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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Review : Deception Starring Megan Good Franklin and Laz Alonso





Megan Good Franklin is following in Kerry Washington's footsteps by heading up a network drama. The show Deception is set to premiere on January 7th on NBC and is a whodunit full of twists and turns that would make any fan of the primetime soap genre giddy with anticipation. Megan portrays cop Joanna LaCosto whose former BFF, socialite Vivian Bowers is found dead in a hotel of an alleged drug overdose. Her former partner and love interest Will Moreno played by Laz Alonso seems to think it's murder and as it turns out that is exactly what it is. Will Joanna find the culprit before the Bowers get wind of her true intentions? Are there still lingering feelings between Joanna and billionaire playboy Julian Bowers? And what is up with the creepy eldest brother and the matriarch of the family?

If you like shows about messed up rich people, their dirty secrets, and want to support another black woman doing big things in network t v, be sure to catch the pilot episode on NBC.com now, or tune into the premiere on NBC on 1/7/2013.

Django Unchained: My Review







When it comes to picking movies, I am usually on point with my selections. I must admit as of late my theatre going experiences have left me extremely dissatisfied. It started with Hope Springs which had the dynamic duo of Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep. Sparkle I think was next and the downward spiral continued with the likes of The Master, the boring and dialogue heavy Lincoln and the anti climactic Killing Me Softly. The last 3 featured stellar performances but that's about it.

Quentin Tarentino has thankfully resurrected my faith in the movie going experience with Django Unchained, the spaghetti Western/slave revenge fantasy which I first heard about on the website Shadow and Act. Django which features Oscar winning heavy hitters like Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz, and the very deserving of an Oscar this time around Leonardo DiCaprio, is about a slave who joins up with a bounty hunter and together they rescue his wife Broomhilda (played by Scandal's Kerry Washington) from the Candie Land plantation ran by the evil Calvin Candie (DiCaprio). Samuel L. Jackson also impressed the hell out of me with his turn as the Uncle of all Toms, Stephen, the plantation's butler and Calvin's confidante.

The movie is violent, funny, and sadistic which are all key elements of a Tarentino piece. Yeah the N word is used several times, but that did not bother me . When looking at a film based in the South during slavery, that word is going to be used. If you can't handle the lingo, seeing slaves get whipped, branded, chewed up by dogs, then D U isn't for you. Spike Lee has already said he won't be seeing the film which I think is a pity. Spike's cred has fallen off considerably in the past several years, and in my opinion he has no place to judge Quentin or other any filmmaker whose movies are getting people in theatre seats. Maybe if Spike went to see Django, it would inspire him to get back to being the filmmaker he used to be (Malcolm X, Jungle Fever, Do the Right ThingMo Better Blues). You know the one whose movies were critically acclaimed and worthy of water cooler talk.

I'm hoping that the Academy will recognize the screenplay, direction, and acting of Foxx, Waltz, and DiCaprio. Academy members do not let the use of the N word, the violence, and comedic elements mixed with the tough subject matter scare you.  Show Django some love because it definitely deserves it.

I would appreciate any and all comments, positive or negative :)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Anne Hathaway's Short Cut Is Growing On Me

anne-hathaway-glamour-cover

Anne Hathaway has a lot to smile about these days: critical acclaim for Les Miserables, a new hubby, and stellar reviews as Catwoman in the last Batman movie. Since Glamour is one of my favorite magazines I couldn't resist posting this pic.

I think Anne looks great! How about you?

Bey's Busy 2013




Beyonce not only has the Super Bowl coming up in February, but she has directed a documentary for HBO set to premiere that same month, and readying new music for the fans. Bey may drop two singles before she is set to perform at the halftime show and no one knows if one will be a duet with her hubby Jay Z (whom she was seen in the studio with recently) or a song produced or sung with Miguel (whom she was also in the studio with).

 TLE Readers I will keep you posted as to when the new music drops!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Alicia Covers January's Essence


Cover Girl   Alicia Keys has a new CD Girl on Fire and is making the rounds amongst publications. She will be featured on newsstands on the January issue of Essence and was recently on the cover of JET as well. Have any of you heard the new CD and if you have what are your thoughts? I still miss the Alicia Keys of old, but her new sound has been getting some great reviews. Sound off!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Channing Tatum: People's Sexiest Man Alive










Despite what we may think about his acting prowess, Channing Tatum has been given the title of Sexiest Man Alive 2012 by People Magazine.  Channing's career has really taken off since Step Up, and he has been making some really good choices as far as roles. The Vow back in February garnered good reviews as well as major box office. 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike followed and also did good office. I haven't seen the latter two films, but I heard both performances were good. Channing really impressed me in The Vow opposite Rachel McAdams and solidified himself as a romantic leading man.

TLE readers what are your thoughts on People's pick? Did they make the right choice, or would you have gone with someone else?

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Nahla To Remain in the States




Halle Berry's petition to move her daughter to France has been denied. The courts ruled against it despite Berry's pleas the move would help to protect her daughter from the paparazzi that constantly follows the child and her mother around.

Ashley Greene's Scary New Role



Post Twilight plans for Ashley Greene may include the movie Satanic.

Ashley is up for the lead role of Justine, one of several college students stuck on campus for Thanksgiving who are the targets of a group of violent thugs.

Haley Bennett has already signed onto the movie. Bennett was last seen in Arcadia Lost.

This isn't Greene's first foray into horror. She was recently seen in The Apparition with Sebastian Stan.

Jodie Foster To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award @ Golden Globes

One of my favorite actresses Jodie Foster seems entirely too young to be receiving a lifetime achievement award, but that's exactly what will happen on January 13th at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards. Foster will be joining the ranks of Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, and Jack Nicholson as a recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award which is a testament to an exemplary career that started at the tender age of 3.

She will next be seen in "Elysium" with Matt Damon.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Kristen Stewart Joins Ben Affleck On Focus




The Twilight saga will soon be a thing of the past for Kristen Stewart who is now moving on from the teen vampire tale to more adult fare. This movie Focus with Ben Affleck sounds about as far from Bella as one can get. In this movie Kristen will play a grifter who will team up with Affleck an experienced grifter to undoubtedly perform some great heist. No word on when this movie will be released.

Kristen's last film Snow White and the Huntsman did very well at the box office although the love affair that sparked between Kristen and the director of that film, Rupert Sanders is   what people remember more so than the movie itself.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Kim Cattrall Lands New Series







Kim Cattrall is best known for her spot on comedic timing in Sex and the City as
sex pot publicist Samantha Jones. I was pleased to learn that she is returning to television as the star of a reboot of the British comedy Sensitive Skin.

The show revolves around the mid life crisis of the lead character, and Cattrall is going to executive produce the show alongside Don McKellar.

The show is set to air in Canada first and is still looking for a U.S. network to pick it up. HBO was one of the original networks interested but that deal fell through.

CBS Buys Queen Latifah's Talk Show








Queen Latifah has proven herself a force to be reckoned with in film, music, television, and as a producer. Next fall she will be returning to television screens on a daily basis as the host of The Queen Latifah Show on CBS.  The show will cover a host of topics including pop culture and human interest. Will and Jada Smith are also on board as co producers along with Latifah’s own Flavor Unit Entertainment.

Even with the talk show gig, Latifah will still make films under her production umbrella.  Flavor Unit is rumored to have several films under production.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

New Jobs for Members of Hollywood Black Pack







Morris Chestnut will be joining the Showtime hit Nurse Jackie for season 5. He will play a former army medic who joins the staff as a trauma doctor.

This comes on the heels of the news that Larenz Tate and Nia Long will be joining the Don Cheadle led ensemble of House of Lies. Tate is playing Don's brother on the show. No word on who Nia will be playing as of yet.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Official Trailer/Poster for Iron Man 3






One of my favorite actors is Robert Downey Jr., and I think his best role is that of Iron Man. In the role of Tony Stark, Robert gets to play up his best attributes: his wit and undeniable sex appeal which is really evident in this role. It seems like a long time until May but Iron Man 3 promises to kick off the summer movie season in a big way. It looks to be a tad darker than the previous films and the romance between Pepper and Tony is definitely on which will thrill the fans of the superhero and his lady love. Check out the trailer below.

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/marvel/ironman3/

Friday, October 19, 2012

Beyonce Will Headline 2013 Super Bowl

I am not a football fan, but I will be catching the halftime show featuring Beyonce. The Grammy winner announced her participation in the Super Bowl festivities by posting this cute pic to her website.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Web Star Issa Rae Scores W/ ABC Deal/Tyler Perry Brings His Brand to OWN

IssaHeadshot  The web series The Misadventures of An Awkward Black Girl  has been very good to Issa Rae. The cyber hit which has grown in popularity since its debut has struck a cord with fans like myself who can relate to her character J's work and love woes.I find myself following the show's monthly episodes like I once did the soaps. Will J find a better job than the one she has with Gut Busters, a weight loss company? Will J and White Jay her boyfriend ever get horizontal? Will the office bitch Nina ever get her comeuppance? These and many more questions keep me tuning in but the best news this week was hearing that Issa and Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and Private Practice producer Shonda Rhimes will be co producing Issa's first foray into network t v with the pilot I Hate L A Dudes.  Shonda's a hit making machine so all eyes are on this project to follow in the footsteps of her other hits and to put Issa in a prime position to become a major player in Hollywood.



Speaking of major players, Oprah Winfrey has brought Tyler Perry on board OWN to create some scripted content for the network. While a lot of you hate on T P's success you have to admit the man has the midas touch when it comes to scoring big in t v and film.  I'm sure Oprah will have final say over what eventually comes on the air waves so those that have tired of Madea can rest tonight knowing that Tyler will probably stay away from the character and introduce new characters and possibly even delve into some dramatic territory. Whatever the case I'm sure it will be a success for the network!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

P!nk's Truth About Love Is A Great Listen!


I preordered P!nk's CD The Truth About Love, and the disc does not disappoint! There are many great songs on the CD including the standard rock tunes P!nk is known for as well as some great ballads.  P!nk does collaborate with some other artists this time around like Eminem, Lily Rose Cooper, and Nate Ruess whose talents add rather than take away from the compilation. The whole CD is worth downloading so I am not going to single out any one song, but I strongly suggest you head to Amazon or I Tunes and preview the songs for yourself!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Christina Aguilera Readying New Compilation






Christina Aguilera's job as The Voice's sole female judge has not made her forget her roots as one of pop music's most stellar performers. Fans of the chanteuse will be glad to hear that her latest collection Lotus will consist of what Aguilera does best which is dance music and big, sultry ballads. The collection will hit stores in November, and "Your Body" is slated to be the first single and will hit airwaves on 9/14.

















Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Girlfriends: L A Confidential /My Review

The new season is upon us and with that comes new reality shows as well as scripted series. The one I have been most excited about is Oxygen's Girlfriends: L A Confidential. The show stars Eva Marcille, Denyce Lawton, Nikki Chu, and Kelly Marie Dunn as besties navigating love, career, and friendship in Los Angeles.

From what I have seen so far, my faves are Eva (who is famous for winning the 3rd season of America's Top Model) and Kelly Marie who is trying her best to balance a great career and a relationship with her hot boyfriend. As far as resident bitch, that title seems to belong to Denyce who seems to be the drama queen of the bunch. I just read in the press release for the show that Denyce is dealing with a broken engagement and the murder of a sibling so this explains  Denyce's overly emotional state.

What this show promises to not bring to the table is the barbaric antics of those other reality shows that we all watch but pretend not to. I will continue to tune in because Eva is a fave of mine from her Top Model days so let's see if she and her crew have what it takes to take on the likes of Basketball Wives, The Real Housewives, and Love and Hip Hop. 

 If you have yet to see it, download the pilot for free from I Tunes, or catch it on Oxygen every Monday at 11 PM.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Leave Well Enough Alone: My Sparkle Review






I saw Sparkle last week and must say I only went because of the hype and to see the late, great Whitney Houston. I left the theatre two hours later, thoroughly unimpressed with the movie as a whole. To be perfectly honest, Jordin Sparks did a good job as the title character. I enjoyed Carmen Ejogo more though as the tragic Sister, a woman whose obsession with fame and money leads her down the wrong path with the wrong man. The movie strayed from the original in several ways, but I will say the character of the mother was beefed up considerably for Houston. Sparkle was Houston's baby but it never should have been her swan song. I hate that the Waiting to Exhale sequel won't be her last film instead of this half baked reboot.


If you want my opinion, rent the original Sparkle and skip the new one until it comes to Redbox or Netflix. Trust me the original story is way better even though the new version has more flash due to a bigger budget , bigger stars, and Mara and Salim Akil at the helm.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Miranda Priestly Returns!!



Today has been a good day. I have been out taking care of business and just found out some good news. One of my favorite NYC tales is getting a sequel. No not Sex and the City, (thank God) but The Devil Wears Prada.  Lauren Weisberger, the author of the book is penning a sequel which will take place ten years later and will follow our heroine Andy and her former co worker/nemesis at Runway and now best bud Emily as they edit the bridal magazine Plunge.  Andy has come a long way since she was just a lowly assistant with bad fashion taste. She has even scored a wealthy boyfriend named Max in addition to her editorial job. Miranda Priestly's fierceness will also be back, and I cannot wait to read how her character has progressed over the years.

The book entitled Revenge Wears Prada is set to be released April of next year and I can hardly wait. Weisberger's books are good reads and I loved the Miranda Priestly character. Here's hoping for a film adaptation of the sequel starring the original cast.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Natalie's New Role



After seeing Natalie Portman in The Other Boleyn Girl, I finally realized how bad she really is so needless to say I would much rather see her play tough roles than nut cases like in Black Swan. In Jane Got A Gun, Natalie plays a wife who is forced to defend her home against her husband's fellow outlaw cronies after they nearly kill him. She also turns to a former lover to assist her with the ordeal.

Lynne Ramsay, the director of We Need to Talk About Kevin is the director.

Paula Replaces Taraji in Baggage Claim



David Talbert's book Baggage Claim is being made into a film starring the beautiful Paula Patton. It will center around a flight attendant determined to find love and Patton is said to be stepping into a role vacated by Taraji Henson. I read the book a few years back and from what I remember it was a cute read. If you all haven't read it, pick it up so you can get the jest of what the film will be about.

Shaunie O'Neal Teams Up W/ Our Stories Films for Big Screen Basketball Wives




This was first reported a few weeks ago, but since I have been absent from the blogosphere for a hot minute I am just now blogging about it. Shaunie, the producer of the show that everyone wants to hate, but keeps watching (Basketball Wives) has teamed up with Our Stories films headed by Tracey Edmonds to bring the shenanigans of the former wives and baby mommas to the big screen.

No it won't star Evelyn or Tami but when I get wind of the casting choices I will let you know!


Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy in the Same Movie? YES!!




Buddy cop movies have long been the territory of men, but now the game is changing. Bridesmaids director Paul Feig has recruited Oscar winner Sandra Bullock and Bridesmaids scene stealer Melissa McCarthy for a comedy about a brash Boston cop and a by the book FBI agent on the trail of a Russian criminal.  Melissa will be playing the cop and Bullock the agent.  No release date is set, but if it's half as funny as Bridesmaids I'm there!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Hollywood Trainer Jeanette Jenkins Gets Lifestyle Series


BET and Akil Productions have teamed up with trainer to the stars Jeanette Jenkins to bring a lifestyle series to the network. Jeanette's show will have celeb guests popping in occasionally but will mostly cater to regular folks who want to live healthier lifestyles. Jeanette will be recruiting some of her Twitter followers to appear as guests on the new show which has no premiere date as of yet.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

J Lo's Glowing


Jennifer Lopez



Glowing is Jennifer Lopez's 18th perfume and is described as a more "New Yorky, darker, sexier" version of the original Glow, Jennifer's first fragrance. The new version also has notes of bergamot, mandarin, cypress, sandalwood, vanilla, and cashmere musk. Oh and get this: the bottle actually glows!

Glowing will be carried at Kohl's Department Stores nationwide.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Actress On the Rise: Latarsha Rose




An actress with a very brief role in The Hunger Games has been chosen to play Gabrielle Union's bestie in the BET series Being Mary Jane. Latarsha Rose is the lucky lady who has won the role of Dr. Lisa Hudson, a celibate woman with strong religious beliefs. I don't know much about Latarsha, but I am looking forward to seeing her abilities as an actress in this part since I barely remember her from The  Hunger Games

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Pam Grier's Bio Gets Optioned for the Big Screen






Pam Grier who rose to fame in the 70's as the preeminent Black sex symbol wrote a bio that is being adapted for the big screen. Even though I have yet to read it I now it can be the perfect vehicle for the right actress to star in. Which Black actress is capable of filling the shoes of the one and only Grier onscreen?  Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, and Megan Good come to mind but maybe a fresh face no one has heard of can play the part. Any suggestions?





























Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Downey Jr. Lawyers Up

robert downey jr gravity 15 3 10 kc Robert Downey Jr. to Produce and Star in Yucatan


The Judge sounds like the perfect vehicle to get Robert Downey Jr. back to his dramatic chops. I mean he's going to be great in the third installment of Iron Man and May's The Avengers, but it's long overdue for Robert to exercise his dramatic talents.


The Judge will find Downey playing a lawyer who goes home after his mom passes away and learns that his Alzheimer's stricken father is a suspect in a murder case. The movie is being helmed by the Academy Award winning writer of The King's Speech and directed by David Dobkin. Team Downey Productions is behind the project.

'Take This Waltz' Trailer Finds Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Luke Kirby in a Love Triangle (Video) - Hollywood Reporter





'Take This Waltz' Trailer Finds Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen and Luke Kirby in a Love Triangle (Video) - Hollywood Reporter:

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This is the type of vehicle I love to see Michelle in!

Taylor's New Gig!

T

Taylor Lautner may do a cameo in the sequel for Grown Ups. Love Taylor, but Sandler movies are a hit or miss unfortunately. I applaude Taylor for wanting to expand beyond the Twilight franchise and wish him well beyond it, but is this the way to go? We'll see!

Birthday and Anniversary Shoutouts





April 4th is the birthday of one of my favorite actors, Robert Downey Jr. It is also the fourth anniversary for new parents/superstar couple Beyonce and Jay Z. Let's all wish them a great day!

New Title for Gabby's BET Series




BET's new series Single Black Female which is set to star Gabrielle Union has undergone a name change. It's now being called Being Mary Jane and even though some took issue with the original title, I would personally prefer it to the bland Being Mary Jane. Am I alone in this?

Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, and R. Kelly team up for Sparkle soundtrack | The Music Mix | EW.com

Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, and R. Kelly team up for Sparkle soundtrack | The Music Mix | EW.com:

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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

DVD Review: My Week w/ Marilyn




This movie was boring and overrated. I normally like Michelle Williams and have been a fan since Dawson's Creek but was not impressed with her as Marilyn Monroe. Or maybe it was just the movie I was not impressed with. If it had not been for the premise maybe I would have enjoyed the movie more. Knowing that Marilyn beguiled this young kid for a week during the shooting of The Prince and the Showgirl was of no interest to me. A movie about her affairs with the Kennedy brothers would have interested me more. I remember a movie made back in 1980 called Marilyn:The Untold Story that starred Catherine Hicks (the mom from 7th Heaven) which was in my opinion a more vivid picture of the icon than this movie. Marilyn was made to look  like a needy dumb blonde and it was hard to feel any empathy for her at all. A part of me kind of wished this movie was about Olivier and not Marilyn since Branagh's performance was more layered.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Melanie Fiona Takes Us On a Journey Through Her MF Life


Melanie Fiona has the total package: looks, the voice, and undeniable stage presence. It wasn't until the "sista" anthem It Kills Me  was released off her debut disc The Bridge that the masses actually started taking notice of the talented Canadian. There were several should have been hit songs on the compilation but It Kills Me  made the most impact with radio.

The MF Life does not disappoint. It's a great followup to The Bridge,  and it also has appearances from Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Nas, B.O.B. and J. Cole. Melanie also won two well deserved Grammys last month to solidify her standing in the game for her collaboration with Ceelo on the R&B hit "Fool For You" (which should have been included on the disc IMO).

Melanie says The MF Life  covers a lot of ground in terms of its meaning. Melanie has seen both success and misfortune on her ride to to the top of the charts but refuses to allow her fans to only hear part of the journey. In the press release for the new disc Melanie states "I feel it would be dishonest if everything was all about glitz and glamour. It's about the balance of life, the yin and the yang, the good and the bad, all of that.

Do yourself a favor and download The MF Life.  You won't be disappointed!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Steel Magnolia's Cast Announcement


Steel Magnolias







I am chomping at the bit now for the premiere of the all Black version of Steel Magnolias being shot here in Atlanta.  The cast includes Phylicia Rashad, Queen Latifah, Condola Rashad, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye, and Miss Jill Scott. The movie is set to premiere on Lifetime although there has not been a date set as to when it will air.

Evelyn Lozada's Brand Expands




Evelyn Lozada, the glass throwing, foul mouthed former bestie of Jennifer Williams and one of the stars of Basketball Wives has a lot of reasons to be smiling these days. Her makeup collection E by Evelyn Lozada has finally been released and the spinoff reality show Ocho and Ev detailing her and Ochocinco's upcoming nuptials has been greenlit by VH1. She also has that book series coming out via Cash Money's publishing arm about pro athletes and the women that love them.

Regardless of how one feels about these reality shows and the women who star in them, I still applaude any woman who knows that the popularity of these shows will one day wane and that they need to expand their coffers while there is still interest. Get your Bethenny Frankel on Ev, and those shadows from your cosmetics line look hot BTW ;)

Salli Whitfield's New Gig


Salli Richardson-Whitfield has been added to the growing cast of Roseanne Barr's pilot "Downwardly Mobile". Salli, who rose to fame in movies like "Posse", "A Low Down Dirty Shame",  and was the star of the indie hit "I Will Follow" last year will play one of Roseanne's tenants at the trailer park she owns on the sitcom. The character, described as a rich bitch who is the wife of a disgraced hedge fund collector will butt heads with Roseanne which should make for some funny t v.

I was a fan of "Roseanne" back in the day so I am looking forward to the comedienne's return to network television.


   




'Breaking Dawn -- Part 2' teaser | Inside Movies | EW.com

'Breaking Dawn -- Part 2' teaser | Inside Movies | EW.com:

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Beyonce books first post-birth concerts in Atlantic City | The Music Mix | EW.com

Beyonce books first post-birth concerts in Atlantic City | The Music Mix | EW.com:

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Monday, February 13, 2012

Grammys 2012: Winners' list | The Music Mix | EW.com

I did not want to watch the Grammys due to the loss of Whitney and the fact I knew it was going to be a dour affair, but I did watch the first hour and got a chance to see Adele win for Someone Like You. Here is the complete list of winners and it looks like Adele swept!
Grammys 2012: Winners' list | The Music Mix | EW.com:

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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Viola Davis Scores 2 More Projects Post The Help



Best Actress frontrunner Viola Davis has two projects on deck, one being the futuristic tale Enders Game and the other Beautiful Creatures. The former will center around an alien race and the genius assigned by the government to destroy it. Davis is set to play a military psychologist and her costars include Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, and Abigail Breslin.

Beautiful Creatures is the one that has peaked my interest the most. It centers around two teens who must confront a curse that has haunted one of the teen's family for generations. Davis has the pivotal role of a librarian who will do whatever she can to protect one of the teen's interests.

These two projects, in addition to the Dee Rees project she's developing for Home Box Office has made me really excited for Viola's future in an industry that has been less than kind to darker skinned women.