The Bedtime Beau Theory

I'm lonely.
Because of this, I made the tragic mistake of going to Netflix on my phone to watch a romantic movie. In case you didn't know, this is typically a HUGE lonely girl no-no. You either walk away from the movie feeling worse or better because you fell for the huggy, kissy BS. Neither one is good.
Anyway, I came across a movie called Our Souls At Night, starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. It's about two lonely widowers that decide to cure their loneliness by sleeping together at night because, and this is real talk, the lonelies really get bad at night. And there was no hanky panky. Just talking and light cuddling until they fell asleep. I swear I cried. IT WAS LIKE THEY WERE READING MY MIND! This is what I have been looking for all along!
In the movie, Jane Fonda bravely marches over to Rob's house and is all like, "I'm lonely, you're lonely, let's sleep together. And really sleep, no funny business." And like a man playing hard to get, Robert is all like, "Let me think about it." Then he calls her the next day and is like, "I'm in!" I found myself applauding the lady Ms. Jane Fonda was playing for her bravery. If only I had the balls to ask a man for what I want: some erection-free bedtime cuddling.
The movie wasn't over for three minutes before I went from liberated back to depressed. I haven't met a man in ten years that I would even want to share my bed with, platonically or otherwise. And yes, this is metaphoric because I sleep on my aunt's living room floor. But I understand that what I liked about Rob and Jane's relationship was the intimacy. They were talking. They were sharing. They were caring. THESE DUDES OUT HERE DO NOT TALK, SHARE, OR CARE! The only way I would feel comfy with any of them in my theoretical bed would be if we were in the middle of the ocean, sailing on it to freedom for some reason. I couldn't imagine bedtime with the last guy I was talking to, a barber that wouldn't even offer me emotional support without trying to get me to promise to something physical.
So I guess I am looking for my Robert Redford. I just hope I am not his age when he finally comes along.

IT is coming!

When I heard that there was going to be a remake of the movie IT, I have to tell you, I was STOKED! This would be funny to my childhood friends, who can tell you that this movie scared the pants off of me when I was younger. It also is the reason behind my fear of clowns.
 I am eager to see how much scarier this movie is going to be with all of the up-to-date special effects. I can't wait until Sept. 1! 

For more info on IT, click here.  

Sneak Peek: Meet the Blacks

Mike Epps, George Lopez, Mike Tyson, and Bresha Webb star in "Meet the Blacks", a spoof on the thriller The Purge. In the film, produced by Deon Taylor and RZA, Mike Epps' character moves into an upscale community after coming into a lot of money. Their move just happens to coincide with the community's annual purge. Comedy ensues when Epps and his family find themselves locked in their home during the night where anything goes.

Tatyana Ali Talks TEACHER

Poverty and its correlation to a good education continues to be a hot botton issue in this country. In the film TEACHER, which is screening this month at the LA Film Festival, actress Tatyanna Ali addresses this issue head on.

TheBGInTheCity: Tell us about your role in TEACHERS.

Tatyana Ali: I play a teacher, and I was interested in doing it because it poses an interesting dilemma: how far can a teacher go to help a student? And where are the lines, especially when poverty is involved? My character has a real affinity for her student and goes out of her way to help her. 

TheBGInTheCity: What is the message that you hope gets across in the film? 

TA: I hope it shows where education and poverty intersect in the lives of the people involved. We make assumptions of students based on grades, and it's an unfair assumption.

TheBGInTheCity: Can you remember any of your favorite teachers? Who were they and why were they your favorites?

TA: I am blessed to have had amazing teachers. There was Mrs. Howard in the 3rd grade, Portia Adams and my other tutors on The Fresh Prince, My high school Intro to Philosophy teacher Dr. Hvolreok and my college counselor. Without him, I would not have gone to Harvard.

TheBGInTheCity: You are a very well-known actress, but I have seen you on YouTube supporting lesser known actresses like Andrea Lewis of Black Actress. Why?

TA: Because I wouldn't be here if other actresses wouldn't have given me a chance. I am interested in working with talented, gifted people. Whether they are known or not is a matter of timing and time. 

TheBGInTheCity: On a beauty note, we have been fans of your hair since you were a child actress. What is your hair routine? 

TA: I try to keep things natural. I learned from my grandmother to use a rosemary rinse. I take the rosemary, make a tea, then rinse my hair with it. It makes my hair strong. 

*TEACHER will be playing at the LA Film Fest through Film Independent's Project Involve Program on June 11.

Snapped: Cast of Dope at Cannes

Highly anticipated movie Dope made its International premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Photo Credit: Alex B. Huckle Getty Images

Shameik Moore

Pharrell Williams

Zoe Kravitz

Chanel Iman

Snapped: PITCH PERFECT cast with PS22 CHOIR

Yesterday, singer-songwriter Ester Dean, Hana Mae Lee and Flula Borg from the cast of PITCH PERFECT 2 (in frotheaters May 15) visited the renowned PS 22 Chorus at Graniteville Elementary School in Staten Island.   

The children’s chorus, directed by Gregg Breinberg,  performed a 90’s mash-up performance that was inspired by a scene in the new film where the Bellas sing throwback 90’s jams such as “This is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan, “Doo-Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill, “Poison” by Bel Biv DeVoe and“Scenario” by A Tribe Called Quest. Following the 90’s mash-up, the chorus performed a special rendition of “Since You Been Gone” sung by Kelly Clarkson and written by PITCH PERFECT cast member Ester Dean.

Late Post: ATL BLACKBIRD Screening

Last week, RLJ Entertainment and Urban Movie Channel hosted a private screening of the upcoming film 'BLACKBIRD,' at the Midtown Art Cinema. The film, directed by Patrik-Ian Polk and starring Academy Award winner Mo'Nique, hits theaters April 24. Attendees had the opportunity to preview the film and engage in on a Q&A moderated by V103 personality Ramona Debreaux.

Snapped: GET HARD LA Screening

On Wednesday, T.I hosted a screening for the movie GET BIG. See all the celebs that lit up the red carpet. 

Snapped: Celebs @ The Divergent Series: Insurgent Premiere

Zoë Kravitz, Octavia Spencer, and Mekhi Phifer were just a few of the celebs spotted on the red carpet for The Divergent Series: Insurgent premiere Monday night in New York!

Late Post: Celebs at 50 Shades of Bae in LA

On Tuesday in Los Angeles, Terrence J. Hosted the #Bae #50 Shades Party. There, Lance Gross and Terrence J unveiled the sexy pictures taken as a campaign in conjunction with the release of the hot, highly anticipated film 50 Shades of Grey, which hits theaters today. As the pics below illustrate, the event was star studded!

Snapped: Celebs at the ANNIE Premiere

On Sunday, celebs worked the carpet for the ANNIE Premiere which took place at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. Everyone from Beyonce to Megan Good came out to show their support of the movie, which stars Jamie Foxx. 

ANNIE hits theaters December 19.

Annie Cast Goes To Northport Elementary

Everyone has been talking about the release of Annie, which hits theaters on December 19, 2014. In collaboration with the release of the movie, Sony Pictures Entertainment is helping to support Turnaround Arts, a signature program of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities that works with local program partners to provide intensive arts education resources to clusters of high-poverty schools across the country, leading to increases in attendance, academic achievement, and student engagement.  As part of a collaboration with Annie to promote arts education, Turnaround Arts will receive support, and Turnaround Arts schools who want to put on the Broadway classic will get resources and assistance in staging their production. 

The initiative kicked off in Minneapolis, where Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, and filmmaker Will Gluck visited Northport Elementary, a Turnaround Arts school, where they met the first-through-fifth graders and worked with students preparing to audition for their school production of “Annie.”