11-19-09 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
JENNIFER HUDSON TO PLAY WINNIE MANDELA: Oscar winner takes on wife of Nelson Mandela in next movie role.
*Jennifer Hudson is set to star in a drama that casts her as the former wife of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.
"Winnie," based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography “Winnie
Mandela: A Life,” begins shooting May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Capt Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.
The film will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt, the veteran South African filmmaker whose 2006 movie “Yesterday” was Africa’s Best Foreign Film nominee, and who also directed “Cry, The Beloved Country,” and “Sarafina!”
Winnie Mandela has been depicted as the mother and wife who was a steadfast supporter of her activist husband and who was jailed herself for campaigning for his release and fighting against apartheid.
Her image subsequently took a hit when she was associated with a bodyguard who murdered a 14-year old alleged informer, and she was later convicted of fraud.
The filmmakers will tell the whole story, good and bad.
“I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” Hudson said. “Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.”
Hudson is also expected to sing the film’s theme song.
JANET JACKSON DISCUSSES MJ'S DRUG PROBLEM: Michael's sister says she and the family did several interventions, but they never worked.
*Janet Jackson has confirmed reports that she and her family attempted several times to help her brother Michael with his drug problem, but that he rebuffed those attempts to intervene.
"You can't make 'em drink the water," Jackson told ABC's Robin Roberts in an interview that aired last night.
When asked if her brother was in denial about his addiction, she replied, "Possibly."
"I wish he could answer this question for you and not me," she told Roberts for her "In the Spotlight" special. "I felt that he was in denial."
As previously reported, Jackson blames Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician, for his death June 25. Prosecutors in Los Angeles are weighing charges against Murray, who told police he administered a powerful anesthetic to the singer shortly before he died.
She said she hasn't seen "This Is It," the new documentary film spotlighting her late brother as he prepared for the concert tour that would've taken place last summer.
"I definitely won't, not right now," she said. "I don't know if I will ever see it."
DARIUS MCCRARY IS 'Y&R'S' NEW MALCOLM: Shemar Moore too busy with 'Criminal Minds' to return to Genoa City.
*So much for Shemar Moore ever reprising his role of Malcolm Winters on "The Young and the Restless." Beginning next month, the character will be played by former "Family Matters" star Darius McCrary, according to EW.com.
McCrary signed a multi-year deal to assume the role beginning with a taping on Nov. 18, the Web site reported. His debut will air on Dec. 29.
“We are thrilled to have the character of Malcolm back on Y&R,” according to a statement from Maria Bell, the drama’s co-executive producer/head writer. “Malcolm, Neil Winters’ brother, has always been a catalyst to exciting stories.
"He’s coming back to town to see his brother and to reunite with his biological daughter, Lily Winters, as she fights for her life. Malcolm is a photographer…someone who lives on the edge and who always pushes the envelope.”
Moore left the soap in 2005 to co-star in CBS’ "Criminal Minds."
According to EW, "it seems obvious that Moore’s busy schedule ('Minds' is about to air its 100th episode) — combined with the fact that Bell wanted the Malcolm character back full-time – made it impossible for Moore to return (one insider even said that Moore has been approached before about coming back to the show but it was clear that it wouldn’t work out because of his commitment to 'Minds')."
McCrary will find a familiar face on the Y&R set; the Emmy-winning Bryton James (Devon) used to co-star as Richie Crawford on Family Matters, as well.
ANTOINE FUQUA, SPIKE LEE MAKE A 'LIVING': Filmmakers team for new movie about a white girl and a black pimp.
*Antoine Fuqua and Spike Lee join forces for a big screen adaptation of the graphic novel "Miss: Better Living Through Crime," with Fuqua directing and Lee executive producing.
Newly-formed banner Vigilante Entertainment is developing the project, which revolves around Nola and Slim, two unlikely partners in crime in the early 1900s in New York, reports Variety.
Nola is a poor white girl who has learned to survive by hook or by crook since being expelled from an orphanage. Slim is a black pimp with an uncertain past, trying to keep one foot out of the grave. The two forge an unlikely partnership as killers for hire.
John Ridley, who penned George Lucas' upcoming World War II action film "Red Tails," is adapting the graphic novel, which was written by French scribes Philippe Thirault, Marc Riou and Mark Vigouroux.
A.J. JEWELL'S DEATH RULED HOMICIDE: Medical examiner says assault caused 'sickle cell trait related exertional collapse.'
*Georgia's Fulton County Medical Examiner has ruled the death of "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star A.J. Jewell a homicide in which his assault triggered a flare-up of his sickle cell condition.
According to TMZ.com, the cause of death is listed as "Physical altercation resulting in sickle cell trait related exertional collapse."
Contributing factors are listed as "intestinal myocardial fidrosis," as well as an enlarged heart.
Jewell died after an Atlanta strip club brawl early last month. The other man involved in the fight, Frederick Richardson, has since been arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter.
Richardson's attorney tells TMZ, "It's an unfortunate situation, Frederick is sorry this situation happened and that A.J. died."
NICOLE RICHIE HOSPITALIZED WITH PNEUMONIA: Celeb admitted to Cedars-Sinai days after testifying against paps.
*Two days after testifying against paparazzi in a Los Angeles courtroom, Nicole Richie has checked herself into the hospital with pneumonia, reports the AP.
Publicist Nicole Perna said Wednesday the 28-year-old actress is doing well after she was admitted into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Richie appeared in court earlier this week after asking for a restraining order against two celebrity photographers. A judge granted that request.
The reality show star gave birth to a son, Sparrow James Midnight Madden, in September. She and her husband, rocker Joel Madden, have a daughter, Harlow, who turns 2 in January.
CHARGES DROPPED IN PEREZ HILTON CASE: Black Eyed Peas manager accused of punching blogger reaches agreement.
*Lawyers tell the Associated Press that assault charges have been dropped against Black Eyed Peas manager Liborio Molina, accused of punching celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.
Molina allegedly struck Hilton outside a Toronto nightclub last summer after a video awards show. As part of an agreement read in court Wednesday, Molina has written a letter of apology to Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira.
Molina has also agreed not to contact Hilton except through his lawyer and cannot carry any weapons for 12 months.
He is also prohibited from coming within 100 yards of the nightclub where the dispute took place and must donate $500 Canadian (US$476) to charity.
OBAMA MEETS WITH HALF BROTHER IN CHINA: Mark Ndesandjo last saw the president in January at Obama's inauguration.
*President Barack Obama met briefly with a half brother who lives in China and who recently wrote a semi-autobiographical novel about the abusive Kenyan father they share, reports the Associated Press.
"I don't know him well. I met him for the first time a couple of years ago," Obama told CNN of his visit with Mark Ndesandjo. "He stopped by with his wife for about five minutes during the trip."
Describing the meeting as "overwhelming" and "intense," Ndesandjo told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday that he had long anticipated the chance to welcome his famous brother to China.
"I think he came directly off the plane, changed some clothes and then came down and saw us," Ndesandjo said. "And he just gave me a big hug.
And it was so intense. I'm still over the moon on it. I am over the moon.
And my wife. She is his biggest fan and I think she is still recovering."
In the CNN interview, Obama said he hadn't read his brother's book, "Nairobi to Shenzhen," which features a protagonist who is the son of a Jewish mother and an abusive father from Kenya.
Ndesandjo has revealed in previous interviews that his father, Barack Obama Sr., beat him and his mother. The president also wrote about his father, who abandoned him as a child, in his best-selling memoir.
Ndesandjo said he bought tickets months ago to fly from the southern boomtown of Shenzhen, where he has lived since 2002, to Beijing, in hopes of reconnecting with his brother. The two last met in January when Ndesandjo attended Obama's inauguration as a family guest.
The three chatted on Monday, with Obama being introduced to Ndesandjo's wife, a native of Henan, China, whom he married a year ago, he said. He gave few details of what they discussed.
"All I can say is, we talked about family, and it was very powerful because when he came in through that door, and I saw him and I hugged him, and he hugged me and hugged my wife. It was like we were continuing a conversation that had started many years ago," he said.
President Obama's father had been a Kenyan exchange student who met his mother, Kansas native Stanley Ann Dunham, when they were in school in Hawaii. The two separated two years after he was born.
The senior Obama married Ndesandjo's mother after divorcing the president's mother. They returned to Kenya to live, where Mark and his brother, David, were born and raised.
Obama Sr. died in an automobile accident in 1982 at age 46.
Ndesandjo lives near Hong Kong and earns a living as a marketing consultant.
For most of that time, he has maintained a low profile, with few people knowing of his connection to the U.S. president.
PROSECUTORS LOOK INTO TYSON PHOTOGRAPHER CASE: Investigators want to view surveillance video and interview the boxer and the pap.
*Prosecutors have begun investigating whether to charge ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and a photographer for a fight at Los Angeles International Airport.
City attorney's spokesman Frank Mateljan says police on Tuesday handed his office a preliminary report of the Nov. 11 confrontation, reports the Associated Press.
Tyson and photographer Tony Echeverria made citizens' arrests, each claiming he was punched by the other man. Mateljan says city attorney's investigators want to interview both men and see video of the incident.
Tyson and Echeverria could be charged with misdemeanor battery, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail. Tyson could also be charged with violating probation in a 2007 drug case if convicted. He pleaded guilty in Arizona to cocaine possession.
SUICIDE FOR FATHER OF ALLEGED MIJAC VICTIM: Evan Chandler found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
*The father of an alleged molestation victim of Michael Jackson's killed himself on Nov. 5 in Jersey City, N.J., authorities said.
Evan Chandler, 65, was the father of the boy, now 29, who was paid a reported $15 to $20 million by the King of Pop to stop speaking about his claims of sexual abuse he alleges took place during sleepovers in 1992.
Chandler, a former Beverly Hills dentist, was discovered dead on Nov.
5 in his luxury waterfront apartment, clothed and without a suicide note nearby, reports People.com. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head from a .38-caliber revolver, according to Jersey City Police Department spokesman Stan H. Eason.
Chandler and his son had been estranged since 2006, when the son secured a restraining order after claiming his father threatened him with a dumbbell.
The boy was 12 when he began going to Jackson's Neverland Ranch for sleepovers after the pair met through the child's stepfather's rental-car company. The boy first came out with his accounts of molestation when Chandler put him under anesthesia for dental work.
Jackson's lawyers called accusations that the singer fondled the boy fabrications and outright extortion. Jackson was never charged with a crime for the alleged incidents. Jackson later faced a trial on charges of molesting another boy, and was acquitted.
Chandler was suffering from a serious ailment at the time of his death. Authorities would not give details on the nature of the illness.
JAY-Z'S BILLBOARD STATE OF MIND: NY ode featuring Alicia Keys becomes his fourth No. 1 on the Hot 100.
*Jay-Z earns his fourth Hot 100 No. 1, but his first as a lead or co-billed performer, as his collaboration with Alicia Keys, "Empire State of Mind," tops the chart to be released today.
The rapper's prior No. 1 entries came as a featured artist on Mariah Carey's "Heartbreaker" (1999), his wife Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" (2003) and Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007).
"Empire" is also Keys' fourth overall No. 1, as she previously reached the pinnacle with her debut single "Fallin'" (2001), her duet with Usher, "My Boo," (2004) and "No One" (2007).
"Empire" takes Hot 100 Airplay Gainer honors as it rises 6-1 on the Radio Songs chart (up 15 million listener impressions to 109.5 million), the largest climb to No. 1 on that chart since Kanye West's "Stronger" jumped
7-1 on the chart dated Oct. 6, 2007.
PALIN GIVES OPRAH BEST RATINGS IN 2 YEARS: Monday's interview for new book 'Going Rogue' gets big numbers.
*Oprah Winfrey's much-anticipated interview of Sarah Palin brought her talk show its highest ratings in two years.
The Live Feed's James Hibberd notes that Monday's episode drew an 8.7 household rating and 13 share, the highest since Oprah hosted the Osmonds in 2007.
Palin is making the rounds to promote her new book, "Going Rogue,"
which came out Tuesday. The Oprah visit came on the heels of a rumor that Winfrey had snubbed Palin during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Winfrey explained she didn't have any candidates on her Chicago-based show during the campaign because of her support for President Barack Obama.
Palin said she didn't feel snubbed and told Winfrey, "No offense to you, but it wasn't the center of my universe."
LEE DANIELS MARCHES TOWARD 'SELMA': 'Precious' director to take on civil rights film about historic 1965 march.
*"Precious" director Lee Daniels is now in advanced negotiations to helm "Selma," which will trace the historic 1965 march in the Alabama town that marked the political and emotional peak of the civil rights movement.
Daniels, whose "Precious" is drenched in Oscar buzz, will be teaming on the project with U.K. producer Christian Colson, reports Variety.
"Selma" will be the first new project for Colson and his shingle Cloud Nine Films -- which launched in March -- since the producer enjoyed eight Oscar wins and a worldwide gross of more than $200 million earlier this year with Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire."
Pathe U.K., with which Colson made a five-year development, production, sales and distribution pact in March, will take the lead on financing, with Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner's Plan B shingle co-producing.
Shooting is set to take place by early spring. No cast has been attached yet, and the project's final budget is still being sorted out.
NATE PARKER TO PLAY BEN CHAVIS IN NEW FILM: Rick Schroder, Lela Rochon also star in movie about a civil rights-era murder.
*A film adaptation of the book "Blood Done Sign My Name," featuring Nate Parker as civil rights activist Ben Chavis, has been picked up by fledgling distribution shingle Paladin, reports Variety.
Based on Timothy Tyson's book, the film explores the racial upheaval and ensuing social change provoked by the true-life acquittal of a white father and son accused of murdering a black man in public view in 1970 in Oxford, N.C.
Rick Schroder portrays Tyson's father. The cast also includes Lela Rochon, Afemo Omilami, Nick Searcy, Michael Rooker, Darrin Dewitt Henson and Gattlin Griffith.
Jeb Stuart, best known for penning "The Fugitive" and "Die Hard,"
wrote, directed and produced as he drew on his own experience as the son of a white Southern minister who lived through the events portrayed in the film.
Mark Urman, who launched Paladin in September, told Variety that the breakout box office success of "Precious" had drawn him to "Blood."
"There's an African-American arthouse audience that's underserved,"
he added. "We're also in a position to take advantage of the real-life heroes of this story to promote this film."
Paladin will open the Jeb Stuart film on about 100 screens on Feb. 19 in Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and several cities in North Carolina and Virginia. Further expansion will take place through March.
Tyson's book has sold more than 150,000 copies since its publication in 2004. Tyson was 10 years old at the time of the murder and watched as his father, pastor of an all-white Methodist church, tried in vain to get his congregation to reconcile with their African-American neighbors.
RIHANNA AND '90210'S' TRISTAN WILDS?: Two stars rumored to be dating after he shows up to her party.
*The New York Daily News is claiming that Rihanna is rebounding from Chris Brown with "Beverly Hills 90210" star Tristan Wilds.
The paper's Gatecrasher column said the actor was an "unexpected guest" at a party she held over the weekend at her Los Angeles home. The gathering served as a goodbye to friends before she headed to London this week.
"No one knew why Tristan was there initially, because it was not an industry party — it was very intimate," a fellow guest told the column. "But everyone quickly realized they weren't meeting for the first time, because they were openly affectionate for everyone to see."
The source says 21-year-old Rihanna and the 20-year-old actor, who has also starred in "The Wire" and Jay-Z's "Roc Boys" music video, were introduced by a music producer who has worked with both of them — Wilds is currently working on an album of his own, the paper reported.
"They hit it off the moment they laid eyes on each other," the insider says. "He's a real gentleman. She likes him a lot, and it shows.
From the moment he walked into her party, Rihanna lit up."
"They'll keep in touch while she's away," the snitch insists.
"They're already planning to use iChat and Skype to stay in contact until Tristan finishes shooting '90210' for the season and can fly out to meet her on the road."
In an ironic turn of events, Chris Brown tweeted Sunday that he was "so tired." Shortly thereafter, Wilds took to his page to give the singer some words of encouragement. "Keep grinding, kid. All we can do," he wrote.
CHRIS BROWN VISITS L.A. HIGH SCHOOL: Singer plays in celebrity basketball game to screaming fans. (video)
*It was business as usual for Chris Brown as well as his adoring fans during a recent appearance at a Los Angeles high school.
Brown "rolled into L.A.'s Cleveland High for a celebrity basketball game sponsored by local radio station Power 106," reported TMZ.com, also notinh that his assault of Rihanna was all but forgotten by the students.
Assistant Principal of Athletics Carlos Valdovinos tells TMZ the girls "were going berserk," and everyone reacted to Brown "as if nothing ever happened."
Watch the clip here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlnjPG_0MwY
50 CENT LAUNCHES FREE IPHONE APP: 50's Sound Lab allows users to remix his current single.
*50 Cent joins Soulja Boy, T-Pain, and Lil Jon in a growing group of artists who have introduced their own mobile phone apps.
Via a partnership with Vitamin Water, 50 Cent introduces 50's Sound Lab, a free iPhone app that allows users to create and share their own mixes of his latest single, "Baby By Me," off his new album "Before I Self Destruct."
"Musical talent unfolds in many ways and I'd like to see what tomorrow's producers can do with my track with nothing but a bottle of Vitamin Water, my 50's Sound Lab App and an iPhone," said 50 Cent.
50's Sound Lab is powered by Moderati's Romplr remix platform, which allows music fans the ability to create their own versions of artists'
popular tracks, by recording them and sharing the personal mixes across social networking platforms.
The rap star is also holding a contest for the best mixes, where the winner can enter to win a chance to meet 50 himself. For more info, visit www.50SoundLab.com.
Watch a promo clip of 50's Sound Lab here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F1fZ4s80H8&feature=player_embedded .
'WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW' RENEWED: Fox TV stations re-up on syndicated talk show through the 2011-12 season.
*"The Wendy Williams Show" has been renewed on Fox TV stations through the 2011-12 season, even though ratings in most markets have been modest, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
"We are extremely gratified by Fox's faith in Wendy," said Mort Marcus, co-president of Debmar-Mercury. "Her substantial growth in the key ratings demos, which stations care about the most, has quickly put her program within striking distance of many of today's most established and successful talk shows."
The Debmar-Mercury series launched nationally last July and has averaged 1.1 household rating this fall. Recent weeks have improved, however, and the show continues to perform strong in New York City.
"We anticipate even further growth as the show continues to emerge as a key building block, and Wendy as a key personality of our daytime landscape," said Frank Cicha, senior Vice President of Programming, Fox TV Stations.
MARIANNE JEAN-BAPTISTE HAS 'SECRETS': Actress joins Jeri Ryan in upcoming Lifetime original movie.
*Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Jeri Ryan will star in "Secrets in the Walls," an original telefilm for Lifetime Movie Network to premiere next year, reports Variety.
The horror picture features Ryan as a mother of two who finds that her new dream house in the suburbs outside Detroit is haunted. Jean-Baptiste ("Without a Trace") plays the best friend who helps in trying to solve the mystery.
Christopher Leitch is directing a script by William Penick and Christopher Sey. Michael Larkin and Michael Goldstein of Larkin-Goldstein Prods. are executive producing in association with RHI Entertainment.
DIVERSITY STILL SCARCE AMONG SHOWBIZ WRITERS: New reports says push for more minorities has yielded little results.
*Variety is reporting that the WGA West's new 2009 Hollywood Writers Report finds "little if any" improvement in employment and earnings for women and minority writers.
The report, authored by UCLA professor Darnell Hunt and recently posted on the WGA Web site, found that women scribes remain stuck at 28% of TV employment and 18% in features while the minority share has been frozen at 6% since 1999.
"White males continue to dominate in both the film and television sectors," Hunt wrote. "Although women and minorities closed the earnings gaps with white men in television a bit, the earnings gaps in film grew.
These findings are clearly out of step with a nation that elected its first African American president in 2008, a nation in which more than half of the population is female and nearly a third is non-white."
The report is the sixth such document generated for the WGA West and focuses on guild data between 2003 and 2007 -- showing, for example, that women TV writers earned about the same in 2007 ($82,604) as they did at the beginning of the five-year report period in 2003 ($82,000) with spikes in
2005 and 2006 while white male writers saw a gain of nearly $4,000 over the report period (from $84,300 to $87,984) after peaking at $100,000 in 2005 and 2006 as earnings for most writers declined in 2007 due to the writers'
strike.
For minorities, the earnings gap in TV declined between 2003 and 2007 as minority TV writers earned $75,658 two years ago while white male writers averaged $87,984. But in film, the gap has widened significantly with
$87,392 for minorities in 2003 versus $90,476 for white male. Minority earnings in film slid to $61,912 in 2007 while white male earnings increased to $98,875.
Hunt also praised the WGA West for its new Writers Access Project, a script-judging contest aimed at identifying mid-level diverse writers who appeal to showrunners looking to staff their shows. A total 154 writers submitted scripts and 36 made the final cut with over 140 WGA high-level writers participating in the inaugural judging process earlier this year.
A total of 21 writers from the contest landed jobs, including slots at “Cougartown,” “Friday Night Lights” and “Hawthorne,” starring Jada Pinkett Smith. The guild’s now conducting the second contest with a Nov. 30 deadline for submissions and plans to eventually expand the process to the film sector.
URBAIN MANAGEMENT LAUNCHES MODEL SEARCH: Company teams with Teen Vogue for nationwide open calls.
*Urbáin Management's First Annual International Model Search Tour kick-off is scheduled for (Friday, Nov. 20), at Westfield Valencia Town Center Mall in Valencia, California.
The event, open to females 13-23, will officially launch the worldwide contest for a chance to win a $50,000 modeling contract, an opportunity to become the new face of Giantto’s “Reckless Luxury Watch”
campaign and appear in an upcoming issue of Teen Vogue.
The first 50 contestants will receive gift bags, while 20 finalists and five alternate finalists will be selected by Feb. 23, 2010 by representatives of Urbáin Management and Teen Vogue. Judges will base their selections on appearance, photogenic quality and personality from their submitted photo entry.
The “Open Call Events” will be held during the months of November and December 2009. The Web site RHN.TV http://rhn.tv/ will feature coverage of the tour. To obtain further information, visit www.urbainmodel.com.
EUR DVD REVIEW: Star Trek
Franchise-Reviving Prequel Arrives on DVD
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*This entertaining adventure not only resuscitates a flagging franchise but it just might be the best Star Trek yet. Brilliantly-conceived by director J.J. Abrams as an origins prequel, the picture is a practically-perfect blend of the nostalgic and the new.
Baby Boomers are apt to appreciate the intricate back story reintroducing the central characters from the original TV-series, including Spock (Zachary Quinto), Sulu (John Cho), Scotty (Simon Pegg), Bones (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Chekov (Anton Yelchin) and, of course, Captain James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine).
Meanwhile, youngsters simply interested in an escapist summer blockbuster will undoubtedly find the scintillating, state-of-the-art action sequences riveting, most of which pit Kirk and company in an epic, intergalactic battle against a tattooed race of alien creatures called Romulans.
It is absolutely delightful discovering the derivation of each of the crew member's trademark tics, gestures and idiosyncrasies, especially since so much tension is generated by the contrast in personas of the mercurial Kirk and the relatively-introspective, ever-logical Spock.
At the point of departure, James' dad (Chris Hemsworth) dies a hero shortly before the birth of his son, when the spaceship he is commanding is destroyed by Nero (Eric Bana), the nefarious ruler of the Romulans.
Fast-forward twenty years and we find that Kirk has grown into a rudderless rebel more interested in booze, women and fast cars than in following in his father's footsteps.
But following a bar fight with cadets enrolled at the nearby Starfleet Academy, he is challenged by one of his late father's admirer's, Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood), to make something of his life. That dare kickstarts Kirk's metamorphosis. He immediately enrolls in the astronaut school and while in training, one-by-one befriends Spock and the other classmates who will soon join him on the maiden voyage of the Starship Enterprise.
A splendid space saga so spellbinding, you won't even complain about their resurrecting that grammatically-incorrect, infinitive-splitting catchphrase,
"To boldly go where no one has gone before!"
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action, violence and brief sexuality.
Running time: 126 minutes
Studi Paramount Home Video
DVD Extras: A New Vision: director Abrams' take on the sci-fi series and his efforts to make the prequel feel real, To Boldly G the director, writers and producers talk about the challenges of stepping into the closely watched franchise, Casting: about the search for look-alikes who could handle the acting and capture the essence of these mythic characters, Aliens: designers Neville Page and Joel Harlow talk about their new species and the reimagining of the Vulcans and Romulans, deleted scenes: includes "Spock birth," "Klingons take over Narada" and "Prison Interrogation and breakout,"
optional commentary, and trial games for Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation Net.
To order a copy of Star Trek on DVD, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AVCFJM?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001AVCFJM
To see a trailer for Star Trek, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAot3sC2xjE
EUR DVD REVIEW: Ballast
Monosyllabic Meditation on Coming-of-Age in Mississippi
DVD Review by Kam Williams
*New developments arrive fast and furiously in this contemplative character study before it finally settles down into an examination of the motivations of James (JimMyron Ross), a very troubled, black, poor and criminally-inclined 12 year-old coming-of-age in a rural region of the Mississippi Delta.
At the point of departure, we meet Lawrence (Michael J. Smith, Sr.), a middle-aged black man despondent over news of the death of his identical twin by drug overdose.
Larry is then caught in the midst of his own suicide attempt by a kindly neighbor (Johnny McPhail) who has no idea he's distraught enough to shoot himself in the chest.
Also grieving Darius' demise are his monosyllabic son, James, and his ex-wife, Marlee (Tarra Riggs), a former substance abuser. Larry survives his self-inflicted gunshot wound, and returns form the hospital only to have his nephew darken his doorstep, literally and figuratively.
For James' unique means of mourning involves asking to hear all the gory details about how his daddy died, before robbing his uncle at gunpoint.
The felonious-intentioned kid then hops on his moped and uses his ill-gotten gains to kickstart a career dealing drugs. This doesn't sit well with his mother, even though she's been fired from her job as a maid, which means she's now free to wonder where she went wrong raising a son who doesn't have a lick of sense or compassion.
As preposterous as this plot probably sounds, Ballast is actually a perverse pleasure to watch because it morphs into this ethereal mood piece with virtually no dialogue. Mostly, we're treated to the specter of James buzzing about on his motorbike against the stark backdrop of acre after acre of sparse winter farmland. Otherwise, the picture is punctuated by his mom and uncle working out their issues, and bursts of terrifying violence, like when a couple of teenagers run a car off the road to deliver a vicious beatdown in a backwoods version of a bloody turf war.
In sum, Ballast is a compelling slice-of-life adventure with a gritty naivete featuring a talented cast comprised primarily of non-professionals.
They manage to imbue the production with a palpable sense of super-realism which allows you to forget you're watching actors. That amounts to movie magic in my book, even if it is in service of an infuriating display of black-on-black dysfunction.
Very Good (3 stars)
Unrated
Running time: 96 minutes
Studi Kino International
DVD Extras: Ballast Scene Development, a 37-minute "The Making of"
featurette charting the evolution of several scenes through the improvisational conflict sessions and two-month rehearsal process that gave form to the final film, the theatrical trailer, and a new essay by film critic Amy Taubin.
To order a copy of Ballast, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PSLXP6?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002PSLXP6
To see a trailer for Ballast, visit: http://ballastfilm.com/trailer
JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: Health Care and the Moral Imperative
*I am always troubled by those in government claiming they have a moral imperative to enact this or that policy. A little digging often reveals that their motives are more self serving than moral. I am doubly troubled when those raising the moral banner tend to reject the very idea of an objective morality applicable to all men at all times.
Such is the case with liberal Democrats and their insistence that the moral laws of the universe – laws that have been with us since God breathed life into man (or as some would have it when we rose from the primordial soup) – command Government to supply every citizen (and many that aren’t) with health insurance.
But as is generally the case all we need do is scratch the surface and the truth reveals itself.
As reported in the Wall Street Journal, John Cassidy of the New Yorker lets the cat out of the bag when he writes on The New Yorker website that we must be clear about what the reform amounts to. "The U.S. government is making a costly and open-ended commitment," Cassidy writes. “The Obama Administration . . . is creating a new entitlement program, which, once established, will be virtually impossible to rescind." And why are they doing it? Again the WSJ quotes Cassidy: Because “ObamaCare serves the twin goals of making the United States a more equitable country" and furthering the Democrats' "political calculus." In other words, the purpose is to further redistribute income by putting health care further under government control, and in the process making the middle class more dependent on government. As the party of government, Democrats will benefit over the long run.”
That might explain why this massive 2000 page bill uses the command “shall”- business “shall” do this, you “shall” do that -- 3,345 times; creates 111 new government boards, commissions and bureaucracies all overseen by a healthcare czar and subjects every aspect of healthcare to government regulation; all this at a whopping cost to taxpayers of $1.5 trillion over 10 years, which will be paid for through a host of new taxes, penalties and fees. In spite of rumors to the contrary; there is no free lunch.
This bitter pill might be easier to swallow if the new left was at least honest in admitting that the cost of seeing this imperative through will be paid for in freedoms. These new Knights Templar have defended their cause with constant references to affordability and yet under their plan what is affordable ceases to be a subjective measure that each man can make for himself according to his individual needs and priorities. Rather it becomes an objective measure defined by the new “Commissioner of Health Choices.” Every American will be forced to purchase an insurance policy. The government will decide what benefits those policies must include. Even if you are happy with your current insurance plan you will have to switch to a policy that includes the government mandated benefits even if you don’t want them, will never use them and their inclusion will increase the price you pay for coverage. And suppose you decide for whatever reason that you are simply not going to pay? Well the house bill specifies “a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years.” Imprisonment…whereupon you will of course receive free government healthcare.
There is nothing quite like morality imposed at the point of a gun, or which benefits some at the expense of others.
The Pelosi bill narrowly won passage in the house after Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) offered an amendment prohibiting abortion coverage in the public option as well as any private plans accepting people receiving taxpayer subsidies. But be not dismayed; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the Democrats’ chief deputy whip in the House of Representatives has promised that she and other pro abortion democrats will work overtime to ensure that the Stupak amendment is not included in the final version of the health care bill. During an appearance on MSNBC Wasserman Schultz declared, “I am confident that when it comes back from the conference committee that that language won't be there.” That’s right; those claiming a moral imperative to reform healthcare are the same folks that believe they also have a moral right to murder children in utero AND force others to pay for it.
It seems obvious why those claiming the mantle of righteousness chose to pass this monstrosity of awfulness under cover of darkness. Thankfully -- to quote the pop star Jeffry Osborne -- “I really don’t need no light to see through you.”
Joseph C. Phillips is the author of "He Talk Like a White Boy" available where ever books are sold.
AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: McDonald’s Launches Flavor Battle National DJ Competition Featuring Celebrity DJs Spinderella, Bryan Michael Cox And DJ Irie; Sprite Step Off Service Challenge; Ronald McDonald’s House Charities To Host Students
By Audrey J. Bernard, Lifestyles/Society Editor
*The nation’s foremost fast food dynasty, McDonald’s, recently launched the McDonald’s Flavor Battle, a new, national premier DJ competition that kicked off nationwide September 7, 2009 in which three local DJs each represented a McDonald’s famous burger and competed to win the McDonald’s Flavor Battle on the main stage at the Sprite Step Off events.
The trio of DJs battling for burger supremacy included DJ Spinderella, Bryan Michael Cox and DJ Irie. The DJs battled online at McDonald’s 365Black.com from September 7 through November 22, giving consumers an opportunity to vote for the DJs’ old school, new school and R&B mixes at the web site, and a chance to win big prizes including a trip to Atlanta for the Sprite Step Off National Finals in January 2010.
During the national DJ competition online, audience members “voiced their choice” for their favorite McDonald’s burger and DJ via text message. Every text message counted as an entry into the national McDonald’s Flavor Battle sweepstakes, along with voting on 365Black.com. The winner will be announced shortly.
All three popular DJs attended an exclusive New York City media reception at the swellegant Slate Restaurant Bar & Billiards watering spot in the trendy Flatiron district on Friday, November 6, 2009.
Joining the hot DJs and their pool party guests were Nicole Neal, manager, U.S. Communications, McDonald’s Corporation, and two advertising reps from Burrell: Iman A. Jefferson, media relations specialist, engagement marketing, and Tracy L. Anderson, account director, engagement marketing.
Neal introduced the celebrity DJs who discussed their individual involvement:
Los Angeles-based DJ Spinderella, of legendary 80’s hip-hop fame, representing the Big Mac, encouraged guests to vote for her noting that she was the only competitor with the right curves which brought lots of wolf sounds from the predominantly male audience.
Bryan Michael Cox, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer out of Houston and Atlanta, representing the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, told everyone that he was the big cheese of the trio and deserved their vote.
Lastly, Miami-based DJ Irie, the only official DJ for the pro-basketball team Miami Heat and the official DJ for actor and R&B artist Jamie Foxx, representing the newest burger, the Angus Third Pounder, buoyantly begged guests to vote for him stating that he was the real deal.
At the Sprite Step Off, the competing step teams will not only vie for the national step team championship, they will also engage in community service activities in the cities where they compete as part of the Sprite Step Off Service Challenge. Additionally, Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonald’s will host college students at Ronald McDonald Houses across the country to help achieve the Sprite Step Off Service Challenge national goal of 1.5 million service hours.
The live events will occur in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Bloomington (IN), Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbia (MO), Columbia (SC), Columbus (OH), Dallas, Fayetteville (AR), Houston, Morgantown (WV), Long Beach, Montgomery (AL), New Orleans, New York City, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most – right in their own communities.
RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.
RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world. These programs and grants provide a bridge to assessable health care and allow families more time together which help in the healing process.
Championed by Sprite, the leading lemon-lime sparkling beverage brand among multicultural youth, Sprite Step Off is a national competition that celebrates the creativity and originality of the multicultural college experience through stepping, scholarship and service.
It is the largest step competition for Greek letter organizations in the U.S., with the largest prize pool ever. Sprite Step Off will make it possible for a broader audience to experience an iconic form of self-expression that has been shared by multicultural college students for decades and encourage young people nationwide to get involved in community service to improve their communities. (Photos by Soul Brother)
Audrey J. Bernard is an established chronicler of Black society and Urban happenings based in the New York City area.
THE PULSE OF ENTERTAINMENT: Irene "Mama" Stokes is cooking with the stars on her new Internet cooking show: and, Stax Records is back with a new CD release, N' dambi's 'Pink Elephant'
By Eunice Moseley
Irene “Mama” Stokes is cooking with the stars on her new Internet cooking show
*Irene Stokes known to most as comedian/actress Mama Stokes, mother of music/film producer Chris Stokes (Immature/IMx, B2K, “You Got Served”), has launched an Internet cooking show, “Irene Cooking with the Stars.” Her cooking show has had celebrities such Raven Symone', Jamie Foxx, Neicy Nash, and Tisha Campbell-Martin.
“The family unit has broken down...one way of communicating is at the dinner table,” Irene Stokes pointed out when asked why she decided to do a cooking show. “The show visits celebrities like Marques Houston. (When I was there) I made my Obama Beans.”
Irene also said her show will be airing on cable, channel 5, soon. As we discussed the many styles of cooking, I asked her about cooking tips for a person like me with Hypertension.
“One key is the cutting back on salt,” Stokes said. “Pork has a lot of salt...we over salt. You can use garlic, certain soy sauces....lemon in collard greens.”
Irene said her show is also about affordable family meals. She has a special section in her show - and on her website where the show is aired – devoted to various dishes that use Ramen Noodles. Her recipes on the show are also in an upcoming cook book, “Irene's Kitchen Volume 1,” which will include poetry and lots of pictures. The meals are economical, quick, easy and hearty. Stokes will show her audience how to feed a family of four with only $15.00.
“It came from raising kids (she has six children and 20 grandchildren),” Irene said about how she learned all these cooking skills. “My mother Ruth is the greatest cook in the world!”
Irene Stokes relocated from her home town of Cleveland for what she said was “streets paved with gold.” She was blessed to meet then high-profile comedian Red Foxx and be able to work for him for a time when he and Bill Crosby had a club together.
“I like comedy and a lot of women didn't do comedy,” Irene said about her career as a comedian. “Red took me under his wing...boy it was a hard field.”
Irene said comedy is not something you learn. As a comedic actress Irene Stokes appeared in “That's My Mama,” “Penitentiary” and “You Got Served,” which is a film produced and directed by her son Chris Stokes. Irene's daughter Juanita “Smooth” Stokes is a rapper who was signed to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' label Perspective Records, along with Sounds of Blackness and Mint Condition.
“We always laughed in the kitchen...fun times,” Mama Stokes said about her kitchen at home raising her children. That same atmosphere viewers will find when they tune into her cooking show. “I am a happy person. It's always better to be happy.”
The show is informative, light hearted and fun. I enjoyed watching the episodes and learn a lot of cooking tips. I also must mention how amazing Irene “MaMa” Stokes looks.
To see the currently running episodes of “Irene Cooking with the Stars” log onto her website at www.IreneCookingwiththeStars.com.
Stax Records is back with a new CD release, N'dambi's 'Pink Elephant'
Stax Records known for its creation of Southern Soul music, is the home to such legends as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Isaac Hayes. It was purchased by Concord Music in 2004 and is now dedicated to R&B and Soul. Stax just released a hot new CD from N'dambi titled “Pink Elephant” (CoCo Red/BluKey/Stax Records).
Reminiscent, to me, of India.Arie in sound and storytelling style, N' dambi also gives up a twist of Soul, Funk and Jazz fused together in vocal sound and style. On this project, which is produced by Leon Sylvers (Blackstreet, Gladys Knight), N' dambi shows her true artistic talent and range.
“It was deliberate to tell stories in my writing,” she said about her style. Holding a degree in Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University N' dambi said, “I wanted to be a novelist.”
The daughter of Baptist ministers in Dallas, Texas N' dambi was only allowed Gospel and Country music in the house. When out of the house N' dambi gravitated towards music made by Earth, Wind and Fire, the Bar-Kays and the Ohio Players, which had a profound influence on her sound.
Her debut release was in 1999 titled “Little Lost Girl Blues.” Next, she released “Tunin' Up & Cosignin',” and then “A Weird Kind of Wonderful,” which was released only in Japan.
“Stax was looking for a new artist,” N' dambi said about her Stax record deal. “At the same time I was looking for a label.”
My favorite songs on the “Pink Elephant” project include “Imitation” a finger snapping number that has a Jazz flavor to it; “Nobody Jones” a heart-felt song about dream chasers; “The One” a funky song, and “The World is a Beat” another funky cut with a drum driven track.
N'dambi is currently promoting her “Pink Elephant” CD release with shows in Chicago, California, Dallas and Oakland. For more information on dates or to hear songs from the album log onto www.NdambiOnline.com.
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
Today’s ‘Live Better With Willie Jolley’ Tip: Settling For The Leftovers
Most people settle for the leftovers life gives them rather than creating a banquet table for themselves. They dream little dreams, think little thoughts, and get little results. Why? Because most don’t think they can do any better. They settle for mediocrity rather than going the extra mile for excellence. They don’t think they can do it. As Henry Ford said, “If you think you can or think you can’t, either way you’re probably right.” You accomplish what you think you can accomplish. You can if you think you can, and you probably won’t if you think you can’t.
Most people go to their graves with their dreams still inside of them. Most of us act like the man who was told to go into a bank and take whatever he wanted. He took a penny and left because he didn’t think he could handle any more! He thought it would be too hard to keep the wealth. Ladies and gentlemen, we are what we think about. Think big!
Visit my website at www.williejolley.com free motivation and make every minute count!
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Nov. 19: Sportscaster Ahmad Rashad is 60. Singer Tony Rich is 38. Dancer-choreographer Savion Glover is 36.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Black and Married With Kids was created by Lamar and Ronnie Tyler, a 30-something-year-old professional couple with four kids in the DC Area.
They share opinions on relationships, parenting, politics, current events and anything in between (www.BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com).
Submit your favorite Web site to us along with a 15-20 word (or less) description to info@eurweb.com.
BLACK HISTORY
Nov. 19, 1953: Roy Campanella was named most valuable player of the National Baseball League for the second time. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
