THE OBENSON REPORT

Covering Cinema From All Across The African Diaspora

'Hancock' And Its "Iffy Racial Subtexts"

Posted on 9:06 PM No Comments
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Ok... I know... I'm overloading you with all my Hancock posts. What can I say, it's the topic du jour, and stars the biggest box office draw of this century, who, by the way, happens to be black!

Don't worry, the noise will eventually fade out. But based on the outrageously high number of hits that this blog has received in the last 2 weeks, since I posted the spoiler review - 90% of them from Google searches for the film or various amalgamations of terms and phrases including the film's title - it's clear that Hancock mania has taking over the world, and probably won't start to die out until The Dark Knight's release date arrives!

I found this conversation between two WIRED Magazine writers, discussing the film and its merits. What caught my eye instantly was this sentence: "... this movie could be read as a white power fantasy about the successful containment of black masculinity."

Of course I had to read on, so I did. And you can too, by simply clicking here -> WIRED On Hancock.

Judge Orders YouTube: Turn Over All User Data To Viacom

Posted on 8:31 PM No Comments
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Incase you haven't heard... if you've ever watched a YouTube video (who hasn't) you may want to read this...

From WIRED Magazine:

- Google will have to turn over every record of every video watched by YouTube users, including users' names and IP addresses, to Viacom, which is suing Google for allowing clips of its copyright videos to appear on YouTube, a judge ruled Wednesday. Viacom wants the data to prove that infringing material is more popular than user-created videos, which could be used to increase Google's liability if it is found guilty of contributory infringement. Viacom filed suit against Google in March 2007, seeking more than $1 billion in damages for allowing users to upload clips of Viacom's copyright material. Google argues that the law provides a safe harbor for online services so long as they comply with copyright takedown requests. Although Google argued that turning over the data would invade its users' privacy, the judge's ruling (.pdf) described that argument as "speculative" and ordered Google to turn over the logs on a set of four tera-byte hard drives.

The rest at WIRED.

Spike Lee To Film Broadway's 'Passing Strange'

Posted on 8:02 PM comments (1)
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Not quite what I was expecting, but I suppose this will have to do for now. When I read the headline on Entertainment Weekly's website, I was hoping that the article following the link would state that Spike was adapting the Broadway stage musical for the theatrical film screen. Alas, that's not exactly the case. It's more like a recording of the stage production, as it's being performed - like a filmed concert essentially. I guess it's for those people who'd like to see Passing Strange but don't live in New York, or just can't afford to pay the pricey theatre tickets.

If you've never heard of Passing Strange, CLICK HERE to catch up, and then read the article below.

From Entertainment Weekly:

- Spike Lee is going to Broadway. The Oscar-nominated writer/director will be spending part of his July filming the Tony-winning production Passing Strange. Lee will film the musical by singer/songwriter Stew over the course of a weekend, shooting two shows with audiences and then a third one without. (He did a similar thing with his 2000 concert film The Original Kings of Comedy.) Passing Strange's producers are financing the production, and while no distribution deal has been set, sources believe it will air on cable television upon completion. The musical centers on a young black musician who sets off on a journey to find "the real" after being raised in a church-going middle-class Los Angeles neighborhood. It was originally developed at the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab.

Trailer - 'Meet Dave' (Eddie Murphy, Gabrielle Union)

Posted on 4:17 PM comments (2)
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I didn't realize this had been circulating around the blogosphere for some time already. I hadn't seen it until today, so I'm posting it for those who haven't seen it either.

The film is called Meet Dave (formerly known as Starship Dave). The plot: In busy New York's Central Park a massive fireball crash lands, with a man emerging unscathed. He's Dave (Eddie Murphy), a human-shaped spaceship controlled by 100 little aliens. Its captain (also played by Murphy) pilots the Dave Spaceship along with his crew from inside its head. The aliens are seeking a way to save their planet, however complications arise when Dave falls in love... with a white woman (cue dramatic crescendo here).

The film opens July 11th. Will I see it? Umm... No!! I think this one's for the little kiddies.

Here's the trailer for the $100 Million film, starring the no-longer-retiring Eddie Murphy and Gabrielle Union. Given the budget, might this be another Pluto Nash?:

Thursday Funnies - P Diddy Is Happier Than A Mutha***** About Hancock!

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I should start calling these Diddy posts, The Diddy Chronicles... or borrowing from Invisible Woman and her Terrence Watch, I could call it P Diddy Watch. I think I like The Diddy Chronicles better ;o)

Anyway, so P Diddy is waxing philosophic again, and you know what that means, right? Thunderous laughter!! Not because the things he says are always funny, or meant to be, but rather because Diddy is just funny without even trying to be. So, I guess I'm not laughing with him as much as I am laughing AT him!

This time, the subject of his affections is Hancock, the Will Smith movie (what else, right), as he laments on the plight of the black superhero.

The video clip follows below, but here are a few tasty quotes from the horses mouth:

- "It's 2000 and muthafuckin' 8, and shit is changing, y'know. Black man is on the rise; it's a beautiful thing. I went to a premiere last night of Hancock, and we got a BLACK MUTHAFUCKIN' SUPERHERO and I'm HAPPIER THAN A MUTHAFUCKA!"
- "Hancock bitches! HANCOCK!"
- "I feel proud that my kids can go see a superhero who looks like them... because we got a black superhero and his muthafuckin' name is Hancock... BITCH!"

I wonder if maybe Diddy missed the part about Hancock being a drunken, foul-mouthed, self-destructive loser who's in love with a white woman! And yes, the capitalized words mean that he was yelling when he uttered them.

"HANCOCK BITCHES!" Ok Diddy. Alright now kid.

Here's the video:

Say It Ain't So Hollywood - A Tim Russert Movie?

Posted on 1:36 PM No Comments
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If I believed that there is indeed a God, I'd pray that he/she/it strikes down those insensitive pricks who thought this would be a good idea. Even worse is that the man died JUST less than a month ago! I'm sure they'll butter it up, and package it as some kind of tribute to his life and work, but I won't buy it. This is simply yet another attempt to capitalize on one man and one family's tragedy. The fact that they actually have the balls to announce it so soon after the fact, in the midst of the public and media frenzy that followed Russert's death, and that still lingers on, tells me how devious and calculating the producers of the idea are. Any publicity is good publicity, I suppose... Bleh!

From Defamer.com:

- What took Hollywood so long? Tim Russert died on June 13th and they're only just now announcing plans to make a movie about his life? On July 2nd? Come on, people, that's 19 days. Used to be a movie like that would get announced under a week after the tragedy. Summer must be making everyone lazy.

In any case, we managed to stumble upon a curious casting call on Craigslist which tipped us off to the Russert biopic. The headline reads: "Casting Older Caucasian Woman for Major TV Network Movie." The ad goes on to explain that a "small independent New York based film company is searching for the role of Maureen Orth, the wife of the late Tim Russert. The film will explore the last 24 hours of Russert's life and Golden Globe winner Randy Quaid is set to play the role of Tim Russert."

The rest at DEFAMER.

Original 'Hancock' Screenplay!

Posted on 12:15 PM comments (7)
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You can read my thorough analysis of the script here: TONIGHT, HE COMES SCRIPT REVIEW. I actually liked the script more than I did the movie.

Thanks to Sergio for the heads up on this!

What we've got here is the original 126-page script for Hancock, initially titled, Tonight, He Comes.

The film in its release form is roughly 90 minutes long. The original Vincent Ngo-written script is 126 pages. For those of you who went to film school, or know a few things about the relationship between the written word and the visual image, you'd immediately notice the discrepancy here! In short, one industry standard page of a screenplay is equivalent to 1 minute of screen time. Obviously that formular isn't entirely exact, but if you compared most completed films with their screenplays, you'd notice that, for example, a 90-page screenplay will almost always produce a 90-minute film, or thereabouts.

In Hancock's case, we've got a 126-page screenplay, but ended up with a 90-minute film, which immediately indicates that a solid 30+ minutes was gutted somewhere in the production process, and I am certainly interested in knowing what that 30-minutes contained!

Skimming the pages of the script, I immediately noticed several differences from the film I saw - notably the use of profanity. As we already know, Sony wanted to deliver a PG13-rated movie, not an R-rated rump, hence all the reshooting we heard about (You can read my post on that HERE, in which director Peter Berg was quoted as saying about a previous incarnation of the film, "Hancock has remained surprisingly sexual, violent and true in spirit to an original script that was viewed as brilliant but unmakable.").

This should be an interesting read. I plan on going through the entire script this weekend, and I'll post my thoughts on it afterwards, making comparisons between what was written and what was filmed.

Courtesy of Hollywood Elsewhere, here's a link to the PDF script (get it while it's hot): TONIGHT, HE COMES.

'The Wackness' Is Wack!

Posted on 11:23 AM No Comments
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Living in New York City, it's nearly impossible to avoid ads for the 2008 Sundance Audience Award winner, The Wackness, an upcoming 2008 comedy by Jonathan Levine, reaching theatres in the U.S. today.

The plot: It’s the summer of 1994, and the streets of New York are pulsing with hip hop and wafting with the aroma of marijuana. The newly-inaugurated mayor, Rudolph Giuliani, is only beginning to implement his initiatives against crimes such as noisy portable radio, graffiti and public drunkenness. The film centers upon a troubled high school student named Luke Shapiro - a teenage marijuana dealer who forms a friendship with Dr. Jeffrey Squires (played by Sir Ben Kingsley), a psychiatrist and kindred lost soul. When the doctor proposes Luke trade him marijuana for therapy sessions, the two begin to explore both New York City and their own depression.

It co-stars Method Man as "an armed body guard totting Jamaican pot distributor from Queens" (bad accent and all) and features a soundtrack with music that helped define a generation - including cuts from the likes of Nas (his seminal Illmatic CD), to "Can I Kick It" by Tribe Called Quest, to "Flava In Ya Ear" (Craig Mack), Just A Friend (Biz Markie), Bump N' Grind (R Kelly), and even Summertime (Dj Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince).

Everytime I see the film's trailer or a poster for it, I feel myself getting annoyed. I usually just shake my head, sigh, and either quickly change whatever channel I was watching, or walk briskly past the city wall on which the poster hangs.

I can go into the myriad of reasons why I react the way I do (the title alone when closely considered is a good place to start), but Brandon Harris over at CinemaEchoChamber sums it all up quite nicely. He was brave enough to see the film, and wrote a review about it.

Here's a snippet:

- "The carefully molded world of the movie is one of its major selling points for a large portion of the target youth audience that geriatric seeming Sony Pictures Classics is hoping it can lure with this sweet and sugary, yet oddly colorless summer of 94’ hip-hop fantasia. From the desaturated hues of its early and middle passages to the alabaster pallor of almost its entire cast, this movie is lily white, regardless of how many Nas, Biggie and Wu-Tang Clan songs can get stuffed into the final mix. Its no surprise the only black participant in this black culturally infused movie is Meth (Method Man), making a mockery of himself, the gentle irony of his actual voice on a Wu-Tang song playing in the background of his silly scenes here just another reminder of the spirit and verisimilitude that the film, despite best efforts, isn’t able to extract from its antecedents."

Read Brandon's entire review HERE.

Here's the annoying trailer:

Vondie Curtis Hall, Denzel Whitaker, Xzibit In "Bad Lieutenant" Remake

Posted on 10:32 AM comments (1)
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I actually haven't seen the original 1992 version of Bad Lieutenant, directed by Abel Ferrara, and staring Harvey Keitel. It's one of those films I usually overlook when looking for movies to rent/buy. Something about Harvey Keitel's performances bug me... not quite sure what it is, but I've never really cared for most films I've seen him in, and the obvious common denominator is that he's in all of them. I'm sure he's a fine actor and gentleman, but ehhh...

Anyway... German filmmaker Werner Herzog seems to think he can improve on the original Bad Lieutenant, since he's "re-imagining" it for 21st century screens, with Nicolas Cage as the self-loathing police officer with various addictions. Included in the lengthy list of actors assuming roles in the film are: Vondie Curtis Hall, Denzel Whitaker (the chubby kid from The Great Debaters), and rapper-turned-actor Xzibit, who's quite busy these days in front of the camera with roles in 3 features over the next 12 months, notable the upcoming X-Files movie sequel. Does he still host MTV's Pimp My Ride series? Probably not, I'd expect. I'm not sure what roles all three gentlemen will play in Herzog's film, but one article does say that Xzibit will be a criminal.

For those not familiar with the story, in Bad Lieutenant, the titular character (Cage in this case/Keitel in the original) investigates the rape of a nun and uses this as a chance to confront his personal demons on the road to eventual redemption. Obviously, it's more complicated than that, but you can always rent the original and watch it. I'll be doing that, likely this weekend. I've certainly avoided it long enough...

Here's the trailer for the Abel Ferrara/Harvey Keitel version:




SOURCE

More On Hammer's Self-Distribution Of 'Ballast'

Posted on 9:44 AM No Comments
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The plight of the indie filmmaker is one that has been discussed in various forms on this blog since inception. And the distribution issue is often at the center of such discussions.

That Lance Hammer, writer/director of Ballast, a film I've mentioned a few times on this blog, withdrew from the deal offered to him by IFC Films in order to maintain control of his film in the marketplace, was a really bold move - something that I doubt most first-time indie filmmakers would have the guts to even consider. Distribution is enough of a challenge with the backing of an established entity like IFC (owned by Cablevision), and it's exponentially more difficult when the filmmaker opts to drive the ship virtually solo.

I just read this article on indieWIRE posted this morning that talks about Hammer's prospects now that he's sans IFC's support. It's a worthwhile read, and certainly encouraging for other indie filmmakers, I think, especially those planning to follow Hammer's path. Not that he's doing anything new, because he isn't. Many before him have traversed down this very same path - some were successful; others weren't so much. And so it goes...

Here are some poignant snippets from the article, which I recommend everyone read:

- "IFC is a really good company," Hammer told indieWIRE last week. "The problem is the larger issue that's plaguing every filmmaker right now: The distributors don't really offer any money. That's not that big of a deal if they would allow you to have control of your project, but they don't."
- If the current art-house climate isn't challenging enough, Hammer's decision highlights the harsh reality for indie filmmakers: distribution advances, or "minimum guarantees," barely ever recoup a film's budget. Hammer says conventional distribution advances for a small film like "Ballast" range between $25,000-$50,000. "If you made a $50,000 project, that makes sense," Hammer said. "If you happen to spend more money than that, it becomes difficult to justify giving up creative control."
- "It may be a total financial failure," Hammer admitted. "But if I were to go with one of the established distributors, it'd be certain that I'd lose all my money. But if try it myself, aligning myself with very experienced, creative people, there's a chance that it won't be a failure. And then I can prove that I've done it once and I can do it again. And more importantly, other filmmakers like me can do it, too."

Word!

Read the entire article at INDIREWIRE.COM.

'Miracle At St Anna' Premiere

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Well, it looks like you folks up in Toronto will get to see Spike Lee's Miracle At St Anna before anybody else on this planet, since the Toronto International Film Festival just announced that the film will make its premiere at the festival in early September.

The festival runs from September 4th to the 13th. The film is scheduled to begin its American theatrical run soon after, on the 26th of the same month. So, I'll be looking out for early reviews of the film from the Toronto crowd around the time of its premiere, ahead of its full release.

Source

Watch The First 5 Minutes Of 'The Dark Knight'!

Posted on 4:40 PM comments (1)
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This footage was apparently shown in December before certain Imax screenings of I Am Legend and hasn't been seen since. It just resurfaced. It features a set of sinister men in clown masks who attempt to pull off an outrageous bank heist while snarling to themselves about a new criminal who's terrorising Gotham City: a make-up wearing weirdo who goes by the name of The Joker.

The quality and sound are poor here, but it's still well worth a look. And do it now, because the last time this footage hit the web, it was gone almost as soon as it was made available!

'Friends' - The Movie

Posted on 4:01 PM comments (1)
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After the success of the Sex and the City movie, I guess this was inevitable. I actually questioned whether or not I should bother posting this, but given that it was such an incredibly popular show, reaching across all racial boundaries, I felt compelled to at least mention it. In fact, I know with certainty that some of you reading this were indeed big fans of the program.

I wonder if they'll follow Sex and the City's lead and have that one token Negro in it, in what will likely be an unabashedly stereotypical role - yup, I'm looking right at you Jennifer Hudson.

I never was a fan of Friends. I know several folks who were, and who watched it religiously... frighteningly. I watched a couple of episodes and just didn't understand why it was so highly regarded. It wasn't funny - at least to me. Its few attempts at diversifying the racial make-up of its cast were actually more embarassing than useful. And I simply didn't care for any of the cast of characters at all! So, I never jumped on the bandwagon and certainly don't plan on doing so now, even with a big screen adaptation!

From Daily Mail UK:

Friends reunited: Jennifer Aniston and the gang set to return for big-screen blockbuster

The highly anticipated film production of TV series Friends has finally been given the go-ahead, MailOnline has learned.

Cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer will reprise their roles for a big-screen adaptation 'within the next 18 months', according to insiders.

The actors have been inspired by the recent success of Sex And The City, which recently hit cinemas worldwide.

Read the rest of it HERE.

15 Of The Greatest Black Superheroes Of All Time

Posted on 2:26 PM No Comments
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A significantly improved list of top black superheroes, compared to yesterday's humorous attempt by the good folks at AOL Black Voices. This one comes from the appropriately named BamKapow.com website. I'm sure you can guess what their specialty is based on their name alone.

Looking over the list, realizing that I wasn't aware of many of these black superheroes, I wondered whether anyone in Hollywood would ever consider flushing out one of these characters and creating a franchise similar to the likes of Batman, Spiderman and now, very likely, Iron Man. I'd like to see one of them given the same kind of serious, respectable treatment that the new Batman series is enjoying under Christopher Nolan's direction. There was the Blade trilogy with Wesley Snipes, but, the second installment, directed by Guillermo Del Toro was by far the most inventive and thus the best of all 3. The third one STUNK! There was Spawn with Michael Jai White, but that wasn't very well produced, in my humble opinion, and was rather forgettable. So, c'mon Hollywood, give a black superhero a break here will ya! Make that Black Panther movie that's been circulating for awhile now! But PLEASE keep it out of John Singleton's hands... PLEASE!

And with that, from BamKapow.com, here's the #1 black superhero on their top 15 list, Black Panther:



- Arguably the best of the Black superheroes, the Black Panther is the king and protector of the African nation of Wakanda, a technological and economical jewel of a nation nestled in the heart of Africa. The Black Panther, empowered by the Panther God, is endowed with speed, strength, and skill above that of normal mortals. T'Challa, the current Black Panther, is not only a skilled warrior, but also a masterful tactician, fair and just ruler, inventor, and all around master of all he endeavors. He joined the Avengers not for any political gain, but instead to "keep an eye on" the super powered beings that were in the world. Recently T'Challa chose Storm for his bride, and it was revealed that the two had had a history that spanned their entire lives. Their marriage is destined to change the entire course of human history and propel the land of Wakanda to the fore of the world.

There were rumors that Chiwetel Ejiofor was to assume the role; althought Djimon Hounsou was mentioned as well. Nothing has developed yet.

See the entire list of 15 HERE.

Dennis Haysbert: I Helped Pave Obama's Way

Posted on 12:35 PM comments (1)
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Haha! I was wondering when someone would speak up...

Although you certainly weren't the first fictional black president Mr Haysbert. Chris Rock wrote, directed, and starred as presidential candidate Mays Gilliam in the 2003 comedy Head of State. He was preceded by Morgan Freeman as President Tom Beck in the 1998 disaster movie, Deep Impact. And before that, the first African-American movie president was played by James Earl Jones in the 1972 political drama The Man.

So, maybe we should give all those other men credit as well.

From Huffpo:

Dennis Haysbert likes to believe his portrayal as the first African-American U.S. president on Fox's "24" may have helped pave the way for Barack Obama."If anything, my portrayal of David Palmer, I think, may have helped open the eyes of the American people," said the actor, who has contributed $2,300 to the Illinois Democrat's presidential campaign.

The rest HERE.

9 Ways Hancock Could Have Been A Better Movie

Posted on 12:11 PM comments (2)
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Found this over at io9.com. I couldn't have said it all any better myself.

Read on...

9 Ways Hancock Could Have Been A Pretty Good Movie (or ways Hancock could have sucked considerably less)

Here's number 9 on the list:

#9 - Decide what kind of movie you're making: And here's really the crux of what went wrong with Hancock. Is it a crazy outrageous comedy about a shitty superhero? Then fucking go for it, and show us how crazy you can get. Is it an understated Jason Bateman comedy about a P.R. exec who tries to work with a superhero to improve his image? That actually could have been a great film, if the whole movie was about that. Is it an exploration of why Hancock is such a dick? Or is it a tragic love story of two immortal and nice-looking people who can never be together? (If so, then no thanks.) If Hancock had picked one movie to be, it might have managed to be pretty okay. Instead, it's a mash-up of five really bad movies.

See the remaining 8 on the list HERE.

Eddie Murphy Says Retirement Rumors Are False And Talks 'Beverly Hills Cop IV'

Posted on 11:03 AM No Comments
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Ohhhh Eddie, you had us going there you bastard! Although we were already planning your going away party. Shucks! Guess the plans will have to change, huh? Ah well... you're still alright with me though.

MTV Movies caught up with our man to discuss retirement rumors and the 4th installment of the Beverly Hills Cop series.

Here are some soundbites from the horse's mouth:

- "The third 'Beverly Hills Cop' was so horrible... I didn't want to leave it like that. The first two were cool and the third one was shitty. Let's get the franchise fixed again, clean up this old mess and do a good movie... Don't just leave Axel with his thumb up his ass from the last movie like "Whatever happened to Axel Foley?" "He's sitting in Detroit with his thumb up his ass since 'Beverly Hills Cop III.'" Let's take those thumbs out and make a great movie!"

- "All I know is that it’s gonna be something that’s special. I’m not doing just, hey give me some big check and I go off [does the Foley laugh] and shoot the gun and jump over cars... Like, that’s some bullshit. If I do it, it’s gonna be some shit that’s right!"

Ok Eddie! We're all waiting with bated breath... or something.

Watch the clip below, and go to MTV Movies Blog for the rest of the story.



SOURCE: MTV

Denzel And Batman In '28th Amendment'

Posted on 10:22 AM comments (1)
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In May I posted an entry on the very first pairing of Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise in a film called, The 28th Amendment, about a president who comes to find out that the United States is actually controlled by a super secret organization who will assassinate anyone who gets in its way. Cruise was to play the president and Denzel would play the head of the super secret organization who attempts to assasinate the president.

However, Tom Cruise has now jumped ship, and will no longer be starring in the film, due to some contract negotiation difficulties (probably monetary). And taking his place, as reported by MovieHole.net, will be none other than the Dark Knight himself, Christian Bale!

MovieHole says that Warner Bros has made Bale an offer he can't refuse - to take Cruise’s place in the film. So, we'd see a Washington/Bale pairing - also a first!

As an aside, I suddenly feel like playing Six Degrees of Tyler Perry. I feel like I should have some kind of game show music here. I think I might play the game for every actor I name on this blog from here on... or until someone tells me to stop :o) If you don't know what Six Degrees Of Tyler Perry is, CLICK HERE. Except this time, I'm breaking the game wide open, and instead of only connecting Perry to black performers, I'm going to try to connect him to all performers regardless of race in 6 or less steps.

So, Christian Bale: Bale was in Shaft with Vanessa Willams (1), who was in Soul Food with Michael Beach (2), who was in First Sunday with Kat Williams (3), who was in The Perfect Holiday with Gabrielle Union (4), who was in Daddy's Little Girls directed by Tyler Perry (5). Who would have thought Batman could be connected to Madea in 5 steps!!

SOURCE: MovieHole.net

So... I Saw 'Hancock' Last Night...

Posted on 9:30 AM comments (2)
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URGGGGHHHH!!!

No, that wasn't necessarily a sign of loathing, but rather one of disappointment.

I'll keep this as short and sweet as I can.

The filmmakers had the opportunity here to do something relatively refreshing. They started the race off on the right footing, with surprising bursts of energy, but then tripped all over themselves with about 40 minutes left until the finish line. Sigh...

I'd much rather have been underwhelmed from the start than to have my intrigue build for half of it, only to see it quickly tumble during the other half.

So, yes, this was rather disappointing and I think it will go down as one of Will Smith's glorious failures, much like Wild Wild West, which actually did make money, but left a lot of fans and critics wanting. Even Will Smith himself was quoted as saying that Wild Wild West was one film of his that he felt was a failure.

Make Hancock number 2. However, I'd say that this is one failure that a lot of other actors would probably like to have.

I suppose there's a compliment or two in there somewhere.

Will Smith was Will Smith. I certainly wouldn't call the role a complex one - although the character really could have been much more challenging and thus interesting with a few script changes. But we get Big Willie as Big Willie in a summer spectacle. Nothing more nor less. It doesn't always work, but I've come to expect only so much out of Will Smith's performances, so I wasn't entirely disappointed.

The rest of the cast (Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman) are watchable, although Charlize sometimes looked a little lost in her role - at times it felt like she was in a different movie altogether.

The direction was often uneven and questionable. I wasn't sure what director Peter Berg was hoping to evoke with all those shaky-cam movements, extreme close-ups, zooming in and out, and other camera gimmicks he utilized that just seemed really innapropriate for the material. I felt like I was watching Traffic, or NYPD Blue. I think every film he's directed has been shot in this similar handheld camera style. None of it worked here.

The film just isn't quite sure what it wants to be, especially in the second half, where it shifts sharply between several genres, moods and tones, often leaving me baffled, or throwing my hands up in the air in frustration at some of the illogical choices that were made. It just simply self-destructs during the last 30 to 40 minutes, after the big reveal that actually isn't that surprising since you could probably figure it out long before it happens, even if you hadn't read it previously on this blog. Berg needs a lesson in subtlety.

It's clear to me that the production team just wasn't sure what to do with that last act, which felt like a mosh pit of nonsensical sequences scrapped together in a hurry. And at just around 90 minutes in length, I couldn't help but think that there was probably a lot more to the initial script than the version they decided to give us, which is rather unfortunate, because, what we're fed is more of the same kind of triteness that insults the audience. I remember thinking just how gullible and foolish they must think the audience is - let's just throw in a bunch of loud, chaotic sequences, forget logic, forget reason, forget every interesting idea we developed in the first half and instead just go with lots of booms and bams, intercut with some overly sentimental scenes, and of course, Big Willie-isms, and then tie it all up with a ridiculous ending. No thanks! I didn't buy it!

However, apparently, others certainly did, making the assumptions of the producers unfortunately correct, because at the end of the film, the packed theatre my friend and I saw it in errupted in applause!!!!! We looked at each other and could only shrug and simply agreed that they must have seen a different movie than we did.

But, of course! It's Will Smith. He's in the fluke zone as Variety's Anne Thompson wrote recently - meaning, he can do no wrong... audiences will love him no matter what. He can video-tape himself sitting on a toilet for 2 hours, and crowds will still show up to pay to watch him. Despite all the negative reviews that it's received and will likely continue to receive, the audience applause that followed last night's screening is a clear indication of how well the film will do financially. He's in the fluke zone. How long can he stay there? Who knows. But he'd better not get too comfortable.

Bleh...

So, yes... disappointing. Lots of potential for something that could have been great, but they blew it! Starts of fairly well... falls apart in the end.

I'd give it 2 out of 5 stars.

Top 25 Black Superheroes Of All Time

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Damn! Obviously someone had to dig REALLY deep to come up with this list. I don't know how many known black superheroes there are in the comic book universe, and wherever else they might exist; but, based on this rather pathetic list, it's obvious that genuine black superheroes are severely lacking!

Obvious names on the list include Blade, Luke Cage, Black Panther and Spawn; but when homeboy starts throwing out names like Blank Man, The Black Power Ranger and Frozone from The Incredibles movie, you know something's up!

The list is certainly meant to be humorous, but the truth as I mentioned above is evident.

So, here ya go. Follow the links - courtesy of AOL Black Voices: The "TOP 25 BLACK SUPERHEROES OF ALL TIME."


Don't laugh too hard!

How About A Can Of Booty Sweat?

Posted on 12:57 PM comments (6)
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Upon initially reading this, I thought it was a joke... alas, it's very real, and I'm troubled by it.

In what some are calling a "brilliant move" since it's likely to drum up a bit of controversy and thus plenty of free advertising, Paramount Pictures is releasing an actual energy drink based on a fictional drink from the movie Tropic Thunder, called "Booty Sweat."

Paramount Pictures (the studio behind the film) is licensing the fictional brand as a real beverage available nationwide to help promote Tropic Thunder in advance of its Aug. 15 wide release. Of course Tropic Thunder is the Ben Stiller summer comedy rump that co-stars Robert Downey Jr in "black face." Recall I wrote about the film HERE.

Here's the kicker: 2 versions of Booty Sweat will be made available. One for "urban" markets, and another for the "rural" folks. Per AdAge's website, the urbanite store version will carry the description of the drink as a "delicious and bump up struttin' energy drink that will pump up a brotha's ass right-pronto. This swill will crank yo' metabolism up skippin' right over jiggy to straight G-pimp level, word to your mutha. Brothas will be layin' down the 2-3 on the wiggy jig focusing the energy flow into cold-face benjamins that will fill yo' pimp pockets to burstin'. Damn straight! Booty Sweat will keep a brotha pitchin' straight game all night to the baby-dolls."

Meanwhile, rural stores will get a can that simply has the Booty Sweat moniker, but no street slang!

Wow! Ok! I was already a tad unsure about Robert Downey's role as a black man in the film within a film, and what the potential ramifications of that will be. Now the announcement of this Booty Sweat drink for use as a marketing ploy only increases my discomfort. Is anyone else bothered by any of this or am I being overly sensitive?

See the entire article on AdAge.com.

Film Recommendation - 'I'm Through With White Girls'

Posted on 12:06 PM comments (6)
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DISCLAIMER: I haven't seen it yet, so this is a recommendation based on the praise of trusted sources.

A few little birds told me that the film is much more worthwhile than its title or trailer might indicate. It's had a nice festival run, won some awards, and to my knowledge is without a distributor.

The film is called I'm Through With White Girls. As I started off saying, a few little birds told me that the film's title isn't entirely indicative of how strong the film itself really is. I've known about the film since last fall, and its title has always made me cringe a little, and actually, single-handedly turned me away from it - something that could be to the film's detriment. I realize it's a kind of catchy title, one that will probably register with some audiences. But its sub-title would have been much more appealing than the title the filmmakers went with. Its sub-title is, The Inevitable Undoing Of Jay Brooks.

So, take your pick - 2 tickets for I'm Through With White Girls or 2 tickets for The Inevitable Undoing of Jay Brooks?

I'll be seeing it next week Monday night at the Afro Punk Festival here in Brooklyn, New York. I'll post a review of it afterwards.

Here's the trailer:

Vanity Fair's Hollywood Next Wave - Zzzz

Posted on 10:10 AM comments (3)
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So... Vanity Fair magazine just unleashed its August 2008 issue with the cover story being Hollywood's next wave - essentially a list of bright young generation Y talents the editors think will rule the kingdom in coming years, as their baby boomer parents gradually fade into obscurity... well, ok, not quite obscurity; but Hollywood's M.O. seems to include the tenet that once you're of a certain age, let's say post-60 years old, your value to them starts to diminish... thus we see less and less of you... sometimes none of you at all.

And as expected the magazine's list of Hollywood's next wave phenoms is a complete "white-wash"... that is to say, it's not very, shall I say, colorful?! Certainly no rainbow coalition here! But, as I started off saying, I'm not surprised, and I don't think anyone really should be.

Interestingly, as I looked over the chosen names and faces, I realized that I actually have no idea who most of them are. Then again, I suppose that's the idea, right? "Unknowns" who will soon become "knowns." So it's like a "we discovered these kids" kind of thing. Aha... ok... I see now. Bleh...!

I should point out that there IS one black face in the mix - a 24-year old brotha by the name of Rob Brown who's break-out role was in Finding Forrester, although we haven't seen much of him since then. He's done a few films, but nothing particularly memorable. He'll be starring in the upcoming bio-pic titled The Express, a drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. It co-stars Dennis Quaid, Charles Dutton and Aunjanue Ellis. I've seen the trailer. I rolled my eyes and shook my head a few times.

If you're so inclined, you can check out the entire list of kids HERE.

Tonight's The Night!

Posted on 7:58 AM comments (2)
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My ticket is already paid for, and I'm ready to consume and digest!
After so much noise within the blogosphere about the film - the mostly negative reviews (some spoiler-filled), the revelation of the big plot twist half-way through the film, etc - I'm finally going to get my chance to witness Hancock with my own two eyes!

There are a handful of night-time screenings of the film in New York City today, and a friend of mine bought tickets for a 7PM showing, which, of course is where I'll be around that time.

Once I get home after the screening, provided I don't get distracted, I'll post my thoughts here.

After so much coverage of Hancock, I already know what to expect from the screening, so there probably won't be many surprises. However, hearing/reading about a film isn't quite the same experience as watching it firsthand! I'm still excited to take it all in myself!

New 'The Dark Knight' Trailer

Posted on 7:42 AM No Comments
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Warner Bros just released a new trailer for The Dark Knight that shows all-new footage from the film, with more emphasis on Heath Ledger's Joker character. What will surprise many people when they see the film is that the Joker is actually more of a peripheral character, and not central to the story in this installment of the series. As I've heard and read elsewhere, it's actually Harvey Dent's, aka Two-Face's story. The Joker is actually more of a sideshow... although a thrilling sideshow! Regardless, I can't wait to see this one!

Here's the new trailer:

The Hughes Brothers Revisit 'Pimp'

Posted on 7:28 AM comments (2)
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Bleh... this doesn't excite me at all. Given that they haven't made a film in 8 years, I would expect that their return to center-stage would be something other than a rehashing/revisiting of themes and ideas they've already explored. Come on fellas!

From Hollywood Reporter:

Albert and Allen Hughes are revisiting the settings and themes of their 1999 documentary "American Pimp" with "Gentlemen of Leisure," a drama series project for HBO.

Set in Oakland, Calif., "Leisure," which will be written by "Rescue Me" co-executive producer Evan Reilly, explores the world of prostitution through the eyes of a legendary pimp contemplating retirement.

"It's about a guy who wants to get out but keeps getting sucked back in by the allure of the game and by extraneous circumstances that have to do with his family," Reilly said.

"Leisure" will explore the generational conflict of old-school pimps living by honor codes and creeds who are being pushed aside by violent upstarts who are coming "with their guns blazing," mixing prostitution with drugs and thievery, Allen Hughes said.

The rest HERE.

Can We All Just Get Along!?

Posted on 7:13 AM comments (2)
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I wonder if Obama did kiss his ass after all, as THIS POST suggested ;o)

From AP News:

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton ended their mutual silent treatment Monday, with the Democratic presidential candidate reaching out and asking his former Democratic nemesis to help him win the White House.

In their first conversation since the end of the heated primary, former President Clinton agreed to campaign for the candidate he portrayed as inexperienced for a presidential run. Obama had said Bill Clinton's harsh criticisms led him to wonder which Clinton he was running against sometimes.

The 20-minute conversation was the latest step in bringing together the two warring camps. While Hillary Rodham Clinton has been publicly behind Obama, hard feelings remained between the former Democratic president and the candidate hoping to become the next one.

The rest HERE.

National Black Republican Association Launches Obama Attack Ads

Posted on 11:05 PM No Comments
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Oh brother... *shaking my head*

As I said once before, If there ever was an oxymoron, it would "Black Republican."

The National Black Republican Association (NBRA) has launched the most personalized attacks of the presidential campaign to date aimed at none other than Barack Obama.

So, tell me, does this qualify as "black on black crime?" Maybe it should actually!

Who are they targeting with the ads? African Americans, who else - their fellow brothers and sisters? Have they won YOU over with their rhetoric?

Eddie Murphy Retiring?

Posted on 9:29 PM comments (1)
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Somebody pop open a bottle of champagne!

From Extra TV (not quite Frontline, I know):

Eddie Murphy Retiring?

"Meet Dave" star Eddie Murphy is dishing to "Extra's" Tanika Ray about leaving the movie business for good after the release of his latest film.

"I have close to fifty movies and it's like, why am I in the movies?" he said, adding, "I've done that part now. I'll go back to the stage and do standup."

Murphy, 47, said that while a "Beverly Hills Cop 4" flick was in the works, he didn't want to do it, because "the movie wasn't ready to be done." Murphy said he agreed to do "Cop 3" because of the large fee he was offered. "They said this is how much we're going to pay you. I said, 'let's go shoot it! I don't care if the script ain't right."

Ok Eddie. We'll see. Although that last sentence was quite telling. So what you're saying is that there's a chance you might still come back and do Norbit Part 2 or a sequel to Pluto Nash if the money is attractive, even if "the script ain't right?" Get outta here Eddie! You're not going anywhere. I'll believe it when I see it! It's been so long since he did stand-up, so I wonder just how much interest there would be from audiences if he decided to return to it. What will his new material sound like because Delirious and Raw feel rather dated.

His next film, Meet Dave, co-starring Gabrielle Union hits theatres next month.

Remember this? Now this shit was funny Eddie! I'm still lauging:

Poster For Tyler Perry's Easy Rider

Posted on 8:45 PM No Comments
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Courtesy of Cinematical.com, here's the just released poster for Tyler Perry's next mawkish concoction, The Family That Preys which hits theaters on September 12. Notice the spelling of "Preys."

The film stars, Kathy Bates! Yes, Kathy Bates, Mrs Misery herself and an Oscar winner, in a Tyler Perry movie. It also stars Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan, and Taraji P Henson amongst an all-star cast. With acting talent like this, how bad could this really be? I guess we'll find out in about 2 months.

The synopsis: Wealthy socialite Charlotte Cartwright (Kathy Bates) and her dear friend Alice Pratt (Alfre Woodard), a working class woman of high ideals, have enjoyed a lasting friendship throughout many years. Suddenly, their lives become mired in turmoil as their adult children's extramarital affairs, unethical business practices and a dark paternity secret threaten to derail family fortunes and unravel the lives of all involved. Alice's self-centered newlywed daughter Andrea (Sanaa Lathan) is betraying her trusting husband Chris (Rockmond Dunbar) by engaging in a torrid affair with her boss and mothers best friends son William (Cole Hauser). While cheating on his wife Jillian (Kadee Strickland) with a string of ongoing dalliances with his mistress Andrea, William's true focus is to replace the COO of his mothers lucrative construction corporation. Meanwhile, Alice's other daughter Pam (Taraji Henson), a kind but no nonsense woman married to a hard working construction worker (Tyler Perry), tries to steer the family in a more positive direction. While paternity secrets, marital infidelity, greed and unsavory business dealings threaten to derail both families, Charlotte and Alice decide to take a breather from it all by making a cross-country road trip in which they rediscover themselves and possibly find a way to save their families from ruin.

Whoa, slow down there easy rider... a Tyler Perry road movie? This I've got to see... actually not really, but I'm sure it'll do well with or without my $12.

Here's the poster for The Family That Preys (click for an enlarged view):

Bill Clinton: Obama Must "Kiss My Ass For My Support"

Posted on 12:46 PM No Comments
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If he actually uttered those words, or even hinted at them, it would be one of the silliest things he's ever done, Monica Lewinsky aside. Let's hope it's all just a rumor. Then again, even if he did, so what? Unless he intends to go out of his way to be a destructive force in Obama's campaign. Hillary needs to check him :o)

From Telegraph UK

Bill Clinton is so bitter about Barack Obama's victory over his wife Hillary that he has told friends the Democratic nominee will have to beg for his wholehearted support.

Mr Obama is expected to speak to Mr Clinton for the first time since he won the nomination in the next few days, but campaign insiders say that the former president's future campaign role is a "sticking point" in peace talks with Mrs Clinton's aides.

The Telegraph has learned that the former president's rage is still so great that even loyal allies are shocked by his patronising attitude to Mr Obama, and believe that he risks damaging his own reputation by his intransigence.

A senior Democrat who worked for Mr Clinton has revealed that he recently told friends Mr Obama could "kiss my ass" in return for his support.

Read the rest HERE.

Trailer - 'Quantum Of Solace'

Posted on 11:35 AM comments (2)
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And the award for the least interesting title of a studio film for 2008 goes to (drum roll), Quantum Of Solace! I remember scratching my head the very first time I heard that it would be the title for the next installment of the James Bond 007 series, but there's absolutely nothing I can do about it, so I stopped scratching!

Anway, Sony released the first real trailer for the film earlier today, and it has much of the film blogosphere excited, especially if you're a fan, which I am, although I didn't care too much for the last one. So my hopes for this one aren't as high as they could've been if the last one impressed me, which it didn't.

This looks even more rugged, violent, and real. I've read other bloggers compare it to the Greengrass-directed Bourne movies (the last 2 in the series), and after you see it, I think you'll probably agree. It certainly doesn't look like your James Bond of old.

Here ya go (and yes, that was Jeffrey Wright at about the 1:20 mark):

Monday Funnies - The Corporate Negro!

Posted on 10:26 AM comments (2)
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This must be what Du Bois meant by "double consciousness" :o)

'Prince Of Broadway' Wins top Honor At LAFF

Posted on 9:47 AM comments (3)
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Well, it looks like I'll have to get over my digital video snobbery and dive in head first into the rapidly filling pool of DV-produced feature-length films.

Of course I'm being facetious, but it'll help if you read THIS POST first to make sense of my first sentence!

I say that I'll have to get passed my DV snobbery because the film I mentioned in the above post, Prince Of Broadway, won the coveted Target Filmmaker Award, which is the top narrative feature prize at the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival. Congrats to the director, Sean Baker! I was already interested in seeing the film, and this award win certainly moves it a few notches higher on my list of anticipated films, although I'm guessing it may not get a theatrical run until early next year. As far as I know, it is still without a distributor, but with a win like this, along with many others that are likely to come, I'm hopeful someone will pick it up - maybe IFC Films :o)

indieWIRE interviewed Sean Baker a few days ago. Here's a snippet:

indieWIRE: Please elaborate on your approach to making the film...
SEAN BAKER: Financial constraints dictated that this feature be shot on HD instead of film. I am comfortable shooting HD myself plus it allowed us to have minimal equipment on set. I intentionally complied a skeleton crew so that the non-professionals acting in the film wouldn't be intimidated by a large group of people. It was key that the crew be a comfortable, close knit family in which everyone could contribute ideas and actors had the room to experiment freely. I feel that dialogue always sounds the most natural when an actor has not memorized it. So, improvisation was not only encouraged but necessary because the shooting script was complete in plot only.... a beat sheet was given to the actors and dialogue was intentionally left out of the script so that we could develop it on set.

Sounds very much like my approach to filmmaking. You can read the entire interview HERE.

See the film's trailer HERE.

Read indieWIRE blogger Matt Dentler's review of the film HERE, where he calls it a "must see."

So, I Was Profiled For An Upcoming Documentary...

Posted on 7:57 AM comments (3)
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I spent much of my day yesterday (Sunday) with filmmaker and indieWIRE Network blogger, Sujewa Ekanayake. Sujewa came up with the brilliant novel idea to make a feature documentary about independent film bloggers like myself, appropriately titled The Indie Film Bloggers: A Portrait of a Community - essentially, a documentary about people who blog about independent movies, the scene/industry, and related matters.

Sujewa is based in the Washington DC area, but he spent part of his weekend here in New York City shooting and directing on-camera interviews with film bloggers working in New York. I was lucky enough to be one of 3 bloggers he interviewed for his documentary yesterday. The other 2 were Brandon Harris who blogs at Cinema Echo Chamber, and Brian Geldin who blogs at The Film Panel Notetaker.

Despite the sweltering heat, Sujewa got through all 3 profiles, travelling to each of our apartments to shoot each interview, logging around 2 rather heavy bags, loaded with camera, microphone and lighting equipment.

Given that I hosted a podcast for about 8 months last year through early this year, I'm much more used to being the interviewer, not the subject, so this took some initial adjustment on my part, but once we got into the flow of things, our conversation reflected our comfort... well, my comfort I suppose. We touched on a variety of subjects, mostly related to film, of course, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the entire piece cuts together with all the other profiles Sujewa plans on shooting for the finished product which he says will be completed this fall, 2008.

I'm excited to have participated in this project because I met 3 filmmakers in a span of one day - 1 who lives literally within 2 blocks of where I live (even though we've never met), and I was truly inspired just by being in their presence. Sujewa is a true DIY (do-it-yourself) filmmaker, and his drive and ambition are not only palpable but also contagious. I got to meet Brandon Harris and Brian Geldin as well, both cinephiles, and I was also very inspired by their individual efforts.

After the day was all over, I sat in my apartment staring at nothing for an extended period of time, realizing how invigorating it all was, spending time with these 3 fellows. These are the kinds of people I need to be around more often, for reasons I already mentioned. As an artist, especially a scribe, one can lead a rather insular life, understandably; but the experience of being around other artists from time to time is just as necessary, and that's something I tend to forget sometimes... until I have a day like I did yesterday. Thus I plan on making a habit of this.

Check out the website for Sujewa's documentary at The Indie Film Bloggers movie blogspot. He also blogs at DIY Filmmaker. which is part of the indieWIRE Blog Network. While you're at it, read his sound review of Medicine For Melancholy, as well as his Q&A with the director of that film, Barry Jenkins. Sujewa has also completed several films - both short and long-form - and you can find out about each one at his DIY Filmmaker blog.

I will post any info about the documentary as it comes to me, so pay attention!

Isaach De Bankolé And Jim Jarmusch Together Again

Posted on 10:39 PM comments (3)
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If you're not familiar with this actor, get yourself acquainted with him. He's one of those faces that you've likely seen around in bit parts here and there, but maybe really don't know who he is, and never bothered to find out.

He's worth every research minute!

Isaach De Bankolé is a 51-year old award-winning actor, of West African origin, specifically Benin, although he was born in Ivory Coast.

He has a degree in Acting and a Masters in Mathematics from the Universite de Paris. He was also married to singer Cassandra Wilson from 2000 to 2003.

One look at his IMDB page and you'll notice that he frequently works with director Jim Jarmusch, an early influence of mine. In fact, it was while watching his second film, Stranger Than Paradise, that I realized I really could be a filmmaker! If there's one auteur working today whose career I'd like to emulate, it would be Jarmusch's. I'll go into the reasons why some other time.

Isaach has appeared in 3 films with Jarmusch (Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and Coffee and Cigarettes). Now he'll be starring in a 4th Jarmusch film, his latest actually, titled The Limits of Control, which went into production in February of this year. It really should be on my "must-see" list, but I forgot all about it, until now.

In short, the film centers on "a secretive mysterious loner (played by Bankole) in the process of completing an undisclosed criminal job in and around Spain." Also starring in the film is a rather impressive list of actors, including another Jarmusch regular, Bill Murray, as well as the usually reliable Tilda Swinton, and Gael Garcia Bernal. And, by the way, the cinematographer for the film is none other than Chris Doyle, the award-winning DP known mostly for his work on Wong Kar-Wai's films, notably the luscious In The Mood For Love, amongst many others.

The Limits Of Control will be distributed in the U.S. by Focus Features, likely some time early next year.

This won't be De Bankole's first starring role, by the way - he's been in quite a few French films, working with notable French directors like Claire Denis, and you'll often find him partnered with another Afro European French actor who goes by the name of Alex Descas, also one to be familiar with actually, and who will have a part in Jarmusch's Limits Of Control as well. I'm always glad to see either of them on screen. But this could be a film that possibly widens public awareness of Bankole and his talent.

I'll certainly post anything about the film as I discover new information. I'm looking forward to seeing some footage of this - maybe a teaser trailer! In the meantime, check out a film called No Fear, No Die - a Claire Denis film, starring Bankolé and Descas.

Will Smith's Says Chill Because His New School Is Not Scientologist

Posted on 10:04 PM No Comments
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Incase anyone is wondering... Will Smith insists that the school he and Jada are opening is not Scientologist. I suppose his close affiliation with the likes of Tom Cruise helped cement all the rumors that have been circulating for some time now. I actually forgot about the entire project. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, catch up HERE first and then continue reading on below.

From Yahoo Movies:

Will Smith's soon-to-open private school is not a Scientology facility, as some reports have suggested, the academy's director said.

Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, have founded the New Village Academy, scheduled to open in September.

The school will use instructional methods developed by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard called study technology. And a few teachers belong to the church.

But the couple say they are not Scientologists, and the academy's director insists the facility has no religious affiliation.

"We are a secular school, and just like all nonreligious independent schools, faculty and staff do not promote their own religions at school or pass on the beliefs of their particular faith to children," New Village Academy director Jacqueline Olivier told the Los Angeles Times.

Oliver said some of the school's staffers are Scientologists, Muslim, Christian or Jewish.

In addition to reading and math, the school offers classes on yoga, robotics and etiquette.

Oliver Stone's 'W' Pic Sympathetic To Dubya?

Posted on 9:26 PM No Comments
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(Josh Brolin as George W Bush, and director Oliver Stone) I wonder what this scene is about.

I certainly didn't expect the film to be one long Saturday Night Live skit, but I also didn't think that words like "sympathetic" would be used to describe it. I'm even more intrigued. Oliver Stone, an unabashedly liberal democratic filmmaker making a film that empathizes with George W Bush? Hm... ok.

Found this piece printed in today's L.A. times. Here are a few poignant snippets:

- Stone, Brolin and the filmmaking team believe they are crafting a biography so honest that loyal Republicans and the Bushes themselves might see it.
- "When Oliver asked me, I said, 'Are you crazy? Why would I want to do this with my little moment in my career?'" (Josh) Brolin recalled. Then, early one morning during a family ski trip, Brolin read Weiser's original screenplay, which covers Bush from 1967 to 2004. "It was very different than what I thought it would be," Brolin said.
- "It's not a political movie. It's a biography. People will remember that this guy is human, when we are always [outside of the movie] dehumanizing him, calling him an idiot, a puppet, a failed president."
- Stone, who was briefly a Yale classmate of Bush, is clearly no fan of the president's politics but said he's amazed by the man's resilience and ambition. The movie is basically divided into three acts: Bush's hard-living youth, his personal and religious conversion, and finally his first term in the Oval Office.

Read the entire article HERE.

Sunday Funnies: A Re-Imagining Of 'The Happening'

Posted on 8:52 PM comments (1)
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Cracked.com is one of many sites I frequent when I need to be humored.

This was posted on their site a few days ago, and I meant to copy it here but forgot... until now anyway. The title of the post is: If 'The Happening' Was 10X Shorter and 100X More Honest. Of course, it's referencing M. Night Shyamalan's latest hack job of a movie, The Happening, which I did see on its opening weekend and despised!

Apparently, I'm not alone with that sentiment, as the good folks at Cracked.com thought it would be a good idea to condense the film's script down to about 5-pages, which is about what it probably should have been! Take a look at their "10x shorter, 100x more honest" version rendition for a good laugh. It helps if you've seen the movie. But even if you haven't, I can vouch for the accuracy of their concise rendition ;o)

Take it all in HERE.

Short Shot - Blaxploitation Meets Godard

Posted on 8:17 PM No Comments
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The film is called Happiness Is No Fun, and is described by the filmmaker, Brandon Harris, as "a short blaxploitation-tinged remake of Godard's seminal Breathless."

Of course it really helps if you've seen Godard's innovative original 1960 work before you watch this one, otherwise you'll miss all the references.

Film Recommendation - 'Story Of A Three-Day Pass'

Posted on 7:11 PM comments (2)
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For those who think that Melvin Van Peebles didn't exist before Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song... he made 2 feature films before that seminal work. This is one of them.

I plan to review a bunch of films in the upcoming weeks, including this one. So, see it before that glorious day comes when I post my critique! It'll make for a worthwhile experience.

The film is called Story Of A Three-Day Pass, Van Peebles's very first feature film from 1968, and, as I just found out today after hanging out with this guy for part of my afternoon, it was the first feature-length film (on record) directed by an African American since Oscar Micheaux's last effort in 1948, The Betrayal. So, from 1948 to 1968, a 20-year gap, there wasn't a single feature-length, fictional narrative film (on record) with an African American at the helm. William Greaves was working prior to '68, but he only dabbled in documentaries.

The story goes... at the time, Van Peebles couldn't get work in the film industry in the USA, so, like many other African American artists did in those days, he went to Europe (France specifically), and directed his first feature (aka Story Of A Three-Day Pass) in France, with French money. Cue critical acclaim (both abroad and in the USA) and, eventually, he landed a job in Hollywood, and then he made his first and only studio film in 1970, titled, Watermelon Man, which I'll profile later.

Here's the trailer for Story Of A Three-Day Pass (it's incomplete, but there's enough there to give you some idea of what it's like). Check out the DVD info HERE:

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