Marking their fifth film together, Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have collaborated once again for “Highest 2 Lowest,” a reinterpretation of the great filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller “High and Low,” now played out on the mean streets of modern-day New York City.
This version imagines Washington as a titan music mogul, widely known as having the “best ears in the business,” who is targeted with a ransom plot, and jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.
As he told “Good Morning America:” “This script came to me, and it was a New York story and I knew this was Spike. I sent it to him, and he called me back like eight hours later and said ‘When do we start?’ He put the Spike on it.”
The movie, scoring a favorable 91% among the critics on aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, features Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera, Aubrey Joseph, Rick Fox, Rod Strickland and Ice Spice (in her feature acting debut).
It premieres in theaters Aug. 15, and on Apple TV+ Sept. 5. But as Washington is imploring: “Go see it in the theater first, please!”
TICKET WATCH: In support of his new full-length album “Star Line,” Grammy-winner and global independent innovator Chance the Rapper is embarking on the 15-city And We Back Tour kicking off on Sept. 26 in Houston and wrapping in L.A. on Oct. 20 at the Hollywood Palladium. Visit chancestuff.com for all dates and info on tickets on sale starting Aug. 15.
SCREEN STUFF: With a theme of “Freedom or War,” the fourth annual Black August Film Festival screening 70 films about global social issues will be held Aug. 15–17 at the Flintridge Center in Pasadena. Visit paaffoundation.org for the schedule and more …
In a screen stealing performance, Kirby Jean-Baptiste (“Cruella,” “Killing Eve,” “The Sandman”) is executive producer and star of “We Strangers,” the feature directorial debut of Anu Valia opening Aug. 22. Inspired by the filmmaker’s own childhood in Gary, Indiana, the absorbing character study follows a commercial cleaning woman into rich suburbia and some conflicting spaces. The supporting cast includes multiple Tony Award winner Kara Young and Tina Lifford (“Queen Sugar”).
Opening Aug. 29 at Laemmle Theatres with a national roll-out to follow is the glorious 4K restoration of “Diva,” the influential 1982 neo-noir thriller by the late director Jean-Jacques Beineix.
The international arthouse sensation about a young postman (Frédéric Andréi) obsessed with an opera singer (the never-recorded super-star Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez who died last year at the age of 76 in her only film role) was an international arthouse sensation and must see.
A PIECE OF HIS MIND: “Protecting our borders is a must. But then there’s the way that we’re going about it … just sloppy, careless and sprinkled with hate. No civilized nation should mandate a practice where masked men and women go out and look for anybody that looks Latin and throw them in unmarked cars.” – WILL.I.AM to Rolling Stone
CLIPPETTES: On his new single “Superstar,” Luther Vandross’ longtime musical director Nat Adderley Jr. proves he was also prone to impressive runs — only his was of the keyboard variety. The cover from the son of jazz cornetist Nat Sr. and nephew of alto saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, is but a sample of what is to come in his debut solo recording “Took So Long” due in October …
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. begin a two-night stand Aug. 15 at Catalina Bar and Grill …
Rhyme Fest L.A. returns Aug. 16 to the L.A. Memorial Coliseum with Raekwon & Ghostface of Wu-Tang Clan, Xzhibit, DJ Quik, The Alchemist, Dilated Peoples, Dead Prez, Tha Alkaholiks, Masta Ace, Onyx, Tha D.O.C. and more …
Also that evening, Macy Gray celebrates the 25th anniversary of her landmark debut “On How Life Is” by performing the album in its entirety and more at the Palace Theater …
The Hollywood Bowl’s August slate has Reggae Night XXIII featuring Damian Marley & Stephen Marley (17); Herbie Hancock (20); Charlie Wilson, Babyface & K-Ci Hailey (27); Angélique Kidjo & Yo-Yo Ma (28); Cyndi Lauper (29, 30); and Dave Koz Summer Horns with Regina Belle (31) …
Meanwhile, the new Blue Note LA is in full swing this month with Robert Glasper (15, 21,22); Alex Isley (16, 17); The Philharmonik (18); Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon (19); Emily King (23, 24); Mayer Hawthorne (25); BJ The Chicago Kid (26, 27); and Ravi Coltrane (28 – 31) …
Zo! & Tall Black Guy (featuring Debórah Bond) are at the Lodge Room Aug. 17 as Chris Spencer hosts Comedy Block Party at the Miracle Theater, and Brian Culbertson & Adrian Crutchfield jam at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach …
Taraji P. Henson celebrates the next generation of Seven Daughters Wines with a meet and greet at Vons in Inglewood on Aug. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. …
Us3, the British hip-hop jazz group that scored with their 1993 Blue Note single “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia),” which sampled Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island,” is back with “Soundtrack,” their first new album in over 10 years. The 12-track collection from London-based producer Geoff Wilkinson exudes a moody luxuriousness with its 18-piece horn section propelled by trap beats …
Dave Matthews Band comes to The Forum on Aug 22 while Tito Puente Jr. kicks off two nights at Catalina Jazz Club (also Aug. 31 at Venice West) …
Nelly’s ‘Where The Party At’ Tour with Ja Rule, Eve, St. Lunatics and Chingy lands at Intuit Dome on Aug. 23 and Clipse with Earthgang are at The Novo …
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals play the Orpheum Theatre Aug. 24 while Toto, Men At Work & Christopher Cross are at The Forum …
Spend “A Night with Danny Trejo” at The Regent Theater with special guests Tierra, The Temptations and more on Aug. 30 or with Dave Blunts at the El Rey Theatre.
TESTIMONIAL: “I’ve always loved doing period pieces to learn about what people like us were doing in different times and spaces. To learn about the free Africans who were never slaves, it’s just not something we learn in school, if ever. To learn about that, to portray that, to dive into that history and to live in that world has been a blessing.” – JORDAN DONICA on his role as Dr. Kirkland on HBO’s “The Gilded Age” to Entertainment Weekly.
TC ON TV: Aug. 15 – “Magic City: An American Fantasy” (Starz): Jermaine Dupri and Drake are executive producers of this immersive five-part docuseries that brings viewers inside the famed Atlanta club and features an oral history from the A-listers (including 2 Chainz, Shaquille O’Neal, Quavo, Killer Mike and Big Boi) who made it legendary.
Aug. 16 – “I’ll Never Let You Go” (Lifetime): Meagan Good executive produces and stars as a poised and successful art gallery director whose life takes a dark turn after a brief, impulsive affair with a magnetic Italian artist.
Aug. 18 – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC): Tiffany Haddish is the guest host this week.
Aug. 21 – “Peacemaker” (HBO MAX): John Cena is back as the antihero with a heart and eagle sidekick with returning cast member. Danielle Brooks and newcomers Frank Grillo and Tim Meadows. “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC): Normani vs. Michelle Buteau
Aug. 22 – “The Truth About Jussie Smollett?” (Netflix): This film portends to give the answers to what exactly went on during that alleged Chicago stick up. New evidence is offered via interviews with police, lawyers, journalists and the “Empire” actor himself.
Aug. 23 – “Girl In The Cellar” (Lifetime): Kyla Pratt and Kelcey Mawema star in this fact-based story of a single mother who resorts to extreme measures to control her teenage daughter.
Aug. 24 – “Naomi Osaka: The Second Set” (Tubi): This LeBron James production chronicles the renowned athlete’s return to professional tennis after the birth of her daughter.
Aug. 27 – “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water” (Netflix): Director and executive producer Spike Lee and producer Sam Pollard return to New Orleans some 20 years after filming their landmark documentary “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.” This time, survivors reflect on the disastrous storm that forever changed their lives and the systemic inequities it exposed.
A WORD TO OUR LOYAL READERS: It has been 11½ years since this column (considered one of the hottest tip sheets to Black culture and more) began gracing the pages of the Los Angeles Wave, after many years prior in the LA Herald-Dispatch. Next week, to commemorate more than a decade of scoops, we will be introducing “The Best of Tasty Clips.” The series will revisit those conversations with our beloved stars and newsmakers that have proven to be timelier than ever. If you have a favorite edition, you would like to see again, please feel free to reach out to the Bill Vaughan’s Tasty Clips Facebook page, on Instagram @tasty_clips, on X @tastyclips, and on LinkedIn to William Vaughan.
