Welcome to "IT'S ALL REEL", a film blog by Wilson Morales, Editor of blackfilm.com. For those who are familiar with my name, I have watched an enormous amount of films in the last 15 years. Now, that might not qualify me as an expert, but it does mean I'm an avid film lover and educated enough to make a fair assessment with my vast knowledge of the industry. As you begin reading this blog regularly, you will receive or be privy to a healthy dose of what's happening in the film community especially those things that rarely get reported and should be brought to public attention or your attention.Whether it's a review, comment, or analysis, I welcome you to share your thoughts live and direct and use this online forum as your sounding board to freely discuss topics that are not only relevant to the film world and the African American community.
That being said, let's talk about the man of the moment, IDRIS ELBA. When a television series ends, there's usually one actor from the show that breaks out in Hollywood and grabs an audience. It's worked for Michael J. Fox (Family Ties), George Clooney (ER), Jennifer Aniston (Friends), countless others and now it's Elba's turn. From moment he left his role as Stringer Bell in the captivating HBO series, The Wire, stardom was waiting in the wings.
It didn't take long before HBO cast Elba in its own movie, "Sometimes in April". He was nominated for an Image award for his performances on both the show and telefilm. Elba then starred along with Boris Kodjoe in the underrated musical film, The Gospel. Despite mixed reviews, Elba's performance was one of the highlights of the film. 2007 may be his year to shine as Elba will be seen in 5 high profiled films. He's still gracing the theaters as Tyler Perry's lead in "Daddy's Little Girls" opposite Gabriele Union. The film has grossed over $30 million so far. Coming up for Elba is a strong supporting role opposite Oscar Winner Hilary Swank in the horror film, The Reaping, where he plays Swank's colleague who travels to Louisiana to investigate a series of bizarre occurrences the townspeople believe to be sent by God. If one horror film wasn't enough, Elba will be then featured along with Harold Perrineau from TV's Lost in "28 Weeks Later", the sequel to the blockbuster "28 Days Later". When the summer is over, Elba will join Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, rap artist T.I. and Cuba Gooding Jr. in Ridley Scott's "American Gangster", where he will once again play a drug kingpin.
To finish the year, Elba will co-star in "The Christmas", which has an all-star lineup of Nia Long, Stomp The Yard's Columbus Short, Mekhi Phifer, Chris Brown, ATL's Lauren London, Delroy Lindo, Dreamgirls' Sharon Leal, Regina King and many more. It's been reported that Elba has signed on to be in the remake of the slasher film, "Prom Night".
While Elba has a long way to go to catch up to the number of films Sam Jackson has done, so far he's deserves to be called the hardest working man this year!
Idris Elba and the cast talk about 'Daddy's Little Girl.'


Comments: (40)
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By: Girly on 3/31/2007 2:27PM
WOW! Congrats!
I can't imagined a better choice than Mr. Elba. I have to agree with you. He is indeed the man of the moment. Good luck to both of you.
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By: Gwen on 4/01/2007 12:37PM
I want to see Halle Berry opposite a real man.. Idris Elba, please!!! Someone help. Give this man the sexy starring role he deserves!! Get out of the way Clooney, Pitt, and Costner. I want to see some real romance between people of color. Beyonce, try Idris. Girlfriends, grab him for your show. Oh mercy me!!!!!
cst799
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By: Sheryl on 4/02/2007 1:37AM
First of all...CONGRATULATIONS... does my heart good to see a brotha doing well. Mr. Elba has proved that he is a force to be reckoned with, time and time again. I look forward to seeing him in the future. Did I mention the man in FIONE? He makes me proud to be a black woman, and his accent just adds to his sex appeal. I am glad he came to the states, but Mr. Elba, if there are more like you in Europe, bring them too. LOL
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By: pantherddd34 on 4/02/2007 2:58PM
I love him.....I'm glad he didn't get stuck in the drug dealer type cast......like my husband THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A BROWN BROTHER WITH AN ACCENT... KEEP ON WITH YOUR FINE SELF
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By: Andrea on 4/04/2007 3:25PM
He's nice, but he has nothing on Tony Todd, Ken Foree or Eugene Clark.
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By: Cassandra on 4/05/2007 3:36PM
What's the 411 on Idris Elba's personal life? We made him who he is and we have the right to know these things!
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By: Tammy J on 4/06/2007 7:02AM
IDRIS ELBA.....Your name should be up there with the best of them. You are by far a great actor, thespian, you have inspired, encouraged and brought something different to the theaters. I love your work. I look forward to seeing you get your due reward. Often times it may not be in receiving Gold or Silver. I know God is with you and that is reward enough. I love your work in "Daddy's Little Girls" as a single parent with 4 girls it brought it home for many of us. It is not easy, but you find God and you press on it is worth the struggle or the trial and tribulation in the end to know you did your part in raising them. In your work in "The Gospel". My kids and I loved it so much we had to find the movie and we watch it often. See your reward may not be in the gold or the silver. There is a message in all your work. I am glad you found a way to bring it home for those who believe in God and his being alive and moving on our behalf in our situations. Thank you. Thank you Tyler Perry and all of the other producers, writers, directors and actors(tresses) who understand what we need most as a people. More positive movies, plays, things to entertain that encourage, uplift, motivate and inspire. We don't have to conform to the things of the world, even in the choice of work that we take on. Thank you Idris Elba. I pray God continues to move with you in all that you do. Amen.
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By: Mommie on 4/06/2007 8:57AM
Every since "The Wire" I have loved this man. He deserves a starring role. The best of luck to him.
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By: bonnie holden on 4/06/2007 10:44AM
I watch you every since you were on "The Wire" I love your sex appeal on "Daddy Little Girls" You are what i see in Denzel Washington. I hope to see you in a action pack film were you save the day an become my "Hero" Thank God for you Idris Elba. Are you Married!
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By: SF on 4/06/2007 12:12PM
I am glad for his success, of course. He's got a lot of talent. But so did others on "The Wire." My personal favorite is Sonja Sohn. If anyone deserves to break out from the show, it's her.
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