Category Archives: Upcoming Films

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.

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:

How High 2

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Release Date:   4/20/19; MTV
Genre:  Comedy
Rating:  NR
Director:  Bruce Leddy
Studio(s):   Universal 1440 Entertainment, Smith-Garr Productions, Music Television (MTV).
Running Time:  Unknown
Cast:  Mike Epps, Lil Yachty, D.C. Young Fly, Alyssa Goss, DeRay Davis, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Blac Youngsta, NeNe Leakes, Cynthia Bailey, Lil Baby, and Justine Skye.

Story:   Follow-up to the 2001 film, chronicles two young “potrepreneurs” on a magical hash-fueled journey to fund their on-demand munchies delivery start-up.  Sources:  Deadline; Movieweb.

When They See Us

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a/k/a Central Park Five

Release Date:  5/31/19; Limited Series – Netflix
Genre:  Drama
Rating:  NR
Director:  Ava DuVernay
Studio(s):   Forward Movement, Harpo Films, Participant Media, Tribeca Productions, Netflix.
Cast:  Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Justin Cunningham, Freddy Miyares, Jharrel Jerome, Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, Niecy Nash, Blair Underwood, Chris Jackson, Joshua Jackson, Omar J. Dorsey, Famke Janssen, Aurora Perrineau, William Sadler, Aunjanue Ellis, Kylie Bunbury.

Story:  Four-part limited series about the Central Park Five, a group of teenagers from Harlem — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise — who 30 years ago were wrongly convicted of rape.  The series will span 25 years, highlighting their exoneration in 2002 and the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.

Ava DuVernay, who created and directed the film, said in a statement, “In 1989, five black and brown teen boys were wrongly accused of a crime they did not commit and branded The Central Park Five, a moniker that has followed them since that time.  In 2019, our series gives the five men a platform to finally raise their voices and tell their full stories.  In doing so, Korey, Antron, Raymond, Kevin and Yusef also tell the story of many young people of color unjustly ensnared in the criminal justice system.  Sources:  TV Line; Coming Soon.

Trailer:

 

The Bobby DeBarge Story

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Release Date:  6/29/19; TV One
Genre:  Drama/Biography
Rating:  NR
Director:  Russ Parr
Studio(s):   Swirl Films, TV One
Running Time:  Unknown

Story:   The movie explores the tumultuous life of the former lead singer of 70’s R&B/funk band Switch, also the eldest sibling of the world-famous pop group DeBarge. Despite his success in music, the iconic falsetto found his life in peril as he struggled with fame and fortune while coping with the memories of his dysfunctional childhood.  Bobby, born in 1956 Detroit to Etterlene and Army soldier Robert DeBarge, Sr., the latter whom he says was abusive, was introduced to heroin at the age of 15. Heroin would soon become his lifelong addiction. After his parents divorced and Etterlene and the children moved to Grand Rapids, Bobby, a talented musician and vocalist, began playing in local bands along with his younger brother Tommy. In 1976, Bobby DeBarge, along with Tommy DeBarge, Phillip Ingram, Jody Sims, Eddie Fluellen, MC Clark and Arnett Hayes, formed the group Switch and a year after signing to Motown, they dropped their debut album. In the late 80’s Bobby joined his younger siblings’ group, DeBarge but his personal problems, drug use and legal troubles caused major issues both internally and within the group. After contracting HIV in the 1980s Bobby died of AIDS complications in 1995.

The film’s stars include Roshon Fegan in the lead role as Bobby DeBarge, Tyra Ferrell as Etterlene DeBarge, and Adrian Marcel as James DeBarge.  Big Boi portrays legendary music mogul Berry Gordy, while Lloyd appears as Switch member Gregory Williams.  Sources:  Official Site, TV One.com; Global Grind; The Philadelphia Tribune.

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