Showing Roots

Showing RootsRelease Date:   5/26/16; Lifetime
Genre:   Drama
Rating:  NR
Director:  Michael Wilson
Studio(s):   Michael Mailer Films, Upload Films
Cast:   Uzo Aduba, Maggie Grace, Adam Brody, Elizabeth McGovern, Viva Bianca, Cicely Tyson.

Story  Set in 1977, Showing Roots explores the pent up racial tensions of a small town through the eyes of two women (Maggie Grace and Uzo Aduba), who work together at the local beauty parlor.  They forge an unlikely friendship and become inspired to integrate their town when the miniseries Roots hits the airwaves – much to the dismay of those around them.  Source:  Lifetime.

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All The Way

All The WayRelease Date:  5/21/16; HBO
Genre:   Drama/Biography
Rating:  NR
Director:  Jay Roach
Studio(s):   Amblin Entertainment, HBO Films, Moon Shot Entertainment, Tale Told Productions

Cast:  Anthony Mackie (Martin Luther King, Jr.), Bryan Cranston (Lyndon B. Johnson), Bradley Whitford (Hubert Humphrey), Stephen Root (J. Edgar Hoover), Frank Langella (Senator Richard Russell), Melissa Leo (Lady Bird Johnson), Joe Morton (Roy Wilkins) Ethan Phillips (Joe Alsop), Toby Huss (Governor Johnson), Aisha Hinds (Fannie Lou Hamer), Mo McRae (Stokely Carmichael).

Story:   All The Way offers a riveting behind-the scenes look at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s tumultuous first year in office after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  Staking his presidency on what would be an historic unprecedented Civil Rights Act, Johnson finds himself caught between the moral imperative of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the expectations of the southern Democratic Party leaders who brought Johnson to power. As King battles to press Johnson while controlling more radical elements of the Civil Rights Movement, Johnson navigates the bill through Congress, winning a landslide victory against Barry Goldwater, but causing the South to defect from the Democratic Party.  Source:  HBO.

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The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story

The Real MVP The Wanda Durant Story

Release Date:  5/7/16; Lifetime
Genre:  Drama/Biography
Rating:  NR
Running Time:  Unknown
Director:  Nelson George

Cast:  Daniel Bellomy (Kevin Durant), Cassandra Freeman (Wanda Durant), Romuald Hivert (Joel), Tracie Thoms (Demetria), Pauletta Washington (Barbara).

Story:  Basketball great Kevin Durant of The Oklahoma City Thunder captured the hearts of the nation when he accepted the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player Award with his emotional speech crediting all of his success to his mother, Wanda, naming her “the real MVP.”

Executive produced by Queen Latifah and her Flavor Unit team, the inspiring true story of The Real MVP begins with Wanda, a single mom of two by the time she was 21, working tirelessly to make ends meet and put a roof over the heads of her young sons. With the support of her mother and her best friend, Wanda focused all her energy on keeping her boys out of trouble and on the basketball court, selflessly putting aside her own dreams and desires to make sure their goals could be achieved. Her hard work paid off as her son Tony earned basketball scholarships and graduated from college while Kevin pursued his dream of playing in the NBA.  Source:  Lifetime.com.

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Chasing Waterfalls

Chasing WaterfallsRelease Date:  5/8/16; TV One
Genre:   Drama
Rating:  NR
Running Time:  Unknown
Director:  Ryan Richmond
Cast:  Drew Sidora, Jasmine Guy, Tim Reid, Joyful Drake, Daniel May, Kisa Willis.

Story:  Chasing Waterfalls is the modern telling of the biblical Book of David transported to the cut-throat world of fashion.

Olivia, an up-and-coming fashion designer gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work for icon Salma Barrie.  But things go out of control when Olivia must step up to save the company and fight against a former co-worker who has started a competing company.

Chasing Waterfalls navigates the treacherous, cutthroat waters of the fashion industry while gently teaching viewers about obedience, faithfulness and God’s grace. The story follows the journey of Olivia (Sidora), an aspiring fashion designer, who is striving for success while working for Salma Barrie, the owner of a once fruitful, eponymous clothing brand. As she jumps at the opportunity to become the new fashion “It Girl,” Olivia must balance her family responsibilities, especially the caring of her aging father Quincy (Tim Reid) and troublesome sister Coco (Kisa Willis).

As a result of Salma Barrie’s lead designer Hiram Locke (Daniel May) defecting to launch a high-profile competing line, Olivia is given an opportunity to help her suffering firm by introducing her own designs. Her life quickly spirals out-of-control as she takes advantage of and hurts the people who helped her along the way including her closest ally, Salma’s son Cabot (Redaric Williams).  Matters become dire when Salma’s daughter Doreen (Joyful Drake) hatches her own plan for the company. Salma, who though pleased with the success of her brand, her jealousy towards Olivia could bring this fashion house toppling down.  Sources:  TV One, It Needs To Be CED.

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Second Sight

Second SightRelease Date:   4/23/16 (TV One)
Genre:  Thriller
Rating:  NR
Running Time:  Unknown
Director:  Michael Scott
Studio:  Digilab Productions, TV One

Cast:  Tatyana Ali (Clara Randall) Sharif Atkins (Richard), Marla Gibbs (Nana), Denise Boutte (Tamara), Texas Battle (Tony), Jessica Pressley (Mary Ann)

Story:  Clara Randall (Tatyana Ali) is living in a waking nightmare, haunted by psychic visions of a kidnapped girl. Terrified for the little girl, she realizes she must take matters into her own hands. On a mission, she follows clues from her visions that lead to the young girl’s location. But along the way, devastating secrets are revealed about the people she loves most in the world.  Source:  TV One.

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The Other Side

Release Date:  8/1/18
Genre:  Drama
Rating:  TV-MA
Running Time:  138 mins.
Director:   Warren Pemberton
Studio:  The Other Side Productions, Soul Rebel Entertainment, Usman Sharif Productions

Cast:   Erica Hubbard (Gemma), Brad James (Allen), Altovise Lawrence (Kiya), Miguel A. Núñez, Jr. (Tobias), Roger Guenveur Smith (Martin), Cocoa Brown (Wedding Planner).

Story:  When Gem decided to invite her long-lost friend to be the Maid of Honor in her wedding, Allen, her fiancé, had no clue he’d be meeting Kiya, a wildly outspoken lesbian novelist.  Though an aspiring writer himself, Allen finds not a friend in his new house-guest, but a rival for Gem’s attention.  Eventually, the soon-to-be husband discovers there’s a lot more to the story than his fiancée explained.  Source:  theotherside-movie (Official Site).

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