Release Date: 1/14/14 (DVD); 8/16/13 (theatrical)
Genre: Drama/Biography
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 132 mins.
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Director: Lee Daniels
Forest Whitaker (Cecil Gaines)
Oprah Winfrey (Gloria Gaines)
Mariah Carey (Hattie Pearl)
John Cusack (Richard Nixon)
Jane Fonda (Nancy Reagan)
Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Carter Wilson)
Terrence Howard (Howard)
Lenny Kravitz (James Holloway) John F. Kennedy (James Marsden)
Story: The story of a White House butler who served seven American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family. (Synopsis taken from The Weinstein Co., official site).
Category: Upcoming Films
Fruitvale Station
Release Date: 1/14/14 (DVD); 7/12/13 (theatrical)
Genre: Drama/Biography
Rating: R
Running Time: 85 mins.
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Director: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Michael B. Jordan (Oscar Grant)
Melonie Diaz (Sophina)
Octavia Spencer (Wanda)
Kevin Durand (Officer Caruso)
Chad Michael Murray (Officer Ingram)
Story: Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize for dramatic feature and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. True story of Oscar, a 22 year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother, whose birthday falls on New Year’s Eve, being a better partner to his girlfriend, who he hasn’t been completely honest with as of late, and being a better father to T, their beautiful 4 year-old daughter. He starts out well, but as the day goes on, he realizes that change is not going to come easy. He crosses paths with friends, family, and strangers, each exchange showing that there is much more to Oscar than meets the eye. But it would be his final encounter of the day, with police officers at the Fruitvale BART station, that would shake the Bay Area to its very core, and cause the entire nation to be witnesses to the story of Oscar Grant. (Synopsis taken from official Facebook site).
Trailer
Black Coffee
a/k/a Black Coffee, No Sugar, No Cream
Release Date: 1/10/14
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG
Studio: RLJ Entertainment
Director: Mark Harris
Cast: Tiffany Hines (Lia)
Darrin Dewitt Henson (Robert)
Christian Keyes (Julian)
Gabrielle Dennis (Morgan)
Erica Hubbard (Mita)
Brely Evans (Nicole)
Lamman Rucker (Hill)
Story: Robert picked the wrong time to meet his soul mate! After being fired from his own father’s company, he feels like his luck has run out – until Morgan enters into his life. Just as things start to heat up between them, trouble brews as Morgan’s ex-husband vows to get her back and Robert’s gold-digging ex-girlfriend returns with an agenda of her own. With the help of his cousin, Robert’s about to find out how much good can come out of a bad situation in this charming romantic comedy that’s good to the last drop. (Synopsis taken from Movie Insider).
About Last Night
Release Date: February 14, 2014
Title: About Last Night
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Steve Pink
Cast: Michael Ealy
Kevin Hart
Regina Hall (Joan Derrickson)
Joy Bryant (Debbie Sullivan)
Adam Rodriguez
Story: A modern reimagining of the classic romantic comedy, this contemporary version closely follows new love for two couples as they journey from the bar to the bedroom and are eventually put to the test in the real world. (Synopsis taken from sonypictures.com).
Additional Notes: Remake of the 1986 film, which was based on David Mamet’s 1974 play”Sexual Perversity in Chicago.”
A Haunted House 2
Release Date: April 18, 2014
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Rating: Not Available
Studio: Open Road Films
Director: Mike Tidde
Cast: Marlon Wayans ( Malcolm)
Jaime Pressly
Essence Atkins (Kisha)
Affion Crockett (Ray-Ray)
Dave Sheridan (Bob)
Gabriel Iglesias
Story: After exorcising the demons of his ex, is starting fresh with his new girlfriend and her two children. After moving into their dream home, Malcolm is once again plagued by bizarre paranormal events. (Synopsis taken from comingsoon.net).
Black Cinema Connection 