Yaya DaCosta Movies
Model-turned-actress
YaYa DaCosta reportedly nourished movie-star dreams from the age of four, and in fact gained acceptance to New York's LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts during adolescence. Nevertheless,
DaCosta soon rejected the arts in favor of a more practical career as an educator, following in the footsteps of her university professor father and her school-founder mother. Years later, after completing boarding school in New England and studying international relations at the Ivy League Brown University,
DaCosta heeded the prompting of friends who encouraged her, on a whim, to go out for the reality series
America's Next Top Model; she was accepted, clocked in as a runner-up on the program's
third season, and shortly thereafter secured a contract with the prestigious Ford Agency, onetime home to such supermodels as
Rachel Hunter and
Christie Brinkley.
DaCosta broke through to feature stardom with her role (opposite
Antonio Banderas) as urban high school student-turned-dancer LaRhette in the drama
Take the Lead (2006), and followed this up with a supporting turn as China Doll in
John Sayles' period musical drama
Honeydripper (2007). ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

- 2006
- PG13
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A teacher and his students open up new worlds for one another in this urban drama inspired by a true story. Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a prize-winning ballroom dancer and instructor from Manhattan who volunteers his services to a high school in one of the roughest neighborhoods in the Bronx. Principal Augustine James (Alfre Woodard) in turn gives Dulaine a tough assignment -- a detention class with some of the biggest troublemakers on campus. When the kids learn that Dulaine intends to teach them how to dance in the classic style, they're incredulous at best and dismissive at worst -- until Dulaine demonstrates his moves for the class. While Dulaine's charges -- including Rock (Rob Brown), LaRhette (Yaya DaCosta), Ramos (Dante Basco), Eddie (Marcus T. Paulk), and Sasha (Jenna Dewan) -- respect his talent, they have their own way of dancing, and as they mix hip-hop moves with ballroom discipline, they create an exciting new style. Dulaine also strives to instill self-confidence and a work ethic in his kids, insisting they can make their way out of the ghetto if they're willing to try. Screenwriter Dianne Houston based Take the Lead on the real-life story of Pierre Dulaine, who taught dance as a volunteer to at-risk students at New York elementary schools. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, (more)

- 2007
- PG13
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Tyrone (Danny Glover) is the proprietor of the Honeydripper juke joint. When business at the once-popular club begins to trail off and Tyrone hires unpredictable electric guitarist Sonny (Gary Clark Jr.) against his better judgment, Tyrone's last-ditch bid to draw in crowds during harvest time has surprising results that neither desperate Tyrone nor the ambitious Sonny could have ever anticipated. Blues guitarist Keb' Mo' co-stars in the film, which was written and directed by John Sayles. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Danny Glover, Lisa Gay Hamilton, (more)

- 2010
- PG
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The Master Control Program is booted back up in this revamped Tron continuation that sees the return of original star Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn, the brilliant computer programmer whose disappearance leads his son, Sam (Garrett Hedlund), to search for him in and out of the computer world. Original director and co-writer Steven Lisberger produces the new film, which is helmed by commercial director Joseph Kosinski. James Frain, Olivia Wilde, Beau Garrett, and Michael Sheen also star, with Bruce Boxleitner returning as Alan Bradley and Tron, the heroic protagonist of the original film. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, (more)

- 2010
- R
- Add The Kids Are All Right to Queue
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The son of a same-sex couple seeks out the sperm donor who made his birth possible in this comedy from writer/director Lisa Cholodenko. The committed parents of two teenage children, Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore), are about to send their daughter, Joni (Mia Wasikowska), off to college when her younger brother, Laser (Josh Hutcherson), asks for her help in tracking down his biological father. Reluctantly inquiring with the sperm bank, Joni leaves her number so the office can pass it along to Laser's father. Enthusiastic at the thought of meeting his long lost offspring, Paul (Mark Ruffalo) musters the courage to reach out, and the family tree grows a new branch. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, (more)

- 2011
- PG13
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When scientists unlock the secret to immortality, time becomes the new currency and one desperate man comes under attack from a mysterious group known only as the "Time Keepers." In the not-too-distant future, scientists have discovered a way to turn off the aging gene. As the threat of overpopulation looms over society, money becomes a thing of the past. Now, assets are measured in time; those with the most time also possess the most power. Meanwhile, the lower classes are forced to barter with the new elite if they want to live forever. Suddenly a young commoner stumbles across a treasure chest of time. With the "Time Keepers" in hot pursuit, however, he may never get a chance to use it. Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, and Olivia Wilde star in this sci-fi thriller from writer/director Andrew Niccol (Gattaca, Lord of War). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
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- Starring:
- Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, (more)