Success of ‘The Bible’ Sparks ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ Spinoff

The immense success of the History Channel’s “The Bible” miniseries has led to the decision on behalf of a major Hollywood production company to create a faith-affirming spinoff, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

“We believe the audience continues to have a hunger for life- and faith-affirming films,” Michael Landon Jr., who will be writing and producing “Jesus of Nazareth” along with fellow screenwriter Brian Bird, who worked for five seasons on the hit show “Touched by an Angel,” told The Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview.

“The monumental success of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s ‘The Bible’ just underscores that,” Landon added.

The “Jesus of Nazareth” spinoff will reportedly be a six-hour, $20 million miniseries produced by the Motion Picture Corporation of America.

The spinoff’s two writers, Landon and Bird, are both self-professed Christians, and they told The Hollywood Reporter that this new spinoff will be angled toward skeptics of Christianity, rather than believers, in the hopes of educating them on the teachings of the bible.

“['Jesus of Nazareth'] will be traditional in the sense we’re going to stay true to the Gospel, but it won’t be traditional in the sense that our version is actually going to be made for the skeptic, not the believer,” Landon told The Hollywood Reporter.

Spike Lee Is No Quentin Tarantino

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2013/01/spike_lee_is_no_quentin_tarant.php

Uncle Luke, the man whose booty-shaking madness made the U.S. Supreme Court stand up for free speech gets as nasty as he wants to be for Miami New Times. This week, Luke reviews the controversy surrounding Django Unchained. (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD)

Screw Spike Lee. Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained is a brilliant flick that more accurately depicts the African American experience than any of the 15 movies about black culture Lee’s directed in his lifetime. It’s why the movie took home a Golden Globe award for best screenplay over the weekend and why it was recently nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

3rd Edition R.U.N. The Bay Industry Mixer & Toy Drive

On Thursday 12/13/12 Entertainment management company and record label, Run Amuk Productions Brought the Bay Area’s industry executives, taste makers, managers, bloggers, videographers, artists, producers and DJs together once again not only to take a listen to the best of 2012 but this time to visualize the best of the Bay videos of 2012.

Hosted by Jazzy of Jazzy Management & Damon Jamal of In Yo Face Films, the R.U.N. Industry Mixer & Toy Drive took place on Thursday, December 13, 2012, from 6 pm-10pm at Bella Ultra Lounge in Beautiful Downtown Oakland  CA.

Hollywood Black Film Festival Announces Opening and Closing Night Films

 

12^th HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES
OPENING AND CLOSING NIGHT FILMS
HBFF 2012 will open with World Premiere of “Note to Self” Starring Christian Keyes, LeToya Luckett, Richard T. Jones, Brian McKnight and Valarie Pettiford
Festival Closes with “24 Hour Love” Starring Melinda Williams, Tatyana Ali, Flex Alexander, Chico Beynmon, Lynn Whitfield and Darius McCrary

(October 8, 2012 – Hollywood, CA) – Tanya Kersey, Founder and Executive Director for The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) announced Note To Selfwill open the 12^th Hollywood Black Film Festival on Thursday, October 25, 2011, 7pm, at the Montalban Theater, 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA.  The festival will close with 24 Hour Love on Sunday, October 28 at 6 pm at the same location.  HBFF 2012 runs October 25-28 in Hollywood, CA.

“Hoodwinked” Film to Premiere in Washington, DC

“HOODWINKED” DOCUMENTARY FILM, ABOUT NEGATIVE DEPICTIONS OF BLACK IDENTITY, TO PREMIERE IN WASHINGTON DC

– Producer/director Janks Morton explores how African Americans feel about themselves and their portrayal in society, Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 8:00pm/ET at Washington, DC’s Historic AVALON Theatre. –

– The film is an in-depth exploration of how the over-exaggerated negative depictions and statistics about African Americans has debilitating effects on Black Identity. –

[Click To Enlarge]

Washington, DC(BlackNews.com) — iYAGO Entertainment Group is proud to announce the theatrical film premiere of HOODWINKED, Director Janks Morton’s sequel to the 2007 award-winning documentary WHAT BLACK MEN THINK on Thursday, September 6th, 2012 (8p ET), at the historic Avalon Theatre in Washington, DC. The retail release of HOODWINKED and the companion book BLACK PEOPLE DON’T READ will also be made available for purchase at Amazon.com on that same date.

Michael A. Pinckney Releases First DVD Today 7.10.12

Grindstone Entertainment, a subsidiary of Lionsgate, is excited to release the hip-hop thriller “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Kills You” available everywhere today. The debut film written and directed by Michael A. Pinckney is available at Best Buy, Netflix, Amazon.com and Blockbuster.com.

TD JAKES ENTERPRISES – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF “WINNIE” & “A MILLION COLOURS”

TDJ ENTERPRISES / TDJ INDEPENDENTS SIGNS ON AS EXECUTIVE PRODCER FOR WINNIE MANDELA BIOPIC “WINNIE” AND “A MILLION COLOURS” “Winnie” Stars Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson, Oscar Nominee Terrance Howard; Features Original Song Penned By Multiple Oscar Nominee Diane Warren

Top 5 Reasons To Pay To See Think Like A Man (No Spoiler)

http://thembisamshaka.com/2012/04/17/top-5-reasons-to-pay-to-see-think-like-a-man-no-spoiler/

I attended the New York premiere of Think Like A Man (Screen Gems) earlier this month. I’ve been processing the film on many levels: as a woman in a committed relationship (I just celebrated 15 years of marriage to this comedian named Tmor on April 13); as a filmmaker and creative producer of color (yes–the ‘of color’ part matters), and as a consumer who loves a great moviegoing experience.

I’m not one to rave about films; I have my jaded insider moments just like most entertainment industry insiders. Because I know what’s possible from a creative standpoint, my expectations are high–and because I know the limitations Hollywood places on creativity, those expectations are rarely met, let alone exceeded. I’m usually left wanting more in terms of cast, script, story, or all of the above. But as a smart, sexy comedy, Think Like A Man garners a rave from me.

Viola Davis and The Oscars: Anatomy Of A Best Actress Snub

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/02/viola-davis-and-the-oscars-anatomy-of-a-best-actress-snub/

Academy Award nominee Viola Davis, star of the controversial film, The Help, went home empty-handed last night after losing the Best Actress Oscar to her acting idol, Meryl Streep—and I can’t say I’m surprised.

As much as I thought Viola deserved the award for her star turn as Abileen Clark, the maid who quietly and defiantly raised her voice to tell the stories of “the help” in racist Mississippi, one need only consider the source of the Oscars, the constant bitching of black folk mad that the Academy Awards was considering awarding a black woman for portraying a maid, and Viola’s own outspoken statements about Hollywood’s race issue to understand why she lost last night.The voting members, according to a Los Angeles Times investigation released last week, is 94 percent white, 77 percent male and 86 percent over the age of 50—and I’m guessing they didn’t want to be bothered with all the backlash that inevitably would have come from outspoken black intellectuals like Melissa Harris-Perry and James McBride, who over the past weeks have gone hard against the Academy and The Help itself for watering down the abject abuse and danger maids faced at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, and for, 40 years after Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal as a maid, considering handing over yet another statuette to a black woman for her portrayal as… a maid.

NICKI MINAJ covers JUICY Magazine

JUICY magazine’s March/April 2012 cover girl and Grammy-nominated recording artist, Nicki Minaj returns and not just to hip-hop, she’s ready for Hollywood with a role in ICE AGE 4 plus OPI and MAC deals. Not to mention, her wig stylist, the fabulous Terrance Davidson ranks his TOP SIX creations for Nick Majesty exclusively for JUICY

 

JUICY magazine, the one-stop destination for all things: Celebrity Life, Hair & Beauty, check out these great reads this March/April 2012.

Tyrese, Monica, Fantasia, Slimm on Vivica & More in Sister 2 Sister January Issue

Monica… A Real Basketball Wife
R&B star and real life Basketball Wife Monica shares exclusive family photos with S2S and tells Publisher Jamie Foster Brown about her life with her hubby, L.A. Lakers star guard Shannon Brown: when she knew he was “the one,” how they make their blended family work, what’s up with her girlfriends Keyshia Cole and Brandy, her new CD, why she consults with super-producer Dallas Austin on everything, reality TV and her true thoughts on her gig with The Voice. When asked if she’ll ever go back to having her own reality show, she says, “It depends on how.  Shannon and I definitely don’t want The Monica-Shannon Show.  We’re in the early stages of our marriage; we’re just one year in, so we’re constantly building the foundation.  We don’t want to open up the doors for others to be constantly tearing it down.  Would I do a show about the music, more like Still Standing (BET) was?  Of course.”

And on Dallas Austin, she admits, “I don’t do records without consulting with Dallas.  I didn’t get married before I spoke to him…so when I play him songs, and Dallas jumps up and down and he starts moving and dancing, I know that that record is a real Monica record.”
Page 49

Robertson Treatment Syndicated Column: Edition 15, Issue 10 – Real Talk with American’s Best Actress – Ms. Viola Davis

Viola Davis is an actress who is destined to achieve greatness in Hollywood. It took just eight minutes (the entire length of her role in the 2008 film, “Doubt”) for her to be nominated for an Academy Award, and now, with her starring role in the box office hit, “The Help” (more than 100 million plus and counting), she is virtually assured of receiving similar recognition in Hollywood’s upcoming Awards Season. Born on her grandmother’s farm in South Carolina, reared in Rhode Island and professionally trained at the prestigious Julliard School, Davis began her career with a little seen role in the 1996 film, “The Substance of Fire”. More roles followed (including supporting parts in films like “Out of Sight,” “Antowne Fisher,” and “Syriana,” before her breakout performance in “Doubt” set the world on fire. Now with praise and accolades (including 2 Tony Awards)  from her peers like Meryl Streep, Davis is now being called the next “real thing” in the Arts. The Robertson Treatment is so pleased to have the opportunity to present our exclusive interview with this very gracious and formidable talent.

Robertson Treatment: How do you feel being the actor that everybody is watching?

Photos from “The Ultimate Merger” Viewing PartyHosted by Toccara at Eva Longoria’s restaurant Beso’s in Hollywood, the other night.

Toccara and the Bachelors

Hollywood Hair Stylist Dr. Boogie Captures The Ultimate Merger Look with Toccara

 

Hollywood Hair Stylist   Dr. Boogie Captures The Ultimate Merger Look with Toccara and also Opens New Salon “The Beauty Parlor by Boogie’s Secrets”

Hollywood, CA – As the fabulous super model Toccara makes her debut on Season 2 of “The Ultimate Merger” on TV One, you better believe she will be bringing her “A” game.  With fourteen eligible bachelors vying for her attention, a girl has got to look her absolute best.  For hair that speaks volumes, there is only one doctor in town to call, and Toccara called the one and only, Dr. Boogie.

Dr. Boyce: Why I Won’t Be Seeing “The Help”

http://boycewatkins.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/dr-boyce-why-i-wont-be-seeing-the-help/

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

The new film, “The Help,” starring  Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer has gotten a bit of buzz recently.   The film is based on a novel by Kathryn Stockett about two black maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi during the late 1960s.  I was curious about the film, since my first impression is that it is a female version of “Driving Miss Daisy.”  I can’t say, however, that I am curious enough to want to watch it – for I’ve seen films like this one before.