He pitched slave-ship dramas to Ingmar Bergman, cast Marlon Brando as a bisexual man and wrote a Malcolm X screenplay that horrified the FBI. Why was this cinephile spurned by Hollywood?
It’s fair to say James Baldwin wasn’t a fan of The Exorcist. “It has absolutely nothing going for it,” he wrote in his 1976 memoir-meets-criticism collection The Devil Finds Work. “Except Satan, who is certainly the star.” William Friedkin’s 1973 horror hit about a possessed schoolgirl might have caused havoc in theatres, but for the African American literary giant it was a garish dud that missed the real target. “For, I have seen the devil, by day and by night, and have seen him in you and in me,” he went on. “He does not levitate beds, or fool around with little girls: we do.”
Baldwin wasn’t an opportunist critic bashing a big commercial hit – he was...
It’s fair to say James Baldwin wasn’t a fan of The Exorcist. “It has absolutely nothing going for it,” he wrote in his 1976 memoir-meets-criticism collection The Devil Finds Work. “Except Satan, who is certainly the star.” William Friedkin’s 1973 horror hit about a possessed schoolgirl might have caused havoc in theatres, but for the African American literary giant it was a garish dud that missed the real target. “For, I have seen the devil, by day and by night, and have seen him in you and in me,” he went on. “He does not levitate beds, or fool around with little girls: we do.”
Baldwin wasn’t an opportunist critic bashing a big commercial hit – he was...
- 4/30/2024
- by Lanre Bakare
- The Guardian - Film News
Every couple of months in comic book-centric social media circles, someone reposts a comics page in which Deadpool shooting Spider-Man in the head or decapitating an exhausted Bruce Banner. These panels usually spark arguments about whether or not these kills are in character (they aren’t) or if the entire thing is a joke (it is).
Eventually, someone points out that the pages come from Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, a 2012-2013 miniseries by Cullen Bunn and Dalibor Talajic. The story involves Deadpool’s fourth-wall-breaking powers driving him so mad that he decides to kill all the other Marvel characters because they’re fictional and their lives don’t matter. Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe may have inspired controversy, but it also inspired several sequels, including Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again.
From all that we’ve seen so far, Deadpool & Wolverine seems to have little in common with Bunn and Talajic’s take.
Eventually, someone points out that the pages come from Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, a 2012-2013 miniseries by Cullen Bunn and Dalibor Talajic. The story involves Deadpool’s fourth-wall-breaking powers driving him so mad that he decides to kill all the other Marvel characters because they’re fictional and their lives don’t matter. Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe may have inspired controversy, but it also inspired several sequels, including Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe Again.
From all that we’ve seen so far, Deadpool & Wolverine seems to have little in common with Bunn and Talajic’s take.
- 4/29/2024
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Ethan Hawke is one of the most well-known and respected actors in Hollywood. Throughout his career, he made a legacy through the art he created, starring in movies of all genres and establishing himself as one of the greats. Having starred in many projects, he has also worked with some of the finest, most talented actors the industry has to offer.
Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow in a still from Moon Knight
In 2001, the actor starred alongside Denzel Washington in the massively successful film, Training Day. The film received excellent responses from fans and became extremely critically acclaimed. So much so, that it was nominated for two Academy Awards, for both the lead actor’s performances.
Although Washington secured his win, the same wasn’t the case for Hawke. During a recent interview, the Dead Poets Society actor revealed a piece of advice he was given by the Malcolm X...
Ethan Hawke as Arthur Harrow in a still from Moon Knight
In 2001, the actor starred alongside Denzel Washington in the massively successful film, Training Day. The film received excellent responses from fans and became extremely critically acclaimed. So much so, that it was nominated for two Academy Awards, for both the lead actor’s performances.
Although Washington secured his win, the same wasn’t the case for Hawke. During a recent interview, the Dead Poets Society actor revealed a piece of advice he was given by the Malcolm X...
- 4/27/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
There is no denying the fact that a Quentin Tarantino film almost always sparks debates. The maverick filmmaker has carved a niche for himself with his unique brand of writing and storytelling that has won him critical and commercial acclaim. But his work has also earned him criticism for the manner in which he has chosen to execute certain sensitive narratives on screen.
Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained directed by Quentin Tarantino (image credit: Columbia Pictures)
In 2012, Tarantino directed Django Unchained for which he earned an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The film is a fictionalized narrative set during the period of African slavery in the USA. While it received a lot of praise from audiences and critics, accomplished Black filmmaker Spike Lee was harshly critical of the film for the way in which it depicted his ancestry.
Why Did Spike Lee Refuse To Watch Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained?...
Jamie Foxx in Django Unchained directed by Quentin Tarantino (image credit: Columbia Pictures)
In 2012, Tarantino directed Django Unchained for which he earned an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The film is a fictionalized narrative set during the period of African slavery in the USA. While it received a lot of praise from audiences and critics, accomplished Black filmmaker Spike Lee was harshly critical of the film for the way in which it depicted his ancestry.
Why Did Spike Lee Refuse To Watch Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained?...
- 4/27/2024
- by Sharanya Sankar
- FandomWire
Denzel Washington is one of the most respected and prolific actors in Hollywood. The two-time Oscar winner is often considered to be one of the greatest actors of the generation. He has worked with acclaimed directors such as Spike Lee, Tony Scott, Ridley Scott, Antoine Fuqua, and more. He won the Oscar for the films Glory and Training Day.
While Washington established himself as a dramatic actor, the Malcolm X star also broke boundaries and stereotypes as a bankable action star. He featured in films such as The Equalizer franchise and Inside Man. One of Washington’s most memorable performances was when he starred in Tony Scott’s action cult classic Man on Fire.
Screenwriter Brian Helgeland Had A Different Ending In Mind For Man On Fire Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire
Denzel Washington was reportedly cast as John Crease in Man on Fire by director...
While Washington established himself as a dramatic actor, the Malcolm X star also broke boundaries and stereotypes as a bankable action star. He featured in films such as The Equalizer franchise and Inside Man. One of Washington’s most memorable performances was when he starred in Tony Scott’s action cult classic Man on Fire.
Screenwriter Brian Helgeland Had A Different Ending In Mind For Man On Fire Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire
Denzel Washington was reportedly cast as John Crease in Man on Fire by director...
- 4/24/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Denzel Washington was recently spotted filming a highly anticipated Spike Lee film. The beloved actor‘s appearance alongside his co-star in Brooklyn reminded us that he is looking mighty fine at nearly 70 years old! Washington will turn the big 7-0 later in 2024. In the meantime, he’s barely slowed his acting career. See pics of the Oscar winner and get more details about High and Low here:
Denzel Washington and Ilfenesh Hadera on the set of ‘High and Low’ on April 19, 2024 | Metropolis/Bauer-Griffin/Gc Images
On April 19, cameras spotted Denzel Washington and Ilfenesh Hadera filming a scene for High and Low in the Dumbo area of Brooklyn. Wearing a black pinstriped suit, white pocket square, and corresponding white tie, Washington strolled an NYC street alongside Hadera. A regular collaborator with Spike Lee, Hadera has appeared in The Punisher, Da Brick, The Blacklist, and Chicago Fire, among others.
Denzel Washington films...
Denzel Washington and Ilfenesh Hadera on the set of ‘High and Low’ on April 19, 2024 | Metropolis/Bauer-Griffin/Gc Images
On April 19, cameras spotted Denzel Washington and Ilfenesh Hadera filming a scene for High and Low in the Dumbo area of Brooklyn. Wearing a black pinstriped suit, white pocket square, and corresponding white tie, Washington strolled an NYC street alongside Hadera. A regular collaborator with Spike Lee, Hadera has appeared in The Punisher, Da Brick, The Blacklist, and Chicago Fire, among others.
Denzel Washington films...
- 4/23/2024
- by Ali Hicks
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Deemed one of the greatest actors in Hollywood, Denzel Washington exudes a classic movie star aura. Renowned for his enduring charm and the seamless blend of irony and sincerity in his iconic roles, Washington embodies the timeless essence of a Hollywood legend. He is also known for avoiding the franchise films, with the notable exception of The Equalizer trilogy.
A still from The Equalizer trilogy | Sony Pictures
He has also been commended for the same by being named the second-highest-grossing actor to not star in a franchise, following the Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio. However, Washington did not seem to mind the ranking, as he responded with a touch of wit.
Denzel Washington Has no Issues Losing to Leonardo DiCaprio
In a conversation with ScreenRant, Denzel Washington expressed his disinterest in sequels and potential franchise films, as he highlighted his approach of focusing on each film individually rather than considering potential sequels.
A still from The Equalizer trilogy | Sony Pictures
He has also been commended for the same by being named the second-highest-grossing actor to not star in a franchise, following the Titanic star Leonardo DiCaprio. However, Washington did not seem to mind the ranking, as he responded with a touch of wit.
Denzel Washington Has no Issues Losing to Leonardo DiCaprio
In a conversation with ScreenRant, Denzel Washington expressed his disinterest in sequels and potential franchise films, as he highlighted his approach of focusing on each film individually rather than considering potential sequels.
- 4/23/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
Executive producers Gina Prince-Bythewood, Reggie Rock Bythewood and co-showrunners Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damione Macedon were at Deadline’s Contenders TV event Saturday to discuss the historical importance of showing Black stories onscreen in the latest season National Geographic’s anthology series Genius.
Season 4 focuses on Civil Rights icons Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre) from their formative years, molded by their fathers and racial injustices, to their legendary careers that changed the world.
Undoubtedly, there have been copious amounts of media and examinations on the lives of X and King, the two most pivotal figures in fighting against racial injustices and prejudice. However, Jackson and Macedon went undeterred in trying to find a new way to tell their story in Genius MLK/X.
“We gathered a multitude of historians and people who knew either Martin or Malcolm to give us the behind-the-scenes insight as...
Season 4 focuses on Civil Rights icons Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre) from their formative years, molded by their fathers and racial injustices, to their legendary careers that changed the world.
Undoubtedly, there have been copious amounts of media and examinations on the lives of X and King, the two most pivotal figures in fighting against racial injustices and prejudice. However, Jackson and Macedon went undeterred in trying to find a new way to tell their story in Genius MLK/X.
“We gathered a multitude of historians and people who knew either Martin or Malcolm to give us the behind-the-scenes insight as...
- 4/14/2024
- by Destiny Jackson
- Deadline Film + TV
Cinema for Gaza, a group launched by a small group of female filmmakers and film journalists, has successfully raised more than $315,000 to support medical aid for the civilian population in Gaza.
A celebrity auction, organized by Cinema for Gaza, and supported by the likes of Tilda Swinton, Annie Lennox, Joaquin Phoenix, Spike Lee and Guillermo del Toro, raised some $316,778 (£254,297) for Medical Aid for Palestinians (Map), a U.K.-based charity that provides on-the-ground medical support, from sterile water to cancer drugs, for those on the Gaza Strip. The celebrities donated personal items — from signed film posters to personal Zoom chats to, in the case of Lennox, the handwritten lyrics to her Eurythmics hit “Sweet Dreams” — to be sold off to the highest bidder. (Lennox’s lyrics sheet was the top seller, with a bidder paying $26,222 for the piece of pop music history).
The Zone of Interest filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, who...
A celebrity auction, organized by Cinema for Gaza, and supported by the likes of Tilda Swinton, Annie Lennox, Joaquin Phoenix, Spike Lee and Guillermo del Toro, raised some $316,778 (£254,297) for Medical Aid for Palestinians (Map), a U.K.-based charity that provides on-the-ground medical support, from sterile water to cancer drugs, for those on the Gaza Strip. The celebrities donated personal items — from signed film posters to personal Zoom chats to, in the case of Lennox, the handwritten lyrics to her Eurythmics hit “Sweet Dreams” — to be sold off to the highest bidder. (Lennox’s lyrics sheet was the top seller, with a bidder paying $26,222 for the piece of pop music history).
The Zone of Interest filmmaker Jonathan Glazer, who...
- 4/12/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New film celebrities have joined the Cinema for Gaza auction that is raising funds for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (Map).
The latest auction lots include a signed and framed Malcolm X poster offered by Spike Lee and Paul Mescal donating a signed Aftersun poster. On the experiences side, actress Tessa Thompson is offering to have a beer (or an “O’Douls”) over Zoom with a winning bidder, and Shiva Baby director Emma Seligman will shoot the breeze over tea, again via a Zoom call.
There’s also a Zoom call with Ayo Edebiri, star of The Bear, who is tossing in a list of her favorite places to dine, and a walk-on part in director Gurinder Chadha’s next film.
The biggest memorabilia lot so far is Annie Lennox donating handwritten lyrics to “Sweet Dreams,” her 1983 popular song with Eurythmics, with bids currently standing at £7,700.00 (U.S. $9,720.75)
The...
The latest auction lots include a signed and framed Malcolm X poster offered by Spike Lee and Paul Mescal donating a signed Aftersun poster. On the experiences side, actress Tessa Thompson is offering to have a beer (or an “O’Douls”) over Zoom with a winning bidder, and Shiva Baby director Emma Seligman will shoot the breeze over tea, again via a Zoom call.
There’s also a Zoom call with Ayo Edebiri, star of The Bear, who is tossing in a list of her favorite places to dine, and a walk-on part in director Gurinder Chadha’s next film.
The biggest memorabilia lot so far is Annie Lennox donating handwritten lyrics to “Sweet Dreams,” her 1983 popular song with Eurythmics, with bids currently standing at £7,700.00 (U.S. $9,720.75)
The...
- 4/8/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Zone Of Interest filmmaker Jonathan Glazer has reinforced his support for the virtual Cinema For Gaza campaign auction, pledging a new personalized gift to the fundraiser alongside first-time donors Spike Lee, Olivia Colman, and Paul Mescal.
Alongside the two signed film posters for The Zone Of Interest and Under The Skin he pledged in the first lot of fundraiser donations, Glazer has added an Under The Skin triptych of framed on-set stills and a script book signed by himself, composing partner Mica Levi, and longtime producer James Wilson.
Also new to the fundraising lot is a framed Malcolm X poster signed by Spike Lee. Actress Tessa Thompson is offering a Zoom meeting with a beer (or other non-alcoholic drink) alongside signed costume and movie memorabilia, and Paul Mescal has pledged a signed Aftersun poster.
Aftersun pops elsewhere in the latest donations pot as the film’s director, Charlotte Wells,...
Alongside the two signed film posters for The Zone Of Interest and Under The Skin he pledged in the first lot of fundraiser donations, Glazer has added an Under The Skin triptych of framed on-set stills and a script book signed by himself, composing partner Mica Levi, and longtime producer James Wilson.
Also new to the fundraising lot is a framed Malcolm X poster signed by Spike Lee. Actress Tessa Thompson is offering a Zoom meeting with a beer (or other non-alcoholic drink) alongside signed costume and movie memorabilia, and Paul Mescal has pledged a signed Aftersun poster.
Aftersun pops elsewhere in the latest donations pot as the film’s director, Charlotte Wells,...
- 4/8/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
As the 56th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s April 4th, 1968 assassination approaches, we’d like to make a suggestion for anyone looking for content about the late civil-rights leader: Season 4 of National Geographic‘s insightful and effective Genius. Entitled MLK/X and starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. (The Trial of the Chicago 7) and Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) as King and Malcolm X, respectively, the eight-episode bio-series charted the concurrent yet dramatically divergent paths both men trod during one of the most important eras of modern history. It’s also filled with information many viewers may not be aware of (they only met once?!). But far from a musty retelling, the series—as Genius has so far done with Picasso, Aretha Franklin, and Einstein—digs beneath the facade of the famous men to examine what drove them and, as Harrison, Jr. puts it, amplify the fact that anyone can make a difference.
- 3/21/2024
- TV Insider
Anna Camp and Griffin Matthews have been cast in “You” Season 5 at Netflix as series regulars, Variety has learned exclusively.
The pair are the latest additions to the cast of the popular show’s fifth season, which will also be its final season. It was previously announced that Madeline Brewer would also appear in a series regular role.
Camp will play both Raegan and Maddie Lockwood, twin sisters-in-law to Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley). The characters are described as follows: “Raegan is the cunning, cutthroat CFO of the Lockwood Corp who has her eyes on the throne and will crush any adversary…be them family or not. Maddie, on the other hand, presents as the unserious twin, a thrice-divorced socialite whose job is ‘vaguely PR.’ But make no mistake, a master manipulator lies underneath Maddie’s frivolous façade.”
Matthews will play Teddy Lockwood, described as the “snarky yet loyal brother-in-law of Joe Goldberg.
The pair are the latest additions to the cast of the popular show’s fifth season, which will also be its final season. It was previously announced that Madeline Brewer would also appear in a series regular role.
Camp will play both Raegan and Maddie Lockwood, twin sisters-in-law to Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley). The characters are described as follows: “Raegan is the cunning, cutthroat CFO of the Lockwood Corp who has her eyes on the throne and will crush any adversary…be them family or not. Maddie, on the other hand, presents as the unserious twin, a thrice-divorced socialite whose job is ‘vaguely PR.’ But make no mistake, a master manipulator lies underneath Maddie’s frivolous façade.”
Matthews will play Teddy Lockwood, described as the “snarky yet loyal brother-in-law of Joe Goldberg.
- 3/20/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Raoul Peck, the filmmaker behind Academy Award-nominated documentary I Am Not Your Negro, is in production on his next feature doc — an investigation into the 2021 assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise, tentatively titled, The Hands That Held the Knives.
Over two years in the making, with unprecedented access to many of those involved, and including secret filming in Haiti’s prisons and an unexpected encounter with a fugitive who was an eyewitness to the murder, Peck’s film taking him back to his home country will be a documentary thriller, in the tradition of Graham Greene or John Le Carré.
His investigation takes him deep into the politics of Haiti, its relationship with the United States, and the corrupt business empires and criminal organizations — dealing drugs and contraband throughout the Caribbean, using weapons trafficked from the U.S. — which have now rendered the country a hellscape for its citizens. The...
Over two years in the making, with unprecedented access to many of those involved, and including secret filming in Haiti’s prisons and an unexpected encounter with a fugitive who was an eyewitness to the murder, Peck’s film taking him back to his home country will be a documentary thriller, in the tradition of Graham Greene or John Le Carré.
His investigation takes him deep into the politics of Haiti, its relationship with the United States, and the corrupt business empires and criminal organizations — dealing drugs and contraband throughout the Caribbean, using weapons trafficked from the U.S. — which have now rendered the country a hellscape for its citizens. The...
- 3/18/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Musical biopics have taken on something of a stranglehold among Hollywood studios in recent years, no doubt buoyed by the eye-popping performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" back in 2018. Ever since, we've watched beloved singers and bands receive their own dramatizations on the silver screen, from Elton John in the sneakily great "Rocketman" to Baz Luhrmann's fever-dream epic "Elvis" to the recent news that the Beatles would be getting the "Avengers" treatment in the near future.
In the midst of all this hoopla came "Bob Marley: One Love," a film only tepidly received by critics but one that proved to be a hit among audiences. Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the famous Jamaican singer, musician, and activist, the biopic proved to be a winner at the box office and further established its lead as one of our more versatile performers today. In short, "One Love" defied the odds of its January release...
In the midst of all this hoopla came "Bob Marley: One Love," a film only tepidly received by critics but one that proved to be a hit among audiences. Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the famous Jamaican singer, musician, and activist, the biopic proved to be a winner at the box office and further established its lead as one of our more versatile performers today. In short, "One Love" defied the odds of its January release...
- 3/18/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Do you ever wonder what happens to movie props? Sometimes, filmmakers and actors will take them home as a souvenir. But more often than not, props end up back in a pile, destined to be re-used again. For instance: Egon's P.K.E. Meter from the original "Ghostbusters" pops up again in John Carpenter's "They Live," with no real explanation.
And then there's the curious case of George Costanza's glasses.
George is, of course, the famous character played by Jason Alexander on "Seinfeld," and the part is partially inspired by the show's co-creator, Larry David. Like David, George wears glasses, and when it came time to find his specs for the pilot episode of the show — originally titled "The Seinfeld Chronicles" — costume designer Ruth E. Carter pulled the frames from a surprising source: Spike Lee's "Malcolm X."
Ruth E. Carter is a two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer. She's worked with Spike Lee,...
And then there's the curious case of George Costanza's glasses.
George is, of course, the famous character played by Jason Alexander on "Seinfeld," and the part is partially inspired by the show's co-creator, Larry David. Like David, George wears glasses, and when it came time to find his specs for the pilot episode of the show — originally titled "The Seinfeld Chronicles" — costume designer Ruth E. Carter pulled the frames from a surprising source: Spike Lee's "Malcolm X."
Ruth E. Carter is a two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer. She's worked with Spike Lee,...
- 3/17/2024
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
At a glance, Shirley Chisholm’s 1972 campaign for president was the definition of quixotic. She was 47 years old; at the time, she had served only one term (starting in 1968) as the first Black woman to be elected to Congress. (Her district centered on the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.) To say that Chisholm wasn’t a seasoned Washington, D.C., player would be putting it mildly. And she looked like an outsider. She wore puffy wigs, schoolmarm glasses, and tasteful print dresses. There was a slightly prim stoicism about her, though she lit up whenever she flashed her smile with the gap tooth on the right side. She looked like who she was — a day-care supervisor from Bed-Stuy, and a devout Christian.
But her persona didn’t end there. This church lady was a fighter, of Guyanese and Bajan descent, and she spoke with a pristine propriety that carried a hint...
But her persona didn’t end there. This church lady was a fighter, of Guyanese and Bajan descent, and she spoke with a pristine propriety that carried a hint...
- 3/16/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Laughter strikes from all sides in “The Gutter,” the kind of brash and boisterous broad comedy that has largely been missing from multiplexes in recent years. Directors Yassir and Isaiah Lester seem to share a special ability with their main character Walt (Shameik Moore), who has a habit of hitting the central pin in spite of having a different delivery every time he steps up to the line. The same goes for the filmmaking siblings in this hysterical tale of a bowling alley employee who finds he’s better on the lanes than behind the bar.
Although Walt changes things up from a fast-pitch softball-like windup to simply throwing the bowling ball overhand, you just don’t know where a sight gag or a sharp one-liner will hit you when every part of the frame seems like a ripe opportunity for humor. Nothing seems off limits when Walt takes an...
Although Walt changes things up from a fast-pitch softball-like windup to simply throwing the bowling ball overhand, you just don’t know where a sight gag or a sharp one-liner will hit you when every part of the frame seems like a ripe opportunity for humor. Nothing seems off limits when Walt takes an...
- 3/13/2024
- by Stephen Saito
- Variety Film + TV
When we talk about Denzel Washington, we’re not just talking about an actor. We’re talking about the actor, the one who could probably read a microwave manual and still have us in tears. Yet, somehow, this Hollywood titan has been passed over more times than a vegetarian option at a barbecue. Let’s dive into the eight times Denzel was unfairly overlooked, and yes, I promise to keep the sarcasm to a minimum (no promises). That Time He Was Malcolm X The year was 1992, and Denzel gave us ‘Malcolm X’. You know, just a career-defining performance that had everyone buzzing—except...
- 3/12/2024
- by Jane Wiggle
- TVovermind.com
Juxtaposing the story of the murder of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba with a musical tour of jazzman Louis Armstrong and with the expansion of the United Nations after the independence of many African countries in the 1960s might be tall order. Trickier still would be telling this complex story, full of many characters and plot swerves, in a nonlinear manner while filling the screen with written clues providing context like a bibliography of an academic thesis. Writer and director Johan Grimonprez sets himself a difficult task with “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat,” yet accomplishes it with astonishing success. The film plays like both a dense historical text and a lively jazz concert while proving itself to be an invigorating piece of documentary filmmaking.
Touching on far more than the decolonization of Africa, Grimonprez’s ambitious essay film encompasses the political and historical upheavals the world over — including the alleged involvement...
Touching on far more than the decolonization of Africa, Grimonprez’s ambitious essay film encompasses the political and historical upheavals the world over — including the alleged involvement...
- 3/11/2024
- by Murtada Elfadl
- Variety Film + TV
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doesn't always get it right. Actually, you can count on them to just about never get it right.
This is especially true of the lead acting categories, where voters often become prisoners of the moment and vote for the buzziest and/or showiest performance. This is how Al Pacino's chilling depiction of Michael Corleone's descent into pure, dead-eyed evil in "The Godfather Part II" gets passed over in favor of Art Carney's amiable portrayal of a lonely old man hitting the road with his pet cat in "Harry and Tonto." This results in overdue Oscars, which frequently create new injustices — like Denzel Washington's bravura turn as Malcolm X losing to Al Pacino's ceaseless hoo-hahing in "Scent of a Woman," which led to Washington getting his Best Actor trophy for his (admittedly entertaining) grandstanding work in "Training Day" (which cost...
This is especially true of the lead acting categories, where voters often become prisoners of the moment and vote for the buzziest and/or showiest performance. This is how Al Pacino's chilling depiction of Michael Corleone's descent into pure, dead-eyed evil in "The Godfather Part II" gets passed over in favor of Art Carney's amiable portrayal of a lonely old man hitting the road with his pet cat in "Harry and Tonto." This results in overdue Oscars, which frequently create new injustices — like Denzel Washington's bravura turn as Malcolm X losing to Al Pacino's ceaseless hoo-hahing in "Scent of a Woman," which led to Washington getting his Best Actor trophy for his (admittedly entertaining) grandstanding work in "Training Day" (which cost...
- 3/11/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Remembering Denzel Washington’s Cool Factor in Glory Let’s kick this off with a throwback to 1989. You know, back when shoulder pads were a thing and Denzel Washington wasn’t just an actor, but the actor who took home an Oscar for his role in Glory. Playing Trip, a former slave turned Union soldier, Denzel was the epitome of cool confidence. This wasn’t just your average ‘look at me I’m so tough’ performance. It was layered, complex, and yeah, cool as hell amidst some serious adversity. Glory, you did good by casting this man. Denzel’s Malcolm X The Epitome of Charisma...
- 3/6/2024
- by Jane Wiggle
- TVovermind.com
Louis Armstrong arrived in the Congolese capital, Leopoldville (now known as Kinshasa), on October 28, 1960, armed with his trumpet and wiping sweat from his brow. His visit was part of a U.S. State Department-sponsored tour of Africa, an arrangement Armstrong felt ambivalent about. Still, the Congolese people gave Satchmo, as the American jazz trumpeter was known, a near royal welcome. Drummers and dancers carried him to his performance venue on a red chair, fashioned like a throne. Civilians cheered him on. Ten thousand people showed up to watch him play.
This was a momentous occasion, a storied event for the newly independent republic of the Congo. Four months before Armstrong came to play jazz, the country had freed itself from the colonial grip of Belgium to become one of the more than dozen postcolonial African nations formed in 1960. But the region was still plagued with problems, most of them stemming...
This was a momentous occasion, a storied event for the newly independent republic of the Congo. Four months before Armstrong came to play jazz, the country had freed itself from the colonial grip of Belgium to become one of the more than dozen postcolonial African nations formed in 1960. But the region was still plagued with problems, most of them stemming...
- 3/1/2024
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mario Van Peebles made a big mark on cinema following in his father’s footsteps, Melvin Van Peebles, to be a unique, prominent voice for the African-American community in cinema. He would make many appearances as an actor, including working with fellow gunslinger Clint Eastwood on Heartbreak Ridge, as the sword-wielding Kane in Highlander: The Final Dimension, and taking on the monumental task of portraying Malcolm X in the Michael Mann film, Ali. However, in 1991, New Jack City, which co-stars Ice-t, would put Van Peebles on the map as a director, and he would parlay his run with movies like Panther and the 1993 western film, Posse, in which he also starred.
Peeble returns to the Western genre in a semi-sequel to his 1993 movie that also sports an ensemble of impressive names. Outlaw Posse has Van Peebles working both in front and behind the camera again, and would even have him...
Peeble returns to the Western genre in a semi-sequel to his 1993 movie that also sports an ensemble of impressive names. Outlaw Posse has Van Peebles working both in front and behind the camera again, and would even have him...
- 2/27/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Elvis Presley‘s “If I Can Dream” isn’t just a stunning song. It’s a stunning song that changed the entire arc of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll‘s career. In retrospect, Priscilla Presley called the song “a blessing.”
Elvis Presley’s ‘Bossa Nova Baby’ and ‘If I Can Dream’ bookended a bad era
Elvis’ “Bossa Nova Baby” is not one of his most famous songs today. It should be more remembered today because its release was a serious demarcation point in his career. The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits says it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. Afterward, Elvis wouldn’t have a top 10 single for five-and-a-half years, save for a cover of the religious song “Crying in the Chapel.”
“If I Can Dream” gave Elvis new momentum. Walter Earl Brown, a member of the group The Skylarks, wrote the song for the ’68 Comeback Special because...
Elvis Presley’s ‘Bossa Nova Baby’ and ‘If I Can Dream’ bookended a bad era
Elvis’ “Bossa Nova Baby” is not one of his most famous songs today. It should be more remembered today because its release was a serious demarcation point in his career. The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits says it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. Afterward, Elvis wouldn’t have a top 10 single for five-and-a-half years, save for a cover of the religious song “Crying in the Chapel.”
“If I Can Dream” gave Elvis new momentum. Walter Earl Brown, a member of the group The Skylarks, wrote the song for the ’68 Comeback Special because...
- 2/22/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Prepare for an emotionally charged episode of “Genius: MLK/X” Season 4, Episode 8 titled “Can You Imagine,” airing on National Geographic at 10:08 Pm on Thursday, February 22, 2024. In this poignant installment, viewers will witness the culmination of the remarkable lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
As tensions within the Nation of Islam (Noi) reach a boiling point, Malcolm X finds himself in hot water after daring to criticize the organization. Meanwhile, Martin Luther King Jr.’s unwavering commitment to his political beliefs leads him to make the ultimate sacrifice for the civil rights movement.
Tragically, both leaders meet untimely ends as they are assassinated, but their legacies live on, continuing to inspire generations to come. Join National Geographic as they pay tribute to the enduring impact of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two extraordinary individuals who fought tirelessly for justice and equality.
Don’t miss “Genius: MLK/X: Can You Imagine,...
As tensions within the Nation of Islam (Noi) reach a boiling point, Malcolm X finds himself in hot water after daring to criticize the organization. Meanwhile, Martin Luther King Jr.’s unwavering commitment to his political beliefs leads him to make the ultimate sacrifice for the civil rights movement.
Tragically, both leaders meet untimely ends as they are assassinated, but their legacies live on, continuing to inspire generations to come. Join National Geographic as they pay tribute to the enduring impact of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two extraordinary individuals who fought tirelessly for justice and equality.
Don’t miss “Genius: MLK/X: Can You Imagine,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Prepare to be captivated by a pivotal episode of “Genius: MLK/X” Season 4, Episode 7 titled “The Sword and the Shield,” airing on National Geographic at 9:00 Pm on Thursday, February 22, 2024. In this compelling installment, viewers will witness a brief but impactful meeting between the two iconic leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, in Washington D.C. as they rally support for the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
As the Civil Rights movement gains momentum, Martin Luther King Jr. receives the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless advocacy and leadership. Meanwhile, Malcolm X takes significant steps forward by forming two new organizations, further solidifying his position as a key figure in the struggle for racial equality.
However, both men find themselves under increasing scrutiny and surveillance, highlighting the challenges they face in their fight for justice and equality. Don’t miss the drama, tension, and historical significance in...
As the Civil Rights movement gains momentum, Martin Luther King Jr. receives the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless advocacy and leadership. Meanwhile, Malcolm X takes significant steps forward by forming two new organizations, further solidifying his position as a key figure in the struggle for racial equality.
However, both men find themselves under increasing scrutiny and surveillance, highlighting the challenges they face in their fight for justice and equality. Don’t miss the drama, tension, and historical significance in...
- 2/15/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
This week’s new episodes of the NatGeo limited series Genius: MLK/X mark the final TV performance of Ron Cephas Jones, who died in August at 66 years old.
The late actor recurred as Elijah Muhammad, the embattled leader of the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X’s mentor.
More from TVLineS.W.A.T. Moves Two Vets to Recurring in Final Season, EP Promises a 'Proper Curtain Call' for Each (Exclusive)Young Sheldon First Look: Mandy Joins the Family in Final Season Title Sequence - Watch Ahead of Premiere!Genius: MLK/X Stars Discuss the 'Unnerving' Task of Portraying Civil...
The late actor recurred as Elijah Muhammad, the embattled leader of the Nation of Islam and Malcolm X’s mentor.
More from TVLineS.W.A.T. Moves Two Vets to Recurring in Final Season, EP Promises a 'Proper Curtain Call' for Each (Exclusive)Young Sheldon First Look: Mandy Joins the Family in Final Season Title Sequence - Watch Ahead of Premiere!Genius: MLK/X Stars Discuss the 'Unnerving' Task of Portraying Civil...
- 2/13/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Killer Mike is still on a victory lap following a clean sweep at the recent Grammy Awards, and on Monday that tour placed him on a panel at The View.
The rapper, 48, said he was “overwhelmed” after winning three awards during the pre-Grammys telecast, including trophies for best rap song, performance and album. Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Santiago Render, then encouraged viewers to keep their dreams alive.
“You have to keep whatever 9-year-old, 12-year-old, 15-year-old that is in your head, keep that child alive,” he said. “No matter what you see in the mirror, you’re still that child and your imagination has to be bigger than the room, bigger than the building, bigger than the sky because if you keep your imagination alive, everything is possible. When you limit your imagination, nothing becomes as possible as it could be.”
At that point, The View co-host Sunny Hostin...
The rapper, 48, said he was “overwhelmed” after winning three awards during the pre-Grammys telecast, including trophies for best rap song, performance and album. Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Santiago Render, then encouraged viewers to keep their dreams alive.
“You have to keep whatever 9-year-old, 12-year-old, 15-year-old that is in your head, keep that child alive,” he said. “No matter what you see in the mirror, you’re still that child and your imagination has to be bigger than the room, bigger than the building, bigger than the sky because if you keep your imagination alive, everything is possible. When you limit your imagination, nothing becomes as possible as it could be.”
At that point, The View co-host Sunny Hostin...
- 2/12/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Genius: MLK/X” is the fourth installment in National Geographic’s anthology series, but it’s the first one to focus on two individuals in a single season. After the first three seasons centered on Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Aretha Franklin, respectively, Season 4 chronicles the parallel lives of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre). The civil rights icons only met once in real life, prompting producers to find a way in to tell a unified story.
“The challenge for us at the beginning was finding the thematic connection, which we very easily found in the research,” executive producer and showrunner Damione Macedon said Thursday during the show’s panel at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. “They went through the same emotional milestones as men at the same time. They both became husbands in and around the same time, they both became...
“The challenge for us at the beginning was finding the thematic connection, which we very easily found in the research,” executive producer and showrunner Damione Macedon said Thursday during the show’s panel at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. “They went through the same emotional milestones as men at the same time. They both became husbands in and around the same time, they both became...
- 2/9/2024
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Would the Avatar sequels arrive on time if James Cameron weren’t so committed to his side gig producing documentary series about the planet he actually lives on? Perhaps we’ll never know. But even as the director has a full slate of blockbuster features in the pipeline, he remains as committed as ever to his work with National Geographic.
The filmmaker piped into Nat Geo’s Thursday meeting with the Television Critics Association to plug his sixth producorial effort for Disney’s conservation-minded brand in four years: Secrets of the Octopus. “As someone who’s fighting for sustainability and the preservation of nature, this is endless,” says the brand’s “Explorer at Large,” who recruited Paul Rudd to narrate this latest project. “They’re going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming — or show me where the door is because I’ve forgotten — before I stop doing this.
The filmmaker piped into Nat Geo’s Thursday meeting with the Television Critics Association to plug his sixth producorial effort for Disney’s conservation-minded brand in four years: Secrets of the Octopus. “As someone who’s fighting for sustainability and the preservation of nature, this is endless,” says the brand’s “Explorer at Large,” who recruited Paul Rudd to narrate this latest project. “They’re going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming — or show me where the door is because I’ve forgotten — before I stop doing this.
- 2/8/2024
- by Mikey O'Connell
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The pair, who last worked together on 2006’s Inside Man, will reimagine the 1963 crime drama High and Low for Apple and A24
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are teaming up for the fifth time, reimagining Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime drama High and Low.
The pair, whose previous projects include Malcolm X and He Got Game, will start filming a reinterpretation in March. Based on the novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain, the original film stars Toshiro Mifune as a wealthy man in ruin after paying the ransom for a kidnapping.
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are teaming up for the fifth time, reimagining Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime drama High and Low.
The pair, whose previous projects include Malcolm X and He Got Game, will start filming a reinterpretation in March. Based on the novel King’s Ransom by Ed McBain, the original film stars Toshiro Mifune as a wealthy man in ruin after paying the ransom for a kidnapping.
- 2/8/2024
- by Benjamin Lee
- The Guardian - Film News
Following Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are planning a reunion. With the director being on the longest break between narrative features since his debut in 1986, having last helmed 2020’s Da 5 Bloods, it’s now been unveiled he will direct a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low.
Variety reports that Washington will lead the project, scripted by Alan Fox and Spike Lee, and backed by Apple Original Films and A24. Based on Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom, the original film starred Toshiro Mifune as a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a ruthless kidnapper.
High and Low will also mark Lee’s second high-profile remake after his 2013 feature Oldboy. With production beginning this spring, a theatrical release has also been confirmed––which we imagine will take place in 2025––followed by an Apple TV+ global bow.
Variety reports that Washington will lead the project, scripted by Alan Fox and Spike Lee, and backed by Apple Original Films and A24. Based on Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom, the original film starred Toshiro Mifune as a wealthy industrialist whose family becomes the target of a ruthless kidnapper.
High and Low will also mark Lee’s second high-profile remake after his 2013 feature Oldboy. With production beginning this spring, a theatrical release has also been confirmed––which we imagine will take place in 2025––followed by an Apple TV+ global bow.
- 2/8/2024
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Apple Original Films and A24 are partnering on High and Low, which reunites longtime collaborators Spike Lee and Denzel Washington with Washington starring and Lee directing. A24 will release the film theatrically before its global launch on Apple TV+.
The film is an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller. While its unknown how similar the High and Low plot will be, Kurosawa’s movie follows an executive at a Yokohama shoe company who becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.
Developed and produced by A24, Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures and written by Alan Fox and Lee, the new thriller starts production in March. High and Low will be produced by Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures. In addition to directing, Lee will serve as executive producer through his 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks.
The film is an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller. While its unknown how similar the High and Low plot will be, Kurosawa’s movie follows an executive at a Yokohama shoe company who becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.
Developed and produced by A24, Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures and written by Alan Fox and Lee, the new thriller starts production in March. High and Low will be produced by Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures. In addition to directing, Lee will serve as executive producer through his 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks.
- 2/8/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple Original Films and A24 are partnering on High And Low, an upcoming reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller of the same name that reunites Spike Lee with Denzel Washington.
A24 will release the film theatrically before its global launch on Apple TV+. A24 developed and are producing the feature with Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures.
Production is scheduled to commence in March. Alan Fox and Lee wrote the English-language screenplay. Kurosawa’s 1963 film centres on a shoe company executive who becomes the victim of extortion after his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped.
Todd Black is producing for Escape...
A24 will release the film theatrically before its global launch on Apple TV+. A24 developed and are producing the feature with Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures.
Production is scheduled to commence in March. Alan Fox and Lee wrote the English-language screenplay. Kurosawa’s 1963 film centres on a shoe company executive who becomes the victim of extortion after his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped.
Todd Black is producing for Escape...
- 2/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
In 1976, Bob Marley was the most famous person in Jamaica. He was also a marked man. The star had agreed to play a free concert dubbed “Smile Jamaica.” He’d even written a theme song for the event. Though the show was conceived as a way to quell the rising tide of violence over the island nation’s precarious political state, Marley’s involvement made many think that it was his way of tacitly endorsing the People’s National Party over the more conservative Jamaica Labour Party. Two days before the concert,...
- 2/8/2024
- by David Fear
- Rollingstone.com
Get ready for a riveting episode of “Genius: MLK/X” as Season 4 Episode 6, titled “The American Promise,” airs on National Geographic at 10:09 Pm on Thursday, February 15, 2024. In this pivotal installment, viewers are transported back to the monumental events of 1963 that shaped the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the March on Washington and the tragic assassination of President Kennedy, both men find themselves at a crossroads. Martin emerges as the moral leader of the civil rights movement, leading with unwavering resolve and determination. Meanwhile, Malcolm faces turmoil within the Nation of Islam, ultimately leading to his suspension from the organization.
Join the journey as “Genius: MLK/X” delves into the profound impact of these historic events on the lives and legacies of two iconic figures. Don’t miss “The American Promise” as it offers insight into the struggles and triumphs of Martin Luther King Jr.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the March on Washington and the tragic assassination of President Kennedy, both men find themselves at a crossroads. Martin emerges as the moral leader of the civil rights movement, leading with unwavering resolve and determination. Meanwhile, Malcolm faces turmoil within the Nation of Islam, ultimately leading to his suspension from the organization.
Join the journey as “Genius: MLK/X” delves into the profound impact of these historic events on the lives and legacies of two iconic figures. Don’t miss “The American Promise” as it offers insight into the struggles and triumphs of Martin Luther King Jr.
- 2/8/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Get ready for an emotionally charged episode of “Genius: MLK/X” as Season 4 Episode 5, titled “Matriarchs,” airs on National Geographic at 9:00 Pm on Thursday, February 15, 2024. In this compelling installment, viewers are taken behind the scenes to explore the lives of Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz, the influential wives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, respectively.
As pressures and expectations mount, Coretta and Betty find themselves grappling with the challenges of balancing their public personas with their private lives. They are forced to confront their resolve and decisions, questioning the sacrifices they’ve made in the name of their husbands’ causes.
With raw emotions and poignant storytelling, “Matriarchs” offers a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of two remarkable women who played pivotal roles in the civil rights movement. Don’t miss this powerful episode of “Genius: MLK/X” as it delves deep into the complexities of love, activism,...
As pressures and expectations mount, Coretta and Betty find themselves grappling with the challenges of balancing their public personas with their private lives. They are forced to confront their resolve and decisions, questioning the sacrifices they’ve made in the name of their husbands’ causes.
With raw emotions and poignant storytelling, “Matriarchs” offers a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of two remarkable women who played pivotal roles in the civil rights movement. Don’t miss this powerful episode of “Genius: MLK/X” as it delves deep into the complexities of love, activism,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. wants audiences to take from “Genius: MLK/X” the idea of “community”: “Both of these men were supported by equally, if not more intelligent women. And also we had Bayard Rustin, we had Ella Baker, we had Ralph Abernathy. There’s so many incredible leaders in these times,” so “if somebody wants to be courageous and bold enough to say something and act on it and be active in this country, we have to champion that.”
The eight-episode “MLK/X” tells the parallel stories of the two title civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. (Harrison) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre), as well as their respective wives Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson). The four actors discussed the series at the New York City premiere on February 1 at the Paley Museum, along with co-star Griffin Matthews (who plays Rustin) and showrunners Damione Macedon...
The eight-episode “MLK/X” tells the parallel stories of the two title civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. (Harrison) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre), as well as their respective wives Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson). The four actors discussed the series at the New York City premiere on February 1 at the Paley Museum, along with co-star Griffin Matthews (who plays Rustin) and showrunners Damione Macedon...
- 2/5/2024
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Sheryl Lee Ralph fronts Disney Entertainment Television’s new Black History Month campaign.
Variety has the exclusive first look at the launch of the Giving Flowers initiative, a video spot featuring Ralph, Chandra Wilson, Glynn Turman, Emayatzy Corinealdi and Prentice Penny.
“Flowers never truly die,” Ralph says in the video. “They are as strong as the stories we tell. You may clip them but they will grow again. We are forever in bloom.”
The tag at the end of the video reads, “Celebrate Black Stories.” An expanded 30-second spot will debut later this month.
The campaign is intended to highlight Disney’s Black History Month television programming, which includes “Abbott Elementary” Season 3, premiering Feb. 7 on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu. The two-episode premiere of the Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X series, “Genius: MLK/X,” takes place on National Geographic on Feb. 1 along with a special simulcast on ABC.
Variety has the exclusive first look at the launch of the Giving Flowers initiative, a video spot featuring Ralph, Chandra Wilson, Glynn Turman, Emayatzy Corinealdi and Prentice Penny.
“Flowers never truly die,” Ralph says in the video. “They are as strong as the stories we tell. You may clip them but they will grow again. We are forever in bloom.”
The tag at the end of the video reads, “Celebrate Black Stories.” An expanded 30-second spot will debut later this month.
The campaign is intended to highlight Disney’s Black History Month television programming, which includes “Abbott Elementary” Season 3, premiering Feb. 7 on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu. The two-episode premiere of the Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X series, “Genius: MLK/X,” takes place on National Geographic on Feb. 1 along with a special simulcast on ABC.
- 2/2/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Portraying venerated Civil Rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X is a tall order for anyone, but Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Chevalier) and Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) certainly rise to the occasion in National Geographic’s powerful anthology Genius: MLK/X from Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood.
The eight-episode limited series, which premiered the first two episodes on Thursday, offers an intimate look at both men as husbands, fathers and eventual leaders of the Movement. Harrison and Pierre, who play King and Malcolm X respectively, deftly handle the intimidating task with a thoughtfulness and confidence that...
The eight-episode limited series, which premiered the first two episodes on Thursday, offers an intimate look at both men as husbands, fathers and eventual leaders of the Movement. Harrison and Pierre, who play King and Malcolm X respectively, deftly handle the intimidating task with a thoughtfulness and confidence that...
- 2/2/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
The latest season of Disney and National Geographic's Genius docudrama, titled Genius: MLK/X, focuses on two civil rights icons, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.
In previous seasons, Genius spotlighted one historical figure, such as Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso.
But for Season 4, the anthology opted for what The Hollywood Reporter described as a chronological "compare and contrast essay," highlighting both the differences and commonalities between the two leaders, along with a supporting cast of historical characters.
Read full article on The Direct.
In previous seasons, Genius spotlighted one historical figure, such as Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso.
But for Season 4, the anthology opted for what The Hollywood Reporter described as a chronological "compare and contrast essay," highlighting both the differences and commonalities between the two leaders, along with a supporting cast of historical characters.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 2/2/2024
- by Savannah Sanders
- The Direct
On February 1, 2024, National Geographic premiered the fourth season of “Genius,” which centers on two icons of the civil rights movement: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. “Genius: MLK/X” stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre in the titular roles, with a supporting cast that includes Weruche Opia, Jayme Lawson, Jalyn Hall and the late Ron Cephas Jones.
The limited series puts an intense focus on the formative years of Martin and Malcolm, showing how their experiences and relationships as young children and teens shaped and influenced the iconic figures they would become. Malcolm’s release from prison and Martin’s graduation from Boston University begin their respective journeys that will one day change the nation, but also begin a budding rivalry.
Executive produced by Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the pilot episode is written by playwright Jeff Stetson (“The Meeting”) and directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples.
The limited series puts an intense focus on the formative years of Martin and Malcolm, showing how their experiences and relationships as young children and teens shaped and influenced the iconic figures they would become. Malcolm’s release from prison and Martin’s graduation from Boston University begin their respective journeys that will one day change the nation, but also begin a budding rivalry.
Executive produced by Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the pilot episode is written by playwright Jeff Stetson (“The Meeting”) and directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples.
- 2/2/2024
- by Vincent Mandile
- Gold Derby
The stories of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. are told in parallel for a reason in Genius: MLK/X. “They’ve been depicted as diametrically opposed,” Aaron Pierre, who plays X in the NatGeo anthology series. “I think something we discovered during this journey, in this process, is that they were, yes, two tremendous forces and powers, but they weren’t opposing forces and powers.” This much is expressed in the opening sequence of the series, which can be viewed in the video above. The scene takes place during Malcolm X and MLK’s (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) chance meeting on March 26, 1964, at the U.S. Senate for the outcome of the vote for the Civil Rights Act. From the onset, they are both aware of the media’s influence in their portrayals, and in the footage above, see the two ask who will be hurt most...
- 2/1/2024
- TV Insider
Despite living in the same era and working toward similar goals, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X only met once. Fittingly, they came together at the U.S. Capitol, where both men worked to ensure the Civil Rights Act of 1964 earned Congressional approval. The meeting was courteous, though not without risk, and its brevity was considered unsurprising at the time. King, a Christian minister, and Malcolm X, who had left the Nation of Islam to continue preaching his Muslim faith independently, were both Black leaders and human rights activists, but their methods and associations mostly kept them on parallel tracks. Moreover, it would’ve been easy to assume this was just the first time they would meet, not the only time.
Tragedy made a reunion impossible, and their solo encounter has sparked continued reflections on what could’ve been from historians, authors, and artists of all kinds. The latest...
Tragedy made a reunion impossible, and their solo encounter has sparked continued reflections on what could’ve been from historians, authors, and artists of all kinds. The latest...
- 2/1/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Samuel L. Jackson, Jeffrey Wright, and David Oyelowo have all portrayed civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., whose Atlanta sit-ins, Montgomery bus boycotts, and peaceful protests desegregated the nation. When Kelvin Harrison Jr. was first offered the role, he was overwhelmed by the weight of the historical figure and turned it down.
“I still was a little bit scared and unsure if that was something that I needed to be participating in,” Harrison tells Rolling Stone. “I didn’t really see what I could offer in this moment, and...
“I still was a little bit scared and unsure if that was something that I needed to be participating in,” Harrison tells Rolling Stone. “I didn’t really see what I could offer in this moment, and...
- 2/1/2024
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
Ready for a peek inside the personal lives of two of the most influential men in American history? That’s what you’ll get in the two-episode premiere on Thursday, Feb. 1 of the Emmy Award-winning anthology series, “Genius: MLK/X.” Experience the formative years and key personal relationships of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre) as they develop their dueling philosophies towards the same end: racial equality. The eight-part series will also explore each man’s relationship with his wife, Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia), and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), who proves to be as important to the Civil Rights Movement as the men they stand beside. “Genius: MLK/X” premieres Feb. 1 on National Geographic and streams Feb. 2 on Disney+ and Hulu. You can watch Genius: MLK/X with a 5-Day Free Trial of Directv Stream. You can also watch with Sling TV, Hulu Live TV,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Thomas Waschenfelder
- The Streamable
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X met just once in their brief lives. It was March 26, 1964, when both men were on Capitol Hill for a Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act. They greeted each other cordially, and photographers caught the moment in an image that has long resonated: Two Black leaders with different philosophies but a common purpose, shaking hands and smiling pleasantly. Both men would die within the next few years — Malcolm first in 1965 and then King in 1968 — so the photo stands as a grim reminder of lost opportunity.
- 2/1/2024
- by Stephen Robinson
- Primetimer
Get ready for an intense and thought-provoking episode of “Genius: MLK/X” as Season 4 continues with Episode 4 titled “Watch the Throne.” This powerful installment is set to air on National Geographic at 10:10 Pm on Thursday, February 8, 2024, and it promises to be a defining moment in the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
In this gripping episode, Martin Luther King Jr. faces a harrowing attack that forces him to confront his own mortality. The aftermath of this attack leaves him grappling with profound questions about his leadership and the sacrifices required to lead a movement.
Meanwhile, Malcolm X seizes an opportunity to elevate the profile of the Nation of Islam (Noi). His strategic mind and determination to empower his community take center stage as he works tirelessly to further the Noi’s influence.
“Watch the Throne” delves deep into the complexities of leadership, activism, and personal sacrifice.
In this gripping episode, Martin Luther King Jr. faces a harrowing attack that forces him to confront his own mortality. The aftermath of this attack leaves him grappling with profound questions about his leadership and the sacrifices required to lead a movement.
Meanwhile, Malcolm X seizes an opportunity to elevate the profile of the Nation of Islam (Noi). His strategic mind and determination to empower his community take center stage as he works tirelessly to further the Noi’s influence.
“Watch the Throne” delves deep into the complexities of leadership, activism, and personal sacrifice.
- 2/1/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
Get ready for a captivating episode of “Genius: MLK/X” as the series continues with Season 4, Episode 3 titled “Protect Us.” This thought-provoking episode is scheduled to air on National Geographic at 9:00 Pm on Thursday, February 8, 2024, and it promises to be a powerful exploration of pivotal moments in the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
In this installment, the Bus Boycott gains momentum, and Martin Luther King Jr. finds himself and his new family facing growing safety concerns. As he leads the civil rights movement, the risks and challenges escalate, testing his determination and resolve like never before.
Meanwhile, Malcolm X is on his own path, working tirelessly to create a space for Muslims in the vibrant Harlem community. His journey introduces him to new member Betty Saunders, and viewers can look forward to witnessing their initial meeting and the dynamics that unfold.
“Genius: MLK/X” continues...
In this installment, the Bus Boycott gains momentum, and Martin Luther King Jr. finds himself and his new family facing growing safety concerns. As he leads the civil rights movement, the risks and challenges escalate, testing his determination and resolve like never before.
Meanwhile, Malcolm X is on his own path, working tirelessly to create a space for Muslims in the vibrant Harlem community. His journey introduces him to new member Betty Saunders, and viewers can look forward to witnessing their initial meeting and the dynamics that unfold.
“Genius: MLK/X” continues...
- 2/1/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
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