Did you spend your money to see Temptation this past weekend? We sure did. And while one author has already expressed the effect the movie had on her thinking on our site today, seeing that this is not a Madea movie, or a sequel to his previous works and the hype around it was big, how did it end up doing at the box office this past Easter weekend?

Not bad. According to ABC News, Perry’s newest film came in third, raking in $22.3 million. It came behind G.I. Joe: Retaliation and The Croods at number two. I can see the appeal of the films that beat it out at the box office. G.I. Joe had the action that men want and the eye candy that women would sit through it for (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Channing Tatum? Yes, please!), and The Croods was just number one the weekend before, and kids movies with a decent plot always bring in big dollars. But considering the advertising, the buzz surrounding the movie (especially since Kim Kardashian was in it and there was that whole threat, aka, folks pretending they were going to boycott the movie), and the people I saw standing in line for it on Saturday in NYC, I thought it would have been number one. And the movie isn’t actually bad. Despite a few predictable moments and a confusing ending, it was very entertaining.

Either way though, it’s a success for Perry and around his average opening weekend performances (Shadow and Act says his highest opening weekend performance was Madea Goes To Jail with $41 million, and the lowest being Daddy’s Little Girls with $11.2 million) so kudos to him.

If you saw the movie this past weekend and happened to be one of the people who helped it do $22.3 million at the box office, what did you think?

If you were looking for a dose of cuteness today, then no worries, we’ve got you covered Noire-ettes! As you can see below, Sandra Bullock picked up her little man, Louis Bardo Bullock, from school earlier in the week, and our favorite frowning kid let mom do all the smiling. He’s growing up so fast! I love how happy Sandra always looks with Louis, even with the paparazzi all around…

Source: babyrazzi.com

Source: People.com

And in other adorable kid news, rapper The Game tweeted photos of his little girl, Cali. She and her father went on a shopping trip for Easter over the weekend, and the little one was already being Miss Independent, paying for clothes (*winks*), and randomly saluting the cameras with her stunner shades on. She will be two in August, and this is what the rapper had to say about his baby girl:

“Out shopping with my lil princess. She only 1 yrs old & she knows how to pay for her own clothes. Happy Easter everyone…. Enjoy your day.. & Jesus my lil princess salutes you… Keep up the good work !!”

LOL at the concept of her saluting Jesus.

Source: Lipstick Alley

Source: Lipstick Alley

Source: Lipstick Alley

Source: Lipstick Alley

If this doesn’t brighten up your day, then you probably need to go home and hope for better luck tomorrow, cause cute kids are what makes the world go ’round (or I think that’s how the song goes…). Aren’t these little ones adorable?

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MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The first family joined the millions of families across the world who celebrated Easter Sunday by attending church. Yesterday the Obamas walked across Lafeyette Square to attend services at St. John’s Church, a block from the White House.

The first lady kept it classy with a slick bun, a Thakoon dress and a cropped black cardigan.

Sasha and Malia, who are growing up quite quickly, looked equally beautiful in their dresses and cardigans.

On Wednesday, April 4,  Michelle Obama kicked off Military Child month by swinging by the Walter Reed Fisher House. She brought Easter candies, decorated Easter cards and gave away tickets to the White House Easter egg roll.

Getting a high five from the first lady. How awesome is that?

Hugs for the kiddies!

The Obama family dog, Bo, even took part in the festivities. Too cute!

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1. People You’ve Never Seen Before

There are tons of people who believe in God but cannot, I repeat cannot go to church. I’ll be the first to admit that church can sometimes be a grimy place; but I won’t let the actions of a few keep me away from the institution all together. But let me get back on topic. Being that Easter is the day folks feel most indebted to Jesus they make their way to the house of God. If I went to church once a year, I certainly wouldn’t choose Easter. It’s the most crowded, most likely to go long service of the entire year. But if Easter is what’s going to get you in the door, by all means roll through.

2. Tags on Clothes

For some people, it’s pretty much an unspoken rule that Easter is a time to stunt. Everyone from 3 month old babies to 87 year old senior citizens will be raggin’. So while you might not see actual tags on clothes, it will more than evident that a majority of the outfits you see on Sunday, have never been worn before.

Source: kissmyblackads.blogspot.com

3. Sweat

On the East coast, it’s still pretty chilly outside. But that doesn’t mean the temperature inside the sanctuary won’t be sweltering. Since people from all walks of life will be making their way to the nearest church, tabernacle or place of worship, don’t expect to have an leg room for days. Folks will be packed in, so be prepared to show some love to your neighbor.

4. Pink and Purple Suits…

…with a Stacy Adams to match. We already mentioned how one’s attire is important for this holiday. Don’t think for a minute that doesn’t include the fellas. Don’t be alarmed if you see a 6 ft tall man wearing yards and yards of lavender fabric. Not only will he be wearing said fabric, he will no doubt believe that he is killing the game. You won’t be able to tell him nothin’.

5. Church Hats 

Nothing says black church staple like the church hat or the church crown as they’ve been called. If you’ve never seen any elaborate headgear, curving and jutting at different angles, then you’ve certainly been missing out.

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Every time Easter comes around I begin to search for accessories and apparel that mimic the colors of bright Easter eggs and beautiful Spring flowers. One of my favorite hues is lilac or what some may call purple/lavender. Plus, since pastel colors are once again in this season it makes adding them to your wardrobe that much easier.

Since Easter is just around the corner, I decided to share some of my pretty purple picks….

Read the rest of this entry »

In the Christian tradition, Lenten season is a period of prayer, good works and sacrifice in the forty days leading up to the Thursday before Easter Sunday. Traditionally people give up something in order to show their dedication to God. Whether you’ve decided to subtract or add something to your daily routine, we can all make improvements. While we all could stand to grow, there are some of us who are out here living the trife life. Sad thing is, many of these people don’t even know it. Here’s what these individuals should eliminate for lent, if not forever.

By J. Smith

In 1863, a group of 21 former slaves traveled from Fredericksburg, VA to Washington, D.C. and established Shiloh Baptist church. Now, 148 years later, the nation’s first black president and his family spent their Easter Sunday with one of the oldest black congregations in the city. They were greeted with a round of applause.

I’ll refrain from commenting on the White House’s not-so-subtle outreach to the black community as election season gears up, and I’ll hold off on the finger-wagging toward blacks who think Barack Obama is the community’s savior, because that was indeed a special moment. Although I get frustrated by the president (or politics as usual, rather), I cannot be desensitized to the historical gravity of the situation. The first black president of the United States and his family put on their Easter best to attend service at a church founded by freed slaves in the nation’s capitol. That is pretty awesome. It even feels awesome to type.

Last Easter, the Obamas worshipped at a historically black Methodist church not too far from Shiloh and the year before that they attended St. John’s Church across from the White House (the church most U.S. presidents attend over the years), the Associated Press reports.

For the 147^th church anniversary, Pastor Wallace Charles Smith wrote that those 21 founders “could not see the way ahead…but went forth to a land they felt God had given them.” I like to think they knew something special would happen there, someday.

Read more: Obama’s Attend Easter Service A Church Built By Free Slaves in 1863

Madame Noire caught up with Russell Brand (Despicable Me, Get Him to the Greek) and James Marsden (X-Men, Enchanted) to talk about their new movie Hop,  a story about E.B., son of the Easter Bunny, and his hilarious adventure to save the beloved holiday.  EB is something of a rebel and would rather be a rockstar drummer than be the Easter Bunny…at first anyway. The movie is a mix of CG-animation and live action and full of jokes the whole family can enjoy. Can you handle the adorableness that is EB?

Check out what Brand and Marsden have to say!  Hop in! (pun intended)

(Bloomberg) — U.S. consumers plan to spend as much as $14 billion on candy-filled baskets, lamb dinners and colored eggs for the Easter holiday weekend, a sign that non-essential purchases are rebounding.

The projected 1.8 percent boost would be the first increase in Easter holiday spending in three years, with food, candy and clothing leading the growth, according to IBISWorld, a Los Angeles-based research firm. Spending for the same period fell 8.3 percent in 2009 and 1 percent in 2008. Estimates are based on IBISWorld surveys, industry reports and sales figures.

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