BREAKING NEWS: Two More Names have been added to the Star Wars: Episode VII cast!!

This just announced today, 12 Years a Slave Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie have been casted in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII film. 

Nyong'o, 31, who made her break-through, award-winning performance in 12 Years... last year as Patsey, is now stepping into the outer space realm. Christie also adds another compelling piece to the casting puzzle, considering all the buzz she is getting from her performance as Brienne in the Game of Thrones series. Both women are bold additions to this already remarkable cast. According to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, "I could not be more excited about Lupita and Gwendoline joining the cast of Episode VII, it's thrilling to see this extraordinarily talented ensemble taking shape. 

They will be joining original cast members Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO). Other new additions that have already been cast in the upcoming film include, John Boyega (Attack the Block), newcomer  Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Andy Serkis (The Hobbit), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time), and Max von Sydow (The Exorcist). The film is being produced by Kathleen Kennedy and veteran director J.J. Abrams. It is set to hit theaters December 18th, 2015. 

No assignment of roles have been mentioned or made, but considering the cadre of actors that have been enlisted it looks like they will not disappoint...hopefully.

Two Things I Learned From Watching 'Scandal'

Let me just say that I have been bitten by the Shonda Rhimes ‘bug’ as she has captured my soul with her latest ABC television drama Scandal. It is a brilliant story that I think every person can relate to in some sort of fashion. But last night’s episode was the nail in the coffin (in a good way) for me. Now for those that do not watch the show whether male or female YOU ARE MISSING OUT!! And I will not disclose any details, but trust me it sucks you in and takes no prisoners.

I will give you just a brief synopsis so that you can at least have a mental picture of the show. Pictures this…

Olivia Pope (played by Kerry Washington) dedicates her life to protecting the nation’s “high-profile” elite public figures, and she does this by making sure their secrets never get out. Pope is a former White House Communications Director for the president (basically she was running things), but left to start her own crisis management firm, Olivia Pope and Associates. Leaving the White House and starting her own firm, she hopes to begin a new chapter of her life, however there are certain parts that she cannot leave behind.. in the past. Olivia Pope is a person with great intellect, numerous resources, power, charm and a definite sensitive, soft side.

Alrighty back to last night…I would come to realize that there are two things that I have learned from watching this show, Huck is Dexter 2.0 and Women truly run the world!!

If there is one person that you want on your side through thick and thin that would be Olivia’s tech guy Huck. Huck is that guy that when you see him, you step back and let him do his thing. (“My bad you got this…”) He is the type of guy that does not get in the way, however he does not necessarily need to be caged, just controlled from arms length. Not only is he tech-savy, a former CIA agent and Black Ops, but most importantly he is loyal and trustworthy. He does just what you need without even asking him to do it. You need someone to “disappear” quickly…Huck is your man. When you need to hack into a high-security system…Huck is that guy!! This man is a twisted genius who takes pride and pleasure in torturing people, even though he tries not to. If you have ever watched the show Dexter on Showtime then you already know the mental state of Huck. Just know he is a man that you do not ever want to cross, not even on accident. Even though it would seem that his behavior is predictable with each episode I am consistently shocked, amazed, blown away, and at times fearing for my own life. I would not doubt that there are multiple pictures of him in the DSM-V, I’m sure he is a classic textbook case. When it all boils down, when sh@$# hit the fan, Huck will ALWAYS be on my team, mental craziness and all!!

Now this next lesson that I would learn sits near and dear to me. James Brown once sang that “this is a man’s World, BUT it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl.” Well Mr. Brown you were right on the money!! Now we already know that Olivia Pope is running things in and out of the White House. But she is not alone…and once again last night’s episode made that crystal clear. I mean it was all in your face!! The killer and twist of it all are the other female players in this game!! Who would have thought that a Supreme Court Justice, the president’s wife, and the president’s mistress (who also happens to be the token black player as well) would all be on the same team!! Hmmmmmm…makes you wonder what’s really good?!! Now I could never quite seem to put my finger on the relationship between Olivia and Mellie, I but I get it now. Poor President Fitz can’t keep anything under control, whether its personal or political. I am beginning to wonder if this is all an act or id this for real, for real. See that’s why it is critical to watch each episode week after week, God forbid I miss one…let’s just say the train will be derailed. At first I was 100% Team Olivia, but now I see that Mellie got some skills and knows how to strategically stay under the radar. Now that I think about it I would not mind having her on my team…well at least for special situations that is…If you only thought women were just “ornamental objects” well last night changed up that whole scenario!! As much as I hate to use this Beyonce line …”Who runs the world…Girls do!!”

Well folks that’s the lesson for the day! Crazy is as crazy does, and women are a force to be reckoned with at all times!! These are the type of folks that you can never underestimate…let’s just say they are full of surprises…GOOD and BAD!!

Dear Hollywood....

Now I could not resist this re-post, this is so very problematic on so many levels. As I was strolling through my Facebook I came across a picture and commentary from Bougie Black Girl that stopped me cold in my tracks... Check it out for yourself...  

It has been reported that Zoe Saldana will replace Mary J. Blige in the role of Nina Simone. Nina Simone was a real life person. We know what she looked like and well it looks like Hollywood is at it again. I for one am outraged. There are far more actresses in Hollywood who could have taken this role.

Let me also say that this is not a slight at Ms. Saldana. She is a great actress but Ms. Salda

na in no way shape or form even looks like the legendary Nina Simone. Nina Simone was a Black woman from Tryon, North Carolina and not a Latina.

Zoe Saldana describes herself by saying "I’m just Zoe. Not a little bit Dominican, not a little bit Puerto Rican, none of that silliness… I am what you want me to be if that’s what it takes for you to overcome your insecurities. As a Latina, I think we should be very proud of our heritage. We tend to look for European roots and reject the indigenous and the African, and that is disgusting. Being Latin is a mix of everything. I want my people to not be as insecure, and to adore what we are because it’s beautiful.”

Nina Simone was a beautiful dark skin Black woman.

Once again Hollywood shows no regard for authenticity when it comes to Black women. In the recent movie called Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter the character of President Abraham Lincoln was portrayed by an actor who looked like one of our nation's greatest presidents. Unfortunately, when casting the role of Harriet Tubman the casting director diverted from this and chose a biracial Dutch actress to play the role of one of America's greatest heroines and former Black slave Harriet Tubman.

I wonder is Hollywood that oblivious to their blatant colorism they display when casting Black women but only conscience of authenticity when it comes to white characters. Only They know they truth.

Black people images have power. This is why it is imperative that we Black women speak up and let our voices be heard. The most powerful thing we can do is control our image if not others will shape it for you.

I can think of four different people who could play this role WAY SO MUCH BETTER (Nicole Beharie, Rutina Wesley, India Arie, Naomi Harris)!! 

What are your thoughts?!

 

 

Weekend Box Office Results 8/26-8/28

Check out what top the movie charts this weekend...

1.The Help $14,333,000

2. Colombiana $10,300,000

3. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark $8,689,000

4. Rise of the Planet of the Apes $8,650,000

5. Our Idiot Brother $6,588,000

Looks like it was all about the women this weekend at the movies.The Help manages to stay on top for the second week in a row and newcomer this week Colombiana brings it home with the silver.