Mini Reviews From Bootleg Heaven

The social life cup isn't running over in the part of the world I'm in right now. Unless I find the sound of crickets exciting, I have to haul over to the Blockbuster 25 miles away for my movie fixins. A friend rented these gems for me to watch over the past few days:

Rain: A story of a musically talented black girl who has no idea why she 9 shades lighter than the rest of her "urban" family (Khandi Alexander and a surprisingly beat-up and cracked out looking Giancarlo Esposito) finds out she was abandoned by her white mama at birth. Based on the book by V.C. Andrews (Flowers in the Attic), it is a testament to why rich, white, privileged novelists should never attempt to write a book about gritty ghetto life. The results are fairly hilarious and not a bit realistic. Faye Dunaway plays Rain's grandmother who she comes to live with, and her face now looks like it was put together with several others' body parts. The theme song is repeated ad nauseum, to the point that if it weren't rented, I would have chucked it out the window for a tractor to run over.

Gas: Stars Flex Alexander, Sticky Fingaz, and Tyson Beckford (?!) as gas station attendants. 'Nuff said.

The Salon: *sigh* It wears me out to even type about this travesty. Take all of the worst sub-plot elements of every beauty and barbershop movie, roll them up in a cow-pie, wrap it with Vivica Fox, and add a 3 minute dash (literally) of Terrence Howard looking like he stepped out of an ashtray, and you have this movie. I don't know why anybody even bothered to show up. By the time it got to the stock beauty shop "gay guy" speech that would have made Harvey Milk and Harvey Fierstein proud, I went back to listening to the crickets....it was a lot more interesting. Oh, and Monica Calhoun gets on my nerves.

Today in B'Days

Chris Tucker is 35, his tired schtick is 25.

OK, Which One Is It, Sex or No Sex?

I think I've been posting a bit much about Terrance Howard lately because I am fascinated with his seeming complete and utter inability to shut the f**k up. At a point in his career where he can just cruise from here on out, he seems hellbent on making himself look like a total idiot and losing his female fan base. Last week it was no premarital sex for him, this week a complete 180 degree turn. From Starpulse via Stereohyped:

Sex Rules Keep Terrence Howard From Being A Jehovah's Witness

Terrence Howard is still hoping to become a Jehovah's Witness - once he can control his sexual urges. The star studied to become a Jehovah's Witness when he was a teenager but turned his back on the church when he realized he'd have to give up sex until he was married.
He says, "That's where I had my troubles."

But newly-single Howard, who split with his latest girlfriend in July, hasn't given up on the religion, adding, "I'm still working hard at that one. I'll be a Witness one day, as soon as I can discipline myself in that area."

Remembering The Jena Six And Those Before Them...

In solidarity with my fellow bloggers enraged by the injustice of the Jena Six, (among other racial tragedies) there will only be one post today.

As I am visiting the foothold of slavery and the birthplace of American capitalism, North Carolina (not Philadelphia as they optimistically tell you in the schoolbooks) that was built on our community's shoulders, it is even more apropos.

Following is a post from the blogger that collected us together, Yobachi of Black Perspective. Please feel free to visit the other concerned bloggers today in your daily surf. If you'd like the media link click here:

Bloggers, please add this press release link to your post to increase visibility on search engines: www.pr.com/press-release/50358

The Jena 6 issue, like Katrina, highlights how some people receive deference in treatment over others. “The Jim Crow style racism and government negligence, reflected in the Jena 6 case, are both quite worrisome. Unfortunately, the case is another incident that points to the entrenched racial and socio-economic disparities in the South, which this country has yet to fully confront,” says political scientist Dr. Sekou Franklin of Middle Tennessee State University.

As the Congressional Black Caucus has noted “we must speak out against injustice and inequality. This tale of two standards depicts a pattern of gross violations”.

The Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition “ask that the mainstream traditional media step forward and discharge their duty to provide coverage of this vitally important event to their viewers and readers and act as “the fourth institution” of governmental “checks and balance” that constitutional framers intended the press to be.”

List of Bloggers for Justice

1. Wayne Hicks electronicvillage.blogspot.com/ Cincinnati, OH

2. D. Yobachi Boswell http://www.blackperspective.net/ Nashville, TN

3. Daz Wilson purplezoe.blogspot.com/

4. Francis Holland afrospear.jconserv.net/

5. Jim D. Walton www.blackinbusiness.org/

6. Cooper wonderlandornot.net

7. Yolonda ebonymommy.com/blog/

8. Vanessa Byers vanessabyers.net/ Miami, FL

9. Sincere sincere-thoughts.blogspot.com

10. Pia courtingdestiny.com

11. Adrianne George blackwomenineurope.blogspot.com/ Sweden

12. Eddie Griffin http://www.eddiegriffinbasg.blogspot.com/ Fort Worth, TX

13. PB http://www.savantwriter.blogspot.com/ Kansas City

14. Tom Autopref automaticpreference.wordpress.com/

15. Dave J. wanderingether.blogspot.com/ Haslett, Michigan

16. B. Medusa www.mnemosyne-blog.net/

17. Shawn Williams http://www.dallassouthblog.com/ Dallas, Texas

18. Deidra blackandmissing.blogspot.com Baton Rouge, LA

19. AAPP http://www.africanamericanpoliticalpundit.com/ & http://www.africanamericanopinion.com/

20. Invisible Woman invisible-cinema.blogspot.com/ San Francisco, CA

21. Plez pajoyner.blogspot.com Atlanta, GA

22. Shanikka www.maatsfeather.com/frontPage.do

UPDATE: These two bloggers were added by Yobachi after I posted:

23. Mahogony Diva mahogonydiva.blogspot.com/

24. Saba charlotte.greasyguide.com

Let’s not forget other injustices currently in progress (thanks, Yobachi!)
Kenneth Foster

Darfur

Genarlow Wilson

Dunbar Village - Watch Video

Drumline

The quality of this clip isn't the best, but it gives you the gist of the film, as well as what the college drumline is about.

Shout out to Thembi for The Sugar Hill Gang's "Apache".

Guilty As Charged....

In the comments for favorite films, a couple of people sheepishly admitted that they like "Drumline". Well, despite my feelings about "Nerdy Nick" (the other blogs' name for him, not mine) Cannon's personal life, I'm guilty of liking Drumline too. For those of you who that don't know, the film is based loosely on super-producer and super-blabbermouth Dallas Austin's college experience. From IMDB:

A fish-out-of-water comedy about a talented street drummer from Harlem who enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. He initially flounders in his new world, before realizing that it takes more than talent to reach the top.

I.W.: Zoe (who I now know is black-thx Cocoa Lounge) Saldana is in it, as well as a low key and somber performance by Orlando Jones, who actually looks pretty good in it. Someone named Earl Poitier is in it....anyone know if he related to Sidney?

Check it out to see maybe the first and last film where Nick Cannon was bearable besides "Bobby".

Tangy Terrence's New Movie

From Black Talent News:

Terrence Howard will join Richard Gere and Channing Tatum in Rogue Pictures' untitled film set in the underground high stakes world of street fights in New York City. Dito Montiel ("A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints") will write and direct. Kevin Misher is producing through this Misher Films shingle.

Howard will play a veteran street-fighting coach who mentors Tatum's character, a young man who had been scraping up a living scalping tickets in Gotham (Daily Variety, Aug. 3).
Shooting will begin on location in NYC in September.

Next up for Howard is "The Brave One," "The Hunting Party" and "Iron Man."

From IW: Hmmmm....the jury is out on this one. I'd have to see more.

Today in B'Days

Damn. Michael Jackson is 49. How old is Bubbles?

Respect

For those of you that haven't read my profile, the name of this blog "Invisible Woman" is based on the book by Ralph Ellison "Invisible Man". It is a fictional account of a black man's invisibility in white society, but it might as well be non-fiction. It is super eloquent, and just as relevant today as it was decades ago when it was written. Undercover Black Man gave out a little info on my man last week:

It’s amazing the amount of cultural information at our fingertips via the Internet. With enough time, one could give oneself a college-level education in world history or literature or philosophy.

You want to know a supremely cool resource? Public radio archives.

In June, Stanford English professor Arnold Rampersad spoke with David Inge on WILL-AM 580, the University of Illinois radio station. The subject was Rampersad’s new book, “Ralph Ellison: A Biography.”

Their conversation makes me hungry to read Ellison’s “Invisible Man” again; I haven’t since high school.

Prof. Rampersad has interesting insights on the major mystery of Ralph Ellison’s creative life: Why, after having written a great American novel, did he never finish a second one?

You can download the full 50-minute interview as an MP3 podcast here. (Click on the headphones icon, then save to disk.)I’m streaming a 4½-minute audio bite on my Vox annex, dealing with the criticism Ellison received from black nationalists and separatists. The clip begins with a question from David Inge. Click here to hear it.

From IW: For those of you interested in the black classics, I hope you check it out.

OK, I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Lisa C (who has a sweet and beautiful blog Lisa C Writes) for "The Face Behind The Blog". The rules are supposed to be this:

Post a short blog article that includes a photograph (or a series of photos) showing the face behind your blog. If you already show a photo somewhere on your site (such as in your about page), then make your post more interesting and choose a photo that is not currently online.

2nd step: Include links to other people that have displayed a photo, or include their photos in your post, adding a reference.Mary - the grey mom, Lisa - the designer, Genesis -the at home mom.

3rd step: Tag as many others as you like to spread the meme. I'm tagging: New York Dude Invisible Woman Mrs. Grapevine ManChild Funky Fly Fresh

4th step: Each person tagged should create their own post and repeat the process.

Have fun!!

It does sound fun, but I wish I'd been tagged for the "8 Things About Me"....that would have been easier. I don't want to be a wet blanket (as my mom used to say) but the whole foundation of my blog is based on Ralph Ellison's book "Invisible Man" and our community's invisibility in the world at large. It allegiance to this pledge, I must remain (at least on this blog) invisible and anonymous, sorry Lisa....I want to know what those others look like as well, but I can assure you I'm pretty good-looking :-)

In the above post is a ditty UBM wrote on Mr. Ellison last week, hope you likey.

Ghost Dog

Forest working a bit of the samurai...

My Favorite Forest Movie (Besides Fast Times At Ridgemont High)

Okay, so admittedly I am not the biggest Forest Whitaker fan. Yes, I know people think he's a great actor, yes I know he's survived the Hollywood game for decades, and yes, I know he was supposed to be the end-all in "The Last King Of Scotland". I wish him well, but I am still unmoved. I think it's his face; it's difficult for me to concentrate while looking at it.

Anyway, one reader Saladin (who has a blog of very interesting perspectives on things), voted for "Ghost Dog-The Way Of The Samurai" for the top ten favorites. Since nothing was specified for the term "black film", I imagine it would qualify, as Forest took up most of the screen time. It was also scored by my fourth husband the RZA. The plot from IMDB is this:

In Jersey City, an African American hit man follows "Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai." He lives alone, in simplicity with homing pigeons for company, calling himself Ghost Dog. His master, who saved his life eight years ago, is part of the local mob. When the boss' daughter witnesses one of Ghost Dog's hits, he becomes expendable. The first victims are his birds, and in response, Ghost Dog goes right at his attackers but does not want to harm his master or the young woman. On occasion, he talks with his best friend, a French-speaking Haitian who sells ice cream in the park, and with a child with whom he discusses books. Can he stay true to his code? And if he does, what is his fate?

I don't remember why I saw this film, I think because I was with someone who was into it or maybe because it was directed by Jim Jarmusch. What I do know, however, is that I was really surprised at how much I loved it. It reminded me of the old Kurosawa films where there was barely any dialogue at all for long stretches of time, but to add more would have ruined it. Forest was actually believable in a premise that sounds ridiculous, but was beautifully executed. It is a thinking person's modern urban martial arts film.....rent it if for nothing else but to see Forest working his samurai moves.

Why This Didn't Make The Top Ten, I'll Never Know

Ms. Hott Sauce wanted to know why "Pootie Tang" didn't make the top 10 of favorite films. I must say I'm at a loss....

When this movie came out on a Friday, my then boyfriend and I went the next day, Saturday. We only went cause I was in a small town in New Jersey for a family reunion, and they had exactly one multiplex for 50 miles.

Anyway, it was supposed to start at 3:30, and it was 3:45 and we 2 were the only ones there. We had to yell to the projectionist (can you imagine?) to start the movie. He responded by saying he was "waiting for more people to come" Honey, if you are in a town the size of a postage stamp, the only movie theatre within 50 miles, and it's 15 minutes past the start time and STILL no one else is there? The writing is on the wall. The perfect example of why Chris Rock shouldn't make even one more movie.

This is a clip of the 60 seconds that Pootie Tang was funny, and even that was in the first 5 minutes. Pootie Tang puts foot to ass with a greased up ponytail and a belt.

Oh That Harpo...

One reader Qadeer, had this thoughtful thing to say about the Color Purple:

'I can't think of another film that so many black women can quote line for line, and though it won plenty of awards, I believe it's appeal to women is one of the main reasons that this film doesn't get the critical recognition it deserves.'

It might have been that, or the fashionable hate of Steven Spielberg at the time it was made. Or maybe the haterade of Oprah, who didn't get her due in this film or Beloved (which is one of my faves, and oddly, not one person voted for).

This clip is a Sims version that I thought was pretty clever.

Ummm....okay

From Black Talent News:

Limp Bizkit rocker Fred Durst is in negotiations to direct Ice Cube in Dimension Films' inspirational sports drama, "Comeback." Based on real events, "Comeback" is the story of a former high school football star (Ice Cube) who takes his niece under his wing as she becomes the first female quarterback in Pop Warner football history. The 11-year-old QB, Jasmine Plummer, led her team, the Harvey Colts, to the Pop Warner tournament, and became the first female to play in the tournament's 56-year history.

From IW: Fred Durst? Alrighty then....can't say I'm excited about the storyline either, sorry.

The Glamorous Life No More....

All this week I will be talking about things related to your favorite films and the comments made. A few people voted "Krush Groove" as one of their favorites, and justjudith asked if that was Sheila E's last film. Well, I don't know if it is, but the picture above may be one reason why we haven't seen her lately....I guess it all has to stop somewhere. She should give Prince a call-he hasn't aged a day in 25 years.

The Envelope Please....

Hello all...I apologize about not posting the top 10 black films yesterday....there's something in the country air that makes a city gal lazy, and I was there 100% yesterday, sorry!

Anyhoo, I appreciate the votes and what everyone had to say. I love seeing what people think is good, or great, and I love the comments about why. Some voted for "Roots" which isn't a film, but if it were, surely would have won. Tony is an obvious Denzel Washington worshiper (:-) ), cazualc seems to love "Claudine" a much as I do, and Purple Zoe brought up a film called "Afropunk", that I haven't seen but plan to now.

There were votes for some films that I've never been a big fan of; "Hav Plenty" and "The Best Man" for example, and some that I admire that didn't make the cut: "Glory", "Deep Cover", and "Eve's Bayou", for starters.

There were some votes for some African films, which in my opinion, don't get enough notoriety. I will start blogging about them here. Here is the top 10 list in order, starting with #1:

1) The Color Purple (by far the favorite)

2) Lady Sings The Blues

3) Malcolm X

4) Cooley High

5) New Jack City

6) Do The Right Thing

7) Purple Rain

8) Coming To America (surprising for me)

9) Carmen Jones

10)

I didn't post #10, because there are so many that tied for this position. I hope you don't mind if I ask you to vote one last time for just one of these films. Then I can have the true top 10 list. The movies that tied for tenth place are:

Boyz N' The Hood

Menace 2 Society

Raisin In The Sun (1961)

Claudine

School Daze

Sparkle

A hard choice for some, I know. Please let me know what your favorite (or what you thought was the most well made) film out of these is in the comments section....cheers!

Oscar Nominated Actor, Best Selling Rapper Starts Film Company

But seriously, I never heard of this dude....when was he on Roc-A-Fella? And does starring in State Property 1 & 2 qualify you to start a film production company? And where did all this money come from? I guess we'll see; at least he's trying. Going straight to video is usually not a good sign, tho, but Snoop and Poot from "The Wire" are in this one. From Black Talent News:

Former Roc-a-Fella artist Omillio Sparks (aka Kenneth Johnson) has launched Colossal Films. Colossal Films (a new division of Colossal Entertainments) plans to focus on mass marketing and distributing urban street flicks. Sparks came to prominence starring as 'Baby Boy' in the films "State Property 1 & 2."

Sparks recently teamed up with Shurwil Langston of Tough Struggle Entertainment to release the feature film "Soulful".

Set to be released direct-to-video during the holiday season, a bonus DVD of the film will be packaged with Sparks' upcoming album, The Payback. The fllm will be distributed through Koch Entertainment and will be sold at FYE , BEST BUY, Circuit City, and other national retail chains.

Omillio Sparks "Soulful" is a coming-of-age-story of a young girl (Jamie Knight), nicknamed "Soulful" who uses her God given talent to sing despite dealing with the adversities of a hard knock life in the streets.

The supporting cast includes Sparks, and Tray "Poot" Chaney & Felicia "Snoop" Pearson from the critically acclaimed HBO series, "The Wire". Colossal Films' second movie, "Expendable." is currently in production.

Sparks was signed to Rocafella records in the late 90's by Damon Dash and Jay-Z. He has starred in three movies including "State Property 1 and 2," and wrote on seven songs on the "State Property 1" and six on the "State Property 2" albums. Since leaving Rocafella records he has established a new independent label, Colossal Entertainment, and now this new film division.

The Original "Run's House"

Reverend Run and Blair Underwood in "Krush Groove". And it's like that, and that's the way it is.

Today in B'Days

I know Mrs. Grapevine would like to know this: Blair Underwood is 43. A loooong way from "Krush Groove" where he cornily played the Russell Simmons character.

Trivia: Blair started out in 1968 on "One Life To Live".

Trailer For "Skid Row".....

More From The Justice League....

I found this on UBM site....yes, I know I link to him often, but great minds think alike, haha.

Anyway, I read about this project months ago and had forgotten about it. Pras (who just said Osama Bin Laden and George Bush will have coffee in Starbucks together before he gets back with Lauryn Hill) made a documentary living as an undercover homeless man. It will be shown in a few cities this weekend, and if you live in one of them, you might want to check in out; it sounds pretty interesting:

There’s an intriguing documentary film arriving tomorrow (I.W. 8/24). Pras Michel of the Fugees lived as a homeless person in downtown L.A. for nine days and nights, followed by hidden cameras. The result is “Skid Row.”

“Skid Row” will be playing in L.A. (at the Culver Plaza Theatres), New York (at the City Cinemas Village East) and Washington, D.C. (at the Landmark E-Street).

On The Eve Of His New Film....

From The Hollywood Reporter: Oscar-nominated director John Singleton was driving a Lexus SUV when it struck and killed a jaywalker who stepped in front of the car, police said Friday.

Singleton, 39, immediately stopped his car and waited for police to arrive after the accident Thursday night in the city's Jefferson Park neighborhood, said Officer Jason Lee, a police spokesman.

"Mr. Singleton stopped and identified himself as required by law and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol," Lee said. "He was questioned and released."

The woman was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead Friday morning, Lee said. She was identified as Constance Russell, 57, of Los Angeles.

Other details were not immediately released, and an after-hours call to Singleton's agent was not immediately returned.

Singleton, whose debut film, 1991's "Boyz N The Hood," earned him two Oscar nominations, has also directed "Poetic Justice," "Shaft," and "2 Fast 2 Furious." He was the producer of "Hustle & Flow," "Black Snake Moan" and the just-released "Illegal Tender."

"Coonskin" Animation

Here is a clip that shows the animation portion of "Coonskin". Now I really don't get it, but I think I would if I were on 4 blunts and a forty ounce. (Some nudity shown)

"Coonskin" Clip

Clip from the movie "Coonskin" as reviewed by Undercover Black Man. Honestly, I don't know what to make of this song, but I was surprised to see that Philip Thomas (Miami Vice, Sparkle) was involved.

And Justice For All....

OK, I don't have a lot of time to spare today, so I'll leave you with some samples of my Negro Justice League's (Undercover Black Man, Supernegro and Afronerd) thoughts on Cinema. I will try to post tonight.....

First up, an excerpt from Supernegro, cause I love, love, love, Bill Duke (some spicy wording involved):

"You Can't F--k With Mac from Predator"

A few days ago, I was hanging with my homie Valkor of The Other View, when we began to discuss the uber-violence showcased in classic '80s action pieces such as Robocop. There hardcore films were real men's movies, something that few women will comprehend due to their mascara, baking, and child-rearing getting in the way of the enjoyment of a good splatterfest.

Predator is one of those movies that separates the sacks from the sackless. After an elite team of well-toned commandos (Arnold, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, Jesse the Body, and cannon fodder) bust-up a Reagan-era Central-American guerrilla squad, who are holding an important hostage, they get gutted, decapitated, de-limbed, and otherwise receive tons of boo boos from an alien with dreads, a cloaking device and a laser cannon. While everyone except Arnold predictably bites it at the hands of the dude from Misfits of Science, it isn't the Austrian bodybuilder-turned-governor that makes this movie: its motherfucking Bill Duke.

Bill Duke, as soon as you look into his eyes, either causes you to instantly glance away from the sheer power of his aura of manliness, or sob uncontrollably upon realizing that you shall never live up to one drop of his testosterone. This reaction's one par with 99% of the male population (the other percent's heads implode instantly). Duke plays Mac, the most borderline psychotic guy that you'd ever want to be paired with should the shit hit the fan or an alien menace comes to our planet to hunt the most dangerous game. How bad assed was he in Predator? This is his level of badassedness: When Mac realizes that Carl Weathers' character (CIA puppet Agent Dillon) is sending the squads whereabouts to the feds he drops one of the most testosterone-filled lined in movie history:

You're ghostin' us, motherfucker. I don't care who you are back in the world, you give away our position one more time, I'll bleed ya, real quiet. Leave ya here. Got that? God damn. Anyone willing to slaughter both ally and foe alike is okay in my book except when, you know, he wants to slaughter me instead. Mac kicked it when he tried to avenge the death of his boy Blaine, but we all know it was his Dukian spirit that enabled Arnold to whip some Predator ass.

So here's to Mac, the best god damned supporting character in action movie history. And a character you just can't fuck with. - Jay Wilson

Next up: Undercover Black Man:

Something shocking from Scatman Crothers

I shouldn’t say “shocking” from my own personal point of view. I don’t catch the vapors whenever somebody says “nigger.” But the N-word prohibitionists out there will find it hard to cope with Scatman Crothers singing a ditty called “Ah’m a Nigger Man.

”The following vidclip (IW: I'll post above) is the opening title sequence of “Coonskin,” a notorious 1975 film by cartoonist Ralph Bakshi. (Mr. Bakshi, a white man, also wrote the lyrics to “Ah’m a Nigger Man.”)

“Coonskin” sparked protests from the Congress of Racial Equality before it was even released. “They were booing at the titles,” Bakshi recalled of an early screening. This, in turn, frightened Paramount Pictures into dropping the movie like it was hot. (The film was re-titled “Street Fight” for home videocassette. It hasn’t yet been released on DVD.)

A re-imagining of the old Brer Rabbit folktales for a blaxploitation audience, “Coonskin” was a gleaming straight razor of a satire... cold, dangerous, skin-slicing.

One of the movie’s biggest fans is Darius James, a gifted satirist his own self. In his book “That’s Blaxploitation!,” James wrote this:

“In ‘Coonskin,’ Bakshi pukes the iconographic bile of a racist culture back in its stupid, bloated face, wipes his chin and smiles Dirty-Harry style. ‘Now deal with it...’ He subverts the context of Hollywood’s entire catalog of racist black iconography....”

Apparently he’s not the only black person who digs it. “Spike Lee is a big fan of ‘Coonskin,’ ” Bakshi told a journalist in 2003. “I get emails from new fans all the time on it; some can’t believe I’m white. ... [R]ap artists like it too.”

As for Scatman’s performance here (IW: above post), I love everything about it... the way he cuts his eyes to the camera a couple of times, the way he subverts certain lyrics, and basically the whole way he embodies a lost era of black music and black style. I think you’ll enjoy this...

OK, as for Afronerd, I spent a good amount of time going through his blog and couldn't find anything film related. He may be a bit too serious for all of the puffery, but that's what keeps the Negro Justice League balanced. Check out his blog anyway :-)

Cocoa Colored News....

Blogger was down for quite some time this morning, so I don't have time to post what I wanted to this morning (still preparing for North Carolina), so I'll leave you with news from the fabulous Cocoa Lounge....love! :-)

Cocoa Loungers are always wondering what's next from their favorite actresses. Here's a look at films that have been announced or already in production with Black Hollywood's A-List Scene-Stealers:

Kerry Washington joins Mos Def and Alfre Woodard in Bury Me Standing.

Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut are together again for Perfect Christmas. And the busy actress is also in production on sci-fi comedy, Starship Dave, with Eddie Murphy.

Paula Patton co-stars with heavyweights Kevin Costner and Kelsey Grammer in comedy, Swing Vote.

Kimberly Elise re-teams with Denzel Washington for Oprah Winfrey-produced and Suzan-Lori Parks-penned, The Great Debaters.

Zoe Saldana gets bionic in the film version of adventure-hit, Avatar.

Pirate of the Caribbean's, Naomie Harris, joins Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker in The Night Watchman.

And Thandie Newton teams with Cocoa Lounge favorite, Idris Elba, and Gerard Butler for the Dramedy, RocknRolla.

From I.W.: Oh snap, I didn't know "The Great Debaters" was written by Suzan Lori-Parks. She wrote that play I saw with Mos Def in it on Broadway, that my early morning brain can't think of the name of right now. Now I feel bad for dissing it in a previous post. This film with Paula Patton sounds OK, but I can't wait to see the one where she is gonna play a pimp.

ps: Is Zoe Saldana black? Everything I've read says she not, but she's always on these black lists....

Background Music While You Vote

If you haven't let me know what your favorite black films are, please do so in my previous post "What Are Your Favorite Black Fims?" I'll post the results Sunday.

I leave you with the Jackson 5 before plastic surgery, bankruptcy courts, weird marriages, and zestiness.

Film #63,472 For Samuel Jackson

Another one I think I'll pass on. From Black Talent News:

Hollywood heavyweight Samuel L. Jackson matches up with Josh Hartnett in the knock-out film "Resurrecting the Champ." Academy Award nominated filmmaker Rod Lurie ("The Contender," "The Last Castle") creates a explosive drama about scandal, ethics in journalism, family and legacy. The film is scheduled for release nationwide from the Yari Film Group on August 24th.

In "Resurrecting the Champ," Hartnett stars as Erik, an up-and-coming sports reporter who rescues a homeless man called "Champ," portrayed by Jackson. Erik discovers that Champ is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity for him to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success, becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.

For writer/director Lurie, attracting a strong cast was as important as the great story. The quality of actors who signed on are Academy Award® nominees, and several Emmy and Golden Globe winners. With that, "Resurrecting the Champ" was primed to go the distance to the big screen.

Lurie says, “I am truly delighted with every actor who came on board this film, but to have such a powerhouse as Sam Jackson in the title role, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I like to take an actor of his caliber – one who has such an iconic image – away from that image and plant him in a role that is unexpected. Since Sam usually portrays strong-willed, strong-bodied characters, I loved the notion of casting him as someone who is, as the Champ says, ‘down and almost halfway out.’ In fact, I can’t recall an actor transforming himself into a person of the streets like this in such a unique way since Dustin Hoffman literally embodied Ratso Rizzo in "Midnight Cowboy."

Jackson, an Oscar®-nominee for "Pulp Fiction," was eager to delve into such a fascinating character. “This guy is a fallen hero of sorts, a man who wants so much to be somebody else that he winds up being nobody,” observes Jackson. "I had to dig deep into parts of myself I didn’t particularly like going to in order to find the Champ, but it was a journey well worth taking."

Jackson’s career began upon his graduation from Morehouse College in Atlanta with a degree in dramatic arts. He went on to perform in numerous stage plays, including "Home," "A Soldier’s Play," "Sally/Prince" and "The District Line." He also originated roles in two of August Wilson’s plays at Yale Repertory Theatre. For the New York Shakespeare Festival, Jackson appeared in "Mother Courage and Her Children," "Spell #7" and "The Mighty Gents." Jackson made his film debut in "Together for Days," while still a student at Morehouse.

Jackson’s 2007 film releases include Irwin Winkler’s "Home of the Brave" and Craig Brewer’s "Black Snake Moan." Currently, Jackson has completed production on three films; Doug Liman’s sci-fi thriller, "Jumper," "The Cleaner," a drama/thriller that Jackson is co-producing and, most recently, "Lake View Terrace," a suspense thriller, starring with Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson.

His portrayal of Jules, the philosophizing hit man, in Quentin Tarantino’s "Pulp Fiction" brought him unanimous critical acclaim, as well as Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominations. For "Jackie Brown," his second film with director Quentin Tarantino, Jackson received a Golden Globe nomination and the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Berlin Film Festival. For his performance in Joel Schumacher’s 1996 film of the John Grisham novel "A Time to Kill," Jackson received a Golden Globe nomination and an NAACP Image Award. In 1991, Jackson made movie history with his portrayal of a crack addict in Spike Lee’s "Jungle Fever" when he was awarded the first and only Best Supporting Actor Award ever given by the judges at the Cannes Film Festival. He also won the New York Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor for that performance.

From Invisible Woman: "I thought this was a role worth taking"? I think if you give Samuel Jackson a limo ride and a pack of Now 'R Laters he'll take it. And why the f__k would Cannes give the first and only Best Supporting Actor award in it's entire history for a crackhead role? I'm just sayin. And really, I truly doubt if this is anything along the lines of of "Midnight Cowboy".

Today in B'Days

Loretta Divine, one of the original "Dreamgirls" is 58.

New Jamie Foxx Film That I Missed

I received an invitation in my email this morning to a screening for a Jamie Foxx film called "The Kingdom". Admittedly, I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before today. It doesn't seem to be a black film, as it co-stars Jason Bates, Jennifer Gardner, and Jeremy Piven. Sounds great (not).

Anyway, here is the plot synopsis from IMDB...oh my bad, there isn't one, not a good sign. Here are the taglines: "An elite FBI team sent to find a killer in a hostile country" "Under fire. Under pressure. Out of time." "An elite FBI team sent to find a killer in Saudi Arabia. Now they have become the target." "How do you stop an enemy who isn't afraid to die?"

I think I'll pass.

btw the above picture is an actual film still.

Let Me Know...What Are Your Favorite Black Films?

O.K. Listen up. I am going to be taking a sabbatical in North Carolina (whassup Blogxilla and Bohemian Hippie Chick!) to write and chill. I have to get things together here in S.F., so posting may be spotty or not at all over the next couple of days.

In the meantime, I would really, really, like to have a readers poll of the Top 10 Best Black Films. I got the idea from Mrs. Grapevine, who commented that there was a college poll of the 10 best films of all time, and none of them were black (she nominates Sparkle and Lady Sings The Blues). I kinda forgave these kids cause they are probably young and dumb. This is the list, from ten to one:

Garden State
Gladiator
The Departed
Office Space
Fight Club
The Boondock Saints
Old School
Anchorman (?!)
The Notebook
Wedding Crashers

See what I mean? I mean, I might be able to get with The Departed, and I know Office Space is a college classic, but The Boondock Saints and and Old School? Pure college cult tomfoolery. There must be at least one black film that's better than those, even "Car Wash".

Anyhoo, Just Judith cosigned. This is a list that she did early on in her blogging career of the Top
25 Black Films. She proposed an interesting question....what makes a black film "black" is it a black director, a black cast? That is a good question, as most people would automatically say a black cast. But "Hustle and Flow" is considered a black film, and was directed by a non black.
Here is JJ's list:

Boomerang
Jerry Maguire
Colley High
Glory
Coming to America
Love & Basketball
Boyz 'N The Hood
The Color Purple
Do The Right Thing
House Party (original only)
Let's Do It Again/Uptown Saturday Night (that's 2 films Judith, recount! :-) )
What's Love Got To Do With It
Sparkle (on the list thanks to the soundtrack)
Claudine
Malcolm X
Ray
Devil In A Blue Dress (agreed with the Cheadle comment JJ)
Eve's Bayou (one of my faves)
Hoop Dreams
Def By Temptation
Fresh (another one of my faves)
Jackie Brown
Soul Food
Love Jones

One reason I want a list that reflects our community is that stankonia AFI top 100 films of all times. Pure BS. I posted what I thought about their unapologetic invisibility list here when I first started blogging.

Please leave your votes in the comment section....you can list one or two or ten or twenty, any # of your favorite black films. They can be from the year 1900 to 2007. I'll give the results at the end of the week, then post them on the sidebar and leave it up until next year (hopefully I'll still be blogging). I appreciate everyone who responds...cheers!

Today In B'Days

Isaac Hayes, he of "Truck Turner" and "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" (among other things) is 65 today. In honor of his birthday, I'm going to repost the trailer to "Wattstax" one of my favorite films of all time. I know I posted it in June, but I would post it every week if I could!

Get Thee To The Lacefront Store, Stat

There is this blog that I'm sure a lot of you readers know about out there called Crunk & Disorderly. The blogger "Fresh" is sometimes wickedly funny...she had this to say about Vivica Fox....remember she said it, not me.

I'm just sayin:

I have one autographed copy of 'Blankman' and a lifetime supply of toothpicks for the first person who can locate Aunt Viv's hairline.

Wah?

There is this blog called Cinema Brasileiro Videos, and this is how they reposted and linked my "Weekend At A Glance" post from yesterday:

My Weekend At A Glance
the Belhi: The better thing incontestably lives exposure on the planet hour. The hill of the cypress still has obtained it and for all its defects, the Flav di Flava is the man in the commerce, bar of Hype better no. Martini di Limoncello: For those of you that they have…

And it stops there. Weird.

My Weekend At A Glance

Rock The Bells: Indisputably the best live show on the planet right now. Cypress Hill has still got it, and for all his faults, Flava Flav is the best Hype Man in the business, bar none.

Limoncello Martinis: For those of you that have wondered; chilled Italian Limoncello liqueur and vodka (preferably Grey Goose). Sugar optional.

Rush Hour 3: Hot garbage.

btw, this is Chris Tucker's mugshot

Another Musical Biopic For Jamie Foxx....

From Stereohyped:

Jamie Foxx has limited himself to action movies and musicals since his turn in the Oscar spotlight. He’s sticking with the formula, and probably hoping for another chance at an Oscar. He’s signed on to play Nathanial Anthony Ayers, a Julliard-trained musician who ended up homeless on skid row after suffering from schizophrenia. If Jamie Foxx, an expert imitator, is good at one thing, it’s a biopic. Oh. I guess some people would have said comedy there instead of biopics.

The movie’s based on a series of articles on Ayers that appeared in the LA Times in 2005. I didn’t read them all, but they are worth checking out.

From I.W.: Don't ask me why I posted this picture with this story

WTF?.....Volume 7

This has absolutely nothing to do with Black Cinema, but for those of you that haven't seen this calamity on other blogs, I just had to share. I had to create new tags just for this post. Btw, this is Toni Braxton's sister, supposedly.

picture taken from queerty

Interesting...

I saw this over at a blog I love, "The Assault on Black Folk's Sanity". It took a subject that some have talked about, whether "Planet Of The Apes" had a subliminal racist message, and deepened it considerably. I would like to hear your thoughts in the comments section. All I could say was "wow".

Planet Of The Apes

A Counter Racist Movie Review By Josh Wickett

Most of you know the story. An astronaut crash lands on earth and discovers that apes and humans have switched roles. He is captured, escapes and tries to get back to "safety." I tried to avoid reviewing this film but I couldn't resist because the entire genre of "Planet of the Apes" is a classic. Why? Because any movie that represents White peoples worst nightmare is gonna be a classic. And thats what this movie is. White peoples worst nightmare. An astronaut gets up and goes to work one day and he comes home to find the planet taken over by apes (non white people) with the humans being treated like niggers.

Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) is an astronaut on a space station where monkeys are being trained to fly into space storms, these monkeys have been genetically engineered to be "smarter." Leo's monkey "Pericles" is lost in the space storm on one of these missions and Leo takes off to rescue "his monkey." The storm swallows Leo and takes him through time to a planet where he crash lands right in the middle of an ape slaving expedition. He gets captured along with several other humans and is taken to ape city where he is sold to a slave trader.(I think he's supposed to be "Jewish" but thats another story)

On this planet instead of White Supremacy, you have Ape Supremacy; the good thing about this movie is all the humans are treated like niggers, both Black and White. The bad thing is that even here, the light colored apes are superior to the darker ones (so much for getting around White Supremacy). The movie tries to portray what Black people deal with concerning racism and slavery, but it does a poor job of both. For starts, I would have shown Humans selling other humans to the apes for liquor and guns, the white female having sex with the male apes in exchange for better treatment, the darker humans being used as "house humans" to create conflict and confusion...All the strategies of "divide and conquer" should have been demonstrated so we could finally put an end to White people blaming Black people for their mistreatment under White Supremacy.

Anyway, Leo escapes with the help of a few "House Apes," rallies the humans and sets the stage for a climactic battle between the rag tag humans and the ape stormtroopers. Interspersed between all of this are silly scenes of ape hygiene and ape sex play that could have been left out. In one ridiculous scene, an ape says a prayer and at the end of it says "amen" instead of "a-ape." Maybe this was put in to demonstrate what I have termed the "White Jesus Factor." Thats the "oppressor as God" phenomenon that is the last obstacle to mental emancipation. When my Mom died last year The funeral was at the same church I was baptized in. And wouldn't you know it, that same White Jesus was still up there, all the White people have left the neighborhood but the White Jesus is still there. No wonder my Mom didn't want to live anymore. (Please pardon my digression)

So the final battle commences, hand to hand combat, apes against humans. Neither side seems to have the upper hand when all of the sudden there's a flash in the sky. A space ship lands and all the fighting stops. The hatch opens and we see Pericles, the chimp Leo had been training. Now according to the ape bible, all apes trace their linage back to the "first ape"; an ape prophet who came from the sky long, long ago and according to prophecy would return one day to initiate peace and justice. When the apes see Pericles, they think he's the prophet and all bow down to him in reverence. It appears that all is well now. Apes and humans will live in peace and justice. No one will be mistreated.

Leo gets on the space ship and blasts off. On the way out he runs into the same storm he hit on the way in. He comes through it and crash lands on earth at the Lincoln memorial in Washington, DC. He gets out of the capsule and the first thing he sees is the statue of Abraham Lincoln, but he has simian features-he looks like a monkey! At the same time DC police, FBI, SWAT... all show up and they are gorillas too!

And thats how it ends. A lone White man surrounded by apes...With guns and helicopters!

I told you it was White peoples worst nightmare. Leo was invited to stay with the apes and humans and work to create a "Just society" but he had to get back to White Supremacy. His landing in the capitol of the "United States of Apes" was a "White wake up call" designed to remind White people not to ever leave White Supremacy to "chance," because if you do, it might just get replaced by something worse, not better. It might get replaced with "Black Supremacy" and not Justice.

Many people say this movie was not as good as the original, thats true, but it didn't hafta be. The message to White people was what worked. And that message was: If White Supremacy ever ends, your future will end with it.

Help Raise Awareness For Our Fellow Africans...

I had a small blurb about this earlier in the week, but most of y'all probably missed it, so I'll reprint the post my blogging buddy Yobachi wrote over at Black Perspective:

HBO did a commendable thing recently in purchasing what is purported to be a powerful documentary on the history leading to the Darfur crisis. Yet then with something as time sensitive as present genocide, and despite the rising crescendo of public outcry here in the U.S. and elsewhere for something to be done in Darfur; HBO decided to shelve the doc until December.

The documentary, "Sand and Sorrow", which is narrated by George Clooney “provides an inside look at the situation on the ground and examines the international community’s “legacy of failure” to respond to such profound crimes against humanity in the past”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In conjunction with Darfur: An Unforgivable Hell On Earth and UltravioletUnderground we want to launch a letter writing campaign to HBO, urging them to air the documentary now. The people of Darfur don’t have the time to wait for support that is already years too late. They need the public consciousness awakened now, and HBO could help with that by simply airing a property they already own.

It is of no undertaking for HBO to simply put something on air; so we are not asking anything the least bit extraordinary or burdensome of them.

Please take a couple of minutes and call or write:

Richard Plepler VP Admin Service/Public Relations1100 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 212-512-1000

If your not very familiar with the Dafur issue you can get a synopsis in my post A Million Miles Away

If you’re reading locally here in Nashville, you can join with: TAG: Tennesseans Against Genocide

National resources include My Sister’s KeeperSave Darfur coalition and Darfur Amnesty

Turks & Caicos International Film Festival

Try as I might, each year I read about this film festival, and I can never find any actual films they're supposed to be honoring. All in all, it seems like a vanity project for C-list actress and first lady of Turks & Caicos, Lisa Raye. It's not even in Turks & Caicos anymore, but in Miami....I guess to make it accessible for more C-list celebs.

Anyway, here is a picture of Jasmine Guy (not looking dour, for once) and some random singer who should have rethought her wardrobe selection performing at the festival. If anyone has any information on any real film going-ons associated with this event, let me know.

Wow.

Tracy Morgan showing up to court the other day. I hate to say it, but my man looks like he needs a drink.

Just One More, I Promise

I just had to post one more Omar video...it is a stand-off with another one of my favorite characters from "The Wire" Brother Mouzone. Bro. Mouzone is a Nation of Islam hitman...these two together did in the Idris Elba character, "Stringer Bell".

I Love Him!

This is one of Omar's (Michael K. Williams) genius robberies from "The Wire". Seriously, there is nothing better on T.V., straight up.

Spotlight On....

Since invisibility is rearing it's ugly head in spades this week, with not one black film, one black director, or a black actor of note in any opening this weekend, I'll talk about our community on my own.

One person who has come up on my radar several times is Michael K. Williams. The first time I saw him, it had been one of those weekends at the video store where I'd either seen everything, and what was left did not look like anything I'd want to rent. I half-enthusiastically picked up a movie called "Hard Times" , with Boris Kudjoe's big bald head plastered on the entire front of it. Boris is not one of my faves, but sometimes I rent films to support black filmmaking/production companies.

Anyhoo, as I watched the film (which was OK but not that great, about a buppie dude going to jail and going through some serious jail time drama), I noticed this hard-core looking dude was seriously stealing Boris' thunder. He turned a mediocre film into one that I watched with interest, and his dilemmas seemed real and were surprisingly moving. His acting was among the best I'd seen in a long time, very non-Hollywood, and I'd never seen this dude before. Even the scars on his face seemed real, and you could vividly imagine him actually facing the hardships in this film in real life.

The film was pretty low-budget, so I figured I wouldn't see him again any time soon, but very soon after, I saw him as Macy Gray's husband in "Lackawanna Blues", in a small, but still very affecting performance. And now, after seeing him every week as Omar on "The Wire", I am completely hooked. He is mesmerizing, and keeps your eyeballs glued to the screen.

Someone told me that he is in all of those R. Kelly "Trapped in the Closet" episodes, but everybody makes mistakes, and I refuse to watch that mess. But it is really saying a lot that you can keep your hard, scarred up face, play a depths of the ghetto homosexual/robber/killer (as he does on The Wire), and be one of the most sympathetic characters on the show. And have a straight code of ethics at that, so straight, that the police believe everything you say and are usually on your side, even knowing your criminal activity. And to top it off, he's darkly funny. Now that's real acting.

Next out for him on the big screen is "A Day In The Life" directed by Sticky Fingaz (?!) and co-stars Omar Epps, Mekhi Phifer, Michael Rapaport, Fredro Starr, Melinda Williams, Clarence Williams III, Faizon Love, Bokeem Woodbine and Ray J. Wow....I really wanna see how that's gonna turn out.

Trivia: he used to be a dancer and then a choreographer for music videos

Angela Bassett is 49 Today

So I decided to honor her with a clip. I know some will hate me for saying this, but sometimes I find her quite boring (don't judge me!) so I found a clip of her doing something a little undignified for once....and I love it. Warning: some naughty words included :-)

Thank You Again Undercover Black Man

I love reading UBM's blog, as I know it will always be something silly or unusual, and today is no different. There is this dude that uploads 45's he plays to You Tube...that's it. His name is "spoonfedcornbread", and I think I love hin...haha. This is an old "Friends of Distinction" song my parents used to play...

After this I will try to keep the songs film related, though it seems that I heard this one in some 70's flick...

This N' That

Terrence Howard and Samuel Jackson (of course) will be in the new "Iron Man" movie; let's hope he leaves the Kangol at home and there are fresh baby wipes on the set for Terrence. I have to say I love Robert Downey, Jr., who was terrific in "Zodiac".

Also: P ditty-full is executiive producing the film for the B.I.G. biopic. So much for hopes of a quality crew...

Also: Eddie Murphy calls Melanie Brown and liar and an extortionist. I would say “this is getting ugly,” but it obviously got ugly about 9 or 10 months ago. stereohyped

Trailer for Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

What do you guys think?

Hey There....

Sorry for the spotty posting, but I am finally back home in San Francisco....there are a few things that I have learned to never ignore about myself...I really like staying in hotels while traveling, and as low tech as I am, I cannot live without my computer and cable t.v., my soft water; it's like being a caveman. So there you have it...momma needs amenities, and lots of them, at all times....

Anyhoo; there were a few things that I wanted to post about that I missed, that I'm sure you've read elsewhere by now...the George Clooney/Dafur film and the Janet Jackson/Jill Scott/Tyler Perry movie "Why Did I get Married? The rest of the cast would fill out any self-respecting gospel play at the Beacon....

The first film is terribly important, we all know this, but as far as Tyler Perry....well, let me just say I'm glad a brother is doing well on his own terms, but have mixed feelings about the products that the house of Perry has built. I will keep closed on that for the present time. Do love the character Madea, ain't gonna lie, tho. Above is a trailer for the new film.

Some New Stuff and Needless Remake #2,065

From Black Talent News:

Ice Cube will produce and star in a live-action adaptation of Shannon Eric Denton and Keith Giffen's graphic novel "10" for Dimension Films, according to Variety. The story is about a guy who gets a letter saying he's in a competition with nine others and that whoever gets out alive wins. He thinks it's just junk mail until a man toting an ax shows up at his door.
Gustin Nash and Jesse Cale are writing the screenplay. No director has been hired yet.
Ice Cube and Matt Alvarez of CubeVision are set to produce along with David Alpert and Rick Jacobs of Circle of Confusion. Cube's Dimension-based company is also working on a movie adaptation of "Welcome Back, Kotter" and "Tough Love." The rapper-turned-actor is currently filming "First Sunday" for Screen Gems.

From I.W.: Three words: Welcome Back Kotter?

Daughters Of The Dust

For those of you who don't know, "Daughters of the Dust" is a film chronicling the lives of the Gullah Island decendants. These people were left virtually untouched after being shipped through the middle passage, and as a result, practiced many of the African traditions lost to their Amercan sisters and bothers lost to slavery. They speak a language called "Geechie"

This film is slow, absorbing, and visually beautiful, almost like observing someone else's dream while they're sleeping...

Celebrating Black Sisterhood and It's Directors

I am a serious Black Film lover (as you may have guessed by now) and love to go to black film festivals. I wish programs such as these were able to tour the country and reach those not able to make it......I always think it's a shame so many fine pieces are produced and so many will never even get to see them....

This is a unique film festival of shorts, celebrating sisterhood and black female directors. It is also hosted by Julie Dash (above-director of"Daughters of The Dust", among others).

The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) will present its 14th Annual African American Film Marketplace and S. E. Manly Short Film Showcase, October 18-21, 2007 at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA.Included in this annual showcase of emerging African American filmmakers will be "Celebration of Sisterhood," hosted by award-winning filmmaker Julie Dash. The celebration will honor black women directors. In addition to short films, the event will include workshops, seminars, vendors and networking. For more information: 310.284.3170 ~ http://www.bherc.org/.

Today in B'Days

Halle Berry is 41

Magic Johnson is 48

Jackee Harry is 51

Damn.

I knew it was gonna be bad, but this was even worse than even I would have predicted..."Daddy Day Camp" made on $3.5 million at the box office this weekend....people spend more than that on popcorn at a summer movie opening!

A loooong way from those Eddie Murphy/"Daddy Daycare" films, eh, Cuba? Hopefully this will make you sit down and actually read your scripts before doing them.

For All of The Sexy Black Cinema Lovers Out There...

I wanted to post this email in it's entirety....I hope it ok for the author. It feels great to me that there are so many like-minded folks on the blogosphere in regards to Black Cinema, and since they are all over the country and different parts of the world, it would be nice to have a few consistent spots to come to. I hope I will be one, and I hope this will be another (I love the DuBois aspect):

Greetings and salutations Invisible Woman of the invisible cinema blogspot.

I host a bi-weekly podcast on black cinema called The Obenson Report, and I’m simply trying to create a circle of like minds, in an effort to build and sustain some kind of a contemporary black cinema movement.

On my last podcast recording, I pontificated on the notion of creating a contemporary black film movement, and talked about my supposed *radical* ideas for building a black owned & operated film financing, production and distribution Studio - my idea of a "Capable Tenth," loosely borrowing from DuBois's eventually abandoned “Talented Tenth” ideology. I also mention creating something I’m calling the "It Takes A Village" black cinema project.

Take a listen at your leisure, and more importantly, as I said, I’m hoping to connect with other people of African descent who think as I do, specifically about black film, and maybe we can all make some collective noise that will bring about some change, and see some of our ideas grow and flourish.

You can listen to previous episodes of my podcast here: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/31034. For the specific recording where I talk about the above movement and studio, select Episode 8, dated 8/6/2007. Or you can also find the podcast on iTunes to listen to on your iPod or other MP3 device; OR, you can find me on MySpace at myspace.com/beautifulthingsmovie; or my website, http://www.tambayobenson.com/.

Cheers and I love your blogspot.

Peace.

Tambay A Obenson

http://www.tambayobenson.com/

http://www.obensonreport.com/

Rushier

I liked Undercover Black Man's post on Rush Hour 3....it's a pretty simple and accurate wrap-up:

What’s the use of hating on Chris Tucker? He does what he does, the fans apparently want to see it, rich white people get richer, and Chris gets paidz too. That’s called a “free market.” It’s also called “the Death of Meaning.”

Why does watching him make me feel empty inside?

I saw “Rush Hour 3” on Friday. I had enjoyed the second one and never watched the first. This new one earned $50 million at the box office – less than the opening weekend for “2,” but still a hit.

Chris Tucker brings nothing fresh to the game. He is so limited in what he can do to make you smile or laugh, I guess it’s good he doesn’t make more movies. Because I’m about done.

Here is his repertoire of moves:

1.) The Motor-Mouth

2.) The Horny Guy

3.) Funny/Bad Singing

4.) Funny Dancing

5.) Funny/Bad Kung Fu

6.) Funny Faces

7.) nothing else

'But Dave, isn’t all of that stuff enough? You heard the people laughing, didn’t you?' I heard the KIDS laughing. This is entertainment for sugar-addicted juveniles who demand only that their senses be stimulated for a while.

I wish Chris Tucker had the soul of an artist. I wish he were interested in a deeper level of storytelling. But, hey, he’s only 34. Maybe it’s coming.

As for “Rush Hour 3,” there are two good things in it. French actor Yvan Attal is funny as a Parisian cab driver. And the big action set piece at the Eiffel Tower is well-designed and well-executed by director Brett Ratner.

I just want more for my money, that’s all.

From I.W.: Amen.