Hate Me For Saying It But Love What I Say

The Possession: A WydeOpen review 3.5

2012-09-13T08:54:00.001-07:00

Film: The Possession
Studio: Ghost House Pictures
Cast: Natasha Calis, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick,
Rating:PG-13

When I heard the commercial for The Possession make the claim that it was made by the same people who produced the 2009 film Drag Me To Hell, I was immediately intrigued, knowing that it was Sam Raimi, the same person for one of the best horror movies ever; 1981s The Evil Dead.
Although The Possession was not written nor directed by Raimi, rather it was directed by Danish film maker Ole Bornedal, it definitely comes from the Raimi horror film mold having a captivating plot, compelling characters, genuine thrills interspersed with subtle humor throughout.

As with any good horror the advertised plot (supposedly based on a true story) is simple and straight forward enough. A young girl gradually becomes possessed by an evil spirit she accidentally releases from an antique box.
What makes this story differ from most "possession" movies is the family drama that hinders attempts to diagnose and heal the girl.

Jeffery Dean Morgan (The Losers) and Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer ) play Clyde and Stephanie, a recently divorced couple who are attempting to amicably work through the complications of parenting their daughters, teenager, Hannah (Madison Davenport) and the younger Em (Natasha Calis).

It is on one of the girls' weekend visits with their father that Em discovers and becomes intrigued with an antique wooden box at a yard sale and persuades her father to buy it for her. In an example of a quality horror script, we the audience, gasp at the seemingly innocent purchase of a gift for a child as we recall the film's opening scene which demonstrated the actual malevolent violence the box is capable of unleashing upon its owner.

Immediately upon opening the box, Em begins to devolve into a literal demon child but her odd behavior is written off as a byproduct of the recent change in the family dynamic. Clyde begins to suspect a link between the box and Em's changes but finds himself being accused of poor parenting and even being abusive.

As I mentioned before the script is well written as all of the film characters, even the possessed Em, provide opportunity for Clyde, the real hero of the movie, to progress the plot. Jeffery Dean Morgan is a charismatic actor and convincingly plays the concerned and frustrated father who you root for as he finds himself at odds with almost every other character at some point in the movie as he desperately tries to save his daughter.

In an era where so many horror films rely on gore and blood to make the audience wince and manufacture cheap thrills and chills from loud unexpected noises, The Possesion calls back to good old fashioned "ghost story" telling like the ones told around the campfire or at kids sleepovers. Of course the best of those often started with the phrase "This really happened."

Sparkle - A WydeOpen Review 3 Stars out of 5

2012-09-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

Film: Sparkle
Studio: Tri-Star
Cast: Jordin Sparks, Carmen Ejogo and Whitney Houston
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 116 minutes

Set in 1960s against the backdrop of the explosion of R&B thanks in large part to Berry Gordy and Motown Records, Sparkle is an artistic homage to the original 1974 film with it's own unique voice.

Looking to become the next Berry Gordy, a young man named Stix, played by Derek Luke (Friday Night Lights) helps three talented sisters form a R&B group which he hopes to get signed to a major record label. But as fame comes their way, it becomes more of a challenge for the family to stay together. Among those standing in the way of success is the girls' mother, Emma, a jaded and bitter former singer who now wants nothing more for her than "a respectful education and a relationship with the Lord."

American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks gives a adequate performance in her film debut as Sparkle, the youngest sister of the trio and Stix best chance at realizing his dream. It doesn't hurt they share the dream and a lot of chemistry. Carmen Ejogo channels Lonette McKee (Half & Half) and gives a stellar performance as Sister, the oldest, most defiant sister and the one most desperate for fame and fortune. The sister that the mother Emma fears will most likely follow in her footsteps.

Irony permeates a supporting part that was supposedly designed to be Whitney Houston's "comeback role" but instead became her swan song, Although this was not a starring vehicle for Whitney, that fact may be testament to her skill as an actor; not upstaging newcomer Sparks while still making her presence felt through her character's personality.

Surprisingly it's Mike Epps (Next Friday) who steals the show as Satin,a paradoxically evil stand-up comedian with whom Sister falls in love. His command of the screen displays his growth as an actor since his first roles as nothing more than comedic relief or bit parts.
The fact that Epps who is a hilarious comedian in real life gave such a strong performance that was intentionally not funny but intensely dramatic should speak volumes to future casting directors who may have previously seen him as a one-note actor who would forever play sidekicks like Black Dougs and Day-Days.

More than anything, Sparkle is a soulful musical complete with feel good R&B songs from the original like the Curtis Mayfield penned "Something He Can Feel" and "Hooked on Your Love" which are beloved classics today. Other catchy original songs for the film, like the melodic "One Wing" were produced by none other that R. Kelly himself.
But it's the gospel cornerstone "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" that provides Whitney an opportunity to provide yet another (but sadly her last) powerful performance that would make her mother Cissy Houston proud.

Maybe it's that real life tragedy of that underlines the plot that also undermines it. Every time Whitney is onscreen one cannot help but feel a twinge of grief knowing she is no longer alive, ultimately because of the same showbiz demons that plagued her.

You're not getting bullied - You're being a sissy

2012-08-24T13:48:00.001-07:00

Let me be the one to say it - Just because someone teases you, cracks a joke at your expense or calls you a name don't mean you're being bullied.

In my day, a bully took your lunch money or your shoes or coat. Hell, sometimes kids got killed for those things.

Now they're killing themselves or others cause their damn feeling got hurt.

If you don't vote, you'll save money on college - cause your kids probably ain't going.

2012-08-15T22:26:00.001-07:00

Ryan, with his hardline views on social issues created a budget plan that would severely cut education spending and loans while leaving the defense budget entirely exempt. In other words, if Romney/Ryan win (because you don't vote) PLAN on your children going to the military INSTEAD of college.

Romney's Choice: via HuffPost http://huff.to/RWTLKS

The Bourne Legacy: A WydeOpen review 1.5/5

2012-08-10T15:24:00.001-07:00

Film: The Bourne Legacy
Studio: Relativity Media, The Kennedy /Marshall Company
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz
Rating: PG-13
Running Time:135 minutes

In 2002 Jason Bourne the amnesiac spy/assassin loosely based off of the Robert Ludlem novels made his way to the big screen. Played magnificently by Matt Damon, The Bourne Identity was a breath of fresh air in the action-thriller genre which had been dominated by movies like "Mission: Impossible" and the James Bond series.

In the following years, two sequels (The Bourne Supremacy and Ultimatum) also starring Damon came along, each tolerable in their own right, both feeding off of the previous story but neither as good as the first.

Eventually the of the scripts were of such poor quality that even Matt Damon himself moved on from the franchise.

If only the studio made the same move.

Supposedly Paul Greengrass, the director of the first three Bourne installments joked about a forth film being titled "The Bourne Redundancy"which turns out to be ironically appropriate. I submit the even more appropriate "The Boring Legacy".

Directed by Tony Gilroy, writer of the first three Bourne films, The Bourne Legacy struggles to introduce new characters and attach them to the established narrative.

In a nutshell, we learn that the covert program that created Jason Bourne has a sister program run by another clandestine government agency like the CIA. The head of that agency (The Incredible Hulk's Edward Norton) is positive that the events of "Supremacy" have created an infection which needs to be"cleaned up" - a euphemism for killing all agents involved in the "Outcome" program.

Aaron Cross (The Hurt Locker's Jeremy Renner) is the last of these Bourne-like agents who are dependent on a combination of pills to maintain their amazing physical and mental skills. He's knows he's being hunted but desperately wants to obtain a refill so not to lose his lethal abilities.

Bored yet? I felt the same way watching.

He teams up with a reluctant biologist (Rachel Wiesz) who helped engineer and administrate the "Outcome" agents and program who is also marked for "cleansing" as the rest of her team is massacred in a workplace shooting that was frankly, extremely uncomfortable to watch in light of the recent real-life mass murders in Colorado and Wisconsin.

What made the first Bourne film so captivating was the intriguing plot that accompanied Bourne's amnesia laced with the action sequences that showcased his innate abilities to assess a situation and appropriately and effortlessly kick ass.

And that's precisely where the Bourne Legacy fails. The plot is nothing more than dull and the action scenes not only pale on comparison to and in intensity to Bourne's, Bond's and Hawke's(of Mission: Impossible) they happen so late in the film that they hardly matter since you have literarily already seen all of them in the film's trailers.

Ironically the tagline to this instalment is "There was never just one."
There probably should've been.

The Campaign: A WydeOpen review 3/5 Stars

2012-08-10T10:15:00.001-07:00

Film: The Campaign
Studio:
Cast: Will Ferrell, Zach Galafanakis, Jason Sudeikis, Dylan McDermott
Rating:R
Running Time: 85 minutes

If Will Ferrell is the king of outrageously ridiculous characters set in plausible situations (See Old School, Anchorman or Step Brothers) then Zach Galifinakis is the heir to the throne. The comedian who shot to fame after his role as the oddball brother-in-law Alan in the hit The Hangover is fast becoming Hollywood's go-to guy to play extreme eccentrics. (See Due Date or Dinner for Schmucks).
You would think the pairing of these two hams in the political comedy The Campaign would be a recipe for the most hilarious movie of the year but unfortunately issues with the script hold this movie back from realizing its full potential.
Ferrell plays Cam Brady an incumbent North Carolina congressman who is running for re-election unopposed a fifth time. As a career "America, Jesus, Freedom" platform politician, Brady is acclimated to a lifestyle that few can afford. He's corrupt, he's a philanderer and he's out out of touch with the common man.
One doesn't have to look deep to see intentional parodies of politicians like John Edwards or even Mitt Romney. Ferrell borrows from his experience lampooning G.W. Bush during his years at Saturday Night Live and the HBO special You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush and creates a genuine
amusingly dislikable character.
Galafanakis plays Marty Huggins, an innocent effeminate who owns a company that provides tours of Hammond, North Carolina, a town so small it's lone celebrity visitor was Rosie Perez when she got "turned around on the highway". Marty longs for a chance to make his politically powerful father (The Bourne Supremacy's Brian Cox) proud.
He gets his opportunity when two unscrupulous businessmen decide to invest in his unlikely campaign against Brady. They plan on having the politician in their pocket to essentially own the town of Hammond.
Not only facing an opponent for the first time but one with tons of money and a skilled mysterious campaign manager (Dylan McDermott), Brady attempts to one up his challenger at every turn. He succeeds in imploding and creating collateral damage around him including innocent babies and pets.
The premise of The Campaign provides plenty of opportunity for the talented cast to be as funny as we know they all can be. There are campaign speeches that focus on conversations between Chinese Pugs named Muffins & Pound Cake and there are hilarious candidate approved commercials and drunken high speed chases.
All in all this is a funny and entertaining movie. Director Jay Roach (Meet the Parents) conducts this film in the same key as oddball comedies like Billy Madison complete with eccentric characters like the Asian maid who speaks in Black antebellum dialect.
There was a ton of potential for this to be one of the funniest movies ever with a supporting cast full of "A-list" co-stars including Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis and comedy legends Dan Aykroyd and John Lithgow.
Disappointingly though, a few huge plot holes and an ending that feels rushed and a by-product of lazy writing prevents this from being as successful and entertaining as I hoped it would have been.

Total Recall: A Wydeopen review (2/5 Stars)

2012-08-02T21:19:00.001-07:00

Film: Total Recall
Studio: Original Films
Cast: Colin Ferrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Beil, Bryan Cranston, John Cho, Bill Nighy
Rating:PG-13
Running Time: 118 Minutes

Twenty two years ago there was a fairly successful movie that takes place in the not-so-distant dystopian future where a person can purchase artificial memories as a sort of virtual vacation. The film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as Quaid, a bored blue collar worker who partakes in the procedure only for things to go predictably wrong. Soon enough Quaid doesn't know what is real and who he can trust.

I go into so much detail about a movie originally released a generation ago because sadly in this era of Hollywood remakes, reboots and re-imagnings the studio has practically just (re)released the exact same movie.

From the opening the 2012 version is (with very few un-notable differences) a poor scene for scene imitation of the original which was really only remarkable for the special effects.

The terrible acting in the original has improved to unremarkable performances from the entire cast. This is especially disappointing in the case of multiple Emmy winner Bryan Cranston who unbelievably plays the main bad guy.

I'm sure there will be fans of the original that will appreciate what could be interpreted as homages to the iconic images throughout this film but I doubt they'll be forgiving of the awkward stop-n-go pacing of the plot. It alternates between furious breakneck extended action/fight sequences to extended snail paced dialogue exchanges. Its worth noting that the original was so over the top with its continuous gratuitous violence that it had to be reedited before receiving a R rating whereas this PG-13 film borders on dull and boring.

Of all the films this year that I was skeptical of (Battleship, Wrath of the Titans, Men In Black 3) this unnesecerry remake worried me the least yet disappointed me the most. You would think that a 2012 movie remaking what some call a groundbreaking-special effects sci-fi-classic would bring more to the table than the supposed gravity defying properties of a ridiculous blue collar transport called "The Fall" (It's literally a shaft that passes through the core of the planet.)

Ultimately this movie is the theatrical equivalent of a bad karaoke performance of a song from the 90s like "Margaritaville" or "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls.

A firsthand account from a survivor

2012-07-20T13:58:00.001-07:00

The following is the first hand account of what happened last night. A very powerful, moving read from a very talented, brave young man.

Theater 8 I woke up on the morning of July 19th with an excited smile. I was going to see the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. I woke with Noemi next to me, and immediately began searching through our clothes for our Batman t-shirts. We were getting each other amped up for hours, reading Batman comics, watching the trailers – even playing Batman video games. Our excitement could no longer be contained, so we took our pre-printed tickets and left for Century 16 six hours before the show would begin. As we drove we talked of the scenes from the trailers and tried to plot bust the final film before we would see it. We walked through the doors smiling wide, looking at all of the people bearing the black and yellow symbol of The Dark Knight across their chests. We fiddled with a machine scanning our tickets unsuccessfully for several minutes before finally getting help from a cashier. As soon as our tickets came we walked in disbelief over to where they’d roped off an area for people to sit and wait, excited as children on Christmas morning. We were finally going to see our hero rise for the final time. I frantically kept checking my ticket stub, fearing it would disappear if I didn’t check that it was in my pocket every few seconds. I couldn’t stop smiling as I looked at it. Dark Knight Rises showed in bold letters across the top with House 8 directly below. We purchased our tickets at 7:14, and waited impatiently with wonderful people in line. We were the third and fourth people there in line, and couldn’t be happier. Shortly after we arrived we met a very nice and VERY excited guy (we later learned his name is Alex), and we talked for a good two hours. Everyone was friendly, excited… and smiling. We were counting down the minutes to when we’d finally see our hero again. To our surprise the doors to the theater opened around 9:35, and I was ushering Noemi to grab her purse and hurry behind me so we could get our usual seats. We like being at the very center of the middle row –perfect movie seats in my opinion. As we parted ways from our new friend from the line, he called, “see you after the movie!” As usual the trailers began, and we cheered as trailers for The Hobbit, and Man of Steel played out on the screen. Excitement rippled through the theater as usual quiet commentary echoed around the room of mixed opinions. Everyone’s cheers and whoops fell into dead silence as the screen showed Commissioner Gordon giving his piece at Harvey Dent’s funeral. From that moment on the room was silent, and enjoying the show. Our excitement grew steadily as new characters were introduced, and the story began to unfold. We were taken to the story of a cop, and into the middle of a harsh action packed gun battle. Suddenly it was as though the movie was no longer a movie, the chaos on the screen had manifested itself into the very room. At first the sounds of what I thought to be cheap fire crackers didn’t phase me. Smoke billowed around the right side of the theater where people had previously been entering. This still didn’t phase me. I was determined to ignore the asshole interrupting my film, I wasn’t going to let fire crackers ruin my night. Noemi gripped my arm, worried, looking closer. Suddenly I snapped back to reality. I felt pieces of grit hit my face and arms. A series of further pops echoed with the movie’s scene of grim gun fire, and more “smoke” billowed around the right side of the room. It didn’t occur to me until later that it was not smoke, or at least not just smoke. It was debris showering into the room from bullets coming through the walls. Our shared wall with theater 9. Screams could be heard over the roar of the movie. I took Noemi by the hand and led her down the isle with everyone else trying to get out. Some stayed in their seats in disbelief, even defiant – not willing to leave their seats. A man in a white shirt rushed into the room as the fire alarms went off, “don’t exit through the front, there’s a man out there shooting people.” The only light in the room came from the big screen, showing enough in the dim light to send my body shaking with fear.

As the sounds of groans and moans of pain became more coherent around us we realized people were injured. Even if we couldn’t spot them in the darkness, we could hear them. The shooting continued, barely audible over more screams. Finally, as though a switch of understanding struck me along with everyone else we began rushing back up the stairs towards the exits above at the top level – not the ones we came through. Noemi and I rushed out onto the bright and loud balcony level overlooking the main lobby. We were in the middle of what seemed like a war. Police officers with shot guns and pistols rushed below and out of sight while others guarded the stairs up to our level, ordering us to get down behind the wall. People rushed out through the front doors holding wounds, or doubled over in agony. I grabbed Noemi and pulled her behind me down the stairs, reassuring her as best I could. She pushed me away, yelling for me to run, but I grabbed her anyway and stayed with her on our dreamlike way out the front doors, completely in disbelief, fearing a bullet could tear it’s way through us at any given second. I don’t remember seeing many of the wounded, we got out quickly in the chaos of it all. The red and blue lights were as welcome as the Bat signal in the sky then, and I knew we were going to be okay. We moved well beyond the line of cop cars, knowing it should be safe. I walked up to a young boy, maybe my sister’s age with blood caked over his hands. I asked if he was okay, if he was hurt… It wasn’t his blood. He helped one of the wounded out of the building, and explained that the man had been hit pretty bad through one of his legs. The boy was holding up better than I was, he said, “I’m angry more than anything else, who does this? Who would do something like this?” I shook my head, unable to reply. Childish guilt and shame welled up inside of me. I wanted to go back, to help. I looked at Noemi and shook off the ridiculous feeling. There was nothing I could have done. I took her in my arms and made phone calls to family letting them know what had happened, and that we were okay. Rumors of a death passed from person to person. My world was shattered. I had to get her out of there. Without hesitation she led me back to the car, and I drove us out of the parking lot behind a line of cars trying to escape the massacre. Sirens cut through the air as countless police cars and ambulances rushed past us. The fear deepened as I saw this. I wanted answers. How many people were injured? How many had been killed? Did I know any of them? I still don’t know if I do know any of them. I am shaking as I type my story now, recalling what happened. 9 news plays the details as I type now. Twelve dead, around fifty wounded. It is nearly ten o’clock in the morning. Ten bodies still remain inside of the theater. If we hadn’t purchased our tickets in advance, or arrived for good seats five hours before the movie… would we have been in the seats where people were being hit with bullets and debris from the walls? I don’t know. What if we’d been in theater 9 instead of 8? Would I be alive to tell you my story? I don’t know. I never saw the man who shot up theater 9. I heard he was dressed in black, and wore a gas mask as he used a rifle and two pistols on helpless innocent people. Men, women, children. Children. Cute kids dressed up as the caped crusader or the infamous back breaking Bane. There is no justice that can be brought to James Holmes. He deserves a fate worse than the most agonizing death can offer. I want to see him burn alive, I want to hear him scream for what he has done. I will never forget what I witnessed just ten hours ago. Is it wrong to feel guilty for getting away unscathed? If I could trade places with any of the twelve, I would in a heartbeat. None of them deserved this. We live in a world plagued by villains. Batman was everywhere that night, defeated. Our heroes are the brave officers offering their lives on the line to protect us. They arrived to save the day, and got Holmes when he was at his car (I assume he was gathering more supplies to continue the slaughter). Noemi and I gave our statements and left just before rumors of bombs in the building began circulating. I am writing this now because my perspective needs to be shared. A friend of mine sent me a message on Facebook saying, “write, while it’s still fresh in your mind.”

The rest of the story is here.

Shit just got real.

2012-07-20T08:13:00.001-07:00

I was going to write up a glowing review of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, a movie so good I actually screened it twice earlier this week.

I told a friend who was "hyped" about seeing the movie at midnight Thursday, that he wouldn't be disappointed.

In my rough draft I mentioned that the IMAX version was larger than life.

In my notes I mentioned that in this highly intense PG-13 film most of the violence occurs off-screen.

I also wondered if the parallels in the plot to the real world conflict of the 99% versus the elite 1% were intentional.

But to paraphrase comedian Kevin Hart $@%$ just got real.

I woke up this morning to the shocking news that at a movie theater 2.6 miles away from my house a gunman opened fire in a midnight showing of TDKR.

As of this writing, 12 people have been killed and approximately 50 people have been injured including a 3 month old baby. The injuries range from gunshot wounds to exposure to some type of chemical agent.

Witnesses say the gunman entered in the theater through a fire exit dressed in what has been described as riot gear including a bulletproof vest. He then released one or two canisters of teargas before opening fire on the unsuspecting audience.

Reportedly the killer began the slaughter just minutes into the film which added to the confusion. Many people thought the man standing in the front of the screen with guns and teargas was affiliated with the movie whose main protagonist is a ruthless mercenary/terrorist named Bane.

But sadly no, the heartless madman causing the terror inside theater 9 was all too real.

Although having not attended I even feel a twinge of anxiety knowing that more than most, that easily could've been me and my family. As I write this a father has just confirmed his 6 year old daughter is among the dead.

So, now I submit this as my review of the The Dark Knight Rises - a movie about a hero who rises up against the crime and evil taking over his beloved city.

Yes, it's a really, really good movie - the best of the summer if not the year but in comparison to the chaos that marred it's premiere:

It's not larger than life.

And sadly, most of the violence did take place offscreen.

Movies are supposed to be a temporary mental escape from that reality but as they say; some things are truly stranger than fiction.

No matter how intense the plot - nothing can measure up to or parallel the senselessness and madness that is taking place in my backyard right now.

Reality is, our world doesn't have a Dark Knight to fight the evil that plagues our world.

Thankfully, this morning my friend let me know he was physically unharmed although he is a bit shaken up.

So many people will be affected and touched by this "act of depravity" as Gov. John Hickenlooper described it. If you are able to do so; be there for those folks. Even if it's just lending an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on.

We all need to strive to be better than average.

Follow me in Twitter @wydeopen

Click here if you would like to help or need help.

Something To Die For

2012-07-12T14:03:00.001-07:00

Ok. When I get in a bad mood I like to listen to Tupac. Especially his older stuff like 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My Niggaz. That's when the brother was truly on some revolutionary sh!t.

It's sad that so most of this mans music and message has been lost in the controversy that ensued after the so called East Coast/West Coast feud.

When I say "lost" I probably should say missed to be more accurate. There was and still is a surge of rappers labeling themselves as "thugs" and making poor efforts at emulating Pac's talent, charisma and energy but they fail to capture the mans true spirit.

I was over in the News section awhile ago and got into a debate with someone who was still holding onto those conspiracy theories as to why Tupac is not dead.

I hate to say it, but my man is dead and probably not resting so peacefully due to the sacrilege of his legacy.

An old saying my Grandmother used to say is "Don't argue with fools because if someone is watching they won't be able to tell who is the fool!" so I won't continue a moot debate. From the picture that I've posted below it's obvious that Tupac is not coming out with any new music any time soon. (Although that was a funny a$s skit on Dave Chappelle's show).

Besides, if you listen to how Pac roasted the previous 2 presidents and even Dan Quayle during his career you would know that there is no way that the current president would have been spared a very public critisism if not humiliatuion by Mr. Shakur had he still been alive.

Again, it's sad that by the end of his life and career Tupac had moved so far from his revolutionary roots and gotten off base. And even though I was hoo-bangin and ridin hard to songs like Hit 'Em Up when I reminice about Tupac, I think of albums like Strictly 4 My Niggaz with songs like the one I've posted the lyrics to below.

"Something 2 Die 4 (Interlude)"

[laughter echoed]

I've changed...
You mothafuckas kill me
I've changed...

It ain't that i've changed
But it's strange how you mothafuckas rearrange
When I found fame
Point ya finger at tha bad guy

You know what my momma usta tell me
If ya can't find something ta live 4

Then you BEST, find something ta die 4

(eazy saying 'if there's hell below, we're all gonna
go'--this is all through out tha interlude)

Deep deep

Latasha Harlins
Remember that name...
Cause a bottle of juice...
Ain't something 2 die 4

Young Quaid
Remember that name...
Cause all you mothafuckas
That go to your grave with that name on your brain
Cause jelousy and recklousness
Is NOT, something 2 die 4

All you Niggas out there
[echoed laughter]
Look at how the Cracker crumbles

when I say

all you Niggas (all you niggas)
Unite
One nigga, teach 2 niggas
4 niggas teach more niggas
All tha poor niggas
Tha penn niggas
Tha rich niggas
Tha strong niggas
UNITE

There's more of us than there is of them
Look around...
Check your strip

Deep deep

That's something 2 die 4

Black

That's something 2 live 4

What do I know?

Beef...Something to die for?

The Amazing Spider-Man (4/5 Stars)

2012-07-02T16:07:00.001-07:00

Studio: Columbia/Sony
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Martin Sheen, Sally Field
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 136 minutes

One of the only strikes against "The Amazing Spider-Man" is the fact it's a reboot of a very popular and successful film series. That's an issue only because in a summer where two of the biggest comic book based franchises ( "The Avengers", "The Dark Knight Rises") compete to break and set box office records, few were excited about a do-over of the film series that takes the audience back to the beginning of an already well known story.

Unfortunately, the very capable Sam Raimi, director of the first three Spider-Man films and Columbia/Sony couldn't agree on several aspects of the future of the franchise so instead of moving ahead with a fourth instalment the studio immediately began production on this "re-imaging".

The gamble paid off as "The Amazing Spider-Man" creatively puts a new spin on a story so well known that it is practically a modern-day American fairy tale.

From the opening scene, the score reveals that the tone of the film is going to be much darker than the Toby McGuire/Kirsten Dunst vehicle.

Since the majority of the characters have been well established on screen over the past 10 years (nevermind the past 50 years of comic book history) in order for the latest film to succeed it was imperative for the new cast to totally own their roles
beginning with Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) as the new Peter Parker.

He does an excellent job not only establishing himself as the iconic alter-ego of Spider-Man but he also successfully reinvents the personality of Peter Parker. At the core of the character is his witty one-liners which Garfield delivers with the comic timing of comedy veterans like Billy Crystal. His Peter is still a super smart teen and sort of a square peg but Garfield manages to infuse an aura of cool never before been seen in the character.

Denis Leary and Rhys Ifans seemlessly take over roles previously played by James Cromwell and Dylan Baker as police Captain Stacy and Dr. Curt Conner - relatively minor characters on the previous films. However in this movie both are major protagonists. In Ifans case, he also introduces Conner's alter-ego -The Lizard; a bad guy out of Spidey's rouge gallery whose orgins are directly tied to Spider-Man's.

The extremely talented Emma Stone (The Help) takes over the role of Gwen Stacy played previously by Bryce Dallas Howard. However, this film (staying true to the comic) introduces Gwen as Peter's first love interest. Stone and Garfield demonstrate chemistry that in the midst of all the action tells a sweet teenage love story.

Director Marc Webb consulted with 3D guru James Cameron during the planning process which led to the movie bring filmed in digital 3D rather than converted post-production. This brings clarity and crispness to the scenes and the special effects that doesn't detract from nor overwhelm a surprisingly well written script.

(Audiences should be aware that beginning with this movie Sony is charging theaters for the 3D glasses which will undoubtedly result in higher prices at the ticket office. Is the additional price justified? Here's a great article to help you decide.)

While the writers took some artistic license and modernized some elements of Spider-Man's beginnings, the story essentially doesn't stray far from the heart of the classic orgin.

Many have said they aren't as excited about this movie as they were/are about the other summer blockbusters. Had anyone known how good of a movie this would turn out to be I'm sure the Web Crawler's ticket pre-sale would have rivaled all the other heroes of the big screen.

Here's What They Think About You: "put them where they belong - 6 feet under"

2012-06-27T07:03:00.001-07:00

In the wake of Trevon Martin and the recent shooting of Officer Hollis young Black men may be in jeopardy like never before.

policemag.com is website for police officers around the country. They reported the shooting of Officer Hollis and the possibility that the suspect is a gang member.

The following is a part of a comment from a fellow law enforcement
officer: "put them where they belong - 6 feet under."

Another murderer claims gang affiliation, yet no one really does anything about the gangs. When a gangbanger murders a police officer, they've declared war. Isn't it time we fought back? Isn't it time that prosecutors, juries, and judges joined the fray? Don't waste jail space on these turds. Give them the trial they're guaranteed by our Constitution, when they're convicted limit their appeals to no more than one, when the appeals are rejected, put them where they belong - 6 feet under.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2 out of 5)

2012-06-22T16:26:00.001-07:00

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Studio: Fox
Cast: Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie
Rating:R
Running Time:1 hour 45 minutes

Call me old school but I learned just about everything I needed to know about vampires from the classic mid-80s movies Fright Night and The Lost Boys.Rule numero uno: sunlight kills vampires. Period. If it can tolerate daytime, it's not a vampire. So with this in mind, know that everything that is right about Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, none of it overcomes this flaw in it's premise.
By-the-way, there's not a whole lot right with the movie anyway.

Based off the popular novel of the same name by Seth Gramme-Smith, Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, the film explores the premise of what if the 16th POTUS was motivated his entire life by a deep seeded hatred and personal vendetta against "vampires". (Please take note of the sarcastic quotation marks).

These (historically) creatures of the night masquerade in 19th century America as inn-keepers, pastors, blacksmiths and among other things, plantation/ slave owners. The last of which is morally reprehensible to "Honest Abe" because his mother was killed by a racist "vampire" and his life long best friend is a abolitionist Black man (The Hurt Locker's Anthony Mackie)

The main problem with this film (besides my beef with the misappropriation of the word vampire) is that it moves way too fast from scene to scene. The pace reminded me of the way a comic book reads resulting in very poor character development and cinematic rhythm. Some scenes were no longer than just a few seconds long; about the time it takes to read a page or two of a graphic novel.

The novel is described as "mash-up" of comic, horror, historical and thriller genres. Unfortunately, the film just doesn't successfully get the chemistry correct. There is little in the way of comedy, horror, thrills or historical accuracy to be found. The script is full of plot holes and logical inconsistencies that make as much sense as the silent "L" in Lincoln's part name.

There is, however, enough action to almost make up for the lack of real substance and logic. If the film aimed to be a mind numbing action fest rather than a high brow thought provoking, good humored historical, study into the fictional motivations of the"Great Emancipator", I may have been less cynical and more forgiving. Ironically, watching a young Liam Nesson looking Benjamin Walker attempt to be an action hero is mildly comedic. Whether this was intentional or not; only the film makers know.

Timur Bekmambetov who directed the 2008 bullet bending Matrix-esque film Wanted, shoots AL:VH's action scenes once again liberally using that super- slowed-down-then-super-sped-up film style that made movies like The Matrix, Wanted and Sherlock Holmes visually clever and stunning.
As a matter of fact, this movie could (arguably) be described as 300 meets Holmes meets Blade although I'm still calling foul in the use of the term vampire! (Yeah, I know, I need to let out go.)

The fact that it was filmed in 3D rather than converted to 3D in post production assists this movie from being a complete disaster as the cinematography is remarkable. The camera picks up the smallest detail of the elaborate period sets and the 3D subtlety enhances those miniscule details.

Despite it's flaws, the movie is still superficially entertaining. It may have that odd quality that one day land it cult classic status. Had it not been rated R this movie could have been perfectly marketed towards a young audience and shaped the vampire experience of todays teenagers like Fright Night and The Lost Boys did for me...as long as they don't mind sunlight tolerant...

Snow White & The Huntsman: Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5

2012-06-01T09:08:00.001-07:00

Snow White & The Huntsman studio: Universal Rated :PG-13 for intense violence Run Time: 127 minutes Cast: Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Kristan Stewart Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5 Review Once upon a time (now), in the enchanted land of Hollywood, a wicked spell has been cast that robbed the makers of their creativity and originality and cursed the people to endure the retelling of the same stories over and over again. The latest example is the of this hex is proven in the fact that in the past 10 months there have been no less than three big budget productions based on a 200 year old Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Over the past two centuries dozens of versions of Snow White have been produced, the most famous being the 1937 animated film which introduced cute names for the famous dwarves and essentially launched the Disney "rated G" empire and introduced the most famous rhetorical question; "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" If that question were applied to all the recent adaptations of the classic fairy tale from which it derived, the reflecting glass would undoubtedly respond "The latest is the greatest." Snow White & The Huntsman is head and shoulders above TV's "Once Upon A Time" and the theatrical travesty "Mirror, Mirror" that was released earlier this year. Although all three plots have roots in the classic fairy tale, SW&TH finds its teeth in remembering that the source material wasn't originally a story meant for children, rather it was the 19th century's version of a horror story. A horror story that first time director Rupert Sanders translates artfully for a modern audience using skilled actors, elaborate wardrobe and set dressings, realistic CGI and special effects and absolutely remarkable cinematography to tell an intriguing, spellbinding story.

The plot remains fairly loyal to the tale we all know with a few slight and minor revisions which actually add the depth to the characters that elevates this movie from being simply a live-action adaptation of the Disney version onto a level of quality which very few films achieve.

Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Kristen Stewart (The Twilight franchise) both take advantage of the opportunity the script provides to escape the typecast doom that they could have possibly faced for the rest of their careers. Their performances were remarkably impressive and neither should worry about being eternally linked to gods and vampires.
Charlize Theron dominates every time she's on screen embodying evil again like she did in Monster as Ravenna the evil queen/step-mother/witch.

Assisting Theron in radiating that evil are the details in every costume and prop on the set. Demonic etchings in her raven flocked throne and skeletal jewelry accentuate the villain's corrupt nature as she struggles to maintain her spot as the lands top model. Cue the special effects team who not only do a fantastic job in magically aging and de-aging the queen but also putting the DARK in the "Dark Forest" by way of the use of CGI to render subtle menacing foliage to incredibly scary creatures to battle. But as with the Benjamin Button-esque special effects performed on Theron, the CGI transformation of average height actors (some fairly well known) into fierce warrior dwarves less like the comedic Disney interpretation but more like the marauders (of smaller stature) in the Capital One credit card commercials. My one small complaint is with a scene where Snow White discovers her destiny and the computer generated images while still incredibly impressive are so cute that they (maybe intentionally) conjure up comparisons to the animated classic which momentarily detracts from the individuality and originality that the film had established early on. Ultimately though, that little quirk amounts to a tiny speed bump that fails to derail or even significantly slow this exhilarating action/fantasy/horror movie. Be advised, with violence and adult themes far more graphic than what was worthy of a G rating 80 years ago - this is not a children's film. I observed that during the most intense parts of the film some of the audience at the screening seemed very uncomfortable. My guess is they were the ones who brought their grade school age kids to the theater in anticipation of another family friendly iteration of the famous princess and loveable dwarves. This movie is appropriately rated PG-13, for it is that mature audience that will thoroughly enjoy this mature film.

Is HOPE Just A Campaign Slogan?

2012-05-29T07:33:00.001-07:00

Four years ago, a little girl from an after school program I helped coordinate asked me if I knew a recent local murder victim. When I told her I did, she informed me, matter of factly, "He was my dad. He got killed."

Just a few months prior to that, I had written an article about another comrade whose senseless murder was the catalyst for yet another cycle of death and destruction that has plagued the community that I grew up in over the past 20+ years.

Four years ago I was losing hope.

But then, through my work with Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives (a program intended to help at-risk children) I met Deon Rudd, an inspiring young man unlike anybody I've ever met and the one, if anyone, could restore my hope.

In an era where shamefully, too many Black men deny their children and shirk their responsibility, Deon was a literal stay-at-home dad. He and his wife Kendra, took in other troubled kids, and sometimes entire families, providing them shelter, clothing and home cooked meals.

Deon was also something of a chef who loved to amaze a houseful of people, family and guests, with his culinary skills.

His humanitarian deeds poured out into the community in which he and his family lived. I met Deon while he and his wife were volunteering at the same after school program I mentioned earlier. He wanted to improve his life by improving the lives of others, especially kids.

He voluntary coached kids basketball and would pick my brain because he had aspirations to begin a non-profit league of his own.

Deon was kind hearted, mellow, laid back and the epitome of cool. In the time that I spent with Deon I never saw him lose his temper or raise his voice. The only time I ever saw a glimpse of frustration in his face was when The Nuggets or The Broncos were doing poorly. (Which was more often than either of us liked).

I say all this to make the point, Deon wasn't all the things that most young Black murder victims are; irresponsible.

He wasn't a self described, arrogant and ignorant thug - He was a modest intellectual father.

He was selfless rather than selfish. He wasn't prone to making rash decisions or acting off emotion but one to make rational deliberate choices.

He wasn't artificial or superficial, rather, he was what so many young black men falsely proclaim to be; real!

The only gang Deon dedicated his life towards was his wife and kids.

On the evening of November 4th, 2008 , I sat in Deon's living room and watched history take place. Together, along with his family, we watched and then celebrated the election of the first Black president of the United States.

At that time, I felt so much pride in how far our people have come. I also I saw that pride in Deon's eyes as he held his infant son in his arms.

That look reflected whole heartedly the hope that was Obama's campaign slogan. That election night I saw a father see the future possibilities for himself and his seed. Upon witnessing that moment - a father will success upon his man-child, I rediscovered my lost hope.

Four years later, that hope is faltering again and I cannot look to Deon for inspiration for he has been taken from us.

The details surrounding his murder haven't come to light yet but to me and the ones whose lives he affected, they're irrelevant anyway. The facts of the matter are a wife is without her husband and four kids are without their father. Even more kids are without a coach, a mentor and a role model.

I am without a friend. As I hold my infant son, I'm attempting to hold on to that hope that Deon inspired. I want to live in a world where my son not only can grow up to be President of the United States, but where he can simply grow up and be a man like Deon.

It's apparent our political so called leaders are more interested in the investments being made on Wall Street than investing in the young lives being lost in the city streets.

If there is one thing that bothers me more than the brutal murder of a man I called a friend is the question, Why something like gay marriage is on the radar of either parties - Democrat or Republican, election campaign rather than the epidemic of our young people dying?

Thankfully there are few who are stepping up to the plate and attempting to save our future. Terrence Roberts is one of those who lead a movement. He is executive director of The Prodigal Son Intuitive, inc, a program born out of his struggles with gang activity in his youth.

I've been in contact with Terence over the past month and I've felt a vicarious sense of pride, similar to what I felt watching Deon that election night, when I see what Terence and The Prodigal Son Intuitive are working to accomplish. I'm hoping against hope that their efforts will not be in vain.

We can all assist in those efforts by contributing something. Prodigal Son and other organizations that help kids can always use donations and volunteers. Like Deon Rudd, we all have to do our parts to "keep hope alive" and more than just a campaign slogan.

There will be a Remembrance for Deon May 30th at Solid Rock Baptist Church 3520 e 28th.Ave 3pm-6pm

There will be a reception to celebrate his life afterwards
2878 Fairfax st.

Men In Black III:A WydeOpen review

2012-05-24T23:57:00.001-07:00

Men In Black III
Studio: Sony/Amblin
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Starring: Will Smith Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin,, Emma Thompson
Bottom line: 3 stars out of 5

When asked in a recent interview promoting Men In Black III, Will Smith was asked why it took 10 years to get this movie made. He answered they didn't want to make a sequel for the sake of making a sequel.

But I have to honestly ask, after 10 years, what was so imperative about this story that it had to be told? Who has been sitting around since 1997 waiting to find out Agent K's back story?

Back in then, Men In Black was a groundbreaking film directed by Barry Sonnefeld who up to that point was mostly known for "The Addams Family" films. It was everything that sci-fi films hadn't been in awhile; original and inspired. Starring a young charismatic television actor/rapper named Will Smith opposite seasoned Hollywood veteran, Tommy Lee Jones, the film also brought a new spin to the "buddy cop" genre.

Five years later, the sequel, MIB II, was critically lambasted even though everything that made the original successful, was amplified. More aliens, more stars (especially rapidly rising Will Smith) and more action. But ultimately, it felt like more of the same.

10 long years have passed since that release and the gang is all back (more or less) in Men In Black III and other than the fact that Will Smith is arguably the biggest
star in Hollywood (without doubt - this movie) not much has changed. MIB officially has become formulaic. True, the franchise is still unlike any other sci-fi series that I can think of, but it still has a formula of its own, that it faithfully sticks to.
A. Super bad alien lands on Earth intent on destroying it.
B. Only Agents K and J can foil the plan through a series of slapstick comedic interrogations of fantastical aliens.
C. Their investigation will provide situations for Willie from Philly to causally trade PG-13 one-liners with the sardonic humor of Tommy Lee Jones.
D. The movie ends with a incredibly intense against all odds battle with super bad alien involving a spaceship attempting to leave the planet.

The plot of which they wrap around that formula this time involves time travel, which is both a blessing and a curse for this film.

A blessing because it allows for Josh Brolin (No Country For Old Men) to sine in the role of a younger Agent K and preform a pitch perfect impression of a younger but still, eternally-government agent-typecast Tommy Lee Jones.
A curse because like most stories involving time travel, although it can be fun, things tend to get confusing and chaotic.

And that pretty much sums up MIB III: fun, confusing, chaotic and don't forget, formulaic. Which in the end, still makes an entertaining movie judged on its own merit. However, considering all the hype surrounding this particular long awaited movie, the finished product still ends up feeling like a sequel just for the sake of having a sequel albeit, in 3D.

Battleship: A review

2012-05-16T16:11:00.001-07:00

Battleship
Rating:PG-13
Runtime: 2 hours 11 minutes
Staring: Alexander Skarsgard, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson
Review: 2.5/5 stars

I admit that I had no desire to screen what I thought was sure to be another Hollywood executives PG-13 bad idea. It's no secret that over the past few years Hollywood has seemed to run out of original ideas and have turned to rehashing, remaking, rebooting, reimaginig and generally rewarming ideas.

But when we're young we're taught to "never judge a book by it's cover" and that prejudice is wrong in any and every situation. Apparently the new film "Battleship" was made specifically to remind me of these lessons.

Still, as many fun nights as I've had playing Monopoly at the family table, I've never had the thought "Hey, why doesn't Hollywood spend $200 million making a live-action, CGI saturated movie based off a less fun game?"

But, believe it or not, I'm writing and you're reading a review of that very movie. Surprisingly, it's not as bad as one would expect. Especially considering Hasbro based movies have been (like Battleship gameplay) "hit" or miss. (Transformers I and III were huge hits while Transformers II and G.I. Joe was considered by most as complete failures.)

The plot, like the game it was "based on" is simple. Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) plays Alex Hopper, a bad boy who's attempting to straighten up his act and win the approval of his girlfriend's US Navy admiral dad by following in his big brother, Stone's Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) footsteps and joining the Navy. Luckily for Alex, he gets the chance to prove himself when aliens from an earth like planet begin an invasion.

Predictably, these aliens seriously outgun us and upon arrival immediately follow the playbook of all alien invaders who have visited (and destroyed) us in theaters during past summers à la Independence Day but via Transformers-like CGI weaponry.

Also, as with Transformers, one of the highlights of "Battleship" is the humor that paces the film from one fairly predictable scene to the next.
But when the story requires intensity, emotion is manufactured by using slow motion panoramic close ups (straight out of the Micheal Bay's summer school of cinematography) to alert the audience to the gravity of the situation. Confused? Think back to any climatic scenes in the Bad Boys or Transformers franchises and picture Will Smith and Martin Lawrence or Shia LeBeouf with the sunset heroically framing their stoic looks.

By invoking the "We're gonna go in there and kick-ass despite the odds" attitude of films complimentary to the American military (literally The Right Stuff), director Peter Berg (Collateral) gets us to pick a dog in the fight. Instead of just waiting for the predictable resolution of the film, we actually cheer on the heroes moxie and feel patriotic pride while the aliens learn how serious we are about Pearl Harbor, where (not- so) coincidentally, most of the film's action takes place.

The cast, overall does an adequate job even when handicapped with the script's sometime hokey dialogue. No one actor's performance is mentionable other than to say that Rhianna's big screen debut wasn't horrible. Liam Neeson is seriously overqualified in a role overtly reminiscent and maybe an unintentional parody of Bruce Willis' character in Armageddon.

Battleship borrows so many elements and cliches from hit films of the past 30 years (like Top Gun, Independence Day, Alien, Transformers, Super 8, Iron Man, Armageddon and to a lesser extent Pearl Harbor) that it edges close to spoofing the respective genres. But it never crosses that line and works (please know I'm using this word generously) as it's own story because it takes so much from those other, better movies from the same (more or less) genres. It's a Frankenstein monster of a movie which sum total is stronger than it's parts. Although rated PG-13 for violence, Battleship actually can be an entertaining family outing, (for those without young kids.)

The Avengers: review 4/5 stars (No Spoilers)

2012-05-03T09:44:00.001-07:00

The Avengers
Studio: Marvel Studios/Paramount
Rating:PG-13
Runtime: 142 minutes
Staring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johnansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson
Review: 4/5 stars

When marketing the next "blockbuster" many times studios misuse the term "epic" by using it to describe contemporary action/adventure films that are simply the latest summer releases filled with tons of explosions, special effects and as of late - in your face 3D graphics.

Loud, large and for the masses is not your traditional definition of epic but is rather defined as "pertaining to a long poetic composition centered upon a hero, in which a series of great events is narrated in elevated style." --- Homer's "Iliad" is an epic poem and Marvel's "The Avengers" is an epic film.

Director and screenwriter Joss Wheddon acknowledhes how truly epic the film is when in an interview with IGN he states "What Marvel has done (with the Avengers) is unprecedented."

Since releasing the hugely successful "Iron Man" movie in 2007, Marvel has followed their comic book "crossover" model by creating a universe in which characters from separate movies often interact. While on paper (literally) it often made sense for Iron Man to show up in a Incredible Hulk comic. However, usually due to licensing issues, the concept rarely took place in a big budget Hollywood productions.

By choosing Joss Wheddon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cabin In the Woods) as screenwriter and director of The Avengers, Executive producer Jon Farveau who directed both Iron Man films along with everybody at Marvel Studios have continued their streak of producing successful films based off of Marvel comic book characters. Wheddon like Farveau is a man accutely aware of both his subject matter and it’s fans, plus the general entertainment needs of those not so devoted to the comic book subculture; two of the basic three audiences that are anxiously awaiting Marvel Comics longtime epic in the making, The Avengers.

That third audience is comprised of fans who at this point, have most likely drank the Marvel Kool-Aid, which up to this point has been served in delicious small servings in the form of the five movies leading up to the Avengers. They now want a full glass.

As a long time Marvel comic book devotee who knows each characters back story and the lore and mythos of the "worlds mightiest heroes" I'm one of the ones who has been chomping at the bit since The Avengers film was first announced. I'm also a discriminating film critic and I'm glad to say that The Avengers fulfills everyone's expectations from the word go.

Within minutes of the film's opening the action is in full swing and rarely lets up throughout the 2 hour 22 minute running time.

Serious Marvel fans like me, will finally have answers to the obscure hints and references that were scattered throughout the Iron Man, Captain America and Thor films to which classic Marvel characters and objects come into play in this superhero ensemble.

Brief flashbacks at strategic intervals help viewers re-familiarize themselves with characters introduced in one or more of the five preceding films and help tie together plot points that led up to this movie.

I won't spoil anything for those who haven't already learned all the secrets the film holds but I will say that as in the original comic book iteration, Loki, Thor's quasi-brother, is the meglomaniac villan that brings the team together.

Played by Tom Hiddleston again, Loki is now on Earth and has stolen a super powerful weapon and teamed up with an army of aliens and in an attempt to rule mankind.

Of course this doesn't sit well with General Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) the head of S.H.E.I.L.D. and he assembles the heroes he's been collecting over the course of events into a superteam to respond to the threat.

With the film being a collective effort, like the team it's named for, no one star gets more face time than any other, more or less. However Samuel L. Jackson's Jeremy Rener's and Scarlett Johansson's characters (Nick Fury, Hawkeye and the Black Widow respectively) are more involved in the plot than they were earlier in the franchise. Noticeably missing are both of Iron Man's sidekicks James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine and Happy Hogan. This is curious since both characters were featured so significantly on both Iron Man solo movies but to be fair, neither character was involved with the formation of the Avengers in the comic book canon.

One of my few criticisms about the film is the fact that rather than being shot in 3D, the effects were added in post production, which I have yet to see an instance where that's a good idea. Also, in an attempt to capture the framed feel of a comic book the cinematics rely on some odd camera angels and extreme closeups that tend to be distracting.

Overall though, the special effects are outstanding. The computer rendering of the famous massive S.H.E.I.L.D. helicarrier is impresively realistic. At times the 3D effect really does work, like with the technology surrounding Iron Man. The truly noteworthy special effects belong to the team that brought this version of the Hulk to the screen. Mark Ruffalo (Shutter Island), who is seamlessly replacing Edward Norton as the Dr. Bruce Banner, is the first actor to play both sides of the beast on screen. This is accomplished by utilizing virtual-camera-motion-capture technology like what brought such realism to King Kong, Gollum (Lord of the Rings) and Cesar the chimp(Rise of the Planet of the Apes).

The highly anticipated final chapter in Christopher Nolans Batman trilogy comes later this year will most likely be the other film that redefines what epic means to Hollywood. Until then, The Avengers has written the first entry in what looks to be a pretty good year for both comic book fans and movie fans.

Are You A Jive Turkey, A Common Pigeon Or A Soaring Eagle? Check the Chickenheads Surrounding You.

2012-05-03T07:32:00.001-07:00

Almost everyone has that one friend that you keep around to inflate their own self confidence. You know, the one who's less good looking, dumber or "inferior" to you in some fashion.
It may not be a conscious choice to judge or collect these people in our lives, it just happens sometimes usually because it's easy and comfortable.
Remember this though; "Birds of a feather flock together" and "It is difficult to soar with eagles when you choose to live among turkeys."

Even the smartest penguin looks just like the rest of the herd. In short, you are the company that you keep.
Millionaires hang with other millionaires and gang members hang with...

So if you're actively attempting to improve your life, at some point you either must change those who you associate with or also be willing to assist those people who you choose as your traveling companions, down the difficult road of change.

Keep in mind, not everyone is going to be ready for the journey or even want to go, and it's very difficult to move forward if you're dragging unnecessary weight and/or baggage.

You Think They Call Me Mr. Glass?

2012-05-02T13:22:00.001-07:00

Originally posted May 12th, 2008 Reposted in honor of The Avengers. I've been a huge comic book fan ever since I was 6 or 7 years old (about the time they only cost $.35) and got my copy of issue of the X-Men. I don't remember who they fought in that issue but damn! I was hooked!

Over the years I got involved in the intrique plots and relationships of the occupants of the Marvel Universe. Yeah, although I watched the SuperFriends and I liked Superman and Batman from DC Comics but everyone knows...

The Incredible Hulk and Wolverine would have kicked their asses!

But of all the characters in comic books, I always was excited to see issues that had Black characters either as the star or the co-star of thier own series like the Black Panther and Power Man did.

I would read a comic book even if the character had a strong supporting role like James Rhodes, as played by Terrance Howard in this years Iron Man movie. Hell, I would root for the villian sometimes if he or she was Black...like Wonder Woman's sister! Yep..who knew she had a Black sister named Nu'Bia.

Black people have for the most part always been represented fairly in comic books from the

1st known published Black comic hero, the cowboy Lobo who would leave the calling card of a gold coin imprinted with the images of a wolf and the letter "L" on the foreheads of the bad guys he defeated. Since then, Black people from the Falcon to the ultra bad-as$ Apocalypse who supposely is immortal, have done well throughout the pages of the comic industry.

Spawn was wildly popular in the 90's having "spawned" a major motion picture and toyline.

An Iron Man sequel has been set for April 2010. A Marvel spokesman says the sequel envisions Robert Downey Jr reprising his title role. I'm hoping that Terrance Howard will have the chance to remind the world how fly his black and white War Machine armor was during the time he filled the boots for an alcholic Tony Starks. There are talks about a Captain America movie. Nick Cassavetes (Alpha Dog, The Notebook) is rumored to direct the project . I'm thinking they may want to cast President Barak Obama for the lead!

Now I know there are some who wonder what I meant by the title...Well damn it, I'm a DJ so l love to sample. That's a line from one of my favorite hip-hop artist.

Can anyone name that tune? Extra points for naming the artisit.

The Man Sittin Next To The Man Sittin Next To The Man...

2012-04-24T17:06:00.001-07:00

I want to spotlight one of my favorite comedians of all time...

Robin Harris ranks right up there with Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx and Eddie Murphy as one of the funniest Black men to ever do stand-up comedy.

Most will remember Robin as the Dolemite listenin, a$s-whoppin dad from the "classic" movie House Party which also introduced us to John Whiterspoon and an early side spittin performance from Martin Lawrance.
Watch "Robin Harris House Party" on YouTube

(On a side note, I have to give big ups to the Reggie Hudlin who has done great things since writting and directing House Party like executive producing the acclaimed TV series The Boondocks. )

But back to Robin...

The man was outright funny and even influential. He introduced us to a phrase that has become part of our culture as much as the "familiar" way of calling each other nigga.

Everyone knows a child so out of control that you or someone else calls them one of BeBe's kids. This may make me sound old but damn, it seems like BeBe's been extra busy making a whole generation of children.

Sadly, Robin Harris died in 1990, right before reaching the comic heights that he would have without question. However, thanks to the Internet, I'm able to keep his memory alive and put a smile on my face by sharing with you one of his classic routines...

Enjoy.

50 Cent Has No Idea What A Grapefruit Is. (Aziz Ansari's new stand-up - HILARIOUS!)

2012-04-24T10:53:00.001-07:00

Aziz Ansari's 50 Cent Grapefruit Story:

Stop Sending Me E-Vites to Your Pity Party

2012-04-23T20:17:00.001-07:00

I used to work with a man who would respond with "Blessed Anyway!" any time someone asked him how he was doing.

I've adapted that philosophy and everyone who KNOWS me, knows my standard reply when people ask about my wellbeing is "Still standing...on this side of the fence." Because that sums up the two basic necessities; my health and freedom.

But apparently that's not enough for a lot of you out there.

I've been off of FB almost all day cause a lot of y'all started off the day complaining and whining about your...morning/life/child/job/that no good so-and-so/blah, blah,muthasuckin' blah!

Even now at the end of the day you're still complaining- even though you woke up this morning and made it through the day.

Despite the facts that you're
1. privileged enough to have access to Facebook,
2. Healthy enough to post on Facebook and
3. Free enough to socialize on Facebook, you're still complaining?!?

The really bad part is; some of the ones bitching the loudest are the same ones claiming to be devout Christians. The ones who are supposed to believe "This is the day the Lord has made, this us rejoice and be glad in it"

You can't just talk the talk especially when you're not walking the walk.
You can't praise God one minute and then the complain the next about whatever petty problems you're facing. You're not even fooling yourself.

I have a friend who was in a head on accident last December. He was in a comma for months and had to spend more months in a hospital learning how to walk and talk again. You would think that would depress him to the point of wanting to give up, but instead, he's by far the most positive person that I know. You ask him how
he's doing and he responds "Super good" and puts both thumbs up.

Your bad day looks petty and your attitude seems pretty stupid once you spend one minute with Gadisa "Hoodie Hood" Robi.

Yeah, I gripe occasionally on Facebook but you'll never see a status update about my health, my finances, my legal troubles, my relationship with my family because quite honestly, it's none of your business and I know you probably don't care anyhow. I know you have problems of your own...you just updated your status.

Truth Be Told: You Ain't No Gangsta!

2012-04-22T22:01:00.001-07:00

Since "The Truce" of 1992 many have fallen in the name of "they hood".

And as sad and tragic as it is that, young people are still dying because of gang affiliation, the saddest fact of the matter is despite their belief that they were living/dying for ab gang that will always love and remember them - their deaths mean little to anybody except their families.

Truth be told, most of you who are 30 and over and still claiming a gang can't even remember the names of your dead so called "homies".

Truth be told, most of you aren't the ones "holding down the hood" for the fallen. The extent of your banging is ending every sentence with an emphatic "Cuzz!" or "Blood!"

Truth be told, that ain't bangin'.

Truth be told, You didn't run with the hood, the hood ran through you.

Truth be told, most of you weren't ever put on the hood you claim. You didn't get quoted- you just got jumped by a bunch of real gang members or had a train ran on you.

Let's keep it "gangsta"- if you're older than the truce and you're still claiming a hood but you're not the one callin shots-you ain't no gangsta.
When the Internet first started to get popular there was a big trend of "cyber-banging" with other supposed "gang members" in chat rooms. In the new millennium, this fad has carried over to Facebook Banging and the emergence of the convenient gangsta/Christian.

Take these posts I recently saw on someones wall two days apart:

Day 1
"My steps are ordered. Whatcha know about that!!! It's Gods plan #blessed"

Day 2
"On some real shit! I can't fucc wit hoe niggas and can't trust these hoes either."

I'm baffled by grown ass people (25 year olds+) who have seen their friends and their brothers and fathers and uncles and the fathers of their own children die or go to prison and have watched their neighborhoods decline, decay and suffer all as a result of gang banging.
But they are still continue to think that banging is some cute game to be played.

They deliberately misspell words like "back" with double "c" or posting ridiculous things like "Happy C-day".

These are rituals of children and customs of the ignorant; the ones who don't know any better.

The ones who haven't heard the truth be told; the hood doesn't hold you up, it only and always takes you under.

At some point, the fashion of the young becomes becomes dated. Gang banging is as about as stylish as bell bottom pants and Beehive hairdos.

Nothing looks as pitiful as an old ass man trying to hold on to the game and fame of glory days long gone. Jay-Z, said it best ten years ago in the song "Change Clothes" and look where he is now.

Unfortunately, there are other rappers who have never "put in work" or done any real dirt, but still they promote gang bangin' like it's the thing to do. (I'm looking at you Calvin and Dwayne but that's another episode of truth be told.)

Doing It For Bob Marley

2012-04-20T06:47:00.001-07:00

Today being "4/20" the weed smokers "official" holiday, many claim that light up in celebration and in remembrance and in honor of Bob Marley one of the most famous Rastafarians, activists and world renowned musicians.

Sadly though, many don't honor Marley's legacy by practicing his "One Love" philosophy any other day other than April 20th if even then. You must remember that Bob Marley along with all practicing Rastafarians smoke ganja for spiritual enlightenment - not for recreation.

I just found this video of a classic Stevie Wonder performance of "Master Blaster" that he dedicated to Bob Marley complete with having the audience join in the refrain "We're doin' it for Bob Marley!"

If you're going to truly honor Bob Marley think about how you can help change the world by doing more than just smoking weed publically. Remember why he"shot the sheriff"and why he said "no woman, no cry".

Once you get that overstanding of what Marley and his message is all about, what the Rastafarian belief system is the intake of cannabis becomes less about just "getting high" and more about enlightenment, both spiritully and mentally. Enlightenment that leads to action that changes the world and ultimately peace. That's what feeling "irie" is all about; knowing everything is gonna be all right!"

Be Better Than Average!