THE OBENSON REPORT

Covering Cinema From All Across The African Diaspora
Showing posts with label print. Show all posts
Showing posts with label print. Show all posts

PRINT - All-Negro Comics!

Posted on 11:08 PM comments (1)
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Hmmm... this is very interesting. I wasn't aware of All-Negro Comics, until I read the below article about its auction.

All-Negro Comics was America’s first-ever comic book, written, illustrated and published entirely by African-Americans, aimed primarily at African American readers. This was in the late 1940s, by the way.

My brief research revealed that there have been relatively few mainstream comic books published by and intended primarily for black audiences. These include Negro Romance (1950) Negro Heroes (1947 - 1948), the venereal disease educational Little Willie (1949), Fast Willie Jackson (1976 – 1977), and a line of comics published by DC Comics in the 1990s (including Blood Syndicate, Hardware, Icon, Kobalt, Shadow Cabinet and others).

According to the AP, the single issue of All-Negro Comics is up for auction.

A copy of All-Negro Comics No. 1, as it was called, is up for sale by comics entrepreneur Stephen Fishler. He says the comic is very rare - lasting one issue in 1947.

All-Negro Comics sold for 15 cents and was the brainchild of a black Philadelphia journalist, Orrin C. Evans.

The comic book, featuring such characters as detective Ace Harlem and Hep Chicks on Parade, is for sale as part of the online ComicConnect Event Auction. It began Feb. 27 and continues March 13, 14 and 15.

Apparently, within the pages of this single issue you'll find: a violent detective story; followed by a fairytale for little children; then an adventure about a Tarzan-like African hero; and finally, a sex-comedy about two opportunistic tramps.

I'd love to get my hands on this!

Anyone familiar? Read the comic book? I'd love to get some first-hand opinions.

Check out more images from its pages below... including the inside-front-cover which details the career of publisher, writer and president of All-Negro Comics, Inc., Orrin. C. Evans: “Former reporter and editor in the Negro newspaper field. Over a period of more than 25 years, he served with the Afro-American newspapers, the Chicago Defender, the Philadelphia Tribune, the Philadelphia Independent, the Public Journal and the American and Musician and Sportsman’s Magazine. He also has been a contributor to the Crisis, official organ of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.”

(click to enlarge)




via FORBES & ODDBALL COMICS

PRINT - Entertainment Weekly Lists Top 25 Active Directors

Posted on 4:25 PM comments (7)
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This one's a bit of a head-scratcher. Certainly several of the names on the below list unquestionably belong; but others are mind-boggling, especially when you consider who they left out!

Granted, this is coming from Entertainment Weekly, not Cahiers du Cinema, so it's probably unnecessary to get oneself too worked up over their choices.

Here they are (ranked in order of "Greatness"):

1. Steven Spielberg
2. Peter Jackson
3. Martin Scorsese
4. Christopher Nolan
5. Steven Soderbergh
6. Ridley Scott
7. Quentin Tarantino
8. Michael Mann
9. James Cameron
10. Joel and Ethan Coen
11. Guillermo del Toro
12. David Fincher
13. Tim Burton
14. Judd Apatow
15. Sam Raimi
16. Zack Snyder
17. Darren Aronofsky
18. Danny Boyle
19. Clint Eastwood
20. Ron Howard
21. Ang Lee
22. Paul Thomas Anderson
23. Paul Greengrass
24. Pedro Almodóvar
25. Jon Favreau

My immediate reactions? Predominantly American, unfortunately... after all, the article doesn't say that it's a list of the 25 greatest active American directors. Did the folks at EW who put this thing together do much research, or did they just pluck the most obvious names - especially those who have made studio films in recent years?

Also, not a single woman on this list. It's still very much a man's world. I'd argue in favor of a Claire Denis over Jon Favreau, for example. There's Catherine Breillat, Mira Nair, even Sofia Coppola. Granted her last film was 2006's Marie Antoinette, but here's a woman with a vision, and 3 films with much critical acclaim accompanying them.

And of course, very few minorities, save for the likes of Ang Lee and Guillermo del Toro.

I'd take Spike Lee over Darren Aronofsky and... Zack Snyder??? What has he done to warrant a ranking? 300? Dawn of The Dead? Both decent efforts, but compared to Spike's 24-year-old oeuvre? He's certainly had his share of misses, but, Spike's overall body of work impresses.

To rank Almodovar 24th, beneath a select group of directors still in career diapers, still discovering their individual voices, is blasphemous! I like Aronofsky, but his resume includes 2 films that play more like graduate thesis films in Pi and Requiem For A Dream, a third film, while ambitious, was a failure (IMHO) in The Fountain, and his last effort, the supposed comeback for Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) - I think his most mature film to date. The kid's got potential, but, he doesn't belong on this list... not yet.

Jon Favreau? Judd Apatow?

Christopher Nolan impressed us with Memento and the last 2 Batman movies, but he doesn't belong in the top 10. Where are David Cronenberg, Park Chan-wook, David Lynch, Woody Allen, Oliver Stone, Wong Kar-Wai, Roman Polanski, Mike Leigh, Alfonso Cuaron...? They all fit the criteria, and are all "active."

Brad Bird? I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting at the moment.

Anyway... as I said, it is Entertainment Weekly, otherwise known as EW, as in ewwwww :o)

Your thoughts?


via EW

PRINT - Halle Berry In Essence (On Angela Davis Film, Going Bald And Black Men)

Posted on 8:21 AM comments (3)
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So, as you've likely already heard, starlet, and new mother, Halle Berry (Lady Aphrodite to many wishful wannabe Adonises), graces the cover of the current issue of Essence magazine (March).

A fine cover it is, but it's what on the inside that really counts, right? And I mean literally on the inside... of the magazine that is.

In it, Halle is interviewed, and dishes on a variety of subjects, some that are certain to raise some eyebrows; so brace yourselves... or not :o)

First - I had no idea she had an Angela Davis project in the works, labeling a labor of love, much like her current project, Frankie & Alice, which she says she worked on for 10 years. (I wrote about Frankie & Alice previously on this blog, including some risque pics of Halle on set. Read that post HERE).

So, how's this going to work, since we previously heard that some French-Algerian director has already secured $20 to $30 million in funding to produce an Angela Davis bio-pic, potentially starring Beyonce Knowles. Remember that? Who would you rather see play Angela Davis, Halle Berry or Beyonce Knowles?

But if each project is indeed unique, then we just might see 2 Angela Davis bio-pics in theatres in coming years - likely a few years part. However, I seriously doubt that.

Second - Looking forward to her next production, she says she will indeed be shaving all her hair off for the role she plays in the romantic comedy, Nappily Ever After - a project that's been in gestation for quite a few years now, with Halle attached from inception. It looks like it's a done deal, and will go into production sometime soon, for a 2010 release date.

Why will she be going bald for the role? Nappily Ever After, based on a book of the same name by Trisha R. Thomas, is about a young woman, Venus Johnston, who grows weary of her relationship with her boyfriend, and having to maintain her long, dark hair. Resolving to create a new, independent life for herself, she leaves her boyfriend and cuts her hair off. Drama, hilarity and hijinx of course ensue. I haven't read the book. Maybe some of you have.

And lastly - Regarding black men and her previously relationships, Halle mockingly states, "I tried black men. I tried... I married two black men. You know I tried." The article states that she said this "in a mock southern accent," implying that she was joking - at least, somewhat. She then said, "I don't hold all black males responsible because of the two bad eggs I got. I even dated black men after my last divorce, but this is just where I found love." So, it's not that big of a deal, but I'm guessing it might rub some the wrong way.

That's it! An Angela Davis biopic in the works; going bald for Nappily Ever After; and throwing black men under the bus!! Joking... somewhat. David Justice and Eric Benet ruined it for the rest of us. Bastards! :o)

To read the entire article, you'll have to buy the magazine, or subscribe via their website. But you can see a preview of it in the video below, or the link that follows it:



via ESSENCE

PRINT - Welcome To Nigeriatown... In China

Posted on 1:14 PM comments (6)
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We know a lot about the recent Chinese "invasion" of African countries, in what has effectively been described by many as 21st century colonization of the continent; but we've heard very little of the story from the other side - the Africans who have been exported to China, as part of this economic exchange agreement between the continent and the Asian country.

The current issue of The New Yorker contains an article about the economic, social, and religious lives of African merchants living in China, in what some Nigerians there are calling Nigeriatown, AKA Chocolate City.

This is all very interesting to me, and worth paying attention to, on all fronts. Globalization is the name of the game; but, who's really benefiting in this arrangement? Answers vary depending on who you ask.

Time will answer that question.

One thing is certain - given the inevitable couplings occurring between Nigerian men and Chinese women in China, as mentioned in the New Yorker piece, China's overall complexion is going to gradually change in years to come. The shift will sit comfortably amongst all the other "post-racial," "Obama effect" hysteria we've been hearing about since the inauguration last month - even though this one is years older than Obama's campaign.

It would make for an interesting, revealing film - the life of an African man/woman/child in Guangzhou.

Might we see Nollywood movies infiltrate Chinese culture, and vice-versa, one influencing the other?

Click the image below to listen to and view New Yorker writer, Evan Osnos, narrate a 3 1/2-minute audio slide show summarizing the piece.




via NEW YORKER

PRINT - Barack "Washington" Obama

Posted on 12:45 PM No Comments
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The cover for the current issue of The New Yorker.



No satire this time, huh, fellas?

Recall, it wasn't so long ago when...



Tee-hee-hee.

PRINT - Props!

Posted on 11:40 AM comments (3)
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Look who made the cover of the winter issue of the indie filmmaking bible, FilmMaker magazine?

Monsieur Barry Jenkins, writer/director of Medicine For Melancholy, which will open for a limited run at IFC theatres, here in New York City, on January 30th.

Also with him on the cover are the stars of Medicine For Melancholy, Wyatt Cenac (whom most will recognize from his now and then stint on The Daily Show with John Stewart), and relative newcomer, Tracey Heggins.

The issue isn't yet on newsstands, but will be shortly, I'm sure.

FYI: Barry Jenkins will be a guest on my podcast the week his film opens - Monday, January 26th, from 8PM to 9PM. We'll chat about Medicine For Melancholy, surely, as well as other film related topics. Looking forward to it! Mark it down on your calendars.

Congrats to Barry and company! Hope the film is a success.

Vogue Italia's "Black Issue" A Hot Seller!

Posted on 11:57 AM comments (5)
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Apparently, there's a seriously high demand for the current issue of Vogue Italia's so-called "Black Issue" - which I'm assuming you all know something about. I posted an entry all about it which you can read here: VOGUE: THE BLACK ISSUE.

The issue went on sale in the US last week Friday, and has been flying off store shelves - surpassing expectations! Who knew that there would be this much interest in seeing black models dominate an issue of an influential fashion mag like Vogue? Or are these buyers simply "investors" wanting to own the issue that some are saying could become a collectors item in a few years, making it much more valuable than its current likely sub-$20 price tag?

As stated on WWD.com: ... Fashionistas evidently hurried to newsstands across New York City to get their hands on the July Italian Vogue featuring all black models. By 10 a.m., Universal News on 58th Street and Eighth Avenue... had already sold 50 copies. Hudson News in Grand Central Station sold 20 copies by 11 a.m. By noon, Universal News on 56th Street and Lexington Avenue had sold its last issue, and the one on 14th Street near Sixth Avenue had sold over 100 copies, with a few more left to move... A spokeswoman for Condé Nast (Vogue's publisher) said the company increased newsstand distribution of the special issue by 40 percent in the U.S... The company will also print another 10,000 copies to meet the demand for the issue!

I'm actually really curious who all these people are buying it. Are these black women or Vogue's already existing audience, which, I'm guessing is made up predominantly of white middle to upper middle class women? Remember this is the Italian Vogue, not the Vogue that most readers here in America are familiar with. I'm not even sure if it's printed in English!

SOURCE: A BLACK ISSUE AT WWD.COM
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