THE OBENSON REPORT

Covering Cinema From All Across The African Diaspora

"Soul Train" Movie Rolling Into Theaters In 2009

I guess it was inevitable... but, multiple sequels?? Let's just get through the first one for now Mr. Cornelius!

From Yahoo Movies:

A "Soul Train" movie is on track to arrive in movie theaters next year, the creator of the venerable urban dance television show said on Thursday.

Don Cornelius told Reuters that he has teamed up with Warner Bros Pictures to develop a buddy comedy that he hopes will spawn multiple sequels.

The project, currently called "Soul Train: The Movie," revolves around two male dancers on the show who get into "a lot of good stuff and some bad stuff as well," said Cornelius, who will serve as a producer.

It features "lots of music, lots of comedy," he added, as well as "a little bit of violence." He also promised it would be "more than slightly sensual."

"'Soul Train' has always been about sexuality," Cornelius said. "It's almost never been about guys, and almost always about girls. It's what has kept us afloat for these three decades or so."

Groan... Read the rest of it HERE.

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Freaky Friday!

I remember when this came out in the mid-90s (I was in college then) and every black woman I knew (all 3 of them) was addicted like it was some kind of crack anthem! It was guaranteed to be on every single playlist at all the parties I went to that year (that 1 party). It was the theme song for many booty call "sessions" - it's just the right length too, at just over 4 minutes :o)

A song that was thought of as raunchy and provocative in its day now seems rather tame, compared to current trends. It still gets my head nodding though.

Whatever happened to her anyway...

Freak Like Me, by Adina Howard (1995)


HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

Did You Know "I Love Melvin Van Peebles"?

Speaking of MVP, I stumbled across this item for sale on Amazon.com. Humorous, right? Anybody already own one? I should get my own "I Love Tambay Obenson" tee-shirts made and put them up for sale on Amazon :o)

Want one? Click the image above and pick one up for $30!

Trailer: Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha

Here it is... the trailer for Melvin Van Peebles' next film, Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha. I'm not sure what to make of it... If his name wasn't on the marquee, I don't know if I would take what I see here very seriously! It looks like a mosh-pit of ideas. I certainly hope they all gel when I get to see the film later this month, April 27, 2008, at the Tribeca Film Festival. And was that Mario I saw in the trailer? Father and son working together again, hopefully with different results.



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My Name Is Bill Cosby And I'm A Microphone Fiend

Cornell West would be proud! He recorded a hip-hop album back in 2000 called Sketches of My Culture, which was critically panned! Last week I read that Melvin Van Peebles will be recording one with Madlib this year, and now another septuagenarian is jumping in the mix with his foray into hip-hop music. Yes, Mr Cosby is going to be dropping mad science next month...

FROM USATODAY (accompanied by my witty repartee):

LOS ANGELES — Bill Cosby's path has taken him from pudding pops to hip hop. (For as long as homeboy lives, the "pudding pop" references will never die).

The 70-year-old has recorded a hip-hop CD set for release next month. Cosby Narratives Vol. 1: State of Emergency blends the comedian's concepts and stories with a hip-hop, pop and jazz soundtrack... (how about that title folks? Sounds so Public Enemy-ish, doesn't it )...

... The album, assembled by Cosby's longtime musical collaborator Bill "Spaceman" Patterson (who?), has guest rappers providing the rhymes. The subject matter? "The value of an education. The value of respecting one's self and ... giving (listeners) a chance to raise their self-esteem and confidence," Cosby said. (You mean no rhymes about hittin' switches and bitches? Guess this one won't be making it onto Billboard's top 100).

Patterson said he was surprised when Cosby first inquired about making a rap record — until the comedian revealed he wouldn't be the one doing the rapping (Shucks! I was really looking forward to that).

"People started speculating — is he going to rap about Jell-O Pudding Pops or what?" Patterson said. " (I know, that was my immediate thought). But he's always been involved in music and he was there for the first generation of spoken word. He has always understood rap's potential, but he was appalled by the foul language and the misogyny — the way people used a medium that could be used to elevate people, to open their eyes and provoke thought." (Agreed. But not all rap is appalling Mr Cosby)

Cosby made the album as a companion to his 2007 best-selling book, Come On People: On the Path from Victims to Victors. And though he doesn't expect the CD to be a huge hit, it won't be his last hip-hop venture. (Um, yay?)

"We can do even better," he said. "The next one will be even more cheerleading." (Uh... ok.. rah, rah Mr Cosby... rah, rah, rah).

I wonder if it'll sound anything like this... let's hope not:



TimeLife.com

"Hancock" Was Here



Looks like a marketing ploy for the film, but it could also just be some fanboy site. The site/blog is apparently hosted by "Hancock" himself (wink, wink). Check it out at http://hancockwashere.com/.

BTW, I don't know why I'm only now realizing that Lauren Hill is actually in this movie! Yes Lauren Hill.

Minutes later...

OHHH... wait a sec... no, not Lauryn Hill the award-winning singer/songwriter, but rather Lauren Hill, the Playboy playmate :o)

Wednesday Funnies - Poll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 Voters

Funny... ha... ha...!


50% Warrior, 50% Lover, 100% Chihuahua!

Speaking of Hollywood doldrums... I'd like to meet the "genius" who thought this was a good idea.

A pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua named Chloe (voice of Drew Barrymore) finds herself accidentally lost in the mean streets of Mexico without a day spa or Rodeo Drive boutique anywhere in sight. Now alone for the first time in her spoiled life, she must rely on some unexpected new friends including a street-hardened German Shepherd named Delgado (voice of Andy Garcia) and an amorous pup named Papi (voice of George Lopez)—to lend her a paw and help her to find her inner strength on their incredible journey back home.

Bosom Buddies Forever And Ever!

Ha-ha!
Awwwwww... Aren't they the cutest?
McCain's definitely got love for Bush :o)




Another Week Of Blah

I've been rather uninterested and uninspired to see most of the studio films that have enjoyed theatrical releases thus far this year!

Week after week, I look over the selection of films scheduled for release each week, and more often than not, nothing listed is of any interest to me. The last movie I recall seeing in 2008 is Cloverfield, which I did enjoy, despite a mild headache that accompanied the somewhat dizzying experience, thanks to the extreme shaky-cam cinematography prevalent throughout much of the film.

I know we've been experiencing the usual winter doldrums, a period when studio releases are often less than stellar; but this year's offerings have been rather dull, at least based on the packaging each has been wrapped in, since I haven't seen most of them. However, after looking at box office receipts since January, one can deduce from the results that there are others who feel the same way, because the numbers have been unimpressive, except for 2 or 3 centi-million dollar hits. Also, the averages per theatre help support my argument. Check out Box Office Mojo for stats and such.

And this week's releases don't do anything to alter the trend... although Zombie Strippers excites me a little.

Right!

Opening in Wide Release This Week

The Forbidden Kingdom Jet Li and Jackie Chan team up for the first time as misfit warriors in ancient China on a quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.

88 Minutes Al Pacino is a forensic psychiatrist in a race against time when he receives a death threat claiming he has only 88 minutes to live.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall After a devastating break-up with his girlfriend, a guy heads to Hawaii to reover... only to run into his ex and her new boyfriend.

Opening in Selected Theaters

The Life Before Her Eyes Uma Thurman is a housewife who questions her perfect life--and her sanity--on the anniversary of a tragic high school shooting.

Pathology A group of medical students devise a deadly scheme to seewhich one of them can commit the perfect, unsolveable murder.

Where in the World is Osama bin Laden? Director Morgan Spurlock sets off to do what the CIA, FBI and countless bounty hunters have failed to do: find Osama bin Laden.

Zombie Strippers A secret government chemo-virus gets released into a small-town underground strip club... unleashing Super Zombie Strippers.

More Monday Hilarity

Nation Of Andorra Not In Africa, Shocked U.S. State Dept. Reports

Safeguarding The Illusion Of Democracy For All Americans!

Monday funnies :o) We can only hope that it's not a foreshadowing of things to come!

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

"Lakeview Terrace" - Samuel Gone Wild

There goes the neighborhood... the trailer for Lakeview Terrace, the fall-scheduled feature film starring Samuel L Jackson and Kerry Washington, produced by Will Smith, about a young interracial couple played by Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington, who move into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor (a cop played by Jackson), who disapproves of their interracial relationship.

This is actually one film I've been anticipating since hearing about its birth last fall. However, this trailer just doesn't inspire me, and I hope the film is stronger than what the trailer suggests.


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