Lillias White Stars In 'A Woman On Love'

THE LEGENDARY NEGRO ENSEMBLE COMPANY, INC. presents TONY AWARD® WINNER LILLIAS WHITE in A WOMAN ON LOVE A Valentine's Day Benefit Concert for The NEC Two Performances Only! Friday, February 14, 2014 7pm & 10pm Langston Hughes Auditorium The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Boulevard New York, NY (Subway: 2 or 3 train to 135th Street) Tickets $100 Concert & VIP Reception $75 General Admission www.smarttix.com | 212.868.4444 For group rates and additional information call the NEC office at 212.582.5860 About The PerformanceThe Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. opens the 47th season of inspirational, innovative and exciting stage productions with a special Valentine’s Day concert, A Woman On Love, starring the dynamic, award-winning singer/actress Lillias White (FELA!, The Life, Chicago). Ms. White will grace the stage of the Langston Hughes Auditorium at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard in New York City for two performances -- 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm to 12:00 am. A VIP Reception will immediately follow the second concert. The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. is very proud to present the enormous talent of Lillias White to the public in this special Valentine’s Day tribute. Charles Weldon, Artistic Director of the NEC said, “Lillias White is a tremendous talent. NEC is very, very excited about finally having the opportunity to showcase her brilliance. I cannot say enough about her amazing voice, her commanding presence, and her diversity as an actor. She can do it all with elegance. We are very proud to bring the gift of Lillias to the Schomburg stage, especially on Valentine’s Day.” Ms. White, a long-time supporter of The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc., said, “I am pleased and proud to contribute my time and energy to benefit The Negro Ensemble Company. The NEC is an integral part of our community and has produced performing artists who have become world renowned. It is imperative that we all, especially those of us who have benefited from involvement with the NEC, stand up and make sure that the work of this organization continues. Our community needs quality theatre. And it’s up to all of us who can to continue this legacy.” For more information about A Woman On Love and The Negro Ensemble Company, visit: www.necinc.org

Investigation Discovery Explores: Sundown Towns

– THE INJUSTICE FILES: SUNDOWN TOWNS Premieres Monday, February 24 at 8/7c –

(Silver Spring, MD) – Don’t let the sun set on you in a sundown town. That’s what signs at the city limits of all-white communities warned when African-Americans were not allowed to live there or even visit after the sun set. This method of exclusion was often held by an official policy or restrictive covenant-. The practice of excluding blacks from American towns was so prevalent that, by 1936, it became the impetus for Harlem civic leader Victor Green to pen the Negro Motorist Green-Book, a guide designed to help African-American travelers avoid places where they could be harassed, threatened, or even killed. Today, it is illegal for sundown towns to exist on paper due to the 1968 Fair Housing Act, but some believe that communities remain sundown by reputation and reluctance to diversify. In the fourth installment of Investigation Discovery’s Black History Month anthology THE INJUSTICE FILES, filmmaker Keith Beauchamp takes a cross-country road trip to explore whether these exclusionary practices still exist today. Produced exclusively for Investigation Discovery by Al Roker Entertainment, THE INJUSTICE FILES: SUNDOWN TOWNS one-hour special premieres Monday, February 24 at 8/7c.

“We are thrilled to work with Keith Beauchamp, one of America’s leading investigative filmmakers, and the revered team at Al Roker Entertainment on this fourth installment in the INJUSTICE FILES anthology, which has built a reputation for exposing unresolved Civil Rights cases and modern-day discrimination,” said Kevin Bennett, general manager of Investigation Discovery. “We hope this special draws attention to racial discrimination cases that deserve closure and inspires viewers to push for progress on civil rights issues that are affecting their hometown communities.”

“It is unbelievable to find that sundown towns may still be a reality in the United States,” said Al Roker, CEO of Al Roker Entertainment. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with Investigation Discovery to shed light on a situation that many people don’t even realize could be in their own backyards.”

“When we set out to film THE INJUSTICE FILES: SUNDOWN TOWNS, my objective was to challenge the opinion that sundown towns still exist in America today. Can African-Americans really travel wherever they please in this modern America?” Beauchamp said. “Now having visited communities that were historically known as sundown towns, I am left with the sense that rules may have changed by the book, but towns still exist where the social standard hasn’t been reset.”

Beauchamp explains that sundown towns are largely a northern phenomenon born from how African-Americans in the region typically made their living. Work largely consisted of daytime domestic responsibilities and thus nightly curfews were created to encourage African-American workers to leave town promptly at the end of their shift. THE INJUSTICE FILES: SUNDOWN TOWNS travels to three historically-sundown towns in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio:

Martinsville, IN – Beauchamp and his crew travel to Martinsville, where they go undercover to investigate the case of CAROL JENKINS, a 21-year-old African-American woman. On September 16, 1968, Jenkins found herself in town after dark while selling encyclopedias door to door. She was harassed by two men in a car following her and sought refuge in the home of white local residents Don and Norma Neal, who would become the last people to see Jenkins alive after she thanked them for their hospitality and disappeared into the darkness. She was killed 30 minutes later just a few blocks away. Forty-five years later, the case remains unresolved and Jenkins’ family is still looking for closure. The Neals take Beauchamp to the very spot where Jenkins took her last breath.

Vienna, IL – In Vienna, Beauchamp meets Dr. James Loewen, best-selling author of Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, who sheds historical light on the discriminatory practice. They retrace the steps of a horrific 1954 attack that lead to the banishment of an entire African-American community, resulting in what became an all-white town overnight. It was alleged that two black men killed an elderly white woman and tried to rape her teenage granddaughter. The white residents of Vienna became enraged and burned the black neighborhood to the ground, thus “cleansing” the town of its African-American population. Beauchamp and Dr. Loewen drive through the deep woods looking for what’s left of the black community, the most obvious remnant being the ruin of a bridge that used to divide the black side of town from the white side. After the burning, the bridge was abandoned and now lingers as a reminder of that separation.

Waverly, OH – Waverly is one of the few sundown towns that existed before the Civil War, with its reputation traceable back to the mid-17^th century. In 1830, the Downing family donated the town square under the condition that no African-Americans live within the city limits. Flash forward 150 years and the attitude of Waverly residents toward American-Americans had changed little. DR. DAVID HOXIE speaks on television for the first time about his experience setting up a medical practice in Waverly in 1997 and his claim that the community ran him out of town in 2004 after years of enduring what he calls “a toxic potion” of “racism, professional jealousy, material envy.” Beauchamp explains that this and hundreds of towns used to have signs at their town borders that read, “Whites Only Within City Limits After Dark.”

THE INJUSTICE FILES: SUNDOWN TOWNS is produced for Investigation Discovery by Al Roker Entertainment with executive producers Al Roker, Keith Beauchamp, and Dan Bowen. For Investigation Discovery, Lorna Thomas is executive producer, Sara Kozak is SVP of production, Kevin Bennett is general manager, and Henry Schleiff is Group President of Investigation Discovery, Destination America, and American Heroes Channel.

About Investigation Discovery

Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading mystery-and-suspense network on television and America’s favorite “guilty pleasure.” From harrowing crimes and salacious scandals to the in-depth investigations and heart-breaking mysteries that result, ID challenges our everyday understanding of culture, society and the human condition. One of our nation’s fastest growing cable networks, ID delivers the highest-quality programming to nearly 85 million U.S. households and is available in both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD). For more information, please visit InvestigationDiscovery.com, facebook.com/InvestigationDiscovery, or twitter.com/DiscoveryID. Investigation Discovery is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world’s #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 2 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.

About Al Roker Entertainment

Formed in 1994, Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. (ARE) is a thriving television production company based in NYC involved in the development and production of network and cable television projects. Al Roker is CEO. ARE produces programming for a diverse clientele. Recent productions include multiple seasons of "Coast Guard Alaska" and "Coast Guard Florida" as well as the launch of “Coast Guard Disappointment Pacific Northwest” (The Weather Channel), "Kimberly's Simply Southern" (Great American Country), "Bordertown: Laredo" (A&E), "Stuffed: Food Hoarders" (The Cooking Channel), "Iced with Sylvia Weinstock" (WEtv), "Child Hunger Ends Here: A Special Report (NBC), "DEA" Seasons 1 and 2 (Spike TV), "Last Chance Highway" (Animal Planet), Celebrity Holiday Homes 2010 & 2011 (HGTV) "Together For Care" Telethon benefitting the Alzheimer's Foundation of America 2010 (NBC), "Al Roker Reporting" (MSNBC), "Profiles in Courage: A Kennedy Legacy" (NBC Station Group), "An Honor Deferred" (History Channel), "Inside Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" (NBC), "Recipe for Success" (Food Network), "Renovate My Place" (TV One), "Roker on the Road" (Food Network), "Heavyweights" (Food Network), "The 2007 Quill Book Awards" 2005, 2006 & 2007 (NBC), "Diabetes: The Quiet Killer"(NBC), "Brain Attack: A Stroke Survival Guide" (NBC), "Uncovered: The Hidden Lives of Miss USA" (E! Entertainment Network), "Tribeca Film Festival: Live from The Red Carpet" (NBC) and "Going Places" (PBS). ARE produces award-winning content:  In January 2014, Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman, star of “Kimberly’s Simply Southern,” was honored as “Best Home Chef in a Series” at the 5th Annual Taste Awards. Additionally, in 2013 Pedigree won the Cannes’ Silver Lion Award for “Annie’s Search for Sandy” and The Humane Society of the United States honored ARE’s Animal Planet series, “Last Chance Highway” in the category of “Outstanding Reality Series” at the 25th Anniversary Genesis Awards (2011). For more information, visit www.alrokerentertainment.com.

 

 KJLH's Adai Lamar, Jenifer Lewis and Lynn Talbert

Tues., Feb. 4, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases the movie BAGGAGE CLAIM on DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital HD.

BAGGAGE CLAIM stars: Paula Patton, Derek Luke, Jenifer Lewis, Taye Diggs, Jill Scott, Boris Kodjoe, Trey Songz, Tia Mowry, La La Anthony and Djimon Hounsou.

Jenifer Lewis

 

Summary

Paula Patton leads a hilarious cast in this first-class comedy that’ll keep you laughing and make your heart soar! Flight attendant Montana Moore (Patton) is smart, sexy and sick of being single. She’s determined to get engaged before her younger sister’s wedding, leaving just 30 days to make her connection. Fortunately, her co-worker crew has cooked up a high-flying scheme for Montana to “accidentally” bump into all her ex-boyfriends, leading to hilarious encounters as she attempts to land the perfect guy!

Blu-ray Special Features

• Theatrical Feature Blu-ray
• Behind the Scenes with the Director with Optional Commentary by David E. Talbert
• Featurettes: Fly Girls, Wing Men, The Story, Interview with the Cast
• Audio Commentary with David E. Talbert
• Theatrical Trailer

DVD Special Features

• Featurettes: Fly Girls, Wing Men, The Story
• Audio Commentary with David E. Talbert
• Theatrical Trailer

 http://youtu.be/uhSuP_0fTEo

 http://we.tl/EG99Q6mQZp

Genesis The Ministry Concert Set For Feb. 9

Submissions Open For Cinema At The Edge Fest

2nd Annual Cinema at the Edge Festival

May 7 – 11, 2014

Submissions due – Feb 28th

Notifications will be sent out – March 21st

 

Five days of screenings, parties & artist programs that celebrates independent filmmaking.

*Films competing in narrative feature, documentary & short film categories will be eligible for Jury and Audience awards in which winners will have the opportunity to screen their film for industry professionals working in international film production & distribution.

*Winners of the jury & audience awards in each category will be considered for acquisition by industry professionals working in international film distribution.

*Great chance to gain exposure & additional opportunities for global distribution

*Previous celebrity honorary chair & film jurors include: Brett Ratner, Susan Sarandon and John Singleton.

For film submissions please visit this link

www.cinemaattheedge.com

Tel:310-392-7327

 

Cinema at the Edge Independent Film Festival is a natural progression of the work we do at the Edgemar Center, bringing together industry experts, cultural and media taste makers and the most talented artists from across Los Angeles. My team and I are thrilled to invite you to experience what the West Side has to offer filmmakers and cinephiles, which is quite different from what you’ll find in Hollywood.” – Michelle Danner, Founder

Over the past 3 years, The Cinema at the Edge has grown from  being held in two theaters at the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica with approximately 5,700 attendees each year. The Festival screens nearly 55 narrative, documentary feature  films, and short films to a diverse local and international audience. From VIP  galas to celebrity-studded premieres, The Cinema at the Edge highlights film from every corner of the globe.

The Edgemar Center for the Arts is well known on the West Side of Los Angeles as a venue where up and coming talent share quality work, and Artistic Director Michelle Danner is thrilled to now invite the global independent film community to experience this vibrant beachside collective at the 2nd Annual Cinema at the Edge Independent Film Festival. Cinema at the Edge programs films with a unique voice and a clear vision, that blend genres or break conventions of the medium, with an added focus on life in the beachfront communities of Santa Monica and Venice and the talented group of independent filmmakers who make LA’s West Side their home. The 2013 festival featured audience favorites from Sundance, SXSW and other major festivals, while maintaining a focus on world or regional premieres, challenging films that deserve a second look and showcasing local artists.

The Founder of the Cinema At the Edge Independent Film Festival:

MICHELLE DANNER Founder

Michelle Danner is the founder and artistic director of The Edgemar Center for the Arts and The Edgemar Theater Group. She is a renowned actor, director and award-winning acting coach. Michelle directed and produced the film “Hello Herman” starring Norman Reedus (AMC’s “The Walking Dead”) through her production company All In Films. As an acting coach, Michelle has worked with A List talent privately and on set, including Gerard Butler, Chris Rock, Seth MacFarlane, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Penelope Cruz, Michael Pena, Isla Fisher, Common, Salma Hayek, James Franco, and Zooey Deschanel. She has directed and acted in over thirty award-winning plays and musicals in New York and Los Angeles. Her directorial debut in film was 2006’s “How to Go Out on a Date in Queens” with Jason Alexander, Esai Morales and Ron Perlman. It was released nationwide and aired as an ABC Sunday Night Movie of the Week.

            Edgemar Center for the Arts is located at 2437 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405.

'That Awkward Moment' Brings The Laughs

 

By Darlene Donloe

That Awkward Moment is a male bonding film that, although it’s formulaic, has a lot of laughs.

Unfortunately, it’s weighed down with a bit too many unnecessary plot points and too much gratuitous, rapid-fire banter.  First-time writer-director Tom Gormican keeps the dialogue moving at such a rapid pace, that you really have to listen carefully or you’ll miss some of the dialogue.

The romantic comedy is about three best friends who all happen to be having relationship issues.  One of the issues is the fact that one of the friends doesn’t even realize he’s in a relationship until his girlfriend dumps him.

One of the friends, played by Michael B Jordan (Mikey), has a shaky marriage and is on the verge of divorce. In support of him the other two guys vow to maintain their single status for as long as possible.

Since the other friends, played by Zac Efron (Jason) and Miles Teller (Daniel) are only interested in superficial encounters anyway, they figure the vow is a piece of cake. Well, not so fast gents. Enter two women who essentially make them rethink the whole relationship thing.  The women are played by Imogen Poots and Mackenzie Davis, both of whom do standup jobs. Poots has some particularly strong moments as Ellie, a young publisher who thinks she might be in love with Jason.

 MICHAEL B. JORDAN

The bonding the three friends have is believable, although men watching each other urinate, or checking out a friend’s orange “package” isn’t something readily done by men. However, it’s hysterical in this movie.

What drives the movie is the word, ‘so.’ It’s apparently the word that every man dreads. It changes a relationship. ”So,” what are we doing? “So,” where is this relationship going?  “So,” where are we heading? It’s the nail in the coffin for some men who are then confronted with a ‘put a ring on it or we’re through’ scenario.

The movie is an attempt to tell a modern story about how love is done in 2014. If this is the way it’s done, love is going to be exhausting!!

Why is it that every comedy has to have unnecessary conflicts of one kind or another.  The movie winds its way through the muck and mire – but it doesn’t add anything to the story.

That Awkward Moment has some holes, but it’s full of good looking people offering up a number a laughs. It’s worth a watch.

That Awkward Moment, written and directed by Tom Gormican, stars Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis and Jessica Lucas.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likeable), O (OK) and E (excellent), That Awkward Moment gets an O (OK).

The movie is Rated – R.  Running time: 94 minutes

Academy's 'Alone Yet Not Alone' Song Decision

The Board of Governors’ decision to rescind the Original Song nomination for “Alone Yet Not Alone,” music by Bruce Broughton, was made thoughtfully and after careful consideration.  The Academy takes very seriously anything that undermines the integrity of the Oscars® voting process. The Board regretfully concluded that Mr. Broughton’s actions did precisely that.
The nominating process for Original Song is intended to be anonymous, with each eligible song listed only by title and the name of the film in which it is used—the idea being to prevent favoritism and promote unbiased voting.  It’s been a long-standing policy and practice of the Academy—as well as a requirement of Rule 5.3 of the 86th Academy Awards® Rules—­­to omit composer and lyricist credits from the DVD of eligible songs that are sent to members of the Music Branch.  The Academy wants members to vote for nominees based solely on the achievement of a particular song in a movie, without regard to who may have written it.

Mr. Broughton sent an email to at least 70 of his fellow Music Branch members—nearly one-third of the branch’s 240 members.  When he identified the song as track #57 as one he had composed, and asked voting branch members to listen to it, he took advantage of information that few other potential nominees are privy to.  As a former Academy Governor and current member of the Music Branch’s executive committee, Mr. Broughton should have been more cautious about acting in a way that made it appear as if he were taking advantage of his position to exert undue influence. At a minimum, his actions called into question whether the process was "fair and equitable," as the Academy's rules require. The Academy is dedicated to doing everything it can to ensure a level playing field for all potential Oscar® contenders—including those who don’t enjoy the access, knowledge, and influence of a long-standing Academy insider.