WELP! Black People Are Being Pushed Out Of Atlanta” Billboard An anti-gentrification billboard is making national headlines. On Atlanta’s I-285 highway, drivers are seeing a billboard that reads, “Black people are being pushed out of Atlanta”—which is indeed true. In addition to the message, however, there’s a deeper meaning behind it. The billboard is actually advertising a documentary from Black Channel Films. The doc is called “Gentrified” and it’s said to explore “the unspoken ethnic component behind the most devastating socioeconomic movement in American society today.” According to The AJC , the film was shown at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore in Atlanta. It was also followed by a Q&A with Mary Gill of WAOK 1380 AM. The documentary will also be shown in New York, Chicago, London, Detroit, Houston and Washington D.C. It’s interesting to see gentrification explored in depth in a project like this. Do YOU think your city has a gentrification problem???
The ABFF Honors Brings Out Black Hollywood THE 2017 “BET PRESENTS THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL HONORS” took place on Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Comedy queen Regina Hall kept the audience laughing as host of the evening’s festivities. The annual event celebrates Black culture by honoring individuals, movies and television shows that have had a significant impact on American entertainment. Actor and director Denzel Washington was honored with the “Hollywood Legacy Award,” musician and actress Queen Latifah with the “Entertainment Icon Award,” writer, producer and actress Issa Rae with the “Rising Star Award,” film director and producer F. Gary Gray with the “Excellence in the Arts Award” and actor and singer, Terrence Howard with the “Excellence in the Arts Award.” Viola Davis, Common, Pharrell Williams, Lee Daniels, Morris Chestnut, Omari Hardwick and Anika Noni Rose and took the stage as presenters while Maxwell and Dionne Farris performed their hits from the film “Love Jones,” which received the “Classic Cinema Award.” Special appearances by Cecily Tyson, Jay Ellis, Kofi Siroboe, Nia Long, Larenz Tate, Alexandra Shipp, Luke James, Kylie Bunbury and more… ABFF Honors will air on BET on Wednesday, February 22, at 8:00pm EST Hit the flip for more photos from the big night, don’t forget to weigh in on Who Looked More Bangin! WENN
Jurnee Smollett-Bell Says She Was Never A Child Star And “Underground” Isn’t A Slavery Show Jurnee Smollett-Bell never disappoints, whether we’re talking about her beauty in an editorial fashion spread or her intellect in a magazine interview. It’s no wonder she was chose to grace the cover of Ebony Magazine’s March issue . Inside the issue the 30-year-old actress is outspoken as she addresses a variety of topics, including the reality of bias toward lighter skinned women in Hollywood (and the world at large). “There are obstacles and challenges that my dark-skinned sisters face that I will never know,” Smollett-Bell tells EBONY . “How they are perceived when they walk in a room of strangers is something I will never truly know. I would be ignorant to say colorism doesn’t exist, it’s gross and disgusting.” Amen to that Sis! Good to see she is not one of those who would bypass an issue because it hasn’t negatively impacted them. Many of us met Jurnee when she was just a kid, in her role as Eve in the film “Eve’s Bayou,” but Smollett Bell shuns labels like “child star.” “I wouldn’t even call myself a former child star. I was a child actor; there’s a difference,” she explains. “People look at you and they think they know you. They think they can place you in a certain category by what they think they know about you. But there’s so much more to all of us than what we know and what we see at face value.” We see this so often with actors and celebs in general — nobody likes being put in boxes. Would you agree with what Smollett says though? One of the other issues Smollett addressed is the success of her show “Underground” which is entering its second season despite what some would call “slavery fatigue” among viewers resistant to seeing more portrayals of the painful period. “I think we had seen the occupation so much, we wanted to see the revolution and that is what Underground is,” says the actress who plays Rosalee. “It was the story of the uprising. It was the story of those of us who fought back, who attempted to fight for their freedom,” she explains. “That was a side of the story we were hungry to see in order to understand our whole history.” Do you agree? Have you been watching “Underground?” Hit the flip for more photos from Smollett’s Ebony spread.
We already know that an aversion to the truth runs in the Trump family. But do Donald Trump and Melania Trump also share an affection for plagiarization? Back in July, the First Lady stole parts of her Republican National Convention speech from Michelle Obama… and now some folks are wondering whether not Trump also relied on another source for this afternoon’s inauguration address. Specifically, they’re wondering if Trump was strongly influenced by iconic DC Comic villain Bane. You remember Bane, don’t you? Played by Tom Hardy in The Dark Knight Rises, he caused many problems for Batman, stirring up anarchy throughout Gotham City as he encouraged the people to rise up against their oppressors. He basically vowed to Make Gotham Great Again in his own, unique, controversial way. Sound familiar? It’s about to sound a lot more familiar. Consider the following passage from Trump’s inaugural address : Today’s ceremony, however has very special meaning. Because today, we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another. But we are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you… the people. For too long a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have born the cost. Washington flourished but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs and while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. That all changes starting right here and right now because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you. WATCH THE FULL SPEECH BELOW: Donald Trump Inauguration Speech Okay? Got it? We’re not here to judge the address. We’re here to marvel over its similarities to what Bane said on the steps of a government building in The Dark Knight Rises. Consider: We take Gotham from the corrupt! The rich! The oppressors of generations who have kept you down with myths of opportunity, and we give it back to you… the people. Gotham is yours. None shall interfere. Do as you please. Start by storming Blackgate, and freeing the oppressed! Step forward those who would serve. For and army will be raised. The powerful will be ripped from their decadent nests, and cast out into the cold world that we know and endure. Courts will be convened. Spoils will be enjoyed. Blood will be shed. The police will survive, as they learn to serve true justice. This great city… it will endure. Gotham will survive! WATCH THE FULL SPEECH BELOW: Bane Encourages Uprising in The Dark Knight Rises We aren’t the only site that took note of this comparison. Entertainment Weekly and Jezebel were on it right away, as well. And while the idea of a wannabe Bane being in charge of our nuclear arsenal very scary, let’s remember the title of the film from which we took the above clip: The Dark Knight Rises. So that’s the question, people. That’s the reason to have hope. What hero will rise over the next four years and lead this country to a less Baneful place? View Slideshow: Donald Trump Becomes President: Celebrities React!
The aftermath of an alleged animal cruelty scandal continues to affect A Dog’s Purpose. The movie, which launches nationwide on January 27, is under major fire across the country and across the Internet as a result of footage that surfaced online this week. The footage in question depicts a German Shepherd named Hercules, clearly agitated and frightened about a stunt that involves throwing him into gushing water. But a camera on set caught the dog’s handler tossing the poor animal into the water anyway. TMZ shared the video (below) on Wednesday and the fallout has been swift. Josh Gad, who voices the dog in the movie, and director Lasse Halstrom, have both spoken out against the treatment of Hercules, while PETA has pushed for a boycott of A Dog’s Purpose. The film centers around a canine who gets reincarnated several times while trying to figure out the meaning of life. Now, in the middle of this controversy, we can confirm that the red carpet premiere of the movie has been canceled. So has the press junket in which stars such as Gad and Dennis Quaid would have talked to reporters about the movie. A Dog’s Purpose Footage: Animal Cruelty at Play? Production company Amblin Entertainment has said it is reviewing the above video and added via statement on Thursday: “Since the emergence of the footage, Amblin has engaged with many associated with the production of the film, including safety personnel, trainers and stunt coordinators as part of their in-depth review. “While we are all disheartened by the appearance of an animal in distress, everyone has assured us that Hercules the German Shepherd was not harmed throughout the filmmaking.” That’s good to know. But the argument can be made that the intention to harm, or the disinterest in whether or not the dog was harmed, is the real issue here. Actor KJ Apa, who also appears in the film, shared his take on this scandal yesterday via Twitter. “First things first, I LOVE ALL ANIMALS and would never EVER condone inhumane treatment or abuse of an animal at any time,” he wrote in a lengthy message. “I was saddened to see the footage from the set of A Dog’s Purpose—a film I was honored to act in, in 2015. “The video was hard to watch, and I understand why many of you have had the reactions that you did because I had the same ones. “The footage is still being investigated, from my own experience, I only encountered cast and crewmembers who had unconditional love and respect for every single dog on set, and went to great lengths to assure their safety and wellbeing.” Concluded Apa: “I want you guys to know that I would NEVER attach myself to a project that didn’t treat animals with the utmost care, and honestly, the possibility that an animal could’ve been hurt is troubling to me. “I have been assured that Hercules is happy and healthy.” The questionable scene was shot in Winnipeg, Canada, in November 2015. It’s unclear why the footage was only released now. Once it was was made public, however, PETA asked animal lovers to boycott the film “to send the message that dogs and other animals should be treated humanely, not as movie props.” After taking a look at the footage, Lisa Lange, PETA’s senior vice president, added: “This movie is directed towards those who love dogs and, clearly, this is not a dog’s purpose.” The flick is based on W. Bruce Cameron’s bestselling novel of the same. The irony here, of course, is that it’s intended to honor dogs and the impact they have on their human owners. Here is what Gad has said about the unfortunate situation: A few months ago, I was approached to lend my voice to the film A Dog’s Purpose. As I sat in a dark screening room, I was beyond touched and moved by what I saw…a movie that captures the beauty and pain of loving a pet. I signed on for a film that truly stands out as one of the most beautiful love letters to animals I have ever seen. Today, however, I saw a disturbing video that appears to show a scared German Shepherd being forced to perform a stunt on the set of this film. While I do not know all the details and cannot speak to the level of care and caution that went into this moment (as I was never on set for the making of this film), I am shaken and sad to see any animal put in a situation against its will. As a proud dog owner and a fervent supporter of organizations like PETA. I have reached out to the production team and studio to ask for an explanation. A Dog’s Purpose Trailer Check out the trailer for A Dog’s Purpose above. You can see footage of Hercules in the water around the 1:20 mark.
The 2017 Golden Globe Awards provided us with plenty of memorable video moments. There was Meryl Streep sticking it to Donald Trump… Ryan Gosling making us wish we were Eva Mendes… and Sofia Vergara talking about anal sex. There was also a Brad Pitt sighting! And lots of lovely dresses on the red carpet! We've summed up the ceremony via a handful of clips and pieces of fun footage. ENJOY! 1. Ryan Gosling Gushes Over Eva Mendes at Golden Globes Ryan Gosling didn’t just win a Golden Globe on Sunday night. He won our heart with this amazing acceptance speech. Watch and try not to cry! 2. Meryl Streep Attacks Donald Trump at Golden Globes (And Trump Responds!) Meryl Streep went hard after Donald Trump on stage at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards. And, of course, The Donald then responded. 3. 10 Best Stars! Come on now. You know you care about who looked best on the red carpet. These are our 10 favorites. 4. Brad Pitt Receives HUGE Applause at Golden Globes Brad Pitt made a surprise appearance at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards. And he was greeted with quite the reaction. 5. Jenna Bush Hager Asks About “Hidden Fences” Jenna Bush Hager asks Pharrell about the film “Hidden Fences” in this interview. But he recorded a song for “Hidden Figures.” 6. Tom Hiddleston Mocked, Slammed for Self-Serving Golden Globes Speech Tom Hiddleston will not be remembered for having won a Golden Globe Awards. He’ll be remembered for this pompous acceptance speech at the ceremony. View Slideshow
Since many, many years ago, rumors have been surfacing and fading away about the production of a Richard Pryor biopic. Eddie Murphy was the first name floated around to play the comedy legend, but since then there have been several other names and directors attached to the project. Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Nick Cannon […]
This was a year in which young artists drove the cultural conversation in television and film, leading the industry to new ideas, new identities, and new images, but it wasn’t only the artistic ingenuity of the under-35 crowd in film and TV on full display throughout 2016. As the film industry has been shaken up… Read more »
