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04-17-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
WE REMEMBER LUTHER'S MOM MARY VANDROSS: Mother of late singer dies of natural causes.
*Mary Ida Vandross, the mother of late R&B legend Luther Vandross, died last week of natural causes, according to BlackVoices.com. She was 82.
Mrs. Vandross outlived her husband, all four of her children, as well as her only grandson. All died as a result of stroke or diabetes.
Per a bio posted on the American Stroke Association Web site, Mary Ida Vandross was born in Cheraw, South Carolina, as the second child of three. She attended high school in Cheraw but spent most of her young life in Marion, South Carolina. While in high school, she spent her summers in Brooklyn, New York with her aunt. She worked as a mother’s helper. She always liked nice clothes and shoes so she saved her money and bought her own school clothes.
At the age of 17, she married her best friend and childhood sweetheart, Luther Vandross. In 1946 Mary Ida and Luther moved to New York City. Two of their children were born in New York, one of whom was the famous singer Luther Ronzoni Vandross. The elder Vandross was also a singer and two of the other children were musically inclined.
Mrs. Vandross was always a woman who had great faith in God and did not hesitate to share her faith with others. She attended New York Theological Seminary and in 1986 became an Evangelist. She traveled to Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island sharing God’s Word.
She has traveled extensively overseas to Paris, London, South Africa, China, Mexico, Egypt and Israel. Two of the most significant experiences she likes to share are the fact that she was baptized in the Jordan River and she was able to visit the Upper Room where Jesus and the Disciples had the Last Supper.
Since the death of her husband and all four of her children and only grandson (all died as a result of stroke or diabetes), she travels all over sharing her message of love, prevailing faith and the power to end stroke and shape your family tree of health.
ANTHONY ANDERSON JOINS 'LAW & ORDER': Actor to fill void left by exiting star Jesse L. Martin.
*Anthony Anderson goes from playing a New Orleans detective in Fox's short-lived "K-Ville" to an NYPD detective during the final push of "Law & Order's" 18th season. (Cue the "L&O" transition chime.)
The actor, who made a guest appearance in 2006 as Det. Lucius Blaine, will reprise his role as a permanent member of the cast.
Anderson will make his "L&O" debut on April 23, which doubles as the last episode for Jesse L. Martin's character Detective Ed Green.
BRANDY MAKES AN EPIC MOVE: Singer signs with label to release upcoming album.
*Singer-actress Brandy, last heard musically through Atlantic Records, has joined the roster of Epic and is expected to drop a new album later this year, according to Billboard.
The signing is her first major move since at least December, when she was cleared of all charges stemming from a fatal car crash in 2006, including a recommended misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge, which carries a penalty of up to a year in jail.
But she isn't completely clear of legal trouble. In March, Brandy was sued by a landscaping company that claimed she owed over $3,576 in expenses for work done between July 2007 and February 2008. Brandy's publicist claimed the bills were sent to the wrong address.
Brandy's last musical outing, 2004's "Afrodisiac" via Atlantic, has sold 416,000 copies to date in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
GLASTONBURY DEFENDS JAY-Z BOOKING: Critics still blaming rapper for poor ticket sales.
*Organizers of the Glastonbury Festival, one of Britain's biggest and best-known annual concert events, continue to stand behind their decision to feature headliner Jay-Z despite criticism from fans, critics and at least one other act on the bill.
The festival has yet to sell out this year, a dramatic departure from previous years when the event unloaded all of its tickets within hours.
Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher blames Jigga for the sluggish sales, claiming a hip hop act goes against the festival's tradition of guitar music.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," Gallagher said in an interview, an audio of which was posted to the British Broadcasting Corp.'s Web site Monday. "If you break it, people ain't gonna go. I'm sorry, but Jay-Z? ...
No chance. I'm not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. No way. No. It's wrong."
Glastonbury Festival co-organizer Emily Eavis said Jay-Z isn't the first rapper to grace the stage in its 38-year history. The Roots and Cypress Hill have both been a part of the event. She said the media uproar over Gallagher's comments revealed an "innate conservatism" in some parts of British society.
"There is also an interesting undercurrent in the suggestion that a black, U.S. hip-hop artist shouldn't be playing in front of what many perceive to be a white, middle-class audience. I'm not sure what to call it, at least not in public, but this is something that causes me some disquiet,"
Eavis said in an article published Tuesday in The Independent newspaper.
EDDIE MURPHY'S PICTURE IS 'A THOUSAND WORDS': Actor stars in comedy opposite Allison Janney in DreamWorks film.
*Eddie Murphy will topline the DreamWorks film "A Thousand Words"
for director Brian Robbins, who also served as a producer in the actor's film "Norbit."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Murphy will play a man who discovers he has only a thousand words left to say before he dies.
"West Wing" veteran Allison Janney, last seen as Ellen Page's forgiving stepmom in "Juno," plays Murphy's boss, the money-grubbing head of a literary agency.
In related news, Janney also stars opposite Maya Rudolph in the upcoming film "This Must Be the Place," a tentatively titled relationship comedy from "American Beauty" director Sam Mendes. Janney's brassy, unhinged character reunites with a former employee in Phoenix, where the expectant mother/employee (Rudolph) begins a tour of the country with her husband (John Krasinski) to find the best place to raise their child.
U.K.'S LEONA LEWIS TOPS BILLBOARD 200: New sensation makes history as first British solo artist to debut at No. 1 on American soil.
*With the release of her CD "Spirit," U.K.'s Leona Lewis, has done what no other British female solo singer has been able to accomplish throughout history…enter a debut album at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
Last year, Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black" was able to set a record in the same category when it entered at No. 7, although that set had not been Winehouse's first British release.
Lewis, discovered on Simon Cowell's British talent show "The X Factor," leads the Billboard 200 with opening-week sales of 205,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
She also becomes the first British solo act – male or female – to lead The Billboard 200 since Rod Stewart's "Still The Same... Great Rock Classics Of Our Time" led in Oct 2006. Moreover, she becomes the first British female soloist to do so since Sade's "Promise" reached No. 1 in February 1986, a couple of months before Lewis' first birthday.
The release of "Spirit" stirs an 11% rise for Lewis' first single, "Bleeding Love," which jumps back to No. 1 on Hot Digital Songs with 223,000 sold for the week. The song has sold 1.1 million copies since U.S. downloads became available in late December, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
TYLER PERRY SAYS SOMEONE IS STALKING HIM: Plus, filmmaker wants folks to vote him into Time magazine's Top 100 list.
*In his latest letter to fans, filmmaker/playwright Tyler Perry shared news that he has spent a considerable amount of time dealing with a stalker.
"I'm trying to be careful how I say this without inciting this person, but I have a stalker," he begins. "This person sends several hundred emails a day to my office and has planned our wedding and bought rings and such. She has showed up at my house several times. What's crazy is I've never met this woman nor have I even responded to her emails. I've had to increase the guards at my house as well as travel with body guards and I hate that. I hate to have big guys following me around."
Perry's letter goes on to thank fans for supporting his latest film "Meet the Browns." He writes: "The great thing about it for me was all of the e-mails that I got from single mothers who needed to see it. I know this movie wasn't for everybody, but for the people that it spoke to you let me know how it touched you and that lets me know that I'm still on the right track."
He closes the letter by asking fans to do him a favor. "Time magazine is having their top 100 people issue and my name is on the list. Don't ask me why (smile). And I was just told that YOU have to vote for the person that you like the most," he writes. "You can vote as many times as you want. I don't know what this means or why they selected me for this list but since they did, I'd sure like for you to have a voice in this contest."
Perry provides the voting link and warns: "Please read the instructions before submitting your vote."
BUSTA STROLLS THROUGH LINKIN PARK: Rock band featured in rapper's new single, 'We Made It.'
*Busta Rhymes has pulled a Jay-Z and teamed with rock act Linkin Park for his single "We Made It," the first to be released from his forthcoming album.
"This is one of those songs that can't be described better than touching the souls of the common people," says Rhymes, whose eighth studio album is titled "Blessed" and is due June 17 via Flipmode/Aftermath/Interscope.
Produced by Cool & Dre and Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, the track will come with a Chris Robinson-directed video that began shooting Tuesday (April
15) in Los Angeles. Shinoda and Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington will appear in the video.
Jay-Z and Linkin Park in 2004 recorded a "mash-up" album titled "Collision Course," highlighted by a single blending their respective songs "Encore" and "Numb."
ROBIN THICKE HAS 'SOMETHING ELSE' IN STORE: Crooner previews third solo album for media in Los Angeles.
*Robin Thicke gave some media folk a preview of his upcoming album "Something Else" during a listening party held April 14 in Los Angeles.
Billboard notes: "A fedora-clad Thicke worked the room (across the street from Interscope's Los Angeles headquarters), introducing himself to those in attendance. Prior to playing the album, he thanked Interscope for the 'honor to do this one more time' and declared that the listening soiree was 'a celebration. It's the Barack Obama era: yes, we can!'"
Due July 1 via Star Trak/Interscope, "Something Else" is led by the track "Magic," an uptempo number described by Billboard as "a further expansion of the sultry, classic R&B sound that powered his 2006 breakthrough, 'The Evolution of Robin Thicke.'"
While "Evolution" featured cameos by Lil' Wayne, Faith Evans and Pharrell, "Something Else" sports no featured guests.
TIGER WOODS UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY: Golfer to miss a month after Tuesday's operation to repair cartilage damage.
*Tiger Woods followed up his second-place showing at The Masters with arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage damage, his second operation in five years on the same knee, reports the AP.
The procedure, which took place Tuesday in Park City, Utah, will sideline him for at least a month while he recovers.
"I made the decision to deal with the pain and schedule the surgery for after the Masters," Woods said. "The upside is that I have been through this process before and know how to handle it. I look forward to working through the rehabilitation process and getting back to action as quickly as I can."
First announced on his Web site, the surgery came two days after Woods finished three shots behind Trevor Immelman in the Masters. He most likely will miss The Players Championship, but should return in time to play the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines on June 12.
LISARAYE'S HUSBAND HAS RAP SHEET?: TMZ says Michael Misick's current sexual assault allegations are tip of the iceberg.
*As previously reported, Turks & Caicos Premier Michael Misick, the husband of actress LisaRaye, is being urged by his rivals to step down in the wake of allegations that he sexually assaulted an American woman.
But that's not even the half of it, according to TMZ.com.
The Web site reported yesterday: "A well-placed source tells us that Misick has attracted unwanted attention for a variety of alleged misdeeds, including assaulting a fellow politician who tried to catch him playing when his staff said he was working."
Misick has yet to be charged with any crime or wrongdoing.
SPRINGSTEEN ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR OBAMA: 'He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years.'
*If Sen. Barack Obama is in desperate need of working class, white, male voters in Pennsylvania ahead of the state's April 22 Democratic primary, yesterday's announcement from blue collar rocker Bruce Springsteen certainly can't hurt.
In a message posted on his Web site Wednesday, the "Born in the USA"
singer gave the Democratic presidential candidate his official endorsement.
Obama has “the depth, the reflectiveness, and the resilience to be our next President. He speaks to the America I've envisioned in my music for the past 35 years,” wrote the New Jersey native.
"After the terrible damage done over the past eight years, a great American reclamation project needs to be undertaken" Springsteen continued.
"I believe that Senator Obama is the best candidate to lead that project and to lead us into the 21st Century with a renewed sense of moral purpose and of ourselves as Americans. Over here on E Street, we're proud to support Obama for President."
ESPN KEEPS CANCELLING OBAMA INTERVIEWS: Is it a coincidence that network's president is a McCain supporter?
*The New York Daily News is reporting that ESPN executives at the 11th hour killed a podcast that was scheduled for Friday featuring host Bill Simmons interviewing Sen. Barack Obama.
According to the newspaper, Obama had agreed to the appearance. His spokesman Tommy Vietor told the Daily News: "Senator Obama would be happy to appear on ESPN at any time."
Not only were plans for the podcast scrapped, but a television interview set up with host Stuart Scott was canceled by higher-ups as well, the paper quotes of a campaign source.
It's of interest that ESPN president George Bodenheimer has supported Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential bid with a donation of $1,000.
But ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz told the newspaper: "It's absolutely not an issue about any one candidate. Our position is that when they're down to the final two candidates, we'll look for options to interview each accordingly. Fans don't expect political coverage on our air."
Obama's ESPN love was first made public in January when ABC News anchor Charles Gibson asked presidential candidates to name their guilty pleasures. Hillary Clinton said chocolate. Obama said "SportsCenter."
KEYS STILL CLARIFYING 'CONSPIRACY' REMARKS: Singer releases statement explaining how her words were 'misrepresented.'
*Alicia Keys has released a statement that attempts to further clarify her comments in the latest issue of Blender regarding gangsta rap.
As previously reported, the Grammy winner was quoted by the magazine as saying she believed it was all a government conspiracy designed to "convince black people to kill each other." She also suggested that the government and media were responsible for building animosity between slain rappers Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.
In addition, the singer-songwriter said she sports a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck "to symbolize strength, power and killing 'em dead."
On Tuesday, Keys told radio host Ryan Seacrest that her comments were "misinterpreted." By Wednesday, she had released the following statement:
I feel it is necessary to clarify the comments that were made during my recent Blender magazine interview since they have been misrepresented.
Anyone who knows me and my character, knows that I am not a conspiracy theorist or, by implication, a racist. My comments about 'gangsta rap' were in no way trying to suggest that the government is responsible for creating this genre of rap music. The point that I was trying to make was that the term was over-sloganized by some of the media causing reactions that were not always positive. Many of the 'gangsta rap' lyrics articulate the problems of the artists' experiences and I think all of us, including our leaders, could be doing more to address these problems including drugs, gang violence, crime, and other related social issues.
Additionally, regarding the AK-47 reference, AK-47 is a nickname given to me by some of my friends in jest, as an acronym for Alicia Keys and a metaphor for wowing people with my music and performances, "killing 'em dead" on stage. The reference was in no way meant to have a literal, political or negative connotation.
The recent implications about me are too radical and too dramatic a departure from whom I have continually demonstrated myself to be. I work so hard and give so much of myself to bring about positive change to this world, and I only wish those efforts received as much press and attention as the misinterpretations of the Blender article.
T.I. TO 'TURN UP THE VOTE' IN PHILLY: Rapper continues community service with planned participation in latest HSAN event.
*As T.I. continues to fulfill his 1000 to 1500 hours of community service ahead of sentencing on federal gun charges, the rapper will take part in the upcoming Turn Up the Vote National Hip-Hop Summit at Temple University on Sunday, April 20 in Philly.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia to participate in the Hip-Hop Summit,” T.I. said in a statement. “We are going to encourage young people to go out to vote. I personally know the value of having the right to vote and it taken away from you, but I will add my voice to help inspire others to take seriously this right and responsibility.”
Sponsored by The Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund (HREF), PowerPAC and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), the event takes place two days before the Pennsylvania primary and will educate young adults on the issues in the upcoming Presidential election.
“T.I.’s commitment to serve and to give back to the community is a shining example of the best of hip-hop," said HSAN's Russell Simmons. "The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund continue to provide opportunities for artists and others to empower youth.
T.I. will join me, Ciara, Jim Jones and a host of other artists to get out the vote across the state of Pennsylvania.”
Topics on the table will include: healthcare, education, alcohol and drug prevention, stopping violence in Urban Communities, ending the war in Iraq, overcoming poverty and the importance of civic engagement.
Additional confirmed panelists include: Jim Jones, Flo-Rida, Webbie, Lil Boosie, Rosci and Terrence J (hosts of BET’s 106 & Park), Chrisette Michelle, Rich Boy and Styles P.
JOYNER AND SON AMONG EBONY'S 'MOST POWERFUL': Magazine includes duo in annual Power 150 and New Black Power lists respectively.
*Radio personality Tom Joyner of the Tom Joyner Morning Show has been named to “Ebony’s Power 150,” the magazine’s annual list of the 150 most influential black Americans.
Also, his son Oscar Joyner, president and chief operating officer of BlackAmericaWeb.com and the radio show's parent company Reach Media, Inc., made the cut on Ebony's “The New Black Power” list which identifies 20 of the strongest up and coming African American leaders.
“This is the second year for the 150,” said Ebony executive editor Bryan Monroe. “It used to be Ebony’s top 100, but we found there were so many people who should have been on the list that we expanded it and were able to categorize areas, so it’s worked out much better.”
The TJMS reaches about 8 million listeners each week and Tom Joyner is a noted activist, raising money for college scholarships for students at historically black colleges and universities, as well as working to get black Americans registered to vote and protecting their franchise to vote.
As for “The New Black Power,” Monroe told BlackAmericaWeb.com: “I wanted to highlight people who are emerging as the new group of leaders.” Oscar Joyner was chosen “by really creating a media company beyond a radio-focused entity.”
The elder Joyner added: “The interesting thing about the both of us being named to these lists besides, perhaps, being the first father-son tandem, is it’s a way of reintroducing us as Tom’s sons, from Killer and Thriller, who were followed as we group up and as we matriculated through college. Killer (Thomas, Jr.) is now 34 and has raised $55 million running The Tom Joyner Foundation and Thriller is now 33 and has run a $50 million company himself for the last 10 years.”
The list is in the latest issue of Ebony, which hit newsstands Monday.
SPORTS BITS: Serena & Common; Terrence Howard plugs NBA; Pacman Jones delays filing.
*New York Daily News columnists Rush & Malloy are reporting that tennis champ Serena Williams and rapper Common are "officially dating." The quote a "source close to the couple" who claims: "The lovebirds were spotting holding hands as they left the Knight's Head Microbrew party at Mokai in Miami."
*Terrence Howard appears in a series of NBA promo spots for TNT throughout its coverage of the playoffs, which kick off Sunday, April 20. A longtime basketball fan, Howard delivers a soliloquy on the drama and excitement of the basketball postseason as only he can. The spots began running on TNT April 15.
*Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Pacman Jones said Tuesday he's delayed filing for reinstatement with the NFL until a possible trade is worked out. Jones told the Michael Irvin Show on ESPN Radio that he had planned to seek reinstatement but changed his mind for now. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Jones for the 2007 season for his off-field conduct, which includes six arrests since being drafted. Goodell rejected appeals to let Jones take part in training camp or return after 10 games. The suspension does not stop the Titans from trading Jones' contract.
FILM/TV/MUSIC BITS: J-Hud's album; Quincy Jones honored; 'Black List, Vol.1'; Gere joins Cheadle's 'Finest'; new Tucker/Chan project
*Jennifer Hudson's long-awaited album debut is due Sept. 30 via J Records, reports Billboard.com. The announcement comes from her manager Miguel Melendez of Overbook Entertainment.
*Quincy Jones will be honored with the prestigious ASCAP Pied Piper Award on Tuesday (April 22) in New York City. Performers for the evening include Ashford & Simpson, Patti Austin, Tony Bennett, James Ingram, Gloria Estefan, Roberta Flack, Siedah Garrett, Lesley Gore, Al Jarreau, Take 6, Tamia, James Moody, Clark Terry, Greg Phillinganes, and more. The ceremony will take place at the Nokia Theatre, Times Square (1515 Broadway at W. 44th St.).
*"The Black List, Vol. 1," a film featuring interviews with some of today's most fascinating African-Americans, was announced yesterday as part of HBO's new Monday-night documentary slate for the summer. Kicking off the showcase June 9 is "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," about the statutory-rape case against the Oscar-winning director. Other titles include "Baghdad High," chronicling the war in Iraq through the eyes of four Iraqi teens, and "Ganja Queen," about a young Australian woman accused of international drug trafficking after 10 pounds of weed was found in one of her bags while on vacation in Bali.
*Richard Gere joins Don Cheadle and Ethan Hawke in the cast of "Brooklyn's Finest." As previously reported, the screenplay was written by Staten Island toll booth operator Michael Martin for a screenwriting contest. He had hoped to use the top money prize to purchase a new car. Antoine Fuqua will direct the film, which revolves around three unconnected Brooklyn cops who wind up at the same deadly location, despite vastly different career paths. One has gone undercover to crack drug gangs; another has engaged in graft and corruption; while another has played by the rules and put in his time on the force up until his retirement.
*"Rush Hour" stars Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan are hoping to film another project together, but it won't have anything to do with their famous movie franchise. Chan tells MTV News: "It's like two days ago when Chris Tucker called me. We sat down and decided we want to do another movie. Not a 'Rush Hour' -- something new. I said yes, and after I shook [Tucker's] hand, I said: 'Look, we need a middleman. I don't want to shake hands, then I go back to Hong Kong and you stay here, I get busy and you get busy'. You have to have somebody in the middle to follow up, otherwise it will never happen.
We've just agreed to do it. Now we're looking for the writer."
EUR DVD REVIEW: War Dance
DVD Examines Drive to Dance in the Midst of Ugandan Civil War
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*In much the way that Amandla! (2002) paid tribute to the freedom songs that helped inspire black South Africans topple the oppressive Apartheid regime, War Dance is a documentary about how the children of Uganda have turned to music and dance to take their minds off the intractable civil war which has ravaged the divided African nation for close to 20 years.
Directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix, this emotionally-engaging testament to the indomitability of the human spirit specifically focuses on the dreams of a trio of orphans living in a refugee camp near the Northern border.
The kids, Dominic and Nancy, both 14, and Rose, 13, all wish to participate in the annual National Music Competition being staged in the country’s capital, Kampala.
Though scarred by the conflict and living in squalor, they remain optimistic about their prospects of winning, provided they can arrive at the event safely.
The picture is evenly divided between uplifting scenes of teams practicing and heartbreaking interludes during which the three protagonists reflect about their loss of innocence in the wake of all the unspeakable horrors they’ve witnessed.
Xylophonist Dominic talks about having been recruited by the rebels and then forced to hack a family of innocent farmers to death. Rose, a singer, wistfully recounts how her parents were slaughtered right in front of her, while Nancy describes what it’s like to be raising her siblings since the death of her father.
The Oscar-nominated picture’s only flaw rests in that some of these earnest eyewitness accounts come across as having been rehearsed. This doesn’t mean that they’re not true, just possibly practiced to a point where they’ve lost their spontaneity. Still, given the breathtaking cinematography, the undulating rhythms, the enchanting choreography and soul-piercing refrains, War Dance is worthwhile as an affirmation of the human potential to be reborn and begin again even in the midst of most dire of circumstances.
Excellent (3.5 stars)
Rated PG-13 for mature themes and descriptions of atrocities.
Running time: 107 minutes
Studi ThinkFilm/Image Entertainment
DVD Extras: Deleted and extended scenes, theatrical trailer and trailer gallery.
EUR FILM REVIEW: Sex and Death 101
Arrival of Mysterious Email Interrupts Reformed Womanizer’s Wedding Plans in Romantic Comedy
Film Review by Kam Williams
*Roderick Blank (Simon Baker) never expected to settle down. The confirmed bachelor had been content to parlay his good looks into a neverending string of sexual conquests.
But that was before he fell in love with Fiona (Julie Bowen), a beauty for whom he’s willing to end his career as a player.
Then, just when they’re on the verge of marital bliss and set to tie the knot in a week, Rod’s secretary, Trixie (Mindy Cohn), opens up a mysterious email at work addressed to her boss.
The letter contains a chronological list of the 101 names of every female he has ever slept with, or will ever sleep with.
After verifying that the first 29 are correct, right up to his fiancée, the handsome executive finds himself in quandary. Is this just an April Fool’s day joke being played on him by his best friend, Lester (Dash Mihok)? If not, who was the clairvoyant that compiled the incriminating scorecard?
Curious, Rod decides to postpone the wedding, sensing that otherwise he might be about to cheat on his bride with 72 different strangers. And sure enough, he suddenly finds himself enjoying “an embarrassment of bitches” in a dizzying string of one-night stands. “The sort of thing only happens in the movies,’ he observes in a distracting self-reference.
But don’t be duped into thinking Sex and Death 101 is just one of those predictable romantic comedies where the guy gets to sow his wild oats before finally wising up to ride off into the sunset with the girl who was meant for him all along. For writer/director Daniel Waters (Happy Campers) has a trick up his sleeve in the form of a fetching femme fatale who goes by the alias Death Nell (Winona Ryder).
The plot thickens when we learn that Nell is an avenging feminist assassin, a self-appointed vigilante who roams around town seducing and slaying known womanizers. The only clues she leaves behind can be found in the cryptic messages (like “Your wounds are deeper than your desires!”) she spray-paints in red on the wall next to the bodies.
What Rod doesn’t know is that Death Nell is somewhere on his list, but under her real name. But so are lesbians, strippers, an 88 year-old grandmother, and a busload of Christian schoolgirls and their driver. So the question becomes, will he cross paths with this sadistic serial killer while working his way towards number 101, or will he abandon his hedonistic indulgence and return to Fiona before disaster strikes?
That is the burning question threaded through Sex and Death 101, a kinky dramedy that is every bit as eerily chilling as it is irreverently funny.
Australian-born Simon Baker, who made a big splash as the dashing chap who charmed Sanaa Lathan in Something New, is almost as effective here, narrating the play-by-play as a far less likable leading man. And Winona Ryder, though under gobs of war paint, does a decent job as a vindictive villainess fed up with being the victim of abuse.
A latter-day Casanova meets his match in the reincarnation of Lorena Bobbitt.
Excellent (3.5 stars)
Rated R for profanity and graphic sexuality.
Running time: 116 minutes
Studi Anchor Bay Entertainment
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: Let the Games Begin
*In his book “Fatheralong”, John Edger Wideman writes that when we play race, we play a game in which “the fix is in…the inventor of race always holds the winning cards because he can choose when to play them and name their value.” Those of us that placed hope in a post racial Barack Obama candidacy are sure to be disappointed as the cards have begun to fall and the gaming begun.
Among certain of the hard core left, the reason Obama has not wrapped up the Democratic nomination is racism. They ask: “Can there be any doubt but that if Barak Obama were white, he would have beaten Hillary Clinton by now?” The fact that Hillary Clinton is a tenacious campaigner with a huge war chest and a well oiled machine behind her is completely beside the point. As is the fact that Obama has expressed a desire to be judged based on his merits. What is true is that were Obama white, he may not have had the opportunity to showcase his political skills. Very few junior senators receive such opportunities. Further, some of the allure of an Obama candidacy is the excitement of breaking the color barrier. That is not the substance of his campaign, but to deny it is a part of his success is to simply be dishonest.
While this pitch is currently directed at Democrats, the tactic is clear. Once Obama receives the nomination, these same racial gamers will routinely point to the fact that many have judged Obama and found him wanting as a certain sign not only that racism exists (it does so please don’t write) but is the food on which Americans feed. To oppose an Obama presidency is to engage in racism, which means of course that the opposition candidate has now been appropriately defined as a card carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan.
John McCain has been traveling the country on a biography tour, stumping in cities and towns that have played an important part in his life. For Matthew Yglesias writing in the Atlantic, McCain’s biography tour is an appeal to racism. He writes: “…it's the best way I can think of to try to take advantage of older people's potential discomfort with the idea of a woman or a black man in the White House that doesn't involve exploiting racism or sexism in a discreditable way.”
The card has been played and either McCain is a racist or as Bill Maher put it when referring to him, “he just appeals to racists.” Still unclear is how saying that Martin Luther King was a “transcendent figure in American history” appeals to racists. What is also unclear is how an actual former Klan member and a man that voted against the civil rights act (as opposed to a holiday) is able to glad hand with black “leaders” with impunity and even had the “Post Racial” candidate Barack Obama raising money for him. It would appear that this particular racist “get out of jail free” card only has value if you are, well, if you are a Democrat.
If Obama loses the general election, it will not be a signal to the left that America is not buying what the Democratic Party has been selling. Rather it will be proof positive of the intractable nature of racism in America. I often wonder if in spite of the cheers and tears, there aren’t those Obama supporters that are deep down hoping for him to lose. A win might signal the beginning of a new era of race in America and for many, the current game is just too much fun.
Of course, even if he were to win it would not prove that America has progressed beyond “Amerikkka.” Numbers will be parsed and any group – white men, Hispanics, working women, etc. – that do not vote in overwhelming numbers for Obama will be branded with a scarlet letter “R”.
Wideman was right. The fix is in.
Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.
ASK ADVICE CHICK: Answers to YOUR Dating, Sex, Life, & Love Questions!
By - AdviceChick@ameritech.net
Straight, Gay, Bi, Tran, Woman, Man – Send your questions to AdviceChick@ameritech.net !
Dear Advice Chick,
*I am in love with this man but he has a girl. They live together and have two kids. He says he loves me too and gives me anything I ask him for. There is no limit to what he will do and he never tells me no. We go out together and we take trips together. We are together every chance he get. When him and his girlfriend go through problems; we sit and talk about it but I always give him my honest opinion. I try to help him work things out with her. He says he don’t understand why I do that and something must be wrong with me.
He even wants me to have a baby by him. He just got an apartment for me and him so that we could spend more time; yet him and his girlfriend still live in there house together. I still have male friends and go out on dates, but I will not have sex with anyone else. My heart wont let me. He gets mad when I go out with other people but he also respects it because he has a girl. I love the time we spend together and the things he does for me and my son. When he go shopping for his kids; he goes shopping for my son to. I am confused and don’t know what to do. My feelings have gotten to strong for him and I feel like that if the right man comes along for me; I will miss out. I am lost and I need help.
Advice Chick replies,
Your first sentence says it all. Re-read it, damn dummy. HE HAS A GIRL. That girl is NOT you. He lives with his girl, and for all you know might be engaged to, or married to his girl. I think your ass is ‘flicted or some isht. “I try to help him work things out with her. “ For what, fool? Didn’t you say you’re in love with this man? If anything you should be trying to salt her game and win him over to your team.
He has the best of both worlds. A woman that he shares his life with and a woman he sneaks around with. He lives with his woman, has sex with his woman, and there you go trynna be “faithful” to somebody else’s guy.
Stop the silliness, ok? Let dude have his girl. You may have to be alone for a while, and that’s ok. You’ve got to get your isht together. You deserve your own man, but you can‘t focus on getting right while you‘re getting played.
Holidays. Birthday’s. Family Reunions. Office parties. When you’re ill. When you hear a noise in the basement. When you need something fixed. When you need someone to talk to, and I don’t mean your momma. When you need a foot massage, or someone to wash your back. These are the times when you want your own man. These times happen everyday. Get it?
It will not be easy, but you have got to stop wasting your time with him. Yes, you will cry. Yes, you will miss him. Yes, you will pick up the phone to call him, but do not dial his number. He has wasted enough of your life.
Send YOUR questions and comments to Advice Chick right NOW! Please put “Dear Advice Chick” in the subject line so your email isn’t deleted as spam. Thanks! advicechick@ameritech.net.
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Ask Advice Chick about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING related to dating, sex, love, and life! She is THE resident dating expert at EURweb.com, and calls on over 11 years of dating and relationship industry experience.
Veronica’s View: A Peace of Gold, A Tarnished Anniversary
Veronica Hendrix
A lot of things recently turned 50. You might recall them.
Madonna – yawn.
The Dodgers – thank God they haven’t abandoned Los Angeles like another professional team, which shall remain nameless.
The Grammy Awards – the crystal ball simply didn’t see rap and hip-hop coming and staying.
Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat book – my personal favorite.
The Ebony Fashion Fair Glam Odyssey Fashion Show that was – by the way – glamorous, spectacular, and absolutely fabulous.
Oh and moi – enough said.
However, there is another 50-year observance that trumps some of the most celebrated milestones I’ve noted.
This one is as insipid as it is indomitable.
That golden anniversary is none other than that of the “peace symbol.”
Yes, the universal emblem of peace turned 50 this month.
I never understood how the three simple lines enclosed in a circle were symbolic of peace. It always reminded me of a foot of a foul, well a chicken to be exact.
The symbol’s creator, Gerald Holtom said the symbol is actually a depiction of himself as a “man in despair,” and he put a circle around the lines to represent the world. That’s a bit gestalt and a real stretch for me, but ok.
I recall a time in our recent history, well at least my history, when the peace symbol was ubiquitously conspicuous during a period when the human struggle for dignity, unity, and egalitarianism held the promise of ameliorating the past, defining the present and shifting the future.
The symbol was a visual marker of solidarity in marches for civil rights, women’s rights, human rights, gay rights and movements to stop wars abroad. Those who marched and protested for peace were often the victims of violence. Some even lost their lives.
The peace symbol has had a tumultuous tenure and paradoxical past.
Now it is celebrating a bittersweet birthday, a golden anniversary no less.
I’ve noticed its resurgence of late.
A Southern California beach side vendor had a collection of peace symbol jewelry and trinkets in every possible color and shape. I had to pick up a pin or two and a pair of peace symbol hoop earrings reminiscent of those I wore with my favorite dashiki back in the day. I was feeling so cool and with not just “with it” but with what matters – peace.
While in Atlanta I saw an assortment of tie-dyed peace symbol t-shirts and baseball caps in an airport boutique. I brought one of each of the pricey items and lamented because they didn’t have the peace symbol headbands made wildly famous by master guitarist Jimmy Hendrix. He was the man, unifying symbol of cross culturalism in my mind.
I recently received a catalog of stationery and novelty items in the mail. The collection of peace symbol cards and stickers were hard to resist. I ordered them and when they arrived I affixed stickers to every bill or letter I mailed out. This was so groovy – sending a little peace in the mail. Ah….if only spreading peace was really that easy.
After 50 years of the peace symbol, peace in our streets, city, nation and world continues to be as whimsical as the madcap cat in The Cat in the Hat book. But then again - maybe not. If I remember the story correctly, that cat brought a whirlwind of unrest to a seemingly peaceful home in a quiet neighborhood.
But we can dream of a more peaceful world, and labor in the fields of our neighborhoods and cities to cultivate it. We should and be darn right relentless and vigilant about it. I think I will wear my peace symbol t-shirt, hat, pin, earrings or that elusive headband (if I ever find it) as a visual marker of my solidarity to peace. Besides, it looks good too. Peace (and hair grease if you need it).
Veronica Hendrix is a syndicated journalist and columnist whose work has covered the span of the human continuum - from clinical trials of male contraceptives, to the gang violence. She is the producer of the highly acclaimed half hour talk show called "LA Woman," which airs on L.A. City View Channel 35, and is a Los Angeles Emmy nominated producer. Veronica's career as a journalist has included being a reporter for USA Today and a producer for a radio talk show in Los Angeles, which focused on issues impacting the African American Family. Veronica is a proud native of Southern California where she lives with her two sons.
MARIANN’S MIDLIFE MAYHEM & MISCELLANY: The Red Hat
*“Criticism” came up as a topic of conversation one day last week on “The View.” As stand-up comics, Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg both commented that an entire audience could be laughing and enjoying their act, but if there was just one person who appeared not to be enjoying it, that was the person they focused on.
Whoopi said that whenever that happened, she would often interrupt her show and ask the person how they were feeling.
“Because, you know, sometimes, the fact that they’re not laughing doesn’t have anything to do with you,” she said. “Maybe their dog just died, or they had a fight with their spouse just before they came to see the show. But if it turns out that I’m not what they expected and they don’t think I’m funny, rather than watch them suffer through it, I offer to give them their money back if they want to leave…which puts us both out of our misery.”
Joy took it more personally, saying that when she was just starting out, there was a woman who sat through her entire show with a scowl on her face.
“Everybody else was laughing like crazy…I really had a great show that night, except for that one woman,” she said. “And she was wearing a red hat, so I couldn’t miss her…it was like a magnet, my eyes kept being drawn back to her. That was 25 years ago and I still remember that woman. So, now, whenever there’s a not-quite-so-enthusiastic person in the audience, I refer to them as ‘Red Hats’.”
I didn’t transcribe the conversation as I was listening to it, so that’s not all word-for-word, but it’s pretty close…and timely; because the next day I got this comment in response to my last column (which also appears online at PGP Classic Soaps) : Oakdalian said: Is this her personal blog now? There must be other former P&G actors we can get caught up with out there.
The first not-quite-so-enthusiastic response to my column.
It may not have been intended as a personal criticism, but my immediate response was to take it personally…and to want to be accommodating…to somehow try and “fix” the situation. Would Oakdalian like me more if I wrote less? Then, hey, I could do that! Maybe I should ask Alina PGP if threy’d’d like me to cut back and contribute a column every two weeks instead of once-a-week.
Then I realized that I had just fallen under the spell of the “Red Hat.”
Wow, that quickly? That easily?
Yep. That’s just how it happens. We set a goal, establish an agenda and roll merrily along, collecting out “atta-girls!” – and then an unexpected criticism puts a crimp in our momentum and we start to doubt ourselves. But if we’re conscious of it and address it, it won’t last for long.
So that’s my column for this week! And if there’s a lesson to be shared here, it’s this…
Sticks and stones can break your bones
And, yes, criticism might even hurt you
But that's just a feeling with which you are dealing,
YOU are the only one who can stop you.
Have a great week!
XO, Mariann
www.mariannaalda.com
A veteran of the P&G soap opera, Edge of Night, (“DiDi Bannister,” 1981-84), Mariann Aalda’s 25-year body of work as a television, film and stage actress includes co-starring with Redd Foxx and Della Reese as their daughter, on the CBS sitcom, The Royal Family; three seasons opposite OJ Simpson, playing his wife on the HBO series, First & 10, and recurring on CBS’ Designing Women as the yuppie-from-hell, “Lita Ford,” opposite Meschach Taylor, with whom she also co-starred in the teen cult film, Class Act. Also a stand-up comedienne, she, along with Iona Morris, is co-creator/writer/producer of MOIST! – a “sexistential” musical comedy celebration of women in the throes of midlife (www.moistonstage.com) – utilizing her training as a hypnotherapist to bring new insight to the joys of being a “seasoned” woman. This column chronicles her own journey.
This column also appears via PGP Classic Soaps: http://PGPclassicSoaps.blogspot.com/
THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Chrysler honors Spike Lee, and New Reggae/Pop/Hip-Hop artist releases CD in the U.S.
By Eunice Moseley
Chrysler LLC honors Spike Lee with the Behind The Lens Award
*“Film is hard work,” trail-blazing film director/director Spike Lee says of his career in film. “I am proud of my body of work and of the people that used 40 Acres and a Mule.”
Lee was recently honored by Chrysler LLC, represented by Senior Vice President Frank Fountain and hosted by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, with the Behind The Lens Award. The award was established in 2002 by Chrysler to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals who work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
Since its inception those awarded have been producer/director Ruben Cannon (2002), filmmaker/photographer Gordon parks; director/producer Melvin Van Peebles; director/producer John Singleton, and music producer/composer Quincy Jones.
“He has spent 27 years in the industry and has changed it, that’s his contribution,” Sr. V.P. Frank Fountain said of Spike Lee at an interview to promote the honor.
Spike Lee is also an actor, writer, educator, businessman and author. He revolutionalized the use of Black talent in the cinema industry, helping to launch the acting careers of Denzel Washington, Halle Barry, Samuel L. Jackson, John Turturro and Wesley Snipes. He is also a leader in the ‘do it yourself” school of independent film.
With his Master from Tisch School of Arts in film production Spike Lee debuted his first film at the Cannes Film Festival 9n 1986 titled, “She’s Gotta Have It,” which feature Reginald Hudlin(BET) and Spike. His second feature was, “School Daze,” which starred Laurence Fishburne, Ossie Davis, Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison. “Do The Right Thing,” was next in 1989 starring John Turturro, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Martin Lawrence and Rosie Perez, and it garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. His documentaries films include “Inside Man” and “4 Little Girls,” and “When the Levees Broke.”
Lee continued to provide the world with Blacks films with his “Jungle Fever,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Clockers,” and “Crooklyn.” His first epic drama was,” Malcolm X,” starring Denzel Washington and received two Academy Award nominations.
“Any award is special,” Spike said of this honor. “But what makes this special, is the people, (discovering) someone in every film”
Spike’s next projects include “Miracle at St. Anna,” starring Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonzo and Omar Benson Miller.
New Reggae/Pop/Hip-Hop artist is emerging and taking America by Storm
Her name is Ms. Triniti and though still young she has accomplished a lot and now sets her sights on America. Raised in the UK and the Caribbean, this young lady writes her own music. At age 15 she had her first record deal and then by 17 she was a world-ranked professional tennis player. Triniti arrived in the U.S. on a Tennis Scholarship at 18.
“I have been on this journey for five years,” Ms. Triniti said. “I have no manager. It feels good to have people believe in you.”
Triniti said she always wanted to sing but her parents said she had to get a degree first, which she did. In 2003 she was signed to Sony/Columbia Records but was released in 2004. She released her debut in Japan through EMI and released in Trinidad through her own label, NiceTunes in the UK, resulting in album releases in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Her 2008 release is titled, “Essential Raggae Hop,” and its single, “Wi Burnin (woy yoy yoy),” My favorite songs on the album include “When It All Falls Down,” featuring Mike Jackson; “The Show Is Over,” “Bounce Along,” featuring E-Dee,” “Big Ups,” “Naked Truth (This is My Life),” “Any Weh You Like It,” “Mama Told Me” and the futuristic “Hot Again.”
Ms Triniti will be touring Japan with Lil’ Wayne and then back to the United States for three shows in Los Angeles.
AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: The Links Incorporated Greater New York Chapter host 59th annual Easter luncheon.
900 Guests Celebrate Friendship and Service wth Greater New York Links: Joyce M. Roche, President, Girls Inc., and Susan L. Taylor, Editor Emerita, Essence Magazine, honored at 59th Annual Easter Luncheon & Fashion Show
By Audrey J. Bernard, Lifestyles/Society Editor
*On Saturday, March 22, The Links, Incorporated Greater New York Chapter took over the capricious Pier 60 at Chelsea Pier for their 59th annual Easter luncheon and fashion show from 11am to 3pm that was attended by over 900 ladies who lunch including sister Links, Connecting Links, Heir-O-Links, family, friends and guests nationwide who donned their festive Easter bonnets for the afternoon affair. Link Gerri Warren-Merrick served as gala chair and Link Sydney M. Avent, and Link Evette Beckett-Tuggle served as gala co-chairs.
The program included the presentation of the chapter’s distinguished spirit award to Joyce M. Roche, chief executive officer, Girls, Inc., and Susan L. Taylor, editor emerita, Essence Magazine, and founder, National Cares Mentoring Movement. The spirit award -- created exclusively for the Chapter by the legendary sculptor Tina Allen -- is the figure of a woman in blue/green patina with gold touches inside the heart shape and in the hair. The base is black Belgian marble with velvet covering the bottom.
Reginald Canal, first vice president, African Heritage Banking, HSBC Bank, USA, NA, was presented with the outstanding corporate citizen award, Abstract 1, an assemblage of wood, bronze, marble and fabricated metal by the versatile improvisational sculptor Laurence Lee.
“We are inspired by our honorees Susan Taylor, Joyce Roché and Reginald Canal and empowered by their visionary leadership,” said The Links, Incorporated Greater New York Chapter president Dr. Minta Spain.
Themed “celebration of friendship and service,” two of the chapter’s outstanding members, Link Ketly Michel and Link Marcella Maxwell, received inaugural awards. Link Ketly was honored with the first “true friendship” award, a beautiful painting of five multi-ethnic children entitled, “We are The World,” created by renowned painter Violet Hewitt Chandler. Link Marcella won the first “true service” award, a stunningly colorful stained glass panel illustrating three women and incorporating the Links, Incorporated symbol of a globe surrounded by a chain, called “Friends/Sisters,” created by artist extraordinaire Sadikisha Saundra Collier. “Thanks to the leadership of Arts Facet Chair Link Grace Y. Ingleton, who commissioned all the works of art, we know that awards will be a source of pride for the honorees for years to come,” said Dr. Spain.
Funds raised at the gala will benefit the Chapter’s umbrella program, Family Connections: Obesity and Diabetes, and scholarship programs for women. “We have stellar programming and strong ties to our community partners. We work with North General Hospital; we sponsor the award-winning Witness Project of Harlem -- early detection of breast cancer sessions where survivors give witness to taking charge of their health; our umbrella program.”
“We also work with Family Connections: Obesity and Diabetes, which involves all four Links program facets: The Arts, International Trends and Services, National Trends and Services and Services to Youth, includes partnerships with North General Hospital, the Lions Club in Mona, Jamaica and with the University of the West Indies to provide workshops on living with diabetes and chronic disease management, as well as with the John B. Russworm School (PS197), the Am
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