06-04-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT AGAINST BRANDY SETTLED: Singer to pay $300,000 each to children of woman killed.
*A settlement has been reached in the wrongful-death lawsuit brought against Brandy on behalf of the children of the woman killed in her December 2006 multi-car collision.
According to documents obtained by E! News, the kids—Mrwan and Kareem Mohamed—will each receive $300,000. The boys, who were then 15 and 11, were in the family's Toyota Corolla when it was struck by Brandy's Land Rover, killing their mother, Awatef Aboudihaj.
Still pending are three other suits filed against the artist: one by the victim's husband and the boys' father, Marouane Hdidou, who has turned down a $1.2 million settlement offer; another $50 million claim by Aboudihaj's parents; and a third by another man, Donald Lite, who sustained "serious and permanent injuries" in the smashup.
Brandy, meanwhile, has sued another motorist involved in the crash, accusing Mallory Ham of negligence and blaming her for causing the chain-reaction pileup.
The California Highway Patrol recommended a misdemeanor manslaughter charge be brought against the singer-actress, but prosecutors opted not to press charges due to lack of evidence.
WE REMEMBER KOKO TAYLOR: Blues singer dies after complications from surgery.
*Less than a week after Koko Taylor's camp issued a statement saying she had undergone successful surgery to correct gastrointestinal bleeding, the legendary blues singer has died due to complications from the procedure.
She was 80.
Taylor died on Wednesday, according director of publicity for her record label, Alligator Records, which made the announcement. Known as "Queen of the Blues," Taylor had her surgery on May 19 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and doctors had anticipated a full recovery.
Her last live performance was May 7 at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, where she was honored as Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. After receiving the award, she performed her signature song, "Wang Dang Doodle."
"The passion that she brought and the fire and the growl in her voice when she sang was the truth," Blues singer and musician Ronnie Baker Brooks told the Chicago Tribune Wednesday. "The music will live on, but it's much better because of Koko. It's a huge loss."
Taylor's career stretched more than five decades. While she did not have widespread mainstream success, she was revered and beloved by blues aficionados, and earned worldwide acclaim for her work, which including the best-selling song "Wang Dang Doodle" and tunes such as "What Kind of Man is This" and "I Got What It Takes."
STEVIE'S SON ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Keita Morris busted by LAPD following 911 call from unidentified woman.
*Stevie Wonder's son Keita Morris was arrested by Los Angeles police early Monday on charges of felony domestic violence.
According to TMZ.com, a 911 call was made by an unidentified woman claiming a verbal argument she was having with Morris had gotten violent.
"We're told when cops arrived they noticed marks on the woman and took Morris into custody," the Web site reported.
Morris, Wonder's son from former girlfriend Yolanda Simmons, was held on $50,000 bond, which he posted later Monday morning.
TARAJI P. HENSON JOINS 'KARATE KID' REMAKE: Actress to play mother of Jaden Smith's character.
*Taraji P. Henson has joined the cast of "The Karate Kid" remake for Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment, reports MTV News.
The actress, who received an Academy Award nomination for her role in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," will play Sherry, the mother of Jaden Smith's character Dre.
As previously reported, the updated version will feature Dre as a young kid who finds it difficult to fit in at his new school in China where he and his mom relocated due to her job.
Jackie Chan plays Mr. Han who teaches Dre martial arts.
KIMORA TWEETS NAME OF HER BABY: Son with Djimon Hounsou will bear the name Kenzo Lee.
*She Twittered from the delivery room over the weekend, so it's only natural that Kimora Lee Simmons would announce the name of her newborn son with boyfriend Djimon Hounsou via the micro blogging service as well.
“Welcome into the world Kenzo Lee Hounsou,” the model-turned-fashion mogul posted on Wednesday.
The Baby Phat CEO's third child weighed in at 8 lbs. and measured 20 inches long, she said.
Kenzo joins Ming Lee, 9, and Aoki Lee, 6 ½, Kimora's daughters with ex-husband Russell Simmons. He is the first child for "Amistad" star Hounsou, 45.
GABRIELLE UNION HAS HAD IT WITH BOSSIP: Actress threatens lawsuit after blog posts anonymous letter from 'nameless pro-athlete's wife.'
*AOL Black Voices blogger Jawn Murray says Gabrielle Union is planning to sue gossip Web site Bossip for printing an anonymous letter from a "nameless pro-athlete's wife" alleging an affair.
Murray spoke to a friend of the actress who said, "I want your readers to know that it's all completely false. Gabrielle will move forward with legal action against the writer and Bossip. All she asked for was a retraction and apology and to take it off their site, but they refused and now her goal is to make them pay! They straight up published a manifesto of a crazy person and they had to know it wasn't true."
The black blogosphere has been linking Union to various athletes and entertainers ever since her April 2006 divorce from NFL player Chris Howard. This latest Bossip story was apparently the last straw.
"If there was any truth to it, she would've just let it die," her friend told Murray, before adding, "But she's a black actress who really can't afford to sue but intends to go broke fighting this if that's what it takes."
SANAA LATHAN IN LONDON'S 'HOT TIN ROOF': Actress joins James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad in West End cast.
*Sanaa Lathan will join James Earl Jones and Phylicia Rashad in the London staging of Broadway's all-black production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," which premieres in the West End this fall.
Jones and Rashad both appeared in the 2008 Broadway run at the Rialto opposite Anika Noni Rose, who played central character Maggie the Cat.
Lathan will replace Rose in the London production.
Produced by Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones, the Tennessee Williams drama begins performances at the Novello Theater Nov. 21 ahead of a Dec. 1 opening. Debbie Allen reprises her directing duties on the show, scheduled to play through April 10.
AEG PUSHES BACK AGAINST MIJAC COMMENT: CEO says singer isn't exhausted at the mere thought of 50 shows – as he told fans this week.
*AEG Live president and CEO Randy Phillips is denying U.K. tabloid reports that Michael Jackson told fans he only wanted to play 10 London O2 Arena shows instead of the 50 that have been scheduled.
Jackson was widely reported to have told the gathered crowd outside of his Burbank rehearsal space, "I don't know how I'm going to do 50 shows. I'm not a big eater - I need to put on some weight." But UK newspaper The Sun went a step further and reported that Jackson also said he wanted to play only 10 O2 shows and then go on tour.
In a statement, Randy Phillips, president & CEO, AEG Live, said: "This is not true; Michael Jackson was thrilled at selling 50 shows. The size and scale of this show would not be possible without an extended run, which Michael has been fully on board with from the very beginning. He has not agreed to a world tour at this point, however, he can at any time."
The first four dates of the concert were recently pushed back so that the show will be completely ready, according to producers. The first night is now July 13.
DRAKE IN MAJOR LABEL BIDDING WAR: Universal Motown, however, is reportedly the closest to signing 'Best I Ever Had' rapper.
*Billboard is reporting that three major labels are salivating over Toronto-born rapper Drake at the moment in possibly "one of the biggest bidding wars ever," according to the magazine's sources.
The artist, currently signed to Lil Wayne's Young Money label, is said to be closing in on a deal with Universal Motown, a source close to the negotiations confirms. But Atlantic Records is also in the hunt, and the presence of Warner Music Group's CEO Lyor Cohen and COO Julie Greenwald at Drake's recent New York show further intensified speculation that WMG is also making a serious play.
Although another source says Universal is the in the lead, especially in light of the established relationship between Cash Money/Young Money and the label, another unnamed record compnay has allegedly offered the rapper $2 million dollars up front.
"Just know that whatever label we sign to it'll be because they'll add to what we've created on our own," Drake, who offers no clues about which label he'll choose to sign with, told Billboard.com last month. "I am very happy in my situation now, which is signed to Cortez [Bryant] and Gee Roberson at Young Money and management through 'Hip Hop Since 1978.' The most important thing for me is being around my team - they are stronger than any label."
NEW AMERIE VIDEO TO PREMIERE ON BET: 'Why R U' marks singer's return after two year hiatus.
*The video for Amerie's new single "Why R U," from her forthcoming Def Jam debut "In Love & War," will premiere on Monday, June 8 on BET's "106 & Park."
Born Amerie Mi Marie Rogers, the singer will join hosts Terrence and Rocsi to present the Ray Kay-directed clip.
"In Love & War," due in August, features production from Teddy Riley, Sean Garrett, Eric Hudson, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love and The Buchanans, who crafted the first single. So far, no collaborations have been officially announced, but, there are rumors that she will duet with Trey Songz on a remake of Mint Condition's 1991 hit "Breaking My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)."
Amerie, 29, signed with Def Jam in spring of 2008 after leaving Sony Records, which released her previous two albums (2005's "Touch" and the Europe-only disc "Because I Love It" in 2007). Her Columbia records debut "All I Have" featured her breakout single "Why Don’t We Fall In Love."
Her new single "Why R U" will be serviced to radio on June 15.
NICK CANNON UPSTAGES 'NYC HOUSEWIFE' RAMONA: Reality TV star upset when paps run from her toward him on red carpet.
*Ramona Singer, the hard-blinking cast member of Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City," got a reality check recently on just how big of a star she really is.
According to the New York Post, she was working the red carpet with her husband, Mario, at the Axe Lounge in Southampton when Nick Cannon showed up and proceeded to steal the spotlight.
"She started lifting up [her husband's] shirt and pawing him in a desperate attempt to get attention, but no one cared," a source told Page Six. "At one point she asked a publicist, 'Why are they taking his photo? I'm more famous than he is.'"
Singer managed to get a photo taken with Cannon before heading inside.
EMINEM'S HOTEL ROOM ROBBED: Plus, 'Relapse' album remains No. 1.
*While Sasha Baron Cohen was busy lowering himself onto Eminem's face at the MTV Movie Awards Sunday night, his Los Angeles hotel room was reportedly being robbed of several pricey items totaling thousands of dollars.
According to the New York Daily News, thieves made off with a $60,000 diamond necklace as well as the Detroit rapper's laptop computer.
His headline-grabbing LA trip did nothing to slow down the successful release of "Relapse," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 last week and continues in the top spot this week, on sales of 211,000 copies.
VH1 HIP HOP HONORS TO SALUTE DEF JAM: Annual October event will celebrate label's 25th anniversary.
*For the first time, VH1 Hip Hop Honors is scrapping its usual salute to groundbreaking rap artists and will instead give props to one of the genre's greatest brands – Def Jam Records.
The sixth annual event will celebrate the label's 25th anniversary with stars from the record company, as well as funny, painful and inspiring stories from its most renowned creators. The music, the influence and the artists from Def Jam's past and present will be recognized through performances in collaboration with some of today's hottest talent.
Hosted for the third time by "'30 Rock's" Tracy Morgan, the ceremony will tape from the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York, and air on VH1 Tuesday, October 13 at 9 p.m.
Performances and other video elements from "VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009" will be available on VH1.com and VH1 Mobile leading up to and following the on-air premiere of the show. Honoree profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more will be available on VH1.com this summer.
ALICIA KEYS TO RECEIVE ASCAP HONOR: Singer will get Golden Note trophy during 22nd Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.
*ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) will honor 12-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award during its 22nd Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.
The invitation-only event will take place on June 26, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles and will also honor the songwriters and publishers of the most performed ASCAP songs on the 2008 R&B/Hip-Hop, Rap and Gospel charts.
The ASCAP Golden Note Award is presented to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Past recipients include Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jay-Z, Quincy Jones, LL Cool J, New Edition and Lionel Richie.
"Since joining the ASCAP family at the age of 17, Alicia has grown into one of the most highly recognized and influential songwriter/performers of the past decade, whose artistry puts her in league with many of her musical idols," said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams. "We are especially proud to spotlight Alicia's extraordinary achievements by honoring her with ASCAP's Golden Note Award."
The Awards celebration will also feature a special presentation of ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year award to the songwriter with the most award-winning tunes of 2008. Past recipients of this top honor include 50 Cent, Johntá Austin, Mary J. Blige, Kandi Burruss, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Dr.
Dre, Jermaine Dupri, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Alicia Keys and Timbaland.
Special awards will also be presented to Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriter/performers.
50 CENT TESTIFIES IN LAWSUIT AGAINST ENGINEERS: Rapper said company lied about time and costs needed to fix up Conn. home.
*Dressed in a dark pinstriped suit and no tie, 50 Cent took the stand Monday in his lawsuit against BVH Integrated Services, the engineering firm he hired to inspect the Farmington, Conn. home when he bought it from Mike Tyson's ex-wife in 2003.
The company estimated it would cost about $500,000 to repair roofs, decks, driveways and renovate other parts of the property. But 50, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, said he ended up spending about $6 million on the job. His lawsuit is asking for BVH to pay for about $3 million.
"I would not have purchased the property with $1 million worth of work to do. To be honest I would not have purchased a house with $700,000 worth of damages," he testified, according to the New York Daily News. "I would have felt I was living in a construction site."
BVH attorney Michael Byrne said his client did not overbill and that 50 Cent wanted "extravagant and costly upgrades."
The 19-bedroom property - which was featured on MTV's "Cribs" - includes a recording studio and a nightclub that features a swing dangling from the ceiling. When the 48,000-square-foot property was up for sale in 2007, brokers said the rapper had added a helicopter pad, an infinity pool and spa with a grotto, a movie theater, and other extras.
As reported yesterday, the home has been taken off the market after 772 days because no one had met the asking price of $14.5 million.
HARPER'S BAZAAR FEATURES OBAMA LETTER: President joins with editor Liz Tilberis to underscore universal health care.
*Barack Obama is taking his fight for universal health care directly to the readers of fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar.
To underscore his mission, the president has written a special message calling attention to the cancer battle that claimed the lives of his mother as well as the magazine's former editor, Liz Tilberis.
"My mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 53," Obama says in Harper's Bazaar, "and in those last painful months she was more worried about paying medical bills than getting well.
"For millions of Americans, my mother's story is all too familiar. That is why we need health-care reform that guarantees affordable coverage for every American who wants it and prevents insurance companies from discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most."
Adds Obama, "We know this fight will not be easy, but we have gone far too long without necessary reforms to our health-care system. Now is the time to commit ourselves to waging a war against cancer as aggressive as the war cancer wages against us."
MICHAEL IRVIN SUED OVER TV SHOW: Three producers claim he took their idea and pitched it to Spike TV by himself.
*Retired NFL star Michael Irvin has been sued by three TV producers over allegations he cut them out of a deal for a new sports-based reality show.
The trio of producers, whose identities remain unknown, claim they had an agreement with the Hall of Fame receiver in 2007 to develop a show which gives wannabe football players the opportunity to play for the Dallas Cowboys in Texas.
But, according to a lawsuit filed in a Dallas court last week, Irvin later took the idea and presented it to network executives at Spike TV on his own - taking all the credit for the show and renaming it "4th and Long,"
reports TMZ.com.
The producers are seeking damages and compensation on the grounds of fraud, fraudulent nondisclosure and breach of contract.
HBFF TO SCREEN 'INSIDEOUT' DOCUMENTARY: Film uses prison inmates to warn against dropping out of high school.
*This year's Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) will screen InsideOut, a documentary currently being used in the nation's classrooms to combat the high school dropout rate.
Produced by the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation, the 26-minute film is scheduled for screening at the Festival on June 6 in Beverly Hills, California.
In the film, Mattie C. Stewart Foundation founder Dr. Shelley Stewart interviews prison inmates who hope to give others the chance they no longer have - to avoid the pitfalls of dropping out of school and not getting an education. All of the inmates in the film are either serving life sentences or life without parole.
"We never specifically set out to make InsideOut into an artistic work, so to speak. We meant for the movie to keep kids in school and out of jail, period," Stewart said. "But if it's true that the arts inspire us to greater heights, no matter what level we are in life, then let it be called the truest form of art."
"We are just amazed at the lives that are being changed as a result of this documentary in our nation's schools, along with the other teaching tools that come with our program," Stewart added.
The documentary comes complete with a teacher's guide and other materials that help bring the film's lessons home to students. The InsideOut program is currently being used in schools in 39 states across the country.
OBAMA BITS: Past marital strife; Eddie Murphy likes Michelle; Obama's Five Guys run; Conan O'Brien approved.
*More excerpts from Richard Wolffe's book about Barack Obama's presidential run continue to drip onto the Internet. The latest focuses on his rough patch with wife Michelle in 2000. "There was little conversation and even less romance," writes Wolffe in "Renegade: The Making of a President." "She was angry at his selfishness and careerism; he thought she was cold and ungrateful. She hated the failed race for Congress in 2000, and their marriage was strained by the time their youngest daughter, Sasha, was born. Politics seemed like a waste of time to Michelle." Wolffe, who covered Obama's campaign for Newsweek, tells TV show Inside Edition, "Today things are much better."
*During press for his new movie "Imagine That," in theaters June 12, Eddie Murphy admitted he has his eye on a new lady – although she's already taken by the leader of the free world. "I've been married, and for me to get married again, someone is going to have to be really exceptional," he told Extra. "An extremely exceptional lady is going to have to come around... a Michelle Obama type. She's taken, but Barack, you better act right!"
*TMZ.com has broken down the entire $72.40 cost of President Obama's most recent burger run to Five Guys restaurant in Southeast D.C. As seen on NBC's Tuesday night broadcast of "Inside the Obama White House," (which drew 9.1 million viewers to win its 9 p.m. time slot in the 18 to 49 demo), this was the president's entire West Wing order:
- Cheeseburger with mustard, tomatoes, lettuce, jalapeno (for Obama)
- Little cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, ketchup
- Bacon cheeseburger with mustard, relish, onion
- Little hamburger with lettuce and tomato
- Grilled cheese with everything
- Cheeseburger with mushroom, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard
- 2 reg cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup, pickles
- Cheeseburger with ketchup (for Brian Williams)
- 10 orders of fries
*Conan O'Brien's replacement of Jay Leno on the "Tonight Show" has gotten a thumbs up from President Obama. In a break from his sit-down with NBC's Brian Williams, Obama, who once told O'Brien he would pick him as his running mate, expressed confidence in the "transition between Leno and Conan," but warned there won't be a bailout plan for him if he messes up.
SPORTS BITS: Serena upset in France; Dungy and retired Harrison join NBC Sunday Night Football; T.O.'s house hunting woes.
*Both Venus and Serena Williams are now out of the French Open tournament. Serena, the defending champ, was sent packing in Wednesday's quarterfinal round by Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (3), 5-7, 7-5.
Williams, seeded second, was seeking her third successive major title and the 11th of her career. Gael Monfils also lost yesterday to Roger Federer
7-6 (6), 6-2, 6-4.
*Tony Dungy and newly-retired New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison are joining NBC's Sunday night NFL studio show "Football Night in America," the network announced. Dungy retired from the Indianapolis Colts after this past season to end a coaching career that included winning a Super Bowl title. Harrison, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, announced his retirement from the Patriots earlier Wednesday. Both men served as part of NBC's Super Bowl pregame coverage earlier this year.
*Terrell Owens can't find a home to rent in Buffalo because his reputation has preceded him. The incoming Bills receiver Twittered Tuesday night that he's "tripping about residents" who won't rent a home to him in Orchard Park because they "(don't) want any drama n their neighborhood!! LOL!!! Wow!!." T.O. had designs on renting a six-bedroom spot at 1 Deer Run in Orchard Park that's also for sale at $489,397. Real estate agent Bob Wozniak denies T.O.'s gripe, telling the Associated Press the player has yet to tour the home and that his clients are more than happy for the receiver to do so. "I don't know how it all got started," Wozniak said.
ITTY BITTY BITS: Wilson to announce Emmy nods; DMX due in court; Flesh out of jail; Winehouse 'wants black kids.'
*"Grey's Anatomy" star Chandra Wilson and "The Big Bang Theory's" Jim Parsons (Sheldon) will join Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman/CEO John Shaffner to announce the nominations for the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards. The trio will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET on July 16. Wilson has received three consecutive best supporting actress nods for her role as Dr. Miranda Bailey on the ABC drama. The Primetime Emmys will air Sept. 13 — a week earlier than originally planned — on CBS.
*DMX is due back in a Maricopa County, Ariz. court room Monday for sentencing on his felony attempted aggravated assault charges. Eight days after he was released from Arizona's Tent City Jail, he pled guilty to the charges on May 22 stemming from an incident in which he verbally threatened Tent City guards back in February.
*Stanley Howse, aka Flesh-n-Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, was released from a Los Angeles County jail on Tuesday after prosecutors decided to drop parole violation charges, reports TMZ. The rapper was arrested for gun and pot possession back in April. He was cleared of the gun and drug charges a while ago, but remained behind bars until the parole issue got sorted out. Flesh is scheduled to hit the stage with Bone in Los Angeles on June 26.
*In a rambling, drunken interview (at 9 a.m.) with a reporter from London's Daily Mail, Amy Winehouse was asked about her husband getting another woman pregnant while he was in rehab. She insisted she is “still in love” with Blake Fielder-Civil, but added, “I couldn’t have given him kids – and anyway I want black kids, not white kids.” The interview took place in St. Lucia, where her record label Universal is spending around $3300 a night for her and six handlers (at $410 a day) to stay in two villas (one equipped with a recording studio installed by Universal) in hopes that she’ll sober up enough to record the follow up album to her Grammy-winner "Back To Black."
EUR DVD REVIEW: Defiance
DVD Chronicles Real-Life Case of Jewish Resistance during the Holocaust
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*In 2006, Black Book put a provocative new spin on the Holocaust genre by featuring Jews as resistance fighters rather than in the generally-depicted role of passive victims of genocide.
Now, Defiance ups the ante by recounting the heroic exploits of a courageous band of guerillas who not only escaped from the ghettos of Poland but subsequently staged daring raids back into Nazi-occupied territory to rescue other imperiled Jews.
Led by the Beilski brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Asael (Jamie Bell), Zus (Lieve Schreiber) and Aron (George Mackay), the group established a base camp deep in the Nalibocka Forest of Belorussia, where 1,230 refugees from Hitler wrath would endure over two years of incredible hardship until they were liberated by the Russian Army in 1944.
During its existence, only about 150 of them participated in combat, since 70% were women, children and the elderly.
Based on the best seller of the same name by Nechama Tec, Defiance is an epic tale of Biblical proportions which explores a variety of universal themes ranging from vengeance to salvation. Although we find the intrepid protagonists pitted against the enemy and the elements in their desperate day-to-day struggle simply to survive, the picture also amply illustrates that they never lost touch with their humanity. So, we also see the Beilskis involved in relatively-mundane matters involving questions about family, love, loyalty and philosophy.
Unfortunately, despite decent acting jobs by the principal cast, the director’s decision to inject so much distracting personal drama into the production means the film suffers from an absence of the cinematic momentum necessary to generate the sort of palpable tension which made Black Book a hit. The upshot is that in Defiance we have a belated tribute to some unsung heroes which turns out to be of considerably less entertainment than historical value.
Very Good (2.5 stars)
Rated R for profanity and violence.
Running time: 136 minutes
Studi Paramount Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Director’s commentary, “The Making of Defiance” featurette, a documentary and more.
To see a trailer for Defiance, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIO8OI0JP50
EUR FILM REVIEW: Offshore
Outsourcing of Job Fuels Revenge in Downsizing Sitcom
Film Review by Kam Williams
*When the recession threatens to sink Fairfax Furniture, owner Helen Fairfax (Leanor Reizen) realizes she has to cut costs in order to save the family business. After all, it’s located in Detroit, one of the places hardest hit by the sagging economy because of its failing auto industry.
So, Helen enters a 10-year deal with Voxx of India to relocate her company’s call center to Bombay, and orders CEO Derek Anthony (Marty Bufalini) to inform his employees that their jobs will be outsourced in a couple of months.
To add insult to injury, they’re asked to train their replacements being sent to Michigan from the Subcontinent by Voxx Chairman Devendra Tiwari (Satish Shah).
Not surprisingly, a few of the downsized telemarketers are so offended by that request they decide to make sure the transition is anything but smooth. Thus, when Nikhil (Neil Bhoopalam), Anjali (Ratnabali Bhattacharjee) and Reva (Malaika Shenoy) arrive in America, they find themselves not only ostracized but sabotaged at every turn.
The outraged females from Fairfax instigating the hijinks, Carol Silvers (Deb Tunis), Bridgette Mars (Emily Rose Merrell) and Amanda Chase (Alison Crockett) see themselves as freedom fighters rather than felons, although their pranks eventually escalate into racist remarks and criminal behavior. I’m not sure what director Diane Checklich was going for in this regard, because your characters are no longer sympathetic when behaving in such a mean-spirited fashion.
Given the current unemployment rate, I suppose there are lots of xenophobes who might find this sort of vengeance funny, and consider it almost their patriotic duty to root for displaced workers willing to do anything to prevent foreigners from taking American jobs. But heaven help us if this nation actually ever gets to the point where its citizens can rationalize taking the law into our own hands in opposition to outsourcing.
A cautionary sitcom so realistic about the specter of globalization it’s more likely to leave you with chills than in stitches.
Very Good (3 stars)
Unrated
In English and Hindi with subtitles.
Running time: 90 minutes
Studi TMS Universal
To see a trailer for Offshore, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxxHo33RSm4
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: The Breath Tax
*The rationale for the “Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009," otherwise known as Cap and Trade, is that environmental catastrophe awaits us if we do not control the amount of carbon dioxide (co2) flowing into the atmosphere. This hysteria has been propelled by alarmists using computer models to predict (not to prove) that what-used-to-be-called-Global-Warming-before-it-became-clear-that-the-earth-is-cooling-so—it-is-now-called-Climate Change is caused by man made emissions of carbon dioxide.
The scam–ur uhm- I mean the idea works like this: government will set a limit on the amount of co2 companies may produce. Companies will then be forced to purchase emissions permits for every ton of co2 produced. Companies that exceed their limits will be able to purchase or trade for additional permits with companies that emit less than their allotted cap. Waxman-Markey seeks an “80 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050? and a “100 percent auction to ensure every ton of carbon is paid for.”
While supporters of Cap and Trade attempt to direct our attention to large scale carbon emitters in the coal and oil industries make no mistake; the repercussions from this tax will be felt in every American household.
The Congressional Budget Office noted that cutting carbon emissions just 15% would result in customers facing "persistently higher prices for products such as electricity and gasoline. Those price increases would be regressive in that poorer households would bear a larger burden relative to their income than wealthier households would." This conclusion is echoed by the Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis, which further determined that Waxman-Markey will reduce GDP by $9.6 trillion, increase the federal debt by 26%, kill 1.1 million jobs, increase peak year unemployment to 2.5 million workers and raise the energy bill paid by a typical family by about $1,500 annually.
Of course what is a little economic hardship if it means saving the sky from falling?
Every day new scientific discoveries emerge calling into question the computer models on which this carbon hysteria is based.
Ferenc Miskolczi, an atmospheric physicist with 30 years of experience and a former researcher with NASA's Langley Research Center realized the models rely on mathematical equations derived more than 80 years ago. These differential equations ignore proper boundary conditions and assume an atmosphere that is infinitely thick. Miskolczi derived a new solution using the proper boundary conditions (the atmosphere is 65 miles thick) and viola no more global warming.
There is also a new study conducted by the university of Wisconsin and the US National oceanic and atmospheric administration, which concludes that 70% of the sharp temperature rise in the North Atlantic over the last 30 years is due to dust blowing out to sea from the deserts of North Africa – A small detail the computer models failed to account for.
What is more remarkable is that, even assuming some human component, if Waxman-Markey meets all its goals of reducing carbon emissions, the EPA calculates that the impact on world temperature would be no more than two-tenths of a degree Celsius at the end of the century.
That is a lot of pain for very little gain.
But Global warming is not about science it is about politics and this administrations choice to ignore facts is about a political means to social control. The President’s own lawyers admit as much.
Three weeks ago Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) produced a white house memo to the EPA that, in his words, repeatedly suggests “a lack of scientific support for this proposed finding” [that greenhouse gases are a danger to public health]. Barrasso then quoted directly from the document, "making the decision to regulate carbon dioxide under the Clean Air Act for the first time is likely to have serious economic consequences for regulated entities throughout the US economy, including small businesses and small communities." If that’s not change you can believe in I don’t know what is.
There is an old joke that if the government could it would tax the very air that we breathe. As social commentary Waxman-Markey’s assumption that we can save the planet by taxing co2 – a substance every human being emits with every breath taken- is absurd indeed. It’s also an old joke that is not very funny.
Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.
GLENN'S STRATEGIES FOR WELL-BEING: Stress, Cortisol, and Belly Fat
*Up until about age 40, estrogen in women and testosterone in men controls fat distribution, keeping it away from the abdomen. Once these hormones decline, it becomes easier for excessive calories to be stored deep inside the belly. Once you hit 30, your lean muscle mass decreases by about a pound a year. If you’re inactive, that lost muscle mass often is replaced by fat.
Hormones are some of the most powerful compounds in our bodies. Take Cortisol for example. Did you know that tiny amounts of this can almost force your body to gain fat?
Cortisol is a hormone that your body uses in response to stress. In today’s world, what with the Swine Flu scare, the depressing economy, and the threat of job loss, you don’t have to find stress, it will find you. Given that pressures of your daily life will most likely induce at least some stress, you should know a bit more about cortisol and how it can sabotage your fat loss and fitness efforts.
From a fitness standpoint, one of the most critical things to know about cortisol is that is the enemy of muscle development. It is a catabolic steroid, which is the opposite of the stuff pro athletes take and get suspended. Excess Cortisol also reduces T-cell activity, compromising the immune system. It has also been shown to increase blood pressure.
This stress hormone is helpful in the short term. But the rise in cortisol level leads to following health issues:
· High blood pressure
· Fatigue
· Headache
· Excessive abdominal fat (This tummy fat affects your appearances and can be a major cause for diseases such as type-2 diabetes, heart attack, strokes, and asthma.)
Here is how cortisol can increase belly fat. Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, contains an enzyme that controls tissue cortisol concentrations. This enzyme is present in all fat cells, but is more highly concentrated in the visceral fat cells. There is another strike against belly fat when it comes to cortisol. Belly fat has approximately four times the number of cortisol receptors than “regular” fat. So, not only does it contribute more to cortisol production, it can possibly boost the tendency of cortisol to increase fat levels.
More troubling is that long periods of high cortisol levels can cause existing fat in the body to actually be moved around your body and re-deposited as belly fat. Belly fat is the more dangerous fat that has been shown in studies to contribute to all manner of problems.
Here are some strategies to help you keep cortisol levels within acceptable limits. First of all, although long term elevated cortisol levels are detrimental to your health, you need some to function normally, so don’t try to eliminate the stuff entirely. It is naturally secreted by the adrenal glands in times of stress so that your body can mobilize the necessary resources to escape the stressful situation.
One thing that is effective for most people to reduce cortisol levels is to eliminate caffeine. (I know, but you have to prioritize!)
Other things that have been shown effective when trying to reduce cortisol levels are
Reducing stress – Since chronic stress keeps cortisol levels high, it stands to reason that reducing the cause of the cortisol secretions will keep levels lower.
Eat a well balanced diet – High protein diets promote high cortisol levels. You need adequate protein to support muscle development, no more.
Avoid alcohol – Gee, no coffee, now no beer! What next?
Eat many small meals throughout the day, instead of 3 large ones. This helps with weight loss, improves nutrient absorption, lowers cholesterol, and improves glucose tolerance. In addition, a study done on men eating 2,500 calories per day demonstrated that when the calories were distributed across many, small meals cortisol levels dropped an average of 17%, in addition to the benefits described above.
Some supplements have been shown in various studies to reduce cortisol levels, including Ginkgo-Biloba, Phosphatidylserine (this also helps brain function), and DHEA.
Quit smoking. Well, you know you should quit smoking anyway, but here’s another reason.
To avoid gaining weight, the rule of thumb is that for each decade past 40, you should consume about 100 fewer calories a day. That’s because metabolism—the rate at which your body burns calories—gradually slows down as you age. But now, when your goal is to minimize not just fat but belly fat in particular, you also need to be selective about which foods you eliminate.
One thing's certain: people with large bellies tend to lose sensitivity to insulin, a crucial hormone that helps the body burn energy. When insulin loses its power, the body responds by pumping out more of the hormone, which only throws the system further off balance. When you lose weight, your body will make getting rid of belly fat a top priority. If you manage to lose just 5 to 10 percent of your overall body weight, you can reduce the hazardous layer of belly fat by as much as 30 percent.
The first thing you must understand is that there is absolutely NO quick fix solution. There are no pills or supplements of any sort that will help you lose your abdominal fat faster. Also, none of the gimmicky ab rockers, rollers, or ab belts will help get rid of abdominal fat either. You can't “spot” reduce your stomach fat by using any of these worthless contraptions. It simply doesn't work that way.
The only solution to consistently lose your abdominal fat and keep it off for good is to combine a sound nutritious diet full of unprocessed natural foods with a properly designed strategic exercise program that stimulates the necessary hormonal and metabolic response within your body. Both your food intake as well as your training program is important if you are to get this right.
Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one.
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 me at info@glennellis.com. For more good health information, visit: www.glennellis.com
AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL:AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE
President Barack Obama And Mrs. Michelle Obama Serve As Honorary Chairmen Of American Ballet Theatre’s 2009 Spring Gala At The Metropolitan Opera House
By Audrey J. Bernard, Fashion/Lifestyles/Society Editor
*President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama served as Honorary Chairmen of the American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) 2009 Spring Gala on Monday evening, May 18, 2009 at the Metropolitan Opera House. The President sent his prettier half to represent them.
Mrs. Obama, who has become an iconic fashion plate, looked stunning in Azzedine Alaia’s gunmetal cocktail dress replete with a crinoline-lined hemline as she was greeted by VIPs including Rachel S. Moore, ABT’s executive director.
This was the first visit for Mrs. Obama to ABT and she spoke compassionately about the value of the arts and arts education drawing hearty applause when she addressed the commitment of this administration to the arts.
“It is with honor and great pleasure that we welcome Michelle Obama to American Ballet Theatre’s Opening Night Gala celebration,” said ABT’s artistic director Kevin McKenzie. “This administration’s commitment to the arts and, in particular, arts education, is music to our ears. The combination of seasoned artists and young talent on our stage is a true testament to the importance of that ongoing commitment.”
ABT’s Opening Night Gala kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with a regal reception in which seeing Mrs. Obama was the topic of discussion with this crème de la crème artsy crowd that anteed up as much as $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 for the performance and post-performance gala dinner under the posh Tent at Lincoln Center.
The program featured ABT’s principal dancers in highlights from the Company’s eight-week season, a special guest appearance by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and a performance by the students of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.
In honor of the farewell season of principal dancer Nina Ananiashvili, ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky created a pièce d’occasion, set to the waltz from Aram Khachaturian's Masquerade Suite, and performed by Ms. Ananiashvili.
Carolina Herrera, Caroline Kennedy, Blaine Trump and Renée Zellweger served as Honorary Chairmen along with the Obamas. Aileen Mehle is Chairman Emerita and Karin and Stephen Sadove served as Corporate Co-Chairmen.
Henri Barguirdjian, Anne Grauso, Ashley McDermott, Florence Low Sloan and Caryn Zucker served as Gala Co-Chairmen and Danielle Ganek and Ivanka Trump served as Vice Chairmen of the evening.
American Ballet Theatre’s 2009 Spring Gala was sponsored by Graff and Carolina Herrera, Ltd. Superfund Asset Management, Inc. is the sponsor of the 2009 Metropolitan Opera House season. A portion of the proceeds from the Spring Gala will support ABT’s education and community outreach programs. (Photos by Mary Hilliard)
Audrey J. Bernard is an established chronicler of Black society and Urban happenings based in the New York City area.
THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: 'Classique' Will Downing drops another winner on Peak Records: and, Former Def Jam executive launches new label and CD by Bishop Eddie Long
By Eunice Moseley
'Classique' Will Downing to drop another winner on Peak Records
“It's not all my doing. I think that God is arranging (things),” said R&B's baritone singing sensation Will Downing about his long career in the music business.
That start in the business for Will started when he would work on the albums for Jennifer Holiday, Kool & the Gang, Gerald Albright, Regina Belle and Billy Ocean in the mid-80s. He later signed with 4th & Broadway, then Island Records and ended up at Mercury Records. It was at Mercury that he recorded four albums “Love's the place to be,” in 1993; “Moods” in 1995, “Invitation Only” in 1997, and in 2000 he received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional R&B Album for “”All the Man You Need.”
Now at Peak Records, Will Downing will release “Classique” a collection of original and cover classic songs. Downing beautifully covers Barry White's 1973 hit “I'm gonna love you just a little more baby;” David Ruffin's 1976 hit “Stature of a fool,” and Marvin Gaye's “Baby I'm for real,” which features the tenor vocals of Phil Perry.
“Not that I have anything against artists and what they are doing, but it doesn't last,” Will said about the meaning of the CD, “Classique” which is classic in French. “The music I grew up with are classic songs (now)...their stuff is lasting.”
“Classique” (Peak Records/Concord Music Group) will be in stores June 16, 2009 and marks his 20th anniversary as a recording artist. Aside from those covers songs mentioned some of my other favorites on the album include the foot tapping “More time (Tic Toc),” “Just think about it” and “I won't stop,” which is sure to be a classic love song. Will received production help from his long time friend Rex Rideout.
For more on the CD log onto his website at www.willdowning.com.
Former Def Jam executive announces new label and CD release, 'Bishop Eddie Long and friends'
With just his love for music former Def Jam executive, James Jones, formed Ultimate Entertainment and released his first CD project “Bishop Eddie Long and Friends: The Kingdom Vol. 1 Featuring GW.” The album includes selections by Mary Mary, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Tye Tribbett, as well as the Bishop and the choir GW.
“I think people get frustrated with big labels,” James said about why he started the indie label and chose to sign Bishop Eddie Long. “I worked with the best and for this I wanted the best.”
The best is certainly what you will find with multi-award winning Gospel duo Mary Mary on “Give God Something;” Gospel sensation and a member of The Clark Sisters, Dorinda Clark-Cole, on “Wrapped up in you,” and contemporary hit-man Tye Tribbett on “Down with the King.”
“(Bishop Eddie Long) He has a three CD deal,” Jones pointed out. “The first volume is with his (Gospel) friends, the second will be recorded live with Kirk Franklin, and the third his secular friends Sheila E, Fantasta and T.I.”
James said one of the things he likes about Bishop Long is that he relates to the youth, his style and his preaching.
“I went to a service and there was T.I. and Bow Wow,” James stressed.
Ultimate Entertainment is distributed by E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The first single off the “Bishop Eddie Long and Friends...” CD is “Righteous Forsaken.”
For more information on Bishop Long log onto www.bishoplongthekingdom.com or for more about the label and the new CD log onto www.ultimateentertainment.net.
VERONICA'S VIEW: My Emergency Room Moment
Veronica Hendrix
*“How you doing Baby Cakes?” It was a familiar voice on the other end of the phone. It was my friend Robert whom I often forget is a doctor just because he’s ever so cool and down to earth.
“Not well,” I said. “I’ve been in bed most of the day.”
“What are your symptoms?” he said switching immediately into doctor mode.
“I have pain in my stomach and burning in my chest. I went to the doctor earlier today and he said it’s most likely acid reflux. He prescribed an over-the-counter medication which I have taken. I am just trying to deal with the pain until the meds kick in.”
“Well how long have you been suffering with this pain?” he asked.
“This is day three. That’s why I decided to go see the doctor. But I haven’t gotten any relief from the pain yet.”
“Ok Baby Cakes, I want you to listen to me and do exactly as I say.”
“I’m listening,” I said suddenly concerned.
“I want you to go to the emergency room right away. No buts about it. Oftentimes women who think they are suffering from acid reflux or other gastrointestinal distress are actually experiencing heart distress, specifically a heart attack.”
How could this be? I said to myself. I work out 5 days a week, vigorously. But then again fitness guru Jim Fixx died of a massive heart attack at age 52 right after his daily run.
Well Robert scared the crap out of me – literally. And within moments my youngest son whisked me to the emergency hospital.
A heart attack occurs when part of the heart muscle dies due to lack of blood flow because the coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle is blocked.
Each year about 40,000 women die of heart disease. Forty years ago the medical community thought that only men had heart attacks. But now, more women than men die every year of cardio vascular disease, particularly women between the ages of 45and 50 years old. In fact about three years ago a friend of mine died at the age of 47 of a stroke and complications from a heart attack. It was and remains shocking to me because of her age.
What researchers have discovered is that women often experience different symptoms than men. While women may be more likely not to have pain not in their chest, they are more like to have GI related symptoms when they are indeed having a heart attack. Those symptoms include heart burn, ingestion, nausea, vomiting or an upset stomach.
Researchers aren’t sure why more women are dying of heart attacks than men but they think that as risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and smoking have increased, the rate of heart attacks in younger women has increased as well. Secondly, women aren’t routinely tested for a heart attack when they go to the doctor or an emergency room complaining of severe gastro intestinal problems.
But thanks to my friend Robert I was tested during my unplanned and extended hospital stay. I underwent an electrocardiogram; blood tests to measures levels of injury to my heart muscle; a CT scan to see detect any blood clots; and finally a chest X-ray. His constant text messaging before during and after every test was comforting and it helped me to ensure the hospital staff wasn’t missing anything in terms of every test to rule out a heart attack because he was telling me what tests should be done.
Thank God all my tests came out negative and they ruled out a heart attack. My heart is healthy and that’s good to know. What I had was a severe bout of gastrointestinal distress probably from a series of bad food combinations and a bit of stress thrown in for good measure. So needless to say, I will be making a myriad of lifestyle adjustments immediately.
And despite the discomfort I underwent going through all those tests and staying at the hospital longer than I would have liked, I think it’s much better to walk out of the emergency room being told that you have a bad case of indigestion than not making it to the emergency room because you ignored the symptoms and suffered a heart attack. I’m so glad I erred on the side of caution and I’d do it again without question. I’d like to encourage every woman to do the same too.
To find what you can do to lower your risk of coronary heart disease, visit the American Heart Association at http://www.americanheart.org/. Click on the Healthy Life Styles tab and read “It’s Just Not a Man’s Disease. (If you have comments about Veronica’s View, email them to vsview@yahoo.com.)###
BETWEEN THE LINES: LAUSD Canceling Summer School: Do We REALLY Want To Go There?
Anthony Asadullah Samad
*The Superintendent of the second largest school district in the United States, Ray Cortines, recently announced that the Los Angeles Unified School District will be canceling summer school as a cost cutting remedy for the district’s $400 million dollar budget shortfall. Who thought of this bright idea? Can they (the School Board) really
