Author Archives: blackcinemaconnection

Always A Bridesmaid

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Release Date:  10/25/19; In Theaters
Genre:  Comedy
Rating:  TBA
Director:  Trey Haley
Studio(s):   AAB Film, Tri Destined Studios, Little Brown Girl
Running Time:  TBA
Cast:  Javicia Leslie, Jordan Calloway, Yvette Nicole Brown, Richard Lawson, Michelle Mitchenor, Jasmine Brown, Amber Chardae Robinson, Tosin Morohunfola, Marcelle Spears, Richard Lawson, Affion Crockett, Anita Baker, Brandon Michael Hall, Bernard David Jones, James Bland, Joy Brunson.

Details:  Community alum Yvette Nicole Brown is in production on Always A Bridesmaid, an indie film she wrote, marking her screenwriting debut. She is also serving as an executive producer on the project.  It follows Corina James who has been a bridesmaid so many times that she is starting to wonder if she will ever be a bride. Always A Bridesmaid ponders the question, ‘Is love and marriage for everyone?’ And if so, how do you get over your own stuff in order to find and keep your one?

Story:   At the crossroads of old-fashioned courtship and modern-day hook-ups, Corina (Javicia Leslie) is stuck being everyone’s bridesmaid but never the bride. While juggling a whirlwind of weddings, Corina questions if love and marriage can coexist and what that means for her future. Deciding to no longer be a lady-in-waiting, Corina bravely re-enters the dating scene. But, can she find a true romance when the games of love, commitment, and understanding are changing at every turn? Time will only tell if Corina will always be a bridesmaid or if the love of her life is around the corner.  Sources:  Deadline; Tridestined.com, official site.

21 Bridges

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a/k/a 17 Bridges

Release Date:  9/27/19; In Theaters
Genre:   Drama/Thriller
Rating:   TBA
Director:  Brian Kirk
Studio(s):   AGBO, Huayi Brothers, STX Entertainment
Running Time:  TBA

Cast:  Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, Keith David, Stephan James, Taylor Kitsch, Gary Carr, Shayna Ryan, J.K. Simmons.

Story:   21 Bridges’ follows an NYPD detective (Boseman), who is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy. As the night unfolds, lines become blurred on who he is pursuing, and who is in pursuit of him. When the search intensifies, extreme measures are taken to prevent the killers from escaping Manhattan as the authorities close all 21 bridges to prevent any entry or exit from the iconic island.  Source:  Indiewire.

Trailer:

Queen & Slim

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Release Date:  11/27/19; In Theaters
Genre:   Drama
Rating: TBA
Director:  Melina Matsoukas
Studio(s):   Universal Pictures, 3Blackdot, BRON Studios, De La Revolución Films, Hillman Grad, Makeready.
Running Time: TBA
Cast:  Daniel Kaluuya (Slim), Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen), Bokeem Woodbine (Uncle Earl), Chloë Sevigny.

Story:   The script is described as a Bonnie and Clyde story that centers on a black couple out on a first date whose night goes terribly awry. They end up killing a police officer in self-defense and, on the run, head to Cuba.  According to Universal, Queen & Slim explores America’s social and political climate through the lens of a genre-defying love story.  The film was written by Lena Waithe and will be directed by Insecure executive producer, Melina Matsoukas in her feature film directorial debut.  Sources:  IMDB; Indiewire; Essence.com.  Photo Source:  Essence.com/NBCUniversal.

Black and Blue

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a/k/a Exposure

Release Date:  9/20/19; In Theaters
Genre:  Action/Drama
Rating:  Unknown
Director:  Deon Taylor
Studio(s):   Royal Viking Entertainment, Screen Gems
Running Time:  Unknown
Cast:   Nafessa Williams, Mike Colter, Frank Grillo, Reid Scott, Beau Knapp, Tyrese Gibson.

Story:   A rookie Detroit Africa- American female officer witnesses the murder of a drug dealer by corrupt cops and captures the footage on her body cam. With the crime pinned on her, the rookie then faces a fight for survival, hunted by the cops desperate to destroy the incriminating footage and the drug dealers seeking revenge.  Source:  Flickering Myth.

See You Yesterday

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Release Date:   5/17/19; Netflix
Genre:  Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating:  TV-MA
Director:   Stefon Bristol
Studio(s):   40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Netflix.
Running Time:  86 mins

Cast:  Eden Duncan-Smith (Claudette ‘CJ’ Walker), Dante Crichlow (Sebastian J. Thomas), Astro (Calvin Walker), Marsha Stephanie Blake (Phaedra Walker).

Story:   As two teen prodigies try to master the art of time travel, a tragic police shooting sends them on a series of dangerous trips to the past.

After her brother is killed in a miscarriage of justice, aspiring inventor Claudette ‘CJ’ Walker uses her scientific mind to create two time machines, one for her, and the other for her friend Sebastian. As they use the machines to try and alter the day CJ’s brother died, they come to learn the ultimatum of time travel: All Actions Have Consequences. Produced by Spike Lee.  Source:  Netflix, official site; IMDB.

Trailer:

The Clark Sisters:  The First Ladies of Gospel

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Status:  Script
Release Date:  TBA – Lifetime
Genre:  Biography
Studio(s):  Revele Entertainment, Flavor Unit
Producer(s):  Loretha Jones; Holly Carter, Shakim Compere
Director:  Christine Swanson
Cast:  Aunjanue Ellis (Mattie Moss Clark) Christina Bell (Twinkie), Kierra Sheard (Karen), Sheléa Frazier (Dorinda), Raven Goodwin (Denise), Angela Birchett (Jacky).

Details:  Queen Latifah is working with Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott for feature movie The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel. The movie will detail their humble beginnings, struggles to find their place, to later becoming the best-selling Gospel group in the music world. It will tell the story of the five Clark sisters and their mother Mattie Moss Clark. The movie will feature re-recordings of some of The Clark Sisters biggest hits.  Source:  Deadline; Photo Source:  Shadow & Act.

Salt-N-Pepa

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Status:  Script
Release Date: TBA – Lifetime
Genre:  Biography
Studio(s):  Flavor Unit
Director:  TBA
Cast:  TBA

Details:  Salt-N-Pepa will tell the story of nursing students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, who fell into the world of rap and hip hop, after recording for a friend’s school project. One of the first all-female rap groups, the series will look at the pair who were unafraid to talk about sex and share their thoughts on men. The series will feature their greatest hits including “Let’s Talk About Sex”, “What a Man”, “Shoop” and “Push It”. It will be exec produced by Cheryl James, Sandra Denton and Jesse Collins as well as Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere from Flavor Unit. Written by Abdul Williams with Andy Horne, Dionne Harmon and James “Jimmy” Maynes as co-exec producer.  Source:  Deadline; Photo Source:  BBC.