When thinking of African American led comedies, the name Tyler Perry must come to mind! He’s created one of the most iconic Black film series —”Madea”. But have you heard of Taylor Pherry?
No, he’s not a real person.
Taylor Pherry is the central character of the newest comedy film, “Not Another Church Movie.” Pherry, played by Kevin Daniels, is a man that has been appointed by God (Jame Foxx) to help save the ratings of a show created by Hoprah Windfall (Luc Ashley).
However, this won’t be an easy journey for Pherry as the Devil (Mickey Rouke) plans to place a few blocks in the road. While on this journey, Pherry additionally must balance his several jobs and assist his quite eccentric, but lovable family with aspects of their own lives. He soon finds that his family makes a great basis for what will lead him to takeover Hoprah’s empire—creating the script to a movie.
“Not Another Church Movie” is a satirical film that pokes fun at a number of Tyler Perry films in an honest and vibrant way. The film’s greatness is not only it’s comedy but its stacked cast. The cast not only features Vivica A. Foxx, Kevin Daniels, Jamie Foxx, and Mickey Rouke, but additionally Jasmine Guy, Kyla Pratt, Tisha Campbell, and Lamorne Morris.
The Monty the Dog Production is directed and written by Johnny Mack and produced by James Michael Cummings, Jim Cardwell, Paul Saleba and executive produced by Valerie McCaffrey.
On Tuesday, an intimate screening was held at the Tribeca Screening Room in NYC. The red carpet saw an appearance from actress Vivica A. Fox, Luc Ashley, and Toshia Caitlyn Galligan along with Kevin Daniels, producer and actor James Michael Cummings, stylist, designer, and author Ty Hunter, and stylist and TV personality Philip Bloch.
During our interview with Vivica A. Foxx, who plays Judge Loreal in “Not Another Church Movie,” the actress told us about bestowing wisdom upon younger actors during filming as a veteran in the industry.
Foxx said, “I had a young lady that played my clerk in this film and she was really nervous. I said “Honey relax, I’m here with you. Welcome to the world of showbiz. Know if there’s anything you wanna bounce off me, just feel free to ask.” She expressed. “I’ve always been that way with new actors just to make them more comfortable.”
Foxx not only spoke about acting while on the carpet, but acknowledged that she hopes to continue directing. She made her directorial debut in 2023 with “First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story”
“I will definitely step behind the camera again,” said Foxx. “I am eternally grateful to Tressa Smallwood of MegaMind Media. The fact she trusted me with a short called “Through Her Eyes” which was for BET Her’s “The Couch” which focuses on female led stories and she liked me so much that she wanted to give me a feature three months later and that it was a biopic. Biopics are difficult. We went from the 1990s to the 2020s with the film. We had to get every aspect right from the phones to the nail polish to the hairdos to the rims on cars. It was the biggest compliment to me when everyone said “you nailed every time period,” so I was very grateful that not only did I do a great job directing the film, but that I gave Tonesa Welch an opportunity to tell her truth.
We were additionally able to speak with celebrity stylist, designer, and fashion icon Ty Hunter who spoke with us about becoming a brand new author. Hunter’s book “Makeover From Within” is an autobiographical novel about the trials and tribulations he faced to reach his status.
The designer additionally had some inspirational works of wisdom for other creatives as well.
Hunter said, “It’’s a battle just getting up in the morning. So just know that you’re human. And it’s okay to go through things. Sometimes when you’re in a dark storm, you just have to envision a better tomorrow.You have to always push through and allow yourself grace but whatever you’re going through, just make sure you give yourself a deadline. I even put stuff I write on my mirrors because I know, this is the day that I’m going to pull it together, and just be human and allow yourself to go through things, but you’re going to learn to also be a better person.”
“And the thing is, also, everybody’s gonna talk about you. Good or bad, but as long as you look at the person in the mirror, and you feel good, you’re good, let’s go. And when you build that confidence within yourself, that’s when everything just balances out to a ricochet effect. I always say we’re not born with clothes on. Our first outfit is our skin and so until you get right in that outfit, you will always find problems. So just learn to love yourself. You were created this way. You are beautiful inside and out. Learn more about yourself. Learn what your purpose is, write down things, take vacations, go to nice restaurants by yourself. Do things alone and learn to love yourself because at the end of the day, it’s just you and you and just believe that things are gonna get better.”
Feel free to check out the rest of our interviews below.
“Not Another Church Movie” opens in theaters May 10.