Category Archives: Movies

Entertainment, Movies, Netflix, Streaming, Streaming

Kym Whitley Celebrates New Movie ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ at Game Night

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On July 25th lifetime memories were made at Mari Morrow’s infamous ‘friends like family’ game night; which was more than just cards, dominoes, and laughter—it was a heartfelt celebration. ‘Friends like family’ gathered to welcome home actress Mari Morrow’s mom, Corrine Morrow, who finally returned from the hospice house to continue her recovery since her stroke 2 years ago which paralyzed the left side of her body.

Ms Morrow was so happy to recieve her floweres while she was still with us, and extremely happy to have so many visitors.

Adding to the excitement, comedy powerhouse Kym Whitley was in the house(literally). It felt only right to give a round of applause to the 2-time NAACP Image Awards (Outstanding Lifestyle & Self‑Help Podcast in 2022 Outstanding Arts & Entertainment Podcast in 2023) winner for her hit podcast 2 Funny Mamas alonside Sherri Shepherd. The crowd also celebrated her latest big move: landing a role in Happy Gilmore 2, which premiered on Netflix on Friday, July 24th. Ironically on movie night. It was a double celebration!

The room buzzed with joy as tables overflowed with classic favorites—Spades, Connect Four, Jenga, Uno—and a friendly game of dominoes. All teams on deck were ready for friendly rivalries and plenty of smack talk.

Between the games, the laughter, and the love in the room, it was a night that reminded everyone of the joy of togetherness—and the resilience of family.

Movies

Paula Patton Slays in Her Most Soul-Stirring Role Yet

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Demetrius Grosse, Paula Patton
Demetrius Grosse, Paula Patton

Patton opened up about her transformative role in Finding Faith, a new film that delves into pain, healing, and spiritual awakening.

Catching up with Paula Patton is always a pleasure. The last time we met was years ago when Robyn Thicke made the introduction and her glow hasn’t dimmed a bit. But this time, our conversation wasn’t just light-hearted—it was profound.

A Role That Mirrors Real Life

In Finding Faith, Patton plays a woman fighting through emotional darkness—and the parallels to her real-life journey are striking.

“I didn’t go through exactly what Faith did,” she shared, “but I’ve known pain. I’ve numbed it with alcohol. And when I stopped drinking seven years ago, I had to strip away everything—the career, the friends, the ego—and truly understand my worth.”

For Paula, this wasn’t just another role. It was personal.

The Healing Power of Performance

“This film was cathartic,” she explained. “There were moments where I had to revisit parts of myself that I thought I left behind. But doing that brought me healing.”

Her performance is more than acting—it’s a reflection of growth and self-restoration. She channels past struggles into every scene, offering authenticity that resonates on screen.

Mental Health in the Spotlight

We touched on a topic that’s becoming more urgent in the entertainment world: the mental toll of embodying heavy roles. Paula is all for having therapists on set.

“When you’re acting for 15 hours a day, it becomes more than just a job—it’s energy you carry with you,” she said. “Any support that helps artists stay grounded and emotionally healthy is essential.”

Her perspective brings attention to the importance of mental wellness in an industry that often demands emotional labor.

A Message of Hope and Redemption

Patton hopes Finding Faith connects deeply with viewers—especially those struggling with guilt, loss, or spiritual doubt.

“It shows that there’s a way through,” she said. “That God is always waiting. Prayer, faith, and grace can carry you through anything.”

It’s a film with heart, soul, and purpose—crafted not only to entertain but to heal.

An All-Star Cast with Depth and Chemistry

Paula also gave a heartfelt nod to her co-stars, including Demetrius Grosse and Stephen Bishop.

“Demetrius is incredible—so strong, grounded, and gentle. He acts from the gut,” she said. “And Stephen… well, audiences will see how his role unfolds. We had great chemistry across the board.”

In Theaters for a Limited Time

With Finding Faith, Paula Patton proves that vulnerability is her superpower. She delivers a layered performance that may very well be the most defining of her career.

Don’t miss the chance to witness this unforgettable role—Finding Faith hits select theaters June 16th and 17th only.

Let’s show up, show out, and let Hollywood know we’re here for powerful stories with purpose.

Movies, Streaming, Streaming

Time II Unfinished Business Official Documentary Released on Juneteenth

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Fox and Rob Launch #TimeIIWatch Impact Campaign, 

Unveil Groundbreaking Release Strategy for 

“TIME II: Unfinished Business” This Juneteenth 2025 
Stars of Oscar-nominated TIME (2020) unveil sequel with a movement-building release strategy. The strategy mobilizes over 1M people to watch. They witness and walk the path of freedom. TIME II: Unfinished Business—the powerful follow-up to the Oscar-nominated documentary TIME—available this Juneteenth 2025.

This new film, directed by Fox Rich, goes beyond storytelling. It launches alongside a bold national movement—#TimeIIWatch. The movement mobilizes over 1 million people in a synchronized watch party. It calls to action around justice and mass incarceration.

Justice advocates, Sibil “Fox” and Robert “Rob” Richardson (Fox and Rob), starred in the Oscar-nominated documentary TIME (2020). Today, they launched #TimeIIWatch: A Juneteenth Campaign for Freedom. This is a groundbreaking impact campaign. It is designed to amplify their long-awaited sequel TIME II: Unfinished Business. It also aims to ignite a nationwide movement for systemic justice ahead of its Juneteenth release. Fueled by the declaration “To Be Free is to Free Others,” #TimeIIWatch transforms art into activism. It serves as a participatory action tool rather than mere entertainment. The initiative calls upon 1M+ people to join a revolutionary watch party experience. It transcends a typical movie premiere. It mobilizes collective action to finish the unfinished work of freedom that Juneteenth began.

TIME II marks the directorial debut of Fox Rich, who captivated audiences as the indomitable matriarch in TIME. She reflects on her visionary role. Her personal journey has evolved into a fight for the freedom of others. She declares, “If ‘TIME’ was the cry, ‘TIME II’ is the call. This project serves multiple purposes. It is an intentional call-to-action. It acts as a mirror. It reveals flaws in our justice system. It is a megaphone. This act confronts excessive sentencing. It challenges other unjust acts that enslave us through mass incarceration. An entire movement redefines what it truly means to be free in America.”

Rob Rich, who served 21 years in the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola), adds, “We’re flipping the script. Films drive change in a new way. TIME II isn’t about algorithms or streaming royalties, it’s about people power. Freedom isn’t free, and this campaign asks audiences to invest not just their time, but their voices.” 

TIME II: Unfinished Business dives into the aftermath of Rob’s release from Angola after 21 grueling years. This release only marked the beginning. Their continued fight for freedom carries on. The battle now rages on for their nephew and “fall partner,” Ontario, who remains unjustly imprisoned. Fox and Rob confront the brutal realities that come with their unwavering commitment. They are determined to free their nephew. They also aim to honor the sacred promise they made to Rob’s sister to bring her baby boy home. 

Entertainment, Hulu, Streaming, Streaming

Barbara Walters “Tell Me Everything” Documentary Drops 6/23 on Hulu

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Today, ABC News Studios announced the new feature-length documentary, “Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything.” It is produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries. It will premiere Monday, June 23, on Hulu in the U.S. and later this year on Disney+ in select territories internationally after its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. This documentary comes from the producing team behind the 2024 Emmy® Award-winning Best Documentary, “Jim Henson Idea Man.” It is directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker and journalist Jackie Jesko. The film examines the broadcast legend’s pivotal role in the history of journalism. It also highlights her pioneering example for women in the industry.

Barbara Walters (Sept. 25, 1929-Dec. 30, 2022) didn’t just report the news — she made news. She was a true American original and a trailblazer who broke ground for women in broadcasting. The documentary gives viewers an intimate and raw look at her astonishing career. It also explores her personal life. Additionally, it delves into the challenges she faced trying to balance it all as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Walters, in her own words, also reflects on the high price of fame and the legacy she hoped to inspire.

“ABC News broke new ground by hiring Barbara. They put a woman at the anchor desk. This move broke the exclusive preserve of men,” said David Sloan, senior executive producer, ABC News. “Her road was filled with peril and naysayers and navigating that was not without personal costs. Nevertheless, Barbara created a dazzling career that had no blueprint and changed broadcast journalism forever.”

Sara Bernstein, president of Imagine Documentaries, said, “Barbara Walters was a true trailblazer. She changed the face of broadcast journalism. She set the gold standard. She completely transformed the culture’s consumption of celebrity journalism. In the process, she inspired generations with her determination, brilliance and humanity. It’s been a true privilege to collaborate with Jackie Jesko, Betsy West and the exceptional team at ABC News Studios. We can’t wait to shine a light on Barbara’s iconic story with the Hulu audience.”

“My hope for the film is that audiences feel they get to know the real Barbara, in all her complexities. They will see her private struggles and her public triumphs,” said Jesko. “Barbara stayed a television fixture for five decades, battling rampant sexism, fierce competition, and a constantly evolving media landscape. Today, celebrities and politicians often choose to speak out on their own social media platforms. They prefer this over subjecting themselves to a news interviewer. Barbara’s story gives us the opportunity to explore the changing relationship between journalism, fame, and truth.”

The film features unaired footage from ABC’s extensive archives. It includes interviews with people who knew and worked with the broadcast legend. Some of these people are Cindy Adams, Joy Behar, Connie Chung, Martin Clancy, and Andy Cohen. Others include Katie Couric, Peter Gethers, Lori Klein, and Cynthia McFadden. Bette Midler, Victor Neufeld, David Sloan, Katie Nelson Thomson, Chris Vlasto, and Oprah Winfrey are also among them.

“Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything” is produced by Imagine Documentaries for ABC News Studios. It is linked to Latchkey Films. Jesko directed it. For Imagine Documentaries, the film is produced by Marcella Steingart, Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes and Meredith Kaulfers. Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Justin Wilkes and Betsy West serve as executive producers. Muriel Pearson is executive producer, and David Sloan is senior executive producer for ABC News Studios.

Streaming

Molly Ringwald on Growing Up with Fame | Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky

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This week on Reclaiming, we sit down with the incomparable Molly Ringwald, the actress who defined a generation and shaped ’80s pop culture forever (Pretty In Pink, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club).

In this intimate conversation, Molly pulls back the curtain on her meteoric rise to fame, sharing candid revelations about navigating Hollywood as a teenage icon. She offers a fascinating glimpse into her creative partnership with legendary director John Hughes, and reveals the untold story of how her own headshot unexpectedly inspired the classic “Pretty in Pink.” Plus, Molly reflects on her years in Paris, where she rediscovered herself away from the American spotlight.

Ringwald shared that Hughes wrote Sixteen Candles inspired solely by her headshot, which he had pinned above his computer. She also recounted how an impromptu dance with co-star Matt Freeman at Kingston Mines led Hughes to conceptualize her character in Pretty in Pink.

Reflecting on her early fame, Ringwald acknowledged that while she has always been in the public eye, the intense spotlight during her teenage years felt overwhelming and intimidating. She continues to process the complexities of her early career and her collaboration with Hughes, recognizing both the opportunities and challenges it presented.

For a deeper insight into Molly Ringwald’s experiences and reflections, watch the full interview below:

Disney+, Films, Streaming

DISNEY+ AND LUCASFILM BRING “ANDOR” SEASON ONE EPISODES TO HULU AND YOUTUBE

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Everything You Need to Know About Andor Season 2 & Where to Watch Season 1

The countdown to Andor Season 2 is on, and Disney+ is making sure fans have plenty of ways to revisit the journey before the highly anticipated conclusion premieres on April 22.

Catch Up on Andor Season 1

Starting today, the full first season of Andor is available to stream on Hulu until April 22. If you’re looking for a quick refresher, episodes 1-3 are also available on the Disney+ YouTube channel, along with a newly released 14-minute Season 1 recap to get you up to speed before the next chapter begins.

Live Andor Re-Watch Event with Tony Gilroy

Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 13, at 12:00 P.M. PT, when Andor creator Tony Gilroy hosts “Andor Season 1 with Tony Gilroy,” a live re-watch event on YouTube. This special one-hour broadcast will feature select cast members, deep dives into key scenes, behind-the-scenes insights, and even opportunities for fans to ask questions. After the event, highlights will be shared across Disney+, Hulu, and Star Wars social media channels.

Season 2 Premieres April 22 on Disney+

The final season of Andor is set to be an intense, high-stakes journey as Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) becomes a crucial figure in the Rebel Alliance. As war looms, betrayals, sacrifices, and political intrigue will test every character. The 12-episode season will unfold in four chapters, each consisting of three episodes. The first three-episode chapter debuts April 22, with new episodes dropping weekly exclusively on Disney+.

A Star-Studded Cast & Creative Team

Returning for Season 2 are Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Alan Tudyk, Faye Marsay, Varada Sethu, Elizabeth Dulau, Ben Mendelsohn, and Forest Whitaker. The season was crafted by a powerhouse team of writers and directors, with Tony Gilroy, Beau Willimon, Dan Gilroy, and Tom Bissell leading the scripts, and Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, and Alonso Ruizpalacios directing.

Limited-Time Streaming Deal

Now through March 30, new and eligible returning customers can subscribe to the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle (Basic) for just $2.99/month for four months—a $32 savings! Visit www.disneyplus.com to sign up.

With Season 2 of Andor on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to rewatch, revisit, and relive the story that sets the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to one of Star Wars’ most acclaimed series.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

X: @DisneyPlus; @starwars

Instagram: @DisneyPlus; @starwars

Facebook: @DisneyPlus; @starwars

TikTok: @DisneyPlus; @StarWars

Hashtag: #DisneyPlus; #Andor

Behind the Scenes, Entertainment, Films, Movies, On The Set

Frederick R. Best to Pens Biopic on Surviving Thalidomide

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‘Born to Win’ is the mindset his mom always instilled in his heart and now Frederick R Best inspires others through his 12 books

Frederick R. Best penned the book ‘They said I wouldn’t make it,’ and is currently shopping his book for a biopic documentary. The book was previously turned into a hit stage play. This is one of the 12 books inked by Best. The father, motivational speaker and pastor was born in Bethel, N.C with muscular and skeletal deformities. 

At birth, his kneecaps were backwards and his knees could not be bent. His left arm is not fully formed and he has limited use of his right hand. These were physical challenges he would physically be affected by his entire life.  It was definitely the love and encouragement from his mom who made him feel that he was capable of all accomplishments he sought after. She encouraged Best to never look at his circumstances as a disability but  to live from his heart and mind. This is how Frederick Best learned to develop the mindset that he was no different than anybody else.

Being able to triumph over the toughest of hardships and triumphs are feats that Best credits to “the power of God.” He makes it his intentional purpose to inspire everyone he meets and plant the seeds that show people “they were born to win” regardless of their circumstances. Best’s physical defects were caused by Thalidomide, a drug his mother had taken for morning sickness. 

This drug originated in Hamburg, Germany in 1956. The first baby born to thalidomide was the result of a test drug given to women to help with morning sickness. They told everyone the drug was completely safe. No one knew the drug would later cause over 20,000 babies to be born with birth defects. By 1961 Two and a half million pills were handed out to doctors to pass out to patients. Thalidomide started out in the United States as a trial test but years later it was discovered this drug that caused thousands of fetal abnormalities was never approved in the United States.

The one thing Best always did while growing up was train his mindset to focus on the things he did have rather than what he didn’t have; and he embraced what he was able to do instead of focusing on the negative. His attitude enabled him to call himself the ambassador of hope.

15 million pills per month were being sold in Germany. There was an astounding number of babies born with deformities all linked to thalidomide. It wasn’t until 1961 that 67,000 doctors were sent letters to all the doctors warning against the use of this drug; but it wasn’t until the press got a hold of this until the drug stopped being administered.  

Raised in a very poor environment, his mom eventually lost all 15 of her kids to social services and they were all separated and placed in foster care. Nothing deterred Dr.Frederick R Best from the thought of putting his family back together. When he turned legal age he set out on this life mission to find his family and eventually got every last one of his living siblings out of foster care and under his legal guardianship, even his mother. 

“She taught and trained me over the years to never let anyone treat me as though I was handicapped. My mother always encouraged me to never let anyone put a label on me. She taught me that being handicapped was a state of mind, and not a state of being.” – Frederick R Best

Thalidomide is still being made and currently a drug to treat leprosy and cancer. In Germany there was a multi-million dollar settlement reached along with an apology after 50 years from the creator of the drug. According to several reports thalidomide babies are still being born. Today the value of this drug has soared to 1oo billion dollars. Thalidomide survivors are not happy with just an apology and there are about 40 women who have never been compensated for anything from the lawsuit.

 Available on Amazon.com

Frederick R Best is now shopping his book ‘ They said I wouldn’t make it’ to tell his story and offer hope as he is still alive, and his best days are spent raising his son, writing books, and spreading hope. As the fourth son of fifteen siblings, his biggest desire  is for his story to be told across the world and inspire others to never give up regardless of their circumstances because everyone is born to win.

Source: Upscale Magazine

Movies, Tubi

Hefe Wine Drops Documentary ‘When Thugs Fly’ on Tubi March 4th

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Houston native Hefe Wine released the documentary ‘When Thugs Fly’ on Friday March 4, 2022 on Tubi . The documentary is a memoir chronicling the life of Hefe Wine aka Wine-O aka Nuwine aka WINE, from his young teenage years leaving home at 14 years of age; up until he hit a level of success in the rap game on through his adult hood.

‘When Thugs Fly’, the documentary has several teachable moments, especially for young black men trying to navigate their way through life. Times are truly different today than they were for African Americans in the days of Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights leaders in his day. But what you will see is how Hefe Wine (like other young black men) will face certain obstacles almost every black man will encounter in his lifetime. Will he experience consequences for his choices?

At the end of the day no matter what shade of brown or black your skin is. If you are an African American in America you will be judged. Parents make sure your young African American boys and girls have knowledge about their culture and understand their history. They must be prepared and understand they have choices and options.

Photo Courtesy of Hefe Wine

Please download the link for Tubi and type in “When Thugs Fly in the Search” Click the link https://tubitv.com/video/652744

Entertainment, Films, Industry News, Movies, New Shows

CMNTY CULTURE’s DEBUT FILM PROJECT ‘THE LAST PLANTATION’

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Photo Credit Jaloni Williams
Photo Credit: Jaloni Williams

BASED ON THE UNTOLD TRUE STORY OF BLACK FARMER JOHN BOYD JR. AND LAWYER JAMES FARRIN WHO WORKED TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE FOR BLACK FARMERS IN AMERICA

Los Angeles, CA, June 10, 2021 – Today, CMNTY Culture, a Black-owned entertainment and media enterprise founded by eight-time GRAMMY award-winning songwriter Philip Lawrence, announced its first film project, The Last Plantation, via its film/ TV vertical, CMNTY Culture Films. CMNTY Culture will be the lead production company on The Last Plantation, an untold true story chronicling one of the largest civil rights settlements in history. Hunt Lowry(A Time to Kill, Last of the Mohicans) of Roserock Films and Jesse Kennedy (Brooklyn’s Finest, Stolen) are signed on to produce the film, joined by Philip Lawrence, CMNTY Culture Chief Operating Officer/ Chief Legal Officer Miles Cooley, CMNTY Culture CEO Thomas St. John, and main character/ lawyerJames Farrin as executive producers. 

Written by Tyger Williams (Menace II Society, Self Made: Madam C.J. Walker), The Last Plantation follows Black soybean farmer, John Boyd Jr., and white car accident attorney, James Farrin, as they overcome long odds and Washington gridlock to obtain a $1.25 billion settlement for over 18,000 Black farmers who had been discriminated against by the U.S. government. For years, the USDA routinely treated Black farmers unjustly, earning it the unfortunate nickname “the last plantation.”

“With its underlying themes of racial justice and social equity, ‘The Last Plantation’ showcases everything that CMNTY Culture stands for. It’s an important story to tell, not only because of its historical context, but also because it points to how we can come together to address social issues and injustices, even in a polarized world,” said CMNTY Culture Founder and Chairman, Philip Lawrence. “We couldn’t be happier to launch our film/ TV vertical with such an inspiring project and hope that it helps shed some much-overdue light on the often-neglected plight of Black farmers in America.”

The premise of the film aligns closely with CMNTY Culture’s mission of promoting and advancing racial equity, social justice, and diversity/inclusion in all aspects of its business, which includes film/TV, music, music publishing, and real estate. Philip Lawrence founded the company in 2019 alongside a visionary group of accomplished leaders: Thomas St. John, Founder of Thomas St. John Group; Miles Cooley, formerly DLA Piper; Marlena Kaplan, formerly Blackstone; Malik Rasheed, formerly Epic Records; and Chief Johnson, formerly PUMA Group.

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About CMNTY Culture: Launched in 2019, CMNTY Culture is a Black-owned, independent music and media enterprise founded by eight-time GRAMMY award-winning songwriter Philip Lawrence in partnership with Thomas St. John, founder of Thomas St. John Group, a leading international accounting and business management firm. The company has several portfolio entertainment verticals in the music, music publishing, film/ TV, and real estate spaces.  CMNTY Culture is dedicated to advocating for and empowering artists across disciplines, as well as promoting and advancing racial equity, social justice, and diversity/inclusion in all aspects of its business. To find out more, you can visit: https://cmntyculture.com/


Media Contacts:

Sunshine Sachs

Paula Witt/ Maggie Faircloth/ Samantha Stephens/ Daniella Colletti – CMNTYCulture@SunshineSachs.com

Movies, New Season Alert, Starz

RUN THE WORLD – Series on StARZ

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From the Creator of LIVING SINGLE and the Executive Producer of DEAR WHITE PEOPLE

Amber Stevens West (Whitney Greene) right Tosin Morohunfola (Ola Adeyemo)

“Run the World” follows a group of smart, funny, and vibrant 30-something Black women – fiercely loyal best friends – who live, work and play in Harlem. As they strive for world domination, they each navigate career highs and lows, hookups and heartbreaks that causes them to re-evaluate who they are and where they are going. At its core, it’s an authentic and unapologetic show about enviable friendship and not only surviving – but thriving together. The series stars Amber Stevens West (“The Carmichael Show”) as “Whitney,” a perfectionist who almost always plays by the rules; Andrea Bordeaux (“NCIS: Los Angeles”) as “Ella,” an audacious romantic, who is figuring out what she truly wants both personally and professionally; Bresha Webb (“Marlon”) as “Renee,” the vivacious, soon-to-be-divorced diva with a seemingly thriving career; and Corbin Reid (“Valor”) as “Sondi,” an erudite professional who begins to re-evaluate both her career and personal priorities.

Premiere:
Sunday, May 16th @ 8:30pm ET/PT | Genre: Comedy

Showrunner/Executive Producer: 
Yvette Lee Bowser
‍
Creator/Executive Producer:
Leigh Davenport

Run The World- Photo Courtesy of STARZ