Screen Gems' "Black and Blue" Coming To Theaters

The Screen Gems upcoming film, BLACK AND BLUE, stars Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, and Nafessa Williams.

BLACK AND BLUE is a fast-paced action thriller about a rookie cop (Naomie Harris) who inadvertently captures the murder of a young drug dealer on her body cam. After realizing that the murder was committed by corrupt cops, she teams up with the one person from her community who is willing to help her (Tyrese Gibson) as she tries to escape both the criminals out for revenge and the police who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage.

Winners Announced at 19th Annual BET Awards

The 19th Annual BET Awards, hosted by Regina King, took place tonight in Los Angeles. Cardi B opened the show that also included performances from Fantasia, Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, Jeremih, Meek Mill, Lizzo, DaBaby, James Funk of Rare Essence, Kirk Franklin, Erica Campbell, Kelly Price, and Jonathan McReynolds.

Mary J. Blige received the Lifetime Achievement Award while Tyler Perry was presented with the Ultimate Icon Award. 

A touching tribute was given to Nipsey Hustle, the rapper/businessman who was gunned down earlier this year.  Hustle received the Humanitarian Award and the Best Male Hip Hop Artist. 

A complete list of winners is below. 

Video of the Year
Childish Gambino — “This Is America”

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist 
Bruno Mars

Best Group
Migos

Best New International Act (Fan Voted Category)
Sho Madjozi (South Africa)

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Nipsey Hussle

2019 Coca-Cola Viewers’ Choice Award
Ella Mai — “Trip”

Best International Act
Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan

Best Actress
Regina King

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Snoop Dogg Ft. Rance Allen — “Blessing Me Again”

Best Movie
Blackkklansman

Album of the Year
Cardi B — Invasion of Privacy

YoungStars Award
Marsai Martin

Best New Artist
Lil Baby

Best Collaboration
Travis Scott Ft. Drake — “Sicko Mode”

Video Director of the Year
Karena Evans

Sportswoman of the Year
Serena Williams

Sportsman of the Year
Stephen Curry

BET Her Award
H.E.R. — “Hard Place”

Gregory Goodloe Is "Stylin" With Latest Single

The urban-jazz artist tops three national charts with the title track to his forthcoming album.

R&B-jazz guitarist Gregory Goodloe is typically low-key and chill, but he was especially humbled when he received the call that his single, “Stylin’,” went No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart. The song, written and produced by hitmaker Darren Rahn and showcasing Goodloe’s electric jazz guitar bravura, serves as the title track to the guitarist’s upcoming album, due this fall.   

Goodloe’s sound straddles jazz straight-ahead and contemporary, jacked with a swig of hip hop swagger. Packaged with Rahn’s glossy pop sensibilities and a soul-powered R&B groove laid down by an agile rhythm section - bassist Mel Brown, drummer Tarrell Martin, and wah guitarist Allen Hinds - the winning combo sent “Stylin’” to the top of the Billboard chart, Goodloe’s first. It also topped the Mediabase and Smooth Jazz Top 20 charts.

“In today’s modern world and culture, I wanted to bridge the gap between the standard jazz flow of Wes Montgomery, the smooth flow of George Benson and the hip hop culture of Jay-Z. ‘Stylin’’ is a means of expression in today’s music and culture,” said Goodloe. “Going number one is a dream come true, an unexpected blessing of God’s grace and very encouraging.”

Goodloe is working with Rahn to finish the album. “I nicknamed Darren ‘Dr. D’ because when he and I go into the lab (studio), it’s total chemistry between us.” 

       

While Goodloe plans to ride the hot “Stylin’” single well into the peak of summer, he’s got something planned to cool things down before the album drops. He wrote, “Cool Like That” with soul-jazz icon Bob Baldwin, which will be the next single.

“‘Cool Like That’ captures the true essence of soul-jazz in a cool, laidback style,” said Goodloe, who gigs a couple times a month in the Denver area, his hometown.      

As an accompanist, Goodloe has flanked an interesting mix of R&B, jazz and gospel greats spanning R&B crooner Howard Hewett, soul balladeers Surface, R&B heartthrob Tank and original Earth, Wind & Fire keyboardist Larry Dunn; smooth/contemporary jazz luminaries Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson, Norman Brown and Ben Tankard; and non-secular giants Shirley Caesar, John P. Key, The Rance Allen Group and Angela Spivey. He’s also served as music director for soul-jazz chanteuse Aysha.

A self-taught musician and a US Army veteran, Goodloe wrote, produced and played all the instruments except for a couple of keyboard parts on a 2010 demo collection titled “It’s All Good” in order to introduce himself as a solo artist. He didn’t pursue airplay until 2016 with the Rahn penned and produced single, “All The Way,” which earned most added status on the Billboard chart. Goodloe and Rahn reteamed the following year for another radio single, “Get’n It,” which featured the same musicians who play on “Stylin’.” Along with earning most added honors, the cut rose to No. 5 on the Billboard New & Active chart. Both singles appear on Goodloe’s “Get’n It” album (2017). For additional information, please visit http://gregorygoodloe.com.

Television Critics Award Nominations Announced

The Television Critics Association (TCA) Award nominations were just announced.  This year the 35th Annual TCA Awards ceremony will coincide with the 2019 Summer TCA Press Tour (July 23-August 8). 

Below is the complete list of nominees.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

“Better Call Saul” – AMC
“The Good Fight” – CBS All Access
“Homecoming” – Amazon
“Killing Eve” – BBC America
“Pose” – FX
“Succession” – HBO

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

“Barry” – HBO
“Fleabag” – Amazon
“The Good Place” – NBC (2018 Winner in Category)
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – Amazon
“Russian Doll” – Netflix
“Schitt’s Creek” – Pop TV
“Veep” – HBO (2014 Winner in Category)

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA

Amy Adams, “Sharp Objects” – HBO
Patricia Arquette, “Escape at Dannemora” – Showtime
Christine Baranski, “The Good Fight” – CBS All Access
Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve” – BBC America
Billy Porter, “Pose” – FX
Michelle Williams, “Fosse/Verdon” – FX

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY

Pamela Adlon, “Better Things” – FX
Bill Hader, “Barry” – HBO
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep” – HBO (2014 Winner in Category)
Natasha Lyonne, “Russian Doll” – Netflix
Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek” – Pop TV
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, “Fleabag” – Amazon

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIE OR MINISERIES

“Chernobyl” – HBO
“Deadwood: The Movie” – HBO
“Escape at Dannemora” – Showtime
“Fosse/Verdon” – FX
“Sharp Objects” – HBO
“When They See Us” – Netflix

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SKETCH/VARIETY SHOWS

“Desus & Mero” – Showtime
“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” -TBS
“I Think You Should Leave” – Netflix
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” – HBO (2018 Winner in Category)
“Late Night with Seth Meyers” – NBC
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” – CBS

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM

“Dead to Me” – Netflix
“The Other Two” – Comedy Central
“Pose” – FX
“Russian Doll” – Netflix
“Succession” – HBO
“What We Do in the Shadows” – FX

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

“Chernobyl” – HBO
“Fleabag” – Amazon
“Game of Thrones” – HBO (2012 Winner in Category)
“Pose” – FX
“Russian Doll” – Netflix
“When They See Us” – Netflix

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY

“The Great British Baking Show” – PBS
“Making It” – NBC
“Nailed It!” – Netflix
“Queer Eye” – Netflix
“Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” – Netflix
“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” – Netflix

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS AND INFORMATION

“60 Minutes” – CBS (2012 Winner in Category)
“America To Me” – Starz
“Leaving Neverland” – HBO
“Our Planet” – Netflix
“The Rachel Maddow Show” – MSNBC
“Surviving R. Kelly” – Lifetime

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING

“Arthur” – PBS Kids
“Carmen Sandiego” – Netflix
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” – PBS Kids (2016 Winner in Category)
“Muppet Babies” – Disney Junior
“Odd Squad” – PBS Kids
“Sesame Street” – HBO (2018, 2011, 2001 Winner in Category)

Doctor Sleep In Theaters Nationwide November 8

“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining.  Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.

Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace.  But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.”  Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality.

Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose.  Abra’s innocence and fearless embrace of her shine compel Dan to call upon his own powers as never before—at once facing his fears and reawakening the ghosts of the past.

“Doctor Sleep” stars Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars: Episodes I, II & III,” “T2 Trainspotting”) as Dan Torrance, Rebecca Ferguson (the “Mission: Impossible” films, “The Greatest Showman”) as Rose the Hat, and Kyliegh Curran, in her major feature film debut, as Abra.  The main ensemble cast also includes Carl Lumbly, Zahn McClarnon, Emily Alyn Lind, Bruce Greenwood, Jocelin Donahue, Alex Essoe and Cliff Curtis.

Trevor Macy and Jon Berg produced the film, with Roy Lee, Scott Lumpkin, Akiva Goldsman and Kevin McCormick serving as executive producers.

Flanagan’s behind-the-scenes creative team was led by director of photography Michael Fimognari (“The Haunting of Hill House”), production designers Maher Ahmad (“Get Hard”) and Elizabeth Boller (“Hush”), and costume designer Terry Anderson (“Den of Thieves”).  The music score is composed by The Newton Brothers (“The Haunting of Hill House”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, An Intrepid Pictures/Vertigo Entertainment Production, A Mike Flanagan Film, “Doctor Sleep.”  Slated for release in North America on November 8, 2019, and globally beginning on October 30, 2019, “Doctor Sleep” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. Thanks,

Black Music Month: Celebs Reveal Favorite Concert

June is Black Music Month and what better time to celebrate its rich history.

For centuries, Black musicians, singers, writers, and producers have made incredible contributions to the music industry.

This is the month set aside to pay homage to all those individuals who, through their music, have made us smile, laugh, cry, dance, tap our feet, clap our hands and swivel our hips.

President Jimmy Carter officially designated the month of celebration on June 7, 1979. It was during a reception at The White House, which featured performances by Chuck Berry, Billy Eckstine, Little Richard and Andre Crouch.

On May 31, 2016, President Obama declared the month of June 2016 as “African-American Music Appreciation Month” in a presidential proclamation. Although June was first deemed “Black Music Month” by Jimmy Carter and campaigned for by songwriter and producer Kenneth Gamble back in 1979, as the nation’s first Black President, POTUS felt strongly that an official proclamation was more appropriate.

The proclamation calls Black music “among the most innovative and powerful art the world has ever known.” President Obama also calls upon “public officials, educators, and people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and foster appreciation of music that is composed, arranged or performed by African Americans.”

I recently caught up with some celebrities and asked them the following: What was the best concert you ever attended?

BLACK MUSIC MONTH – What was the best concert you ever attended?

COLMAN DOMINGO

COLMAN DOMINGO – (Fear the Walking Dead/If Beale Street Could Talk) Earth, Wind, and Fire in 1978 at the Mann Music Center. It was my first concert.

ETIENNE CHARLES

ETIENNE CHARLES – (Tobagonian trumpeter) Stevie Wonder in 2008 and 2014. Two of the three best. Earth, Wind, and Fire!  They don’t disappoint.

BEVERLY JOHNSON

BEVERLY JOHNSON – (Supermodel, actress, businesswoman) James Brown. He was the first concert I ever went to.

MYKELTI WILLIAMSON

MYKELTI WILLIAMSON – (Forrest Gump, Con Air, Fences) I have too many to pick just one. Stevie Wonder.  Diana Ross turned it out at the Forum back in the day. Prince and Michael Jackson. Then I’ve seen B.B. King get down, so I can’t say the best. Let's just put all of the above.

LORETTA DIVINE

LORETTA DIVINE – (Grey’s Anatomy, The Carmichael Show) I go to a lot of jazz concerts here in Los Angeles. We try to go to the Valentine's concert in Long Beach.  I’d say those are the best.

RENO WILSON

RENO WILSON – (Good Girls, Bolden, Mike and Molly) Prince!  I went to see him three times. He would go off stage, they’d call him back and do four encores.

Forest Whitaker Stars in Godfather of Harlem

Premium network EPIX released a brand-new tease for the original series Godfather of Harlem – premiering Sunday, September 29 and starring Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, Vincent D’Onofrio, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Sorvino, Nigel Thatch, and Ilfenesh Hadera.

Premiering on EPIX on September 29, Godfather of Harlem is inspired by the story of infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the Genovese crime family to regain control. During the brutal battle, he forms an alliance with radical preacher Malcolm X (Thatch) – catching Malcolm’s political rise in the crosshairs of social upheaval and a mob war that threatens to tear the city apart. Godfather of Harlem is a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.

Produced by ABC Signature Studios, the 10-episode series is written by Narcos co-creator Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein. The series will launch on EPIX and EPIX NOW, the network’s new streaming service available for download in the App store for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV and in Google Play for Android phones and tablets.

Bryan 'Birdman' Williams and Benny Boom Team To Produce Nigerian Drama, 'Tazmanian Devil'

Music industry icons turned feature filmmakers,  Bryan "Birdman" Williams of Cash Money Films and Benny Boom of Groundwurk Studios are teaming as executive producers on Solomon Onita, Jr.'s Nigerian immigrant drama, Tazmanian Devil.    Boom's Groundwurk Studios and Williams' Cash Money Films are providing the necessary financing to market and distribute the indie.  Principal photography wrapped earlier in the year and currently the film is in post-production. "I am honored to work with Benny; we share a great history in the music business over the past 20 years," says Williams. "Benny and I have often discussed making films together and this project presented us with the perfect opportunity to produce a great movie." Written and directed by newcomer Solomon Onita, Jr., Tazmanian Devil stars  Abraham Attah, best known to audiences from his soul-stirring role in the award-winning film Beast Of No Nation, Adepero Oduye (When They See Us), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (The Chi) and Kwesi Boakye (Claws).  "I have been creating visuals for Cash Money artists for decades and I am excited about this next phase of our collaboration," says Boom.  "Bryan 'Birdman' Williams has supported me since my first years Directing and this joint venture is a natural business and creative transition--the first of many." Boom and Williams' working relationship dates back to the early 2000s, and music videos for the Hot Boyz, Juvenile, Big Tymers, Birdman & Lil Wayne; to recent projects for Jacquees, Nicki Minaj, and Drake.  This new venture taps into a shared passion for filmmaking and provides both men a strong ally to develop projects and other joint venture opportunities. "It's exciting to join forces with Benny to tell a unique story on the big screen," says Ronald 'Slim' Williams.  "We've built a platform to succeed together and open the door for some very exciting projects in the future as well.  It all begins with Tazmanian Devil." Tricia Woodgett of TigerEye Films is producing, and Gerald Rawles (Next Day Air) will serve as an executive producer on the project.

73rd Annual Tony Awards Given Out Last Night

The 73rd Annual Tony Awards, hosted by James Corden, were given out last night in New York.  Corden kept the show fluid with light-hearted skits, including an almost fight between Audra McDonald and Laura Linney. 

Below is a complete list of the winners.

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Judith Light

Regional Theater Tony Award
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

Special Tony Award
Marin Mazzie
Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company
Jason Michael Webb

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theater
Broadway Inspirational Voices – Michael McElroy, Founder
Peter Entin
FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9
Joseph Blakely Forbes

Best Musical

Hadestown

Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show

Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Play
The Ferryman

Best Leading Actor in a Play
Bryan Cranston, Network

Best Revival of a Musical
Oklahoma!

Best Original Score
Hadestown, music, and lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell

Best Direction of a Play
Sam Mendes, The Ferryman

Best Revival of a Play
The Boys in the Band

Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Ali Stroker, Oklahoma!

Best Direction of a Musical
Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown

Best Featured Actor in a Musical
André De Shields, Hadestown

Best Leading Actress in a Play
Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery

Best Featured Actor in a Play
Bertie Carvel, Ink

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird

Best Book of a Musical
Robert Horn for Tootsie

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Rob Howell for The Ferryman

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Rachel Hauck for Hadestown

Best Costume Design of a Play
Rob Howell for The Ferryman

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Bob Mackie for The Cher Show

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Neil Austin for Ink

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Bradley King for Hadestown

Best Sound Design in a Play
Fitz Patton for Choir Boy

Best Sound Design in a Musical
Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz for Hadestown

Best Choreography
Sergio Trujillo for Ain’t Too Proud

Best Orchestrations
Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose for Hadestown

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED WINNERS

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater
Rosemary Harris
Terrence McNally
Harold Wheeler