Nothing new in WIDE release this weekend, as far as *black cinema* is concerned; but 3 limited-release titles (1 old, 2 new) you should be aware of… starting with AFFRM's 3rd release, Andrew Dosunmu's visually-stunning immigrant tale Restless City, which expands to Philly, Seattle, Detroit, Chicago and Washington DC on May 4.
For ticket purchase to theaters in those cities info click HERE.
Second, opening this weekend in limited release from producer/writer/director Jeff Byrd (brother of casting director Twinkie Byrd – Sparkle, Jumping The Broom & more) is what he describes as "an urban contemporary re-telling of 'It’s a Wonderful Life,'" titled A Beautiful Soul.
Here's a synopsis for the film again:
R&B superstar Andre Stephens (Deitrick Haddon) is on top of the world. He has success, fame, and fortune but spiritually he has lost his way. However, his “perfect” world is shattered when his entourage is brutally attacked, leaving Andre and his best friend Chris Johnson (Robert Ri’chard) clinging to life. As his very existence hangs in the balance, Andre goes on a spiritual journey in a place that is neither on Earth nor in Heaven where he is given an opportunity to reevaluate his life, his faith and discover a beautiful soul.
The drama boasts a cast that includes veterans like Harry Lennix and Vanessa Bell Calloway, and stars Deitrick Haddon. Rounding out the cast are Golden Brooks, LesLey-ann Brandt, Robert Ri'chard, Barry Floyd, Trevor Jackson, John Salley and Bishop Noel Jones.
Worth noting… for those not familiar, Jeff Byrd has worked in both TV and film in some form since the early 1990s, and has since directed over 100 music videos (for the likes of Nas, Bone Thugs and Harmony, Naughty By Nature and Gangstarr), at least 4 feature films (including the TV 2003 movie Jasper, Texas, as well as the 2005 comedy King's Ransom for New Line Cinema, which starred Anthony Anderson).
He also directed 12 episodes of the TV series version of Soul Food.
The list of the theaters that the film is opening in are on the image below; but first, the trailer:
And lastly… the Samuel L. Jackson/Luke Wilson thriller Meeting Evil also opens today in limited release.
The story goes… When John Fleton, a depressed suburban family man and recently fired realtor, offers to help a stranger, Richie, with his car, John is sucked into a surreal, nightmarish murder spree that forces him to question everything about his life, his mode of behavior, and the very nature of evil…
Luke Wilson plays John; Samuel L. Jackson plays Richie.
The Magnolia Pictures thriller opens today, and can also currently be found on VOD.
Watch both men in action in the trailer:
