Exclusive: How To Get Away With Murder alumna Aja Naomi King is returning to broadcast as a lead opposite Melissa Fumero, AnnaSophia Robb and Ben Rappaport in Grosse Pointe Garden Society, NBC‘s drama pilot from Jenna Bans, Bill Krebs and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.
The drama follows four members of a suburban garden club — Birdie (Fumero), Alice (Robb), Brett (Rappaport) and Catherine (King) — all from different walks of life, who get caught up in murder and mischief as they struggle to make their conventional lives bloom.
King’s Catherine is an unhappily married mother of two younger children, a realtor and active member of the Garden Society who works off some of her loneliness with a very juicy secret.
The pilot’s series regular cast also includes Matthew Davis and Alexander Hodge.
Maggie Kiley is directing the pilot, which she is executive producing with Bans via her Minnesota Logging Co.
The drama follows four members of a suburban garden club — Birdie (Fumero), Alice (Robb), Brett (Rappaport) and Catherine (King) — all from different walks of life, who get caught up in murder and mischief as they struggle to make their conventional lives bloom.
King’s Catherine is an unhappily married mother of two younger children, a realtor and active member of the Garden Society who works off some of her loneliness with a very juicy secret.
The pilot’s series regular cast also includes Matthew Davis and Alexander Hodge.
Maggie Kiley is directing the pilot, which she is executive producing with Bans via her Minnesota Logging Co.
- 4/23/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor, writer, director, producer Tosin Morohunfola has signed with ColorCreative for management.
Morohunfola will next be seen starring opposite Shannon Thornton in Tyler Perry’s upcoming drama feature Joy Ridge at Amazon MGM Studios.
His numerous television credits include a series regular role on Starz’s Run the World, and recurring on Max’s Julia, Showtime’s The Chi and NBC’s Chicago Med. He also recently had a key recurring role as Jackson ‘Jackrabbit’ Cole in Taylor Sheridan’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Additional film credits include Amazon’s Blackbox opposite Phylicia Rashad, Oscar winner Kevin Willmott’s The 24th, which was nominated for a NAACP Image award, the bromantic comedy North of the 10, erotic thriller, Friend Request, and BET’s romantic comedy Always A Bridesmaid. Up next, he’ll also co-star in the heist film 1992 with Ray Liotta and Tyrese Gibson.
Morohunfola also wrote and directed Endowed, a parable on fatherhood,...
Morohunfola will next be seen starring opposite Shannon Thornton in Tyler Perry’s upcoming drama feature Joy Ridge at Amazon MGM Studios.
His numerous television credits include a series regular role on Starz’s Run the World, and recurring on Max’s Julia, Showtime’s The Chi and NBC’s Chicago Med. He also recently had a key recurring role as Jackson ‘Jackrabbit’ Cole in Taylor Sheridan’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Additional film credits include Amazon’s Blackbox opposite Phylicia Rashad, Oscar winner Kevin Willmott’s The 24th, which was nominated for a NAACP Image award, the bromantic comedy North of the 10, erotic thriller, Friend Request, and BET’s romantic comedy Always A Bridesmaid. Up next, he’ll also co-star in the heist film 1992 with Ray Liotta and Tyrese Gibson.
Morohunfola also wrote and directed Endowed, a parable on fatherhood,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Tyler Perry has wrapped production on the third movie in his four-picture deal with Amazon MGM Studios, a drama led by “P-Valley” and “Mea Culpa” star Shannon Thornton and “Run The World’s” Tosin Morohunfola.
Perry wrote, directed and produced the film, which recently wrapped filming on location in Colorado and at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta under the working title “Joy Ridge.”
“Amidst the picturesque landscapes of Colorado, Joy (Thornton) finds herself on a holiday trip with a man she envisions as ‘the one,” the film’s official logline reads. “However, her journey takes an enchanting turn as she stumbles upon someone who might just redefine her notions about the life she once knew back home.”
Tyler Perry Studios executives Angi Bones and Will Areu produced the film alongside Perry, who has now announced three of the movies in the four-picture deal he inked with Amazon in November 2022. Last June,...
Perry wrote, directed and produced the film, which recently wrapped filming on location in Colorado and at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta under the working title “Joy Ridge.”
“Amidst the picturesque landscapes of Colorado, Joy (Thornton) finds herself on a holiday trip with a man she envisions as ‘the one,” the film’s official logline reads. “However, her journey takes an enchanting turn as she stumbles upon someone who might just redefine her notions about the life she once knew back home.”
Tyler Perry Studios executives Angi Bones and Will Areu produced the film alongside Perry, who has now announced three of the movies in the four-picture deal he inked with Amazon in November 2022. Last June,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Following the success of their Academy Award-winning Warner Bros drama King Richard, based on their own life stories, tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams have teamed with Oscar-nominated Tár producer Alexandra Milchan to develop En Garde, a new feature to be adapted for the screen and directed by the duo known as Bush Renz (Antebellum).
The forthcoming film is based on the New York Times bestselling book Black Brother, Black Brother by award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, which was published by Little, Brown in 2020. It tells the story of two bi-racial brothers — one white-presenting; the other, Black — who must navigate the unforgiving social constructs and institutions of an elite Connecticut prep high school. When the darker-skinned brother’s future is threatened by his arch-nemesis, he seeks out the counsel of an Olympic fencing champion to beat him at his own game.
Venus Williams will be joined as a producer...
The forthcoming film is based on the New York Times bestselling book Black Brother, Black Brother by award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, which was published by Little, Brown in 2020. It tells the story of two bi-racial brothers — one white-presenting; the other, Black — who must navigate the unforgiving social constructs and institutions of an elite Connecticut prep high school. When the darker-skinned brother’s future is threatened by his arch-nemesis, he seeks out the counsel of an Olympic fencing champion to beat him at his own game.
Venus Williams will be joined as a producer...
- 4/19/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
An eight-part event series about boxing icon Muhammad Ali is in the works at Peacock from Rege-Jean Page, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Willmott.
Titled ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’, the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography ‘Ali: A Life’. ‘Bridgerton’ breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown, reports ‘Variety’.
According to the show’s official description, ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’ will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
Titled ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’, the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography ‘Ali: A Life’. ‘Bridgerton’ breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown, reports ‘Variety’.
According to the show’s official description, ‘Excellence: 8 Fights’ will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the heart and mind of one of the most consequential and controversial figures of the 20th century.
- 3/9/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Muhammad Ali Series in Development at Peacock From Regé-Jean Page, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Willmott
An eight-part event series about boxing icon Muhammad Ali is in the works at Peacock from Regé-Jean Page, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Willmott, Variety has confirmed.
Titled “Excellence: 8 Fights,” the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography “Ali: A Life.” “Bridgerton” breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown. Eig will serve as a producer, with CBS Studios and UCP.
According to the show’s official description, “Excellence: 8 Fights” will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the...
Titled “Excellence: 8 Fights,” the scripted drama series hails from Oscar-winning writer Willmott and is based on Jonathan Eig’s definitive biography “Ali: A Life.” “Bridgerton” breakout Page and Freeman are both on board as executive producers, as well as Willmott, Lori McCreary for Revelations Entertainment and Emily Brown. Eig will serve as a producer, with CBS Studios and UCP.
According to the show’s official description, “Excellence: 8 Fights” will “chronicle eight distinct and defining moments in the iconic life of Muhammad Ali. Each episode will be framed by one fight from Ali’s life, but the essence of the episode, what it’s really about, is the internal fight – the drama outside the ring – where we will explore the struggle going on in the...
- 3/9/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: As we mark the 52nd anniversary of the first Ali-Frazier fight today, Deadline can reveal that Peacock is developing Excellence: 8 Fights, a scripted eight-part event series about boxing great Muhammad Ali, based on the definitive biography Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig.
Related Story How MGM Synergized With Amazon To Make ‘Creed III’ The Streamer’s Biggest Box Office Blockbuster Ever At $100M+ Related Story Kevin Costner, Bradley Cooper, Morgan Freeman, Michael Imperioli & Dan Aykroyd Line Up Docs For The History Channel Related Story 'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Sets Peacock Premiere Date
The project hails from Oscar-winning BlackKklansman co-writer Kevin Willmott, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary’s Revelations Entertainment, Bridgerton alum Regé-Jean Page and Emily Brown. Page is executive producing, but there currently is no deal in place for him to star as Ali. CBS Studios and UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, serve as the studios.
Related Story How MGM Synergized With Amazon To Make ‘Creed III’ The Streamer’s Biggest Box Office Blockbuster Ever At $100M+ Related Story Kevin Costner, Bradley Cooper, Morgan Freeman, Michael Imperioli & Dan Aykroyd Line Up Docs For The History Channel Related Story 'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Sets Peacock Premiere Date
The project hails from Oscar-winning BlackKklansman co-writer Kevin Willmott, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary’s Revelations Entertainment, Bridgerton alum Regé-Jean Page and Emily Brown. Page is executive producing, but there currently is no deal in place for him to star as Ali. CBS Studios and UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, serve as the studios.
- 3/9/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Trai Byers, Ray Fisher, April Matthis and Michael Potts have joined Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks and John David Washington in the cast of Broadway’s upcoming revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson.
The production, to be directed by Latanya Richardson Jackson, will begin performances on Monday, Sept. 19, for a 16-week engagement at the St. James Theatre. The staging will mark the first Broadway revival of the Pulitzer-winning Piano Lesson in more than 30 years.
Byers starred on Fox’s Empire as Andre Lyon. In 2014, he portrayed James Foreman in the Ava DuVernay-directed Selma, and most recently starred in, co-wrote and produced feature film The 24th. The Piano Lesson will mark his Broadway debut.
Fisher, cast as Lymon, is best known for his breakout role as Victor Stone/Cyborg in Warner Brothers’ DC Cinematic Universe. Cyborg was first introduced in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and...
The production, to be directed by Latanya Richardson Jackson, will begin performances on Monday, Sept. 19, for a 16-week engagement at the St. James Theatre. The staging will mark the first Broadway revival of the Pulitzer-winning Piano Lesson in more than 30 years.
Byers starred on Fox’s Empire as Andre Lyon. In 2014, he portrayed James Foreman in the Ava DuVernay-directed Selma, and most recently starred in, co-wrote and produced feature film The 24th. The Piano Lesson will mark his Broadway debut.
Fisher, cast as Lymon, is best known for his breakout role as Victor Stone/Cyborg in Warner Brothers’ DC Cinematic Universe. Cyborg was first introduced in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and...
- 4/26/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
‘The Dropout’: Dylan Minnette, Bashir Salahuddin & Alan Ruck Among Nine Added To Hulu Limited Series
Hulu’s upcoming limited series The Dropout, about the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, continues to expand its cast with the addition of Dylan Minnette, Alan Ruck, Bashir Salahuddin and Mary Lynn Rajskub. Also joining the cast are Hart Bochner, James Hiroyuki Liao, Nicky Endres, Camryn Mi-Young Kim and Andrew Leeds. They will appear opposite Amanda Seyfried in the series from Liz Meriwether, Seachlight Television and Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television.
Created and executive produced by Meriwether, who also serves as showrunner, The Dropout is based on the ABC News/ABC Radio podcast. Holmes (Seyfried), the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos, was lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation. Once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people’s health in grave danger. Money. Romance. Tragedy.
Created and executive produced by Meriwether, who also serves as showrunner, The Dropout is based on the ABC News/ABC Radio podcast. Holmes (Seyfried), the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos, was lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation. Once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people’s health in grave danger. Money. Romance. Tragedy.
- 8/3/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
D-Nice, Viola Davis, Regina King, Trevor Noah and Tyler Perry are nominated for entertainer of the year at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards.
The nominations were virtually announced Tuesday on the NAACP Image Awards’ Instagram by Anika Noni-Rose (“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”), Chloe Bailey (“Grown-ish”), Erika Alexander (“John Lewis: Good Trouble”), Nicco Annan (“P-Valley”), and Tc Carson (“Living Single”).
This is King’s third consecutive nomination for the top award and Perry’s second since 2014. Davis was previously nominated consecutively from 2015-2017. All of them have never won the top category. This is the first nominations for D-Nice and Noah in the category.
Davis also picked up nominations for best actress in a drama series for “How to Get Away with Murder” and best actress in a motion picture for her work in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” while King was among the nominees for directing her debut feature “One Night in Miami.
The nominations were virtually announced Tuesday on the NAACP Image Awards’ Instagram by Anika Noni-Rose (“Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey”), Chloe Bailey (“Grown-ish”), Erika Alexander (“John Lewis: Good Trouble”), Nicco Annan (“P-Valley”), and Tc Carson (“Living Single”).
This is King’s third consecutive nomination for the top award and Perry’s second since 2014. Davis was previously nominated consecutively from 2015-2017. All of them have never won the top category. This is the first nominations for D-Nice and Noah in the category.
Davis also picked up nominations for best actress in a drama series for “How to Get Away with Murder” and best actress in a motion picture for her work in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” while King was among the nominees for directing her debut feature “One Night in Miami.
- 2/2/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Nominees for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards are being unveiled Friday, with a packed slate of songs and scores in film, TV and videogame categories. Names in contention range from Alexandre Desplat, James Newton Howard and Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross as returning veterans in the score divisions to stars like Taylor Swift, H.E.R., Brandi Carlile, Travis Scott, Haim and Janelle Monae as nominated songwriters for feature film themes.
Kenny Loggins has been tagged for the HMMAs; Career Achievement in Music honor, which has previously gone to figures including Diane Warren, Smokey Robinson and composer John Debney.
Loggins will perform on the livestreamed awards show, which has been set for 7 p.m. Pt on Jan. 27, to be webcast on the Hmma site in lieu of the traditional live ceremony (which last year took place at Avalon in Hollywood). He’ll be joined in the performance ranks by Andra Day, Rita Wilson,...
Kenny Loggins has been tagged for the HMMAs; Career Achievement in Music honor, which has previously gone to figures including Diane Warren, Smokey Robinson and composer John Debney.
Loggins will perform on the livestreamed awards show, which has been set for 7 p.m. Pt on Jan. 27, to be webcast on the Hmma site in lieu of the traditional live ceremony (which last year took place at Avalon in Hollywood). He’ll be joined in the performance ranks by Andra Day, Rita Wilson,...
- 1/15/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Film financer-producer New Slate Ventures, which backed “The 40-Year-Old Version,” has raised $100 million for films, documentaries, and television programs.
The fund raise was announced Wednesday by Los Angeles-based private equity company Sinai Capital Partners, which also said its tech-focused venture capital firm Sinai Ventures has closed a $500 million fund.
Led by partners Jordan Fudge, Jeremy Allen and Zach White, the New Slate Ventures 2020 slate includes “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday,” directed and co-written by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels and starring singer Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, and Garrett Hedlund; “Untitled Magic Johnson,” a documentary focused on the life and careers of NBA legend and entrepreneur Earvin Magic Johnson; and “The 24th,” directed and written by Kevin Willmott and starring Trai Byers which was an official selection at SXSW.
New Slate Ventures also is developing an untitled Michael Milken Limited Series, to be written by Terrence Winter. The fund said it...
The fund raise was announced Wednesday by Los Angeles-based private equity company Sinai Capital Partners, which also said its tech-focused venture capital firm Sinai Ventures has closed a $500 million fund.
Led by partners Jordan Fudge, Jeremy Allen and Zach White, the New Slate Ventures 2020 slate includes “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday,” directed and co-written by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lee Daniels and starring singer Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, and Garrett Hedlund; “Untitled Magic Johnson,” a documentary focused on the life and careers of NBA legend and entrepreneur Earvin Magic Johnson; and “The 24th,” directed and written by Kevin Willmott and starring Trai Byers which was an official selection at SXSW.
New Slate Ventures also is developing an untitled Michael Milken Limited Series, to be written by Terrence Winter. The fund said it...
- 11/18/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle, creators of Sherman’s Showcase and South Side, have closed an overall deal with Warner Bros TV.
The pair have signed a multi-year deal with the studio and have ambitions to create, develop and produce TV projects in a wide range of genres from animation to superhero series. They are keen to work in all areas including broadcast network television and streaming.
This comes after a good run that saw their musical variety show Sherman’s Showcase picked up for a second season to air on both AMC and IFC, and a second season of Chicago-based comedy South Side. The latter’s first season aired on Comedy Central but it has now moved to HBO Max for its second season.
The pair got their break on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where they wrote sketches including Slow Jam the News with Barack Obama and...
The pair have signed a multi-year deal with the studio and have ambitions to create, develop and produce TV projects in a wide range of genres from animation to superhero series. They are keen to work in all areas including broadcast network television and streaming.
This comes after a good run that saw their musical variety show Sherman’s Showcase picked up for a second season to air on both AMC and IFC, and a second season of Chicago-based comedy South Side. The latter’s first season aired on Comedy Central but it has now moved to HBO Max for its second season.
The pair got their break on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where they wrote sketches including Slow Jam the News with Barack Obama and...
- 9/10/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Last month, Amazon Prime Video officially announced "Welcome to the Blumhouse," which will feature eight new genre films. It all kicks off with the first four films being released right in time for Halloween and we have a look at the brand new trailer:
Previously: "Amazon Prime Video announced today “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October, timed for the Halloween season, on Prime...
Previously: "Amazon Prime Video announced today “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October, timed for the Halloween season, on Prime...
- 9/2/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Trai Byers, who stars in the new movie The 24th, sat down for a new uInterview to discuss “unfortunately how timeless” the story of the film is – and how it resonates with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement today. The movie is based on a the true story of the 24th infantry in the […]
The post Video Exclusive: Trai Byers Explains Why New Movie ‘The 24th’ Resonates With BLM appeared first on uInterview.
The post Video Exclusive: Trai Byers Explains Why New Movie ‘The 24th’ Resonates With BLM appeared first on uInterview.
- 8/26/2020
- by Marie Fiero
- Uinterview
‘The 24th’: Kevin Willmott’s Film About The Horrorifc 1917 Houston Riot Needs To Dig Deeper [Review]
Walker (Mo McRae) takes an immediate dislike to Boston (Trai Byers) when they first meet under Houston’s unforgiving sun: They’re digging a latrine, and Walker can’t abide Boston’s high mannered speech in conjunction with his skin tone, which is lighter than Walker’s by several shades. They tussle. Walker even pulls a razor. The altercation nearly cements their mutual disdain for one another until a late-night understanding is met between the two; Boston’s parents died in 1906 in Atlanta, which Walker recognizes as a reference to the Atlanta Massacre.
Continue reading ‘The 24th’: Kevin Willmott’s Film About The Horrorifc 1917 Houston Riot Needs To Dig Deeper [Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The 24th’: Kevin Willmott’s Film About The Horrorifc 1917 Houston Riot Needs To Dig Deeper [Review] at The Playlist.
- 8/25/2020
- by Andrew Crump
- The Playlist
Lagging a few weeks behind the rest of the world (where Russell Crowe road-rage thriller “Unhinged” released in several territories late last month), the United States is slowly seeing cinemas reopen in anticipation of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” — still optimistically dated for Sept. 3.
But that doesn’t mean film fans don’t have options, opening on drive-in screens, virtual cinemas and subscriptions services.
With more than 30 new movies releasing in the U.S. this week, Variety helps steer you to the most interesting of these choices. Take your pick of everything from hard-hitting dramas — including stirring Black history lessons “The 24th” and “Emperor” — to action movies such as “Cut Throat City” and “Train to Busan” sequel “Peninsula.” Family audiences will find “The One and Only Ivan” on Disney Plus, while those with more twisted sensibilities can choose to watch a “The Most Dangerous Game”-inspired humans-hunting-humans movie: Cambodian thriller “The Prey.
But that doesn’t mean film fans don’t have options, opening on drive-in screens, virtual cinemas and subscriptions services.
With more than 30 new movies releasing in the U.S. this week, Variety helps steer you to the most interesting of these choices. Take your pick of everything from hard-hitting dramas — including stirring Black history lessons “The 24th” and “Emperor” — to action movies such as “Cut Throat City” and “Train to Busan” sequel “Peninsula.” Family audiences will find “The One and Only Ivan” on Disney Plus, while those with more twisted sensibilities can choose to watch a “The Most Dangerous Game”-inspired humans-hunting-humans movie: Cambodian thriller “The Prey.
- 8/21/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
It’s unclear who the audience is for director Kevin Willmott’s “The 24th,” a solemn look at a crucial and under-seen moment in Black history that mostly feels like homework. This portrait of an infantry of Black soldiers who, in 1917, stood up to horrifying police brutality has plenty going for it, including a few strong performances and an evocatively Southern-tinged mood. But it’s ultimately an agitprop package, and .
As a story of Black rebellion against corrupt and monstrous law enforcement, “The 24th” arrives at a critical moment as America stares down the maw of its inherently racist past and tries to figure out where to go from here. The largely forgotten episode in question is the Camp Logan mutiny that took place in Houston, where Black soldiers eager to serve their country stood up to a vile police force, and staged a coup that resulted in a staggering murder trial which,...
As a story of Black rebellion against corrupt and monstrous law enforcement, “The 24th” arrives at a critical moment as America stares down the maw of its inherently racist past and tries to figure out where to go from here. The largely forgotten episode in question is the Camp Logan mutiny that took place in Houston, where Black soldiers eager to serve their country stood up to a vile police force, and staged a coup that resulted in a staggering murder trial which,...
- 8/21/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Just in case it wasn’t obvious before, the recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd have done much to lay bare just how spotty and incomplete much of America’s understanding of its own racial history has often been. While any schoolkid can rattle off facts about the March on Washington and the 13th Amendment, the complicated, messy, often horrifyingly violent timeline of racism and social justice in this country has long been oversimplified in school curricula and popular discourse, to the extent that some seismic events within that history — from Nat Turner’s rebellion to the Black Wall Street massacre — were largely unknown to large swaths of the country until very recently.
Both of those moments, however, have been dragged to the forefront by film and television over the past few years — “The Birth of a Nation” for the former, and HBO’s “Watchmen” with the latter...
Both of those moments, however, have been dragged to the forefront by film and television over the past few years — “The Birth of a Nation” for the former, and HBO’s “Watchmen” with the latter...
- 8/20/2020
- by Andrew Barker
- Variety Film + TV
Culver City, CA – Amazon Prime Video announced: “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October, timed for the Halloween season, on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Amazon Prime Video will launch the initial slate of four films as double features starting with The Lie directed by acclaimed writer/director Veena Sud and Black Box directed by up-and-coming writer/director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.
Amazon Prime Video will launch the initial slate of four films as double features starting with The Lie directed by acclaimed writer/director Veena Sud and Black Box directed by up-and-coming writer/director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.
- 8/16/2020
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Terror Films have announced they will premiere Jim Klock’s faith-based horror film, Red Letters, exclusively on Kings of Horror.
In the story, a Deputy vanishes without a trace while responding to a burglary call. Private Investigator Jim Knowles is a retired Homicide Detective and Mike Gaston is a retired Theology Professor, who specialize in cases that deal with the dark side of evil. Both men are requested to lend their assistance to this small-town police force in rural New Jersey. Knowles, a non-believer in both God and Satan, is convinced that people who commit a crime and use the Devil as an excuse are merely using an insanity defence. Gaston, his partner however, is a man of deep faith and conviction. Gaston believes that the Devil is real and is constantly on the prowl for people’s souls. In a fight between good and evil, both men will embark...
In the story, a Deputy vanishes without a trace while responding to a burglary call. Private Investigator Jim Knowles is a retired Homicide Detective and Mike Gaston is a retired Theology Professor, who specialize in cases that deal with the dark side of evil. Both men are requested to lend their assistance to this small-town police force in rural New Jersey. Knowles, a non-believer in both God and Satan, is convinced that people who commit a crime and use the Devil as an excuse are merely using an insanity defence. Gaston, his partner however, is a man of deep faith and conviction. Gaston believes that the Devil is real and is constantly on the prowl for people’s souls. In a fight between good and evil, both men will embark...
- 8/15/2020
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
We've known that Blumhouse was developing content for Amazon, but now it's official. Amazon Prime Video has announced "Welcome to the Blumhouse," which will feature eight new genre films. It all kicks off with the first four films being released right in time for Halloween:
From the Press Release: "Culver City, CA – August 13, 2020 – Amazon Prime Video announced today “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October,...
From the Press Release: "Culver City, CA – August 13, 2020 – Amazon Prime Video announced today “Welcome to the Blumhouse”, a program of eight unsettling, genre movies produced by Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Television and Amazon Studios. Sharing the spine-tingling suspense that’s a Blumhouse signature, each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces. This slate marks the first ever program of Amazon Original movies on Prime Video that are thematically connected. The films showcase exciting up-and-coming talent, alongside established actors in exceptional and shocking new roles. “Welcome to the Blumhouse” will launch in October,...
- 8/13/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Welcome to the Blumhouse, the eight genre movie anthology, will begin launching on Amazon Prime Video on Oct. 6, timed to Halloween in the streamer’s 240 countries and territories worldwide.
The first two movies as double features to drop on that date are Veena Sud’s The Lie and Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.’s Black Box.
Launching the following week on Oct. 13 is an unannounced feature Evil Eye, from Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani and executive produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, as well as Nocturne written and directed by filmmaker Zu Quirke, making her feature film debut. The latter four films will stream in 2021. In regard to the anthology, “each each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces” per today’s release.
Evil Eye is based off the award-winning,...
The first two movies as double features to drop on that date are Veena Sud’s The Lie and Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.’s Black Box.
Launching the following week on Oct. 13 is an unannounced feature Evil Eye, from Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani and executive produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, as well as Nocturne written and directed by filmmaker Zu Quirke, making her feature film debut. The latter four films will stream in 2021. In regard to the anthology, “each each film presents a distinctive vision and unique perspective on common themes centered around family and love as redemptive or destructive forces” per today’s release.
Evil Eye is based off the award-winning,...
- 8/13/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The 24Th will be Available On Virtual Cinema, VOD and Digital on August 21st. Check out the trailer:
The 24Th tells the incredibly powerful and timely true story of the all-black Twenty-Fourth United States Infantry Regiment, and the Houston Riot of 1917. The Houston Riot was a mutiny by 156 African American soldiers in response to the brutal violence and abuse at the hands of Houston police officers. The riot, which lasted two hours, led to the death of nine civilians, four policemen and two soldiers and resulted in the largest murder trial in history, which sentenced a total of nineteen men to execution, and forty-one men to life sentences.
The 24th stars Trai Byers, Bashir Salahuddin, Aja Naomi King, Mo McRae, Tosin Morohunfola, Mykelti Williamson, and Thomas Haden Church
The post WWI Story The 24Th – Directed By Kevin Wilmott On Virtual Cinema, VOD and Digital August 21st appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
The 24Th tells the incredibly powerful and timely true story of the all-black Twenty-Fourth United States Infantry Regiment, and the Houston Riot of 1917. The Houston Riot was a mutiny by 156 African American soldiers in response to the brutal violence and abuse at the hands of Houston police officers. The riot, which lasted two hours, led to the death of nine civilians, four policemen and two soldiers and resulted in the largest murder trial in history, which sentenced a total of nineteen men to execution, and forty-one men to life sentences.
The 24th stars Trai Byers, Bashir Salahuddin, Aja Naomi King, Mo McRae, Tosin Morohunfola, Mykelti Williamson, and Thomas Haden Church
The post WWI Story The 24Th – Directed By Kevin Wilmott On Virtual Cinema, VOD and Digital August 21st appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
- 8/6/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
"I was robbed of my honor... You get outta here before they take yours, too." Vertical Ent. has released an official trailer for the indie drama The 24th, the latest film from writer / director Kevin Willmott. The film tells the story of the all-black Twenty-Fourth United States Infantry Regiment, and the Houston Riot of 1917. The so-called "riot" was an uprising by 156 African-American soldiers in response to the brutal violence and abuse at the hands of Houston police officers. Certainly sounds very timely, and is definitely a reference to current events in America, too. The film stars Trai Byers, Bashir Salahuddin, Aja Naomi King, Mo McRae, Tosin Morohunfola, Mykelti Williamson, and Thomas Haden Church. It looks like a very powerful, very moving story to tell. But sadly it seems as if nothing much has changed in over 100 years. Take a look. Here's the ...
- 8/5/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to The 24th, a period drama based on true events from Oscar-winning BlacKkKlansman co-writer Kevin Willmott. The pic, which was slated to premiere at SXSW before the festival was shut down in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, will now get a VOD/digital release on August 21.
Willmott produced, directed and co-wrote the script with Empire alum Trai Byers, who stars alongside Bashir Salahuddin and Aja Naomi King. Jordan Fudge, Alexandra Milchan, Willmott and Byers are producers. The 24th was fully financed by Fudge’s New Slate Ventures, which produced with Emjag.
The release date is significant, timed to the anniversary of the Houston Riot of 1917, the heart of the movie’s story. Set in the early months of World War I, it recounts how 156 soldiers of the Third Battalion of the all-Black 24th Infantry Regiment rioted after clashing with the Houston Police Department.
Willmott produced, directed and co-wrote the script with Empire alum Trai Byers, who stars alongside Bashir Salahuddin and Aja Naomi King. Jordan Fudge, Alexandra Milchan, Willmott and Byers are producers. The 24th was fully financed by Fudge’s New Slate Ventures, which produced with Emjag.
The release date is significant, timed to the anniversary of the Houston Riot of 1917, the heart of the movie’s story. Set in the early months of World War I, it recounts how 156 soldiers of the Third Battalion of the all-Black 24th Infantry Regiment rioted after clashing with the Houston Police Department.
- 7/29/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
BlacKkKlansman Oscar winner Kevin Willmott is set to write the feature story of Wimbledon tennis champion and African American civil rights activist Arthur Ashe, a project on which Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment Group and Warner Music Group (Wmg) are teaming.
It’s a project that’s close to Amritraj’s heart, the Hyde Park producer being a former Wimbledon pro himself. Hyde Park obtained the full support of the Arthur Ashe Estate in developing the film. Warner Music Group will help secure the music and provide creative guidance to the filmmakers, which plan to tap into the extraordinary works of the era by such artists as Aretha Franklin, Prince, Curtis Mayfield and others.
“Arthur’s legacy reaches far beyond his greatness as a tennis player,” Amritraj said. “Always a gentleman; bold, graceful, and intellectual; while at the same time passionate in his fight against racial inequality and injustice,...
It’s a project that’s close to Amritraj’s heart, the Hyde Park producer being a former Wimbledon pro himself. Hyde Park obtained the full support of the Arthur Ashe Estate in developing the film. Warner Music Group will help secure the music and provide creative guidance to the filmmakers, which plan to tap into the extraordinary works of the era by such artists as Aretha Franklin, Prince, Curtis Mayfield and others.
“Arthur’s legacy reaches far beyond his greatness as a tennis player,” Amritraj said. “Always a gentleman; bold, graceful, and intellectual; while at the same time passionate in his fight against racial inequality and injustice,...
- 6/16/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2020 edition of SXSW has announced its features and episodic premieres for the 27th edition of the film festival, running March 13 – 22 in Austin. The 102 features and episodics in this release will be shown across the nine days of SXSW. The 2020 program was selected from 2,316 feature-length film submissions, with a total of 8,362 films submitted this year.
As has become its tradition, the festival will open with a highly anticipated studio crowdpleaser. Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island,” his first feature directorial outing since 2015’s “Trainwreck,” stars Pete Davidson in a lightly fictionalized version of the “SNL” star’s own life story. The film is set for a June release from Universal Pictures.
Apatow has been a regular at SXSW, where “Knocked Up” and “Trainwreck” both launched to strong reactions, but this is his first time opening the festival. “It’s a great film,” SXSW Director of Film Janet Pierson...
As has become its tradition, the festival will open with a highly anticipated studio crowdpleaser. Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island,” his first feature directorial outing since 2015’s “Trainwreck,” stars Pete Davidson in a lightly fictionalized version of the “SNL” star’s own life story. The film is set for a June release from Universal Pictures.
Apatow has been a regular at SXSW, where “Knocked Up” and “Trainwreck” both launched to strong reactions, but this is his first time opening the festival. “It’s a great film,” SXSW Director of Film Janet Pierson...
- 1/15/2020
- by Kate Erbland and Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
13 Reasons Why‘s Bryce Cass is set for a major recurring role in Amazon’s upcoming Ya drama series Panic. Created and written by Lauren Oliver based on her bestselling book, Panic centers on a small town in America where every year the graduating seniors engage in a competition they believe is their one chance to escape. But this year, the rules have changed — and they must decide how much they are willing to risk in order to get out. Cass will play Adam Lyons, a recently graduated senior. The goofy counterpoint to Tyler in the trinity of Ray’s friend group, Adam doesn’t take anything particularly seriously–which is why, ironically, he might have a serious shot in the game. Cass is best known for his standout role in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, which he wraps this month, and Columbia Pictures’ Goosebumps. He’s represented by Stride Management...
- 11/1/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Deadline has learned that Lee Daniels is set to go into production next month in Montreal on The United States vs. Billie Holiday, a project he will direct and produce about the legendary jazz singer.
The pic follows Holiday (played by multi Grammy and NAACP nominee singer-songwriter Andra Day) during her career as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair. The pic will intimately examine Holiday’s struggles with addiction, fame and heartbreaking love.
Joining Day are Bird Box and Moonlight actor Trevante Rhodes, Mudbound and Tron actor Garrett Hedlund, and Russian Doll and Orange Is the New Black actress Natasha Lyonne and Dolemite Is My Name actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
“It is an extraordinary responsibility to tell the story of the iconic Billie Holiday. Her story...
The pic follows Holiday (played by multi Grammy and NAACP nominee singer-songwriter Andra Day) during her career as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair. The pic will intimately examine Holiday’s struggles with addiction, fame and heartbreaking love.
Joining Day are Bird Box and Moonlight actor Trevante Rhodes, Mudbound and Tron actor Garrett Hedlund, and Russian Doll and Orange Is the New Black actress Natasha Lyonne and Dolemite Is My Name actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph.
“It is an extraordinary responsibility to tell the story of the iconic Billie Holiday. Her story...
- 9/17/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
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