This N' That...

Hey all...I am free from a contract gig that was taking up an immense space of my time and energy...but hallelujah, I free! Which in turn, leaves me more time for my precious blog--aren't you lucky? lol

How about a little movie news, yes?

First up, I don't know what to make of Isaiah Washington. He was kicked out of his house for non-payment of rent. He was on Grey's Anatomy for a few years, wasn't he? What do these folks do with all of those juicy dollars? Damn. But things are looking up for him--he is doing a biopic on the life of Lou Rawls, which I think is wonderful, cause I never felt Lou received his proper due. I think Isaiah is a very interesting choice.


What isn't interesting to anyone, apparently, is the halted biopic of Lionel Ritchie, who was deemed too boring. Dang! He must have had a couple of interesting moments leading The Commodores and getting a karate chop beat-down on his ass by his wife. I'd like to see that.



Ntozake Shange’s play, “For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide …” is being made into a film. I saw this play when I was a little girl, and don't really remember it, so I am looking forward to it. The film also has a Black female director, Nzingha Stewart. Kudos!


In YT cinema news, I saw "A Haunting In Connecticut", please don't ask why. Perfectly awful, of course. What is even more awful and disturbing is a big screen "3 Stooges" movie with...wait for it.....Sean Penn as Larry (?!), Jim Carrey as Curly (not a stretch), and Benecio Del Toro as Moe (??!!) I mean, really, WTF! This idea just makes me sad inside, especially the part about Sean Penn...just one more in the long line of making stupid choices after winning an Oscar.


Speaking of sad, King Latifah will be in yet another romantic comedy, "Just Wright". **sigh**



I received a note from the head of the Wichita NAACP, Kevin Myles. He said:

Hey Sis, You may want to check this out... The NAACP is asking people to rate the 100 most influential films of the last century. As I was looking through the nominees it was exciting just to go back and watch the trailers from all of my favorites from the last 40 years... Here's a link; check it out: http: / / www. wichitanaacpblog. com/ 2009/ 03/ naacp-top-100-films- of-century-1909_17. html


Check it out folkses, and vote as you see fit. I want to give some Oaktown love to filmmaker Mateen O. Kemet, whose work I will be following closely. He was on the series "On The Lot" and has this lovely trailer for a film he's working on, called "Oakland B Mine". Let me know what you think:




And finally, check me and my comrades out on last night's Obenson Report podcast. It was a bloggers roundtable on what else? Black Cinema. I joined Daryle Lockhart at "The Black Box Office", my beloved Sergio from Ebony/Jet, Solshine from "Reel Artsy", and of course Tambay Obenson. If you'd like to hear us chop it up, click HERE.



Thanks to the wonderful Issa Rae for some of these tidbits...

Things That Make Me Laugh....

--Willona Woods aka Mary J. Blige in Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad By Myself"

--Aunt Jemima's Revenge

--This blog based wholly on loony-tune blogger Sandra Rose (thanks sergio) lovingly referred to as "Crusty": http://sandraroseisahater.blogspot.com/

--This unfortunate trailer for the low budget, not even DVD worthy movie "Peaches" (thanks sergio):




--"Others" who wander onto this blog by some happenstance and say: "You and everyone on this blog are a bunch of racists!" And then proceed to break down how "inferior" we are in so many ways, and how we are just a bunch of ignorant apes, monkeys, or some other variance of primate. Folks that are also obviously completely and blissfully unaware of the term and meaning of "irony".

Obama Fingers. With curry dip. In front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Just why?

Going Up To The Sky And Break The Limit

Previously, some people were dubious that an animation film about fish could be successful, but later the little clown fist called Nemo turned into one of the biggest theatrical hits ever, grossing over $800 million worldwide. After that, the same went for the Incredibles, Lightning McQueen, and especially Remy the rat and WALL-E the robot. It all made Pixar has nine successful movies in a row since “Toy Story” in 1995, and they managed to do so while never losing sight of the fact that the thing that keeps customers coming back is quality. To date, the studio also has earned twenty-two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and three Grammys, among many other awards, acknowledgments and achievements. Last year, Disney-Pixar animation studios

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Dragonball Evolution

PG | 1 hr 40 mins | Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Adaptation
A warrior and his friends go into battle with the ability to summon dragons from magical orbs.
Synopsis:
Goku and a handful of friends battle for the Earth against the deadly forces of the Saiyans, who are sweeping across the universe, leaving a path of destruction. Goku and his friends' best chance for survival rests with the Namekian DragonBalls, which provide them the power to summon a mighty dragon.

Director: James Wong
Starring: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Chow Yun-Fat, Emmy Rossum, Texas Battle, Randall Duk Kim, Ernie Hudson, Eriko Tamura, Joon Park

Movie Trailer Dragonball Evolution

Race to Witch Mountain

PG | 1 hr 39 mins | Action, Adventure, Family Movie
A UFO expert enlists the help of a cabbie to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an evil organization.
Synopsis:
For years, stories have circulated about a secret place in the middle of the Nevada desert, known for unexplained phenomena and strange sightings. It is called Witch Mountain, and when a Las Vegas cab driver finds two teens with supernatural powers in his cab, he suddenly finds himself in the middle of an adventure he can’t explain. When they discover that the only chance to save the world lies in unraveling the secrets of Witch Mountain, the race begins, as the government, mobsters and even extraterrestrials try to stop them.

Director: Andy Fickman
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla Gugino, Christopher Marquette, Cheech Marin, Ciaran Hinds, Alexander Ludwig, Tom Everett Scott, Garry Marshall

Movie Trailer Race to Witch Mountain

Machines Have Risen But Ends Begin In Terminator Salvation

Back in October 1984, director James Cameron introduced a low-budget techno-thriller that became a runaway hit and later morphed into a multibillion-dollar global enterprise that includes every type of media and merchandise imaginable—from roller coasters to boxer shorts. The famous franchise known as “Terminator” is concerning battles between Skynet's artificially intelligent machine network, and John Connor's Tech-Com forces with the rest of the human race. Skynet's most well-known products in its genocidal goals are the various terminator models, such as the original "Terminator" character, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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7 Questions With Black & Sexy Director Dennis Dortch...

There is one thing that really burns me, and that is folks that put down or discourage the dreams and aspirations of others. There is nothing more disheartening than sharing your thoughts and ideas with someone, only to be told that they are ridiculous and unattainable. To which I say this: Completely consider the source: A) Is this a person you would gladly trade lives with? OR B) Does this person lead a life that you admire and/or respect? If the answer is no, grains of salt, my friends, grains of salt.

One of my favorite things to do on this blog is to interview those I find interesting. The people interviewed here wholly deserve the attention and accolades they receive, as they are independent thinkers, free from the constraints of the conventional world. They learn from mistakes and experiences, and, most importantly, they are willing to share what they've learned with others. They are hustlers and sages, and I learn amazing life lessons and get inspired by each one of them; I hope you do too. Here is the latest--"A Good Day To Be Black and Sexy" director Dennis Dortch, a definite welcome addition to the halls of the new Black Renaissance in film...check it.

Question #1

The landscape is so barren on Black love/sexual situations in movies. I know you have been asked this many times over, but what gave you the idea to make this film? Who or what has been your inspiration in filmmaking? (That is really two questions--I'm cheating a bit)

Life. Real life. Our daily pursuit for happiness in love and sex drives and affects most of our decisions in life. We are living it everyday. These are basic human needs that find our white counterparts with oogles of quirky movies on the subject. When it comes to us, suddenly it's different even though we are all human beings with the same desires and needs. When you do see us in any sexual situation in a movie (especially a mixed cast movie) - we are either raping, overly sexually charged, or getting no ass whatsoever. Nothing but the extremes and nothing in between. Keep in mind that anytime you put a black person on the screen (esp. a black man), whatever they are doing or portraying holds much more weight. Put a gun in their hand, show them dead, show them running from the law, in court, or playing the President of the US or God, or Jesus, or simply having sex, it's suddenly a little bit heavier. Where our white male counterpart is just doing something as an action, the black counterpart becomes that *something* they are doing.

I think the second part of that is black folks are kinda prudish. I mean the West is sort of prudish overall compared to our European counterparts, but we all love sex but we just don't want people to know we love it. That's why the porn industry is booming. It's all about secrecy, so it carries over to the big screen and the lack of content on the subject. I've been asked plenty of times, why would I want to make a film just about this stuff? Like a porno or something. This usually comes from a woman. Deep inside, I'm thinking this person is probably a freak in bed, but a lady in the streets. Simply, I wanted to just get at the things we are doing and feeling today and tomorrow, and the next day in a realistic presentation.

To answer the second part of your question, it's almost the same answer... Life. Real life. Women are an inspiration especially. Sometimes I just want to talk to you. And film is an extravagant way to communicate. You ever had an argument with your significant other and you wish a third party was present so that they could validate your point of view or judge who is right or wrong in this situation? Cause you feel the other person is clearly not listening to reason. You just want someone fair and non-biased to call it. Making a film is like creating that opportunity for a third party assessment. I'm simply telling on someone, including myself.


Question #2

The visuals were wonderful in the film, and the performances from the actors are truly on point--very natural and affecting. What is your primary focus when you direct a film? What emotions and thoughts are you trying to elicit from the audience?

My primary focus is sensuality and naturalness. To capture those fleeting real moments in life that we all have experienced but never have captured on film. The actors are bringing a piece of themselves to the set. We discuss their own experiences related to the subject and pull from there. My cinematographer Brian Ali-Harding is by heart a documentary filmmaker. His style is pure cinéma vérité. We have been making films together since college focusing on real human emotion and moments not artificial movie moments and over-dramatic fake movie emotions. You put these two factors together and like peanut butter and chocolate, you got black and sexy.

My goal for the audience was to create some connectivity. If you watch the film and identified with something that's happening on the screen either by knowing this person in real life or applying a past experience you, yourself had, it feels real. You then feel connected.

Question #3

The title of your film "A Good Day To Be Black And Sexy" was sure to stir up attention. Was the intention to make people take strong notice? Were you pressured to change the name by anyone?

Yes, I wanted the marketing of the film built in to the title and live on beyond it. It was always a brand to me. More than one film with many spin-offs and connected lifestyle products (clothing, music, etc.).

Yes and no to your second question. Someone very close to the film tried to convince me to change the stories to match what they perceived the title to mean.


Question #4

You made some unknown casting choices and filmed on a limited budget, and your film turned out to be one of the most interesting pieces I've seen for some time. As advice to some of the filmmakers who read this blog, how does one get a feel that they are moving in the right direction on a project? How does one garner support from those inside the film and outside of it?

The first question is what is the definition of the right direction? For me it is when something affects you or intrigues you. You have to be your own guinea pig and be affected before it can transfer to someone else. Trust yourself and your instincts and the people who are supposed to be attracted to your project will find it and support it. It's just energy and there is not trick in it. Just truth and honesty.

To go further, don't pay attention to the haters. There will be a lot of them. It's not that they mean you direct harm, but they have so much self doubt in themselves, and misery loves company. I was told that I was crazy to take the money out of my house to finance this feature. I was told that my script was a porno and no one would want to see this. I was told that no company would want to distribute a "black art film." Those types of films are reserved for white people. If you have a strong vision and it truly makes you excited just thinking about it, then there is a good chance that excitement will transfer to someone else watching the film that you made from that inspiration. Everybody may not like your film, but your job is not to please everyone. That is an elusive goal.(from iw--amen!)

As far as gaining support, just do your thing. Most people just talk, very few actually do. It's not easy. It's takes a tremendous amount of focus, perseverance, and unwavering faith. Making a film and expecting a company to buy it and in turn people pay to watch it is not a solid business plan. It's crazy actually. So, when someone does it and breaks through, the law of attraction takes over and the support trickles in. It's still a struggle after you initially get that attention. Support is a fickle thing, trust me. It's really up to you to build on it in a timely manner.


Question #5

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? (Everyone gets asked this question, btw)

If we collectively stop supporting the bullshit, the bullshit will disappear. It's about natural selection. Hollywood is not against making money any way they can. But really, you have to ask yourself, why would white people collectively give a damn about what we want as black folks? They are too busy trying to get what they want. Our wants and needs are our problem. And we dictate what gets put out there every time we spend money on it.


Question #6

Tell us what projects you are working on now. Anything we can look forward to in the future?

The big project launching next month is what we are calling Black & Sexy TV. An online portal for black content from my team. The first out the gate is a spin-off web series from the film called BLACK & SEXY B-SIDES. We are basically expanding on the world and characters created in the film in 2-6 minute episodes online. Plus we are creating the sequel to the film tentatively called A GOOD DAY TO BE BLACK & SEXY: NEW YORK CITY.

Outside of Black & Sexy, I have a feature I'm currently writing that I'm real quiet on, but I'm real excited about. That's why I'm not saying anything really. You gotta stuff all that excitement and desired to blurt out the story into the script.


Question #7

Any thoughts or advice you would like to leave for the readers?

I guess this would go to the filmmakers...Distribution. Most filmmakers (including myself) look at obtaining distribution as the end-all and be-all goal. But that's really just the beginning. And we spend a lot of time stressing on the things that don't even matter in the end, when the real important things have slipped past us a long time ago. The great thing about making your own film from your own money is you have all the control. Suddenly when you get distribution, you see most of that control taken away. The biggest beef a filmmaker will have is how his/her film is marketed. And really it's just a divide between your goals and your distributor's goals. If you can identify what their true goal is, then you can better manage your expectations if you decide to sign with them. And you need to figure out what it is you want and how that fits in the current climate of the film industry. I stumbled upon a quote in a magazine on an airplane trip one day that said it all: "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate."


From IW: "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate." Truer words were never spoken, for reals! A phrase to live by folkses, and completely consider the source. Below is the new trailer for "A Good Day To Be Black and Sexy"--please add to your Netflix cue or get out to your nearest video store and support our new Renaissance....

So Dark The Angels And Demons Code

Dan Brown novel and its adaptation film, “The DaVinci Code” are both phenomenon matters, it all due to these controversial interpretations and factual inaccuracies of Christian history in both media, made them criticized by the Roman Catholic Church and almost all Christians in the world. Some bishops also urged members to boycott the film, instead it made a bigger buzz and hoisted the film earned over US$224 million worldwide, later it even became the second highest grossing movie of 2006 worldwide—having reached US$758 million in total. But in the reversal side to its favorable box office reception, in addition to all bans from almost every territory in the world,

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The Next Generation Of Beloved Star Trek Universe

If a reboot version could bring any justice to the original one, so, it sure will be a big hit. As examples, we can aim to “Casino Royale” and “Batman Begins,” both was truly a remarkable new vision to their previous works. And as the result, both were even successfully marked a figure higher than any film in their franchises ever accepted. So, if there any reboot that would gladly join with the club, J. J. Abrams’ effort to living the fresh account to the legendary outer space adventures “Star Trek” may likely be the next serious contender. Launched with the same title to the 1966 television series,

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Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

PG-13 | 1 hr 43 mins | Comedy, Adaptation Movie
After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea in front of a judge, she finds herself headed to jail.

Synopsis: After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea in front of the judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the best of her and land her in jail. A gleeful Joe couldn't be happier at Madea's misfortune. But Madea's eccentric family members the Browns rally behind her, lending their special "country" brand of support. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway is on the fast track to career success. But Hardaway lands a case too personal to handle defending young prostitute and former drug addict Candace Washington--and asks his fiancée and fellow ADA Linda Holmes to fill in on his behalf. When Candace ends up in jail, Madea befriends the young woman, protecting her in a "motherly" way as only Madea can.

Director: Tyler Perry
Starring: Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ronreaco Lee, Ion Overman, Vanessa Ferlito, David Mann, Tamala Mann, Viola Davis, Sophia Vergara, Robin Coleman, Bobbi Baker

Movie Trailer Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

Thirst Of Passion And Blood

Since long time ago, Vampire has become one evergreen horror creature in movie reel. From the first ever vampire movie in 1913 called “The Vampire” to a genuine supernatural vampire “Nosferatu “(1922), and the most popular cinematic adaptation of vampire fiction “Bram Stoker's Dracula” (1992), also the latest one which based on the popular teen novel of Stephenie Meyer, “Twilight,” this blood sucking character has evolving into so many shapes and versions. “Twilight” is being the current personification to vampires which show them as an anti-ageing superhuman, the film also created a new fever on this genre.

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Can’t Wait For The Return Of Wolverine

Everybody absolutely can’t wait for Australian actor Hugh Jackman to reprises the character role that made him an international superstar. A fierce fighting machine who possesses incredible healing powers, retractable claws and a primal fury, his name is “Wolverine.” Leading up to the events of internationally blockbuster “X-Men” trilogy, the new film called “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” will tells the legend of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic history, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, his early encounters with William Stryker (Danny Huston) and the ominous Weapon X program. The film explores his history with Weapon X both before and after the adamantium procedure that turned him into the human weapon we first met in "X-Men." Wolverine is probably the most popular character in the X-Men universe, and his centrality to the three X-Men films all but begged for this solo film outing. Here also we can see how Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, along his journey that counting the surprise appearances by several other legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances in the film series have long been anticipated.

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This N' That

I have just come out of a "Throwback Heaven" stupor. TV One is just all about the Black Cinema, and today I watched the Blaxploitation flix "Three The Hard Way" and "Friday Foster". I have been meaning to write about the evolution of Pam Grier for some time, as she was a singularly awful actress back in the day and has come to something a lot more substantial. But what did that matter in the 70's when you looked like Pocahontas with perfect clear skin, white teeth, a small waist and perfect big tits (all before the boon of plastic surgery)? Not a lot, I tell ya, and not too much has changed in 3 decades. I will do a proper post eventually, as she is the gatekeeper of this blog. Here is the trailer:



The same with "Three The Hard Way". I'm sure at the time this was an explosive movie of Black Power and puttin' foot to ass on "the man", but now one is just bemused. And though it was directed by one of my faves, Gordon Parks Jr., the plot and actions scenes are wholly ridiculous at best. It is the story of some Aryan/Nazi power group that has invented some type of poison that kills only Negroes. It looks like Kool-Aid, so I guess that was smart. The target cities? D.C., Detroit, and Los Angeles and their water supply. All they needed was NY and Oakland and 99% of the Black population would have been goners.

Jim Brown stomping around saying he has to find "his woman" (who the bad guys kidnapped) seems positively caveman and archaic now, as well as Jim Kelly mowing down a whole police force that have guns by just shouting "OU-EEE!" and karate chopping and kicking. I really didn't pay attention to how they were taking everyone out with simple handguns, while the bad guys outnumbered them 10 to one and had machine guns, cause I was hypnotized by Fred Williamson's ass. I could eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner on that thing...haha!


Check out TV One tomorrow. Though they showed the hot (but watchable) garbage that is "Trois 2, Pandora's Box" today, tomorrow they have Maya Angelou's "Sister, Sister", starring Diahann Carroll ("Claudine)", Rosalind Cash ("Uptown Saturday Night"), and Irene Cara ("Fame") as sisters dealing with interfighting, jealousies, and baggage. Also offered tomorrow is "Funny Valentines" starring what seem to be favorites of this blog's readers, Alfre Woodard and Loretta Divine. It is directed by Julie Dash, who also directed the wonderful "Daughters of the Dust", and is described as this : "A woman returns to her home town to sort out her troubled marriage and finds new happiness in the rekindling of a broken friendship with her cousin."


Now on to a few things. Have any of you picked up on the podcasts over at Tambay's "Obenson Report"? Interesting discussions going on over there on Black Cinema--the last one featured up and coming director Pete Chatmon. Did you know that Jackie Robinson was in the 761st battalion, which is the subject of one of Chatmon's film? Jackie is an icon of inspiration for reals, for reals. Go on over to his blog and click on the links to listen.


Speaking of new-jack directors, Dennis Dortch (whose interview with me will be up in a few days) has a site up that consists of his Black & Sexy merchandise...tees, boy shorts, etc. are to be had, along with the amazing soundtrack from the film. Get you a piece my Black and sexy readers (you YT's too!, haha). Click HERE to see his stuff.


Are we ready for a new generation of Wayons? Hmmm...I dunno, as this generation is still grating the nerves a bit---i.e. "Dance Flick". Saw this on Black Film Academy:

'The prolific Wayans clan has begun to turn out a second generation of multihyphenate comic performers. UTA has just signed Damien Dante Wayans — nephew of filmmaker Keenen Ivory (”White Chicks”) — for representation in all areas, and Craig and Damon Jr. are set to co-star in Damien’s directing debut, “Dance Flick,” a Paramount comedy to be released May 22.

Damien is a co-writer (along with Craig, Keenen, Shawn and Marlon) and executive producer of the movie as well. Older-generation siblings Shawn, Marlon, Kim and Keenen all appear in the film.'

From IW: Alrighty then. At least the genes aren't bad in the looks department in that family....can't speak on the comedic one tho.


Have seen this trailer floating around the blogs---it is a documentary of the life of Mike Tyson. His life really needs to be a straight up soap opera, for real. I wonder if Jamie Foxx is still going to play him in a biopic as was rumored last year? Here is the trailer:




There seems to be an interest in things Henry Lennix these days. I never paid that much attention, one way or the other. I remember him as being very low key in the "The Five Heartbeats" and not much else. But based on the posts and comments on "Must Love Movies" ruminations "Roger Guenveur Smith vs. Harry Lennix" and "The Black Snob" who writes "I Suffer for Harry Lennix's Art" (and also turns it into an absolutely perfect commentary on the state of Black Hollywood and it's actors--to read click HERE), he definitely has a fanbase. Maybe the light skin-ded dudes are making a comeback. Hollywood, are you listening? Of course you aren't.



And a very, very heart felt thanks the beautiful Naturally Sophia (ATLians stand up!) , and the only person that I know that watches more movies than me, Reel Whore (I love his blog). They awarded me with the Kreativ Blog Award and The Dardos Award, respectively . The Dardos Award is given for "cultural, literary, and personal values in the form of creative and original writing. These stamps were created with the intention of promoting fraternization between bloggers, a way of showing appreciation and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web". Of course you are supposed to give these awards to others, but....yes...I'm slacking again. What I can say is that when I get these, they positively make my day; there is nothing quite as great as being recognized by your blogging peers---Thank You So Much!!!




PS: Thanks to all of those who have started following my blog in the past few days...don't think I haven't noticed and read your blogs as well :-)

He's Just Not That Into You

PG-13 | 2 hr 9 mins | Romantic Comedy, Adaptation Movie
A hardline advice guy falls for a woman who seeks him out because she can't figure out the men in her life.

Synopsis: He’s Just Not That Into You” tells the stories of a group of interconnected, Baltimore-based twenty and thirtysomethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of the dating pool through the deep, murky waters of married life, trying to read the signs of the opposite sex… and hoping to be the exceptions to the “no-exceptions” rule.

Director: Ken Kwapis
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly, Kris Kristofferson, Justin Long

Movie Trailer He's Just Not That Into You

Mall Cop Observe and Rogen’s Report

This year, the Mall security guard unexpectedly becomes something like a hot topic in Hollywood’s comedy genre. Just recently, Kevin James’ “Paul Blart: Mall Cop” has received a surprising huge piece of box office cake, the story that sort of inspired by the profile of a mall security, was about James who plays an earnest yet pathetic security guard who desperately wants to stop a bank robbery in his local mall. Now, the rising comedian Seth Rogen (Superbad, Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, Zack and Miri Make a Porno) will also release his next film where he plays Ronnie Barnhardt, a self-proclaimed bad-ass, racist mall security guard whose overzealous yet incompetent character is hell bent on arresting a “serial flasher”. Don’t you think both were sound quite familiar?
However, Rogen’s new comedy, “Observe and Report” that will coming to theaters across North America on April 10th 2009, is promising to provide more laughs, darker humor, and a better plotline than “Paul Blart,” Rogen has even compared his role to Travis Bickle, Robert De Niro’s character in “Taxi Driver” which is a truly dark film. So, it’s sound very good if this film could really be something like that “Taxi Driver” meets “Paul Blart” stuff. Also added here is that Seth Rogen is finally playing something different than the usual stoner/slacker/geek he's typecast as.

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Watchmen (2009)

R | 2 hr 43 mins | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Adaptation Movie
When a former superhero is killed, a member named Rorschach begins an investigation, which lead to a much more terrifying conclusion.

Synopsis: In the 1950s, an ordinary man joins and start to become superhero to fight crime. He joined with others to uphold justice, until a law was passed that forced them to stop. When some former crime fighters killed in mysterious, the other remaining members are trying to solve the crime.

Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson

Movie Trailer Watchmen (2009)

Nothing Is Off The Record In State of Play

From critically acclaimed British television drama serial to Hollywood big screen political thriller, “State of Play” is a sort of film that explores the topical subjects of journalistic independence and the relationship between politicians and the press. So, the plot is come from six hour original that has been condensed to fit two hours cinematic frame. For you who haven’t seen the mini series, it first broadcast on BBC One in 2003 and in 2004, the serial ran in the United States on the BBC's BBC America cable channel. Directed by David Yates who received his highest-profile assignment to date when he was chosen to direct last four Harry Potter movies which including “The Order of the Phoenix,” “The Half-Blood Prince” and “The Deathly Hallows” - a 2 part film expected in 2010-11, it starred some of the famous British actor like David Morrissey (Basic Instinct 2, The Other Boleyn Girl), John Simm, Kelly Macdonald (Choke, No Country for Old Men), Polly Walker, Bill Nighy (Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Valkyrie), and James McAvoy (Wanted, Atonement).

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Watchmen: It's Truly Not An Ordinary Superhero Film

Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the most revered graphic novel of all time “Watchmen,” has had no shortage of media attention since it began production in 2007, not to mention its pesky lawsuit also. In its first place, “Watchmen” graphic novel is already something that odd to adapt, the timeline jumps in and out of multiple flashbacks, each chapter contains additional documents – letters, magazine articles etc. - which fill in important back story details and one minor character reads a comic-within-the-comic entitled “Tales of the Black Freighter,” which parallels the wider narrative themes. Those were enough to cause the most skillful filmmaker to leave it well alone. And since the studio announced that “Watchmen” was going to be made, the web has been flooded with fan boy discussion about who would direct it, and who would play The Watchmen, and would the film be faithful to the novel? But when Zack Snyder comes in against all seeming inevitabilities, he’s actually succeeded in completing a film of “Watchmen.”

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Push (2009)

PG-13 | 1 hr 51 mins | Supernatural, Thriller, Sci-Fi Movie
A young man and a teenage girl take on a clandestine agency in a race against time that will determine the future of civilization.

Synopsis: The department, a shadowy government agency that genetically transforms citizens into an army of psychic warriors to be brutally discarded and those who are disinclined to participate. Nick Gant a second Generation telekinetic, or mover, has been in hiding since his father murdered by the Devition. He has already densely populated area in Hong Kong, but he cant keep his ssecret because he must help Cassie Holmes, a 13-year-old, the Clairvoyant or wathcer to find Kira who may hold the key to ending the Divisions program.

Director: Paul McGuigan
Starring: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Maggie Siff, Scott Michael Campbell, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou,

Trailer Push (2009)

Rainy Day MMM (Mini Movie Marathon)

The rain has finally broken here in the Bay, but it is still grey and bleak. I've been holed up like a winter bear in hibernation, as I completely detest rain. Honestly, I would rather be in snow. It was so bad that earlier in the week I had tickets to see Raphael Saadiq at the Fillmore, and didn't even go, and I always see Raphael. Is it possible to look cute in the pouring rain? I think not, unless you have an entourage like Kimora Lee Simmons.


Besides the weather, one thing I miss about LA. is the diversity, and the randomness of the celebrities I would spot. A favorite game I would play while waiting in the horrid Sunset Strip traffic from work was "spot that random celebrity". It would veer off in all different directions; Jessica Biel, Alfonso Robeiro, Ryan Reynolds, Vanessa Bell Calloway, the dude from Korn (don't ask me how I knew that), The Empress Of Lucite (my fellow D-Listed readers know that one). While watching the movie "Cover" over the weekend, it made me almost feel like I was playing that game. More on the later. And yes, I am still a bit grouchy, and the following Black Cinema films did nothing to help.

Starting off my MMM were several just as random YT films--"Final Analysis", a thriller that was made when Richard Gere was still semi-hot*, "The Prime Gig" a sleep inducing movie about a big ticket telemarketing scam starring Vince Vaughn, when he was still semi-hot*, and a film that I highly recommend called "Dogtown and Z-Boys", which is a semi-documentary with great footage about the very beginning of the skateboard movement in Santa Monica, CA. Don't confuse it with the weak, fictionalized, commercial version "The Lords Of Dogtown". "Z-Town" made a very pedestrian subject extremely engrossing, and I wear my Vans a little prouder now (for those who don't know, Vans are a sneaker that first became popular by being favored by the surfer and skateboarding cultures in L.A.).

But I seriously digress...on to Black Cinema, yes?


The first one I saw was a perfectly awful movie called "The Last Stand". You watch the strangest things when you can't get back to sleep...is there anyone more unlikeable than Guy Torry? Oh yes, Kevin Hart, who also happened to be in the film. Just grand.

The "movie" premise was about 4 Black comedians trying to rise to fame, overcoming the various challenges in their personal lives. The challenges are wholly contrived, as if they were ripped from the pages of "How To Write Your First Screenplay 101". The guy just out of jail struggling with credibility in the civilian world, the woman abused by her mom's boyfriend, the dude with the unsupportive wife who tells him he's living a pipe dream...ho-hum. Kevin Hart and a very loud Anthony Anderson are secondary characters. Also involved is the strange calamity that is Red Grant (who I wrote about HERE), always a sure sign that you are involved in a z-grade movie.

Then there is Guy Torry as the unfunny comic (the only part of the film that rang true), who runs away from his family life to prove to Daddy he can make it. Oh, and he has a drinking and drug problem that causes him to self-destruct. Why does Guy Torry get more work than Joe Torry? Guy plays the exact same character, the exact same way, in everything I see him in. Never engaging, never funny, always laughing at his own jokes, and never easy on the eyes. And Russ Parr (who "wrote" and directed)? I think dude might seriously want to stick to radio.

So--Kevin Hart, Guy Torry, generic plot, and some arbitrary secondary story about how one of the comedians jumped to their death. The film begins with that, and the body is covered with a sheet. It keeps flashing back to the crime scene throughout the film, and we are supposed to guess who it is. The only problem? The first story is so weak you don't give a flying fig.

Not even worth buying at the barber shop from Hustle Man. Here is the trailer, which makes it look much better than it actually is, believe it or not:





The next is "Cover". Hmmm. I passed on this film at a Black film festival when I had to choose between it and "Three Could Play That Game". Can you believe I chose the latter? Even more so, can you believe I attended a festival that would show it as a selection?

I really wanted to like this film, as I have always been a big fan of Bill Duke, the director. But he is definitely starting to get the telephoto side-eye from me. Between this and "Not Easily Broken" I think he might be paying for his children's Ivy League education or something. Surely a man of his caliber can create his own projects? Or are these films something he actually wanted to do?

This isn't a spoiler, as all of the film descriptions and publicity tell ahead of time what the film is about. It is about a couple who moves from Atlanta to Philly, the husband being some sort of successful doctor. Many of his long time friends are there, all of them extremely shady and suspicious. The husband is hiding a secret, which we all know 10 miles before the clueless wife--he is on the "down-low". Because there is no mystery, and the "twist" is so obvious, you get fed up with the build-up. "Just get to it already!" you want to yell, waiting for the supposed big reveal.

Instead, I busied myself by looking at the most random cast since....ummm....well, ever. Though you may be mildly surprised at who's in it, you definitely won't be at their performances.


Roger Guenveur Smith: weird, creepy, and wild eyed as usual

Paula Jai Parker: ho'n it up and acting crazy, as usual

Patti LaBelle: sassy and for real gal not takin' any mess, as usual

Clifton Davis Junior: bland and boring, as usual

Leon: preening, arrogant, vain, and self-involved, as usual

Vivica Fox: plays the "mmm-hmmm, girlfriend!" role, lip twisted and with one eyebrow raised, as usual

Louis Gossett, Jr.: serious and no-nonsense, as usual

Mya: contributing as much to this movie as she does to the music industry.

Fun fact: the preacher's wife from the Richard Pryor classic "Which Way Is Up?" is in it, and she is still pretty funny. At least I think it was her.

Besides the tired theme of "forgiveness", the main problem is with one half of the leads. Aunjanue Ellis plays the wife, and she does the best she can with what she has. She is accused of murdering Leon, the husband's HIV positive lover, which is the other mystery in the plot. She is the only reason this film has any credibility at all, and I really wish she would get a lot more work...say substituting her for everything Gabrielle Union is in. She is also from San Francisco, a big plus in my eyes. It is Razaaq Adoti who plays the husband, Dutch Maas, that is the bad apple that spreads to the rest of the film. He is supposed to be the object of affection for at least four people in this film, yet he is not very good-looking, and is completely charm and charisma free. He didn't even seem that bright. I think he won this part on a bet, as even in the most dramatic scenes in the film--crying, fighting, scared, whatever--he is massively and totally unbelievable.


He was in another film that I saw on another mini movie marathon a while back, "Haven", with Anthony Mackie and Zoe Saldana. Even though that film wasn't that great, he did pretty well in that one, so I guess there's hope for him in the future. Ms. Invisible says rent this one when they are out of everything else at the video store. Here is the trailer--it takes a second to start:





And last (and least) is "Madea Goes To Jail". Ummm....yeeaaahhhh.....you're gonna have to read about that elsewhere, as I don't want to dedicate another drop of my precious posting space to that mess of a movie. Guess this picture's from the play:



So there you have it. Basically nothing to see here folks. Except "Dogtown and Z-Boys". I might have some movie news later, as I'm in a writin' mood today.




*i say semi-hot, cause i was never that attracted to these guys in the first place