In 2021, Juneteenth, the celebration of the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans, was established as a federal holiday, and with new holidays to celebrate, there are new opportunities for holiday movies, of course. From director Dawn Wilkinson (“A Nashville Christmas Carol”) and writers Matt Allen (“Mighty Oak”), Lisa Mathis and Krista Suh, comes “Block Party,” a summer family comedy that’s ostensibly themed around Juneteenth.
The connection to Juneteenth feels tenuous at best, as characters continually name-check the holiday but never stop to explain or discuss the meaning of the celebration. The script assumes that the audience is familiar with the holiday and its importance, which is perhaps a heartening sign that Juneteenth doesn’t need to be explained anymore, but most great holiday films at least touch on the significant themes of the holiday (e.g. “the true meaning of Christmas”).
“Block Party” feels strangely divorced from what Juneteenth actually signifies,...
The connection to Juneteenth feels tenuous at best, as characters continually name-check the holiday but never stop to explain or discuss the meaning of the celebration. The script assumes that the audience is familiar with the holiday and its importance, which is perhaps a heartening sign that Juneteenth doesn’t need to be explained anymore, but most great holiday films at least touch on the significant themes of the holiday (e.g. “the true meaning of Christmas”).
“Block Party” feels strangely divorced from what Juneteenth actually signifies,...
- 6/7/2022
- by Katie Walsh
- The Wrap
Exclusive: The Juneteenth comedy Block Party is set for a wide theatrical release via Iconic Events Releasing on June 8, also having been picked up for linear and streaming by BET and BET+ starting June 16.
The film from director Dawn Wilkinson centers on Keke McQueen (Antoinette Robertson), a recent Harvard grad who is eager to ditch her hometown of Grand Rapids, Mi, for her dream job in Atlanta. But when Keke discovers that her once-super-sharp Grandma Janice (Academy Award nominee Margaret Avery) is showing early signs of dementia, she puts her career at stake in order to save Grandma’s renowned Juneteenth block party. In the process, Keke falls back in love with her hometown.
Block Party also stars Faizon Love, Luenell, Golden Brooks, Charlyne Yi, John Amos, Gary Anthony Williams, Brad William Henke, Birgundi Baker, Bill Cobbs, Terayle and Merle Dandridge. Branch Out Productions’ Lisa Mathis wrote the script and...
The film from director Dawn Wilkinson centers on Keke McQueen (Antoinette Robertson), a recent Harvard grad who is eager to ditch her hometown of Grand Rapids, Mi, for her dream job in Atlanta. But when Keke discovers that her once-super-sharp Grandma Janice (Academy Award nominee Margaret Avery) is showing early signs of dementia, she puts her career at stake in order to save Grandma’s renowned Juneteenth block party. In the process, Keke falls back in love with her hometown.
Block Party also stars Faizon Love, Luenell, Golden Brooks, Charlyne Yi, John Amos, Gary Anthony Williams, Brad William Henke, Birgundi Baker, Bill Cobbs, Terayle and Merle Dandridge. Branch Out Productions’ Lisa Mathis wrote the script and...
- 5/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Mark Dacascos (John Wick: Chapter 3), Janel Parrish (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise), and Celestino Cornielle (Bosch) have been cast in The Ray, an indie action thriller directed by Christopher Borrelli. They are joining previously announced stars Ben Milliken, Richard Kind, Brad William Henke, Alison Thorton, and Hudson Yang. The film, which is filming in New Mexico, is set in the ruins of the Salton Sea and follows Ray (Milliken), a former criminal evading a series of ruthless killers. When Ray takes refuge with a mysterious good Samaritan (Henke), he believes he is safe, but soon it becomes apparent that Ray has walked into the nest of someone even more dangerous than the killers pursuing him.
Dacascos will play Brand, a sophisticated mobster who is tired of living in the shadow of his older eccentric half-brother (Kind). Parrish is Faith, a single mom...
Dacascos will play Brand, a sophisticated mobster who is tired of living in the shadow of his older eccentric half-brother (Kind). Parrish is Faith, a single mom...
- 3/12/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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