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04-30-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
FIRST LADY AMONG PEOPLE'S 'MOST BEAUTIFUL': Michelle Obama on tally with Halle and Brangelina.
*Michelle Obama has made People magazine's new list of 100 most beautiful people, joining other first-timers Robert Pattinson and Kristin Stewart of "Twilight," Nick and Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers and "Slumdog Millionaire" star Dev Patel.
In the annual issue due on newsstands Friday, the First Lady said, "I had a father and a brother who thought I was beautiful, and they made me feel that way every single day. I grew up with very strong male role models who thought I was smart and fast and funny, so I heard that a lot. I know that there are many young girls who don't hear it. But I was fortunate."
Also included in a "Barack's Beauties" section were White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and others.
Breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate, the 37-year-old star of ABC's "Samantha Who?," appears on the issue's cover. Also making the list this year are ol' standbys George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Halle Berry.
ASHANTI TO STAR IN WIZ REVIVAL: Singer will make her stage debut this summer in New York.
*R&B star Ashanti will ease on down the road to her first theater role this summer in a New York-staged revival of "The Wiz."
The Grammy winner will star as Dorothy in the African American version of L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz," which begins in June as part of the "Encores! Summer Stars" series at New York City Center.
According to Playbill News, Ashanti got her first taste of a theatrical Oz when she led a performance of Stephen Schwartz's "Defying Gravity" from Wicked as part of the The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken concert on Broadway last fall. She previously appeared as Dorothy in ABC's "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz," a television special in 2005.
Tony-nominated In the Heights director Thomas Kail and his Tony-winning collaborators, Andy Blankenbuehler (choreographer) and Alex Lacamoire (musical director), will stage the Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz June 12-July 5. The production officially opens June 18.
TYRA TESTIFIES AGAINST ALLEGED STALKER: TV host took the stand Wednesday, saying he made her fear for her safety.'
*Tyra Banks testified Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of stalking her for months until his arrest last year near the Manhattan building where she tapes her daily talk show.
Sporting a sleeveless, form-fitting tan dress, Banks testified in Manhattan Criminal Court that she was terrified when she learned Brady Green had entered the building on March 18, 2008.
"I was about to leave and a bunch of people from my staff were saying, like, 'No, you can't leave.' They said he was in the building," Banks testified, according to the Associated Press.
Banks said that her staff had previously shown her Green's photograph, told her he had threatened one of her employees and was "somebody I should watch out for."
When police arrested Green at a McDonalds near Banks' studio, the former Sports Illustrated cover girl said, "I told them I was scared. I didn't know what to do. How do I live my life when I leave this building? I had never experienced anything like this before."
The 38-year-old Dublin, Ga. native told police that he had come from Los Angeles on a bus to see Banks and that "we had a thing together."
Green is charged with misdemeanor stalking, harassment and criminal trespass. He is accused of repeatedly calling Banks' studio, in addition to showing up there, and sending her flowers and letters. He faces up to 90 days in jail if convicted by Judge James Burke, who is hearing the case without a jury.
Banks was described as "calm and smiling frequently" while on the stand. She said her security "has changed significantly" because of Green, including a boost in security staff around her and her workplaces.
She said her studio audiences are vetted more thoroughly, and she keeps security guards around her at all times, even when she runs and exercises outdoors. She said that even though she is a public person, "I don't live that kind of sheltered, protected life. I like to walk around."
Assistant District Attorney Sean McMahon asked Banks whether Green's behavior made her fearful.
"I don't fear for my life," the TV host said. "I fear for my safety. I fear for the safety of my staff and for my family. And I fear for the safety of people in my vicinity, who I'm with."
On cross-examination, Green's lawyer, Jeffrey Berman, portrayed his client as an overly zealous fan of talk shows in general and Banks in particular. He noted that Banks' Web site encouraged fans to write to her. Berman's questions also stressed that Green never tried to contact Banks at her homes, never contacted her family and never asked her to marry him.
RIHANNA GETS HER BORROWED JEWELS BACK: Companies waiting on return of seized bling can now calm down.
*A Los Angeles judge ruled Tuesday that Rihanna can reclaim her $1.4 million in borrowed jewelry that was taken by police as evidence the night she was allegedly beaten by Chris Brown.
Her lawyer Donald Etra said after the hearing that the ruling will allow Rihanna to return the items, described as a pair of earrings and three rings, to the companies that lent them to her for a pre-Grammy party on Feb.
8.
The 21-year-old singer's attorney had requested a judge's order for the items' return, but an agreement was reached Wednesday morning. Prosecutors said they would have the jewelry photographed for evidence if it is needed at a trial.
Brown wasn't in court in Los Angeles Wednesday, but could face a preliminary hearing where a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial. He is currently charged with felony assault and making criminal threats.
SEARS DENIES ENDING LL CLOTHING LINE: Web site reported that poor sales led to demise; retail chain says it's not true.
*After a Web site reported that LL Cool J's clothing line at Sears was being shut down due to poor sales, a spokesperson for the retail chain released a statement claiming they are still very much in business with the rapper.
Wooha.com, a site "where hip hop meets business," reported Tuesday that a source in the apparel buying department at Sears "exclusively revealed to us that the LL Cool J clothing line is indeed shutting down due to a lack of sales and forced cutbacks from the recession."
On Wednesday, the Web site posted an update to the story, saying a Sears spokesperson had finally issued a response "after many attempts of trying to reach them directly."
In denying the report, their official statement said, "Sears values its partnership with LL Cool J and will continue its commitment to providing the LL Cool J collection to its customers, both in-store and online. The collection is characterized as affordable, iconic apparel for the family and represents an important breakout brand in Sears’ wide assortment of tees, denim and hoodies."
Wooha.com still stands by its original story of the line being shut down, stating, "Our source still says it’s true and it sure wouldn’t be the first time that company public relations says one thing but their own staff says another."
ROKER TO 'WAKE UP' AT WEATHER CHANNEL: 'Today' personality books morning program for sister network.
*As if his three hours on the "Today" show, and chunks of time spent hosting various programs on the Food Network weren't enough, weatherman Al Roker has just added another daily program to his schedule.
The forecaster has joined NBC's sister network Weather Channel to host "Wake Up With Al," a daily program that will air from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. EST beginning in the summer.
This means Roker will have put in work on his Weather Channel show for an hour before joining Matt Lauer, Meredith Viera and Ann Curry for "Today" from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The Weather Channel says "Al" will originate from New York and Atlanta, where Roker's co-host, Weather Channel meteorologist Stephanie Abrams, is based.
NBC is owned by General Electric Co. The Weather Channel is part of the Weather Channel Companies, which is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital.
LIL WAYNE SUES PRODUCER FOR SAMPLING: Rapper takes action after folk singer sued him for copyright infringement.
*Lil Wayne has filed a lawsuit against the producer of his track "I Feel Like Dying" for allegedly sampling another singer's work without permission.
The move stems from a copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the rapper last year by folk singer Karma-Ann Swanepoel's, who claimed the track used portions of her song "Once" without permission.
Weezy's lawsuit, filed last week by his lawyers, says Rebel Rock Productions Inc., of Coconut Creek, Fla., produced "I Feel Like Dying" and was responsible for obtaining any necessary licensing agreements, reports the Associated Press.
Last month, a federal magistrate ordered Lil Wayne to turn over financial records for his Grammy-winning album, "Tha Carter III," to Urband & Lazar Music Publishing, which published "Once."
"I Feel Like Dying" isn't a track on "Tha Carter III," but a lawyer for Urband & Lazar argues that Lil Wayne promoted the album by singing that song in concert and allowing fans to download it for free on his Web site.
MAXWELL BACK IN 'BLACK' ON JULY 7: Date marks release of his first album in eight years.
*Coming right along with the dog days of summer will be the cool falsetto sounds of R&B crooner Maxwell, whose new album "BLACKsummer'snight" finally arrives in stores on July 7.
The nine-track Columbia Records set, the first installment of a planned trilogy, was recorded with a ten-piece band. The first single, the lullaby-like "Pretty Wings," was released Tuesday.
Other tracks include the regretful "Bad Habits," a mid-tempo number with big horns and layered voice-overs; "Cold," about a cold-hearted lover; and the jazz-like "Stop The World," with heavy guitars and kick drums, reports Billboard.com.
The artist, who is scheduled to headline the main stage of the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on July 4, will be taking his new music on the road with a major North American tour in support of BLACKsummers'night.
Cities along Maxwell's 2009 tour route will include Milwaukee (Sat-June 20), Seattle (Tue-June 23), Vancouver (Wed-June 24), Las Vegas (Fri-June 26), Los Angeles-BET (Sun-June 28), Phoenix (Mon-June 29), Austin (Wed-July 1), San Antonio (Thu-July 3), New Orleans (Sat-July 4), Nashville (Sun-July 12), Louisville (Mon-July 13), Columbus (Wed-July 15), Cleveland (Thu-July 16), Pittsburgh (Sat-July 18), Buffalo (Sun-July 19), Albany (Tue-July 21), Atlantic City (Fri-July 24), Foxwoods (Sat-July 25), Norfolk (Mon-July 27), Savannah (Tue-July 28), Tampa (Thu-July 30), Miami (Sat-August 1), and Orlando (Sun-August 2).
Maxwell's last album, 2001's "Now," has sold 1.8 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
ESPN'S '30 FOR 30' FILMS DETAILED: Subjects of hourlong docs include Iverson's incarceration; Jordan's baseball attempt; Tyson/Tupac friendship and more.
*ESPN Films announced 10 additional directors for its upcoming "30 for 30" film project, which calls upon 30 filmmakers to each create one-hour films on topics from 1979 to 2009, ESPN's first 30 years.
Included is director Ron Shelton's "Jordan Plays Baseball," about NBA legend Michael Jordan's attempt to launch a professional baseball career after retiring from basketball in 1993; "The Trial of Allen Iverson" from "Hoop Dreams" director Steve James" and Reggie Rock Bythewood's "One Night in Vegas," about the friendship between Mike Tyson and Tupac Shakur and the events at Tyson's 1996 fight that led to the rapper's shooting death.
[Scroll down for further details.]
Also newly on board is Bill Couturi, who tells the story of the 1989-90 basketball season at Loyola Marymount, the year Hank Gathers tragically died on the court, in the film "The Gurus of Go."
The other filmmakers recently added to the "30 for 30" projectinclude Peter Berg, Brett Morgen, Bill Couturi, Fritz Mitchell, Jonathan Hock, Jeff Zimbalist and the duo of Lucas Jansen and Adam Kurland.
They join previously announced "30 for 30" participants: Peabody Award winner Dan Klores (King of the New York Streets), two-time Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple (The Steinbrenner Family Business), Academy Award winner Barry Levinson (And the Band Marched On), Academy Award nominee Albert Maysles (Muhammad and Larry), two-time NBA MVP and first-time filmmaker Steve Nash (Terry Fox), Academy Award nominee Mike Tollin (Who Killed the USFL?), Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman (The U) and two-time Academy Award nominee Spike Lee (TBD).
FUNK FLEX VS. INTERSCOPE: Hot 97 DJ announced boycott of label; station downplayed it as 'entertaining radio that went too far.'
*New York radio station Hot 97 is denying statements from its popular DJ Funkmaster Flex claiming he would no longer play records released by Interscope Records, the label home of Eminem, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre.
On his April 21 show, Flex called out Interscope executive Nino Cuccinello, saying, "New York I am talking to a person who makes decisions who does things up there, moving funny style. Nino is moving so bad. If you are anywhere in the tri-state area, I’m talking about people New York that control the music business and they control certain artists that they do not want you to see, but they want the pop stations to have. This is where I come in.”
According to Allhiphop.com, that’s when Flex apologized to Interscope executive Step Johnson and stated that he would not be playing any Eminem or Dr. Dre records.
But, Hot 97 Program Director E-Bro Darden said Flex’s statements were simply entertaining radio that had gone too far.
"We've never held back on a whole label's music," Darden told The New York Daily News. "And we won't.”
Darden stated that Hot 97 maintained good relationships with various labels and joked: “we had to muzzle Flex, ... people know a lot of what he says is showmanship, but that went too far."
NAOMI NOT DONE WITH THE RUNWAY: Supermodel denies reports that she's retiring to start a family.
*Supermodel Naomi Campbell is squashing reports that she has decided to step away from the catwalk for good in order to start a family.
The 39-year-old recently revealed that she longs for motherhood and one day plans to slow down her career, prompting speculation she wants to retire and settle down with tycoon boyfriend Vladislav Doronin.
She told reporters last year, "It'll be 25 years (as a model) next year. In terms of fashion shows, I don't really see myself doing every show everywhere. I'm a woman and I'd like to be a mother one day."
But Campbell insists she's not ready to quit just yet. Her spokesperson tells WENN, "She's absolutely not retiring from fashion. She loves what she does for a living and she's not planning to retire."
HAMILTON, SOULCHILD TEAM FOR SUMMER TOUR: R&B singers to hit 17 cities beginning May 28 in Houston.
*R&B stars Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild will head out on the road together this summer for a co-headlining tour in support of their new albums.
The 17-city trek begins with a May 28 date in Houston and dips for an extended run in the South before wrapping late June in Charlotte. [Scroll down for details.]
Recent Grammy winner Hamilton continues to support his December release, "The Point of it All," which is his sixth studio effort and the follow-up to 2007's "Ain't Nobody Worryin'."
Soulchild, whose real name is Taalib Johnson, is promoting his latest release, "Onmyradio," which also surfaced in December. Several tunes from the set, including the lead single, "Radio," are streaming at Soulchild's MySpace page.
The following is their tour schedule:
May 2009
28 - Houston, TX - Reliant Arena
29 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Live
30 - Southaven, MS - DeSoto Center
31 - St. Louis, MO - Fox Theatre
June 2009
4 - Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theatre
6 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre
11 - Columbus, OH - Palace Theatre
12 - Detroit, MI - Opera House
13 - Chicago, IL - Arie Crown Theater
16 - Newark, NJ - New Jersey Performing Arts Center
18 - New York, NY - WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden
19 - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
21 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion
25 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre
26 - Augusta, GA - Bell Auditorium
27 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall
28 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
FANTASIA TO JOIN CHICAGO'S COLOR PURPLE: Plus, tour to roll through Houston, Birmingham, Miami, Orlando, Austin, Omaha and other states.
*Fantasia Barrino will stay with the national tour of the Tony-nominated musical The Color Purple when it leaves Washington D.C. for its September stop in Chicago.
Producers announced in March that the "American Idol" winner would reprise her Broadway performance as Celie for the show's summer engagement at the Kennedy Center in D.C., June 30-Aug. 2. It has now been announced that the actress will remain with the tour for the Chicago run at the Arie Crown Theater, Sept. 2–13.
The tour has also announced dates in Houston, TX (Aug. 18-23); Birmingham, AL (Oct. 20-25); Miami, FL (Oct. 27-Nov. 1); Orlando, FL (Nov. 3-8); Austin, TX (Jan. 12-17, 2010); Omaha, NE (March 16-21, 2010); Grand Rapids, MI (March 30-April 4, 2010) and Ft. Lauderdale, FL (April 6-18, 2010).
Tickets for the Chicago engagement of The Color Purple begin sale May 1. For tickets phone (800) 745-3000, or visit Ticketmaster.com. For further information visit www.colorpurple.com.
BEYONCE PRANK PULLED IN VIENNA: Radio station hires lookalike to walk around and fool fans.
*A radio station in Vienna, Austria hired a Beyonce lookalike to visit various locations in the city as a prank while the real singer was in town to perform in concert.
Kronehit radio said they also sent the double shopping and arranged an exclusive tour of the Albertina art museum, the broadcaster confirmed to Web site Earth Times. Austrian media had speculated at first that Beyonce herself had hired the lookalike, who was followed around Tuesday by deceived fans.
The station had a woman call the museum claiming to be Beyonce's manager and asking for a tour within half an hour. In the past, movie stars Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Nicolas Cage had visited the Albertina for hastily arranged special visits.
"Her face was extremely similar, but her body was totally different," said Verena Dahlitz, the museum's spokeswoman said of the Beyonce imposter, after her initial suspicion had been confirmed.
A marketing manager at Kronehit radio explained that the station had hired a German singer and model for the prank.
CALL HER EXECUTIVE VP MC LYTE: Rapper tapped to run artist development for Dubose Music Group.
*DuBose Music Group has announced the hiring of rap veteran MC Lyte as Executive Vice President of its burgeoning music entity.
The recording artist and writer will be tasked with shepherding DMG's talent acquisitions and artist development, according to a statement released by the company.
"Lyte is a rap music icon and music scholar with a wealth of industry connections and an extensive knowledge of urban music," said James DuBose, CEO of DuBose Entertainment. "With Lyte at the helm, DMG is perfectly positioned to usher in the next generation of artists and influence a new generation of music fans."
As her first major deal since joining DMG, Lyte announced the signing of Tenille Johnson, a 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Atlanta who has already completed recording several tracks for her debut album.
"At DMG, we will provide artists like Tenille a platform to showcase their talent and to grow into bona fide R&B superstars," said Lyte. "I'm thrilled to be working with DuBose to bring soul music to music lovers young and old."
Lyte, herself, will release her new CD "The Second Coming" through DMG later this year.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Marvel vs. Howard; Lathan's new role; McRaney joins Red Tails; Snoop's alleged victim.
*Marvel Studios is defending itself against an attack last week by Terrence Howard, who was iced out of reprising his Jim Rhodes role in "Iron Man 2" and replaced by Don Cheadle. Howard said the studio made a "very, very bad choice" by not allowing him to return. But a studio rep told Page Six, "Marvel did not have a contractual obligation to use Mr. Howard. We merely had an option which we chose not to exercise." The rep added, "Filming is well under way on 'Iron Man 2,' and we are all very pleased with the entire cast and their onscreen dynamic."
*Sanaa Lathan gave the New York Daily News a little preview of her new gig - the upcoming "Family Guy" spinoff "The Cleveland Show." While attending the Tribeca premiere of "Wonderful World" she told the paper's Gatecrasher column: "I'm the voice of Cleveland's wife. He's always trying to have sex with her, but she won't have it. It's hilarious!" Added the
actress: "I got my inspiration from 'The Honeymooners.'"
*Gerald McRaney has joined the cast of Lucasfilm's "Red Tails," starring Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding, Jr. as WWII pilots in the true story of the Tuskegee Airmen. McRan 583 Park Ave. with a live performance by Niki J. Crawford, reports the New York Post. Damien is the son of Nadia Wayans, a sister of Keenen Ivory, Damon, Kim, Shawn and Marlon Wayans.
*Reverend Al Sharpton and his National Action Network are calling on folks to join him in Washington on May 16 to protest new "federal education test results that show the racial achievement gap remains large." Sharpton, along with La Raza and Education Equality Project, will meet at the White House Ellipse on the National Mall to kick off a campaign to close the racial achievement gap. Civil rights leaders, mayors and elected officials, clergy and former Speaker of The House Newt Gingrich will speak at the event. So far, people from over 20 states and 35 cities have signed up to attend, according to NAN.
*A press conference for a series of animated cartoons celebrating the first 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency will be held in New York today at 11 a.m. in the Tivoli Suite of the Jumeirah Essex Hotel (160 Central Park South). "Barack Obama Supterstar: The Untold Story," from CFC Consulting, "takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the phenomenon of global popularity of the president. … The cartoons offer a fresh and witty look at the secret formula of this extraordinary man's success and shed a comical light on some of the lesser known sides of Mr. Obama's private and public
583 Park Ave. with a live performance by Niki J. Crawford, reports the New York Post. Damien is the son of Nadia Wayans, a sister of Keenen Ivory, Damon, Kim, Shawn and Marlon Wayans.
*Reverend Al Sharpton and his National Action Network are calling on folks to join him in Washington on May 16 to protest new "federal education test results that show the racial achievement gap remains large." Sharpton, along with La Raza and Education Equality Project, will meet at the White House Ellipse on the National Mall to kick off a campaign to close the racial achievement gap. Civil rights leaders, mayors and elected officials, clergy and former Speaker of The House Newt Gingrich will speak at the event. So far, people from over 20 states and 35 cities have signed up to attend, according to NAN.
*A press conference for a series of animated cartoons celebrating the first 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency will be held in New York today at 11 a.m. in the Tivoli Suite of the Jumeirah Essex Hotel (160 Central Park South). "Barack Obama Supterstar: The Untold Story," from CFC Consulting, "takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the phenomenon of global popularity of the president. … The cartoons offer a fresh and witty look at the secret formula of this extraordinary man's success and shed a comical light on some of the lesser known sides of Mr. Obama's private and public life," according to CFC. For more information, visit http://www.mupotoon.com.
EUR FILM REVIEW: State of Play
Crowe and Mirren Co-Star in Action-Oriented, Political Potboiler
Film Review by Kam Williams
*At one point Barack Obama had decided to take the high road by not holding any members of the outgoing Bush administration accountable for war profiteering via no-bid contracts, for torturing terror suspects in violation of the Geneva Conventions, for outing a CIA agent or for other high crimes and misdemeanors, shouldn’t Hollywood be prepared to forgive all those transgressions, too?
This is the question likely to cross your mind while watching State of Play, a flick with a fairly transparent, political agenda posing as an edge-of-your-seat thriller. The movie is basically a thinly-veiled indictment of elected officials who put their services up for sale to the lobbyists offering the biggest bribes.
At first blush, the plot sounds like a rehash of the Chandra Levy affair, the case of the intern murdered while she happened to be the mistress of married, Democratic Congressman Gary Condit. For here, we have Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) who has been secretly carrying on a clandestine affair with a young assistant named Sonia Baker (Maria Thayer).
The film unfolds in spectacular fashion with a couple of slayings on the streets of the Capital by a cold-blooded assassin (Michael Berresse) wielding a pistol outfitted with a silencer. Right on the heels of these killings, Sonia dies in the subway under mysterious circumstances which the coroner rules a suicide in a suspicious rush to judgment.
For some reason, a Washington Post-like newspaper called the Globe takes more of an interest in solving the whodunit than the police, and they certainly seem to have better sources and more resources at their disposal, which makes no sense. Anyhow, editor-in-chief Cameron Lynne assigns seasoned veteran Cal McAffrey and cub reporter Della Frye (Rachel McAdams) to head the investigation.
What naïve Della doesn’t know is that her partner was Congressman Collins’
roommate in college. What’s more, the two are still best friends, and Cal might be double-crossing his buddy by sleeping with his estranged wife, Anne (Robin Wright Penn). A big hint being in this regard arrives when Cal ruefully “Sex is the best way to ruin a friendship.” Well, at the very least, she’s been crying on his shoulder.
When Stephen is forced to own up to the illicit liaison with the late Sonia, he suddenly needs his spouse to “stand by her man” at every available photo-op. Of course, she’s reluctant, since she’s already over him and would rather be spending her free time with Cal.
Cal, however, is hot on the trail of the man he suspects to be behind all three deaths. For the deeper he digs, the rough and tumble reporter uncovers evidence that these were murders for hire to cover-up the connection of a company called Pointcorp’s efforts to get a monopoly on the impending $40 billion privatization of the Homeland Security industry.
If you haven’t noticed by now, a lot gets compacted when you attempt to distill the events contained in a BBC miniseries down to two-hours, which is what we have with State of Play, a conveniently-incestuous screen adaptation which crams in more than you probably care to chew cinematically. That being said, director Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland) definitely has a flair for the dramatic and a knack for keeping his audience perched on the edge of its collective seat, even if he tends to rely as much on distracting red herrings as on relevant plot developments to achieve that cattle-prod, over-stimulation effect.
As for the cast, Aussie Russell Crowe and Brit Helen Mirren steal the show, with Robin Wright Penn, Rachel McAdams, Harry Lennix, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis and Jeff Daniels turning in some decent support work. Only Ben Affleck hurts the production with another one of his trademark wooden performances which make it impossible to figure out what his character is thinking or
feeling.
A heck of a roller coaster ride, even if the rabbit-out-of-the-hat resolution is likely to leave you feeling cheated. Sometimes, getting there is all the fun.
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for violence, profanity, sexual references and brief drug use.
Running time: 127 minutes
Studi Universal Pictures
To see a trailer for State of Play, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHziENfOX34
EUR FILM REVIEW: Nursery University
Head Start Documentary Proves It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning for College
Film Review by Kam Williams
*If you think the competition is fierce to gain entrance to the country’s elite colleges, then you oughta get a load of the cutthroat tactics employed by parents of toddlers to get their little monsters into the country’s exclusive pre-schools. That’s right, pre-schools.
Nursery University, directed by Marc Simon, follows four couples and a sixty-something single-mother of twins as they endeavor to get their tykes admitted to one of New York City’s top preschools where tuition can be as high as $40,000 a year, matching the cost of an Ivy League education.
Why so expensive? $40,000 may seem like a lot to pay so your kid can have the privilege of finger-painting around other privileged tykes, until you realize that these nurseries are now seen as feeder schools for the Ivies.
Furthermore, the alternative is clearly unacceptable in the minds of the members of this stuffy set. Typical of their attitude were the words of a well-heeled white woman who looks like she has never set foot in the ‘hood who, without a shred of shame, whines, “We’re not going to have him go to a public school in Harlem” when speaking about her precious, 3 year-old.
There are about 15 applicants for every available spot, and as one proud papa puts it, “Pre-school is the first step into getting your child into the college of your choice.” The tension mounts during the family interviews when the directors, principals, teachers and administrators size up each candidate to determine whether he or she exhibits sufficient promise to cut the mustard in their program.
The parents’ anxiety levels peak in anticipation of March 6th, the day on which all the pre-schools simultaneously send out their acceptance and rejection letters. And just as with the college process, you don’t want to get any thin envelopes in the mail.
Still, there’s something a little disgusting about pitting toddlers versus other toddlers academically, even if they’re too young to understand what the fuss is all about. What’s next, an SAT test for newborns? A riveting expose’ of what looks an awful lot like child abuse in the name of quality education.
Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 90 minutes
Studi Variance Films
To see a trailer for Nursery University, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aESkMeVksvs
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: 40 Nights of Great Sex
*My first thought when I saw Dr. Stacy Spencer’s new book “Naked and Unashamed” was, “wait a minute. A Christian minister preaching about sex?” My second thought was, “why not?” Heathens aren’t the only ones that like to swing from the chandeliers; quiet as its kept Christians enjoy sex just like everyone else. Moreover, good sex is a natural and important part of a good marriage and good marriages are one of the foundations of Christian life.
The book grew out of a “40 Nights of Great Sex” bible study program begun by Spencer, Senior Pastor of the New Direction Christian Church in Memphis Tennessee, and his wife of 16 years, Rhonda. The couple looked into the Christian community and saw marriage – God’s first church – in trouble. The high divorce rate in our country is a well publicized statistic. What is less well known is that, depending on the poll, the divorce rate among practicing Christians is as high as that of non Christians. Christians are also seeing rising rates of adultery and indulgences in pornography. Spencer felt a calling to restore the sheen to Christian marriage and started the workshop as a way to begin healing relationships by providing couples a safe place to talk honestly about intimacy within the covenant of marriage.
I imagine I am not the only Christian that is not used to hearing pastors preach about sex from the pulpit, at least not in the candid way Spencer does. I am far more familiar with the sin and hellfire preaching. You know: “good girls don’t and they certainly don’t enjoy it when they do.” Or “Good men don’t have thoughts like that and they certainly don’t act on them, least ways not without some self flagellation afterward.” There are surveys revealing that in 76 percent of Christian homes sex is never even discussed. Is it any wonder that when men and women of faith come together and attempt to live the partnership God has set aside for us we are thwarted at every turn by insecurities, shame and guilt?
Not all marriages that fail are sabotaged by sexual dysfunction. But certainly for married couples in trouble (and even those that are not) breaking down the barriers to true intimacy, shedding the sense of being nasty or dirty and opening the channels to honest and open communication with our partner can be the road to a healthy relationship inside and outside of the bedroom. And if Christians are going to be successful in marriage we had better begin to have some real talk about sex and the role it plays in Gods plan for marriage.
You will not find the traditional religious sterility on the pages of this book. Spencer uses scriptural references to lay a theological foundation for the expert advice that follows. He spends time exploring the difference between intimacy and sex, the purpose of marriage and the natural tensions that arise between genders. There is also plenty of frank and often quite explicit discussion of sex and sexual relations.
Hebrews 13:4 speaks of the marriage bed as being undefiled. Scripture is also very specific on what God considers to be sexually perverse. So as long as it’s not illegal, immoral or prone to put one or both participants in traction as they say in the vernacular, “it’s on!” Oral sex? You bet. Anal penetration? If everyone is willing. Toys? If that’s what makes your ears wiggle. The marriage bedroom is a place for healthy, loving exploration, communication and most of all fun.
It is this quest for wholeness in marriage that is at the heart of Spencer’s book; a desire for couples to begin to say no to the twin demons of shame and facade and instead say yes to God, yes to each other, yes to openness and true intimacy. Most of all Spencer writes to remind us that sex is a natural and enjoyable part of human life and an essential element in building a solid marriage.
Spencer ends the book with the promise of “40 nights of great sex” -- a tall order to fill. However, even if the book only delivers on half the promise, that’s three weeks of great sex. Nice work if you can get it. I suspect however, that whether newly married or rediscovering the passion that brought you together so many years ago “Naked and Unashamed” will be a terrific guide in unwrapping Gods gift of sexual and emotional intimacy in Christian marriage.
Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.
BETWEEN THE LINES: President Barack Obama’s First 100 Days: Is The President’s “Probation” Period Over?
Anthony Asadullah Samad
*The benchmarks in which we in America seek to establish “acceptance” in the labor force generally comes without much fanfare. New hires commonly have 90-day, sometimes six- month, probation periods that affirm ones competency and synergetic fit in the workplace. Now, we’ve seen probation periods before. We generally see them come and go. But never has there been such a pronounced announcement of a new President’s first 100 days as that of President Barack Obama. The funny thing about America is that anything that we know is racial, if we were to state it, would be met with adamant denial. But this first 100-day thing is one of those things. It started at day two. Never has 100 days meant so much.
I swear, I ain’t never seen a President on probation before — but Obama definitely was. It was like some people (like maybe some disillusioned party that controls most of the airwaves) expected to wake up and find the country gone or something. For previous Presidents, it was like a simple benchmark. For President Obama, it’s an evaluation — a report card, a formal grade on not just how he’s done but if he’s won (over the American public). Like the first time he won was a fluke or something. Surely, after 100 days on the job — once the American people found out he was all talk — Obama-mania would certainly be over, we could let Joe Biden take over and government could get back to duping the public. There was almost this expectation that President Obama wouldn’t be up to the task of leading the nation and the world. He’s exceeded their expectations, if fairly judged. The 100 days was an artificial benchmark to wage early criticism.
Okay, so let’s just pretend that he wasn’t up to task. It’s only 100 days, in a depressed economy. Most of America spend their first 90 days learning their new positions. What’s the big deal? The last President served eight years on training wheels having stole an election, botched two wars, a natural disaster and buried the economy. He never “got it” and still didn’t get as much “is he in over his head” critique as Barack has gotten. The Obama administration is proven much more apt from the start. Certainly much more transparent. Obama couldn’t have been as clandestine as Bush because then that wouldn’t be “change.” And they’d be afraid he was giving the country away (as some of them have said). It doesn’t matter how high a brotha’s position is, he still has someone looking over his shoulder on a right regular basis. President Obama did make a lot of promises (242 by Tavis Smiley’s count). He had to. People were looking for a reason not to vote for him. Hope and change wasn’t enough. But did they really expect him to get it done in 100 days? I mean, really? President Obama probably hasn’t been in every room in the White House in 100 days. He’s probably still trying to learn the names of every one of the 600 people that work at the White House. Doesn’t matter. Probation is probation. You either know or you don’t.
President Obama has proven he knows his job. He’s passed an economic stimulus package, a budget, closed Guantanamo Bay, reployed troops to Afghanastan, announced a withdraw time table for Iraq, got the dog—let’s not forget about the dog, as the press acted like the dog was for them and then they criticized for not adopting one. When the brotha turned left, they said he should have turned right. When the brotha tried to be positive and upbeat, they said he smiled too much during these tough economic times—he should be more somber. When he wants to meet world leaders, he shouldn’t meet with this one or shake that one’s hand. Hell, they all wanted to meet him. They still can’t believe it. The media was worried about the Obamas touching the Queen. The Queen wanted to touch them to see if this wasn’t a dream. They know America and this new episode of American history is still a little shocking to everybody. Watching CNN or MSNBS (I confess, I don’t watch Fox) everyday, you just shake your head at how President Obama calmly deals with all that's coming at him. Yet, each news service has that little “First 100 Days” in the corner of their screen, a subliminal message that infers Obama’s “probation period,” and a persistent reminder that “we're watching you, Negro,” so don’t make any friends with rogue leaders, suspected terrorists, communists, civil rights activists, labor leaders, same sex marriage proponents, socialists, environmentalists and of course, integrationists. The suggestion is that he just be a caretakers for the office, get the economy on track and get the nation over this change thing. Plus make good on all those promises you made, without spending any money… in the first 100 days. Then, maybe President Obama, those who want you to fail will let you off probation. What’s next, the first 200 days? 300 days? 400 days?
You know they will extend a probation period on a brotha. Let’s just say what others won’t. Great first three months, President Obama. Now, on to the first 1,000 days.
Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D., is a national columnist, managing director of the Urban Issues Forum (www.urbanissuesforum.com) and author of the book, Saving The Race: Empowerment Through Wisdom. He can be reached at www.AnthonySamad.com
GLENN'S STRATEGIES FOR WELL-BEING: Plain Talk about Swine Flu and Vaccines
*Like everyone else, the past few days of news have been filled with reports and stories about the “Swine Flu”. We seem now to hear talk about the Flu year-round in recent years. Whether the topic is seasonal influenza, bird flu or something called a pandemic, everyone seems to be searching for answers about how to avoid them all. One of your best defenses is to understand them.
In the continuing spirit of attempting to empower people with the ability to improve or maintain quality lives, here is some information that may be helpful.
The flu, more scientifically known as influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. The influenza virus usually enters the body through mucus membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus then becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby.
According to the CDC, about 5% to 20% of Americans get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and about 36,000 people die.
Viruses, like the ones responsible for the Flu, are strange things that straddle the fence between the living and the non-living. On the one hand, if they're floating around in the air or sitting on a doorknob, they're harmless. They're about as alive as a rock. But if they come into contact with a suitable plant, animal or bacterial cell, they spring into action. They infect and take over the cell like pirates hijacking a ship. Viruses exist for one purpose only: to reproduce. To do that, they have to take over the reproductive machinery of the host cells.
Viruses are so small in fact, that the largest virus is equal in size to the smallest bacteria. One cell can be used to create thousands of new, mature viruses. They work fast as well. In fact, the fastest virus only needs 24 minutes to invade a cell and release new virus particles.
Recently, the CDC reported an April outbreak of swine influenza originating in Mexico and appearing in California and Texas. Influenza epidemics may occur at any time, but they are more likely in the winter and early spring. Typically, April and May are not true large epidemic outbreak months. Nevertheless, as of April 24, 2009 there have been a total of over 1,004 cases in Mexico with 20 deaths.
Each year there are new strains, new vaccines and new fears of influenza. Medicine has produced definitive vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, smallpox, chickenpox, hepatitis, and even papilloma viruses. Yet, there is no single effective vaccine for influenza. The CDC recommends that, “In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting influenza can get vaccinated.”
While a number of research studies have demonstrated that flu vaccination works, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary from year to year and among different groups of people. The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on at least two things:
1) The age and health status of the person getting the vaccine and
2) The similarity or “match” between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation.
There are three main types of flu virus, and each type can mutate, or change, from year to year. Thus, there are literally thousands of possible strains. (Each strain is thoroughly analyzed and given a name, often a title associated with the place where it was initially discovered.) Every year health officials produce a new flu vaccine containing three mutated strains of flu virus. To determine which strains to use, US officials, at the beginning of the year, assess circulating flu viruses around the world. They try to guess which strains will reach the United States by the end of the year. Production begins, and the new vaccine is usually available by October, in time for the beginning of the “Flu season”.
Influenza viruses are designated as type A, B, or C. Influenza A and influenza B viruses are responsible for most outbreaks of the flu. Influenza A viruses usually cause more extensive and severe outbreaks. While type B viruses affect only humans, influenza A viruses affect many different species (humans, birds, pigs, horses, even dogs). Influenza C viruses result in mild respiratory illnesses and are not believed to cause flu outbreaks.
The flu vaccine traditionally contains two or three inactive or “dead” viruses (out of a possible 200 flu strains) that were prevalent the year before. But, since these strains are constantly changing, vaccinations are only partly successful in preventing outbreaks of the disease. In other words, medical science is constantly playing catch-up, hoping that last year’s strains match those in circulation this year.
So what do you need to know about how can you protect yourself?
You should seek medical attention if have a fever of 102 or if you feel very sick. Swine flu has flu-like symptoms of lethargy or muscle aches or pains. And no, previous flu shots do not provide any protection from this disease. No matter how many times in your life before that you’ve had the flu, that doesn’t provide any protection, either.
That’s one of the many reasons everyone is so concerned about this strain.
Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible!
The information in this column is not intended to replace medical advice form your doctor or health provider.
Glenn Ellis is a Health Advocacy Communications Specialist, and author of "Which Doctor?: What you need to know to be Healthy."
E-mail at info@glennellis.com
For more good health information, visit: www.glennellis.com
AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: THE LINKS
Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc. Celebrate 60th Anniversary Easter Luncheon And Fashion Show; Event Honors Marian Wright Edelman, Carla Harris, Judith Jamison and Hilton O. Smith; Links Ring NASDAQ Closing Bell
By Audrey J. Bernard, Lifestyles/Society Editor
*The festive, pre-Easter Greater New York Links 60th Anniversary Easter Luncheon and Fashion Show -- A Diamond Celebration of Sisterhood & Service – took place on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at Chelsea Piers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Over 900 women dressed in their finest Easter outfits attended the event and had a great time. Adding to the grandeur of the event was the superbly smooth entertainment provided by LaChanze, Ghanniyya Green and Les Kurtz Jazz Ensemble.
This year Greater New York Links honored Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund; Carla Harris, managing director, Morgan Stanley; Judith Jamison, artistic director, Alvin Ailey America Dance Theater; and Hilton O. Smith, senior vice president, Turner Construction.
Fashion director/editor, coordinator, judge and commentator Walter Greene presented `Diamond Life,' a salute to Greater New York Links’ 60th Anniversary. The fashion show was the best ever! Greene’s fashion savvy of presenting the individual designers at the end of each show was totally engaging and refreshing.
Another touch of fashion know-how was including the Connecting Links – spouses and significant others of Link members -- in the fashion show. The men – who added a personal touch -- almost upstaged the show.
Designers featured in “Diamond Life” included Tracey Reese, Christopher Hunte, Simply Gretta by Gretta Wallace, Stephen Cutting, Menswear by Theo Courtnay New York and Sixxfotta by Anita Watkins.
Link Gerri Warren-Merrick served as chairperson and Links Sydney Avent, Evette Beckett-Tuggle and Dr. Marcella Maxwell served as co-chairs. Other participating Links in the program included Rev. Dr. M. Elaine Flake, Gwendolyn B. Lee, Ph.D., Bishetta D. Merritt, Ph.D., Vivian Fox and Virginia Arrington.
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of 12,000 professional women of color in 270 chapters located in 42 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
Greater New York Chapter was established in 1949 and consists of members from all five boroughs and Long Island. Minta P. Spain, M.D., is the present president of the Greater New York Chapter, The Links, Incorporated; and Linda Zango-Haley is the past-president (2002-2006).
Proceeds from the Easter Luncheon and Fashion Show benefit the programs of the chapter. The chapter continues to work with the students, staff and principal at the John B. Russwurm School (PS 197) to enhance the overall educational services provided to students via fun and interactive activities such as:
The American Heart Association’s Jump Rope For Heart Program; The Greater New York Links Healthy Heart Essay and Poster Art Contest; Project Walking Fete: Make Health a Habit; Teaching with the Masterpieces 'Met in the Classroom'; The Sixth Grade Girls Mentoring Circle; and Adopt-A-UN Mission.
The Chapter also sponsors several free public programs: Free Heart Healthy Seminars at Macy’s, including cooking demos and health screenings; A Women’s Resource Center and free health screenings at North General Hospital and around Harlem; Free international interactive seminars on diabetes management with the UWI in Jamaica, partnering with the American Diabetes Association; and The award-winning “Witness Project” a free breast cancer awareness and education project.
This is one busy group of women and something very special happened at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, as some of the distinguished members of The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc. were on hand for the ringing of the NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell adding yet another milestone to their pristine reputation.
The closing bell formal procedure is reserved for important triumphs and other celebratory occasions. To that end, this special ringing of the bell celebrated The Greater New York Chapter’s 60th anniversary.
The special observance was a proud prelude to the Chapter’s pre-Easter Luncheon and Fashion show that is held annually on the Saturday before Easter to raise funds to benefit the many deserving programs and organizations they support.
“The Greater New York Chapter was one of the earliest chapters of The Links, Inc. and as such we have a long rich history,” stated chapter president Dr. Minta P. Spain. Our programs and those of our fellow Chapters have impacted the lives of countless men, women and children all over the world.”
Millions more people will now know about the revered African American female organization and the remarkable work it does for underserved people as the famous NASDAQ closing bell has experienced an increased viewership due to an interest in the economy and financial news.
“We thank the NASDAQ for providing us the honor of closing the market today,” stated Dr. Gwendolyn B. Lee, national president of The Links, Inc. “This event presents a fabulous opportunity for us to generate awareness about our programs and the impact that we have here in New York, as well as nationally and globally.” (Photo Credit: Audrey J. Bernard and Margot Jordan)
Audrey J. Bernard is an established chronicler of Black society and Urban happenings based in the New York City area.
THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Columbia Records new artist Angel Taylor releases debut CD; ASCAP Pop Music Awards honors Ann and Nancy of Heart and Wyclef Jean; and Film director Tim Greene travels across the country speaking on the simplicity of film making in the 21st Century
By Eunice Moseley
Columbia Records releases Love Travels by singer/songwriter Angel Taylor
*Columbia Records newest Pop sensation, Angel Taylor, is promoting her debut album Love Travels and will arrive in Baltimore Sunday, May 17, 2009 at the Sonar (407 E. Saratoga Street). The album is something new, though clearly Pop. Angel brings Pop music back down to earth with her laid-back personality.
My mom named me, Angel said of her name when asked of its meaning. I grew up listening to Christian music. Taylor said when she did listen to secular music it would normally be the Temptations or Aretha Franklin.
I started singing in church. In the fifth grade I was in a Christian concert. I got serious at 14, 15 or 16. People started noticing my voice and said get that voice on a CD! I met a producer and said I just want to get my music on a CDand he signed me. We flew to New Yorkit took me four months (to get signed to Aware/Columbia Records).
The music Angel is talking about you will find on her debut CD Love Travels, a melting pot of Pop style songs that are well written, as if from a storyteller. Taylor wants the listeners to come away knowing she is just a normal person and not some performer that is untouchable.
Anything is possible, she said for those wanting that one in a million record deal. Look at my situationwhen you are not looking for something it happens.
My favorite songs on the Love Travels debut CD of Angel Taylor are Maple Tree, the feel takes me back to my days as a child on my grandfathers farm; Make Me Believe, a true Pop classic; Too Good for Words, Dont Forget Me in Time, and Chai Tea Latte, named after her favorite Starbucks drink. The album was produced by Mikal Blue.
Learn more about Angel Taylor at www.AngelTaylorOnline.com.
ASCAP Pop Music Awards honors Ann and Nancy of Heart and Wyclef Jean
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) paid honor to the achievements of Ann and Nancy of Heart with the ASCAP Founders Award and Wyclef Jean with the ASCAP Creative Voice Award at their recent 26th Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards in Hollywood. Performers included Jesse McCartney, OneRepublic, Natasha Bedingfield, Mikal Blue, Jason Reeves and Kara DioGuardi.
While on the red carpet I asked Ann and Nancy of Heart how their classic songs (Crazy on You, Magic Man, Hear
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