Releve Entertainment – Mitch's Muse

According to a recent news release, Grammy Award nominated recording artist Deitrick Haddon made a big splash two years ago with his starring film debut in “Blessed & Cursed” that has aired on The GMC Channel and Showtime. Now, Tyscot/Manhaddon Films and Releve Entertainment are enjoying new success with Haddon’s second major film vehicle, “A Beautiful Soul,” which opened at selected AMC Theaters nationwide on May 4, 2012, and brought thousands of churchgoers into theaters around the country.

In the film, Haddon stars as Andre Stephens, an R&B superstar who loses his spiritual compass after he and his best friend barely survive a brutal attack. Haddon has assembled an ambitious twelve-song set of songs inspired by the movie and its theme entitled, “A Beautiful Soul” (Tyscot Records/ $9.99 SLP). The CD features the funky retro-styled radio single, “No Betta” (by Faith Evans and Deitrick Haddon), that is #35 on this week’s Top 100 Gospel chart.

The set also includes the breezy urban pop tune “Running to You” (Regula leads) and the straight up urban track “New Life” (featuring Fonzworth Bentley, Haddon and raspy-voiced, Nikki Potts). Adia leads the whimsical “Incomplete” and Haddon leads the title song, “A Beautiful Soul”. It’s 12 songs in all with Haddon’s choir, Voices of Unity, in the middle of the musical musings. Among the cameo soloists are Kierra Sheard; former P. Diddy sidekick, Fonzworth Bentley; Jason Champion; Joint Heirs; Candy West, among others. For more information, go to www.abeautifulsoulmovie.com.

Grammy Award nominated singer Deitrick Haddon’s second film venture, “A Beautiful Soul”, enjoyed robust box office receipts in its limited engagement premiere this past weekend at 20 AMC Theaters in 11 markets such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Indianapolis and Haddon’s native Detroit. Variety magazine calls the film, “a natural for young, Christian oriented aud[iences].” The film has done so well that AMC Theaters has extended the run another week to accommodate the public demand to see the movie.

“It was humbling to see a dream manifested this weekend,” Haddon says in a news release. “The fact that the film opened in theaters was a success; the fan support was overwhelming, and we are grateful”. Haddon’s co-partners echo his sentiments. “I am so happy to play a part in an effort that is helping to take the gospel message to the mainstream audience,” says Holly Carter of Releve Entertainment. “This was a small step to a big vision! To God be the glory!”

“I am excited about the success we are experiencing, not just with movie tickets sold, but with lives being changed,” says Bryant Scott of Tyscot Films. “This movie is having a powerful, positive impact on people, including those who have not been regular church goers. To sum it up, God is using this film in a major way to change lives, and that’s what it’s all about.”

This movie comes on the heels of Haddon’s 2010 debut “Blessed & Cursed” which has sold over 100,000 copies as a direct to DVD film. It’s also aired on the GMC Channel and Showtime. Aside from Haddon, who stars as an R&B singer named Andre Stephens, the film also stars Harry Lennix (“The Matrix”, “The Five Heartbeats”, “Barbershop 2”) as Jeff Freeze, Robert Ri’chard (“One on One”, “Coach Carter”, “The Matrix) as Chris Scott, Lesley Ann Brandt (“Spartacus”, “Diplomatic Immunity”) as Angela Berry, and Barry Floyd (“The Game”) as Terrance Wilson.

Directed by Jeff Byrd (“Seventeen Again”, “Soul Food The Series”, “Kings Ransom”, “Jasper TX), “A Beautiful Soul”, a contemporary twist on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, is the story of Andre Stephens, an R&B superstar who has success, fame and fortune but spiritually has lost his way. The film follows Andre after his “perfect” life is shattered in a brutal attack that leaves he and his best friend Chris Johnson (Ri’chard) clinging to life. As he embarks on a spiritual journey that exists in a place that is neither on Earth nor in Heaven, Andre is forced to make a choice that could change his destiny forever.

Shot on location in Los Angeles, California, “A Beautiful Soul” was cast by Twinkie Byrd (“Jumping the Broom”, “Notorious”, “Stomp the Yard”) and features cameos by NBA Legend John Salley, Golden Brooks, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Bishop Noel Jones. The film will feature an original soundtrack of music from Deitrick Haddon as well Kierra Sheard, and Faith Evans, among others. “A Beautiful Soul” is a presentation of Tyscot Manhaddon Films and Relevé Entertainment, in association with Mission Pictures International. The screenplay is written by Allison Elizabeth Brown and Deitrick Haddon. The film was produced by Holly Carter, Kimberly L. Ogletree and Dominique Telson. The executive producers are Leonard S. Scott, Bryant S. Scott, Jeff Byrd, Cindy Bond, Chevonne O’Shaughnessy, and Deitrick Haddon.

The film continues to show at these AMC theaters:

Atlanta, GA:
Southlake 24 (7065 Mount Zion Circle, Morrow, GA 30260)
Stonecrest 16 (8060 Mall Parkway, Lithonia, GA 30038)

Chicago, IL:
Crestwood 18 (13221 Rivercrest Drive, Crestwood, IL 60445)
Country Club Hills 16 (4201 W.167th St., Country Club Hills, IL 60478)
Ford City 14 (7601 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60652)

Dallas, TX:
Grapevine Mills 30 (3150 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, TX 76051)
Mesquite 30 (19919 Interstate 635, Mesquite, TX 75149)

Detroit, MI:
Southfield 20 (25333 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48034)
Forum 30 (44681 Mound Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48314)

Hampton, VA:
Hampton Towne Center 24 (1 Town Center Way, Hampton, VA 23666)

Indianapolis, IN:
AMC Theatre Castleton (6020 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250)

Los Angeles, CA:
Ontario (4549 Mills Circle, Ontario, CA 91764)
AMC Burbank Town Center 6 (770 North 1st Street, Burbank, CA 91501)

New York/ New Jersey:
Jersey Gardens 20 (651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth, NJ 07201)

Philadelphia, PA:
Hamilton 24(325 Sloan Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08619)
Cherry Hill 24 (2121 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002)

Washington, D.C . Area:
Hoffman 22 (206 Swamp Fox Road, Alexandria, VA 22314)