Entertainment News Wednesdays: Young Hollywood & The Icons at 45th Annual NAACP Awards

Young Hollywood Stars Michael B Jordan (Fruitvale Station) &
Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave) at NAACP Awards

Lupita, Lupita, Lupita. She is everywhere this Awards season and all eyes were on her and the other Young Hollywood stars at the 45th Annual NAACP Awards held on Saturday, February 22. She didn't disappoint as she won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, 12 Years A Slave. Her movie also won Outstanding Motion Picture. Michael B. Jordan, pictured above with Lupita, celebrated Outstanding Independent Motion Picture, Fruitvale Station winning.

Take a look at a few of today's current Young Hollywood stars.

Kevin Hart won 3 Awards: Entertainer of the Year; Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
and Outstanding Comedy Series for  “Real Husbands of Hollywood”. Ride Along 2 begins filming this Summer.

 

Kerry Washington, with her baby bump, won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for Scandal.
Scandal also won for Outstanding Drama Series. Photo Credit: eonline.com

David Oyelow, won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Lee Daniel's The Butler.
Photo Credit: timesunion.com

Although we are excited about Young Hollywood, we can't forget icons Forest Whitaker & Angela Bassett. Whitaker won Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for Lee Daniel's: The Butler and was presented the NAACP chairman's award. Angela Bassett (Forest Whitaker's co-star in last years Christmas movie Black Nativity) won Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for Black Nativity.

A picture taken last year with Michael B Jordan, Forest Whitaker, & Angela Bassett.
Photo Credit: BET.com

 Did you watch the NAACP Awards? Did your favorite win?

Rhonda W. & Sharee W.

Black Nativity

Thanksgiving Day we had the opportunity to take our nieces to the movies.  It's a tradition we picked up a few years ago when we found ourselves driving around Myrtle Beach on Thanksgiving Day looking for something to do other than shopping and loungin on the beach in the cold.  

During this visit to the movies in our hometown of Aiken, SC, we viewed Fox Searchlight's Black Nativity.  The original Black Nativity is a gospel-music oratorio by poet Langston Hughes that was first performed in 1961.  It combines the Christian Nativity story with traditional spirituals and African drumming.

In a contemporary adaptation of Langston Hughes' celebrated play, this holiday musical drama follows Langston (Jacob Latimore), a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives Reverend Cornell (Forest Whitaker) and Aretha Cobbs (Angela Bassett). Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs' rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to his mother, Naima (Jennifer Hudson). Langston embarks on a journey and along with his new friends, and a little divine intervention, he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing, and family.

We feel this movie is a great addition to a family's holiday movie collection.  The story of faith and forgiveness that one often exhibits during the Christmas season rings so true in this movie.  The heartfelt songs move the story forward, and the imagery of NYC is iconic as it plays a central part in the film.  It's a must see!!

Have you seen Black Nativity? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Rhonda W. & Sharee W.

The Trip of a Lifetime

Rhonda at The Trip To Bountiful Broadway play starring Cicely Tyson

My sister and I were surprised to have received three tickets from a dear friend of ours to see The Trip To Bountiful on Broadway in NYC. This exciting Broadway show stars Tony Award Winner Cicely Tyson (Carrie Watts), Vanessa Williams (Jessie Mae Watts), Leon Addison Brown( Ludie Watts), and Adepero Oduye (Young Woman on Bus). 

The acting, dancing, and singing by Cicely Tyson was phenomenal. The banter between Tyson's and William's characters was pure comedic. Mr Brown, who recently replaced Cuba Gooding, Jr. as Ludie, was mesmerizing to watch. His face expressions of the various emotions he displayed were touching. Adepero was a pleasure to watch on stage as well.

My aunt who has lived in NYC for 40+ years has never attended a Broadway play. She is now open to attend another Broadway Play. It has been my sister Sharee and I third Broadway play. We have previously seen Chicago in 2003 & The Mountaintop, starring Angela Bassett and Samuel L Jackson, in 2012. 

The Trip To Bountiful plays through October 9, 2013

To see additional pictures from our trip to NYC visit Take A Leap.

Rhonda W.