On Netflix: The Black Panther Animated Series

You gotta love Netflix!! To my surprise and excitement viewers can now watch all of Reginald Hudlin's animated series/episodes of Black Panther.


Inspired by the acclaimed graphic novel from respected filmmaker/producer Reginald Hudlin and legendary comic book artist John Romita Jr, BLACK PANTHER: WHO IS THE BLACK PANTHER? introduces viewers to the Black Panther, the warrior king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced nation in the heart of Africa. As outside forces conspire to plunder this proud nation, the Black Panther will face his greatest threats as he meets Klaw, the man who murdered his father.


Although each episode is only 10-11 minutes in length The graphics are actually quite amazing. I must say these animated episodes contain a whole lot but at the same time entertain. film this is actually quite good. With voices from Alfre Woodard, Djimon Houson, Jill Scott, Kerry Washington, Stan Lee and others you are definitely in for a treat. Each episode gives the viewer an opportunity to take a journey with Black Panther as he discovers the truth about his father's murder as well as protecting the Wakanda people.  All six episodes were aired on Australia's ABC3.

Marvel Animation and BET Networks teamed up to create this larger-than-life animated mini-series, which has several appearances from classic Marvel characters like Captain America and the Juggernaut. One might call this series a pint-sized politically charged thriller. For quite some time, comic book fans have been passionately waiting for a series adaptation of the first black superhero Black Panther!!

Here is a brief synopsis of the six episodes that premiered...

• Episode 1: In a top-secret Washington meeting, Intelligence Agent Everett Ross briefs the government on the history of the Black Panther, the warrior king of the African nation Wakanda. Meanwhile on the other side of the world, Prince T'Challa wins an annual Wakanda tournament, and becomes the Black Panther. Meanwhile, a disastrous man machine hybrid is built.  
• Episode 2: Having been crowned the new Black Panther, T'Challa must contend with jealousy in the royal court while searching for the man who murdered his father. Unbeknownst to him, a deadly assassin named Klaw is assembling a team of super-villains to attack Wakanda.
• Episode 3: A young T'Challa travels to Egypt and encounters Storm of the X-Men. While preparing to attack Wakanda, Klaw recalls how he assassinated the previous Black Panther.
• Episode 4: Juggernaut and the Black Knight spearhead the attack on Wakanda, and the Black Panther learns the truth about his father's murder.
• Episode 5: With Wakanda under siege from Klaw's team of super-villains, the Black Panther confronts the Black Knight in aerial combat; Princess Shuri must defend herself against the deadly Radioactive Man.
• Episode 6: Klaw has taken control of Wakanda, and the Black Panther races against time to save his nation from destruction. (Marvel.com)

Make sure to check this out on Netflix, maybe this might prompt the television and movie world to produce and or create a longer series or possible movie. Who knows? Too bad there were only six episodes, there was definitely a lot of potential with this series. 

LA Film Fest Line-Up is Announced

Film Independent's 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival will kick off June 16th with a huge line-up of more than 200 feature films. Out of more than 5,025 submissions (up from 4,700 last year), fest organizers have selected ten films for narrative competition and nine for the documentary competition.


"There will be about 90 features in all, consistent with the last couple of years," says festival director Rebecca Yeldham. There'll be a cross section of brand new world premieres, a broad selection of independents and some films from the past that everyone loves."


And for my indie moviegoers they will get an opportunity to get an advance look at 18 upcoming indie titles collected in the "Summer Showcase" sidebar. Some of the titles include, Fox Searchlight's Another Earth, Sony Pictures Classics' The Guard and Higher Ground, Roadside Attractions' The Future and Magnolia Pictures/Participant Media's Page One: Inside the New York Times.


Also during the festival the 20th anniversary of John Singleton's Boyz N the Hood will be showcased with a screening of a digitally re-mastered film along with a cast a crew reunion. The "Community Screenings" sidebar will also include a 25th anniversary screening of John Hughes' Ferris Bueller's Day Off and a 25th anniversary screening of Stand By Me. Now that's a whole lot of 80s and 90s in one sitting!!


Once again the LA Film Fest has done it again!! It is sure to make big time news!! 


The LA Film Festival will take place June 16-26th, 2011 in Downtown Los Angeles. For more information go to LA FILM FEST .

Black Savant Cinema is Looking for YOU!!

Just as in life we want to progress and grow, well the same goes for Black Savant Cinema!! BSC is looking for aspiring and upcoming filmmakers & actors/actresses to be featured on a weekly spotlight!!

Feel free to submit your information and upcoming projects to blacksavantcinema@gmail.com !! We look forward to featuring you on Black Savant Cinema!!

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest hits the big screen this summer

Looks like this summer we will get the chance to view the new A Tribe Called Quest Documentary despite all the conflicts.


According to Hip Hop DX, the controversial new documentary about legendary Hip Hop group A Tribe Called Quest entitled Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest is set to premier on the big screen this summer. According to Billboard.com, the film’s director, Michael Rapaport, has chosen to roll the film out in a "road-show format", which means the movie will hit different cities across the country throughout the summer.


Rapaport tells Billboard, “I'll be all over the place ­ wherever they want to send me… There was no time to wait. As an actor I have been a part of so many movies that seem like they are about to fall apart. The indie filmmakers who inspire me are the ones who go and do it, no matter what that means. Fortunately since then I have received (some financing)."


UPDATE: According to Ali Shaheed Muhammad, A Tribe Called Quest and the parties behind their  Beats Rhymes & Lifedocumentary have come to an understanding of sorts. Both Muhammad and Phife Dawg appeared at the film’s premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.

“Just because Q-Tip is not here does not mean he’s not in support of the film,"Ali would tell Rolling Stone. "I’m here, and I’m representing Q-Tip. We’re happy with the finished version. If none of us were fine with this, no one would be seeing the film.”


And just so you know Phife Dawg has shot down any and all rumors that the group will be doing a soundtrack to fulfill any contractual obligations with Jive Records.

“Doing a soundtrack for the movie wouldn’t count [towards the contract],” Phife explained. 


Beats, Rhymes & Life will premiere on July 8^th in New York and Los Angeles. See the full schedule for the film's entire run listed below.

July 8th, 2011

New York (Sunshine, Empire, Magic Johnson)

Los Angeles (Arclight Hollywood, Century City 15, Criterion Santa Monica)

July 15th, 2011

San Francisco (Metreon, Kabuki)  

Chicago (Century Centre, River East, CineArts Evanston)

Washington, DC (E-Street, Georgetown, Bethesda Row, Shirlington, Magic Johnson) 

July 22nd, 2011

San Diego (Hillcrest)

Boston (Kendall Square, Boston Commons, Embassy Waltham) 

Philadelphia (Ritz 5, Ritz Center Voorhees)  

Minneapolis (Uptown)

Atlanta (Midtown, Phipps Plaza)

San Francisco (Shattuck, Century Mountain View, Marin Sausalito, CineArts Santana Row San Jose)

July 29th, 2011

Dallas (Angelika, Angelika Plano)

Houston (Edwards Greenway)

Austin (Violet Crown, Arbor)

Seattle (Pacific Place, Metro, Lincoln Square Bellevue)

Portland (Cinema 21)

Milwaukee (Oriental)

Detroit (Uptown Birmingham)

August 5th, 2011

Phoenix (Tempe Marketplace) 

Madison (Sundancen Cinemas) 

Miami (Regal South Beach)

St. Louis (Tivoli)

Cleveland (Cedar Lee)

Cincinnati (Esquire)

Honolulu (Kahala)

August 12th, 2011

San Antonio (Bijou, AMC Huebner)  

Columbus (Gateway, AMC Lennox)  

Dayton (Neon Movies)

Kansas City (Palace, AMC Studio Olathe) 

Salt Lake City (Broadway)

Indianapolis (Keystone Art)

Pittsburgh (Regent)

New Orleans (Colony Raleigh, Chelsea Chapel Hill)

Charlotte (Manor)

Raleigh-Chapel Hill (Colony Raleigh, Chelsea Chapel Hill)

So will you still be going to see it this summer?!!

Check out these Weekend Box Office Numbers...

Looks like the summer movie's are off to a great start...If you don't believe it look at the numbers...

  1. Fast Five Weekend $83.6M
  2. Rio Weekend $14.4M
  3. Madea’s Big Happy Family Weekend $10M
  4. Water For Elephants Weekend $9.1M
  5. Prom Weekend $5M
  6. Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs Evil 3D Weekend $4.1M
  7. Soul Surfer Weekend $4.1M
  8. Insidious Weekend $2.8M 
  9. Hop Weekend $2.2M
10. Scream 4 Weekend $2.1M

Can you say WOW!!!

Thursday night I called it, Fast Five would not only take the #1 spot but would blow all the other movies out the water!! And it did EASILY!!

Now That's Action Packed...Fast Five

The Midnight Shows have continued and this week's key theme is ACTION!! Wow!! That is the first thought that comes to mind after watching the new action flick Fast Five. The moment the film begins the ride begins. Let me just point out that I am a personal fan of the entire Fast and Furious franchise. And this 5th installment did not disappoint, there were plenty of fast cars, beautiful women, and action scenes to last a lifetime. Just imagine starting up the engine, pressing on the gas, ready to take off. Fast Five reminds me of The Italian Job to the 20th degree.

Here's a brief set-up just to get your feet wet...Keep in mind, the film begins where the fourth installment ended and before The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift with former cop Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) leading an assault on the bus transporting Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) to prison. And of course Toretto is freed and the party splits up, with each one of them making their way to South America.

Now I had my reservation on how the film would play out with all of the past characters coming back, but it worked out almost flawlessly. We get an opportunity to see all the past characters from the previous Fast and Furious movies (Dominic, Brian, Roman, Tej, Han, Mia, and even Vince) along with some new additions to the crew. Reprising the role of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) truly exemplifies what is a true leader. I can't even be mad with Vin Diesel's character because he holds his own at all costs. By the end of the film you truly empathize with Dom and in a small secretive way you want him to escape, and really be free.And Brian is going to be Brian, even though he may not be a cop anymore he still possesses the skills to get the job done. If anything he has a wild card because he knows what to look for and what to expect. However, there is a soft side that comes into play now that the relationship between him and Mia (Toretto's younger sister) is really blossoming.

The chemistry between Dominic and Brian & Dominic and Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) works out quite well. For just a brief moment you almost wonder if they work together as a cohesive team/one unit....naw maybe not lol. Johnson was the perfect fit for this role, I really could not see anyone else pulling this off so effortlessly. And the relationship between Dominic and Brian definitely blossoms much more, the connection that they have really goes to another level. With the whole cast, but these guys in particular, we get the chance to explores the character personalities, they tend to show more humor, fear, vulnerability and determination on this go around and this adds strength and depth to the film, which was somewhat lacking in the previous Fast and Furious movies. 

Now you gotta love the fact that Ludacris and Tyrese have come back as well, we get an opportunity to learn just a little bit more about their characters prior to the heist. Both seem to have similar taste but express it differently. And I gotta admit that gave some one-liners that I am still laughing about. But let us not forget the surprise appearances, and I mean I was like whoa, I had a "where did you come from moment?". The fact that Han (Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift) and Vince (The Fast and The Furious) come back is like this adds a little mystery. Considering I thought Han was dead and Vince had pretty much disappeared from the face of the earth. But you gotta love a good twist.

There is not a moment of rest as it relates to this film. Everything from the infamous fight scene between The Rock and Vin Diesel, from the chases on foot, the shoot outs, and most importantly the car chases. Even as I am writing this I am getting chills because I am still in amazement of all the excitement and action. This particular installment put the Fast and Furious franchise back on the map.

Now don't get me wrong there were a few corny lines, but not enough to spoil the movie. Once again I was literally hanging on the edge of my seat EYE WIDE OPEN!!! (I think the soundtrack helped with the flow too.) This movie truly lived up to its hype and some. Trust me when I say all my TRUE Fast and Furious fans will not be disappointed. I guarantee the story is not predictable and the surprises will keep coming all the way to the end. The cast has definitely matured and it shows some new found production, quality is truly better than quantity.

What I really liked about this movie was the ending the fact that they brought it full circle, when it all boils down this series has been about the cars and what better way to "close-out" than with a final race between O'Connor and Toretto. The true battle that seems to never get a true winner.

 
***SPECIAL NOTE: Make sure to say past the credits folks there is nice surprise!! Trust me you do not want to miss it!! You will definitely leave out the theater scratching your head saying, "did I just see that?"***

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

One on One with "Shaft or Sidney Poitier: Black Masculinity in Comic Books" filmmaker Jonathan Gayles

OK so you know I have been promising to you all my first film interview, well you don't have to wait any longer!!

I was able to have the opportunity on last week to sit down and chat with first time filmmaker and Georgia State University professor Dr. Jonathan Gayles, to discuss his documentary "Shaft or Sidney Poitier: Black Masculinity in Comic Books".  It was truly a pleasure to get some of the "ins and outs" of this great documentary.

Here is a synopsis just in case you need a refresher...

SHAFT OR SIDNEY POITIER is a documentary film examining the representation of Black masculinity in comic books.Through interviews with prominent artists, scholars and cultural critics along with images from the comic books themselves, this film examines the degree to which early Black superheroes generally adhered to common stereotypes about Black men. From the humorous, to the offensive, early Black superheroes are critically considered.

Some key points that were discussed in the interview included topics on the Black Age Movement, ECBACC, independent black comic artists, Dwayne McDuffie, as well as specific characters like Luke Cage and Brotherman, and much more.

Check it out here...

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Also please make sure to check out Dr. Gayles website:  BlackSuperHeroes for more information regarding the documentary as well as other projects in store. Also make sure to check him out on Twitter as well... www.twitter.com/shaftorsidney

I highly recommend you check out this documentary!! There is something that everyone can take from watching this film.