I just love movies about love, music, family, faith, perseverance and those with a dash of comedy and that all important positive message that the whole family can enjoy together. One flick that you have just got to see is Sparkle, it is a re-make of the 1970’s classic I fell in love with as a kid growing up in St. Louis. Seriously, I could have watched that movie over and over again. I can’t wait to see Sparkle 2012 from Tri-Star Pictures.
The original was inspired by the Supremes. The Warner Bros. Pictures release was set in the 1950s in Harlem, New York. It starred Irene Cara, Phillip Michael Thomas, Dorian Harewood, Mary Alice, Tony King and Lonette McKee. Curtis Mayfield composed and produced the songs and wrote the score. My favorite song was “Something He Can Feel.” Aretha Franklin released it as a single and it became a hart topping hit.
I’m sorry, I digress, now back to Sparkle 2012, this re-make takes place in Detroit in the 1960s and you know what that means, the Motown sounds era. Produced by Debra Martin Chase, T. D. Jakes, and co-produced by Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil, the film stars American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in her big time movie debut role, Whitney Houston (in her final movie role she also served as an executive producer) Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps, Tamela Mann, Derek Luke, Cee Lo Green and Omari Hardwick.
I’m so delighted to know that the movie soundtrack will include songs from the original movie by Curtis Mayfield and some new ones by R. Kelly, such as the single, “Celebrate” featuring WHitney Houston and Jordin Sparks. I just know I’m loving hearing two of my favorites from the original, “If You Look Into Your Heart” and “Something You Can Feel” with a 2012 touch on there. Oh, yeah, I was all in the spirit over “One Wing” by Jordin Sparks.
Sparkle is the story of three sisters from the “hood” who form a singing group and aspire to become superstar recording artists. They subsequently fall prey to many of the music industry’s pitfalls, but they persevere. You and your kids will enjoy this family entertainment movie. So when hit hits theaters August 17th run to see it!
By Lin. Woods
Watch Sparkle movie trailer:
Essence.com offers a first listen – so click below to hear:
http://www.essence.com/2012/07/24/sparkle-movie-soundtrack-exclusive-first-listen/