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Raising Izzie, starring Rockmond Dunbar, Vanessa Williams, Kyla Kenedy and Victoria Staley, tells the gripping story of Gertie and Izzie, two young girls living on their own. As orphans they are doing the best they can to stay in school, stay undetected and stay together. With assistance from their mother before her passing, the girls are financially prepared to sustain themselves for some time. Gertie, 14, takes seriously her charge to raise her younger sister, Izzie, 10. Greg and Tonya are a couple whose love for one another radiates and for some time now, they have attempted to build a family and have failed. Tonya longs to share the love and nurturing she has been channeling through her job as a teacher into children of her own. Raising Izzie premieres Saturday, July 21 at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm ET. It also will air the following day, July 22, at 7pm, 9pm and 11pm ET.
I’m excited about this movie, a big fan of Roger Bobb, the director.
Touchback is about a former high school football star turned farmer and family man, Scott Murphy (Brian Presley) who finds himself with a unique opportunity to revisit his glory days during the State championship game where he permanently injured his knee in a game-winning play. Given a second shot at his destiny, Scott seeks counsel from Coach Hand (Kurt Russell), Scott's longtime mentor on and off the field, to help him decide whether to let his fate unfold, or follow a path that will change his future. Written and Directed by Don Handfield,Touchback also stars Melanie Lynskey (Up In the Air, Sweet Home Alabama, CBS' "Two and a Half Men"),Mark Blucas (Knight and Day, The Jane Austen Book Club) and Christine Lahti (Smart People, CBS’ “Chicago Hope”).
On April 6, 2012 Atlanta had Think Like a Man fever as the cast of Screen Gems upcoming romantic comedy hit the city for a full day of promotional activities. After various morning radio interviews, Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall, Terrence J, Romany Malco and La La Anthonyheaded over to Clark-Atlanta University for a stop at WCLK 91.9 and then a press conference with numerous AUC (Atlanta University Center) campus media. The cast then went over to Morehouse, where TLAM director Tim Story and Rainforest Films producer Will Packer joined them for a lively pep rally featuring giveaways, a dance contest, a Greek stroll and a fun Q&A.
Love Begins! is a great DVD to own this holiday season! I’ve seen all of the Love Series movie adaptations. However, this one is such a beautiful redemption story. Clark’s recommitment to his faith felt very realistic. Although the story is set in late nineteenth century, the challenges he had with organized religion is relevant today, even more so. It didn’t feel phony or rushed and I appreciated the way his story unfolded. At first I thought that Ellen’s icy demeanor at the beginning was too hard, but as the tragedy about her dad and her fiancee leaving her, I understood. I liked how tough she was; I liked even more that she humbled herself with a sense of humor. She knew she had been giving him a hard time. I really liked how the characters in this story had realistic conversations. It’s my family’s favorite DVD this season. There are so many talking points for Christian parents of teens to discuss. Really loved this movie.
More about Love Begins:
Clark Davis’ (Wes Brown, “True Blood”) adventurous dreams of seeing the world are put into jeopardy after he and a friend start a fight which damages a local cafe. Through a plea deal with the Sheriff (Jere Burns) and café owner Millie (Nancy McKeon), Clark works off his sentence as a farmhand for the Barlow sisters, Ellen (Julie Mond, “General Hospital”) and Cassie (Abigail Mavity).
Older sister Ellen doesn’t understand Cassie’s friendly nature with Clark; she agreed to the Sheriff’s offer only because the farm has become too much to maintain alone. Clark is slowing winning Ellen over, but suddenly suffers a traumatic head injury in a fall. After Ellen nurses him back to health, her former fiancé returns to win her back.Will Clark travel on or stay behind where love begins?
This summer I saw an early screening of Courageous, the Movie at the 2011 ICRS Convention in Atlanta. The movie released yesterday nationwide. Here's my review.
Synopsis: Courageous is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. It is the story of law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners. They are confident and focused: they willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark. When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children?
Protecting the streets is second nature to these law enforcement officers. Raising their children? That will take courage.
Runtime: PG-13. 2 hours, 4 minutes
Review: This movie’s writing is far better than Fireproof. I loved, loved, loved the scene when Officer Hayes took his daughter to dinner and gave her a promise ring. I loved when Officer Mitchell danced with his daughter. Kudos for those bright moments. However, there were some melodramatic, predictable, and questionable spots that kept it from receiving a 5 star rating from Christian Fiction Blog.
Without sharing much of the plot and the denouement, I want to address my challenge with the constant negative and stereotypical portrayals of people of color in the movie. I’m from South Georgia and have many relatives in Albany, where this movie is set. It would be hard for me to watch this movie with them without cringing. For the record southern af-am gang members aren’t jumped-in like it is portrayed in the movie nor do they wear do-rags and cut off jean shirts. There are many Af-am churches in Albany that could have helped Sherwood on what gang members really look like now. (They could have contacted me, since I was once on a gang prevention task force.)
Moreover, the comic scene whereby the latino friend masqueraded as the stereotypical Tony Montana, greasy Latino Drug Lord was disturbing and not funny. My in-laws are Latina, as well as my child. I’m not in the mood to have a conversation with her about living with a double stereotype , which has been pushed by leaders of our faith. Furthermore, it is more evident after reading the praise of The Help that many of us do not know American Immigration history and how damaging these prejudiced roles are to the psyche of our society.
Although I understand the message this movie wants to get out, I do not understand the need for perpetuating stereotypes in order to do it. It puts people off, which I’m sure wasn’t its desired intent. All men, regardless of race, are challenged by being fathers. Criminal behavior is not regulated just to people of color, and all af-am men who grew up in single parent households aren’t doomed to a life of crime, nor are the ones who aren’t criminal an exception to the rule.
At some point American Protestant Society including CBA and Sherwood has to realize that if they want to evangelize Christ message to everyone, if they want to edify the Body of Christ, if they want to glorify God, they are going to have to see everyone as equal. Casting people of color is a step forward; Casting them to stereotype is two steps back. Otherwise Courageous, is a movie only for white protestant fathers, which I don’t believe- especially after having a chat with director Alex Kendrick.
Sure Tony Dungy praised the film in USA Today. However, he doesn’t speak for me and I’m proof positive he doesn’t speak to the men of color in Albany, Georgia, whom this movie will most assuredly single them out to be bad men.
The favorite at the Deauville American Film Festival, winner of a dozen Audience Choice Awards for Best Picture, and recipient of the HEARTLAND TRULY MOVING PICTURE AWARD, LIKE DANDELION DUST is, according to USA TODAY, "the next Blind Side". Directed by Jon Gunn (MY DATE WITH DREW, MERCY STREETS) from a screenplay by Academy Award® Nominated Stephen J. Rivele (ALI, NIXON), the film is based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Karen Kingsbury. "Like Dandelion Dust" is a compelling drama about a young boy who lives an idyllic life with his adoptive parents on the coast of Florida. It's a postcard childhood until the day they receive a disturbing phone call: his birth parents want Joey back. A judge's decision could tear him away from the only home he's ever known. One family is determined to keep the son they love, the other to begin a new life, one they've always dreamed of, and rise above the challenges of alcoholism and domestic abuse that have plagued them. Joey's future hangs in the balance as issues of parenthood and class warfare play out. Someone must make the bravest decision of their life; sometimes the greatest love is letting go. Starring Academy Award® Winner Mira Sorvino, Golden Globe® Nominee Barry Pepper, and introducing child actor, Maxwell Perry Cotton.
Last week, May 4, 2010 Preacher’s Kid[Warner Bros] made its DVD release debut. Starring Destiny’s Child LeToya Lucket, Sharif Atkins[White Collar and The Good Wife], Recording Artist Tank Babbs, Gregalan Williams[Baywatch], and Gospel Recording Artist Kiki Sheard to name a few.
Here’s the plot:
Angie King[Luckett] is a sheltered twenty-something bishop’s daughter, who wants to see more of the world than her Georgian home. Her father uses family guilt and biblical scripture to keep tight reigns on his daughter. Even when the musical director[Atkins] asks for the Bishop’s permission to date Miss King, the Bishop claims his daughter has too many godly duties to perform. So of course, when Angie deceptively ditches home for a chance to see a gospel play all Hell breaks loose. She meets R & B heartthrob Tank, who sniffs out her naivety faster than you can say Prodigal Daughter. And there you have it.
My review: 2.5 Hallelujah Handclaps
Plot: The Prodigal Son Remake was just as trite as The Gospel. Lord of the Ring’s Return of the King is still remains the paramount of Prodigal Son stories. What this story fails to like so many before it is instead of creating an interesting and compelling character arc that parallels with the Prodigal Son parable they continue to Red Robin Hood the story. They forget that even a child can tell that even if the wolf puts on Granny’s nightgown and glasses we still see him. The parable should never overshadow the plot, else we will continue to have poor storytelling in movie scripts like these.
Cast: The cast saved this movie. However, I must say that Tank’s character was too one dimensional and overly done. We’re about done with the handsome Ike Turners. It wasn’t Tank’s fault. He did the best he could do with that script. Also I’m just curious is Clifton Powell the hardest working man in Hollywood and DVDland? Someone give this man a lifetime achievement award for being an equal opportunity thespian. Goodness. Another sore spot: Kiki Sheard playing a coy singer in the beginning…Really?
Script Dialogue: If the plot’s weak, then so is the dialogue. Sharif and Essence Atkins[no relation] had the best lines. Sidekicks should never outshine the main characters. Tank’s dialogue was stilted. Powell’s dialogue was uncharacteristic. I heard two cities tossed around in the movie(Augusta and Atlanta) which city is the story set in? Knowing that would definitely make a difference in understanding Angie’s naivety.
Music: Since this movie is set between a church and a gospel play, it’s understood their will be great music. Wrong. Miner misplaced song choices in spots(ie. Jennifer Hudson’s song.) The bright spot was the duet in New York. There were places where a Tank or Luckett song would definitely befitted the scene.
Biggest Challenge: The treatment of Domestic Violence. Although DV is whispered in most African-American churches, it was never brought to the spotlight during Angie’s reversal. Instead it was glossed over like a lover’s quarrell and a climactic battle between 2 beaus. Low point.
Overall this movie will be enjoyed by those who hope to see a behind the scenes glimpse of a Tyler Perry or David Talbert play. It is not romantic, sweeping, barely coming of age, comedy, family drama…it is a hodge podge of all, yet not mixing well.
Our dear author friend Carleen Brice's novel Orange, Mint & Honey will air on Lifetime TV Febrary 21, 2009 as "Sins of the Mother." The movie will star: Jill Scott(Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married) If you haven't read the book, this is a great time to before the movie. Or a host a bookclub/movie night to watch the movie.
Hmmm...maybe I should do that for my birthday. If you live in Atlanta and would love to view the movie with me, let's make it happen. We can do it nationwide at our girlfriend's and Mama Nem's house. Online Facebook and Twitter. Wachoothink? Whatweeatin? Don't forget to bring your book. You can purchase it online here.
The bees came the summer of 1964, the summer I turned fourteen and my life went spinning off into a whole new orbit, and I mean whole new orbit. Looking back on it now, I want to say the bees were sent to me. I want to say they showed up like the angle Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary, setting events in motion I could never have guessed. I know it is presumptuous to compare my small life to hers, but I have reason to believe she wouldn't mind; I will get to that. Right now it's enough to say that despite everything that happened that summer, I remain tender toward the bees. An excerpt from the book, The Secret Life of Bees
I read The Secret Life of Bees six years ago. I remember it well, because Selah was two years old and I was in a wheelchair, on an oxygen tank and couldn't feed myself. I couldn't mother Selah like I had imagined I would. I was heartbroken. My family knew it and did everything to make me feel better, including picking up books from the public library for me. Reading was my first love and at the time all I could do--wanted to-- back then was read and escape from my sad reality.
I read that book, and not only did it make me fall in love with writing again, it made me stronger somehow. As you know my health and my maternity has spun onto a whole new orbit.
So when I received an opportunity to prescreen "The Secret Life of Bees" The Movie i missed the first two opportunities. Not because I chose to, of course, but because (1) I had promised to Selah to the Rockdale County Fair and then the second time because I was so under the weather. My health is better, but limiting sometimes.
But I have some good friends, closer than sisters, Rhonda McKnight and Pam Perry as well as Felicia Tanner of Liquid Soul Media(a new sister) who knew where my heart was. They reserved the last two tickets for me and a guest.
My eight-year-old daughter, Selah was my guest. If I told you she was one of Dakota Fanning's biggest fans I would not come close to what she says she feels about the actress.
After watching the movie I am in competition to be her biggest fan.
This movie was beyond sweet, heartwarming, charming, heartheavy, bittersweet, romantic. It was heart opening. Queen Latifah stuck her foot in August Boatwright. Alicia Keys...she personified June's sizzle, spirit and spite so well. Oh my goodness. Sophie Okonedo wore the world's emotion on that screen. Wow. Brilliant. Angelic. And Jennifer Hudson. When I read the novel I imagined someone else, but boy do I thank Director/Screenwriter Gina Prince-Bythewood for casting her. She was a humbled sister/mother so symbolic of The Black Madonna.
I am so grateful to have lived to have read the novel and thankful to God to have seen it as a movie.
I hope my writer-or-die chicks/Sisters in Christ continue to write compelling, centered stories and believe in the power of the bees.
Advisory: This movie has strong themes that if you bring your child(ren) to see, then prepare to talk with them about those themes and how you as a family have decided to honor your family. Selah and I had a long talk about those issues and we will continue to come back to this conversation as she starts puberty.
My rating: 5 Hallelujah Handclaps
Here an Queen Latifah and Tristan Wilds Talk Secret Life of Bees Here
If I am alive, please believe that on October 17, 2008 I will be at an AMC watching the movie adaptation of Secret Life of Bees. Will Smith produces, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Tristan Wilds and Jennifer Hudson will star. This info and that Gina Prince-Blythewood is pulling this movie together are just as exciting as the novel.
I knew Dakota would play Lily, just knew it Selah is ecstatic now that we live in Dakota's home town. I told her she doesn't live in Conyers anymore. But you know how bright-eyed girls are... :)
An adaptation is not a clone of the novel. It’s the story rendered in a different artistic medium, and in order to translate it from one to the other, changes are needed... It[a change in Tristan's abduction] enhances the drama considerably. It wasn’t one of those things I wished I’d thought of, but I didn’t mind it. I could see the wisdom in it for the movie. All in all, though, Gina has been remarkably faithful to the story. In her note that accompanied the script, she wrote: “Your novel was my bible.”
Merry . Christmas. One Christmas tradition in our home is on Christmas Day we head to the movies. Usually we see a scary flick. We like to scream,hold and giggle at each other. So of course, our first choice was Will Smith's I am Legend. But something changed, we had a change of heart. Tomorrow we are going to see The Great Debaters. The movie stars many award winning actors: Denzel Washington, Forrest Whitaker, Elise Neal, Jurnee Smollet, Nate Parker, Gina Ravera, John Heard and newcomer, Denzel Whitaker. Watch The Logan Show's feature on The Great Debaters here. And maybe you will start a new tradition with your family...watching a movie that champions the human spirit. Be blessed this Holiday, Dee.
Christian Parents are leery about guiding their children into the movie theatres this month to see The Golden Compass. Some Christian fiction authors,media, and the Catholic League have warned parents of the movies anti-Christian/atheist theme. This week the author, Phillip Pullman calls this boycott campaign "absolute rubbish." At a London premiere of the film, he stated:
I am a story teller. If I wanted to send a message I would have written a sermon.
However New Line Cinemas removed mentions of God and the church[The books tell of a battle against the church and a fight to overthrow God] from the script last November. The Golden Compass US release date is December 7.
What do you think? Have you read the books? Read the first chapter here.The book is intended for older children. Do you think your children will be misguided by them? Are you taking your kids to the movie? If not, I have a great movie recommendation they can see on Christmas Day that shows the triumph of Christian character. Stay tuned for details next week. Subscribe to ChristianFiction to stay informed.
Marriage Tops the Movies Tyler Perry's faith based movie, "Why Did I Get Married?" won the #1 box office draw this weekend earning $21.5 Million on it's opening weekend. With guest appearances on Oprah, Regis & Kelly, the Portia Fox show on Atlanta's Vee-103, TP's media blitz toppled "The Game Plan," "Michael Clayton, and "We Own the Night." With numbers like this apparently, TP owns the box office. His next film, "Meet the Browns" is slated for a February 2008 release. But back to WDIGM...what did you like about the film? Do you think it was realistic?
More on Meet the Browns A synopsis: Brenda, a single mother from Chicago receives a letter announcing the death of a father she's never met around the same time she loses her job. Desperate for help, she takes her children to Georgia to attend the funeral. But gets more than help, she gets a faith filled family and an opportunity to be loved.Angela Bassett stars as Brenda. I can tell you now that the movie is already a hit. Just with Angela in it alone. Madea will return and Jenifer Lewis will be back bold as ever, and big Mama, Irma P. Hall(The Lad. So you know I'm going to this movie for my 35th birthday. :)
The Christmas Shoes airing on CBS The Christmas Blessing DVD, the sequel to the CBS TV movie The Christmas Shoes, is to release Nov. 6 in Christian bookstores. The movies are based on Donna VanLiere's best-selling books released by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Neil Patrick Harris, Rebecca Gayheart and Rob Lowe star in the film, which was seen by 14 million viewers in 2005 when it premiered on CBS. The DVD will release from GT Media, formerly known as GoodTimes Entertainment (EMI CMG Distribution).
Fox Faith's First Gospel Movie TP has blazed such a trail that Fox Faith is releasing January 2008 movie based on another gospel playwright, Rev. Payton's hit gospel play, "A Good Man is Hard to Find." The CW's Golden Brooks[Girlfriends] and CBS' Hill Harper[CSI New York]will star.
Jeanne Damoff wrote an exceptional Art & Worship article over at The Master's Artist today. She highlights Akeelah and the Bee, the movie.
From her post I felt reaffirmed to contine writing the kinds of stories that I write. Sometimes the pressures of becoming published makes me want switch gears. I know what stories sell and I know how to write them. But my soul wants me to do more than that. And so that's what I have to do.
I hope you read thi Jeanne's entry. It is beautiful.
