Filed under: Movies, Photos, Celeb Updates

Black Voices was live on location at the June 23 kick-off the 14th Annual American Black Film Festival in South Beach, Miami. The opening night film was the world premiere of ‘Takers,’ an action-packed, high octane, all-star thrill ride produced by Will Packer (’Stomp The Yard’ and ‘Obsessed’) and starring Idris Elba, Paul Walker, Michael Ely, Chris Brown, Matt Dillon and T.I.

With lots of aspiring writers, directors, and producers hoping to make early connections in the business, plenty of notable celebrities were in attendance to catch the heist film, which will be released this summer via Sony Screen Gems.

Here’s a look at some of the attendees who came out at Miami Beach’s Colony Theater.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Filed under: Television, Celeb Updates

HBO’s celebrated drama ‘True Blood,’ based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris, has been picked up for a second season.

The cable network has been moving quickly with the announcements of show renewals as of late. The new HBO series ‘Treme,’ which is helmed by ‘The Wire’ creator David Simon, was picked up for a second season after the first episode premiered.

The announcement of ‘True Blood’ being picked up for a new season comes after airing just two episodes of the its third season.HBO Programming President Michael Lombardo announced that twelve new episodes from ‘Six Feet Under’ creator Alan Ball’s vampire show, will begin production early 2011 in Los Angeles and are set to debut for summer 2011.

Lombardo added, “The new season of ‘True Blood’ is off to a terrific start, as enthusiasm for this unique show continues to build among both subscribers and critics.”

On June 20, four-time Emmy Award-winner Alfre Woodard made her debut on ‘True Blood.’

As previously reported she plays Lafayette Reynolds’ mother, Ruby Jean Reynolds, who resides in a nursing home and in the first episode she is visited by Lafayette, who is played by actor Nelson Ellis and his cousin Tara — played by actress Rutina Wesley.

Woodard, who also is starring in the new TNT series ‘Memphis Beat,’ tells the BV Newswire that although her children, nieces and nephews are all fans of ‘True Blood,’ she has never been addicted to the series.

“I must say I’ve never been interested in vampires ever,” the 57 year-old actress revealed.

“Never liked vampires,” she continued. “I’d seen ‘True Blood’ and didn’t think there was nothing too sexy about getting bit on the neck and drained.

“Maybe it’s all that abstinence and AIDS education they gave me,” she added.

But, she said, her co-star Ellis was part of the reason why she signed up to make a few cameos this season.

“Nelsan Ellis asked me at a cocktail party, ‘Would you play my momma?’ He kept hounding casting about it. Finally Alan Ball rang and said, ‘It’s not very much, but if you do this one I’ll write a couple more.’

So, the former ‘Desperate Housewives’ star is converted now.

“I’m not a huge presence, but Lafayette is such a huge character, and I love him,” the Tulsa native said.

Woodard’s shot four episodes, but she will appear in three this season but insists she’s open to returning next season.

“What I’ll do is whenever I can I’ll drop in on them,” she promised.

That’s something to look forward to.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments