The Screen Actors Guild Foundation has announced the newest in its series of Storyline Online videos. Academy Award winner Kevin Costner has paired with his “Black or White” co-star Jillian Estell to read aloud Crystal Hubbard’s children’s book “Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream.” “We are incredibly grateful to Kevin and Jillian for volunteering their time to read for Storyline Online,” said SAG Foundation president JoBeth Williams in a statement. “We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect confluence of story and readers.” Storyline Online videos receive more than 4.7 million views monthly by children and classrooms worldwide. Each video includes a supplemental activity guide for children and classrooms watching, geared toward promoting verbal and written skills for those learning English worldwide. To see Costner and Estell read about Toni Stone, the first woman to play America’s favorite pastime in a men’s professional league,...
- 4/23/2015
- backstage.com
Black or White isn’t so much an offensive movie as it is a pointless one. On its surface, Mike Binder’s film about a widowed white grandfather fighting to maintain custody of his biracial grandchild from her paternal black grandmother has all the hallmarks of a white savior melodrama. Told from the point of view of wealthy Santa Monica attorney Elliot (Kevin Costner), who has recently lost his beloved wife to a car accident, the film details his struggles to raise 7-year-old Eloise (a charming Jillian Estell) while dealing with a bitter legal battle that ensues after Rowena (Octavia Spencer), mother to the child’s estranged father, decides that Eloise needs to have a better sense of her black identity.The film places us firmly within Elliot’s world: It opens with him in the hospital, and it’s grounded in his grief right from the get-go. He and...
- 1/31/2015
- by Bilge Ebiri
- Vulture
It’s a shame that Black Or White will only be remembered as another typical January release, because writer/director Mike Binder poses some very provocative questions about America’s current racial landscape – he just never gets around to answering them. Many films have previously begged audiences not to see race or color, only flesh and blood, but Binder emphasizes those wishes of coexistence by putting a child’s well-being at stake simply by playing the race card.
In a perfect world, there’d be unquestioned acceptance and a blind eye turned to physical differences, but we’re a hell of a ways away from a Utopian lifestyle, and the race card has transitioned from a social rights movement into an exploitable trump card in danger of losing credibility. Black Or White is a movie about love, commitment, and consciously assessing a situation that happens to involve parties of different color,...
In a perfect world, there’d be unquestioned acceptance and a blind eye turned to physical differences, but we’re a hell of a ways away from a Utopian lifestyle, and the race card has transitioned from a social rights movement into an exploitable trump card in danger of losing credibility. Black Or White is a movie about love, commitment, and consciously assessing a situation that happens to involve parties of different color,...
- 1/30/2015
- by Matt Donato
- We Got This Covered
Black or White is the story of a grandfather, Elliott Anderson (Kevin Costner), who is suddenly left to care for his granddaughter, Eloise (Jillian Estell), by himself. But, when her paternal grandmother, Rowena Jeffers (Octavia Spencer), seeks custody with the help of her lawyer brother (Anthony Mackie), poor Eloise is caught between two families. With the best intentions, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding.
The writer/director of Black or White, Mike Binder, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is an award-winning and well-regarded actor, writer, director, and producer. Binder’s directorial debut came in 1992 with Crossing the Bridge and has included such acclaimed films as Reign Over Me (2007) and The Upside of Anger (2005), which also starred Costner. Actor Anthony Mackie, is perhaps best known as Sam Wilson/Falcon from Captain America: The Winter Soldier...
The writer/director of Black or White, Mike Binder, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is an award-winning and well-regarded actor, writer, director, and producer. Binder’s directorial debut came in 1992 with Crossing the Bridge and has included such acclaimed films as Reign Over Me (2007) and The Upside of Anger (2005), which also starred Costner. Actor Anthony Mackie, is perhaps best known as Sam Wilson/Falcon from Captain America: The Winter Soldier...
- 1/30/2015
- by Mike Tyrkus
- CinemaNerdz
Kevin Costner is a grieving grandfather fighting for custody of his granddaughter in Black or White.
Elliot (Costner) has raised young Eloise (Jillian Estell) since the death of her mother. Now that his own wife has passed away, the girl’s remaining grandparent Rowena (Octavia Spencer) begins to question whether the child should be exposed to a larger portion of the family, including her biological father. Pitted against one another in a fight over what is best for Eloise, the families must confront their feelings about race, understanding, and forgiveness.
Co-starring Anthony Mackie, Jennifer Ehle, Gillian Jacobs, and Andre Holland, the movie - which premiered back in September at the Toronto International Film Festival- is coming to select theatres this Friday. You can get a look at the film with four new clips below, plus check out five things we learned from the Black or White press conference now!
Elliot (Costner) has raised young Eloise (Jillian Estell) since the death of her mother. Now that his own wife has passed away, the girl’s remaining grandparent Rowena (Octavia Spencer) begins to question whether the child should be exposed to a larger portion of the family, including her biological father. Pitted against one another in a fight over what is best for Eloise, the families must confront their feelings about race, understanding, and forgiveness.
Co-starring Anthony Mackie, Jennifer Ehle, Gillian Jacobs, and Andre Holland, the movie - which premiered back in September at the Toronto International Film Festival- is coming to select theatres this Friday. You can get a look at the film with four new clips below, plus check out five things we learned from the Black or White press conference now!
- 1/30/2015
- by Rachel West
- Cineplex
The last few years several films concerning race relations in America have been released to much acclaim (Lee Daniels’ The Butler), Academy Awards (12 Years A Slave), and big box office success (The Help). Just two weeks ago Oscar nominee Selma was given a wide coast-to-coast roll-out. But those true-life and fictional flicks were set in the past (Years over a century and a half ago). How about one set in the 21st century? Done, thanks to star/producer Kevin Costner and director/writer Mike Binder (they teamed ten years ago for the entertaining comedy/drama The Upside Of Anger). They’re going to try to shed a little light and start the healing with Black Or White.
The film begins as the affluent, tranquil life of high-priced La lawyer Elliot Anderson (Costner) is shattered when his beloved wife Carol (Jennifer Ehle) is killed in a car crash. Elliot must raise his grade school-aged,...
The film begins as the affluent, tranquil life of high-priced La lawyer Elliot Anderson (Costner) is shattered when his beloved wife Carol (Jennifer Ehle) is killed in a car crash. Elliot must raise his grade school-aged,...
- 1/30/2015
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Dances with Wolves. Field of Dreams. JFK. And now, Black or White. That's how Kevin Costner, who not only stars in, but financed this highly approachable light drama about contemporary race relations, is pitching the film. In his varied and overall successful career, Costner has pitched a number of things, mostly baseballs. But, as age has no doubt forced him to hang up the bat and mitt, the venerable actor has seen fit to seize upon his established white-bread, leading man persona, and go out on a limb... to play a grandfather. (!) Eloise (Jillian Estell), his young granddaughter who's at constant risk of adorable-overload, is a bi-racial little girl whom Costner's character Elliot, and his wife, have been raising her whole life. It's been a...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 1/30/2015
- Screen Anarchy
Chicago – As race issues continue in the news, in the wake of Ferguson and “I Can’t Breathe,” the movies exhibit an extraordinary piece of timing with the new film “Black or White.” Oscar winners Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer participate in a story of family and healing.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
The issue in the film involves “Black or White,” but mostly in the context of what the opposing families want for a biracial girl suddenly being raised by her white grandfather (Costner). Written and directed by Mike Binder (“The Upside of Anger”), the film explores themes of socioeconomic separation as much as opposing racial views, and mostly it shows that both sides care ultimately for the little girl. Kevin Costner also steps outside his usual character mode, playing the grandfather as a mourning and boozy figure of tragedy, and a morally vague arbiter of the racial issues that have been thrust upon him.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
The issue in the film involves “Black or White,” but mostly in the context of what the opposing families want for a biracial girl suddenly being raised by her white grandfather (Costner). Written and directed by Mike Binder (“The Upside of Anger”), the film explores themes of socioeconomic separation as much as opposing racial views, and mostly it shows that both sides care ultimately for the little girl. Kevin Costner also steps outside his usual character mode, playing the grandfather as a mourning and boozy figure of tragedy, and a morally vague arbiter of the racial issues that have been thrust upon him.
- 1/30/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Kevin Costner re-teams with the writer and director of The Upside of Anger, Mike Binder, for his latest film, Black or White. In it, he plays Elliot Anderson who, as the movie starts, is widowed after his wife is killed in a car crash. This is only the latest tragedy to befall Elliot though, as he also lost his daughter to drugs years before, and all he has left in terms of family is his granddaughter, Eloise (Jillian Estell).
In the process of dealing with his own grief, he is forced to contend with Eloise’s African-American grandmother Rowena (Octavia Spencer), who wants her back in the custody of her father Reggie (Andre Holland), a known drug addict that Elliot blames for the death of his daughter. Before he knows it, a custody battle heats up and Elliot becomes determined to keep Eloise living with him, as he feels he...
In the process of dealing with his own grief, he is forced to contend with Eloise’s African-American grandmother Rowena (Octavia Spencer), who wants her back in the custody of her father Reggie (Andre Holland), a known drug addict that Elliot blames for the death of his daughter. Before he knows it, a custody battle heats up and Elliot becomes determined to keep Eloise living with him, as he feels he...
- 1/29/2015
- by Ben Kenber
- We Got This Covered
"Do you hate black peoplec" "Not all of them..." This is the beginning of a courtroom exchange that takes place late in Mike Binder's Black or White and it absolutely, without a doubt, makes for the best couple of minutes in what is an otherwise unoriginal race drama involving a white grandfather fighting for custody of his half-black granddaughter. It's a scene that has something to say in a very honest, upfront way and it makes me wonder why Binder felt it was necessary to beat the audience over the head with stereotypes over the course of the rest of the film. Is it a lack of confidencec A fear of telling a racially charged story and not wanting to appear insensitivec What is itc Tackling racial issues is no easy feat, but sugar-coating things so it's easier to confront tough topics doesn't make it any better. Beyond racial themes,...
- 1/29/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
In the film “Black and white,” Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer star in a drama in which the two fight for custody of their interracial grandchild.The premise of Costner’s movie is simple: An affluent White grandfather and a Black grandmother go head to head for full custody of their interracial grandchild.Grieving widower Elliot (Kevin Costner) is left as sole caretaker of his granddaughter, Eloise (Jillian Estell). He and his wife had raised Eloise since her birth, which took the life of their teenage daughter. The child’s father, Reggie (André Holland, who is excellent in Cinemax’s “The Knick” ), a crack […]...
- 1/29/2015
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
With the Super Bowl kicking off Sunday, it seems somehow appropriate that we’re looking at another “American Sniper” blowout at the box office this weekend.
The NFL’s biggest game has seen more than its share of lopsided contests over the years, and if Las Vegas set odds on the movies, the breakout hit from Warner Bros. would be a 35-point favorite.
Also Read: Howard Dean Apologizes for Calling ‘American Sniper’ Watchers ‘Very Angry,’ Slams ‘Right-Wing Nut Jobs’ (Video)
Three movies will debut nationwide Friday: the teen time-travel tale “Project Almanac,” Kevin Costner’s race relations drama “Black or White...
The NFL’s biggest game has seen more than its share of lopsided contests over the years, and if Las Vegas set odds on the movies, the breakout hit from Warner Bros. would be a 35-point favorite.
Also Read: Howard Dean Apologizes for Calling ‘American Sniper’ Watchers ‘Very Angry,’ Slams ‘Right-Wing Nut Jobs’ (Video)
Three movies will debut nationwide Friday: the teen time-travel tale “Project Almanac,” Kevin Costner’s race relations drama “Black or White...
- 1/28/2015
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
One of the interesting things about the month of January is that we not only see the expansion of Academy Award nominated films, but also the release of many would be contenders that simply weren’t recognized by Oscar. One such movie this month is Mike Binder’s Black or White, which happens to feature a tremendously good turn from Kevin Costner. When I saw the film a few months ago, I thought Costner had a chance to impact the Best Actor field…now, that obviously didn’t happen, but at this point others can finally see what I was talking about. Costner and Binder have something here with Black or White, which opens on Friday. The movie, which got a small qualifying run last month, is a drama centered around a custody fight over a little girl. Costner stars as an attorney caring for his mixed race granddaughter after his wife passes away.
- 1/28/2015
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Chicago – Kevin Costner has come to represent a particular brand of Americana, for his roles in films like “Field of Dreams,” “Dances with Wolves” “JFK” and recently as Pa Kent in “Man of Steel.” His latest film is “Black or White.”
“Black or White” is written and directed by Mike Binder, who Costner has previously collaborated with in “The Upside of Anger.” It focuses on Eliot Anderson (Costner), who loses his wife in a car accident as the film begins. He is left to raise their granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estell), after he and his wife had adopted her when their daughter died in childbirth. Eliot’s daughter had hid the pregnancy, and the father was an African American man. The other side of Eloise’s family, led by matriarch Rowena (Octavia Spencer), challenges Eliot for custody of Eloise, and retains Rowena’s high powered lawyer brother Jeremiah (Anthony Mackie) to process the trial.
“Black or White” is written and directed by Mike Binder, who Costner has previously collaborated with in “The Upside of Anger.” It focuses on Eliot Anderson (Costner), who loses his wife in a car accident as the film begins. He is left to raise their granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estell), after he and his wife had adopted her when their daughter died in childbirth. Eliot’s daughter had hid the pregnancy, and the father was an African American man. The other side of Eloise’s family, led by matriarch Rowena (Octavia Spencer), challenges Eliot for custody of Eloise, and retains Rowena’s high powered lawyer brother Jeremiah (Anthony Mackie) to process the trial.
- 1/28/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
"Black or White" opens nationwide this Friday, January 30, via Relativity... Is it any wonder that a movie as lazily titled as “Black or White” fails to actually tackle issues of race and class in any meaningful way? Is it any wonder, when its writer and director is Mike Binder, a (white) filmmaker whose approach to storytelling has often lacked any semblance of nuance and subtlety? The movie, apparently “based on true events,” is about a custody battle over a 7-year-old biracial Eloise (charming child actress Jillian Estell), between her wealthy and recently widowed white grandfather Elliot (Kevin Costner), and black grandmother Rowena (Octavia Spencer). When the movie begins,...
- 1/27/2015
- by Zeba Blay
- ShadowAndAct
toofab has teamed up with Relativity to give one lucky winner a $250 gift card prize pack from "Black or White."The film follows a widowed grandfather (Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter (Jillian Estell). When her paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother (Anthony Mackie), the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply.Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white."Black or White" hits theaters on January 30th, 2015. The giveaway includes:- OpenTable gift card ($100)- Fandango gift card ($50)- Shutterfly gift card ($50)- Amazon gift card ($50) The winner will also receive a branded hoodie, oversized scarf and travel mug. To enter: 1. Follow @toofab on Twitter and "Like" toofab on Facebook 2. Fill out the entry form below.
- 1/26/2015
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 30 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new film “Black or White” starring Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Anthony Mackie and introducing Jillian Estell!
“Black or White,” which opens on Jan. 30, 2015 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Jennifer Ehle, Gillian Jacobs, André Holland, Bill Burr and Paula Newsome from writer and director Mike Binder.
To win your free “Black or White” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!
Watch Adam Fendelman’s red-carpet video interviews with Kevin Costner, Anthony Mackie and “Black or White” director Mike Binder.
“Black or White,” which opens on Jan. 30, 2015 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Jennifer Ehle, Gillian Jacobs, André Holland, Bill Burr and Paula Newsome from writer and director Mike Binder.
To win your free “Black or White” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!
Watch Adam Fendelman’s red-carpet video interviews with Kevin Costner, Anthony Mackie and “Black or White” director Mike Binder.
- 1/25/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
In the upcoming feel-good film "Black or White," Kevin Costner plays a man named Elliot who's raised his granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estell) her entire life. After Elliot's wife dies, Eloise's other grandmother Rowena, played by Octavia Spencer, makes a play for shared custody of Eloise. Legal wrangling and life lessons ensue in this family drama from Mike Binder ("Reign Over Me," "The Upside of Anger").
This exclusive clip shows Elliot sharing a moving moment with young Eloise as he breaks some sad news about her grandma.
"Black or White" opens January 30.
This exclusive clip shows Elliot sharing a moving moment with young Eloise as he breaks some sad news about her grandma.
"Black or White" opens January 30.
- 1/21/2015
- by Jenni Miller
- Moviefone
Chicago – HollywoodChicago.com publisher Adam Fendelman interviews Oscar winner Kevin Costner, Anthony Mackie (Falcon in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”) and director Mike Binder at the Chicago red carpet premiere of “Black or White”.
The film also stars Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and introduces a breakthrough performance by Jillian Estell. This red carpet took place in Chicago on January 8, 2015. The film opens on January 30, 2015. Enjoy our video!
“Black or White” is the story of a grandfather (Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter (Jillian Estell). When the little girl’s paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody, a legal battle ensues that forces the families to confront their true feelings on race, forgiveness and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds in which nothing is as simple as black or white.
Video interviews by: Adam Fendelman,...
The film also stars Oscar winner Octavia Spencer and introduces a breakthrough performance by Jillian Estell. This red carpet took place in Chicago on January 8, 2015. The film opens on January 30, 2015. Enjoy our video!
“Black or White” is the story of a grandfather (Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter (Jillian Estell). When the little girl’s paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) seeks custody, a legal battle ensues that forces the families to confront their true feelings on race, forgiveness and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds in which nothing is as simple as black or white.
Video interviews by: Adam Fendelman,...
- 1/10/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (Faaaf) announced its nominees for the 15th Annual Black Reel Awards Wednesday morning. Justin Simien's "Dear White People" and Ava DuVernay's "Selma" led the way with 10 nominations each. They were joined by "Belle," "Beyond the Lights" and "Top Five" in the organization's best picture category. Check out the full list of nominees below. Winners will be announced on Feb. 22, 2015. And learn more about what's going on this season at The Circuit. Motion Picture Outstanding Motion Picture "Belle" "Beyond the Lights" "Dear White People" "Selma" "Top Five" Outstanding Actor Chadwick Boseman, "Get on Up" David Oyelowo, "Selma" Nate Parker, "Beyond the Lights" Chris Rock, "Top Five" Denzel Washington, "The Equalizer" Outstanding Actress Rosario Dawson, "Top Five" Gugu Mbatha-Raw, "Belle" Gugu Mbatha-Raw, "Beyond the Lights" Tessa Thompson, "Dear White People" Quvenzhané Wallis, "Annie" Outstanding Supporting Actor Nelsan Ellis, "Get On Up" David Oyelowo,...
- 12/17/2014
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer have embarked in a custody battle in the new official trailer in their latest film, ‘Black or White.’ Relativity Studios, which has just released the movie in a one-week qualifying run in L.A., has unveiled the drama’s trailer. The clip showcases a child’s maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother as they embark on their own respective legal pursuits to assume care for their beloved granddaughter, and how in two seemingly different worlds, nothing is as simple as black or white. The ‘Black or White’ trailer follows Costner’s character, Elliot Anderson, as he tells his granddaughter, Eloise (Jillian Estell), to make sure she brushes her teeth, and [ Read More ]
The post Black or White’s Official Trailer Chronicles the Custody Battle Between Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Black or White’s Official Trailer Chronicles the Custody Battle Between Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 12/4/2014
- by Karen Benardello
- ShockYa
Relativity Media has released the trailer for "Black or White" starring Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Jillian Estell, Bill Burr, Jennifer Ehle, André Holland, Gillian Jacobs and Anthony Mackie.
The film is directed and written by Mike Binder.
"Black or White" is the story of a grandfather (Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When the little girl’s paternal grandmother (Academy Award® nominee Octavia Spencer) seeks custody, a legal battle ensues that forces the families to confront their true feelings on race, forgiveness and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white.
Have a look at the trailer below.
"Black or White" is opening for a one-week qualifying run in La on Wednesday, December 3rd, and in theaters everywhere on January 30th,...
The film is directed and written by Mike Binder.
"Black or White" is the story of a grandfather (Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When the little girl’s paternal grandmother (Academy Award® nominee Octavia Spencer) seeks custody, a legal battle ensues that forces the families to confront their true feelings on race, forgiveness and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white.
Have a look at the trailer below.
"Black or White" is opening for a one-week qualifying run in La on Wednesday, December 3rd, and in theaters everywhere on January 30th,...
- 12/3/2014
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Black to Basics: Binder’s Safely Bland Racial Message Movie
The latest film from actor/director/screenwriter Mike Binder, Black or White presents us with the possibility of truthfully representing the severe racial issues still plaguing our apathetic culture, inclined towards the sanitization of such topics in order to adhere to the restrictive umbrella of the politically correct. Unfortunately, Binder drops the ball, opting for a safe portrayal declawed of volatility because it presents us with a dichotomy told entirely through the lens of privileged perspective, when it could have been much more powerful in reverse or even with a hedged juxtaposition. Several well-meaning and even genuinely moving performances save the title from complete dismissal, but Binder’s film aims to assuage middle-class white American guilt rather than expose a lack of acknowledgment concerning the difference of others. Worse, he doesn’t bother to provide equal agency for both ‘sides.
The latest film from actor/director/screenwriter Mike Binder, Black or White presents us with the possibility of truthfully representing the severe racial issues still plaguing our apathetic culture, inclined towards the sanitization of such topics in order to adhere to the restrictive umbrella of the politically correct. Unfortunately, Binder drops the ball, opting for a safe portrayal declawed of volatility because it presents us with a dichotomy told entirely through the lens of privileged perspective, when it could have been much more powerful in reverse or even with a hedged juxtaposition. Several well-meaning and even genuinely moving performances save the title from complete dismissal, but Binder’s film aims to assuage middle-class white American guilt rather than expose a lack of acknowledgment concerning the difference of others. Worse, he doesn’t bother to provide equal agency for both ‘sides.
- 12/3/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Movie trailers can be incredible. They can whip potential audiences up into a frenzy of anticipation, and boost box office takings immeasurably – at least in the opening weekend. If the project is interesting, and the talent involved is particularly noteworthy, then there really is no reason why a trailer can’t make enormous waves on release. Unfortunately, though those ingredients are present in Black Or White, the trailer proves to be more of a ripple than a wave.
Written and directed by Mike Binder (The Upside Of Anger), Black Or White focuses on subject matter that is at the heart of social issues in the U.S, and is currently in the spotlight of international news. Its lead actors – Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer – are both Academy Award winners, with a supporting cast featuring Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s Anthony Mackie and Community’s Gillian Jacobs. However, the trailer...
Written and directed by Mike Binder (The Upside Of Anger), Black Or White focuses on subject matter that is at the heart of social issues in the U.S, and is currently in the spotlight of international news. Its lead actors – Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer – are both Academy Award winners, with a supporting cast featuring Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s Anthony Mackie and Community’s Gillian Jacobs. However, the trailer...
- 12/3/2014
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
There comes a time in every star's life when he's been around long enough to start playing grandad roles. Fair play to Kevin Costner then, who was Clark Kent's pa in Man Of Steel and has now moved up a generation for the rather smaller scale Black Or White. The film's director is Costner's Upside Of Anger collaborator Mike Binder.Binder also wrote the screenplay, which involves Costner in a racially-charged custody battle. Costner's character lost his daughter in labour, and since the subsequent death of his wife he has been bringing up his mixed-race granddaughter Eloise (Jillian Estell) alone. When the child's paternal grandmother (Octavia Spencer) shows up to make her own claim, tensions flare over the question of where the child should be raised, and who she should be raised with.Costner has been juggling action and drama lately, with 3 Days To Kill, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and...
- 12/3/2014
- EmpireOnline
"What is it about you that you don't want to admit there's a 'there' there?" Rowena (Octavia Spencer) asks Elliot (Kevin Costner) in "Black and White," which followed its Toronto bow with its U.S. premiere Thursday night at the New Orleans Film Festival. They're in the makeshift garage office where she runs a thriving real estate business, discussing the fate of their granddaughter, Eloise (Jillian Estell), but the "there" there is, in writer/director Mike Binder's unsubtle hands, the Problem of Race in America. "Black and White" is a social message film as certain of its ennobling politics as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," and ultimately as tepid. "The film," as James Baldwin wrote of Stanley Kramer's 1967 dramedy, "seems... to suggest that backward people can be found on both sides of the racial fence -- a point which can scarcely be made so long as one is sitting on it.
- 10/17/2014
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
Name and focus changes for every section, which are now all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
The ninth Rome Film Festival (Oct 16-25) has revealed a diverse line-up including the Italian premieres for potential awards contenders including David Fincher’s Gone Girl. the world premiere of Takashi Miike’s As the Gods Will and Burhan Qurbani’s We are Young, We are Strong and European premiere of Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, Toronto hit Still Alice and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.
This year for the first time the award-winners in each section of the programme will be decided by the audience on the basis of votes cast after the screenings.
Each section has changed name and focus for 2014 and are all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
Italian comedies Soap Opera and Andiamo a Quel Paese bookend the line-up.
Full line-up
Cinema D’Oggi
World premiere
• Angely...
The ninth Rome Film Festival (Oct 16-25) has revealed a diverse line-up including the Italian premieres for potential awards contenders including David Fincher’s Gone Girl. the world premiere of Takashi Miike’s As the Gods Will and Burhan Qurbani’s We are Young, We are Strong and European premiere of Oren Moverman’s Time Out of Mind, Toronto hit Still Alice and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.
This year for the first time the award-winners in each section of the programme will be decided by the audience on the basis of votes cast after the screenings.
Each section has changed name and focus for 2014 and are all competitive, resulting in the festival’s structure being “slimmer’.
Italian comedies Soap Opera and Andiamo a Quel Paese bookend the line-up.
Full line-up
Cinema D’Oggi
World premiere
• Angely...
- 9/29/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
By Scott Feinberg
The Hollywood Reporter
One of the best movies that has already screened at the Toronto Film Festival but hasn’t yet found a U.S. distributor is Mike Binder‘s Black and White. The drama, which was inspired by a true story, stars Oscar winners Kevin Costner (also a producer) and Octavia Spencer as a grandfather and grandmother on opposite sides of a dispute over the custody of a mixed-race child (the excellent 10-year-old newcomer Jillian Estell) to whom they both lay claim. Following its world premiere at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, it received a lengthy standing ovation, and it’s hard to imagine that it will remain on the market — or outside of the 2014 Oscar discussion — for much longer.
Read the rest of this entry…...
The Hollywood Reporter
One of the best movies that has already screened at the Toronto Film Festival but hasn’t yet found a U.S. distributor is Mike Binder‘s Black and White. The drama, which was inspired by a true story, stars Oscar winners Kevin Costner (also a producer) and Octavia Spencer as a grandfather and grandmother on opposite sides of a dispute over the custody of a mixed-race child (the excellent 10-year-old newcomer Jillian Estell) to whom they both lay claim. Following its world premiere at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, it received a lengthy standing ovation, and it’s hard to imagine that it will remain on the market — or outside of the 2014 Oscar discussion — for much longer.
Read the rest of this entry…...
- 9/8/2014
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
Is it any wonder that a movie as lazily titled as “Black and White” fails to actually tackle issues of race and class in any meaningful way? Is it any wonder, when its writer and director is Mike Binder, a (white) filmmaker whose approach to storytelling has often lacked any semblance of nuance and subtlety? The movie, apparently “based on true events,” is about a custody battle over a 7-year-old biracial Eloise (charming child actress Jillian Estell), between her wealthy and recently widowed white grandfather Elliot (Kevin Costner), and black grandmother Rowena (Octavia Spencer). When the movie begins, the little girl has been living with her white grandparents since the death of her teen...
- 9/7/2014
- by Zeba Blay
- ShadowAndAct
One of the best movies that has already screened at the Toronto Film Festival but hasn't yet found a U.S. distributor is Mike Binder's Black and White. The drama, which was inspired by a true story, stars Oscar winners Kevin Costner (also a producer) and Octavia Spencer as a grandfather and grandmother on opposite sides of a dispute over the custody of a mixed-race child (the excellent 10-year-old newcomer Jillian Estell) to whom they both lay claim. Following its world premiere at Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, it received a lengthy standing ovation, and it's hard
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- 9/7/2014
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When we first meet Kevin Costner’s character, Elliott, in Black and White, he’s alone at the hospital after a car accident has killed his wife (Jennifer Ehle). Shattered, he finally says, “I feel so sh-tty,” before going home and crawling inside a bottle of booze. The themes of loss and alcohol will evoke memories of the last time Costner worked with writer/director Mike Binder, 2005’s The Upside of Anger. In that film, Costner got to play a lighter soul, with Joan Allen’s abandoned wife shouldering the darker demons. In Black and White, however, Costner is put through the emotional wringer,...
- 9/2/2014
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
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