monterey media inc.
Quality Award Winning Programming since 1979

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monterey media celebrates the accomplishments of exceptional African Americans

 

monterey’s newest DVD releases for Black History Month span not only the passage of time but of journeys yet fulfilled.  The classic writing of contemporary masters transcend race and gender as the intriguing stories they weave inspire us all to see how lives touch one another. 

 

Almos’ A Man, The Sky is Gray and Solomon Northup's Odyssey

Solomon Northup's Odyssey
Catalog #: 339762                    SRP: $19.95

Cine Golden Eagle Award Winner

Starring: Image Award winner Avery Brooks (“Deep Space Nine”, “Spencer For Hire”)

 

Solomon Northup was a free Black man living in 19^th Century America; he was a man with a trade an accomplishment for any man in his day and a man who led a good life, until his world was turned upside down. Northup was kidnapped and sold into slavery. For 12 years he experienced a life filled with cruelty and injustice, a life of servitude on a Southern plantation.   Directed by Emmy Award winning Gordon Parks, Solomon Northup’s Odyssey is a film that brings one mans tragic fate to life, all the more compelling because the story Solomon Northup is true.

 

Special DVD Features- Gordon Parks bio, Actor Profiles, Story Background, Discussion Topics and Original Press

 

“I don’t believe “Roots” was any more powerful or better acted that Gordon Parks’ ‘Solomon Northup’s Odyssey’” -Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune

 

 “Extraordinarily effective and moving”-People Magazine

 

“Compelling.”-Leonard Maltin                                    

 

Order Date:            January 18, 2005                   Street Date:            February 8, 2005

The multi-awarding winning American Short Story Collection on DVD adds Almos’ A Man and The Sky is Gray to its all star line up:

 

Almos’ A Man
Catalog #: 301982                    SRP: $24.95

Starring: LeVar Burton and Madge Sinclair

Adapted from Richard Wright’s short story

 

The multi-talented LeVar Burton plays Dave, a 15 year-old boy living in the Deep South during the 1930’s and although much has changed since the 1930’s, many of the trials of adolescence remain the same.

 Impatient with being “Almos’ A Man,” and treated as a child, Dave seeks to find a way to instantly transform himself into a man. His answer is to own a gun. With this first shot Dave is catapulted into manhood, but not the way he had planned. is a thought provoking, LeVar Burton’s moving portrayal of one boy’s journey into manhood is consistent with the top quality we have come to expect from one of Americas most respected actors.

 

Special DVD Features- About the Author, Actor Profiles, About the American Short Story Collection

 

Sky is Gray, The
Catalog #: 338882                    SRP: $24.95

KID’S FIRST Winner

Starring: Olivia Cole and James Bond III

Adapted from Ernest J. Gaines’ short story

 

A trip to the dentist provides more than relief of a toothache in The Sky is Gray with touching performances by Emmy winner Olivia Cole and James Bond III. Olivia Cole plays the mother of young James as she treks with him through an eye opening glimpse into the boundaries cause by poverty racism and pride.  The musical score by Webster Lewis accents the emotions and drama of an all too true day in the life of a young boy in Louisiana during the 1940's. 

 

Special DVD Features - About the Author, Actor Profiles, About the American Short Story Collection

 Order Date:            December 21, 2004                Street Date:            January 25, 2005

For additional information contact:

Ms. Jenny Manocchio
Publicity Director
monterey video
566 St. Charles Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 494-7199/fax (805) 496-6061
www.montereymedia.com

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