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Posts published in “Entertainment”

Gabrielle Union Joins Cast of Dramedy "Finally Famous" as Chris Rock's Fiancée

By goodblacknews on March 16, 2014

gabrielle union & chris rock
Chris Rock has recruited Gabrielle Union to be the female lead in his upcoming film, Finally Famous, reports show.  The actress will play Rock’s “popular reality TV star fiancée. Rock, who wrote and directed the film, plays a comedian-turned-film-star itching to be taken seriously by his peers in the acting world. He’s also a recovering alcoholic who owes his sobriety to his fiancée (Union). Her character, eager to be more famous, tries to convince Rock to get married on her show.
Rosario Dawson, who has been known to melt a heart or two in her own right, plays a journalist assigned to interview Rock’s character for a New York magazine. As time passes, their relationship builds, and sparks begin to fly. Here’s the project’s official synopsis:

Andre Allen is a comedian turned film star who, despite the expectations of his millions of fans, is determined to reinvent himself as a “serious” actor. Although his latest pretentiously historical film project is tanking, his upcoming television wedding to pretty, popular reality star, Erica Long, is the biggest media event of the year. In the midst of all the frenzy leading up to his televised nuptials, Andre agrees to be interviewed for the New Yorker by Chelsea Brown, a gorgeous but no-frills young woman with a sharp intelligence that matches his own. It’s a feisty, funny, no-holds-barred interaction that may well change the course of both their lives.

article by Cory Alexander Haywood via eurweb.com

Oprah Winfrey To Release Book Of "What I Know for Sure" Columns

By goodblacknews on March 16, 2014

O magazineOprah Winfrey is set to drop some of her biggest gems in a book based on her “What I Know for Sure” columns published in the back of every O, The Oprah Winfrey Magazine.

The book will be a compilation of the articles that she’s penned since the glossy debuted in 2000.
According to a press release, the essays will be organized by themes– joy, gratitude, awe, possibility and others– and will “offer a rare, powerful and intimate glimpse into Oprah’s inner life– her thoughts, struggles and dreams– while providing readers a guide to becoming their best selves.”
What I Know for Sure will hit shelves Sept. 2.
article by Camille Travis via uptownmagazine.com
 

Standing by Her Story: Anita Hill Is Celebrated in the Upcoming Documentary "Anita"

By goodblacknews on March 14, 2014
Anita Hill, photographed at Brandeis University, is the subject of a documentary, “Anita.” (CreditTony Cenicola/The New York Times)

WALTHAM, Mass. — On the day in 1991 that the Senate confirmed Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, Anita Hill — the little-known law professor who riveted the nation by accusing him of sexual harassment — faced news cameras outside her simple brick home in Norman, Okla., with her mother by her side, and politely declined to comment on the vote.  In the nearly 23 years since, Ms. Hill, now a professor of social policy, law and women’s studies at Brandeis University, has worked hard, she likes to say, to help women “find their voices.” She has also found hers — and she is not afraid to use it.

“I believe in my heart that he shouldn’t have been confirmed,” she said in a recent interview, acknowledging that it irritates her to see Justice Thomas on the court. “I believe that the information I provided was clear, it was verifiable, it was confirmed by contemporaneous witnesses that I had talked with. And I think what people don’t understand is that it does go to his ability to be a fair and impartial judge.”

It was a surprisingly candid comment from a deeply private woman who has long been careful in the spotlight. But the quiet life Ms. Hill has carved out for herself is about to be upended — by her own choice — with the release of a documentary, Anita, opening on March 21 in theaters in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar and Pharrell Team Up For "Spider-Man 2" Soundtrack

By goodblacknews on March 14, 2014

Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, and Pharrell
Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, and Pharrell Williams are combining their musical superpowers. The all-star trio has collaborated on a song for The Amazing Spider-Man 2.  Produced by Pharrell, the Keys-led “It’s On Again” features Kendrick and will appear on the film’s soundtrack.
“I’m very excited to be a part of such a powerful collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, and Hans Zimmer,” said Keys (via Billboard). “This is the next chapter in the Spider-Man legacy and we really feel ‘It’s On Again’ captures the experience, the story—and most importantly—the meaning behind the film, which is that we all have the potential to be extraordinary. There’s a little bit of a super hero in all of us.”
Pharrell added, “Hans has created an iconic score theme and it was exciting to collaborate with him again on this song. When I was making the song, I knew Alicia and Kendrick had to be on it. They take the song to a whole new level.”

Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart and Tim Story Team Up for "Black Phantom"

By goodblacknews on March 11, 2014
Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart and Tim
Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic
Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart are in talks to star in Screen Gems’ Black Phantom, with Ride Along helmer Tim Story in discussions to direct.  If a deal makes, the film would re-team Hart and Story with their Ride Along producer Will Packer, who is producing the pic along with Will Gluck. Packer has long wanted to do the film and, after the success of Ride Along and Foxx’s interest to work with Hart, the project seemed like the perfect match for all four men.
Story follows a double-crossed mob hitman who enlists the help of the Black Phantom, the same African-American hitman who had been sent to kill him.  Dave Lease and Megan Hinds wrote the original screenplay. Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper will oversee the project for the studio.
Foxx has been a favorite of Sony’s for some time, with The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and the Annie reboot bowing this year. Given Hart’s recent box office winning streak, the pairing could be a huge win for Screen Gems.  Hart currently can be seen in Screen Gems’ About Last Night.
article by Justin Kroll via Deadline.com

Malik Yoba Joins Fox Drama Pilot "Empire"

By goodblacknews on March 11, 2014

yobaMalik Yoba is set to co-star opposite Terrence Howard in Fox’s hip-hop industry drama pilot Empire, from Lee Daniels, Danny Strong and Brian Grazer. It centers on Lucious Lyon (Howard), a charismatic, savvy music superstar who is about to take his company, Empire Entertainment, public. Yoba, repped by Innovative and the Arlook Group, will play Vernon Turner, Lucious’s longtime friend from the streets and business associate who is now the chairman of the board of Empire Entertainment.
article by Nellie Andreeva via Deadline.com

Tonight, President Obama Introduces the Premiere Episode of Fox’s "Cosmos"

By goodblacknews on March 9, 2014

neil degrasse tyson
Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Earlier we told you about the reboot of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey hosted by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, which begins airing tonight at 9p/8c on Fox and other Fox Networks Group channels including National Geographic, FX and Nat Geo Mundo.
President Obama will help launch the show with a video message at the beginning of the first broadcast tonight.  The president, according to a release, will be inviting “a new generation to embrace the spirit of discovery and inspires viewers to explore new frontiers and imagine limitless possibilities for the future.”
A screening of the series was held on February 28 at the White House as part of the first-ever White House Student Film Festival.
The launch of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, a reboot of Carl Sagan’s is the first multi-network effort for Fox Networks Group, which includes Fox International Channels and National Geographic Channels International, which means that the President’s introduction and the series premiere will be available on 220 channels in 181 countries, which is more than half a billion homes, reports TheWrap.
Viewers have a second chance to catch each episode at 10pm Monday on National Geographic, with added behind-the-scenes and other bonus footage.
article via eurweb.com

Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Buy Film Rights to WWI Graphic Novel "The Harlem Hellfighters"

By goodblacknews on March 8, 2014
Harlem Hellfighter Book Cover - P 2014

Sony has picked up rights to The Harlem Hellfighters, Max Brooks‘ upcoming graphic novel based on the true story of an African American WWI Army infantry unit.  Caleeb Pinkett and James Lassiter will produce for Overbrook Entertainment.  Hitting stores on April 1st via Broadway Books, The Harlem Hellfighters is based on the Army’s 369th infantry division, an African-American unit fighting in Europe during World War I. Breaking down racial barriers, the unit spent more time in combat than any other American unit, never losing a foot of ground to the enemy, or a man to capture, and went on to win countless decorations.
Though they returned to the U.S. as heroes, the unit faced tremendous discrimination, even from their own government. The story chronicles their journey from the enlistment lines in Harlem to the training camp at Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the trenches in France.  The graphic novel was illustrated by Caanan White. Brooks will also adapt the script.
Brooks, the son of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft, wrote the book World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, which was adapted for Paramount’s Brad Pitt-starring film that grossed $202 million domestically and $540 million worldwide. A sequel is currently in development.
article by Rebecca Ford and Borys Kit via hollywoodreporter.com

Bill Whitaker Named "60 Minutes" Correspondent, 2nd African-American in Show History

By goodblacknews on March 8, 2014

Bill Whitaker of CBS News becomes only the
Bill Whitaker of CBS News becomes only the second African-American correspondent in the history of “60 Minutes,” after Ed Bradley. (Credit: CBS)

Bill Whitaker, a veteran CBS News reporter, has been named a 60 Minutes correspondent, becoming only the second African-American correspondent in the show’s history, after Ed Bradley, who died in 2006.
In a statement, Jeff Fager, 60 Minutes executive producer and chairman of CBS News said, “Bill Whitaker is one of the great veterans of CBS News. He has had a distinguished career covering just about every kind of story all over the world. Bill is a natural fit at ’60 Minutes’ and it’s exciting that he has agreed to join us.”
A Philadelphia native, Whitaker joined CBS in 1984, later reporting from Atlanta, and then in the network’s Tokyo bureau where he covered the uprising at Tiananmen Square. He was later lead reporter on George Bush’s 2000 campaign, and Mitt Romney’s 2008 run. Based in Los Angeles since 1992, he has also been a frequent contributor to Sunday Morning.
Bradley, another Philadelphia native, and a 26-year veteran of 60, was among television news’ respected and honored correspondents over his long run at CBS.
(By the way, this question may come up so just to answer: Byron Pitts, who has appeared on 60 Minutes numerous times, was not officially a “correspondent” for the show, but a contributor – the difference is considerable. There have been many “contributors” to 60 over the years, but very very few 60 Minutes correspondents.)
article by Verne Gay via newsday.com

First Lady Michelle Obama Celebrating Female Soul Singers with Concert at White House

By goodblacknews on March 4, 2014

Michelle Obama
WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama is bringing together an impressive group of female artists for a White House concert celebrating women of soul.  The lineup for Thursday’s concert includes Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Melissa Etheridge and Janelle Monáe. Also performing will be The Voice winner Tessanne Chin, Ariana Grande and Jill Scott.  The show will be streamed live Thursday night on the White House website and broadcast April 7th on PBS stations as Women of Soul: In Performance at the White House.
It is designed to celebrate what the White House describes as great “foremothers” of American music, with songs exploring the struggles and achievements of women.  In connection with the concert, the White House will hold a workshop for students to learn about the history of women in soul.
article via newsone.com