Interview with Filmmaker Michael Dennis

Michael Dennis and Latifah Waddy

I had a chance to interview CEO & Founder of film company ReelBlack, Michael Dennis. He talked extensively about his screenplay, 2Pac is Alive. Stay up to date on the latest from Mike D and ReelBlack here.

Let me know your thoughts. Do you think 2Pac is still alive? Do you think he faked his own death?

Meet Momma Pope

I am super excited about tomorrow night's new episode of Scandal! It airs at 10pm on ABC. #ScandalThursday

Kerry Washington & Khandi Alexander
Hollywood Reporter (ABC/Richards Cartwright; Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

At the end of last week's Scandal, we found out that the president may have shot down an airplane that Olivia's mother was aboard. Furthermore, Olivia's own father , Rowan (played by Joe Morton), may have been behind the entire operation. But who is Momma Pope?

Well, get  ready for a flashback episode to meet Maya Lewis (She never took the Pope name). According to Hollywood Reporter, Khandi Alexander (Treme, CSI: Miami, The Corner, ER) will play the matriarch and Yara Shahidi (Imagine That, Salt) will portray a young Olivia.

Aww, look at the cute, dysfunctional Pope family.

                                  

*Final 4 photos (C) Getty Images: Joe Morton/Rowan Pope (top left), Khandi Alexander/Maya Lewis (top right), Kerry Washington/Olivia Pope (middle center), Yara Shahidi/Young Olivia (bottom center)

Waddy Weekend Wrap (11/1-3/13)

Gabby News - Gabrielle Union is gracefully covering the December issue of Essence Magazine. The Being Mary Jane star just celebrated her 41st birthday this past Tuesday! Speaking of Being Mary Jane, BET re-aired the movie edition Sunday night after Black Girls Rock! 2013. The Being Mary Jane series debuts at the top of the 2014 year on January 7th.

Essence Magazine

Passing on the Cheer - On Saturday, My 6 year old niece participated in her first cheerleading competition ever! Her team did an amazing job! Check out the video for yourself! They came in 1st place! I was more proud to see her joy in cheerleading. Her confidence has truly grown throughout the cheer season and I'm glad she's caught the cheerleading bug!

What a good Hart - Kevin Hart donated 500 computers to local Philadelphia Schools and Recreation Centers. Some computers went to 8 Philly, while the remaining went to rec centers across the country. Hart was at Allen M. Sterne Elementary School Friday afternoon with Mayor Michael Nutter. Word has it, Hart will continue to contribute to his hometown's school district. He said, "I will be involved in building our public school system up and getting it back to a place where we can stick our chest out and say we are Philadelphia, and our school system is doing the right things."

Kevin Hart & Legislative Aide Jason Dawkins at Sterne

Black Girls Rock! 2013 - The 3rd annual Black Girls Rock! aired last night on BET. I had the chance to attend the taping on October 26th with Cappuchino from Philly's Power99. It was PHENOMENAL!

Latifah Waddy

Some of the highlights from the night included the performances from Amber Riley (Glee) and Kelly Rowland ft. Sevyn Streeter, along with Philadelphia's own Patti LaBelle. The Community Activist Celebrant was Ameena Matthews who gave a powerful, true acceptance speech. It was so lengthy that BET had to the cut a lot of it down for the television program. Fortunately, an extended Black Girls Rock will air tomorrow night at 7:30pm on BET. It is a must-watch! Below is a video from our red carpet experience during the night of the taping. Check it out below!

Power99/Latifah Waddy

Waddy Watch: Jonathan and Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr

I remember my 10-year-old self helping my mom clean the living room. She'd be vacuuming with the stereo turned up loud. Secret Lovers. Always. When Love Calls. Circles. Send For Me. Those are just some of the songs from legendary R&B group Atlantic Starr that I heard coming from the speakers. I'd shout over the volume, "Mom, turn it down!" Of course she wouldn't. She was in the groove! Now-a-days, as we clean together, both of us attempt to sing the lyrics at the top of our lungs, probably out of tune. Haha! The moral of the story is that Atlantic Starr has some of the most timeless music in R&B history and it's intergenerational.

Recently, I had the chance to interview brothers and Atlantic Starr group members Jonathan and Wayne Lewis. In the video below, they reflect on their past performances, speak on the current state of the music industry, and tell us what we can expect at their upcoming show right here in Philly.

Insight from Filmmaker Charles Murray

Latifah Waddy and Charles Murray

With TV titles like Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds and NYPD Blue under his belt, Writer, Producer and Director Charles Murray is certainly one to learn from. I had a chance to sit down with him and he talked about his new film Things Never Said, his parents, and offers some valuable advice. Take a listen to our interview below be sure to catch Things at the AMC Lowes Cherry Hill movie theater as its only playing in our area through Thursday.

Waddy Weekend Wrap (10/18-21/13)

Chargers Cheerleaders - Check out my cheer squad's performance during halftime of the final regular season game! Next up for my girls, competition on Sunday!

Things Never Said - Charles Murray's latest film hit select theaters this weekend. It's a compassionate tale about a married woman yearning for a career as a poet while dealing with life's struggles. The film tackles issues such as domestic abuse, infidelity, low self-esteem, and more. Things is playing at the AMC Lowes Cherry Hill movie theater. Hurry and make a trip to the theater because this indie project is playing in our area until Thursday only. I have to get to the theater to see this film myself. It looks so good! Omari Hardwick and Shanola Hampton star. Check out the trailer below!

Today's the day! - The TLC biopic, CrazySexyCool, premieres on VH1 TONIGHT at 9pm. Lil Mama, Drew Sidora and Keke Palmer headline this cast. Rolling Out Magazine released photos from Palmer's spread. Let's just say, Keke is owning her grown woman! Go 'head girl!

Annie returns - Produced by Jay Z & Will Smith, this modern day remake of the classic orphan tale is slated for a Christmas Day release in 2014. Jamie Foxx and young budding actress Quvenzhane Wallis star in the new project. Smith's daughter Willow was first announced to take on the title role. Instead of being Annie, she told her dad, "How about I just be 10." I'm looking forward to Quvenzhane to tackle Annie.

Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhane Wallis filming Annie in New York (Source: NY Post/Raymond Hall/FilmMagic)

In Film Today

Filmmaker Charles Murray's latest project Things Never Said is now playing at the AMC Loews Cherry Hill movie theater and stars Omari Hardwick and Shanola Hampton. This morning from 11am - 2pm, Murray will offer a filmmaker workshop. Having worked on successful projects like Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, and NYPD Blue, just to name a few, Murray is certainly one to learn from. He's been writing professionally for roughly the last 12 years. Register for the workshop here . The cost is $10. It's all happening at the Art Sanctuary (628 S. 16th Street at Bainbridge).

Charles Murray (Left) and Michael Dennis (Right)

Also happening today, Founder and CEO of ReelBlack, Michael Dennis, will take part in Philly Pitch 2013, a screenplay pitch competition for his own work, 2Pac is Alive, along with 7 other finalists. The finals are at Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom Street) from 3-5pm. Hear Mike's pitch and cheer him on! Admission is free, but registration is highly recommended. Click here to register.

My interviews with both Charles Murray and Michael Dennis are coming soon!