10/16/2004 - Philly Shorts 1
On The DL, Simply Untitled, The Negro Zone, Glass Camoflauge,
Kindred: Stars
10/23 - Letter To The President (buy)
11/13 - Donnie McClurkin Story/The Sunday Morning Stripper (buy)
11/20 - Love, Sex and Eating The Bones/ Mean Jadine (buy)
12/11 - Black Shorts II - A Single Rose, Thangs, The Male Groupie,
Adventures of Supernigger, Some Wounds, Shootout, A Spoonful of
Sugar
12/12 - All About You/ Allergic To Nuts (buy)/(buy)
1/29 - Inventos/Life’s Journey/Battle of Ishu and Iku (buy)
2/12 - Love Stories- First Three Lives of Stuart Hornsley, Stone
Mansion, The Sacrifice, The Hardest Part, The Date, His/Herstory,
Hope
2/19 - 8 Wheels and Some Soul Brotha Music (buy)
6/11/2005 - No Such Thing as NeoSoul /
Scene Not Heard
6/18- Philly Shorts II
-----------
Reelblack Underground
2/3/2005 - Burn! (buy)
2/10 - So Fresh So Clean/ Robin Harris Live (buy)
2/17 The Rodnees: We Mod Like Dat!
2/24 Farewell, Uncle Tom (buy)
4/19/06 - Orphans of Nkandla/ Jesus Children of America (Fundraiser)
5/10 - Runt / Searching For Sister Gertrude
Morgan
-------------------------------------
Summer Soul Food Fridays
6/9 - The Art of 16 Bars (buy)
6/16 - Funk Soul Shorts
6/23 - The Wiz (buy)
6/30 - That’s The Way of the World (buy)
7/7 - Fronterz (buy)
7/14 - Melinda (buy)
7/21 - Farewell Uncle Tom (buy)
Season 4
10/12/06
SHE’S GOTTA
HAVE IT
11/9/2006
PREMIUM
(dir. Pete Chatmon/USA/2006/Beta/97 min/Color)
Developed at the Sundance Institute, Premium is a romance while
also being a commentary on how African Americans are being portrayed
in film. Reginald "Cool" Coolidge (Dorian Missick of
The Manchurian Candidate) is a struggling actor, fed up with taking
stereotypical African American roles and waiting for his big break
in a legitimate production. Until this time comes, he works at
his mother's boyfriend's gas station to repay him for covering
his college tuition. One day at the station, his ex-fiancée
- and one true love - reappears at the pumps after 3 years of
silence. Cool discovers that it is 36 hours until her wedding
to a local lawyer. As Cool embarks on last-ditch attempts to win
her back, he takes on the biggest "role" of his life
while also learning the secret to mastering his craft. Co-starring
Zoe Saldana, Hill Harper and Eva Pigford. Honorable Mention Audience
Award, 2006 Vibe Urbanworld Film Festival. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE.
Filmmaker in attendance. Visit http://www.myspace.com/double7film
12/7/2006
THE PACT
(dir. Andrea Kalin /USA/2006/Beta/85 min/Color)
Inspired by the best-selling book of the same name, THE PACT is
the story of three African-American men from the inner-city who
overcame poverty, criminal records, and crack-addicted parents
to become doctors and are now fighting to inspire the next generation
to reclaim their dreams.
A gritty, provocative true-life story of
three friends from the 'hood, Rameck Hunt, Sampson Davis, and
George Jenkins, who made a pact in high school to find a way to
go to college and then medical school. They not only accomplished
this, but they're now spreading the word to inspire other inner-city
kids to stay off of drugs, out of gangs and to take the educational
route to a better life. THE PACT captures the pathos of the men's
individual journeys, the integrity of their voices and the power
of their rare friendship. Their stories affirm the values that
ultimately sustained and drove them: courage, tenacity, and faith.
And they give tribute to the life of the mind and its power to
turn dreams into reality. Winner Indie Spec Best Documentary Award,
2006 Boston International Film Festival. PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE.
Hosted by Monica Peters. Sponsored by Rolling Out Weekly WURD-AM
and L.W. Farmbry Associates in conjunction with International
House and The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. . Visit www.thepactthemovie.com
10/20/2006 Soul
Food Cinema
Mad Matthewz'
MEN
WITHOUT JOBS (PLANET BROOKLYN)
Ish and Oz are best friends and roommates
with big dreams of starting their own hip-hop band. The two eccentric
slackers make a pact to avoid the dreaded nine-to-five at all
costs but come to realize that sooner or later everyone has to
get a job!
Men Without Jobs is a universal story about
a couple of charming and talented misfits who, in the name of
rebellion, eschew the conventional responsibilities and obligations
of
adulthood in favor of a carefree extended adolescence. Ish and
Oz convince themselves they are living life on their own terms
but realize that's not necessarily what living is all about. The
story speaks to the creative spirit in all of us that longs to
break out.
When poet Imani is fired from a job that
allows her to provide for her and her man, she is threatened to
loose all her comforts. Both College students her boyfriend feels
they could move on campus and live in the dorms. Unwilling to
give up her luxuries she listens to her friends and finds the
only type of man who is willing to support a woman, A PLAYA! Not
ready for the contained life of a kept woman she becomes the ultimate
victim. However, Imani is nobody’s victim! She not only
seeks revenge on the people that played her but, all Players!
Referred to as the GOLDDIGGER KILLER by police Imani uses her
banging body and seductive poetry to lure in her prey and single
handily rid the world of misogyny.
Wednesday
January 10 @ 7pm
Miles
From Home
(dir. Ty Hodges/USA/2006/Beta/97 min/Color)
Where: INTERNATIONAL
HOUSE, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
When: Wednesday January 10, 2007 (doors 6:30)
Cost: $7 Adults/ $5 Students and Members
A Pure example of Guerrilla filmmaking,
Miles From Home,' is a tale of lost innocence. Miles Conway, (Ty
Hodges), 17, is force to fend for himself after his mother walks
out on him and his brother, due to her drug addiction. Abandoned
also by his brother he is homeless on the streets of Los Angeles.
Miles is introduced to a group of teenage prostitutes and is seduced
into a world of sex, money, and drugs. They become his family.
Once he is confronted by his inner demon, it's too late. Innocence
is lost. Miles is torn between his two worlds after he meets Natasha
Freeman, (Meagan Good), 19, a free spirited college student. Without
effort, Natasha shows Miles there is still beauty in life. In
order to survive, he must learn to overcome his circumstances
and recognize a blessing when he sees one. There is a war within
him and Miles has to make a decision. Will he choose life or death?
Miles quickly learns the greatest fear we will ever have to face
is to confront the person inside.
How
To Eat Your Watermelon In White Company (And Enjoy It)
(dir. Joe Angio, USA 2006, Beta, 85 min., Color)
Where: INTERNATIONAL
HOUSE, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
When: Wednesday February 14, 2007 (doors 6:30)
Cost: $7 Adults/ $5 Students and Members.
Part icon, part iconoclast, MELVIN VAN
PEEBLES is a filmmaker with a history that's as fascinating as
any of his motion pictures. This award-winning documentary (full
of rare archival footage and unforgettable backstage stories from
Spike Lee, Mario Van Peebles, Gil Scott-Heron and others) is a
carefully crafted tale of how a young black kid from Chicago ended
up making one of the most controversial movies in American history,
"Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song," the film
that sparked the Blaxploitation era in Hollywood. But the story
hardly ends there. Director Joe Angio playfully traces Van Peebles's
path from atom-bomb-ferrying Air Force pilot to French novelist
to proto-rap singer to Wall Street options trader...a remarkable,
rollicking journey that helps to explain where Sweet Sweetback
actually got his song. ----- "A genuinely inspiring portrait
of a man who has steadfastly refused to acknowledge or respect
boundaries, whether of race, nationality, language, talent, age
or anything else..." -Andrew O'Hehir, SALON ----- "Superb..a
fascinating historical document" -A.O. Scott, THE NEW YORK
TIMES ----- "Vivid and inventive!" - VARIETY ----- "Riveting
and uproarious" - THE VILLAGE VOICE ----- "Cheekily
entertaining" - THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. www.mvpmovie.com,
www.myspace.com/howtoeatyourwatermelon.
Preceded by the short subject
GAME. Directed by J.J. Goldberger and written by
Ed Shockley (Sone Mansion). Writer will be in attendance.
You could win an I Pod Shuffle or an copy
of Spike Lee's When The Levees Broke just by attending this event.
***
Wednesday
April 18 @ 7pm
Russ
Parr's THE LAST STAND
(dir. Russ Parr, USA, 2006, Beta, 109 min, Color)
Where: INTERNATIONAL
HOUSE, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
When: WednesdayApril 18, 2007 (doors 6:30)
Cost: $7 Adults/ $5 Students and Members
Radio Personality Russ Parr’s directorial
debut , THE LAST STAND, is a compelling drama about four young
people from different walks of life, struggling to become successful
comedian-actors in Hollywood.
Reggie Sinclair (Guy Torry), TD "Tru
Dogg" Kincaid (Darrin DeWitt Henson), Dede Calvin (Tami Roman)
and Bo Clark (Todd Williams), meet at a notable Hollywood comedy
club, The Last Stand. While waiting for their regular sets, their
regular hangout spot is on the roof adjacent to the club. There
they form a bond and become fast friends. In dealing with the
pressures of life and the industry, they become a support unit
for each other. Living life in the fast lane, their lives start
to crumble. As they get closer and closer to the edge, one tragic
step ends the pain. In a moment, dreams shatter and smiles turn
upside down. Through their journey unravels the drama of comedy.
With special appearances by Anthony Anderson
and Kevin Hart. BEST FEATURE (Honorable Mention) Los
Angeles Pan African Film Festival.
What: Soul Food Cinema Celebrates Dreamgirls When: Friday January 12, 2007 (doors 6:30) Where: POINT OF DESTINATION CAFE, 6460 Greene Street
(above the Upsal R8 Train Station), Philadelphia, PA 19119 When:
Friday January 12, 2007 (doors 6:30) Cost:
Free with purchase of a Soul Food Friday Meal ($10 and up)
Reelblack will be hosting a special Dreamgirls
Party as part of our Soul Food Cinema event on Friday
January 12 at The Point Of Destination Cafe. We'll be taking time
to celebrate the original Dreamgirls--The Supremes with rare clips
of them and their fellow Motown acts with a special video presentation.
Save your ticket stubs from Pursuit
of Happyness and Dreamgirls and have a chance to win some very
special prizes, including the just released The
Supremes: Reflections 1964-1969. This is the
first ever official compilation of rare TV appearances by The
Original Supremes restored to the finest possible quality.
Friday
February 16 @ 7PM
The Soul Power Of James Brown
(dir. Dapp Archives, USA 2007,90 min., B&W and Color) When:
Friday February 16, 2007 (doors 6:30) Where:
POINT OF DESTINATION CAFE, 6460 Greene Street (above the Upsal R8
Train Station), Philadelphia, PA 19119 Cost:
Free with purchase of a Soul Food Friday Meal ($10 and up)
e mail ReelblackRSVP@gmail.com
to help us prepare seating and food in advance.
In loving memory of James Brown (1933-2006), Reelblack’s
Soul Food Cinema presents this original program of rare TV and
Film appearances by the Godfather of Soul. Compiled from the collections
of nearly half a dozen soul connoisseurs worldwide, this is the
absolute best of Soul Brother Number One, from his earliest film
appearances in 1965 to the
Sex Machine days of the mid 70s to his “Living In America”
comeback of 1985. This is an all killer, no filler funk feast
that cannot be found anywhere else. Please arrive early as seating
is very limited.
****
PIPE
DREAMS
Catch PIPE
DREAMS, the "lost" 1975 film starring Gladys Knight
on May 18, 2007.
GIL SCOTT-HERON:
In PARIS 2001
Join Us On
June 15, as we celebrate the DVD release of this 2001 live concert
video by the great proto-rapper GIL SCOTT-HERON!
On Friday June 15, Reelblack will celebrate the DVD release of GIL
SCOTT-HERON: LIVE IN PARIS (2001) with a special screening.
This full-length performance at the New Morning in Paris showcases
one of the greatest singers in the soul tradition, Gil Scott-Heron.
Inspired by writer Langston Hughes, one of the driving forces behind
the Afro-centrism of the sixties, Scott-Heron put his first texts
to music.
He tried his hand at the keyboard in rock groups and published "The
Nigger Factory". His music and lyrics, part poetic, part political,
which
denounce the repressive violence exerted on African-Americans by
society in the US, soon made him the cult hero of the radical rap
and
hip-hop musicians throughout the world. This DVD is a fine example
of the rebellious storyteller's ability.
Song Titles: * The Bottle * Johannesburg * Winter In Amerika
* Blue Collar * A Lovely Day * Three Miles Down * Work For Peace
* Angel Dust * Did You Hear What They Said? and more...
THE
LIST
What: Soul
Food Cinema Presents THE LIST
WHEN: Friday
August 10, 2007 at 7PM (doors 6:30)
WHERE: The
Point Of Destination Cafe, 6460 Greene Street (above the Upsal
R8 Train station)
COST: Free/
woth purchase of a Soul Food Friday Meal
Please arrive
early as seating is very limited.
Director Brandon Sonnier's (The Beat) sophomore
feature is a romantic comedy that breaks the mold on African-American
filmmaking. Reelblack celebrates the DVD release of this clever
new film that features WAYNE BRADY in his FIRST STARRING ROLE
SEASON 5
Tuesday October 9
Omar Tyree
Omar Tyree's The Lure of Young Women (2007/Color/116
min./dir Omar Tyree)
How would you handle an ambitious cast of sexy young starlets?
Philly native and NY Times bestselling author OMAR TYREE addresses
this topic in his debut feature film.
When an independent film producer decides to use a more intimate
approach to finding a beautiful lead to jump start the next level
of his film career, he gets more than what he bargained for from
a cast of feisty young women all gunning-by any means necessary-for
the starring role. But is it all business, or is it personal?
This event is FREE for all Season 5 Membership card holders.
Friday October 12
NEW HOME MOVIES FROM THE LOWER
NINTH WARD (Philadelphia Premiere) Reelblack is privileged
to host the Philadelphia Premiere of Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme's
latest film. Proceeds will benefit the Parker Family of New Orleans,
LA. a family who lost nearly everything in Hurricaine Katrina
and is the focus of this film. Portions of this project have aired
on Tavis Smiley. This is the full-length Director's Version. NOTE:
Donation for this event is $8.00/ members, $10.00 adults (additional
donations accepted.)
Tuesday November 13 Sister's Keeper (2007/Color/101 min/ dir. Kent
Faulcon) Sister's Keeper is an action-drama about a military trained
assassin, Jacob Tate (Kent Faulcon), who has been sent by his
handler (Eric Roberts) to eliminate a beautiful small town school
teacher, Diane Shaw (Denise Boutte). When Diane mistakes Jacob
for her long-lost brother, he uses the guise to find the perfect
moment to kill her, but soon finds himself drawn into her frank
and colorful Southern family. The professional killer is left
to choose between doing what he knows--murder for money--and doing
what he knows is right--finding out who wants the innocent Diane
dead. http://www.sisterskeeperthemovie.com Audience Award Winner,
2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival. FILMMAKER IN ATTENDANCE.
Preceded by Yellow, a short film by Dominga Martin.
http://myspace.com/ahouseofmingfilm
***** Tuesday December 11
Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan (Color/2007/87
min/Video/ dir. Gerald Barclay): In the summer of 1993, the Wu-Tang
Clan emerged from the slums of Staten Island and took the hip-hop
world by storm. Their legacy spanned over a decade, selling more
than twenty million albums. Their talents brought them success
and their music made them legends. This is their story.
Gerald Barclay's raw documentary about the rise, fall and resurrection
of hip-hop's biggest rap group, The Wu Tang Clan. Including exclusive
look sat the Clan before their fame and meteoric rise as multi-platinum
artists who influenced and molded a generation of hip-hop talent.
OFFICIAL SELECTION: H2O Hip-Hop Film Festival. www.wumovie.com
FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE.
Preceded by Chief Rocker Busy Bee: The Architect Vol.
1. (Color/2007/10 min/Video/ dir. Barry Michael Cooper
and Nicky Warhall) Short film on the Original Solo MC, Chief Rocker
Busy Bee. His peers are Grandmaster Flash, Cold Crush Bros., Afrika
Bambaataa, and Grand Wizzard Theodore. Directed by Bmc and Nicky
Warhall. Produced by David "Busy Bee" Parker, Roland
Russell, and Barry Michael Cooper.
SOUL
FOOD CINEMASEAson
5
Friday September 21 at
7PM
NOTORIOUS B I G : BIGGER THAN LIFE/ JASON
Reelblack is proud to celebrate the DVD release of BIGGER THAN
LIFE, the latest film from acclaimed hip-hop documentary pioneer
Peter Spirer (Rhyme and Reason, Art of 16 Bars, Beef). A copy
of this just-released DVD will be given away at the end of the
evening. Preceded by the short film JASON.
The Notorious B.I.G. is no doubt on every Hip-Hop fan's short
list of the greatest rappers of all time. Most importantly, B.I.G.
was respected and revered by his peers in the game. Everyone from
Jay Z to Tupac became captivated by his velvety flow and unparalleled
rhyme style. He left behind a legacy that reached mythic status.
Now for the first time the real Notorious B.I.G. is revealed in
this fascinating film. Hear the stories firsthand from his closest
friends and some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop -- Diddy, Method
Man, Easy Mo Bee, Matty C, E-40, Raekwon and many more. See raw,
uncut footage of B.I.G. freestyling on the streets of New York,
rare home video footage, a never-before-seen interview done with
Biggie shortly before his death and undisclosed footage from the
night of his murder. Directed by renowned Hip-Hop documentary
filmmaker Peter Spirer (the Beef series, Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel),
this comprehensive film is definitive proof that the Notorious
B.I.G. will always be Bigger than Life.
Friday October 19 at 7PM
Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth
Click the image above to view trailer.
This documentary, featuring interviews with some of the most
notable names in modern music (Byrne, Clinton, etc), captures
the life and sounds of Bernie Worrell: the overlooked and eccentric
musical mastermind who has been compared to Beethoven, Charlie
Parker, and Jimi Hendrix. Since writing a piano concerto at age
8, Worrell has been acknowledged as a musical genius. He joined
the Washington Symphony Orchestra at 10, then later joined Parliament
Funkadelic and changed music forever. Through his work with Talking
Heads, Keith Richards, Warren Haynes and Mos Def, Worrell shaped
the electronic sound of the last four decades. This DVD delves
deep into the man behind the music.
Friday November 16 at 7PM
The 23rd Psalm
Click the image above to view trailer.
Set amongst the urban decay and unfettered
angst of Los Angeles, Police Detective John Smith battles alcoholism
and cynicism. Going about his daily routine, initially John remains
complacent over a seemingly ordinary prostitute murder. But when
John’s intuition awakens, he experiences revealing visions
about the victim and her murder. John must conquer his vices and
overcome his skepticism to embrace intuition, question the unusual
suspects, and allow his visions to illuminate the truth. A smartly
written modern-day metaphysical tale with a surprise ending, THE
23rd PSALM ushers in a new generation of Urban Transcendental
Cinema. Written and directed by Christopher C. Odom.
http://www.psalm23movie.com/
Tuesday February 12
Darius Goes West (2007/Color/92 min./ DVD/ dir.
Logan Smalley)
Darius Goes West has won awards at over a dozen
festivals and received National attention on ABC’s Nightline
and NBC’s The Today Show. Profits from a special
raffle the night of the screening will be donated to Charley’s
Fund (www.charleysfund.org) for DMD research in hopes of finding
treatment or a cure for this disease.
Tuesday March 11
La Rebelle (2006 / Haiti /Beta/ 93 min./ In
French/Creole w/ English Subtitles/ dir. Sacha Parisot) Philadelphia
Premiere Cast: Nathalie Ambroise, Reginald Lubin, Nadine Stephenson,
Ashley Laraque, Sandra Lobir, Fresnel Larosiliere, Marlie Philippe,
Maikadou
Tuesday April 22
PUBLIC ENEMY- WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME
has been pulled. New Film TBA
