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12-19-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
OBAMA DEFENDS WARREN PICK FOR INAUGURATION: Gay activists protest evangelical supporter of Prop 8 to deliver invocation.
*President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday addressed criticism from the gay community over his choice of evangelical minister Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.
Members of the gay community expressed outrage over Obama's decision to include the senior pastor of Saddleback Church in southern California, who opposes abortion rights and supported California's Proposition 8 - a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.
But Obama told reporters in Chicago that America needs to "come together," even when there's disagreement on social issues. "That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about," he said.
Obama also said he's known to be a "fierce advocate for equality" for gays and lesbians, and will remain so.
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization, said Warren's opposition to gay marriage is a sign of intolerance. "We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination," the group said in a letter to Obama, asking him to reconsider.
Obama, however, pointed out that a couple of years ago, he was invited to speak at Warren's church, despite their disagreements on a number of issues. The president-elect said a "wide range of viewpoints" will be presented during the inaugural ceremonies.
Obama's selection of Warren is seen as a signal to religious conservatives that the president-elect will listen to their views. During the campaign, Warren interviewed Obama and Republican John McCain in a widely watched television program that focused on religious concerns.
Warren had yet to comment on his selection as of press time, but according to Politico.com, he has tried in the past to blend personal tolerance with doctrinal disapproval of homosexuality.
"I have many gay friends, I've eaten dinner in gay homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church," he said in a recent interview with BeliefNet. In the same interview, he compared the "redefiniton of a marriage" to include gay marriage to legitimizing incest, child abuse, and polygamy.
TARAJI P. HENSON LEADS IN SAG ACTING NOMS: 'Button' star nets three, faces 'Doubt's' Viola Davis for 'supporting actress.' Rashad nominated for 'Raisin.'
*When the dust settled around nomination announcements for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, it was Taraji P. Henson who went home with more nods than any other individual - earning three for her roles on both the big and small screen.
The Washington D.C. native picked up a supporting actress nomination for her "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," a second nod as part of the film's ensemble, and a third nomination as a member of TV's "Boston Legal"
cast.
Henson will face Viola Davis of "Doubt" in the supporting actress category. The Roman Catholic drama leads SAG Awards contenders with five nominations, including honors for co-stars Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. Davis, like Henson, also earned a cast nod as part of "Doubt's" ensemble of actors.
"Frost/Nixon," "Milk" and "Slumdog Millionaire" also have nominations for overall cast performance.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards air Jan. 25 on TNT and TBS. For a complete list of nominations, click here: http://www.sagawards.org/PR_081218
EDDIE MURPHY REP DENIES 'BATMAN' RUMORS: UK tabloids claimed actor was to play Riddler in next film.
*A rep for Eddie Murphy is denying reports generated by Britain's Telegraph newspaper that the actor has been cast as The Riddler in the next Batman movie.
The tabloid also falsely claimed that Shia LaBeouf will play Robin, Rachel Weisz is up for the Catwoman role and that the movie "will end on a cliffhanger over whether Batman survives a blast at Wayne Towers."
Other rumors have had Angelina Jolie as Catwoman, Johnny Depp as the Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the Penguin in the next Batman film. But all of those reports are false, as casting has yet to even take place.
Alan Horn, the president of Warner Bros., told entertainment site Collider.com on Thursday that the storyline is the project's main priority right now, not the cast.
In other Batman news, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has announced that the lastest Batman film, "The Dark Knight," has sold over 1.7 million Blu-ray Discs worldwide, including over 1 million domestically - breaking records for 2008.
"The Dark Knight" is the best selling Blu-ray title in history and will become the best selling 2008 title overall this week. "The Dark Knight" is already the number one movie for the year on the iTunes 2008 Chart.
ARETHA FRANKLIN TO SING AT INAUGURATION: Full Jan 20 itinerary released; military presence to be high; Pastor Rick Warren protests begin.
*Aretha Franklin has been chosen to sing at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20, according to a full itinerary released Wednesday by his inaugural committee.
Also, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill will perform a new work composed by John Williams, who also provided music for Obama's election night rally in Chicago's Grant Park.
Others on the schedule represent a nod to Obama's election as the country's first black president. The Rev. Joseph Lowery, who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Martin Luther King, Jr., was scheduled to offer the event's benediction. Yale University professor Elizabeth Alexander will read an original poem for the Inauguration. The
2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist centers her poems and essays on race relations and social movements.
The Tuskegee Airmen, who made history during World War II as the country's first black military pilots only to return home to discrimination and exclusion from victory parades, have also been invited to Obama's inauguration.
Additionally, the itinerary will feature the U.S. Marine and Navy bands; and the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, said the day would be "an event of historic proportion. It is appropriate that the program will include some of the world's most gifted artists from a wide range of backgrounds and genres."
Gay-rights groups are protesting Obama's choice of prominent evangelical minister Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inauguration. While the decision was made as a conciliatory gesture toward social conservatives who opposed him in November, it is drawing fierce criticism among gay activists, mainly due to Warren's support of California's constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. [See related story in today's EUR.]
Warren, whose "Purpose Driven Life" books and lectures have made his church among the largest in the country, remained publicly neutral during the presidential campaign. He invited both Obama and his Republican rival John McCain to his Saddleback Church in Orange County for a forum on faith and public service.
Meanwhile, four million visitors are expected to visit the National Mall as Obama takes the noontime oath from Chief Justice John Roberts on the steps of the Capitol. Vice President-elect Joe Biden will take his oath from Justice John Paul Stevens.
Some 4,000 local police, 4,000 police from around the country and security detail from other government agencies will be on hand - all taking direction from the Secret Service. About 7,500 active duty military and 4,000 National Guard troops will also participate, including a contingent on alert to respond to a chemical attack.
RACIST OBAMA EMAILS ON ALASKA GOVT COMPUTERS: State investigates offensive jokes circulating among state accounts.
*Authorities in Alaska are investigating racist jokes about President-elect Barack Obama that have been circulating on state government e-mail accounts.
One of the five e-mails obtained by The Associated Press asks about the outcome of the Democrat's victory after all the time and money invested and concludes: "Another black family living in government housing!"
State officials were unaware of the e-mails until asked about them by the AP. Three of the racist messages were confirmed by the state's information technology division after an electronic search of the government's e-mail system, Administration Commissioner Annette Kreitzer said Wednesday.
"It's embarrassing to the state," she said, adding that she alerted the office of Gov. Sarah Palin -- the failed Republican vice presidential candidate -- about the e-mails. Bill McAllister, Palin's spokesman, said in an e-mail that the matter concerned individual actions taken by a handful of state employees among thousands.
"My understanding is that the Department of Administration is following up on this with the individuals who took action to forward the offensive e-mails," he said. "This is, of course, a confidential personnel and disciplinary matter that has nothing to do with the governor's office."
Officials were not releasing the names or positions of workers involved. It appears the original e-mails were sent to state employees from outside the state system, but some state employees forwarded them.
One e-mail, with the subject line of "Night Befo Crizzmus," was forwarded dozens of times, Kreitzer said.
The personnel files of state workers who circulated the jokes will be examined for a pattern of similar behavior, Kreitzer said. Discipline will be determined by past behaviors and could range from diversity training to letters of reprimand, she said.
IS J.LO'S MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE?: Rumors fly after actress is seen without wedding ring and husband spotted flirting with another woman.
*A rep for singer Marc Anthony is denying a flurry of rumors suggesting his marriage to Jennifer Lopez is at a "breaking point," as one gossip rag put it.
Reports of trouble in paradise began when Us magazine posted a story online this week noting that J.Lo attended a movie premiere without her 8-carat diamond engagement ring, her wedding band - or, for that matter, her husband.
The story came in the wake of reports earlier this month that Anthony was spotted flirting with a woman at two New York City nightspots.
The singer was also reportedly seen in Las Vegas this month without his wedding band.
But Anthony's rep said Wednesday that reports of a rough patch between the two are false.
"They are doing great," his spokeswoman Blanca Lasalle told Newsday. "Any comments implying that they are having problems and that Marc behaved in a questionable manner while out with friends last week are absolutely false."
A spokeswoman for Lopez co-signed, stating of the couple: "They are fine."
Us magazine's story quoted a "close pal of Anthony's" who claimed "He's very, very controlling of her. The skirts aren't as short. You don't see so much of that booty anymore."
The magazine also reported that Anthony picks out Lopez's clothes and keeps tabs on her phone calls. But Lopez - who once claimed she "loved getting his opinions" - has become less interested in his approval since the birth of their twins, Max and Emme, the magazine said.
"She walks in from work, washes her hands and grabs the babies," a "longtime friend" told Us. "With him, it's almost like, 'Ugh, they're crying again?'"
WILL AND JADA GIVE AWAY LOTS OF MONEY: Tax returns show just how much the couple donated to charity last year.
*Will and Jada Pinket Smith have deep pockets when it comes to charities. Tax returns for their foundation show the couple gave $1.3 million in donations last year to a variety of religious, civic and arts groups, reports Fox411's Roger Friedman.
The columnist wrote Wednesday: Smith's biggest single contribution was, as usual, Yesha Ministries of Philadelphia. He gave the born-again Christian based organization run by Reverend James Robinson a whopping $250,000. That's a hefty raise from the $140,000 he gave them the previous year. Another $200,000 went to a Christian ministry outside Los Angeles called Living Waters.
He also gave a combined $122,500 to the Church of Scientology, broken into these donations: $67,500 to the New York Rescue Workers Detoxication Fund, $50,000 to the group's Celebrity Center in Hollywood and $5,000 to ABLE, another Scientology offshoot. Smith and his wife have also supported a private school called New Village Academy they opened this fall in suburban Los Angeles that uses Scientology learning concepts.
The star of movies like "Hancock," "I Am Legend," and the upcoming "Seven Pounds" also donated thousands of dollars to a Los Angeles mosque, other Christian-based schools and churches, and to the Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Center in Israel. And though Smith is not featured in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," he also sent $25,000 to the Progeria Research Foundation. Progeria is a disease that causes rapid aging.
SIMMONS' VISA RUSH CARD REACHES MILESTONE: Deposit mark climbs to all-time high of $2 billion.
*In the midst of a global economic downturn, Russell Simmons' prepaid Visa RushCard has managed to reach the two billion dollar mark in deposits - an all time high for the five-year-old venture.
The RushCard allows members to track their transactions online while including debt reducing strategies and restrictions to prevent overdrafting or over use. It allows people with bad credit to build up good credit.
"I'm personally very happy that RushCard is benefiting and empowering people exactly as it was intended," said Simmons in a statement. "In America today, no one should be left out or kept out of having access to the American Dream and financial services which a bank account or credit card provides to others. The fact that we have already helped our members manage
$2 billion in transactions proves that RushCard is instrumental in providing access to those services that hundreds of thousands of people may not otherwise have."
The online Spend Tracker and the RushPATH to Credit are new programs added by Simmons that make it possible for users to report their regular payment history to participating consumer credit reporting agencies while still easily tracking expenses.
Simmons expressed hope for the future saying, "As we celebrate this major accomplishment, we look forward to the day all Americans have the financial access and dignity they deserve."
GABRIELLE UNION TALKS ABOUT GHANA TRIP: Actress helped raise awareness of breast cancer as Komen ambassador.
*Gabrielle Union stopped by NPR this week to discuss her recent trip to Ghana as part of an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness.
The actress, currently starring in "Cadillac Records," serves as a Global Ambassador with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Circle of Promise program.
Her trip to Ghana was part of an effort to combat the disease that disproportionally affects a relatively young population in Ghana. Girls as young as 16 have been diagnosed with the disease.
"The biggest thing is just reaching out to survivors and dispelling myths," Union said, describing the purpose of her trip. "As much as I hate rumors and gossip in the United States, they don't kill me."
"We actually dedicated a hospital that, among other things, is geared towards improving breast health in terms of early diagnosis, which leads to early treatment, which leads to a greater chance of survival," she said.
Listen to Union's full interview with "News & Notes" host Farai Chideya here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=98338282&m=98338271
CONNOR CRUISE READY FOR HIS CLOSEUP: Tom Cruise's son makes big screen debut today in 'Seven Pounds.'
*The boy who plays a young Will Smith in today's opening of "Seven Pounds" is none other than Connor Cruise, the 13-year-old African American son of another Hollywood titan, Tom Cruise.
The small, non-speaking role is Conner's big-screen debut, and comes six days before his father opens nationwide in the WWII film "Valkyrie."
Tom Cruise said driving his son to audition for "Seven Pounds" was a "great father-son moment," but the audition was more difficult. Cruise and Smith, who are good friends, were in the room when director Gabriele Muccino ordered them to leave.
Said Cruise: "(Muccino) looked at me and Will, and Will and I were like, 'How's he doing?' And the director just said, 'Out!' So we were standing in the hall for about half an hour or something, wondering, 'What's going on in there? What's happening?'"
But Connor, one of two children from Cruise's marriage to Nicole Kidman, ended up booking the gig as young Ben Thomas, Smith's character, in the movie.
NAACP FINDS LACK OF DIVERSITY ON TV: New report says major networks have dropped the ball.
*A new report from the NAACP finds that major TV networks need to do a much better job of including minorities, both on- and off-screen, reports the Associated Press.
Some ten years after the civil rights group labeled the lack of diversity on broadcast TV a "virtual whiteout," a new report shows the future could be even less inclusive because of a failure to cultivate young minority stars and to bring minorities into decision-making positions, NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said.
"This is America: So goes TV, so goes reality. We don't think it's any accident that before we had a black president in reality, we had a black president on TV," he said, referring to the chief executive portrayed by Dennis Haysbert on Fox's "24."
A "critical lack of programming by, for or about people of color" can be traced in part to the lack of minorities who have the power to approve new series or make final creative decisions, said Vicangelo Bulluck, executive director of NAACP's Hollywood bureau.
The NAACP's report calls on networks to revive a 2000 agreement with networks to diversify the ranks of actors, writers, directors and executives. It also seeks to establish a task force with network executives, the NAACP and other civil rights groups.
The report also floats the idea of political action if progress is lacking, including a boycott against an unspecified network and its major advertisers or class-action litigation against the networks and parent companies.
Of particular disappointment, Jealous said, is the course charted by the CW, born of the defunct UPN and WB networks that had featured a number of black-oriented series including "Moesha" and "The Steve Harvey Show."
"Those two networks provided an opportunity for young talent of color in this town. ... They merged into a network which appears to have systematically cut programming targeted to communities of color," Jealous said.
The CW's lineup includes predominantly white shows "Gossip Girl" and "90210," although it also airs the black sitcoms "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game."
The four major broadcast networks have made "important strides" in increasing diversity, the new NAACP report said, including filling lead roles with actors such as Haysbert, starring in CBS' "The Unit," and Laurence Fishburne, now on CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
However, using figures compiled by the networks and industry guilds, the NAACP found a less rosy picture overall. The number of minority actors in prime-time shows has remained flat or even dipped in recent years, decreasing from 333 in the 2002-03 season to 307 in 2006-07, according to the report. The number of minority writers working during the 2006-07 season was 173, a drop from the 206 employed during the previous season, the report said.
Reality programming has dampened employment prospects for minority actors and writers, as it has for whites, but shows like "Survivor" and "American Idol" do offer a benefit: They are likely to be more diverse in casting than most scripted series, the NAACP noted, providing a truer national portrait.
TIGER SAYS BUM KNEE IS HEALING 'ON SCHEDULE': Golfer aims to return sometime next year following surgery last summer.
*Tiger Woods held his first press conference in 184 days Wednesday at California's Sherwood Country Club, covering everything from his rehab to his improbable U.S. Open victory at Torrey Pines, reports the Associated Press.
Six months after reconstructive surgery on his left knee to repair a ruptured ligament - his third surgery in six years - Woods said he was right on schedule to return.
"I've just been training and trying to get healthy enough to compete next year," Woods said. "Everything has been right on schedule. I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Woods will be hosting the Chevron World Challenge this week at Sherwood, a tournament he won last year by seven shots. The last meaningful shot he took before surgery was a tap-in for par on the 19th hole in a Monday playoff at the U.S. Open, a victory that even Woods finds hard to believe. He played that week with the torn ligament and a double stress fracture, and spoke about a left knee with so much swelling at night that he couldn't see his kneecap.
"As I've progressed through my shorter clubs, hitting fuller shots, you remember what it was like when you hit a full shot," he said. "And for me, the last time I really hit a full shot was at the Open. It didn't feel very good."
Woods had surgery a week after the U.S. Open, missing the final two majors won by Padraig Harrington, a Ryder Cup that produced a rare U.S. victory, and the emergence of Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas as potential challengers when he returns. He missed the competition, but saw plenty of benefits from the time away.
"On one level, it's been absolutely something I'd never want to do again," Woods said. "And on another part, it's been just the greatest time in the world. Training every day, it's been a little rough at times, but getting through it. But being able to spend time at home with Sam and watch her grow, it's something I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do."
ADELE TO EXTEND STAY IN U.S.: British soul sensation adds nine-show run in March to current tour.
*Grammy-nominated singer Adele has added dates to her US tour, which now includes a nine-show March run through the states and a May 5 stop in New York City. (An updated itinerary is included below.)
The British soul singer has already performed sold-out concerts in Somerville, MA; Washington, DC; Philadelphia; and Chicago, according to Live Daily.
Initial press surrounding Adele hailed her as the next Amy Winehouse, but critics have deemed the up-and-comer a more mature singer with wisdom beyond her years. Adele cites influences ranging from a diverse group of artists including Etta James, Jill Scott, Bjork, Dusty Springfield, Billy Bragg, Billie Holiday, Jeff Buckley, The Cure and Peggy Lee.
"I taught myself how to sing by listening to Ella Fitzgerald for acrobatics and scales, Etta James for passion and Roberta Flack for control," the performer explained in her bio.
Between tours, Adele will be in Los Angeles for the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards ceremony, where she's in the running for Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance trophies.
The nominations add to the many kudos surrounding the 20-year-old singer's Columbia Records debut, "19," which shot to the top of UK album charts in January and climbed to No. 11 on The Billboard 200 following its summer release in the US. The lead single, "Chasing Pavements," is holding a Top 20 spot on the Hot Adult radio chart after 22 weeks.
Here is Adele's updated tour schedule:
January 2009
14 - Somerville, MA - Somerville Theater
16 - Philadelphia, PA - Theater of the Living Arts
17 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
19 - Chicago, IL - Park West
20 - St. Paul, MN - Fitzgerald Theatre
22 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Murray Theatre
26 - Seattle, WA - Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room
27 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
29 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre 30 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
March 2009
9 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
10 - Scottsdale, AZ - Martini Ranch
12 - Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
14 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
15 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theatre
17 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
18 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
20 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
21 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
May 2009
5 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom
SOULJA BOY WASHES MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP: Rapper says he quit swearing to become a better role model for young fans.
*Rapper Soulja Boy Tell 'Em says he has promised to stop spitting curse words in his music so that he can be a proper role model to his young fans.
The "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" hitmaker, whose real name is DeAndre Ramone Way, says he made the decision to cut profanity from his rhymes after realizing that the bulk of his fan base consists of impressionable adolescents.
"Over the past few months, I've had a chance to meet a lot of my fans face to face and it made me realize that I got a large fan base of kids that look up to me," he said, according to WENN. "I have a greater responsibility to the kids that want to be like Soulja Boy (and) I need set a positive example for them."
ITTY BITTY BITS: Beyonce back atop Billboard; Ludacris, Whitaker Critics Choice presenters; BMF member sentenced; Ledisi on Steve Harvey.
*Beyonce climbs back to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," trading places 2-1 for a second time in recent weeks with T.I.'s "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna. "Ladies" is also No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for a fifth frame. The Hot 100's top debut is Jamie Foxx's "Just Like Me" featuring T.I. at No. 75. Foxx's new album, "Intuition," was released this week by J.
*Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and Forest Whitaker were among the list of presenters announced Thursday for the 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards, to be held Thursday, Jan. 8. The ceremony will broadcast live on VH1 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). The largest film critics' organization with more than 200 members in the United States and Canada on television, radio and the Internet, the BFCA selected nominees for awards in each of 17 categories. The Critics'
Choice Awards were created to recognize excellence in cinematic achievement.
*A man prosecutors call a "senior member" of the Black Mafia Family has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for cocaine conspiracy, reports Georgia's WJBF.com. Fleming Daniels of Roswell, Ga., was also fined $10,000 for his role in moving hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into Atlanta, Detroit, and other points. Prosecutors say Daniels, 35, distributed over 50 kilograms valued at more than $1 million. He is the first of 16 defendants indicted in Atlanta to go to trial. Eleven entered guilty pleas. Three others are in custody and one is a fugitive.
*Tune in to the Steve Harvey Morning Show today to hear Ledisi discuss her new holiday album "It's Christmas." The two-time Grammy nominee can also be heard nationally this weekend on PRI's Tavis Smiley Show. Ledisi is currently wrapping up her national holiday tour, playing two shows at BB King's in New York tonight (12/19) and stopping in Philadelphia tomorrow
(12/20) and in Annapolis the 22nd and 23rd. In this video, Ledisi describes her favorite holiday memories:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bme1ImmDHeA
NATION'S FIRST BLACK REPUBLICAN MAYOR DIES: Highland Park's Robert Blackwell served in the 1960s and 70s.
*The first black Republican mayor to take office in the United States has died, according to the Detroit Free Press.
At press time, funeral arrangements were pending for Robert Blackwell, who died Tuesday in Highland Park, Ill following a long illness. He was in his 80s.
Blackwell served as mayor of Highland Park for two different stints in the '60s and '70s. First elected in 1968, he was a flashy character as well known for keeping the city afloat as he was for holding news conferences in the topless go-go bar next to city hall, reports the Detroit Free Press.
Born in Meridian, Miss., Blackwell came to Highland Park in 1950 after graduating from Howard University in Washington with a degree in chemistry. He was a production planner for Chrysler and served three terms as president of his UAW local.
He entered the political arena as a Republican in the 1960s, and was appointed executive secretary of the state Labor Mediation Board by then-Gov. George Romney in 1963. He ran unsuccessfully three times for the U.S. House of Representatives and in 1965 was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Highland Park City Council.
Blackwell was elected mayor in 1968 and became the only black Republican mayor in the nation.
OPENING THIS WEEK: Kam's Kapsules: Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
For movies opening December 19, 2008
by Kam Williams
BIG BUDGET FILMS
Gran Torino (R for pervasive profanity and ethnic slurs, and violence) Clint Eastwood directed and co-stars in this unlikely-buddy drama about a recently-widowed, Korean War veteran who begrudgingly befriends his Asian-American, next-door neighbor (Bee Vang) after the troubled teen tries to steal his classic muscle car. Cast includes Brian Haley, Christopher Carley and John Carroll Lynch.
Seven Pounds (PG-13 for mature themes, sensuality and disturbing content) Will Smith stars in this tale of redemption about a guilt-ridden widower who opts to perform seven acts of kindness for perfect strangers before committing suicide. Ensemble cast includes Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Barry Pepper and Michael Ealy.
The Tale of Despereaux (G) Family-oriented, animated adventure about a big-eared mouse (Matthew Devereaux) challenged to summon up the courage to save a beautiful princess (Emma Watson) kidnapped by an evil rat (Dustin Hoffman). Voice cast includes Frank Langella, Sigourney Weaver, Christopher Lloyd, Kevin Kline, Richard Jenkins, William H. Macy, Tracy Ullman and Stanley Tucci.
The Wrestler (R for violence, nudity, sexuality, profanity and drug use) Mickey Rourke plays the title role in this character-driven drama about a washed-up pro wrestler who comes out of retirement despite suffering a heart attack for one last match against his old nemesis (Ernest Miller). Supporting cast includes Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood and Judah Friedlander.
Yes Man (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, crude humor and brief nudity) Jim Carrey comedy about a guy in a self-help program which has him answering "Yes" to every question for a year. With Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper and Sasha Alexander.
INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS
The Brothers Bloom (PG-13 for violence, sensuality and brief profanity) Crime caper about a couple of aging con men (Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo) hoping to retire by swindling a fortune from a New Jersey heiress (Rachel Weisz). With Robbie Coltrane, Rinko Kikuchi and Nora Zehetner.
Moscow, Belgium (Unrated) Belgian sit-dram about a middle-aged mother of three (Barbara Sarafian), abandoned by her husband (Johan Hildenbergh) for one of his college students, who finds herself falling for a 29 year-old truck driver (Jurgen Delnaet) after a fender bender. (In Dutch with subtitles)
Nothing but the Truth (R for profanity, slight sexuality and one violent scene) Shades of the Judith Miller-Valerie Plame case in this political potboiler about a newspaper reporter (Kate Beckinsale) held in contempt of court for refusing to reveal her sources after outing a CIA Agent (Vera Farmiga). With Angela Bassett, David Schwimmer, Alan Alda and Matt Dillon.
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (Unrated) Bio-pic about a reclusive musician from Ohio who moved to England in the mid-Sixties where he is credited with influencing the work of such British rock stars as Sting, David Bowie, Radiohead and Brian Eno.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"What a curious phenomenon it is that you can get men to die for the liberty of the world who will not make the little sacrifice that is needed to free themselves from their own individual bondage." — Bruce Barton
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Dec. 19: Actress Cicely Tyson is 75. Singer Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire is 67. Actress Jennifer Beals is 45.
Dec. 20: Singer JoJo is 18.
Dec. 21: Actor Samuel L. Jackson is 60. Singer Betty Wright is 55.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
This Atlanta-based site connects shoppers and buyers to fashion, jewelry, accessories and beauty must-haves (www.ApparelOnlyAuctions.com)
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Dec. 19, 1891: Charles Randolph Uncles became the first black priest ordained in the United States on this day in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dec. 20, 1870: Allen University, Benedict College and LeMoyne-Owen College established.
Dec. 21, 1865: South Carolina issues one of the first set of black codes "to regulate the relations of persons of color." Among the codes included those of illegal interracial marriages, master apprentice relations and service contracts. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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