By Mr. Will Wong
Following-up on her Oscar-winning work in If Beale Street Could Talk, Regina King makes her Feature directorial debut at TIFF ‘ 20 with ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, which though set in the past, still asks very timely questions facing the world today.
The Film is set one night in February 1964 uniting real-life friends and icons Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) as they celebrate the former’s win in the boxing ring, crowning him Heavyweight Champion of the World. What ensues is hard-hitting dialogue which digs deep into some of the issues facing their community and where they stand in the big picture as important figures.
Based on Kemp Powers‘ Play of the same name, King is working with some tremendous talent with this Ensemble and with these great minds within the confines of a swanky hotel room, discussions get intense, heated and at once humorous. Clay is about to be renamed Muhammad Ali and is about the announce to the world that he has converting to Islam, but not without some hesitation. Brown after a successful career in Football, is about to accept a role in a Western film which would lead to a successful acting career with high-paying roles. Cooke navigates his world as a Pop Star, but is longing to sing about something more meaningful. Malcolm X as a prominent figure of the Civil Rights movement and Spokesman for the Nation of Islam, is about to get assassinated.
The Film poses some thought-provoking discussion within the Black community about how the world is perceived differently between those who are light-skinned versus dark-skinned; what it means for a Black Entertainer to be paid well when it comes at the cost of their dignity and their community; or what it means to be revered publicly, but not to be welcome into someone’s home because of the colour of one’s skin.
One poignant scene in particular has Ben-Adir‘s Malcolm X in a chilling plea to his brothers that still resonates to this day amidst the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. He states that there is no more room for standing on the fence anymore with black people dying on the streets every day. “Either you stand on this side with us or that side against us”, he says. Another moment in the Film talks to White Privilege and how a black person is expected to feel indebted to a white person who wasn’t horrible to them. This falls in-line with the current thought that it isn’t enough to be “nice” and that what is required is that we be actively be Anti-Racist.
King succeeds largely in this superb first Feature, giving us a tightly-written and directed Film which while set almost 60 years ago today, has some uncannily-relevant messaging that needs to be revisited today.
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI screens TIFF ’20 as follows:
Here’s your first look at HAMILTON, coming soon to Disney+!
Synopsis:
An unforgettable cinematic stage performance, the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” combines the best elements of live theatre, film and streaming to bring the cultural phenomenon to homes around the world for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Hamilton” is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, “Hamilton” has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.
Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and direction by Thomas Kail, “Hamilton” is inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow and produced by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller, with Sander Jacobs and Jill Furman serving as executive producers. Filming was produced by RadicalMedia. The 11-time-Tony Award®-, GRAMMY Award®-, Olivier Award– and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical stars: Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Jonathan Groff as King George; Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton; and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton.
See the Trailer:
HAMILTON arrives on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.
(Photo/video credit: Disney)
It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Sia, who just released the first single from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to MUSIC, which she wrote and directed! The Film starring Kate Hudson and Leslie Odom, Jr. The Film centers on an autistic teen cared for by her drug-dealing older sister.
Check-out TOGETHER below:
MUSIC is in theatres this September via Universal Pictures.
(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)
For the many of us who still haven’t see HAMILTON, Disney will be releasing a Film version of the 11-time TONY Award-winning Musical.
The live-capture Film breaks new ground, transporting its audience into the world of a Broadway show in a new way. The Cast in the Film will include Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Tony Award® nominees Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jonathan Groff as King George; Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; and Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.
The Film was shot in June 2016 at at The Richard Rodgers Theatre.
HAMILTON will stream on Disney+ Friday, July 3, 2020.
(Photo credit: Joan Marcus)
The 2014 Canadian Upfronts are in full swing and Shaw Media truly upped their game this year unveiling their upcoming Fall and 2015 Mid-Season Lineups. Heavy on its focus on new American programming for its Global Television, over 50 new Programs also were picked-up on their Specialty Networks (i.e. Showcase, History, HGTV, Food, Slice, DTour and Lifetime).
A litany of Talent representing a wide array of Shaw Media programming, appeared at Elgin Theatre today to celebrate the occasion.
Among the new Series being acquired were:
Partners
Mulaney
Madam Secretary
Border Security
Constantine
Stalker
A to Z
Bad Judge
Gracepoint
State of Affairs
Outlander
Dominion
Satisfaction
The Red Tent
The Hunt
Down East Dickering
Pawnography
Biker Battleground Phoenix
Houdini
UFO X-Files
Mummies Alive
Dino Hunt
Texas Rising
Reno Rookies
Mike’s Ultimate Garage
House Hunters International Renovation
Sold on the Spot
The Jennie Garth Project
My Big Family Renovation
Lakefront Bargain Hunt
Vacation House for Free
Ellen’s Design Challenge
Custom Built
The Expendables
Carnival Eats
Food Truck Face Off
Farmhouse Rules
Chopped: Ultimate Chopped Champions Tournament
Chopped Teens
Great Canadian Cookbook
The Singles Project
Extreme Guide to Parenting
Handsome Devils
Ladies of London
Million Dollar Listing Miami
Online Dating Rituals of the American Male
See No Evil
Southern Charm
Ghost Adventures: Aftershock
Border Security Australia
Hotel Secrets & Legends
Resort Rescue
Little Women: LA
Deliverance Creek
Un-Real
In attendance today were: Kevin Zegers, Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow), Megan Boone (The Blacklist), Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist), Matt Ryan (Constantine), Charles Barnett (Chicago Fire), Jesse Lee Soffer (Chicago P.D.), Dillon Casey (Remedy), Sara Canning (Remedy), Enrico Colantoni (Remedy), Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue), Charlotte Sullivan (Rookie Blue), Susur Lee (Chopped Canada), Leslie Odom Jr. (State of Affairs), in addition Shaw‘s fine roster of Talent including personalities like Cheryl Hickey, John Catucci, Leslie Roberts, Antony Robart, Roz Weston and several more.
For more information on Shaw‘s upcoming 2014 Fall/2015 Mid-Season Lineup, click here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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