Bishop T.D. Jakes, and his wife, Serita on the red carpet at the BLACK NATIVITY New York Premiere at the Apollo Theater in New York City

Bishop Jakes Discusses the Significance of BLACK NATIVITY

The couple has produced several movies, so is there a difference between BLACK NATIVITY and the others.

"Huge difference," said Bishop Jakes. "When you consider Jumping the Broom, and Sparkle, Woman Thou Art Loosed and some of the things we have done, none of our movies have ever been alike and this is true to form. We've never done a musical before; we've never done a movie that really focuses on the family of a pastor before, ironically. And, so this is an opportunity for us to do something that shows the humanity of the pastor and the struggle of the family, in general, in a way that I think that people can come out and find out hey my family doesn't have to be perfect to be able to enjoy this film and maybe I can use something to get back together again and hook it up between the people I love."

So what made Bishop Jakes get on board to be an executive producer of BLACK NATIVITY?

"Well, first of all, it's a pastor's family why would I not jump on board with that? And then it's a great opportunity from the standpoint of the tremendous cast that we have and I love to do things that you can bring the whole family to and not have to cover up the kids' eyes. And, I think during the holidays when so many people wrestle with depression to do something that's uplifting and rejuvenating that doesn't show this picture perfect family and make people feel like if you don't have it all together you can't enjoy the holidays, it's a great way to reach that audience."

BLACK NATIVITY is a holiday musical drama, so what is Bishop Jakes' favorite Christmas song?

"Well, Silent Night is an all-time favorite, you can't really have Christmas without it," he replied. "And, for me personally, Come O Ye Faithful is a great song. In the movie though, the song, Be Grateful is absolutely amazing. It's incredible. Jennifer Hudson rocks it."

Upcoming Projects from Bishop Jakes
So what upcoming projects does Bishop Jakes have that we should be on the lookout for?

Bishop Jakes always has something going on. However, he has a book coming out in Spring 2014 called, INSTINCT. It will hopefully show people that if you listen to your instincts you can perhaps tie into your Divine purpose and be far more effective in business, in your career, and in your personal life, basically, the book INSTINCT will teach people about the power of instincts.

Go see BLACK NATIVITY, it's for the whole family and especially for young people to see themselves on screen.

BLACK NATIVITY also stars: Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Tyrese Gibson, Jacob Latimore, Mary J. Blige, Nasir Jones aka Nas, Jennifer Hudson, Gale Gibson, Luke James.

WATCH INTERVIEW WITH THE FILMMAKERS OF LOVE AND THE SMALL PRINT

What's The 411 correspondent, T.A. Moreland sat down for an interview with filmmakers of Love and the Small Print, Ramfis Myrthil, Producer; and Adam Lawrence, Producer, and Director.

Love and the Small Print focuses on three couples as they navigate through dramatic events in their relationships forcing them to make decisions that could change their lives, but not all couples survive with their sanity, or life, intact.

42 is the saga of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier and becoming the first black player in Major League Baseball. Chadwick Boseman plays Robinson.

Veteran actor, Harrison Ford stars as Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager who signed Robinson.

Nicole Beharie is featured as Robinson's biggest fan and wife, Rachel.

42 is a stimulating, historic, well-produced, and directed movie and it gets our highest rating: See It!.

While the cast is strong, Chadwick Boseman lacks the on-screen presence to succeed in the leading role. He's overshadowed by Harrison Ford in every scene they share. Boseman is even minimized by Nicole Beharie when they are on camera together. It's a combination of Boseman's weak persona and stellar performances of Ford and Beharie.

While much praise has been given to Branch Rickey for his courageous move in signing Robinson, 42 touches briefly on one of Rickey's primary motivations: economics. Urban areas where most major league teams played, had large black communities who stayed away from the segregated major leagues. Signing black players was one way to get those communities to come to games.

The movie focuses upon the racism faced by Robinson but also taught subtle lessons on bigotry. In one scene, a father and son sat excited in their anticipation of seeing the Dodgers play their home team. When Robison was introduced, the father along with other adults began calling the Dodger rookie the "N" word. The boy seemed a bit confused at first. But then soon joined in the slurring of Robinson. The kid had just learned to be a racist.

The film also references the fact that some players threatened to leave the league rather play with Robinson.

One final point, the baseball scenes are well staged, so sports fans won't be disappointed.

42 is rated PG-13 and is less than 2 hours. And again it's a See It.

VIDEO:

Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a circus magician of dubious character flees a well-deserved beating by an angry "colleague" by escaping in a hot air balloon. Diggs celebrates his triumphant getaway; but his glee is short lived. The balloon is soon engulfed by a Kansas-style twister. He lands in a strange place called Oz where the residents await his arrival. For it has been prophesized that a wise and powerful wizard would arrive, save the residents from the evil witch and would then become king. Along with becoming king, goes riches beyond Diggs' imagination.

But then there's the witches. There are the two sisters, Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Theodora (Mila Kunis); and Glinda (Michelle Williams). Evanora and Theodora warn Diggs that Glinda is evil and must be killed before he can ascend to the throne. But Glinda asserts that it is one of the sister who's really the evil witch. What's a man to do? In this case, Diggs has to prove to the residents of OZ that he is wise and powerful and worthy of their trust - and he has to determine who is actually the evil witch and deal with her.

In reviewing OZ: The Great and Powerful I have to acknowledge that I was never a fan of the classic, Wizard of Oz. So I am not surprised that I find OZ: The Great and Powerful the better of the two.

As would be expected of a Disney film, OZ is visual masterpiece with rich and vibrant colors which are enhanced by 3-D. The story is an entertaining mix of the old from the classic, and new storylines. There is a steady and undeniable sexual tension between Diggs and each of the three witches throughout the film. The cast is strong. Franco does an exceptional job playing the sneaky but likeable Diggs. Rachel Weisz is fascinating as Evanora.

OZ: The Great and Powerful receives a "B" grade for its cast diversity. Bill Cobbs plays a pivotal role as the Master Tinkerer. The diminutive Tony Cox scores big as Knuck.

According to press reports, Oz cost Disney plenty: $200 million in production costs, with another $125 million in advertising and publicity expenses.

On my rating scale of: See It, Rent It and Dead on Arrival. OZ: The Great and Powerful is definitely a See It. Oz is Great and Wonderful entertainment.

It rated PG and is 130 minutes in length.

Ten Points on the movie: Hope Springs:

After thirty years of marriage, a middle-aged couple from Nebraska travels to New England for an intense, week-long counseling sessions to reignite the zest in their relationship. Steve Carell co-stars as the therapist.

It's good to see story starring baby boomer stars.

Meryl Streep shows why she's one of the great actresses of her generation. While Tommy Lee Jones proffers a solid performance, he is outshined a bit by Streep. Steve Carell is nearly perfect as their analyst.

The film exclusively focuses on Streep's and Jones's relationship and their interaction with their therapist.

It drags hopelessly through the middle portions. It would have been stronger with a stimulating subplot, maybe more involvement by their children – a son and a daughter.

The film has its amusing moments such as when the therapist asks the staid and conservative couple about their sexual fantasies and whether they engage in oral sex.

This is a low budget film, $30 million, (yes, that's low budget by Hollywood standards) which will mean that it won't have to do quite as well at the box office to be profitable.

Hope Springs get's a "C" for cast diversity. The cast is small and not a lot of opportunities to squeeze in many performers of color. But it manages to feature some black performers in bit parts such as the cab driver.

Hope Springs gets a Rent It. Intellectually stimulating and definitely the type of movie that is perfect for a wintry Saturday evening with a glass of wine and popcorn.

It's rated PG – 13 and is just under two hours in length.

Ten Points on Films Rating System:

See It – It's worth the time and expense of going to the movie theater.

Rent it – It has some entertainment value, but wait and see it at home.

Dead on Arrival – Not worth your time!

WATCH VIDEO: Actress Suzzanne Douglas talks about her role as a mother of African-American children in a low-income urban environment in the 1990s

What’s The 411 co-host Roceania interviews actress Suzanne Douglas for her role in the movie, Jason’s Lyric, which also stars Allen Payne, Jada Pinkett, Bokeem Woodbine, Anthony “Treach” Criss, Eddie Griffin, and Forest Whitaker, was written by Bobby Smith, Jr., and directed by Doug McHenry.

Ms. Douglas gives one of the most passionate and powerful responses regarding the state of urban youth and families in 1990s America. In the film, her character recognizes that she has lost one son to the streets and she plans to do whatever she can to save her second child. Although Ms. Douglas is not a mother, she is clear that we should never give up on our children.

Brian McKnight contributed to the movie's soundtrack.

Circa 1994.

WATCH VIDEO: Hudson gives us his acting medium preferences and a peek into his family life

Actor Ernie Hudson, known for his role in Ghostbusters, now stars in Congo, a science fiction action-adventure film and What’s The 411 correspondent, Erika Conner, had an opportunity to talk with Hudson about the movie.

In addition to talking about Congo, Hudson, who started in theatre, tells us why he prefers film over the theatre, how his children reacted to him as an actor, and he also offers a parenting tip.

Circa 1995