to bring his family back together in this powerful drama.

Cast:

• Hill Harper – Tim Brown
• Sharon Leal – Shenae Brown
• Bokeem Woodbine – Scoop
• La La Anthony – Neecy
• Quinton Aaron – Turtle
• Tori Zee – Maya
• Wayne Brady – Alonzo
• Ruby Dee – Rose Brown

Crew:

• Director/Writer – Tommy Oliver

1982 will be released on DVD on March 1. Order your copy today.

The post ‘1982’ appeared first on Films of Color.

Synopsis:

The movie follows the singer’s journey from her discovery by mega producers L.A. Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, to her battle with Lupus. The movie also delves into how she made it through her public divorce all while navigating her son’s autism and family struggles. “Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart” chronicles the untold measures the wildly talented artist took to make herself and her family whole again, becoming a global inspiration.

Cast:

• Lex Scott Davis – Toni Braxton
• Debbi Morgan – Evelyn Braxton
• Skye P. Marshall – Towanda Braxton
• Tiffany Hines – Tamar Braxton
• Cortney Scott Wright – Traci Braxton
• LaToya Franklyn – Trina Braxton
• Andre Hall – Keri Lewis
• Gavin Houston – Kenny “Babyface” Edmunds
• Greg Davis Jr. – LA Reid
• Doron Bell – Scott Rhodes
• Celeste Rhodes – Pebbles

Crew:

• Director – Vondie Curtis-Hall
• Writer – Susan McMartin
• Production Company – Link Entertainment

Check out the trailer below.

Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart airs January 23, 2016 on Lifetime at 8/7c. Film photos (credit to Betina Strauss) are below.

The post ‘Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart’ Trailer and Photos appeared first on Films of Color.

Synopsis:

As his wedding day approaches, Ben heads to Miami with his soon-to-be brother-in-law James to bring down a drug dealer who’s supplying the dealers of Atlanta with product.

Cast:

• Ice Cube – James Payton
• Kevin Hart – Ben Barber
• Tika Sumpter – Angela Payton-Barber
• Benjamin Bratt – Antonio Pope
• Olivia Munn – Maya Cruz
• Sherri Shepherd – Cori
• T.I. – Tony David
• Tyrese Gibson – Mayfield

Crew:

• Director – Tim Story
• Writer – Phil Hay
• Writer – Matt Manfredi

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Ride Along 2 opens in theaters January 15, 2016.

The post ‘Ride Along 2’ Trailer appeared first on Films of Color.

Producer Kevin Feige spoke on it saying,

We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family. The talents Ryan showcased in his first two films easily made him our top choice to direct Black Panther. Many fans have waited a long time to see Black Panther in his own film, and with Ryan we know we’ve found the perfect director to bring T’Challa’s story to life.

Black Panther isn’t due until 2018, but Chadwick Boseman is due to make his first appearance as T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War which opens in theaters May 6, 2016. Check him out in the Civil War trailer.

The post Ryan Coogler Finally Confirmed as ‘Black Panther’ Director appeared first on Films of Color.

You may know Tristan Wilds from 90210 or more recently as Adele’s love interest in the “Hello” video. He took some time to focus on his music, and now his acting career and his music career collides with VH1’s The Breaks, based on Dan Charnas’s book, The Big Payback. The Breaks will explore the lives of three friends intertwined by their love of hip hop as they try to break their way into the music industry. If the film does well, it has the possibility of turning into a series.

Synopsis:

VH1’s newest original movie, The Breaks, will chronicle the journey of Nikki, David, and Deevee, three friends united by their love of hip-hop, as they work to make their big mark in the music industry. The film will travel viewers back to the Summer of 1990 in New York City where the music industry’s artists and hustlers intersect in the dance clubs and the street corners of the still crime-ridden city.

Nikki Jones is a brilliant recent grad who abandoned a scholarship to law school to pursue her dream of becoming a record exec. Her boyfriend, David Aaron, is the scrappy son of a legendary music producer who is unwilling to rest on his father’s laurels and notorious reputation. DeeVee is an aspiring producer on the hunt to find the next big rapper on the come-up.

Nikki fast talks her way into an internship at the premier hip-hop company, Fouray Entertainment, and catches the eye of the label’s infamous founder, while David struggles at the city’s top R&B radio station whose celebrity DJ refuses to program real hip-hop. Meanwhile, DeeVee returns to his roots in the Fort Greene projects to scout for talent and runs into Ahm, a drug dealer with a lyrical gift whose talent could bring them all to the next level. However, they will soon discover lives can be broken as fast as legends can be born.

Cast:

• Afton Williamson – Nikki
• David Call – David
• Tristan “Mack” Wilds – DeeVee

Crew:

• Director/Writer – Seith Mann

The Breaks premieres January 4, 2016 at 9/8c on VH1.

The post ‘The Breaks’ Trailer appeared first on Films of Color.