December 28, 2017 

By Kam Williams 

Contributing Writer 

 

 

Best Big Budget Black Films

 

1. “Mudbound”

 

2. “Get Out”

 

3. “Girls Trip”

 

4. “Detroit”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Independent Black Films

 

1. “A Question of Faith”

 

2. “Crown Heights”

 

 

 

Best Black Documentaries

 

1. “Step”

 

2. “Whose Streets?”

 

 

Best Actor (Lead Role)

 

1. Jason Mitchell (“Mudbound”)

 

2. Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out”)

 

3. John Boyega (“Detroit”)

 

 

 

Best Actor (Supporting Role)

 

1. NnamdiAsomugha (“Crown Heights”)

 

2. Jamie Foxx (“Baby Driver”)

 

3. Laurence Fishburne (“Last Flag Flying”)

 

 

 

Best Actress (Lead Role)

 

1. Kim Fields (“A Question of Faith”)

 

2. Amandla Steinberg (“Everything, Everything”)

 

3. Regina Hall (“Girls Trip”)

 

 

 

Best Actress (Supporting Role)

 

1. Carmen Ejogo (“It Comes at Night” & “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”)

 

2. Tiffany Haddish (“Girls Trip”)

 

3. Octavia Spencer (“The Shape of Water”)

 

4. Anika Noni Rose (“Everything, Everything”)

 

 

 

Best Director

 

1. Dee Rees (“Mudbound”)

 

2. Stella Meghie (“Everything, Everything”)

 

3. Jordan Peele (“Get Out”)

 

4. Angela Robinson (“Professor Marston and the Wonder Women”)

December 21, 2017

Aries  

March 21 – April 19

The focus shifts to career and planning. Even though the holiday week is almost here, your thoughts may be elsewhere. This is the time to jot down inspired ideas that can help you achieve key ambitions in 2018. This phase could be made even more intense because sobering Saturn enters Capricorn and this same zone on December 19, which can see you becoming even more ambitious. With lovely Venus also moving in on December 24, a little charm can go a long way.

 

Taurus

May 21 - Jun 20

If you’ve been thinking of getting away from it all, the coming week could see you jetting off to sunnier climes. A desire for a break can encourage you to go away for a weekend or longer trip. As Saturn edges into Capricorn on December 19, it might prompt you to consider taking a course or class. You’ll be serious about gaining new knowledge and adopting beliefs that can help you improve as a person. You’re about to embark on a journey of discovery.

 

Gemini

May 21 - Jun 20

Although Mars in Scorpio inclines you to look after your health, you’re also eager to get your finances in order. It’s time to consolidate debts, organize payment plans, and get up to speed with your money goals. The big news is that Saturn moves into Capricorn and your sector of shared resources on December 19. As a result, you might decide to become more responsible about your financial affairs and determine to get your money to work harder for you, especially over coming months.

 

Cancer

 Jun 21 - Jul 22

As the focus shifts to your partnership sector this week, interactions could become more frequent. You may find yourself needing to negotiate with others concerning ideas or key opportunities. With three planets moving into Capricorn and this same sector - Saturn, the sun, and lovely Venus - your relationships may take on a more detached focus, and you may become very aware of your loyalties. This is also the time to work at making one partnership more fun and exciting.

 

Leo

Jul 23 - Aug 22

Though you’re very exuberant and charismatic, you might be eager to work behind the scenes to get everything organized for the holidays. There’s much to do, and you’ll be at the center of the action. This focus deepens as Saturn moves into Capricorn and your zone of work, health, and lifestyle this week, along with the sun and luscious Venus. You might be questioning your job, particularly if it isn’t very satisfying. It could be time to find work that aligns with your life’s purpose.

 

Virgo

Aug 23-Sep 22

You may have things to do at work, but in essence you’ve already decided to chill and enjoy the pleasures of the coming holidays. A fresh focus on your sector of relaxation and creativity suggests that you may be busy entertaining children, making gifts, and having a ball. Romance could be high on your agenda, too, if you’re solo. Saturn enters this sector on December 19, moving from your home sector to your recreational zone, which might come as something of a relief.

 

Libra

Sep 23 - Oct 22

It’s to your action stations this week, as the focus on your family sector suggests you’ll be busy organizing, entertaining, and making everything as perfect as possible for your guests. With Mars in your money zone, don’t forget to pamper yourself with a spa session or evening out with pals. Saturn makes a break this week, moving into your domestic zone. Over the coming months, this could coincide with structural projects in your home or greater responsibilities in this area.

 

Scorpio

Oct 23 - Nov 21

You’ll be busy keeping in touch, socializing, and enjoying holiday get-togethers, giving you a chance to reconnect with friends old and new. This week could see the focus shift dramatically, putting the emphasis on interactions and setting purposeful goals that involve networking. However, the biggest news may be that Saturn leaves your money sector and enters this zone. Some of the financial pressure that has been apparent may now begin to ease, which is all to the good.

 

Sagittarius

Nov 22 - Dec 21

There are a number of shifts taking place this week as three planets enter Capricorn and your sector of personal finances and values. Perhaps the most important is sobering Saturn. Over the next couple of years or so, you’ll become more serious about making money and using your resources wisely. You could also decide to pare back on unnecessary expenses. However, with the sun and lovely Venus also moving in, this can be an excellent time to look for some last-minute bargains.

 

Capricorn

Dec 22 - Jan 19

It’s a big week! Saturn moves into your sign on Tuesday, which means you’ll take your goals and plans more seriously from here on out. And it’s likely you’ll achieve a lot more in the process. But there are also two more planets entering this sector, the sun and luscious Venus. Over the coming week, you may find yourself at the center of any holiday activities, organizing everything and making sure everyone is happy. And your social life continues to sparkle in a wonderful way.

 

Aquarius

Jan 20 - Feb 18

ou’re fired up and raring to go as Mars encourages you to go full throttle regarding your goals and ambitions. But this may conflict with subtler promptings enticing you to relax. Finding a balance is the ideal way to handle this. The movement of three planets into your spiritual sector suggests that it’s time to relax and refuel. Saturn enters this zone on Tuesday, ushering in a long period of spiritual seeking and meditation. Certain aspects of your life may slowly draw to a close.

 

Pisces

Feb 19 - Mar 20

Things sparkle for you socially, with a very exciting week ahead. You’ll be in your element enjoying parties, holiday kisses, and time spent with good friends. Saturn leaves your career sector for your social zone. The pressure is off, bringing with it a sense of relief. You’ll be able to look back over the past year or so with pride at all you’ve achieved. With the sun and Venus also moving into this same sector, it’s time to enjoy the party.

December 21, 2017

By Brittany K. Jackson

Contributing Writer

 

The nominees for Black Hollywood are in! Let’s not get too excited, however. This list of nominees is solid with a couple firsts, but distant from last year’s Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards nominee “Black-out”. This year, the focus has shifted to a bolder representation of women in Hollywood, one that’s all about reclaiming time and power. The change has come on the heels of many women who have been at the forefront of speaking out against alleged sexual misconduct, harassment, rape and assault in the entertainment industry, once a subject considered taboo to speak out against.

As such, Executive Producer of the SAG Awards, Kathy Connell, says this year’s ceremony will feature all female presenters, an idea she conceptualized after her experience at the national Women’s March in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. The change, Connell says, also comes in response to the countless accusations being cast on Hollywood’s top dogs. “Women stepped forward in such a huge way in this last year,” Connell said. “I want to salute women who are coming forward to speak at a very difficult time about very difficult subjects at great risk to themselves,” she continued. And that’s not the only surprise. The SAG Awards will also feature its first host ever who happens to be a woman, Kristen Bell.

Speaking of a woman’s power and redemption, Mary J. Blige has secured her first series of SAG Awards nominations for “Out­standing Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role” and “Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture”. Accompanying Blige with two nominations is Uzo Aduba, nominated for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series” and “Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series” for her role in the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black”. 

In the male categories, one of our favorite actors of all time, Denzel Washington, has done it again. He has been nominated for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role” for his role in the American legal drama film “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” Daniel Kaluuya is also up for nomination in the same category for his highly successful role in the Blockbuster film “Get Out”.

Meanwhile, Anthony Anderson continues his hot streak on “Black-ish”, being nominated for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series” and “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series”. Sterling K. Brown also experiences continued success in his role on “This Is Us” for which he’s been nominated for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series” and “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series”. In a well-deserved honor, it has been announced that Morgan Freeman will be receiving the SAG Life Achievement Award during the ceremony.

With the attention of this awards season now focused on women in Hollywood as opposed to last year’s answered prayer for diversity inclusion, you can’t help but wonder if the changes we see are trendy, drifting in the wind with each new uproar in Hollywood. Well, who’s to say? What remains true, however, is that there’s still some work to do on the equality train in Hollywood.

In the meantime, be sure to tune in to the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards simulcast live on Sunday, January 21, 2018 on TNT and TBS at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, 5 p.m Pacific Time. Also, be sure to catch our exclusive interview with actor and SAG Committee Chair Jason George on www.lasentinel.net.