The latest “God’s Not Dead: We the People” movie hits theaters on Monday, October 4. Today WISH-TV Entertainment Insider chatted with two of the film’s stars, Antonio Sabato Jr. and David A.R. White about their roles in the film, what people can expect from it and more!
Film Synopsis:
Most remember Reverend Dave from the previous God’s Not Dead films (played by David A.R. White). In this film, Rev. Dave is called to defend a group of Christian homeschooling families. He finds himself taken aback by the interference of the government, and believing that their right to educate their own children is a freedom worth fighting for.
Reverend Dave is called to Washington DC to testify in a landmark congressional hearing that will determine the future of religious freedom in our country for years to come.
The inspirational drama prompts audiences to ask the compelling question: If your individual liberties are threatened … What Would You Do? “God’s Not Dead: We the People” is the next chapter in the popular franchise that started with God’s Not Dead in 2014. That film became one of the most profitable faith films with a $1.5MM budget and grossed over $65MM at the box office.
Tickets are now on sale for the 30th Anniversary of the Heartland International Film Festival!
Patty Spitler of Great Day TV joined us today along with, Greg Sorvig, artistic director of Heartland Film, to share what you can expect from the festival. Here’s more from them:
This is truly a breakthrough year as this is one of the first festivals in the world to showcase these award contenders.
Heartland Film has announced a star-studded lineup of Event titles and 128 feature films – 10 World Premieres and 9 U.S, Premieres – for the 30th Anniversary of the Heartland Film International Film Festival (HIFF), running October 7 – 17.
In-theater screenings will be hosted at Kan-Kan Cinema & Brasserie, Living Room Theaters, Historic Artcraft Theatre, Newfields, and the Indianapolis Arts Center (outdoor picnic-style). All film selections will have in-person screenings and many of the films will also be available to view virtually.
“After three decades, the Heartland International Film Festival has cemented itself as a major awards season stop while continuing to showcase impactful independent features from around the world,” said Heartland Film Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. “Our team has worked hard to curate a program for this special milestone, and the caliber and variety of these titles will thrill both new and long-time attendees.”
Hybrid Fest Passes and Ticket Packs are available.
Every one of our fourteen Event films has either premiered at Venice, Telluride or the Toronto Film Festival. (In past years we might have 2-3 Event films compared to 14 this year!)
Telluride is one of the top festivals in the world and we have about a quarter of the films from their lineup which really speaks how our festival is growing in prominence. Indy has a lot to look forward to for our 30th Anniversary!
Highlighting some Event titles:
- Anniversary Gala Screening featuring Director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s “King Richard” (Warner Bros. Pictures) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKP_0z52ZAw
- Feature Event featuring Director Pablo Larraín’s “Spencer” (NEON) Trailer: https://youtu.be/Lagauhb5GyY
- Silver Screen Event featuring Director Mike Mills’ “C’mon C’mon” (A24) Trailer: https://youtu.be/7mzushAOM88
- Marquee Event featuring Director Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch” (Searchlight Pictures) Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcPk2p0Zaw4
- Celebration Event featuring Director Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” (Focus Features) Trailer: https://youtu.be/Ja3PPOnJQ2k
Tickets, film lineup and schedule are available at HeartlandFilmFestival.org.
In this week’s edition of Yap VS Yap, Christopher Lloyd of the Film Yap is joined by Andy Carr and Logan Sowash to review a few of this weekend’s new theater releases.
New in Theaters:
“Old” — M. Night Shyamalan is back in his creepy comfort zone in this suspense thriller about people trapped on a beach where they’re suddenly aging at an astonishing rate. Read more
“Joe Bell” — Mark Walhberg is solid in this predictable flick about a blue-collar father walking across America to fight the bullying of his gay son, but Reid Miller is a revelation as the kid. Read more
“Val” — A painful but also exhilarating self-portrait of an A-list actor who spent his life pretending to be somebody else, and found his authentic soul after losing his voice. Read more
For more from the Film Yap visit their website, TheFilmYap.com.
Five well-known African-American forces who are mainly known for being in front of the camera have gone behind the scenes to develop films bringing light to health struggles experienced by black women. They will begin airing Saturday, January 10 on BET HER.
The directors include: Vivica A. Fox, Mona Scott Young, Ta’rhonda Jones, Yvette Nicole Brown and Caralene Robinson. Some of the actresses include: Keri Hison, Debbie Morgan, Eva Marcelle, Yandy Smith and Kelita Smith.
Mona Scott-Young, Almost Enough director and multi-media maverick. and Tressa Azarel Smallwood, owner of MegaMind Media and award winning book publisher. joined us today to share what people can expect from these films.
These 20-minute dramatic short films focus on topics vital to today’s Black women, ranging from the varied impact of breast cancer, mental health struggles, and domestic violence on them and their families. The films will live under the BET HER “Her Stories” franchise — a platform to empower the next generation of Black women filmmakers through a curated selection of original movies and documentaries. “Her Stories” provides women filmmakers a platform to tell authentic stories that celebrate, inspire and support Black women narratives.
“We are tapping some of the most talented women in Hollywood to tell the stories that affect our community, “ said Connie Orlando, Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. Partnering with Tressa, BET Her hopes to educate and empower our audience by continuing to provide a platform for women filmmakers who are trailblazers in the industry.”
“Even though I’ve licensed films to BET previously, being chosen for the second year in a row to produce these crucial initiatives and expand the series with all African-American women in front of AND behind the camera exclusively for BET Her is such an honor,” says Tressa Smallwood.
“BET Her is dedicated to telling stories that support and celebrate Black women in front of and behind the camera as well as bringing awareness to important issues directly affecting the Black community,” said Lorisa Bates, VP, Content Strategy, Co-Productions & Multiplatform at BET. “We are proud to be the platform for these powerful stories and of the work that our female talent has put into these projects that are ever so timely.”
The Waiting Room (breast cancer series) and “The Couch (mental health series) each feature two 20-minute short films; The Hotline (domestic violence) features one 20-minute short. Each project brings light to the compelling issues with heart, grace and humanity while highlighting the disproportionate challenges Black women face when it comes to health care, mental health and domestic violence support. Tressa Azarel Smallwood produces; Shateka “SJ” Johnson, Patrese McClain, Lynette J. Blackwell, Dr. Missy Johnson, Lori Conway Ray, Deshawn Plair & Sade Oylnade are writers; Maggy Francois is casting director; and Kristin Iris Johnson serves as associate producer.
Vivica A. Fox directs Through Her Eyes which follows psychology major, Jasmine Brooksm as she becomes overly invested in her case study, a local homeless woman who suffers from Bipolar Disorder. As Jasmine’s interest grows so does her desperation to save the woman’s life. Premieres on July 10, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET.
Almost Enough, directed by Mona Scott Young and starring Yandy Smith, chronicles a day in the life of Patience Williams who is on the verge of a mid-life crisis fueled by clinical depression, anxiety and Covid-19. With everything going wrong, she looks to her new therapist to help turn her life around, and prevent a downward spiral that could take her away from living the life of her dreams. Premieres on July 10, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET.
Directed by Ta’Rhonda Jones, It Takes Two follows a wealthy socialite, Dayna Stevens, whose unexpected illness removes her from the tennis courts to chemotherapy. When she has a chance encounter with a stranger, she gains the support she’s been lacking from the most important people in her life.
Yvette Nicole Brown helms The Party which focuses on Summer Jackson, a successful magazine executive preparing to celebrate being cancer-free for five years. When she is blindsided by the news that her cancer has returned, Summer would rather die than go through the chemo for a second time.
Her Lyfeline, which will be directed by Caralene Robinson, follows London, a popular singer who is trapped in a high-profile, abusive relationship with her producer-boyfriend, King Sire. London reaches out to a domestic violence hotline under a pseudonym to protect her image as she fights to leave her abuser and maintain their celebrity while keeping it out of the public eye.
The Couch Initiative will be the first series of films to premiere in the BET Her Presents franchise on July 10, 2021 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, 9pm CT, produced by Tressa Azarel Smallwood and production company MegaMind Media.
A Living Room Theater is coming to Indianapolis, and you’re invited to the grand opening celebration!
Patty Spitler of Reel Life TV joined us today with Steve Herring, CEO of the Living Room Theater joined us today with all the details you need. Here’s more from them:
Indy Shorts tickets officially go on sale Monday, June 28. Living Room Theaters is the only place showing these films indoors this year and Reel Life TV is a partner.
Living Room® Theaters Indianapolis is hosting an open house happening Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. each day. They’re located at: 745 E 9th St, Suite 810, in the Bottleworks District.
The public is invited to experience first-hand, the theater’s state-of-the art auditoriums, Art Deco lobby with wall-to-wall murals and bar and restaurant with modern cuisine, unique cocktails, wine and craft beers.
Open house events are free and open to the public and include an exhibition of the technology and comfort featured in the auditoriums, free concessions and prizes with menu items and drinks available for purchase.
Living Room® Theaters opened at the end of last year, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, limiting opportunities for a grand opening celebration.
“When we opened in December, we were in the dark months of the pandemic, making a proper grand opening impossible.” Steve Herring, Living Room® CEO says. “We’re excited and proud for guests to see our uniquely Indy movie experience.”
Living Room® Theaters is a state-of-the-art venue featuring 8 screens with 4K digital projection capabilities, ultra-comfortable recliner and rocker seating and pleasing ambient lighting schemes.
The theater offers in-theater dining from an on-site upscale restaurant with a full bar of local craft beers, vivacious wines and creative cocktails. “Living Room Theaters has reinvented the way films are experienced and distributed by creating a less conventional and more unique experience – from the film selections to the re-imagined lobby ambiance, to the concessions, seating, services and more,” says Steve Herring.
Living Room exhibits a mix of the best independent cinema, critically-acclaimed film and Hollywood hits that both entertain an challenge audiences.
Occupying two floors and over 27,000 sq. feet of a new building, Living Room’s lobby features an art-deco design concept with wall-to-wall murals by local artists.
A large lobby area features loose seating that transitions into the lounge where four custom-built banquettes with separated seating bookends the bar area. A full-size kitchen serves seasonal and regional cuisine to patrons in the lounge and offers in-theater service.
The main bar offers a full range of beer, wine, liquor and cocktails. Each of the 8 auditoriums features cutting-edge sound and projection with plush recliner and rocker seats. The recliners have floor-attached dining tables that extend and push away from patrons. A dazzling wall and ceiling lighting system offers an array of individually programmed lighting schemes. Sloped ceilings which rake away from the screen create the feel that the screen is pulling towards the seats.
Living Room® Theaters is open 7 days a week. Theater prices are $13.75 for general admission and $9.75 for matinees, including tax. Parking is available in the parking structure accessible from Mass Ave and surface lots adjacent to the theater with 3 hour validation provided with ticket purchase.
For more information visit, ind.livingroomtheaters.com and ReelLife.TV.
Film yap Christopher Lloyd gave us the inside scoop for what’s new in theatres in this week, for the the parents and the kids!
New in Theaters:
12 Mighty Orphans — This inspiring, true story of a depression-era football team of orphaned boys plays earnest as all hell, but scores no points of originality. Read more
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard — An action-comedy sequel starring Ryan Reynolds, Salma Hayek and Samuel L. Jackson where the action isn’t as thrilling and the laughs aren’t as present. Read more
The Sparks Brothers — Edgar Wright does a fantastic job encapsulating the heart, talent, and appeal surrounding a duo that was able to turn five decades into a legacy filled with truly fascinating music. Read more
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It — The life and career of iconic performer Rita Moreno is revealed in this straightforward and frank documentary. Read more
Cool on Streaming:
Luca — Fast-paced and full of color and light, “Luca” takes a more probing look at pubescent friendships than we expect from a piece of animated entertainment. Available on Disney+. Read more
Fatherhood — Funnyman Kevin Hart finds some more serious notes in this dramedy about a man who becomes a father after his wife suddenly dies. Now on Netflix
You Might Have Missed:
White Lightning — Burt Reynolds and the late Ned Beatty became respected actors in “Deliverance,” but this trashy car-chases-and-fast-women flick made them stars. Read more
For more movie news and reviews, visit:
There’s a variety of new movies in theaters and for you to stream in the comfort of your own home this weekend! Christopher Lloyd of the Film Yap has the rundown of what’s showing.
New in Theaters:
In the Heights — Any flaws with “In The Heights” are owed to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s source material and not director Jon M. Chu, who has made one of the best movie-musicals ever. It’s the feel-good movie of the summer. Read more.
Queen Bees — Sort of a “Mean Girls” for the retiree set, this warmhearted if not predictable comedy stars Ellen Burstyn as a woman who moves into a retirement home and joins the ruling cadre. Read more.
Censor — A British woman who decides which naughty bits get to stay in movies goes on a quest to find her missing sister in this horror flick.
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway — The rapscallion CGI rabbit gets bored with life on the farm, so he goes into the big city, meets some shady characters and gets into some scraps.
Cool on Streaming:
Loki — The new MCU spinoff series on Disney+ is sure to dazzle and amaze Marvel fans, as well as shed light on a new side of this villainous character. Now on Disney+. Read more.
Infinite — Antoine Fuqua’s a consistent filmmaker who’s made an inconsistent movie with the Mark Wahlberg sci-fi/action vehicle “Infinite.” Now on Paramount+. Read more.
Awake — Gina Rodriguez stars in this timely and engrossing Netflix drama about a deadly pandemic that robs people of the ability to sleep, which registers closer to cautionary tale than science fiction. Now on Netflix. Read more.
There’s a variety of new movies in theaters this weekend and for you to stream in the comfort of your own home! Christopher Lloyd of the Film Yap joined us with the rundown.
New in Theaters:
Cruella — Rather than fall back on formula, “Cruella” uses its animated and live action predecessors as a mere launch pad for something different and dazzlingly original. Read more
A Quiet Place II — “A Quiet Place Part II” understands it can’t be as new or inventive as his predecessor, so instead it ends up being a fast-paced, heart-thumping thrill ride that leaves you screaming for a part III. Read more
American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally — This drama about the trial of an infamous woman who fed the Nazi propaganda machine features a meaty part for Al Pacino, and not much else. Read more
Cool on Streaming:
Blue Miracle — The true story of an orphanage in dire financial straits who team up with a crusty old boat captain (Dennis Quaid) to enter a big-money fishing contest. Now on Netflix
You Might Have Missed:
Princess Mononoke — Hayao Miyazaki’s dark world of magic, in which humans and forest gods vie for supremacy, stands alongside the real one, commenting upon its shortcomings. Read more
To subscribe to The Film Yap visit, FilmYap.SubStack.com. For more movie reviews, visit TheFilmYap.com.
New movies are in theaters, available online, and there’s of course one you may have missed. The Film Yap’s Christopher Lloyd fills us in on them all.
New in Theaters:
Judas and the Black Messiah — This powerful drama looks at the Illinois Black Panther Party and how it was torn apart by an FBI informant. Starring LaKeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya. Read more.
The Mauritanian — Jodi Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch and Tahar Rahim star in this sobering look at an African man who was held for 14 years without charges after 9/11. Read more.
Minari — Steven Yeun plays a father who moves his family from Korea to the rugged Ozarks to satisfy his sense of independence, but cultural challenges and circumstance lead to conflict.
The World to Come — In 1856 frontierland, two wives of neighboring farmers form a friendship that becomes an overwhelming romance. Starring Vanessa Kirby and Katherine Waterston.
Land — Robin Wright stars and directed this spare, lovely but sad story about a woman who moves to the remotest mountains out West to find a way to go on. Read more.
Dara from Jasenovac — This Serbian drama looks at a 10-year-old girl who is sent to a Nazi concentration camp and must look after her infant brother.
Cool on Streaming:
To All the Boys: Always and Forever — This romantic comedy is a sequel to the 2018 hit, as a high school senior returns from a trip to Korea to unexpected romantic troubles. Now on Netflix
You Might Have Missed:
Elizabethtown — For Valentine’s Day, take a chance on this career-killing romantic drama that’s more like real life than some faux Hollywood concoction. Now on Blu-ray/4K. Read more.
Please subscribe to the Film Yap Substack to receive new reviews instantly for free in your email inbox! filmyap.substack.com.
For more information, visit TheFilmYap.com.
New movies are in theaters, available online, and there’s of course one you may have missed. The Film Yap’s Christopher Lloyd fills us in on them all.
New in Theaters:
The Little Things — Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto star in this suspenseful serial killer drama about two very different cops chasing a man who hunts women. Read more
Malcolm and Marie — Zendaya and John David Washington star in this tense, intimate confrontation between a filmmaker and the woman whose tragic story inspired his new movie. Read more
Supernova — Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci play an older couple who embark on a trip when one of them is diagnosed with dementia.
New On Digital/Demand:
Haymaker — An over-the-hill martial arts fighter becomes a nightclub bouncer and finds himself the guardian, companion and maybe more of a trans performer being targeted by thugs. Read more
Cool on Streaming:
Palmer — Justin Timberlake shows unexpected dramatic acting chops as an ex-con trying to return to his old life who finds himself the guardian of a oddball kid. Now on Apple TV+. Read more
You Might Have Missed:
Sudden Fear — Joan Crawford and Jack Palance spice up this largely forgotten film noir about a wealthy playwright who marries a younger actor with designs on her demise. Now on Blu-ray. Read more
Please subscribe to the Film Yap Substack to receive new reviews instantly for free in your email inbox! https://filmyap.substack.com/
For more reviews, visit TheFilmYap.com.