2018

Revival! written by Harry Lennix (Man of Steel, The Matrix) and directed by Danny Green, is a fresh and contemporary take on portraying the gospel of Jesus Christ. What makes Revival! so unique is the diverse casting, modern depictions of biblical stories, and the use of hybrid idioms to convey in new and unique ways a gospel that has been told for centuries. Revival! is a mixed media experience that depicts the gospel according to John the Apostle. The film infuses elements of a Broadway musical, animation, green screen and sound stage in a manner that is relatable and interesting.

Revival! recounts the mission, ministry, and miracles of Jesus. In Revival! storytelling through song is used to drive the poignant Christian narrative. Throughout most of the scenes, the singing component is the strongest aspect of the film. The film stars many notable singers such as Mali Music, an award-winning musician who plays Jesus, Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child) as Mary Magdalene, Kenny Lattimore (In the Cut, The Young and The Restless) as Lazarus, Chaka Kahn (The Blues Brothers) who perfectly personifies Herodias, Queen of Galilee and Dawnn Lewis (Dream Girls) as Cleo and Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game, The Steve Harvey Show) amongst many others.

Many of the major events of Jesus’ ministry and the acts of the disciples are chronicled such as the: Wedding at Cana, Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus healing the ‘Woman With The Blood Issue’, Jesus casting down the temptation of the Devil after fasting for 40 days and nights, and the encouragement that Jesus gave at ‘The Last Supper’.

A Diverse Cast Makes Viewing Biblical Content More Relatable

In Revival! Jesus is Black and it is refreshing to see. The disciples are all different complexions and their physical appearances reflect the spectrum of several ethnicities. Additionally, close attention is given to the historical context of what the Word of God says about actual events that are archived in the Bible. Considering the geographical locations that Jesus and the disciples sojourned throughout the depictions of men and women of color throughout the narrative makes sense. Lebanon, the District of Phoenicia, Israel and Galilee to name a few, are all places that are located in the Middle East where white skin and blue eyes are not the norm. Seeing men and women in the cast with varied skin tones and different hair textures is effective.

An Unconventional Portrayal of Biblical Themes Makes The Plot More Engaging

Despite the lack of stylistic synchronization between scenes, the creative use of technology in making the timeless Gospel of John more modern is to be noted. At the Wedding of Cana (John 2: 1-12), it was exciting to see the water at the wedding turn to red wine on screen. The beautiful procession of a diverse looking people all worshipping together and in unity was serene. The strong and melodic vocals of Chester Gregory as the groom and Ebonique Wool as the Bride made for a sweet and touching scene.

The scene at the Last Supper also makes a strong impact. The Last Supper, reported in four books of the New Testament, was the final meal shared by Jesus in the Upper Room in Jerusalem the night before Christ’s crucifixion (Matthew 26: 17-29, Mark 14: 12-25, Luke 22:7-38 and 1 Corinthians 11: 23-25).

The sound of Mali Music’s lyrical voice perfectly sets the tone of this scene. The vast spectrum of diversity present at the table coupled with the prophetic words of Jesus going forth makes a lasting impression.

One of the most powerful scenes of the film is when Jesus is tempted by Satan. The biblical account can be found in Matthew 4: 1-11. In Revival!, the temptation manifests in three different forms: Satan in human form as a man, as an unassuming little boy who twists the Word of God and a physically beautiful woman who tries to use her body and enchantment to make Jesus ‘weak’. Ahmed Ahmed is as smooth as they come in his work as the Devil. Victoria Gabrielle Platt as a triple threat is so good at being wicked and seducing as The Temptress.

Too Many Mediums Distract From the Delivery of the Message

The transitions from one scene to the next could have been more synchronized. There are so many different idioms being used to convey the message that at times, this concert film is hard to follow. It is difficult to decipher whether or not as a viewer if you are watching a movie, a theatrical stage production, or an animated film. While the message of Jesus and his ministry is clear, contemporary and engaging — there are many production elements lacking within this film.

There is just too much going on stylistically. The term “less is more” comes to mind, because when it comes to something as complex as sharing the Gospel; the delivery of the message should not be overshadowed by distracting stylistic production choices. For example, instead of switching back and forth from the theatrical stage production to the film portion of the film; choosing one medium would create less confusion in the mind of the viewer when observing the film. However, Revival! is effective at delivering the Word of God in a fresh and innovative manner that is appealing to both mature and millennial audiences.

Star-Studded Cast With Strong Vocals, But the Acting Skills Were Lacking

It was a pleasant surprise to see Chaka Khan as the powerful and manipulating Herodias, a woman who became Queen of Galilee, and seduced her new husband, King Herod into killing John the Baptist. With her classic beauty, charm, and vocals Khan truly brought the role of Herodias to life. Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter as Hunter was believable, and the chemistry that he and Chaka Khan share is amusing to watch. More seasoned actors like T’Keyah Crystal Keymah (In Living Color) as Rebah, a powerful accuser of Jesus and Harry Lennix as the embattled Pontius Pilate and Obba Babatunde as a wealthy Nicodemus show strong acting chops, while some of the newcomers to film are truly better suited as singers.

Whether one reads the Bible as the final authority on life or merely as poetry and literature, there is truly a need for more good news or messages of hope for the world.  There is a need for ideologies that encourage belief in the supernatural, miracle-working power of God. Revival! uniquely presents the Gospel of John.

Revival! will have its world premiere Tuesday, Dec. 4th at The Museum of The Bible, 400 4th Street SW, Washington, DC. The evening will begin with a VIP cocktail reception and red carpet, followed by performances featuring the film’s stars in advance of the evening’s 7:30 screening. 

Revival! opens Dec. 7 in theaters in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, Detroit, Dallas, and Los Angeles. In January, it will expand to screens in Memphis, Baltimore, New Orleans, Norfolk, St. Louis, San Francisco, Cleveland, Orlando, Boston, Tampa, Milwaukee, Memphis and additional theaters to be announced soon.

The post BGN Film Review: ‘Revival!’ appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Retro sci-fi flicks have a special place in our hearts, so why not celebrate them in nostalgic board game form? From the ’60s to the ’00s, there have been a myriad of sci-fi […]

The post 8 Nostalgic Board Games Based on Old Sci-Fi Flicks appeared first on Geek.com.

Hailing from Brooklyn, New York and elegantly standing at 5’10, Iesha Hodges and her signature blonde buzz-cut have taken the fashion world by storm. She’s modeled for global brands such as Oscar de la Renta, Christian Cowan and Miu Miu- and has been one of the few Black models to appear in a Miu Miu […]

The post From Tomboy To Top Model, Victoria’s Secret Star Iesha Hodges Shares Her Story appeared first on Essence.

The family members of Don Shirley, the Jamaican-American pianist depicted in the movie The Green Book,  has issued a strong condemnation of the film which is based on events in Shirley’s life.

“As the only living brother of Dr. Donald W. Shirley, I, Maurice E. Shirley, Sr. am compelled to respond to this article. In agreement with Malcolm X who proffered that ‘every White man in America profits directly or indirectly from his position vis-a-vis Negroes, profits from racism even though he does not practice it or believe it.’ This movie, “The Green Book” is NOT about MY brother, but about money, white privilege, assumption, and Tony Lip!” writes Maurice Shirley in a letter sent to media including Black Enterprise.

The Green Book tells the story of Shirley and his white chauffeur and later actor, Frank Anthony “Tony Lip” Vallelonga as they travel through the Southern United States for an eight-week concert tour Shirley is scheduled to play. Vallelonga, who is from New York, is given a copy of The Green Book, a guide that actually existed, that instructed African American travelers on where to find safe havens throughout the deeply-segregated ’60s South. It is based on a real-life story and characters.

The movie, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2018 has received both accolades and backlash.

It won the People’s Choice Award and was named “Best Picture” by the National Board of Review. There has been industry talk of the film’s star, Viggo Mortensen as an Oscar contender for his portrayal of Vallelonga.

However, Mortensen recently came under fire for using the n-word during an event promoting the film. The actor has since apologized with the explanation that he was “attempting to make the point that the extreme, dehumanizing ugliness that this word conjures, the hateful attitude behind it, has not disappeared just because white people generally no longer use it as a racist insult.

Shadow and Act, a website dedicated to cinema, television and web content of Africa and its global Diaspora, called the movie, “a poorly titled white savior film.”

Writing for The Root, Monique Judge also lambasted the film:

It is definitely problematic in that it seems to gloss over the true horrors of the Jim Crow South and just how bad it was for blacks who traveled through and lived there. We never get to see Mahershala Ali, who does a splendid and regal turn as Dr. Shirley, display that gripping fear that black people feel even today whenever they drive down those dark country roads at night—let alone in 1962, when the film is set.

The potential dangers they face are never addressed in the film. Instead, Ali’s Shirley sits comfortably in the backseat, taking in the countryside and even sleeping innocently and comfortably as his white bodyguard—played by the immensely talented Viggo Mortensen—drives him through towns where black bodies likely swung from trees and where at times the only light probably came from burning crosses and white hoods.

“Our family is boycotting the film due to the implicit and the explicit affronts we have endured while critics have hailed the film for its artistic brilliance and its timely juxtaposition to the rise in hate crimes, White Nationalism, and neo-Nazism in the contemporary United States,” said Maxine C. Leftwich, another Shirley family member, via an email.

 

“This is a feel-good period piece that would make for a good fantasy in the style of Disney circa Dumbo. Despite the fact that it is ‘inspired by a true story,’ the inaccuracies that have been placed front and center are hurtful because they draw a completely inaccurate caricature of a family member that we loved and a misrepresentation of the relationships with other family members,’ she continued.

Maurice Shirley also addresses what he deems are lies in the film:

My brother never considered Tony to be his “friend”; he was an employee, his chauffeur (who resented wearing a uniform and cap). This is why context and nuance are so important. The fact that a successful, well-to-do Black artist would employ domestics that did NOT look like him, should not be lost in translation.

 

My brother NEVER had a teal blue Cadillac, it was always a black limousine.

 

The movie, supposedly asserts that he said he had a brother, Maurice, but he “…didn’t know where he was…”

 

Our Mother died when I was 2 days old, my brother was 9, he never lost touch with me as the movie purports…he was my Best Man when I was married in 1964. Our 2 brothers, Dr. Calvin H. Shirley and Dr. Edwin Shirley, Jr. were in attendance. He attended most, if not all, of the important events in our children’s lives. We saw each other often and talked, by phone, on a regular basis!!

 

 My brother was NEVER beaten up as was so falsely depicted. Insulted, discriminated against, disrespected as a man and an artist, rejected…YES.

 

No one, EVER, had to teach my brother how to eat fried chicken. Nor would he have allowed “lessons” of such by a white man (given stereotypes). Lest one forgets, our Father was an Episcopal Priest, born in Jamaica and our Mother, likewise was from Jamaica, and when we moved to the States, we were in the South.

 

Further, to dispel any lies that he had no family or contact with us, I have his ashes — his remains — in my home, per his (and my) wishes.

 

Yes, this film is from the lens of the Vallelonga Family, and should never have been entitled “The Green Book”. “Green Card” may have been more accurate… Oops, they already made that film, didn’t they!!

 

That no one in our family was contacted until AFTER the film was made, could never be misconstrued as an oversight.

 

If the motive was to tell a true and authentic story, either about “The Green Book” and/or

Donald Shirley, they clearly missed the mark!! But that’s what the White Savior has promulgated!!

 

The family is also calling for a boycott of the film and asking moviegoers to wait to watch until it appears on cable. “This way, it limits the financial gain that the writers/producers will realize from the box office,” says Leftwich.

The post Family of Black Man, Don Shirley, Portrayed in “The Green Book” Blasts Movie and Its “Lies” appeared first on Black Enterprise.