THE OBENSON REPORT

Covering Cinema From All Across The African Diaspora

Detective Gabrielle Union

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Gabrielle Union


Interestingly, I've always felt that she was better suited for television than the theatrical screen. Why? I'm not quite sure... I'll have to think about it. She just seems to have more of a "I work in television" air about herself, than a "I'm a movie star" presence.

But working with a former X-Files writer/producer could produce worthwhile results. We'll see...

The story goes... Gabrielle Union and X-Files writer/producer Frank Spotnitz are reteaming to develop a new series for NBC.

The duo, who worked together on ABC's short-lived Night Stalker uring the 2005-2006 TV season, is developing a procedural for the Peacock, according to Variety.

Spontitz will write the show, and Union will star as a detective who must race to save someone's life before it's too late.

The project is a collaboration by Union and Spotnitz and will be produced by Universal Media Studios.

I suppose after appearing in horrendous films like Meet Dave, she's asserting more control over her career.

Jeffrey Wright Talks "Cadillac Records"

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As I mentioned in a previous post, I've grown weary of historical black dramas, as they seem to have dominated black cinema in recent years. I'm anxious for more contemporary stories about black people. We do exist today as well, in all our varied forms and complexities, and our films simply don't reflect that fact.

However, I will see Cadillac Records when it opens this weekend. I'm not particularly enthused about it, but, in my line of work, as a blogger and podcaster on the subject of black cinema, I feel obligated to see as many films that fall under that umbrella as possible - the best, worst, and everything else between.

Where exactly in that range Cadillac Records will register will be determined after I sit through it some time this weekend, and I'll certainly share my thoughts on the film here, as well as on my weekly podcast.

If I had to pick one aspect of the film that could be considered somewhat of a draw, it would be Jeffrey Wright's presence; he's certainly one of the most talented, committed and versatile actors working today, and I will almost always sit up and pay attention whenever I hear that his name has been attached to something.

Too bad he's entirely wasted in the last 2 incarnations of the James Bond series with Danielle Craig. I'll assume he picked up a tidy sum of cash for the thankless role he plays in each installment, because his talents could be better exploited elsewhere.

Wilson Morales at the Black Voices blog interviewed Wright about his role in Cadillac Records, amongst other items, which you can read in its entirety here: Jeffrey Wright Talks 'Cadillac Records'.

In it, Wright talks about his upcoming projects - all stage work, interestingly, not film.

The REAL Great Debaters

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The Real Great Debaters


I did see the Denzel Washington-directed and Oprah Winfrey produced film earlier this year, and, mostly enjoyed it. Although, I went in with lowered expectations, and was prepared to dislike it.

I've grown weary of mawkish historical black dramas which seem to dominate black cinema, especially in recent years, so I went into this one not quite kicking and screaming, but certainly not bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and I walked out of the theatre mostly pleased.

The story wasn't one that I was wholly familiar with before seeing the movie, which, naturally, prompted me to do some research of my own.

And finding out that the film I saw was essentially a watered down, sensationalized version of quite a compelling real-life drama left me feeling like I had been suckered by the film and the filmmakers.

Yes, I understand that in this industry, filling seats is what matters most to those spending the money to get these films produced and distributed; however, don't do so at your audience's expense, or, maybe even worse, mislead them with half-truths. Give them the entire picture, not just a fragment of it - especially one that's manipulated for effect.

Given that many likely will never take the initiative to do their own research on the characters and predicament that the film is based on, and will rely entirely on the movie they saw to inform themselves on the subject, I think the filmmakers had an obligation to present each character and story in a manner that's faithful to the real-life characters and story - and not a fictive rendition, whether in part, or whole.

Now available on DVD is the documentary The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College, a fascinating documentary which, as African American film critic Kam Williams states, "doesn’t merely correct the record, but amplifies that priceless legacy by sharing a cornucopia of rich details about Tolson and his talented young protégés, Hobart Jarrett, Hamilton Boswell, Rudolph Henry Heights, James Farrmer, Jr., and Henrietta B. Wells."

The DVD features archival footage, newspaper accounts and the recollections of friends, family and luminaries, all combined to paint a rich picture of the complete lives of Tolson and his team and, their amazing accomplishment.

I suggest you pick it up if you haven't already.

Book Recommendation - "Slave Cinema"

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Author and filmmaker Andre Seewood sent me a copy of his book titled, Slave Cinema: The Crisis of the African-American in Film.

I received it in the mail yesterday, so I haven't read much of it yet, although I have gone through it sporadically since then. And, much of what I've seen thus far has been intriguing enough to make me anxious to read the rest of it, which I hope to do by the end of this week.

If I do, I'll certainly talk about it at length during next Monday night's podcast recording, and will try to get Andre Seewood as a guest to talk about the book.

From Amazon:

Using a rich compendium of evidence and a provocative perspective, SLAVE CINEMA takes a thorough and uncompromising look at African-American cinema, African-American social identity and the American film industry. This book addresses the specific artistic, ideological and moral challenges that face every African-American filmmaker. It is broken into three main parts: Slave Cinema part 1: The Crisis of African-American Independent Cinema. Slave Cinema part 2: Five Assumptions of Race that Shackle African-Americans in Film. Slave Cinema part 3: Five Errors that Constrict African-American Cinematic Style.

In the meantime, if you're so inclined, check out Andre's book which is available on Amazon.com right now for a paltry $20, and arm yourself with knowledge!

Spotlight - Effie T. Brown

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Effie T Brown
It's important that we acknowledge those who are creating options for themselves in the film industry, and advancing, thanks to their hard work, commitment and resilience, amongst other traits.

Effie T. Brown is one of those people, via her 7-year old, Los Angeles-based production company, Duly Noted Inc.

She got her start as an IFP Project Involve fellow, and quickly worked her way up through the ranks to become the Director of Development for Tim Burton Productions in 1995.

 Eager to try her hand at producing, she landed assignments as Line Producer on feature films including Desert Blue (1998), starring Kate Hudson and Christina Ricci; But I’m a Cheerleader (1999), starring Natasha Lyonne; and Things You Can Tell Just By Looking at Her (2000), starring Glenn Close, Cameron Diaz, and Holly Hunter.

Eventually, she took on the role of Producer on a few critically acclaimed, awarding-winning HBO projects, including: Stranger Inside (directed by Cheryl Dunye, 2001, Sundance Film Festival entry); Real Women Have Curves (directed by Patricia Cardosa, 2002, winner of Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award); and Everyday People (2004, Jim McKay, also a Sundance entry).

Brown later served as executive producer on In the Cut (2003, directed by Jane Campion).

In 2001, she took her years of experience and launched her own production company, Duly Noted Inc., where she continues to produce original film projects by emerging and established filmmakers.

Altogether thus far, Duly Noted Inc has 7 films in its production library, whether past or future releases, including a film called Rocket Science, which won the Sundance 2007 Grand Jury Prize for Directing, and was picked up for distribution and later released theatrically by Picture House.

Most recently, Brown was able to secure Mos Def and Erykah Badu to star in a film called Bobby Zero, also under the Duly Noted Inc umbrella, written and directed by award-winning writing and directing team, Markus & Mason Canter.

Other Duly Noted projects slated for production include: Vamp starring Tilda Swinton; Polish Bar starring Judd Hirsch, Meatloaf, and Golden Brooks; and Bury Me Standing starring Kerry Washington, Alfre Woodard, Mos Def, and Kat Williams.

To learn more about any of these projects, as well as Effie T Brown, visit the Duly Noted Inc website at www.dulynotedinc.com.

Given just how successful she's been in the past, I'd say that she's definitely someone to pay attention to, from now on.

The Obenson Report Podcast #38

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Topics covered:

- Is the subject of "black cinema" intimidating? Is the host of this podcast intimidating?
- "Black Friday" Death;
- Tambay creates and funds a new grant for black filmmakers with short film scripts;
- YouTube/Sundance contest - deadline is the 14th of December;
- Is it time we stop trying to define Black cinema;
- A new book titled Slave Cinema;
- Brandon Wilson (The Man Who Couldn't) joined me to review Let The Right One In, Australia and Milk," and much more...

Listen below, or find it via iTunes.




Fatherhood In 35 Seconds

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This is such a memorable commercial, advertising fatherhood!

Earlier this year, Ad Council partnered with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse and volunteer ad agency Campbell-Ewald to create a new PSA campaign that communicates to fathers that their presence is essential to their children's well-being.

This is one of the PSAs.

I'm still chuckling with glee...


Voices Of Africa

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Not entirely film-related, but it's media-related and certainly worth mentioning...

I love stumbling across website gems like this one.

It's called Voices of Africa - a project to equip average citizen journalists in African countries with mobile phones and/or portable digital recorders so that they can instantaneously report on events happening around them.

These amateur local journalists use the provided tools to produce reports on worthwhile occurrences in their individual areas, and then publish the content to the Africa News website, which serves as a portal into events at the local level.

I think it's a great idea! Citizen journalism - delivered raw and immediate, much more-so than the selected reports we receive about Africa, from a distance, on even our most progressive media outlets in our country. You can't beat the real thing!

I couldn't find any of the video blogs on YouTube, and the media player utilized on the Voices of Africa website doesn't allow for embedding; so you'll just have to head over there and watch for yourself.

Here's an opportunity to stay informed and maybe even connect with your fellow African men, women and children. There's a lot to be learned here, so take advantage and visit the site often: VoicesOfAfrica.com.

Here's Your Opportunity To Get Into Sundance...

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The folks at YouTube and the Sundance Film Festival have teamed up once again this year for Project: Direct, a program that supports truly indie filmmakers by allowing them the opportunity to write, direct and win their way into the Sundance 2009 line-up.

So, all you auteurs, or wannabe auteurs out there, here's an opportunity to take advantage of.

It's quite simple - make a 5-minute film incorporating 3 props, as listed in the video below.

BUT, you've only got 2 weeks, because the deadline for entries is December 14th.

I'd like to participate, but I don't think I can put something together in such a short period of time, even if it's only 5-minutes long. I'll most certainly try to think up an idea this week.

These rules are explained below in an introductory video featuring Pi and Requiem For A Dream director Darren Aronofsky.

For a more thorough write-up, go to the Project: Direct page on YouTube.

Check out the video introduction below:

"Pray The Devil Back To Hell"

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I missed this entirely. It's called Pray The Devil Back To Hell and has been in limited release here in New York since November 8th; although it's playing until the 4th of December - this Thursday; so if you, like me, live in New York City and haven't seen it yet, you should.

I've heard nothing but absolutely wonderful things about the film, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it. It played at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the award for Best Documentary.

Pray the Devil Back to Hell is described as - the gripping account of a group of brave women who demanded peace for Liberia, a nation torn to shreds by a decades-long civil war. In 2003, Liberia was a country devastated by decades of political dislocation, humanitarian crisis, and street-to-street urban warfare. Charles Taylor, then President of Liberia, had emptied the country's pockets as creatively as any dictator in memory. His ascent to power led to the deaths of thousands of people and a nation in complete ruin. Out of the wreckage, more than 2000 Christian and Muslim women throughout the country began to organize and banded together in an effort to bring an end to the fighting. At great personal risk, they protested creatively and persistently for peace in the worst days of brutal and protracted civil conflict.

According to the film's official website, it only just begun its nationwide theatrical run, and will be traveling through several cities between now and the end of the year, likely to get Academy Award consideration. Check the website for all theatrical listings. It might be coming to your city.

Here's the trailer:





"Hunger" Strikes This Weekend

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I'm only now just feasting my eyes on the below trailer for first-time helmer, Steve McQueen's critically acclaimed feature, Hunger, about Irish Republican Army (IRA) member Bobby Sands' last six weeks of life during a hunger strike in prison in 1981.

Adjectives such as "riveting" and "spine-chilling," amongst many others, have already been daubed onto the film, accompanied by countless servings of praise from audiences and critics who have been lucky enough to see the completed feature.

The film first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where it went on to win the coveted Camera d'Or award (best first film), beginning a course on which it would later garner several more nominations and awards at other festivals and independent film organizations.

You're probably wondering why I'm bothering to mention a film about an IRA member who died almost 30 years ago, on this blog; I do so because the writer and director of the film (Steve McQueen) is of African descent (that's his picture above) - specifically black British. This wasn't just some director-for-hire job for McQueen. It was very much a labor of love, and a story he really wanted to tell, and thus devoted quite a bit of his life to see it all the way through. And that should be commended!

IFC Films is distributing it here in the US in limited theaters, beginning this Friday, the 5th of December.

The below trailer doesn't excite me. I feel like I already have a sense of what it's going to look, sound and feel like - at least, in terms of style - and that's not necessarily a good thing, because there's a familiarity there that immediately draws comparisons to similar beautifully minimalist features, and that does very little for me, quite frankly.

However, I'll still likely see it, if only to satisfy whatever curiosity I have for it.

"Fame" Reboot

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According to Variety Magazine, Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth are set for the roles of instructors and supervisors in an upcoming remake of the 1980 award-winning musical Fame.

It's been quite a few years since I watched the original - in fact, I was a child then, and I barely remember it. However, I think I enjoyed it mostly, and was even moved by what I saw and heard. I'll have to pick up and watch it again, reacquainting myself with Leroy, Coco, Bruno, Ralph and the rest of the cast.

In recalling it, as I type up this entry, thoughts of the Broadway musical hit Rent enter my mind. There are obvious similarities between the two - each takes place in New York, with a cast of racially diverse characters, all quite young, and all artists with dilemmas.

And just as Fame (the movie) was eventually adapted for the theatre stage, Rent (the Broadway production) received big screen Hollywood attention. Neither branch resonated with audiences in the same way as the originals that they were adapted from.

I'm not sure whether this remake of Fame will attract lovers of the original, or an entirely new generation of fans. I'd say neither, especially if it's packaged as a reinterpretation of an original. MGM would probably be best served by creating a product that stands on its own merits, but I don't see that happening.

It seems like an unnecessary endeavor. But I suppose the success of the recent High School Musical series encouraged the project's greenlight.

Production begins Wednesday, with Kevin Tancharoen directing - whose previous projects have all been for television. His IMDB resume states that he is also an experienced dancer and choreographer, which gives his hire for the job some weight.

As with the 1980 original, the remake will follow dancers, singers, actors and artists from auditions to graduation at the New York City High School of Performing Arts.

Charles Dutton will play a graduate of Yale School of Drama and an acting teacher; Debbie Allen, who, by the way, made her feature debut in the original "Fame," has been cast as the school's principal.

Irene Cara, whose career was helped tremendously by the 1980s original, will be noticeably absent.

Fame (the reboot) has been set for September 25, 2009 release.

How about a quick refresher:




via VARIETY

"Hollywood Shuffle" Now On Hulu

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If you've never seen the movie - and there's no reason why you shouldn't have, if you are over 21 years old - here's your chance to see it for FREE!

Robert Townsend's hilarious spoof lamenting the dearth of roles available for African American talent in Hollywood, and the narrow-minded casting policies of casting agencies, is one that just about every actor/actress of African descent will readily relate to - even still today, 21 years since the film's initial release.

But you don't have to be in show-business to appreciate the film's message. The struggles of the films leading cast should be familiar to anyone who has been on the receiving end of rejection from any profit-driven institution unabashed in its ignorance and discriminatory practices.

It's obviously a film with not much of a budget, relative to the average cost of typical studio-produced fare. But that won't get in the way of your ability to enjoy screening it. It's minuscule budget actually works in the film's favor, which plays out more like a documentary with a few often very funny fictional elements sprinkled throughout.

The film was a timely entry into the market - a year after Spike Lee's She's Gotta Have It took America by force, introducing black characters we'd rarely seen on screen up until that time. I wonder if there would have been a Hollywood Shuffle if She's Gotta Have It didn't enjoy the kind of success it did. And for the following 5 to 6 years, after its release, Hollywood experienced what some have called the "golden age of black cinema," when we were treated to several original works and their countless clones, which seemed to get progressively watered down, and thus worse.

Hollywood Shuffle remains a cut above the rest, and I believe will still be remembered fondly when all the others are a distant memory. Not that it's a perfect film. It certainly has it flaws, but they are far-outweighed by its pros.

I encourage you to watch it if you haven't already. It's the kind of guerrilla filmmaking that every independent filmmaker will applaud.

Here it is. Or go to Hulu.com and watch it there in a larger window:

New York African Diaspora Film Festival

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Certainly one of the more worthwhile black film festivals in the country. You're always guaranteed to find a wide variety of films from every segment of the Diaspora - both old and new. This year is no different, with around 100 films on the festival's schedule, from just about every continent, occupying its entire 2-week run to screen them all - November 28 to December 14.

Of particular interest to me:
  • The Prince of Broadway
  • An Ethiopian film titled 13 Months of Sunshine
  • Disappearing Voices - The Decline of Black Talk Radio
  • A Cameroonian Film called Paris A Tout Prix (Paris or Nothing)
  • Charles Burnetts's Namibia epic - Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation
  • Sexe, Gombo Et Beurre Sale (Sex, Okra and Salted Butter) - a French film by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, who previously brought us the critically acclaimed 2006 film, Daratt
Go to the NYADFF website for a list of every film screening, accompanied by any relevant information (synopsis, dates, times, etc...).

Show your support! We say we want change; we cry out for it; now, here's yet another opportunity for all of us to affect it.

I'll certainly be there for some of the films, and will share my thoughts on my podcast.

www.nyadff.org

Nigeria's Nollywood - Future "Oscar-Winning" Industry

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Forget about trying to be an "Oscar-winning industry" and instead just focus on producing higher caliber projects. This need to seek approval from the west - essentially emulating style and even substance - shouldn't be the ultimate goal, and possibly hinders any opportunities Nollywood has to find an identity that's entirely its own - one that other industries will be forced to acknowledge and even reckon with.

However, it's great that the flurry of worldwide attention Nollywood has received in recent years has led to a "great deal of soul-searching" amongst those in the industry, and that there is a growing desire to evolve - possibly ensuring that, sooner than later, the kind of simplistic, sub-par productions that have almost always dominated the market, will become the exception.

AllAfrica.com reports the following:
Nigeria's success with its Nollywood film industry is leading to a great deal of soul-searching. The country's censorship board NFVB has attempted to licence film distributors and is making pronouncements about how Nollywood films should reflect "a more positive Nigerian Image internationally". Kiszo DuFay learnt his film-making skills at the Hollywood Film Institute but he returned to Nigeria two years ago to make films in his home country and to launch the African Roving Film School as a way of raising skills locally. Russell Southwood spoke to him last week.

Q: What's your company Taradome Entertainment Group do?

It used to be a distribution company but now we do film productions. We want to tell African stories that are done well and we have various projects in development at different stages.

Q: What are the projects?

We've got three projects that we're hoping to realise starting next year. We've finished scripting two of them. One is Lagos Jumping, a buddy-style movie done in an African way. It deals with drug dealing via South Africa and narrated in the American style.

The second project is The Drive which is about three African doctors from different parts of the continent who are friends. They attend a medical conference and miss their flight but they have to get back to attend the wedding of one of them. They have to drive to the next country to get another flight and it's about the obstacles they encounter. It looks at the different prejudices there are about being different Africans.

The third one is an experimental project using Shakespeare's Othello to make a psychological thriller and we've not finished scripting it yet. It's a different twist on the relationship between Iago and Othello. We're trying to do all of them on internationally costed budgets and we're looking internationally as well as locally for the best possible persons to act and make them.

Q: How did the African Roving Film School come about?

It was born out of necessity. When I came back to do production, the skills needed were grossly wanting. I was trained in LA and I thought how can I have an impact on the industry? If you train someone, they'll never lose that.

Q: Where do you think the Nigerian film industry will be in five years time?

It will have produced an Oscar-winning product with great quality and talent. We have have the creative talent: the writers, the actors and the musicians. We haven't had the proper platform to showcase their talent. These are the kind of people we'd like to go after.
You can read the entire interview here: NOLLYWOOD WANTS AN OSCAR

Tyler Perry/WGA Addendum - Forthcoming Obama Movie

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Was just over at Nikke Finke's website (Deadline Hollywood Daily) and read a lengthy piece on the WGA/Tyler Perry settlement. She's been covering this thing like a hawk.

Here is a bit of news I thought worth sharing:
The writer/actor/director/producer/author/playwright has been persona non grata after the Writers Guild filed charges of unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board on October 2, accusing Perry of axing more than half his writing staff on the TBS sitcom House Of Payne because of their union activity, and bargaining in bad faith with the Hollywood guild. Dozens upon dozens of the biggest producer, writer and showrunner names in scripted television even went so far as to sign an open letter bashing him for his anti-WGA activity. And good thing Barack Obama declined Perry’s invitation to the grand opening of his Tyler Perry Studios production facility in Atlanta this month. Had he not, the Democrat endorsed by many labor unions would have been met by picket lines thrown up by the Writers Guild of America and supported by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. (Perry is one of the Democratic presidential candidate’s staunchest supporters and prized campaigners and even forthcoming film biographer...)
WHAT? Wait a minute... uh... "forthcoming film biographer???" Did I miss something? When was this initially announced? Further research revealed the following:
He (Tyler Perry) also has announced plans to make an Obama film. Perry told the press he is already writing, and plans to direct and produce as soon as late this year, a love story inspired by the relationship between Obama and his wife Michelle. (Perry has said he dreams of casting Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett in the lead roles.) It's not known if the Obamas are cooperating with the film, but the idea occurred to Perry after he heard their story when he had dinner with the couple as well as from his close pal, Oprah Winfrey, who is Obama's biggest showbiz supporter but whose own union track record is one of the worst [...] Perry told reporters about the Obamas, "They just inspired this amazing story. It’s a love story with a little political twist... It’s called For the Love of You and it’s about his love for his woman. It’s going to be amazing."
Ok, so it's not really about the Obamas, but rather a story inspired by their relationship? Right? If that's the case, then I suppose it's a little less of a cause for concern... not that I'll be rushing to go see it either way.

Also, I had no idea Obama was invited to TP's studio grand opening in Atlanta. In hindsight, it was probably a smart move to decline the invitation.

Stay tuned...

Sembene Doc Gets Funding

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The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program announced today the 20 film projects awarded financial and creative support from the Sundance Documentary Fund.

One of the projects is a documentary from filmmakers Samba Gadjigo and Jason Silverman, titled Sembene: Revolutionary Artist, about the late Senegalese "father of African cinema" Ousmane Sembene, who died in June of 2007. The film is described as "the story of independent filmmaker, Senegal's Ousmane Sembene, providing an alternate history of contemporary Africa and a window into world cinema."

I'm not aware of any existing documentaries on Sembene's life and work, so this is a welcomed effort, and I certainly hope it's fully realized.

If you haven't already, check out some of his work - starting with his first, the 1966 film Black Girl (La Noire De).

The full list of projects awarded Sundance support is available on the indieWIRE blog.

Here are the first 6 minutes of Black Girl:

'Payne,' 'Browns' Writers And Tyler Perry Reach WGA Deal

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Who said the NAACP has become irrelevant?

Oh, and, damn Tyler Perry! They weren't asking for much - healthcare benefits, pensions and residuals. Glad an agreement was finally reached. Although I wonder how tensioned-filled the air will be once everyone returns to work.

Lastly, I can only hope that the writing on both shows improves with these new contracts.
Writers on Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns" received an early Thanksgiving treat.

The WGA and Perry announced Wednesday an agreement was reached in the five-month negotiations over having the guild rep writers on the two shows.

Details of the agreement were not immediately released. It was the last outstanding union agreement for Perry and his studio, which had previously brokered deals with IATSE, SAG, DGA and others.

According to a statement, the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and its executive director Vic Bulluck played an integral part in the two sides reaching a deal.

"We are pleased to have come to a resolution with the WGA and thank the NAACP for their support during negotiations," Perry said. "We look forward to many years working with the talented writers who are members of the Guild."
[...]
In October, the WGA announced that four writers involved with an organizing effort for the showrunner's programs were fired. The guild claimed the problems began in April when the writers -- Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson and Lamont Ferrell -- were among seven scribes seeking to negotiate a first WGA contact with Perry's production company, which is also called House of Payne. The agreement would give the scribes health-care benefits, pensions and residuals.
[...]
"The NAACP is a staunch advocate for workers rights, and for nearly 100 years has fought for greater minority representation and inclusion in Hollywood," said NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Jealous. "We recognize the unique and important influence writers have in our society. The NAACP will continue to work with the WGA to make sure their rights are protected and that all the networks and studios provide greater opportunity for minority writers."

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Hoop Dreams 2

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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!

Bob Johnson Planning New TV Network

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It will be called, the Urban channel.

*Collective groan*

My immediate reaction was, why create a new network now, especially after selling BET to Viacom in 2000, a move that was heavily criticized by many in the black community, labeling Johnson the proverbial "sellout?" TV-One, the other black cable TV network has yet to find itself; and the Black Family Channel is now defunct. And I hear BET is floundering. Clearly, black TV networks have yet to prove they belong.

Without seeing a list of potential programming it will carry, I can't imagine what this Urban Television Network will look, feel and sound like. I can only hope that it's not more of the same.

It seems completely unnecessary, and maybe even a risky investment in this climate. But Johnson is a savvy business man, so I assume he wouldn't be creating the channel if he didn't think there was a market for what he plans to offer (whatever that might be), and thus, money to be made. From where I'm sitting, I don't see it... unless it's something he hopes to create and then sell for a tidy profit eventually - meaning, this isn't necessarily about creating a strong, lasting brand, but rather a short term investment to cash out of later.

We'll see...

A thought: maybe "black" is no longer a niche, and it's time we put an end to race-based solutions to problems such as the dearth of programming featuring non-white talent in front and behind the camera. Maybe the wiser investment would be to focus in on a non-race specific niche, and exploit it, and attract an appreciative multicultural audience.

Here's the article:
Robert L. Johnson, the billionaire founder of the Black Entertainment Television, is looking to get back into television is a big way by programming at least one channel on the Ion Media's stations under unique "share-time" licenses.

Like BET, the programming would be aimed at black viewers.

According to FCC filings, Ion and Johnson are forming Urban Television LLC, a venture owned by Johnson (51 percent) and Ion (49 percent), and asking the FCC to grant Urban share-time licenses that would enable Urban to broadcast its programming on a digital channel of Ion stations in 42 markets.

"Under the terms of the share-time licenses, Urban would be authorized to operate on the same channels as the Ion stations on a shared basis," the filings say.

Johnson and Ion contend that the share-time license would entitle the Urban channel to must carry in all markets.

TV NEWSDAY

Sundance 2009 Leaks

Posted on 11:10 PM No Comments
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Holy shit! Black Dynamite gets into Sundance!

I mentioned it during monday's Podcast.

Other notable mentions:

Brooklyn’s Finest - Training Day director Antoine Fuqua’s cop tale about three unconnected Brooklyn cops who wind up at the same deadly location after enduring vastly different career paths. The film stars Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Ellen Barkin, Jesse Williams and Lili Taylor.

Living in Brooklyn, I heard so much about this, and the ex-transit worker turned screenwriter's sudden rise to stardom. Director Antoine Fuqua's last directorial effort was 2007's Shooter (Mark Wahlberg) which I didn't see. Box office receipts show a successful run, earning over $95 million on a $60 million budget. Critics were split however.

Warning: Red-band trailer for Black Dynamite below...

Largest Celebrity Donors

Posted on 1:37 PM comments (1)
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Recently released...

The Giving Back Fund's second annual Giving Back 30 survey which is a ranking of the 30 celebrities who have made the largest donations to charity in 2007 according to public records.

No surprise at who sits at the number 1 spot. Although I didn't know Herb Alpert was such a giver. I didn't even know he was still around! Also, I certainly would have expected to see a hell of a lot more individual donors on this list. America is the richest nation on earth, with thousands, if not millions of millionaires and billionaires combined. This list doesn't reflect that at all. I suppose there could be some who've opted to remain anonymous, and if so, props to them.

Here are the top 5 :

1 Oprah Winfrey - $50,200,000
To the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah's Angel Network; to "support the inspiration, empowerment and education of women, children, and families around the world; to encourage people around the world to make a difference in the lives of others
2 Herb Alpert - $13,000,000
To The Herb Alpert Foundation. In 2007 the Herb Alpert Foundation distributed more than $50,000,000 million in grants, which included a $30,000,000 gift to UCLA. Since 1988 Mr. Alpert has donated more than $100,000,000 million to the Herb Alpert Foundation
3 Barbra Streisand - $11,000,000
To the Barbra Streisand Foundation, numerous civil liberties, environmental, and civil rights organizations "dedicated to democratic values," Hawaii Community Foundation
4 Paul Newman - $10,005,000
$10 million to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio from which he graduated, for a scholarship program; an additional $5,000 to Ypsilanti High School's drama department
5 Mel Gibson - $9,899,654
To the AP Reilly Foundation, the tax-exempt entity named for his late mother, which supports Holy Family Catholic Church in Malibu, California

 See the remaining 25 here: THE GIVING BACK 30

Would You Like Breast Milk With That?

Posted on 1:06 PM No Comments
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Hat tip to Womanist-Musings for this one.

I simply don't have the words... just read on.

A Swiss gastronomist has stirred a controversy in the tranquil Alpine republic after announcing that he will serve meals cooked with human breast milk.

The owner of the Storchen restaurant in the exclusive Winterthur resort will improve his menu with local specialties such as meat stew and various soups and sauces containing at least 75 per cent of mother's milk.

"We have all been raised on it. Why should we not include it into our diet?" Hans Locher, who has become Switzerland most controversial restaurant owner, said.

Mr Locher attracted the attention of the leading media of the German-speaking world this week after he posted ads looking for women donors, who will receive just over three pounds for 14 ounces of their milk (that's about $5.4 for what amounts to a large cup of coffee).

He said: "I first experimented with breast milk when my daughter was born. "One can cook really delicious things with it. However, it always needs to be mixed with a bit of whipped cream, in order to keep the consistency."

The food control authority in Switzerland was initially confused by the apparent loophole in local legislation regulating the use of human milk and it was not clear whether Mr Locher could actually be banned from serving his specialties.

"Humans as producers of milk are simply not envisaged in the legislation. "They are not on the list of approved species such as cows and sheep, but they are also not on the list of the banned species such as apes and primates," Rolf Etter of the Zurich food control laboratory said.

SOURCE

McCain's Sexist Treatment Of Palin

Posted on 12:32 PM No Comments
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I was just thinking the exact same thing...

Who's the real sexist here, Senator McCain? Who's being the most disrespectful? Based on your treatment of Palin, you've done more to insult her than any (mis)quotes from the Obama camp. Are you her father, or her running mate? She's your VP for chrissakes - a heartbeat away from the presidential seat; not your fragile daughter who warrants your protection (even though she's certainly young enough to be). You don't seem to realize that you're likely hurting your candidacy more than helping it by keeping her in a bubble. Unleash her!

Michael Moore's 'Slacker Uprising' Now Available Online

Posted on 9:45 PM comments (2)
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I posted an entry on this 2 1/2 weeks ago, which you can read HERE, as well as watch the film's trailer. Now it's arrived for your viewing pleasure, for FREE.

Below is the email sent yesterday by Moore's camp, to anyone who signed up previously to receive notification of the film's online release.

Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:28:59 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Michael Moore"
Subject: 'Slacker Uprising' Now Belongs to You (Down/Load, Rise/Up!)

Friends, It's officially September 23rd and my new film, "Slacker Uprising," is now premiering live at SlackerUprising.com! It is available for free as a gift from me to all of you. And you have my permission to share it or show it in any way you see fit.

Watch it all:

At that link, there are five ways you can watch it free and without advertising:

1. blip.tv is providing streaming right from slackeruprising.com, free of commercials and advertising.

2. Amazon Video on Demand will provide a higher resolution version of the above stream for people with lots of bandwidth. It will be available in a few hours.

3. iTunes will make it easy for you to download "Slacker Uprising" on your iTunes, iPod, or Apple TV, and view it there or transmit it to your television. This way, the film can be portable as well as for home viewing. This will be available soon.

4. Hypernia is providing bandwidth and servers to host MPEG4 and DivX versions of "Slacker Uprising" online, so you can burn a DVD or download the film to watch on your computer, XBOX, or PS3.

5. Lycos is providing free streaming of the film and an on-demand version.

Stream it, download it, burn it now. It's the first time a major feature-length film is being released for free on the internet. You can be part of this historic moment by logging on now!

Enjoy!!

Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
SlackerUprising.com

P.S. Remember, we're doing something that's never been done, so I have no idea how it will all go! Don't give up if it seems to go slow (like with any streaming, give the downloading a head start before you hit play), and don't forget there are two places where you can actually download it to your hard drive and three ways to stream it. You can get to all of them at the link above.

P.P.S. If you're not yet registered to vote, here's a good link: https://www.voteforchange.com/. There's less than two weeks for you to get registered, especially if you have moved since the last time you voted.

www.slackeruprising.com

Trailer - 'Notorious'

Posted on 4:40 PM No Comments
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No... not the Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman... but rather, the premiere trailer for the Biggie Smalls bio-pic that stars Jamal Woolard as The Notorious B.I.G, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, Angela Bassett plays Violetta Wallace (Biggie's mom), and Anthony Mackie as Tupac. Notorious opens in January.

The First Ad For The G1, Google's Android-Based Phone

Posted on 4:29 PM No Comments
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Looks cool enough for me... not sure if it trumps the iPhone though... time will tell...

I've Been Labeled An Elitist Several Times...

Posted on 3:57 PM No Comments
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... And if the definition of the term in this article by Sheila Suess Kennedy is definitive, it's a label I'll gladly wear!

She states, regarding charges of Obama's so-called elitism by the Repubes: "It's simple, once we realize that this "elitism" doesn't have anything to do with wealth or even privilege. It is an attribute of intellect. The charge of elitism is a manifestation of America's longstanding and unfortunate subtext of anti-intellectualism, and its use during this campaign is both revealing and disturbing..."

She then poses and answers a very necessary question: "What does contempt for intellect tell us about the policy processes we might expect in a McCain Administration? First, it is a clear signal that policy decisions will be ideological, rather than pragmatic or evidence-based. People who dismiss scholarship, who sneer at research and place a high premium on speedy decision-making, are not likely to gather all the relevant data before making a decision. These are people who prefer certainty, who believe in "listening to my gut," rather than engaging in a thoughtful weighing of data or different perspectives. (We've had eight years of such decision-making, and we've seen how that works out.) Second, a President who dislikes "elitists"--defined as people who know what they are talking about--is unlikely to solicit advice from people who know what they are talking about. We can already see this in the staffing of the two campaigns: Obama has assembled advisors who are highly competent and accomplished; McCain's campaign is filled with "the usual subjects"--disproportionately lobbyists and political consultants. If we have ever needed an elitist--i.e., a really smart, thoughtful person--at the nation's helm, that time is now."

Check out the entire piece here: This Country Needs An Intellectual

South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, Ministers And Cabinet Step Down

Posted on 3:20 PM No Comments
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Eleven South African ministers, half the cabinet, have said they are stepping down, following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki as the country's president.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the deputy president, too has agreed to quit, her spokesman said on Tuesday.

Trevor Manuel, the finance minister, a man perceived as being instrumental in South Africa's recent economic stability, is also among the officials reported to have resigned.

All the resignations will take effect after an official ceremony on Thursday, when the country's chief justice will swear in an interim president in the run-up to next year's general elections.

The ANC, which ousted Mbeki over the weekend, has recommended its deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe, to take over as that post.

Mbeki's departure was forced in part by accusations that he interfered in the prosecution of his rival, Jacob Zuma.

The rest of the story here: MBEKI IMPEACHED

Say Hello To The Google Phone

Posted on 3:01 PM No Comments
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Officially announced in a press conference earlier today, the long-awaited HTC Dream, the first commercial handset running Google's Android operating system, will be coming to T-Mobile as the G1 for $179 on October 22nd. This marks Google's foray into the mobile phone device market. Competitors beware! I'm hoping to get my hands on one of these when available.

Here are its specs, courtesy of Gizmodo:

- Date and Pricing: $179 on October 22nd. (That's with a two year contract.) Unlimited internet with "some messaging" will run $25/month. Unlimited internet and messaging is $35/month. Data plans will require voice plans.

- Screen: The G1 sports a 3.17" 65K color touchscreen that runs in HVGA (480×320) resolution.

- Battery Life: You can talk for 5 hours, or keep the phone in standby for 130 hours.

- Camera: 3.1MP, or right around 35mm 4x6 print quality.

- Frequency:GSM/GPRS/EDGE/Wi-Fi and UMTS/HSDPA 850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100Mhz

- Dimensions: 4.60” x 2.16” x 0.62”; Weight: 5.6 ounces. And available in white, black and brown.

- Storage: 1GB MicroSD card preinstalled. Supports 8GB MicroSD.

- GPS: Of course, what would Google Maps be without it?

- Google Maps: As we've seen in a recent update, the G1's Maps application will integrate Street View so you can see where you are going. But in an industry first, a built-in compass orients the map to your position.

- Android Market: Similar to the iPhone's mobile App Store, the Android Market will allow downloading of various Android apps from the phone, to the phone.

- Amazon MP3 Store: Amazon's MP3 store will be preloaded on every G1, allowing the download of 6 million DRM-free tracks with singles starting at 89 cents. Downloading music requires a Wi-Fi connection, previewing can be done over T-Mobile's network.

- YouTube: Yup, it's on there.

- Other Apps: ShopSavvy: designed to help people do comparative shopping; Ecorio: developed to help people keep track of their daily travels and view what their carbon footprint looks like; BreadCrumbz: enables people to create a step-by-step visual map using photos; customers can create their own routes, share them with friends or with the world.

SOURCE

Rachel Maddow's Bailout Analogy

Posted on 12:46 PM No Comments
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I'm a fan... and so should you.

What's troubling about Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's $700 Billion 3-page plan is the stipulation that decisions made by Paulson within the plan "are non-reviewable by any court of law or administrative agency." Huh? Someone's developing a God complex. I don't like the sound of that.

Trailer - Tyler Perry's 'Madea Goes To Jail'

Posted on 12:03 PM No Comments
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Just when you thought it was safe to go to your local movie theatre... the ever-prolific Tyler Perry unleashes yet another spawn of Madea on us... this time, behind bars. The Family That Preys has been in release for less than a month, and the man is already prepping us for his next release, Madea Goes To Jail, which hits theatres next February, just 5 months away! Damn!

If it's any consolation for Tyler Perry "haters," history isn't necessarily on TP's side. If he continues pumping out the same brand of product as frequently as he's done since his introduction to the theatrical stage, history tells us that audiences (no matter how faithful) are bound to tire of his shtick, and will eventually graduate from his offerings, or demand better from him. Either way, something will change sooner or later.

Here's the just released teaser trailer for Madea Goes To Jail:

If Democrats Were Republicans They Would Run This Ad

Posted on 5:10 PM No Comments
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Hat tip to 236.com... a little Monday humor.

If the Democrats want to beat McCain/Palin, they need to start making Rovian-style attack ads. But since they won't, the folks over at 236.com apparently will.

More Heat For 'Miracle At St Anna'

Posted on 4:04 PM comments (1)
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Man, Spike is getting beaten up at the hands of film critics over Miracle At St Anna! The film opens this Friday, and I'll certainly be there opening night to take it all in. I'll post my thoughts afterwards... maybe.

Here are a few more discouraging reviews (hat tip to GreenCine):

From David Edelstein of New York Magazine:

"Miracle at St Anna will doubtless be extolled by people who mistake [Spike] Lee's righteous clobbering for moral seriousness," writes David Edelstein in New York. "Lee's climax is part punishing bloodbath, part florid religious uplift, and the coda is so maladroit it's hard to believe anyone on-set could keep a straight face."

And this one from Noel Murray of AV Club:

"This pains me to write, because I'm a lifelong fan of Spike Lee's, and I think his recent run of films (25th Hour, Inside Man, When The Levees Broke) has been downright inspiring, but Miracle at St Anna is a botch of the first order, a movie that telegraphs its leadenness in its first 10 minutes, and departs two-and-a-half hours later having left behind maybe two or three memorable scenes."

And this one from Eric Kohn at the Jaman Blog:

"Lee's noble attempt to create a World War II drama with African American soldiers fails to create a compelling narrative, marred as it is by forced melodrama and a shoddy screenplay that sounds like some kind of second rate pulp novel from the 50s," writes Eric Kohn at the Jaman Blog. "The director undoubtedly qualifies as one of the finest American filmmakers of the last 30 years, but he might work better on his home turf."

However, there is one bright spot. From James Rocchi at Cinematical:

"There are moments here where the film does not work, where you can feel the sharp needle of disbelief or dislocation puncture the film mercilessly, and there are other moments that are not only willing but indeed eager to look at big, challenging, relevant issues of race and power, war and justice, faith and failure," writes James Rocchi at Cinematical. "These moments - and there are many of them - not only speak to Lee's unwavering skill and commitment as a filmmaker, but also to the singular nature of his talent and will. When Miracle at St Anna falters, it's in the moments that seem like they could have been crafted by any other filmmaker; when Miracle at St Anna succeeds, it's in the moments that could only have been crafted by Lee."

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

'Shock Doctrine' - The Movie

Posted on 2:35 PM No Comments
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And speaking of Naomi Klein and The Shock Doctrine, I found this thrilling piece of news from ScreenDaily.com...

Michael Winterbottom begins work on Naomi Klein's Shock Doctrine
21 Sep 2008 11:00

Michael Winterbottom and Road To Guantanamo collaborator Mat Whitecross are working on a filmed version of "The Shock Doctrine," based on a book of the same name by Naomi Klein, which aims to expose what she calls "disaster capitalism". The theory is that neo-liberal capitalism feeds on natural disasters, war and terror to establish its dominance.

Klein herself will narrate the film, as she did a short film of the same name last year, directed by Alfonso and Jonas Cuaron.

Winterbottom´s film will again explore major events in history where the shock doctrine seems to apply, focusing particularly on the dictatorships in Argentina and Chile in the 1970s.

"I have started shooting segments of the film already with Naomi Klein narrating (reprising her role from the short film)," Winterbottom told ScreenDaily.

Here's the short film directed by Alfonso and Jonas Cuaron, based on the book, which went viral last year.


SOURCE

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