or


[11/16/20 - 12:59 PM]
HBO's "40 Years a Prisoner" Debuts December 8
The documentary chronicles one of the most controversial shootouts in American history: the 1978 police raid on the radical, back-to-nature group MOVE by the Philadelphia Police Department.

[via press release from HBO]

HBO's 40 YEARS A PRISONER Debuts December 8

Documentary Film Is Written And Directed By Tommy Oliver And Executive Produced By Common And Get Lifted Film Co.'s Mike Jackson, John Legend And Ty Stiklorius

Feature documentary 40 YEARS A PRISONER, debuting TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 (9:00-10:50 p.m. ET/PT), chronicles one of the most controversial shootouts in American history: the 1978 police raid on the radical, back-to-nature group MOVE by the Philadelphia Police Department. Using eyewitness accounts and archival footage of the not widely known confrontation, the film illuminates the story of a city grappling with racial tension and police brutality with alarming topicality and modern-day relevance. Mike Africa Jr., the son of two MOVE members imprisoned for the death of a police officer that day, has committed his life to finding out the truth about what really happened and fighting for the release of the parents that he has only ever known through prison walls.

The film will debut on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.

An official selection of the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, AFI Fest and DOC NYC, 40 YEARS A PRISONER was directed, produced and shot by Tommy Oliver ("1982") through his company, Confluential Films, with music by The Roots. It was executive produced by Common, Derek Dudley, and Shelby Stone for Freedom Road Productions, John Legend, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius for Get Lifted Film Co., and Keith Gionet and Adam Platzner for Confluential Films, and Kelly Ryan, Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. The film was edited by Joe Kehoe and Tommy Oliver.

On the morning of August 8, 1978, the Philadelphia Police Department, at the direction of hardline Mayor Frank Rizzo, engaged in a confrontation with the MOVE organization and fired thousands of rounds of ammunition into the West Philadelphia home of the social justice group. When the smoke cleared, a police officer named James Ramp had been killed and an unarmed MOVE member named Delbert Africa had been beaten to within an inch of his life by three police officers.

The MOVE organization was an activist group based on the anti-establishment teachings of John Africa, who preached a rejection of technology and a quest for justice for all living creatures. The violent clash with the police was the result of months of escalation centered around the organization's refusal to move the location of their headquarters from the Philadelphia neighborhood of Powelton Village. The authorities used aggressive tactics in their efforts to shut the group down, including cutting off food and water supplies, establishing a street blockade and building up police presence and use of firepower.

After the final clash with police ended, all nine MOVE members, including Debbie Africa, who was eight months pregnant, and her husband, Mike Africa Sr., were arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of Officer James Ramp, who was killed on the scene. Immediately after the arrests, Mayor Rizzo ordered MOVE's headquarters to be demolished, leading to questions of whether there was enough concrete physical evidence remaining to link MOVE to Ramp's death, or whether it may have been caused by friendly fire.

While incarcerated, Debbie Africa gave birth to her son Mike Jr. who was taken from her after only one week. Mike Africa Jr. grew up knowing his parents only through prison bars, but was determined to fight for their parole and unearth the truth about a crime they insist they were not guilty of committing.

The film bristles with topicality, revealing a city overrun with social inequalities and entrenched racism where vocal, committed activism frequently clashed with hardline policing. With startling immediacy, 40 YEARS A PRISONER maps the tumultuous events that led up to the tragic shootout and its controversial aftermath and shines a light on a son's impassioned 40-year fight for freedom.

40 YEARS A PRISONER is an HBO Documentary Films presentation of A Confluential Films Production in association with Freedom Road Productions and Get Lifted Film Co. Directed by and produced by Tommy Oliver; executive produced by Common, Derek Dudley, and Shelby Stone for Freedom Road Productions, John Legend, Mike Jackson, and Ty Stiklorius for Get Lifted Film Co., and Keith Gionet and Adam Platzner Confluential Films, and Kelly Ryan, Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Quest Love" Thomson. For HBO: executive producers Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller; senior producer Sara Rodriguez.





  [november 2020]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[10/16/25 - 12:58 PM]
Lifetime Announces Annual "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" Holiday Movie Slate Kicking Off November 29th
Featured talent this year includes Brandy Norwood, Kane & Katelyn Brown, Loretta Devine, Debbi Morgan, Arielle Kebbel, Tyler Hilton, James Lafferty, Vivica A. Fox, Jackée Harry, Sy'Rai Smith, Nischelle Turner, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, and others.

[10/16/25 - 12:31 PM]
Video: "The Witcher" Season 4 - Character Trailer - Netflix
Scattered to fates unknown, Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri traverse the war-torn Continent and its countless enemies in the hope of finding each other again.

[10/16/25 - 11:32 AM]
A+E Global Media and Rachael Ray's Free Food Studios Cook Up Expanded Programming Partnership with Over 100 New Episodes Ordered
The network has ordered 110 new episodes of Ray's programming, including new episodes of "Meals in Minutes," that will continue to focus on her approachable and comforting cooking style.

[10/16/25 - 11:18 AM]
Video: "Don't Date Brandon" - Official Trailer - Paramount+
Brandon seemed like the perfect boyfriend, but when Amber reaches out to his ex-wife Athena, the truth begins to unravel, revealing a disturbing history of lies, restraining orders, and a criminal past.

[10/16/25 - 11:01 AM]
"Pop Culture Jeopardy!," from Sony Pictures Television, Returns for a Second Season on Netflix
"We couldn't be more thrilled to be partnering with the exemplary team at Netflix, to bring more episodes to our passionate and loyal viewers," said Suzanne Prete.

[10/16/25 - 11:00 AM]
CBS Unwraps a Festive Holiday Lineup!
CBS celebrates the 2025 holiday season with an all-new lineup of joyful holiday programming!

[10/16/25 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "Marines" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The coming of age docuseries follows the members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the US military's "force in readiness" in the Pacific.

[10/16/25 - 10:02 AM]
Video: Tubi Debuts Trailer for New Horror Film "Glamping" a Killer Weekend Getaway Just in Time for Halloween
What begins as an influencer's dream cabin getaway with her friends soon unravels into a nightmare when a masked killer crashes the trip.

[10/16/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Three-Part Documentary Series "Alex vs ARod" Debuts November 6
From the pinnacle of athletic success to the depths of scandal, Alex Rodriguez saw his prolific baseball career marred by a high-profile suspension for performance-enhancing drug use.

[10/16/25 - 09:22 AM]
Video: "Honest Renovations: A Holiday Home Makeover" - Official Trailer - The Roku Channel
The latest installment in the franchise premieres Monday, November 10.

[10/16/25 - 09:02 AM]
Apple and NBCUniversal Introduce the Apple TV and Peacock Bundle
Customers in the U.S. can save over 30 percent by subscribing to the Apple TV and Peacock Premium bundle for $14.99 per month, or Apple TV and Peacock Premium Plus for $19.99 per month, through either app or website.

[10/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Squid Game: The Challenge" - Season 2 Official Trailer - Netflix
Featuring new, unpredictable challenges and high-stakes games from the hit series, this reality competition brings the "Squid Game" phenomenon to life.

[10/16/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "LEGO Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins" - Official Trailer - Available on Disney+ October 24
After the events of "Frozen," Anna and Elsa want to start fresh in Arendelle, and make the castle feel a bit more comfortable.

[10/16/25 - 08:33 AM]
"On Patrol: Live" on Reelz+ Streaming Service Now Available on Apple TV
The expanded availability for Reelz+ comes on the heels of the network celebrating its 300th episode of "On Patrol: Live."

[10/16/25 - 08:31 AM]
Anderson Silva Faces Chris Weidman in the Ring for a Historic Trilogy Showdown on Most Valuable Promotions "Jake vs. Tank" on Friday, November 14 from Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, Live Globally Only on Netflix
"Jake vs. Tank" is the culmination of four years of callouts and a brewing rivalry between Jake "El Gallo de Dorado" Paul and Gervonta "Tank" Davis.