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06-05-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
DEFENSE CASE BEGINS IN R. KELLY TRIAL: Plus, Sun-Times reporter won't have to testify based on Fifth Amendment rights.
*The R. Kelly child pornography trial began Wednesday with a Chicago Sun-Times reporter repeatedly taking the fifth to avoid testifying about the sex tape at the center of the case. The day ended with the defense calling its first three witnesses.
Sun-Times reporter Jim DeRogatis, who was sent the sex tape anonymously, cited an Illinois law that governs reporters' rights and the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution in refusing to answer questions about what he did with the video before handing it over to police. Defense attorneys have said that copying the tape would have been a crime.
According to the Associated Press, DeRogatis invoked his First and Fifth Amendment rights more than a dozen times in response to questions, including whether he made a copy of the tape. After DeRogatis' 10 minutes on the stand, Judge Vincent Gaughan said reporters' privileges don't apply. But the judge ruled that DeRogatis doesn't have to testify based on his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
Later Wednesday, the defense opened its case by calling several family members of the alleged victim to declare that she is not the underage girl whom prosecutors believe was taped having sex with Kelly, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Shonna Edwards, 27, a relative of the alleged victim, testified that she performed in the same musical group as the alleged victim and the two shared hotel rooms while on tour in Europe on and off from 1998 to 2003.
When asked if the girl in the sex tape is the alleged victim in the case, Edwards replied "No. It definitely wasn't her." She also could not identify Kelly, who she had met "countless times," from the tape.
Another family member of the alleged victim, Charlotte Edwards, testified that Tjada Burnett, who earlier identified the alleged victim in the tape for the prosecution, was not really all that close with their family. "She was just my skating buddy," Edwards testified. Edwards also said she could not identify the alleged victim or Kelly from the tape.
Leroy Edwards Jr., 46, testified that he managed the alleged victim's band, and that he himself videotaped the alleged victim on several occasions for the musical group, and around the same time that the sex tape was made.
But when he saw the tape for the first time last week, he did not recognize the woman or the man in the tape, Edwards Jr. testified.
TWISTA BLASTS FATHER PFLEGER FOR HYPOCRISY: Catholic Priest who chided Clinton at Trinity also criticized rapper in Chicago billboards.
*Chicago rapper Twista is grinning hard at the recent fate of Pastor Michael Pfleger, who was temporarily removed Tuesday from his post at St. Sabina church for making fun of Sen. Hillary Clinton in a sermon that ended up on YouTube.
As punishment for his remarks during a guest stint at Sen. Barack Obama's former church, Trinity United Church of Christ, Pfleger was banned from his predominantly-black Catholic church for two weeks by the Cardinal, and Twista couldn't be happier.
The artist points out in a statement that Pfleger used funds raised in his Chicago church to erect billboards across the city criticizing rap lyrics, specifically targeting Twista among other rappers. Pfleger also saw to it that Twista was removed from a McDonald's tour by contacting the fast food chain and complaining about the rapper's lyrics.
Twista's statement reads:
"Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Just last summer Father Pfleger said my words was trash to the community and I didn't deserve to be on the McDonalds tour. It's crazy how the tables turned in just under a year.
Father Pfleger's own words and opinions of Mrs. Clinton came In the worst way and now he expects for the world and his church to give him a full acceptance. Do you think its right that he apologizes and gets away with his words? Did he really lose anything? I lost a multi million dollar contract, he embarrassed and disgraced my name in public by his billboards calling my music trash. He even went as far as getting Bill O'Reilly to get on TV to diss me as well, and not once did he ever call me or even ask me my opinion of my views and music.
All it took was the young generation to expose him of his true colors, big shout out to Youtube.com for putting him on blast. Mr. Pfleger is in a much stronger position than I am. I represent the streets and hip-hop while he is a representative of God and I feel like he should have been a little more careful of his words too. I don't look for any apologies from him, McDonalds, or even little Bill O'Reilly. I keep it street and 100 by saying 'LOOK WHO'S CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK'. "
Meanwhile, an estimated 2,000 St. Sabina parishioners gathered at the South Side church Tuesday to demand that Cardinal Francis George reinstate their controversial pastor.
"We respectfully request the cardinal immediately reinstate Father Pfleger as full pastor of St. Sabina," Gerald Stewart, president of the parish council, told the crowd, which included longtime Pfleger friend the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who has been blasted for his own controversial statements on race.
On Tuesday afternoon, George issued a statement saying he asked Pfleger to "step back" and take a "couple of weeks" of leave from St.
Sabina.
Stewart said parishioners wanted an immediate meeting with the cardinal to discuss "the future of the entire faith community of St.
Sabina."
HBO'S 'THE WIRE' GETS PROPS FROM TV CRITICS: Series picked up a leading four TCA nominations.
*The acclaimed HBO series "The Wire," which wrapped its five year run in March, earned four nominations in this year's Television Critics Association Awards, tying AMC's series about 1960s Madison Avenue executives, "Mad Men."
"The Wire" was nominated in the categories of drama, program of the year, individual achievement in drama (for creator David Simon) and the TCA's Heritage Award, where it faces competition from ABC's 1977 mini-series "Roots."
The ABC film "A Raisin in the Sun" picked up a nod for outstanding achievement movies, mini-series and specials. The Sean "Diddy" Combs and Phylicia Rashad vehicle will face competition in the category from HBO's "John Adams," "PBS' "Masterpiece: Cranford," PBS' "Masterpiece: Jane Austen Collection" and PBS' "The War."
TV critics will cast final ballots through Monday and announce winners July 19 during the TCA Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
NEW 'BOONDOCKS' DVD INCLUDES BANNED EPISODES: Season 2 collection features two unaired shows criticizing BET.
*The second season of Aaron McGruder's Cartoon Network series "Boondocks" comes to DVD Tuesday with two BET-skewering episodes that were never broadcast.
"The pair of shows take aim at BET's top executives and lampoon what it views as the cable network's harmful negative imagery and stereotypes,"
according to Los Angeles Times writer Greg Braxton.
In the episode "The Hunger Strike," a main character refuses to eat until BET is off the air and its executives commit hara-kiri. In "The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show," a foul-mouthed black man who hates African Americans gets a show on BET.
A BET spokesperson told The Times that the network knew about the episodes and did not, as a network that runs its own satirical content, begrudge those who made fun of its programming.
According to the Times, the DVD release features stinging commentary from McGruder about the unedited episodes. In the introduction, McGruder said he targeted BET because network executives, in his view, failed to elevate standards as promised when Reginald Hudlin took the reins three years ago.
"I was looking for changes and improvements, and I didn't see any," McGruder said on the DVD. "I didn't see them. So I said, OK, it's fair game. It's hard not to address it. It really was an important part of the strip."
BUSTA RHYMES STAYING IN THE 'PROJEKT': Rapper joins tour with rockers Linkin Park and Chris Cornell.
*Busta Rhymes has signed on to perform on this summer's Projekt Revolution tour, which also includes acts Linkin Park, Chris Cornell, the Bravery and Ashes Divide, among others, reports Billboard.com.
Busta features Linkin Park on his new single, "We Made It," which was produced by Cool & Dre and Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda. The track will appear on Rhymes' eight studio album, "Blessed," due later this summer via Flipmode/Aftermath/Interscope.
"It made perfect sense for us to be on the tour together, so we could perform ['We Made It'] and bring it to life for people every night," Rhymes tells Billboard.com.
Rhymes says he will play material from "Blessed" during the Projekt Revolution tour in a stripped down, bare-bones set.
"I'm really one that loves the traditional sense of hip-hop," the rapper explains. "I like microphones and turntables."
MORGAN FREEMAN ADDS CO-STAR TO MANDELA PIC: Matt Damon joins Clint Eastwood's 'Human Factor.'
*Matt Damon has been added to the cast of the Clint Eastwood-directed "Human Factor," a film based on the true story of a rugby event that gave whites and blacks in South Africa a common cause as the country was recovering from apartheid.
As previously reported, Morgan Freeman stars as former South African president Nelson Mandela in the Warner Bros. project. Damon will play rugby star Francois Pienaar, who teamed with Mandela to create the rugby event.
In the film, Mandela, freed from 27 years in prison and elected president, decided to get behind South Africa's Springboks team when the country was selected as host for the 1985 Rugby World Cup. The Springboks had been banned from international competition because of the country's apartheid practices.
The majority of blacks viewed the team as a symbol of exclusion, but they rooted along with white countrymen as the Springboks won in overtime against New Zealand to capture the Cup. Pienaar was the Springboks captain who developed a relationship with Mandela during the team's run.
Freeman got Mandela's blessing to produce the picture under his Revelations banner. He brought the project to his friend Eastwood and also to Warner Bros, where both Revelations and Eastwood's Malpaso production company have their overall deals.
Shooting will begin early next year in South Africa.
BOSTON'S KG AND ADIDAS LAUNCH SPECIAL SNEAKER: Eight pairs of limited edition shoes to be sold per Finals game.
*Kevin Garnett, his Boston Celtics franchise and adidas are teaming to launch a rare version of Garnett's 2008-09 adidas Team Signature Commander shoe, designed to commemorate the Celtics' run at an NBA Championship.
The shoe company will produce only eight pairs per game to be sold at retail, starting at 10 a.m. today (June 5). As few as 32 pairs or as many as
56 pairs will be available depending on the number of championship games played in the series.
One special pair of shoes autographed by KG will be auctioned off on NBA.com after The Finals. All profits from the sale of these shoes will go to NBA Cares community partners in the Boston area.
The adidas Team Signature KG Commander is scheduled to launch in October 2008, but for this year's NBA Finals, Garnett will wear a special version that will be highlighted by the inclusion of the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy on the medial side, and an embroidered callout to games 1 thru 7 on the lateral side. The number of that night's game will be in green while the others remain white. The numbers 1 thru 7 also get larger as each game grows in significance.
"All season long it has been about we and not me, so as we head into the NBA Finals I wanted to do something special for the Boston community. That is why we came up with this limited edition adidas Team Signature KG Commander," stated Garnett. "Since day one, the fans of Boston have made me feel like family, so to do this and be able to give back to them is a great honor."
The limited edition adidas Team Signature Commander will only be available at Celtics.com, the TD Banknorth Garden Pro Shop and NBA Store in New York City. Each pair of adidas Team Signature KG Commanders will retail for $1017 (to commemorate the drive for championship #17).
VH1 TO TELEVISE WILL SMITH-HOSTED '46664 CONCERT': Event honoring Nelson Mandela to air live from London on June 27.
*VH1 has signed on to become the exclusive U.S. outlet televising "The 46664 Concert Honoring Nelson Mandela at 90" taking place in London's Hyde Park on Friday, June 27 with host Will Smith.
Artists already committed to perform include Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Queen & Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, The Sugababes, Simple Minds, Dame Shirley Bassey, Andrea and Sharon Corr, Jerry Dammers and Razorlight.
Oprah Winfrey, former President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Robert De Niro and Forest Whitaker are among those who will attend some of the events surrounding the three-day celebration, which culminates in the evening concert.
The event will also be streamed live on VH1.com that day at www.MandelaConcert.VH1.com at 1:30 p.m. EST. A 2-hour special of concert highlights will premiere on VH1 on Monday, June 30th at 9 p.m. EST/PST.
Additionally, the concert will be simulcast on VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and MHD, MTV Networks' music high-definition channel.
ANDRE BRAUGHER JOINS TNT PILOT: Actor to star opposite Ray Romano in drama about male friendship.
*Andre Braugher, best known for his run on NBC's former cop series "Homicide: Life on the Street," has been cast opposite "Everybody Loves Raymond" veteran Ray Romano in the TNT pilot "Men of a Certain Age."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the project explores the bonds of male friendship through the eyes of three college buddies who are in their 40s.
In the script written by Romano, Braugher plays one of Joe's (Romano) two best friends, Owen, an overstressed husband and father who works as a car salesman at his dad's dealership.
APPLE STORES TO STAGE BLACK MUSIC MONTH SHOWS: Performers include Wyclef, MC Lyte, Talib Kweli and Michelle Williams.
*In recognition of Black Music Month, Apple is putting a twist on its regular iTunes Live concerts held at their stores across the country and will host a variety of musical events featuring African American artists.
Among the performers tapped to rock Apple stores are Wyclef Jean (New York's SoHo - June 9, 7 p.m.), MC Lyte (Santa Monica, Calif.'s Third Street Promenade - June 20, 7 p.m.), Talib Kweli (Apple Store, New York's SoHo - June 25, 6 p.m.), and former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams (Chicago's North Michigan Avenue, June 28, 7 p.m.).
Other participating artists include Cherish, Tiffany Evans, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Dwele, Janelle Monae and Yung Berg. A full schedule can be viewed at Apple Stores' retail events page.
JANET JACKSON ANNOUNCES MORE TOUR DATES: Singer pads "Rock Witchu' outing with stops in 13 additional cities.
*Live Nation has tacked on more dates to Janet Jackson's Rock Witchu tour, her first live performance run in seven years.
Oakland, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, Greensboro, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Houston and Dallas have been added to the itinerary.
As previously reported, the outing kicks off in Vancouver, BC on September 10th, and will visit Toronto, Montreal, Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.
Tickets are available at http://www.livenation.com (see below for a complete list of on-sale dates in various cities). Additional dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Janet has launched http://www.JanetFanClub.com, a Web site for the Rock Witchu Tour where the public can sign up for access to presale tickets, exclusive content, contests and worldwide community of Janet fans and more.
Fan club members will get access to special presales for additional dates as they are announced.
JANET JACKSON ROCK WITCHU TOUR
DATE CITY VENUE ON-SALE
SEP 10 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place JUNE 7
SEP 13 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena JUNE 15
SEP 19 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center JUNE 14
SEP 20 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena TBA
SEP 25 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena JUNE 21
SEP 27 Detroit, MI Palace Of Auburn Hills JUNE 14
SEP 28 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre JUNE 6
SEP 29 Montreal, QC Bell Centre JUNE 7
OCT 1 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden JUNE 13
OCT 2 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center JUNE 16
OCT 4 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex JUNE 14
OCT 5 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena JUNE 14
OCT 7 Fort Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center JUNE 21
OCT 15 Washington, DC Verizon Center JUNE 16
OCT 17 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center JUNE 7
OCT 21 Houston, TX Toyota Center JUNE 16
OCT 22 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center JUNE 13
OBAMA BITS: Jesse's thoughts; Michelle's 'View'; Bob Johnson's Hillary; Hillary to quit Friday; McCain's 'Town Hall' challenge; George Lucas love.
*Two-time U.S. presidential candidate Jesse Jackson has praised Obama's march to capture the Democratic presidential nomination. The civil rights activist spoke to Reuters via telephone from Tanzania, where he is attending a summit of black American leaders and their African counterparts.
"It is a fulfilling moment to be in Africa trying to reconcile two continents so savagely torn apart by the slave trade ... as a son of America and Africa becomes the de facto Democratic Party nominee," said Jackson, 66.
"It says a lot about a growing, maturing changing America."
*Jackson went on to explain the significance of Obama's nomination date, August 28, in black history. "August 28, 1955: Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi," Jackson said, referring to the 14-year-old whose murder was a landmark event in the U.S. civil rights movement. "August 28, 1963: Dr. King spoke in Washington of his dream. August 28, 2008: Barack nominated Democratic Party candidate for president. Just look at that development, that rhythm."
*Barack Obama's wife Michelle Obama will be a guest host on ABC daytime talk show "The View" on June 18. Executive producer Bill Geddie invited her to be a guest this month, but she responded by asking if she could sit in with the ladies for the full hour like John McCain's wife Cindy did in April. "Equal time — that's hard to argue with," Geddie told the AP Wednesday.
*Black Entertainment Television founder and staunch Hillary Clinton supporter Bob Johnson launched a campaign Wednesday aimed at persuading Sen. Barack Obama to offer Sen. Clinton the vice presidential slot. Johnson sent a letter to House Majority Whip James Clyburn, lobbying the Congressional Black Caucus to get behind Clinton and endorse her as Obama's running mate for the sake of party unity. “You can't find in an historic election two more dynamic, inspiring people who could lead this country and lead the Democratic Party for years to come,” Johnson said.
*Sen. Hillary Clinton will hold an event with supporters by Friday, likely ending her historic bid for the White House and finally ceding the Democratic nomination to Barack Obama. Clinton's decision to leave the race ends a long, often bitter battle for the right to challenge Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the general election. Obama, D-Ill., will be the nation's first African American running with the nomination of one of the country's two major political parties.
*Barack Obama's campaign said it would be open to John McCain's idea of town halls across the country. “As Barack Obama has said before, the idea of joint town halls is appealing and one that would allow a great conversation to take place about the need to change the direction of this country," said Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe. "We would recommend a format that is less structured and lengthier than the McCain campaign suggests, one that more closely resembles the historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. But, having just secured our party’s nomination, this is one of the many items we will be addressing in the coming days and look forward to discussing it with the McCain campaign."
*George Lucas, the groundbreaking filmmaker behind the "Star Wars"
and "Indiana Jones" franchises, has referred to the presumptive presidential nominee as "a hero." In Japan Wednesday to promote his latest flick "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," the director told reporters:
"We have a hero in the making back in the United States today because we have a new candidate for president of the United States, Barack Obama. He added: Obama, "for all of us that have dreams and hope, is a hero."
SNOOP ANIMATES 'BLUE CARPET' FOR DVD: Rapper's new release visualizes 2006 album as a cartoon.
*Snoop Dogg has re-imagined his 2006 album "Tha Blue Carpet Treatment" as an animated movie and will release it on an upcoming DVD, according to Allhiphop.com.
"The movie will give you something to look at because when I was making this record I was real visual about it," Snoop said of the project. “I had a cartoon mind while I was making it, so I just wanted to bring that to the light."
Titled "Snoop Dogg Presents Adventures of Tha Blue Carpet Treatment,"
the film will feature an animated version of the Long Beach native as he encounters skirmishes, run-ins and situations while traveling through the streets of Southern California.
Rappers making guest voice appearances include Nate Dogg, E-40, The Game, Cypress Hill's B-Real and comedians Mike Epps and Katt Williams.
The film will debut on-demand at www.codeblacktv.com on June 24. Music videos from the animated feature will be available for purchase through iTunes in the coming weeks.
QUEEN LATIFAH TO LAUNCH PERFUME LINE: Rapper/actress inks deal with Parlux Fragrances.
*Queen Latifah is the latest celebrity to jump into the perfume business. Her own line of signature scents are on the horizon after partnering with Parlux Fragrances Inc., the company behind celeb-branded perfumes from Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson.
"For me, beauty really does start on the inside," Latifah said in a statement. "It's like a state of mind, a state of love if you will. So I see fragrance as just a natural expression of this state of love: scent expresses a woman's confidence and sensuality; it's how she embraces her body, her mind and her strength."
"Every woman is a Queen in Latifah's world," added Parlux's Chairman and CEO Neil J. Katz. "With that sense of empowerment in mind, the fragrance we will create together is, naturally, going to express not simply beauty and sensuality but inner strength and an exuberant sense of confidence."
Parlux is the latest company to join Latifah's endorsement stable, following pacts with Pizza Hut, Cover Girl and weight loss program Jenny Craig.
The first Queen Latifah fragrance will be available in the states next year, followed by an international roll out.
ITTY BITTY BITS: 'Inside the NFL' on Showtime; rare Marley/Hendrix footage; T.O.'s lightening bolt; Harper re-ups with EMI; Eartha back in NYC.
*"Inside the NFL" is switching from HBO to its rival pay cable network Showtime in the fall. The series, produced by NFL Films and Showtime's corporate sibling CBS Sports, will air at 9 p.m. Wednesdays starting September 10 and running through February 11. A talent announcement isn't expected until July. Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth, who co-hosted "Inside the NFL" while working for NBC Sports, aren't expected to return to the show.
*Rare Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix concert performances will soon join the nearly 500 recordings already available for download purchase at the music and memorabilia site Wolfgang's Vault (http://www.wolfgangsvault.com). The additions come courtesy of a deal between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Wolfgang's Vault founder Bill Sagan. The recordings include live performances by UMG artists gathered from thousands of concerts produced by late promoter Bill Graham, along with footage from other catalogs and archives dating back decades.
*The New York Post's Page Six is reporting that lightening struck an East Hampton home where Dallas Cowboys star Terrell Owens was staying Saturday night. He reportedly "freaked out" when the bolt hit the house. "Everyone was really confused," said a source. Owens was later spotted at club Lily Pond, "partying with a massive entourage" and "spinning house music in the deejay booth."
*EMI Music Publishing has extended its long-term relationship with Grammy Award winning songwriter and performer Ben Harper, a multi-instrumentalist whose music blends rock, folk, reggae, blues and soul. The new worldwide agreement will see the company represent both his existing catalog of songs as well as future compositions. The California-born artist’s most recent studio album ‘Lifeline’, which is included in the new agreement, was released last year.
*Stage and screen siren Eartha Kitt is back for another lengthy engagement at the Cafe Carlyle in Manhattan (35 East 76th St.). The actress, backed by a quartet led by Daryl Waters, is scheduled to play the posh venue through July 5. Cabaretgoers can expect to hear tunes from Kitt's acclaimed career, including "C'est Si Bon," "Monotonous" and "La Vie En Rose," among others. Show times are Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8:45 p.m. with an additional late show on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:45 p.m. Cover charges range from $75 (bar seating) to $100 with dinner required at all 8:45 p.m. shows. For reservations call (212) 744-1600 or visit www.thecarlyle.com.
EUR DVD REVIEW: Meet the Spartans
Silly Spoof of 300 Released on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*The film 300 was an epic recreating the bloody Battle of Thermopylae during which King Leonidas led several hundred Spartans in a futile defense of the country against invaders from Persia.
Meet the Spartans is a light-hearted spoof of that costume drama which pits a gay army against a horde of hip-hop marauders.
So, instead of macho heroes marching valiantly off to war, we're treated to the sight of sensitive soldiers affectionately holding hands as they skip two-by-two up the trail to their fate.
Although the picture fairly faithfully follows the plot of 300, it obviously does take considerable license with the facts.
Seems that everyone is fair game, here, including Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, each of whom is impersonated sans panties, the PG-13 rating notwithstanding. Other celebrity look-a-likes include Ugly Betty, American Idol's Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and sexually-ambiguous also-ran Sanjaya.
This mean-spirited shock comedy is likely to make you laugh to the extent that you enjoy poking further fun at the vulnerable and the emotionally damaged. Britney definitely gets the most mud tossed in her direction, whether over shaving her head, going public with her privates, or being caught up in a nasty custody battle with K-Fed.
The film's funniest moment arrives when internet curiosity Chris Crocker appears on screen delivering the "Leave Britney Alone!" rant that landed him his 15 minutes of fame on YouTube. Unfortunately, most of the skits fall flat, since they have nothing of insight to share about the subjects, and often end with characters being pushed into the Pit of Death as soon as the writers run out of ideas of what to do with them.
Don't expect anything of depth and you won't be disappointed by this predigested pabulum. Mental bubblegum for the brain whose cinematic taste lasts only about as long as the viewing.
Good (2 stars)
Rated PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, crude humor and slapstick violence.
Running time: 87 minutes
Studi 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Audio commentary by the cast and crew, "Know Your Spartans Pop Culture" set-top trivia game, a gag reel, "Meet The Spartans: The Music" featurette, "Prepare For Thrusting" featurette, a tour of the set, and theatrical trailers.
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: Fanfare for the Common Man
*Every once in a while, politicians emerge from beneath the bright lights and focus groups to stand naked as it were before the cold stare of the public eye . Such was the case for Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) when during a grilling of oil executives last week, she unveiled her hidden socialist. To the prospect of rising gas prices, the congresswoman remarked, “And guess what this liberal will be all about. This liberal will be about socializing, uh, um…will be about basically taking over, and the government running all of your companies”
Of course, new liberals have danced around such ambitions for years often feigning righteous indignation at any suggestion that they are closet socialists. To her credit, Waters is at least telling it like it is though one wishes she had been so passionate an advocate when she voted for the recent farm bill. Congress’ recent $300 billion gift to America’s farmers will result in taxpayers paying still higher prices for their groceries.
But I digress.
Waters has, of course, like many new liberals, cast herself as a populist hero. Oil executives are making huge profits and are therefore evil. The common man suffers because of the increasing prices he pays for gasoline and other petroleum products. Only government can protect the little guy from the big bad corporate wolf. This might explain why her remark passed without so much as a peep from her colleagues in the Congress, major Democratic presidential candidates or the leftist supporters in the mainstream press. Their silence is tacit agreement that they, like Waters, are arrogant enough to insist that sellers of commodities ought not to adjust their prices upward to reflect a growing demand. Like Waters, they believe that only government – a new-liberal, Democratic controlled government – possesses the wisdom to determine how much profit is enough and the moral acuity to confiscate businesses when that standard is breeched. The script may be tired, but it still plays in Poughkeepsie.
Unfortunately, Waters intends to keep the price of gasoline low, not through increasing supply – Waters and her fellow white knights have routinely rejected legislation permitting tapping new deposits or building new and more efficient refineries. No, Waters will control the price of gasoline through subsidization. The thing about subsidies, of course, is that they do not change the actual cost of a product, just the price the consumer pays. The subsidizer – in this case the government -- pays the difference. Then, of course, in order to control increasing demand the subsidizer will resort to rationing. Remember gas lines in the 70’s? That is the Waters populist promise sans make-up.
Or perhaps Waters shares the vision of our socialist neighbors to the south, Venezuela. Of course, you can’t find milk or eggs in Venezuela but they have the seventh largest oil reserves in the world and they actually drill their oil which is why they can keep the price of gasoline artificially low through subsidy. The people are happy to top off the tanks of their SUVs for what it costs to buy a liter of Coca Cola. The problem is that it has warped their economy. Inflation in Venezuela is 22%. The subsidy has also proven anything but a boon to the poor who are still forced to ride expensive public transportation while the wealthy buy more and more automobiles with which to clog up the streets and dirty the air.
This vision of a government run America is an intoxicating one to be sure. No one will ever go hungry; no one will ever be sick, homeless, depressed, or lonely or pay more for any product than some bureaucrat in Washington thinks reasonable. Now, if we could just find someone other than the common man to pay for it.
Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.
THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Grammy nominated singer Shanice releases song for Barack Obama's presidency run, and Bishop Leonard Scott celebrates 30 years of service with new CD/DVD release
By Eunice Moseley
Grammy nominated singer, Shanice, releases song for presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama
“My husband heard Barack speak at an event…we met…it was something about him, I got a good vibe,” Shanice said about Senator Obama, the subject of her latest single release. “I was talking to my mother….she suggested doing a song……I recorded this song in my house.”
Motivated by her good vibes from Barack, lyrical help from her mother Crystal and aunt Penni, and an awesome music track from her friend BJ, Shanice put together one of the most inspirational ballads I’ve heard from her. Not only do you get to hear the smooth silky vocals of child-star turn adult-star Shanice, but you get to hear a labor of love she feels came from God.
“God kind-of put it all together,” Shanice confessed.
Like most legends in the entertainment business, she is known by her first name, Shanice. As a toddler she appeared in television commercials, then musicals and by the time she was 11 years-old she was appearing regularly in Kids Incorporated. Kids Incorporated was a children’s television program that ran from 1984-1992 about a group of children who formed their own rock group, Kids Incorporated. Others in the cast included Rahsaan Patterson, Stacy Ferguson (Fergie-The Black Eye Peas) and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
That same year she appeared on Star Search and caught the eye of an executive at A&M Records and was signed shortly after. Her debut, “Discovery,” was released three years later in 1987. It had such singles as “(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance” and “No 12 Steppin’.” In 1990 she signed to Motown Records and teamed with Narada Michael Walden for her sophomore album, “Inner Child.” That album garnered such hits as the Grammy nominated “I Love Your Smile,” “I’m Cryin’,” and “Lovin’ You.”
A mother of two (4 and 6 years-old) and wife to actor Flex Alexander (One on One); Shanice also appeared on soundtracks for such films as Boomerang and Disney’s Pocahontas, on “If I Never Knew You,” a duet with Jon Secada. She went on to sign with LaFace Records and released in 1994 “21 Ways to Grow” and in 2006 she released her fourth album, “Every Woman’s Dream,” on her own indie label IME.
You can hear Shanice’s “The President We Need,” at www.myspace.com/imeshanice or when she performs Friday, August 1st at Lee Bailey’s EURweb Media Awards in Los Angeles.
Bishop Leonard Scott Celebrates 30 years with latest CD/DVD, ‘Be Lifted Up’
A pastor and a Dentist, Bishop Leonard Scott said he began his road to becoming a Bishop while assisting Bishop Michael Hannon in East Africa.
“I was in music before the church,” Bishop Scott pointed out to me. “I went to church and found God and didn’t want anything (music) to get in the way.”
The church leader, who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, said that God gave him back his desire for music and he started recording the church’s choir and eventually formed a label.
“God gave me a record company,” the Bishop said, as if he was still amazed at God’s blessing.
Scott, in celebration of his over 30 years of service to the church recently released, “Be Lifted Up,” on Tyscot Records, his 10th album. He was a leader for 20 years at someone else’s church and 8 years-ago he formed his own church. He has written and recorded with Rev. John P. Kee, Israel Houghton, Albertina Walker and Vashawn Mitchell.
The Bishop said that the listen is “going to praise and worship.” I agree it’s one big praise and worship CD/DVD that has appearances by Darwin Hobbs, Rachael Lampa and The Calvary Temple Praise Choir.
REGGAE UPDATES FROM JAMAICA: Reid denies fight with Banton; Voice Mail shoots Ganga and Money video; 2008 Soca Gold hit-laden; Carribean ent. roundup
By Kevin Jackson
Junior Reid denies a fist fight with Buju Banton…..Tells his side of what really happened in Miami
*Jamaican reggae artiste Junior Reid has denied media reports that he and Buju Banton were involved in a fist-throwing altercation backstage during the Best of the Best show at the Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami in late May.
He told one876entertainment that the whole situation stemmed from an incident in which Buju Banton maligned his name in front of Reid’s 13 year-old daughter, Destiny.
“I was there holding a vibe for the show and my daughter and her friends went over to Buju Banton because she is a big fan of Buju. She introduced herself as Junior Reid’s daughter, and Buju said, ‘who Junior Greed?’. My daughter was very embarrassed, and she asked me, ‘daddy, what you and Buju Banton have?’. I told her ‘no worry yourself, him no approach me to my face in that way’,” he explained.
He said that he regained his composure and prepared himself mentally for his onstage performance. After performing, he said he went to the press tent where he glimpsed Buju Banton. He began to do his interviews, and was surrounded by press personnel when Buju Banton, who had concluded his own interviews, attempted to hail him.
“He stretched out his hand to greet me, and mi say, mi nah go shake yu hand when yu stab mi inna mi back and laugh inna mi face. Buju, don’t play me dirty,” he said.
Reid said he was surprised that Buju Banton would address him in such a way given the fact that he had been involved in reggae music for almost three decades.
“Yu caan diss a living legend, mi set the trend. Yu affi pay respect to a man who ah set the ting. Him mussi did tink say mi career done, all the while, dem waan see yu go down, dem no waan yu de pon no show, or have no music on the radio. But mi step up mi game, Alicia Keys crazy power play all over the world and AMA performance, Mims who sell four million ring tones, The Game album which was #1 on Billboard,mi mek the 52 states look like 14 parishes,” he said.
Reid is known for the dancehall anthems, 'One Blood', 'All Fruits Ripe' and 'Listen to the Voices'. He was particularly incensed by the insinuations that he was greedy.
“How can he call me greedy? And me never do a show or a transaction with him yet. Mi voice fi him and never charge him a cent. Dem caan stop what is going on for him, the world like mi formula, so is just straight bad mind dem a deal wid, dem a try play me dirty,” he said. “Is a yute weh mi always show respect, mi go fi him studio, him never yet come to my studio.”
He said that there were some elements in the business that “eat and dem belly full and ah dem alone waan eat eat, mi ease off and mek the yutes dem do dem ting, and now when is my time fi eat, dem no waan see that happen’.
“But look on the time, this name quarter to seven, 6:45, the time never change, the yutes dem still a mad over me, ah two generation love me, the parents and their children, so ah just my time now. Mi no greedy ‘cause yu caan force yuself on the people, mi just have the formula fi give to dem right now,” he said.
He issued a challenge to Buju Banton as well, and reiterated that he will not be intimidated.
Voice Mail shoot videos for Ganga Lee and Get The Money
With a July 16 release set for their forthcoming album Jump Off, the trio Voice Mail recently completed video shoots for the singles Ganga Lee and Get The Money. The videos were directed by Jay Will.
Jump Off which will be the trio’s third set, will be released by Japan’s Pony Canyon label. The label released the trio’s previous sets Hey (2006); and Let’s Go (2007).
The 16 track disc will feature collaborations with producers Christopher Birch, Steven McGregor, Danny Champagnie and the Ballaz.
Soca Gold 2008 loaded with hits
Since its inception in 1997, the Soca Gold compilation series has led the genre with breakthrough hits and popular tunes. The latest in the series was released on May 20.
Soca Gold 2008 contains hits from acts including EL A Kru, Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Fay-Ann Lyons Alvarez, Roy Cape, Kerwin Du Bois, Ricky T, Mr. Dale and Don Trent.
A bonus DVD is included which features live performances from Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2008 and Crop Over 2007.
Caribbean Entertainment round up
Known for hits such as Woman by My Side and Pumpin, soca artiste Peter Ram is set to release his latest single Carnival Praise. The song is being released in time for Barbados Crop Over and it is a clear contender for the Party Monarch and Road March Crowns.
Philip 7 of the band Masala has become a household name in his native country of Barbados. His first solo single "Beautiful Surprise" earned him the 2008 Barbados Music Award for Best Rock/Alternative Artiste. His latest single Silence Me has been making an impact on radio in Barbados.
Antiguan reggae artiste Fucha Kid has released his album Start It, through Rebel Mix Digital Distribution on Itunes. He is getting ready to shoot the sequel video for his singles Rich and Greedy and Shaker Shaker. The video shoot will take place in Antigua on June 7. Fucha Kid will kick off his Caribbean tour in September.
Veronica’ View: A Sex and the City Surprise Ending
Veronica Hendrix
*The numbers came thundering in, following the clink and clank of stiletto heels, or Manolo Blahnik’s to be precise.
The movie “Sex and the City” (SATC) touched down with the velocity of a comet. And gal pals from Los Angeles to New York City and every point in between herded into theaters everywhere to see what the quintessential quartet was wearing, daring, and doing since we last saw them within the confines of the silver box four years ago.
I was one of those women who took in the chick flick of the decade. My girl friend followed suit as well.
I went to see the movie in the relative calm, sparsely attended AMC Magic Johnson Theater in South Los Angeles. My girl friend headed to Hollywood to see the movie at the snooty Arclight Theater. It was sheer pandemonium there with throngs of women in attendance dressed up like their favorite love-lorn characters Carrie, Amanda, Charlotte and Samantha. She text messaged me that she was sipping a Cosmo in the lobby of the theater bar before the show began. Her message said, “This is the ultimate girl’s night out, Ronni. You should be here.”
I wish I had been there too, darn it.
We met for a drink after the movie to debrief. And besides, I was craving a Cosmo, the cocktail whose popularity soared because it was the drink of choice of the SATC girls.
She was a bit solemn and not her usually spirited self. I didn’t want to tune into her malaise because I was still basking in the afterglow of the big screen extravaganza. But much like Carrie’s friends in the movie, I circled the proverbial wagons around my friend and gave her entree to bare her soul in a safe, nurturing space.
She said despite the movie’s bumpy happy ending, she doesn’t see a happily ever after ending with her ten-year long love interest. The similarities between Carrie’s ten-year, on again, off again turbulent relationship with the character “Big” had troublesome similarities to her relationship. She said, “We’d all like to believe if we hang in there despite the pain, heart ache, disappointment and humiliation we foolishly endure in the pursuit of love, he will one day have a light bulb moment and realize that we are ‘the one.’ ”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke with outward composure and a stoic grace. “Carrie got her man after ten long years,” she said with a furrowed brow.
I nodded with the softened eyes of a friend and said, “That’s Hollywood sweetie. But in real life we have to think from the end, and if we don’t like what we see, it’s up to us to change the script.”
“Ten years is a lot to invest in any commodity without a reasonable return,” she sighed in a moment of cerebral cognition.
“Indeed it is,” I replied. “Perhaps at some point we all have to realize that when his actions make it crystal clear he's not ready or willing to say “I do” - maybe, just maybe it’s time for us to say adieu.”
She thanked me for what she called “sage” and supportive words. We bid each other adieu. It was gratifying to know that I said something to help her in this difficult moment.
I smiled as I got in my car, buckled my seat belt and turned on the engine. As I glanced in the rear view mirror to back out of the parking space, I looked squarely into my eyes – actually beyond them. I saw what she saw as I looked at my story. The words I had spoken to her were pinging in my head. I heard my own words as if they were audibly spoken to me. Perhaps it’s time for me take my own advice. Perhaps it’s time for me to say adieu, too.
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.
AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: EBONY LUNCHEON PAYS TRIBUTE TO OUTSTANDING WOMEN
Ninth Annual Ebony Magazine Celebrates the Crème De La Crème of Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications at Awards Luncheon
By Audrey J. Bernard, Lifestyles/Society Editor
*Linda Johnson Rice, president & CEO, Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., addressed a plethora of smartly dressed African American businesswomen at the 9th annual Ebony Outstanding Women in Marketing & Communications luncheon on Thursday, May 1 at the fashionable Cipriani restaurant on East 42nd Street in the busy Grand Central area. This was the second year in a row that this event was held at the ultimate watering hole for the rich and famous. Also returning as Mistress of Ceremonies was Harriette Cole, creative director, Ebony Magazine.
After checking in, some 500 guests were greeted by a stunning wall of flowers in assorted reds and deep pink with a touch of burgundy set in large red glass vases with deep purple Calla Lilies at the bases. Adding to the dramatic display were votive lights causing a sensational luminosity over the enormous room just behind the Blooming Dogwood branches which was transformed into a cozy setting for the ladies who lunch. Decorator to the stars Margo T. Lewis of Spin 7 Event Design and master florist Jack Williams styled the breathtakingly beautiful venue.
The designing duo added more radiance to the ambience with the addition of pink swag bags containing Luster’s Pink hair care products. The special occasion called for a special drink and Ebonytinis -- made from Alizé Rose, a new taste of romance made with premium French vodka and strawberry -- had the ladies feeling pink all over!
Johnson told her impressive audience how pleased she was to honor another crop of luminaries who have “reached astounding heights and raised the bar of excellence and paved the way for others. Ebony Magazine is proud to acknowledge the phenomenal contributions of African American businesswomen during this special annual event.”
This year’s harvest of trailblazers has reaped success of immeasurable heights in their fields of endeavor and serves as shining examples for others to follow. Johnson presented the coveted Madam C.J. Walker award to Mellody Hobson, president, Ariel Mutual Funds, and financial contributor to Good Morning America.
Other award recipients included: public relations awards were presented to Marvet Britto, founder & CEO, The Britto Agency, by Elder Karen Bernard, co-founder, Christian Cultural Center; and to Patti S. Webster, CEO, W&W Public Relations, Inc., presented in song and praise by her personal girlfriend and client Patti LaBelle.
Advertising agency awards were presented by Kenard E. Gibbs, group publisher, Ebony and Jet Magazines and president, Ebony/Jet Entertainment Group, LLC, to McGhee Williams Osse, co-CEO, Burrell Communications; and Zeline Kelly-Bates, media director, Beaman, Incorporated.
Corporate leadership awards were presented by Lisa E. Davis, partner, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Slez, to Carla Harris, managing director, Morgan Stanley; Susan A. Banks, executive vice president, marketing & creative services, TV One; and Nadja Fidelia, managing director, Lehman Brothers.
Michael Eric Dyson, renowned author and university professor of sociology, Georgetown University, and an ardent Senator Barack Obama supporter knocked the ladies who lunch off their pedicure feet like a fabulous shoe sale at Saks Fifth Avenue with his electrifying take on the Democratic presidential race.
Ironically, Michelle Obama, vice president, Community and external affairs, University of Chicago Hospital, and wife of presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, was honored last year. Dyson presented journalism awards to Robin Givhan, fashion editor, Washington Post; and Lyne Pitts, vice president, strategic initiatives, NBC News.
Founded in 2000, the Ebony Outstanding Women in Marketing & Communications luncheon was created to salute leading African-American women in the ever-changing fields of marketing and communications. Johnson Publishing wishes to thank their generous corporate sponsors including TV One (title sponsor), Luster Products, Alizé, Ariel Mutual Funds and CoverGirl Queen Collection.
And special mention to Marva Hicks who received a standing ovation after her soulful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Elder Karen Bernard delivered a spiritual message before a delectable Filet of Soul lunch topped off with the famous Cipriani chocolate cake. (Photos: Gerard Gaskin, Margot Jordan).
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter except by your permission." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
June 5: Guitarist Fred Stone of Sly and the Family Stone is 62. Singer Brian McKnight is 39.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Ledge Magazine is the nation's premiere HIV/AIDS awareness and lifestyle publication written by and for today's Black college students. For more visit www.LedgeMagazine.com.
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
June 5, 1956: Federal court ruled that racial segregation on city buses in Montgomery, Alabama violated Constitution. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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