Currently Browsing: Stephanie A. Taylor
Today — Wednesday April 27th — Netflix is releasing its highly-publicized new documentary, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Lost Tapes, directed by Emma Cooper.
The film – focused on the final years of Marilyn’s life – consists of previously unheard tapes of people who knew Marilyn Monroe. These tapes were recorded by journalist Anthony (Tony) Summers over four decades.… read more.
Today, we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Maya Angelou, a pioneering author, poet, filmmaker and civil rights activist! Maya was incredibly prolific in demonstrating her talent and passion, leaving her mark across the art world in almost every medium.
Throughout her acclaimed career, Maya often made history.… read more.
Maya Angelou’s directorial debut, Down in the Delta (1998), tells a story of the Sinclair family’s history (in the tumultuous past) and solidarity (in the treacherous present). Under her insightful direction, every member of the large shines. (SAT: 4.5/5)
Maya Angelou’s directorial debut, Down in the Delta (1998) opens in a poor Chicago neighborhood where Rosa Lynn (Mary Alice) does her best to care for her drug-addicted daughter Loretta (Alfre Woodard).… read more.
Ashley O’Shay’s first feature film, Unapologetic, is a documentary that speaks volumes about the many dimensions of Black women and their vast contributions as activists to the Black Lives Matter movement. O’Shay ‘s narrative arc follows two Chicago activists: Bella Bahhs, and Janaé Bonsu.… read more.
The Black Harvest Film Festival, hosted by the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, should be starting in August. But, due to COVID-19, the festival will be virtual from November 6 through November 30. The festival, annual since 1994, recognizes independent films of international Black cultures. Director of Programming and cofounder of BHFF Barbara Scharres believes the number of entries has been fewer than previous years, mainly due to COVID-19.… read more.
The Gene Siskel Film Center held the 89th Academy Awards Nominations Panel on January 24, 2017 in Chicago. The hour-long event included J.R. Jones of the Chicago Reader, Pamela Powell of The Daily Journal, Sergio Mims of Shadow & Act, Ray Pride of New City and Dean Richards of WGN-Radio. Moderator Alison Cuddy began the panel with a warning, “If you’re coming for a civilized conversation on the joys of film that’s not what’s on deck.”… read more.