THE OBENSON REPORT

Covering Cinema From All Across The African Diaspora
Showing posts with label it's about time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label it's about time. Show all posts

'Katrina' Series Coming To HBO

Posted on 11:49 AM comments (1)
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I'm actually surprised that there haven't been a hell of a lot more Katrina-themed movies and tv shows. After all, Hollywood is known for unapologetically capitalizing on real-life tragedy for its own financial gain. I figured Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay would have teamed up by now to bring us some laughable, over-bloated, mega-budgeted Katrina disaster movie with Shia Labeouf in the lead, and Megan Fox as his love interest! Guess they are actually smarter than I've ever given them credit for.

That The Wire creator, David Simon, is developing a series titled Treme, on post-Katrina New Orleans, for HBO, is exciting - if the critical and commercial acclaim of The Wire is indicative of what to expect.

From the New York Times:

- HBO has given the green light to three television pilots: a comedy based on a book about the sexual exploits of a Capitol Hill staffer, a look at post-Katrina New Orleans by the creator of "The Wire," and a drama about Atlantic City in the 1920s...

... The New Orleans drama, titled "Treme," was written by David Simon, the creator of the inner city Baltimore series "The Wire." According to Dave Walker of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the pilot picks up a few months after Katrina. "Though the show's main storylines will focus on musicians, other elements of the city's unique culture will be spotlighted," Mr. Walker writes. "One of the pilot script's principal characters, Simon said, runs a restaurant."

It's About Freaking Time! Ruby Dee Noms and Wins

Posted on 12:02 PM comments (5)
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I was shocked to learn that Ruby Dee's SAG and Oscar nominations this year are both firsts for her! It's really surprising to me that a phenomenal acting talent like Ruby Dee, in her 60+ years as a working actress, has NEVER been nominated for a SAG or Academy Award - until this year. Un-freaking-believable! And I'm talking strictly about nominations here, not necessarily wins.

I haven't see American Gangster (the film for which her performance is nominated in both categories), but I'm now inclined to do so, thanks in large part to her nominations. But I can't help but wonder if these nominations are more about the fact that both organizations (SAG and Academy) have ignored her performances for decades, and these nominations are likely more akin to lifetime achievement awards, than they are for her performance in American Gangster. The politics of show-business humor me. Regardless, a thunderous applause for both nominations for Ruby Dee!

Her late husband, the great Ossie Davis, was never nominated for an Oscar, but he was given a lifetime achievement award by SAG, in 2001.

By the way, Ruby Dee did win the SAG for best supporting actress, for her performance in American Gangster. I didn't watch the ceremony on television, but I heard that her acceptance speech and presence were immaculate. So I've been mining the web for a video clip of the moment. The only one I found follows below, on YouTube; but the video and sound quality aren't very good, as you will see...

Ruby Dee will be 84 years old this year, by the way!!


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