{"id":61090,"date":"2011-08-16T14:33:25","date_gmt":"2011-08-16T14:33:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2011\/08\/16\/ten-black-films-that-may-never-be-released-in-theaters-or-on-dvd\/"},"modified":"2019-02-04T12:23:18","modified_gmt":"2019-02-04T17:23:18","slug":"ten-black-films-that-may-never-be-released-in-theaters-or-on-dvd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/ten-black-films-that-may-never-be-released-in-theaters-or-on-dvd\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten Black Films That May Never Be Released In Theaters Or On DVD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ten Black Films That May Never Be Released In Theaters Or On DVD<\/strong>by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

August 16, 2011<\/p>\n

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With the recent release of ‘The Help,’<\/a><\/strong> starring a handful of black actors (Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, David Oyelowo, Aunjanue Ellis, Cicely Tyson<\/strong>, and La Chanze<\/strong>), it will be a while before we see the next big black film in theaters.<\/p>\n

For the last four years, Tyler Perry<\/strong> had released two films annually, with one film in the Fall season. Last year, ‘For Colored Girls’<\/strong> had the star-studded cast of Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Thandie Newton, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Kimberly Elise<\/strong>, and Kerry Washington<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

While his last film, ‘Madea’s Big Happy Family<\/strong>,’ was released this past April, his next feature ‘Good Deeds<\/strong>,’ starring himself, Gabrielle Union, Thandie Newton, Phylicia Rashad<\/strong> and Brian White<\/strong>, won’t be shown in theaters til Feb. 24, 2012. Perry is also working on ‘I, Alex Cross’<\/strong> for a 2012 release date.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, Spike Lee<\/strong> just completed production on his latest film, ‘Red Hook Summer.’<\/a><\/strong> While no details have not been officially announced, such as casting, plot, or distribution, there’s no telling when or if the film will be shown in theaters, cable or straight-to-DVD.<\/p>\n

Tina Gordon Chism\u2019s<\/strong> We the Peeples<\/strong>, which Tyler Perry<\/strong> is producing through his 34th Street Films, has yet to announce a release date.<\/p>\n

That film stars Kerry Washington, Craig Robinson, David Alan Grier, Kali Hawk, Diahann Carroll, S. Epatha Merkerson, Tyler James Williams<\/strong>, and Melvin Van Peebles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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For the rest of the year, we have ‘The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975<\/a><\/strong>‘ (Sept.9) and Roadside Attraction’s music documentary, ‘Thunder Soul<\/strong>.’ (Sept.23) Focus Features hasn’t determined a release date for their Sundance pick-up ‘Pariah,<\/strong>.’ but online reports seem to suggest that it will be shown in theaters this year.<\/p>\n

Alrick Brown<\/strong>\u2019s Rwandan genocide drama ‘Kinyarwanda’ <\/strong>will have a limited release this year through AFFRM (African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement).<\/p>\n

Taraji P. Henson<\/strong>‘s star vehicle, ‘From The Rough<\/a><\/strong>,’ was slated to open on October 7th through AMC theaters, but was recently pushed back to Super Bowl weekend of 2012.<\/p>\n

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That’s based on the true story of Catana Starks, <\/strong>a former swim coach at Tennessee State University who became the first woman ever to coach a college men’s golf team, .<\/p>\n

In 2012, there are a few black films that will come out early, starting with the musical film, ‘Joyful Noise,<\/strong>‘ (Jan. 13) starring Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Courtney B. Vance<\/strong>, and Jesse L. Martin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Then there’s the long awaited Tuskagee film, ‘Red Tails,’<\/a><\/strong> featuring a slew of black actors (Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith, Kevin Phillips, Rick Otto, Lee Tergesen, Andre Royo, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan, Jazmine Sullivan, Edwina Finley, Daniela Ruah, Stacie Davis, Gerald McRaney<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Directed by Anthony Hemingway<\/strong> with ‘Star Wars’ George Lucas<\/strong> serving as producer, ‘Tails’ had been on the editing room table since production ended over a year ago.<\/p>\n

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There are still a number of black films still doing the festival circuit such as ‘Dysfunctional Friends<\/a><\/strong>,’ which stars Keith Robinson, Meagan Good, Stacey Dash, Tatyana Ali, Essence Atkins, Vanessa Simmons, Erica Hubbard, Hosea Sanchez, Wesley Jonathan, Jason Weaver, Datari Turner, Reagan Gomez, Persia White, Christian Keyes, and Terrell \u201cT.O.\u201d Owens.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Victoria Mahoney<\/strong>‘s ‘Yelling To The Sky<\/a><\/strong>,’ which stars Zoe Kravitz, Jason Clarke, Antonique Smith, Yolonda Ross, Gabourey Sidibe, Shareeka Epps, Sonequa Martin, and Tariq Trotter<\/strong> is also touring around the country with a few other independent films.<\/p>\n

What’s disturbing is that there are a number of films with blacks in lead roles that been talked about, promoted, shown at festivals, and have yet to deliver a theatrical or DVD release date.<\/p>\n

Here are ten films that have received a lot of attention.<\/p>\n

Frankie and Alice<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Directed by Geoffrey Sax<\/strong>, the film starred Oscar winner Halle Berry, Stellan Skarsg\u00e5rd, Phylicia Rashad, and Chandra Wilson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The film centered on a young woman with multiple personality disorder who struggles to remain her true self and not give in to her racist alter-personality.<\/p>\n

Following a Dec. 10 Oscar qualifying run in Los Angeles, the film was slated for a nationwide release planned for February 2011, but when the date approached, it never came out.<\/p>\n

Halle Berry was even nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance and won the 2011 NAACP Award for best actress for the role.<\/p>\n

While the film has popped up in many bootleg markets, its distributor Freestyle Releasing has yet to announced whether or not, it will still come out in theaters or even be released on DVD.<\/p>\n