by Alsander Womack “One Night In Miami,” aired Jan. 8, an American drama directed by Regina King. The movie is a fictional account where four icons, Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) got together in a hotel to celebrate, or at least they … Continue reading
Tag Archives: film
Study: More women, minorities being hired as TV directors
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The hiring of ethnic minorities and women as first-time TV series directors is up sharply, according to a Directors Guild of America study released Wednesday. They’re part of record growth and diversity in the “pipeline” of incoming directors, the study of the 2016-17 TV season found. The percentage of minority first-time … Continue reading
‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle’ dethrones ‘It’ with $39M debut
NEW YORK (AP) — The R-rated spy comedy “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” displaced the horror sensation “It” as the No. 1 film in North America, while the second “Lego Movie” spinoff of the year didn’t assemble the expected audience. The 20th Century Fox release opened with a weekend-leading $39 million debut, according to studio estimates … Continue reading
Tennis anyone? Toronto serves up Borg-McEnroe biopic
TORONTO (AP) — Though seldom a smash on the big screen, tennis movies took center court at the Toronto International Film Festival, where “Borg/McEnroe” opened the annual festival Thursday. The film, starring Shia LaBeouf as John McEnroe and Sverrir Gudnason as Bjorn Borg, is the opening volley in the ten-day Canadian festival, a premiere launching … Continue reading
Celebrities / Movies / TV
Did ‘Thelma & Louise’ move the needle for female-led films?
NEW YORK (AP) — When Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon clasped hands, stepped on the gas and flew over the canyon ridge in that memorable ending to “Thelma & Louise,” many in Hollywood believed they were launching more than that turquoise Thunderbird. It was 1991, and the expectation — or at least the hope … Continue reading
“Fences” will end 2016 with a bang
by Daniel Smallwood Opening in theaters on Christmas Day, the “Fences” movie is directed by two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, who takes the director’s chair for the first time since 2007 in “The Great Debaters.” “Fences” was written by August Wilson, adapted from his own Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play from 1987. The … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Celebrities / Education / Local / Movies / Technology / TV / Virginia
Virginia Production Alliance and HRBMP to meet with MCJR majors during November
The Department of Mass Communications and Journalism is hosting the monthly meeting of two professional groups on campus during November. All MCJR majors are cordially invited to attend the monthly meetings of the following two organizations. Both events are free. The Virginia Production Alliance (film) Wednesday, November 16th 6:30-9:00 pm Archives Orientation Room 2nd Floor, … Continue reading
Celebrities / Movies / National / Politics
Nate Parker brings “The Birth of a Nation” home
by J.Ashlee Actor, director, producer and writer Nate Parker is finally stamping his mark in the film-making industry. Parker has already made his mark in the acting world by appearing in amazing films such as “The Great Debaters” and starring in “Beyond the Lights.” Now, with the upcoming movie release of “The Birth of a … Continue reading
Campus Life / Celebrities / Local / Movies / Politics
Nate Parker visits NSU to promote new film
by Malik Glaspie Norfolk State’s Brown Theater had a full audience Tuesday, Sept. 27, to hear a lecture from Nate Parker. Nate Parker is an actor, writer, director, producer, and musical performer who has played a part in numerous films such as The Great Debaters, Non-Stop, Red Tails, and Beyond the Lights. Parker is also … Continue reading
Campus Life / Celebrities / Education / Local / Movies
Nate Parker on campus Tuesday, Sept. 27
Dalian Wanda, Sony to partner on multiple big-budget movies
BEIJING (AP) — China’s Dalian Wanda Group and Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group have formed a partnership to cooperate on multiple big-budget movies, marking another step into the global film industry by the Chinese conglomerate. Wanda, which already owns AMC Theaters and bought Legendary Entertainment for $3.5 billion in January, said it would both … Continue reading
Flush with opportunities, Chris Pratt plays a new hand
TORONTO (AP) — The offer to star in Antoine Fuqua’s “The Magnificent Seven” came to Chris Pratt while he was on a hunting trip with friends, listening to an audio book of Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove.” Having recently learned some card tricks of his own, the part — a gun-slinging card sharp — felt like … Continue reading
Celebrities / Movies / National / Politics
Nate Parker’s “Birth of a Nation” greatly anticipated
by Daniel Smallwood The year of 2016 has seen a ton of great movies already this year, but Nate Parker’s “A Birth of a Nation” remake is one of the most appreciated movies of the year. “The Birth of a Nation,” is set to release Oct. 7. The movie is a film that tells the … Continue reading
‘La La Land’ wins Toronto Film Festival audience award
TORONTO (AP) — Damien Chazelle’s modern-day musical “La La Land” received the top award from the 41st Toronto International Film Festival. “La La Land” was honored Sunday with the festival’s People’s Choice award, which is determined by audience voting. The film stars Emma Stone as an aspiring actress and Ryan Gosling as a jazz pianist. … Continue reading
Celebrities / Movies / National / Politics
The rebirth of “The Birth of a Nation”
by Quenten Crider With several new movies on the horizon, 2016 looks to be in great shape to finish off the year strong in the box office. One of those movies set to release on Oct. 7, “The Birth of a Nation,” is already receiving mixed reviews, backlash and overall controversy. The level of attention and … Continue reading
On view at Toronto Film Festival: The future of movies
NEW YORK (AP) — Prophecy abounds at the Toronto International Film Festival. Pundits pronounce Oscar guarantees. Buzz, the most cherished commodity at the festival, is measured and speculated on like stock prices. But this year’s festival, teaming with diversity on screen and behind the camera, stuffed to the gills with not just more than 300 … Continue reading
Books / Celebrities / TV
‘Downton’ author brings one of his favorite novelists to TV
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Respect is due Julian Fellowes, who as a prolific writer has conquered TV with Emmy-winning “Downton Abbey,” film with “Gosford Park,” which earned him an Oscar, and theater with “School of Rock — The Musical,” a Tony Award nominee. So which author does he most admire? Anthony Trollope, at least among … Continue reading
Gov. McAuliffe announces movie starring Adrian Grenier and Mimi Rogers to film in Norfolk, Virginia
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced May 23 that producers of the upcoming political thriller Public Affairs have selected Norfolk, Virginia as their filming location. The project will star Adrian Grenier (Entourage) and Mimi Rogers (Hope Springs), and will be directed by Sundance alum and DGA-award winner Eric Bross (Restaurant). The film was written by … Continue reading
Following vaccine controversy, Tribeca rolls out red carpet
NEW YORK (AP) — The 15th annual Tribeca Film Festival kicked off fashionably with the premiere of Andrew Rossi’s “The First Monday in May,” a behind-the-scenes documentary about the mounting of an ambitious fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the museum’s annual star-studded Met Gala. The film is an intimate and lively … Continue reading
Batman v Superman expected to make big box office
by Julian Washington Superhero movies are on the rise in the theaters. They can range from a comedy like Deadpool to an action packed movie like Captain America: Civil War. Batman v Superman has been on every person’s watch list because it is two of the best superheroes going head to head. “It is going … Continue reading
Pakistani Oscar-nominated film tackles ‘honor’ killings
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — When Saba Qaiser was 19 years old, her uncle and father shot her in the head, stuffed her in a bag and threw into a river to die. They said she had shamed her family when she married the boy of her choice. She crawled from the water, severely wounded. It … Continue reading
Former Spartan makes it big in Hollywood
by Malik Glaspie Norfolk State University is home to many notable alumni in many professions of the working world; of the many Spartans J.B. Smoove has been making waves in the Hollywood scene. Born Jerry Angelo Brooks, Smoove is an American actor, writer, comedian, and voice actor; he is mostly known for his work on … Continue reading
Next “Star Wars” pushed back for Christmas release
by Justin Bell Fans of the biggest domestic movie of all time will have to wait almost two years to join the adventure of Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren. Star Wars: Episode VIII has been postponed for an additional seven months to put on the final touches and to have another Christmas weekend opening. Star Wars: … Continue reading
Aging mobster acquitted in 1978 heist retold in ‘Goodfellas’
NEW YORK (AP) — An aging mobster who stayed mostly in the shadows for decades by adhering to the Mafia’s strict code of silence was acquitted Thursday of charges he helped plan a legendary 1978 Lufthansa heist retold in the hit film “Goodfellas.” A federal jury reached the surprising verdict at a Brooklyn racketeering trial … Continue reading
Celebrities / Movies / National / TV
Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — While characters wearing eyeglasses — real or as props —are commonplace in movies and TV, hearing aids are seldom seen on the screen — especially on leading ladies. That’s why actress Tessa Thompson was so honored to portray a strong woman character who wears the devices in the upcoming Rocky franchise spinoff, … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 