The Peeples family in a scene from the movie.

On Friday, we brought you the list of of summer movies you should get ready for.  Cinephiles have a lot to look forward to!

Today, we have the list featuring the up-and-coming black actors and actresses you should get ready for. You may have heard of or vaguely remember seeing the selected black thespians on our list, but one thing is certain: you will notice more of their talents much sooner than you think.

While Betty & Coretta might not have had people seeing Emmy nominations in the future of the stars, especially not Mary J. Blige (if you ask Betty Shabazz’s daughter, Ilyasah), there are two more Lifetime movies on the way to help you celebrate Black History Month. Toni Braxton’s Twist of Faith is ready to premiere this weekend, and the trailer for Pastor Brown has just been released, with that movie set to premiere on the 16th.

Directed by actor Rockmond Dunbar, the movie stars Salli Richardson-Whitfield, who is playing the daughter of a dying pastor, whose last wish is for his daughter to return to the church and take over his place in the pulpit. Unfortunately, Whitfield’s character has a less than stellar past (including stripping and leaving behind a son), which makes her return home anything but smooth. Especially when that drama comes to light. She has to try and rebuild a relationship with her sister, played by Nicole Ari Parker, and her son, who is now almost a grown up, played by Michael B. Jordan, and find a way to lead a church who doubts her. Ooooh the drama. Check out the trailer for the film below and let us know if you’ll be tuning in to the Lifetime movie on February 16.

From The Grio

Fruitvale, a narrative film that depicts the last 24-hours of Oscar Grant’s life, ending with his shooting death by a transit officer, is one of the most buzzed-out films premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

The new film marks Ryan Coogler’s directorial debut.  The 26-year-old filmmaker and USC graduate is also the film’s writer.

Based on a true story, Fruitvale stars Michael B. Jordan (Chronicle) as 22-year-old Oscar Grant.

Read more at TheGrio.com.

Before these men and women were dominating our iPods and lives in general with good music, funny television and dramatic roles that brought us to tears (or made us mad), they were young’ns trying to get their big breaks on the big screen. In movies like The Wood and shows like As The World Turns, they were everywhere before they became stars. Let’s check out their beginnings…

And oh yeah, one or two are young adults…*Kanye shrug*

Christina Milian in The Wood

Before she was out in these streets singing about the freaky things you should keep on the low with Ja Rule and dipping it low and picking it up slow, Christina Milian was just a young lady with a big ‘ol head of hair, playing the dance partner of young Roland in The Wood. In her short role in the film, she gets upset by Roland and Slim’s nosy attention over Mike and Alicia finally getting to slow dance together. She eventually tells him, “Why don’t you go dance with her then!?” flips her loooong curly hair and makes a dramatic exit. Interesting, this sounds like a scene from most of Milian’s movies…I’m just saying.

PNP/WENN.com

Remember that perfect specimen of manhood that graced your television set oh so long ago? Do you recall that captain of all things hot that lit up the silver screen eight ways from Sunday? So do we, but unfortunately his is a brand of attractive that we haven’t seen in far too long. Beautiful man of stage and screen, please come back to us! With the holidays fast approaching, we can think of only one gift we truly want this year: These hot pieces of manliness to come back into our lives. But until then, we salute 15 smokin’ hotties we haven’t seen in a minute.

After all the stories, conversations, arguments and commentaries over the film Red Tails, it finally came out last Friday. Hurray! There are a few reasons why you should check out the film if you haven’t already. Not only is it a great opportunity to learn more about our history through the big screen (which we don’t get to see often) and to appreciate the efforts and heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen; but it’s also a nice chance to see a cast full of HOT eye candy. Like, smoking. It was almost distracting at a point. But not the usual suspects (Cuba, Terrence and Method Man). These six men are another amazing reason to go check out Red Tails if you haven’t already. Or see it again. Don’t believe me? Flip on through!

There’s nothing like handsome black men to celebrate black love and Ebony knows that. Gracing the cover of their February issue are Nate Parker, Terrence Howard, David Oyelowo, and Cuba Gooding, Jr, the cast of George Lucas’ upcoming movie, “The Red Tails,” which tells the story of the heroic Tuskegee airmen.

Inside, they also have the leading men’s cast mates, Elijah Kelley, Ne-Yo, Tristan Wilds, Michael B. Jordan, Method Man, and Leslie Odom, Jr.

The story of the the first African American pilots to fly in a combat squadron during World War II is one that definitely needed to be told on the big screen and it’s great to see such as strong cast of black men working in Hollywood.

Check out a trailer for Red Tails below. Do you plan to see this movie when it’s released Jan. 20?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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They grow up so fast, don’t they? Once the scrawny Baltimore kid on “The Wire,” Michael B. Jordan has definitely added some weight and muscle to his physique and his career in recent years. After “The Wire,” he went on to play quarterback Vince Howard on Friday Night Lights. He is currently working on NBC’s Parenthood, playing the role of a recovered alcoholic. We don’t know much about Jordan on the personal side, but we know he’s stayed out of trouble and has stayed focus on his acting.

Weigh in ladies! Is Jordan a future Elba?

Check out more Eye Candy!