Cast: Anthony Mackie (Hakim Jamal), Zazie Beetz (Dorothy Jamal), Kristen Stewart (Jean Seberg), Margaret Qualley (Linette), Vince Vaughn (Carl Kowalski), Jack O’Connell (Jack Solomon), Stephen Root (Walt Breckman).
Story: Seberg is inspired by true events about the French New Wave darling and Breathless star, Jean Seberg (Kristen Stewart), who in the late 1960s was targeted by the FBI because of her support of the civil rights movement and romantic involvement with Hakim Jamal (Anthony Mackie), among others. In Benedict Andrews’ noir-ish thriller, Seberg’s life and career are destroyed by Hoover’s overreaching surveillance and harassment in an effort to suppress and discredit Seberg’s activism. Source: The Playlist. Photo Source: Shadow & Act.
Release Date:3/6/2020 – Theatrical; 3/20/20 – Apple TV Plus Genre:Drama Rating:PG-13 Director: George Nolfi Studio(s):Romulus Entertainment, Iam21 Entertainment, Apple TV+ Running Time:120 mins.
Cast:Samuel L. Jackson (Joe Morris), Anthony Mackie (Bernard Garrett), Nicholas Hoult (Matt Steiner), Nia Long (Eunice Garrett), Taylor Black (Susie), Jessie T. Usher (Tony Jackson).
Story: Based on a true story, The Banker centers on revolutionary businessmen Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson), who devise an audacious and risky plan to take on the racially oppressive establishment of the 1960’s by helping other African Americans pursue the American dream. Along with Garrett’s wife Eunice (Nia Long), they train a working class white man, Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult), to pose as the rich and privileged face of their burgeoning real estate and banking empire – while Garrett and Morris pose as a janitor and a chauffeur. Their success ultimately draws the attention of the federal government, which threatens everything the two have built. Source: filmstories.co.uk.
Update 11/24/19: On 11/23/19 Fortune reported that weeks into the launch of its nascent streaming service, Apple TV+, the technology giant finds itself navigating potential scandal centering around its first major theatrical release. The Banker was set to arrive in theaters next month ahead of its TV+ release. But sexual abuse allegations leveled against the film’s co-producer, Bernard Garrett Jr. — son of the movie’s main subject — led Apple to delay the release indefinitely, as the filmmakers investigate the claims.
It raises questions about the potential impact on the film and it’s success with Apple. The Banker was scheduled to premiere and close out AFI Fest on Thursday ahead of a theatrical release on December 6, a prime calendar date for awards consideration. Early reports buzzed about the high-profile drama’s potential for Oscars gold. Even a nomination or two just months after Apple’s streaming launch would be a big statement and source of interest for on-the-fence consumers unsure about Apple TV+. Now, with a release date yet to be determined, it’s possible The Banker misses the Dec. 31 deadline to qualify for next year’s Academy Awards.
“We purchased The Banker earlier this year as we were moved by the film’s entertaining and educational story about social change and financial literacy,” Apple said in a statement to Deadline on Wednesday. “Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps. In light of this, we are no longer premiering The Banker at AFI Fest.”
The Banker was Apple’s first big narrative feature starring an A-list cast. Now, it’s not even clear if it will appear on Apple TV+. The company has not yet said anything about the fate of the film on its streaming service. Assuming The Banker eventually does premiere on the service or in theaters, it risks having a cloud hang over it depending on the result of Apple’s investigation. “The outcome has to be positive. If not, [the film’s] just going to be buried,” said Jeff Bock, a senior box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations. “There’s no way around social media. The onslaught never ends if you’re found out on the negative end of that.” Source: Fortune.com.
Release Date:8/4/17; In Theaters Genre:Drama/Based on Actual Events Rating:Unknown Running Time: Unknown Director: Kathryn Bigelow Studio:Annapurna Pictures, First Light Production, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Cast: John Boyega, Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, Ben O’Toole, Hannah Murray, Anthony Mackie, Jacob Latimore, Algee Smith, Joseph David-Jones, Kaitlyn Dever, Jason Mitchell, John Krasinski, Jeremy Strong, and Laz Alonso.
Story: Profiles the story of the infamous Detroit riot of 1967. The film features an ensemble cast of characters to tell the story of why so many citizens decided to rise up, and how the riot expanded so quickly to become so massive that the President had to send in federal troops to get things under control. Source: Firstshowing.net.
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.
Release Date: 1/30/15 (Theatrical Release) Genre: Drama Rating: Unknown Running Time: Unknown Studio: Relativity Media Directors: Mike Binder
Cast: Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Gillian Jacobs, Jennifer Ehle, Anthony Mackie and Bill Burr.
Story: Black or White tells the story of a grandfather (Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When the little girl’s paternal grandmother (Spencer) seeks custody, a legal battle ensues that forces the families to confront their true feelings on race, forgiveness and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white. Source: Official Facebook page; Comingsoon.
Release Date: 6/24/14, DVD; 2/28/14, Theatrical Release Genre: Thriller Rating: R Studio: Codeblack Films/Lionsgate Director: Philippe Caland Cast: Anthony Mackie (Tommy)
Forest Whitaker (Angel Sanchez)
Mike Epps (Ben)
Sanaa Lathan (Maggie)
Nicole Ari Parker (Sophie) Story:Years after a drunken car crash that almost took his life, Thomas Carter (Anthony Mackie) has reinvented himself as a therapist/spiritual advisor who advocates a synthesis of world religions and positivity. He’s parlayed this vocation into a successful book release that one day draws the attention of Angel Sanchez (Forest Whitaker), a profoundly troubled man fixated on the “untimely” death of his mother. When Carter takes on Sanchez as a personal client in an effort to raise funds for his indebted brother Ben (Mike Epps), things quickly take a turn for the worse. Angel needs much more than a simple life coach. What may be simple to grasp for some is the idea that single actions in the past comprise tidal waves of reactions in the present. (Synopsis taken from Lionsgate).
Release Date: 12/13/19; In Theaters
Black Cinema Connection 