Equal Standard

Release Date:   5/721 – In Theaters; 6/8/21 – VOD (5/14/20 – Original Release)
Genre:  Action
Rating:  NR
Director:  Brendan Kyle Cochrane
Studio(s):  First Born Production, Digital Seven, Mutiny Pictures, Safier Entertainment.
Running Time:  101 mins.

Cast:  Ice -T (Croft), Tobias Truvillion (Chris Jones), ​Maurice Benard (Captain Chavat Issak), Syleena Johnson (Jackie Jones), Robert Clohessy (Detective Rullan), Fredro Starr (Du), Chris Kerson (Detective Kevin Mckenzie), Anthony ‘ Treach’ Criss (Trigger).

Story:  New York City police officers’ lives collide in interweaving stories of race, rank, loss, and betrayalAn NYPD Detective is shot by one of his own, benevolent brothers in uniform. Communities are ignited – to march for justice. Gangs put their differences aside – for a united fight, an equal opportunity. “That people not be judged by the color of their skin but for the content of their character.” The movement and unity impacts City society and leads to a Blue Wall intervention within the Police force. White cops’ lust for change and act on it – by flushing out racism. Not an easy fight. In the end, what was considered impossible, became possible.

Equal Standard will not only take you through the storm, it will show you that racism is only a mental chain – a chain that can and will be broken in spite of insecurities, beliefs or differences. African American Detective Chris Jones, with Caucasian Detective David McKenzie, reveal that, when McKenzie’s brother’s life is taken by an African American Detective – in a shooting under “Friendly Fire” law. By the end, there are no fingers to point.  Sources:  Official site, equalstandardmovie.com; IMDB.

Trailer:

The Upshaws

Release Date:  5/12/21 – Series Premiere; Netflix
Genre:  Comedy
Rating:  NR
Director(s):  Sheldon Epps, Ken Whittingham, Robbie Countryman, Kelly Park
Studio(s):  Netflix, Push It Productions

Cast:  Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Kim Fields, Page Kennedy, Diamond Lyons, Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins, Jermelle Simon, Gabrielle Dennis, Journey Christine.

Story:  A working-class Black family in Indiana strives for a better life and a happy home while juggling everyday struggles in this comedy series.  Source:  Netflix.

 

 

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Complex

Release Date:  5/11/21; DVD
Genre:  Thriller
Rating:  NR
Director:  Joseph A. Elmore, Jr.
Studio(s):  ElmoreVision Entertainment, Maverick Entertainment Group.
Running Time:  106 mins.
Cast:  Edrick Browne, Tasha Denise, Dominique Perry, Phil Wade.

Story:  The disappearance of a beautiful woman and the murder of another, leads to the investigation of four different families, living inside of one apartment complex.  Source:  Maverick Entertainment.

 

Favorite Son

Release Date:  5/6/21; BET+
Genre:   Drama
Rating:  NR
Director:  Robin Givens
Studio(s):  Swirl Films
Cast:  Rotimi, Serayah, KeKe Wyatt, Jonathan McReynolds, Lisa Arrindell, E. Roger Mitchell.

Story:  Directed by Robin Givens, Favorite Son – adapted from the Tiffany L. Warren novel of the same name – tells the story of two Gospel-singing brothers who are trying to find their own paths while struggling with living under the watchful eyes of their strict father who is also the pastor of a megachurch.  What will happen when faith, family, and scandal collide?  Sources:  bossip.com; blackfilm.com.

Trailer:

Lust:  A Deadly Sins Saga

a/k/a Lust:  A Seven Deadly Sins Story

Release Date:  4/10/21; Lifetime
Genre:  Drama
Rating:  NR
Director:  Star Victoria
Running Time:  Unknown
Studios:  TD Jakes Enterprises, Big Dreams Entertainment, Lifetime.

Cast:  Keri Hilson, LeToya Luckett-Walker, Tobias Truvillion, Durrell ‘Tank’ Babbs, Michael Anthony, Ms. Juicy, Clifton Powell, Phire Whitaker.

Details:  Lifetime TV has teamed up with Bishop TD Jakes to air two new movies, Lust: A Deadly Sins Saga and Envy: A Deadly Sins Saga. Both movies are executive produced by TD Jakes and based on The Seven Deadly Sins anthology written by Victoria Christopher Murray.

Story:  Tiffanie Cooper (Keri Hilson) is about to have the wedding of her dreams, marrying her soul mate, the dashing Damon King (Tobias Truvillion), founder of King Enterprises. When Damon’s old friend Trey Taylor (Durrell “Tank” Babbs) arrives, fresh from prison, to step in as Damon’s best man, Tiffanie’s whole world gets rocked. Trey triggers a passion in Tiffanie that she never expected, and suddenly the life she’s always planned with Damon is uncertain. Trey still carries wounds from his history with Damon, and his intentions toward both Tiffanie and Damon are not to be trusted. Lust: A Deadly Sins Saga also stars Ms. Juicy, LeToya Luckett, and Clifton Powell.  Source/Photo Source:  enspiremag.com.

Trailer:

Envy:  A Deadly Sins Saga

a/k/a Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story

Release Date:   4/17/2021; Lifetime
Genre:  Drama
Rating:  NR
Director:  Damon Lee
Studio(s):   TD Jakes Enterprises, Big Dreams Entertainment, Lifetime.
Running Time:  Unknown

Cast Rose Rollins, Serayah, Kandi Burruss, Donovan Christie, Jr., Gregory Alan Williams, Da Brat, DC Young Fly, Clifton Powell, Hosea Chanchez.

Details:   Lifetime TV has teamed up with Bishop TD Jakes to air two new movies, Lust: A Deadly Sins Saga and Envy: A Deadly Sins Saga. Both movies are executive produced by TD Jakes and based on The Seven Deadly Sins anthology written by Victoria Christopher Murray.

Story:   Gabrielle Flores (Rose Rollins) has it all—a devoted husband, a beautiful daughter, and one of the best PR firms in the country. When Gabrielle’s father suddenly reveals she has a half-sister named Keisha (Serayah), as a result of a brief affair, only-child Gabrielle is delighted to welcome her into her life. But Keisha, who grew up with nothing, wants more than a sisterly bond from Gabrielle—she wants her life and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it.  Source/Photo Source:  enspiremag.com.

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