News

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his production company, G-Unit Film and Television, are executive producing a new gangster drama that’s set to star Omar Epps, who is known for his work in films like Juice and Higher Learning, as well as the shows House and Power Book III: Raising Kanan. Epps will star alongside rappers Wiz Khalifa and Quavo, along with actor Chukwudi Iwuji, who starred in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Day of the Jackal.

According to Deadline, the film will be “a story about a gangster in modern-day Chicago, inspired by the repentance story of the fifth-century saint of the same name.” Epps is set to portray a Chicago gang leader and the lead character, Malik. Meanwhile, Wiz Khalifa will play a character with the moniker, 2wo-3ree, who is the confident and volatile leader of Malik’s young crew. This will mark the Grammy-nominated...

Decades after rocking the foundation of the music scene with the group N.W.A., Ice Cube has been a diamond in the rough in the movie world. He's consistently strong across genres, including action with Anaconda, comedies with Friday, Fist Fight, Ride Along, and Barbershop, and occasionally shows his dramatic side with films such as Higher Learning and Three Kings. Cube’s cinematic success can be traced all the way back to the seminal urban drama, Boyz n the Hood.

Rachel Lindsay is speaking out about her now finalized divorce from Bryan Abasolo.

The 39-year-old The Bachelorette alum’s ex filed for divorce a year ago, and it has now been finalized.

Months later, she revealed the divorce was “unnecessarily messy” as the former couple did not have a prenup.

While she isn’t saying much, Rachel broke her silence after the divorce was finalized, and she shared she won’t be skipping out on a prenup if she gets married again.

Keep reading to find out more…

“I’m divorced. Thank you, God,” she said on the latest episode of her Higher Learning podcast. “Give me some freedom music. Some freedom music.”

“From the moment he finally left the house, after being here for seven months post-separation, I felt divorced,” Rachel added. “I’ll be honest, there’s a lot I want to say.”

“I haven’t talked, but...

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay is opening up a little more about her divorce from Bryan Abasolo. Their divorce was finalized on January 7 after a year of negotiations. She was ordered to pay him a half million dollars as part of their settlement. Now, she is speaking more about things that have been said about her over the past year. Keep reading to find out what she has to say.

Rachel Lindsay Slams Critics

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay opened up a bit more about her divorce on her podcast, Higher Learning. There are a few things she wanted to address now the divorce is officially finalized. She started out by saying, “I’m divorced, thank you God.”

Bryan Abasolo lived in their home with her for seven months after filing for divorce. When he moved out she noted the divorce felt final to her. Now, she’s glad it’s all finally complete.

For Rachel Lindsay, her long romantic nightmare is finally over.

Earlier this week, over a year since she filed for divorce from Bryan Abasolo, the former Bachelorette lead at last completed the legal process.

Yes, folks. Rachel Lindsay is finally single. Officially.

Rachel Lindsay speaks onstage for “Fandoms Are Culture: How Creators & Content Grow on Spotify” during the “Now Playing” Creator Day hosted by Spotify at its Los Angeles Campus on November 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Spotify)

“I’m divorced. Thank you, God,” Lindsay said during January 10 episode of her Higher Learning podcast. “Give me some freedom music. Some freedom music.”

After joking around for a bit, the reality grew serious … explaining to co-host Van Lathan how it’s “a very weird feeling” to actually be free from her marriage.

“From the moment he finally left the house, after being here for seven months post-separation,...

Bradford English had a screen acting career that spanned from 1971 to 2010, and over those 39 years he racked up more than 70 credits – but for many of us, he’s best remembered for playing the drunk, abusive blowhard John Strode in the 1995 horror sequel Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. Sadly, we lost English right before Halloween this year, as it has been reported that he passed away on October 25th in Pasadena, California at the age of 82.

English was born in South Orange, New Jersey on January 16, 1942. His obituary can be found online and says he “was a true force of life and was filled with love. He was a husband and a family man who was survived by his loving wife and high school sweetheart Cecelia Gail English. Together they created a beautiful family of four children: James Bradford English Jr., Jeffrey Brennan English, Kristin Lunney English and Colleen Margaret Theresa English.

As the 2024 year starts to close out, Hulu is bringing even more cinematic goodies to its slate for November.

And TheWrap is here to give a list of the best of the best of what’s to come on the streamer and what’s already added that you can enjoy. From thought-provoking dramas to fresh, animated flicks that will warm your heart and more, we’ve got it all here for you.

Check out the seven best new movies on Hulu this month.

“Higher Learning” (Columbia Pictures) “Higher Learning” (1995)

In “Higher Learning,” late writer-director John Singleton takes viewers to class at Columbia University in 1990s Los Angeles, where incoming freshmen — Malik Williams (Omar Epps), Remy (Michael Rapaport) and (Kristy Swanson) strive to find their identities on the campus. But when Remy starts hanging with a group of neo-Nazis, the already broken unity at the institution reaches an all-time high.

Available on Hulu Nov.

Hulu offers a wide array of films and series refreshed monthly, with over 100 new movies and TV shows coming to the platform in November. Launched in 2007, Hulu has been at the forefront of the streaming service boom since the very beginning, and it's one of the most popular services thanks to its rich catalog of new and classic movies and shows. From hosting series from networks like FX and ABC to producing original films and shows, Hulu has become an indispensable source of entertainment.

October 2024 was a busy month for the platform with the return of some popular series, including What We Do in the Shadows and Abbott Elementary. There were also plenty of horror titles for the Halloween season. Looking ahead to November 2024, Hulu is once again getting into the festive season with the addition of a variety of Christmas content, including TV movies, reality specials, and holiday movie favorites.

November 2024 brings a diverse array of movies and shows to Hulu, catering to a wide range of tastes and interests. From classic holiday films to gripping dramas and entertaining reality series, there’s something for everyone. Viewers can dive into beloved titles like A Christmas Carol (1984) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. For fans of action and adventure, the month features iconic films such as Aliens, Ghost Rider, and the Chronicles of Narnia series. Those seeking laughter can enjoy comedies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and Grown Ups, while romantic and family-friendly options like La La Land and Elf add a touch of warmth. Additionally, Hulu is expanding its lineup with complete seasons of popular reality shows like Are You The One?, Hoarders, and Marriage Boot Camp. The month also includes special premieres, such as the 58th Annual CMA Awards and a series on The Stanford Prison Experiment,...

October was huge for Disney+ and Hulu — but which month isn’t? After the weekly installments of “Agatha All Along” and the staple that is Huluween, the bundled streamers gear up for winter programming this November.

Disney+ continues to be the home for live episodes of “Dancing With the Stars” and the original series “Ayla & The Mirrors,” which continues to air new episodes. Along with new children’s programming and holiday specials like “An Almost Christmas Story,” the streamer will premiere “The Music of John Williams” on November 1, celebrating the acclaimed film composer and his decades-long career with new footage and interviews from those he worked with and inspired.

It’s another big month for movies coming to Hulu, as well as beloved shows like “Ally McBeal” (complete series). Stay tuned for an adaptation of Charles Yu’s “Interior Chinatown” and the docuseries “It’s All Country,” as well as...

Variety continued its three-day Executive Interview Studio, presented by Canva, as part of New York’s 2024 Advertising Week. This round of discussions included podcasting elites like Rachel Lindsay, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actress Camila Cabello, and executives from Spotify, Warner Bros., NBCUniversal and Ford, all moderated by Variety editors.

The conversations tackled recent advancements in technology, marketing and the ever-changing use of generative AI.

Below are some of the major takeaways from the second day.

Camila Cabello, Rachel Lindsay and Spotify’s Jessica Levinsohn Discuss Creativity, Connecting With Fans And What’s Next

Podcaster Rachel Lindsay, singer-songwriter Camilla Cabello and Jessica Levinsohn, global business brand marketing at Spotify, gathered to discuss how the audio platform aids in the distribution of their content, the discovery of their new material and their preferred use of AI.

Levinsohn highlighted how Spotify is set apart from other social media platforms, “We want fans to...

Jim Henson's 1986 film "Labyrinth" is a deeply beloved classic among kids of a certain age. It presents the raw sexuality of David Bowie, playing a sexy goblin lord in tights, his bulging package kickstarting millions of kids' puberties. At the beginning of the film, the main character, the 16-year-old Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) wants nothing more than to live in a fantasy world, happy to remain in her pretty-princess phase indefinitely. However, when Bowie's goblin king kidnaps her baby brother Toby (Toby Froud), she learns that living in such a world is wild and off-putting. Most of the film is a random, light adventure, but one scene points out that Sarah is unduly clinging onto her childhood trinkets.

She learns the lesson of I Corinthians 13:11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man,...

Winsome Sinclair, the casting director who helped bring in actors for Waiting to Exhale, Amistad, Precious, The Best Man and a dozen films directed by Spike Lee, has died. She was 58.

Sinclair died Monday in hospice care on Long Island after a long battle with colon cancer, publicist Clorissa Wright-Thomas told The Hollywood Reporter. Her family was at her bedside.

The New York native launched the global casting agency Winsome Sinclair and Associates in New York in 1996, then relocated the business to Atlanta in 2014 amid that city’s production boom.

Sinclair also cast extras for the John Singleton-directed features Higher Learning (1995), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) and Abduction (2011), for the Malcolm D. Lee-helmed The Best Man (1999) and Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016) and for the Dee Rees-directed Pariah (2011) and Bessie (2015).

She handled similar duties on the Hughes brothers’ Dead Presidents (1995), Forest Whitaker’s Waiting to Exhale (1995), Steven Spielberg’s...

Tubi, Fox’s free streaming service, has announced its list of August titles. The Tubi August 2024 slate features new Tubi Originals and numerous action, art house, Black cinema, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, kids and family, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller, and Western titles.

As a leading ad-supported video-on-demand service, the company engages diverse audiences through a personalized experience and the world’s largest content library: over 200,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of Tubi Originals, and nearly 250 Fast channels.

You can watch the Tubi August 2024 lineup for free on Android and iOS mobile devices, Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub Max, Comcast Xfinity X1, and Cox Contour.

You can also watch the service on connected television devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Vizio TVs, Sony TVs, Samsung TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and on the Tubi site.

Tubi Originals

Documentary

Defying Death:...

Best known for playing Leatherface in the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its prequel The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, Andrew Bryniarski has a screen acting career that stretches back more than thirty years, and his forty-plus non-Chainsaw credits include playing Butterfinger in Hudson Hawk, Wyatt Beaudry in Necessary Roughness, Chip in Batman Returns, Steve Lattimer in The Program, Zangief in Street Fighter, Knocko in Higher Learning, Patrick ‘Madman’ Kelly in Any Given Sunday, Joe the Boxer in Pearl Harbor, Halloran in Rollerball, and Count Dracula in Dracula’s Guest. Unfortunately, it’s been a few years since Bryniarski has had a prominent acting role and he has fallen on some hard times – so he’s seeking help from his fans through a GoFundMe campaign.

Bryniarski explains the situation he’s currently in: “Recently, wildfires forced me to evacuate my home in California, leaving me displaced and uncertain about the future.

Exclusive: Paramount has rounded out the cast for its untitled Naked Gun reboot with four additions: Liza Koshy (Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts), current WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, Cch Pounder (Rustin) and Busta Rhymes.

No word on the roles they’re playing, but we’re told Rhodes will only be making a cameo. As previously announced, Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand and Danny Huston will also star. Neeson plays Detective Frank Drebin, with Hauser as his partner Ed. Roles for Anderson and Huston haven’t yet emerged, though it’s understood that Durand will be playing the film’s villain.

Akiva Schaffer is directing and exec producing the comedy, slated for release on July 18, 2025. Dan Gregor and Doug Mand wrote the draft script along with Schaffer. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins are producing via Fuzzy Door, with Daniel M. Stillman also serving as EP.

Known...

Rachel Lindsay is speaking out for the first time since news of her divorce broke.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that he 38-year-old The Bachelorette star’s husband Bryan Abasolo filed for divorce after four years of marriage, citing the date of separation as December 31.

Now several days after the 43-year-old chiropractor filed, Rachel addressed their split during a new episode of her Higher Learning podcast.

Keep reading to find out more…

“I didn’t think I would get emotional,” Rachel said in the episode, which was released on Friday, Jan. 5. “First off I just want to say thank you for people who reached out. I’m still trying to reply to people. You just never know how great your circle is until you see all the people that reach out and love you.”

Referencing her split from Bryan, Rachel said, “Obviously it’s a difficult time, if you’ve read the headlines,...

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's on-screen chemistry in Titanic is fundamental to the film's success, but they weren't the first choices for the roles. Gwyneth Paltrow turned down the role of Rose in Titanic, jokingly stating that she chose other films with "great characters and stories" instead of a movie about a ship. Despite missing out on Titanic, Paltrow's career remained successful, and she went on to win an Oscar for her lead role in Shakespeare in Love just two years later.

We know an actor has nailed the role perfectly when their performance is deemed "iconic" and forever imprinted in our minds in such a way that we can't possibly picture someone else playing the character. Of course, an occupational hazard in filmmaking, actors do turn down or are rejected from famous roles in Hollywood. In the case of Titanic, James Cameron's original casting choices didn't materialize,...

All titles below begin streaming for free on October 1 unless otherwise noted:

Originals

Documentary

TMZ Presents:

Tragically Viral

– 10/11-

What happens when the quest for clicks goes too far? TMZ examines the dark & sometimes deadly side of social media in Tragically Viral.

Scariest Monsters In The World

-10/18-

Join us as we embark on this international countdown of the scariest monsters in the world – who will be on your list as the most creepy?

TMZ No Bs: Rich, Famous & Terrified Stars

-10/25-

TMZ examines some of the most downright terrifying experiences celebs have faced that prove being a celebrity isn’t all glitz & glamor.

Horror

Dante’S Hotel

-10/13-

When an unknown assailant preys on a haunted hotel’s patrons, an event planner teams up with a mysterious tenant who’s dark past is the key to freeing the cursed hotel

The Devil Comes To Kansas City

-...

On the surface, the whimsy of Pee-wee’s Playhouse appears to be worlds apart from the solemnity of Boyz N the Hood, other than the curious resemblance between Cowboy Curtis and Furious Styles. But it’s no coincidence that Laurence Fishburne and other key creatives were part of both projects.

As a USC film student in the late 1980s, John Singleton spent one summer working as a security guard-slash-production assistant on the set of Pee-wee’s Playhouse. “John was the lowest of lowly PAs,” recalled Fishburne on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 1995. “He was working on the door and his job was to stop people at the door and go, ‘Are you supposed to be here? Do you have the proper ID?’”

Singleton would press Fishburne for stories of working with Spike Lee, as the actor had appeared in School Daze a few months prior. The budding filmmaker...

Rapper Kanye West was ridiculed over his anti-Semitic outbursts in ‘The Idol’ finale.

The 46-year-old rapper was dismissed by a string of big-name brands in the wake of his statements, and sued by an ex-employee in November over multiple instances in which he allegedly praised Hitler and Nazism in various business meetings, and was the butt of a joke as HBO’s controversial series wrapped up, reports aceshowbiz.com.

During Sunday’s July 2 finale of the show, Lily-Rose Depp’s pop star character Jocelyn referenced Kanye’s reported appreciation for Adolf Hitler.

The 24-year-old actress’ character put on a showcase for her management team in an attempt to convince them she was ready to go back on tour and her agent on the show said, “You know, f****** Kanye was filling arenas until he decided to start following Adolf Hitler.”

It was an apparent reference to how Jocelyn let herself...

Sunday night’s 2023 BET Awards gave one of the greatest his flowers.

During “culture’s biggest night,” Busta Rhymes was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award — presented by Marlon Wayans and Swizz Beatz — where he shared an inspirational message in his acceptance speech, and got emotional while reflecting on the award.

Speaking with Et’s Kevin Frazier after the show at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, Rhymes explained what, exactly, brought him to tears during his speech.

“I was thinking about everyone that I acknowledged. I was thinking about the ones I couldn’t get to because I ain’t have enough time,” Rhymes explained. “[And] I’m looking at my kids for the first time all together at such a prestigious moment in my life.”

Several of the artist’s six kids were in the audience on Sunday, and Rhymes admitted that it was their love and support that really moved him.

If you’re wondering what’s new on Amazon Prime Video in June, the answer is a lot. The streamer has a solid slate of movies heading into summer 2023. From the first two “Creed” films to “Love, Rosie,” “Yours, Mine & Ours” and other clever romantic comedies, the streamer has a range of options for viewers with different tastes. Newer theatrical releases arriving on the streamer in June include “TÁR,” “Armageddon Time,” and “M3GAN.”

TV premieres to look forward to include Boots Riley’s “I’m A Virgo” and the fourth and final season of John Krasinski’s “Jack Ryan.” “Crazy Rich Asians” arrives early in June, followed by “Interstellar” for all Christopher Nolan and Matthew McConaughey lovers. Even though “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” doesn’t release in theaters until November, all four “Hunger Games” films land on Prime Video this June. Perfect timing — maybe even with a reread...

With its list of new releases for June 2023, Prime is bringing a handful of Amazon Originals and many recent movie hits to the fold.

It’s actually quite a busy month for non-American programming in Amazon Originals department. Shows and movies like Deadloch, My Fault, and Medellín all originate from outside the U.S. and U.K. For the American and British crowd, however, the streamer is debuting two big tentpoles.

The first is I’m a Virgo on June 23. Acclaimed director Boots Riley’s TV followup to Sorry to Bother You will tale the surreal and satirical tale of a giant in Oakland. That will be followed by the more conventional (assumedly) fourth season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on June 30.

The real fireworks this month come from a ludicrously deep bench of library TV and movie titles. Give them a look for yourself below but if we were to highlight just a few,...

Tubi opens June with an intense WWII drama “Inglourious Basterds.” Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) assembles a team of five tough Jewish soldiers to spread fear throughout the Third Reich. They have one assignment: assassinate Nazi leaders. Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed the unconventional war drama. Eli Roth, Melanie Laurent, and Christopher Walz co-star.

Watch the trailer of “Inglourious Basterds”:

The network is also streaming the original documentary “Mystery Unsolved: The Adnan Syed Story” on June 7. The murder of teenager Hae Min Lee was the focal point of a “Serial” podcast, which questioned if boyfriend Syed was her killer. After serving 22 years in prison, Syed was released, still proclaiming his innocence. Now, he may return.

Another streamer original, “Magic Carpet Rides,” arrives June 14. It centers on a social influencer torn between sharing her budding romance or honoring her boyfriend’s request to keep their life private.

Check...

Coming June 8 to Peacock is “Based on a True Story,” a true-crime comedy thriller about a couple (Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina) who decide that getting involved in a murder will somehow save their marriage. All eight episodes will be released at once. This comical look at true crime is sure to entertain audiences, whether they are fans of the genre or not.

Check out the trailer for “Based on a True Story”:

On June 2, Peacock will premiere the new film “Shooting Stars.” The sports movie tells the story of LeBron James and how his high-school team at Akron’s St. Vincent/St. Mary High School became the No. 1 basketball team in the country. Also, how the friendships forged on the court have remained in place throughout the decades that followed.

Watch the “Shooting Stars” trailer:

Four of the five “Bourne” films are set to arrive on the service...

The fourth and final season of “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” arrives on Prime Video on June 30. It finds Ryan — now the new acting CIA director — unearthing internal corruption and suspicious black ops that leaves the United States vulnerable to attack. John Krasinski stars as the tough-as-nails Ryan.

Watch the “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” trailer:

“Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets” is a new docuseries that reveals the truth behind the myth of the wholesome religious family and their involvement with the predatory Bill Gothard and The Institute in Basic Life Principles. The organization’s abusive practices — and the insidious long political game it plays — is revealed on June 2. The Duggars and their 19 “happy” kids are exposed as frauds, while also being manipulated by Gothard and enduring the scandal of Josh, their sexually abusive son.

Check out the “Shiny Happy People” trailer:

When a body is found on the beach in the Tasmanian town of Deadloch,...

The full catalog for June 2023 on Peacock has arrived, teasing viewers with the arrival of major franchises and action classics from the '90s and early 2000s.

Franchises including Jurassic Park, certain entries from the Fast & Furious franchise and Kick-Ass are arriving this June on Peacock, along with new episodes of The Blacklist, Days of Our Lives and more.

Related: John Wick Spinoff Series Gets a Late 2023 Premiere Window

See Peacock's full June catalog below:

June 1

10 Things I Hate About You, 1999

Akeelah and the Bee, 2006

All Eyez On Me, 2017*

Art and Pep, 2022

The Bone Collector, 1999*

The Bourne Identity, 2002*

The Bourne Supremacy, 2004*

The Bourne Ultimatum, 2007*

The Bourne Legacy, 2012*

The Calling, 2014*

Casino, 1995*

The Fast and the Furious, 2001*

2 Fast 2 Furious, 2003*

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, 2006*

Fast & Furious, 2009*

Fast Five, 2011*

Field of Dreams, 1989*

Flushed Away, 2006

Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II, 2005

Higher Learning, 1995

Hurricane Season,...

A film becoming a cult classic is never a guarantee. Some movies have all the makings of cult classics but then end up having so much mainstream appeal that they just become classic classics instead (see: John Wick). Other movies are made with the sincerest aspirations to quality only to become fan favorites when they fall well short (see: The Room).

Still, many more films appear to have all the elements in play for cult classicdom but inevitably end up in a DVD bargain bin or streaming service backpage all the same. Most of them deserve such a fate. After all, not everything needs a fandom. Some, however, deserve a second look. A prime example is John Singleton’s 2005 action film Four Brothers.

Four Brothers is a story about, well … four brothers. The four Mercer boys were all adopted by the kindly Evelyn Mercer of Detroit, Michigan when no one...

Abbott Elementary, Atlanta and Better Call Saul are among the winners from the fourth night of the NAACP Image Awards‘ non-televised ceremonies.

Winners during Thursday’s night virtual ceremony encompassed the TV writing, TV directing and podcasting categories.

Brittani Nichols won best writing in a comedy series for Abbott Elementary, while Marissa Jo Cerar took the drama series writing award for Women of the Movement.

Angela Barnes won directing honors for the comedy series Atlanta, while Giancarlo Esposito won an NAACP Image Award for directing Better Call Saul.

Winners in the the podcasting categories included The Daily Show and LeVar Burton.

NAACP recognized winners in non-televised categories in virtual ceremonies over multiple nights. Beyoncé and Rihanna were among the winners from night one; Jennifer Hudson, Trevor Noah and Viola Davis were among those winning during night two; and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Quinta Brunson and Keke Palmer were among the night three winners.

Rachel Lindsay Abasolo has been making waves ever since she departed The Bachelorette and all related media. Rachel was a contestant on The Bachelor season 21 and the lead of The Bachelorette season 13. She was the first Black lead in the show’s history. Her last appearance in the franchise would come in 2018 with a brief appearance on The Bachelor Winter Games.

Rachel already had a fairly influential and admirable career in law before her time in the limelight. Her love of law, politics, and current events still shines through in the work she does today. Before joining The Bachelor franchise, Rachel worked full-time as a lawyer in Texas. She has since changed her career path from a lawyer to a more media-focused job.

Related: Bachelorette: Why Rachel Keeps Her Relationship With Bryan Private

Rachel Lindsay’s Time At Extra View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rachel Lindsay...

Sanaa Lathan's breakout performance came when she starred opposite Omar Epps in the 2000 romantic sports drama "Love & Basketball." Her character, Monica Wright, desires to become the first woman to play in the NBA, but her love for basketball is challenged by her relationship with Quincy McCall (Epps), who is the bigger hoops phenom of the two and at one point expects Monica to prioritize him and their relationship over her commitment to the game.

The title is a dead give away, but there's a lot of basketball in this movie –- and love too –- so, it is understandable that the film's writer and director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, wanted natural athletes in the lead roles. Her first choice for the male protagonist was Epps, who had experience playing pick-up basketball in the park; he played in a youth football league and studied martial arts too. A trio of films on...

Master Review Video — Master (2022) Video Movie Review, a movie directed by Mariama Diallo, written by Mariama Diallo, and starring Regina Hall, Zoe Renee, Talia Ryder, Talia Balsam, and Amber Gray. Crew Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe created the music for the film. Charlotte Hornsby crafted the cinematography for the film. Joshua Astrachan, Brad Becker-Parton, and Andrea Roa [...]

Continue reading: Video Movie Review: Master (2022): Destined to be the most Controversial Film Set on a College since Higher Learning...

Kristie Macosko Krieger, one of the producers for Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” says there was no way they could have pulled off shooting the 20th Century Studios remake without the aesthetic backdrop and financial incentives that the state of New Jersey provided. “We looked all around, and Paterson, N.J. gave a grit and an authenticity to the film that I don’t think we could have gotten anywhere else,” Krieger tells Variety. “They treated us like family, and that felt important since we were making a movie that was special to them and us.”

When it was announced that the two-time Academy Award-winning director of “Schindler’s List” (1993) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) would be remaking the classic 1961 best picture winner, the team knew the re-creation of the 1950s Upper West Side neighborhoods, in which the story takes place, couldn’t be done in the Big Apple. So instead,...

Regina King’s acting and directing career is abundant with accolades. So much so that the USC alumna reigns as the most awarded African-American performer to date with an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and four Primetime Emmys.

“I’m born and bred in L.A., when we got to see a film at the Chinese Theatre it was always an event because we could put our hands and feet on the prints of the movie stars,” she says. “I always wondered, was it hard to decide what shoe to wear? Who would have thunk I would answer my own question 40 years late …. yep! It is difficult to decide. I’m struggling between a pump and sneaker right now.”

Her legacy thus far is an eclectic mix of comedy (Friday) and drama (If Beale Street Could Talk), action (Watchmen) and adventure (The Harder They Fall). Her energy is palpable even when behind the scenes,...

On Feb. 9, everything changed for Chris Harrison. The affable, controversy-free host of “The Bachelor” sat down with former “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay on “Extra.” When asked a simple question about “Bachelor” winner Rachael Kirkconnell, whose former plantation party photos re-surfaced on social media, Harrison went to great lengths to defend the racially insensitive, controversial contestant in a long-winded exchange. As the situation exploded in backlash over social media, that interview was the beginning of a domino effect that would ultimately derail the veteran host’s 19-year tenure with the ABC franchise.

The strangest thing about the entire situation? Harrison was never even asked to participate in the “Extra” interview.

Multiple insiders tell Variety that Harrison participated in the interview on his own volition, but was never requested by a network or studio publicist to sit down for the press opportunity. When Lindsay asked a par-for-the-course question about Kirkconnell, the “Extra...

Ice Cube is feeling the love from his fans on his birthday, leaving the hip hop legend and Hollywood star feeling grateful. Because of his special day, Cube's name has been trending on Twitter as fans everywhere have been personally sending him happy birthday wishes. Among the many fans wishing Cube the very best for his 52nd birthday was Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bootsy Collins, whose tribute post on Twitter, quickly caught the attention of Cube himself.

"Happy Og Birthday Ice Cube & may u continue to G Funk with P Funk baba! Bootsy baby!!!" Collins wrote. "Nobody spreads love like my funky forefather Bootsy," Cube responded. "Today is a good day."

Nobody spreads love like my funky forefather Boosty. Today is a good day. https://t.co/CCQncngbCD

— Ice Cube (@icecube) June 15, 2021

In another tweet, Cube thanked the thousands of fans for sending him birthday wishes as well,...

Former Bachelorette has co-hosted the podcast with Becca Kufrin since 2019

Former “Bachelorette” star Rachel Lindsay is stepping away from her role as co-host of the “Bachelor Happy Hour” podcast, the show announced Tuesday.

Lindsay has co-hosted the official “Bachelor” companion podcast since its launch in 2019, originally with fellow Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky and later with Season 14 Bachelorette Becca Kufrin. The podcast is one of three official “Bachelor” franchise podcasts produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television. It features interviews with cast members from “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Bachelor in Paradise” and other “Bachelor” spin-offs.

No new co-host for Kufrin has been named, but Warner Bros. said Tuesday that a replacement would be announced at a “later date.”

Lindsay’s exit comes as the Wondery podcast reaches its 100th episode milestone and follows through on her earlier stated decision to leave the show at the end of her contract. It also severs her...

Rachel Lindsay, former star of “The Bachelorette,” is departing her “Bachelor Nation” podcast, effectively ending her contract with the franchise.

Lindsay’s decision to exit the podcast comes after years of criticizing “The Bachelor” franchise for its lack of diversity efforts, continuously holding the dating show accountable for lack of representation both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Lindsay’s final episodes of the “Bachelor Happy Hour,” the podcast she co-hosts with fellow former “Bachelorette” Becca Kufrin, will air as a two-part celebration starting on Tuesday and concluding on May 4, coinciding with the 100th episode of the podcast.

The next two episodes will feature Lindsay and Kufrin reminiscing about their favorite moments, while bidding adieu to Lindsay. “Bachelor Happy Hour” will announce a new co-host at a later date.

“We started talking about how much fun it is and the community we started, and we’re here with the 100th episode,...

Rachel Lindsay doesn't think disgraced Bachelor host Chris Harrison will be the reason the dating show goes down in flames. Nor does she think it will be controversial contestants with troublesome pasts.  No, the former Bachelorette star revealed this week that she predicts the franchise's "very toxic" fanbase will be the final nail in The Bachelor coffin. Rachel slammed "vile" fans and gave viewers a stern warning during her Higher Learning podcast on Friday, March 19. "It's wild out there, y'all. It's so toxic. Bachelor Nation, y'all are gonna be the reason this show doesn't exist anymore 'cause you're so damn toxic,"...

Image Source: Getty / Alberto E. Rodriguez

Rachel Lindsay is spreading positivity as she returns to Instagram. A week after deactivating her account because of harassment and hate from Bachelor fans, the former Bachelorette returned to the social media platform with a handful of uplifting posts. Alongside a photo of sunflowers, Rachel wrote, "I want to be like a sunflower so that even on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the sunlight." The post was met with a handful of sweet messages from former Bachelor Nation stars, including Kaitlyn Bristowe, who wrote, "You always do ❤️❤️❤️❤️" Rachel also shared a video of her hiking in LA on her Instagram Stories with the caption, "Good vibes only."

Rachel previously deleted her Instagram account on Feb. 26, after getting harassed by Bachelor fans amid her Extra interview with Chris Harrison, where he defended Bachelor contestant (and rumored frontrunner) Rachael Kirkconnell's controversial social media activity.

Rachel Lindsay is back on Instagram.

The media personality and attorney, who was the first Black Bachelorette, deactivated her account last month following an onslaught of harassment and hate by Bachelor Nation.

Her returning post features a bouquet of sunflowers. The caption reads, “I want to be like a sunflower so that even on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the sunlight.”

Lindsay’s post has been met by an outpouring of support from her fellow “Bachelor” alums and other social media users.

“All the love coming your way,” wrote Katie Thurston, who was a contestant on Matt James’ season, while Chelsea Vaughn, also from James’ season, commented: “So happy to have you back, hoping you are feeling refreshed and loved.”

The harassment by Bachelor Nation began after Lindsay’s “Extra” interview with “The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison, who defended current contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s past attendance...

Rachel Lindsay, the first-ever Black star of “The Bachelorette,” is calling out the ABC franchise for staying silent as the ongoing racial controversy involving host Chris Harrison and “The Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell continues to spiral.

On Lindsay’s podcast “Higher Learning,” which she hosts with Van Lathan, she said the show shouldn’t begin filming “The Bachelorette” until the franchise figures out how to handle its ever-mounting problems.

“They’re about to go into production for ‘The Bachelorette,'” Lindsay, who starred as “The Bachelorette” in 2017, said on the podcast, which went up early Tuesday morning. “I think they should just stop until … they get the train back on the tracks. You’re going to go another season, but you still have all of these issues. How have you fixed them coming into a new season? You really haven’t. I think that they need to take a beat,...

Rachel Lindsay is reflecting on Bachelor Nation’s ongoing drama. On the latest episode of “Higher Learning”, Lindsay’s podcast with Van Lathan, the former Bachelorette opened up about deactivating her Instagram account. Lindsay disabled the social media account last week, amid continuing controversy in the franchise. The choice came after host Chris Harrison faced criticism for defending “Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s past...

Rachel Lindsay is speaking out after controversial tweets from another Bachelor Nation member surfaced. Over the weekend, Taylor Nolan apologized for several "hurtful" comments she made on Twitter between 2011 and 2012.. In her posts, the former Bachelor in Paradise star insulted various minority groups in the United States. Other tweets fat-shamed people or contained homophobic slurs. While appearing on the March 2 episode of her Higher Learning podcast, Rachel reacted to the viral messages. "I think people are very upset and shocked and disappointed. I'll throw myself in there," she told co-host Van Lathan. "She's been very vocal and very definitive in what she...

Days after former “Bachelorette” Rachel Lindsay deleted her Instagram account due to online bullying, the producers of “The Bachelor” have released a statement in support of the star.

The executive producers of the dating franchise are condemning all racist harassment of Lindsay, who they applaud for using her voice to educate the public.

“As executive producers of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise, we would like to make it perfectly clear that any harassment directed towards Rachel Lindsay in the aftermath of her interview with Chris Harrison is completely inexcusable,” the statement, posted Monday on Twitter, reads.

“Rachel has received an unimaginable amount of hate and has been subjected to severe online bullying, which, more often than not, has been rooted in racism. That is totally unacceptable,” the statement continues. “Rachel has been an incredible advocate for our cast, and we are grateful that she has worked tirelessly towards racial equity and inclusion.

The executive producers of The Bachelor franchise are publicly supporting Rachel Lindsay after the franchise alum has been subjected to online harassment, “which, more often than not, has been rooted in racism.”

Lindsay, who has been thrust into the center of the ABC franchise’s ongoing racism controversy, deactivated her Instagram account over the weekend after finding herself on the receiving end of abusive messages. Her Higher Learning podcast co-host, Van Lathan, said she had disabled the account because franchise fans were “spamming her with all kinds of rude and hateful things.” Her husband, Bryan Abasolo, had also taken to social ...

The executive producers of The Bachelor franchise are publicly supporting Rachel Lindsay after the franchise alum has been subjected to online harassment, “which, more often than not, has been rooted in racism.”

Lindsay, who has been thrust into the center of the ABC franchise’s ongoing racism controversy, deactivated her Instagram account over the weekend after finding herself on the receiving end of abusive messages. Her Higher Learning podcast co-host, Van Lathan, said she had disabled the account because franchise fans were “spamming her with all kinds of rude and hateful things.” Her husband, Bryan Abasolo, had also taken to social ...

Image Source: Getty / Noel Vasquez

If one could imagine a physical manifestation of the Bachelor franchise at the moment, it would be a tornado that lasts several minutes, in which everyone loses their mind before it dies down, and people drag the dredges left to piece together a sense of normality and pretend nothing ever happened. At least that's what it seems like the fans want, as they react to the controversy surrounding the current season of The Bachelor by lashing out and harassing the very people they should be listening to. Namely, Rachel Lindsay, who remains the only Black Bachelorette in the franchise's history and the first-ever Black lead, is constantly speaking out about the ways the franchise fails its viewers and contestants. Her tireless campaign to make the franchise do better for its members has bolstered fans to organize for change, paved the way for more diverse casting...

Bachelor Nation stars are showing their support for Rachel Lindsay. On Friday, Feb. 27, The Bachelorette alum deactivated her Instagram account after being bombarded with "hateful" comments amid the ABC franchise's controversy. Rachel's Higher Learning podcast co-host Van Lathan explained in more detail why she decided to get off the social media platform. "She did it because that's how much hate she is getting from Bachelor fans, who are spamming her with all kinds of rude, hateful things to say," Van said in a video posted on his Instagram. "Y'all gotta get a f--king life, seriously." "This harassment is going too far," he captioned his post, while...