The Last Blog for 08

Well we have embarked upon another year and boy was it a great on, especially in the film genre. I am excited that I was able to get this blog off the ground and showcase it to the masses!! It has been a long journey coming!! With G-Breezy's Director's Cut I have ventured beyond just giving you a film review, but updates in film and Hollywood, and those infamous Rewind Wednesdays. And guess what it doesn't stop there is soooo much more to come!! Trust me it will be worth it!!

Well before I roll out of 08 into 09 let me give you my Top 20 films for 2008!!

20. Hancock

19. Street Kings

18. Sex and the City: The Movie (This proves that tv shows can be movies too!)

17. Mongol

16. The Bank Job (One of those films follks been sleeping on, ya betta wake up!!)

15. Quantum of Solace

14. Wall-E

13. Vicky Cristina Barcelona

12. Burn After Reading

11. Tropic Thunder

10. Kung Fu Panda (Great for the kids AND adults)

9. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

8. The Secret Life of Bees (It steals your heart and makes you look within your own soul)

7. Gran Torino

6. Doubt

5. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

4. Milk
3. Incredible Hulk (Shout out to Marcus!!) (Thank God they did a second follow-up it truly redeemed itself)
2. Iron Man

1. The Dark Knight (This movie sets your soul on fire!! Heath Ledger plays the hell out of this role that its scary!!)


I am truly excited about what the new year has to bring for us in the film category!! Cause I am truly anxious, especially for the New Transformers installment as well as the new Star Trek!! Either way we are a in store for some true treats!! Get READY!!


Happy New Year!! May this be a prosperous one for you!!

Top Model to wed Top Payne!!

America's Next Top Model winner Eva Marcille (formerly Eva Pigford) said yes when Tyler Perry's House of Payne star Lance Gross popped the question Christmas Eve.

The couple, who met at an audition two years ago, were surrounded by family and friends when Gross went down on his knee

And Lance and Eva hit up Essence.com with the quickness to dish about their relationship:
Actor Lance Gross got on bended knee and proposed to girlfriend and costar Eva Marcille in front of their families on Christmas Eve to propose.

“I knew the day I laid eyes on her because I just got that feeling,” says Gross who said he fell in love with Marcille instantly. “She took full control of my heart and is the only woman that has ever made me feel that way—that’s how I knew she was special.”

Surrounded by family and friends, Gross got on bended knee and presented Marcille with a 3.36 1895 Pave Cartier ring.

“I cried. It was totally unexpected. I’m still in shock,” says Marcille. “I could not even sleep because I was afraid that I might wake up from the most beautiful dream ever.”

The two haven’t set a wedding date but are strongly considering a summer wedding in 2010.

“To put it simply, he makes me a better me,” says Marcille.” I am now complete.”

2009 Golden Globe Nominations

Well the nominations are in and I am excited to see who is going to steal the show. Check out the following link for the nominations: http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

And here are a few of my favs on the docket:

*Best Motion Picture - Drama
The Curious Case Of Benjamin ButtonWarner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures

*Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Meryl Streep – Doubt

*Best Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy
Burn After ReadingWorking Title/Releasing Company; Focus Features in association with Studio Canal
Vicky Cristina BarcelonaMediapro; The Weinstein Company

*Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight

*Best Animated Feature Film
Kung Fu PandaDreamWorks Animation SKG; Paramount Pictures

*Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television
A Raisin In The Sun (ABC)Sony Pictures Television, Storyline Entertainment, and Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment

*Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Jeremy Piven – Entourage (HBO)
Blair Underwood – In Treatment (HBO)


“The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards” to be telecast live on NBC Sunday, January 11 (8 – 11 p.m. EST) at The Beverly Hilton.

Doubt (2008)

Such an intriguing movie. I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with this film, it reassured me that there is still quality in movies.

"Doubt, a status between belief and disbelief, involves uncertainty or distrust or lack of sureness of an alleged fact, an action, a motive, or a decision. Doubt brings into question some notion of a perceived "reality", and may involve delaying or rejecting relevant action out of concerns for mistakes or faults or appropriateness."

This Broadway play turned movie is sure to gage your attention as well as ask your own personal and moral questions. Set in 1964, St. Nicholas a catholic school in the Bronx is introduced to a charismatic priest, Father Flynn, who is trying to adjust and change the schools' strict customs; which have long been fiercely upheld by Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. Now with a political change sweeping through the community, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. Throughout the school year one of the fellow nuns Sister James, a hopeful innocent nun, shares with Sister Aloysius her guilt-ridden suspicions that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald. From that moment, Sister Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth the truth and to expunge Flynn from the school. Now, without an ounce of proof other than her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn which threatens to tear apart the community with irrevocable consequence.

Doubt will amaze audiences because of its powerful acting and writing, these elements we don't see too often in Hollywood. Doubt has a great amount of intensity, but there are moments that you almost suffocate due to its powerful subject matter. Meryl Streep does an excellent job of portraying the Principal/Head Mistress of the school. She is able to capture the idea of unemotion with perfect ease. Its almost as though you could feel the tension in her eyes. Streeps character is a natural "force of nature" which may come off a little cold or even robotic. Now Hoffman is a bit more calm in his role which makes you wonder his true character as a man and priest in this film. At times during the movie one may see moments when true emotions shine through, and these are mostly the responsibility of the marvelous supporting cast, as Amy Adams (Sister James) and Viola Davis (Mrs. Miller) show their vulnerability and sympathy to Streep's superior and implacable director. One part in particular, is Streep's street scene with the child's mother this scene all by itself will trigger hundreds of conversations as the mother pleads the case of her son. Doubt may have very few minimal flaws but it does a very good job at exposing the rationale behind many of the emotional and flawed actions of humans today. By the end of the film most people will doubt who is truly responsible in their own perception; yet in still will express their own doubts about what they are about to say or do.

The combination of two Oscar winning actors and actresses (Streep and Seymour Hoffman) brings about a film that regardless of your religion, faith, or belief your heart just pours out to the children in the film. And it may even get you to thinking "do I have doubt?" What or who do you believe?

Grade: B+

BREAKING NEWS: Another Legend has left us!

In sad news, legendary star Eartha Kitt passed away on December 25th, 2008.

"EARTHA KITT was an international star who gives new meaning to the word versatile. She had distinguished herself in film, theater, cabaret, music and on television. Miss Kitt is one of only a handful of performers to be nominated for a Tony (three times), the Grammy (twice), and Emmy Award (twice). She would regularly enthrall New York nightclub audiences during her extended stays at THE CAFE CARLYLE and these intimate performances have been captured in her newest recording, Eartha Kitt, Live at The Carlyle. Miss Kitt's distinctive voice has enthralled an entirely new generation of fans. Young fans loved her as YZMA, the villain, in Disney's animated feature THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE, (2001 Annie Award for Best Vocal Performance / Animated Feature). Miss Kitt was also featured in the sequel, THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE II and reprised the role in the popular Saturday morning animated series THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHOOL for which she received a 2007 and 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program and a 2007 and 2008 Annie Award for Best Vocal Performance in an Animated Television Production.

At an early age Eartha Mae Kitt was ostracized because of her mixed-race heritage. At eight years old, she was given away by her mother and sent from the South Carolina cotton fields to live with an aunt in Harlem. In New York her distinct individuality and flair for show business manifested itself, and on a friend's dare, the shy teen auditioned for the famed KATHERINE DUNHAM DANCE TROUPE. She won a spot as a featured dancer and vocalist and before the age of twenty, toured worldwide with the company. During a performance in Paris, Miss Kitt was spotted by a nightclub owner and booked as a featured singer at his club. Her unique persona earned her fans and fame quickly, including Orson Welles, who called her "the most exciting woman in the world". Welles was so taken with her talent that he cast her as Helen of Troy in his fabled production of DR. FAUST.Back in New York, Miss Kitt was booked at The Village Vanguard, and soon spotted by a Broadway producer who put her in NEW FACES OF 1952 where every night she transfixed audiences with her sultry rendition of Monotonous. Her show stopping performance in NEW FACES, which ran for a year, led to a national tour and a Twentieth Century Fox film version.Broadway stardom led to a recording contract and a succession of best-selling records including Love for Sale, I Want to Be Evil, Santa Baby and Folk Tales of the Tribes of Africa, which earned her a Grammy nomination. During this period, she published her first autobiography, THURSDAY'S CHILD. Miss Kitt would then return to Broadway in the dramatic play MRS. PATTERSON, and received her first Tony nomination. Other stage appearances followed, as did films including THE MARK OF THE HAWK with Sidney Poitier, ANNA LUCASTA with Sammy Davis, Jr. and ST LOUIS BLUES with Nat King Cole.In 1967, Miss Kitt made an indelible mark on pop culture as the infamous CATWOMAN in the television series, BATMAN. She immediately became synonymous with the role and her trademark growl became imitated worldwide.Singing in ten different languages, Miss Kitt has performed in over 100 countries and was honored with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. In 1966, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the series, I SPY. In 1968, Miss Kitt's career took a sudden turn when, at a White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson, she spoke out against the Vietnam War. For years afterward, Miss Kitt was blacklisted in the U.S. and was forced to work abroad where her status remained undiminished. In 1974, Miss Kitt returned to the United States, with a triumphant Carnegie Hall concert and, in 1978, received a second Tony nomination for her starring role in the musical, TIMBUKTU. In December 2006 she returned to Washington and lit the National Christmas Tree alongside President and Mrs. George W. Bush.

Miss Kitt's second autobiography, ALONE WITH ME, was published in 1976 and I'M STILL HERE: CONFESSIONS OF A SEX KITTEN was released in 1989. Her best-selling book on fitness and positive attitude, REJUVENATE! (IT'S NEVER TOO LATE), was released by Scribner in May 2001.Live theater is Miss Kitt's passion. In 2001, Broadway critics singled her out with a Tony and Drama Desk nomination for her role as Dolores in George Wolfe's THE WILD PARTY. Over the last few years, she has starred in National Tours of THE WIZARD OF OZ and Rogers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA. In December 2003, Miss Kitt dazzled Broadway audiences as Liliane Le Fleur in the revival of NINE, THE MUSICAL. In December 2004, she appeared as The Fairy Godmother in The New York City Opera production (Lincoln Center) of CINDERELLA. She also starred in the off-Broadway production of MIMI LE DUCK (2006) and The Westport County Playhouse production of THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH (2007).Miss Kitt remains devoted to performing in front of live audiences, from intimate cabarets to concert halls with local symphonies. Recent engagements include appearances with The Atlanta Symphony, The Portland Symphony, Detroit's Music Hall, D.C.'s Blues Alley, Seattle's Jazz Alley, Palm Beach's Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, The Mohegan Sun, Sarasota's Van Wetzel Center for the Performing Arts Festival. She is especially proud to have brought her one-woman show to the 51st Annual JVC Newport Jazz Festival and the Miami Beach JVC Jazz Festival.In February 2007, Miss Kitt returned to London after a 15 year absence for a remarkable series of sold-out performances at The Shaw Theater. She returned to Great Britain in 2008 to critical raves at London’s Place Pigalle and to headline the prestigious Cheltenham Jazz Festival .

On January 17 2007, Miss Kitt turned eighty years old and marked the occasion at Carnegie Hall with a celebratory concert, JVC Jazz presents EARTHA KITT AND FRIENDS."



At the time, she was living in Connecticut dealing with colon cancer. Ms Kitt 81, is survived by her daughter Kitt and a granddaughter.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all!! Enjoy your friends and family on this wonderful day!!

Hopefully Santa was good to ya!!

Top 30 Sexiest Black Actors and Actresses

According to AOL Black Voices they have compiled a list of the 30 Sexiest Black Actors, now sometime back they also had also complied a list of the Sexiest Black Actresses (see below).

All I know is Denzel betta be on this list...lol...You be the judge...

30. Nick Cannon, 28
29. Don Cheadle, 44
28. Jesse L. Martin, 35
27. Richard T. Jones, 36
26. Phillip Michael Thomas, 59
25. Common, 36
24. Mekhi Phifer, 33
23. Hill Harper, 42
22. Ron O'Neal 67 (at time of death)
21. Taimak, 44
20. Taye Diggs, 36
19. Henry Simmons, 38
18. Leon, 46
17. Terrence Howard, 39
16. Richard Roundtree, 66
15. Blair Underwood, 44
14. Harry Belafonte, 81
13. Tupac Shakur, 25 (at time of death)
12. Boris Kodjoe, 35
11. Jim Kelly, 62
10. Columbus Short, 26
9. Dwayne Johnson, 36
8. Michael Jai White, 41
7. Morris Chestnut, 39
6. Billy Dee Williams, 71
5. Dijmon Hounsou, 44
4. Shemar Moore, 38
3. Denzel Washington, 53
2. Idris Elba, 36
1. Will Smith, 40


Featured Story: http://www.blackvoices.com/entertainment/top-30-sexiest-actors

Hmmmm.... I would have to adjust the Top 3 but nonetheless the list looks pretty good to me. Nice mix of ol school and new school!!


Top 30 Sexiest Black Actresses

30. Thandie Newton
29. Tracy Camilla Jones
28. Vivica A. Fox
27. Robin Givens
26. Paula Patton
25. Nichelle Nichols
24. Eartha Kitt
23. Vanity
22. Lauren London
21. Stacey Dash
20. Tamara Dobson
19. Kerry Washington
18. Lisa Raye
17. Lynn Whitfield
16. Diahann Carroll
15. Zoe Saldana
14. Nia Long
13. Janet Jackson
12. Beyonce'
11. Vanessa L. Williams
10. Sanaa Lathan
9. Gabrielle Union
8. Jada Pinkett-Smith
7. Lela Rochon
6. Angela Bassett
5. Josephine Baker
4. Meagan Good
3. Halle Berry
2. Dorothy Dandridge
1. Pam Grier

Now this list could have been different in many ways some of these young ladies could have been taken off but who am I!

Featured Story: http://www.blackvoices.com/entertainment/top-30-sexiest-actresses

Seven Pounds (2008)

Such an inspiring film to go see during the holidays. Being that this is the season for giving what an excellent film to display this type of gesture.


"Seven Names...Seven Strangers...One secret"

Academy Award nominee Will Smith reunites with the directors and producers of The Pursuit of Happyness for the emotional drama . In addition to a great cast (Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Micheal Ealy) this film is definitely one for the books.

First I will start out by saying that I was a little hesistant to see this film. But I had to see it so that it would kill the curiousity. The movie trailer is one that that does not leave much to the imagination it somewhat had a lackluster approach. You just have to see it to satisfy the yearning.

One thing that I must say about this film is that the symbolism was quite interesting that fact that the number 7 was used represents "new beginnings". Thus the giving of "7 pounds of flesh" to seven deserving individuals to make up for the seven lives he destroyed is quite a powerful move. And I think that might be somewhat of its downfall, it was a little overworked and overdone. However, keep in mind the film was still good.

Throughout the majority of the movie it had a mysterious and somewhat confusing plot many times I was guessing during the film trying to figure out what's going to happen next. Seven Pounds was somewhat of a miracle considering all the loose ends that were tied up as it nears its ending, but it does, and it does so gracefully. All comes together though in its magnificent ending, which will make you want to tell everyone and anyone you meet to go see this movie now!

Now although this was a good solid movie, I'm not sure if this will be Oscar bound for Mr. Smith. It just needs a little more inspiration and maybe it might have a chance. The message however is very clear with this movie, sometimes people deserve a second chance to make things right, and why not start out by helping someone else. Maybe after watching it for a second time it will have a more powerful effect. All in all, I will say I was not disappointed with this film at all and I'm glad I was able to see it.


Grade: B+

Rewind Wednesday: Double Header Holiday Edition

Its Christmas Eve and I ask you this one question...Is Santa coming to your house tonight?!! Well I hope he drops off a little sumthin' for me!!

So today’s Rewind Wednesday: Holiday Edition is a double-header Scrooged and It’s a Wonderful Life. This is a personal shout out to a dear friend of mine, Radcliff who recommended Scrooged for the holiday list and why not with Christmas just a day away. And then to top it off I had to put another classic that would be near and dear to everyone’s heart.

Francis Xavier "Frank" Cross (Bill Murray) is a conceited, cynical television programming executive. He has found great success and wealth, but has become coldhearted and cruel. In the opening scenes he can be seen working out in a room with a wallpaper border that reads "Cross: A thing they nail people to".

This 1988 comedy film, is a modernization of Charles Dickens's novella, A Christmas Carol. Most of the characters in the movie represent characters in Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Frank Cross is Ebenezer Scrooge and his brother James is Scrooge's nephew Fred. Eliot Loudermilk and Grace seem to share the role of Bob Cratchit. Grace's son, who is withdrawn/autistic, is Tiny Tim. Lew Hayward, Frank's former boss, is Jacob Marley. Herman and his fellow indigents are the "portly gentlemen" who are collecting for charity and are refused financial help. Claire is Scrooge's former fiancée, Belle. The three ghosts have the same names. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a cab driver with a Brooklyn accent. The Ghost of Christmas Future appears as the grim reaper, with a TV screen for a face. The Ghost of Christmas Present is a campier female version of the ghost in the original story.

Next on the docket is a true Christmas movie for all generations!! It's a Wonderful Life (1946) is an American film produced and directed by Frank Capra and loosely based on the short story "The Greatest Gift" written by Philip Van Doren Stern. The film is regarded as a classic and is a staple of Christmas television around the world, although, due to its high production costs and stiff competition at the box office, financially, it was considered a "flop." The film's break-even point was actually $6.3 million, approximately twice the production cost, a figure it never came close to achieving in its initial release. An appraisal in 2006 reported: "Although it was not the complete box-office failure that today everyone believes … it was a major disappointment and confirmed, at least to the studios, that Capra was no longer capable of turning out the populist features that made his films the must-see, money-making events they once were.

It's a Wonderful Life was nominated for five Oscars without winning any, but the film has since been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made, and placed number one on their list of the most inspirational American films of all time.
In 1990, It's a Wonderful Life was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in their National Film Registry.

In 2002, Channel 4 ranked It's A Wonderful Life as the seventh greatest film ever made in their poll, "The 100 Greatest Films" and in 2006, It's A Wonderful Life reached #37 in Channel 4's "100 Greatest Family Films" poll. It's A Wonderful Life currently ranks 30th on the IMDB's top 250.

In June 2008, AFI revealed its "Ten top Ten" — the best 10 films in 10 "classic" American film genres — after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community. It's a Wonderful Life was acknowledged as the third-best film in the fantasy genre.

A more iconoclastic viewpoint was expressed by Wendell Jamieson in a 2008 New York Times article, which posited that the film "is a terrifying, asphyxiating story about growing up and relinquishing your dreams, of seeing your father driven to the grave before his time, of living among bitter, small-minded people. It is a story of being trapped, of compromising, of watching others move ahead and away, of becoming so filled with rage that you verbally abuse your children, their teacher and your oppressively perfect wife.

Merry Christmas!!

Mid-Morning News

Check this out...Guess which funny man has reportedly been tapped to play a lead role villain in the upcoming Batman movie?. Eddie Murphy will star as “The Riddler” while Shia LaBeouf will play the caped crusader’s sidekick “Robin” in the next installment, tentatively titled Gotham. Actress Rachel Weisz is reportedly in the frame to play “Catwoman”, Christian Bale will return as “Bruce Wayne” and Michael Caine will again play his assistant “Alfred”, according to British newspaper The Sun. The movie, which is slated for a 2010 release, will be directed by Christopher Nolan, who made The Dark Knight such a huge success when it was released this year. A source says, “Chris wasn’t sure if he wanted to do another movie but as soon as he decided to, he got the wheels in motion Eddie’s a fantastic addition. Everyone’s excited to see what he does as the Riddler”. Now this is a good move for Murphy. Congrats to Eddie for this one. A movie like this should bring back his credibility!! This ought to be interesting…

And in other movie news, for those that forgot Ms. Beyonce is slated for another movie coming out Spring 2009, with the handsome and debonair Idris Elba, the new thriller movie Obsessed. Here's the trailor for your viewing:

A "Behind the Scenes" Pass for Notorious

I will have to admit I am actually pretty excited about this film, Notorious. As an individual who loves hip-hop this movie will do a more classic showing of a hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G. This is definitely not a bootleg adventure considering the individuals who are playing the roles (Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, just to name a few).

Just watching this trailer I got chills because its just that REAL!! Definitely a great film to start of the New Year right!! Also a great film for the Hip-Hop heads!!




Here's is also another lil peek "behind the set" with the Notorious cast. Some deep stuff, words to live by.





Notorious hits theaters on January 16th, 2009

For All my Madea Fans...she's back!!

Well it has been a minute since we have seen Madea showcased in Tyler Perry's film series but it seems like it was well worth the wait. I have always been a fan of Tyler Perry's movies and his stage plays as well. So this was a treat for me to see that one of my favorite stage plays will be on film, Madea Goes to Jail. Well here's a brief synopsis as well as the trailer for your viewing.

After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea (Tyler Perry) 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 (Tyler Perry) couldn’t be happier at Madea’s misfortune. But Madea’s eccentric family members the Browns (David and Tamala Mann) rally behind her, lending their special “country” brand of support. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway (Derek Luke) 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 (Keisha Knight Pulliam)—and asks his fiancé and fellow ADA Linda Holmes (Ion Overman) 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.

In Theaters February 20, 2009

Rewind Wednesday: A Christmas Story

With the week before Christmas you know I had to bring out the Big Guns!! Now this CLASSIC and TIMELESS movie for today's Rewind Wednesday-Holiday edition is that of A Christmas Story.

"A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas..."

A Christmas Story is a 1983 film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, which also includes material from his books In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. The movie takes place in the early 1940's in the fictional northern Indiana town of Hulman (based on real-life Hammond, IN). 9-year-old Ralph "Ralphie" Parker (Peter Billingsley) wants only one thing for Christmas – "an official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle (BB Gun) with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time."

This is one of those movies that you gotta watch every year just to get your funny bone stirring. Its just that timeless!! The character of Ralphie can be seen even in today's society with that one little needy kid who just wants one thing for Christmas, and hoping they get it. With this film the critics pretty much had favorable comments to say about the film. Famed critic Roger Ebert would proclaim it "Funny and satirical...a sort of Norman Rockwell crossed with MAD magazine. On December 24, 2007, AOL ranked the film their #1 Christmas movie of all time.




Due to the increasing popularity of the film, in 1997 TNT began airing a 24-hour marathon dubbed "24 Hours of A Christmas Story," consisting of the film shown twelve consecutive times beginning at 7 or 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve and ending Christmas Day.In 2007, new all-time ratings records were set, with the highest single showing (8 p.m. Christmas Eve) drawing 4.4 million viewers. In 2007 the marathon continued, and the original tradition was revived. In 2008, the 24-hour marathon will continue, on TBS, for the twelveth overall year, starting at 8 p.m. eastern on Christmas Eve.

Here's one of my favorite scene's:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer

Man oh man 2009 is going to be on an popping!! Specifically Summer 2009!! X-Men has been doing there thang when it comes to films, so of course you know they had to do a spin-off from the series...and what a better way to start off with the story of Wolverine!!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hits Theaters May 1st 2009



Check out this link below for an even more exclusive look into this film!!
http://www.myspace.com/x-menorigins

Sequel Fever for Will Smith

SEQUEL FEVER!!

Will Smith is planning to give his fans all they can handle by signing on to do "Hancock II" and a prequel for "I am Legend"

Will Smith has sequel fever. The box-office magnet is in talks to finalize follow-ups to both "Hancock" and "I Am Legend." A Hollywood insider said, "He is ready to do both. Producers are just trying to get Charlize Theron to sign on for the 'Hancock' sequel." As for "I Am Legend," it will be more of a prequel as Smith's character died at the end of the zombies-take-Manhattan movie. "It will be about how the disease spreads and the fall of the last great American city. It will also develop the relationship between Will's character and his wife." A rep for Smith said, "There have been talks about both of these projects."

Hmmmmm.... this will be interesting this must be the season for prequels and sequels. Well he did an alright job in Bad Boys II so we shall see how these work out. Both movies Hancock and I Am Legend were pretty decent films so this should be interesting to say the least!

Hilarious...Fall out my chair funny

Wow this movie was truly unexpected for me!! How you ask well I figured it would be funny, but I didn't realize the magnitude of it. This romantic comedy film definitely brings the laughter as well as a message of importance. "Sometimes one has to step from beyond the norm, if you want true happiness."

Four Christmases stars Vince Vaughn (Brad) and Reese Witherspoon (Kate) as a San Francisco, California couple who have every intention of going to Fiji together for Christmas, making sure they avoid visiting all four of their divorced parents' homes. Their idea of a holiday vacation includes sipping margaritas by the pool and couples massages, but not this year! With shorts and sunglasses packed, Brad and Kate are trapped at the San Francisco airport by a fogbank that cancels every outbound flight. And to make matters even worse they are caught on tape by a local news crew, which reveals there whereabouts to the city...and worse yet their families. Now they have no choice but to visit their families for some holiday cheer. With no escape, With no escape and no excuses, they are now expected home by Brad's Father (Robert Duvall) and Kate's mother (Mary Steenburgen), as well as Brad's mother (Sissy Spacek) and Kate's father (Jon Voight), thereby celebrating four Christmases in one day. With each homecoming visit they are both thrown into a marathon of events. However in the midst of all the family drama, Kate has an epiphany and finds herself playing another tune, while Brad is singing his way to freedom.

At the end of the day both Brad and Kate have a new perspective on where their current relationships stands and where they are headed to. With each visit to their parents both discover a little more about each other as well as themselves, finally giving themselves a chance to truly "love" each other .

In this film Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn demonstrate a great character chemistry which keeps the audience captivated. This film not only brought the comedy side of Christmas but at the same time delievered the holiday messages we are all use to hearing. It was also pleasantly surprising to see the likes of Reese witherspoon and Vince Vaughn teamed up with screen legends Robert DuVall and Jon Voight. A great Christmas film to add to the books!

Grade: B+

Rewind Wednesday: Holiday Edition

Now this movie right here is a pure Holiday classic. I had to put this one on the Rewind Wednesday, without a shadow of doubt. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation done in 1989,
would be the third installment in the National Lampoon's Vacation film series.

It's Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids. Clark's continual bad luck is worsened by his obnoxious family guests, but he manages to keep going knowing that his Christmas bonus is due soon.

A classic scene from the movie.



For many people this is a favorite Christmas movie for all time! It's so funny and it has an excellent cast as well as great acting! You are sure to have non-stop laughs and I highly recommend all people who love comedies to rent this or better yet buy it! Its really that funny! This is one of those films that you gotta have in your collection. I remember we use to watch this every Christmas back in the day. Even to this day I can still watch this movie over and over again.

The movie would debut at #1 at the box-office while grossing $11,750,203 during the opening weekend. It would then go on to gross a total of $71,319,546 in the United States while showing in movie theaters. Not only did it profit in its box-office performance, the movie has made $34,800,000 in rental profits.

Another great scene of this movie.


A true classic Christmas comedy!!

Are you ready for The Spirit?!!

For all my Sin City and Sunday comic fans are you ready for The Spirit? I am getting chills just thinking about it!! Here's the trailer just in case you have missed it.



In Theaters Christmas Day 2008!!

Was this change-up needed?

Now before we jump the gun let's make sure that we clarify that this is not a sequel, but rather a branch off of the April 2004 film The Punisher. For me the second one (starring Thomas Jane) was a good film and served its purpose, but I guess the new Director Lexi Alexander had a matter of different opinion.

With this Punisher film we somewhat fast-forward to Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson) beginning his vigilante rampage over those that have killed his family. He is now six years into his revenge mission when he is alerted that one of the main killers Billy Russoti (Dominic West) has escaped to his recycling plant hideout. From there Castle infiltrates Russoti's hideout and murders Nicky Donatelli as he is exiting the bathroom. The ensuing gunshot alerts Russoti, and a brief fire fight between he and Castle ensues, ending in Russoti being thrown into a glass-crushing machine which only ends up hideously disfiguring the overeager gangster. At the same time another gun fight takes place between Frank and Russoti's men. And Castle, who has taken cover behind the body of Donatelli (Romano Orzari), realizes that the man he killed was wearing a wire. This one incident opens his eyes and knotches a brief flaw that could be come fatal. He know feels indebted to the Donatelli family and adds that to his mission of revenge.

Forced back into the war, the Punisher now faces off against Jigsaw's formidable army in order to save the lives of an innocent family as a result of his actions putting them on the firing line.

One thing that many can say if nothing else is that it stays true to the comics and the origin. The actual physical appearance of Frank Castle is much more accurate out of the three films combined, but that is one of the few pluses. Unfortunately, the plot was a little thin, but it does give viewers one loud action packed, violent film. Saddly, with this film the acting was a little too much, Dominic West charcter "Jigsaw" was really killing me with the NY Italian accent. To a degree this film is a tad bit gory and over violent for my taste. It seemed as though every other scene was someone getting their head blown off or being bitten. From the minute that the film starts one might be grossed out if you have a weak stomach. About 20 mins into the film, I could have walked out but I had to see how this was going to maybe get better, or potentially worse. One thing that I will say is that All in all, I will admit it was definitely action-packed but maybe just not in the way that truly assisted the movie. Even with its twist an turns of the pseudo "Punisher Task Force" and the crazy nut of a brother Looney Bin Jim, and the lil girl being named Grace (excellent choice, by the way) this movie was somewhat of a flop. But hey they tried right....I guess.

And if there is not more insult to injury, on its opening weekend Punisher: War Zone only grossed $4 million in 2,508 theaters in the United States, ranking at #8 at the box office, this would be Marvel's third box office flop with the first being Howard the Duck and second being Elektra. Now as it relates to a sequel this is what Ray Stevenson had to say, "I have expressed interest in sequels, hinting Barracuda as a possible villain. At the 2008 San-Diego Comic-Con, when asked if he signed on for more Punisher, he said, 'If I had my wish, it's going to run and run. It's up to the fan base. If this works, we get to do it all again.'" Well we will just have to see how the masses take to this film. Go at your own risk.

Grade: C

Follow the Beat in my Cadillac...

Cadillac Records (2008)

This 2008 musical biopic film explores the musical era from the early 1940s to the late 1960s, chronicling the life of the influential Chicago-based record-company executive Leonard Chess, and the legendary singers who would record for Chess Records.


Upon going to watch the film I was bit hesistant to go see it, because I just had the funny feeling that it was going to be something I had already seen. (And to a degree it was, but that's ok.) What this movie lacks in dialogue it makes up in the music...maybe this should have been a Broadway musical...naw maybe not...lol. The music overall sets it apart from other films based on singers/musicians. Oddly enough, there were several times that I lost focused just kind of going in and out. But then again I would get a jolt every now and then. Now I can say this, it does a heck of a job showcasing the high's (no pun intended...too many to count from every direction) and the low's of these Blue's legends.


I will also give big “kudos” for Martin showcasing a label that started out selling albums at the back of a Cadillac, and would then launch the careers of legendary musical personalities such as blues singers and harmonica and guitar players Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf, blues musician Muddy Waters, soul legend Etta James and guitarist singer-songwriters Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. One can tell that writer-director Darnell Martin has a great respect for this genre of music and the fact that this story needs to be told to the world. I will say this Cadillac Records presents a story that we have seen before (ex. Dreamgirls), however the music in this film is enough to knock your socks off (in a good way…lol). It gets your souls stirring, body shaking, and fingers snapping to a feel good beat.

If there is anything that this movie highlights it is the cast. Each character for the most part exemplifies the original character, sometimes almost perfect. Eammon Walker (Howlin' Wolf) kind of makes you think you are actually seeing the real thing here in 2008. Now Etta James (Beyonce) is probably close to depicting her, even though the real Etta James had a bit of hesistation. Jeffrey Wright (Muddy Waters) said it best, "For me, the intriguing way into the character was through the music. There is a specific cultural and historical place that the music comes from and it's also specific to personality. Not a lot of affectation. Folks aren't out there in the middle of the fields in Mississippi under that midday sun putting on airs. It's an expression of their experience and it's coming through relative to community but as I said, also relative to the personality so there really is a lot of information encoded in the music." It takes a bit of a transformation to pull this all together.

One idea that I may put in question is whether or not there was a TRUE love for the music from the Leonard Chess character (Adrian Brody) or the money, Martin leaves me in a bit of limbo. In the end, maybe even Cedric the Entertainer could get a deal as a voice-over in the future, there's always hope.


This all-star cast is enough in itself to at least go and watch the film, and then draw your own conclusions. Just know this, "If you take the ride, you must pay the price!"

Grade: B-

Heath Ledger gets posthumous film award

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - The late Australian actor Heath Ledger was awarded one of his country's most prestigious film awards on Saturday for his final role as The Joker in the Batman movie " The Dark Knight."

Ledger, 28, who died of an accidental overdose of painkillers and other medicines in his New York apartment 11 months ago, was posthumously awarded the AFI (Australian Film Institute) international award for best actor .

Guests at a packed awards ceremony in Melbourne's Princess Theater rose to their feet clapping, but with some in tears, to pay tribute to the actor who was nominated for an Oscar for his role as a taciturn gay cowboy in 2005's " Brokeback Mountain ".

The AFI, celebrating its 50th-annual award ceremony, paid tribute to Ledger, describing him as "ground-breaking actor trapped in the body of a leading man ".

"He was the untamed spirit many of us wish we could be. May the legend live on," an AFI tribute said.

*(Reporting by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Michael Roddy )

Hollywood's No. 1 women: Winfrey and Jolie (AP)

LOS ANGELES - Oprah Winfrey tops The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 list, an annual ranking of the most influential women in the entertainment industry.

The Hollywood Reporter also ranks the industry's highest-paid actresses each year. Angelina Jolie is No. 1, commanding more than $15 million a movie, followed by Julia Roberts and last year's top earner, Reese Witherspoon .


On the Net: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com

And the Black Bond Search continues....maybe Idris Elba...hmmm

This ought to be interesting. Rumors are flying now that Idris Elba actually may be tapped to be the first black James Bond. (Now that would make a must-go see for me). And sooner than we think. Folks are saying he’s already in talks and he’s a perfect fit with the looks–and the fact that he’s British, as pretty much all James Bonds are.

Now this next part I had to put on here...just too hilarious!!

Check out what my fellow blogger "Remarkable Fashion" (http://remarkablefashion.blogspot.com/) had to say:

Bond,....Diddy Bond
It takes a lot of work to sit on your ass, be held by world class models, and wear fly suits.....Of course, Diddy should be considered for the next bond role. Forget, being able to take direction rather than giving it, have an ability to do most of your own stunts, like say the current Bond Daniel Craig and --god forbid-- be able to ACT!!

Harry Potter Fans are blessed with another book!!

Demand from Potter fans prompted new book!!!

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Author J.K. Rowling said on Thursday that it was demand from Harry Potter fans that prompted her to publish her latest work " The Tales of Beedle the Bard ."
Proceeds from the collection of fairy tales , which has a global print run of 7.5 million copies, will go to a charity for vulnerable children in Eastern Europe co-founded by Rowling.
The 43-year-old originally hand-wrote and illustrated seven copies of Beedle the Bard, six of which she gave away as gifts and one which she sold at auction for the charity. It fetched $4 million a year ago.
"The idea actually came from you, by which I mean Harry Potter fans," Rowling told around 200 primary school children gathered at Edinburgh's Parliament Hall for a tea party that officially launched Beedle the Bard.
"There was quite a lot of high feeling from Harry Potter fans that only someone who had two million pounds could afford to read the book. I thought 'fair point', so I thought 'I'll publish it and then the charity can have that money too'."

Only one of the five stories -- "The Tale of the Three Brothers" -- was recounted in the Potter book, and the volume contains clues that were to prove crucial to Potter's final mission to destroy Lord Voldemort .*

Well Harry Potter fans should be very excited about this news. Hmmmmm maybe some Christmas gifts in the making!! I must admit, I was not one of the first HP fans but after watching the movies and reading the books, I got hooked. I am interested to see what is in store!!




*(Writing by Mike Collett-White; Editing by Matthew Jones)

Rewind Wednesday: Home Alone

Season Greetings and Happy Holidays!!

For this month on the Director's Cut we will be showing some throwback holiday flicks in honor of the Holiday season. So today's Rewind Wednesday is none other than Home Alone.

This 1990 Christmas film would catapult young Macaulay Culkin into a household name. Not only did it create a successful sequel, but other studios were left to duplicate its winning formula to lesser degrees. An 8- year-old, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars. Directed by Chris Columbus, the film also featured Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, and the late John Candy. This film would result into the third highest grossing film of all time.


Now after this film did you not have the sudden urge to want to be with your family? I sure did even despite all of the stress and commotion. Well lets see what other's think as well:

Do you enjoy spending the holidays with your family?
__ YES

__ No, its too stressful

__ Sometimes


Let us know what you think!!

Could it be...Beverly Hills Cop IV!!!

"Beverly Hills Cop IV" could see Axel Foley dealing with the murder of his former partner Billy Rosewood. Latino Review has got the scoop on the potential story details of the action comedy franchise's fourth installment, noting that the story kicks off after Judge Reinhold's Rosewood takes a leap out from the 20th storey of the Los Angeles Police headquarter. Upon hearing that his former partner has died and believing that it is not a suicide, Axel flies to Beverly Hills to get the right facts. For the case, Axel gets a new partner, a fat rookie named Goodwin with low self-esteem who has a crush on "a lady cop in the facial recognition department". It is said than Axel will play matchmaking for the two and helps Goodwin to be a better cop. Detailed description can be read at Latino Review.

Reportedly titled "Beverly Hills Cop 2009", this new "Beverly Hills Cop" film allegedly is planned to be starting its production in 2009 to get a summer 2010 release. It will be produced by "Transformers 2" producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and directed by Brett Ratner. Additionally, Michael Brandt and Derek Haas have been signed as the script writers earlier.

Now this is going to be interesting considering the third installment pretty much flopped. Hopefully this one will bring back some of the original flair from the first two. I kinda miss hearing that Axel Foley theme....ahhhhh the memories.

Cadillac Records, LA premiere

Well the holidays have begun and the movies continue to come in. As with every Christmas holiday there has to be a film to get you grooving out of your seat, and this years film is Cadillac Records. The rise and fall of Chess Records, which launched the careers of Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry. Leonard Chess scoured the South, checking out the various blues scenes and selling records from the back of his Cadillac.

It all started with a few records sold out of the back of Leonard Chess's Cadillac. During two turbulent decades of history, the music machine Chess Records oversaw the rise of such legendary artists as Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Etta James, and Bo Diddley. In this true-life musical drama, writer-director Darnell Martin chronicles not only the life of Leonard Chess, but also the racial issues of the day and the stories of the many colorful personalities who contributed to the company's success. *

Adrian Brody and Beyonce smile for the camera at the LA premiere for Cadillac Records, due out in theaters on Friday Dec. 5th.

With that all said and done here are Three Good Reasons as to why you should see this film:

1) Chess Records was known as "America's greatest blues label." Check out the soundtrack of this movie to find out why.
2) Oscar winner Adrien Brody is joined by a veritable "Who's Who" of modern African-American acting and musical talent including Jeffrey Wright, Beyonce Knowles, Cedric the Entertainer, Gabrielle Union and Mos Def.
3) Costume designer Johnetta Boone's 1950s fashions are a nostalgic delight, and make the men and women of the cast look equally fabulous.

Gabrielle Union looking fab at the "Cadillac Records" premiere in LA.

Columbus Short arriving tho the LA premiere.

Jeffrey Wright and wife Carmen Ejogo pose on the red carpet.

*Reported by Yahoo! Movies and Verizon

Transporter 3

This time the rules are the same...Except one...Do not step away from the vehicle.

All I can say about this film is that its ACTION JAMMED-PACK!! Director Olivier Megaton did an excellent job with the third installment of the Transporter film series. Both Jason Statham and Francois Berleand reprised their roles, as Frank Martin and Inspector Tarconi, respectively.

Once again, Frank Martin (Jason Statham) has been pressured into transporting another "package", Valentina (Natalya Rudakova) but there is a bit of a twist both of them have a device (attached to their wrist) which prevents them from moving 75 feet from the car or a bomb attached to them will explode. Keeping in mind Valentina who is the kidnapped daughter of Leonid Vasilev (Jeroen Krabbe), the head of the Environmental Protection Agency for Ukraine, must be transported from Marseilles through Stuttgart and Budapest until he ends up in Odessa on the Black Sea.

On his journey of course he is assisted with the help of Inspector Tarconi (Francois Berleand), Frank has to contend with the people who strong armed him to take the job, agents sent by Vasilev to intercept him, and the general non-cooperation of his passenger. Frank has now reached a whole new level of transporting. And of course we have to have some soft scene, it would only be right!! Now despite Valentina's cynical disposition and Frank's resistance to get involved, Frank and Valentina fall for each other, while escaping from one life-threatening situation after another. Viewers can also check out Statham again driveing an armored Audi A8 W12 in the film. I wonder if Audi gets any money for the use of the car, considering this is the third time.


If action film is not your forte you need not attend this film unless you would like a change of pace. This film definitely had me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure what's next. While others may have felt it was a bit watered down, I personally think the film did an excellent job of sticking to what we know best ACTION-PACKED scenes from beginning to end!!


Grade: B+

Rewind Wednesday: Planes, Trains, Automobiles

Planes, Trains, Automobiles (1987)

“What he really wanted was to spend Thanksgiving with his family. What he got was three days with the turkey.”

With Turkey right on our heels one can't help but think of some funny holiday movies to get the soul stirring. So I had to pick a film that will bring the holiday cheer as well as

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is an American comedy movie produced by Paramount Pictures in 1987. It was written and directed by John Hughes and stars Steve Martin and John Candy.

Steve Martin plays the tightly wound Neal Page, a bundle-of-nerves advertising executive. John Candy portrays the innocent, but always skewered, Del Griffith (Director of sales, American Light and Fixture, shower curtain ring division), a shower curtain ring salesman who seems to live in a world governed by a different set of rules from those governing Neal Page's marketing life.

The movie follows the story of Neal Page as he tries to return to his family for Thanksgiving in Chicago after being on a business trip in New York. The journey is doomed from the outset, with Del Griffith interfering by inadvertently snatching the taxi cab that Page had hailed for himself. The two inevitably pair up later and begin an absurdly error-prone adventure to help Page get back to his home. Their flight from LaGuardia Airport to O'Hare is diverted to Wichita due to a blizzard in Chicago, which ends up dissipating only a few hours after touchdown in Kansas. When every mode of transport fails them, what should have been a 1 hour and 45 minute New York-to-Chicago flight turns into a three-day adventure.

The film, the second to pair John Candy and Steve Martin, was greeted with critical applause in 1987, a surprising revelation given the fact that at the time Steve Martin and John Candy were both known as relatively low-brow comedians and John Hughes was considered a teen angst filmmaker. Their attempts at producing an 'adult' comedy resulted in one of the most highly regarded films of the decade. (It now has 95% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and is featured in Roger Ebert's Great Movies collection.) In 2000, readers of Total Film magazine voted it the 10th greatest comedy film of all time. Steve Martin and John Candy are hilarious in this classic John Hughes comedy.

*Reported by Wikipedia

Turkey Day Movies!!

Well just in case you want to hit the theaters on Turkey Day or after you have done your Black Friday shopping, there are few flicks for you to catch! According to the Hollywood Reporter, one or more of Wednesday's three wide-release movies might turn out to be a box-office turkey, but film distributors see the long Thanksgiving session as a lucrative opportunity for new films and holdovers alike.

Three films viying for your attention this Thanksgiving include the following:

* Lionsgate 's Jason Statham -starring "Transporter 3" has Frenchman Olivier Megaton directing for producers Luc Besson and Steven Chasman. Young males appear a dependable fan base for the action franchise, so the sequel should start particularly well and hunker down in second place among the new releases during the five-day span.

* Warner Bros .' seasonal comedy "Four Christmases" features Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. The stars' established audience appeal offers a sturdy base of support, and prerelease tracking surveys show sufficiently broad interest to make "Christmases" a frontrunner among the new releases.


* Fox's Baz Luhrmann -helmed "Australia" stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman in an action adventure of epic sweep and 165-minute running time. The film -- whose $130 million in production costs were cut to $78 million through Aussie tax rebates -- has drawn encouraging early reviews, and tracking indicates good interest among older moviegoers.

All three films open November 26th with PG-13 ratings.

Reported by: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

WHO SHOULD PLAY THE FIRST BLACK BOND?

It appears that both Jamie Foxx and Diddy have taken a STRONG interest in playing the historical role of ......James Bond.
Current star Daniel Craig recently suggested it could be time for the first black Bond in the wake of Barack Obama’s election as the first African-American president in U.S. history. Asked by U.S. news show Access Hollywood whether he would like to play Bond, he says, “Of course! I’d put a little swing in it. A little hip-hop, you know. Maybe not drinking martinis, but drinking some Hennessey maybe. Bond would drink dark liquor.” And Foxx admits he has already received backing to take on the coveted role. He adds, “I was in London and I had to give an award to Daniel Craig? and I went up and said, ‘Bond. Black Bond.’ And everybody just lost it… Black Bond would be cool.”

Interesting, considering back in 2006 at the MTV Europe Music Awards Diddy also put in his bid for the role. "One day the time will come for a black Bond and hopefully I can audition for it. It’s a dream of mine to play a great role like that.” Hmmmmm I guess since we have a new black president-elect and Beyonce wants to be Wonder Woman, Bond had to be next. We shall see what the credits roll in for the movie goers.

But who do you think should be the first black Bond?

New "Star Trek" movie begins to take flight

Hollywood will get a chance to get a blast from the past, as the new Star Trek arrives soon in theaters. I will admit I did watch the show and the past movies, but was not such a die-hard fan, however this movie may bring me to the home team. With the trailer hitting theaters last week (week of 11/9) many our anxious to see what is in store. Many have said that the new Trek will reignite a "dormant franchise" and kick the 2009 summer movie season into high gear!!





Star Trek will open nationwide on May 8, 2009.

Rewind Wednesday: The Mighty Quinn

"THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE CHIEF SUSPECT. They know each other too well to let a little thing like murder get in their way."
Man oh man when I tell you this week is going by super fast it is zooming, but I can't forget to bring you today's Rewind Wednesday Flick: The Mighty Quinn.

This is one of those films that you have to go dig deep in the closet, and if you are like me you got it on VHS and need to update to DVD format! The Mighty Quinn gave us the opportunity to see Denzel Washington a budding actor at the time take some international roots. This 1989 film set in the caribbean would star some amazing actors and actresses including Denzel Washington, Robert Townsend, Mimi Rogers, M. Emmet Walsh, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and James Fox. Based off the novel written by A.H.Z. Carr titled "Finding Maubee".

When police officer Xavier Quinn's childhood friend, Maubee, becomes associated with murder and a briefcase full of ten thousand dollar bills, The Mighty Quinn must clear his name. Or try to catch him, which could be even trickier. (Written by http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Renee%20Ann%20Byrd%20%7Bbyrdie@wyrdbyrd.org%7D )

Famed film critic Roger Ebert would give the film an overwhelmingly positive review, stating itwas one of the best films of 1989. Ebert would give the film film four stars. The high point, he said, was Washington's performance:
The film stars Denzel Washington in one of those roles that creates a movie star overnight. You might have imagined that would have happened to Washington after he starred in "Cry Freedom" as the South African hero Steven Biko. He got an Oscar nomination for that performance, but it didn't even begin to hint at his reserves of charm, sexiness and offbeat humor. In an effortless way that reminds me of Robert Mitchum, Michael Caine or Sean Connery in the best of the Bond pictures, he is able to be tough and gentle at the same time, able to play a hero and yet not take himself too seriously.

Overall this was an excellent film which highlighted the acting ability of several actors. It is one of those films you can look back on 10 years later and say that's a "great movie" lets pop it in!!



A little known fact: The U.S. did indeed issue a $10,000 bill in the early 20th century. However, it is incorrectly described by one of the characters in the movie as having a picture of "The President." The real $10,000 bill featured Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury during the American Civil War.

Coming Soon To A Theater Near You

I got three films on the docket for ya to look forward to this month and in December!!

Watchmen (2008)
Set in an alternate 1985, the film follows a group of former vigilantes as war begins to break out between the United States and the Soviet Union. Now I have never been a DC Comic fan but this one has sparked an interest for me.


Valkyrie (2008)
Valkyrie is a 2008 historical thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise. The film is based on the 20 July plot of 1944 of German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and marks the re-teaming of Singer and producer/screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie. Cruise will portray the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.



And last but not least, Seven Pounds (2008)
is an upcoming drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino. Will Smith stars as a man who will change the lives of seven strangers.

Bond Seeks revenge in Quantum of Solace (2008)

So we pick up where we left off in Casino Royale, with Bond (Daniel Craig) seeking revenge for the killing of his beloved Vesper Lynd. In this latest installment of the James Bond series we get to see a harder side to the James Bond character, not really typically seen from previous films. After Bond's betrayal, he and M (Judi Dench) are determined to uncover the truth about Vesper and the organization which blackmailed her. However, as the story begins to unravel they realize this situation is a bit more complicated than anticipated.

In Quantum of Soalce, the audience is able to see the reuniting of old friends who team up with Bond to help uncover this mystery. Bond must stay one step of everyone including the terrorists, M, and even the CIA so that he can uncover what is really going down. Now in your typical Bond fashion, we have an enemy and a mission to solve, in this one Bond battles Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) who is a member of the Quantum organization as well as posing as an environmentalist staging to take control of Bolivia's water supply. One might say that this villain was not your typical grotesque villian, but the modern day corporate villain.

Now it has all the ingredients for a classic Bond film, but I think it takes a left turn somewhere and the focus seems to shift. One thing I will say is that I missed the gadgets that Bond would always get, it kinda of would have given me a little nostalgia for the soul (lol). With this movie, Bond was seen more as an action hero versus the cool, suave M16 agent that we are used to seeing. For a little bit of the movie I thought I was watching Jason Bourne, but then I snapped back and said this is James Bond, even though throughout the whole movie he really did not come off as charming or the suave Bond that we are used to seeing. Even when interviewed Craig emphasized that Quantum required a different performance for him since it was a revenge film versus the love story in Casino Royale (Spy Harder, John Naughton, GQ). However, I was pleased to see the continuation of Jeffrey Wright's character CIA agent Felix Leiter (even though his character seems a bit far-fetched in certain moments).

Now just in case you missed this scene or did not conncet the dots there was a little tribute connection with Quantum and a previous Bond film Goldfinger (1964). It is not unusual for us to see the Bond women go out in some interesting ways, but this was quite interesting to see 44 years later bringing back the wicked ways!! Producers were hoping that the image would be as memorable as the sixties scene that inspired it. One might say it was quite an iconic part of the film.

Goldfinger (1964)
Quantum of Solace (2008)

Overall, I will say that the film was action-filled and definitely kept my eyes glued to the screen. And just like with all great movies there is trial and error, but sooner rather than later I am sure it will be back to its original form. Quantum (like the Lord of Rings series) was a continuation of a bigger story with a bigger plot. One might say it was a film of character development, starting a new so to speak. Many may predict the future Bond films will re-introduce the gadgets and a more suave, polished Bond (Shout out to Mr. Thompson). One can't help but miss the charming and refined, yet still full of action M16 agent. I have no worries that Craig will be back, and I will be looking forward to his reprise of... Bond...James Bond.


Grade: B+

Movie "Che" will be shown at Cuba film festival

Now for all my history buffs and indie film fans I got a treat for you.

"Che," the movie about Argentine Ernesto "Che" Guevara who fought alongside Fidel Castro in the Cuban revolution, will be shown next month in Cuba, the director of Havana's New Latin American Film Festival said on Thursday (11/13/08).

Puerto Rican-born actor Benicio Del Toro played the role of Che, who would be captured and executed on October 9, 1967, while trying to lead a leftist insurgency in Bolivia.

Del Toro would win the best-actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where the film premiered.
The film was shot in Spain and Bolivia because, according to Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, the U.S. government, which has a 46-year-old trade embargo against Cuba, would not allow Soderbergh to make the movie on the Communist-led island.

Ivan Giroud would inform reporters the movie, made by U.S. director Stephen Soderbergh, would be a special presentation not eligible for any of the festival awards. Giroud said the film's principals would have to get U.S. permission to attend the showing.

Another One that may Depart Hollywood...

So just a few weeks ago we were told that Joaquin Phoenix would be retiring from Hollywood and now we have another actress who may be following suit. It has been reported that "Changeling" star Angelina Jolie will be fading away into the mist of which we call Hollywood. As told to BBC with having six children to watch over she would like to gradually end her craft so that she can spend more time raising her family. Now she does not plan to completely leave the art but just to not have such an active participation in acting.

She has also clarified that there is no real "cutoff point" and that she has not made any pledge to completely stop acting. Jolie, who stars in the movie "Changeling" from director Clint Eastwood, said she has not worked on a movie for a year. Apart from starting a project in February, she said that she will probably not work again for another year (Yahoo! Movies). "So maybe it will be once a year and then maybe it will be once every three years, and then just naturally -- I like being home a lot these days," Jolie told the BBC.

To be so young and to slowly step away from a lucrative career. However, I will admit she does stay active in numerous other roles, so I can't knock her if she would like to take some time to reflect on her life and motherhood!!

Rewind Wednesday: Boomerang

"A Player Who's About To Be Played!"

After many of my co-workers insisted that I do this movie, I gave into the pressure. Thanks Denisa and Vanessa!! This is one of those movies that is considered one of the newer black classic films.

Boomerang is a 1992 romantic comedy film, directed by Reginald Hudlin. Eddie Murphy, who also co-wrote the script, stars as Marcus Graham, a hotshot advertising executive who also happens to be an insatiable womanizer and male chauvinist. But what is headed his way he may not be able to handle when his new boss Jacqueline (Robin Givens) takes one up on him. basically she is the male version of Marcus. This movie would also end up starring comedians Martin Lawrence & David Alan Grier along with newcomer on the scene Halle Berry. Berry was relatively new on the film scene at the time of her casting in the film, only having appeared in a couple of films prior to getting the role. However, after Berry did her screen test, Murphy told Hudlin "well, that's it. There's no need to see the other two actresses because she's the part." (Wikipedia)

This movie would set off many scenes to remember ranging from the wild fashion diva Strange' (Grace Jones) to the purring of Lady Eloise (Eartha Kitt). And one of my ultimate favorite parts which set off a song of the year, the line of dialogue where Halle is furious with Eddie, and saying 'love should've brought your ass home last night,' slaps him. At that time, L.A. Reid would lean over to Babyface telling him 'that's a great song title.' From there they would write a song, Love Shoulda Brought You Home performed by Toni Braxton.

Boomerang I would definitely say is a good film to pick up and watch – it uses Murphy's playa persona and turns the film into the romantic comedy that it is known for. Now one may agree that it is somewhat plain silly and it is quite predictable, yet it is still pretty enjoyable and quite sexy too!

Some little known facts:

*WINNER-Most Performed Song from a Film — Antonio "L.A." Reid, Daryl Simmons, and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds for End of the Road

*It was the 18th highest grossing film in the U.S. in 1992.

*NOMINATED- Best Movie Song — Boyz II Men, "End of the Road"

*Esteemed film critic Roger Ebert gave the film and its stars positive reviews, calling the movie "predictable but enjoyable all the same."