Movie n Cinema

For All The "Boojee" People Out There...

I kid, I kid. Mark your calenders for the 5th annual Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival, held from August 8th to 11th. Submissions were closed down June 15th, but you can still take a little vacay and support black film in one of America's most beautiful destination points. Martha's Vineyard in the summer was the setting for Matty Rich's film "The Inkwell" with Larenz Tate, Morris Chestnut and Jada Pinkett-Smith (but see it anyway).

Here is the link for the festival: http://www.mvaaff.com/

Throwback Heaven

I am LOVIN' TV One right now. In my opinion, they are much more relevant on what the black community wants to see than BET. One of the things I like best about them is their "Throwback Theatre" which features black film from the 30's to the present, some of them rarely seen.

Today they are showing "Uptown Saturday Night", "Let's Do It Again" (both with Sidney Poiter and Bill Cosby), as well as the mecca of black exploitation flicks "Superfly".

Most film lovers have seen these films, but what I want to comment on is the amazing soundtracks of these and other black 70's films. Can you imagine "Superfly" or "Claudine" or even "The Mack" without the music? Not even half as memorable. So if you get a chance to check out these films this weekend, pay close attention to the genius music by Curtis Mayfield and others. TV One's website is http://www.tvoneonline.com/. Represent!

BK Stand Up!

Even though I grew up in Cali, I spent some of the best years of my life in the Brooklyn black bohemian scene while living in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill. So when I came across this film, it was of special interest to me for a couple of reasons...

"Sundays in Fort Greene" is about two sisters trying not to be pulled into the world of their drug addicted mother. It is produced by Meagan Good's production company, Freedom Bridge Entertainment. She plays one of the sisters, who is also a lesbiana (above). Shooting started last week.

Interesting. 1) I can only remember Spike Lee flicks filmed in Fort Greene, so it should be interesting to watch and 2) Meagan Good has a production company?

btw...are there palm trees in Brooklyn? I'm just sayin'

Well, Maybe Just This Once.....

"Rush Hour 3" may be the firat blockbuster I've wanted to see in eons, though from the trailer it is looking a bit suspect.

Chris Tucker was in my favorite movie of all time, "Friday" and I have been a fan ever since. He looks a lot different now, I hope his antics still work for him. Kudos to the $25 million dollar payday plus domestic profits--parlay, parlay!

WTF?...Volume 2

From Stereohyped (an excellent blog by the way):

I hope that the production of this ridiculous movie Eddie Murphy’s filming in NYC involving clowns doesn’t suffer because of the news that he of the interesting career and personal choices is indeed the biological father of Angel Iris Murphy Brown.

I know this post is supposed to be about paternity tests, but didn’t we all already know what the outcome would be? Let’s talk about "Starship Dave", the plot of which is even more foolish than the picture above suggests. Here’s the outline, according to IMDB:

A crew of miniature aliens operate a spaceship that has a human form. While trying to save their planet, the aliens encounter a new problem, as their ship becomes smitten with an Earth woman. (invisible woman-WTF?!)

Two things. Number 1, this is a rip-off of Innerspace. That may be okay, since most of you probably don’t know what that is. Number 2, really, Eddie Murphy? This is the type of post-Oscar-nomination work you’re choosing for yourself? At least it’s one less movie little Angel will have to see featuring her dad in a black woman fat suit. I hope.

From Invisible Woman: I don't know what is going on in this picture, and I don't wanna know. Way to save your career, Eddie.

Peaceful Journey

A peaceful journey to Anderson Jones, one of the very few well-known black film critics out there. He was a correspondent/reporter for the E! Channel and died last week of a massive heart attack. He was only 38.

An Open Letter To Isaiah Washington

Dear Isaiah:

I know the hoopla surrounding you as of late is television related, but a lot of people either forget or don't know that you had a fairly sizable and promising film career at one point, before the whole "f" word debacle . It included some very thoughtful, well-acted performances....you were kinda pre-Don Cheadle before Don Cheadle.

Anyhoo, the whole Larry King promised rampage thing is ill-advised. I read today that NBC is in talks with you for some new projects, but they have somewhat stalled.....it doesn't take a genius to figure out that they are watching what you'll do next, closely.

Listen, in the words of Kimora Lee Simmons from her book "Faboulosity" when there is a scandal, either completely act like it never happened, or, own up to it-then keep it moving and act like it never happened. Say what you will about Kimora, but she always bounces back like a cat. Can you remember even half the scandals she's been associated with? (btw, there are many).

I saw a picture of you yesterday smiling, looking relaxed...keep doing that every day till you get your power deal together. Do it in your sleep. And for God's sake, believe me, we all are tired of hearing about the T.R. thing. I hate to side with one of your heinous former co-stars, but if you don't do anything else for the next 2 weeks JUST BE QUIET!!

I say this with love,

Invisible Woman

Only She Could Get This

This may be the first and last time I get off of Black Hollywood on this blog (she is the only one fierce enough!). This has been my SONG all year, and I never get tired of hearing it. It is La Winehouse and her Marie Antoinette hair singing "Tears Dry On Their Own" and it was written by the one and only Ashford and Simpson in the 60's...hope you lovey as much as I do.

WTF?.....Volume 1

From Crunk and Disorderly:

"Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld (?!) is set to produce "Only The Hood Dies Young" starring Fabolous and Keyshia Cole."

From Invisible Woman: Who brokered this deal? I've never seen Karl with anybody darker than an orange Lindsey Lohan. How nice that he's trying to make his geriatric ass relevant by producing a stereotypical "drug dealer from the streets story" . Kudos!

Shelton Jackson Lee (Part 3)

OK, I'm gonna finish out the nineties on Spike Lee films, and save the new millennium ones for another time, as I want to write about something else next. Next in the line-up for 90's mini-reviews is:

Crooklyn (1994): A pleasant film, not bad, not great, but a fairly realistic depiction of Black family life in Brooklyn, circa 1970's. The children were smart and funny without being typically Hollywood annoying, and Alfre Woodard and Delroy Lindo seemed like real parents that you knew. Like I said, pleasant, but not particularly memorable.

Clockers (1995): I've always had problems with this one. A story of a supposed teen-age drug dealer's downfall, it was written by Richard Price (non-black), who swears he is the voice of the inner city. I've always found his writing to be condescending, repetitive, and completely off the mark. I don't know anyone like the characters he writes of, nor have I seen any like them. This film is more of the same. I also could not understand why the Mekhi Phifer (in his first movie performance) character had a TB-like cough throughout and never once thought to see a doctor with his drug money. What a waste of a great cast; Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, and Fredro Starr.

Girl Six (1996): A complete exercise in a male's sex fantasies, namely Spike's.

Get On The Bus (1996): Maybe to atone for the travesty that was "Girl Six", Spike made 2 films in one year, something that he doesn't do. It's about a group of men taking a bus trip to the Million Man March" which seemed like an interesting concept. Admittedly, I haven't seen this film since it's release, but I do remember it assembled a bus load of stock characters from casting central; the gay guy, the conscious guy, the old sage, etc., etc. all coming to some sort of spiritual and emotional epiphany by the end of the trip through arguments, reconciliations, enlightenment talk, blah blah blah.

He Got Game (1998): This is when I really started liking Spike's films, and what he said in them. This one is consistently overlooked on great film lists, and I think it's a shame. It has an amazing performance by Denzel Washington as a broken down father of a huge Michael Jordan-like college basketball star. It gives insight into the world of college basketball recruitment, and the real dilemmas on ethics and life these young men face. It is also very stylish and visually beautiful throughout, with scenes that remain in your head way after the movie ends. One of my favorite films, period, in any genre.

Shelton Jackson Lee (Part 2)

The 90's for Spike Lee were pretty much his salad days; people paid attention to what he had to say, wanted to see his movies, and Black Hollywood clamored to be in them, as it seemed to give their careers a sense of legitimacy and importance. In this decade he made 10 feature films, nine of which I have seen....the 10th being "Four Little Girls", and even though I haven't seen that one, I believe it is the time when he really and truly started to think of the world at large.

Anyway, mini-reviews from 1990 to 1999 in order:

Mo' Better Blues (1990): A jazz horn player comes to grips with life and maturity. While I thought the storyline in this film was trite, contrived, unrealistic and weak, I loved the visuals. The costumes of the characters were beautiful, evoking the old jazz eras but modern at the same time, and the set designs of the homes and the club were stunning. Even the characters were beautiful with amazing skin. I often wondered why Denzel Washington would do a movie like this... I guess he had his reasons.

Jungle Fever (1991): The story of adultery and interracial relationships (the "swirl" as they say). Again, not in love with this one either. Heavy handed like a sledgehammer with it's "message", but I did love the allegory of Wesley Snipes' character leaving his beautiful, bright, well furnished, and lush home with his wife to live with his white mistress in an apartment furnished with just a lone bed for months. It was a parallel to his relationships with both women.

Malcolm X (1992): Self-explanatory, the story of Malcolm X. Even though people had made hoopla over Denzel for years, it was really the first time that I found him crazy sexy (except when I was a teenager and saw "A Soldier's Story"). My problem with this movie is that I couldn't tell if it had taken too many liberties. Much of his depicted early years just seemed too fictionalized. I think Spike put a little too much of himself in this movie, as if he really believed that this was an association with the great man himself. Malcolm is a major icon in my life, and this film was just a bit too splashy for a true portrayal in my opinion.

It's getting late, I'm getting sleepy.....the rest of the nineties tomorrow.

Shelton Jackson Lee (Part 1)

Shelton Jackson Lee, a.k.a .Spike Lee, has definitely made his mark in American film. I may get flak for this, but I am not a fan of his earlier work....pretty much the whole first decade of his career is a write-off for me, even though I know others found it interesting and provocative. In my mind it was calculated, heavy handed p.r. marketing. The writing was weak but that marketing was on point. He also knew how to stir the pot by saying things he knew would incite a gamut of emotions in people. But I must say, as he's matured in age and filmaking style (he's 50 this year...wow) I find his work very thought-provoking and visually arresting. My next couple of posts are dedicated to the extensive filmwork of Mr. Lee....reading over his filmography, I sometimes forget the amazing dedication he's made in his field, and was reminded of his contributions once again, for better or for worse.

I'm gonna start with the films I have seen of his thus far, broken down by decade. First up:

She's Gotta Have It (1986): A good subject matter for a fresh out of the gate director, black female sexuality. Though I found it completely off the mark on how most black woman feel toward sex (even the liberated ones), the black and white filming was refreshing, and it did incite a few catch phrases....anyone remember "Please, baby, baby pleeaase"? What happened to the lead, Tracy Camilla Johns? The last time I saw her she was in "New Jack City". That's kinda messed up.

School Daze (1988): It's a comedy, it's a drama, it's a social statement, it's a view into historical black colleges, it's a musical, IT'S A HOT MESS! Overly ambitious, trying to put 5 movies worth of material into one. Gotta give him points for inserting musical numbers though....haven't seen anything quite like it before or since. Features a pre-Martin Tisha Campbell, a righteous Lawrence Fishbourne, and a cameo by Samuel Jackson in a shower cap, that when I first saw the movie I thought was some cracked-out local Spike put into the film.

Do The Right Thing (1989): The story of racial relations coming to a boil on a hot summer New York day. Over the years I have learned to keep my mouth shut over this one. For some reason that completely and totally escapes me, this film is well loved by the multitudes. I thought it was completely overwrought, heavy handed, overbearing, and shrill. It even made one of my favorites, Danny Aiello, get on my nerves. It seemed to be saying one thing with Spike's character and then completely veered off in another direction with no solid explanation. I won't even get into the Rosie Perez performance. There were so many characters in this film that were so weird and cartoonish (Radio Raheem, the Ruby Dee and Ozzie Davis characters) that I just could not get into it. But to each his own.... if you can give me some insight on why you like this film, I would appreciate it in the comments; maybe it can help me look at it in a new way.

By the way, I was actually in the club and witnessed the first meeting between Spike and Rosie....she danced to "Doing The Butt" in front of him at his birthday party and shook her ass in his face for 10 minutes, which kinda explains the opening sequence "Do The Right Thing", that shows her bouncing and writhing for an endless amount of time (which also led to her long-term gig on "In Living Color" as a choreographer). Parlay, parlay, girl!

Sexy Sidney

For some reason my Thursday AFI post disappeared, so I had to repost it today, sorry. Looking at Sidney Potier reminded me of the time I worked at the studio That Will Henceforth Remain Unnamed (TWHRU). Sidney had his offices down the hall from us, the largest in the building I think. I think one of the studio buildings was named after him as well. He really didn't do much, but Sidney was such a legacy that it was an honor for the studio to have him chilling there.

Anyway, I was forever making up excuses to my boss on why I should go over there.....some of them were pretty lame. You see, even though I was decades younger than Sidney, I had the biggest crush on him in history. Mind you, some of the biggest film stars ever were in this building and on this lot, black and non-black Hollywood, and I didn't even blink. But Sidney had an amazing energy and charisma that filled up any room he was in....you felt practically woozy in his presence.....he was also crazy charming too. It's a rare thing; I heard Bill Clinton has that same thing going, too (macaroni!). Sidney left any guy my age in the dust.

If you're looking for something to rent this weekend, and are tired of the same ol' same ol', try one of Sidney's comedies: Uptown Saturday Night with Bill Cosby, Let's Do It Again, also with Bill Cosby and Jimmie (Good Times) Walker, Buck and the Preacher , set in the old West with Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee, or For The Love Of Ivy with jazz great Abbey Lincoln, in which Sidney plays the owner of an illegal underground gambling casino. I promise at the very least you'll find all of these films quite interesting, different and funny.

On to my Spike Lee marathon....

So What Else Is New?

The AFI revealed their top 100 American Films of all time, and surprise, surprise-there was only one, count 'em one, black film that made the list-"Do The Right Thing" (one and a half if you include "In The Heat Of The Night"). I don't know why I keep hoping for anything better.....invisibility rears it's ugly head once again.

Now, I know that Spike Lee's film is a crossover favorite, but personally I've never been a big fan (don't judge me....there are others of his I like). If you've never seen Sidney ("They call me Mr. Tibbs!") Poitier in "In The Heat Of The Night" do yourself a favor and see the REAL breakthrough strong black man performance, pre-Shaft and pre-Superfly. The scene where elegant Sidney bitch-slaps the town big wig to the ground probably sent half of the Klan to it's grave back in the day. It is not really a "black" film, but from the riveting performance of Sidney, who is in almost every scene, it could almost be one. And yes, it is the film on which the TV series was based.

Back to Spike...I will be watching the films I haven't seen of his this weekend, and will be posting mini-reviews Saturday and Sunday. Hope you likeey.

YAWN....

Yanked from the wonderful Beatniks website:

Oprah Winfrey is set to produce "The Great Debaters" directed by and starring Denzel Washington. Now before you panic, this isn't Winfrey's first time producing. She's produced a number of films to include Their Eyes Were Watching God, Halle Berry's project for ABC, a few years back. The movie is based on the true story of an underdog debate team that went on to beat Harvard's team.

As for Washington, this is his second directorial job following the 2002 film Antwone Fisher, in which he also served as one of the producers. Written by Robert Eisele and Suzan-Lori Parks, The Great Debaters is based on a true story of Melvin B. Tolson. As a professor at Wiley College in East Texas, he has been inspires by his students to create the college’s first debating team, which successfully conquered Harvard in the national championships.

"The Great Debaters", which is currently in production, features Washington as Mel Tolson, along with other cast members such as Jermaine Williams as Hamilton Burgess, Nate Parker as Henry Lowe, J.D. Evermore as Captain Wainwright, Justice Leak as Harland Osbourne, Breon Pugh as Wiley Student, Charissa Allen as Benita, and Robert X. Golphin as Dunbar Reed among others. (thanks, Beatniks)

From Invisible Woman: Sorry, but as Homer Simpson would say....booorrrriiiing. I have as much patience for these Stand and Deliver/Dangerous Minds/Freedom Writers/Whatever That Movie Terrance Howard Was In movies as I do TV remakes. NEWS FLASH! When inner city kids are given the same resources, materials, attention, focus, and opportunities as "surburban" or private schools, guess what? They can excel JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!

Hollywood (Oprah and Denzel included) can we get a movie with some risky/dark/interesting/sexy subject matter? I'm just sayin'.....

Needless Big Screen TV Show Adaptation: Number 2,078

C'mon now....we all know that Hollywood is totally and utterly completely out of ideas, but can we stop the madness with the TV big screen remakes? How many of them have been truly successful in ratio to the amount that have been made? I love Martin as much as the next person, but I'll be damned if I would ever pay $12 to see them 10 years later on the big screen. They are currently in negotiations for a 2009 release.....let's hope it never sees the light of day.

By the way, did you know there is going to be a big screen adaptation of Sanford and Son starring Nick Cannon and Bernie Mac?

Start pitching your screenplays to the studios, stat. None of them can be as bad as this foolishness.

Just A Little More Angie B. News....

I read on this on "A Hot Mess" blog today....Is this 4 real? Angela Bassett just received a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood today (ceremony in 2008)..... get this: Judge Judy and Charlie Murphy (WTF????!!!) already had theirs.

Sometimes I really wonder what life is all about.

Angela Bassett Stans Stand Up!

I received a comment from "Simoniquea -pissed off BassettHound" today that disputed the comment I made in yesterday's post about Angela Bassett. I agree wholeheartedly that Angela has more talent in her little finger than most of Hollywood. And believe it or not, I am not a huge fan of Halle Berry's acting...."Monster's Ball" would have been infinitely much, much, much, more interesting if Angela was playing the lead role instead of Halle. But even though she was happy at the Academy Awards for Halle, and posed for pictures, I do believe she probably thought she was robbed in the aftermath. I do stand by the things I said about her referring to Halle, though she never said her name directly; it was reported several times over.

Believe me, Simoniquea, if I could put Angela Bassett in every role that Halle ever played (even Catwoman) I would! Maybe that is the thing.....take more risks! I actually loved her in "A Vampire in Brooklyn".

Here is the link for all things Angela Bassett....enjoy! http://angiebnews.blogspot.com/

Casting Trivia.....

The Smiths are continuing their acting dynasty with daughter Willow in "Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery" (?) a story set in The Depression. Jill Scott (my girl!) will play a lead role in an upcoming Tyler Perry movie (?) called "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" (??). We'll have to see how these 2 turn out, they both sound pretty sketchy right now. Ludacris and Nick Cannon have been cast in the basketball movie "Ball Don't Lie" about a b-ball player and his conflicting life on the streets.

Speaking of casting, here is some interesting trivia:

-Did you know that Halle Berry turned down the Sandra Bullock role in "Speed"? (Probably busy making the classic "The Rich Man's Wife")

-Will Smith turned down the role as Neo (that went to Keanu Reeves) in "The Matrix"? (Whew!)

-That Angela Bassett turned down Halle Berry's Oscar winning role in "Monster's Ball" and then had the audacity to be pissed that Halle won (she probably thought that legacy should have been hers) and talked greasy about Halle , saying that "it's amazing what happens when someone decides to show their body?" Sour grapes, girl. By the way, has anyone seen Angela lately?

Normally I Couldn't Care Less....

I am not a blockbuster person, period. I find them bloated, loud, badly edited, and for the most part, boring. But this movie, "The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer", peaks my interest because it is full of Black Hollywood (though you would never know from the trailers-invisibility strikes once again).

The movie has a black director, first off, Tim Story (kudos!) and stars Kerry Washington, Andre Braugher, and as the Silver Surfer....Laurence Fishburne (?!)

For once you can support some gagillion dollar summer movie and support Black Hollywood as well...get busy and go see it.

Really?

I read yesterday that Robin Givens is playing the part of ghetto gossip queen, radio host, and self proclaimed "Queen of Media" Wendy Williams in a film based on her life story. Don't get me wrong, Wendy is a huge guilty pleasure for me and good at what she does, but she is also way bigger than life; like a House of LaBeja tranny on steroids. Everything about her is huge; her stature, her cheap blond weave, her voice, her feet....everything.

As you can see, the complete antithesis of Robin Givens (except for Robin's huge reputation, unwarranted or no). There is absolutely nothing huge about Robin. Tracy Morgan would have been a better choice. This will either be the biggest coup of Robin's career if she is up to the challenge, or the biggest disaster since the Titanic. I'm rooting for her....filming started last week.

The Hollywood Black Film Festival

The Hollywood Black Film Festival was held from June 5th to the 10th. This is taken from their website:

After six days and 126 films, top honors were awarded at the 2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival's closing night festivities on Sunday, June 10th at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA. Tanya Kersey , Founder Executive Director, HBFF and Jacqueline Blaylock , HBFF's Programming Director, announced the winning films. “We are so pleased to be able to present awards to these filmmakers who have displayed an amazing array of cinematic talent and vision,” said Kersey. “The 2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival award-winners reflect the full breadth of talent, diversity, and evolution of independent black film.” "Our filmmakers this year displayed an extraordinary range and depth to their storytelling, which attracted record breaking audiences, and I am pleased to know that HBFF continues to garner a well deserved reputation as being the premiere festival for discovering and showcasing the next generation of talented Black filmmakers,” added Blaylock. Kersey added, “We are thrilled how the Hollywood Black Film Festival has continued to grow in attendance, local and national awareness and acclaim from filmmakers, writers and directors.”

The HBFF Storyteller Competition was designed to promote and support new talent and continue the festival's pledge of creating opportunities for talented black screenwriters. The main goal is to give new screenwriters industry exposure and help introduce them to Hollywood. “The diverse storytelling styles of this year's Storyteller Competition semi-finalists is impressive,” said Kersey. “We are pleased to be able to bring these talented, diverse voices to the attention of Hollywood's leading talent buyers.”

HBFF 2007 attendees enjoyed a whirlwind six days hustling to see films, attending panels and workshops at the adjunct Infotainment Conference, and partying into the wee hours of the night. This year's festival drew record crowds and many films were sold-out. Among the celebrities seen at HBFF 2007 this year were Prince , Sheila E, Kimberly Elise , Sheryl Underwood , Tommy Davidson , Mike Tyson and Elise Neal, to name just a few.

to get more info on this festival and to view pictures, please visit their website at http://www.hbff.org/

I Tried To Stay Out Of It (Part 2)

AN OPEN LETTER TO EDDIE MURPHY:

Dear Eddie,

There are a few things going on with you that I have been trying to ignore for quite some time; your corny and boringly bad "family" movies, your shady and "zesty" fashion choices, the tons of pancake make-up you seem to be wearing as of late, your questionable "relationship" with Babyface's ex-wife Tracey Edmonds. I won't even mention that "hitch-hiker" ride incident a few years back.

A film star's personal life should not overshadow his career, even if terrible things are happening, but enhance it. Remember the old adage "even bad publicity is good publicity"? Well, Eddie, you may be the first actor to prove that one wrong. Just when I thought I might take a chance on liking you again after seeing "Dreamgirls" (which, btw, was a very affecting and great perfomance by you) you had to go and permanently screw it up.

You see, Eddie, the whole Mel B./baby thing has made me lose respect for you that will never, ever come back. And I know many others feel the same. No matter what you do, even if it's Oscar caliber, I will always think back to the time you publicly denied your own flesh and blood, without the most basic human decency of discussing it with the mother first, no matter how D-list she may be. And then, to make it worse, kept up the shameful acts until you were forced to get a DNA test.

See, the "ride" thing, though a huge scandal, really did make you more interesting. This scandal just makes you seem low and pathetic. And, might I add, pretty despicable. If you would like some advice, please lay low for the rest of your days, and maybe, just maybe, someone will actually want to pay to see one of your movies again with a clear conscience.

Sincerely, Invisible Woman

To all the D.C. folks out there (where I am now visiting) your city has flavaaaah!

I Tried To Stay Out Of It.....

Let me begin by saying sorry for the missed post yesterday...I had to take care of some things before going out of town. There is a movie coming out any day now, entitled "A Mighty Heart", the story of the wife of captured and murdered reporter on Iraq Daniel Pearl. A few months ago people were kicking up dust as St. Angelina Jolie Of Hollywood, clearly white, plays the title role of the biracial wife, clearly non-white. I brushed it off...after all, isn't that why they call it acting? Actors have played various races and ethnicities through the ages.

But after viewing the trailer, and seeing Angelina in that fright wig with that ridiculous accent (were WAS that woman from anyway?) I have to say I was nonplussed and disturbed, even though I couldn't put my finger on exactly why. It just didn't seem right for this Hollywood powerhouse to be playing even a half black woman. You are so aware of who she is in real life, that you cannot suspend your disbelief, even for a second.

Now, let me make it clear that on a personal and professional level that I have no problem with St. Jolie, but in this instance I think that she still could have gotten her story out and made her point clear by being behind the scenes and just producing. What, Halle Berry was't available?

Do you think that it's not right for non-blacks to portray black characters, or is it a non-issue?

I Am Legend trailer

After a complete deflation from the final episode of "The Sopranos" (what a gip!) I have no energy to post the promised review of "Section 8", but will give you a preview of Will Smith's new movie "I am Legend" coming out in only 6 months. I guess when you make 20 million per film plus profits, you really only need to make about, oh, one movie a year.

It is based on a novel that was turned into a film once before; an old Charlton Heston film called "The Omega Man". Smith plays a man who may or may not be the last man on earth. After his son Jaden's star turn in "The Pursuit of Happyness", it is now his daughter Willow's turn to shine (she plays his daughter). Who knows, maybe she'll be lucky enough to get the "coveted" MTV Films Breakthrough award like her brother.

And The Academy Award Goes To....Norbit! (Kidding)

In honor of Norbit's release this week, I'll give out a little info. This movie was the secondary motivation for me to start this blog, as I found all of the hoopla surrounding it's theatre release interesting and a bit confounding.

After seeing any film I generally go to various websites and message boards to see the general consensus, and the people were outraged; outraged I tell you! Things like "stereotypical in the worst sense of the word", "insulting and ignorant", "this movie confirms the age of "Idiocracy" is here", "sets blacks back to a time of 'Birth of a Nation' " and similar comments were repeated over and over. I found this a bit confusing, as I thought Norbit was to be taken with a grain of salt, and it was the first Eddie Murphy movie I've paid to see since "Beverly Hills Cop", and definitely the first one of his films that I've laughed at since then. Trust, Eddie doesn't normally move me at all. And who goes to an Eddie Murphy movie expecting Greek tragedy?

But upon closer inspection, I found that these comments were written by....wait for it....non-blacks! WTF? Comments like "only someone that is completely uneducated, on the lowest fringes of society could enjoy this movie" was far and beyond more insulting to me than anything Eddie could have done it a fat suit. My friends and family are, for the vast majority, educated and upstanding contributing citizens and we all thought it was hilarious. And the repeated "unrealistic" part of Rasputia? Sorry, but I actually have met women like that, and I'm sure you have too. The rare comment that I did see from someone of color telling these "authorities" to relax was met with hostility, and barbs that they were "ignorant" to the situation and the "long term effects" this movie would have.

Interesting. Best believe that most people forgot about this film until it got released on DVD this week. My take? Rent it, buy it, the ish is hella funny! (Take it from one who doesn't feel "ignorant" about the situation).

5 THINGS.......

5 Things That Need To Change in Hollywood like YESTERDAY (not necessarily in order):

1) Stop casting Halle, and only Halle, in every major commercial film that needs a black female. I am sure there is a pretty black woman who can really act somewhere in the world.

2) Can we PLEASE stop the madness that females must not weigh over 105 lbs? (King Latifah excluded)

3) Not ONE MORE F'N TV REMAKE ON THE BIG SCREEN! (This should actually be one through five).

4) Can we pleeeeaase get some actors who actually look like men and not skinny 12 year old boys? Actually, black Hollywood is pretty refreshing in that regard....I can think of a lot of manly looking actors off the top of my head, not too many boys. Come to think of it, maybe that's why we are practically invisible at the box office.

5) If we (Black Hollywood) are going to produce movies independently, can we elevate just a wee bit? While I applaud blacks going for theirs and taking a risk, is it really a risk when you put out something called "Section 8"* (et. al.)?

*which I will review this weekend

I Think I Just Died And Went To Heaven!!!!

I must be on Santa's "nice" list....all of Hollywood's sexiest and finest rolled up into one sizzling package. "American Gangster" is coming out soon, and look at the lineup: Denzel Washington, Common, Cuba Gooding (who seems to have come to his senses these days), Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor (a Spike Lee favorite in his films), T.I. and the RZA. Can one picture take this much preservation of sexy without melting the screen? Only time will tell!

Coming To A Bootleg Near You

A review for "Who Made The Potatoe Salad" (I won't bore you with the details of how the title is relevant to what's in the film) Wow, where do I begin? With the fact that potato is spelled with an "e"? With the tidbit that this masterpiece was written by someone that nicknames himself "Coke"? That the movie looks like it was made on $25 dollars and a pack of Now Or Laters? Or with the dismay that this stars Urkel (Jaleel White), Roc's wife (Ella Joyce) who must have needed to make a car payment on her Camry, and Eddie Griffin? How the mighty have fallen.

This underwhelming unfunny movie is about a young man meeting his fiance's family for the first time, kind of like a ghetto "Meet The Parents". Jaleel is a cop, and guess what? The father (Clifton Powell, who I think has been in every single black movie since 1978-does he even sleep?) is a former black panther who has a super irrational hatred for cops and calls Jaleel a M'f'r before he can even sit down in the car. Realistic. The plot is pretty much that same set up recycled over and over for a seemingly endless 90 minutes. There are some very low brow glimmers of humor from veteran Reynaldo Ray, who plays Clifton Powell's nemesis of a father-in law, and from stand-up comedian and actor DeRay Davis, who plays the fiance's dumb as a doorknob gangster brother.

Jaleel White looks lost in every scene, as if he walked in on the wrong movie and wants to excuse himself, but is too polite to do so. The "role" of Eddie Griffin consists of a self-filmed prison video sent to the fiance that seemed like it was phoned in from Mars. Pure, unadulterated torture to watch, but compared to this film, it is "The Godfather".

What Would Have Happened If He Wore Cornrows?

Taken From Stereohyped:

Here’s something I bet you didn’t know about Chris Rock: He owes his entire career to the sage advice of Andre Harrell and a quick trip to the barber shop. Don’t believe me? Ask Andre, who highlights the seminal moment in his upcoming memoir, Notes on a Revolution: From Uptown to Nu America. Producer Andre Harrell, who’s collaborating on his autobiography with screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper, recalls being on tour with Chris Rock in the ’80s, when the comedian bombed with an audience.

Harrell told him, “They don’t get how you are trying to talk down to them while you’re rocking a Jheri curl,” Cooper recounted. “Shave it off,” said Harrell. “You’re spraying wack juice on everybody on the tour.”

Rock lost the ’80s hair, and the rest is history.

Just think, if it weren’t for Harrell, Rock would have still been dripping wack juice all over audiences instead of making them laugh. I wonder if Harrell saw Bad Company, Head of State, and I Think I Love My Wife and can offer Rock some movie advice.

MTV Movie Awards.....LAME as usual

Let me make this perfectly clear: I have no love for MTV. Over the years I have watched them trot out black culture when it's convenient for them, applaud themselves as "pioneers" and then completely ignore us. Now they have included film as well.

I knew it wasn't looking good when I found out Sarah Silverman was hosting, who, in my opinion , skates a veeeerrrrry thin line with what I consider to be often racist material in her standup and TV.

I guess this year they had nothing to "pioneer" and gave us a couple of awards they found leftover in the basement.....Jaden Smith, son of one of our "safe" actors Will Smith, received the Breakthrough Award for his role in the "Pursuit of Happyness".

"The intelligent" Spike Lee received the "coveted" (their words, not mine) Silver Bucket Award (?!!) for the 1989 film "Do the Right Thing".

Dayum, MTV. Can't you even pretend that you give a hot you-know-what? How gracious of you to give 2 awards out of many to a small child of one of the most powerful Hollywood couples in history, and for a 20 year old movie that was made when probably the mainstay of your demographic wasn't even born or was in diapers? At least they let Rhianna perform, now that she has gone "pop".

We do have to do our due diligence, however, and show up to these travesties in case MTV might throw a few crumbs of the zillions, and zillions, and zillions of dollars they've made from our lifestyles and culture our way.

Hey MTV! How about trying out a little more of that condescending "pioneering" a bit next year, mmmkay?

(images from mtv's website)

California Love....The San Francisco Black Film Festival

The San Francisco Black Film Festival runs from June 7th-10th and the 14th-17th. It is a festival of note for a few reasons; it gives an outlet for films that might normally never be seen, or creates an interest when they go to DVD. Unlike many film festivals, almost all of the films are independent and made on modest budgets, to say the least. It has a all day children's event to raise young people awareness of black film and it's components. It also seeks to recognize local filmmakers from the San Francisco Bay area; Oakland, Richmond, et. al .and all others from the African diaspora, including what could be considered Latin cultures. Most importantly, it recognizes the need to bring the festival to it grassroots; holding events in Bayview Hunters Point and the Western Addition, the last bastions of the black community in San Francisco.

The festival and it's founder, Ave (pronounced ah-vay) Montague started with one theatre and 300 people in a one day event, and has expanded to thousands with a week of activities spanning over 2 weekends. Highlights include the Melvin Van Peebles award to a black film contributor of note. This year there are 80, yes 80 movies and shorts to be shown at a multitude of venues. The more interesting of the selections are a film of a biracial man who visits his mother's family that refuses to acknowledge his blackness in any way, and a film about the "Clinton 12", a group of black students that integrated a Tennessee high school in 1956. For more information on the festival, or to submit your own film for next year click the link http://www.sfbff.org/.

My Honorary First Posting Goes To........."Shadowboxer"

It is only fitting as it was my motivation for creating this blog to begin with. The unfairness of how this movie was treated was compelling. It blends together so many unlikely story elements, that at worst, it is intensely interesting.

It is the tale of 2 hired hit people, Cuba Gooding and Helen Mirren (?!) that also happen to be lovers, that also happen to be mother and step-son. They are hired to kill the wife of a nut ball mob boss (Stephen Dorff, who actually does the hiring) and the body guards that are protecting her. While spraying the guards goes smoothly, Helen Mirren, about to kill the wife, discovers that she is in the last stages of pregnancy as her water breaks as she is about to shoot. Helen promptly delivers the baby on the bed, and decides to save them, perhaps trying to atone for the fact that she has made a career of killing and is dying of cancer. Cuba, who also shadowboxes as a hobby, all the while gives his intense silent disapproval during the course of events. All of this by the way, happens in the first 15 minutes of the film and are not spoilers.

What happens next is a journey of major proportions for Cuba, Helen, and the mob wife. I have to say, with as many films as I have seen, some of the imagery is quite fascinating. To see a 38 year old Cuba (who in this movie has a body of total chiseled perfection) naked and having soft core sex in the open woods with a sixtyish Helen Mirren is.....how shall we say......wow.

Sure the story is a bit far fetched (most films these days are), but I think it was this image of the violation of the sacred alter of St. Mirren of England that was this film's undoing, and caused the critics to tear it to shreds. They, should we say, were just not ready. In a world of big screen television remakes and threequels (i.e. Spiderman 3, Shrek 3, and Pirates of the Caribbean 3, all of which I have absolutely no desire to see) it is obvious that Hollywood is completely and utterly creatively bankrupt. If anything, it should welcome a film of formerly unseen imagery and viewer challenges, like water to a thirsty man in the desert. Macy Gray has a role as the wife's best friend, and steals every scene she's in. It is also the first time I have gotten into a performance by Cuba since.....well....ever. It is actually very nuanced, powerful, and affecting. But, dear reader, it is a perfect example of how far we still have to go in Hollywood, and the reason for the existence of this very blog; to point these things out to you.

This film is a first time direction for Lee Daniels, who produced "Monster's Ball" and the seriously criminally overlooked and ignored "The Woodsman". BTW, "The Woodsman" and "Shadowboxer" were also produced by Damon Dash, former cohort of Jay-Z. Who woulda thunk? All due props to Lee Daniels, but honestly, bro, what's up with the hair?

Diamond