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05-23-07 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
DIDDY BRUSHES OFF ‘CHAIR ASSAULT’ ALLEGATIONS: Mogul says Laurie Ann Gibson is exaggerating incident to boost name.
*Sean “Diddy” Combs says a recent complaint filed against him by choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson is full of “false” allegations and is nothing more than an attempt to "take advantage" of his fame.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s SF Gate Web site, Diddy’s lawyer is laughing off the official complaint Gibson reportedly filed with the New York Police Department after the mogul allegedly threatened her with a chair on April 25, during filming for his MTV reality show "Making the Band."
"This is just another example of a false accusation by someone trying to take advantage of Sean's success and celebrity status," Diddy’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman told the New York Daily News.
A spokesman for the NYPD confirmed a complaint had been made on May 11, but no criminal activity had been found following an investigation.
As previously reported, Gibson told police that she had gotten into a heated argument with Diddy and guest judge Michael Bivins regarding the lackluster performance of this season’s contestants, who are competing to become part of an all-male band.
Gibson said she was first restrained by Bivins before Diddy picked up a chair and made a menacing move toward her. She said she managed to escape from Bivins’ grasp before finally exiting the Greenwich Village venue.
Sources close to Diddy denied he grabbed the chair, and he insists the argument was part of the theatrics of the TV show and that Gibson overreacted, reported the New York Daily News.
Sources also told the paper that Diddy fired her during the angry exchange - and at one point yelled for the MTV cameras to be shut off.
OPRAH ‘UPSET’ OVER DAD’S PLANNED BOOK: Papa Vernon forgot to tell daughter he’s been working on project.
*Oprah Winfrey said she was blindsided recently when one of her staffers approached her with news about her father’s latest project.
She explained to New York Daily News columnists Rush & Malloy: "One of my assistants said, 'The Daily News is calling. They say they heard your father is writing a book about you.' I said, 'That's impossible. I can assure them it's not true.'
"But then my sister said, 'I think you should call your father.' I called him and it turned out he is writing a book. The worst part of it was him saying, 'I meant to tell you I've been working on it.'"
Vernon Winfrey – who took in his 14-year-old, pregnant daughter after her mother in Milwaukee grew frustrated with her bad behavior – is indeed “working on” a book tentatively titled, “Things Unspoken,” reports Rush & Malloy.
The elder Winfrey has been quoted as saying he should have been tougher on teen Oprah, because she was "out of hand and an unruly child."
Upon hearing news of the book, Oprah told the columnists: "I was upset. I won't say 'devastated,' but I was stunned. The last person in the world to be doing a book about me is Vernon Winfrey. The last person."
The talk show host has always given Mr. Winfrey full credit for straightening her behind out and teaching her the importance of education.
"I have a good relationship with him," Oprah said Sunday, when she received the Elie Wiesel Foundation Humanitarian Award in New York. Though she hasn't seen her father since he tagged along on her trip to Africa a few months ago, she added, "We talk, we talk, we talk."
That's why "I would have preferred to have known my father was working on this. It would have been a nice gesture, a courtesy," she said.
HUGHES BROS ‘BOOK’ ANOTHER FILM PROJECT: Twins to direct postapocalyptic Western for Warner Bros.
*After referring to the script as the best thing they had read in years, twin directors Albert and Allen Hughes have signed on to helm “The Book of Eli,” described by the Hollywood Reporter as a “postapocalyptic Western.”
Purchased by Warner Bros. earlier this year, the script follows a lone hero who must fight his way across the wasteland of postapocalyptic America to protect a sacred book that might hold the key to saving the future of humanity.
After reading the screenplay, the Hughes siblings said they knew it had to be their next project. Using their own funds, they produced a hardcover book that featured notes, comic panels, color photos and storyboards on how they envisioned the movie, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The brothers next met with Warner’s production head Jeff Robinov. They left the book on his desk, saying, "This is what we want do to." That led to a sit-down with producer Joel Silvers’ Silver Pictures, who were inspired by the Hughes’ vision as well as their passion.
In the meantime, the Hughes brothers will begin directing "The Ice Man," a hit man biopic being produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Jason Blum, and "Kung Fu," based on the 1970s TV series, for Warners and Legendary.
The studio is hoping to start production on "Eli" before year's end.
‘MAMA, I WANT TO SING!’ – THE MOVIE: Film adaptation of gospel musical to star Ciara, Patti LaBelle and Lynn Whitfield.
*CodeBlack Entertainment is producing a feature film version of Vy Higginsen’s 80s stage play “Mama, I Want to Sing!" that will star R&B standout Ciara opposite co-stars Patti LaBelle and Lynn Whitfield, reports Variety.
The Off-Broadway gospel musical, based on the true story of “Just One Look” singer Doris Troy, follows a preacher's daughter (Ciara) who rises from the church choir to pop stardom. The stage show played more than 2,400 performances between 1983 and 1991.
"Mama" will begin rolling cameras next month in Baton Rouge, La, and is scheduled to be released in February under CodeBlack's multi-picture deal with Fox's FoxFaith label.
The film marks the first feature role for Ciara, whose current album “Ciara: The Evolution” sits at No. 29 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart this week.
Codeblack head Jeff Clanagan will produce the movie with Marvet Britto ("Shadowboxer" and "The Woodsman") and Holly Davis Carter ("The Gospel"). The film is written and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright ("Preaching to the Choir").
VENEZUELA TO FINANCE DANNY GLOVER FILM: Movie chronicles Haiti’s slave rebellion against French rule.
*A new film project directed by actor Danny Glover has just secured funding from a country headed by one of the Bush administration’s most vocal critics.
The congress in Venezuela announced Monday that it would give $19.7 million toward the production of two films, one of which is Glover's movie about Haiti's Francois-Dominique Toussaint Louverture, an iconic revolutionary leader in the Caribbean nation who led an 18th-century slave rebellion against French rule.
The funding comes as Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez seeks to draw attention to his own region’s battles against colonialism.
Glover has been a longtime political supporter of Chavez, who is currently forging a socialist republic and politicizing the army and judiciary of the OPEC nation. The leader has encouraged Venezuelans to become better informed about Latin America's historical independence leaders, drawing parallels between their struggles and his government's antagonism with the United States.
Glover, best known for his roles in the "Lethal Weapon" franchise and seen most recently in “Dreamgirls,” will make his debut as a feature film director with the Louverture project.
SCHATAR STRIKES BACK AFTER ‘CHARM SCHOOL’ BOOT: Eccentric contestant demands apology from girls and judges.
*Schatar Taylor, introduced to the world as “Hottie” during the first season of VH1’s “Flavor of Love,” is highly upset over her removal this week from “Charm School,” a VH1 spinoff featuring fellow Flavor of Love contestants being schooled in etiquette by host Mo’Nique.
On Sunday’s episode, the ladies had to donate some of their clothing to charity. Schatar made it known several (hundred) times that her items are mostly couture. However, her planned donations were rejected. The thrift store worker rifling through her threads even stated some had a “funny smell.”
But that wasn’t Schatar’s issue. Her ousting came as the result of underhanded trickery by rivals Larissa and Shay, who decided they were going to get Schatar kicked out by making it appear as if she stole a picture from fellow “Charm School” student Leilene.
Schatar, ironically, executed the same evil deed to Heather (Krazy) earlier in the season and managed to get away with it. In fact, Heather was “expelled” for letting it affect her performance in the week’s challenge. Arguably, it was karma that Schatar was unfairly blamed for the theft of Leilene’s clothing, which ultimately contributed to her downfall in Sunday’s episode.
Whether it’s poetic justice or not, Schatar says she’s “pissed.” Literally. She wrote VH1.com and demanded that her letter, titled "I'm Pissed as all %$##@!!!" be posted on its blogsite. It reads:
Let's keep it real. The judges should have kept it tight and reviewed the film the same way they did for the etiquette segment.
My character was defamed. This was obvious and clear bias. I was crucified - hung on an emotional cross!
Hugs don't get it. We are out here in the real world.
I demand a PUBLIC APOLOGY from the girls and the judges, televised on VH1 and I demand my own Shopping Couture with Schatar from the VH1 network immediately.
At a minimum, Mo'Nique should have said, "Schatar if I am wrong about this, I will offer you an opening act on tour with me, the way I offered Goldie to go on tour with me and implied assistance to Krazy about her CD."
My millions of fans would appreciate a publicized apology from the judges and the girls on the reunion show.
Also, VH1 can develop and air a show starring me called Shopping Couture with Schatar. I would look forward to collaborating with a reputable production company contracted with VH1 to develop and bring this show starring me to air within the next 6 months. Schatar Taylor
www.myspace.com/MONEYBANKSMUSIC
HEIGL WARMS TO ISAIAH WASHINGTON: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ co-star was icy following gay slur aimed at her best friend.
*“Grey’s Anatomy” actress Katherine Heigl says she’s extended the olive branch to her co-star Isaiah Washington, who offended her earlier this year when he used a homophobic slur to refer to her good friend and fellow co-star T.R. Knight.
"I know that he was very ashamed and that was a necessary emotion to move forward and not backward," Heigl explained to USA Today. "His attitude and behavior and thought process needed to change, and the only way to do that is to be self-aware and honest. And I think he was. I have forgiven."
Heigl famously went off on Washington shortly after the actor used the slur a second time – while backstage at the Golden Globe awards – to deny that he had ever used it in the first place. During an angry interview afterward on “Access Hollywood,” Heigl called Washington a liar and said: "He needs to just not speak in public. Period."
Four months after those comments, during which Washington has apologized and sought treatment, Heigl has softened her view on the situation. In explaining her initial reaction, she tells USA Today: "I was ultimately grateful that it opened up a dialogue. To me, I wasn't making a political stand. I was making a stand about hurting people's feelings. It's very simple in my mind. You do not actively seek to hurt other people's feelings. I don't care what their sexual orientation, race or gender. You don't do that."
JOE FRAZIER REFILES LAWSUIT AGAINST DAUGHTER: Pops waited for her to finish campaigning for city judge in Philly.
*It all started in April of this year. Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier had filed a lawsuit against his daughter and former manger Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde for the return of his records that were allegedly in her possession.
But he suddenly withdrew the suit as his daughter, a lawyer, was in the midst of a campaign to become a Philadelphia Municipal Court judge. She won the primary, only days later to be hit with a refilling of her father’s lawsuit against her.
"Joe just didn't want to ruin his daughter's judgeship (race)," Frazier’s lawyer Michael P. Kelly told the Associated Press Thursday.
The original and current lawsuits were filed in an attempt to recover documents relating to possible business ventures that may bring him extra income. Joe Frazier’s legal team believes he may be missing out on film royalties, product endorsement fees or other income perhaps promised in his old contracts.
Frazier-Lyde turned over some of the documents that are being sought, but hasn't fully accounted for the money she managed for her father from 1989 to 2004, Kelly said Thursday.
In 2000, Frazier-Lyde exchanged her legal briefs for boxing shorts at age 38 and managed to win titles in three different weight classes during her stint as a professional fighter.
She placed second among Democrats last Tuesday and is poised to secure one of two open seats this fall, given the city's overwhelmingly Democratic voting rolls. The job pays $148,000 a year.
RHYMES HAS CHANGE OF HEART: rapper settles assault lawsuit day before hearing
*According to the New York Post, Busta Rhymes settled a lawsuit filed against him by a former fan who claimed he was beaten by the embattled rapper and his bodyguard. The settlement came just a day before he was scheduled to appear before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Emily Jane Goodman in an attempt to have the $100,000 judgment thrown out.
Melvin Smith, the plaintiff, alleged that Rhymes and a bodyguard assaulted him at Gramercy Deli on Park Avenue in 2005, after he went up to Rhymes to request an autograph.
Rhymes previously defaulted in the case by failing to respond, but he recently filed an affidavit claiming he never knew about the lawsuit because he was never served with a copy of the legal papers. He said process servers went to his ex-girlfriend's home in Baldwin, L.I. instead of his house.
"While I own the property, I have no access to it," Rhymes said in the affidavit, adding, "I was required" by court order "to provide this home for the mother of my three children, from whom I am estranged and with whom I have been embroiled in child-custody proceedings for over two years."
Rhymes also declared in the affidavit that he never assaulted Smith.
Terms of the settlement are undisclosed.
STARZ INBLACK GEARS UP FOR BLACK MUSIC MONTH: Snoop, Hancock, Wyclef among specials lined up for June.
*Starz InBlack, the first and only premium movie channel dedicated to meet the entertainment choices of African Americans, will celebrate Black Music Month with a month-long tribute to African American musicians beginning on Saturday, June 2 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).
Every Saturday night in June Starz InBlack will present a double feature of music films including Starz InBlack premieres like Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, Tupac: Live at the House of Blues, Snoop Dogg's Puff Puff Pass Tour, and Wyclef Jean's All Star Jam at Carnegie Hall and the Starz InBlack Original New Orleans Music in Exile.
"To commemorate Black Music Month, we have created a month-long tribute, recognizing the rich history of African American musicians with a double feature every Saturday night at 8 p.m.," said Jonathan Shair, vice president of planning and scheduling, Starz Entertainment. "The featured films include a look at celebrated musicians from the jazz, hip hop and blues genres."
The Saturday Music Double Features will be hosted by Marcus Woodswelch, the winner of the Starz Original micro-series "Looking for Stars," from the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Films airing as part of the Saturday Music Double Features include (all times are ET/PT):
Saturday, June 2
• 8 p.m. -- The Roots Present -- Concert showcase includes performances from some of the most exciting, hottest hip-hop acts at work today, including Young Gunz, Mobb Deep, Jean Grae, Martin Luther, Skillz and The Roots.
• 9:30 p.m. -- Herbie Hancock: Possibilities -- An intimate documentary about Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and his in-studio collaborations with a dozen formidable pop recording artists, collaborations that explore the unexpected like jazz improvisations. Features interviews with artists including Christina Aguilera, Annie Lenox, Carlos Santana, Sting, Paul Simon, and more.
Saturday, June 9
• 8 p.m. -- A Night of Ferocious Joy -- Captures a concert produced by the Artists Network of Refuse & Resist at the historic Palace Theater in Hollywood -- the first act of defiance against America's "War on Terrorism." Featured artists include Saul Williams, Blackalicious, Ozomatli, Dilated Peoples and Mystic.
• 9:10 p.m. -- Diplomats: The Book of Hip Hop: Chapter One – This documentary, hosted by Doug E. Fresh, was shot at a concert in Harlem. The special features the performances of many hip hop artists including Cam'ron, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones of the Harlem Diplomats, plus interview segments with Damon Dash, DJ Clue and Tony Touch.
Saturday, June 16
• 8 p.m. -- Tupac Live at the House of Blues -- Hip hop legend Tupac Shakur's final live performance on July 4, 1996.
• 9:35 p.m. -- Snoop Dogg's Puff Puff Pass Tour – Documentary following Snoop Dogg on his tour through 29 cities.
Saturday, June 23
• 8 p.m. -- Make it Funky! ... It All Began in New Orleans – Salute to the music of New Orleans features musicians including The Neville Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Alan Toussaint, Keith Richards and Walter "Wolfman" Washington.
• 9:50 p.m. -- New Orleans Music in Exile -- A Starz InBlack Original documentary following the plight of displaced musicians, forced to flee from their home city as a result of the deadly assault by Hurricane Katrina.
Saturday, June 30
• 8 p.m. -- Wyclef Jean's All Star Jam at Carnegie Hall -- Multi-platinum award-winning superstar Wyclef Jean welcomes an all-star gathering to legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first annual "Clef's Kids" concert. Features performances by Jean, Stevie Wonder, Macy Gray and Mary J. Blige.
• 9:05 p.m. -- Herbie Hancock: Possibilities
IF THE SUIT DOESN’T FIT…: L.A. judge denies Goldman’s motion in auction of O.J.’s verdict outfit over lack of proof.
*In the saga surrounding a planned auction of O.J. Simpson’s “not guilty” suit, a Los Angeles County judge on Monday denied a motion from the family of murder victim Ron Goldman to seize the clothing, citing doubts as to whether the suit is legit.
According to TMZ.com, Ron’s sister Kim Goldman was told by a judge that there is no evidence to prove the authenticity of the suit, therefore, the family’s motion to collect money on its planned sale was denied.
As previously reported, the Goldmans have been trying to collect on a 33.5 million judgment from Simpson, who was ordered to pay the money after a civil court found him guilty in the wrongful deaths of Ron Goldman and Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole. He was acquitted of their murders the year prior.
Alfred Beardsley has taken possession of the suit previously owned by Bruce Formong, who was the initial party attempting to pocket at least $25,000 from an auction of the threads O.J. wore the day he was found not guilty in the Trial of the Century.
BO DIDDLEY BOUNCES FROM ICU: Musician out of intensive care and into a regular room after suffering stroke.
*Bo Diddley continues to recover from a stroke suffered after a performance eight days ago in Iowa.
The 78-year-old singer-songwriter was moved out of intensive care and into a regular room at nearby Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. on Monday, according to published reports.
Faith Fusillo, Diddley's business manager, said the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has little or no physical limitations from the stroke except difficulty with speech and speech recognition.
"I was able to speak with him by phone this morning," Fusillo told AP Monday. "He wanted to know where his stuff was: his guitar and the money from the gig. I was so happy because this is the Bo that I know and love, and a real indication that Bo is on his way back."
Diddley has been hospitalized since May 13, after performing two shows at a casino in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is as yet unknown when he’ll be well enough to return to his Gainesville, Fla., home, where he is expected to continue treatment at the Shands Medical Center at the University of Florida.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Fantasia lauded; BET’s Transmission features R. Kelly and Fabolous; Tyra’s extra curves draw youngins.
*Fantasia Barrino, star of Broadway’s “The Color Purple,” is one of 12 winners of the 63rd annual Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut performances during the 2006-2007 theatrical season. The awards will be presented on June 5 at an invitation-only ceremony at New York’s New World Stages.
*Transmission, BET.com’s free listening party, offers previews of top albums a week before they can be heard anywhere else. Users can log on now to www.bet.com/Transmission and hear the exclusive online debut of R. Kelly's “Double-Up”; and on June 5th to hear Fabolous' “From Nothin' to Somethin’” – all before they arrive in stores.
*Tyra Banks, 33, says she’s getting more attention from younger men now that she’s carrying more curves than during her years as a supermodel. She explains: "Twenty-three-year-old guys ask me out all the time. Some of them are even celebrities who come on to my show. One guy even went for my muffin top (midsection fat). I was like, 'You're 10 years younger than me. You need to date Hilary Duff. Don't date me. I have a roll around my middle."
EVENT CALENDAR: Tigger’s Celebrity Classic in the ATL; Hollywood Black Film Festival’s ‘Show Business.’
*Former BET Rap City host Big Tigger will host the 6th Annual Celebrity Classic weekend, to be held June 8-10 in Atlanta, GA. The annual gathering, presented by Big Tigger's Street Corner Foundation Inc. (a non-profit organization with the purpose of raising funds and public HIV/AIDS awareness), will include a youth sports clinic, an HIV/AIDS testing initiative, welcome reception, silent auction and an all-star basketball game. Celebrities set to attend include Gabrielle Union, Vince Young, Terrell Owens, Bobby Valentino, Kenyon Martin, Terrence J & Rosci, Lyfe Jennings, Melyssa Ford and others.
*The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) has partnered with The West Angeles Community Development Corporation (CDC), to present Doing Business with Show Business, a half-day conference that will assist small businesses in gaining access to contracts with some of Los Angeles’ largest networks and studios. Two panels will be held featuring supplier diversity and procurement executives with many of the Hollywood studios and networks, including ABC, Disney, FOX and NBC. The event takes place on Saturday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel (9876 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills). To register, the cost is $30 for one panel or $50 for both. For panel descriptions and to register visit http://www.hbff.org.
SENATOR BIDEN WANTS TROOPS IN DARFUR: Democratic presidential hopeful said he would send in U.S. forces to stop ongoing genocide.
*U.S. Sen. Joe Biden said that he would commit U.S. forces immediately to stop the militia in Sudan's Darfur region as long as there were reports of genocide, reports Reuters.
Biden, a presidential candidate and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Monday that in his personal opinion nations had at "some point to cede their sovereignty" if they engaged in genocide.
The Democrat from Delaware said U.S. President George W. Bush had made clear that sanctions would be the next step if the United Nations was not ready to send a large force to reinforce the African Union troops in Darfur.
"I would impose a no-fly zone immediately and I would commit (U.S.) forces to stop the Janjaweed now,” Biden countered. “But I am not making that decision."
More than 200,000 people have died and 2 million have been uprooted from their homes in the four-year-old conflict between ethnic African repels and the government, backed by the Arab Janjaweed militia.
Sudan's U.N. Ambassador Abdalmahmood Abdelhaleem, however, was angry at the comments, saying the senators "should first come with clean hands and apologize to the U.N. for the mess the United States did in Iraq."
Film Review by Kam Williams
EUR FILM REVIEW: Bushwick Homecomings
College Grad Returns to Roots to Reminisce and to Find 'Hood Undergoing Urban Renewal
*When 31 year-old Stefanie Joshua was growing up in Bushwick, Brooklyn, her crime-infested neighborhood was a scary place where gunshots rang out every night.
During the day, she had to run a gauntlet of crack and heroin dealers hanging on the corners, and she was even robbed of her gold necklace while riding the subway on her way home from school.
Coming of age in the Nineties during the rise of gangsta rap meant that many members of the Hip-Hop Generation would become victims of street violence. And the death in 2002 of a gentle friend nicknamed Poohbear inspired Stefanie to return to her roots to find out what became of some of the kids she grew up with.
For Ms. Joshua had somehow escaped the ghetto and attended Stony Brook University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics. Next, she earned an MA in Sociology at CCNY, writing her master's thesis on delinquency and social disorganization theory.
Though she had no formal training in filmmaking, Stefanie started interviewing men from her block, encouraging them to reflect honestly on their challenging childhoods. The result is Bushwick Homecomings, a remarkable documentary which leaves the viewer with the feeling that it's a miracle that any of them could have survived such a dysfunctional and dangerous concrete jungle.
Ironically, the picture also points out that blacks are currently disappearing from the area which is belatedly benefiting from an aggressive urban renewal program. With gentrification gradually erasing the African-American footprint from the community, Bushwick Homecomings stands as all the more significant as an historical record of tougher times and a tribute to those still around to talk about them.
Very good (3 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 37 minutes
EUR DVD REVIEW: Roots
30th Anniversary Edition of Emmy-Winning Miniseries Arrives on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*Originally airing on television in 1977, the miniseries Roots was based on Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize-winning best seller of the same name.
The groundbreaking, autobiographical adventure introduced Levar Burton in the lead role as Kunta Kinte, and featured far too many co-stars to list them all, including O.J. Simpson, Lou Gossett, Jr., John Amos, Ed Asner, Ben Vereen, Maya Angelou, Roxie Roker, Scatman Crothers, Lloyd Bridges, George Hamilton, Todd Bridges, Burl Ives, Chuck Connors, Yvonne De Carlo, Lorne Greene, Yaphet Kotto, Cicely Tyson, and Haley himself, to name a few.
The sweeping, genealogical saga sought to encapsulate the black experience by telescoping in on the author's own family tree, starting in Africa in 1750 and ending in Arkansas a couple of centuries later. The show served as an eye-opening expose' on the evils of slavery, as it forced the U.S. for the first time to face that long-suppressed aspect of its legacy.
Among the critically-acclaimed program's accolades were nine Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Peabody, and over one hundred other awards.
Unfortunately, the production later lost a bit of its luster when Haley was sued successfully for plagiarizing parts of what was supposed to be his own very personal journey of self-discovery.
Though appearing a bit melodramatic in spots by today's standards, this adaptation holds up enough to remain heartily recommended as a valuable history lesson and as a juxtaposition to demeaning satires of the series over the intervening years by shock comics such as Dave Chappelle.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
In English, Spanish and French with subtitles.
Running time: 9 hours, 33 minutes
Studi Warner Home Video
DVD Extras: Audi commentary by Levar Burton, Cicely Tyson and Ed Asner, Roots Family Tree CD Rom, cast members reminiscences, and "Behind the Scenes" plus another featurette.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
“I like thinking of possibilities. At any time, an entirely new possibility is liable to come along and spin you off in an entirely new direction. The trick, I've learned, is to be awake to the moment." — Doug
Hall: Professional inventor and idea guru.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
May 23: Actress-model Karen Duffy is 46. Singer Maxwell is 34.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
That Grape Juice is a blog that aims to be a reliable source for all that is urban; news, music, reviews, downloads and much more:
www.thatgrapejuice.blogspot.com
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
May 23, 1871: L. Bell patents smoke stack. (Source:
www.BlackFacts.com)
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