Black in Period Films

Today is February 1, 2017 and on February 1, 1865 John S. Rock became the first Black attorney admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was the first Black person received on the floor of the United States House of Representatives and the first Black man to earn a medical degree, John S. Rock spent his entire life breaking the mold of the average Black person. Starting with his birth John S. Rock was born free in 1825 Salem, New Jersey. Although, not much is known about his childhood we do know that he was born to free people of color and that education was encouraged in his household. He spent time as a teacher, doctor, dentist, lawyer, and abolitionist. Check out these links down below for more information on John S Rock.                                                                 ...

An introduction to the new series for Black History Month called, Write It!

The first time I came across the 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God was on my older sister’s desk. She was reading it for school. Years later I read from the same copy when I was assigned the novel to read. I feel in deeply in love with the novel. After reading the novel I watched the film. What would be better than a film version of a beloved book, right? WRONG! This was a major mistake on my part because the film is very different from the book in various ways with entire scenes and characters left out. Years later as an adult I have decided to give the film another chance. This go around I tried my very best to take it at face value without comparing it to the genius that is Zora Neale Hurston. This method of watching the film served me well as I enjoyed it immensely this time around.            Everything that I look for in a period film was present in the film. I can honestly say the costumes, music, scenery, dialogue, and historical ac...

As a period film buff most of the period film fun I get (that features Black/African characters)  are biopics. The last period films that have come out that told the stories of Black people were all biopics. Belle Selma 12 Years a Slave Get on Up 42 ets. I have seen people say that they are tired of biopics however this list proves we haven't even scratched the surface. John Coltrane Destiny's Child Paul Robeson Vanessa del Rio  Lorraine Hansberry  Peggielene Bartels Sylvia Robinson Bobby Womack Oscar Micheaux  Nat Turner  Antoinette Tuff Darlene Love  Bob Marley and the Wailers Carlton Pearson Solomon Mahlangu B.M.F. (Black Mafia Family) Shirley Bassey  Pelé  Rafael Padilla  Marvin Gaye  Bessie Smith  Nina Simone  Aretha Franklin  Pam Grier  Hank Aaron  Tupac  Michael Jackson  Mahalia Jackson  ODB  Whitney Houston...

I am not sure how many of you readers out there are also writers, filmmakers, etc. However, I thought you all might want to read these scripts! The first script I ever read was to Bridesmaids (2011). Ever since then I have loved reading scripts. You learn so much about the movie and films in general when you read scripts. Here are the scripts for GET ON UP  the James Brown biopic and BELLE the Dido Elizabeth Belle biopic. Both scripts were found HERE . They have tons of other non-period film related scripts. ~enjoy~

I have been following Ava DuVernay since 'I Will Follow'. Her creative talents in the independent film sector have been very inspiring for me. When I found out that she would be directing Selma I was thrilled. I have so much confidence in her film making abilities. This morning I woke up to a photo on Twitter that reaffirmed my confidence in Ms. Ava. John Lewis is being played by Stephan James in the film. John Lewis was there in the midst of all of the action during that time. Looking at the photo and seeing how inthralled he is with the replica of the Brown chapel shows how much time, effort, and research was put into the film. Accuracy is a major factor in getting the correct feel and look with a period film. Even if the story is creative a lack of accuracy can throw me out of the story. (*whispers* Gang of Roses ) So, while I have not seen Selma yet I have faith in Ava Duvernay! I believe Selma will be an amazing film.

Not sure when this happened. The blog now has 1 follower! Welcome Summer! Thanks for following my blog. P.S. I also want to thank everyone else that has visited my blog.

If you look in my draft box you will see a draft for a post about the final cast announcements! HOWEVER, every other day the wonderfully talented Ava DuVernay (aka The Director) introduces a new cast member. So as soon as I created that post it was inaccurate. So I've decided to give you a link to her instagram ... check it out there are great pics of the cast and crew!! But I will also link you to my tumblr posts with comparison pictures of the real life legends and the actors and actresses that will be portraying them in SELMA. Tumblr Posts: 1 2 3 4 5 I'm very excited about this film.

I've posted about the upcoming movie Pompeii previously . The film set during the 79 A.D. eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Stars Jessica Lucas and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje were cast in the period disaster film. The trailer is full of excitment and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (character name Atticus) can be seen at the 1:21 mark. No sign of Jessica Lucas yet. Catch the trailer below! I've found the second trailer! This trailer gives us much more goodies! Both Jessica Lucas (Ariadne) and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Atticus) are seen numerous times throughout the trailer. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has a bigger role than Jessica Lucas and most of the trailer is him speaking. One line that stood out to me was spoken by Milo (Kit Harington of Game of Thrones fame) to Atticus (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). He says "What ever is happening here, find freedom my friend." I wonder how close they will be in the film.