Category: Film & TV

  • Taraji P. Henson Remembers Voting On American Idol For Fantasia So Many Times Her Fingers Grew Numb

    Taraji P. Henson Remembers Voting On American Idol For Fantasia So Many Times Her Fingers Grew Numb

    The Empire star has been on the frontlines supporting her Color Purple Co-star Fantasia Barrino since her days on American Idol.

    The Cast for The Color Purple attended the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television on Monday; In honor of Black, Latino, and AAPI Achievements at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California.

    Taraji constantly showed her love and support for Barrino. She describes it as something that runs deeper than the surface as her grandfather, who had passed away 20 years ago, was a huge fan of hers. As a result, her actions replicate the love he had for her.

    In May 2004, Barrino won American Idol, and she was only 19 then. The host at the time, Ryan Seacrest, revealed a record-breaking 65 million votes had been called in to make the selection.

    After being chosen as the Winner, Barrino tearfully revealed that she had been through a lot and had worked very hard to get the position she was in, as she also thanked her fans and supporters.

    All her hard work finally paid off as her vocals will be featured in the upcoming musical, The Color Purple, based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker.

    The cast features a star-studded collection including Halle Bailey, Taraji P. Henson, Jon Batiste, Danielle Brooks, Louis Gossett Jr., Corey Hawkins, David Alan Grier, Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, H.E.R., Ciara, and Deon Cole.

    Oprah Winfrey, who is a producer on the film, appeared in the 1985 version of the film as Sofia. She described the experience as the biggest most important thing that had ever happened to her and continues to be.

    The Color Purple is set to be in theaters on Dec. 25.

    #Clique, throw in your two cents on this.

  • Millie Bobby Brown Stars In New Film “Damsel”

    Millie Bobby Brown Stars In New Film “Damsel”

    Damsel is an upcoming Netflix film starring Millie Bobby Brown.

    The film tells the tale of a young Princess tasked to follow the footsteps of a long list of women from different generations in protecting her Kingdom.

    Damsel takes us through the life of courageous Elodie (Millie Brown), as she disrupts the norm of a fairytale after her happily ever after is broken off when her Prince Charming offers her as a sacrifice to a dragon.

    Their marriage was a trap curated by the royal family to sacrifice her to repay an ancient debt. They throw her into a cave inhabited by a mighty dragon where she has to rely solely on her will of survival and genius.

    We gain a perspective of the obstacles Elodie faces from the first teaser thriller for the upcoming film.

    “You feel that you are experiencing the journey of surviving and facing this creature with Elodie,”

    The Director Fresnadillo says.

    “The emotional arc is so intense.”

    The teaser showcases Elodie’s seduction by the royal family including the ensuing reality of her fairy-tale situation, as she struggles to survive in the depths of a cave. The very cave where the names of previous captives have been carved into the surface.

    Juan Fresnadillo describes it,

    “It’s a thrilling adventure with a really dark twist to put you on the edge of your seat,”

    Fresnadillo says.

    “As a filmmaker, one of the things I always want to do is surprise the audience with a new take on a story. Especially this kind of [traditional story] we have to modernize those tales with new takes, more modern and real ways, to connect with the audience.”

    #Clique, are you excited for this film?

  • Beyonce’s New Film Is A Masterpiece To Behold, A Mastery Of Craft Displayed In Every Frame

    Beyonce’s New Film Is A Masterpiece To Behold, A Mastery Of Craft Displayed In Every Frame

    Renaissance is an upcoming documentary music film by Beyonce. The film focuses its attention on the journey of the Renaissance World Tour, from the beginning to its opening in Stockholm, Sweden, to the finale.

    The movie takes us through Beyonce’s work ethic, her creative process, her depth and involvement in every aspect of the production.

    This movie is a path to her legacy that shows Beyonce as a master of her craft.
    Over 2.7 million fans felt liberated through this world tour giving the film extraordinary acclaim.

    Beyonce stepped into her Director’s hat and outdid herself with this piece. The film was released in theaters on December 1, 2023, grossing over $21.8M with a runtime of 2h 48m. Parkwood Entertainment produced the film while AMC theatres stepped in as distributors.

    This film just shows that Beyonce’s imprint stands for nothing but greatness beyond its years.
    The movie chronicles Beyoncé’s 2023 stadium tour in support of her seventh studio album Renaissance (2022).

    The film features her family, her husband, Jayz, and their three children, Blue Ivy, Rumi, and Sir Carter, with appearances from A-list celebrities like Diana Ross, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, Tracee Ellis Ross, Megan Thee Stallion.

    The film premiered at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on November 25, 2023, before its theatrical release in the United States on December 1, 2023.

    It received positive reviews from critics, most of whom praised the footage, production, behind-the-scenes elements, and Beyoncé’s stage presence. 

    The film has grossed over $27 million at the global box office.

    In remembrance and dedication to her

    “Uncle”

    Johnny, who ushered her to the Black dance music and ball culture, and died during the AIDS epidemic, the film’s release date is famed for falling on World AIDS Day.

    #Clique, are you excited for this film?

  • ‘Fallout’ Is An American Apocalyptic Film That Portrays A Nuclear War In A Counterfactual History Of Los Angeles In The 1950s Based On The Video Game Fallout

    ‘Fallout’ Is An American Apocalyptic Film That Portrays A Nuclear War In A Counterfactual History Of Los Angeles In The 1950s Based On The Video Game Fallout

    Fallout is an upcoming film about the future. An apocalyptic world where citizens are forced to live in a subterrestrial bunker to protect themselves from monsters.

    An American drama television series developed by Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, based on a role-playing game franchise.

    The film portrays the after-effects of a nuclear war in a counterfactual history of Los Angeles, California, United States in the 1950s.
    Fallout is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video on April 12, 2024.

    The film stars, Ella Purnell as Lucy, Aaron Moten as Maximus, Walton Goggins as The Ghoul / Cooper Howard, Kyle MacLachlan as Hank, Xelia Mendes-Jones, Mike Doyle as Mr. Spencer, Annabel O’Hagan as Steph and Deon van Dyk as the guy who took the child.

    Christopher Nolan will direct the pilot episode. The series is based on the video game Fallout which is set years after the apocalypse. The film conforms to a group of people living in an opulent fallout shelter who are obligated to return to an exposure radiation hell space.

    They were left behind by their ancestors and are shocked to stumble on a universe filled with violence.

    #Clique, what are your thoughts on this film franchise? Will you tune in?

  • Rita Ora Will Co-Host Alongside Ryan Seacrest Live From The Times Square At “Dick Clark’s New Year Rockin’ Eve 2024” With Jeannie Mai Co-Hosting From LA and Dayanara Torres Co-Hosting From Puerto Rico

    Rita Ora Will Co-Host Alongside Ryan Seacrest Live From The Times Square At “Dick Clark’s New Year Rockin’ Eve 2024” With Jeannie Mai Co-Hosting From LA and Dayanara Torres Co-Hosting From Puerto Rico

    New Year’s Eve Extravaganza airs live with Ryan Seacrest on Sunday, Dec. 31 going off beginning at 8/7c on ABC alongside Rita Ora. Jeannie Mai will co-host from Los Angeles while Dayanara Torres will return as co-host from Puerto Rico.

    It was announced on Dec. 5, 2023, on ABC and Dick Clark productions that

    ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2024,’

    The most-watched New Year’s Eve celebration at the Times Square will be celebrating with a new co-host to report the festivities globally. Ryan will lead the countdown to midnight. All of this will be done on a new thrilling stage in Los Angeles. Jeannie Mai will co-host the Hollywood party in the Pacific Time Zone.

    This Year’s show will feature its Spanish language countdown special with actress and TV presenter Dayanara Torres returning as co-host. The event will take place at The New Year’s bash at the Puerto Rico Convention Center at DISTRITO T-Mobile, Puerto Rico’s biggest and most entertaining night complex.

    Last year’s event garnered over 13.8 million total views and averaged over 4.1/29 among 18-49 last year. ABC’s annual New Year’s Eve special drew in 17.9 million Total Viewers and hit a 5.3 Adult 18-49 rating in the midnight quarter-hour.

    “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024,”

    Will air Sunday, Dec. 31 live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. EST. The show marks its 52nd year, celebrating music and wonderful performances, America’s favorite A-list stars and a look at the New Year’s celebration live across the world.

    Follow

    “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest”

    On Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and Threads. Join the conversation with #RockinEve and get the latest news and updates at NewYearsRockinEve.com.

    #Clique, will you be tuning in on New Year’s Eve?

  • Jussie Smollett Is Getting Warmed Up For the Supreme Court After His Appeal Loss

    Jussie Smollett Is Getting Warmed Up For the Supreme Court After His Appeal Loss

    An Illinois court ruled against Jussie Smollett, leaving him to lose his appeal. While it may seem like a stumbling block, the actor’s lawyer says they will take the case to the Supreme Court.

    Jussie Smollett Loses Appeal After A 2-1 Vote

    Since the Empire star’s conviction, he has been in and out of courthouses. Following his 6-day stay in the Cook County jail, Smollett has been committed to appealing his case. The end game is to get his conviction overturned. However, that has been revoked by two judges in Illinois.

    The actor had maintained that following the first indictment, Kim Foxx, a Cook County State lawyer, did not want to further the case. This decision was met with criticism, and a different prosecutor was given the case. This time, the special attorney ended up indicting the actor.

    Jessie Smollett lost the appeal as two justices approved the previous guilty verdict. They emphasized that halting the case is different from boycotting the charges against him.

    Meanwhile, the only supporting judge shared Smollett’s sentiments — expressing that Foxx’s decision was synonymous with having the case buried.

    Jussie Smollett’s Routine Following Conviction Of Hoax Crime

    Following his conviction, Smollett was scheduled to spend about 150 days behind bars. As mentioned earlier, he made it out in six days, citing an appeal. While putting his case together, the actor was living life fluently.

    The Empire star pushed himself out there by recording music. He also teamed up with Vivica A.Fox for a film. Smollett worked on his mental health by checking into rehab while spending time working out with his former onscreen mom.

    Amid the recent appeal loss, Smollett is not backing down in his challenge of the system. An insider told TMZ that his lawyers are getting pumped up.

    According to the statement:

    “We wish to highlight that the decision was divided, with Justice Lyle offering a detailed analysis in favor of Smollett. We are preparing to escalate this matter to the Supreme Court, armed with a substantial body of evidence.”

    In the coming days, fans will find out if Smollett’s appeal will be granted or not. Whatever the outcome, he will go down in history as that actor who did not go down without a fight.

  • Brandy Norwood Stars In New Christmas Film “Best Christmas Ever”

    Brandy Norwood Stars In New Christmas Film “Best Christmas Ever”

    The Christmas season is here and there are a lot of movies to choose from.

    Brandy Norwood and Heather Graham are bringing the cheer and the carols! This Christmas film follows the life of two old frenemies who reunite during the holiday in a twist and turn of events.

    Jackie (Brandy) makes a boast with her holiday journal that making her old friend Charlotte (Graham) feel down. Charlotte on the other hand decides to surprise Jackie by showing up at her doorstep a few days before Christmas, choosing to prove that Jackie’s life isn’t all that perfect.

    “It’s not as easy as it sounds, though,”

    Director Mary Lambert says.

    “And I think for me, the movie tries to say that. Let’s find something to laugh at in all this craziness.”

    Jackie and Charlotte must now find a way to put their differences aside and come to a resolution so they can both enjoy the holiday season together.
    The director (Lambert) says she loved that the story focused on two women and later finds out that the lead actresses compliment each other in real life.

    “It was actually a lot of fun because their characters are so different in the movie,”

    She says.

    “We hit it off right away,”

    Brandy tells Tudum about her Co-star.

    “I absolutely loved Heather’s energy. I felt so comfortable and I felt like I could be myself. It was something that was real and authentic between us.”

    Graham also had nothing but praise for Brandy.

    “Brandy shows up like, ‘I’m going to give my whole heart and soul and I am open to connect with you, Heather, as a person, as well as your character,’ ”

    She says.

    Addressing Brandy directly, she adds:

    “You give a lot. You show up as your whole beautiful energy. You’re just so generous. [and] I feel like you really gave so much, not only to the scenes that you were in, but just in spending time with me. And then you gave me a badass purse, which I still have in my closet.”

    The story begins when Charlotte receives a newsletter from Jackie, that makes her feel so dampened, that she takes it upon herself to surprise her. Charlotte is stuck in a job that she hates, and her finances are tight. However, Jackie seems to have a perfect life and everything figured out with her recently selling her aviation company worth millions of dollars while enjoying time with her husband and children.

    Clique, will you be seeing this film?

  • Onsite! Exclusive: Cast Of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Talks About Drawing Inspiration From Nicki Minaj and Denzel Washington To Perfect The New York Accent While Filming

    Onsite! Exclusive: Cast Of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Talks About Drawing Inspiration From Nicki Minaj and Denzel Washington To Perfect The New York Accent While Filming

    Onsite! caught up with members from the cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan to discuss season 3 and what’s in store for the upcoming season. Hailey Kilgore, London Brown, and Malcolm Mays discussed the character development the audience can expect to see in the new season as well as how they were able to perfect their New York accent on a personal level.

    Brown revealed that he drew inspiration from Denzel Washington, reflecting on his training working with a dialect coach.

    Brown, who portrayed Marvin Thomas in the hit series confessed,

    “Just my little version of the New York accent developed from me being a fan of Denzel. I would do an impersonation of Denzel, so I kind of had the idea of it. But then, also, we had a great dialect coach and he really kind of like, I think, fine tuned whatever we kind of came in with.”

    “And then of course, you listen as much as you can,”

    he added.

    Kilgore, who played Laverne Thomas also known as Jukebox, chimed in on the discussion giving credit to Nicki Minaj as the inspiration behind her New York accent despite the dialect coach advising the cast against everyone sounding like the Southside Jamaica, Queens rapper.

    The actress revealed,

    “I did the opposite of what Doug, our vocal dialogue coach told us to do. He gave us examples and was like whatever you do, I cannot have everybody sounding like Nicki Minaj. Honestly, like, watching her documentary and stuff, that’s how I like, it was, the speech pattern. Not only is it like the dialect but it’s also like a pattern.”

    She went on to thank Minaj for the inspiration.

    Mays, who played Lou-Lou in the Starz series, delve deep into the conversation as he differentiated the accents of each borough in the state.

    He said, adding to Kilgore’s statement,

    “As Hailey said, there’s a rhythm to how you sound. I think we got blessed because the Queens accent is so specific, and some of the other regions or other boroughs they have their own accents but they’ve evolved over time.”

    “Queen, Brooklyn, y’all sh-t kind of entrenched. It’s been like that for like 20 years.”

    Brown chimed in adding that the Bronx’s accent is profound, in which Mays agreed, saying,

    “The Bronx is heavy but because of the Spanish influx. Everybody’s immigrant influence, whoever’s moved into that space changes the inflection.”

    “A lot of mob dudes [were] in queens, so if you notice, Queens dudes kind of speak a little slower than other boroughs. Harlem talks really fast, Brooklyn, their register is a little lower, the Bronx sound like they just [have] gravel in their body, it’s different,”

    the actor continued.

    Noting the slight difficulty on being able hone in and differentiate the dialect from each borough, Mays expressed gratitude for the amount of support the cast has gotten.

    Power Book III: Raising Kanan season 3 premieres on Dec 1 only on Starz.

    #Clique, are y’all tuning in?

  • Onsite! Exclusive: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Cast Gives Insight On Season 3

    Onsite! Exclusive: Power Book III: Raising Kanan Cast Gives Insight On Season 3

    Season 2 of Power Book III: Raising Kanan left viewers on the edge of their seats. The intense shootout between the Italians and the Thomas family has flipped the script for each character, giving us a new perspective on who they truly are.

    Suspense continues to hang in the air as we await the fallout from this explosive event, which we’ll see in Season 3.

    The cast sat down and spoke with Onsite!, sharing details and giving us a sneak peek into what viewers can expect in this upcoming season.

    Shanley Caswell Talks Detective Burke’s Role

    Shanley Caswell, who plays Detective Burke in the series, talked about her character’s journey. In the show, Detective Burke is adamant about finding the truth about her partner Howard’s connection to the Thomas family.

    Caswell told us,

    “You will see more of that in Season 3, and we will see the consequences of that for her as well.”

    She also revealed that finding her niche within her character was a challenge.

    “She’s (Detective Burke) very strong-willed and puts her foot down to stand up for what’s right, and I think that’s something I’m not used to. Having the authority too, where she’s a detective, she needs to tell people what to do… that’s something I had to learn.”

    Joey Bada$$ Talks Unique’s Role

    Joey Bada$$, also known as Unique on screen, delved into his character as a cunning drug dealer. Upon receiving the role, Joey revealed that he wasn’t initially thrilled about it.

    “For a long time, I did not want to play a role like this, and the reason being is that I didn’t want to get stereotyped too early in my career.”

    He went on to say,

    “This is a role that resonates with me deeply. It’s extremely relatable to me and my upbringing… I was really close to this side of things and I feel like I was able to bring a lot of my real-life experiences to this character.”

    We see a shift in Unique’s character, from ruthless to empathetic and a comrade for Patina Miller’s character, Raquel Thomas. Season 3 is out now, and the hit series has been renewed for its fourth season.

    #Clique, don’t miss out on this captivating story!

  • New Story Line In “Luther: The Fallen Sun” With Idris Elba Reprising His Role As John Luther

    New Story Line In “Luther: The Fallen Sun” With Idris Elba Reprising His Role As John Luther

    Luther: The Fallen Sun is a crime thriller film that serves as a continuation of Luther. Idris Elba reprises his role as John Luther, the police detective and also puts on his producer hat for this film, that also stars Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis.

    Andy Serkis plays the role of David Robey, a wealthy and psychopathic millionaire who turned himself into a serial killer using surveillance camera systems to manipulate and kill his victims.

    John, who is locked up in prison decides it was time to put the past behind him, and face his demons, haunted by an unsolved case that brought shame and disgrace to his name due to his inability to capture the sadistic serial killer. He must now break out of prison to find this serial killer, through by any means necessary.

    The film picks up from when Luther was sent to prison. However, the creators have made changes to the storyline to push the plot and push the narrative forward.

    The film shows the real reason why Luther was arrested and locked behind bars, with his arrest occurring in his pursuit of a new crime case —the kidnapping of a young man named Callum Aldrich.

    The film surely takes the audience on a new ride with this new twist, as the finale left fans with Luther being cuffed and taken away. Yet, we find out that it is a new case and there’s more than what meets the eyes.

    #Clique, is this a new film franchise you’ll love to see continue?