This And That....

Okay, just a reminder that posting will be spotty as I make my way back to Cali (yay!)....no disrespect to my Southern blog brothers Yobachi and The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor, who both told me to quit crying in my empty Martini glass and find a moonshiner, haha.

I leave you some random news, movie and otherwise....

First up--I had some high hopes for this movie when I first wrote about it (Notorious), now I'm not so sure. From the looks of this picture, I'm not feeling that Derek Luke can handle his Puffy duties, as well as these other assorted, umm "actors" handling theirs:



Finally some good news! I am hoping this becomes the norm from now on. A subject that comes up here quite frequently is the question why various Black actors and/or athletes don't get together and start funding films. There is hope on the horizon. from AOL:

With most of the cast of Showtime's cancelled show Soul Food now doing films and theater, Rockmond Dunbar is stepping up his game and taking it to another level by producing and making his directorial film debut with the indie film 'Pastor Brown'.

Dunbar is producing with Carol Ann Shine and Re'Shaun Frear. Rock Capital Films' Steve Belser, Shaun Livingston of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers and former NBA player Charles Oakley are on board as executive producers, states the Hollywood Reporter.

Now filming in Atlanta, 'Pastor,' penned by Rhonda Freeman-Baraka, is a twist on the prodigal son story. It follows a wayward pastor's daughter, Jesse Brown, as she returns from a life as an exotic dancer to make amends with her family and teen son and eventually lead her father's parish, becoming Pastor Brown.


From IW: About time! Say what you want about the premise, at least it's a start, and may the independent funding trend flourish and stay well.

While reading AOL I spotted this picture of Kadeem Hardison with news that he is in some random movie.....uhhh...at least he looks healthy.



Also news from one of my blog favorites, Soulbounce:

Oprah Winfrey has confirmed that Alicia Keys is set to play Lena Horne in an upcoming biopic about the legendary entertainer's life. The media mogul chatted about the upcoming project while working the red carpet at the premiere of The Great Debaters. Oprah will produce the Horne bio, and a script has already been written for the movie slated to start filming in '08.

If done right, this Lena Horne role could do for Alicia Keys what playing Dorothy Dandridge did for Halle Berry. Let's just hope that Keys doesn't resort to showing her berries and other assorted goodies on film like the latter.


From IW: Hmmm....I'll reserve judgement on this one for now. I will say that while I think Alicia is a wonderful woman, I find her music a tad boring, and don't really feel she's sassy enough to play curse-like-a sailor (as sometimes yours truly does) Lena. But I can't think of anyone else at the moment who could play her, and at least it's not Halle Berry.


And finally, thank you to my blog folkses Yobachi at blackperspective.net and Ms. Marvelous Opinionated Black Woman for giving me two more "E For Excellence" awards--both of these bloggers are very serious, so it is an honor that they take the time to read and recognize my random indulgences over here...thanks, guys! :-)

I also want to take the time to thank every single person that takes the time to read my blog, and your comments mean a lot to me. Sometimes they make my day, haha. (You lurkers are alright with me too...)

My blog keeps growing every month, and I feel truly blessed that some enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Big love to all y'all!

Gary Parties Like It's 1999...

I don't know if Gary is leaving CSI to make more movies or make more time to party. Either way he better slow his roll. Spotted on D-Listed:

Gary Dourdan of "CSI" was arrested in Palm Springs yesterday on suspicion of possessing heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and prescription drugs. TMZ reports that the cops found him asleep in his car at 5:21 in the morning. He was taken to a Palm Springs jail where he later posted $5,000 bail and was released.

From IW: Damn! At least wait till you get home. What is up with all these celebs flying high while driving? Shenanigans I tell ya.

btw, the pic is gary's mugshot

Weekend B.O.

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (Thanks Sergio!)
April 25–27, 2008
Studio Estimates

1) Baby Mama Uni. $18,271,000

2) Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay NL $14,570,000

3) The Forbidden Kingdom LGF $11,230,000 Total: $38,255,000

4) Forgetting Sarah Marshall Uni. $11,014,000 Total: $35,077,000

5) Nim's Island Fox $4,525,000 Total: $38,954,000

6) Prom Night SGem $4,400,000 Total; $38,115,000

7) 21 Sony $4,000,000 Total: $75,775,000

8) 88 Minutes Sony $3,600,000 Total; $12,632,000

9) Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! Fox $2,410,000 Total: $147,883,000

10) Deception Fox $2,225,000

11) Street Kings FoxS $2,125,000 Total: $23,682,000

12) Leatherheads Uni. $1,815,000 Total; $29,276,000

I saw Harold and Kumar (don't judge me!) cause I was very surprised at how much I liked the first one. But just like 99% of all sequels, it was a disappointment. It also seems to lose the magic when you wait too long after the first ones (Rush Hour and Indiana Jones, anyone?)

If anyone saw any of the new releases this weekend, give me a holler and let me know what you thought....

Random Movie News....

Sorry for the light posting as of late--be patient with me....I've been on an extended stay in the South, and am going back home to Cali and have business to tie up for a minute. Let me put it this way, after experiencing life as a Southerner, I never want to be out of arm's reach of a Chambord martini (or beach) or the possibility of one ever again! No liquor on Sunday? GTFOH!
Some things have been piling up; of course Sergio has been sending me Black Cinema news, being the sweetie pie he is. I'll share a few of the film tips he sent over...first up, hopefully Isaiah Washington can recoup his film career (I felt he was too big for TV anyway). From The H'wood Reporter:

Isaiah Washington has booked his first major feature film role since exiting "Grey's Anatomy" in June.Washington will star opposite Forest Whitaker in "Patriots," the Dimension's sports drama being directed by Tim Story. Also joining the cast are Taraji P. Henson, Robbie Jones, Jackie Long, Eric Hill, Bow Wow, Lil' Wayne, Irma Hall, Jarod Einsohn, J.B. Smoove and Chyna McClain.

"Patriots," based on a true story, is set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Al Collins, a high school basketball coach in Marrero, La., assembled a team of players who previously attended five different schools and led them on the path to the state championships.

Washington will play an assistant coach at John Ehret High who helps lead the squad.

Robert Eisele ("The Great Debaters") and Greg Allen Howard ("Remember the Titans") wrote the script. Raymond Brothers and Scott Glassgold of IAM Entertainment and Stephanie Allain and Michael Beugg are producing. Shooting begins this week in New Orleans.


From IW: Not really my flavor, but good to see Isaiah working. And me love Jackie Long.

Next up for all of you aspiring filmmakers; here is an interesting way to gain some exposure;--it is also telling about how new media will be working in the millennium. From AOL:

Always the innovative filmmaker, Spike Lee's next project is somewhat unique in its own way.

The Hollywood Reporter states that Spike Lee has linked up with Nokia to direct a movie made with cell phone footage from everyday people in what he calls the democratization of film.

The film by Nokia Productions will consist of three acts. An 'assignment' for each act will be announced online and people will then have four weeks to produce their submission.

'You are seeing first hand the democratization of film," Lee said in a statement on Thursday. "Aspiring filmmakers no longer have to go to film school to make great work. With a simple mobile phone, almost anyone can now become a filmmaker.'

The film's theme will evolve around the way music tells the story of humanity, and people can submit text, music, video or images at certain times between now and August 21.

Nokia will choose 25 submissions, then people can vote online for their favorite for a top 10 from which Spike Lee will then choose the winning submission from each act.

Lee will direct the film through the Web site.

The final film with the three winning submissions and other contributed content will premiere later this year in Los Angeles.


From IW: And finally, a heartfelt thank you to Ms. Marvelous at "Opinionated Black Woman". She graced me with the Red Rose Award and this mini-poem:

A single Red Rose is a wonderful gift

It shows the heart

and gives the spirit a lift

I feel the same about her blog 100%. She puts her pure thoughts and feelings out there, no holds barred, and it is very brave. Kudos to her for making us all know life is universal, whether we care to admit it or hide it. Love ya, MM!

Update: Hey Atlanta fam! There is a free screening tonight of "Neo Ned" with Gabrielle Union that some folks say is very similar to the film that Halle is to star in about a woman with multiple personalities, one a racist. Here is the info:

Event Name: Urban Film Review
DATE: Tonight, Monday, April, 28th
TIME: 7:00pm
LOCATION: Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

MORE: FREE! Arrive early, limited seating.

Click here to RSVP

Today In B'Days

Giancarlo Esposito is 50. Still sexy as hayell.

Giancarlo has made some great ones, and he has made some clunkers, but he is never, ever boring. I think my favorite performance by him was in "Fresh", as a New York Spanish drug dealer. He always seems to play a detective these days...

There are no clips of "Fresh" online (unfortunately). So here is one of some movie I never heard of until today called "The Box", with him and Gabrielle Union. It is from Code Black, the company that seems to release 2 Black films a week, all straight to DVD material.

It looks perfectly awful; we will add this to Giancarlo's "clunker" category:

Old School Music Friday

This week's meme is Men With Perms, and mine hasn't been without one in three decades. Sure it's mutated, but it is always fresh pressed to death, even in torrential rain (ie. The Superbowl).

This song is from what I consider a very underrated movie, and an even more underrated soundtrack. Almost every song from this album was a wonder; interestingly written and amazingly arranged. Everyone always focuses on Purple Rain, but this movie project, though a vanity one, was straight genius compared to anything coming out of any music artist today. Here is the Purple One at his zesty move finest, with a horrible hammy ending with Jerome from The Time:

The Evolution Of Prince's Perm

Electronic Village Chatting Over Cocktails Ms Grapevine Quick Cassandra Danielle Lisa C Chocl8t DP Kreative Talk MarvalusOne Regina LaShonda AJ Sharon Dee SJP sHaE-sHae songs in the key of life Hagar's Daughter There...Already

They Better Not Ask Him To Act Like Noxema...

Wesley Snipes gets 3 years in the pokey. Damn!

Somethin' In The Milk Ain't Clean...

Okay, somebody is gonna look like a complete and total fool any minute now. Spotted on Bossip:

Allegedly, Chris Tucker is on some dead-beat ish:

“Chris Tucker is facing a legal battle with a woman who claims he is the ‘deadbeat father’ of her two-year-old daughter. Gail Webb is demanding child support payments from the 35-year-old comedian, claiming the pair dated for years before he disappeared as soon as they discovered she was pregnant with little Krista Jane.She says, ‘I just want help with Krista and want her to know her father. If Chris Tucker wants to go to court, I welcome the opportunity to show the world what a big liar - and deadbeat father - he really is.’ But the Rush Hour star maintains he has never even met his accuser.”

Say it isn’t so. Especially with all those stacks, we hope he’s not holding out on his responsibilities. On the other hand, it does sound like that chick is looking for a payday. DNA tests never lie, so we’ll have to wait ‘n’ see on this one.

From IW: What kind of mess is this? She says they dated for years, and he says he never even met her. Jesus be a paternity test. Remember the rumor that he and india.arie were dating? What happened to that?

Today In B'Days

Dijmon Hounsou is 44.

Derek Luke is 34

Cedric The Entertainer is 44.

Hard to believe that Dijmon and Cedric are the same age, yes?

By the way, from what I've read, Derek Luke is going to play one of Tyler Perry's "miracle men" in "Madea Goes To Jail". He does have the right body type for a Tyler Perry movie...

Milk Carton Alert!

I couldn't sleep last night, so at 2am I caught an old episode of "New York Undercover". Yes Malik Yoba's lips were semi-ash free then, but in this particular story was Tyrin Turner. What the eff happened to him?

He broke out in "Menace To Society", which, very coincidentally, happens to be on BET tonight. He was in "Panther" and "Belly", then....nothing. I looked up his profile and saw that he had an uncredited role in "How High". Damn, not only are you in "How High", but you are uncredited too? SMH.

All I know is between Malik Yoba's chap and Tyrin's innertube lips, I could barely concentrate on last night's storyline, haha.

All of the clips from Menace were too long, so here is the trailer:

Ridiculosity At It's Finest...

He's Black. He's Brutal. He's Boss.

LMAO at the theme song "He's boss...they call him Boss....Boss Nigggaaaaaaah!" Worst. Soundtrack. Ever.

He's Not The Second Coming, But....

I've been reading this book on the spiritual laws of prosperity. I was grabbed by one particular passage today....I guess it's because I have been thinking so much about politics lately:

"This is the most enlightened age the world has ever known. It has been stated that more progress has been made on this planet in the past one hundred years than in the past ten thousand years! Jesus promised that, when the Spirit Of Truth is come, it would guide us into all truth. This is the age when the truth about God, man, and the universe is being explored and revealed as never before."

IW: I'm not super religious or anything, but Amen. I think Obama is part of this awakening; he has a consciousness and conscientiousness like no politician I've ever seen. I wish him well on his journey, and no matter how things turn out, he has given politics the much needed shake it has deserved for way too long--and as a result has put many a perpetrator under the microscope for the fools and/or hypocrites that they are.

Dolemite For President And Sh*t....

Speaking of Obama, Undercover Black Man will be live-blogging the Pennsylvania primary tonight (my Philly folkses stand up!).

I found this on his blog the other day.....did you know that Rudy Ray Moore aka Dolemite ran for president in 1972? And you thought Kwame Kilpatrick as a politician was pimpin'. From his site:

I betcha Rudy Ray Moore woulda knew how to handle Hillary Clinton in that debate last night. I ain’t lyin’!

Sheeeeit, that bad muthafucka Dolemite ran for president way back in 1972... before Barack Obama even had fuzz on his nuts.

Click here and listen to Rudy Ray’s campaign speech and press conference (NSFW). It is an artifact of political rhetoric that Sen. Obama would do well to study.

From IW: Too funny. But I must admit, after that heinous debate the other day, Obama seems to have gathered some swagger (ie: the "dust my shoulders" move). I guess he finally realized that he was wasting his time on the sea-hag known as Hillary Rodham.

Random Movie News....

And I mean hecka random. Sergio sent me these tidbits last week, but I've been in slack mode. You might have seen these movie announcements somewhere else, but for those who haven't here they are:

First up, from AOL:

Brett Ratner is in negotiations to direct Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment's remake of 'The Incredible Shrinking Man.' Brian Grazer is producing the project, which has Eddie Murphy attached to star.

The Hollywood Reporter states that an updated version of the best-selling novel and 1957 sci-fi classic starring Grant Williams, 'Man' is taking the comedic approach to the fantastical material, telling the story of a famous Las Vegas magician who is put under a spell that causes him to shrink. He must find a way to reverse the spell before he gets so small that he 'disappears.'

Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant penned the most recent draft of the screenplay for the project, which had previously seen Pete Segal and Keenen Ivory Wayans in the director's chair.

From IW: Dang, even Keenan Wayans moved on from this mess? Eddie is solidifying his morph process into Jerry Lewis.

Next is a film that might be awesome if anyone else was attached to star. From Variety:

Halle Berry will star in and produce psychological drama "Frankie and Alice" for indie shingle Access Motion Pictures in association with Reality Pictures in Motion.

Story follows a young woman struggling with multiple personality disorder and torn between who she is and a racist Caucasian alter-personality that preys upon her mind. No production start date has been set.

"Frankie and Alice" is the second independent production for Toronto-based Access Motion Pictures, which recently completed "Phantom Punch," a Sonny Liston biopic starring Ving Rhames and directed by Robert Townsend.

From IW: If only Angela Bassett or....anyone else could do this role. *sigh* Never mind....


You probably heard this one. Keshia Knight Pulliam is gonna play a prostitute in "Madea Goes To Jail". Everyone seems to be up in arms over this, but I'm sure ol' girl has bills to pay, and what else have we seen her in lately? Besides, truth be told, if you read the gossip blogs she is waaay past Rudy on the Cosby show.

And speeding in on the "Just Why?" train and narrowly missing one of my "WTF Volumes" is this...from Yahoo:

A "Soul Train" movie is on track to arrive in movie theaters next year, the creator of the venerable urban dance television show said on Thursday.

Don Cornelius told Reuters that he has teamed up with Warner Bros. Pictures to develop a buddy comedy that he hopes will spawn multiple sequels.

The project, currently called "Soul Train: The Movie," revolves around two male dancers on the show who get into "a lot of good stuff and some bad stuff as well," said Cornelius, who will serve as a producer.

It features "lots of music, lots of comedy," he added, as well as "a little bit of violence." He also promised it would be "more than slightly sensual."

"'Soul Train' has always been about sexuality," Cornelius said. "It's almost never been about guys, and almost always about girls. It's what has kept us afloat for these three decades or so."

From IW: What? I can't even comment on all that's wrong with Don and his "genius". Might be time for the home for the elderly....

By the way, the picture above is of some of the original "Soul Trainers". Come to think of it, those dudes look as zesty as that story idea sounds...

Did anyone else see "88 Minutes"? I could not figure out for the life of me why Al Pacino never seemed pressed even once that he had like an hour and a half to live. Not once. Didn't even break a sweat. I love thrillers, but save this one for Showtime, straight up.

And finally, thanks to Villager for bestowing on me the "E For Excellence Award" for my blog. It is wonderful to be recognized amongst your peers, and with the work he does over at Electronic Village ....it makes me proud that he took the time to recognize me and mine. Check him out when you have a chance---he always has very important and relevant information about our folkses and our community. He is building something over there that we can all be proud of.

Ummm, OK, If You Say So......

A couple of months ago, I posted this pic of this dude who was supposed to be a Denzel Washington lookalike. He looked about as much like Denzel as my Yorkie. While cruising the internets, I found that he is part of a management company that has a whole string of lookalikes, most of them looking like the stars they are supposed to be as much as he looks like Denzel. They are all described like him, just insert the celebrity name:

This Denzel Washington [or other celebrity] impersonator is excellent for corporate & private events, company picnics, trade shows, clubs, fundraisers, & advertising. This accomplished impersonator not only looks like the performer, he has captured Denzel Washington's mannerisms as well. In addition, you can arrange to provide your audience with photos taken with "Denzel Washington" as souvenirs.

Alrighty then. See if you can guess who these "celebrities" are. Answers at the bottom:


one

two

three (easy)

four (hint: hasn't been in movies)

five

six

seven

eight

nine

1)beyonce 2)janet jackson 3)prince 4)barack obama (?!) 5)halle berry 6)halle berry 7)halle berry 8)oprah winfrey 9)jennifer lopez

Today In B'Days

Shemar Moore is 38.

Ten Films You Should See If You Love Black People

FILM 8

from the Ebony/Jet site by Jacquie Jones

Do The Right Thing

Spike Lee

I am one of the few people in the black world, it seems, who actually does not think Spike Lee’s debut film, She’s Gotta Have It, is essential viewing in this category. It is not as over-hyped as Melvin Van People’s Sweet Sweetback’s Badasss Song, but, let’s say, it’s got issues, in my opinion, that are not explained away by the youth of the filmmaker. That notwithstanding, I’m a big Spike Lee fan and could recommend a few titles for those of you who are too young to have been forced by your black nationalist friends to see these movies when they first appeared – Malcolm X and Four Little Girls, especially – but start with Do the Right Thing. In it, you will get a taste of Spike’s brilliant palate and his unmistakable love of black people, his virtuosity really. (For an even more in-depth look at this film and its moment, also see St. Claire Bourne’s “Making Do the Right Thing.”)

From IW: Okay. Over the years I have learned to keep my mouth shut over this movie, as it seems to be a perennial favorite of both Black and non-black fans. But this is my blog, so I can say what I want, and I have never liked this movie. I found it preachy, shrill, overwrought and heavy-handed. Yeah, I said it. I also found the characters to be loud, cartoonish, and ultimately annoying. All of it was just too much in every way.

But that is just my humble opinion.

Here is a clip kinda from the movie. It is a version of some scenes made with Fisher Price toys set on Sesame Street, with Ernie playing the Spike Lee character. It's pretty ingenious--not to mention freakin' hilarious. Now this I liked:

Random Movie News....

I finished watching "Street Kings" last night. It was aiiight, but a movie with Forest Whitaker, Cedric The Entertainer as a drug dealer, Terry Crews, the Game, and Common as a cop gone very, very bad should have been a bit more attention grabbing. It was serviceable, though; it very much reminded me of a Clint Eastwood cop movie from the 70's. Just replace Keanu Reeves with Clint and you wouldn't know the difference. Come to think of it, that would have made the movie more interesting.

Is this going to be the new trend for Black filmmakers? Since those in our community with pockets deep enough to build an independent film studio/distribution company seem unwilling to do so, it seems the thing to do is go dry-begging overseas. First Spike had to go to Italy, now Danny Glover with this, a project very worthy of American funding:

Venezuelan politicians are donating nearly $30 million to back an independent movie directed by actor Danny Glover, a supporter of the country's President Hugo Chavez. "Toussaint," a film about Haitian rebel leader Toussaint Louverture, will be produced by Glover's Louvertoure Films with support from the Cinema Villa, Venezuela's state film studio. (btn)

It is a shame our great talents have to resort to this, but I am glad they get the money they need to make coon-free films.


I was just saying the other day that someone should make a film about the Negro Baseball League. And guess what? I'm sure someone has, but wasn't able to get the funding. Of course it is up to someone non-black to pick up the slack. From Variety:

ESPN Films has agreed to co-produce the film planned for theatrical release about legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey and their struggle to break baseball's color barrier in the late 1940s. The untitled project will be produced by Robert Redford and Tracy Falco, Howard and Karen Baldwin (Baldwin Entertainment Group), and Andrew Cohen. The project is being developed by Robert Redford's Wildwood Enterprises and Baldwin/Cohen Productions, with Redford starring in the role of Rickey.

This probably means another Black story will be told from a non-black perspective once again. But at least it's Robert Redford; I always respect that he makes movies for grown-ups.



And finally, there have been a number of pictures floating on the internets this week, and all I have to say is "What Is Really Going On?" as a caption for every one of them.....

what is really going on with Eddie Murphy's birthday cake? Is it even edible?



*sigh* what is really going on?



what is really going on idris? are you out to suck the hot you garnered on 'the wire' down to zero? mission accomplished!



Al, Al , Al....what is really going on with the 70's Robert Evans fake tan and blowdried hair? I never would have expected this from you, of all people....



snoop, what is really going on with this outfit and jheri curl look? I knows you get high, but damn.



100% pure fuckery.