Kiss Kiss Bang Bang es una peli de Shane Black de 2005. No me queda muy claro si es un enlatado de una peli más vieja o si simplemente es la versión de la novela de Brett Halliday, Bodies Are Where You Find Them.

La peli es protagonizada por Robert Downey Jr. en una excelente presentación. Esta vez acompañado de la bella Michelle Monaghan en un thriller de corte políciaco cargado de un fino humor y una narrativa bastante divertida. Casi que sería mejor catalogarla como un anti-héroe en una peli de cine negro, donde el protagonista es un ladrón, que se vuelve actor, detective, amante de la protagonista, vengador y antes que todo es el narrador de la peli.

La peli empieza con unos créditos magníficos elaborados por Danny Yount y luego un corte a una escena vintage en los 80’s donde un pequeño mago es saboteado por una niña malcriada quien recibe su merecido del supuesto padre.

De ahí en adelante la narración envuelve a Downey Jr, Monaghan, Val Kilmer, Larry Miller, Rockmond Dunbar, Angela Lindvall y Shannyn Sossamon en un vértigo de situaciones circunstanciales que desencadenan en un asombroso acto de magia y un final escalofriante para el thriller.

La razón de la excelente narración es la amplia experiencia de Black como escritor de Hollywood que va desde TODAS las versiones de Lethal Weapon (incluída la 5 que está en preproducción), The Long Kiss Goodninght en 1996 con Geena Davies, Craig Bierko, Samuel L. Jackson y Brian Cox, Last Action Hero en 1993 con Arnold Schwarzenegger, F. Murray Abraham, el finado Anthony Queen e Ian McKellen, y The Last Boy Scout en 1991 con Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans y Halle Berry. No son las pelis más profundas ni más interesantes pero me entretuvieron mucho en la era del colegio.

In 1994, I was excited about My So-Called Life and Friends, but not much else on the TV schedule caught my eye. A friend of mine loved ABC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, so I would go over there to hang out and watch it.

Being sci-fi buffs, we decided we should check out Earth 2, a new show that aired an hour before L&C on NBC. I have this tendency to at least try out all the new science-fiction shows, knowing that even if I like them, the odds of them surviving beyond one season are slim. I quickly gave up on M.A.N.T.I.S. over on Fox, but found myself more intrigued by Earth 2.

–>to continue reading, follow the link over to the full article on TV Squad

Vanessa A Williams Presents A Call to Men

On Saturday,March 7th, the “Saving Our Daughters” Book Series  came alive in front of 200 families at the Barnes & Noble Book Store at Camp Creek in Atlanta Georgia, for the first official book signing.

Special supporting celebrities joined featured book contributors, T.I., and Sean Garrett; which included Keshia Knight Pulliam of Madea Goes To Jail, Tyler Perry Producer Roger Bobb – who also brought his super star daughter, All My Children’s ABC Actress, Denise Vasi, Rockmond Dunbar from the hit series “Soul Food” and “The Family That Preys”, Lisa Wu Hartwell – from the Real House Wives of Atlanta, Bone Crusher, Moma Pain-T-Pain’s mother and surprised guest Mrs. Xernona Clayton – Founder of the Trumpet Awards came in support.

The book signing started off with an overwhelming poem from Russell Simon’s Def Jam Poet, Georgia Me, which followed by T.I.; speaking a few encouraging words to the single parent families who had suffered from domestic violence or other horrific acts of violence.

The Saving Our Daughters” From a Man’s Point of View is now available on BarnesandNoble.com,

Amazon.com, Target.com and www.amanspointofview.org.

Denice Vasi

Keep constant affirmation of your daugthers beauty, intellect, and uniqueness…

“Saving Our Daughters”, written by Curtis Benjamin and Karen Watts M Ed., is a book about what it takes to get save our young women from the superficial hype that will lead them in the wrong direction. This feature the input of Black male leaders in film, television, music and sports. Including the voice of TI, who has heavily promoted the book, Sean Garrett and many more.

Event Info:

Celebrities will come together to support our your girls and single parent families in Atlanta  for the Saving Our Daughters Book Signing.

Barnes & Noble at Camp Creek

March 7th from 3:00pm- 5:00pm.

Celebrities will include, T.I., Rockmond Dunbar from the Showtime Hit Series  “Soul Food” and “The Family That Preys”, Keshia Knight Pulliam of the Number 1 Movie in America, “Madea Goes To Jail’, Grammy Artist Sean Garrett,  Denise Vasi, from the popular soap opera “All MyChildren,” Rapper Bone Crusher, entrepreneur, and actress, Lisa Wu Hartwell, of the Bravo TV show “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” just to name a few.

More Info, Pics, Source, and Links after the break….

I believe this book will be an helpful for all young women, and even older women who still can’t figure out their self-worth! The fact the this is from a male perspective makes a world of difference when we are facing staggering statistics of father-less homes, sexual abuse, and teen pregnancies. Let’s face it a girl needs her dad, or at least a positive male figure to tell her she is a queen!

The images of women in the media are not a true depiction of a “real” woman, and I’m happy they where able to bring this book to life.

You can get the book at Amazon.com, but it is currently sold out.

Link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615232892/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=2718414261&ref=pd_sl_25a3wtwhph_e

Source

Tequilla W.

Histoire de faire un peu passer le temps en attendant le réveillon, je me suis mis un film au titre royalement pourri qui pourrait vous empêcher de le regarder. Et bien, ce serait une erreur si vous aimer les histoires à la The Thing. En gros, un groupe armé débarque dans une supérette à Buck Lake, petite bourgade d’Arizona. Ils sont accompagné d’un type qui leur dit qui tué, mais ça tourne mal et on découvrira bientôt que les morts étaient contaminés par des parasites Aliens. Sans détecteurs, ils doivent faire ça à l’ancienne, mais la police va venir tout compliquer.

Tout se passe dans la supérette, petit budget, comme on s’en doute. Il fait nuit, on ne sait pas qui est quoi. Le suspens est bien dosé, et on ne voit pas le temps passé. L’histoire est basique. On ne nous donne pas grand chose, mais on nous distille suffisamment d’informations pour tout comprendre, sans pour autant avoir besoin de connaître toute l’historique de qui a mené à la situation présente.

Bien entendu, comme souvent dans ce genre de huit-clos, c’est le casting qui fait la différence. On a donc Carlos Bernard, Matthew St Patrick Rockmond Dunbar, Courtney Ford et d’autres qui ne sont pas forcément des inconnus, genre on a du les voir faire les guest dans divers shows au cours des dernières années.

Bref, un petit thriller Sci Fi qui porte un titre tout droit sorti de la soirée du samedi soir sur Sci Fi Channel, mais qui vaut quand même le visionnage si on aime le genre, car c’est pas mal du tout.

B-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2008

(New York, NY) Queer Black Cinema International Film and Music Festival will kick off Thursday, October 30th in New York with a night of live acoustic soul music performances by LGBT & LGBT friendly artists.  Festival goers will have a great opportunity to mix and mingle with filmmakers and industry professionals over smooth music and delicious chocolate treats.  The festival will continue Friday, October 31st with the New York and Opening Gala film of Kortney Ryan Ziegler’s “Still Black:  A Portrait of Transmen.” The film is a one-of-a-kind documentary that explores the everyday triumphs and tribulations of Black transmen.  “Still Black” is co-produced by Awilda Rodriguez Lora featuring Kylar Broadus, Carl Madgett, Louis Mitchell, Nicholas Rashad, Jay Welch and Ethan Young. QBC Int’l Film and Music Festival will take place October 30 – November 2nd at the Brecht Forum 451 West Street (between Bank & Bethune Streets), New York, NY 10014.  For more information on volunteering, sponsorship and/or tickets go to www.queerblackcinema.org.

“Still Black:  A Portrait of Black Transmen” is a neo-noir documentary that explores the lives of six Black transgender men living in the US.  Through the personal stories of their lives as artists, students, husbands, fathers, lawyers, and teachers, the film offers viewers a complex and multi-faceted image of race, sexuality, and trans-identity.

Trans theme films are becoming more visible with the new wave of film festivals that are trans centered.  However, people of color trans them fillms are still few far and beyond to exist, particularly films with people of color subjects made by People of Color filmmakers.  Ziegler and co-producer Awilda Rodriguez Lora, have taken on the challenges to use this film as a catalyst heighten the visibility and uniqueness of Black transmen- a group deeded obscure compared to the dominant images of transwomen.

Ziegler is no stranger to the academic arena as well.  She is best known for her “controversial” blog, BLAC (K) ADEMIC.  Currently, a doctoral candidate at Northwestern University, Kortney’s scholarly work focuses on queer performance art and experimental queer cinema.  The intellectual artist highlights and examines the films of Isaac Julien; queer artist, La Performera; hokum blues singer, Gladys Bentley; and drag king extroardinaire, Dred.  Kortney presented at numerous conferences in San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Chicago including screening her past work at Queer Black Cinema’s monthly film series, Frameline, Seattle Transgender Film Festival and Queer Women of Color International Film Festival at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

“Screening ‘Still Black’ is not only an honor for QBC but a necessity.  Many people whether they are a part of the gay and lesbian community or not still do understand fully the difference between sexuality and gender or what it means to experience transphobia and racism.  For some, the only image in film that has any transgender people of color as a reference famous actors and comedians who trade suits for dresses and perform in drag for comedic effect.  Many have misconstrued what it is like to be a transgender person in the real world- not a parody.  Universal 1999 film, “Life” featuring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence attempts to discuss LGBT issues when the ‘Biscuit’ character played by Miguel A. Nuncey Jr. portrays a gay man (transwoman or dressed as women) who is up for parol but chooses to get himself killed when he tries to escape, fearful of his family acceptance.  Famous mogul, P-Diddy, attempts to include trans people by casting transwoman, Laverne Cox on his reality show,  Some may argue he missed the mark because there were next to no discussion about transphobia and racism which clearly took place on his show and why some people including Cox’s colleagues reacted the way he did during a few of the competition tasks.  However, I applaud Diddy’s efforts to make trans people more visible particularly on a major channel like VH-1.”

“Screening ‘Still Black’ and having Kortney here to present the film shows our commitment to represent the ‘T’ in the LBGTQ community,” proclaims QBC executive director Angel L. Brown.  A panel discussion is scheduled to take place around “Still Black” ad special invited guest on the experiences of being a Transgender of color.

Other films set to screen at the multi-day film festival that are transgender-themed or speak to gender fluidity are Hanifah Walidah’s “U People and Crossing”- a short co-directed by Trans Entities stars, Ignacio Rivera and Khane Morris.

The festival focus lineup includes:  New York premiere and Closing Gala Film “Friends and Lovers” TV series/featured film based on “Ski Trip” directed by award winning filmmaker, Maurice Jamal. Jamal is known for working on hit TV show “The Dave Chapelle Show” as well as writer/director/producer of “Dirty Laundry” featuring Rockmond Dunbar and Loretta Devine.  The four day multi-media festival will pay tribute to LBGTQ youth of color who left us all too soon due to homophobic hate crimes with centerpiece film “Dreams Deferred:  The Sakia Gunn Project” by Chas Brack.  Hit, narrative film, “Truth Hall” by Jaden Dixon is also a Centerpiece that focuses on sisterhood and the drama and deep rooted secrets that go on from college into adulthood.  The film also includes important key issues about Black Women with HIV and will highlight QBC’s annual “Just Be:  The Black Gay Erotica Poetry and Short Film Competition on HIV/AIDS Awareness Prevention.  “Truth Hall” most recently premiered at Urban World Film Festival 2008 and was the opening film at the American Black Film Festival 2008.

Other titles include popular online urban lesbian of color hit web series, “The Lovers and Friends Show” by Charmine Johnson, “Bitch Can’t Get A Date!” featuring radio personality and comedian Keith Price, “Seen, But Not Heard” by award-winning pioneer filmmaker, Cyrille Phipps, QBC’s premier of KIN4Life, “Make Up Girl” music video and many other great music videos, short films and features about and from the Black LGBTQ experience/perspective.

“This year, Queer Black Cinema is premiering a well needed Black LGBTQ film festival in New York outside of the pride festivities.  With the support of the LGBTQ community, we aim to go beyond the average LGBT outreach by challenging and encouraging straight allies, movie goers and professional film critics to not only attend the festival but write about some of the most socially conscious well needed films that highlight the Black LTQ experience as well, “ Queer Black Cinema founder Angel L. Brown states.

All festivities screenings will be held at the Brecht Forum- 451 West Street (between Bank & Bethune Streets) New York, NY 10014.  For more information on tickets, programming, volunteering or sponsorship opportunities visit the Queer Black Cinema website at www.queerblackcinema.org.

…I just got back from seeing “Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys“, and I must say, I was so excited about this film that I almost left work an hour early, because I didn’t want to be in a crowded movie theater on Friday night, because I knew it would be PACKED! I arrived at the early evening show, and thanks to the slow concessionist, I missed the first few minutes of the film. .

As the movie progressed, I quickly realized the feeling I was having was NAUSEA! I felt a bit sick to my stomach to see Tyler Perry pandering to the same old Hollywood formula of the “faithful Negro” that sits by in a subservient position to their “all knowing” and wealthy white counterpart. That really pissed me off! I expected more from Tyler! In fact, I was so mad, I actually wrote him an email, which I doubt he’ll ever see, but my mind is now clear! LOL.

As always, I took a few notes, so I’ll just run of the litany of thoughts that I had in random order, and maybe try to make this “review” make some sense in the last few sentences! LMAO.

My random thoughts on “The Family That Preys“:

• STEREOTYPES: There were so many stereotypical roles here! Not just the “high-class, wealthy white woman with the poor Black inner city friend” stereotype, but also that of the “evil, educated Black woman”. I know this is the type of role that resonates with people, especially those without degrees or those who feel Black folks “get uppity” when they succeed at completing a college degree. I know that it’s always easier to pander to “the masses”, but the “standard box” that Sanaa Lathan was put in was just so tired. Must ALL educated Black women be “stuck up”? Do all the “non-educated” family members have to be resentful and quick to “pull your card” on how “uppity” you think you are now that you’ve “gotten your little degrees”? I guess so. And here’s another lame, though tried and true Black movie favorite: “The Faithful Brother”. Oh, Rockmond Dunbar was truly getting on my damn nerves with the “goody-two shoes” act, and it occurred to me that he’s probably being typecast now as “the nice guy”, but damn if he wasn’t that UNTIL HE SLAPPED THE SH!T OUTTA SANAA’S CHARACTER! That was SO not cool, and the fact that he faced no repercussions for that behavior isn’t cool either! It sends the message “it’s okay to slap Black women, if they piss you off“, and I could never agree with a man doing that! EVER! Of course, even after that, he redeems himself and gets the business he always wanted. I think we’re supposed to get the impression that he decided to be the bigger person and “help out” Sanaa’s character at the end of the movie when we see him hand her some money, and he kisses the little boy (that’s not really his son).
• RIDICULOUSNESS: Here’s something I HATE to see: a rich friend with a broke-ass best friend? What kind of damn sense does that make? There’s no way in hell I’m gonna have a friend that’s loaded with mansions and sh1t, and I’m sitting in the hood “struggling”! That’s bullsh1t! Though this may just be folklore, I’ve heard that when Oprah became a millionaire, she gave Gayle $1,000,001, so she could be a millionaire too. I thought that was the GREATEST and I decided then I’d do that for my friends when my millions start rolling in! LOL. The idea that somehow this friendship is maintained, even while one teeters on the brink of poverty is RIDICULOUS, and I know later in the movie, we find out that Alfre Woodard’s character really isn’t broke, but 3/4ths of the movie gives that perception, so “fixing things up” in the last 15 minutes doesn’t change much in my opinion. SMH.
• TYPECASTING? I think Sanaa Lathan’s going from being considered as “the good girl” to slut/b1tch. She’s slowly but surely taking on these roles that get her farther and farther away from the “Girl Next Door” and closer and closer to the “Home-wreckin’ hussie”! I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. Is that what one gets a Yale Masters degree in Drama for? Add to that, this is the SECOND time she’s been with a white boy (no wait, third, she was cheatin’ on Dean Cain in “Out of Time“), are we seeing a pattern here? Is she dissing the brother man for the “other man”? Let me stop! LOL. I just noticed she’s finding herself in the company of a number of white men lately…I’m sure I ain’t the only one that noticed!
• ROBIN GIVENS NEEDS A BEAT DOWN: I just haven’t liked her since she was on “Head of the Class“. Can someone please beat her ass?! LMAO. Her character was bland and so superficial to the film’s plot. She might as well have not been there, or better yet, he could have given a “no name actress” a shot, and it would have been just as good!
• GREAT MAKEUP! Lawd hammercy Alfre Woodard’s makeup was GREAT! I wish I could get my lips to look like that! LOL.
• TERRIBLE HAIR: Every damn Tyler Perry movie gets on my damn nerves with those STRAY HAIRS ON THE ACTORS HEADS! It happens ALL THE TIME!!! I’m guessing he does it because he wants the films to look “more authentic” in some way, but it just annoys the hell outta me! Makes me wanna take a brush and some “let’s jam” to each one of their hot ass mess heads! CTFU.
• TYLER PERRY’S HAIR WAS A HOT DAMN MESS! Whoever sewed that wig needs to be horsewhipped! LOL.
• KILL THE SOUTHERN ACCENTS PLEASE! Nuff said! That forced southern drawl got on my nerves the whole damn movie! So unnecessary!
• SOMMORE JR.: Who was the chick playing the office secretary? Was that Sommore’s bastard child? CTFU. Had to be!
• BEING “SUPER SAVED”: Did Alfre Woodard’s character have to be so “super saved”?! I mean, I know folks love the Lord, and enjoy church, be she was just being the stereotypical “overly churchy” Black woman, holding on to “the old rugged cross” as an excuse to not fully live her life or have any fun. That was just sad. But her throwing Holy Oil on that male stripper was HILARIOUS! LOL.
• HELPING THE HOMELESS: I can ALWAYS spot a “diamond in the ruff”. When I saw “Nick” the homeless guy, I was thinking “that bastard is too fine to be homeless, I could get him, clean him up, and we could be REAL happy together“! I knew all he needed was a new suit, a shave, and some soap and water! His role was so kitschy it made me throw up in my mouth a little bit! SMH.
• NO FRIENDS?: Was Alfre Woodard Kathy Bates’ character only friend? I know that had to be the most grammatically f*cked up sentence ever, but you get my point! ROFL. That funeral scene was looking pretty paltry! How is it that someone so rich and seemingly full of life couldn’t have a “packed funeral”? Moreover, how did Alfre Woodard turn out to be her best and only real friend?
• ENTREPRENEURIAL STAGNATION: Why were Tyler and the other characters so afraid to start their own business? Maybe it’s because I’m an aspiring major media mogul with entrepreneurial goals, but that just seemed a bit forced too. There’s no way I would encourage someone to go into business with me if they had so much damn hesitation and didn’t believe in themselves or my idea. In fact, there are people I’ve “left in the dust” thus far for that very reason! You don’t need people that don’t believe in, and can help you propel your thoughts and ambitions into action!
• STOP KILLING OFF KATHY BATES!: Ok, I might be in the minority here, but: I’M SICK OF KATHY BATES SUICIDES!! Quit killing her off! LOL. I had to deal with this in “Primary Colors“, now they do it again 10 years later! I can’t take this!

All this being said: I’ll still support Tyler Perry and continue to be the first to see his movies and plays! While I didn’t particularly care for this movie, I’d still recommend it to others because we really need to continue to support this Black man working and making a name for himself in Hollywood (even if I think his latest effort is pure tripe).

Alright, that’s about all I can think of now. I know it’s discombobulated and probably doesn’t make much sense to anyone, especially if they haven’t seen the movie. I also know that my ONE READER probably won’t have any idea what I’m talking about, but I write this in hopes that ONE DAY I’ll perhaps have a SECOND READER and they’ll be able to laugh out loud at my latest cinematic experience!

Tyler Perry, Sanaa Lathan, Taraji Henson, Alfre Woodard, Sebastian Siegel and others all attended the premiere of Tyler Perry’s “The Family That Preys” at Lowe’s Lincoln Square in NYC last night. “The Family That Preys” hits theaters this Friday Sept. 12. How many of you are going to check it out? Everyone looked nice last night. We think Tyler Perry is brilliant and really a true testament of what hard work, perseverance, talent, and unwavering faith in GOD will do for your life. Tyler covers the October issue of Ebony Magazine. We’ve read the article on him and it’s definitely something that everyone should pick up and read. They delve deep into his past of pain, and chronicle his at times bleak road to success. Perry earned $125million last year. He has created a film empire worth more than a $billion. If you’ve ever heard the man speak, you know that he is one of the most positive people in the industry. What really speaks volumes for Tyler Perry’s character is that in an industry where African Americans have been neglected by, Perry has become a funnel for which opportunities and second chances flow. And that says something about you, when you will reach down and give your own people a chance to rise with you. Beautiful thing. Thanks to Wendy over at Ebony for the Magazine Cover!

To see more pics

Tyler Perry’s – The Family That Preys

Director: Tyler Perry
Writer: Tyler Perry (writer)

Release Date: September 12,2008
Genre: Comedy

From http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=39344.

Academy Award®-winner Kathy Bates and Academy Award®-nominee Alfre Woodard star as the matriarchs of two very different families being torn apart by greed and scandal in the contemporary drama “Tyler Perry’s The Family That Prays.” The sixth feature film by Perry chronicles the inner workings of two familiesone upper-crust and the other working classthat become inextricably linked by scandal.

Wealthy socialite Charlotte Cartwright (Kathy Bates) and her dear friend Alice Pratt (Alfre Woodard), a working class woman of high ideals, have enjoyed a lasting friendship throughout many years. Suddenly, their lives become mired in turmoil as their adult children’s extramarital affairs, unethical business practices and a dark paternity secret threaten to derail family fortunes and unravel the lives of all involved. Alice’s self-centered newlywed daughter Andrea (Sanaa Lathan) is betraying her trusting husband Chris (Rockmond Dunbar) by engaging in a torrid affair with her boss and mothers best friends son William (Cole Hauser). While cheating on his wife Jillian (Kadee Strickland) with a string of ongoing dalliances with his mistress Andrea, William’s true focus is to replace the COO of his mothers lucrative construction corporation. Meanwhile, Alice’s other daughter Pam (Taraji Henson), a kind but no nonsense woman married to a hard working construction worker (Tyler Perry), tries to steer the family in a more positive direction.

While paternity secrets, marital infidelity, greed and unsavory business dealings threaten to derail both families, Charlotte and Alice decide to take a breather from it all by making a cross-country road trip in which they rediscover themselves and possibly find a way to save their families from ruin in “Tyler Perry’s The Family That Prays.”

Cast (Credited cast)

Kathy Bates … Charlotte Cartwright
Alfre Woodard … Alice Pratt
Tyler Perry … Ben
Cole Hauser … William Cartwright
Sanaa Lathan … Andrea
Rockmond Dunbar … Chris
Taraji P. Henson … Pam
KaDee Strickland … Jillian Cartwright
Sebastian Siegel … Nick
Robin Givens … Abby

Trailer:

 “SeX. MurdEr. MyStery. Welcome to the party.”

This is one of those movies that I knew as I was leaving the theater, I’d buy as soon as it came out on DVD because it was so clever and so hilarious. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a dark comedy about a small time thief named Harry Lockhart [Robert Downey, Jr.] who practically falls into a movie audition while trying to get away from the cops after a job gone bad, and due to the raw emotions of said botched job, he astounds the panel and is offered the role on the spot. Thinking it was as good a way out as any, Harry plays along and is sent to Hollywood where he’s paired up with a private detective to research his new role. He accompanies private eye Perry Van Shrike, a.k.a ‘Gay Perry’ [Val Kilmer] on a case that takes them to a party, hosted by an aging actor [Corbin Bersen] known for playing detective roles in movies, who has a vested interest in the movie Harry auditioned for. It’s at this party where Harry discovers his childhood love, struggling beer commercial actress, Harmony Lane [Michelle Monaghan] in and amongst all the potential murder suspects pertaining to the case. When they go to stakeout a client’s house so Perry can get incriminating pictures for his client, they find a body and from there the madness ensues. 

The dialog alone is worth seeing this flick – it just doesn’t get any better. Val Kilmer as ‘Gay Perry’ is hysterical and Robert Downey is in top form. This movie is fun, crazy, weird, gross and… did I mention it’s funny? 

4 out of 5.

Interesting tidbit, Director Shane Black wrote all the Lethal Weapon movies and to date, this is the only movie he’s directed… he did a great job, so I hope he’ll do more… 

Add’l Info: Released: Sep 14, 2005 • Runtime: 102 minutes • Rated R for language, violence and sexuality/nudity • Photo credit: John Bramley, ©Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. via allmoviephoto.com

Tyler Perry’s films are truly in a league of its own at the box office. I didn’t get a chance to see Meet The Brown’s but The Family That Preys gives me a vibe that it will a whole lot different than the rest of his work. What is shocking to most people is that up until a few weeks ago I had never seen a Tyler Perry play. Already a fan of Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard and Rockmond Dunbar, The Family That Preys is on my list of films to see this fall. Check out the new movie trailer and tell me what you think.

I just got word from one of my commentators [Thanks Petra] that Tristan Wilds will be in the remake of Beverly Hill 90210 spin-off that hasn’t been titled yet. Here’s the E! Online report. He will also be starring in The Secret Life of Bees, which will be in theaters in October.

According to Wikipedia

Annie Mills – An emo/theater kid, who wants to fit in with the cool crowd.[12] Hilary Duff was approached for the role, but wasn’t interested in the project. The role has been filled by Canadian actress Shenae Grimes, most well-known for her role as Darcy Edwards on Degrassi: The Next Generation. [13]

Dixon Mills – Adopted son of Harry and Celia Mills. A smart bad boy with behavioral issues. The character Dixon will likely be of a minority background, with producers looking for actors of any race/ethnicity to fill the role.[12] On May 2, 2008, Tristan Wilds, was cast as Dixon Mills. [14

First of all, let me be the first to say that I’m glad that someone from Degrassi get works outside of that show. I never see any of the other kids anywhere. This is a good look because if the show is a success, (which is a 50/50 chance), then it could catapult her into the mainstream which is good. This is also a nice rebound for Tristan because just like Degrassi, I don’t see a lot of the actors from The Wire on a lot of shows. They might make appearances here and there, but nothing major.

Well if whether I hear good or bad things about the show, I will be watching just to see Tristan.

Speaking of which, Jaime Hector (Marlo Stanfield) will be in the third season of the NBC hit show Heroes which will be coming back late September. That’s a good look because he’s been doing them straight-to-DVD movies for a minute.

I’m just waiting for Michael B Jordan to make his next move.  I heard he’s supposed to be in Pastor Brown (which sounded like a Tyler Perry Joint), directed by Rockmond Dunbar (Soul Food) starring: Salli Richardson, Nicole Ari Parker, Ernie Hudson, Tisha Campbell, & Keith David as Pastor Brown.

Boris Kodjoe and Cynthia Bailey celebrated their birthdays on Sat down in ATL at the Uptown Restaurant and Lounge. A few nice familiar faces came out including the beautiful and talented Sanaa Lathan. Russell Simmons, Rockmond Dunbar, Lynn Whitfield, singer Joe, actor Lamaan Rucker and a few others all came out to celebrate with them. Enjoy all of the beautiful pictures.

To see plenty more pics from the event

What I love about Netflix as opposed to wandering around the New Releases wall in Blockbuster, is that I can research all kinds of movies. I’m not a big movie person in general. I couldn’t rattle off actors in a film or even recall a plot within minutes after walking out of a theater unless it left a lasting impression on me.

I’m not a big reader either, but people tell me that I need to find what I like and the reading will be effortless. The same is true for movies. I fall under that weird quirky category. I like movies where people have to overcome obstacles, coming of age, good story lines and less emphasis on special effects. I’m basically not Hollywood more on the Indy side of the fence. My great gal pal in NC got me into Netflix and I like using it to stay connected (she usually picks great movies) and now I also have come to like it more because I like searching for “buried treasures”.

I hadn’t heard of the movie “Dirty Laundry,” but the short summary caught my eye.

Talented, gay and African-American, Patrick (Rockmond Dunbar) is a rising journalist at a New York City magazine who suddenly must confront his Southern roots and a mother not yet comfortable with her son’s choices and sexual identity. Patrick and his partner’s perfectly cosmopolitan world is shattered when an unexpected knock at their door brings to the forefront the issue of lifestyle acceptance within the down-home community of his youth. (source: Netflix)

Like my theater rounds, sometimes I score and sometimes I completely strike out. This was was a score. If you can get into the Tyler Perry plays or movies, then this is in that realm. Beyond the fact that the main character is gay, it covers issues that hit so many families. The judgment of others, the impact of mother figures on the lives of their children, playing favorites within the family, living up to expectations, finding your passion, etc. I identified with Patrick’s love for writing, something I’ve recently rediscovered. I grew up having a diary since I was in the 1st grade. My first diary mysteriously disappeared under very similar circumstances that Patrick’s did in the story and I still grieve not having it to reference today (a subject I cannot bring up in front of family without a verbal bashing for doing so, so I simply let it go…sort of). I also can relate to the dynamics in a big family, being the oldest of 5. I hated those weekend mornings when my mom would send my siblings in to wake me up. I remember opening my eyes to a sea of little faces poking, prodding, and jumping around me and how much I hated it. Now, it makes me laugh, but you know when you’re a pre-teen or teen that absolutely sucks.

So, if watching a black film makes you squirm in your seat a little, I’d ask you to be open if any of the movie’s themes are things that are normally appealing to you.

I’m not so great at writing movie reviews, but that’s my take on it. If you want more details, check out:

http://www.dirtylaundrythemovie.com/

The following link gave me some interesting tidbits about Maurice Jamal and Nathan Hale Williams. Jamal had his hands in more things than I knew of: http://nathanhalewilliams.com/site/?p=25

Maurice Jamal- writer, director, and actor in this film…awesome job! Nathan Hale Williams- producer…kudos to you, too! It looks like this got released in theaters December 2007, but I’m guessing, as with many black films, it was only in a limited number of theaters and for a limited time. I honestly don’t even recall seeing or hearing about it.

Ifelicious says “check check it out!”