A Sneak Preview into the Highly Anticipated “Dear White People” film*

“Dear White People, the minimum requirement of black friends needed to not seem racist has been raised to two…Sorry, your ‘weed man’ Tyrone does not count!”

Every generation has a film that shocks as it touches upon issues of race and inequalities of color. In 1950, we had the black-and-white American film noir No Way Out; in 1970, the satirical comedy Watermelon Man; in 1989, Spike Lee’s ‘fight the power’ film Do The Right Thing (1989); John Singleton’s 1991 classic Boyz in the Hood; and at the beginning of the new millennium Bamboozled (2000). In 2014, we have Dear White People a contemporary satire that is not simply another post-black film, but a commentary on expanding and updating notions of black identity.

Winner of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival’s Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent, Dear White People is a sly, provocative satire of race relations in the Obama age. In this breakthrough performance, writer/director Justin Simien gives audiences a close look at four African American students as they navigate racial and sexual politics and campus life at the predominately white Winchester University. The four protagonists, “The Rebel,” “The Token,” “The Poster Child,” and “The Diva,” are what Simien likes to call “archetypes of people of color.” He sees them as archetypes versus stereotypes, or just simply blacks who espouse survival tactics in environments where they are in the minority or have to cope with the way people label them: “One of the things that was interesting about Dear White People is that I show these archetypes in the beginning, and we just dismantle them to a complete pulp by the end,”[1] remarks Simien.

Simien, a 31-year-old Texas native, drew direct inspiration for this film as result from his experience at Chapman University in Southern California. Being a “black face in a white place” is not just the premise of the film, but also an actual lived reality for Simien (the Black student body on Chapman University comprises 1.6 percent of the campus). As someone who has experienced much of what he portrays in the film, Simien takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to exploring the state of college campuses today and racial identity in a supposedly post-racial America, specifically, having a cinematic dialogue about what it means to be black today. Considering the past few years have been marked with numerous deaths of unarmed young black women and men, he has hopes that this film will resonate particularly with the millennial generation. According to Simien in an interview with “Best of New Orleans:

“The funny thing is that there are still people out there who believe [the U.S. is post-racial]…People say ‘do we even need this [type of film]? Aren’t we beyond this?’ After Obama was elected, there was this post-racial bubble; some liberal and very well-intentioned people thought we had overcome the struggles of racism. It took all these tragic shootings of black teenagers, and members of Congress telling Obama to go back to Africa, and racist blackface parties to bubble into mainstream for people to realize we’re still dealing with the same issues.”[2]

The film has garnered much anticipation leading up to its October 24th nationwide release, since one can view a collection of sketches, trailers, and videos under a PSA series called “The More You Know (About Black People)” some of these include:

             “Not To Be Racist, But…”     

            “Do Black People Love Fried Chicken?”     

            “Why The Best Athletes Are Black?”

            “White People Love Food Stamps, Too”

In addition to the PSAs, sketches, and trailers, one can purchase Dear White People paraphernalia, posters, and even the book on which the film is based.

Dear White People hopes to bring laughs, while deliberately addressing casual racist attitudes of what may seem outlandish to some white Americans; for far too many African Americans, these statements represent everyday reality. For all intents and purposes, Simien wants viewers to walk out of theater with a different mindset from the one they brought into the film, and hopefully for the better. “I’m really looking at people whose past racial bubble is yet to be popped…I want this to be part of a cross-cultural conversation they’ve never had before. Our movie couldn’t have come out at a better time.”[3]

Dear White People hits select theaters this Friday October 17th and nationwide on October 24th. However, as a special bonus for the Bay Area there will be a private screening of this film on today at Shattuck Cinema Theaters.

*As posted in The Berkeley Graduate

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[1] Interview from New York Times “Happy to Be Your Guide to Black Identity”: Justin Simien Goes Mainstream with ‘Dear White People’…10/9/2014…By: Nelson George

[2] Interview from Best of New Orleans, “Director Justin Simien talks about Dear White People”

[3] Interview from UPTOWN Magazine, “The One Thing ‘Dear White People’ Director Justin Simien is Sorry About”…10/13/2014…By: Angela Bronner Helm

Forest Whitaker stars in the new psychological thriller "Repentance" (2014)

Imagine a night of fun in the Louisiana bayou with family and friends that turns into a nightmare that you never forget…

Repentance, a psychological thriller, tells the story of life-coach and author Thomas Carter (played by Anthony Mackie), who is approached at a book signing for an autograph and one-on-one counseling mysteriously abducted by an unbalanced client, Angel Sanchez (Forest Whitaker). Against better judgment, Carter agrees to take on Angel as a new client, so that he can assist with paying off a debt for his brother Ben (played by Mike Epps). What Carter does not realize is that Angel has done his homework on the therapist as he delves into his teachings and uses his spiritual messages of Karma (Vipaka—action and reaction) against him to create “hell on earth” for Carter and his family so that they can own up to their past sins. Very quickly, the client becomes the judge and jury.

Repentance, directed by Philippe Caland, and stars Forest Whitaker, Anthony Mackie, Mike Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, and Sanaa Lathan. This 2014 picture offers viewers a front row seat to a deep, dark, twisted secret but, unfortunately, the journey to the film’s revelations is very anticlimactic. Just think of Repentance as a cross between Misery, What Lies Beneath, and Eve’s Bayou.  Repentance relays a failed effort at a psychological portraiture thriller film that just happens to throw in a few scenes of pointless tension and forced torture scenes. What the movie does well is provide the necessary (and, at times, overcompensated) shock and suspense of the genre.

As a whole, Repentance lacks in character development. Thomas turns out to be an inflexible, hypocritical, phony counselor and Angel (to no surprise) is essentially a second-generation, down-graded male version of Kathy Bates’ character in Misery. Then you have the secondary and minor characters Ben (Epps) who is more of a plot point than a character, existing primarily as the keeper of his brother’s dark secret; Maggie (Thomas’ wife; played by Lathan), a very minor role as an ungrateful, yoga instructor; and, finally, Sophie (Angel’s wife; played by Ari Parker) makes a very brief, short-lived appearance until more than halfway through the film. Basically, the female characters become nonentities and impassioned placeholders. 

Director Philippe Caland, a French-Lebanese immigrant, is a filmmaker with a unique career in Hollywood. He has done everything from producing to a few entrepreneurial efforts. Caland provides a momentarily intriguing film that could have had a compelling and riveting storyline, but falls to hit the mark. As an Academy Award winning actor Whitaker, who has much better roles and has worked with Caland before, (i.e. The Last King of Scotland, The Butler, Repo Men) finds himself taking on a “wow-less” role in an implausible, far-fetched script. Obviously shot on a very small budget, both Caland and director of photography Denis Maloney fail to take advantage of the authentic New Orleans surroundings resulting in a boring, visual feature film.

All in all, Repentance becomes a film that is ultimately formulaic with a predictable, disappointing ending. Even with commendable performance from both Whitaker and Mackie, it’s not enough to carry the film to the finish line. At a certain point, the viewer quickly loses interest and must suffer through to the end.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

As posted in The Berkeley Graduate

"The Best Man Holiday"...Grab the Tissue...

Prepare to break out the tissue for this one, because the floodgates of tears will soon follow…

It has been 15 years since The Best Man (1999) debuted on the Hollywood screen, and the reunion could not have been any sweeter. The Best Man Holiday comes at a great time to prepare for the upcoming holiday season. 

So just in case you have not seen the first movie or it’s been a little while, here is a quick, updated primer. The whole cast from The Best Man returns and are doing pretty well for themselves in their respective lives and careers. The only new editions are the children and a new flame/significant other. Harper (Taye Diggs) is an author and former teacher at NYU; his wife Robyn (Sanaa Lathan) has gone from being a budding caterer to a full-time Chef; Harper’s best friend Lance (Morris Chestnut) is playing professional football in the NFL and is on the brink of retirement; his wife Mia (Monica Calhoun) is a housewife; then there is Jordan (Nia Long) who has moved through the corporate ranks of BET and now works for MSNBC as an executive producer; her new boyfriend Brian (Eddie Cibrian), one of the new additions to the cast, is a top business man who works on Wall Street; then there is Julian aka Murch (Harold Perrineau) who has become one of the leading innovators in education and runs his own school with the assistance of his wife Candace (Regina Hall); and the final two Shelby (Melissa De Sousa) has now become a reality TV star, and Quentin (Terrence Howard) who has added some stability to life now owns a managing firm. Even though time has passed and life changes have taken place there are still some secrets that have remained and others that have surfaced. As the saying goes…“some things just never change”.

The Best Man Holiday is one of those sequels that could have failed tremendously, but it somehow manages to successfully get past the sophomore curse. Keeping in mind it is rare that a sequel can get a whole cast to return when more than a decade has passed. Truthfully I think, when it comes to original movies and not ones centered off someone who was alive, this definitely makes the list as an excellent film featuring a Black majority cast in a while. One of the highlights of this movie is that it definitely lives up to being a comedy-drama. A large amount of the humor comes from the cast cracking jokes on each other, in some ways a love-hate type vibe, it just seems like it’s a part of their various relationships and friendships.

The film should also be recognized for its non-comedic performances. Keep in mind, if you have not seen the original, there is a lot of already existing drama that has taken place: characters have dated each other, had sex with each other, or liked each other, in the group. As a result of this, there is a lot of existing and lingering chemistry between characters thus their history causes friction. Nevertheless, naturally there seems to be one thing, which brings them together and bond like a family. Unfortunately this one thing may bring on the tears, which might make the viewer a little cheerful for the specific comic relief between Shelby and Quentin. Needless to say, the writing and performances will positively test your sense of empathy.

Now although the film is, overall, beautifully captured, there are a few issues. For example, (without giving any spoilers) Harper and Lance's relationship is somewhat forced and less natural, in comparison to other relationships from characters in the film. And the situation once it is brought to the light, which causes conflict between the two, after it is resolved, is certainly sort of obligatory and slightly annoying. Needless to say it does help push the story along. Another issue could be seen in Lance’s character; to a degree he portrays a Tyler Perry-style faith in Christianity, which might be overbearing at times. Even with these minor problems, The Best Man Holiday still does not disappoint. If nothing else the film has definitely kept up with the times as one reporter from The Washington Post said it clearly delivers in that with one plot point “it is able to revolve around social media run amok, off-handedly invoking everyone from the current president Barack Obama to MSNBC star commentator Melissa Harris-Perry, to T.V. sensation Olivia Pope and to ‘Blurred Lines’ singer Robin Thicke."

So, I remind you again, be ready to laugh and cry all in one sitting, because the dramatic moments are so touching it will truly leave an emotional weight on you. Know that you will laugh and cry, and laugh and cry some more. All in all, this film will undeniably make you appreciate life, family, and friends. On a final note, The Best Man Holiday succeeds in presenting new directions and viewpoints for Black actors. It's difficult to find representations of Black Love in pop culture that are not ratchet, oversexed, or overly comedic. Well, The Best Man Holiday provides a refreshing alternative.

MUST SEE DOC: A Cultural Experience Shared Globally..."The Fade: A Clean Cut Documentary"

"3 Continents, 4 Barbers, 1 Cut - The Fade. It is more than just a haircut."

I am definitely all about a great documentary that can not only educate, but inspire and entertain the viewer all at the same time. So often people feel that documentaries are just boring films that talk about nature, some foreign technology, or a business venture that you have no clue how it can even work for you. Well today while doing my normal browsing of the net I stumbled upon a trailer that immediately caught my attention.

The barbershop has been a place of solace for many, a place for men (in particular) to get their daily news and gossip, and for young boys a place deemed essential as a part of the coming of age process. For many men and women a good haircut is also necessary to one's physical make up. That one haircut can transform you from the "Average Joe to the The Man!!"

Directed by Andy Mundy-Castle (Giving up the Weed, David is Dying) along with Big Bright Films The Fade: A Clean Cut Documentary is an up close and personal feature documentary that explores how "the Fade" is simply more than just a haircut. The Fade... is a film that presents an exclusive look into four barbers (which include Johnny "Cakes" Castellanos, Shawn Powis, Faisal, and Offori 'Tupac' Mensah) lives who are responsible for the images of some of the worlds major icons (i.e. Jay-Z, Elephant Man, Adrian Lester and others).

As a whole, this film provides a smooth and harmonious journey from Accra to London to New Jersey to Kingston paralleling prevalent themes of masculinity, identity, business, and culture. With only time and space separating these barbers, The Fade... aimlessly demonstrates the power of a mobile enterprise that produces many different individual goals and aspirations within distinct and diverse communities.

 

Sidenote: Now if you happen to be in London on next month (September 8th), the film will be screened at the British Urban Film Festival in the Genesis Cinema.

When it is all said and done...It's nothing like seeing a brotha with a fresh fade...."oooooo weeee so fresh and so clean!"

Say Yes!!, A Short Film By Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay has done it again! With such stunning and inspiring films such as I Will Follow, Middle of Nowhere, and her last short film The Door (in collaboration with Miu Miu, starring Gabrielle Union and Alfre Woodard), DuVernay continue to show how Black women are a force to be reckon with behind the camera. Her work is impeccable, and this newest short film does not not disappoint. This glowing piece of art Say Yes is a film, that is a partnership with the historic cosmetic brand (for women of color) Fashion Fair: "explores the power of the affirmative, and the beauty that blossoms from embracing life. Inspired by the Fashion Fair lip color, 'Say Yes,' Sundance award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay created this vision of what happens when you welcome the unexpected." 

Say Yes stars Kali Hawk as the leading lady and the perfection that is Lance Gross as her loving man. And ladies let's be real this brother right can just walk on camera and not have to anything but simply smile, and we are hypnotized under his spell. His entrance is jaw-dropping. In addition, to those wonderful faces you will also see some other great folks like creator Issa Rae, director Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust), upcoming actress Aasha Davis (The UnWritten Rules), writer/director Lena Waithe (Sh*t Black Girls Say), singer N'Dambi, and acclaimed actress Lorraine Toussaint (Middle of Nowhere). Credit must be also given to the costume designer, Nigerian-British designer Duru Olowu, for the gorgeous and flawless pieces of clothing found on the cast.

This 7-minute visual rendez-vous/vacation will warm your heart and soothe your soul all in one sitting. DuVernay explains why she was enthusiastic about lending her skills to this particular project,

"I was thrilled to be asked to create a film for Fashion Fair, a brand that has always emabraced women of color, and that women of color have so often embraced. The film is a meditation on the power of 'yes,' illustrating what can happen when we affirm our family, our friends, ourselves. I aslo thought about the many ways that Fashion Fair says 'yes' to us. Yes to our variance of skin tone, yes to our different ages, yes to our body sizes, yes to the myriad of elements that we are. That's something worth celebrating."

And this film truly exudes all the beauty that one only imagine, inside and out. Everything from the music, to the cast, to the beautiful landscaping shots, would make any living breathing person "SAY YES!!". I was truly mesmerized with each shot, it's like I felt like I was there partying and having a good time with everyone else. There is no denying good work when you see it.

If you don't believe me just see for yourself:

Films like this is what reminds that good work and talent still exists. Who says Black men and women can't be featured on the big screen in an inspiring and beaming light. Matter fact, this film right here may just have to be my little visual getaway from time to time!!

Guess Whose Baaaaack!!!! For All My Luther Fans...

So we got just a little something to wet our palette before the series finale of BBC's Luther...Embedded below is the first trailer:

 

And if you look real close you just might see Alice (she might be back :-)...yay). Just in case you need a little reminder of the show, we got the official synopsis for ya...

Idris Elba  returns in the title role of the acclaimed mini-series which won him a 2012 Golden Globe for “Best Actor” in this four-night television event in September - with two conflicting crimes to investigate and a ruthless ex-cop determined to bring him down. Luther’s life is his job, that is until love crosses his path and offers him a chance of happiness. Sienna Guillory (“Resident Evil,” “Love Actually”) joins the cast as Mary, a woman who works in a vintage clothing shop and meets Luther in a chance encounter. But is Mary ready to accept Luther’s past? And can Luther leave it behind? A self-destructive near-genius, John Luther might just be as dangerous as the depraved criminals he hunts. Luther shines a light into the hearts and minds of psychopaths and killers … and the shadowy spaces of his own soul.

For all my UK folks it returns to BBCOne in July and my fellow US we gotta wait just a little longer till September (September 3rd to be exact!!).

Oh Boy!!! This is going to be good!! Thoughts?!!?!

25 Movies 'Every Black Woman Should Watch'

Being the huge movie fan that I am and an avid reader of Essence Magazine, I found it very interesting to see their recommendations of the "Top 25 Movies Every Black Woman Should Watch". So figured I would take a look and provide my own remix version!! Check it out below (in no particular order):

1. Love Jones: 

A classic love story and a true showcase of black love. Larenz Tate and Nia Long have the perfect chemistry. A movie that I can watch over and over again, and never get tired.

2. Malcolm X:

Here is a movie that has the perfect equation...Eye Candy (that is Denzel Washington)+ History of an Icon that was heavily discussed in school= Amazing film and performance!! Many have said this is not just a movie, but a movement!!

3. What's Love Got To Do With It? 

Probably one of the best performance from Angela Bassett. She nailed this roll to a tee. And what was not to like a about seeing a black triumph and make it BIG!!

4. The Best Man:

And as an added bonus we get a sequel!! YES...YES...YES!!

5. Mahongany:

This movie is the perfect example of a true transformation. This film channels everything fashion, modeling, and a dramatic love affair with fine as wine Billy Dee Williams.

6. Sparkle (1976)

Family, Fame, and Love...each has its place in this girl group's lives.

7. The Color Purple:

Another classic book to film adaptation that examines the many facets of the black woman and her struggle to survive, maintain strength, and being true to one's self inside and out.

8. Eve's Bayou

"Memory is a selection of images, some elusive, others printed indelibly on the brain. The summer I killed my father, I was 10 years old." Now that is some deep stuff coming from a young child. I can remember watching this film and being hooked immediately. Director Kasi Lemmons shocks each and every one of your senses, and potentially even cast a spell on you. :-)

9. Waiting to Exhale:

I really like this movie! It showed the real deal of what happens in the lives of black women, everything from sex, dating, scandal, hurt, pain, love, and so much more. We could relate to at least one of the ladies or at least some part of them. The bond that each of these sistas had was truly genuine! And to top it off, it was accompanied by an awesome soundtrack!!

10. Daughters of the Dust: 

This quote said it best: "I've never seen another movie like it. It's a uniquely African and African-American story, but also a universal one at the same time. It's the lyrical story of a Gullah family on St. Helena Island on the eve of their move to the mainland (US/South Carolina). The visuals are stunning, the acting is great, and the story is original. To boot, the filmmaker, Julie Dash was the first Black woman to have her feature film (this one) distributed theatrically nationwide. The Library of Congress selected the film for the National Film Registry." --Akkida McDowell, Deputy Research Editor, ESSENCE Magazine 

11. Boomerang

"If you don't know the dialogue from this film, you need to learn it ASAP. Boomerang really created the blueprint for the Black creative executive. Love, money, drama, and sex. What more could you ask for? --Emil Wilbekin, Editor-at-Large, ESSENCE

12. Friday

Comedy, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, No Job!!

13. Foxy Brown

Pam Grier paved the way for ALL women to be able to play an action heroine, in a lead role. And she did it in true style!! Foxy was not one to mees with!!

14. Cleopatra Jones

Here is a woman who takes down a whole gang of men, by herself, and looks real fly at the same time. The sista got it going on!! You can't tell me Cleopatra was not a diva!

15. A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands...enough said!! True Legends.

16. School Daze:

Everything from "Good or Bad Hair...see if I care" to HBCU Homecomings, to Campus Revolutionaries!! You betta wake up!!

17. Their Eyes Were Watching God:

"It's a fantastic movie adaption to the famed book by Zora Neale Hurston starring Halle Berry and Michael Ealy. Not only does the main character, Janie Crawford (Berry) represent many women struggling to find themselves in life, she also fights to not let love rule her." --Derrick Taylor, Associate Editor, ESSENCE.com

18. Coming to America

"She's your queen to beeeee...." and "Sexual Chocolate (drops the mic)" 

19. Brown Sugar:

Hip Hop and Black Love, works for me!!

20. The Wiz:

"This lavish musical production of an all-Black retelling of The Wizard of Oz, showcased some of the greatest talents of all time."

21. I Will Follow: 

This movie was phenomenal, you can't help but look at your own self and family and see big or small pieces of your own life. I could totally relate with the main character Maye, when you invest so much emotionally into a something or someone, you can drain every bit of existence. But somehow that light at the end of tunnel becomes a little clearer and you can begin the fight again!

22. Set It Off:

Hats off to F. Gary Gray for this film right here. A movie about black women who stick together all the way to the end, despite the obstacles that are presented in front of them. Friendship at its finest. One of my fave movies of the 90s.

23. Love and Basketball

Friendship, Basketball, Memories...in the end love prevails!

24. Harlem Nights

"You shot my pinkie toe!!" If you have not seen this movie, stop right now and  go to Netflix and be prepared to laugh all day and all night!!

25. Poetic Justice

Before Kendrick Lamr made this into a hit track, the movie had already did the job.

Now this is just my take, but feel free to chime in on what might be on your list!!

Finding You in the "Middle of Nowhere"...

DuVernay has done it again!! Opening Night at the Landmark Midtown in Atlanta, GA for the premiere of Ava DuVernay's second feature film, Middle of Nowhere been waiting for this moment since last year this time. But the wait was worth it!!

These days it is very hard to find a film that not only entertains but provides a humanistic experience. Middle of Nowhere does just that, and in a captivating way. It is not often that you find gems within Hollywood (and maybe that is a good thing), but when you do there is a greater appreciation of that film when you are able to view it with your own eyes. With this film, Sundance award-winning director Ava DuVernay is able to create a story that deals with love, trust, the complex prison industry, family, and finding one's self in this thing called life.

Middle of Nowhere tells a story of Ruby (played by Emaytzay Corinealdi), a bright medical student who sets aside her dreams and suspends her career when her husband Derek (Omari Hardwick) is incarcerated. As the committed couple stares into the hollow end of an eight-year prison sentence, Ruby must learn to live another life, one marked with shame and separation. And as a steadfast wife she soon becomes propelled into another world filled with self-discovery and choosing between two worlds and two men. 

In addition to the story, DuVernay should take pride in the actors that she used with this film. Without them there would be no movie. And the lead character Ruby (Corinealdi) is truly the center of it all, and plays this role so beautiful and eloquent. Corinealdi is brilliant in this role as she is able to capture her audience with a breath-taking convincing performance. Even though her specific circumstance may not be the same as yours or mine the character is still relatable in the fact that everyone has to make their own choices for themselves. No doubt about it she brought an Oscar-worthy performance, and look forward to seeing more of her. Her presence is one that will move mountains and shake grounds.

The supporting cast is just as remarkable. Omari Hardwick who plays Derek, Ruby's incarcerated husband, once again challenges his viewers to see him play very complex and intricate characters. Although we as the viewer know very little about him, we know enough that we feel his pain and his hurt as he struggles to be a provider and most importantly a MAN all behind prison bars. If you have ever seen the movie Nothing But a Man, you will have an even better understanding of Hardwick's character in the film. He conveys a performance that makes you feel sorry and angry for him all at the same time. And then there is Brian (David Oyelowo) who is like the wildcard. Oyelowo gives a low-key performance of guy who seizes an opportunity to pick up what another guy has left behind. In this role from Oyelowo, we get to see a more take charge, advancing character doesn't give up regardless of the circumstances. The interactions between Brian and Ruby light sparks and send chills because in the back of your mind you want to cheer for them even though it is technically wrong. These two men in Ruby's life are more than just another love story, but the provide the background and foundation for what she is really supposed to do with her life.

There is also a feminine connection as we get to see Ruby interact with both her mother, Ruth (Lorraine Toussiant) and her sister Rosie (Edwina Findley). The dynamics between these three women is filled with a mix of emotions sadness, survival, sisterhood, and grief. Both mother and sister maintain their sense of pride and dignity that ultimately put a strain on their relationship as well as with Ruby. All in all, each character brings their own personal formula to this chemical reaction of a story. Each relationship is authentic and full of clarity.

The film is to be commended for its ability to give you the whole package deal. Although there were moments where you wanted just a little but more, it kind of adds a bit of mystery to the viewing experience. Sometimes it is more important to focus on one character well than to branch off and do and average job.

Director/writer DuVernay brings a compelling and alluring screenplay to the light, with each scene you can feel each moment as it unfolds. The dramatic pauses, the close-ups, the scenery, the dialogue it all draws you in yearning to see what will play out in the next minute. Middle of Nowhere, is a prime example of a film that blends both an intriguing narrative and an awesome soundtrack. Every song in every scene worked perfectly. It is as though the script and the songs were written at the same time. Middle of Nowhere's soundtrack included such artist as Goapele, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ra-Re Valverde, Fink, J Melodius, and others.

Middle of Nowhere is a film the effectively uses all of it parts the acting, the narrative/storyline, the cinematography, the music, the color, and most importantly the timing. Everything and every person falls into its proper place without seeming forced or out of place. And after watching the film you realize that the title is actually quite fitting. Lest I not forget the way this movie ends... it is genius!! I will not reveal it to you, but just know"it's just something about that walk!!" Overall this is a film will challenge your mind and makes you look deep within yourself. Not only that but it gives you a sense of reality of the prison system (you win some, you lose some). There is an overarching lesson here...life is truly what you make it, whether you are free or seeking to be free...

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Sidenote: I kid you not this is a film that you do not want to miss. For those who live in Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, Oakland, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, or the surrounding areas this is a MUST SEE!!

"The 2012 Inaugural Black Vintage Movie Series"

Calling all my Atlanta folks!!

The Black Vintage Movie Series, Inc. invites you and your family to join them on June 16th, 2012 as they celebrate those  who helped pave the path for today's African Americans actors/actresses in the Motion Picture Industry. The inaugural movie series is also presented by Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall.


'The Black Vintage Movie Series' showcases select films from 1920-1950. Founded by Jeff Bellamy, the 'Black Vintage Movie Series' was inspired by Bellamy's father's enthusiasm for black films from the Great Depression. This era represents a time when families were more tightly structured, when going to the movies meant that women and men dressed impeccably. It was a night out on the town and people carried themselves with respect. During this time actors worked with very limited technical resources and musicians played without the benefit of sound enhancement. 


Check out the schedule here:
2:30 pm Imitation of Life
5:00 pm Lecture- Bright Boulevard, Bold Dreams
7:00 pm Carmen Jones
9:30 pm Q&A with acclaimed author Donald Bogle


The movie series will take place at The Balzer Theater at Herren's (84 Luckie St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303). Tickets are as follows:
          Individual Screenings: $19 in advance, $21 day of the show, $15 for groups of 10+
          Full Day Pass: $28 in advance, $34 day of the show, $25 for groups of 10+

Tickets can be purchased via phone (1-877-725-8849) or online .

Another film that NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!! “Black Men, Afraid of Dark”

As you all know, Black Savant Cinema is always in support of new and upcoming film projects. Some time ago I had the opportunity to feature this inspiring filmmaker Mya B . And now she has a documentary that she has been working on that will add a different light to the way black men are viewed and treated in this country through the film, Black Men, Afraid of Dark, formally known as Silence 2: Black Male Sexuality. 


According to the filmmaker, the purpose of the film is to analyze some of the damaging stereotypes about black men being violent, angry and oversexed and offer a balance to that by talking to black men of various ages and backgrounds about their family upbringing, how they define manhood, losing their virginity, black relationships, stereotypes and the in between.  


"This journey has been an amazing one for me in the beautiful men, some of you I know and the evolution I have gone through in discovering the black man in a different light for myself."


Some of the men interviewed include Vondie Curtis Hall, Steele of Smif-N-Wesson, Malik Yoba, Kevin Powell, NY Senator Eric Adams, Dr. Llaila Afrika, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and Phillips Bradford (grandson of man that had Ota Benga in the Bronx zoo), Tom Burrell, Sam Greenlee, Lou Myers, Independent hip hop artists (mikeflo, Chen Lo, Hasan Salaam, etc) and black men from all walks of life and backgrounds. 


Black Men, Afraid of Dark, is a film that is necessary in order to heal the world at large who have judged the black man based on these detrimental stereotypes.  


So please take a few moments to donate to the "Black Men, Afraid of Dark” Kickstarter campaign . No donation is too small. Every dollar amount of your donation will go to the paying my celebrity appearances, animation and post-production.  For being so generous you will receive a limited, Shoot Films, Not People “Hoodie” in honor of Trayvon Martin and other black men killed by the hand of other because of these stereotypes, a special edition DVD with behind the scene footage, a film credit, a signed poster, and an invite to one of the hottest pre-screening parties hosted by a celebrity host and guest DJ.


Now if after all of this you are still not convinced check out the trailer below:

"It is time for the black man to stop being feared but revered.  

He is more than a stereotype.  

Let’s help change the way the world views and responds to him."  ~Mya B