6/2/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Cornbread, Earl And Me (1975)

In Cornbread, Earl and Me, high school basketball star Nathaniel “Cornbread” Hamilton is the pride of his urban neighborhood, poised to become the first from his community to attend college on an athletic scholarship. His promising future is tragically cut short when he’s mistakenly shot by police officers pursuing a suspect.  Continue reading

5/5/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Monkey Hu$tle – A Cult Classic With Yaphet Kotto

The Monkey Hu$tle starring Yaphet Kotto, alongside an ensemble cast featuring Rosalind Cash, Rudy Ray Moore and Thomas Carter. Set in the vibrant streets of Chicago, this comedy-drama is packed with charm, hustle and heart. When a new highway threatens to destroy their neighborhood, a group of colorful locals, led by Kotto’s charismatic character, band together and throw a block party in protest. The Monkey Hu$tle is a joyous and rebellious celebration of community spirit and creativity. Continue reading

4/28/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: The Iceberg Slim Story Comes To Life In Trick Baby

A gripping crime thriller based on the novel by Iceberg Slim. Directed by Larry Yust, this classic Blaxploitation Film dives deep into the world of con men, race, and survival in the gritty streets of Philadelphia.  Continue reading

3/24/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: George Foreman Documentary R.I.P. Big George (1949-2025)

George Edward Foreman was a professional boxer, businessman, minister and author. In boxing, he competed between 1967 and 1997, and was nicknamed Big George. He was a two-time world heavyweight champion and an Olympic gold medalist.Foreman is resting in heaven with other great individuals in the sport of boxing. He died on March 21, 2o25. Continue reading

3/17/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Carmen Jones- Gypsy Song – Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum

carmen-jones-movie-poster-1954-1020198681

In the groundbreaking black version of Carmen Jones there is a wonderful club scene Gypsy Song -Beat Out Dat Rhythm on a Drum featuring three sepia divas, Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll. But there are at least three more present and future stars in the scene. As Carmen enters the club, the stunning woman with the pony-tail is famous beauty/dancer Carmen De Lavallade. Next two are fabled drummer Max Roach, and albeit just for a couple of seconds, Alvin Ailey! Continue reading

2/24/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Black Boys Dance Too – Short Film

Based on book series Black Boys Dance Too: Darnell Enters A Talent Show. In Black Boys Dance Too, 9-year-old Darnell faces the stigma surrounding dance as a girl’s only activity within his community. Continue reading

210/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Harold Nicholas – Mister BeeBe (1944)

Harold Lloyd Nicholas (March 17, 1921 – July 3, 2000) was a tap dancer specializing in tap. Nicholas was the younger half of the tap-dancing pair the Nicholas Brothers, known as two of the world’s greatest dancers.  Continue reading

2/3/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Island In The Sun – Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge

Island In The Sun is a 1957 Drama film produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by Robert Rossen. It features an ensemble cast including James Mason, Harry Belafonte, Joan Fontaine, Juan Collins, Dorothy Dandridge, Michael Rennie, Stphen Boyd, Patricia Owens, John Justin, Diana Wynyard, John Williams and Basil Sydney. Continue reading

1/20/25 O&A NYC HAIL TO THE KING!: Martin: A Ballet By Gordon Parks (Prelude)

hqdefault

Martin: a ballet by Gordon Parks, an original five-movement ballet chronicling the struggles of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Filmed in 1990 the work stars John Jones as Dr. King and Sheila Rohan as Rosa Parks, featuring choreography by Real Lamb. “Martin” (PBS, 1990),  about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Parks served as executive producer, director, composer, keyboardist and documentary photographer for this boldly ambitious project. Continue reading

1/13/25 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: For Love Of Ivy: A Romantic Comedy Classic With Sidney Poitier

For Love of Ivy is a 1968  Romantic Comedy film directed by Daniel Mann. The film stars Sidney Poitier, Abbey Lincoln, Beau Bridges, Nan Martin, Lauri Peters and Carroll O’Connor.The story was written by Poitier with screenwriter Robert Alan Aurthur. The musical score was composed by Quincy Jones Continue reading