Shailene Woodley Is The Glue That Holds A Fractured ‘Endings, Beginnings’ Together

We’ve all been there. There has been some point in our ’20s or ’30s when we realize that life has been passing us by. Through it all, we’ve just been going along for the ride. In Drake Doremus’ latest film–Endings, Beginnings, Shailene Woodley stars as Daphne, a 30-something woman who hurls the grenade right into the middle of her life.

In the space of a week–Daphne quits the job that she loves, breaks up with her loving boyfriend and moves into her older sister’s (Lindsay Sloane) pool house. The only one that seems to be thrilled by her presence is her young niece. Determined to get her life in some semblance of order–Daphne swears off men and alcohol for six months. However, as well all know-when we try to banish the things that trigger us, they seem to appear in the most fascinating packages.

From the moment the film opens, something is clearly haunting Daphne. Doremus gives his audiences rapid flashbacks of some horrific event in the near distance that she refuses to dwell on. Instead–Daphne’s focus shifts towards two men–Frank (Sebastian Stan), a rugged bad-boy that appears at her sister’s New Year Eve’s party–manifesting like a phantom out of some romance novel. Intriguing and kind of off-putting, Daphne can’t help but be swept up in Frank’s hurricane. It’s interesting that she seems to know from the outset that she’s going to be pulverized when all is said and done. Yet, against her better judgment, she forges ahead.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Toronto International Film Festival.

‘Hustlers’ Is A Dazzling Display Of Women Betting On Themselves

Since the beginning of time, women have had to use their ingenuity and wits to survive in a world that often wants to keep them pinned down. Based on the viral 2015 New York Magazine article, “The Hustlers at Score,” Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers is a dazzling narrative. The film centers a group of women who decide to be active participants in their own lives. Instead of waiting for better circumstances to come to them– they choose to take what the need, and quite frankly what they deserve.

Hustlers opens in 2007–the year before the most devastating economic crash since the Great Depression. Wall Street was basking in its golden moment, and New York was the epicenter of it all. As Janet Jackson’s “Control” strums in the background, we meet Destiny (Constance Wu). A newcomer at one of the most exclusive strip clubs in the city–she hasn’t quite found her footing. She’s barely scraping by with enough money to help her ailing grandmother. The other girls have their regulars and their confidence–wooing clients into the backrooms and garnering thousands of dollars a night for their acts. However, Destiny still hasn’t quite learned how to “sell fantasy.” But there’s one woman who has.

Ramona (Jennifer Lopez) is the queen of the club. Vivacious, sexy as hell and enticing–she has learned how to work the club, and its men for well over a decade. When we first meet Ramona, swirling around a pole–she’s like a work of art. As thrilled as the club’s clientele is with her–Destiny is also dazzled. Looking for ways to advocate for herself–Destiny reaches out to Ramona who happily takes her under her wing (and into her mink fur).

A former centerfold, Romana eagerly shows Destiny the ropes. She teaches her how to reel men in, how to get them to fund her lifestyle, and she also teaches her some new tricks for the stage. In a role that is brief but hilarious —Cardi B stars as Diamond –a stripper from the Bronx who skills Destiny on giving an erotic lap dance. Under the tutelage of her new big sister–Destiny’s life changes for the better only to come to a screeching halt in 2008.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: STX Entertainment.

‘How To Build A Girl’ Is The Anti-Fairytale I Needed At 16

Being a teen girl is a weird space to occupy. It’s like being trapped in an unyielding vortex where you’re treated like an adult, and an infant in the same breath. Diana Sanchez’ How to Build A Girl is a story about one 16-year-old taking her destiny in her own hands. She does this in the face of fear, trepidation and the world telling her she’s not worthy of her own agency. Historically, girls have shouldered more responsibilities than boys both in and out of the household. Because of the sexualization of the female body and sexism– we’re often silenced, shoved to the side or locked away. How to Build A Girl is about self-liberation.

Set in the ’90s, the film is based on Caitlin Moran’s semiautobiographical novel and follows 16-year old Johanna Morrigan (Booksmart’s Beanie Feldstein). Witty, imaginative and a bit boy crazy, Johanna longs to break free of her working-class English town, and her loving but dysfunctional family. With her gay brother/ best friend, Chris, her wanna-be rockstar dad, her school-age little brother, and her postpartum depressive mother whose recently given birth to twin boys, Johanna feels forgotten about.

She continually bullied at school, and she spends time daydreaming and writing. However, Johanna knows in her gut that she is destined to do more. It’s a self-assuredness that most teenage girls cling on to despite the world’s determination to stamp it out of them. Desperate to get out of Wolverhampton, and in need of money to help her family, Johanna applies to be a music writer for a London-based magazine.

It’s clear from the beginning that Johanna has a gift for the written word. However, she knows less than nothing about rock n’ roll. In addition to being a rock novice–Johanna has internalized every negative thing that has been said about her. Determined to be someone “better,” she reinvents herself into the vivacious and sometimes cruel, Dolly Wilde. The very opposite of Johanna–Dolly takes pleasure in cutting down others and being sexually insatiable.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Toronto International Film Festival.

Dakota Fanning's role in 'Sweetness in My Belly' flaunts Hollywood's addiction to the white gaze

With buzz words like "inclusion" and "diversity" swirling about, the film industry has in recent years begun scrambling to present stories that have previously been ignored or suppressed. However, in doing so, they continue to strip agency from Black and brown voices, pushing them to the side of their own narratives to center white faces.

A rather egregious example of this is the upcoming film, ”Sweetness In the Belly,” starring Dakota Fanning. Based on Canadian author Camilla Gibb's award-winning novel, the story follows Lilly (played by Fanning), a white child abandoned by her hippie parents in a Moroccan village. Raised by a Sufi master in the Islamic faith, 16-year-old Lilly eventually makes an overland pilgrimage to an Ethiopian city — which, if your geography is lacking, is roughly the distance from Anchorage, Alaska, to Miami — and settles there until the revolution breaks out and she's forced to flee to London.

Shoving aside the experiences of Ethiopian people who actually lived through the atrocities of the Ethiopian Civil War is offensive enough — but Lilly never even existed. Gibb, who was born in England, wrote a novel about the "imagined narrative of one woman's search for love and belonging, cast against a nuanced portrait of political upheaval." As astounding as it is to consider, Gibb literally chose a historical incident that involved Black people and created a white woman to place in the center of it all. And now her story will reach an even wider audience through cinema.

Continue reading at NBC THINK.

There Have Been Films About Girlhood, But ‘Rocks’ Is A Miracle

In the past, films centering young Black teens and girls have been an anomaly. Every few years or so we’d get movies like Crooklyn, Eve’s Bayou or Pariah that would shine a spotlight on Black girls. Thankfully, with the expansion of cinema, a new generation of Black girls are being elevated. From Tayarisha Poe’s Selah and the Spades to Nijla Mu’min’s Jinn and now Sarah Gavron’s Rocks–these movies are showcasing Black girls in a new light. Narratives like these are varied and nuanced examinations of what it means to be a Black girl in a world that will quite literally try and squeeze the life out of you.

In addition to being erased in film, Black girls are often adultified. The stereotype of the “strong Black woman” begins early, forcing young girls into difficult positions with way too much responsibly before they are ready. These stories are often showcased harshly–leaving little to no room for joy, familiarity or connection.

Rocks is a marvel because it does the opposite. Set in London, Rocks follows Shola (Bukky Bakray) aka Rocks, who is blissfully living out the final days of summer with her girls. The tight-knit group of teen girls all come from various walks of life and backgrounds, but they move together as if they’re one living breathing organism.

As the film opens, the girls stand on a rooftop looking out at the London skyline, bellowing Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” at the top of their lungs. They amuse themselves by taking pictures for Instagram or getting their faces beat by Rocks, who is quite the amateur makeup artist. As all of her friends part ways, Rocks stays behind for a moment, soaking in the sun. It’s as if she knows tomorrow will be different.

Rocks lives in a flat with her mom and little brother Emmanual (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu)– an intelligent and imaginative little boy who is wiser and more hilarious that many of us will ever be. On the first day of school–Rocks’ mother sends her children to school with bellies full of yam and eggs. it’s her final act of motherhood before she vanishes from their lives.

After navigating their way through their first day of school, Rocks and Emmanual arrive home to an empty flat. Rocks finds a note from her mother apologizing for her absence as well as a small stack of cash that surely won’t last past a few days.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Toronto International Film Festival.

"How Dare You?!": 'Queen Sugar' Season 4, Episode 12 [Recap]

The episode opens with Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) and Blue (Ethan Hutchison) at home attempting to do some spring cleaning. While cleaning RA finds a large wrapped gift in the back of one of the closets. It's a gift addressed to Blue from RA's late father, Ernest. Unable to deal with it right that second he pushes the box back inside the closet.

Just as he's stuffing his memories and the gift out of sight, Nova's (Rutina Wesley) car rolls up to the house. Blue is delighted by the prospect of seeing his auntie, but RA isn't having it. He informs Blue that Nova is sick and won't be coming inside and instructs him to continue cleaning up. Ralph Angel meets Nova outside before she can make it to the door. She tries to apologize for laying all of RA's business bare in her book Blessing & Blood, but Ralph Angel is still pissed. He informs Nova that Blue is in therapy because he knows RA isn't his biological father. Ralph Angel also tells her that Darla (Bianca Lawson) has experienced a relapse. He informs her that he will never have to worry about enemies with a sister like her. Cold-blooded, but true. Nova is stunned and heartbroken, but she also understands Ralph Angel's anguish. 

Elsewhere, Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) is decked out in her Harvard gear while she decorates for Micah's (Nicholas L. Ashe) college acceptance party. This is the most gleeful Charley has been in weeks, but Miach seems reluctant. Something is obviously bothering him.

Back in New Orleans, Nova is relaxing and researching at home. She stumbles on a name in her reading that's connected to the Old World Energy company that seems determined to build a highway through St. Joesphine. She calls in a favor to the New Orleans Daily News to get it looked into. Just as Nova hangs up the phone, there's a knock at her door. It's Violet (Tina Lifford).

Nova is shocked to see her auntie. After being invited in, Vi demands that Nova give her Jimmy Dale's (David Alan Grier) address. Nova, being nosy, wants to know why. Violet tells her to mind her business. In the end, Nova agrees to give Vi the address if she drives her and IF they can talk. Vi agrees to the driving but not the talking.

Continue reading at Shadow and Act.

Image: Skip Bolen/OWN.

This Is A Defining Moment For Zolee Griggs: EXCLUSIVE

Often times, Disney kids can get typecast or stuck in a box–unable to shed their former child star personas to step fully into Hollywood as adults. Wu-Tang: An American Saga actress Zolee Griggs hasn’t had that issue. The Corey in the House alum has been in the industry for the majority of her life–and at age 20, she’s already been seen in everything from HBO’s Ballers opposite Dwayne Johnson to the beloved tru TV series, Adam Ruins Everything.

Now, Griggs is prepared to get even darker. She’s snagged a role in Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga– an epic mini-series following the formation and rise of one of the biggest hip-hop groups–The Wu-Tang Clan. Set in Staten Island in the ’90s, An American Saga is a gritty depiction of the crack-cocaine epidemic in America, poverty and being desperate to find a way out.

On the series, Griggs stars as Shurrie– Booby “The RZA” Diggs’ (Ashton Sanders) sister. Shurrie is an optimist who can see the light at the end of the tunnel when many in her position cannot. Ahead of Wu-Tang: An American Saga’s debut, STYLECASTER sat down with Griggs to talk, The Wu, becoming Shurrie and this new era of her career.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Instagram.

Ebony Obsidian Has The Range: EXCLUSIVE

It’s always challenging to step into someone else’s shoes. However, Wu-Tang: An American Saga actress Ebony Obsidian has mastered the act of not only becoming someone else–but stepping back in time entirely. Though Obsidian has been working in Hollywood for the past several years–she first garnered significant attention in Barry Jenkins’ breathtaking 2018 film, If Beale Street Could Talk. Bringing James Baldwin’s words to life–Obsidian slide seamlessly into a heartbreaking love-story set in the 1970s.

With Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Obsidian is transporting us back into time once again. Now, she’s bringing the real-life story of hip-hop pioneers the Wu-Tang Clan to the forefront of television. Set in Staten Island in the ’90s–Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga is a stellar miniseries based on Bobby “The RZA” Diggs’ novels The Wu-Tang Manual and The Tao of Wu. It is an unlikely story that brought together RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa to form a group that would become one of America’s most unlikely success stories.

Ahead of the series premiere on Sept. 4–STYLECASTER sat down to chat with Obsidian who plays Divine’s (Wu-Tang Productions CEO and RZA’s brother) girlfriend Nia. We talked stepping into Wu Tang’s world, finding the right roles and her upcoming Tyler Perry project, Sistas.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Instagram.

‘Triple Threat’ Doesn’t Even Begin To Define Gabrielle Dennis: EXCLUSIVE

When you’re a multi-hyphenate talent, who can do it all, being defined is the least of your concerns. A Black Lady Sketch Show’s Gabrielle Dennis is used to taking on every opportunity that she encounters with guts and gusto. With roles in everything from HBO’s Insecure and Netflix’s Luke Cage to her portrayal of Whitney Houston in The Bobby Brown Story–Dennis is a chameleon when it comes to sinking into her characters and their stories.

Though she spent the last few years on the Fox dramedy Rosewood opposite Morris Chestnut–her starring role in the groundbreaking A Black Lady Sketch Show just propelled her career to a whole other level.

Conceived, produced and written by Robin Thede and produced by Issa Rae-the series is the very first sketch comedy series written, produced, and starring Black women.

For Dennis, who began her career on the sketch stage, but has done a great deal more drama work since–it was like coming home. Just days before, A Black Lady Sketch Show was renewed for Season 2–STYLECASTER sat down to chat with Dennis about her expansive career–why she’s in no rush to define herself, and why her experience on ABLSS has been a dream.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: James Anthony.

How Many Ways To Say 'I'm Sorry': 'Queen Sugar' Season 4, Episode 11 [Recap]

It's prom night for Micah (Nicholas L. Ashe) and KeKe (Tanyell Waivers). Everyone except for Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) has gathered at Charley's (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) to send them off--Nova (Rutina Wesley) is even there. (I guess we've forgiven her?) Charley is delighted. She's taking pictures of the young couple with Micah's camera. Nova toasts her nephew who is headed to Harvard in the fall and his lady love who will be going to Tulane. Everything seems lovely and carefree until Charley receives an unwanted phone call from Jacob Boudreaux--the rival for her City Council seat and a member of her family's longtime rival family. Though she doesn't answer the phone, the levity of the moment for Charley has sank. After Hollywood (Omar J. Dorsey) tells Micah to be responsible, he and Aunt Vi (Tina Lifford) head home leaving Charley and Nova alone.

Charley begins to fret about the forthcoming town hall against Jacob that is set to be held at Vi's Prized Pies & Diner. She's very worried about her position in the polls. Nova, who frankly owes her sister, has a bit of leverage that Charley can use against Jacob. Several episodes ago, Nova went on the Finding Your Roots-type show, Lineages. At the time, one of the show's producers revealed a hidden secret about the Bordelon family tree. Nova shares that secret with Charley.

Elsewhere, Ralph Angel has dropped his son Blue (Ethan Hutchinson) off at his girlfriend Deesha's for Blue's playdate with her daughter, Joi. This is the first time RA has seen Deesha since he stood her up for their date in last week's episode. Ralph Angel doesn't offer any explanation except for saying that things are "complicated." Deesha is understandably frosty with RA. However, she tells him that she will happily look after the kiddos for the day before dismissing him from her presence.

At Vi's diner, Nova and Charley are prepping for the town hall. Nova is trying to make sure that Charley can control the narrative and not be easily thrown off of her game. Though Charley seems uncertain--Nova urges her to use the secret leverage from Lineages to her advantage. In the midst of their prep work, Nova gets a text from her formerly-married, now-single boo Calvin (Greg Vaughan) and her face lights up. He's headed her way from Baton Rogue for a belated birthday celebration. Nova and Charley giggle about it together before Nova heads home to prepare for her date. (Okay, so we're REALLY forgiving her?!) Charley continues practicing for the town hall.

At Nova's house, she's just finished freshening up when Calvin knocks on her door. He comes bearing gifts (smart man) which include balloons, a fruit basket and a necklace. Nova is absolutely giddy about it. They even have reservations at her favorite restaurant but then thunder roars and the sky opens up. The two decide to stay in with Calvin cooking dinner instead.

Continue reading at Shadow and Act.

It’s Storm Reid’s Time To Shine: EXCLUSIVE

It seems like just days ago that she was dazzling us as the precocious Meg Murry in Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time. With her latest role in Blumhouse’s Don’t Let Go, Storm Reid is proving that she’s a versatile force in Hollywood. The best part is that the 16-year-old is just getting started. Since Wrinkle–Reid has shined in everything from the Netflix’s drama mini-series, When They See Us to HBO’s now-infamous Euphoria, opposite Zendaya. She has no plans of slowing down.

Ernestingly grasping onto roles that won’t allow her to be contained in a box–Reid’s role as Ashley Radcliff in Don’t Let Go is perhaps her most heart-wrenching and compelling. The thriller follows Ashley’s uncle, Detective Jack Radcliff (David Oyelowo), who is devastated after learning that his family–including Ashley, his brother Garret Radcliff (Brian Tyree Henry), and his sister-in-law were murdered in cold blood. Traumatized by the horrific event–Jack is jolted out of his stupor when he receives a phone call from Ashley who seems to be living two weeks in the past. Together, the uncle/niece duo ban together–racing against the clock to solve Ashley’s murder before it happens.

Ahead of Don’t Le Go’s debut, STYLECASTER sat down to chat with Storm Reid about the psychological thriller, Euphoria and jumping fearlessly into the future.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Blumhouse.

Essence Atkins Won’t Be Underestimated: EXCLUSIVE

Until very recently–we’ve all known Ambitions star Essence Atkins for her fun-loving, lighter roles. But now, she’s proving that we should have never put her in a box. Though she’s still heralded for her roles in series like the ’90s hit Smart Guy, the quirky early 2000s comedy, Half & Half and more recently on the Fox sitcom, Marlon, opposite Marlon Wayans–Atkins’ latest role shows her in a darker and sexier light.

In the OWN drama Ambitions, the Brooklyn native stars as Amara Hughes. Amara is a federal prosecutor who returns to Atlanta with her husband, Titus (Kendrick Cross) to get her marriage on track. However, what she doesn’t expect is that skeletons buried and shoved in the closet long ago–resurface. Almost as soon as she settles back into the city, Amara finds herself in the crosshairs of attorney and Atlanta’s First Lady Stephanie Carlisle (Robin Givens). Stephanie also happens to be her former college best friend and sorority sister, and the woman Titus was once in love with.

Though she’s determined to focus on fixing things with Titus, Amara can’t help but get entangled in Stephanie’s messy web of games and lies. However, she might have more than a little ammunition up her sleeve to fight fire with fire. Ahead of the midseason finale of Ambitions, STYLECASTER sat down to chat with Atkins about the jaw-dropping new series, and why she’s happy to be shedding her “good girl” persona.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: OWN.

'Power' Stars Speak Out on The Final, Gut-Wrenching Season

*Spoiler alert for seasons 1-5 of Power*

Five years ago, the Starz crime drama Power came thundering to our TV screens. The top-rated drama on cable behind Game of Thrones, Power was created by Courtney A. Kemp and produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, and centers on drug kingpin turned club owner James "Ghost" St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), a man desperately trying to get out of the drug game to go legit. But with all of its characters' nuances and intricacies, the series is about so much more than that.

Shadow And Actfirst took a deep dive into the series in 2014, highlighting the powerful women on the show and the way they seek power in oppressive, male-dominated systems.Tasha (Naturi Naughton), Ghost's wife, and Angela (Lea Loren), Ghost's lover, have been at the helm of many of the choices the men make as well as some of the major turning points in the series. Status and identity are also consistent themes of the show, as Ghost strives for legitimacy as a club owner while wrestling against his past self, thanks to Tommy (Joseph Sikora), his former best friend in the game and Tasha, who are at odds with Ghost's new persona.

Now in its sixth season, Ghost's story is coming to an end but the world of Power is only expanding, with various prequels and spinoffs in the works. As we prepare to say goodbye to the main beloved characters, Shadow And Act sat down to chat with Naturi Naughton, Lela Loren and Joseph Sikora about the final betrayal, the Power spinoffs, and the winding paths their characters have taken.

Continue reading at Shadow and Act.

Image: Starz.

La La Anthony Just Stepped Into The Spotlight: EXCLUSIVE

Five years ago, television creator Courtney A. Kemp teamed up with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and delivered a massive mega-hit drama for Starz. Over the past five seasons of Power, La La Anthony’s Lakeisha Grant has slowly taken center stage. Since it first premiered in 2014, the series has exploded and become the most-watched cable drama following HBO’s Game of Thrones. The compelling epic centers James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick). Ghost is a New York drug kingpin turned club owner desperately trying to turn legit and shed his criminal past. However, dismissing your past is easier said than done, especially if death, dirt and blood are lurking in the shadows.

Though Ghost anchors Power, the women in the show are the ones who have shifted, guided and changed the course of the narrative. There’s Angela Valdes (Lela Loren)–an assistant district attorney and Ghost’s childhood sweetheart who finds herself enamored with ex-lover again. Ghost’s now-estranged wife, Tasha St. Patrick (Naturi Naughton)–has sacrificed nearly everything for her husband, and is seeking revenge. Then there is La La Anthony’s Lakeisha, who has had one of the most transformative character arcs on the series.

When we first meet Lakeisha in Season 1, she’s just Tasha’s best friend. A hairstylist and single mom–Lakeisha values her friendship with Tasha, but she also envies the lavish lifestyle that the St. Patricks live. However, what she soon discovers is that even the most lavish lives can be built amidst smoke and mirrors. As the seasons have pressed forward– we’ve watched Lakeisha get further entangled into Ghost and Tasha’s dark work. Though she’s found “love” with Tommy (Joseph Sikora), Ghost’s oldest friend–a volatile and murderous drug dealer, her relationship with Tasha and her business have suffered along the way.

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Starz

There's A Reckoning In 'Oh Mamere': 'Queen Sugar' Season 4, Episode 10 [Recap]

Episode 10, titled "Oh Mamere", opens with Violet (Tina Lifford) doing her thing at her restaurant. Unfortunately, she has an unwelcomed guest. Nova (Rutina Wesley) has commandeered one of the booths for herself and she has no plans on leaving until she and Aunt Vi hash some things out. When Vi confronts her, Nova refuses to cower. She knows that after bringing Vi's violent ex-husband Jimmy Dale (David Allen Grier) to her doorstep and writing about all of Vi's personal business in her book, she needs to beg for forgiveness. Vi tells Nova that past memories are haunting her spirit and her marriage and it's all because of Blessing & Blood. Nova FINALLY gives Aunt Vi a true apology, before her Auntie hits her with some food for thought. Nova then realizes that she would have published her memoir even if Vi had asked her not to.

We see Darla (Bianca Lawson) at home getting Blue (Ethan Hutchinson) ready for a day out with Micah (Nicholas L. Ashe). Darla ties her son's shoe and makes sure his overnight bag is packed. When Micah arrives to pick up his baby cousin, the two boys look excited about a day at the fair. Darla seems better than the last episode when we saw her clutching on to a bottle of liquor and her sobriety teetering on the edge. But she still has an uneasiness about her. Almost as soon as Blue and Miach leave Darla gets a call from her mother. She informs Darla that her former best friend Jordan is in New Orleans from D.C. and though Darla seems uneasy about this information she still takes Jordan's contact information.

Back at Vi's Prized Pies & Diner Nova is still reeling from her conversation with Vi when Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) drops by. She has an early birthday gift for her big sister and gives thanks for Nova taking care of her when she had nearly fallen apart after the burning of the Mill, her lover Romero's (Walter Perez) rejection and the attacks against herself and her family from St. Joesphine's most elite families. Nova is visibly touched by the gesture, to the point of tears. The ladies have a strained conversation until Charley invites Nova on a women's retreat with her. It will be the last opportunity Charley has to relax before the City Council campaign kicks into high gear.

Continue reading at Shadow and Act.

Image: OWN.

Jillian Bell, Utkarsh Ambudkar & Micah Stock Get Vulnerable About ‘Brittany Runs A Marathon’: EXCLUSIVE

Life comes at you fast. We’ve all experienced a breaking point at one moment or another. However, Hollywood has rarely been able to articulate what that looks like on screen. Based on a real-life story–Brittany Runs a Marathon centers Jillian Bell’s Brittany Forgler, a woman in her late 20s who quite frankly–is barely hanging on by a thread. Haunted by events of her past–Brittany has settled into a life of drinking, partying and being verbally antagonized by her “best friend”/roommate. However, after a routine doctor’s exam-Brittany gets a wakeup call about her physical and mental health that shakes her to her core.

Determined to do something about her health and her circumstances–Brittany begrudgingly takes up running to transform both her body and her soul. However, what she discovers is that the weight laying on her spirit has nothing to do with the size of her body. As she trains to take on the infamous New York City Marathon–Brittany meets some unlikely characters–Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar) who is also floating through life and Seth (Micah Stock) who has taken up running to prove something to himself.

Ahead of the film’s debut–STYLECASTER chatted with Bell, Ambudkar and Stock about Brittany’s story, true friendship and being kinder to ourselves.

“I think I was looking for something different at the time,” Jillian Bell reflected on taking on the role. “I had done a lot of really fun comedic roles, and I thought I should try to do something different and challenging. I read [the script], and I was so inspired, and I laughed a lot. I cried a lot, and I knew it would be very challenging, but I wanted to take it on, and I didn’t want anyone else to take it. I wanted it to be mine. I had just experienced so many things that were similar to Brittany’s character, so I think I got very possessive of it once I read it.”

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Amazon Pictures

Li Jun Li Has The Blueprint On Being A Badass: EXCLUSIVE

There is nothing on television, quite like Netflix’s Wu Assassins. Set in San Francisco’s Chinatown–the martial arts fantasy series centers a young chef named Kai Jin (Iko Uwais). Kai reluctantly becomes a Wu Assassin in order to battle a deadly ancient power called, Wu Xing. In Wu Assassins–Li Jun Li stars as Kai’s good friend, Jenny Wah. Jenny is a boss restauranter who is torn between familial obligations and her own aspirations. In addition to the storytelling, the physicality and effects on the series are astounding, but Li–an alum of both Quantico and The Exorcist has never backed down from a fight.

Though Li broke into acting by way of the theater stage– she’s garnered a robust television career that began with roles on beloved TV shows like Blue Bloods and Damages. Still, despite her extensive filmography–Wu Assaisans is something entirely different for Li. Boasting a majority Asian cast–the series is refreshing, authentic and stunning to watch. One of the most incredible things about Wu Assassins is the fact that it’s a completely new story–not based on any comics or previous work.

Coinciding with the series premiere–STYLECASTER sat down to chat with Li about the series, stepping into Jenny’s stilettos and working with her idol.

Continue reading on STYLECASTER.

Image: Storm Santos.

Bresha Webb Is Here For More Than Just Laughs: EXCLUSIVE

They say comedic acting is the hardest to master–but for some actors, it’s as instinctive as breathing. Bresha Webb’s comedic brilliance in Netflix’s Sextuplets is a marvel–but she isn’t new to this. The Baltimore native jumped headfirst into Hollywood in 2007, but she really found her footing when she was cast on BET’s Love That Girl! opposite Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Tatyana Ali in 2010. Since then–Webb’s projects have only gotten wittier and bolder, and her latest role opposite Marlon Wayans is one hell of a ride.

Sextuplets follows Alan (Wayans), an expectant father who grew up in the foster care system. After a discussion with his pregnant wife– Bresha Webb’s Marie–he decides to embark on a journey to find his family. However, he gets a lot more than he bargained for. On his quest, Alan comes face to face with a brother he never knew he had and four more siblings –sextuplets (all played by Wayans) who forever reshape what family means to him.

Ahead of the film’s debut on Netflix–STYLECASTER sat down to chat with Webb about the film, teaming back up with Wayans–her former co-star on Marlon and why she’s ready to switch things up.

Well before Webb signed on to the project–Marlon Wayans knew that he needed her for the role of Marie. “It’s actually so funny,” Webb laughed. “Marlon asked me to open up for him in New York when I was working on The Last O.G. and to come down to the Comedy Cellar. I opened up for him, and he was like, ‘Okay, now that I’ve got you here, I want you to play my wife.’ And I was like, ‘What are you talking about? That’s Essence [Atkins’] job!’ He told me about this movie and that he really wanted me for it. I knew it was going to be weird because on our show Marlon, I was so used to playing his nemesis. But he reassured me by saying, ‘I know you can do this and it’s gonna be weird– we’re going to kiss each other on the mouth, but it’s going to be fun.’ I loved the script, and it was an easy yes.”

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Instagram.

Brutal Blows & Breakthroughs: 'Queen Sugar' Season 4, Episode 9 [Recap]

As "Stare at the Same Fires" opens we find a wilted Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) sitting at some bar in New Orleans drinking away her sorrows. She begins venting to the bartender in a very un-Charley-like fashion and though he tries to suggest that she slow down or call someone to help her Charley simply puts on her sunglasses and keeps on drinking. Charley has given up. After the fire at the Mill, Romero's (Walter Perez) rejection, Blessing & Blood and everything in between, she has nothing left to give.

Somewhere else in Lousiana, Nova (Rutina Wesley) finds herself on the doorstep of her mama's cousin, who lives in a large white house in a rural area. As Nova approaches the house, the two women gleefully greet one another. Ms. Martha is a regal woman who works as a healer. She tells Nova that she is the spitting image of her late mother, Trudy. Nova seems grateful to have a family member to grasp on to. She also tells Ms. Martha that the place feels familiar to her. It turns out that Trudy used to bring Nova to visit her cousin. Those visits stopped once Nova turned three.

The women have a long sit down where they discuss family, healing, and Ms. Martha's past. Nova also reveals to Martha that her mama has been visiting her in her dreams. Martha, in turn, reveals some things that shake Nova to her core. She learns that she was never a burden to her mother. She also learns that her father buried her mother's body on their land. For years, Nova was under the impression that her mama was cremated.

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Troian Bellisario On Being Bold, Cate Blanchett & ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette’: EXCLUSIVE

It’s 2019–but society is still obsessed with forcing women into certain boxes. In her newest film, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, Troian Bellisario is ripping down the barriers that have been placed around women. In the film, which is based on Maria Semple’s 2012 novel of the same name–we meet Cate Blanchett’s, Bernadette Fox. An architect who hasn’t practiced her craft in two decades–Bernadette has become a reclusive outcast in her Seattle community. Her sole concerns are the care of her daughter, Bee, and trying to hold on to the last remnants of her identity.

After becoming increasingly anxious about an impending family trip to Antartica–Bernedette vanishes–much to the horror of her daughter and husband, only to find herself on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Along the way, she meets Bellisario’s Becky–a whip-smart scientist traveling to the South Pole. Becky’s enthusiasm for her work invigorates something within Bernadette that she thought was lost long ago.

Ahead of Where’d You Go, Bernadette’s premiere–STYLECASTER sat down to chat with the Pretty Little Liars alum about the film, her epic kayaking adventure and bonding with Cate Blanchett.

“I was so grateful that this movie was about family,” Bellisario revealed. “It was about a woman’s relationship to her art –about a woman’s relationship to her daughter, and to her self. To be apart of it and particularly to play a scientist, it was pretty amazing. Coming from Pretty Little Liars, I would wake up out of bed, and I would have two hours of hair and makeup. With [Bernadette], I was shooting the biggest movie that I would ever be on, and they were like, ‘Here’s a beanie, and here are some dorky wraparound sunglasses– go Arctic kayaking.’ I was like, ‘This is amazing.’ It wasn’t us trying to be glamorous. It was just, go out there and do your tests. That’s what’s important. It’s not about how you look. It’s not about the style that you’re into. It certainly was not stylish being in a wetsuit in the middle of the Arctic.”

Continue reading at STYLECASTER.

Image: Wilson Webb/Annapurna Pictures

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