Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Oh, How I Miss Thee, Isaac Hayes...
Okay, so I just watched "Truck Turner" for the umpteenth time. Why? Yes, the plot is wholly ridiculous, and unbelievable, but the fact that it is so ridiculous is what makes it watchable to me. It also has a pimp with the worst perm in history (Yaphet Kotto is a pimp as well). That makes me watch, and also the fact that Nichelle Nichols aka Uhura (whose birthday was this week, she's 77) was going around calling everyone "nigga" like she was saying it for the first time. It sounds terrible....but ol' girl was looking great in her forties, yes?
But I really like it because of Isaac Hayes. He just had so much charisma...he was not good looking in any conventional sense at all, but was a master of smoothness, game, and charm. And that voice! He also seemed like a good guy with a genuine sense of humor...I am still lamenting his passing, and when I read who was at his funeral last year, it looked like a who's who list of Hollywood and music; he was obviously loved by many others as well.
For your viewing pleasure--"Truck Turner"--please catch it on cable this month and in January or below...I read that a new Truck Turner is in development--why does Hollywood insist on screwing with perfection?
The trailer:
2009 Is A Pleasurable Year At The Movie
Now that 2009 is finally winding to a close, everyone is getting nostalgic for the year that was. Best and worst of the year lists are everywhere and if you're still hungry for lists, here in Movie Café we also have one for you. Sum up 2009 in films, it was totally a year of full surprises and absolutely a great year for the business. There are some films came out of nowhere to blow us away and
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Labels:
2009 review,
movie list
Monday, December 28, 2009
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel
PG | 1 hr 28 mins | Children's,Comedy film,family movie
In 2007, "Alvin and the Chipmunks," a multinational phenomenon to generations of fans.. Now Dr. Dolittle's Betty Thomas helms with Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney returning as the voices of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.
Synopsis:
The lovable singing and dance trio of legendary marmots extends their big screen high jinks with this follow-up to the 20th Century Fox strike hit live action/CG family comedy, this time incorporating a female version of the group entitled the Chipettes.
Director: Betty Thomas
Starring: Starring: Jason Lee, Justin Long, David Cross, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Amy Poehler, Zachary Levi
Movie Trailer Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
In 2007, "Alvin and the Chipmunks," a multinational phenomenon to generations of fans.. Now Dr. Dolittle's Betty Thomas helms with Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney returning as the voices of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.
Synopsis:
The lovable singing and dance trio of legendary marmots extends their big screen high jinks with this follow-up to the 20th Century Fox strike hit live action/CG family comedy, this time incorporating a female version of the group entitled the Chipettes.
Director: Betty Thomas
Starring: Starring: Jason Lee, Justin Long, David Cross, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate, Amy Poehler, Zachary Levi
Movie Trailer Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Café’s Most Anticipated 2010 Films: Part One
2009 has been once again a great year for films and moviegoers with many great receptions, hypes and record breaking. But it’s now a time to close the book and write a new chapter of this reel world, a chapter that will begin when 2010 sun rise in the sky. For the avid movie fan a new year comes with the salubrious promise of exaltation. But as usual the year produced films
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Saturday, December 26, 2009
In A Perfect World....
Here is my Kwanzaa update--I posted this last year, but I still haven't gotten over the sheer audacity and cajones this woman had for even thinking of this. I present to you the most disgusting cake in creation, set forth by one of the whitest women in creation; Sandra Lee's Kwanzaa cake. Who sanctioned this sh*t?
To my City Of Angels folkses, there is a Kwaanza parade starting at Crenshaw and Adams at noon (12/26/09) ending at Leimert Park. At 6pm there will be a candle lighting ceremony and a festival all day long:
Leimert Park Village Vision Lot: 43rd Street & Degnan -2 blocks east of Crenshaw Blvd on 43rd street 4300 Degnan Blvd , Los Angeles , 90008
Pee Wee + Little Drummer Boy + The Diva That Is Grace Jones = The Alchemy Of My Christmas Wishes And Dreams...beautiful days to everyone!
h/t undercover blackman
To my City Of Angels folkses, there is a Kwaanza parade starting at Crenshaw and Adams at noon (12/26/09) ending at Leimert Park. At 6pm there will be a candle lighting ceremony and a festival all day long:
Leimert Park Village Vision Lot: 43rd Street & Degnan -2 blocks east of Crenshaw Blvd on 43rd street 4300 Degnan Blvd , Los Angeles , 90008
Phone: (213) 955-5239
Pee Wee + Little Drummer Boy + The Diva That Is Grace Jones = The Alchemy Of My Christmas Wishes And Dreams...beautiful days to everyone!
h/t undercover blackman
Labels:
absolute hotness,
no words
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
PG-13 | Adventure Movie
The setting is sixth century Persia. Ubisoft's popular video game serials of the same name gets adapted for the big screen in this sweeping fantasy adventure.
Synopsis:
A nefarious nobleman covets the Sands of Time, a legendary gift from the gods that allows its owner to turn back time. Whoever has the Sands of Time has the force to rule the world, and this villainous lord would use that ability to enslave all of humanity. The only person capable of overcoming this tyrant and keeping the world is Dastan (Gyllenhaal), a young prince. Now, with plucky princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) by his position, Dastan will effort to keep the Sands of Time from falling into the wrong hands.
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton, Alfred Molina, Toby Kebbell
Movie Trailer Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
BuyPlayStation 2 game Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
The setting is sixth century Persia. Ubisoft's popular video game serials of the same name gets adapted for the big screen in this sweeping fantasy adventure.
Synopsis:
A nefarious nobleman covets the Sands of Time, a legendary gift from the gods that allows its owner to turn back time. Whoever has the Sands of Time has the force to rule the world, and this villainous lord would use that ability to enslave all of humanity. The only person capable of overcoming this tyrant and keeping the world is Dastan (Gyllenhaal), a young prince. Now, with plucky princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) by his position, Dastan will effort to keep the Sands of Time from falling into the wrong hands.
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton, Alfred Molina, Toby Kebbell
Movie Trailer Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
BuyPlayStation 2 game Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
Labels:
Adaptation,
Adventure
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sherlock Holmes: Refreshing And Fun Adventure
It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen any Sherlock Holmes movies, and this Guy Ritchie’s film where the British director taken the liberty to introduce this generation’s audiences to one of the finest detectives in the big screen is a smartly move. Our first impression of the character is absolutely the boring moustache man who smokes a pipe, wearing a checked hat, and going around dark valleys poking his nose into
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Labels:
2009 review,
action film,
comedy movie,
holiday movies,
Movie stills,
thriller
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Bodyguards and Assassins: Stand Out In Production Values
If last year we have “Ip Man” as our best martial arts spectacle for winter holiday, this year Teddy Chan’s epic martial arts “Bodyguards and Assassins” is absolutely the one that worth checking for. Brings once again Donnie Yen, now the highest paid actor in China, together with an all-star cast in a thrilling story of how a group of kung fu fighters band together to protect revolutionary
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Labels:
2009 review,
action film,
Asian Drama,
holiday movies,
Hongkong Film,
Movie stills,
thriller
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Avatar Did A Wonderfull Business In The Box Office
Though storms in the East Coast America likely will frost any movie's prospects to gather big box office result, but the glowingly reviewed “Avatar” lived up to its epic expectations by securing a very decent $27 million on its Friday opening. The number was good enough to give it second place in terms of films that have opened on a Friday in December, behind only
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Labels:
action film,
box office,
holiday movies,
science fiction
Monday, December 21, 2009
How Bout Some Trailers?
Okay, regarding my last post--I thought Darktown Strutters would be interesting based on it's premise, but I must say I did not love it. At all. Any movie that randomly has The Dramatics pop up in a jail cell in full costumes doing a full performance with Temptations-like choreography gets a huge side-eye from me. Why were movies that weren't dramas in the 70's so effin weird? I know it was a time of rampant drug use, and a lot of films from that decade were hard evidence of that...from "Tommy" to "Heavy Traffic" to "Darktown Strutters" just to name a few--they were just so disjointed, so horribly edited and all over the place with zero cohesiveness. *sigh* Thank goodness for Fred Williamson...
Anyway, let's view a few trailers, yes? These films at least have a linear storyline, but let me know if you find them interesting (personally I can't wait to see "Brooklyn's Finest"). I will get around to writing about the zillions of films I've seen in the past month and a half.
First up, Chris Rock's remake of "Death At A Funeral", with Danny Glover, Tracy Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Martin Lawrence, and my next husband, fine ass James Marsden.. I've had the original on Tivo for the longest, but still can't get myself to watch it....I would like to see the original before viewing this one with a Black cast-I'd like to see if they made it any different--or better:
Then we have this one, which is not really a Black film, but Sanaa Lathan (down with the swirl once again) was tweeting about how "proud" she was of it. When I first read about this film a year ago, it also got the side-eye from me, and after viewing this trailer, it now has a bigger one; Michael K. Williams from "The Wire" nonwithstanding. I dunno...:
I will be working with the publicity team on this one, so expect to see more about this film--hope you likey, at least for the novelty of seeing Wesley Snipes with back-length cornrows..."Brooklyn's Finest" (Michael K is in this one too, as well as The Cheadle, who I always like a lot more in crime thrillers):
Btw, here is a clip from Darktown Strutters; watch at your own risk (and yes, that is Roger Mosely...the chick is actually the first Black Bond girl for you trivia buffs):
Anyway, let's view a few trailers, yes? These films at least have a linear storyline, but let me know if you find them interesting (personally I can't wait to see "Brooklyn's Finest"). I will get around to writing about the zillions of films I've seen in the past month and a half.
First up, Chris Rock's remake of "Death At A Funeral", with Danny Glover, Tracy Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Martin Lawrence, and my next husband, fine ass James Marsden.. I've had the original on Tivo for the longest, but still can't get myself to watch it....I would like to see the original before viewing this one with a Black cast-I'd like to see if they made it any different--or better:
Then we have this one, which is not really a Black film, but Sanaa Lathan (down with the swirl once again) was tweeting about how "proud" she was of it. When I first read about this film a year ago, it also got the side-eye from me, and after viewing this trailer, it now has a bigger one; Michael K. Williams from "The Wire" nonwithstanding. I dunno...:
I will be working with the publicity team on this one, so expect to see more about this film--hope you likey, at least for the novelty of seeing Wesley Snipes with back-length cornrows..."Brooklyn's Finest" (Michael K is in this one too, as well as The Cheadle, who I always like a lot more in crime thrillers):
Btw, here is a clip from Darktown Strutters; watch at your own risk (and yes, that is Roger Mosely...the chick is actually the first Black Bond girl for you trivia buffs):
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Brothers
R | 1 hr 50 mins | Drama Movie
When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and kids at home with results that will rock the foundation of the whole family.
Synopsis:
Jim Sheridan helms this make over of Susanne Bier's 2004 war melodrama, this time with Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal making the lead roles of two blood brothers torn between war and love in this Relativity Media product. Maguire stars as a soldier who's sent to Afghanistan as his deadbeat brother (Gyllenhaal) stays at home with his sibling's wife (Natalie Portman) and kids.
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Bailee Madison, Taylor Geare, Patrick Flueger, Sam Shepard, Mare Winningham, Clifton Collins Jr., Josh Berry
Movie Trailer Brothers
When a decorated Marine goes missing overseas, his black-sheep younger brother cares for his wife and kids at home with results that will rock the foundation of the whole family.
Synopsis:
Jim Sheridan helms this make over of Susanne Bier's 2004 war melodrama, this time with Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal making the lead roles of two blood brothers torn between war and love in this Relativity Media product. Maguire stars as a soldier who's sent to Afghanistan as his deadbeat brother (Gyllenhaal) stays at home with his sibling's wife (Natalie Portman) and kids.
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Bailee Madison, Taylor Geare, Patrick Flueger, Sam Shepard, Mare Winningham, Clifton Collins Jr., Josh Berry
Movie Trailer Brothers
Labels:
drama
Friday, December 18, 2009
TIVO ALERT! You want to see this...really!
Hey guys: will be back later today--wanted you all to please, please Tivo this if you can....thanks Dennis from Reelblack!
TIVO ALERT
DARKTOWN STRUTTERS ON TCM TONIGHT! Greetings!Turner Classic Movies' UNDERGROUND series shine the spotlight on two long neglected musical comedies from the blaxploitation era. At 2am, they will air DARKTOWN STRUTTERS (1975), which is filmmaker Mike D's favorite guilty pleasure movie from the 70s. At 3:45 they will screen THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY, a miserable film which featured Donna Summer in her acting debut, and won an Oscar for the disco classic "Last Dance." Between the two films, they will screen a rare featurette starring Redd Foxx about the making of his feature film, NORMAN IS THAT YOU (1976).
From IW: Here is the trailer for "Norman Is That You?" with Redd Foxx and Pearl Bailey. How do you think this movie would fly if it were made today?
Labels:
black cinema history,
throwback films
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Planet 51
PG | 1 hr 31 mins | Comedy, animation movie
" Planet 51" is a galactic sized animated alien adventure comedy focusing on American astronaut Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker, who lands on Planet 51 believing he's the first person to step foot on it.
Synopsis:
To his surprise, he gets that this planet is populated by little green citizenry who are happily living in a white picket fence world reminiscent of a cheerfully innocent 1950s America, and whose only concern is that it will be invaded by alien invaders...like Chuck! With the help of his robot companion "Rover" and his new friend Lem, Chuck must voyage his way through the dazzling, but amazing, landscape of Planet 51 in order to escape becoming a lasting part of the Planet 51 Alien Invaders Space Museum.
Director: Jorge Blanco
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott, John Cleese
Movie Trailer Planet 51
" Planet 51" is a galactic sized animated alien adventure comedy focusing on American astronaut Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker, who lands on Planet 51 believing he's the first person to step foot on it.
Synopsis:
To his surprise, he gets that this planet is populated by little green citizenry who are happily living in a white picket fence world reminiscent of a cheerfully innocent 1950s America, and whose only concern is that it will be invaded by alien invaders...like Chuck! With the help of his robot companion "Rover" and his new friend Lem, Chuck must voyage his way through the dazzling, but amazing, landscape of Planet 51 in order to escape becoming a lasting part of the Planet 51 Alien Invaders Space Museum.
Director: Jorge Blanco
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Justin Long, Gary Oldman, Seann William Scott, John Cleese
Movie Trailer Planet 51
Avatar: The Showcase Of Cameron’s Best Abilities
Twelve years after James Cameron captivated moviegoers with his surprise hit, “Titanic”, the man is back with another sensational, entertaining, sheer spectacle. A film that's been more than ten years in the making, “Avatar”, truly lived up its hype as a film that pioneered technology while inventing techniques that will be used by other filmmakers for years to come. The trailers that for many people are unimpressive enough truly
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Monday, December 14, 2009
Sherlock Holmes
PG-13 | 2 hr 14 mins | Action, Mystery Movie
In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, "Sherlock Holmes" sends Holmes and his steady partner Watson on their latest challenge
Synopsis:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous super-sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, gets an update with this adaptation of Lionel Wigram's comic book series by writer/director Guy Ritchie (RocknRolla) starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular detective, with Jude Law stepping into the shoes of his sidekick, Dr. Watson. Leading up the rest of the cast are RocknRolla's Mark Strong as the film's villain, Blackwood, and Rachel McAdams portraying the love concern, Irene Adler.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly
Movie Trailer Sherlock Holmes
Buy Sherlock Holmes Blu-ray and action figures:
In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, "Sherlock Holmes" sends Holmes and his steady partner Watson on their latest challenge
Synopsis:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous super-sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, gets an update with this adaptation of Lionel Wigram's comic book series by writer/director Guy Ritchie (RocknRolla) starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular detective, with Jude Law stepping into the shoes of his sidekick, Dr. Watson. Leading up the rest of the cast are RocknRolla's Mark Strong as the film's villain, Blackwood, and Rachel McAdams portraying the love concern, Irene Adler.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly
Movie Trailer Sherlock Holmes
Buy Sherlock Holmes Blu-ray and action figures:
Labels:
Action,
Adaptation,
Mystery
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Are You Ready To Face The Crazies Again?
We obviously can’t stay away anymore from all classic flick recycle that overloaded the Hollywood today, especially from the horror genre. And those that keep considered to reimaginate are the archetypes from Grandfather of the Zombie George A. Romero, since he’s best known for his gruesome and satirical horror films about a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. Romero’s
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Disturbing Picture Of The Week...
Okay, we all knew the real deal about what when on in the GA with Katt, though not too many wanted to say it: straight cracka-docia moves.
Now I see this sh*t, with the ultra-bailing perm. This latest mugshot is even more disturbing than the last one. A negro that keeps his perm fresh at all times that doesn't bother to get a touch up in weeks? All signs point to not good at all...please Katt, come back up and recognize the gifts God gave you, before we have another Pryor on our hands.
Labels:
crack-level ash,
damn damn damn james,
shenanigans
The Princess and the Frog
G | 1 hr 35 mins | Musical, Children's, Family movie
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical "The Princess and the Frog," an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans.
Synopsis:
After being summoned back to the Mouse House by Pixar founder John Lasseter in 2006, Alladin and Treasure Planet directors Ron Clements and John Musker join forces once again for this traditionally animated 2-D fantasy for the entire family, set in New Orleans. Former Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose will voice the lead character Tiana, Disney's first African-American heroine in their long heritage of fairy tale animated features. Also in the voice cast is Keith David, lending his baritone chords to the film's villain, Dr. Facilier.
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey
Movie Trailer The Princess and the Frog
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical "The Princess and the Frog," an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans.
Synopsis:
After being summoned back to the Mouse House by Pixar founder John Lasseter in 2006, Alladin and Treasure Planet directors Ron Clements and John Musker join forces once again for this traditionally animated 2-D fantasy for the entire family, set in New Orleans. Former Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose will voice the lead character Tiana, Disney's first African-American heroine in their long heritage of fairy tale animated features. Also in the voice cast is Keith David, lending his baritone chords to the film's villain, Dr. Facilier.
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Starring: Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey
Movie Trailer The Princess and the Frog
Grand Homecoming Of The Martial Arts True legend
There are already several anticipated epic martial arts titles for the next New Year. Beside Chow Yun Fat’s “Confucius” and Donnie Yen’s “14 Blades”, I especially look forward to the release of “True Legend”, since this film marks the legendary kung fu moviemaker’s first triumphant return to solo directing in nearly 15 years. Prior to his work as a high-profile action director on films such as “The Matrix” trilogy, “Kung Fu
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
Lightning Thief Begin The First Year Of Percy Jackson
It seems that the Greek Mythology theme will rise to popularity once again in the beginning of 2010, cause before we see many of those Greek Gods returning to the big screen in “Clash of the Titans” remake, an adaptation flick from kid novel about son of Poseideon, “Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief", will also begin its journey in the cinema. Despite disappointing
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Old Dogs
PG | 1 hr 28 mins | Comedy Movie
Two best friends; one unlucky-in-love divorcee (Robin Williams) and the other a fun loving bachelor (John Travolta) have their lives turned upside down when they're unexpectedly charged with the care of six year old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives.
Synopsis:
John Travolta and Robin Williams team up in the Walt Disney Company's Old Dogs, a family comedy that pairs the two as close business partners whose lives are thrown into disarray when twin seven-year-olds are put into their care. Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston, co-stars, along with the couple's daughter, Ella, who makes her big-screen debut here. Wild Hogs helmer Walter Becker directs a script by Evolution scribes David Diamond and David Weissman, with producing duties going to Andrew Panay, Peter Abrams, and Robert Levy.
Director: Walt Becker
Starring: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Ella Bleu Travolta, Lori Loughlin, Matt Dillon
Movie Trailer Old Dogs
Two best friends; one unlucky-in-love divorcee (Robin Williams) and the other a fun loving bachelor (John Travolta) have their lives turned upside down when they're unexpectedly charged with the care of six year old twins while on the verge of the biggest business deal of their lives.
Synopsis:
John Travolta and Robin Williams team up in the Walt Disney Company's Old Dogs, a family comedy that pairs the two as close business partners whose lives are thrown into disarray when twin seven-year-olds are put into their care. Travolta's wife, Kelly Preston, co-stars, along with the couple's daughter, Ella, who makes her big-screen debut here. Wild Hogs helmer Walter Becker directs a script by Evolution scribes David Diamond and David Weissman, with producing duties going to Andrew Panay, Peter Abrams, and Robert Levy.
Director: Walt Becker
Starring: John Travolta, Robin Williams, Kelly Preston, Seth Green, Ella Bleu Travolta, Lori Loughlin, Matt Dillon
Movie Trailer Old Dogs
Labels:
comedy
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Blind Side: An Endearing And Inspiring Life Story
A Thanksgiving legitimate box office smash, “The Blind Side” that give the vampire romance “Twilight Saga: New Moon” a run for its money, is a delightful, inspirational story of Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher. The true story which also was based on the 2006 book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” by Michael Lewis grossed a very strong $34,5 million in its opening weekend. It set the highest-grossing
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Labels:
2009 review,
drama movie,
fall movies,
Movie stills,
true story
Sunday, November 29, 2009
In Praise Of Precious....
This is a repost of a guest blog I did on my blogging brother Rippa, aka Rip Dem Up's spot: "The Intersection Of Madness and Reality". Please check him out...he mixes things up over there on a daily basis. Warning--he may piss you off and he loves to do that! PS Thanks to my new followers for doing so, tho I haven't posted in a millennium--love you!
I haven't blogged in a long time--it's not that I haven't wanted to, or had writers block, but somehow I couldn't seem to make the effort. Rippa challenged me to write my thoughts regarding the movie Precious, and the hoopla surrounding it, after reading my heartfelt tweets/anger about the sad folks that started a website to recruit people not to see the film. I mean WTF??
Listen people. I am what you would call the hugest Black Cinema enthusiast. I am completely involved in it every day, whether directly or indirectly via the internet. And for the life of me I cannot understand this backlash on Precious on any level--especially because the bulk of it seems to come from folks who've never even bothered to see it.
I have a blog on Black Cinema, entitled Black Cinema At Large...and on it we have discussed quite often and many times over the problem with Black film today. Most of the common complaints that I have read on my blog are actually addressed and handled beautifully in this film. Want some examples? Here we go:
All we ever get to represent us on screen is either a Tyler Perry film or a Black man in a dress.
This one is easy. Though Tyler Perry executive produced this film, there is absolutely no whiff whatsoever of any Perryism, and only real women play the women, and even 99% of them weren't wearing dresses.
1) Why can't we have a film starring Black people that is just a story? 2) Why do we always have film that puts our pain on screen?
The themes in Precious are universal. There are far, far too many people in the world that are suffering because of poverty and ignorance, not just us. Incest, poverty, and violence are real, in every culture, and happen every single day. Are they never to be addressed on film? This story could happen to anyone, and director Lee Daniels keeps the scenes involving the incest and violence to a minimum, if only just to show the challenges Precious had to break away from. The very focal point of the story is Precious' journey toward enlightenment from darkness. Would it have been easier to view if Precious was light, or was thin, or had long hair? Be honest when you answer that.
1) We are so tired of rappers and singers instead of Black Hollywood actors getting all of the roles in Black film. 2) We never get to see any up and comers given a chance, we see the same actors over and over.
Okay, so Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey are in it. But guess what? Their parts are small, and they actually added some good performances to the story. Lee Daniels made sure that they earned their place in his film--they were not missteps. The main roles are played by someone who has never sang or rapped, Mo'nique, and by newcomer Gabby Sidibe. As I'm sure you've heard or saw by now, both of these actresses put their FOOT in it. Even Paula Patton, who I've never been particularly impressed with as an actress, did an amazing job as Precious' teacher. The students, all unknowns, were completely natural and believable.
When we get a decent Black film made, it never gets any hype or publicity and fades away. All we are left with is coonery.
Ummm...even if you haven't seen this film, you know that it has gotten publicity in a major way, along with tons of major accolades. It broke box office records in it's limited release, and has slowly been expanded it all major markets. This film causes us to actually think, which Americans are probably not used to when watching a movie, and is a Black film that is completely coon free as well--can most wrap their mind around that?
The music and soundtracks in Black film are so awful--what happened to the soundtracks we wanted to buy in the 70's (and 90's)?
When I worked for The Studio That Will Henceforth Remained Unnamed, I was always saying that the soundtrack is an essential tool in creating and effective and compelling film. Daniels seriously knows the value in it as well, and weaves throughout the story added layers of amazing narrative through music; Labelle, Mary J. Blige (produced by Raphael Saadiq), Mahalia Jackson, Queen Latifah; all strong and talented women that came from humble beginnings. And he didn't take the easy way out by filling it with Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey.
The Black Hollywood elite never use their money or clout to back Black films.
Oprah and Tyler Perry? Nuff said
The fact is, if you are paying attention at all, you would know that Precious isn't all about pain, or being ghetto, or fathers raping their daughters, or Black stereotypes. It is about Precious breaking through a foundation of generations of ignorance. Her mother has no value for anything but the basest human functions--food, sex, and TV. Her mind cannot expand beyond what is happening inside of her house, and can barely expand beyond her own animal instincts and thought. Precious lives in the peripheral vision of her mother's mind, only to be recognized when she is hungry, angry, or horny.
The sheer weight of the legacy Precious has to handle, not alone her real weight, make her life almost unbearable. The only difference between Precious and her mother is that Precious has a small ray of hope (though she has no reason to), that she desperately clings to like a life preserver, hoping that one day someone will pull on it and lift her up. She escapes her real life through daydreams and fantasies, until the real life and daydreams start to meld. Yes, tragedy does bring her to a place of enlightenment, but isn't that the case with everyone on this planet? Isn't that why we're here? Does anyone learn anything from having it easy all the time? If you know someone like that, I would be interested to hear about it.
The ignorance of parents passed on to their children is absolutely real. I have been blessed in this life to have two parents that both have their master's degrees, and I have had some very hard and severe challenges in my life with both of them and in life, even on that foundation. But doing some volunteer work in West Oakland (historically a poverty ridden area for a few decades) years ago brought my awareness to a new level....I had always taken for granted so many things that the youth in the community had no knowledge of---the level of ignorance was absolutely crushing....it made me very sad, and very reflective for quite some time. Most of the sadness came from knowing that most of these kids were good, and had so much potential, but it would never be realized because these kids would never be able to move beyond the tools their parents gave them, which was barely above survival level. Most of them had never even been to San Francisco, across the bridge and only 4 miles away.
Precious was able to break free, and the joy of this film is seeing her journey--how when she hears her teacher and her lover speak, she says that "they sound like a channel I don't watch" and instead of being intimidated, strives to be more like them. We see her in a fantastic scene--where the images and sounds surrounding her from all angles; Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, the race and civil rights struggle--are slowly but surely chipping away her blindness. Her sheer determination and inexplicable force of will propel her to a life outside of the one she inherited, and though her life does not end up being challenge free, she is a testament that our lives are what we make them to be, and we are the ones solely responsible. And if that is cause for protest, then I got nothin'.
On an added note, anyone who knows anything about producer/director Lee Daniels knows that he consistently and repeatedly steps out of the box. I actually started my blog because of his film "Shadowboxer", because of the unfairness I felt is received from the critics. From that film (with elements of stepmother, son incest), to the very excellent and underrated "The Woodsman" (with pedophilia) to "Monster's Ball" (interracial love and sex) to Precious, Daniels creates images and themes that stir up a myriad of emotions in folks--admiration, reflection, sadness, excitement, anger--everyone has their own interpretation.....and after all, isn't that what art's ultimately supposed to do? If you can't support the content of his films, just be glad that something creative is being done by and for Black people--the studios are watching your every move!
To all of the people who still hate this film, and continue to be vocal about it, I invite you all to marinate on all of the recent studio greenlit Black films coming to a theater near you: Why Did I Get Married 2, Big Mamma's House 3, and Beverly Hills Cop 4---carry on!
I haven't blogged in a long time--it's not that I haven't wanted to, or had writers block, but somehow I couldn't seem to make the effort. Rippa challenged me to write my thoughts regarding the movie Precious, and the hoopla surrounding it, after reading my heartfelt tweets/anger about the sad folks that started a website to recruit people not to see the film. I mean WTF??
Listen people. I am what you would call the hugest Black Cinema enthusiast. I am completely involved in it every day, whether directly or indirectly via the internet. And for the life of me I cannot understand this backlash on Precious on any level--especially because the bulk of it seems to come from folks who've never even bothered to see it.
I have a blog on Black Cinema, entitled Black Cinema At Large...and on it we have discussed quite often and many times over the problem with Black film today. Most of the common complaints that I have read on my blog are actually addressed and handled beautifully in this film. Want some examples? Here we go:
All we ever get to represent us on screen is either a Tyler Perry film or a Black man in a dress.
This one is easy. Though Tyler Perry executive produced this film, there is absolutely no whiff whatsoever of any Perryism, and only real women play the women, and even 99% of them weren't wearing dresses.
1) Why can't we have a film starring Black people that is just a story? 2) Why do we always have film that puts our pain on screen?
The themes in Precious are universal. There are far, far too many people in the world that are suffering because of poverty and ignorance, not just us. Incest, poverty, and violence are real, in every culture, and happen every single day. Are they never to be addressed on film? This story could happen to anyone, and director Lee Daniels keeps the scenes involving the incest and violence to a minimum, if only just to show the challenges Precious had to break away from. The very focal point of the story is Precious' journey toward enlightenment from darkness. Would it have been easier to view if Precious was light, or was thin, or had long hair? Be honest when you answer that.
1) We are so tired of rappers and singers instead of Black Hollywood actors getting all of the roles in Black film. 2) We never get to see any up and comers given a chance, we see the same actors over and over.
Okay, so Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey are in it. But guess what? Their parts are small, and they actually added some good performances to the story. Lee Daniels made sure that they earned their place in his film--they were not missteps. The main roles are played by someone who has never sang or rapped, Mo'nique, and by newcomer Gabby Sidibe. As I'm sure you've heard or saw by now, both of these actresses put their FOOT in it. Even Paula Patton, who I've never been particularly impressed with as an actress, did an amazing job as Precious' teacher. The students, all unknowns, were completely natural and believable.
When we get a decent Black film made, it never gets any hype or publicity and fades away. All we are left with is coonery.
Ummm...even if you haven't seen this film, you know that it has gotten publicity in a major way, along with tons of major accolades. It broke box office records in it's limited release, and has slowly been expanded it all major markets. This film causes us to actually think, which Americans are probably not used to when watching a movie, and is a Black film that is completely coon free as well--can most wrap their mind around that?
The music and soundtracks in Black film are so awful--what happened to the soundtracks we wanted to buy in the 70's (and 90's)?
When I worked for The Studio That Will Henceforth Remained Unnamed, I was always saying that the soundtrack is an essential tool in creating and effective and compelling film. Daniels seriously knows the value in it as well, and weaves throughout the story added layers of amazing narrative through music; Labelle, Mary J. Blige (produced by Raphael Saadiq), Mahalia Jackson, Queen Latifah; all strong and talented women that came from humble beginnings. And he didn't take the easy way out by filling it with Lenny Kravitz and Mariah Carey.
The Black Hollywood elite never use their money or clout to back Black films.
Oprah and Tyler Perry? Nuff said
The fact is, if you are paying attention at all, you would know that Precious isn't all about pain, or being ghetto, or fathers raping their daughters, or Black stereotypes. It is about Precious breaking through a foundation of generations of ignorance. Her mother has no value for anything but the basest human functions--food, sex, and TV. Her mind cannot expand beyond what is happening inside of her house, and can barely expand beyond her own animal instincts and thought. Precious lives in the peripheral vision of her mother's mind, only to be recognized when she is hungry, angry, or horny.
The sheer weight of the legacy Precious has to handle, not alone her real weight, make her life almost unbearable. The only difference between Precious and her mother is that Precious has a small ray of hope (though she has no reason to), that she desperately clings to like a life preserver, hoping that one day someone will pull on it and lift her up. She escapes her real life through daydreams and fantasies, until the real life and daydreams start to meld. Yes, tragedy does bring her to a place of enlightenment, but isn't that the case with everyone on this planet? Isn't that why we're here? Does anyone learn anything from having it easy all the time? If you know someone like that, I would be interested to hear about it.
The ignorance of parents passed on to their children is absolutely real. I have been blessed in this life to have two parents that both have their master's degrees, and I have had some very hard and severe challenges in my life with both of them and in life, even on that foundation. But doing some volunteer work in West Oakland (historically a poverty ridden area for a few decades) years ago brought my awareness to a new level....I had always taken for granted so many things that the youth in the community had no knowledge of---the level of ignorance was absolutely crushing....it made me very sad, and very reflective for quite some time. Most of the sadness came from knowing that most of these kids were good, and had so much potential, but it would never be realized because these kids would never be able to move beyond the tools their parents gave them, which was barely above survival level. Most of them had never even been to San Francisco, across the bridge and only 4 miles away.
Precious was able to break free, and the joy of this film is seeing her journey--how when she hears her teacher and her lover speak, she says that "they sound like a channel I don't watch" and instead of being intimidated, strives to be more like them. We see her in a fantastic scene--where the images and sounds surrounding her from all angles; Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, the race and civil rights struggle--are slowly but surely chipping away her blindness. Her sheer determination and inexplicable force of will propel her to a life outside of the one she inherited, and though her life does not end up being challenge free, she is a testament that our lives are what we make them to be, and we are the ones solely responsible. And if that is cause for protest, then I got nothin'.
On an added note, anyone who knows anything about producer/director Lee Daniels knows that he consistently and repeatedly steps out of the box. I actually started my blog because of his film "Shadowboxer", because of the unfairness I felt is received from the critics. From that film (with elements of stepmother, son incest), to the very excellent and underrated "The Woodsman" (with pedophilia) to "Monster's Ball" (interracial love and sex) to Precious, Daniels creates images and themes that stir up a myriad of emotions in folks--admiration, reflection, sadness, excitement, anger--everyone has their own interpretation.....and after all, isn't that what art's ultimately supposed to do? If you can't support the content of his films, just be glad that something creative is being done by and for Black people--the studios are watching your every move!
To all of the people who still hate this film, and continue to be vocal about it, I invite you all to marinate on all of the recent studio greenlit Black films coming to a theater near you: Why Did I Get Married 2, Big Mamma's House 3, and Beverly Hills Cop 4---carry on!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Ninja Assassin
R | 1 hr 39 mins | Action Movie
Fear not the weapon but the hand that wields it.
Synopsis:
Raizo is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them...and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge. In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow, Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi, to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan.
Director: James McTeigue
Starring: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Sho Kosugi, Rick Yune
Movie Trailer Ninja Assassin
Buy DVD Ninja Assassin, Blu-ray and Ninja Assassin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Fear not the weapon but the hand that wields it.
Synopsis:
Raizo is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them...and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge. In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow, Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi, to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan.
Director: James McTeigue
Starring: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Sho Kosugi, Rick Yune
Movie Trailer Ninja Assassin
Buy DVD Ninja Assassin, Blu-ray and Ninja Assassin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Labels:
Action
Friday, November 27, 2009
The Angels Will Come Forth In Legion
The “Legion” story takes place after God loses faith in humanity. Using his legion of angels as the act of Biblical judgment, God's wrath descends on Earth to exterminate the world's population. Meanwhile, the archangel Michael (Paul Bettany) comes to stand between mankind and the Judgment Day. In a desperate, last-chance gambit, Michael leads a group of strangers, including
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Monday, November 23, 2009
New Moon’s Hallway of Achievement
In its first opening day, "Twilight" sequel "New Moon" set box office history with breaking all records for midnight runs, grossing a whopping $26 million as it debuted in 3,514 theaters at 12:01 am on Friday. The score easily beats the $22.2 million collected by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" this summer. Even "The Dark Knight" which eventually
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Labels:
box office,
fall movies,
sequel movies
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Twilight Saga New Moon: Tortured, Pained, Distant and Difficult Sequel
The first of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series books was published four years ago, like a fast train it has now become a global phenomena every bit as huge as Harry Potter with just four novels and one smash hit movie. The success of “Twilight” caught Hollywood and the rest of the world by storm when the first adaptation arrived in theaters late last year. This year, the second film in the franchise, “New Moon” which
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Labels:
2009 review,
drama movie,
fall movies,
Movie stills,
sequel movies,
synopsis
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