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Frederick Douglass, Living, moviee, News, Roger Guenver Smith, Spike Lee - November 10, 2018

Spike Lee partnering with Roger Guenver Smith for ‘Frederick Douglass Now’ movie

President Donald Trump’s much-derided statement that abolitionist Frederick Douglass “is being recognized more and more” is actually proving true, with filmmaker Spike Lee set to direct a movie on the historical figure. Lee is set to direct the movie adaption of “Frederick Douglass Now,” the one-man play by Roger Guenver Smith, who has starred in 10 of Lee’s movies. Douglass, a […]

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Walk it like I talk it: For the fans who talk and the NBA players who shut them up Trash talk from the stands is part of the game, but sometimes fans are better off keeping their mouths shut

There’s a Jay-Z lyric for any situation in life. Just ask Damian Lillard, the Bay Area MC who moonlights as the Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard. Do not bark up that tree, Jay-Z once warned his foes on the classic 2001 diss track “Takeover.” That tree will fall on you/ I don’t know why […]

British Vogue’s Edward Enninful Threw Spike Lee a Blacktastic Party, and Our Invite Got Lost in the Mail

Clearly, we need to remind Edward Enninful of our address. On Saturday, Oct. 20, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue hosted a dinner for filmmaker Spike Lee in London, in honor of the BlacKkKlansman director “who has given so much to the creative industry over the three-and-a-half decades he has been working within…

EXCLUSIVE: John David Washington and Anthony Ramos on ‘Monsters and Men’ roles

Monsters and Men is a stirring film that illuminates the different ways people are affected by police brutality. Written and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the movie that stars Anthony Ramos, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and John David Washington is a must-see for anyone willing to take a closer look at the ongoing police violence against […]

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Spike Lee Responds to Boots Riley's Critique of BlacKkKlansman: 'We Need Police'

More than a week after director and musician Boots Riley delivered a pointed and detailed critique of BlacKkKlansman and its portrayal of police officers, filmmaker Spike Lee has a response.

Spike Lee won’t engage in public feud with Boots Riley’s BlacKkKlansman’ criticism

Boots Riley criticizes Spike Lee's portrayal of police in the 1970s-set film, Lee says judge him by his work

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Spike Lee Compares David Duke’s Favorite President’s Administration to the KKK

BlacKkKlansman director Spike Lee sees a lot of similarities between the Ku Klux Klan and today’s administration, specifically around fear-mongering and coded rhetoric (see: the origins of Trump’s popular slogan- “America first.”)

Spike Lee Unveils Previously Unreleased Prince Song, ‘Mary Don’t You Weep’ for BlacKkKlansman

It begins with piano riffs and drum. Prince’s dulcet falsetto pours out the first verse, then drops a register for verse two. It is, in a word, sublime. It is Prince at his most soulful, with the growls and runs that mark his genius.

BlacKkKlansman actor speaks his truth and makes clear his mother is part of it

Actor John David Washington is being showered with praise across social media for showing mad love to the most important Black woman in his life… his mother, actress and singer Pauletta Washington. The BlacKkKlansman star recently sat down with the TODAY Show’s Craig Melvin to discuss his breakout role and what it was like growing up […]

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Boots Riley accuses Spike Lee of glorifying cops in ‘BlacKkKlansman’

Rapper, screenwriter and film director Boots Riley might be the only person who isn’t raving lately about Spike Lee’s new movie, BlacKkKlansman. Riley published an essay on Twitter taking Lee to task for creating a film that is not based in fact and wrongly paints its central figure as a hero. READ MORE: ‘BlacKkKlansman’ reveals […]

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‘BlacKkKlansman’ reveals dirty little secret about white women and hate groups

This past weekend, I saw the sensational Spike Lee film BlacKkKlansman, a movie that tells the true story of African-American detective Ron Stallworth, who in 1979 infiltrated a local chapter of the Ku Klux Kan in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As with Lee’s best films, this one explores the explosive, minefield laden issue of race, drawing […]

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Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman’ Opens Strong

NEW YORK (AP) — Lee’s critically acclaimed “BlacKkKlansman” opened strongly with $10.8 million in 1,512 […]

EXCLUSIVE: Laura Harrier and Damaris Lewis on their powerful roles in ‘BlackKklansman’

BlackKklansman hits theaters today and we can’t wait for the world’s reaction to the Spike Lee joint that highlights how much is at stake when we let hatred reign supreme. The flick stars John David Washington as Ron Stallworth, the real-life detective who successfully infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s and draws undeniable […]

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Spike Lee breaks down why “Blackkklansman” needed to open on Charlottesville anniversary (WATCH)

Spike Lee’s newest film, BlacKkKlansman, tells the story of the racial divide that seems to transcend time. The movie comes out today, one year after the events of the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally. The rally was led by white supremacists, white nationalists, and neo-Nazis who opposed the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue […]

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Six ugly truths Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman’ exposes in the wake of Charlottesville

Today BlacKkKlansman opens in theaters nationwide on the one-year anniversary of arguably America’s ugliest day of 2017: Charlottesville’s “Unite the Right” rally. A weekend last summer when hatred spilled out onto the streets, blood stained the pavement and the country’s newly elected President, who promised to represent all people, failed to unite the nation. While Director […]

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PHOTOS: Black Hollywood unites at ‘BlackKklansman’ premiere

Black Hollywood was out in full effect on Wednesday night for the premiere of Spike Lee‘s latest joint, BlackKklansman. Stars swarmed the red carpet before watching the film that focuses on the true-life story of Ron Stallworth, a Black detective who successfully infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. Executive producer, Jordan Peele, was […]

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EXCLUSIVE: John David Washington on what makes Spike Lee a genius

John David Washington is the star of Black Kkklansman and if you haven’t already purchased your tickets…get on it. The Spike Lee joint is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, a Black detective who managed to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s and it’s not to be missed. We caught […]

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John David Washington outran his father’s long shadow with a football in hand The star of HBO’s ‘Ballers’ and Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ former Morehouse star running back and NFL player does things his way

John David Washington’s master plan was not football. Football was the escape. He fell in love with acting when he was 5 years old. He was watching his father pace as he was running through lines from Richard III for a Shakespeare in the Park performance. “When we were walking the streets,” said Washington, 34, […]

RUMOR PATROL: Does Tiffany Haddish have a new man?

Tiffany Haddish has a ton of new projects heading to the big and small screens but she may have a new man to focus on if these rumors are true. Several sources are speculating that the Girl’s Trip star has nabbed a new beau and is dating the NYC-based socialite, Unik Ernest. Page Six describes […]

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Here’s why John David Washington doesn’t want to be known as Denzel’s son

When John David Washington burst onto the scene in his role on Ballers, few people realized he’s the son of Denzel Washington. Now, the actor who stars in Spike Lee‘s Black Kkklansman is revealing his reason for trying to keep his famous father’s rep separate form his own. The actor who spent six years playing […]

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Spike Lee talks ‘Blackkklansmen’ and white supremacy: “We’re in a very… dangerous time”

Legendary film director Spike Lee says living in the era of President Donald Trump is a very dangerous situation for Americans who care about racial equality. While promoting his new film “Blackkklansmen,” the critically acclaimed true story of the first black police officer to integrate the Colorado Springs Police Department, Lee told theGrio that […]

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Entertainment, Spike Lee - July 15, 2018

Spike Lee directs five short films for Uber to celebrate Brooklyn

From his thesis project as an NYU film student, Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, to the location of his 40 Acres and a Mule production company, filmmaker Spike Lee has long been an ambassador to Brooklyn. Now, Uber car service is paying homage to Lee’s talent and his love for his New York City […]

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Grio Good News Report | Netflix is celebrating Black creatives

Netflix wants you to know they are all about celebrating diversity through storytelling. The media powerhouse recreated the iconic “A Great Day in Harlem” photograph that showcased 57 Notable Jazz Musicians. Netflix assembled 47 of its Black creators, directors, and actors from over 20 series, films, and documentaries to Unveil “A New Day in Hollywood.” […]

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Netflix debuts EPIC photo and video featuring 47 black creatives: ‘A Great Day in Hollywood’

Netflix may be reeling from the recent firing of their Chief Communications Officer, but the streaming service remains committed to leading the way for diversity and representation and they just dropped an EPIC photo that shows just how much progress they have made. During the 2018 BET Awards, Netflix debuted an iconic photo featuring 47 […]

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The Download | May 16th: White woman calls cops on Black real estate investor + Spike Lee thoughts on Donald Trump + Black teen receives full ride to Harvard

Here is #thedownload for May 16th. Michael Hayes, a Memphis real estate investor, ran into trouble when he arrived at a house to do an inspection and a white neighbor called the cops on him. But when the police arrived, instead of being on her side they put her in check. And Spike Lee had […]

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How exactly did Ray Allen become Jesus Shuttlesworth in Spike Lee’s ‘He Got Game’? Two decades ago in a wild casting that involved everyone from Kobe Bryant to Tracy McGrady to Coney Island’s own Stephon Marbury, a star was born

This is the second of two stories celebrating the 20-year anniversary of basketball cult classic He Got Game. The first covers the pair of Air Jordan 13s the film made famous. Directed by Spike Lee and starring Ray Allen and Denzel Washington, it hit theaters on May 1, 1998. “Once,” says Stephon Marbury, matter-of-factly. That’s […]

Beyonce, Chris Rock, Jay Ellis, Michael B. Jordan and more celebs take over LA for NBA All-Star Weekend

NBA All-Star Weekend hit Los Angeles in full force and tons of celebrities were on deck to attend parties and watch the big game.

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Wake up! It’s the 30th anniversary of Spike Lee’s ‘School Daze’ In this #BlackLivesMatter era, the ’80s film is still very relevant

It was late summer of 1986. Jasmine Guy was standing on the streets of New York City, fresh out of a dance class at The Ailey School, when she heard a word unfamiliar to her: Wannabe. She’d just run into director and eventual cultural purveyor Spike Lee. She first met him back in 1979, when […]

Jordan Peele & Ava DuVernay take top honors at AAFCA Awards

Jordan Peele, Ava DuVernay, and Spike Lee take top honors at AAFCA Awards at the Taglyan Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

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Live from Sundance: Spike Lee says he’ll celebrate iconic Air Jordan ads at NBA All-Star Weekend The legendary director is on top of the world with his Netflix version of ‘She’s Gotta Have It’

Spike Lee was center stage at a brunch Monday morning to celebrate his successful Netflix series, She’s Gotta Have It. The series, he says, was the brainchild of his wife Tonya Lewis Lee. The idea for doing the series on the digital streaming service was born two years ago, at Sundance, which is the largest […]

EXCLUSIVE: Lena Waithe on why her controversial movie ‘Step Sisters’ will remind you of Spike Lee’s School Daze

Lena Waithe is an unstoppable force in the entertainment game and 2018 is clearly going to be her year. At 33, Lena Waithe’s already an Emmy-winning writer of a Master of None coming-out episode that garnered critical praise, and her latest series creation, The Chi, also premiered on Showtime to rave reviews. And now she’s releasing the […]

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Former walk-on at Temple now stars in ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ Actor Rafael V. DeLeon says meeting Spike Lee at NBA All-Star Weekend was a dream come true

Former college basketball player Rafael V. DeLeon got the introduction of a lifetime during NBA All-Star Weekend in 2015 when he met famed film director Spike Lee. He promised himself that he’d grind until he got the chance to work on a film with Lee. That promise was fulfilled when DeLeon was cast in Lee’s […]