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Picture Palace Films is developing the horror thriller Apparitional. This film was shot in Jefferson City, Missouri and other locations; the film is currently in post-production. Director Andrew P. Jones (Kings of the Evening) is helming this project, with horror icon Dee Wallace set to star. Recently, it has also been announced that actor Mem Ferda will take on producer duties for this reality show styled horror film. The film follows several ghost hunters. They hope to document real life spirits in an old closed down prison. The prison has a murderous history and some of that past comes back from the dead to haunt this, now, desperate film crew. Producer Ferda speaks of the old Missouri State Penitentiary and the ghosts that still haunt the location: "I am pleased to have joined such a talented group of individuals. This film will be very frightening. And, having been shot at the old Missouri State Penitentiary,...

The last few years have offered a small diversity of films featuring African-Americans: Arbitrage, Armored, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Call, Constellation, Dead Man Down, Django Unchained, Fighting, Flight, I Will Follow, Just Wright, Kings of the Evening, Lakeside Terrace, Luv, Middle of Nowhere, Night Catches Us, Olympus Has Fallen, An Oversimplification of Her Beauty, Precious, Red Hook Summer, Red Tails, and, among others, Think Like A Man and Won’t Back Down. Some of the films have inspired enthusiasm and intelligent talk; some laughter; and some outrage—and some boredom. Did Arbitrage exploit skepticism of black male character before submitting an image of ...

I’d forgotten about this contest! Terrible of me, I know!

It was likely because I only got 1 single entry. So, either most of you couldn’t identify all the film titles and faces in the video, or the $50 gift cert wasn’t enticing enough, or you just didn’t give a shit.

Regardless, as a refresher, I put together the below video compilation last month, highlighting black cinema in 2010. Your task was to name every film used in the video And the names of the faces in the Rip section towards the end of it.

As I stated then, all the answers could have been found right here on the blog, because we’ve talked about all of them.

I was later supposed to repost the video, along with a list of all the films and the RIPs in the video, so that you all can compare with your guesses.

I’ve received a few emails from readers asking about a Shadow And Act Top 10 Black Films Of 2010 list, just like all the other annual Best Of lists that pop up around this time of the year. But, as long time readers of this blog will know, I’m averse to lists in general; and even if I weren’t, looking over the list of “black films” that were released in theaters (specifically) this year, there just weren’t enough of them to warrant a Top 10 list. Or I should say, there weren’t enough that were so strong that I feel compelled to come up with a Top 10 list. Frankly, most (though not all) of the “black films” released in theaters this year were mediocre. Some were just horrible! The key words here are “released in theaters.”

Of course, this is all one person’s opinion.

All that said…...

Reposting this from Friday. I got lots of helpful responses, and even learned of a couple of titles that I didn’t know existed. So, here’s the post again, to continue the flow, in case you missed the original post, and have some titles to add that haven’t already.

Alright folks, I need some help from you guys here. As the title suggests, I’m working on a future post, and one part of my research requires that I compile a complete list of independent black feature films that have been released theatrically in the USA since the beginning of this century. And that’s where you come in.

First, I should define some terms here; “black feature film” means fictional narrative films that tell stories primarily about people of African descent (no documentaries). The cultural/racial heritage of the filmmaker is irrelevant. And “independent” means that the...

So… you’re like me and have absolutely no interest in seeing Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in Knight And Day, nor Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, and company in Grown Ups?

Well… consider the alternatives – like, Kings Of The Evening and South Of The Border, 2 films that have previously been profiled on this blog. The former stars Tyson Beckford, Lynn Whitfield and others (read our post about it Here, where you’ll also find a trailer); The latter is an Oliver Stone documentary (read our post about it Here, and watch its trailer).

Both are opening in limited releases, so check your local theater listings to find out if either is playing anywhere near you. I actually didn’t think Kings Of The Evening would get a theatrical release, but it did; so good for it! I haven’t seen the film, but if you read my initial post about it,...

Solitary Man expanded again and rose to the top of the limited release heap. Foreign movies The Secret in Their Eyes and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo showed few signs of fatigue, while new releases Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work and Winter's Bone got off to above average starts. Increasing 31 locations to 53, Solitary Man was up 112 percent to $369,703. The Michael Douglas vehicle is expanding faster and with greater per theater averages than distributor Anchor Bay's recent limited hit City Island, indicating that the movie could be poised for a solid run this summer. Through its third weekend, Solitary Man has grossed $871,081. The Secret in Their Eyes and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo continued to post decent returns, despite being in their ninth and 13th weekends, respectively. Best Foreign Language Oscar winner The Secret in Their Eyes dipped 13 percent, earning $347,925 for a total of $4.5 million. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,...

Here’s another Tyson Beckford flick, also from 2008, which was only recently released on DVD, 2 years later. Is Tyson Beckford hot this year or something? Something happen with him that I don’t know about that prompted the release of 2 films he starred in, in 2008?

Anyway, this one is called Hotel California. Like the other one (Kings Of The Evening, which I wrote about yesterday – read that Here), it played at a handful of film festivals in 2008, and then vanished until this year, released on DVD just last month.

Synopsis: Revenge comes full circle in Hotel California when three former partners (Troy, Pete, and Al) with strong connections to the underground crime scene of L.A., reunite in a dingy hotel room to rehash the past. Anxiety builds as they take part in a calculated mind game of wit and loyalty.

The cast also includes Ms Buppies herself, Tatyana Ali,...

MPAA ratings: Oct. 16, 2009. The following feature-length motion pictures have been reviewed and rated by the Classification and Rating Administration pursuant to the Motion Picture Classification and Rating program. Each of the designated ratings is defined as follows under the Motion Picture Classification and Rating program.

G -- General Audiences. All ages admitted.

PG -- Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

PG -13 --Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

R -- Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Nc-17 -- No One 17 And Under Admitted.

Film Distributor Reason Rating B-Girl

Screen Media Ventures, LLC

Rated for some violence.

PG-13 Babies

Focus Features

Rated for cultural and maternal nudity throughout

PG Eclipse, The

Magnolia Pictures

Rated for language and some disturbing images.

R Frozen Kiss

Lightning Media

Rated for drug use and some violent images.

R I'm Not Like That No More

701 Productions Inc.

Here are the new MPAA ratings from Bulletin No: 2091.

Due to Columbus Day the ratings came in a day later than normal. Expect regular updates to continue next week on Wednesday as normal.

B-Girl Rated PG-13 For some violence. Babies Rated PG For cultural and maternal nudity throughout. The Eclipse Rated R For language and some disturbing images. Frozen Kiss Rated R For drug use and some violent images. I'm Not Like That No More Rated R For crude and sexual content, language and some drug use. Just Like The Son Rated PG-13 For brief drug use and underage drinking. Kings Of The Evening Rated PG For thematic elements, language throughout, some violence and smoking. Phantom Punch Rated R For pervasive language, sexual content and some violence involving a sexual assault. Stevie Rated PG-13 For thematic material and brief strong language. Triangle Rated R For violence and language. Up In The Air...

Indican Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to Andrew P. Jones' drama "Kings of the Evening," starring Tyson Beckford, Lynn Witfield and Glynn Turman.

The company's 50th theatrical release, it will have an awards qualifying run in December before going on to wider release in February.

The film was produced by Robert Page Jones, Reginald T. Dorsey and Andrew P. Jones for Picture Palace Films.

Shaun Hill, Indican president, and Michael S. Sherman of Jmbm on behalf of Indican negotiated the acquisition with Andrew Jones and attorney Glenn Litwak.

Andrew P. Jones' Kings of the Evening, starring Tyson Beckford, Linara Washington, Lynn Whitfield, Bruce McGill and James Russo, will have its world premiere on Feb. 18 as the closing night gala of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival.

The film, which tells of an ex-con's attempt to rebuild his life during the Depression, will screen at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15 Theaters in Los Angeles. PAFF itself will run from Feb. 7-18.