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black hollywood, color creatives, girls trip, malcolm d lee, spike lee, the best man, urbanworld - November 13, 2018

Director Malcolm D. Lee on Breaking Out of the Limiting Label of 'Urban' Films

Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of director Malcolm D. Lee’s first major film, The Best Man, which hit theaters in October 1999. Since then, he has directed multiple movies with predominately African-American casts, including this year’s Night School and last year’s blockbuster comedy smash, Girls Trip. But…

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 […]

The post Spike Lee partnering with Roger Guenver Smith for ‘Frederick Douglass Now’ movie appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post EXCLUSIVE: John David Washington and Anthony Ramos on ‘Monsters and Men’ roles appeared first on theGrio.

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

The post Spike Lee won’t engage in public feud with Boots Riley’s BlacKkKlansman’ criticism appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post BlacKkKlansman actor speaks his truth and makes clear his mother is part of it appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post Boots Riley accuses Spike Lee of glorifying cops in ‘BlacKkKlansman’ appeared first on theGrio.

Spike Lee Paid Over $200K by NYPD to Lead Program to Improve Relationship Between Cops and Community

The New York Police department has paid acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee more than $200,000 for a program […]

‘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 […]

The post ‘BlacKkKlansman’ reveals dirty little secret about white women and hate groups appeared first on theGrio.

Steve Harvey Shares Hilarious Moment While Reflecting on Bernie Mac’s Death 10 Years Ago

Steve Harvey recently made some time to remember his late brother in comedy. Harvey on Thursday, […]

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 […]

The post EXCLUSIVE: Laura Harrier and Damaris Lewis on their powerful roles in ‘BlackKklansman’ appeared first on theGrio.

Spike Lee Gives Instant Response to Question of If He’d Want to Sit Down with Trump

Much like LeBron James before him, Spike Lee has no interest in sitting down one-on-one with President […]

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 […]

The post Spike Lee breaks down why “Blackkklansman” needed to open on Charlottesville anniversary (WATCH) appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post Six ugly truths Spike Lee’s ‘BlacKkKlansman’ exposes in the wake of Charlottesville appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post PHOTOS: Black Hollywood unites at ‘BlackKklansman’ premiere appeared first on theGrio.

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Ku Klux Klan, Malcolm X, Movies, Spike Lee - August 09, 2018

With ‘BlacKkKlansman,’ Spike Lee brings the fire this time Film tells both a true story from the ‘70s and its connections to contemporary hate

If Spike Lee’s Malcolm X was cinematic poetry, his latest film, BlacKkKlansman, is a desperate, shrieking, ever-so-clearly enunciated howl. Lee’s latest film has been much anticipated since its debut earlier this year at Cannes, where it won the Grand Prix Award, and rightfully so. Lee is now 61. He was 35 when Malcolm X was […]

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 […]

The post EXCLUSIVE: John David Washington on what makes Spike Lee a genius appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post RUMOR PATROL: Does Tiffany Haddish have a new man? appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post Here’s why John David Washington doesn’t want to be known as Denzel’s son appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post Spike Lee talks ‘Blackkklansmen’ and white supremacy: “We’re in a very… dangerous time” appeared first on theGrio.

Jamie Foxx Supports Excessive Use of the N-Word In ‘Django Unchained’

Jamie Foxx says he understands why “Django Unchained” director Quentin Tarantino had over 100 n-word bombs […]

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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 […]

The post Spike Lee directs five short films for Uber to celebrate Brooklyn appeared first on theGrio.

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.” […]

The post Grio Good News Report | Netflix is celebrating Black creatives appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post Netflix debuts EPIC photo and video featuring 47 black creatives: ‘A Great Day in Hollywood’ appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

The post 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 appeared first on theGrio.

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 […]

Oscar-nominated film about Emmett Till contemplates how racial terror affects those left behind Kevin Wilson Jr., the director of ‘My Nephew Emmett,’ is still in film school

Kevin Wilson Jr. has spent more than half his life thinking about Emmett Till and the night he was murdered. A few days from now, he might just win an Oscar for it. Wilson, 28, is the director of My Nephew Emmett, which is nominated for an Academy Award for best live action short film. […]

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