Read our exclusive interview with actor Philip Anthony Rodriguez, who stars as Dr. Evans in Tyler Perry’s upcoming movie ‘Madea’s Big Happy Family.’ The comedy-drama, which is being released into theaters by Lionsgate on April 22, 2011, is based on Perry’s 2010 musical play of the same name. The movie follows Madea as she helps her niece Shirley overcome a health scare. Rodriguez discusses with us, among other things, what attracted him to the role and what it was like working with Perry. Shockya (SY): You’ll next be appearing as Dr. Evans in ‘Madea’s Big Happy Family.’ What attracted you to the role? Philip Anthony Rodriguez (PAR): I was attracted  [ Read More ]

Matthew Fox has been cast to act opposite Tyler Perry in the remake of “I, Alex Cross,” according to CinemaBlend. Fox’s character is Michael Sullivan, the killer of the detective’s wife. CinemaBlend is deducing that Fox might have signed onto giving multi-film appearances ala Hannibal Lecter (I’m assuming) due to the fact that, like Lecter, Sullivan is one of the most famous characters in the book series. Other notable casting decisions to talk about: Ed Burns has been tapped to play Tommy Kane, Cross’ partner. As previously reported at Shockya, Tyler Perry is expected to inhabit the role that was once played by Morgan Freeman in “Kiss the Girls” and  [ Read More ]

According to the Urban Daily, Idris Elba stated at the Lens Project’s “Artist Spotlight” lecture series that there should be an end to “buffoonish” characters such as Tyler Perry’s Madea. Elba, who was in Perry’s film version of “Daddy’s Little Girls”, stated that while he starred in the film, he’s not okay with the grandma character that made Perry famous. “I don’t like all of Tyler Perry’s films. Yes, I did work with Tyler for “Daddy’s Little Girls” because it portrayed a positive image of a black father.” He went on to say that he his happy for Tyler’s success and that by supporting his films, black America can show  [ Read More ]

While discussing the Hollywood lifestyle and filmmaking at Broadway Night Out’s “The Filmmakers View” in New York, director Malcom D. Lee heavily criticized Tyler Perry’s work, http://blogs.bet.com/is reporting. When the event’s host, Raqiyah Mays, asked Lee, who is the cousin of famed director Spike Lee, what he thinks of Perry, Lee said he is “a very shrewd businessman. This dude has built an empire off of what he does and people support him.” However Lee, who is remembered for helming the 1999 movie ‘The Best Man,’ did say he enjoys Perry’s most famous character, Madea. He added that he thinks she’s funny, but “All the other stuff and the morality  [ Read More ]

According to Deadline and Mania, Tyler Perry has been tapped to play Alex Cross in a reboot of the movie adaptation of the James Patterson book “I, Alex Cross”, a role originally inhabited by Morgan Freeman. The film reboot was originally scheduled to be a vehicle for Idris Elba, an actor who seems admittedly more along the lines of Freeman than Perry does. As Deadline stated, it is an unconventional choice to have Perry, who generally stars in his own films as Medea, in such a role as Alex Cross, but that is not to say that he will ultimately bomb. Frankly, as an actor, I don’t think we’ve fully  [ Read More ]

Only Tyler Perry could get Kimberly Elise, Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Kerry Washington, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad and Macy Gray in one room for a press conference. As much as these women were eager to appear on the behalf of their beloved writer-director, they were also there to promote the words Ntozake Shange who wrote the play upon which their film is based, For Colored Girls Who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. In their version, titled For Color Girls, each actress assumes the role of a woman struggling with a particular issue ranging from simple relationship troubles to more severe problems. Elise  [ Read More ]

Saw may not have gone out with a bang, but it did close out its seven-year run with a #1 opening at the box office. Saw 3D took in $22.5 million, which is a huge improvement compared to the last installment’s $14.1 million opening, but still nowhere near Saw II’s $31.7 million, Saw III’s $33.6 million, Saw IV’s $31.8 million or Saw V’s $30.1 million opening. Yes, that $22.5 million is a bit under par, but when you consider the film was made for just $20 million, it’s an instant winner for Lionsgate. Apparently Saw 3D attracted a significant amount of moviegoers looking for a scare this Halloween weekend because  [ Read More ]

Title: For Colored Girls Directed By: Tyler Perry Starring: Thandie Newton, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Anika Noni Rose, Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Phylicia Rashad, Tessa Thompson, Macy Gray It’s too bad Tyler Perry couldn’t take a cue from his film’s title, which was chopped down from For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, the 1975 Ntozake Shange play upon which the film is based, to simply For Colored Girls. Just like his name attracts massive amounts of moviegoers, it works like a charm when it comes to casting, too. Yes, it’s thrilling to print a massive list of famous names on your roster,  [ Read More ]

Who drops out of a Tyler Perry movie? Perhaps For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf was just too much of a mouthful for Mariah Carey to say, but according to People, the actress is officially out of the picture. The film is based on Ntozake Shange’s 1975 play about a handful of women dealing with a variety of problems. Naturally, Perry amassed a fantastic cast including Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose and Macy Gray. Seriously Mariah? You better not be ditching this group to spend more quality time with hubby Nick Cannon.  [ Read More ]

Chuck the Movie Guy recently sat down with Tyler Perry and talked about the upcoming film “Madea Goes to Jail” by director Tyler Perry and starring Vanessa Ferlito (Death Proof, Nothing Like the Holidays), Keshia Knight Pulliam (House of Payne), Sofia Vergara (Dirty Sexy Money) and Tyler Perry as Madea. Synopsis: After a high-speed car chase, Madea (Tyler Perry) winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway (Derek Luke) lands a case that’s too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace (Keshia Knight Pulliam) . When Candace winds up in jail, Madea  [ Read More ]

On behalf of Lionsgate, we are pleased to announce eBay charitable auctions for three posters from MADEA GOES TO JAIL signed by Tyler Perry, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Derek Luke, Sofia Vergara, and Keshia Knight Pulliam, benefiting The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The winning bidders will receive studio certified posters signed by the cast along with a signed letter verifying their authenticity. Auctions begin today and will end February 25, 2009. Interested fans and collectors should be aware there are only a limited amount of posters available. Included In This Package: An official MADEA GOES TO JAIL poster signed Tyler Perry, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Derek Luke, Sofia Vergara,  [ Read More ]

Chuck The Movie Guy interviews actor Derek Luke on the Lionsgate film “Madea Goes to Jail” by director Tyler Perry and starring Vanessa Ferlito (Death Proof, Nothing Like the Holidays), Keshia Knight Pulliam (House of Payne), Sofia Vergara (Dirty Sexy Money) and Tyler Perry as Madea. Synopsis: After a high-speed car chase, Madea (Tyler Perry) winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway (Derek Luke) lands a case that’s too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace (Keshia Knight Pulliam) . When Candace winds up in jail, Madea takes the young woman  [ Read More ]

Lionsgate just released another new movie trailer for their upcoming film “Madea Goes to Jail” by director Tyler Perry and starring Vanessa Ferlito (Death Proof, Nothing Like the Holidays), Keshia Knight Pulliam (House of Payne), Sofia Vergara (Dirty Sexy Money) and Tyler Perry as Madea. Synopsis: After a high-speed car chase, Madea (Tyler Perry) winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway (Derek Luke) lands a case that’s too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace (Keshia Knight Pulliam) . When Candace winds up in jail, Madea takes the young woman under  [ Read More ]

Lionsgate just released this new one-minute tv spot for their upcoming film “Madea Goes to Jail” by director Tyler Perry and starring Vanessa Ferlito (Death Proof, Nothing Like the Holidays), Keshia Knight Pulliam (House of Payne), Sofia Vergara (Dirty Sexy Money) and Tyler Perry as Madea. Synopsis: After a high-speed car chase, Madea (Tyler Perry) winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway (Derek Luke) lands a case that’s too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace (Keshia Knight Pulliam) . When Candace winds up in jail, Madea takes the young woman  [ Read More ]

Lionsgate just released another new movie poster for the upcoming film “Madea Goes to Jail” by director Tyler Perry and starring Vanessa Ferlito (Death Proof, Nothing Like the Holidays), Keshia Knight Pulliam (House of Payne), Sofia Vergara (Dirty Sexy Money) and Tyler Perry as Madea. Synopsis: After a high-speed car chase, Madea (Tyler Perry) winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway (Derek Luke) lands a case that’s too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace (Keshia Knight Pulliam) . When Candace winds up in jail, Madea takes the young woman under  [ Read More ]