However, langston soon finds that cobbs has strict rules, and the youth is unwilling to follow them. Black nativity is a good movie produced by fox searchlight pictures, malvern pictures, along with description of the movie is a streetwise teen from baltimore who has been raised by a single mother travels to new york city to spend the christmas holiday with his estranged relatives, where he embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey. Though langston hughes poetry is quoted throughout, and his titular play serves as the backdrop for the movies climax, the films major influence appears to be its producer, megachurch mogul t. In this contemporary adaptation of langston hughes acclaimed play, single mother naima jennifer hudson sends her teenage son langston jacob latimore to new york to live with his estranged grandparents, reverend cornell and aretha cobbs forest whitaker and angela bassett. Listen to and download the music, ost, score, list of songs and trailers. The latter film is sweeter and slenderer, but thats only to. It is a powerful retelling of the nativity story from an africanamerican perspective. Black nativity gives us characters at a crossroads, particularly its young focal point, langston. Dec 21, 2018 black nativity is a soulstirring rendition of the christmas story that fills the theatre with thrilling voices, exciting dance and glorious gospel music. Black nativity doesnt always work as a drama, but as. The story is convenient and a little cheesy, but hey so is the original nativity story. Black nativity the christmas story in dialogue, narrative, pantomime, gospel song and folk spiritualsthe unique creation of the poet and playwright langston hughes.
Black nativity 20 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at. With forest whitaker, angela bassett, jennifer hudson, mary j. All 15 songs from the black nativity 20 movie soundtrack, with scene descriptions.
Although the movie s 35mm film images have a pleasingly oldschool richness, lemmons doesnt stage the musical numbers in dynamic or meaningful ways. Read the black nativity movie synopsis, view the movie trailer, get cast and crew information, see movie photos, and more on. The jeremy kyle nativity the nativity factor 20 youth winner the nativity beginners bible. Theres nothing particularly alarming for younger kids, but there are a couple of scenes when a young man has skirmishes with the law hes mistakenly arrested for pickpocketing when he was just trying to return the. This setpiece flows naturally from the rest of the movie, which is choreographed and shot in a very plain manner which confirms that were seeing a tale thats ultimately more theatrical than cinematic. My biggest takeaway is that angela bassett should be in more musicals. The story follows langston, a teenager living with his single mother naima jennifer hudson in boston. Optional music arranged by aaron robinson product code. In a contemporary adaptation of langston hughes celebrated play, the holiday musical drama black nativity follows langston jacob latimore, a streetwise teen from baltimore raised by a single mother, as he journeys to new york city to spend the christmas holiday with his estranged relatives reverend cornell and aretha cobbs forest whitaker and angela bassett. At first langston resents their strict household, but with the help of new friends and a little divine intervention he embarks on. The story is about a family torn apart years before because of misunderstandings who set aside their differences to come together on the eve of christs birth. Its sweetly amiable and solidly performed, but black nativity suffers from director kasi lemmons heavyhanded treatment of its celebrated source material.
Parents need to know that the musical black nativity is a modernization of langston hughes 1961 play of the same name with a gospel twist. Black nativity was released in 20 on wednesday, november 27, 20 in nationwide movie theaters. Black nativity is a cutrate musical melodrama that grafts overreaching references to black culture onto a facile familyvalues narrative. Released november 27th, 20, black nativity stars forest whitaker, angela bassett, jennifer hudson, tyrese gibson the pg movie has a runtime of about 1. Black nativity is a retelling of the classic nativity story with an entirely black cast. The narrative combines gritty realism with surrealism. Theres little of langston hughes in the inept musical black.
Black nativity is a 20 american musical drama film directed by kasi lemmons. Nov 27, 20 enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing black nativity near you. I was not expecting black nativity to be a full on musical, but jennifer hudsons presence in the cast should have been a clue. Cornell cobbs forest whitaker and his wife, aretha angela bassett. Nov 27, 20 the harlem renaissance leader and iconic black american activistartist langston hughes wrote the black nativity stage play, which is a retelling of the classic nativity story albeit, one where traditional christmas carols and hyms are performed in the gospel style often accompanied by african percussion with other unconventional creative elements incorporated into the format unorthodox. Black nativity 20 full movie lets join, full episode here. Nov 26, 20 all 15 songs from the black nativity 20 movie soundtrack, with scene descriptions. The harlem renaissance leader and iconic black american activistartist langston hughes wrote the black nativity stage play, which is a retelling of the classic nativity story albeit, one where traditional christmas carols and hyms are performed in the gospel style often accompanied by african percussion with other unconventional creative elements. The new movie is based on a play by the same name by langston hughes. Black nativity, a contemporary adaptation of langston hughes play, is the story of hughes played by jacob latimore who spends christmas with his estranged grandparents, reverend cornell and aretha cobbs, played by forest whitaker and angela bassett. Once there, langston embarks on a journey of selfdiscovery in this inspiring story of. A streetwise teen from baltimore who has been raised by a single mother travels to new york city to spend the christmas holiday with his estranged relatives, where he embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey.
Black nativity 20 stream and watch online moviefone. Buy black nativity extended musical edition microsoft store. To my eyes, black nativity is the cinematic equivalent of a christmas tree ornament. Struggling to pay the bills, single mom naima jennifer hudson sends her teenage son langston jacob latimore to live with his estranged grandparents, reverend cornell and aretha cobbs forest whitaker and angela bassett in new york city. The film stars an african american ensemble cast featuring forest whitaker, angela bassett, tyrese gibson, jennifer hudson, mary j.
Langston hughes is a streetsmart teenager whose life gets complicated when his beloved mother, with whom he lives alone, gets. Black nativity is a soulstirring rendition of the christmas story that fills the theatre with thrilling voices, exciting dance and. Oldboy is only opening in 600 theaters, but it still has a reasonable shot at the top ten. Lemmons, who also helped write some songs, has found a way to exalt the past while remaining rooted in. To wrap up, black nativity isnt the best holiday film we have this season and probably wont clean up at the cinema because in the end its just a quite average movie. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing black nativity near you. Nov 27, 20 because, at her best in black nativity, ms. The final twenty minutes of black nativity are set during a production of the sametitled hughes piece at cornells church. Based on langston hughes acclaimed 1961 gospel play, the film stars jennifer.
Theres nothing particularly alarming for younger kids, but there are a couple of scenes when a young man has skirmishes with the law hes mistakenly arrested for pickpocketing when he was just trying to return the wallet and later tries to rob a. Langston, a streetwise teen from baltimore raised by a single mother, travels to new york city to spend the christmas holiday with his estranged relatives reve. Theres little of langston hughes in the inept musical. The script, written by lemmons, is based on langston hughes play of the same name and released on november 27, 20. Lemmons, who also helped write some songs, has found a way to exalt the past while remaining rooted in the present in a movie that flirts with. Black nativity, with angela bassett and jennifer hudson. Black nativity based on the original musical, black nativity, by langston hughes directed by greg williams, jr. Writer and director kasi lemmons turned langstons classical musical show into a major motion picture in 20. Originally written by langston hughes, the show was first performed offbroadway on december 11, 1961, and was one of the first plays written by an. Black nativity music from the motion picture licensed to youtube by. Like eves bayou, her bestknown movie, kasi lemmons black nativity presents a childs view of a troubled family. Black nativity is an impressive mosaic of africanamerican prose, music, and art set around the christmas holiday. The latter film is sweeter and slenderer, but thats only to be expected.
Langston jacob latimore, a baltimore teen raised by a single mother jennifer hudson, travels to new york city to spend the christmas holiday with estranged relatives, the rev. Released november 27th, 20, black nativity stars forest whitaker, angela bassett, jennifer hudson, tyrese gibson the pg movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 33 min, and received a score of 48. Watch black nativity online stream full movie directv. Once there, langston embarks on a journey of selfdiscovery in this inspiring story of faith, family and forgiveness. Everything you need to know about black nativity movie 20. United states november 27, 20 nationwide canada november 27, 20. Host rachel martin talks with director kasi lemmons about her new musical drama, black nativity, released last week. The cast does a wonderful job bringing life to their characters, including jennifer hudson as the mother, forest whitaker and angela bassett as the grandparents, and jacob latimore as the langston. And sequestered in his grandparents posh brownstone buildingknowing his mother is on the brink of homelessnesslangstons tempted to make some very bad decisions for what he. Homefront is debuting in 2,500 theaters, while black nativity is only opening in 1,500.
Traditional christmas carols are sung in gospel style, with a few songs created specifically for the show. The nativity story full bible movie video dailymotion. Lemmons has jettisoned a lot of of the originals inner workings, together with its comic shepherds, serious sermonizing and hughess staging directions. Black nativity synopsis watch free black nativity movie online without downloading. You can watch online movie streaming in hd 106 min in length. Watch black nativity online vimeo on demand on vimeo. Its a brilliant, uplifting piece of filmmaking that highlights gods grace. Best deals teak isle christmas outdoor nativity set. In 1961 famous writer and poet langston hughes wrote a musical titled black nativity and it was a huge success during its time. Already the lad is heading down some questionable pathways. Jan 04, 2017 black nativity music from the motion picture licensed to youtube by.
Kasi lemmons black nativity is a lot like a glazed holiday ham. Originally written by langston hughes, the show was first performed offbroadway on december 11, 1961, and was one of the first plays written by an african american to be staged there. The movie version of black nativity stars jacob latimore. Black nativity 20 soundtrack complete list of songs. Nov 27, 20 much of black nativity plays like a filmed record of that nonexistent production, transplanted to actual new york streets.