At Least A Brotha Is Producin'

Hmmm. I dunno. But yall know I love The Cheadle. Good to know he's spreading out. From Black Talent News:

Don Cheadle is on-board to produce a TV series based on "Crash," the 2004 film which picked up three Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Cheadle, who starred in the original film, has been named as an executive producer, along with original writer and director Paul Haggis. Starz will air 13 one-hour episodes to premiere in August.

Today In B'Days

Kerry Washington is 31.

Let's try to forget about "I Think I Love My Wife", "She Hate Me" and "Little Man", all of which she managed to manouver through unscathed. Here is Kerry contributing good to the world with a reading of an 1851 speech by Sojourner Truth:

Interesting.

Now it all makes sense...this sounds much more plausible than the "we decided to remain friends" story. I try not to gossip too much here, but I am strangely and mildly fascinated with Eddie Murphy's shenanigans. From Celebitchy via Bossip:

We’ve heard plenty of embarrassing stories about what went down in the bizarre pseudo-wedding ceremony between Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds. There have been several reports that their families bickered like crazy. The stories ranged from everything from their mothers going at each other to their kids bickering fiercely. According to the National Enquirer, Tracey and her family all thought they were better than the Murphy’s, and Tracey accused the entire family of being “too ghetto.”

“The families hated each other from the beginning,” a close family friend told The Enquirer. “There were actual screaming matches between relatives.” And it didn’t take long before both Eddie and Tracey were knee-deep in the fray. “Eddie told Tracey that she and her family should stop with the superior attitude, and she fired back criticizing his kin for being too ‘ghetto,’” continued the friend. “Eddie bit his lip thought the entire ceremony - he was steaming about the low blow.
[From the National Enquirer, print edition Feb. 4, 2008]

The Enquirer also says the real problem was Tracey’s money-grubbing family.
“The entire wedding was a fiasco, and it brought to light just how incompatible Tracey and Eddie really are.” Things went from bad to worse after the ceremony, when Tracey and her family members seemed more interested in striking business deals than the wedding, says an insider. “Her mother was pressuring Eddie to buy a new multimillion-dollar Malibu mansion with her as the Realtor - so she’d get the whopping commission. “Then her brother, who’s [sic] a rep for a watch company, put on a full-court press to get Eddie to serve as spokesman for his line.”
[From the National Enquirer, print edition Feb. 4, 2008]

Apparently the biggest problem was Tracey’s brother Michael. According to the anonymous insider, Michael brokered some deal with Jimmy Choo that required getting a bunch of pictures of the bridesmaids in Choo’s shoes, and Michael turned into a bit of a diva in his attempt to make sure the Choos got enough photos.

“Everyone in Tracey’s family, including Tracey, seemed to be trying to work a deal around the wedding and Eddie’s celebrity. And he saw greed instead of love,” said the insider, and eyewitness. “Tracey’s brother Michael was by far the worst of the group. He’d obviously cut a bunch of deals on the side. For instance, the bridesmaids were a walking advertisement for Jimmy Choo shoes. Michael was ordering the wedding photographer to make sure he got all the trademark clothing in the shots. And he was coaching the guests on how to pose in photos. Michael was saying: ‘The Choos! Remember to get the Jimmy Choos in the pictures or else we won’t get our free shopping spree!’” That was the final straw for Eddie.
[From the National Enquirer, print edition Feb. 4, 2008]

[celebitchy] That sounds like a pretty contrived quote. “Remember to get the Jimmy Choos in the pictures or else we won’t get our free shopping spree!’” Who talks like that? I’m going to assume it’s paraphrased. Unless Michael was saying it in jest. Seriously, if that’s true it’s super tacky. The story is pretty biased towards Eddie Murphy, so it should all be taken with a gain of salt. Murphy has long been reported to be a domineering control freak, so I find it kind of hard to believe that he’s the innocent victim in all this. It sounds like he and Tracey were definitely a bad match. In the scheme of things, it sounds like they really narrowly avoided a big disaster. How much closer can you get than marrying the wrong person but not making it legal?

According to E! News, Tracey’s been all over Sundance having a wonderful time. So it looks like everyone managed to escape unscathed.

Weekend BO

Here's some weekend box office tallies (thanks, Sergio!):

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

January 25–27, 2008 Studio Estimates

1) Meet the Spartans Fox $18,725,000

2) Rambo LGF $18,150,000

3) 27 Dresses Fox $13,600,000 Total: $45,347,000

4) Cloverfield Par. $12,700,000 Total: $64,294,000

5) Untraceable S Gem $11,200,000

6) Juno Fox $10,300,000 Total: $100,152,000

7) The Bucket List WB $10,210,000 Total: $57,684,000

8) There Will Be Blood Par V $4,887,000 Total: $14,764,000

9) National Treasure: Book of Secrets BV $4,664,000 Total: $205,421,000

10) Mad Money Overbrook $4,610,000 Total: $15,284,000

11) Alvin and the Chipmunks Fox $4,550,000 Total: $204,159,000

12) How She Move ParV $4,158,000

From IW: Sucks for "How She Move". Guess folks are tired of the fomula. Also sucks for Queen Latifah and "Mad Money", but let's be real, that formula was over in the 80's.

7 Questions...

I will be posting a bit about this gent this week....he was in an interesting film that I saw this summer called the Mannsfield 12. I will be talking about that film this week along with a film that he directed called Section 8. First up is a short interview. It has some very valuable suggestions in it that concur with some of your comments on making independent film. For you would be filmmakers out there, listen up:

Q&A With Carl Gilliard

Question #1

There have been a couple of movies on the radar from you this past year. One was a film called the Mannsfield 12, which I thought was a very powerful, affecting film. The other was Divine Intervention, a comedy. What are the differences and challenges/benefits of working in both genres? Was is hard working on such emotional subject matter on the former movie?

CG: Every project takes on its own personality. It was very different working on MANNSFIELD as opposed to DIVINE. BOTH were very pleasant, but in different ways. I appreciated VAN ELDER for offering me DIVINE because I needed it after MANNSFIELD. (I started DIVINE about a week after wrapping MANNSFIELD). At MANNSFIELD, we shot at the LINCOLN HEIGHTS JAIL, which was formerly the LA COUNTY JAIL. The space was cold, creepy and was crawling with loud birds. It wasn't terribly difficult to 'become' an inmate in jail because we were ACTUALLY IN ONE. Additionally, the material was so compellingly raw and emotionally moving. We shot those SOLITARY CONFINEMENT scenes in REAL SOLITARY CELLS. But this cast was so amazing as actors and as people.

We ALL got along famously and though we don't talk everyday, it is like OLD HOME WEEK when we see each other. It was a GREAT experience. Very intense with regard to the material, but a great experience. Lastly, working with C. Ross, Jr. was a dream come true. I have known him since his days at AFI and was happy that we finally found a way to work together. He is a very skilled director. You trust him to not just make you look good, but you know that when you're in a CRAIG ROSS film that it will be a visual, enjoyable piece of work. I started talking to VAN ELDER and his Producer, LISA DeWitt while I was shooting MANNSFIELD.

When I read this script (Divine), I knew that I wanted to do it because IT WAS A COMEDY and so different from MANNSFIELD. They offered me the role about 10 days after reading the script and off we went. Working on DIVINE with the likes of veterans like JAMES AVERY, ROZ RYAN and talented newcomers like WESLEY JONATHAN and LAZ ALONSO was also a blast. It was much lighter on this set, but we had to shoot some very difficult church scenes and had a limited amount of time to get it done.....but you know.......somehow......by the Grace of God....it always GETS DONE!!! I'd work with VAN ELDER or CRAIG ROSS, JR. in a heartbeat again if given the opportunity....

Question #2

What is working in an ensemble atmosphere like? It seems to be a commonality in Black Film these days.

CG: I love working in an ensemble especially when you're blessed to have committed and talented actors. Ensemble films are fastly becoming more common not just in Black Films, but films in general. My experience has always been pleasant in this environment. There were 'decided' leads in MANNSFIELD (Aaron Spears) and in DIVINE (Wesley Jonathan & Jazsmin Lewis), but both films did have an ensemble flair with plenty of opportunity of those around them to equally contribute to the process. Also, when you work in an ensemble, people seem more relaxed and I think it's because there isn't a lot of undue pressure on any one actor to 'carry' the film.

Question #3

I know that you directed an independent film called "Section 8". A lot of my readers are filmmakers and future screenwriters. How were you able to fund your film? What were your biggest challenges? Any advice for those wanting to go the same route?

CG: Funding is THE most challenging part of making a film; at least for me. In the case of SECTION 8, I made that film with my partner, TONY WINTERS for an incredibly low amount of money. We had made another film in 2000 called RETIRING TATIANA. TATIANA actually cost us about 50, 000.00 more to make. TATIANA has become somewhat of a little 'cult' film. We shot it on DIGITAL before it was as popular as it became a bit later. We used mostly friends to act in the film. Most ALL of the actors were personal friends of Tony and myself.

We shot that film over a year. We'd run out of money, shut down....raise more money, then resume shooting. Most of the money raised for both SECTION 8 and TATIANA came from FAMILY & FRIENDS. Every film has a different story on how to raise funds, but I have found that more often than not, it's some friend, family or personal contact. In the case of SECTION 8, Tony and I wanted to make another film. WINTERS had written a play called SECTION 8 and he had a primary funding source in place. (Who dropped out AFTER we started REHEARSALS) You ask of challenges, making a film.........ANY FILM is rife with challenges......raising money, hiring and scheduling actors & crew.....it's a total collaborative process. We decided to put SECTION 8 up as a play, then SHOOT IT FILM style on the stage in HIGH DEFINITION without the audience.........so, in a word.....SECTION 8 is a play shot as a film.

We had huge success with film festivals with SECTION 8, which was very gratifying to me as a Producer and a first time director. It has been generally received very positively, I think, because of it universality, performances and story. I am very proud of it. Advice? I would say to not give up. If you don't have money and are looking to make a film, keep it as simple as possible. Simple, yet compelling story. Make sure that your script is as tight as you can get it. Utilize your relationships. Find crew, actors and production people who share your vision and call in favors. This town is FULL of TALENT..........and most of them are a phone call away....

Question #4

You've also done a great deal of television acting. Do you have a preference for film or television acting? Why?

CG: Ha Ha Ha. I am an actor, IW. I have a wife and kids including ONE at HOWARD UNIVERSITY. So I enjoy working in any medium. Yes, I want people to like the films (or television) that I do. But ultimately? I like making money and my wife loves when I make money!!! :) Okay. Seriously. (Well, I was SERIOUS, but THAT wasn't THAT deep for interview purposes) I do like FILM a great deal more because of the time that is taken to get the work done. Directors in film also seem to be a bit more vested in the process and in the characters, so that is more rewarding as an artist.

Television is cool mainly because of the immediacy of it. You shoot a TV SHOW, then a month later, there it is and THAT's cool too. I am an actor. I feel privileged to work in any medium because this isn't REAL WORK in the way that working on a AUTO ASSEMBLY LINE (which I did at FORD one summer in college in DEARBORN, MI) or working 12 hours a day as a bus driver for 20 years as an example. This is a blessing. True, I'd love to do it more consistently (most actors want to work more), but to go to work on a film and shoot for a month or shoot a commercial and work for 5 or 6 hours, then go to your mailbox and pick up checks is a crazy blessing and I love that. I have been blessed to work in ALL ASPECTS of the business, but the one that has been most financially rewarding for me is TV COMMERCIALS. I do commercials so that I can do FILMS & TELEVISION. That said, we work in a tough business. One that we choose to work in. It isn't a right. It is a privilege that I don't take for granted. It takes lots of hard work, a positive mental outlook and attitude and most of all perseverance. If you don't have those things, coupled with at least a little talent, find yourself something else to do.........

Question #5

What projects do you have coming up in the future?

CG: I am currently co-producing a film play production called "PEACHES" with good friend MICHAEL WHALEY. "Peaches" stars Wendy Raquel Robinson, Dorien Wilson & comedian Buddy Lewis. Whaley is also directing. The play will run for 2 performances at The Los Angeles Theatre Center and will be filmed for DVD release through IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT. I just shot an action/drama short called 'Nose Candy' with director Lydia Martinelli as an actor. That film stars Mark Anthony Williams, Raymond Williams and April Parker. It's about an FBI Sting to bring down a ruthless drug dealer and killer. There are also two other projects that are being developed for me to work as a Producer on. It's a little early to disclose what they are. We're still working on bringing them to fruition. I also have a national COKE COMMERCIAL that needs to start running!!! :)

Question #6

CG: A subject that comes up here quite often is the dissatisfaction with what "The Hollywood Machine" is producing in the way of Black Cinema. What, in your opinion, can the public at large do to change things?

Well, IW I am very pleased with what HOLLYWOOD is doing. Think of it this way. BLACK ACTORS are continuously atop the the Box Office charts. Do we have some ways to go?? Sure. But we have much to be thankful for and to be encouraged by. Denzel Washington is consistently opening films at 18-22 million or better, Tyler Perry has been very successful doing what he does, David E, Talbert just opened a film at Number 2, Morgan Freeman is atop the B.O. with The Bucket List, THIS CHRISTMAS opened strongly with an ensemble cast of relative unknowns......

We have more BLACK DIRECTORS and PRODUCERS working than ever before. James Lassiter (Will Smith's Producer), Broderick Johnson (Alcorn Entertainment Founder), Will Packer, Kasi Lemmons, Kelly Shane (wrote recent film RENDITION)....not to mention more Black Actors than ever opening films. Sam Jackson, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker (who also directs films cross genre).......and a host of newcomers including Laz Alonso, Jurnee Smollett and on and on. As I mentioned before. This is a tough business for EVERYONE. It is hard for EVERYONE who is in it. But as I see it, technology has created accessibility for everyone who wants to get in the game. Anyone can get an HD camera and shoot a film and by doing THAT successfully, you can create your own success. With regard to the 'studio system', it is what it is and it ain't changing.....It is not there purely to produce art, it is there to make a dollar and to make as much money as humanly possible to make it's shareholders happy. This is show business with an emphasis on the BUSINESS more than SHOW.......and as I see it? A film with a cast of color with any quality is a virtual success guarantee.

That speaks volumes to an industry that at one time almost NEVER featured a black lead actor, much less a black ensemble and to a country which just 40 years ago wouldn't think of seeing a film in large numbers with BLACK LEAD ACTOR. Today? Will Smith is America's most bankable actor.....and this is a dude who was The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air. I know that he didn't get there with a negative attitude and complaining about the 'system' (no offense IW)....and before any of us say well......he's WILL SMITH......you got to remember where WILL was in 1996. Did ANYONE predict that he would be doing what he is doing today? I did FRESH PRINCE back in 1996 and there is ONE THING that I remember about him. He was hugely positive, cordial and very easy to work with........... Advice to all my people? Accentuate the postive and build on it. There is plenty there to be encouraged by.

Question #7

Any thoughts you would like to relay to the readers?

CG: Just stay positive, try to have a personal life outside of this business.....stay close to God as you know Him and have fun. If you can't do that or have a hard time keeping a mental balance.....get out and do something else.........:)

I thank Carl so much for taking out time to share his thoughts with my readers. He is definitely keeping it positive. To find out a bit more about Section 8, please visit the film's myspace at www.myspace.com/section8themovie , tho I will be talking a bit about it this week.

You Knew This Ish Was Coming....

From Black Talent News:

50 Cent announced at the Sundance Film Festival that he is forming a production company with longtime manager Chris Lighty and producer Randell Emmett ("Shottas," "Home of the Brave," "Righteous Kill") to produce indie films. He made the announcement during a news conference over the weekend.

From IW: The only thing I'm surprised about is that it took this long. No comment. But I must say I'm glad for Chris Lighty, who was my boss back in the day...I'll be kind for his sake.

Hello There...

Aaannnndd we're back! haha

Missed you guys.

I now know I'm hopelessly addicted to the blogosphere, no point in denying it. It's only been a few days and it seems like weeks!

My posting is still gonna be a bit spotty this week due to my move....bear with me. And thanks so very, very, much for the well wishes and comments about my laptop....at least I know you notice if I'm not around, cause I sure notice when you're not :-)

Anyhoo, some interesting things have happened---I'll give you a couple of coming attraction updates and dedicate the rest of the day to Carl Gilliard as promised a few days ago.

I was saying a few times recently that I wished more of our historical heroes would be portrayed on screen. It looks like that is happening a bit here and there....this one very much peaked my interest:

Jeffrey Wright has been tapped to play Muddy Waters in "Cadillac Records," a musical biopic that follows the turbulent lives of such bluesmen as Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Howlin' Wolf in 1950s Chicago. Adrien Brody will replay Matt Dillon (who dropped out due to scheduling conflicts) as Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. btn

From IW: Jeffery Wright in this will be off the hook, if he loosens up just a bit. I also think Adrian Brody is infinitely more interesting for this than Matt Dillon.

By the way....the following had the headline "Back By Popular Demand" (??!!). Hhmmmmm......somethin' in the milk ain't clean:

Kim Wayans' ("In Living Color," "Juwanna Mann") one-woman show, "A Handsome Woman Retreats" returns January 25th playing Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm through February 23rd at the 2100 Square Feet Theatre in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles.

From IW: Alrighty then.

And finally, from Robert Townsend, who I think almost all of us have love for:

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) will host the world premiere of director Robert Townsend's "Of Boys and Men" starring Robert Townsend, Angela Bassett, Victoria Rowell, Dante Boens with Faizon Love, Vince Green, and Bobb'e J. Thompson. The premiere will take place on February 13th as part of the PAFF's Centerpiece program.

From IW: Yamo be there.

This N' That

Okay....the last "this and that" I thought may have been my last on Blogger, but I haven't decided on a new platform, but it is definitely coming.

I have a lot I want to say today, starting off with a lil' blog lovey love.

"Soulbounce" is my new blog crush....the editors over there, Novaslim (whose blog "Novaslim" was one of the first ones I read on the regular), Butta, and Ill Mami not only have great blogger names, they are funny, insightful, crazy intelligent, and have big love for REAL and GOOD music. Past and present. You won't find no "crank dat" over there. They also have some silly insights on current black music culture. Two thumbs up....check my folkses out.

Ruby Dee was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Reader Lance called this one in the comments when I talked about Ruby Dee's B'Day.

The fact that she was off the hook for 3 minutes does not warrant Oscar material to me. But to be fair, she is not the first or the last to be honored for a minuscule appearance. There have been a few non-black performances where practically a cameo was nominated. I don't agree with this, but this is one reason I am not an Oscar pomp and circumstance fan. Good luck to her just the same.

Speaking of foreshadowing comments, I was looking at something in my archives the other day and saw this comment. It is from July, and right now it is very, very interesting and telling. It is from "anonymous". I will post it as is, unedited:

"Listen all Tracey Edmonds and her Family are very RACIST towards Black people like us, they have always been. The mother Jackie McQuarn raised them in a white area and taught them to use their own people to benefit. I know people who have worked for her and say that her and her brother (Michael McQuarn) sit in their offices and laugh and talk stuff about our people! Soul Food was just a lucky come up for this RACIST family not to include Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.These people even screw their own at The Edmonds Tower....So very SAD this woman is going from one RICH man to another on the advise of her Mother and Brother."

From IW: Interesting. Btw, notice anything different from the 1st picture to the 2nd? (besides "husbands")

Reader and blogger Qadree commented on my dismay with the new "magical negro" trend:

"I don't know if I would call this a new trend. Hollywood always updates the archetypes to keep them relevant, but this particular archetype was born along with the rest of them in the days leading up to "The Birth of a Nation". I guess what your referring to could be called the newest wave or variant of the violent/dark archetype, often referred to as the "brutal black buck".

There are many books that breakdown the archetypes, but I prefer Black Manhood on the Silent Screen, by Gerald R Butters.

Many other people seem to prefer the books by Donald Bogle and Thomas Cripps.

Another good book that looks more at the trends surrounding the archetypes and includes some very good research on film criticism from black film critics is Returning the Gaze: A Genealogy of Black Film Criticism, 1909-1949, by Anna Everett.

As far as creating change goes, my biggest emphasis right now is supporting the independent filmmakers and finding ways to make certain ideas common knowledge.

The way I see it there is a hierarchy of knowledge when it comes to cinema. At the top are the scholars and critics, followed by reviewers and people like myself who admire the scholars level of knowledge and want to either be critics, filmmakers, or both. Beneath this is a whole range of people from hobbyists on down to those that just want to be entertained.

I mention this because I think it's important to have outlets at each level where people who are interested can go to learn. If this doesn't happen I wouldn't expect the quality of cinema to get any better because there won't be anything to fuel it once it reaches a certain level. I'm going to start posting to my blog again next Monday, the goal being more critical discourse with an emphasis on black cinema, and I don't expect people who just want entertainment to get much out of it."

From IW: This is interesting to me cause I didn't know about the archetype of "brutal black buck"...only in theory. But to me this new trend is probably a cross blend of the 2 archetypes of "magical negro" and "brutal black buck" as the purpose of these black men in these films (the ones I spoke of) is solely to teach these white men about life and to further the white dude's journey, not theirs (the "bucks/magical negroes"). The new twist is that they teach in a way that is hostile, and not completely subservient, but they are still very secondary to the main white character. I still think it is an emerging archetype we should watch closely.....and I definitely agree with supporting independent black film as much as humanly possible.

From the Big Ideas blog from the Ebony/Jet website (very informative in a easy to digest way) is news of the "Blogging While Brown" conference, that btw, I am very much looking forward to:

The organizers of the first Blogging While Brown Conference has announced that registration is now open. I’ll say it simply, this is a very important cultural milestone. If you blog, go. If you want to blog, go. if you care about Black folks’ place in this new digital universe –go.
Here’s a quote from their release:

“The first international conference for bloggers of color, the Blogging While Brown Conference will be three days of innovative panels, instructional seminars, and networking events. Blogging While Brown was formed in response to widespread dissatisfaction with the lack of diversity at some of the largest blogging conferences. Bloggers of color are excited about a conference, for, by and about them and look forward to moving beyond a single panel or discussion focusing on diversity typically featured at other blogging conferences.”This year’s event will include workshops, seminars, panels, demonstrations, and small group discussions. The workshops are categorized in three tracks related to:

-News, politics, and social justice

-The business of blogging (including technology issues)

-Entertainment, gossip, and lifestyle.

The registration deadline is March 15, 2008. Register HERE.

ATLians!

The film festival I talked about the other day, Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival in Atlanta, has a pre-fest screening on Monday, January 28. Try to make it...I already told you Aunt Viv was in it, but so are Patti LaBelle, Lou Gossett, Roger G. Smith, and Leon....y'all know you like that "Five Heartbeats" flashback. To find out more, click here.

I said a couple weeks ago I was gonna start featuring directors and actors that needed some exposure and deservedly so. As you probably know by now I am a bit of a slacker...but I'm workin' on it. First up tomorrow is Carl Gilliard, and I think he has some great advice for up and coming filmmakers and screenwriters....check back tomorrow for his interview.

And finally, in non-Black Cinema news, a peaceful journey to Heath Ledger.....he used to live near me when I was in Brooklyn for a couple of months in 2006. He died today at 28 of a drug overdose, and tho unrelated to Black Film, I want to pay my respects.

R.I.P.

Something New To Check For.....

Today is a shout out day of sorts. I love to make people aware of Black Cinema, as well as other bloggers that are out there doing good things and spreading knowledge, whether it be political, cultural, or humorous. I wanna share this with you guys; I think it's worth a rent. Just wish it could have been released theatrically, but you know how that goes. Those of you that comment on this blog that you would like to see something different or support the underdog, please check it out. From Undercover Black Man:


On Feburary 5, a new independent movie called “Blackout” arrives on DVD. It stars Zoe Saldana, Melvin Van Peebles, Latonya Richardson-Jackson, Jamie Hector and the great Jeffrey Wright.

Written and directed by Jerry LaMothe, “Blackout” tells the story of a Brooklyn neighborhood caught up in a 2003 power outage.

Judging by the preview (embedded top), “Blackout” has the vibe of an early-’90s black independent film. Remember the early ’90s? Every other week there was something new on screen to check out. “Straight Outta Brooklyn,” “Daughters of the Dust,” “Sidewalk Stories”...

It really felt like there was a movement happening.

And then it didn’t.

Oh well. At least there’s cats like LaMothe still out there righteously hustling. Embedded on the bottom is a video interview with him.

(Hat-tip: Qadree at Culture Critical. He reviewed a festival screening of “Blackout” last October.)




From IW: Sorry, for some reason I could only embed he second video. Maybe UBM can help me with the first one. Here is the review of the film from Qadree:

I had the chance to see some good films at this years Chicago International Film Festival, but of all the films that I had the chance to see, Blackout is the only one that I really want to see again. This film is loosely based on events that took place in Brooklyn, NY on the day of the 2003 blackout. It’s an ensemble piece so we end up following several situations in one neighborhood over a two day span that are all linked by one event, the blackout. This film combines elements of Do the Right Thing, Crash, and Barbershop, and Spike Lee’s influence on Lamothe’s style is quite apparent.

The film opens with a sequence showing different facets of neighborhood life in Brooklyn, the local eateries, the trash people leave on the street after going to the eateries, the handball courts, the everyday people going about their business, it gives us a good idea of what life is like before things get turned upside down during the blackout. Nelson (Jeffrey Wright) runs a barbershop. Claudine (Zoe Saldana) and James (Sean Blakemore) are a couple that lives together and are dealing with emotional and financial problems. George (Melvin Van Peebles) is the superintendent for Sol (Saul Rubinek) who owns the buildings that most of the main characters live in. Fatima (Susan Kelechi Watson) is dedicated to a man who is cheating on her and she is being courted by Ali (Nehal Joshi) who works at the corner store. Mrs. Thompson (Latonya Richardson) is the proud mother of CJ (Micheal B. Jordan) who is in his last year of high school and is going to college on a full academic scholarship, his best friend Tyrone (Robert Brickle-Tate) is starting to fall in with the wrong crowd, led by a fresh out of jail stick up kid played by Jamie Hector.

The character CJ is the stereotypical good kid, doing well in school, working, helping old ladies carry their groceries. I think this character could have been changed up a bit, the whole black kid with a scholarship concept is getting a little worn out. Ever since Cooley High this has become some kind of symbol of promise and success for black teen characters in movies. There are other ways to show that a character aspires to greater things and has intelligence than giving them a scholarship. This didn’t ruin the film, but it didn’t add much to it either. The only other thing that bothered me about this film was the bonding between George and Sol. The other characters in the film, though they have begun to address their issues, still have things to work on when the film ends. George and Sol’s situation, on the other hand, goes beyond resolution and goes into the realm of charity for a character like Sol. The extent to which Sol goes to make amends with George is hard to believe. I can see him changing his mind about firing George, but I don’t see him being as charitable as he is at the end of the film.

When CJ and the stick up kid first appear on screen together there is some foreshadowing with the stick up kid eyeballing CJ’s jewelery. You pretty much know that these two are going to have a confrontation, but Lamothe added a few subtle layers to what happens, some people will catch on to it, some won’t.

Claudine and James have some serious problems. James hasn’t held down a job in over a year and Claudine has been trying to take care of thing’s financially, but her patience and money is running low. At first glance this guy just seems to be a lazy bum taking advantage of Claudine’s kindness, but in the end things aren’t so simple. James was an eyewitness to the collapse of the twin towers. His job was obliterated along with the towers and his job search afterwards was a total failure. Over time his confidence eroded and he slowly fell into a state of depression. He tries to hide his depression and that only makes matters worse. Seeing the towers fall, in and of itself, doesn’t appear to have had much of an emotional impact on James. It’s seems that he associates all of the bad experiences that he has had since then with that one experience and that has created an entirely new meaning for what he saw that day and he can’t seem to get it off his mind. James and Claudine share moments that you rarely see from a black couple on the big screen, and the level of vulnerability that James is allowed to show is even more rare.

The barbershop scenes have the usual trash talk and humor with Lamothe making an appearance as a barber. Jeffrey Wright’s character, Nelson, is a person who’s issues are better left in the dark. He seems so thoroughly fed up with the ignorant behavior that’s going on around him that he just can’t leave things alone when the ignorance is directed at him, even if it means he might get himself killed.

This is a really good cast for an young director like Lamothe. Jeffrey Wright has won Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe awards for past performances, and was honored at this years Chicago International Film Festival with a Career Achievement Award. He has appeared in such films as Syriana, Casino Royale, The Manchurian Candidate, and he is one of the producers for Blackout. I didn’t know Melvin Van Peebles was in the film until I was at the screening, it was a pleasant surprise. Zoe Saldana was in Drumline, and Pirates of the Caribbean, but most of the younger actors have been working on television shows like The Wire, Law & Order, andER, so if you watch those shows you’ll probably recognize some of them.

It would be nice to have something like this end up in theaters, but it will probably end up on cable or DVD. However it goes I hope they get a good distribution deal so everyone can get a chance to see it.

Check out the web site:
http://www.blackoutpicture.com/

Score For Hudson and Perry

He's lucky to get her, she's lucky to work for him. From Filmwad:

Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson is finally getting back into the movie business in full force after nearly a year of silence. The Dreamgirls star has lined up projects like the Sex and The City Movie, The Secret Life of Bees, and Winged Creatures. Now she'll be collaborating with Tyler Perry, reigning king of feel-good, middle-class, African American cinema (the first adjective disqualifies Spike Lee and Charles Burnett). Perry's new film is called The Family That Preys, and it focuses on "two families from different sides of the tracks that become intimately involved in love and business."

Sanaa Lathan, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard and Rockmond Dunbar are all aboard already. The film begins shooting on March 2nd at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Perry wrote, directed, and will star in the film. Like his films or not, you've got to give him credit for his almost surprising independence and popularity. He's really become the Orson Welles of black cinema. But early Orson Welles, when he could do whatever he wanted and before he had to resort to drunkenly shilling for Paul Masson wine.


From IW: Interesting.

Over And Out....

This is not a political blog, but you know I go there sometimes.

The South Carolina Debate was a shameful travesty. I am officially so over Hillary Clinton. Her behavior has been heinous and inexcusable, and it's sickening to see her constantly trying to bait Obama and pull him down to new lows. Why does she focus absolutely zero of that negativity on John Edwards? If I used to give her some credit, it is now all forgotten and done. And it's not "about Obama being black", and me "blindly defending him", blah blah blah, like all of these empty talking heads say.

It is about respect, disrespect, professionalism, and unprofessionalism. Guess which ones Mrs. Clinton is dealing out in spades? (no pun intended)

Eff off, Hill.


rant over

More Hollywood Shenanigans....

I'm only gonna do a couple of short posts today...it was my berffday weekend (me and the King!) and I have been practically bathing in lemondrop martinis, topped off with a Jim Beam-sponsered party last night. I don't know how those hillbillys drink that stuff. Needless to say today I am feeling the full effects of it.

I just wanted to mention this, tho, and was wondering if anyone else has noticed a trend. I saw the movie "Cloverfield" (which by the way, was a very fine piece of filmmaking.....if anyone tells you it wasn't off the hinges, they are too jaded to be going to the movies).

The previews were extremely interesting to me....there were four, and they all seemed to star the same white, bland, faceless, 23 year old girly-man as the main character. I'm serious. I could not tell if the dudes were different or the same. But what was more interesting/disappointing was that there seems to be a new type of "magical negro" sprouting.

For those of you who don't know, the "magical negro" in a film is a black character that exists solely to give the central or main white characters advice, life lessons, help, or come-uppance in a film. They seem to have no other existence or pleasure in life other than helping said YT in their journey. Examples of this are Will Smith in Bagger Vance, MCD in The Green Mile, and Scatman Crothers in "The Shining".

Anyhoo--there seems to be a new league of these coming up, but they are the "heavy"-- intimidating rather than subservient. They give the white character their come-uppance, albeit in a violent way, and they are:

-dark (which I'm fine with)

-super violent and/or menacing in every way

-completely second banana to this bland, faceless white dude

-actors that should have their own films with top billing.

The ones seen in the previews were Laurence Fishburne, Djimon Hounsou, and Samuel Jackson.

I must say that I don't believe I was making too much of viewing these previews, and what really gets me is the trailers probably contain about 10 to 15 seconds of each of them, regardless that you can tell they are very central to the story and probably get tons of screentime in the actual films themselves. What value are they placing on some of our communities most loved male actors? What kind of message are they sending out by making these films? Why are these major actors playing second fiddle to some kid I've never seen before and don't care about? WTF is up with this type of marketing in the trailers? Who are they marketing to, cause it most certainly doesn't seem to be us.

We are invisible even in the movie trailer realm. What do you guys make of this? What action should we be taking besides "witholding our dollars" which is a start, but imho not that effective of a message?


On a lighter note, for a funny caption on Digimon aka Djimon, click here.

Really?

This has got to be a rumor. Supposedly Jamie Fox is in negotiations to be headmaster of "Charm School 2--From G's to Gents."

Doesn't he know that VH-1 is strictly for has-beens, C & D list actors, and desperate wanabees? This would be just one more questionable choice for him lately, starting off with this ill-advised dome he's been rockin these days. I'm starting to wonder if he's OK.

Will's "Mini-Me" To Star In Sci-Fi Classic....

Like father, like son. The mini version of Will Smith, his son Jaden, is starring in a classic Sci-Fi remake just like his daddy. This one tho, I'm kinda like....eh.

From AOL:

With a little help from Big Daddy Will Smith, Jaden Smith made one hell of an Hollywood entrance with 'The Pursuit of Happyness'. Not only was the film a worldwide success, but it put Jaden above the rest when it comes to casting young actors in major films.

With that being said, and I'm sure after carefully looking over future projects, Jaden, through the help of his parents (Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith), has pick his next film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jaden Smith has landed a part in Fox's sci-fi thriller "The Day the Earth Stood Still."

Smith will play the rebellious Jacob, the 8-year-old stepson of scientist Helen Benson (Jennifer Connelly) who first makes contact with the humanoid alien Klaatu (Keanu Reeves). Kathy Bates and Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm also star.

From IW: All American Jennifer Connelly as Jaden's step-mom? All I wanna know is--who dat daddy is?

Atlanta Stand Up!

I have a large amount of readers in Atlanta, a fact that I am very proud of. I love my folkses in that region. For all yall down there and in the surrounding area, this is for you. Received this in my email today:

Wanted to introduce myself. I am Kiyomi Rollins, Executive Producer of the 6th Annual Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival, April 16-20, 2008 in Atlanta, GA. We are hosting an exclusive screening of the movie "Cover", so any of your readers in the Atl should come out. Cast will be in attendance.

For more info visit: http://www.sjuff.com/

Kiyomi Rollins Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival – April 16 - 20,2008

http://www.sjuff.comwww.myspace.com/spaghettijunctionurbanff7www.myspace.com/spaghettijunctionurbanff7

770-484-1359

krollins@SJUFF.com

Please review our online SJUFF video: http://www.sjuff.com/images/Sjuffpr.mov

From IW: Anybody who knows this blog knows I love Bill Duke, and "Cover" is his film (Aunt Viv is in it too). You also know I advocate for black film festivals....so if you can make it for even one day, please show your support!

Today In B'Days

Okay....depending on what media outlet you trust, Eartha Kitt was/is 81 yesterday or today. Personally, I think the fact that she actually admitted that she is 81 is a feat in and of itself.

I went to see her singing act once, and went backstage to meet her with my male (gay) friend. I'm not a gusher when I meet celebrities, but she is one of the few I genuinely looked forward to meeting. Yours truly was really the "Invisible Woman" that night, as she proceeded to completely ignore me in every way, and just talked to/looked at my gay friend.

I was very disappointed in her and crushed, but my male friend said she was probably intimidated by my youth and attractiveness (his words). Whatever. That is no excuse for rudeness. Let that be a lesson to all of my female readers---don't get to be a bitter, hatin' old lady, cause guess what? There is always gonna be someone younger and/or prettier than you lurking around. And "prettier" is in the eye of the beholder. Focus on the positive and keep it movin.

Even tho most know her as a novelty cabaret act, or as 'Catwoman' from Batman, she was a large part of important early Black Cinema, especially in the 50's. I particularly remember her in a film with Sammy Davis Jr. where she played a fallen woman trying to redeem herself....I can't recall the name of it, but I'll do a bit of research and post about it in the near future.

She was always very odd...in looks, voice, and personality, but there was something about her. She had that pre-Kimora Lee Simmons "Fabulosity" thing going on, and she wasn't afraid to let the world know it, as is evident in this video.

What May Be My Final "This N' That"

At least on "Blogger". A Negress steps away from her blog for one day and all hell breaks loose....my blog was down for most of the day today, and I didn't even know it until sweetie pie Mrs. Grapevine pulled my coat and sent me an email. WTF? I was already thinking of going to a new platform, but didn't care for Wordpress; it's like a sign. Look for me somewhere else as soon as next week.

Anyhoo, I'll try to keep my mind off of the temptation to walk to the Blogger offices (they're near me) and also off of that coony-ass coon (as Slaus put it) Bob Johnson and that stupid BS he said about Obama and Clinton, and talk about about Black Cinema (and me).

On The Black Hand Side has a new feature for 2008--interviewing various Black Bloggers once a week. I was featured this week (#3), along with past weeks bloggers Sheila and Yobachi. It is an interesting way to find out why your bloggers blog, and how they feel about the Black Blogosphere. Check Vanessa's site out when you get a chance.

I try to make you aware of any special Black Film marathons, etc. on cable when I can. I've been missing a few lately, but I'll be up to speed starting next month. In the meantime, Sergio (thank you!) made me aware of this very, very special happening on Monday; PLEASE check it out if you care anything about good Black Cinema---if you don't have TCM, have someone tape it for you:

HEY!

Turner Classics Movies network is devoting an entire evening (5 hours worth) to the films of filmmaker Charles Burnett Monday Jan. 21 (including 'Killer of Sheep' and 'My Brother's Wedding') with Burnett between screenings being interviewed and discussing his films. The entire program of films will be repeated again late into the night

Click on link:

www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/?cid=184971

Yeah I know why isn't BET doing this? For that matter neither is TV One.

From IW: BET is beyond hope, but at least TV One does try.

In other news (thanks again Sergio), first Spike Lee is accused of not paying his folkses, and now some dude is saying he stole his script. To be fair, the dude "owns a commercial cleaning company and a hip-hop record business". In Louisville, Kentucky. And a script writer too? Interesting. To get the full story, click here:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080114/FEATURES/801150302

And last but not least, I will be doing a Black Bloggers Roundtable podcast on Black Cinema with my fellow cinemafiles Tambay from The Obenson Report, Qadree from Culture Critical, and The Black Actor. More on that later, but it will be February 4th.

OK. I'm hungry, gonna go---will post tomorrow if my s--t is up!

eddie picture ganked from rws

Wesley O'Snipes, Lucky Charms Leprechaun....

I'm sorry, I just had to post this, I thought it was hilarious. I spotted this picture on Fresh's blog....remember when those Negroes down south in some project were talking about they were seeing a leprechaun? The picture in the middle was the "artist's rendition" of what they reported seeing. They had the nerve to show that mess on news broadcasts across the country! But I'll be danged if Wesley Snipes doesn't look just like him....maybe it was just Wesley creepin' around in the southern regions....he may want to use some of that magic to keep him from going to Riker's, I'm just sayin.

Today In B'Days

Regina King is 37.

Mario Van Peebles is 51 (shown here with his father, Black Cinema legend Melvin Van Peebles). Melvin was the original Robert Townsend/Spike Lee; writing, directing, producing, starring in, and using his own money for his first film. His movie "Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song" from 1970 was considered too revolutionary, and the studios wouldn't touch it. Many consider it to be the first "Black" film that a Black man stood up and defied "the man".

As an interesting side note, when Melvin ran out of funds, Bill Cosby gave him the money to finish it "on the under". Maybe that was his way of getting back at white Hollywood for all of the racism he experienced. Anyway, here is a clip, it is long, as all of them were on youtube, so it is up to you how long you want to view it. It is a good glimpse of early 70's Black Film (and guerrilla filmmaking), and an example of how far we've come in Black Hollywood via technology:

Baadassss! (the film of how the original was made, not the 70's version) is one of my favorite Black Cinema flicks. In honor of Mario's birthday, here is the trailer from the 2003 movie, featuring Mario playing his father. In another side note, his father used him in the original movie to play him (Melvin) as a child, (including an extra painful sex scene to watch where he lost his virginity):

This N' That

Posting is going to be spotty for the rest of the month; I've been splitting time between here (San Francisco) and Los Angeles, and am making a permanent move to LA this month. There will be a lot of real life drudgery which will impede a bit on blogging.

Anyhoo....watched the first 25 minutes of "First Sunday", and struggled to even do that, as I wanted to have an informed opinion by watching the whole thing. I didn't make it tho, and HATED. EVERY. SINGLE. SOLITARY. SECOND. of this movie. They should make watching this a requirement in Hell for murderers, rapers, and molesters. It is that painful to watch.

I had to stop watching, cause I was really starting to hate Ice Cube, too, for continuing to make some of the most horrible s--t I've ever seen. I realize that Sergio is a classy guy, and was being kind in his review. I, however, feel absolutely no need to do so. For a review more aligned with how I feel about this dreck, click here. Oh, and Cube...the new beard? Hate that too!

"First Sunday" did finish in second place tho, with $19 mil, right after the "Bucket List", which to my surprise came in at #1. My geriatric 4th husband, Morgan Freeman, has alas become even too geriatric for me, and is now an ex-husband. But I am glad he is still doing well and still bankable. A blog that I read called "News As Gossip" had a funny blurb about the movie:

Hey elderly people! If you're in the mood to smile weakly, then walk - don't run - to see "The Bucket List!" Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman play two guys who never saw the NBC show "Thirty Good Years" where two older men decide to do everything they were never able to do in life. The film is inspirational - Like me, you'll be inspired to die before the ending.

FYI, "The bucket list" refers to a list of things to do before you die, and not a list of actual buckets, which would have been more exciting.

Oh, and if it makes things even more enticing - in the movie, both of these guys have terminal cancer.

From IW: OK, that's kinda mean, but that's why I like that blog. For those of you looking for a palate cleanser after "First Sunday", you might want to check this movie out below. I received this email from Sergio today:

HEY!

'I've just come from a screening of "How She Move" which Paramount Vantage is releasing on Jan. 25. Believe me, just when you think there's no more hope for black films this gem comes along to put your faith back in it. (No surprise it's Canadian movie not American).

Sure you've seen the story before 1000 times (It takes from Flashdance, West Side Story and 20 other films) and you know the plot points well before they happen, [but] it's really well made and written, great cinematography and well acted.

Also I can't remember the last time I've seen so many dark skinned women in a movie and not one Alicia Keys type or mixed one in the bunch. Then again the director is not black but an Indian based in London, Ian Iqbal Rashid.'

From IW: Interesting. And last but not least don't forget to vote for me for Blogger's Choice on the sidebar; you can vote once a day, every day, until it's over, so make it like your daily routine--brush teeth, take vitamins, vote for my blog! haha

Today In B'Days

Carl "Action Jackson" Weathers is 60.

"Ladies Love" Cool J is 40. His movie pickins have been pretty slim since RZA, Common, Ludacris, DMX, and Mos Def have been on the scene....he used to rule along with Ice Cube.

with all this steroid controversy going on, ya think these dudes might have partaken a time or two?

Dodging A Bullet....

Okay...I've had an advance copy of "First Sunday" for about a week, and haven't even looked at it since I put it on my bookshelf. Even if I do get around to watching it, I don't really think I'll want to talk about it. I think I made my feelings known when I wrote about it here in July.

So here is wonderful Black Cinema lover and comrade Sergio Mims, who writes reviews for Ebony/Jet.Com to take the bullet for me with a great review:

First Sunday

theatre vet david talbert takes it to the multiplex

Review By Sergio Mims

Someone recently remarked that when it comes to movies black people have two different standards. If it’s your usual mainstream all (or mostly) white Hollywood movie, black audiences, like any audience, expect an entertaining, well-made film for their money. But when it comes to a black film, black folks are willing to accept less than perfect and tolerate even the slipshod and ragged. Perhaps knowing the impossible odds against making a film and wanting to support their own, or just happy to see black people on the big screen instead of yet another movie with Ms. Box Office Poison, Nicole Kidman, black audiences are too willing to forgive whatever shortcomings there may be in directing, acting, writing or technically just to give a pat on the back and hope for a better film next time.

After a 12 year career writing, producing and directing his own hugely popular chitlin’ circuit plays which are still touring today David E. Talbert directed his first feature film. Unfortunately, First Sunday won’t give black audiences anything to cheer about. Light years removed from the far superior The Great Debaters, First Sunday falls back on shop worn clichés, telegraphed well in advance of their appearance onscreen. Add to the mix the usual broad acting, hyperactive antics, a loud incessant hip-hop soundtrack, hissabale villains, a couple of flamboyant gay characters and lots of inspiring messages and homespun homilies.

Cube and Tracy Morgan are a pair of best buddy losers up against the wall. Morgan is in over his head with some Jamaican criminals after a disastrous attempt to sell some pimped out wheelchairs and Cube, an ex-con who can’t get work because of his criminal past, is desperate to keep his baby mama (Hall) from moving to Atlanta with his son.

After a last minute visit to a church and seeing the huge piles of money in the collection plates, they hatch a lame brained scheme to break into the church at night and take off with the loot. Of course, they pick the one night when the pastor (McBride), his daughter (Malinda Williams, wearing, fortunately for all the red blooded men in the audience, the tightest dress ever worn by a church parishioner) the church secretary (Devine), the deacon (Beach), the choir director (Katt Williams) and several others happen to be there. What follows is a sort of low rent Dog Day Afternoon with Cube and Morgan keeping everyone hostages as they reveal themselves to each other, discover painful pasts and haunted memories, and figure out who the secret embezzler in the church is during a raucous court trial , before forgiveness and the dawn of a new life approaches.

Talbert, to his credit, displays a genuine cinematic flair in his film. His use of dramatic close-ups, creative framing of scenes and the tight rhythmic interplay in several scenes shows that he’s someone who’s comfortable behind the camera and definitely has a lot of potential. He’s also a confident director of actors giving them space to breathe and allowing their characters to display some honest emotion, though his tendency to let them overact as if they’re performing on stage for the person in the top balcony is annoying. Occasional sloppiness seeps in, particularly in a tasteless character of a retarded man played for laughs who’s one of the hostages yet mysteriously disappears from the rest of the film no doubt to be resurrected in the deleted scenes feature extras on the DVD.

First Sunday is at best a very minor film of very modest diversions and can’t escape its hackneyed predictability. Though it’s mildly amusing one wonders if with a little more effort it could have been something much more. Which can only mean one thing: It'll be a big hit at the box office.

This N' That

There is a reader on my blog, Qadree, who is very much a black film lover...he goes to the festivals, dutifully watches all the films he comes across, and is very passionate about what he sees. He always leaves amazing comments here as well, that are most times very much food for thought. Check out his blog Culture Critical.

I, like he, am a little discouraged about Black film as of late (as you can see from yesterday's posts), tho I think I'm a little more hopeful about it than he is, haha. He suggested going off into uncharted territory, which I've been planning to do for a while, so no time like the present. He sent me a link to "The Quiet One" a Black film from 1948.

The storyline of the movie is this: "A documentary account of the rehabilitation at the Wiltwyck School of an emotionally disturbed Black boy who is unwanted, misunderstood, and inwardly tortured. "

Qadree says the movie is now public domain, and you can see/download it for free here:

http://www.archive.org/details/the_quiet_one

Update: Qadree left this comment:

"Thanks for the props IW, but one interesting fact about the film The Quiet One is that it's not a documentary. I've seen several reviews and summaries of the film that call it a documentary, and I guess it's a testament to how good the film is, but it was a totally scripted, fictional story. The school they used was real, but the film was just a really good example of cinema verite.

I could be wrong. but I believe this was the first film to break away from the "pickaninny" image and portray a black child as a complex human being. "



Also off the beaten path, I am going to start spotlighting some other actors/filmmakers that don't get as much coverage as they should to mix things up a bit, After all, that is one of the reasons I began this blog.

First up will be an interview with Carl Gilliard, who was in a film I talked about with Afronerd called the "Mannsfield 12", and was also in the film I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, "Divine Intervention". He's also done a ton of television. More on that later, look for him on this blog early next week, and one or two other interviews a week for a while.

Last but not least, I've been nominated for a few 2008 Bloggers Choice Awards. I was nominated last year but didn't do or say anything. I'm really not into that kinda thing, awards, soliciting links, etc....I write this blog for the love of the content, and meeting others who love Black Cinema as much as I do.

BUT (haha) this year I think I'd like to go for one, if only out of respect for those who took the time to nominate, (yeah, ok). I would never be so crass as to go for Best Blog Ever (ummm really it's cause I don't think it's winnable), but I would definitely like to go for Best Blog About Stuff or Best Entertainment Blog or Best Blog Design.

Okay. I think you can vote for me by clicking on the icons on my right sidebar.

If these links don't work, I'll fix them a bit later; I am kinda low tech. Here is the link to the Home Page if you need to sign up: http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/

I hope you don't mind me "drybegging" (as my girlfriend used to say) for votes. Thank you so much if you can do it...have a great weekend!

Stop The Madness--Part 2

Okay, can somebody bring me some A) News I wanna see about Black Cinema B) Something that doesn't make me want to chuck this blog in a dumpster? Jeesh, a woman can only take so much!

From Filmwad:

Rapper-actor Ice Cube is reportedly in talks to join the cast of the John Singleton-directed adaptation of The A-Team. Though this is not yet a done deal, there are few other bankable actors out there would could semi-convincingly replace Mr. T as Sergeant B.A. Baracus.

Here's what he told Blackfilm on the character:

I wouldn't try to duplicate what Mr. T did, but I will have the same impact on you when you were little watching the TV show. I'm going to bring my own flavor to it and I am going to do the mohawk.

When asked if the role is "definite" for him:

I don't know. They want me to do it if all the business works out right. I was a fan as a kid and that would be, not a dream come true, but it's definitely a good thing to do and I would put it on my resume for sure.

In the famous words of Keenan Thompson:

WHY???!!!!

last picture ganked from A Black Man's View