Carl Weber’s Influence

Release Date:  2/20/20; BET+
Genre:   Drama/Thriller
Rating:   NR
Director:  Trey Haley
Studio(s):   Influence Productions, Tri Destined Studios, Urban Books Media, BET Films
Running Time:  Unknown
Cast  Roger Gueneveur Smith, Deborah Cox, Kellita Smith, Columbus Short, Nadine Ellis, Gary Dourdan, Anthony Hamilton, Drew Sidora, Bebe Drake, Broderick Hunter, Todd Anthony.

Story:   Best selling author, Carl Weber introduces us to the Hudsons, a family of African-American lawyers lead by famed attorney Bradley Hudson. Bradley is the Johnnie Cochran of our time; and along with his son Lamont, daughter Desiree and new wife Carla, the Hudsons make up some of the best legal minds in the country. They are going to need it to defend Grammy award winning singer Savannah against the murder charges of killing her celebrity husband Kyle Kirby.  Source:  Blackfilm.com.

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Media

mediaRelease Date:  2/25/17; TV One
Genre:  Drama
Running Time:  Unknown
Director:  Craig Ross, Jr.
Studio:   TV One

Cast:   Penny Johnson Jerald (Jackie Jones), Brian White (Michael Jones), Gary Dourdan (Jabbar Randolph), Stephen Bishop (Will Randolph), Chrystee Pharris (Crystal Jones), Blue Kimble (Anthony Jones), Pooch Hall (Clay), Denise Boutte.

Story:   Media is a backdoor pilot to a potential series that will explore the drama and secrets behind a powerful family dynasty.  The TV movie is described as a riveting story of a wealthy family battling the competitive challenges of keeping their status and position in the communications industry. Passion, intrigue and murder become a lethal recipe for powerful matriarch Jackie Jones and her children. Jackie is the founder of Jones Universal Media Properties, aka JUMP, the world’s premier urban media conglomerate. A family tragedy forces her son, prominent lead city attorney and prosecutor Michael Jones, to abandon his political aspirations and take over the company just as a ruthless rival challenges JUMP’s longtime domination of a lucrative industry. Michael is confronted by sins of the past, and the dangers of the present when Jabbar Randolph, CEO of JUMP’s biggest competitor, is released from prison. Grabbing back the reigns from his brother, Will, Jabbar embarks on a mission of revenge, betrayal and corporate intrigue.  Source:  Deadline, Shadow and Act.

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Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story

The Miki Howard Story stillRelease Date:  6/1/16 (TV One)
Genre:  Biography
Rating:  NR
Running Time:  Unknown
Director:  Christine Swanson
Cast:  Teyonah Parris (Miki Howard), Gary Dourdan (Augie Johnson), Darius McCrary (Gerald Levert), Amari Cheatom (Eddie Phelps), LisaRaye McCoy (Sylvia Rhone), Vanessa Bell Calloway (Josephine Howard).

Story:  Teyonah Parris stars in the TV One Original Movie The Miki Howard Story. Parris plays the R&B/Jazz singer and actress who enjoyed mainstream success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a string of top 10 hits including “Come Share My Love,” “Baby, Be Mine,” “Love Under New Management,” and others.

The film will cover 30+ years of Howard’s life, including both professional and personal trials and triumphs.  Also starring Darius McCrary as Gerald Levert, Gary Dourdan as Augie Johnson, LisaRaye is Sylvia Rhone, Amari Cheatom as Eddie Phelps and Vanessa Bell Calloway as Josephine Howard.  Christine Swanson is directing from a script written by Rhonda Baraka, which is based on a yet to be released biography by Miki Howard.  Source:  Shadow and Act.

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For The Love of Ruth

For The Love of Ruth

Release Date:  5/9/15 (TV One)
Genre:  Drama
Rating:  NR
Studio(s):  Swirl Films
Running Time:  Unknown
Director:  Christine Swanson

Cast:  Denise Boutté (Ruth), Gary Dourdan (Braxton), Loretta Devine (Naomi Marachond), James Pickens, Jr. (Stephen).

Story:  Inspired by the biblical story, For The Love of Ruth follows the journey of Ruth Sommerling (Boutté), who, orphaned as a child and currently residing in a women’s shelter has lived a life filled with pain and disappointment. In rapid succession, Ruth marries Nicholas Marachond, but a dreadful accident leaves her widowed. Refusing to abandon the new family ties she’s formed, Ruth develops a close bond with Naomi Marachond (Devine). As the matriarch of the Marachond family, Naomi introduces Ruth to the fullness that a life filled with faith and loyalty presents. However, Naomi’s brother-in-law Stephen (Pickens, Jr.) discourages this connection and voices his suspicion of Ruth’s intentions. Ultimately, the love she desired all her life is found in Naomi’s reclusive cousin, Braxton (Dourdan) who despite objections from others showers Ruth with an outpouring of love and kindness. Source: TV One.

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Mysterious Ways

Mysterious WaysRelease Date 4/21/15 (DVD); Release Year (2014)
Genre:  Drama/Inspirational
Rating:  Unrated
Running Time:  79 mins.
Studio:  Image Entertainment
Director:  Dan Garcia
Cast:  Wendy Raquel Robinson, Gary Dourdan, Erica Atkins Campbell, Telma Hopkins.

Story:  The day a hit and run driver took the life of her little boy, Marilyn (Wendy Raquel Robinson) died inside. Not even the passing of time, the love of a good man or a job as choir director at her church could bring her peace. But a chance encounter with a mysterious homeless man, who calls himself Mozart (Gary Dourdan), will change Marilyn’s world and let her see that there are no accidents, and true healing starts with forgiveness. Source: Image Entertainment.

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