Film

Sony Pictures’ “Vivo” Explores Life in Full Color

Vivo is Sony Pictures’ first-ever musical animation that harnesses original songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton). The featured film explores the African diaspora found in different parts of the world, encapsulating diversity within those countries and the beauty that surrounds their community.

The movie follows Vivo (voiced by Miranda ), a musically gifted Kinkajou through a selfless act of devotion, as he travels across the world to deliver a love note for an old friend. The film starts in Cuba, rich in culture with hints of African and Latinx heritage mixed throughout the land. This was depicted in the crowd and throughout the main characters, as they shared more melanin tones with a Spanish flavor.

It’s a love story within a love story, as the audience watches Vivo deal with grief, as he delivers a love song made for the one that got away from his human companion. It touches on the love between a daughter and father by introducing Gabi (voiced by Ynairaly Simo), an undeniable force who helps Vivo along his journey. She puts all her unique passion into helping Vivo because she knows how important it is to express love.

Directors Kirk DeMicco(The Croods) and Brandon Jeffords (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 ) worked with an A-list acting cast. Voice-over stars include Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy), Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Scott Menville (Teen Titans Go).

The featured film was originally released on August 6, the world got to see life through the lens of a long-tailed Kinkajou, and it was beautiful, refreshing, and jam-packed with entertainment. It’s perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Watch the evolution of animation. The movie is available on Netflix today.

Betti Halsell, senior writer @ Hollywood Melanin

Film

‘The Man From Toronto’ Trailer: Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson Star In Action-Packed Comedy

Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson star in Netflix’s upcoming action-packed comedy dropping on Netflix on June 24.

A case of mistaken identity arises after a screw-up sales consultant and the world’s deadliest assassin—known only as The Man from Toronto— run into each other at a holiday rental.

Film

A Lizzo Documentary Is In The Works at HBO

An untitled documentary about Lizzo is coming to HBO Max, the Grammy-winning artist recently announced at Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront in New York.

The doc will explore the artist’s journey from her humble beginnings to her astonishing music career. Viewers will follow the Detroit native as she navigates the challenges of stardom.

“Growing up, I never dreamed I’d get to experience all of the things I’ve accomplished in my life, and I’m just getting started,” Lizzo shared in a statement. “I’m so excited I get to share and relive my journey with my fans and HBO Max. From ‘Cuz I Love You’ to my dramatic world tour, losing and gaining love, and creating my new album’ Special,’ y’all get to see the amount of time, patience, blood, sweat, and tears that went into this process. It takes ten years to become an ‘overnight success,’ and hopefully, I can inspire other young creatives to keep going.”

About damn time I could announce this. An intimate look at the one-and-only @Lizzo's rise to fame is coming to HBO Max this fall. pic.twitter.com/39MjjsYLp1
— HBO Max (@hbomax) May 18, 2022

Directed by Doug Pray (HBO’s The Defiant Ones) with Lizzo as the executive producer, the documentary will premiere following the release of the singer’s studio album Special this fall.

The 34-year-old’s creative portfolio has been expanding at a rapid pace. Just recently, she hosted SNL and launched an Amazon series titledWatch Out For The Big Grrrls.

Film

‘Master’: Regina Hall Stars in New Horror Movie

Amazon Studios debuted the official trailer for its upcoming thriller titled Master, starring Regina Hall. The film first premiered during the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and will be released in theaters and on Prime Video on Friday, March 18.

Written and directed by Mariama Diallo, Master tells the story of three women who strive to find their place at a prestigious New England university whose frosty elitism may disguise something more sinister. Professor Gail Bishop (Hall) has recently been promoted to “Master” of a residence hall, the first time at storied Ancaster College that a Black woman has held the post.

Determined to breathe new life into a centuries-old tradition, Gail soon finds herself wrapped up in the trials and tribulations of Jasmine Moore (Zoe Renee), an energetic and optimistic Black freshman. Jasmine’s time at Ancaster hits a snag early on when she’s assigned a dorm room that is rumored to be haunted. Things get worse when Jasmine clashes in the classroom with Liv Beckman (Amber Gray), a professor in the middle of her own racially charged tenure review. As Gail tries to maintain order and fulfill the duties of a Master, the cracks begin to show in Ancaster’s once-immaculate facade. After a career spent fighting to make it into Ancaster’s inner circle, Gail is confronted with the horrifying prospect of what lies beneath, her question ultimately becoming not whether the school is haunted but by whom.

Watch the trailer below.