The Lifetime movie that we're referring to 5 years ago was "Surviving Compton" (Michel'le biopic) which had 2.3 million viewers The Clark sisters movie just broke that record with 2.7 million viewers
@@ebonymckinney8561 The timing of her biopic was released perfectly because "Straight out of Compton" had just came out. So her biopic was her point of view from that movie. The first time "Surviving Compton" aired it was 2.3 million when they re-aired it a week or so later..it did 9.4 million viewers!!! (Google it) Michel'le movie did so well that she won a Gracies Gala award for the high viewership from a TV movie. Also "Surviving Compton" is the only Lifetime movie that's actually available for purchase on Amazon! I honestly don't know how many viewers Toni Braxton had but I love me some TB.
Its rare you get a biopic where you get to laugh, get mad and crying. This movie could have been a mini series but overall it was very good. I pray Denise makes up with her sisters and brother.
Has anyone listened to Denise Clark's interview? It sheds a LOT of light on what was left out of the film. For instance: 1. A BISHOP fathered one of her kids, yet SHE was the one ostracized by the church. 2. She was treated so badly by her own sisters on the road, that HER husband said he would work 3 jobs to get her away from the toxicity. 3. Denise was actually invited to the funeral. She didn't just show up, and she was on the program. The sisters stopped speaking to her after their mom’s funeral. 4. They went and buried their dad before she could arrive in Michigan to attend the funeral. 5. Her grandson was murdered, but none of the sisters reached out or gave condolences when it happened. She started crying recalling it. 6. She traveled from the West Coast to Detroit to visit Twinkie while she was sick, but was prevented from seeing her by the family. She says Twinkie is the only one who truly ever showed her love. 7. She said, "At least she HAD her children. She doesn't know what her sisters did with THEIRS." (Meaning there were some other pregnancies that never saw the light of day.....) It's on the Larry Reid Live channel if you all want to check it out.
I don't know...it sounds like it's more to why they don't deal with Neicey anymore. Reminded me of my loud, mean, toxic uncle that claims he can't understand why no one in the family likes him. Somehow, he's always the victim.
I posted this in another discussion, but I am in total agreement with your thoughts on Aunjanue Ellis! My first introduction to Aunjanue was as Sista Girl in "Undercover Brother." I loved her in that! She's only continued put in more solid performances from then to now. From "Ray," "The Help," "The Book of Negroes," "When They See Us," and so much more. Mattie really was the heart and soul of this film, and it truly showed in Ms. Ellis' performance. If she doesn't get Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for this one, I know something!
What's crazy is I was watching Notorious dis morning & she was the pregnant crack head that Biggie served on da block! I was like wait a sec & played it back. When BIG walked back & his boy was like u can't sale crack 2 a pregnant woman! Sis been putting in work & we...well me didnt even know it!
Great movie!!! The actress that played Twinkie is just Jill Scott's clone and the actress that played Denise did great. Playing Mary Jane's niece in "Being Mary Jane" gave her plenty of practice for the role. They were almost the same person, down to her name...lol
I saw a few parallels with the Clarks and the Braxton’s. 5 girls, 1 boy (that is always no where to be found). The Clarks have a brother Leo no one ever talks about. Same for the Braxton’s. I also feel like the Braxton’s treat Traci like the black sheep like Denise. Traci also had a baby early in their career and left the group. They haven’t completely outcasted her like Denise but you can tell it feels more like they just “tolerate” her for the public. Sad all around
Thank you for reviewing the movie. It was fantastic! I think Twinkie had low self esteem for sure. It broke my heart when her mom told her to choose between serving God and school. And later when she told her mom she didn’t know the difference between serving God and serving her. That was real talk.
Wow Rox, it sad that churches do this to the young! I was in a church like that! My Dad was the pastor and he and some members were all about growing the youth and young adults! They tried my Dad! My dad told them when these old church members die off and they will, the youth is who will keep the church pushing! Don’t block young people’s praise!
Great review. I grew up COGIC(still COGIC. It’s not as strict as it was...but...yeah lol) & I see the Clark Sisters all the time. They are still very active & visible in the church. As a young adult, my mother was close to the Sisters & Dr. Clark on a personal level. When they would come to Los Angeles, Dr. Clark would do workshops & my mom was in the choir. Now my mother is a pastor(I’m her organist & over my church choir) & she often credits Dr. Clark’s teachings for that.
I am so happy you reviewed The Clark Sisters. I watched some other reviews and it's definitely different coming from people who actually grew up on their music. I love how their music has inspired generations young and old.
My only two criticisms of the movies is (1) that they did not expound on the impact and subsequent backlash of releasing the song "You Brought the Sunshine". This song lead the way for "Conventional Gospel" (Secular sounding music) that lead to Bebe & Cece Winans, Kirk Franklin, Mary, Mary, etc. This song open up a huge genre, which lead to Gospel music becoming more profitable. That being said, if they had an issue with Dr. Mattie Moss shimmy and shaking at the Grammys, I can imagine the grief they had to have endured with not only the church but also many of the congregation with that song. The second criticism would be they way they glossed over Denise's pregnancy(ies). You have to assume that the the family had to receive massive levels of harassment. Also, the first pregnancy occurred with they really started to become popular and making money, so I am sure this caused massive problems with the family as she was messing up their paper. I think it was a missed opportunity to omit/limit the inclusion of these events. The reason is because it would have (even more) conveyed their resilience and solidified their impact not only in Gospel but in the music industry as a whole.
I agree 100%. The movie, although good, was definitely a missed opportunity. It could've easily been on the level of "The Jacksons: An American Dream", "The Temptations", and "The New Edition Story". But as a short-story, it was definitely a LIFETIME classic.
Yes, this movie was sooooo good. I wish they had made it a series. Dr. Clark had diabetes and had her leg amputated from what I remember but they didn't have time to focus on that. Overall, I think they did an outstanding job of depicting enough of the good, bad, and ugly to give us a glimpse into their lives in such a short period of time. I remember when Karen Clark almost died. They also talked about it on her reality show on BET. The movie was just so touching and took me back. My mom wouldn't let me listen to secular music so I loved the Clark Sisters, the Winans, and Commissioned. 🤭 They could definitely create a series about their lives for Netflix. I would certainly watch it. This Nigerian movie called Fifty became a series and so did Soul Food back in the day. I think it would be awesome.
I’m getting chills just listening to you talk about it. I want to watch it again!! I love movies like this. Grateful that my mom and aunt introduced me to the Clark sisters music. They were way before my time but the music is timeless!!!
Rox, I had the same experience as you at church back in Sacramento. I was heavy in the church and the youth deportment up until I was about 17. We was at church all day on Sunday, Bible study, choir rehearsal all night Friday, youth trips to the Bay, everything! I loved my little holiness church family (Family Worship Center, FWC). It gave me a place of belonging and really introduced me to God. But then one day they closed the church saying that another congregation had bought the church from under them. We were devastated to say the least. I was so sad, we all just kinda went our separate ways, but there was nowhere like FWC. This movie definitely brought back those memories. We really needed this movie especially during the 'rona!!!
@@cherylfendy1010 yep it was pretty sad, we was all like WTH?!? Lol. But that lil church introduced me to Christ and I often think back on those good days. Great memories
I did enjoy the movie but I felt like they rushed the last half hour of the movie. They definitely needed two or three parts to properly flesh out their story similar to the New Edition story. I do know that 4 of the 5 sisters eventually got back together and did more albums but the ended left it unclear. Also the Denise storyline had so many questions they definitely needed more time. But it was so fun to watch and remember how our black churches use to be as problematic as they were at times lol.
When he pushed her mama I said oh HELL NO! Today you die putting hands on my mama! Whew Chile had my blood boiling! On the other hand I love all of the Clark sisters music! And kierra Keke sheard is her mama made over again
@@allysonshorter3179 And they were curvy, fine women! They were not this skinny😒! I'll give it a chance, but I don't know about this one🤷🏾♀️ I think Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige , and Missy Elliott need to do all the Lifetime biopics now😁
Wow. Rox, I am not a gospel person, but everybody talked about how good it was so I watched this morning. It was sooo good and Anjunue Ellis was PHENOMENAL as that mother. And also it’s always good to hear your take and reflections on anything. 😉✌🏿
Yes Mattie is credited with originated 3 part harmony for gospel choirs. I grew up COGIC. women could be missionary/evangelist or mothers of the church
Something tells me that this movie has a lot of deleted scenes & was intended to be longer. The time jumps were so drastic I’m betting lifetime probably edited it down to fit a time slot with commercials.
Twinkie is actually still in the group. They just released an album last month with the four sisters. Unfortunately, Twinkie has not been in the best health so that could have been a reason why she wasn’t present at the end. But she is very much, still in the group.
Twinkie is still in the group but I think she has been sick. It's almost like it's a secret because they won't discuss. She also got her catalogue back. Karen had surgery, some say gastric bypass, others say hernia but that's a big secret too.
melodicsoundz Karen’s elastic band surgery wasn’t a secret it was her testimony ! She always spoke about that ...all the sisters withe the exception of one was naturally skinny so they’ve had their struggles with weight but Karen almost died and was in a coma for like a week
@@liahnycole3689 I've heard her testimony, and she definitely said hernia surgery, but people in the church were saying gastric bypass. It's because of the conflicting stories that I said the whole situation seemed like a big secret. I grew up COGIC and those were the rumors back then. You can do a search for her testimony, it's somewhere on RU-vid. If I find it I'll post it. 😊
melodicsoundz I watched it too. She claims it was hernia surgery. But in the movie the husband you don’t have to do this. I love you just like you are, which makes it seem like it was an elective unnecessary surgery such as gastric bypass. Hernia surgery is typically only done when it’s causing extreme pain or bulging, making it a necessary surgery, instead of elective 🤷🏽♀️
She had some type of weight loss surgery....She lie or embellish the truth due 2 her embarrassment (or whatever) for many years.....but she came clean i think on her reality show a couple of years ago, i think it was 2013 it aired on BET
@@brittneyg7263 yes, I peeped his comment too. That's why I said they were acting like it's a big secret because she said one thing and others were saying something different. I don't know why they didn't come clean then and if she has since then good, that could help someone else. She lost weight too.
I’m 31 and I’ve heard some of the Clark Sisters songs because I somewhat grew up in church and my family loves gospel music. Of course I knew more about Kierra Sheard (Karen Clark’s daughter) because she is closer to my age. However, it wasn’t until TvOne did an Unsung episode about 8 years ago that I put two and two together that the songs I had heard were the Clark Sisters and I started to listen more to their music, both group and solo projects. They are phenomenal.
Rox, while you were talking about your choir experience i had a flashback to you telling the story of young fellow breaking your heart in church. If im not mistaken wasn't it at choir practice too? I love your videos, you're such a good storyteller. You're very engaging
Twinkie sued and got her catalog back. They determined that the guy took advantage of her and she get the songs back 20 years later just like her mom said she would remember it.
As I watched this video in this alternative setting! I see a different Beautiful energy. You let is see a different side of you literally and figuratively! For that I say thank you! I didn't know how much I needed this from you right now!
Oo I want Some Oysters and French Fries! Lol😀The Actors in The Clark Sisters Lifetime Movie were ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ❤️❤️ It needs to be a Part 2 to it!!!
I watched it last night. I never followed them closely but I enjoyed the movie. It did feel weird the way they jumped around but I guess they had to condense it for TV. This definitely could have been a miniseries or something.
Whenever someone came thru your door, I jumped up to go to my door.😂 That's how hard I was listening to you. Being a Pastors daughter I enjoyed the movie. I had to watch it twice because the first time I was going down memory lane. And called my Sisters we related to the Clark Sisters story. We couldn't wear pants so I cracked up at that scene 😂. Thanks for reviewing it.
@@lisamorris1966 Ok Lisa. Thank you so MUCH. Yes, she is very nice. Please STAY SAFE and have a wonderful week. May the Lord continue to BLESS you and your family.🌹🌹🌹🌷🌷🌷🌸🌸🌸🙏🙏🙏 Take CARE.😄😄😄
I definitely enjoyed watching the film, but I also feel like the last 30-40 minutes were a rushed mess. There's no reason why (besides budgetary restrictions) this couldn't have easily been a 2 or 3 part miniseries. No exploration of their solo careers, marriages, and individual struggles, let alone the additional tea that's gotten spilled over the years. Oh, well.
Gina Waters I think they wanted to just make it about the Clark Sisters as a whole and their mother. I would hope that maybe they can come out with their own movies that only talk about their solo careers and everything.
@4itsrox I'm glad you didn't start crying hard during this review because I would have been right there with you. This movie made me think about my late father. He was the Choir director for our church growing up and harmonizing. We went on road trips to visit family in Virginia and Baltimore Maryland with The Clark Sisters, The Winans, and Commission as our soundtrack. Though I am now longer religious, those songs and memories still warm my heart. 😭😭😭
Hearing them sing reminded me of when I played trumpet. We had a different part of the harmony, but we have to listen to each other, blend and sound as one. We used to go over the same part countless times even though we thought it sounded good.
I truly enjoyed this review. It took me back down memory lane especially since I used to live I. Both LA and Inglewood also. Born and raised in Baptist church. Then later apart of the COGIC community. Thank you for sharing
Yeah I was hearing that Twinkie may have needed a little bit more attention from the mother than the other gurls. Like the mother knew that Twinkie would need her well past childhood and young adulthood. But Twinkie still wanted to spread her wings and make her own mistakes and decisions.
Rox!! It’s all good! Relaaax!! The dog can bark. We all in this together! Everyone is recording from home, even Kimmel! Let it be natural! Matter of fact, forget the car for now!! 😂😂 We love you!!
I think that if they were to go into their individual stories they would have had to tell Denice's story without her. Her story would have had to be told from her perspective on her life after being in the group. So I think they stuck to their collective story and not too much individualism. It could have been Mattie Moss presents the first ladies of Gospel and then ended much earlier. But I still enjoyed it. I don't think Denice looked bad. She seemed like an individual and a normal young woman who wanted to live her own life.
Jackie sang tenor or Alto depending on whether Twinkie or Karen were singing lead. I heard (I believe on LRL) Twinkie did get the rights back to those songs. I also remember that Grammy performance because it was the first time I saw actual Church folk cutting up at the Grammys (or any 'main stream' show) back then. Also there's apparently a discrepancy on whether Twinkies' ex husband actually hit Dr. Moss. He says (according to LRL) that part of the movie is not true.
Thank you Ms. Rox!! Great video and we enjoyed watching your eyes smile and light up at the memories. You conveyed all of this awesome energy through the video! Funny cameos from Jayda (sp?) and Blue😂😂😂
Great review it was so interesting hearing about your background in the church. I'm not going to pretend like I was super happy to go every Sunday but I did love church and hearing about the gospel & I'm glad I got to experience it. unfortunately my church was so full of sneaky and judgmental people it ruined it completely for me. They truly don't realize how many people they are turning away by being so strict and superficial. hopefully I can get back to it eventually but for now now gospel playlist it is. "Do ya want a revolution?!"😂
Thank you Rox excellent review and a short trip down memory lane. I too was in the choir at the Baptist church my experience was the opposite of yours but it took me back.😇 later I worked for a Christian broadcasting co and was re introduced to the Ckark sisters.👐 Yes it did seem to end sad. I'm sure because of the time it should have been a part 2 and or 3 too, naming all the musicians that are now on the charts because of Mother Moss and the success of not only her daughters but grandchildren too. My neice sent me over to your channel. I'm a subscriber now 😉👍Sorry so long. Again thank you🥰😘🙏💚
I looked up the Salt n Pepper executive producers to see if Spinderella was on there . I feel like they are going to drag her, but the movie trailer looks trash
I love this movie and yes it really could have been longer. I am a PK and I grew up listening to The Clark Sister's. Man those harmonies are so intricate and difficult to duplicate!
Loved the movie. Led me to find Niecy’s & Twinkie’s social media. Niecy is sure to let us know she’s the FIRST Clarke sis. Jacky ain’t no Clarke. So seems the divide remains
The for the review Rox. I enjoyed the movie watched a couple of times. Great casting as well. Ms Ellis did such a phenomenal job she definitely deserves an award!
Great review! Love the side stories, I remember some of details from story time.. We got us a new studio lol... fresh face look amazing... thanks for the new content...
