CinemaBlind’s Review – 80%
Summer of Violence is a deeply personal and moving film that will surely break your heart by the end. Written and directed by Nicki Micheaux, the drama film’s title is inspired by real events that happened in Denver in the 1990s and that’s when the film is set where we meet our protagonist Naomi, who moves to Denver after graduating because her career choice was not of her father’s liking.
We meet Naomi on the day of her graduation from law school and she is all set to join a law firm, but her passion lies in poetry, and when she tells her father that he refuses to give her emotional and financial support. This forces Naomi to move to Denver with her friend Pam, soon after getting there she witnesses the fear and violence that is ever present in her neighborhood. To fight...
Summer of Violence is a deeply personal and moving film that will surely break your heart by the end. Written and directed by Nicki Micheaux, the drama film’s title is inspired by real events that happened in Denver in the 1990s and that’s when the film is set where we meet our protagonist Naomi, who moves to Denver after graduating because her career choice was not of her father’s liking.
We meet Naomi on the day of her graduation from law school and she is all set to join a law firm, but her passion lies in poetry, and when she tells her father that he refuses to give her emotional and financial support. This forces Naomi to move to Denver with her friend Pam, soon after getting there she witnesses the fear and violence that is ever present in her neighborhood. To fight...
- 3/5/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Nicki Micheaux‘s directorial debut Summer of Silence, which was also written and produced by Micheaux has been selected to screen at the 31st Pan African Film Festival 2024. The film will be screening twice in 2024 at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Complex and Xd on February 12 at 5 Pm and then on the next day on Feb. 13 at 9 Pm.
Micheaux’s Summer of Violence recently won Best Picture and Audience Award at the Dtla Film Festival, earned the Outstanding First Feature Award at the Tallgrass Film Festival, and was nominated for the Narrative Jury Award at the Austin Film Festival.
Summer of Violence is a coming-of-age story love story and it is set during the turbulent summer of 1993 in Denver, Colorado. The film revolves around a young college grad who refuses to go to law school in order to pursue poetry. Cut off from her father’s money she must survive the...
Micheaux’s Summer of Violence recently won Best Picture and Audience Award at the Dtla Film Festival, earned the Outstanding First Feature Award at the Tallgrass Film Festival, and was nominated for the Narrative Jury Award at the Austin Film Festival.
Summer of Violence is a coming-of-age story love story and it is set during the turbulent summer of 1993 in Denver, Colorado. The film revolves around a young college grad who refuses to go to law school in order to pursue poetry. Cut off from her father’s money she must survive the...
- 2/11/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Exclusive: The Dtla Film Festival has set the full feature lineup for its 15th edition, taking place at Regal L.A. Live from November 1-5, announcing the Jack Huston starrer Hail Mary as its opening night film.
Also starring Angela Sarafyan, Natalia del Riego, and Benny Emmanuel, the film from Rosemary Rodriguez is described as a genre-bending retelling of the Mary and Joseph story following an undocumented, pregnant migrant’s journey to make it safely across the U.S. border.
Nicki Micheaux’s Summer of Violence will serve as Centerpiece film for the fest, being put on in accordance with SAG-AFTRA strike guidelines, with Deborah Attoinese’s Women in Fire to close it out. Additional feature highlights include the sci-fi rom-com Molli and Max in the Future starring Zosia Mamet, Aristotle Athari, and Okieriete Onaodowan; Maxim Pozdorovkin’s animated doc The Conspiracy featuring voice actors like Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber,...
Also starring Angela Sarafyan, Natalia del Riego, and Benny Emmanuel, the film from Rosemary Rodriguez is described as a genre-bending retelling of the Mary and Joseph story following an undocumented, pregnant migrant’s journey to make it safely across the U.S. border.
Nicki Micheaux’s Summer of Violence will serve as Centerpiece film for the fest, being put on in accordance with SAG-AFTRA strike guidelines, with Deborah Attoinese’s Women in Fire to close it out. Additional feature highlights include the sci-fi rom-com Molli and Max in the Future starring Zosia Mamet, Aristotle Athari, and Okieriete Onaodowan; Maxim Pozdorovkin’s animated doc The Conspiracy featuring voice actors like Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber,...
- 10/2/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kasey Inez (The Sex Lives of College Girls), Jahking Guillory (Black Lightning), Pedro Correa (The Middle) and Damon Gupton (Babylon) will topline Summer of Violence — the first feature written and directed by actress Nicki Micheaux (Lincoln Heights), which has wrapped production.
Summer of Violence is a coming-of-age pic, emerging from Micheaux’s time with the Sundance Writing Collab, which was shot in Colorado. The film from Three60 Films follows a young college grad, Naomi (Inez), who turns down law school to pursue poetry, despite her father’s objections. She subsequently struggles to survive in 1993 Denver, after being cut off by her father during a period of violent crime in the city known as the Summer of Violence. Guillory plays Naomi’s artist friend, Frank, with Correa as her boyfriend Richie, and Gupton as her father, Thomas.
Micheaux is producing the pic with her production company partner, Johnny Wimbrey, as...
Summer of Violence is a coming-of-age pic, emerging from Micheaux’s time with the Sundance Writing Collab, which was shot in Colorado. The film from Three60 Films follows a young college grad, Naomi (Inez), who turns down law school to pursue poetry, despite her father’s objections. She subsequently struggles to survive in 1993 Denver, after being cut off by her father during a period of violent crime in the city known as the Summer of Violence. Guillory plays Naomi’s artist friend, Frank, with Correa as her boyfriend Richie, and Gupton as her father, Thomas.
Micheaux is producing the pic with her production company partner, Johnny Wimbrey, as...
- 12/23/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
"The question is: how are you still alive?" Samuel Goldwyn Films has released an official trailer for an indie film titled Lazarus, another indie superhero flick about a man who gains special powers. "A super powered vigilante fights an organization to free a city from darkness." From filmmaker R.L. Scott and actor Sean Riggs, who also produced this. A man is killed, but his death is a brief affair. Upon regaining consciousness, he discovers he has been gifted with extraordinary powers that allow him to super-heroically fight the organization responsible for plunging his city into darkness. Sean Riggs stars as Lazarus, joined by Costas Mandylor, Shane Brolly, Nicki Micheaux, and Mya. This looks like it has some badass action scenes, and I really dig the red eyes when he has powers. But is there anything more than just that? Kick some ass. Here's the new official trailer (+ poster) for R.
- 3/10/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Lazarus, an action thriller set up at Samuel Goldwyn Films, will have an exclusive run on Fox Corp. streaming service Tubi starting February 26.
The free, ad-supported outlet will be the first venue for the film in the U.S. and Canada.
R.L. Scott, whose previous films include Call Me King, wrote and directed Lazarus, which centers around a man who unlocks superpowers to battle evil forces after being killed. Sean Riggs, whose credits include series like S.W.A.T. and You, plays the lead. The cast also includes Costas Mandylor, Aeriel Miranda, Shane Brolly, Nicki Micheaux, Noel Gugliemi, Linc Hand, Adamo Palladino and R&b singer Mya.
The film was produced by Scott and Justin “Jtrx” Echols. Sean Riggs, Eddie Riggs and Edward Davie are executive producers.
Tubi had more than 30,000 film and TV titles from 250 suppliers. It and has been showcasing newer programming since being acquired by Fox in 2020, becoming a...
The free, ad-supported outlet will be the first venue for the film in the U.S. and Canada.
R.L. Scott, whose previous films include Call Me King, wrote and directed Lazarus, which centers around a man who unlocks superpowers to battle evil forces after being killed. Sean Riggs, whose credits include series like S.W.A.T. and You, plays the lead. The cast also includes Costas Mandylor, Aeriel Miranda, Shane Brolly, Nicki Micheaux, Noel Gugliemi, Linc Hand, Adamo Palladino and R&b singer Mya.
The film was produced by Scott and Justin “Jtrx” Echols. Sean Riggs, Eddie Riggs and Edward Davie are executive producers.
Tubi had more than 30,000 film and TV titles from 250 suppliers. It and has been showcasing newer programming since being acquired by Fox in 2020, becoming a...
- 2/4/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Nicki Micheaux has been on our TV screens for nearly 25 years. The talented actress made her on screen debut in a 1996 TV movie called The Cold Equations. Over the years, she has earned more prominent roles in TV shows and films. While there’s no doubt that she can do it all, she has been in a lot of law enforcement/legal dramas and she never has any problem keeping audiences engaged. Many people will know her best from playing Jennifer Sutton in the series Lincoln Heights. She also gained lots of recognition for her role in shows like Good
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Nicki Micheaux...
10 Things You Didn’t Know about Nicki Micheaux...
- 1/18/2021
- by Camille Moore
- TVovermind.com
The CW has become the first network to make primetime scheduling changes in response to the seasons of most of its series getting cut short by the coronavirus-imposed mass production shutdowns.
As confirmed by Supernatural executive producer Andrew Dabb on Monday, this week’s Episode 13 of the show’s final season was the last “for awhile.” Starting next Monday, March 30, the CW will air Whose Line Is It Anyway original episodes (at 8 Pm) and repeats (at 8:30 Pm) in Supernatural‘s time slot.
Tonight, March 26, will be the final original episode this spring for sophomore Legacies,...
As confirmed by Supernatural executive producer Andrew Dabb on Monday, this week’s Episode 13 of the show’s final season was the last “for awhile.” Starting next Monday, March 30, the CW will air Whose Line Is It Anyway original episodes (at 8 Pm) and repeats (at 8:30 Pm) in Supernatural‘s time slot.
Tonight, March 26, will be the final original episode this spring for sophomore Legacies,...
- 3/26/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The midseason finale of Good Trouble's sophmore season concluded with a few shocking cliffhangers that will have fans eagerly awaiting its return.
Fortunately, it was announced that Good Trouble will have a special 2-hour Christmas special.
We can only imagine the kind of drama and excitement that will happen with the Coterie gang and their close ones during the holiday season.
Related: Good Trouble Season 2 Episode 8 Review: Disruptions
One of those Coterie loved ones is Malika's boyfriend, Isaac Hall, played by Sarunas Jackson.
TV Fanatic had the good fortune of speaking with Sarunas about Good Trouble, finally playing a nice guy, and Games People Play.
We also spoke about the important message behind his new role as the Old Spice Guy in Old Spice's "Never Let A Friend Lose His Swagger" Campaign.
Check out our chat below!
TV Fanatic: So, I'll just jump right into it. There's supposed...
Fortunately, it was announced that Good Trouble will have a special 2-hour Christmas special.
We can only imagine the kind of drama and excitement that will happen with the Coterie gang and their close ones during the holiday season.
Related: Good Trouble Season 2 Episode 8 Review: Disruptions
One of those Coterie loved ones is Malika's boyfriend, Isaac Hall, played by Sarunas Jackson.
TV Fanatic had the good fortune of speaking with Sarunas about Good Trouble, finally playing a nice guy, and Games People Play.
We also spoke about the important message behind his new role as the Old Spice Guy in Old Spice's "Never Let A Friend Lose His Swagger" Campaign.
Check out our chat below!
TV Fanatic: So, I'll just jump right into it. There's supposed...
- 8/30/2019
- by Jasmine Blu
- TVfanatic
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a 99-year old international women’s service organization, has awarded honorary membership to Nicki Micheaux, actress, producer and director. The induction ceremony took place on June 28, 2019 during the sorority’s 48th Pacific Regional Leadership Conference in Los Angeles, California.
Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker and Zakkiyyah Nazeeh welcome Nicki Micheaux
Best known for her role as Jennifer “Jenn” Sutton in the ABC Family drama series Lincoln Heights, Micheaux received two NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for the portrayal. “While most know Ms. Micheaux as a Hollywood actress, it is her advocacy work uplifting women and children that makes her a perfect match for Zeta,” said Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker, Zeta International President. “Her effort fighting against global poverty and shaping the perceptions and treatment of Black boys and men among law enforcement align with both our Z-hope (Zeta Helping Others Excel) and Get Engaged social action initiatives.
Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker and Zakkiyyah Nazeeh welcome Nicki Micheaux
Best known for her role as Jennifer “Jenn” Sutton in the ABC Family drama series Lincoln Heights, Micheaux received two NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for the portrayal. “While most know Ms. Micheaux as a Hollywood actress, it is her advocacy work uplifting women and children that makes her a perfect match for Zeta,” said Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker, Zeta International President. “Her effort fighting against global poverty and shaping the perceptions and treatment of Black boys and men among law enforcement align with both our Z-hope (Zeta Helping Others Excel) and Get Engaged social action initiatives.
- 7/8/2019
- Look to the Stars
As Hollywood grapples with the lingering fallout of #MeToo and abuse of power on sets, some performers are calling for a industry-wide standard to better protect performers during scenes requiring intimate contact or nudity.
“You won’t want to have to cross your fingers and hope to have someone [with a] beautiful [heart] in charge,” actress Nicki Micheaux said during the “Let’s Talk About Sex (Scenes)” panel at the Atx Television Festival Saturday. “If there’s not industry standards [new actors are at risk]…so you empower the artists to know how [to handle] this.”
“You don’t know what kind of personality you’re running into,” she continued. “Think about how broad the #MeToo movement is. You’re coming in and you’re exposing yourself.”
Moderator Joy Blake, who writes for “Outlander” agreed, but noted they would need help: “I think it requires involvements from unions.”
Alicia Rodis, who is an intimacy coordinator for HBO and belongs to...
“You won’t want to have to cross your fingers and hope to have someone [with a] beautiful [heart] in charge,” actress Nicki Micheaux said during the “Let’s Talk About Sex (Scenes)” panel at the Atx Television Festival Saturday. “If there’s not industry standards [new actors are at risk]…so you empower the artists to know how [to handle] this.”
“You don’t know what kind of personality you’re running into,” she continued. “Think about how broad the #MeToo movement is. You’re coming in and you’re exposing yourself.”
Moderator Joy Blake, who writes for “Outlander” agreed, but noted they would need help: “I think it requires involvements from unions.”
Alicia Rodis, who is an intimacy coordinator for HBO and belongs to...
- 6/8/2019
- by Marisa Roffman
- Variety Film + TV
What does a girl have to do to spend time in the Blue Room?
I meant alone, not for having sexytimes with someone like Link. You know what? Nevermind.
Anyway, Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Episode 18 was an Ok installment, but more than anything, it felt like a filler until we figure out what the hell happened between Jo and her birth mother.
Alex couldn't get ahold of Jo the entire time she was gone. Jo flew to Pittsburgh to see her mother, and perhaps due to Alex's position and him taking time off to take his mother home, he was unable to accompany Jo on her trip.
Related: Grey's Anatomy Round Table: Amelia and Link Brought the Sexy, But Did You Like It?
Whatever happened, it does not look good; Jo appears to be unhappy. What the hell happened?!
Helen is gone. It was the extent of her arc during this season.
I meant alone, not for having sexytimes with someone like Link. You know what? Nevermind.
Anyway, Grey's Anatomy Season 15 Episode 18 was an Ok installment, but more than anything, it felt like a filler until we figure out what the hell happened between Jo and her birth mother.
Alex couldn't get ahold of Jo the entire time she was gone. Jo flew to Pittsburgh to see her mother, and perhaps due to Alex's position and him taking time off to take his mother home, he was unable to accompany Jo on her trip.
Related: Grey's Anatomy Round Table: Amelia and Link Brought the Sexy, But Did You Like It?
Whatever happened, it does not look good; Jo appears to be unhappy. What the hell happened?!
Helen is gone. It was the extent of her arc during this season.
- 3/22/2019
- by Jasmine Blu
- TVfanatic
In January, Good Trouble premiered, and it has since hit the ground running forging a path of its own using the tools from its predecessor and taking on life and adulthood for Millennials and Gen Z.
It's one of the hottest new shows of the year -- lauded for its gutsy approach to giving voice to the notoriously voiceless and its unapologetic exploration of social issues.
The first season has Callie clerking with a judge of whom she has mutual respect but opposing viewpoints on a controversial case of a young black man, Jamal Thompson, unjustly killed by police.
It's a storyline which consumes most of Callie's work storyline and involves her Black Lives Matter activist housemate, Malika who has become a support to Jamal's mother Sandra during the years since Jamal's death, and throughout the court proceedings.
TV Fanatic was fortunate enough to chat with acclaimed actress Nicki Micheaux...
It's one of the hottest new shows of the year -- lauded for its gutsy approach to giving voice to the notoriously voiceless and its unapologetic exploration of social issues.
The first season has Callie clerking with a judge of whom she has mutual respect but opposing viewpoints on a controversial case of a young black man, Jamal Thompson, unjustly killed by police.
It's a storyline which consumes most of Callie's work storyline and involves her Black Lives Matter activist housemate, Malika who has become a support to Jamal's mother Sandra during the years since Jamal's death, and throughout the court proceedings.
TV Fanatic was fortunate enough to chat with acclaimed actress Nicki Micheaux...
- 3/21/2019
- by Jasmine Blu
- TVfanatic
Barry has received his next assignment: Season 2 of the HBO hitman comedy will debut Sunday, March 31 at 10/9c, the network has revealed.
The Emmy-winning comedy, starring Bill Hader as a disenchanted contract killer who decides to pursue an acting career in L.A., also released a new (and very brief) teaser to announce the date — press Play above to watch it.
Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…
* Chicago P.D. has cast Nicki Micheaux (Animal Kingdom, The Shield) in a recurring role as Alicia Price, the wife of Wendell Pierce’s character Ray Price, according to our sister site Deadline.
The Emmy-winning comedy, starring Bill Hader as a disenchanted contract killer who decides to pursue an acting career in L.A., also released a new (and very brief) teaser to announce the date — press Play above to watch it.
Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…
* Chicago P.D. has cast Nicki Micheaux (Animal Kingdom, The Shield) in a recurring role as Alicia Price, the wife of Wendell Pierce’s character Ray Price, according to our sister site Deadline.
- 2/15/2019
- TVLine.com
Nicki Micheaux (Good Trouble) has booked a key recurring role on NBC’s Chicago P.D.
Micheaux will play Jasmine Price, the composed, bright, hopeful, impressive daughter of Ray Price (Wendell Pierce). A rising political star on the wings of her successful father.
Chicago P.D. stars Jason Beghe, Jon Seda, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick John Flueger, Marina Squerciati, Laroyce Hawkins, Amy Morton and Tracy Spiridakos.
The series is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Rick Eid, Peter Jankowski, Derek Haas, Arthur Forney and Eriq La Salle.
Chicago P.D. is produced by Wolf Entertainment in association with Universal Television.
Micheaux can currently be seen as Sandra Thompson on The Fosters spinoff Good Trouble on CBS. She’s also known for her role as Jennifer Sutton on Lincoln Heights and feature Lowlife. Micheaux is repped by Singular Talent and Charlton Blackburne Management.
Micheaux will play Jasmine Price, the composed, bright, hopeful, impressive daughter of Ray Price (Wendell Pierce). A rising political star on the wings of her successful father.
Chicago P.D. stars Jason Beghe, Jon Seda, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick John Flueger, Marina Squerciati, Laroyce Hawkins, Amy Morton and Tracy Spiridakos.
The series is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Rick Eid, Peter Jankowski, Derek Haas, Arthur Forney and Eriq La Salle.
Chicago P.D. is produced by Wolf Entertainment in association with Universal Television.
Micheaux can currently be seen as Sandra Thompson on The Fosters spinoff Good Trouble on CBS. She’s also known for her role as Jennifer Sutton on Lincoln Heights and feature Lowlife. Micheaux is repped by Singular Talent and Charlton Blackburne Management.
- 2/14/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The last few weeks have brought some major developments in how intimate scenes are filmed for television. Recently, HBO announced that it would be hiring an intimacy coordinator to oversee sex scenes on its various productions. On Monday, a report detailed alleged questionable behavior by writer/director Frankie Shaw on the set of her Showtime series “Smilf.” (Deadline reported on Monday that Showtime still plans to go ahead with the planned January premiere date of Season 2 of the series.)
Former “The Walking Dead” executive producer Glen Mazzara is convening a discussion of these issues, slated for next summer’s Atx Festival, which will be held during the second weekend of June 2019.
In response to Monday’s report in a Twitter thread, Mazzara collected details of the panel (previously announced when the Atx lineup was revealed in November) and thoughts on what he sees as the industry’s inadequate preparation for these kinds of scenes.
Former “The Walking Dead” executive producer Glen Mazzara is convening a discussion of these issues, slated for next summer’s Atx Festival, which will be held during the second weekend of June 2019.
In response to Monday’s report in a Twitter thread, Mazzara collected details of the panel (previously announced when the Atx lineup was revealed in November) and thoughts on what he sees as the industry’s inadequate preparation for these kinds of scenes.
- 12/18/2018
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Austin’s Atx Television Festival, set for June 6-9, 2019, has announced its first round of panels, including a Blumhouse Television event, a “Cancelled-Too-Soon” retrospective of Men in Trees and a conversation with the presidents of various industry guilds.
Panels announced today for the eighth annual festival include:
A “Presidents of the Guilds” panel, featuring a discussion with Gabrielle Carteris, president, SAG-aftra; David A. Goodman, president, Wgaw; and Thomas Schlamme, president, DGA. The panel is being billed as the first time the union and guild leaders are to appear on a single stage; “The House that Horror Built: Inside Blumhouse Television,” a case study of the company’s journey from go-to producer of low-budget horror hits to a multi-genre, consumer-facing studio with a growing presence in TV. Panelists, with additions to be announced, include Blumhouse Television co-presidents Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold; The festival’s “Inside the Writers Room” series will continue with Starz’s Vida,...
Panels announced today for the eighth annual festival include:
A “Presidents of the Guilds” panel, featuring a discussion with Gabrielle Carteris, president, SAG-aftra; David A. Goodman, president, Wgaw; and Thomas Schlamme, president, DGA. The panel is being billed as the first time the union and guild leaders are to appear on a single stage; “The House that Horror Built: Inside Blumhouse Television,” a case study of the company’s journey from go-to producer of low-budget horror hits to a multi-genre, consumer-facing studio with a growing presence in TV. Panelists, with additions to be announced, include Blumhouse Television co-presidents Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold; The festival’s “Inside the Writers Room” series will continue with Starz’s Vida,...
- 11/8/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
A conversation with entertainment industry guild presidents, an inside look at Blumhouse Television and a discussion about on-set safety and sex scenes are among the programming for the 2019 Atx Television Festival, the organization announced Thursday.
“Presidents of the Guild” will be a panel discussion with Gabrielle Carteris, president of SAG-aftra; David A. Goodman, president of Wgaw; and Thomas Schlamme, president of DGA. These leaders will talk about what goes into shaping the forward-movement of the industry, as well as evolving safety standards across all of entertainment and the importance of fostering a creative culture.
Blumhouse Television co-presidents Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold will take part in a conversation titled “The House that Horror Built: Inside Blumhouse Television.” This is being designed as a “unique case study” of the company’s journey from producing low-budget horror films to becoming a multi-genre studio with a growing presence in television. Additional panelists will...
“Presidents of the Guild” will be a panel discussion with Gabrielle Carteris, president of SAG-aftra; David A. Goodman, president of Wgaw; and Thomas Schlamme, president of DGA. These leaders will talk about what goes into shaping the forward-movement of the industry, as well as evolving safety standards across all of entertainment and the importance of fostering a creative culture.
Blumhouse Television co-presidents Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold will take part in a conversation titled “The House that Horror Built: Inside Blumhouse Television.” This is being designed as a “unique case study” of the company’s journey from producing low-budget horror films to becoming a multi-genre studio with a growing presence in television. Additional panelists will...
- 11/8/2018
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
One of the most impressive directorial debuts I’ve seen so far in 2018 is Ryan Prows’ Lowlife, the viciously entertaining comedic caper that follows a variety of eclectic characters over the course of one day in Los Angeles, including a famed luchador with a temper (Ricardo Adam Zarate), his pregnant wife (Santana Dempsey), a motel owner (Nicki Micheaux) desperate to save her ailing husband, ana a pair of friends (Jon Oswald and Shaye Ogbonna) who see their friendship tested in unusual ways, with mob boss Teddy “Bear” Haynes (Mark Burnham) squarely at the center of it all.
Daily Dead caught up with Prows earlier this week, and he discussed the process of putting together the script for Lowlife with the writing collective known as Tomm Fondle (the group includes Tim Cairo, Jake Gibson, Maxwell Michael Towson, Ogbonna, and of course, Prows as well), the difficulties of pitching his wildly surprising crime story,...
Daily Dead caught up with Prows earlier this week, and he discussed the process of putting together the script for Lowlife with the writing collective known as Tomm Fondle (the group includes Tim Cairo, Jake Gibson, Maxwell Michael Towson, Ogbonna, and of course, Prows as well), the difficulties of pitching his wildly surprising crime story,...
- 4/7/2018
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
“Lowlife” is not the movie you’d expect from a comedy collective making its first feature: While mordantly humorous, this tale of several lives fatefully intertwining in the dank underbelly of Los Angeles plays its violent, over-the-top events in pokerfaced fashion. Though the backtracking, overlapping episodic structure is reminiscent of “Pulp Fiction,” there’s none of the garrulous snark or fanboy winking Tarantino wannabes customarily indulge in. Instead, this team-written effort by L.A.-based crew Tomm Fondle (of which director Ryan Prows is a member) nicely calibrates a twisty course between straight crime melodrama and black comedy, one that has cult-following potential among adventurous genre fans.
The four chaptered narrative sections rewind to offer backstory, and replay specific action, from different perspectives, though there’s little to no actual repetition. The thing that unites virtually all protagonists is that they’re each eventually imperiled by ties to the ruthless...
The four chaptered narrative sections rewind to offer backstory, and replay specific action, from different perspectives, though there’s little to no actual repetition. The thing that unites virtually all protagonists is that they’re each eventually imperiled by ties to the ruthless...
- 4/3/2018
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
With a pulpy, non-linear approach to his narrative, co-writer/director Ryan Prows weaves a felonious web with Lowlife, his pitch-black crime comedy that brings together an eclectic crop of characters for an unexpected ride through the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles through the course of one day. While the film may garner a few Quentin Tarantino comparisons, rest assured that Lowlife confidently marches to the beat of its own unique drum, making this debut feature from Prows one of the most surprising films I’ve seen so far this year.
Lowlife is centered on a rage-fueled Luchador named El Monstruo (Ricardo Adam Zarate), who feels inadequate living in the shadow of his family’s legacy. His penchant for pain makes him the perfect muscle to work for the depraved mob boss Teddy Haynes (Mark Burnham), who dabbles in a bit of everything, from drugs to organ harvesting to sex trafficking.
Lowlife is centered on a rage-fueled Luchador named El Monstruo (Ricardo Adam Zarate), who feels inadequate living in the shadow of his family’s legacy. His penchant for pain makes him the perfect muscle to work for the depraved mob boss Teddy Haynes (Mark Burnham), who dabbles in a bit of everything, from drugs to organ harvesting to sex trafficking.
- 3/28/2018
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Coming to theaters and select VOD platforms in early April from IFC Midnight, the new movie Lowlife is teased in a trailer that has to be seen to be believed.
Directed by Ryan Prows, Lowlife stars Nicki Micheaux, Ricardo Adam Zarate, and Jon Oswald. IFC Midnight will release Lowlife in theaters and on VOD platforms beginning April 6th.
Synopsis: "What happens when you throw together a fallen Mexican wrestler with serious rage issues, a just-out-of-prison ex-con with a regrettable face tattoo, and a recovering junkie motel owner in search of a kidney? That’s the premise of the berserk, blood-spattered, and wickedly entertaining feature debut from Ryan Prows. Set amidst the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, Lowlife zigzags back and forth in time as it charts how fate—and a ruthless crime boss—connects three down-and-out reprobates mixed up in an organ harvesting scheme that goes from bad to worse to off-the-rails insane.
Directed by Ryan Prows, Lowlife stars Nicki Micheaux, Ricardo Adam Zarate, and Jon Oswald. IFC Midnight will release Lowlife in theaters and on VOD platforms beginning April 6th.
Synopsis: "What happens when you throw together a fallen Mexican wrestler with serious rage issues, a just-out-of-prison ex-con with a regrettable face tattoo, and a recovering junkie motel owner in search of a kidney? That’s the premise of the berserk, blood-spattered, and wickedly entertaining feature debut from Ryan Prows. Set amidst the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, Lowlife zigzags back and forth in time as it charts how fate—and a ruthless crime boss—connects three down-and-out reprobates mixed up in an organ harvesting scheme that goes from bad to worse to off-the-rails insane.
- 3/28/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
An insane trailer for a new film has been released for a movie called Lowlife. This thing looks like a wild and wacky dark horror action comedy. It certainly looks entertaining!
The sordid lives of small-time criminals collide when an organ harvesting caper goes very, very wrong. A Mexican wrestler with rage issues, a felon with a regrettable face tattoo, and an ex-junkie in search of a kidney collide in this wild, blood splattered adrenaline rush.
The movie obviously isn't going to be for everyone, but if you're a little on the demented side, you'll probably like what you will see in this trailer.
The movie comes from director Ryan Prows and it stars Nicki Micheaux, Ricardo Adam Zarate, Jon Oswald, Shaye Ogbonna, Santana Dempsey, and Mark Burnham. Lowlife in select theaters + on VOD starting April 6th this spring.
The sordid lives of small-time criminals collide when an organ harvesting caper goes very, very wrong. A Mexican wrestler with rage issues, a felon with a regrettable face tattoo, and an ex-junkie in search of a kidney collide in this wild, blood splattered adrenaline rush.
The movie obviously isn't going to be for everyone, but if you're a little on the demented side, you'll probably like what you will see in this trailer.
The movie comes from director Ryan Prows and it stars Nicki Micheaux, Ricardo Adam Zarate, Jon Oswald, Shaye Ogbonna, Santana Dempsey, and Mark Burnham. Lowlife in select theaters + on VOD starting April 6th this spring.
- 3/13/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
"Father, show me the way as a spirit of justice." IFC Midnight has launched an official trailer for a wacky horror/action comedy titled Lowlife, which first premiered at both the Fantasia Film Festival & FrightFest last year. From director Ryan Prows, this is about the sordid lives of an addict, an ex-con, and a luchador that collide when an organ harvesting caper goes very, very wrong. Starring Nicki Micheaux, Ricardo Adam Zarate, Jon Oswald, Shaye Ogbonna, Santana Dempsey, and Mark Burnham. This looks all kinds of weird and wacky and absurd and crazy, and perhaps fun? I don't even know. Just watch the trailer. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Ryan Prows' Lowlife, direct from IFC's YouTube: The sordid lives of small-time criminals collide when an organ harvesting caper goes very, very wrong. A Mexican wrestler with rage issues, a felon with a regrettable face tattoo, and an...
- 3/8/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Hey, "NCIS" fans. It is with great regret that we have to deliver this latest set of news to you guys. It turns out that your favorite show is about to hit a break in the schedule this coming Tuesday night, November 28,2017 and Tuesday night, December 5,2017. On those nights, CBS will not be airing a new episode of NCIS. So, that means the new and latest episode 10 will be missing in action for a while. It's currently expected to finally air on Tuesday night, December 12,2017 in its same 7 pm central time slot on CBS. So, be sure to mark that very important date down on your TV calendars. So, what is replacing your favorite show this coming Tuesday night and next Tuesday night? Well, according to the TV guide schedule, on Tuesday night, November 28,2017, the line up will consist of a classic, animated Christmas special. That's right. CBS will be...
- 11/27/2017
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Den Of Geek Aug 22, 2017
Horror Channel FrightFest takes place in London this weekend. Here's our pick of films to look out for...
Summer’s almost over and what better way to welcome in the spooky season than by hiding from the heat in a darkened room, with five days of wall-to-wall horror? Yep, it’s August Bank Holiday and that means the 18th annual London Horror Channel FrightFest is upon us. For some, this is a familiar pilgrimage. Veterans will be used to bloodshot eyes, numbness in the spine, a lack of nutrition and an acute anxiousness every time there’s a loud noise. For others, it may be their first visit and these are things to look forward to. Either way, FrightFest promises probably the biggest, purest, uncut dose of horror you can endure without going insane, complete with special guests, world premieres, live events and at least a couple of parties.
Horror Channel FrightFest takes place in London this weekend. Here's our pick of films to look out for...
Summer’s almost over and what better way to welcome in the spooky season than by hiding from the heat in a darkened room, with five days of wall-to-wall horror? Yep, it’s August Bank Holiday and that means the 18th annual London Horror Channel FrightFest is upon us. For some, this is a familiar pilgrimage. Veterans will be used to bloodshot eyes, numbness in the spine, a lack of nutrition and an acute anxiousness every time there’s a loud noise. For others, it may be their first visit and these are things to look forward to. Either way, FrightFest promises probably the biggest, purest, uncut dose of horror you can endure without going insane, complete with special guests, world premieres, live events and at least a couple of parties.
- 8/21/2017
- Den of Geek
An ex-junkie, ex-convict, and luchador enter a fish taco shack … the punch line is a three-pronged adventure through Compton while engulfed by the shadow of a lunatic pimp moonlighting as a black market organ wholesaler. Director Ryan Prows and the rest of his quintet of writers (Tim Cairo, Jake Gibson, Shaye Ogbonna, and Maxwell Michael Towson) bring together a menagerie of monsters, fiends, thugs, and criminals all searching for an escape in their violently heart-warming film Lowlife. Full of heinous acts justified by a universal goal to save the ones they love, every eccentrically drawn character earns our sympathy despite the blood spilled by their hands. With their worlds colliding just as each appears ready to implode, a common enemy unites the hope within to reclaim their honor.
That villain is Teddy Bear Haynes (Mark Burnham): restaurateur to the public, homicidal madman to the streets. The guy has a...
That villain is Teddy Bear Haynes (Mark Burnham): restaurateur to the public, homicidal madman to the streets. The guy has a...
- 7/25/2017
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Ryan Prows’ Lowlife is a true-to-form sonofabitch. From frame one, the film smacks of Tarantino hoodishness – but sustainability is key. A larger story is divided into chapters, as Prows navigates this messy grey zone where “decent” people merely hope to survive. Lives collide, all connected by a single taco-slinging underworld boss. There’s vibrant character work and a surprising fluidity in jagged narration, but one segment remains the ugly ducking of this cartoonish Barrio calamity. That’s the only thing bogging down Prows’ big-picture vision, and even at that, remaining cinematics do all the talking.
The fun of Lowlife is experiencing scenes as they come at you, so I’ll be brief and spoiler-free. Necessary information is that Teddy “Bear” Haynes (Mark Burnham) is an asshole you don’t want to mess with. El Monstruo (Ricardo Adam Zarate) swears allegiance to his “Jefe,” but finds himself betrayed but pregnant wife...
The fun of Lowlife is experiencing scenes as they come at you, so I’ll be brief and spoiler-free. Necessary information is that Teddy “Bear” Haynes (Mark Burnham) is an asshole you don’t want to mess with. El Monstruo (Ricardo Adam Zarate) swears allegiance to his “Jefe,” but finds himself betrayed but pregnant wife...
- 7/22/2017
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
Mix the insane violence and weaving vignettes of “Pulp Fiction” with the seedy underbelly of “Breaking Bad,” and you have Ryan Prows’ directorial debut, “Lowlife,” a messy but ultimately interesting look a a group of downtrodden individuals who get mixed up in an organ harvesting scheme.
“Lowlife” is broken into four interweaving vignettes that move back and forth through time, slowly revealing different sides to each character, coloring in the story, and tangling them up even tighter into a web of blackmail, deception, kidnapping, and revenge. And the film’s title can certainly be applied to every character in their own right, as each vignette reveals more about their character and the mess they all have found themselves in.
The film opens with an Ice agent pulling off a sketchy, solo raid of a cheap motel at night. Crystal (Nicki Micheaux), the motel owner, tries to step in and save...
“Lowlife” is broken into four interweaving vignettes that move back and forth through time, slowly revealing different sides to each character, coloring in the story, and tangling them up even tighter into a web of blackmail, deception, kidnapping, and revenge. And the film’s title can certainly be applied to every character in their own right, as each vignette reveals more about their character and the mess they all have found themselves in.
The film opens with an Ice agent pulling off a sketchy, solo raid of a cheap motel at night. Crystal (Nicki Micheaux), the motel owner, tries to step in and save...
- 7/21/2017
- by Jamie Righetti
- Indiewire
Cue the handmaids.
The Tribeca Film Festival announced its second annual Tribeca TV program on Thursday and it includes a range of world premieres, popular show returns and a slate of independent pilots. One of the most highly anticipated debuts will be Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Tribeca 2017 Lineup: New Fillms From Alex Gibney, Azazel Jacobs and Laurie Simmons Lead the Eclectic Mix
The series has been in the news lately, and not only because it will premiere soon. The dystopian story about a government forcing fertile women to become breeders for their high-ranking officials has struck a nerve among progressive women who are wary of having their health and reproductive rights controlled. Recently, protestors dressed in the handmaids’ red robes and white bonnets made an appearance in the Texas Senate gallery as its members were passing abortion legislation.
The TV lineup...
The Tribeca Film Festival announced its second annual Tribeca TV program on Thursday and it includes a range of world premieres, popular show returns and a slate of independent pilots. One of the most highly anticipated debuts will be Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Tribeca 2017 Lineup: New Fillms From Alex Gibney, Azazel Jacobs and Laurie Simmons Lead the Eclectic Mix
The series has been in the news lately, and not only because it will premiere soon. The dystopian story about a government forcing fertile women to become breeders for their high-ranking officials has struck a nerve among progressive women who are wary of having their health and reproductive rights controlled. Recently, protestors dressed in the handmaids’ red robes and white bonnets made an appearance in the Texas Senate gallery as its members were passing abortion legislation.
The TV lineup...
- 3/23/2017
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
Nicki Micheaux (Lincoln Heights) and Dorian Missick (Southland) have booked recurring roles on TNT's upcoming drama series Animal Kingdom, from John Wells Prods. in association with Warner Horizon Television. It centers on 17-year-old Joshua "J" Cody (Finn Cole), who moves in with his wild, freewheeling grandmother (Ellen Barkin) and uncles in their Southern California beach town after his mother ODs. He is pulled into their life of indulgence and excess and soon…...
- 4/25/2016
- Deadline TV
Sergio profiled this film last summer, June 2009, when it was announced that it would screen at the Chicago International Film Festival later in the fall (read that post Here). A trailer for it has surfaced, and the film is now officially on DVD and VOD, so you can check it out if you haven’t already.
Rain stars Cch Pounder, Irma P. Hall, Nicki Micheaux and Renel Brown, as the title character, Rain, a young Bahamian girl determined to reconcile with the mother who abandoned her when she was just a toddler, summoning the strength needed to find her own place in the world.
The film, shot in 2008, described as an “intimate family drama,” was written and directed by Maria Govan, her debut. It played the festival circuit in 2009, and, as I stated, is now available on DVD and VOD.
Check out the trailer below:...
Rain stars Cch Pounder, Irma P. Hall, Nicki Micheaux and Renel Brown, as the title character, Rain, a young Bahamian girl determined to reconcile with the mother who abandoned her when she was just a toddler, summoning the strength needed to find her own place in the world.
The film, shot in 2008, described as an “intimate family drama,” was written and directed by Maria Govan, her debut. It played the festival circuit in 2009, and, as I stated, is now available on DVD and VOD.
Check out the trailer below:...
- 8/6/2010
- by Tambay
- ShadowAndAct
It was recently revealed that ABC Family had decided to cancel Lincoln Heights after four seasons. What do the actors think about the news, that they won't be going back to film a fifth round of episodes? The answer might surprise you.
Lincoln Heights revolves around Officer Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby) and his family who move back to his old neighborhood. The rest in the cast include Erica Hubbard, Nikki Micheaux, Rhyon Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Robert Adamson, and Michael Reilly Burke.
Fans of the ABC Family series may be very upset that Lincoln Heights isn't continuing but some of the actors seem to be okay with it. While they're disappointed that their time on the series is over, they're mostly grateful to have been a part of it.
Adamson, who plays neighbor and boyfriend Charles Antoni on the show, wrote, "I...
Lincoln Heights revolves around Officer Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby) and his family who move back to his old neighborhood. The rest in the cast include Erica Hubbard, Nikki Micheaux, Rhyon Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Robert Adamson, and Michael Reilly Burke.
Fans of the ABC Family series may be very upset that Lincoln Heights isn't continuing but some of the actors seem to be okay with it. While they're disappointed that their time on the series is over, they're mostly grateful to have been a part of it.
Adamson, who plays neighbor and boyfriend Charles Antoni on the show, wrote, "I...
- 2/23/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
It looks like the story of the Sutton clan has come to an end. ABC Family has quietly decided to cancel Lincoln Heights after four seasons.
Lincoln Heights tells the story of Officer Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby) who moves his family back to his old neighborhood. Other castmembers include Erica Hubbard, Nikki Micheaux, Rhyon Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Robert Adamson, and Michael Reilly Burke.
The TV show debuted on January 8, 2007 and the first season was successful enough to warrant a renewal by March. At that point, it was one of the cable channel's higher performers in the key demographics.
While announcing that the second season would kick off in September 2007, ABC Family President Paul Lee said, "We really think we have something unique here... The fact that it's an African American family drama alone separates it from the...
Lincoln Heights tells the story of Officer Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby) who moves his family back to his old neighborhood. Other castmembers include Erica Hubbard, Nikki Micheaux, Rhyon Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Robert Adamson, and Michael Reilly Burke.
The TV show debuted on January 8, 2007 and the first season was successful enough to warrant a renewal by March. At that point, it was one of the cable channel's higher performers in the key demographics.
While announcing that the second season would kick off in September 2007, ABC Family President Paul Lee said, "We really think we have something unique here... The fact that it's an African American family drama alone separates it from the...
- 2/22/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
With President’s Day weekend behind us it’s now time to think about some late Valentine’s Day presents. In case you want to pick up something extra for your valentine or you completely forgot to get something at all, a great movie on Blu-ray or DVD makes a perfect gift. Fortunately, there’s some new ones coming out this week just in time.
Among this week’s selection we’re interested in are new to Blu-ray movies such as Law Abiding Citizen, Halo Legends, the Dirty Harry Collection, Contempt, Akira Kurosawa’s Ran and debut of TV series Barnaby Jones and the latest installment of Cannon. Also, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (pictured above with Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro) gets the 20th Anniversary treatment with a new Blu-ray release.
Movies
Black Dynamite ~ Michael Jai White (Blu-ray and DVD)
Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever ~ Michael Bowen,...
Among this week’s selection we’re interested in are new to Blu-ray movies such as Law Abiding Citizen, Halo Legends, the Dirty Harry Collection, Contempt, Akira Kurosawa’s Ran and debut of TV series Barnaby Jones and the latest installment of Cannon. Also, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (pictured above with Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro) gets the 20th Anniversary treatment with a new Blu-ray release.
Movies
Black Dynamite ~ Michael Jai White (Blu-ray and DVD)
Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever ~ Michael Bowen,...
- 2/17/2010
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
See footage from the World Premiere of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures' "The Princess and the Frog." Th event took place on Sunday, November 15th at Walt Disney Studios in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art Studio theater which is right in the heart of the Disney Studio lot. Attending were Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Terrence Howard, Jenifer Lewis, Keith David, Peter Barlett, Jim Cummings, Michael-Leon Wooley, directors Ron Clements and John Musker, producer Peter Del Vecho, composer Randy Newman and executive producer John Lasseter. Special guests included Shonda Rhimes, Angela Bassett, Reggie Miller, Courtney Vance (“Flash Forward”), Nicki Micheaux (“Lincoln Heights”), Erica Hubbard (“Lincoln Heights”). From Disney Channel: Debby Ryan, Ryan Newman, Allisyn Arm, Bridgit Mendler, Meaghan Martin, Anna Marie Perez de Tagle, Chelsea Staub, Brenda Song and Nicole Anderson.
- 11/16/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
All new episodes of "Lincoln Heights" start Monday, October 26th 8pm (Et) on ABC Family. In the latest episode the aspiring musician Tay enters a contested held by the chart topping R&B singer Trey Songz.
The singer arrives at Lincoln Heights just as Jenn (Nicki Micheaux) is suffering with the flu and has to get her family to pull together to help her through her illness. As well as this Charles (Robert Adamson) has to face up to the realities of life after high school with Cassie (Erica Hubbard) realizing that he has not made any plans for his future, leaving her with a choice to whether or not to move on without him. Finally an unpredicted visit comes in the shape of Eddie in the new episode entitled "Relative Unknown".
The episode includes a talent contest which is hosted by the Grammy Award winning artist Trey Songz, who...
The singer arrives at Lincoln Heights just as Jenn (Nicki Micheaux) is suffering with the flu and has to get her family to pull together to help her through her illness. As well as this Charles (Robert Adamson) has to face up to the realities of life after high school with Cassie (Erica Hubbard) realizing that he has not made any plans for his future, leaving her with a choice to whether or not to move on without him. Finally an unpredicted visit comes in the shape of Eddie in the new episode entitled "Relative Unknown".
The episode includes a talent contest which is hosted by the Grammy Award winning artist Trey Songz, who...
- 10/13/2009
- icelebz.com
Although the evening's sole openly gay nominee, Wanda Skyes, didn't win in her category (or even attend the event; Queen Latifah was also absent), the 40th NAACP Image Awards show offered an entertaining and inspiring evening last night.
Halle Berry and Tyler Perry co-hosted the annual awards show that pays tribute to people of color in entertainment, on the eve of the NAACP's one-hundredth anniversary.
Halle Berry sporting different looks during the Awards
Beyoncé kicked it off with a great performance of her song "Halo," set against images of the Civil Rights movement. I don't think anyone was really surprised when she won Favorite Female Singer later in the evening.
Jennifer Hudson received a standing ovation when she won for Best New Artist, and proceeded to knock her musical performance out of the park.
The women who took home awards in the major TV categories include Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends...
Halle Berry and Tyler Perry co-hosted the annual awards show that pays tribute to people of color in entertainment, on the eve of the NAACP's one-hundredth anniversary.
Halle Berry sporting different looks during the Awards
Beyoncé kicked it off with a great performance of her song "Halo," set against images of the Civil Rights movement. I don't think anyone was really surprised when she won Favorite Female Singer later in the evening.
Jennifer Hudson received a standing ovation when she won for Best New Artist, and proceeded to knock her musical performance out of the park.
The women who took home awards in the major TV categories include Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends...
- 2/13/2009
- by sarahwarn
- AfterEllen.com
The 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival was a huge success! The Opening Night Gala was well-attended, and there were many A-list celebrities including Clint Eastwood, Anne Hathaway, etc.
But it's all about the quality of films! And last night, the festival honored films around the world.
The Festival, held from January 6-19, 2009, screened 208 films from 73 countries, including 50 of the 67 foreign entries for this year.s Academy Awards®. Palm Springs. increasingly popular Festival continues to expand its diverse programming of quality independent and foreign films, setting the stage for the year.s film festival circuit.
Awards
This year.s Festival attendees selected Departures (Japan) directed by Yojiro Takita, as the Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. A failed cellist connects with his inner undertaker, his rural hometown, and his newly deceased father in this tonally eccentric, lushly scored, moving drama. The film is on the Academy Awards® shortlist...
But it's all about the quality of films! And last night, the festival honored films around the world.
The Festival, held from January 6-19, 2009, screened 208 films from 73 countries, including 50 of the 67 foreign entries for this year.s Academy Awards®. Palm Springs. increasingly popular Festival continues to expand its diverse programming of quality independent and foreign films, setting the stage for the year.s film festival circuit.
Awards
This year.s Festival attendees selected Departures (Japan) directed by Yojiro Takita, as the Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. A failed cellist connects with his inner undertaker, his rural hometown, and his newly deceased father in this tonally eccentric, lushly scored, moving drama. The film is on the Academy Awards® shortlist...
- 1/19/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
TV front runners at the 40th Annual Naacp Image Awards are "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and "Ugly Betty". Nominees for the awards event that honors people of color have been announced and it appears that Tyler Perry will be the leading man at the actual showdown which will be held at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on February 12.
Apart from serving the hosting role side by side to Halle Berry, Perry also has his comedy show "House of Payne" that airs on TBS receiving six nominations. The categories are Comedy Series, Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series as well as Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series. Under the Supporting Actor category in particular are two of its actors, Lance Gross and Larramie Shaw. Outside his TV ventures, Perry also receives an Outstanding Motion Picture nod for his movie "The Family That Preys".
"Ugly Betty" meanwhile, earns five...
Apart from serving the hosting role side by side to Halle Berry, Perry also has his comedy show "House of Payne" that airs on TBS receiving six nominations. The categories are Comedy Series, Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series as well as Supporting Actor and Actress in a Comedy Series. Under the Supporting Actor category in particular are two of its actors, Lance Gross and Larramie Shaw. Outside his TV ventures, Perry also receives an Outstanding Motion Picture nod for his movie "The Family That Preys".
"Ugly Betty" meanwhile, earns five...
- 1/8/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
The Naacp has announced it's 40th Annual Image Awards nominations. In the film category, Cadillac Records, The Secret Life of Bees, Miracle at St. Anna, Seven Pounds and Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys" have been nominated.
The TV network with the most nominations? ABC with 24 total!
The awards night will be televised on Fox, Feb. 12 from the Shrine Auditorium.
Click Read More to see the complete list of nominees:
Television Categories
Comedy Series
"30 Rock" (NBC)
"Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)
"The Game" (CW)
"Tyler Perry.s House of Payne" (TBS)
"Ugly Betty" (ABC)
Actor in a Comedy Series
Donald Faison - "Scrubs" (NBC)
Lavan Davis - "Tyler Perry.s House of Payne" (TBS)
Paul James - "Greek" (ABC Family)
Terry Crews - "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)
Tyler James Williams - "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)
Actress in a Comedy Series
America Ferrera -...
The TV network with the most nominations? ABC with 24 total!
The awards night will be televised on Fox, Feb. 12 from the Shrine Auditorium.
Click Read More to see the complete list of nominees:
Television Categories
Comedy Series
"30 Rock" (NBC)
"Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)
"The Game" (CW)
"Tyler Perry.s House of Payne" (TBS)
"Ugly Betty" (ABC)
Actor in a Comedy Series
Donald Faison - "Scrubs" (NBC)
Lavan Davis - "Tyler Perry.s House of Payne" (TBS)
Paul James - "Greek" (ABC Family)
Terry Crews - "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)
Tyler James Williams - "Everybody Hates Chris" (CW)
Actress in a Comedy Series
America Ferrera -...
- 1/7/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Hey, four words: Jerry Springer -- The Movie.
Poetry in motion, right? You take your average Springer guests and show them in their natural, pretaping habitat. And while you're at it, you also reveal what makes Jerry tick. It's money, baby.
Apparently, it's what the five producers and seven exec producers behind the low-budgeted "Ringmaster" are thinking. The problem is, their fictionalized account of the events leading up to an appearance on Springer's show, a k a "Lifestyles of the Poor and Trashy," plays like one of Jerry's "Too Hot for TV" videos, with the added bonus of bad writing and direction.
But will the guarantee of a bleep-free 90 minutes, complete with a generous flashing of breasts (including Jerry's), plus cheesy, simulated sex acts be enough to lure viewers out of the comfort of their trailer park? Artisan Entertainment, in a bid to break out of its usual art house mode, clearly hopes so, but "Ringmaster"'s true destiny lies on the video racks. Or maybe Jerry will thoughtfully throw in a copy as an incentive to buy his upcoming tell-all book.
Little do Angel, Connie, Rusty and Willie know, their sordid little lives are about to become the "You Did WHAT With Your Stepdaddy?" episode on the next "Jerry Springer".
It seems Angel (Jaime Pressly), a motel chambermaid who goes the extra distance for male guests, is about to tie the knot with the slow-witted Willie (Ashley Holbrook) while also carrying on with Rusty (Michael Dudikoff), who just happens to be married to Angel's mom, Connie (Molly Hagan). When she catches the two in action, Connie decides to teach her daughter a lesson by servicing her fiance.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, the take-no-prisoners Starletta Wendy Raquel Robinson) catches her man Michael Jai White) getting freaky with her best friend (Tangie Ambrose). With said boyfriend having previously played the dog with her other best friend (Nicki Micheaux), the grouping is a natural for a "My Traitor Girlfriends" episode.
More than willing to air their dirty laundry for a trip to Hollywood (apparently Chicago isn't sexy enough), both parties head for the "Springer" show -- but not before doing a little interfacing, if you know what we mean.
Playing out like watered-down John Waters, the Neil Abramson-directed, Jon Bernstein-written enterprise awkwardly goes for a poor approximation of cheap, sleazy satire one minute and (inexplicably) quiet, tender introspection the next, with nothing capturing the sheer, guilty-pleasure adrenaline rush of an installment of Springer's real TV show.
The acting styles are similarly all over the place, with Hagan's I-just-wanna-be-loved competitive mom bravely striving for something more noble. She's a trailer trash Ma Joad. At least Robinson ("The Steve Harvey Show") seems to be a enjoying herself as the wrong woman to mess with.
As for Jerry's big acting debut, in which he gets to share a post-coital embrace with Rebecca Broussard and delivers an encore performance of his country song ("Dr. Talk"), here's a Final Thought: Don't quit your day job.
RINGMASTER
Artisan Entertainment
A Motion Pictures
Corporation of America production
Director: Neil Abramson
Screenwriter: Jon Bernstein
Producers: Jerry Springer, Gina Rugolo-Judd, Brad Jenkel, Steve Stabler, Gary W. Goldstein
Executive producers: Brent Baum, Don Corsini, Richard Dominick, Erwin More, Brian Medavoy, Donald Kushner, Peter Locke
Director of photography: Russell Lyster
Production designers: Dorian Vernacchio, Deborah Raymond
Editor: Suzanne Hines
Costume designer: Gail McMullen
Music supervisor: Marcus Barone
Music: Kennard Ramsey
Casting: Carmen Tetzlaff
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jerry: Jerry Springer
Angel: Jaime Pressly
Troy: William McNamara
Connie: Molly Hagan
Starletta: Wendy Raquel Robinson
Demond: Michael Jai White
Willie: Ashley Holbrook
Rusty: Michael Dudikoff
Vonda: Tangie Ambrose
Leshawnette: Nicki Micheaux
Willie: Ashley Holbrook
Running time -- 90 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Poetry in motion, right? You take your average Springer guests and show them in their natural, pretaping habitat. And while you're at it, you also reveal what makes Jerry tick. It's money, baby.
Apparently, it's what the five producers and seven exec producers behind the low-budgeted "Ringmaster" are thinking. The problem is, their fictionalized account of the events leading up to an appearance on Springer's show, a k a "Lifestyles of the Poor and Trashy," plays like one of Jerry's "Too Hot for TV" videos, with the added bonus of bad writing and direction.
But will the guarantee of a bleep-free 90 minutes, complete with a generous flashing of breasts (including Jerry's), plus cheesy, simulated sex acts be enough to lure viewers out of the comfort of their trailer park? Artisan Entertainment, in a bid to break out of its usual art house mode, clearly hopes so, but "Ringmaster"'s true destiny lies on the video racks. Or maybe Jerry will thoughtfully throw in a copy as an incentive to buy his upcoming tell-all book.
Little do Angel, Connie, Rusty and Willie know, their sordid little lives are about to become the "You Did WHAT With Your Stepdaddy?" episode on the next "Jerry Springer".
It seems Angel (Jaime Pressly), a motel chambermaid who goes the extra distance for male guests, is about to tie the knot with the slow-witted Willie (Ashley Holbrook) while also carrying on with Rusty (Michael Dudikoff), who just happens to be married to Angel's mom, Connie (Molly Hagan). When she catches the two in action, Connie decides to teach her daughter a lesson by servicing her fiance.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, the take-no-prisoners Starletta Wendy Raquel Robinson) catches her man Michael Jai White) getting freaky with her best friend (Tangie Ambrose). With said boyfriend having previously played the dog with her other best friend (Nicki Micheaux), the grouping is a natural for a "My Traitor Girlfriends" episode.
More than willing to air their dirty laundry for a trip to Hollywood (apparently Chicago isn't sexy enough), both parties head for the "Springer" show -- but not before doing a little interfacing, if you know what we mean.
Playing out like watered-down John Waters, the Neil Abramson-directed, Jon Bernstein-written enterprise awkwardly goes for a poor approximation of cheap, sleazy satire one minute and (inexplicably) quiet, tender introspection the next, with nothing capturing the sheer, guilty-pleasure adrenaline rush of an installment of Springer's real TV show.
The acting styles are similarly all over the place, with Hagan's I-just-wanna-be-loved competitive mom bravely striving for something more noble. She's a trailer trash Ma Joad. At least Robinson ("The Steve Harvey Show") seems to be a enjoying herself as the wrong woman to mess with.
As for Jerry's big acting debut, in which he gets to share a post-coital embrace with Rebecca Broussard and delivers an encore performance of his country song ("Dr. Talk"), here's a Final Thought: Don't quit your day job.
RINGMASTER
Artisan Entertainment
A Motion Pictures
Corporation of America production
Director: Neil Abramson
Screenwriter: Jon Bernstein
Producers: Jerry Springer, Gina Rugolo-Judd, Brad Jenkel, Steve Stabler, Gary W. Goldstein
Executive producers: Brent Baum, Don Corsini, Richard Dominick, Erwin More, Brian Medavoy, Donald Kushner, Peter Locke
Director of photography: Russell Lyster
Production designers: Dorian Vernacchio, Deborah Raymond
Editor: Suzanne Hines
Costume designer: Gail McMullen
Music supervisor: Marcus Barone
Music: Kennard Ramsey
Casting: Carmen Tetzlaff
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jerry: Jerry Springer
Angel: Jaime Pressly
Troy: William McNamara
Connie: Molly Hagan
Starletta: Wendy Raquel Robinson
Demond: Michael Jai White
Willie: Ashley Holbrook
Rusty: Michael Dudikoff
Vonda: Tangie Ambrose
Leshawnette: Nicki Micheaux
Willie: Ashley Holbrook
Running time -- 90 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 11/23/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.