its all reel

One of the breakout stars of 2007 was Nate Parker. Not only was he was one of three individuals chosen by Denzel Washington, along with Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whitaker, to play the leads in his film, 'The Great Debaters', but Parker was also featured opposite Terrence Howard in another film based on a true story, 'Pride'.

Since then, many offers have come his way, and the one that piqued his interest has him starring opposite a bevy of female talent in 'The Secret Life of Bees'. Joining him in that film will be Queen Latifah, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okenedo, Dakota Fanning, and Alicia Keys.

In speaking with Parker recently, he talks about his role as Henry Lowe and about the release of 'The Great Debaters' DVD, which comes out on May 13th, and working with Alicia Keys on 'The Secret Life of Bees'.

Curtiss Cook, whose voice is featured in the game 'Grand Theft Auto IV' will be getting a bigger profile when he next appears on the big screen.

Variety states that Cook has been cast in Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island,' starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Michelle Williams. He appears on Fox's 'New Amsterdam' and he'll next be seen in 'Order of Redemption,' starring Tom Berenger, Busta Rhymes and Armand Assante.

With so many blockbuster films expected to come this summer, including last week's #1 film, 'Iron Man', one of the most anticipated films for 2009 will be the release of 'G.I Joe'. Here's a first look at Marlon Wayans hopefully in a non-comedic role as 'Ripcord' and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as 'Heavy Duty'.

The movie will be a modern telling of the "G.I. Joe vs. Cobra" storyline and its compelling characters that Hasbro created 25 years ago. The premise of this fantasy is the story of the G.I. Joe team, led by Duke, and their "fight for freedom wherever there is trouble" against the evil Cobra Commander and his Cobra force. This storyline was an instant hit with kids in the early 1980s, spawning a highly popular 3-3/4-inch action figure line, comic book collection and animated series. The G.I. Joe team will not be based in Brussels. Instead, they will be based out of the "Pit" as they were throughout the 1980s comic book series. And, in keeping with the G.I. Joe vs. Cobra fantasy, the movie will feature characters and locations from around the world. Duke, the lead character and head of the G.I. Joe team, will embody the values of bravery and heroism that the first generation of G.I. Joe figures established.

For his feature directorial debut, 'Pastor Brown', Soul Food's Rockmond Dunbar has assembled quite an impressive cast. Already attached to the film are Nicole Ari Parker, Keith David, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Beach. Tisha Campbell-Martin, Tasha Smith, Dondre T. Whitfield and Ernie Hudson. The film also features guest appearances by R&B singers Monica, Angie Stone and India.Arie as well as former Olympic track star Carl Lewis and Oakley.

Joining the cast most recently are Mari Morrow and Pastor Creflo Dollar.

'Pastor Brown' is a twist on the prodigal son story. It follows a wayward pastor's daughter, Jesse Brown, as she returns from a life as an exotic dancer to make amends with her family and teen son and eventually lead her father's parish, becoming Pastor Brown.

Although she had a starring role earlier this year with Katie Holmes and Diane Keaton in 'Mad Money', Queen Latifah will take on smaller parts if the role is right. In this particular case, it's not really supporting, but a cameo appearance.

In 'What Happens in Vegas', two strangers (Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher) awaken together to discover they've gotten married following a night of debauchery in Sin City, and one of them has won a huge jackpot after playing the other's quarter. The newlyweds devise ever-escalating schemes to undermine each other and get their hands on the money – only to find themselves falling in love amid the mutual backstabbing.

Latifah plays a therapist who does not buy the story that the newlyweds tell her.

Long known for his role as the original 'Shaft' and practically the face of Blaxploitation films, Richard Roundtree is still working today getting some supporting role in high profiled films.

Coming up next for Roundtree is a role in 'Speed Racer', which opens on May 9th.

Speed Racer centers on young race car driver Speed (Emile Hirsch) and his quest for glory in his thundering, gadget-laden Mach 5. Roundtree will play Ben Burns, a racer-turned-commentator who is an icon to the fans and a hero to Speed.

Rapper Common, who started out in last year's Smokin' Aces, and is currently on the big screen in 'Street Kings' opposite Forest Whitaker, Keanu Reeves, and The Game, has just signed to co-star in another action packed film.

Variety states that Common will co-star with Christian Bale in 'Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins' for Halcyon Pictures.

Story centers on John Connor (Bale), now in his 30s, who leads what is left of the human race in a battle against the machines. Common will play a freedom fighter and member of Connor's inner circle.

McG will direct from a script by John D. Brancato & Michael Ferris and Paul Haggis.

With the summer ready to show plenty of superhero and romantic, you may be asking yourself, where are all the comedies?

If you can't find them on the big screen, try the small screen.

The slapstick urban comedy 'First Sunday' is now available on DVD.

Directed by David E. Talbert, the film stars Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, Katt Williams, Melinda Williams, Regina Hall, Chi McBride, Michael Beach, Clifton Powell, and Nicholas Turturro.

Durell (Ice Cube) and LeeJohn (Tracy Morgan) are best friends and bumbling petty criminals. When told they have one week to pay a $17,000 debt or Durell will lose his son, they come up with a desperate scheme to rob their neighborhood church.

Instead, they end up spending the night in the presence of the Lord and are forced to deal with much more than they bargained for.

One thing about Tyler Perry's films is you can count on at least four or more actresses in prominent roles and that's a big thing considering most films usually have one or two at the most.

Judge Mablean Ephriam, Salli Richardson, and Viola Davis have been added to Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail. Already cast in the film are Tyler Perry, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke and David and Tamela Mann.

The Lionsgate comedy centers on Madea (Perry), whose penchant for trouble-making lands her behind bars. She comes to the rescue of Candy (Pulliam), a fellow inmate preyed upon by a large woman named Big Sal. Luke is on track to play Joshua, an attorney who has a past with Candy.

In anticipation of 'Sex and The City: Movie', New Line Cinema has released a few more photographs to wet your appetite.

Based on the hit HBO television series, the film will follow the continuing adventures of the series four main characters - Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda - as they live their lives in Manhattan four years after the series ended. Stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon are all on board to reprise their roles, while the film will be written and directed by Michael Patrick King, who executive produced the original television series. Additionally, Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and Jason Lewis will return as the women's love interests.

Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson ('Dreamgirls') has also joined the cast of the film and will play Carrie Bradshaw's assistant, Louise, a new character to be introduced in the film.

When it comes to comic book movies, studios were aggressively grabbing the rights to get the best familiar ones that most are aware of. It makes easy to sell those characters to the masses, so over the years, Warner Bros. had the rights to 'Superman' and 'Batman', and Sony Pictures had 'Spider-Man' and Universal had 'The Incredible Hulk'. There were other comic book film released besides these films, but they don't have the same fan base. That just leaves Paramount to have something of their own top make a franchise and with its alliance with Marvel comics, they decided to do 'Iron Man'.

While 'Iron Man' is well known to its fans, it probably didn't had the same appeal to film fans that the others have had. That was one issue. The second was who was going to play the part of Tony Stark, the billionaire industrialist who changed his life when he made and donned on the iron suit. Once Robert Downey Jr. was cast as their choice, they were some naysayers who doubted if he could pull it off. They must have forgot how gifted of an actor he is, given his performances in 'Chaplin', 'Less Than Zero', and countless other films.

Then came the addition of Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, and Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow. All three of these actors are at the top of the game and wouldn't take any role for the sake of a big payday. With Jon Favreau, who's developing into a fine director, the pieces are put together to form one hell of a fantastic introductory film to kick off the summer season. 'Iron Man' is not only action packed, as expected, but it is also laced with a story that has substance and with some wit and romance added to please all ages.

After appearing in seven films last year ('Pride,' 'The Salon,' 'The Hunting Party,' 'August Rush,' 'Awake,' 'The Brave One,' 'The Perfect Holiday'), one would think that Terrence Howard worked hard enough to take a break for while.

But don't tell that to him.

While he hasn't appeared in a film in the early part of the year, Howard is busy playing the part of Brick in Broadway's 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,' opposite James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad and Anika Noni Rose.

Even with the hit play, that hasn't stopped him from completing his film responsibility.

Taking a break from the show to promote his latest him, Howard's next role is massively appealing since he's playing Jim Rhodes in the comic book turned film 'Iron Man' with Robert Downey Jr. playing Tony Stark.

From what's gathered in the comic book, if the film is successful, there's a chance Howard's lined up to get a spin-off film of his own as War Machine.

Lynn Whitfield, who will be starring in the upcoming 'Mama, I Want To Singer' with singer Ciara, has just signed on star opposite singer Christopher Williams in the indie film 'Pure Shooter.'

According to Moviehole.net, the drama follows a young man with incredible basketball skills who barely survives segregation, racism and an abusive father. Michael Rooker has been cast as the young man's basketball coach.

Also featured in the film are Clifton Powell, and Desiree Coleman. Producing the film will be World Film Magic & Sky 21 Productions

One of the few breakout hits of 2008 was the highly anticipated film from J.J Abrams, 'Cloverfield'.

On the eve of his departure for Japan, Rob (Michael Stahl-David) sees his going-away party as an opportunity to confess unresolved feelings and tie up loose ends. His agenda takes an unexpected turn when a jolt shakes the revellers. The crowd quiets down to watch news reports of an earthquake, then rushes to the roof to assess the damage. A fireball explodes on the distant horizon. A power failure follows. Confusion gives way to panic as the partygoers stumble through the blackout and into the streets.

Amid the human screams and one inhuman roar, Rob and his friends must traverse a landscape that has changed, overtaken by something otherworldly, terrifying, monstrous...

If you didn't get a chance to see this movie about a girl who wants to get out of her neighborhood by dancing her way out, now is your chance since 'How She Move' is now out on DVD.

Bursting with raw talent and intelligence, Raya Green (Rutina Wesley), the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, has always been the family's one great hope. She won the rare chance to break out of their drug and crime-infested neighborhood when she was accepted into the exclusive Seaton Academy. But when her sister dies of an overdose, the family is shattered and Raya is forced to return to the place she tried so hard to escape.

Amid the human screams and one inhuman roar, Rob and his friends must traverse a landscape that has changed, overtaken by something otherworldly, terrifying, monstrous...