amazon studios – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

WEEK IN WOMEN: Amazon and IllumiNative launch Episodic Directors Program – Brandy McDonnell reports

April 24, 2023April 27, 2023 Brandy McDonnell amazon studios, Crystal Echo Hawk, IllumiNative, IllumiNative Episodic Directors Program, the week in women, twiw

Amazon Studios has joined forces with IllumiNative, a Native woman-led racial and social justice organization, to launch the first IllumiNative Episodic Directors Program. The yearlong program will provide resources and opportunities for emerging and mid-career Indigenous directors to work with a director across prep and shooting of episodic content, gaining valuable on-set experience and furthering their paths to success in the industry.

Reviews

AIR – Review by T.J. Callahan

April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 T. J. Callahan Air, amazon studios, ben affleck, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, jason bateman, matt damon, Michael Jordan, Nike, truth-based, viola davis, Warner Bros.

Air: A shoe is just a shoe until someone steps into it. It was 1984. Americans were doing the Jane Fonda workout. Prince Charles and Lady Diana became parents to a future king, Mr. T pitied the fools, Clara Peller asked “Where’s the Beef?” and Converse ruled the athletic shoe world. A little ol sneaker company in Oregon was out to change that.

Reviews

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI – Review by Diane Carson

January 8, 2021January 10, 2021 Diane Carson Aldis Hodge, amazon studios, cassius clay, Eli Goree, jim brown, kemp powers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr., malcolm x, Movie of the Week, one night in miami, regina king, sam cooke

One Night in Miami dramatizes four Black men’s extraordinary interaction

Imagine February 25, 1964, and four extraordinary Black men coming together for an evening of camaraderie. Then imagine these amazing men are Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, Cassius Clay, and Malcolm X. This is exactly what director Regina King’s One Night in Miami spectacularly presents as this remarkable foursome talks, laughs, argues, and probes the most significant issues of Black America.

Reviews

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI – Review by Susan Granger

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021 Susan Granger Aldis Hodge, amazon studios, cassius clay, Eli Goree, jim brown, kemp powers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr., malcolm x, Movie of the Week, one night in miami, regina king, sam cooke

Oscar-and-Emmy-winning actress-turned-director Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk, Watchmen) is determined to tell powerful stories that haven’t been heard – like this fictionalized meeting of Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, NFL star James Brown and singer Sam Cooke in 1964.

Movie of the Week Reviews

MOVIE OF THE WEEK December 25, 2020: ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI

December 20, 2020December 24, 2020 Jennifer Merin Aldis Hodge, amazon studios, betsy bozdech, cassius clay, Cate Marquis, Eli Goree, jennifer merin, jim brown, kemp powers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, leslie combemale, Leslie Odom Jr., liz whittemore, loren king'susan sloszczyna, malcolm x, marina antunes, maryann johanson, nell minow, nikki baughan, one night in miami, Pam Grady, regina king, sam cooke, sandie angulo chen

Anyone who thinks female directors should stick to telling women’s stories is a) sexist and b) in for a surprise when they watch Regina King’s powerful directorial feature film debut One Night in Miami. Based on Kemp Powers’ same-named 2013 play, it imagines the fascinating conversation that might have happened between activist Malcolm X, boxer Cassius Clay, singer Sam Cooke, and NFL star Jim Brown had they all found themselves in the same place on the night of February 25, 1964.

Reviews

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI – Review by Loren King

December 18, 2020January 8, 2021 Loren King Aldis Hodge, amazon studios, cassius clay, Eli Goree, jim brown, kemp powers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr., malcolm x, one night in miami, regina king, sam cooke

Regina King is such a brilliant actor that it’s not surprising she works wonders with the stellar male ensemble in her directing debut, One Night in Miami. Adapted by Kemp Powers from his 2013 speculative stage play, the action is set in just a single night —Feb. 25, 1964, the night that Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) won the world heavyweight championship at age 22 by defeating Sonny Liston in a title bout at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It unfolds largely in single hotel room where Clay celebrates with friends Malcolm X (Kinglsey Ben-Adir); football legend Jim Brown Aldis Hodge; and singer Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.).

Reviews

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI – Review by Leslie Combemale

December 18, 2020January 8, 2021 Leslie Combemale Aldis Hodge, amazon studios, cassius clay, Eli Goree, jim brown, kemp powers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr., malcolm x, one night in miami, regina king, sam cooke

It has been clear for a while that Regina King was headed for feature film direction, and she found a great and compelling subject in the historic night in 1964 when Cassius Clay (soon to be Mohammad Ali), Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown spent the evening together after Clay defeated Sonny Liston at the Miami Convention Hall. Screenwriter and playwright Kemp Powers adapted his award-winning play and King populated her film with a powerhouse cast that shines both individually and as an ensemble.

Reviews

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI – Review by Susan Wloszczyna

December 18, 2020January 8, 2021 Susan Wloszczyna Aldis Hodge, amazon studios, cassius clay, Eli Goree, jim brown, kemp powers, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Leslie Odom Jr., malcolm x, one night in miami, regina king, sam cooke

Regina King seems to have the Midas touch whenever awards season comes around. She has amassed quite a load of gold in the form of an Oscar, four Emmys, a Golden Globe and a SAG ensemble honor in her career. But this year, she might just win gold with her debut behind the camera, One Night in Miami. King has been in training to be a director for a while by helming TV episodes of This Is Us, Insecure and Scandal.

News

WEEK IN WOMEN: Lizzo’s First Look Deal with Amazon – Brandy McDonnell reports

September 1, 2020September 6, 2020 Brandy McDonnell 0 Comments amazon studios, lizzo, Melissa Viviane Jefferson, the week in women, twiw

Lizzo, the multi-hyphenate musical powerhouse – whose real name is real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson – will work with Amazon Studios under the deal to create TV projects to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT June 2020: Nisha Ganatra, Filmmaker Focus on Inclusion and Parity

May 31, 2020July 1, 2020 Leslie Combemale 0 Comments amazon studios, Chutney Popcorn, late night, mindy kaling, Nisha Ganatra, spotlight, the high note

Nisha Ganatra has built a successful career anchored in inclusion, putting a full spectrum of voices and talents on display in her work and walking the walk in a way only a select few women working in the industry dare to do. She is helping to change the future for women in film.

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