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Cory Hardrict is a prolific TV and movie actor who has appeared in numerous productions over the years and, in the last decade or so, he's managed to break out into more leading roles. Born on November 9, 1979, Hardrict began his career at a young age, playing minor characters in popular programs like Smart Guy, Felicity, Angel, and CSI: Miami. This was his career for years. His IMDb is filled with one episode parts as primarily unnamed characters, but his dedication to the career path is impressive to look back on.

Hardrict's first movie role came in the Drew Barrymore romantic comedy, Never Been Kissed, as Packer, a surprisingly large part after years of small TV roles. Things then settled back down for the actor, but it seemed like every year, he was steadily increasing his screen time and appearing in more and more projects, as if he would not be denied.

Exclusive: Carl Weber’s The Family Business New Orleans spinoff is rounding out its cast. Lela Rochon joins previously announced Brandon T. Jackson in a starring role, along with Ben Stephens, Pooch Hall, Quincy Brown, David Banner, Yvette Nicole Brown, Orlando Jones, Nicole Galicia, Erica Hubbard, Sarah Carter, Stan Shaw, Bern Nadette Stanis, Nayirah Teshali, Sacaiah Shaw, Jenson Atwood, AzMarie Livingston, Deric Augustine. Kayla Nicole, and Nicholas Turturro. Stephens, Stanis, Stan Shaw, Teshali, and Sacaiha Shaw guest-starred in the orginal series’ fourth season. Jackson and Rochon also serve as Associate Producers. The spinoff is currently shooting in New Orleans and Los Angeles with a premiere date on BET+ Tba.

Based on Weber’s bestselling crime drama book series, which wrapped its fourth season in October 2022, The Family Business follows the Duncans, an upstanding, tight-knit family led by L.C. Duncan (Ernie Hudson) that by day owns and operates an exotic car dealership in New York.

Christopher B. Stokes, the directors of such films as House Party 4, You Got Served, Somebody Help Me, Somebody Help Me 2, The Stepmother, and The Stepmother 2, is about to send four more movies out into the world over the course of just three months – and it’s all thanks to the Tubi streaming service. Continuing to get into original programming (previous Tubi originals include the Terror Train remake and its sequel), Tubi has teamed up with Footage Films to bring four “Black cinema thrillers” to their service. Stokes has directed all four of the movies and wrote the scripts for each one with Marques Houston.

First up is The Assistant, which is set to reach Tubi on January 20th. Variety reports that The Assistant follows doctor Raven Fields (Erica Mena) who finds herself drowning in work and looks to hire an assistant to help with her day-to-day. Taking a chance on a young and cheery woman,...

Tubi is set to launch four new original Black cinema thrillers from Footage Films: “The Assistant,” “Best Friend,” “You’re Not Alone” and “No Way Out.”

The four upcoming thrillers are directed by Christopher B. Stokes from scripts the filmmaker co-wrote with Marques Houston. Stokes and Houston also serve as executive producers on the films, with Footage Films president Juanita Stokes as producer. Tubi has previously worked with Footage Films on several original films, including “The Stepmother” and “The Stepmother 2.”

Per the logline, “The Assistant” follows doctor Raven Fields (Erica Mena) who “finds herself drowning in work and looks to hire an assistant to help with her day-to-day. Taking a chance on a young and cheery woman, Raven believes she’s found the perfect person until assistance turns into obsession, and she risks losing everything, including her life.” In addition to Mena, the film stars Parker McKenna Posey, Flex Alexander,...

This year’s American Black Film Festival lineup is stacked with some of the top names in Hollywood as well as emerging voices including a screening of Reginald Hudlin’s The Black Godfather, a conversation with Spike Lee and his protege Stefon Bristol as well as the five finalists for HBO Short Film Competition, which is now in its 22nd year. The fest takes place June 12-16 in Miami.

The program will also include the previously announced opening night film Shaft. New Line Cinema’s reboot of the iconic character will screen at the fest ahead of its June 14 release. In addition, Netflix will screen the Chris Robinson-directed Beats, a coming-of-age drama set in Chicago’s South Side hip-hop scene starring Anthony Anderson.

“Beyond the Spider-Verse: What’s Next for Sony Pictures Animation” will be a conversation between Academy Award-winner Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), Matthew A. Cherry...

Network: Bet

Episodes: 55 (half-hour)

Seasons: Four

TV show dates: January 11, 2011 -- April 29, 2014

Series status: Cancelled

Performers include: Nadine Ellis, Bert Belasco, Joyful Drake, RonReaco Lee, and Erica Hubbard.

TV show description:

This romantic comedy takes an unconventional look at the lives of five young, ambitious African Americans. The series centers on a married couple, an engaged couple, and a single sister who all take courageous steps as they navigate life, love, and matrimony.

Stacy Lawrence (Nadine Ellis) is a successful pediatrician who works hard and loves even harder. Committed to her fiance, Charles Whitmore (Bert Belasco), and their growing relationship, she has every intention of making it down the aisle. Yet, the idea of marriage has her on edge -- so much so that she has yet to pick a date.

The Third Annual St. Louis Black Film Festival will be September 6-14 2014 at the Mx Theater at 618 Washington Ave. in downtown Saint Louis. All the films screened will be new movies and not only will the fest feature feature-length films but music videos, short films, and short documentaries as well.

The St. Louis Black Film Festival provides the American Midwest with a forum for African American independent film and video, and also serves as an advocate for African American film and video production in the state of Missouri. The Festival seeks to introduce the best films and videos from the surrounding area to its culturally diverse, film-loving audiences Stlbff was initially established as a vehicle for exposing Black cinema. The event was green-lighted after recognition that though St. Louis is the largest city in Missouri, it did not have a viable Black film festival. Independent filmmakers with films featuring a Black,...

The Third Annual St. Louis Black Film Festival will be September 6-14 2013 at the Mx Theater at 618 Washington Ave. in downtown Saint Louis. All the films screened will be new movies and not only will the fest feature feature-length films but music videos, short films, and short documentaries as well.

The St. Louis Black Film Festival provides the American Midwest with a forum for African American independent film and video, and also serves as an advocate for African American film and video production in the state of Missouri. The Festival seeks to introduce the best films and videos from the surrounding area to its culturally diverse, film-loving audiences Stlbff was initially established as a vehicle for exposing Black cinema. The event was green-lighted after recognition that though St. Louis is the largest city in Missouri, it did not have a viable Black film festival. Independent filmmakers with films featuring a Black,...

Back in June, I did an interview with up and coming Chicago based filmmaker Christopher Nolen (Here), which proved that you don’t have to be in N.Y. or L.A. to achieve your filmmaking dreams. His latest project, which he discussed in the interview, "72 Hours," with an ensemble cast featuring Harry Lennix, Timon Kyle Durrett, Erica Hubbard, Terri J. Vaughn, Cynda Williams, Brian Hooks, Chyna Layne, Brely Evans, Tangi Miller, and Thea Camara and is set to be released later this year. The first official trailer for the film was released yesterday and is embedded below. The film deals with a reformed womanizer (Durrett) living the good life with a...

Of course he's not to be confused with Christopher Nolan of Dark Knight and Inception fame; he's Christopher Nolen (with an "e"), a Chicago born and based independent filmmaker who proves the point that it doesn’t matter where you live, it’s your ambition that matters the most.Nolen, a graduate from University of Illinois with a Masters in Electrical Engineering, started out as an actor before switching over to write and direct his own feature films, such as The Good Life and Four Seasons. This month he starts work on his fifth picture titled 72 Hours, starring Harry Lennix, Cynda Williams (Mo’ Better Blues, One False Move), Erica Hubbard, Terri J. Vaughn and Timon Kyle...

Robert (Darrin Dewitt Henson) is a nice, thoughtful painter, who is regrettably fired from his job by longtime friend and boss Nate (Josh Ventura). The reason for Robert’s firing is initially unclear, though we later learn that it is because Nate has been sleeping with Robert’s girlfriend, Mita (Erica Hubbard). You’d expect this to be an unbearably fraught reveal, but it is more or less handled with playful civility. In fact, not a single conflict in Black Coffee is played above mild annoyance. That should have been the first warning sign that this isn’t a particularly interesting movie.

Robert’s same-day dumping and firing is mended by the comforting words of his cousin Julian (Christian Keyes). Julian is a wisecracking coffee impresario who has quickly turned his fortune around by living a simple mantra: black people should be entrepreneurs and not employees. Julian is convinced that...

New on DVD this week, Image Entertainment's romantic comedy Black Coffee stars Darrin Dewitt Henson, Gabrielle Dennis, Lamman Rucker, Erica Hubbard, and Christian Keyes in a story about a guy whose life takes a turn after losing his job. The full summary is as follows: Robert (Darrin Henson) picked the wrong time to meet his soul mate! After being fired from his own father's company, he feels like his luck has run out – until Morgan (Gabrielle Dennis) enters into his life. Just as things start to heat up between them, trouble brews as Morgan's ex-husband (Lamman Rucker) vows to get her back and Robert's gold-digging ex-girlfriend (Erica...

A new horror film called 'Haddie' is in the works. The film is currently in development and pre-production. Check out the details below.

Official Details:

On the night of the blood moon, there may be hell to pay. And that's where the couple inside feel they are. Hell. Trapped by things outside that they don't understand; animals or something more sinister? More evil. Add to the chaos outside; the chaos inside, with Debbie and Stephen arguing about money, and Debbie's sister arriving, drunk and horny for Stephen.

The film Haddie, which is between “in development” and “pre-production”, is a character-driven horror film, where Debbie and Stephen also have a strange meeting with a man at an abandoned gas station. And, are concerned that Haddie is not merely physically ill, but mentally as well. The film has a great cast attached:

The title character will be portrayed by Maria Olsen,...

‘Black Coffee’ is set to be served by One Village Entertainment on April 8 on DVD and digital download. The romantic comedy was directed by Chicago native and ‘Black Butterfly’ helmer, Mark Harris, and stars Darrin Dewitt Henson, Gabrielle Dennis, Lamman Rucker, Christian Keyes, Erica Hubbard and Tiffany Hines. The independent film, which Harris also wrote, will be available on DVD for an Srp of $27.97. The disc will include behind=the-scenes footage and a photo gallery. One Village Entertainment has released the following synopsis for ‘Black Coffee’: Robert (Darrin Henson) picked the wrong time to meet his soul mate! After being fired from his own father’s company, he feels like [ Read More ]

The post Black Coffee Set to be Served On DVD and Digital Download appeared first on Shockya.com.

Coffee Mate: Harris’s Latest a Heavy-handed, Yet Welcome Reprieve from the Norm

A professed self-taught filmmaker, director Mark Harris’ latest film, Black Coffee, exudes a marked improvement in his mastery of the medium in that there are few technical related distractions in what stands as his fourth feature. With that in mind, the screenplay is another story altogether, peppered with certain elements that seem so out of touch the film might as well be described as science fiction. Paired with what appears to be a lack of understanding toward women (especially concerning its female protagonist, who is shown as unabashedly subservient in every regard, including in an occupation that glaringly supersedes that of her romantic interest’s) and blunt, overarching messages that are delivered with all the finesse of a barbed sledgehammer, one would assume that Harris’ latest is a valiantly woebegone effort. Happily, that’s not really the case,...

Chicago-based (and proudly from Englewood, he’ll tell you) filmmaker Mark Harris has come a long way. After making and self-distributing several locally-made feature films such as Black Butterfly and I Used to Love Her, Harris has moved up a notch, and has now written, produced and directed his first Los Angeles-set feature film, starring name actors, titled Black Coffee.Lamman Rucker, Erica Hubbard, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Gabrielle Dennis and Christian Keyes all star in a film that tells a story of what happens when Robert (played by Henson), after being fired from his own father’s company, feels that he’s reached the end of his rope.Well that is...... until...

Let's Stay Together follows the lives of a group of five young, ambitious African American as they make their way through life and love. Bet is hoping that viewers remain interested in their lives and bring in strong ratings. Will the show be cancelled or renewed for another season? Stay tuned!

Let's Stay Together typically airs on Tuesday nights. The show's cast includes Bert Belasco, Erica Hubbard, Joyful Drake, Kyla Pratt, Nadine Ellis, and RonReaco Lee.

Below are the show's ratings, typically the best way to tell if it will be cancelled or renewed for another season.

These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:

Episode 03-09: Tuesday, 05/21/13

0.6 demo rating (-14% change) with 1.22 million (-13% change).

Season averages: 0.69 in the demo with 1.39...

Kimberly Cole arriving at The Hollywood Agency Erica Hubbard arriving at The Hollywood Agency The Wanted arriving at The Hollywood Agency Goo Goo Atkins arriving at The Hollywood Agency Kendra Wilkinson and Jessica Hall arriving at The Hollywood Agency Jeremiah Pagan arriving at The Hollywood Agency Kendra Wilkinson arriving at The Hollywood Agency Jm Paris - The Hollywood Agency & Us Weekley Host Official Afterparty for 'The Wanted' Arrivals and Inside on November 18, 2012 - Lure Hollywood - Hollywood, CA, USA © Gisele Rebeiro / PR Photos Blush - The Hollywood Agency & Us Weekley Host Official Afterparty for 'The Wanted' Arrivals and Inside on November 18, 2012 - Lure Hollywood - Hollywood, CA, USA © Gisele Rebeiro /...

As we reported yesterday, Bet's The Game is returning on January 10th for the kick off of the show's fifth season. Bet revived the previously-cancelled series and aired the new episodes earlier this year. They were a huge success for Bet so they ordered a full fifth season of 22 installments.

Bet has now issued a press release about The Game's return, as well as the the second season premiere of Let's Stay Together. The first season of the original sitcom (which ended with a wedding cliffhanger) reportedly averaged 2.9 million viewers per week and was also renewed for 22 new episodes. It stars Bert Belasco, Nadine Ellis, Joyful Drake, RonReaco Lee, and Erica Hubbard.

Here's the full press release from Bet:

Bet's Scripted Series - "The Game" and "Let's Stay Together" - Return to Entice Fans for Another Hit Season on...

A romantic, family-friendly film comes to Gmc, America.s favorite channel for inspirational music and family entertainment, as John Ruffin.s hit stage play .The Ideal Husband. starring Darrin Dewitt Henson, Erica Hubbard, Shirley Murdock and R&B artist Ginuwine comes February 26. The TV film is filled with heartwarming humor, inspiring songs and the healing power of faith, according to Gmc. .The Ideal Husband" is described as a grand musical theater experience, and is premiering exclusively on Gmc on Saturday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m. Et with encore broadcasts at 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. From Gmc: Tracey Malone (Shanti Lowry) is overjoyed at finally being able to have her first child after eight years of marriage. Her husband Devin...

Erica Hubbard will become a part of Bet history tonight. The Chicago native stars in Bet's first original scripted comedy, "Let's Stay Together," a project co-executive produced by Queen Latifah. Formal training, roles in television series like "Lincoln Heights" and a lot of hard work paved the way for Hubbard's role on "Let's Stay Together." She spoke with Essence.com about the exciting new comedy.

Check out the below previews of an upcoming new scripted series from Bet, a network that isn’t known for crafting its own original scripted content.

It’s a half-hour comedy titled Let’s Stay Together, and is executive produced by Queen Latifah, who developed the series under her Flavor Unit Production company; Jacque Edmonds Cofer (Living Single which Latifah starred in) is its creator.

The show revolves around 5 young African Americans dealing with the complexities of relationships; its cast includes Joyful Drake (Beauty Shop), RonReaco Lee (Moesha) and Erica Hubbard (Lincoln Heights).

“I’m so excited about our foray into scripted television. There have not been a lot of opportunities for African Americans to see themselves on TV in scripted shows. If we want to portray the full breadth of the African American experience, it’s easier to do in the scripted world rather than reality television,” said Loretha Jones,...

Bet has given the greenlight to the relationship comedy "Let's Stay Together," that would serve as a suitable companion for "Game" which is about to get a new season. Malinda Williams ("Soul Food") and Bert Belasco lead the cast of of the romantic comedy which, according to The Hollywood Reporter, is being described as an updated, urban "Mad About You." The story tells of a newly engaged pediatrician Stacy (played by Williams) and contractor Charles (Belasco) who try to blend their independent and successful 21st century lives into a traditional 20th century marriage. Co-starring in the pilot are Joyful Drake, RonReaco Lee and Erica Hubbard. Jacque Edmonds of "Martin" writes and Henry Chan will direct. Drake is in as Stacy's younger sibling and always the more popular one, used to living the high life. Lee plays her lawyer husband who is inspired by Barack Obama and leaves his effort to...

BET is ramping up its efforts in the scripted comedy arena.

As it prepares to announce it is ordering a new season of "The Game," resurrecting the former CW sitcom, the cable network also has greenlighted a pilot for "Let's Stay Together," a relationship comedy that would serve as a suitable companion for "Game."

"Soul Food" alumna Malinda Williams and Bert Belasco lead the cast of "Together," a romantic comedy described as an updated, urban "Mad About You" that centers on the newly engaged pediatrician Stacy (Williams) and contractor Charles (Belasco) who take the absurd step of trying to blend their successful, independent 21st century lives into a traditional 20th century marriage.

Joyful Drake, RonReaco Lee and Erica Hubbard co-star in the pilot, written by Jacque Edmonds Cofer ("Martin") and to be directed by Henry Chan.

Drake will play Stacy's younger sister who has always been the more popular one...

We just discovered from our sources that actress and comedian Kym Whitley is about to have Two new shows, one a sitcom and the other a reality based show.

First up is a show with Malinda Williams (of Showtime’s Soul Food fame) and Erica Hubbard (of Lincoln Heights fame). This new show which is written by Jacque Edmonds-Colfer (a well known writer and producer formerly of Cuts, Moesha, Living Single, just to name a few) is also the creator and Show runner of this new show titled Let’s Stay Together. The show is scheduled to premiere on Bet sometime this year.

The other show Whitley will be starring is a reality based project from the producers of the very popular ABC show Extreme Makeover. This time those same producers tackle schools in the new show titled School Pride, which is being billed as an Extreme School Makeover.

It was recently revealed that ABC Family had decided to cancel Lincoln Heights after four seasons. What do the actors think about the news, that they won't be going back to film a fifth round of episodes? The answer might surprise you.

Lincoln Heights revolves around Officer Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby) and his family who move back to his old neighborhood. The rest in the cast include Erica Hubbard, Nikki Micheaux, Rhyon Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Robert Adamson, and Michael Reilly Burke.

Fans of the ABC Family series may be very upset that Lincoln Heights isn't continuing but some of the actors seem to be okay with it. While they're disappointed that their time on the series is over, they're mostly grateful to have been a part of it.

Adamson, who plays neighbor and boyfriend Charles Antoni on the show, wrote, "I...

It looks like the story of the Sutton clan has come to an end. ABC Family has quietly decided to cancel Lincoln Heights after four seasons.

Lincoln Heights tells the story of Officer Eddie Sutton (Russell Hornsby) who moves his family back to his old neighborhood. Other castmembers include Erica Hubbard, Nikki Micheaux, Rhyon Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Robert Adamson, and Michael Reilly Burke.

The TV show debuted on January 8, 2007 and the first season was successful enough to warrant a renewal by March. At that point, it was one of the cable channel's higher performers in the key demographics.

While announcing that the second season would kick off in September 2007, ABC Family President Paul Lee said, "We really think we have something unique here... The fact that it's an African American family drama alone separates it from the...

With President’s Day weekend behind us it’s now time to think about some late Valentine’s Day presents. In case you want to pick up something extra for your valentine or you completely forgot to get something at all, a great movie on Blu-ray or DVD makes a perfect gift. Fortunately, there’s some new ones coming out this week just in time.

Among this week’s selection we’re interested in are new to Blu-ray movies such as Law Abiding Citizen, Halo Legends, the Dirty Harry Collection, Contempt, Akira Kurosawa’s Ran and debut of TV series Barnaby Jones and the latest installment of Cannon. Also, Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (pictured above with Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta and Robert De Niro) gets the 20th Anniversary treatment with a new Blu-ray release.

Movies

Black Dynamite ~ Michael Jai White (Blu-ray and DVD)

Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever ~ Michael Bowen,...

This weekend will see the Golden Globe Awards hit Hollywood, as the 2010 award season gets underway and honors the stars for their onscreen magic. This year, a special post-show celebration will be held for charity at the Green Door/Cabana Club in La.

The party will benefit Britticares International, an organization that helps children with cancer. Celebrities expected to make an appearance include Lita Ford [The Runaways], Eric Roberts [The Dark Knight], Eeri Von [Danzig], Kevin Sorbo [Hercules], Tony Todd [Candyman], Reb Brown [Captain America], Audra Lynn [Playboy], Erica Hubbard [Lincoln Heights], Kellan Lutz [Twilight], Dian Bachar [South Park], Virginia Hey [Farscape], Tarah Paige [Alice In Wonderland] and many others.

The party starts at 8pm. To find out more about Britticares International, visit their official website.

Read more...

See footage from the World Premiere of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures' "The Princess and the Frog." Th event took place on Sunday, November 15th at Walt Disney Studios in the newly renovated, state-of-the-art Studio theater which is right in the heart of the Disney Studio lot. Attending were Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Terrence Howard, Jenifer Lewis, Keith David, Peter Barlett, Jim Cummings, Michael-Leon Wooley, directors Ron Clements and John Musker, producer Peter Del Vecho, composer Randy Newman and executive producer John Lasseter. Special guests included Shonda Rhimes, Angela Bassett, Reggie Miller, Courtney Vance (“Flash Forward”), Nicki Micheaux (“Lincoln Heights”), Erica Hubbard (“Lincoln Heights”). From Disney Channel: Debby Ryan, Ryan Newman, Allisyn Arm, Bridgit Mendler, Meaghan Martin, Anna Marie Perez de Tagle, Chelsea Staub, Brenda Song and Nicole Anderson.

All new episodes of "Lincoln Heights" start Monday, October 26th 8pm (Et) on ABC Family. In the latest episode the aspiring musician Tay enters a contested held by the chart topping R&B singer Trey Songz.

The singer arrives at Lincoln Heights just as Jenn (Nicki Micheaux) is suffering with the flu and has to get her family to pull together to help her through her illness. As well as this Charles (Robert Adamson) has to face up to the realities of life after high school with Cassie (Erica Hubbard) realizing that he has not made any plans for his future, leaving her with a choice to whether or not to move on without him. Finally an unpredicted visit comes in the shape of Eddie in the new episode entitled "Relative Unknown".

The episode includes a talent contest which is hosted by the Grammy Award winning artist Trey Songz, who...

Heather Graham attending as Vegas Magazine celebrates its 6th anniversary at Pure nightclub in Las Vegas on May 30, 2009. Photo copyright by Prn / PR Photos. Heather Graham attending as Vegas Magazine celebrates its 6th anniversary at Pure nightclub in Las Vegas on May 30, 2009. Photo copyright by Prn / PR Photos. Heather Graham attending as Vegas Magazine celebrates its 6th anniversary at Pure nightclub in Las Vegas on May 30, 2009. Photo copyright by Prn / PR Photos. Erica Hubbard attending as Vegas Magazine celebrates its 6th anniversary at Pure nightclub in Las Vegas on May 30, 2009. Photo copyright by Prn / PR Photos. Laura Croft attending as Vegas Magazine celebrates its...

Although the evening's sole openly gay nominee, Wanda Skyes, didn't win in her category (or even attend the event; Queen Latifah was also absent), the 40th NAACP Image Awards show offered an entertaining and inspiring evening last night.

Halle Berry and Tyler Perry co-hosted the annual awards show that pays tribute to people of color in entertainment, on the eve of the NAACP's one-hundredth anniversary.

Halle Berry sporting different looks during the Awards

Beyoncé kicked it off with a great performance of her song "Halo," set against images of the Civil Rights movement. I don't think anyone was really surprised when she won Favorite Female Singer later in the evening.

Jennifer Hudson received a standing ovation when she won for Best New Artist, and proceeded to knock her musical performance out of the park.

The women who took home awards in the major TV categories include Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends...