Tag: Made-for-TV

Whitney

Whitney and Bobby movie promo]a/k/a  I Will Always Love You: The Whitney Houston Story

Release Date:  1/17/15 (Lifetime)
Genre:  Drama/Biography
Rating: Not Available
Studio:  Lifetime
Director:  Angela BassettWhitney Still

Cast:  Yaya DaCosta (Whitney Houston), Arlen Escarpeta (Bobby Brown), Yolonda Ross (Robyn Crawford), Suzzanne Douglas (Cissy Houston), Mark Rolston (Clive Davis).

Details:  On 12/3/14 Shadow and Act reported, Whitney chronicles the headline-making relationship between the iconic singer, actress, producer and model Whitney Houston and singer and songwriter Bobby Brown from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity to their courtship and tumultuous marriage.  Houston’s vocal performances in the film are sung by Deborah Cox. The music featured in the film includes Houston’s hits “The Greatest Love of All,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” “I’m Every Woman” and “I Will Always Love You” as well as Brown’s “Every Little Step.”  Source:  Shadow and Act.

Trailer:

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On 7/16/14 The New York Daily News reported, the first images from I Will Always Love You: The Whitney Houston Story were released earlier this week, one of which shows DaCosta recreating Houston’s iconic cover for her 1987 album “Whitney.” The other shows Escarpeta hugging DaCosta in a pose familiar to how Brown and Houston were often photographed.

One thing DaCosta won’t be recreating is the “Greatest Love of All” singer’s vocals. E! News reports that R&B star Deborah Cox will supply the vocal tracks for the actress’ musical performances.

The biopic, which is being directed by Houston’s Waiting to Exhale co-star Angela Bassett, is currently filming and is expected to debut on Lifetime in 2015.  Source:  The New York Daily News, IMDB.  Photo Source:  The Wrap.

According to an article published by the Daily Mail Reporter, former America’s Next Top Model contestant, Yaya Dacosta Alafia, will play Whitney Houston in an upcoming Lifetime Original Movie biopic set for release in 2015. According to Shadow and Act, the TV movie, tentatively titled “Whitney Houston” will chronicle the headline-making relationship between the iconic singer, actress, producer and model and singer, songwriter Bobby Brown. It will be set in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s, during the early years of the couple’s relationship from the first time they met to their courtship and tumultuous marriage. Veteran actress Angela Bassett will make her directorial debut from a script penned by Shem Bitterman, who also wrote the 2013 Lifetime Original Movie, Betty & Coretta, in which Bassett starred in the title role of Coretta Scott King.

Alafia has some mighty big shoes to fill in playing the legendary diva, but the former reality TV star does have some acting experience as she previously had roles in All My Children, Ugly Betty, House, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Big Words, The Kids Are All Right, and TRON: Legacy.

While many fans are excited about the project, according to TMZ, Whitney’s family is ‘pissed’ about the made-for-television movie because they feel she deserves so much more. Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law, told the gossip site:  “Whitney is certainly worthy of more than a television movie. If Whitney were here today, this would not be happening.”  Whitney’s estate has reportedly already informed Lifetime of their displeasure and is said to be threatening a lawsuit if the network refuses to cancel production. The singer’s loved ones are planning their own big screen movie in the style of Michael Jackson’s This Is It, which they feel would be a more fitting tribute to the musical icon.  Sources: Daily Mail Reporter, Shadow and Act, TMZ.

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Bessie

Bessie Still a/k/a Blue Goose Hollow
Release Date:  5/16/15 (HBO)
Genre:  Drama/Biography
MPAA Rating:  Not Available
Studio(s):  Flavor Unit, Zanuck Company, Shelby Stone Productions, HBO
Director:  Dee Rees

Cast:  Queen Latifah (Bessie Smith), Michael K. Williams (Jack Gee), Tika Sumpter (Lucille), Khandi Alexander (Viola), Mike Epps (Richard), Mo’Nique (Ma Rainey), Charles S. Dutton (William “Pa” Rainey), Bryan Greenberg (John Hammond), Oliver Platt (Carl Van Vechten).

Story:  Film focuses on Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” who became one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and is an enduring icon today.  Source:  HBO.

See Critics’ Connection for what the critics said about this film.

Trailer:

Teaser:

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Update:  Shadow & Act reported on 2/24/15 that the film will offer an intimate look at the determined woman whose immense talent and love for music took her from anonymity in the rough-and-tumble world of vaudeville to the 1920s blues scene and international fame, capturing her professional highs and personal lows, and ultimate legend.

On July 10th, Eurweb reported that HBO released a cast list and other details regarding its upcoming film Bessie.  Co-stars include Michael K. Williams (Boardwalk Empire) as Bessie’s husband Jack; Khandi Alexander (Scandal) as Bessie’s big sister, Viola; Mike Epps as Richard, a bootlegger and romantic interest; Tika Sumpter (The Haves and Have Nots) as Lucille, a performer and romantic interest; Tory Kittles (True Detective) as Bessie’s older brother Clarence; Oliver Platt, as fame photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten; Charles Dutton as Ma Rainey’s husband, William “Pa” Rainey; and Oscar winner Mo’Nique as blues legend Ma Rainey.

Written and directed by Dee Rees, the movie will focus on “Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into ‘Empress of the Blues’ and one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s,” notes HBO in a statement.  Source(s):  Eurweb, HBO.

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Details:  Rapper, award winning actress, and talk show host Queen Latifah will star in and executive produce a biopic for HBO based on the life of iconic blues singer Bessie Smith. Known as the “Empress of the Blues” and considered the greatest blues singer of all time, Smith sang alongside Ma ‘Mother of the Blues’ Rainey at an early age. She later performed in minstrel shows and cabarets to become a successful singer and vaudevillian actress and eventually rose to become the most acclaimed and highly paid African American entertainer of the 1920s and ’30s. In spite of her many successes, Smith fought to overcome the challenges of a stormy personal life, including a tempestuous marriage and bisexual relationships. Her career took a hit due to alcoholism and the Great Depression, and as she was trying to make a comeback, she lost her life in a major car accident.

The film is based on Chris Albertson’s biography Bessie and the screenplay is being penned by Dee Rees, writer-director of the critically acclaimed Pariah. According to a Shadow and Act columnist, who viewed a February 2014 draft of the screenplay, it features 20 musical numbers and the story is “a wild ride led by Bessie’s bubbling personality, free-wheeling style and push to steer her own life and career. Her character is portrayed as brash, feisty and unafraid to fight, which makes her an electric performer but wreaks havoc in her personal life.”

It is rumored that production is set to begin this month (mid-June 2014) in Atlanta. (Sources: Moviepilot; Project Casting; Shadow and Act).

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My Name is Love: The Darlene Love Story

Darlene LoveStatus:  Announced
Release Date: TBA
Genre:  Drama/ Biography
Rating:  Not Available
Studio:  OWN
Director: TBA
Cast: Toni Braxton (Darlene Love)

Details:  On 4/3/14 Black America Web reported that The Oprah Winfrey Network announced today that Toni Braxton is set to star as Darlene Love in the network’s first scripted TV film My Name is Love: The Darlene Love Story.  Executive produced by Oprah Winfrey and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (Twenty Feet From Stardom), the film features the story of one of the 1960’s iconic musical voices, Darlene Love. Love began cutting records for producer Phil Spector right out of high school, and went on to work with some of the greatest musical talents in history, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen.

Whether it was the wild parties Tom Jones used to throw, how Elvis came on to her backstage at his 1968 comeback special, or her love affair with Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, Love holds nothing back as she recalls the exciting events that make up her life. This is the dishy and dramatic story of a woman who had it all, lost it all, but never, ever refused to give up. Love will also serve as an executive producer.  Source(s):  Black America Web.  Photo credit:  Biography.com.

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Drumline: A New Beat

DrumlineRelease Date:  10/27/14
Genre:  Comedy/Drama
Rating:  Not Available
Studio(s):  Fox Television Studios /VH1 Television
Director:  Billie Woodruff
Cast:  Nick Cannon (Devon Miles), Alexandra Shipp (Dani), Jordan Calloway (Jayven), Leonard Roberts (Sean Taylor), Lisa Arrindell Anderson (Lois Bolton), Letoya Luckett (Dr. Nia Phillips), Jasmine Burke (Tasha), Kamille Leai (Lori) Jackie Goldston (Dean Scott), Rome Flynn (Leon), Scott Shilstone (Josh), Jeff Pierre (Tyree)

Story:  Drumline: A New Beat will focus on a new set of characters at Atlanta A&T University — the setting of the original movie. The story follows Dani Bolton (Shipp), an upper-class Brooklyn girl who defies her parents in order to attend Atlanta A&T so she can join — and revitalize — its once-prominent drumline.

Dani’s quest to become the first female section leader of the drumline in the school’s history will be hampered by upperclassmen, including her cousin, Tyree (Jeff Pierre, Glee), head of the percussion section and her feelings for fellow bandmate Jayven (Jordan Calloway, Unfabulous), an extremely gifted, yet cocky freshman.

Leonard Roberts will reprise his role as Sean Taylor, now a determined band director looking to make his mark at his alma mater while navigating the ghosts of his past. Cannon will executive produce and reprise his role as Devon Miles in a cameo. Letoya Luckett (Single Ladies) will portray Dr. Nia Phillips, the intelligent and determined dean at Atlanta A&T with former romantic ties to Sean. Her support of Sean’s return to lead A&T’s band proves to be difficult as the Panthers take on a rival band led by Phillips’ ex-husband — and Sean’s brother — Kevin Taylor. Jasmine Burke (Ride Along) is set as Tasha Williams, one of Dani’s roommates who is wooed by Josh (Scott Shilstone, Now You See Me).  Source: The Hollywood Reporter.

Trailer:

Teaser:

Details:  The first Drumline featured a talented street drummer from Harlem who enrolls in a Southern university, was a success for Fox, grossing close to $60 million. The sequel may be a possible pilot to a potential Drumline series on VH-1. Source(s): Deadline; Shadow & Act.

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Apple Mortgage Cake

Apple Mortgage Cake

Release Date:  April 20, 2014 (UP Network)
Genre:  Drama/Based on true events
Rating:  Unknown
Running Time:  Unknown
Studio: UP TV Network
Director:  Michael Scott
Cast:  Kimberly Elise (Angela)
Kevin Hanchard (Melvin)
Lamar Johnson (Nicolas)
Stephan James (William)
A.J. Saudin (Marcus)

        Story:  According to the official site:

The inspirational true story of a woman who decides to bake 100 apple cakes and sell them at $40 each in order to save her home – and how this idea completely changes her and her family.

Angela is a single, working mom with three teenage boys.  She juggles various jobs and helps with employment counseling at the local Mission. While thrilled to be in the family home where she learned to bake, the house is falling apart, with sections deemed uninhabitable by inspectors after storm and flood damage. Plus, the car just decided not to start – and the boys all still need shoes, books and food.

She has always made due until now – when her lender calls in the mortgage loan and puts her into foreclosure. Angela has 10 days to come up with $4000 or she loses her home. This is the true story of a woman who decides to bake 100 apple cakes and sell them at $40 each in order to save her home – and how this idea completely changes her and her family.

Word of her “bake sale” soon spreads to the news, locally, nationally and internationally. Orders fly in from all over the world. Angela is taken off guard by the overwhelming support. But soon, this fiercely independent woman learns to depend on the kindness and love of others that comes her way, particularly when the community and local businesses rally around Angela to help her finish and ship the initial stack of orders.  Source(s):  uptv, official site; IMDB.

Trailer

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A Day Late and a Dollar Short

A Day Late and A Dollar ShortRelease Date: April 19, 2014 (Lifetime)
Genre: Drama
Rating: N/R
Studio: Lifetime Television
Director: Stephen Tolkin

Cast: Whoopi Goldberg (Viola), Lyriq Bent (Randall), Ving Rhames (Cecil),  Mekhi Phifer (Lewis), Anika Noni Rose Rose (Paris), Kimberly Elise (Janelle), Tichina Arnold (Charlotte).

Story:  Based on The New York Times bestseller by Terry McMillan. When irascible matriarch Viola Price learns that her next asthma attack will likely kill her, she is determined to fix her fractured family before she leaves this world, from her relationship with her husband to the lives of her four children and grandchildren. Viola must contend with sibling rivalry, teen pregnancy and drug addiction with one child while her jailbird son needs to learn how to be a better father, her granddaughter is in bigger trouble than her daughter is willing to admit and Viola’s estranged husband needs saving from his scheming younger girlfriend. Viola won’t have an easy time bending her loved ones to her will. Source: Shadow and Act. Photo: mylifetime.com

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