Monique Coleman Movies
Columbia, SC, native Monique Coleman began her training as an actress at the Workshop Theater School of Dramatic Arts as a young girl, and eventually got her first commercial role in an audition that she didn't even realize she was taking part in. When a talent scout arrived in the classroom claiming to be a substitute teacher, Coleman was recruited to appear in a television commercial. In the wake of that early success, the ambitious young actress began auditioning for every role she could find in the Southeast region. As a result she would land roles in several local and regional commercials, and eventually make her debut as a female lead in the independently produced 1995 short Mother of the River. Two years later, Coleman was nominated for a Young Artist Award as a result of her performance in the Family Channel feature The Ditchdigger's Daughters, and after writing, producing, directing, and starring in the one-person play Voices from Within as a high-school sophomore she became increasingly involved in community activities. Later, after graduating from high school, Coleman earned her B.F.A. in acting from the Theater School at DePaul University in Chicago.Upon graduating from DePaul, Coleman jumped headlong into the acting arena and essayed supporting roles in such popular television shows as Malcolm in the Middle, Gilmore Girls, and Boston Public -- the later two of which found her returning for recurring roles. In 2005, Coleman appeared opposite James Earl Jones in the Hallmark Channel production of The Reading Room, with a substantial role in the hit Disney Channel production High School Musical and a recurring role on the same network's Emmy-nominated series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody following in quick succession. A 2006 stint as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars proved that Coleman could cut a rug with the best of them, and the following year she continued to move and shake by reprising her High School Musical role in the eagerly anticipated Disney Channel sequel. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Set in the South during the 1850s, this film explores slavery from a young woman's perspective. Mother of the River tells the story of Dofimae, a young slave girl with a strong spirit of independence despite her oppressive situation. While wandering in the woods one day, she encounters and develops a friendship with a mysterious, magical woman named Mother of the River, who evokes a spirit not unlike Harriet Tubman. This award-winning, whimsical children's tale has aired on PBS and BET/Encore, and is applicable to academic women's studies and African-American studies courses. ~ Carrie Downes, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monique Coleman
- 1997
Based on the memoirs of Yvonne S. Thornton, this heartwarming, inspirational family drama centers on a poor black laborer who wanted his six daughters to grow up to be doctors. With a determination bordering on obsession, he demands much of his girls, something they don't always appreciate. He also makes many personal sacrifices to make sure they will succeed in life. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Lumbly
- 2004
Paris (Liza Weil) launches a romance with the much older professor Fleming (Michael York), a fact that may adversely affect her future at the Yale Daily News; and later, the paper's editor Doyle (Danny Strong) goes ballistic without explanation. Back in Stars Hollow, Lorelai receives more information than she cares to deal with when she spends an evening with Jason (Christopher Eigeman) at his apartment. Luke (Scott Patterson) books Lane (Keiko Agena) and her band for a gig. And disaster reigns supreme when the imperious Michel (Yanic Truesdale) babysits for Sookie's son, Davey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
After the death of his beloved wife, Helen (Lynne Moody), wealthy African-American suburbanite William Campbell (James Earl Jones) finds that Helen has left behind a "living will" in the form of a videotape. As William watches the video, his late wife urges him to take his huge personal library down to the tough inner-city neighborhood and to establish a reading room. Though confused by this request, William does exactly that, only to find that none of his new neighbors seem inclined to read -- not until he posts a sign reading FREE SODA. Ever so slowly, a few "regulars" trickle into the reading room, among them an idealistic young special-ed teacher (Joanna Cassidy), a high-schooler (Keith Robinson) studying for his SATS, and a little girl (Gabby Soleil) who hopes to get her mother to learn to read. For the most part, however, William's little sanctuary is the target of break-ins and the hangout for local gang members, and with this in mind it isn't surprising that several people encourage him to pack up and get out -- none more adamantly than the Reverend Rashid Rahim (played by George Stanford Brown, the film's director), a self-appointed urban activist who perceives in William a threat to his supremacy. Eventually, whether or not William stays or goes boils down to his attempt at "redeeming" a youthful thief named Javier (Douglas Spain) -- and it is at this point in the narrative that William finally understands why Helen wanted him to open up the reading room in the first place. Filmed with the endorsement of the National Center for Family Literacy, The Reading Room was produced for cable's Hallmark Channel, where it first aired on November 26, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Earl Jones, Georg Stanford Brown, (more)
The captain of the East High basketball team and the key member of the academic club shock the student body by teaming to audition for the upcoming school musical in a Disney Channel Original Movie that's all about being yourself and following your dreams. Troy (Zac Efron) is best known as the player who keeps the East High basketball team on the scoreboard. Of course, life isn't always about athletics, though, and as Troy slam-dunks on the boards, beautiful and brainy Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) is raising the reputation of East High as the key member of the school's successful academic team. Despite their outgoing natures, no one would ever peg Troy and Gabriella as theater types. When word gets out that this popular pair has secretly chosen to reach for the stars and try their luck on the stage, the students of East High are about to learn an important lesson in teamwork while gearing up for a musical performance that will have their audience dancing in the aisles. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, (more)
- 2007
- Add High School Musical: The Concert to QueueAdd High School Musical: The Concert to top of Queue
The biggest sensation in Disney Channel history becomes the concert that no 'tween will want to miss as the stars of the phenomenally successful High School Musical take the stage to perform the songs that fans know and love. Sing along with stars Corbin Bleu, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, and Ashley Tilsdale as they "Bop to the Top" and set the stage ablaze. After the concert fans can direct their own version of the performance by taking part of a special "U Direct" feature in addition to getting a special sneak preview of the highly anticipated High School Musical 2. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, (more)
Kenny Ortega's High School Musical 2 reunites the cast from the hit made-for-Disney Channel original to tell another story in the lives of the musically inclined students attending East Side High. The sequel takes place primarily at the Lava Springs Country Club, an exclusive summer resort that hires Wildcat basketball hero Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), his genius girlfriend Gabriella Montez (anessa Hudgens), and their two best friends. The parents of scheming Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) own the resort, and she wields her remarkable power in an attempt to win Troy away from Gabriella. Eventually Troy must decide between a bright future with a scholarship, or true love. High School Musical 2 premiered on the cable outlook on August 17, 2007. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, (more)
- 2008
- G
- Add High School Musical 3: Senior Year to QueueAdd High School Musical 3: Senior Year to top of Queue
High School Musical 3: Senior Year continues the ongoing tune-filled love story between basketball player Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and brainy beauty Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens). As they head toward high-school graduation, the couple realizes that they'll be separated when they head to different colleges in the fall, so they join with their friends to produce a spring musical that will help them express their hopes and fears about the future. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, (more)
