By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Netflix could be a dominant force at next month's NAACP Image Awards.
The streaming giant on Tuesday emerged with a leading 52 nominations including the film "The Harder They Fall." The movie — featuring a large starry cast including Regina King, Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba and LaKeith Stanfield — pulled in 12 nominations, including for best picture. Netflix landed 23 nominations in the television/streaming categories.
"The Harder They Fall," produced by Jay-Z, is based on real Black characters from the Old West who have generally been overlooked in the genre. The story follows Nat Love, a cowboy whose gun-slinging crew face off with Rufus Black, an outlaw who killed Love's parents years ago.
Issa Rae's "Insecure" earned 13 nominations including best comedy television series. "Harlem," "black-ish," "Run the World" and "The Upshaws" are also competing for best comedy series. "The Upshaws and "Colin in Black & White" are among the Netflix series recognized by the Image Awards.
H.E.R. received the most nominations in the music recording categories with six, including best female artist and album for her project "Back of My Mind." She will compete in the outstanding album category against Silk Sonic's "An Evening with Silk Sonic," Drake's "Certified Lover Boy," Jazmine Sullivan's "Heaux Tales" and "When It's All Said and Done… Take Time" by Givēon."
Regina King will compete for entertainer of the year against Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson and Tiffany Haddish.
The nominees were announced by "black-ish" actor Marcus Scribner, singer Tinashe and actor/musician Kyla Pratt.
In addition to "The Harder They Fall," the nominees for best picture are "King Richard," "Respect," "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" and "Judas and the Black Messiah"
Stanfield could come away with best leading and supporting actor trophies. He's nominated for best actor in a film for his role in "Judas and the Black Messiah" and his supporting efforts in "The Harder They Fall."
For best actor, Stanfield will compete against Denzel Washington, Majors, Mahershala Ali and Will Smith.
The nominees for best actress in a film are Andra Day, Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, Tessa Thompson and Zendaya.
WarnerMedia gathered 55 nominations through its multiple entities. The entertainment conglomerate garnered nominations mostly from Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO and OWN.
RCA Records might make its presence felt with the most nominations across record labels. The label garnered 15 nominations with the musical success of H.E.R, Sullivan, Doja Cat and Kirk Franklin.
With the rise in COVID-19 cases, the awards honoring entertainers and writers of color will move forward without an in-person audience. The two-hour awards show, hosted by Anthony Anderson, will be broadcast on Feb. 26 on BET at 8 p.m. EST. For a full rundown of nominees, click here.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More