Box Office Numbers (5/6-5/8)

Looks like Thor hammered its way to the top, taking the #1 spot for this past weekend. See the numbers below...

1. Thor $65,723,338
2. Fast Five $32, 445,320
3. Jumping the Broom $15,215,487
4. Something Borrowed $13,945,368

Fast Five pretty much held steady, but the close race was between TriStar's Jumping the Broom and Warner Bros. Something Borrowed, and JTB managed to make it to the third spot.

Happy Mother's Day from Black Savant Cinema!!

Black Savant Cinema would like to wish a...
Happy Mother's Day to the Moms, Grandmas, Godmothers, Aunties, play mamas and play aunties that leave a mark on the lives of children!! The work from these ladies makes the world a better place to live. (Special S/O to my Mama Doris Gipson & my Grandma Susie Gipson (RIP) )

Make today a great one for those special "Moms" in your life!!

Trailer Alert: Zoe Saldana in 'Colombiana'

If you went to see Jumping the Broom over the weekend (if you have not PLEASE DO!!) then you got an opportunity to see Zoe Saldana's newest trailer for her upcoming film Colombiana. In just the few days that it has been out it has already garnered a lot of attention. Check it out below and see why...



It's set to hit theaters September 2nd, 2011.

Tupac script in the works...

The producers of  Tupac: Resurrection, including Afeni Shakur, have decided to begin filming 'Pac's first screenplay sometime next year.

Preston Holmes and Ivan Juzang's NStar Studios will spearhead the production with Afeni Shakur who will be acting as executive producer. As a matter of fact all three have worked together previously to produce the 2003 documentary Tupac: Resurrection. According to Variety, Hustle and Flow producer Dwight Williams will also be joining the production team.

"[2Pac] was a genius, and the net of it is, he was from this community, he knew the struggles these young people were dealing with," Juzang told Variety. "And he's able to talk to young people in 2011, 2012, the same way he was able to talk to young people in 1995."

It has been reported that the film will follow the story of a teenage drug dealer attempting to escape his life of crime. This will be interesting to see how they will make this story different from similar stories. Another intriguing thing to note is that how and why has this been potentially sitting on someone's shelf for about a decade and a half...food for thought. 

One thing is for sure, it will definitely have to be unique with a touch of authenticity. When it all boils down the audiences will definitely be patiently waiting to see what comes from this project.

A Tradition worth considering... "Jumping the Broom"

I already knew after watching this preview that I wanted to see Jumping the Broom directed by Salim Akil and executive produced by T.D. Jakes, Tracey Edmonds, Elizabeth Hunter, Glendon Palmer, and Hunter Wallace. And what a perfect movie to come out this mother's day weekend. These are the types of movies that are not only great movies but become timeless classics. Everything that happens in this movie, has taken place in the past, present, and most likely will occur in the future.

We have the story of a downtown man falling in love with an uptown lady...sounds good to me! Amazing how two families from different sides of the tracks can come together and teach the other a few things about the facts of life. After watching this movie you will truly see what it means to love someone with all your heart despite what anyone else may say or do.

Laz Alonso and Paula Patton do an excellent job of portraying the married couple to be Jason Taylor and Sabrina Watson. Looking at their relationship may make you take a personal look at your own and revaluate some things. Even though they had only been together for 6 months, there love was strong enough to get through all the ups and downs. Jason and Sabrina's relationship is like a journey with many pit stops. Each of these characters gives off a vulnerability that can make you empathize with each of them as a couple as well as individuals.

Now let's take a look at the mother's Pam Taylor (Loretta Devine) and Claudine Watson (Angela Bassett), I had to tell my mind that this was not Waiting to Exhale and that these two ladies are not best friends in this movie...lol. But when you think about it these two mothers, although they may come from two different backgrounds, are one in the same. They only want what's best for their children and they will do everything in their power to make sure of it, even potentially ruin a wedding and or marriage. A mother's love for their children is one that is indescribable yet filled with love nonetheless. And each of these mother's probably does something or has a quality that we can relate to in one way or another. These two veteran actresses showed off their remarkable skills, maybe one day they will both get their just due.

And even with all the seriousness, there is still room for humor. You have the crazy uncle Willie Earl, who keeps you laughing but at the same time sheds some quality advice. You almost have to believe it to see!! (lol) And who could resist laughing about the "cougar love" between Sebastian (Romeo Miller) and Shonda (Tasha Smith), trust me when I say you can't help but giggle, because you just can't believe it. Then there are the cousins and the best friends, as much as they want to give advice they might want to consider taking their own advice. I guess you could say they might need to take a dose of their own medicine. All in all, the supporting cast does a wonderful job of supporting. Each character has their own little story that we should all take note of, we can all learn and grow from their escapades.

Now you may ask what makes this movie different from any other wedding movie, well I can say this "art imitates life"!  Although we only have have two hours to tell this story we get an opportunity to delve into the lives of a couple who must fight through the many many small battles to win the war. Director Salim Akil does a great job of portraying a typical black wedding and letting us know that every family has its issues, but they don't have to rest on them. Jumping the Broom has the love, the secrets, the laughter, and numerous lessons to be learned...take my word for it, its a MUST SEE!!

I am truly grateful for movies like this, because they put real life situations into perspective, and I can appreciate that greatly. One thing that I definitely took from this movie, is to "know your role and place and don't overstep." When you watch the movie you will understand what I mean and why I say it. This is a movie I recommend everyone to see, but especially sons and their mothers should go see this together. Your eyes will truly be opened! Its movies like this that deserve our attention and dollars, its worth every penny!

One last note there is some eye candy for both fellas and the ladies that alone should make you want to go see it!! (SMILE)

Job well done!!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Thor-riffic!!

You already know what it is...The Midnight Show!! Tonight's feature is Thor! Thor is a 2011 American superhero film based on the comic book character of the same name published by Marvel Comics. This is also the fourth film released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, the still to be released films will be Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, and Iron Man 3).

The Midnight shows have not disappointed me yet, looks like this Summer is off to a magnificent start!! Thank goodness because after last summer I was beginning to lose hope!

Well let's get right into it! Thor was an example of a well-written screenplay based off of a comic book character. I will admit I was not sure what to expect with this film, but it definitely met my expectations. Now I am not one to like people, or characters for that matter, who are way beyond arrogant, but this Thor character made me make an exceptional to the rule. Thor is a comic book character who some might would call a classic (considering the comic always used Shakespearean drama and archaic language to tell the story of the God of Thunder). And the fact that Kenneth Branagh took on the role as director was a perfect yet surprising combination.  Now even though the movie is called Thor, I think it did an excellent job of not per se exclusively focusing on him. I think a viewer would only be able to take small doses of this egotistical and arrogant warrior. Chris Hemsworth meshed very well with this character, another great match-up. He definitely made the role very believable.

Thor does a great job of showcasing both realms so that we can get a better understanding of how the two connect. You could easily get lost in translation, but Branagh makes sure to keep us on track. This was definitely a movie that I was not sure if they could pull it off considering they would have to balance the Norse mythology along with the Marvel Universe. Thor intertwines the perfect combination of passion and guts with each character on the screen. The visuals are amazing and mind-blowing, I imagine myself taking a whirlwind ride, even though dangerous still fun all at the same time. Thanks to the fine actors and the great direction, the story was truly brought to life in good form. Thor is an example of another comic book movie done right!

Let me just say this Anthony Hopkins is a genius of an actor, this man has skills that are almost untouchable. I cannot think of anyone else to play Odin, father of Thor. Now another actor to take note of who was rather intriguing was that of Idris Elba's character Heimdall, there was this quiet storm about him that made me think this is not someone to mess with at all. He definitely got some swagger. He was truly awesome!! And to think people were hemming and hawing about the fact that he was not white....(geesh get over it folks, give credit when credit is due). And let's not forget the supporting roles of Natalie Portman as well as Tom Hiddleston. Hiddleston in particular should be highlighted for his performance, he represents the true emotional bond between a son's character and his family.

In addition to a great storyline, some good acting we get a chance to see S.H.I.E.L.D (from Iron Man 1 and 2) in action definitely a preview of what is to come for the future Marvel movies. There is really not too much to say without giving away the film. However, I will speak on the one smile gripe that I had with the movie. If anything I would have liked a little bit more action, but other than that it was a job well done. This movie demonstrates more and more why I love the comic book world. A fantasy that just might could be a reality.

***SIDENOTE: Once again you want to make sure that you stay past the credits again as it will provide some very interesting and useful information!! Trust me!!***

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Entire cast returns and Forest Whitaker Directs "Waiting to Exhale" Sequel!!

The news we have been waiting for... (drum roll please)...Today was the day, on the CBS show "The Talk"guest Angela Basset would reveal that everyone from the original cast of the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale is on board and that Forest Whitaker will be directing. (YAY!!) This is great news as we were all wondering if the entire cast would be returning. So we will get the chance to see

"She (McMillan) wrote Getting to Happy and she's written the screenplay...Loretta, Lela, Whitney, Forest. Forest is working on the script now," Basset said.

As you know Waiting to Exhale was a huge commercial success bringing in over $81,000,000+. Despite mixed reviews this film made a huge impact, and I think the sequel will do just the same if not better.  So ladies and gentleman are you ready for this? Well I can't wait!!

"Friends are the people who let you be yourself, and never let you forget it."