Smilez

All posts in the Smilez category

Sean Penn Joins Cast of ‘Angry Birds’

Published April 11, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte

Oscar winner Sean Penn has officially joined the cast of the upcoming Sony Pictures Angry Birds movie!


According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor will play “a large red bird named Terrence, who only communicates in grunts and growls.” Other celebrities including Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Blake Shelton and Charli XCX are all signed up to lend their voices to the movie that’s dropping May 20th.

Any news or details about the movie get me excited and I will definitely be in attendance as a someone who may or may not own and play multiple Angry Birds games on his phone…4 to be exact!

Image via The Hollywood Reporter

NEW MUSIC: "This Is For My Girls" -First Lady Michelle Obama feat. Missy Elliott, Kelly Clarkson and More!

Published March 16, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte


First Lady Michelle Obama got bars?!?

As a part of both her Let Girls Learn initiative and the White House’s #62MillionGirls Campaign, the First Lady has dropped a new track called “This Is For My Girls!” The song features top musical acts Missy Elliott, Zendaya, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Rowland, Janelle Monáe, Lea Michele, Chloe & Halle and Jada Grace to help promote the two programs.


According to Baller Alert, all of the artists involved have also waived all royalties and fees to participate in the song, with all proceeds going towards the Peace Corps’ Let Girls Learn Fund

The Diane Warren-written track is available now on iTunesCheck out the track and let us know how you like it!

http://dopefile.pk/embed/v1/darkplayer.php?c=g962fpofh19s&b1=DA186C&bg=2B2B2B&p=DA186C&t=this%20is%20for%20my%20girls.mp3Image via VIBE

‘Shots Fired’: Tristan Wilds & Aisha Hinds Cast In Fox Event Series

Published March 14, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte

A new interesting series to watch!

According to Deadline, Tristan Wilds and Aisha Hinds have landed roles on Fox‘s new Television Series ‘Shots Fired‘. The show will also feature actors Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James.


Tristan will be playing the lead role of Officer Belk, a local sheriff who has to deal with the aftermath of his character shooting a white teenager. Aisha will play the role of a young activist who exposes the town for the hypocrisy that arises from the incident.

Tristan recently mentioned on the Rap Radar Podcast that shooting will start in just a few weeks on this dramatic series! We here at The Spotlight are really looking forward to this show and will keep you informed of any more details!

Photo Taken From VOICE

MOVIE TRAILER: ‘Captain America 3: Civil War’

Published March 12, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte

The final trailer is here! Coming out on May 6th, 2016, Marvel has released the final trailer for Captain America 3: Civil War aka Avengers 2.5!

This one features the most quiet kept hero that’s making his debut…Spider-Man! I’ve already watched this trailer about 10 times and will be purchasing my ticket ASAP!

Check out the trailer below and stay tuned to The Spotlight for more info!


Image via Marvel

Tupac Shakur’s Lyrics-Filled Notebooks Will Be Auctioned

Published March 9, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte


Move over Genius! (just kidding!) Looks like someone has gotten hold of the lyrics of the late West Coast legendary rapper Tupac Shakur

According to Rolling Stone Magazine, three notebooks owned by Pac, containing handwritten lyrics, music video ideas and other notes will be auctioned for fans!
The auction house set to sell the items is Moment In Time, the same auction house that sold his hand-written letter from his time in pprison. The lyrics to songs like “16 on Death Row,” “It Ain’t Easy,” and “Keep Ya Head Up” are all within these notebooks. 

There currently isn’t a set price for the notebooks yet, because Moment In Time has said they might sell the pages separately. As a fan, I would personally rather see the whole notebook be sold together and not be ripped up. Stay tuned to The Spotlight for any info!

Image via Tim Mosenfelder/ImageDirect

Zendaya Joins Cast of ‘Spider-Man’ Reboot

Published March 7, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte

Looks like the young Disney actress/singer Zendaya has landed a major role!

According to The Stashed, she will be playing the role of a character named Michelle in the new Spider-Man reboot film.


The film, which will be Zendaya’s first feature film, that’s set to drop July 7th, 2017. Tom Holland has already been casted to play the main role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man and will make his debut in the new Captain America: Civil War film.

As a fan of super-hero films but still tired of all the Spider-Man reboots, I’m more eager to see the film now! Stay tuned to The Spotlight as more details become available about the reboot!

’23 Jump Street’ / ‘Men In Black’ Crossover Movie Reportedly In The Works

Published March 7, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte

Looks like we may be getting a new crossover movie between two funny films!

According to The Source, we’ll be seeing a team-up of sorts between both Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill‘s Jump Street characters Jenko and Schmidt, along with Agents J and K.
However, mainstays Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones won’t be returning as the two main characters from the Men In Black franchise. Sony Films is planning to cast younger actors for the roles in order to reboot the franchise.

The directors of the first two Jump Street films, Peter Lord and Chris Miller will be returning as producers this time around. They will not be available to direct because they are already committed to directing the upcoming Han Solo film. Filming for the crossover is expected to begin in June.

As a fan of both franchises, I’m very skeptical of how this will turn out, but will wait until there is more info on the film and see it for myself!

Image via The Source

MOVIE TRAILER: ‘Ghostbusters’ Reboot

Published March 3, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte
The official trailer for the new Ghostbusters reboot has officially dropped…slime filled and all!

The film has an all-female leading cast this time around, including Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.


The reboot also includes tributes to the original movie with the New York Public Library and Slimer, the green ghost. Though they aren’t in the trailer, it’s been confirmed that three of the original members, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd and Ernie Hudson make an appearance in the movie.

Ghostbusters drops July 15th and I know I’m very excited to see this new spin on the classic original! Check out the trailer below!

MOVIE REVIEW: Deadpool

Published February 23, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte

I wanted to see the movie a second time before I did this review but things came up and I wasn’t able to. However, just from the fact I wanted to see it again let me say that if you haven’t seen Deadpool yet….GO SEE IT NOW! And if you still need some reason to see it, check out my review below!


First, a little backstory on Deadpool and how the movie came to be. Ryan Reynolds plays Wade Wilson, who serves as superhero Deadpool, known as “The Merc With A Mouth” for his crass and foul mouth. Before he got his powers, Wade was a former Special Ops agent turned mercenary. He soon was diagnosed with cancer and underwent an experimental procedure that granted him accelerated healing powers similar to those of fellow X-Men character Wolverine. However, it also enhanced the cancer in his body which leaves his body looking very grotesque.

This movie came to be after Deadpool made a horrible debut in Fox‘s X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie in which Ryan played the character as well. After such dismal reviews and plans to already make a solo Deadpool movie in the works, Ryan worked relentlessly with Fox to basically “forget” about that version of Deadpool, and re-create his story to the greatness that’s in theaters now.

What made this movie great was the perfect combination of comedy, foul language, and violence, as well Deadpool continuing to claim that he is not a hero, even though he’s doing heroic things like saving people. He just does it in his own way with guns, knives and other weapons. Ryan’s “love to hate” attitude in my opinion fits the character perfect as Wade goes through the movie in search of revenge for ruining his life and model worthy face. Deadpool’s ability to break the fourth wall and talk to the audience is also a highlight that is rarely done in movies but has been done in the Deadpool comics for years and was transitioned to the big screen perfectly.

Promoted as a story of revenge and love, this movie is told through a series of flashbacks, action scenes and foul humor. If you’ve seen all the commercials and trailers, don’t worry. All of those scenes were surprisingly (and to my liking), mostly at the beginning of the movie, with the rest of the film still being filled with tons of other funny scenes. I highly suggest everyone goes to see this movie and stays after for the post credits seen because there may be clues to a possible sequel!
I’m personally looking forward to the movie being released on DVD and Blu-Ray, so I can watch it over and over.

RATING:  (four out of five stars)

Stay tuned into The Spotlight for more of our TV, music and movie reviews!

I give this movie 4/5 stars

T.I. Signs New Distribution Deal with Roc Nation, Becomes Newest Co-Owner of Tidal

Published February 23, 2016 by BrittanyShawnte

Looks like the King of the South, T.I. has a new label home with Roc Nation, at least for the distribution of his next album, The Dime Trap!

According to Billboard,  yesterday, February 22, right before his Tidal show in Atlanta, T.I. announced that he has not only signed a distribution deal for his next album but is now a co-owner of Tidal as well!

Tip joins a top list of A-list co-owners of Tidal that also includes Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Usher and Lil’ Wayne. T.I. also released his new single “Money Talk” as well exclusively through the growing streaming service.

As a fan of T.I., I’m excited about this business move for him and look forward to the new music. Stay tuned to The Spotlight for more info about his album as it becomes available. For now, check out T.I’s new single “Money Talk” below!