For What It’s Worth has been a powerful addition to BET+’s lineup, touching on important themes of family, redemption, and the need for mental health support within the Black community. It’s great to see BET Networks continuing their commitment to highlighting often overlooked issues. The cast and crew were incredibly talented, and their craft resonated with audiences. It’s especially commendable that “BET Her Presents: The Couch” is dedicated to raising awareness around mental health through poignant storytelling.
Starring Patrice Covington (Genius), Leslie Black (Chicago Med), Kevin Savage (Game of Deceit), and Jared Wofford (The Final Say), For What It’s Worth premiered on March 7th, exclusively on BET+.
Written by LaJill Hunt, For What It’s Worth follows Naomi Samuels, a successful physician who finds herself publicly humiliated and suddenly unemployed. Naomi reluctantly returns to her hometown to reconnect with the foster care siblings she’s neglected for years. Hopeful to regain control of her life, Naomi and her siblings face a challenge that takes them all over the edge.
Executive produced by Loretta Edwards Wilson and Christopher A. Nolen, For What It’s Worth is directed by Wilson, Patt Stevens, and Gregory Anderson and co-produced by Lem Collins along with Jared Wofford. Ronald “Wink” Woodall of The Talent Connect served as consulting producer.
For What It’s Worth was produced by A Bold Move Media. The company produces content to uplift, entertain, and portray women of color in ways rarely seen in media.
Summer is around the corner – weird how time is flying, right? But it is upon us so time to get ready for a season packed with blockbusters from action-adventure to romance, horror, and beloved franchise releases, across theatrical releases and streaming platforms from May through Labor Day.
May kicks off with Universal’s action-packed romantic comedy “The Fall Guy,” starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt (May 3), followed by the latest installment in the Apes series, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (May 10), with the month closing out with the highly anticipated Mad Max prequel, “Furiosa.”
June promises more excitement with Netflix’s “Hit Man” and the theatrical release of “Bad Boys 4.” July may not offer another “Barbenheimer” showdown, but the much-anticipated “Deadpool & Wolverine” has something to say!
As August rolls around, audiences can enjoy a new Alien movie (“Alien: Romulus”), and “The Crow” highly anticipated remake.
Here’s a breakdown of 18 upcoming summer films you don’t want to miss:
“The Fall Guy” – May 3 – Universal Pictures
After leaving the business one year earlier, battle-scarred stuntman Colt Seavers springs back into action when the star of a big studio movie suddenly disappears. As the mystery surrounding the missing actor deepens, Colt soon finds himself ensnared in a sinister plot that pushes him to the edge of a fall more dangerous than any stunt.
“Tarot” – May 3 – Sony Pictures Releasing
Friends unwittingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within a cursed deck of tarot cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate, racing against death to escape the future foretold in their readings.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” – May 8 – 20th Century Studios
Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he’s been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
“The Strangers: Chapter 1” – May 17 – Lionsgate
After their car breaks down in an eerie small town, a young couple is forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” – May 17 – Lionsgate
Snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers, young Furiosa falls into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel, presided over by the Immortan Joe. As the two tyrants fight for dominance, Furiosa soon finds herself in a nonstop battle to make her way home.
“Hitman” – June 7 – Netflix
Professional killer Gary Johnson breaks protocol to help a desperate woman trying to flee an abusive husband and finds himself falling for her.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” – June 7 – Sony Pictures Releasing
When their late police captain gets linked to drug cartels, wisecracking Miami cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett embark on a dangerous mission to clear his name.
“Inside Out 2” – June 14 – Disney
Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust have been running a successful operation by all accounts. However, when Anxiety shows up, they aren’t sure how to feel.
“A Quiet Place: Day One” – June 14 – Paramount
A Quiet Place: Day One is an upcoming American apocalyptic horror film that is a spin-off prequel and the third installment in the A Quiet Place film series. It is directed and written by Michael Sarnoski, based on a story by John Krasinski and Sarnoski.
“Despicable Me 4” – July 3 – Universal Pictures
Gru welcomes a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who’s intent on tormenting his dad. However, their peaceful existence soon comes crashing down when criminal mastermind Maxime Le Mal escapes from prison and vows revenge against Gru.
“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley” – July 3 – Netflix
After his daughter’s life is threatened, wisecracking Detective Axel Foley teams up with a new partner and some old pals to turn up the heat on a conspiracy.
Tyler Perry’s “Divorce in the Black” – July 11 – Prime Video
Follows Ava, a young banking professional who is heartbroken when her husband Dallas abandons a marriage she is determined to fight for.
“Sing Sing” – July 12 – A24
Imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, Divine G finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men, including a wary newcomer.
“Twisters” – July 19 – Universal Pictures
Haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado, Kate Cooper gets lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi, to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. She soon crosses paths with Tyler Owens, a charming but reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures. As storm season intensifies, Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves in a fight for their lives as multiple systems converge over central Oklahoma.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” – July 26 – Disney
Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth, Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy. Oh, and this will be Rated-R.
“Borderlands” – August 9 – Lionsgate
Returning to her home planet, an infamous outlaw forms an unexpected alliance with a team of unlikely heroes. Together, they battle alien monsters and dangerous bandits to find a missing girl who holds the key to unimaginable power.
“Alien: Romulus” – August 16 – 20th Century Studios
In the newest installment in the Alien franchise, young people on a distant world find themselves confronting the most terrifying life-form in the universe.
“The Crow” – August 23 – Lionsgate
Soulmates Eric Draven and Shelly Webster are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Draven returns to seek bloody revenge against the killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.
H.E.R. is expanding deeper into Hollywood with an upcoming Majorettes-inspired HBCU film set being developed at 20th Century Studios. But get this: H.E.R. is teaming up with The Color Purple. producers Oprah Winfrey and Scott Sanders on this high-profile project.
The versatile artist, who marked her entrance into feature films with the acclaimed “The Color Purple” last year, is set to take on a triple role in her upcoming project: developing, producing, and starring in the film. Inspired by the influence of majorettes on Black culture, H.E.R. brought the concept to Winfrey and Sanders following their collaboration on The Color Purple.
The production will collaborate with H.E.R., Winfrey’s Harpo Films, and Sanders’ Scott Sanders Productions. Lauren Ashley Smith, known for her work on A Black Lady Sketch Show, will handle the film’s writing duties. Carla Gardini and Mara Jacobs are producing with H.E.R. Winfrey and Sanders.
Here’s the official synopsis:
The story follows an introverted ballet dancer from L.A. who defies her parents by putting her thriving dance career on hold to go to college. There, she joins her HBCU’s struggling majorette team and attempts to overcome culture shock, her stuffy dance background, and fierce rivals to help return the team to its former glory. “The intent is to make a funny, joyous celebration of authentic HBCU life told through the point of view of a majorette who, through experiencing HBCU life for the first time, will start to tap into who she really is,” states The Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive report. “Majorette traditions, which combines marching band, dance, and gymnastic elements, has emerged in the last 50 years as a major cultural touchstone in college and Black culture.”
Did you know Janet Jackson could have played Storm in the X-Men franchise? On The Drew Barrymore Show, Jackson revealed she could have had the role that eventually went to Halle Berry.
Jackson revealed that she did not take the role “because I was just embarking on the Janet tour.” Complex notes that may have been The Velvet Rope Tour as the film began filming in 1999, the same time as the tour was wrapping up.
As the iconic Lion King franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary, Disney unveils plans for Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel exploring the beloved character’s origin story.
Set before Mufasa’s tragic demise orchestrated by his brother Scar, the film delves into Mufasa’s upbringing in the Pride Lands, focusing on his childhood and relationship with Scar. Director Barry Jenkins, known for “Moonlight,” helms this anticipated project, which serves as a prequel to the original animated classic and a follow-up to Jon Favreau’s 2019 photorealistic remake.
The narrative unfolds as Rafiki recounts Mufasa’s legacy to Simba and Nala’s daughter, Kiara, offering insight into her grandfather’s past. The film reunites much of the 2019 voice cast, including John Kani as Rafiki, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, and Donald Glover as Simba, with Beyoncé reprising her role as Nala and introducing her daughter Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara.
Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborates with Mark Mancina to compose and write the movie’s soundtrack. As anticipation builds, fans can mark their calendars for the theatrical release on December 20. Watch the official trailer for a glimpse into the majestic world of Mufasa: The Lion King.
In what some may call “jumping the gun” regarding his guilt or innocence, television streaming app Tubi premiered the TMZ Presents: Downfall Of Diddy last night(April 28), a documentary that details the allegations of sexual abuse against the Bad Boy music mogul, the March raid and even his beef with incarcerated nemesis and former Death Row CEO Suge Knight.
Diddy is on the ropes after a series of lawsuits, mainly involving sexual misconduct and even a federal sex trafficking lawsuit. TMZ has the inside story on what was really going down in the rap mogul’s world before and during his legal woes that have seemingly taken the troubled mogul from thriving billionaire to a potentially crumbed empire.
Diddy’s legal troubles began in November of last year when singer and former girlfriend Cassie filed a $30 million lawsuit against Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, accusing him of sexual assault, sex trafficking and coercion, detailing a decade-long pattern of abuse. Just one day after Cassie filed the lawsuit, she settled with Diddy out of court.
As the dust cleared, multiple accusers stepped forward, detailing their own sexual-assault allegations against Diddy in the months following Cassie’s explosive lawsuit. Federal agents got involved on March 25, with Homeland Security Investigations raiding Diddy’s Los Angeles and Miami properties in connection to an alleged sex-trafficking case involving him.
Chloe Bailey plays opposite The Gladiator star Russell Crowe is the upcoming horror film, The Exorcism. Not to be confused with the classic horror film The Exorcist, this film is one of those film within a film ideas that might work with a spine tingling horror twist.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe stars as Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play.
As for Bailey, she plays an actress who takes precautions due to the subject matter of the movie she’s cast in, her character, not the real Bailey. But it’s clear from the jump scare worthy trailer. Crowe is the one who needs an exorcist.
Directed by Joshua John Miller, the film also stars Sam Worthington (Avatar), Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.
A scary moment on the set of The Pickup, a new Eddie Murphy film for Amazon MGM Studios. Just last week, a car collided with a truck, and several crew were injured. The injuries ranged from bumps and bruises to broken bones. It all went down in Atlanta and was first reported by the Associated
. Fortunately, two of the crew members who were injured were treated at an area hospital, with one later released, but another person is still in the hospital. Thankfully, all the crew involved who sustained injuries are expected to make full recoveries.
Get this: Murphy was not even on set when it all went down. The other star-studded cast, Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson, were also off-set. “It was a completely freak accident,” an anonymous source told AP. “It wasn’t even a complicated or dangerous stunt.”
Amazon MGM Studios said it’s “still in the process of gathering facts on what happened.”
“First and foremost our thoughts are with those who are recovering,” the studio told the Associated Press. “The well-being of the entire crew and cast is our first priority, and we will continue to insist on the highest industry standards of safety while filming. All safety precautions were reviewed prior to and monitored during the shoot.”
Tim Story directed and produced The Pickup, which has been shooting in Atlanta since February. There’s no release date yet, but the accident won’t delay production.
In any industry, losing $30 billion annually in revenue is a serious problem. So, how did that happen in Hollywood? Well, starting in 2021, consulting firm McKinsey began publishing reports that peel away the entertainment industry’s historical problems concerning the representation and inclusion of diverse groups. With all the DEI arguments circulating in mainstream media and on the internet, this seems like an ideal time to dive in. McKinsey compiled three reports and determined the opportunity cost of the ongoing diminishment of Black, Latino, and Asian Pacific Islander colleagues, performers, and audiences is a whopping $30 billion annually. Who is responsible for such a massive missed opportunity? Some of that blame apparently rests on the top decision-makers and gatekeepers. The Hollywood Reporter looked at the McKinsey analysis, and the reports are alarming.
The other way you can look at this is during the reporting, McKinney’s analysts, who tallied this number, added up the potential revenue that Hollywood (film and television) could gain if they focused more on culturally inclusive business models. The breakdown went like this: $10 billion per year by addressing the inequitable gap among Black audiences, $12 billion -18 billion from identifying the value of Latino professionals and consumers, and from the last reporting that dropped today in conjunction with Gold House from $2 billion to $4.4 billion if Hollywood placed a greater focus on Asian and Pacific Islander market, respectively. McKinsey took a survey of API (Asian Pacific Islander) consumers. The report found that nearly half of the respondents would be inclined to spend more money (49 percent) and more time (47 percent) on film and television content if there was added authentic representation. This says that Asian Americans are in a position to spend a portion of their money and valuable time if the content features more of their diverse community. Successful films like “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Parasite” and high profile TV series to the likes of “Beef” and “Squid Game” all took home multiple awards and drew in diverse audiences. So why not spend more money here? Or on Black content or Latino content? This issue is real. The missed revenue is eye-opening. But is Hollywood listening?
“As our research and analysis have demonstrated, executives don’t need to act out of altruism,” in a statement from authors of the McKinsey report regarding reasons to improve representation, both on- and offscreen. “The reward for getting it right could create real impact for the industry — and the prize will only grow. Progress may not be easy, but when the enhanced richness of storytelling is accompanied by a multibillion-dollar opportunity, the business case is clear.” Time will tell if changes are made but one thing is certain. Investing in diversity is profitable, like $30 billion in profits, not just the right thing to do.
Apple TV+ has released the first trailer for The Big Cigar, the highly anticipated limited drama series that chronicles the story of Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton’s escape to Cuba. Premiering globally on May 17, the six-episode drama is executive produced by NAACP Image Award winner Janine Sherman Barrois, Jim Hecht, and Joshuah Bearman.
Legendary award-winning actor, producer, and director Don Cheadle will direct and executive produce the first two episodes with new episodes available to stream every Friday until June 14. André Holland portrays Huey P. Newton and leads the renowned ensemble cast including Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, P. J. Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi, Jordane Christie, and Glynn Turman.
“The Big Cigar” is a mostly true story based on a monumental, eponymous Playboy Magazine article penned by executive producer, Joshuah Bearman (“Argo”). In the series, Black Panther Party founder Newton escapes from the FBI to Cuba with the assistance of famed Hollywood producer Bert Schneider. The impossibly elaborate plan turns into a wild caper and involves a fake movie production gone wrong in every way possible!
