Back in 1987, Fences won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. The August Wilson classic, set in the Pittsburgh in the ’50s, chronicled the day-to-day struggle of a blue collar, African American family. The production was brought back to Broadway in 2010, and it landed the Tony for Best Revival, in addition to ones for Denzel Washington and Viola … [Read more...]
‘Tear the Roof Off’ reveals untold drama behind Parliament Funkadelic
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer The revolutionary funk band Parliament Funkadelic started in a barber shop in New Jersey in 1956. George Clinton and four others formed a doo-wop group and named themselves after a popular cigarette at the time, performing around the East Coast area. Parliament’s breakout hit, “I Wanna Testify” (1967) was recorded and released on a … [Read more...]
Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell, an unlikely but inspired duo in ‘Get Hard’
Thanks to a flourishing career as a hedge fund manager, James King (Will Ferrell) is living in the lap of luxury in a sprawling, Bel Air mansion. Furthermore, the pampered multimillionaire’s stock seems about to skyrocket, given his promotion to partner and his impending marriage to the boss’ (Craig T. Nelson) daughter, Alissa (Alison Brie). By contrast, working man Darnell … [Read more...]
‘Black Male Frames,’ chronicles Hollywood’s narrow vision
“Black Male Frames charts the development and shifting popularity of two stereotypes of black male masculinity in popular American film: The shaman and the scoundrel… [The book] identifies the origins of these roles in an America where Black men were forced either to defer or to defy their White masters. These figures recur in the stories America tells about its Black men, … [Read more...]
‘Beyond the Lights’ DVD review: Love in the time of hip hopera!
Noni (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) has it all, or so it seems. After years of trying to make it, the emerging pop singer is finally on the brink of super stardom, thanks to several hit singles she recently released, duets with her famous rapper boyfriend, Kid Culprit (Machine Gun Kelly). Nevertheless, when we meet Noni in the midst of a whirlwind tour of appearances on award shows, she’s … [Read more...]