The mission of The Department of Afro-American Research Arts and Culture to identify the global significance of the creative contributions pioneered by an international diaspora of Blackness
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Friday, June 30, 2023

Asunder (1999)























"Asunder" (1999) is a thriller movie directed by Tim Reid and written by Eric Lee Bowers. The film stars Blair Underwood, Debbie Morgan, and Michael Beach in a story about a man's obsession with a woman after his wife dies in a tragic accident. The story straddles the line of a thriller versus horror, depending on how you define a slasher film. 

Tim Reid co-founded New Millennium Studios with his wife, Daphne Maxwell Reid, where "Asunder" was the first film piloted by the company. Blair Underwood was also a producer for the movie. New Millennium Studios resides in Petersburg, Virginia, where Reid shot the movie. During the late 90s, Reid was active in television, starring in "Sister, Sister" and working on projects for Showtime and BET.

"Asunder" falls into the same categories as "Fatal Attraction," "Unfaithful," and "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate." Michael Beach and Debbie Morgan perform exceptionally well in the movie, but ultimately, Blair Underwood's acting keeps the film progressing. If you're looking for an adult thriller, check out this movie.

Director: Tim Reid
Writer: Eric Lee Bowers

Starring Blair Underwood, Debbi Morgan, Michael Beach, Marva Hicks, Desiree Marie Velez, Ira Hawkins, Alene Dawson, Wendy Moore, Joe Inscoe, Jen Harper, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Tori Reid

Storyline
When Chance (Blair Underwood) loses all that he cherishes in a freak accident, his grief grows into a deadly obsession that begins to rip apart the lives of his closest friends, Michael (Michael Beach) and Lauren (Debbi Morgan). Soon, they are trapped in a living nightmare as Chance continues his descent into madness while desperately plotting to take back what was stolen from him.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Sister Act (1992)































"Sister Act" (1992) is a comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg in another stellar performance. Disney (Touchstone Pictures) produced and released the movie, which saw great success at the box office, grossing over $230 million. Before "Sister Act," Goldberg was already an A-list actress as the Academy nominated her for Best Actress in a Leading Role in "The Color Purple," and she won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in "Ghost." While she didn't earn an Oscar nomination for "Sister Act," she did earn nominations and wins from The Golden Globes and NAACP Image Awards. "Sister Act" was another example of Goldberg's incredible acting range.

Director: Emile Ardolino
Writer: Paul Rudnick

Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Harvey Keitel, Bill Nunn, Mary Wickes, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Joseph Maher, Richard Portnow, Rose Parenti, Robert Miranda, Jim Beaver, Jenifer Lewis, Charlotte Crossley, A.J. Johnson

When lively lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) sees her mobster beau, Vince LaRocca (Harvey Keitel), commit murder, she is relocated for her protection. Set up in the guise of a nun in a California convent, Deloris proceeds to upend the quiet lives of the resident sisters. To keep her out of trouble, they assign Deloris to the convent's choir, an ensemble she soon turns into a vibrant and soulful act that gains widespread attention.