KEKE PALMER’S SWEET SIXTEEN B-DAY

Awwww. Keke Palmer turned 16. She’s the sweetest girl and I love how her parents always dress her age appropriate. Click below to check out pics from her prom theme birthday party. I’m sure she felt like a Princess.

KEKE’S PARENTS

LATOYA JACKSON JOINS "THE VIEW"

While Elisabeth Hasselbeck is on maternity leave from “The View” until mid-October, ABC has added a quite interesting replacement for at least a few shows. This guest…none other than LaToya Jackson, one of the most interesting Jackson’s if I might say so. LaToya is scheduled to appear on “The View” on September 16th and 18th.

Can’t wait to see how this turns out.

JACKSON 5 SHOW GETS GREENLIT AT A&E

A&E Network is going forward with it’s docu-series chronicling the Jackson brothers’ now-altered plan to mount a series of Jackson 5 reunion shows.

The project, which was in the works with L.A.-based Point Seven Entertainment long before Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, will now show the impact that Michael’s death has on the extended Jackson clan.

A&E had planned to do at least an hourlong special focusing on the brothers’ plans to mark the 40th anniversary of the group’s breakthrough with its first Motown recordings.

“SOUL TRAIN” TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE

 

Warner Bros. has hired Malcolm Spellman to write a feature based on the classic TV show “Soul Train,” according to Variety.

Darryl Porter and Aaron Geller of Porter/Geller Prods. will produce with Don Cornelius, the host and producer of the famed show, which ran from 1971-2006.

Spellman said that he’s writing a film set in the 1980’s.

“All of the hip-hop street dances you see today were born during that time period and were first seen on that show, and I remember doing all of them when I was a kid,” said Spellman, whose credits include “Dead Presidents.”

Protag comes from the L.A. hood, and his ticket out is his gift for “popping,” a street dance that became popular in the period. Cornelius told Spellman he’d always wanted to mount a tour with bands and dancers, and the writer will make that fictional tour a centerpiece of the film.

“This guy is a serious popper, with street edge, and he wants to get on that tour, with the hottest of the hot,” Spellman said. “Writing with Don involved is quite an experience. He’s still the godfather of cool.”

Scratching my head at this one.

"JUST WRIGHT" WRAP PARTY

Check out these flicks from last night’s wrap party for the upcoming Queen Latifah/Common romantic comedy “Just Wright.” Click below for more pics.

OUT ON DVD TODAY…

"BLACK DYNAMITE" GETS RELEASE DATE

Apparition, a domestic distribution company run by Bob Berney and Bill Pohlad, will conjure up “Black Dynamite” in theaters this fall, according to Variety.

The blaxploitation spoof bowed in Sundance’s Midnight section this year and was bought by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group, which handles all domestic ancillaries for Apparition’s releases.

In this case, Sony brought Apparition one of their titles to distribute theatrically.

“Dynamite” was helmed and co-written by Scott Sanders and stars Michael Jai White, who also co-wrote along with co-star Byron Minns. Producers are Jon Steingart and Jenny Wiener Steingart of Gotham-based Ars Nova.

The film will see a release starting on Oct. 16.

“Dynamite” won the Seattle film fest’s audience award and played at others including Tribeca and CineVegas.

Very happy to hear this. Congrats to Scott, Michael and the rest of the crew behind this project.

CHEADLE’S HOOPS DRAMA GETS PICKED UP BY FX

Oscar nominated actor and smoking hot producer Don Cheadle has just sold a drama project to FX that chronicles the glory and the seedy side of college basketball.

“March to Madness” comes from scribe Joel Silverman, while Pete Segal (“The Longest Yard“) is set to direct. Also attached to the project alongside Silverman, Segal and Cheadle are former college basketball coach Dave Miller and Segal’s producing partner, Michael Ewing.

“March” will revolve around a corrupt college basketball program that cheats its way to the “March Madness” NCAA basketball tournament. Project will be told through the eyes of the college coach, whose idealistic approach to the job has slowly been eroded by the compromises he’s forced to make.

FX is said to have bought the pitch in the room.

"THE SOULS OF BLACK GIRLS" TRAILER

I had never heard of this documentary until one of my Facebook friends mentioned it (shout out to Terri Vaughn). Looks like an interesting and much needed documentary as you know Black Women are pretty much ignored in the media unless they’re in a video shaking their butts around or fighting over Flava Flav.

It’s available on DVD now. Click here to go to the site where you can find more information or to purchase the DVD.

IN LIVING COLOR: RANDOM CELEB PICS

Check out flicks below of folks of color out and about this past week.