CANDYMAN IN THEATERS AUGUST 27   

      When it comes to the African American Community, we’ve been trailblazers for quite some time regarding entertainment and entrepreneurship. We’ve had several examples of Black star power with people like Berry Gordy, supermodel Tyra Banks, P. Diddy, and Tyler Perry. Recently, that Black star power continued to shine as Rihanna became a billionaire. Yes, that’s right. The little girl from Barbados who busted on the scene singing “Pon De Replay” is now a billionaire.

How Franklin became the Queen of Soul and loved by millions is the subject of this fairly detailed and very entertaining biofilm that charts her rise from childhood to 1972 and her making of the classic, live-recorded album, Amazing Grace. This project stars Jennifer Hudson, the singer who was handpicked by Franklin to play her. Like a Queen anointing a princess, Franklin deemed: “I’ve made my decision, and it is you, young lady, who I want to play me.” That endorsement makes this Respect the quintessential Franklin biodrama and any others, not so much.

     But it’s “Welcome 2 America” that has music aficionados, journalists, and fans fawning over the superstar all over again.