Chaz Ebert has become one of the foremost agents of change in the entertainment industry, working to make sure traditionally overlooked communities get the chance to develop their talents in the business.
09.09.2022 - 07:31 / variety.com
Andrew Barker Senior Features Writer There has been no shortage of hip-hop star-is-born narratives hitting screens in recent years, but much like hip-hop itself for most of its history, there hasn’t always been a whole lot of space for women. Sanaa Lathan’s “On the Come Up,” which tracks a teenage girl’s complicated rise through the battle rap circuit to the even more complicated heights of viral stardom, provides a welcome exception to this rule, but fortunately it has a lot more going for it than just that. As frank and tough-minded and as it is warm and sweet, “On the Come Up” is a hugely promising debut from the actor-turned-director. Sixteen-year-old Bri (Jamila C. Gray) is already a talented rapper when we first meet her in her fictitious neighborhood of Garden Heights, and she’s already been through a whole lifetime’s worth of upheaval. Her father was a legendary local MC named Lawless, who was murdered just as his career was beginning to take off. She spent part of her childhood away from her mother (Lathan) while she battled drug addiction, and though she’s now clean, their mother-daughter bond has yet to fully mend. And what’s more, as part of the small contingent of Black students at her school, she’s forced to deal with unsympathetic administrators and suspicious campus cops, one of whom body-slams her to the ground after he spots her selling Skittles to a classmate.
Yet there’s nothing tragic or self-pitying about Bri, who has some big ambitions of her own to worry about. She wants to follow in her father’s footsteps under the rap name Lil Law, and as managed by her boisterous, drug-dealing Aunt Pooh (a tremendous Da’Vine Joy Randolph), she first sets her sights on Garden Heights’ cutthroat amateur scene.
Chaz Ebert has become one of the foremost agents of change in the entertainment industry, working to make sure traditionally overlooked communities get the chance to develop their talents in the business.
Mariah Carey is not kidding around — at least not like her ex-husband Nick Cannon.While Nick continues to increase his family, Mariah isn't exactly keeping a scorecard. "Mariah doesn't keep up with Nick's babies and baby mamas," a source told Us Weekly. "There's too many to keep up with! She's happy for him and wishes him the best."Since Nick and Mariah welcomed twins Moroccan and Monroe Cannon on April 30, 2011, he has been busy.
Minding her business! Mariah Carey doesn’t involve herself with Nick Cannon’s expanding brood, a source exclusively tells Us Weekly.
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has teased 100 films that will be showcased in its 35th edition, running November 9–20
Disney yesterday began overseas rollout on the remastered rerelease of James Cameron’s Avatar in five early markets with the Na’vi seeing a collective $877K gross. The 4K high dynamic range version was No. 1 in France at $513K, coming in 8% ahead of the comparable 3D rerelease of Titanic in 2012.
Abby De La Rosa has shared details about her “polyamorous relationship” with Nick Cannon in a new interview. While appearing on Tuesday’s episode of the Lovers and Friends with Shan Boodram podcast, Abby opened up expecting another baby with the TV personality, due in October, while Brittany Bell is also pregnant with his child. Abby and Nick already share Zion and Zillion, 15 months, while he has son Golden, five, and daughter Powerful Queen, 20 months, with Brittany.
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh off starring in Toronto Film Festival drama North Of Normal, Sarah Gadon is set to make her directorial debut on feature Lullabies For Little Criminals, based on Heather O’Neill’s 2007 novel which won the Canada Reads competition.
Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets Of Universe, written and directed by Aitch Alberto, is a film about two queer Mexican boys who discover deep secrets within themselves over the course of a school year. The movie is an adaptation of Benjamin Alire Sáenz YA novel of the same name.
If you’ve ever wondered what inspired Emily Brontë to write Wuthering Heights, you’re not alone – and Frances O’Connor has made a film about it. The actor turns writer-director with the imaginative period drama Emily, premiering at Toronto International Film Festival. Sex Education star Emma Mackey puts in a spirited performance in a feminist, revisionist spin on a much-loved author.
Toronto International Film Festival.Bri (Jamila C. Gray), a 16-year-old aspiring rapper, rises from late-night rap battles at an underground venue called the Ring in her fictional hometown of Garden Heights to having the most-played song on the radio. Running time: 115 minutes.
Elegance Bratton’s A24 directorial debut film The Inspection takes a sharp look at Military culture and the perils of being an outsider aiming to conform and build a life for themselves.
Anna Kendrick is taking on an exciting new project.
death in 2021, he was convicted of seven murders.) Kendrick will direct from Ian McDonald’s screenplay. The script was included in the 2017 Black List, a collection of the best unproduced scripts of the year. McDonald will also serve as an executive producer.
Anna Kendrick is set to make her directorial debut with the true crime thriller The Dating Game from Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios.
NCIS star rarely talks about the tragic death but has opened up on an occasion to express his heartache.MORE: NCIS' Michael Weatherly's dangerous health condition revealedJason - who was adopted by David and his then-wife, Jill Ireland when he was young - was living in California at the time of his death and he was found at his home in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles.WATCH: NCIS Pauley Perrette details shock strokeHe had been struggling with an addiction to drugs and was just 26 years old when he died. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph about his son, David said: “You never come to terms with the death of a child.
Veteran producer Mel Eslyn’s feature directorial debut Biosphere, starring Emmy winners Sterling K. Brown (This Is Us) and Mark Duplass (The Morning Show), will be making its world premiere as a surprise Special Presentation at the 47th edition of the Toronto Film Festival. The film will make its festival bow in the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 2:30 p.m. on September 10th.
Armie Hammer‘s aunt is speaking out about the forthcoming doc focused on the famous and disgraced actor’s family life and controversial background.
Tommy Dorfman is gearing up to make her directorial debut! – Just Jared Jr There’s a big rumor circulating about Lisa Rinna‘s future on RHOBH – DListed This former couple is nailing co-parenting – Egotastic Here’s everything new coming to Netflix in September – Just Jared Jr