Sex. Lies. Deceit.

According to Tyler Perry’s serious Alex Cross-esque voice, that’s what we can expect from his new OWN show, The Have And The Have Nots. Last week we showed you a short trailer for the program, but the full one-minute trailer has been released, and yes, it’s messy. But that could be a good thing entertainment wise.

However, it’s hard to tell if the show is supposed to be a soap opera of sorts or if it’s just a very dramatic black version of a telenovela drama, but something about it reminds us of a mix of the Tyler Perry film, The Family That Preys, and the BET show, The Game. There’s the cheating white husband, messing around with the money-hungry young black woman (Tika Sumpter’s character), who just so happens to be the daughter of the man’s maid. And the show is shot very much like The Game–with cinematic aspirations. Either way, it all seems a bit familiar. Here’s the full synopsis so you can understand what you’re about to see:

From prolific writer, director, producer Tyler Perry, “The Haves and the Have Nots” is a new television drama which follows the complicated dynamic between the rich and powerful Cryer family and the hired help who work in their opulent mansion set in Savannah, Georgia. From the outside, the Cryer’s are the enviable face of success and wealth, but behind the veil, the family’s dysfunction threatens to destroy their world of privilege. Cryer family patriarch Jim Cryer (John Schneider, “Dukes of Hazzard”) is a powerful judge whose double-life, including tawdry affairs with high-priced escorts, puts his family and political ambitions at risk. His wife, Katheryn Cryer (Renée Lawless, “Wicked”), is the ultimate matriarch portraying a loving and dutiful wife, but she is willing to do anything to protect her family’s status. Their son Wyatt (Aaron O’Connell) is a troubled angry jock who cares little for his own image and finds himself in and out of rehab. His sister Amanda (Jacyln Betham), a struggling law student, tries harder to live up to her parents’ expectations, but unknowingly has befriended a scurrilous young woman, Candace Young, with the power to ruin the entire family. Hanna Young (Crystal Fox) is the Cryer’s maid and the matriarch of her family. Despite having no money, she has found other types of wealth through religion and virtue. She prides herself on her dutiful son Benny (Tyler Lepley), the glue who helps keep the family together. Hanna does have one dark secret, however, her estranged daughter Candace (Tika Sumpter, “Gossip Girl”) — a manipulative opportunist who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. In a bizarre coincidence, Candace is shocked to find out that her newfound friend Amanda’s father is Jim Cryer, the very man who has been paying her for sex and who also employs Candace’s mother as his family’s maid. Armed with this knowledge, the dramatic stage is set for what will be, in Candace’s eyes, the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sounds ratch! Check out the full trailer below and let us know if you’re feeling it. If you are, you should know that The Have And The Have Nots premieres on OWN on May 2 at 9 p.m. And if you’re not, well, you can always catch up on episodes of Iyanla: Fix My Life…

It’s 2013, and just when you thought you were safe, news breaks that Madea will be back for another year of foolery. *sighs*

Tyler Perry has announced his new project, A Madea Christmas. The movie will hit theaters on December 13 of this year, and per the usual, Perry will continue to write, direct, and star as crazy Mabel “Madea” Simmons. This is not out of the ordinary. But it seems by the casting that Perry wants to continue to diversify the people in his projects as opposed to just continuing to cast black people and appealing solely to the black audience (particularly, black women). It all started changing with Madea’s Witness Protection, and it continues with A Madea Christmas. According to Shadow and Act, the cast will include everyone from the comical Larry The Cable Guy (“Git-R-Done!”), former One Tree Hill star, Chad Michael Murray, Kathy Najimy from throwback Hocus Pocus and Sister Act fame, and actor Eric Lively, who is the brother of former Gossip Girl star Blake Lively. If it helps, actress Tika Sumpter will also reportedly be part of the cast according to Shadow and Act…so that’s one if you were keeping count. This is a big contrast from the stage play cast, which featured Cheryl Pepsi Riley and a bevvy of other black stars. But hey, this movie is in the early stages, so things could change.

As for the plot of the movie, Madea helps a friend visit her daughter in the country for the holidays, but when they get there, the run into some very “interesting” people and scenarios that we’re sure Madea will cuss out and pull a gun on for sh**s and giggles. As the synopsis says, “As the small, rural town prepares for its annual Christmas Carnival, new secrets are revealed and old relationships are tested while Madea dishes her own brand of Christmas Spirit to all.”

But of course. Would you check out the movie based on the story and the cast so far? While I’m all for Tyler trying to do what he can do to reach the mainstream audience and that mainstream money, it’s going to be hard with these same ‘ol, same ‘ol storylines. And the last thing he wants to do is start alienating the audience who has gone out of their way to spend their hard-earned money on his films. I’m all for mixing it up, but hopefully he can do so more evenly. Just saying…

Another week, but a lot more fashionistas with fly and forgettable fashions for you to see and pick apart. From Halle rocking velveteen in Berlin to Melanie Fiona looking retro in a lace minidress in Vegas, these ladies were very colorful and stylish this week. But whose look do you love and which do you loathe? Let’s go through and see…

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Halle Berry

The stunning 46-year-old showed up to the Berlin premiere of her movie, Cloud Atlas, looking half her age in this velveteen dress with a side split, intricate draping and two different arms (one capped, one strapless). To accessorize, Halle wore strappy gray heels with silver cuffs and bangles, a large cocktail ring, as well as drop earrings with a fish bone design. The hair was in her signature pixie and the eyes were darkened to make her look pop.

Halle does it again! This look is very alluring yet sophisticated, and with that body and that hair, she’s killing the game. Steal!

WENN

Hey fashionistas! Looking for some style inspiration? Or better yet, looking to skewer the style choices of some of the biggest names in Hollywood (or black Hollywood at least)? Why, you’ve come to the right place m’dears. Let’s take a look at who was killing it on the red carpet and for Fashion Week, and who could have done a lot better, and needed to be stopped.

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Somebody loves leather! Actress Tika Sumpter arrived at the Urbanworld Film Festival for a screening of “Being Mary Jane” in NYC in an all black (and gray) ensemble and a bright red pout. She wore black leather (or pleather) bottoms with a sleeveless peplum leather top, and accessorized with pointed toe suede booties and a gray and brown newsboy cap. Don’t forget about that black bag with its chain link detail, and I’m digging the bone-straight hair. All in all, I would have mixed up the materials and probably not done leather on leather, and instead maybe tried some fly printed pants to get some extra color in there. She doesn’t look bad, but I was definitely looking for a bit more excitement (we couldn’t even get a bright bag?). I would pass on an ensemble like this.

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Richard Brooks, writer Corie Murray, Gabrielle Union, Tika Sumpter, writer Mara Brock Akil and her husband director Salim Akil. Image: Fernando Leon/PictureGroup via AP Images

We tweeted yesterday about Urbanworld Digital, but, even bigger, the 16th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival kicked off last night with the opening film Being Mary Jane. Starring Gabrielle Union (number 22 on The Root 100) and written by Mara Brock Akil (number 51, who also wrote Sparkle, Girlfriends and The Game), the BET Networks movie is about a single TV news anchor (Union) making a way in her personal and professional life.

Before the movie, however, there was the red carpet (we snapped a quick pic of Gabrielle Union for the cell phone, along with the dozens of photogs and reporters who showed up for opening night). In addition to Union, Akil, BET CEO Debra Lee, Tika Sumpter, and other stars and notable names turned out for the event.

Though Urbanworld has been around for more than a decade, it’s still hard work to finance and organize the event.

“It’s definitely a comprehensive labor of love,” said Gabrielle Glore, the festival’s executive producer and head of programming, who spoke with us over the phone just before opening night. “No one is getting rich off these festivals. Not even the big ones.”

Among the big ones are, of course, Sundance, the Toronto Film Festival, which got a lot of attention this year because Kristen Stewart made her first pre-scandal debut, and Cannes. For all of these festivals, publicity — for the films, for the event itself — is important. Last night’s media turnout no doubt drums up a good deal of attention for the festival.

But more than that, sponsors are important to Urbanworld. “It’s all about sponsors,” said Galore. HBO is Urbanworld’s founding sponsor; BET is its presenting sponsor. “It lets people know that there’s some credibility. The sponsor piece is critical.”

According to Glore, it’s the marketplace that determines the level of sponsorship. “The years that have been more difficult in terms of funding, it’s about what’s happening in the marketplace,” she told us. She says they’ve already started working on the slate of sponsors for next year. The sponsors help determine festival activities, like the digital events and labs.

In addition to that, the festival operates on a strict budget.

“We’re lean and mean and we have money to make it happen,” said Glore.

Historically, Urbanworld has showcased some big-name movies. Collateral, starring Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise debuted there. Night Catches Us with Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington opened there two years ago. And there were the showings of both Barbershop films and Secret Life of Bees, among others.

Though many of the movies that the festival screens aren’t necessarily blockbusters on the level of Twilight, they are successful (as that list shows). More than that, they give famous actors the chance to attach themselves to indie projects that they’re passionate about. And it gives filmmakers a chance to show their work in a theater, something that many of them might not otherwise be able to do.

“We definitely don’t characterize ourselves as a black film festival,” said Glore, while acknowledging that many of the films they include involve African American artists. “There’s a cross-cultural sensibility that reflects what America looks like.”

Which is very good for enlisting sponsors. ”Companies want to align with brands and with what’s the future,” Glore adds.

Among the other films showing this year are Won’t Back Down, about reform at an inner city school starring Viola Davis, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rosie Perez; The Girl is In Trouble a crime movie starring Columbus Short, boasting executive producer Spike Lee and directed by Julius Onah; and the closing night film, Middle of Nowhere, directed by another Root 100 honoree, Ava DuVerney, who was the first African American to win the director’s prize at Sundance for this movie.

For the complete Urbanworld schedule, click here.

Image: Fernando Leon/PictureGroup via AP IMAGES

For the fierce and fashionable, it’s that time of the week again to tear apart or applaud some of the most eclectic style choices of the week. Yes, it’s Style to Steal or Girl, Stop time! Being that this was the last week of New York Fashion Week, we collected some interesting looks that we thought you’d want to see, get inspiration from, or stay far, far away from. Let’s get it started!

Solange Knowles was caught walking the streets of NYC trying to get to the Mercedes-Benz fashion week shows. For them, she was clearly trying to mix it up with her prints and have all eyes on her. We’re seeing dots, houndstooth, and leopard print. She paired a short sleeve top (with a pocket) with a high houndstooth skirt, and accessorized with leopard heels, a mustard yellow bag, a bright red lip and blown out strands. While I’m sure we’ll probably disagree, I’m actually a fan of the collection of prints that come together with her outfit. However, the hair is a no for me. I’m all for pressing out fros, but not like this. Yes on the ensemble though. What about you?

Source: Zimbio.com

Black folks use a lot of food references to describe our many skin tones, from butterscotch, brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel to honey, mocha, toffee, and even every woman’s favorite treat, chocolate. Some of us embrace these sweet names as a demonstration of how in love we our with our skin, and others ask why we can’t ditch the candy references and just be what we are: black. Tika Sumpter is not a part of the latter group.

In a recent interview with Hello Beautiful, the actress talked about the relationship she developed with Mike Epps while on the set of their new movie “Sparkle,” saying,

“He’d just come in the makeup room in the morning, and then he’ll just say something and be like, ‘Hey, chocolate.’ You know?”

Though Tika giggled after she made that remark, the site still asked her how she felt about Mike and his lighter-toned comedic self referring to her in that way, especially in light of Naomi Campbell’s infamous comment that “It’s upsetting to be described as chocolate.” Tika said she doesn’t mind.

“I think it’s a term of endearment. I mean I don’t care. It’s just like, I don’t know if it’s like they don’t know what else to say, or do they just love my skin color? I don’t know.

“I don’t think it’s anything negative. I mean, chocolate’s my favorite thing to eat. So I can’t live without it. So I don’t mind it. I don’t find it like a negative way. I just— it is what it is. And I know when guys say it like, you know, I know when Mike Epps says it… it’s not a negative thing. So I don’t care. Look, if Tyler Perry wants to pay me the money to call me ‘chocolate’ and be an a**, I’m cool with it.”

I’m not completely sure what that Tyler Perry reference was about, but I’m feeling the rest of what Tika said. I think when someone you know or have a rapport with references your skin tone in a way that’s not derogatory, it’s not a big deal. It’s almost the same as only wanting to be called pet names like sweetie, honey, or baby by close friends, boyfriends, or relatives. But when random men on the street — who ought to know better anyway — think it’s cool to just shout out things like “hey chocolate” or “hey red” to get your attention, it’s not even so much offensive as it is uncomfortable and inappropriate. It really is quite easy to tell when someone is using one of these words as a term of endearment versus an expression of disgust with your skin tone, but as the story so often goes with black people and color we tend to get in our feelings when caught off guard by one of these said terms.

How do you feel about people using words like chocolate or caramel or mocha to describe your skin color?

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Source: Collider.com

I’m sure the production team behind “Sparkle” expected a killer opening weekend with the opportunity to give Whitney Houston fans one last look at the singing icon in action, but unfortunately the film had a rather lackluster opening. After its August 17 release, “Sparkle” only brought in $12 million dollars in its opening weekend, coming in at fifth place behind “Expendables 2,” “Bourne Legacy,” “ParaNorman,” and “The Campaign.”

As Entertainment Weekly put it:

“Sparkle didn’t have 3-D ticket prices working on its side, but still, its less-than-stellar box office is somewhat surprising given Houston’s status as pop royalty.

Fortunately, the ScreenGems release cost only $14 million, and that low cost will be its saving grace. Thanks to a narrow theater count of 2,244, Sparkle notched a sturdy, if uninspiring, $5,348 per theater average, and if it can garner strong word-of-mouth — which seems likely given its “A” CinemaScore grade — it could find legs in the weeks to come.”

Celebuzz rounded up reviews of the film from the most popular movie critics, and given their reactions to “Sparkle,” it’s easy to see why the opening weekend was so dull.

A writer from The A.V. Club remarked:

“This is Houston’s last film, and her performance embodies everything right and wrong about Sparkle: It’s a monochrome collection of overprotective mom gestures, but suggests a rainbow of human complexity in a superfluous, show-stopping musical performance.”

The The Washington Post noted:

“While Sparkle doesn’t give the audience a lasting memory of Houston’s voice at its most soaring, it does manage to provide a lingering sense of loss, mixed with celebration and grim irony. Houston plays the disapproving mother of a daughter who longs to make it big as a singer; in a role that plays like a cautionary mirror version of Houston’s own fatal battles, she warns against the depredations of an entertainment industry that indulges and exploits young talent just as intently as it nurtures it.”

Usually film critiques don’t have much bearing on how well a film does when people are interested in a movie not necessarily because of the story line but because of who stars in it— take the Twilight saga for example. But it appears the allure of watching Whitney’s last film role still wasn’t strong enough for the fans who mourned her passing in February to head out to theaters this weekend.

Did you catch “Sparkle” this weekend? What did you think about the movie? If not, do you plan on seeing it?

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As you all know, the much anticipated Sparkle movie was released yesterday. Madame Noire was there to cover the red carpet on opening night and got to catch up with some of our favorite actresses from the film like Tika Sumpter.

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Source: StyleBlazer

From StyleBlazer

Just in time for the premiere of her movie “Sparkle,” Tika Sumpter chills out in a spread for Rolling Out online magazine. The Queens-native dons big curls, a cozy knit sweater and short-shorts for a youthful look. Representing a new wave of Black acting talent, they say Sumpter has the “It” quality in the midst of her peers.

Check out Tika’s looks not to mention her favorite desserts and her relationship status update on StyleBlazer.com.

More on Madame Noire!

• True Life: He Proposed…But I Said No
• Because a Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Celebs Who Attended Ivy League Universities
• Where Are They Now? 11 Of The Most Rachet, Lovable and Controversial Black Folks From “The Real World”
• I’m Your Woman, Not Your Nanny: The Difference Between Supporting and Enabling a Lazy Man
• Why I Still Rock With Lupe Fiasco…Even Though He Be Talking Crazy
• Once An Abuser, Always An Abuser? Could You Date a Man With A Violent Past?
• Dry Spell You Say? 7 Reasons You and Your Man Aren’t Getting Busy Enough