THE OBENSON REPORT

Courtesy of Wilson Morales at AOL Black Voices... Sony Pictures has released the first images from Obsessed, a thriller starring Idris Elba, Beyonce, and Ali Larter.

What's it all about?

Derek Charles (Idris Elba), a successful asset manager who has just received a huge promotion, is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage to the beautiful Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles). But when Lisa (Ali Larter), a temp worker, starts stalking Derek, all the things he's worked so hard for are placed in jeopardy.

Did I mention that Ali Larter is white? So, we've got a white woman stalking a black man... on screen. How often do we get to see that? Or maybe it's not such a big deal.

Although, I wonder if that was an intentional choice, and this premise could be the basis for some genuine deconstruction of race-based stereotypes and related long-held beliefs in this country. I wonder if the film will be bold enough to go where most mainstream movies of this kind would never dare tread, or whether the filmmakers will settle for yet another C-grade vanilla thriller, completely ignoring the opportunities the premise presents?!

With the film being produced by Will Packer who gave us films like Stomp The Yard, I'll expect the latter.

By the way, Beyonce, along with her father Mathew Knowles are executive producers of the film, which will be released by Screen Gems on April 24, 2009 - also, not necessarily a good sign, since Screen Gems isn't exactly known for its challenging fare - specifically, it's a "specialty" arm of Sony's Columbia Pictures, which produces and releases smaller-budget science fiction, horror, teen movies, farce or "ETHNIC" films, with more centralized target audiences. Some of their previous releases: Two Can Play That Game, Love And A Bullet, Breakin' All The Rules, Resident Evil, This Christmas and First Sunday, amongst many others...

Can't wait...
PICS

YAWN...! Read on and see why:

Lionsgate today announced that it has acquired worldwide distribution rights from St. V, LLC to the documentary More Than a Game. Directed by Kristopher Belman and produced by Harvey Mason Jr. and Belman, More Than a Game tells the true story of five talented young basketball players, including future NBA superstar LeBron James, and their remarkable journey from Akron, Ohio to the national high school championship series. It's a remarkable true-life coming of age story about friendship and loyalty in the face of great adversity. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player's father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the "Fab Five's" improbable nine-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship.

Lionsgate in association with Harvey Mason Media and Interscope Records plans to release More Than a Game in Fall 2009. The film made its world premiere at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival, where the audience responded with a five-minute standing ovation. Lionsgate will be joined in marketing More Than a Game by the NBA and by LeBron James' brand partners, State Farm®, Nike and Coca-Cola.

Like I said... yawn...! I've had it with these so-called "uplifting" docu-dramas. Enough, please!