Phillip Martin - TV Movie

(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.

 
Phillip Martin - TV Movie

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

 

Philip Martin

A New Talent On The Horizon!

 Photos Courtesy of HBO

Phillip Martin

     Fresh faces arriving in Hollywood is a common occurrence. Among those faces there is fear and uncertainty mixed with hope and optimism that a star future is destined ahead for them. And even though the unfortunate fate of reality enters the scene to separate the “will be’s” from the “wanna-be’s,” every now and then a new personality appears where after careful examination, there is clearly no doubt! Actor Philip Martin is a fresh new talent that is without question on his way. Martin has sharpened his craft via study and training in San Francisco, LA and New York 

      A perfect example to attest to his professionalism is the fact that after having worked with renowned Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, screenwriter and director David Mamet at his award winning Atlantic Theatre Company in New York City that he co-owns with actor William H. Macy; Mamet pinned a script for the recent HBO TV film “Phil Spector” starring Al Pacino, Helen Mirren and Jeffrey Tambor and he wrote a part especially for Martin. The role was that of “James Lee," a member of Spector's (Al Pacino) defense team during his murder trial in 2007. 

     When looking at the Phil Spector story and his role in that movie, what did he think about the man and the trial? Martin reflects, “I know specifically with me and talking with David (scriptwriter); what he said, he really enjoyed the mythological possibilities of the character of Phil Spector and really explore that thought. So when I got the role and I learned that I was Bruce Cutler’s protégé. Knowing what Bruce did with John Gotti and all that stuff, it really helped me understand that there are a lot of parallels between being a lawyer and an actor because of all the dedication and the commitment it takes to really understand how language and wording play a big deal in cases.

   

  In terms of the entire Phil Spector phenomenon, was Martin familiar with Spector’s career? He says, “Before the movie, I knew of his name but I didn’t know the specifics of who he was, what his work was, I really had a very small idea. But as I did research in understanding his influence in music. He produced one of my favorites, the “Let It Be” album and songs like “Imagine,” I really started to understood that this character was a big part of our American culture whether most people realize it or not.”

     This project gave Martin the opportunity to work with a true master/legend in the person of Al Pacino. How does he describe the experience? Martin chuckles, “Being on set with Al, I seen the literal energy and craftsmanship. He’s very dedicated and he was always the same with the energy of his character. It inspired me as a young actor to continue to develop my craft and to really dig into my heart and soul the way that Al does for every role. It taught me that I have a lot more work to do but it’s possible.”

     To have one of the biggest writers in showbiz specifically write a part for you for a major TV movie role is an honor beyond compare. That’s what happened when Martin did a mind blowing scene in one of David Mamet’s acting workshops. Martin exclaims, “David is one of the most gracious and smartest man I’ve ever met but most of all, he’s very, very giving to people who really work hard. To have him write a role for me which is an absolute honor because it told me that I’m on the right path and if you work hard on your craft you’ll attract the right people in your life and it just encourages me to keep moving forward.”

 © 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook

 

Chadwick Boseman - Movie

 

(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.

Chadwick Boseman - Movie

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

Photo Courtesy WB Pictures

Chadwick Boseman

Plays Jackie Robinson In 42!

Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

   

 Every year during the major league baseball season, April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day and all of the players from every team wear number 42. People make great speeches, honors are given and the entire atmosphere throughout the ball parks across America is that of a revival. Blacks rejoice that the color line of baseball has been broken and decent Whites are ashamed and embarrassed to be confronted and reminded about just how blatant and harmful to humanity the open racism from their red-neck counterparts was in 1947. In the mist of all of the hoopla and hope for a better tomorrow, very few people of today’s generation actually don’t know who Jackie Robinson was or what his sacrifice really meant not only to baseball and the entire social fabric of America but to all of sports. Robinson’s accomplishment with the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers actually opened the door for Blacks to enter the NBA, NFL and other sports.

 

Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson

The movie 42 is a re-enactment of Robinson’s years up to the 1947 baseball season. Robinson is brilliantly played by Chadwick Boseman and gorgeous actress

Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson

Nicole Beharie shines just as bright portraying Robinson’s widow Rachel.

Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey

Harrison Ford may be up for a supporting actor Oscar nod as maverick, trailblazing Brooklyn Dodger GM Branch Rickey while actor Andre Holland will introduce and bring to the forefront Wendell Smith and how significant 1940’s Black sport writer was not only to Robinson as a guide to help him through the fire but also his role with breaking the color line in journalism by being the first African-American sports writer admitted to the Baseball Writers Association.

What was Boseman’s assessment of Jackie Robinson the man after getting the role and preparing to play him? He smiles and says, “Jackie Robinson was a Pasadena and national sports legend before this moment. I think that’s one of the things I learned about him that I did not know. He was better at football and was a Hall of Fame football player, led his basketball conference in scoring and broke his brother Mack’s record in the triple jump at UCLA. So he was already athletically great. Plus he was court martialed in the military for not giving up his seat to a White and won the case. Actually, that’s a movie within itself. So his legend before he ever reached this moment was amazing. When the question is asked would there have been a Jackie Robinson? To me it’s the idea of breaking the color barrier more so than the person and thank God it was somebody who could not only play baseball but could handle the pressure on the field, the politics and the social responsibility.”

 

   Other than this film depicting the trials and tribulations of Robinson breaking the color line, what impressed Boseman the most about the script? Without hesitation he quipped, “It’s a love story. I realized that I had not seen two Black people in love in a major motion picture. It’s crazy! I’ve never seen it before. I’m talking about Warner Brothers, billboards going up, trailers on TV and online. I have never in my lifetime seen this. You may think you have but you’ve only seen Denzel have a wife but not the love story or you’ve seen Will Smith have a wife which is kind of tacked on to the story but it’s not a love story. It is something that is so simple but it makes you human and once you see it, you have to embrace it.”

 © 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 
(You DID Hear It From Me!) 
Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook

 

BET Celebration of Gospel - TV

(C) 2013 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws.

BET Celebration of Gospel - TV

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

BET’s Celebration of Gospel

Rings In 13^th Season!

Photos Rych McCain/BET

  

Steve Harvey Host

  

 On Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:PM ET/PT, BET will air their thirteenth season of “The Celebration of Gospel.” The show was taped in front of a live audience last mouth and was hosted by comedian, radio and TV personality Steve Harvey who has hosted all thirteen shows. 

    

Limos Arriving With The Stars

  

As with every year; the Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles becomes the scene of an old fashion, stomp down, get down revival. This is not just a TV show taping, it is actual church where the performers and the crowd get into it on the for real side. The realness of this show has given it not only a “must attend” reputation in Los Angeles but also a “must see” rep nationwide. 

    

Pastor Shirley Caesar Gettin' Her Praise On!

 


 One of the major drawing cards every year is Pastor Shirley Caesar and for good reason. She is always one of the greatest highlights of the show with her high energy, powerful performances. 

Dr. Bishop Rance Allen

 Dr. Rance Allen is another classic C.O.G favorite who never disappoints.

    

Tamela Mann

    

 Some of the major talent on the show included Tye Tribit, Yolanda Adams, Tamar Braxton, Tyrese Gibson, Le'Andria Johnson, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark-Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Donnie McClurkin, Anita Baker, Dr. Bobby Jones, Issac Carree, Jessica Reedy, Tamela Mann, Israel Houghton, Jonathan Butler, Charles Jenkins and The Chicago Fellowship Choir, Kurt Carr and others.

Dorenda Clark-Cole

Israel Houghton

Yolanda Adams

Kurt Carr

Charles Jenkins and The Chicago Fellowship Choir

 

 The show’s music director as it is every year was Ray Chew and is produced by Stephen Hill and Lynne Harris Taylor.

© 2013 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook