Golden Globe Noms 2010

So I definitely have a special interest in this years Golden Globe and another other film award show this year... 2009 has been a good year for the film industry {there's been one good production after another}. Precious: Based on the novel Push is up for 3 nominations: Best Drama, Best Actress in a Drama, and Best Supporting Actress {shout out to Mo'Nique for doing her thing, even though I still haven't seen the movie [shame on me...smh]}. Another interestin film {that I have yet to see} is Clint Eastwood Invictus. Its also running for 3 nominations: Best Actor. Director, and Supporting Actor. I really would love to see Morgan Freeman walk away with a Golden Globe, he played the role of Nelson Mandela for crying out loud! I am sad to see that Twilight saga New Moon wasn't up for any nominates :-[ but anyway on to the next...

I am glad to see that a few of my favorite TV series are up for some nominations... such as Big Love on HBO and House on FOX.

Note: I didn't only look for films and TV shows that hold my interest. I also looked to see what the films and/or TV shows the Golden Globe can put me on to. I've taken a special interest in Kevin Bacons' Taking Chance on HBO {#1 its Kevin Bacon, #2 its HBO [On a good day its hard to pick with one should be #1]}.

You can get more information {video clips & special interviews} on Hollywoodreporter.com

DELTA BLUES

George Clooney is the executive producer of TNTs new pilot Delta Blues, a show about an unusual Memphis cop who happens to be an Elvis impersonator and lives at home with his mother. Jason Lee, who had the leading role in 'My Name is Earl' but you probably will know him from 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' better, will be main character Dwight Hendricks. Alfre Woodard was chosen to star on the new show, but I'm unclear on who her character is.

Now, I have some concerns. TNT is well know for producing quality drama television series: Saving Grace, The Closer, & Leverage (just to name a few) but this new show Delta Blues doesn't seem to fit in the 'drama' category. Jason Lee is the leading man for crying out loud, that has comedy written all over it! TNT hasn't let me down yet and hopefully they won't start now!

'OMAN.......O Man'

Debbie Allen, who starred in Fame (both the late 80s and 2009), put together a musical for the Arabesque Festival about Middle East culture through the eye's of two 12 year old boys. Allen's project has caught the eye of several people and couldn't have come at a better time. There is an gala opening tonight of 'OMAN....O Man' at the Kennedy Center. If Allen does decided to tour the U.S., it'll be one musical I'm definitely trying to see. Check out the links from CNN.com

http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2009/11/27/elam.debbie.allen.adventure.cnn.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/11/27/debbie.allen.play/index.html

Timothy Olyphant

I was watching Live Free or Die Hard, for the second or third time, and just realized who Timothy Olyphant was! How dumb am I right? I guess...but every movie he plays in he looks different. And I'm pretty good at noticing people, its like my thing, you can say. He's like Johnny Deep without the make up. I feel in love with him in Catch and Release with Jennifer Garner. If you didn't see it, watch it! But anyway, some movies you should have noticed him in: Gone in 60 Seconds, Scream 2, Live Free or Die Hard and The Girl Next Door, just to name a few. But, to get my point across, he's a wonderful actor and should be looking at more nominations that should lead to wins.

Media 3 Films

A lot of people are bashing twitter...but its definitely has its good side with me. I was twitting actor Brian White last night and found out that he has his own production company, along with director & producer Sylvain White and actor & producer Boris Kodjoe. Their production company is based out in California, of course. I love how they incorporated the "hear no, speak no, see no evil" theme into their company.

Bonus: Media 3 Films accepts screenplay of all genres, so don't be a punk, get your stuff out there!

Check out their website http://www.media3films.com/main.html

Spot Light On...

Jeffrey Wright is one of the most unexposed actors of his time. He's played several keys roles in Lady in the Water, Cadillac Records, Quantum of Solace, a James Bond movie, just to name a few. Check him out America... don't sleep on him! Jeffrey Wright is the real deal... a true A-list actress.

Russian Roulette

Now, now... as you all know Rihanna has a new single out called Russian Roulette. I'm not a fan of her song at all, maybe it has to grow on me. But I must say the music video is kinda good. The water scene is my favorite... good job Anthony Mandler! Two thumbs up for you!

New Moon

So...I definitely went to the midnight viewing of New Moon... seriously. All I have to say is, I loved it! Director Chris Weitz is amazing! He should of done the first but I truly understand the Twilight was a test run, poor Catherine Hardwicke :( The one thing that I appreciate about New Moon is the graphics... when Jacob and Paul turn into werewolves, it was done tastefully. Weitz made a good choice but adding so much color to the movie also. Even though most of the scenes take place in gummy, rainy Forts, views like me still appreciate seeing something bright at the end of the tunnel. And I just want to say thank you, thank you Chris Weitz for sticking to the book and giving us an excellent visual of what New Moon is really about!

Let's talk about Melissa Rosenberg... seem like she did a complete 360 with the dialogue. She kept famous lines from the book and added her owe taste of comedy, that was actually funny, to the script also. Good job butterfly!

Now some problems I have with the movie... and it has to be said, that scene with Edward and Bella running through the woods and the sun is glistening on their skin was so gay! It didn't fit into the movie at all. It would of been better if Edward and Bella was running through the woods at full vampire speed, you don't notice who it is at first, and then cut to Edwards and Bella's face and show them running in slow motion. That's what I would have done... I'm just saying. Also the transitions were a little iffy to me.

All in all, I give New Moon 9.5 and two thumbs up! I loved it and can't wait to see it again!

... it's been a long time

I know it's been over a month since I did my last blog... so let me fill you in on what I've been up to... LOL. For starters I've been getting a lot of reading done. As I stated before, I definitely hopped on the Twilight band wagon. I read, yes read, all four trilogies this past month. I'd just like to say that Stephenie Meyers is a wonderful writer. The details she gives and the scenes she puts together are amazing. I truly feel in love with the book and so for team Jacob! HAHA!

Moving on to the next... so its about that time for me to graduate and leave Bloomsburg behind. I've been racking my brain getting my resume together and looking for quality internships. They say, do an internship, any internship will do. But what's the point of working in radio when I want to do film? Help me out here... cause I'm not following. I've narrowed it down to five. I was talking to my twin today, not my real twin of course, and told him I'll cry if no one accepts me. He laughed and told me to shut up, but I was being serious. If you only knew me and knew that I knew that I'm the bomb, all that and more, and that I was going places, you'd understand what I was saying. Nothing hurts worst then rejection! I've been down that road and even though I'm bound to go down it a couple more times, I really don't want to think about it.

Continuing... so now that my head is out the clouds and slightly off of Twilight until New Moon comes out... I went back to writing. Yes, my first passion, the thing my mother told me I should go to CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts High School in Philadelphia) for but I kept telling her I didn't like to write and that it would be a waste of my time... yeah. Another listen learned, mothers know best. Life would of been so much easier if I would have listened to the simple things my mother told me. But anyway... I went back to writing my script Caught In the Game. I've been getting good reviews about it so far. I just need to finish it. I also came up with a new show idea for the school cable channel. Its focusing on Black and Latino students on the campus. If nobody else willing to shine some light on us I will. Hopefully the show becomes a success and people really tune in to watch it. I'm definitely going to post the shows up to give you bloggers out there a taste.

But other then that... I'm living life to the fullest. Going out with a bang... showing everybody who Donn've is... :)

Soap Opera Actress vs. _____ Actress

I was checking up on the latest TV entertainment news on tvweek.com and notice that Sarah Brown is leaving General Hospital. It was a big mistake when she left the first time when she was playing the role of Carly... that's when I was down with General Hospital and never missed an episode. But anyway... the point of this blog is... I've noticed that a lot of soap opera actors and actress don't play huge Hollywood roles. Why? Is it because their not accepted or absolutely, positively, don't want any parts? A lot of them, not all, are really good at what they do. I would love to see Maurice Benard and Steve Burton in a main stream hollywood film.

Twilight Band Wagon

I have official jumped on the Twilight band wagon. Am I to late? When Twilight first came out everyone around, well individuals in the mass comm department, couldn't stop talking about it. They seen the movie, read the book(s), its like four of them, and couldn't wait for the DVD to come out.
So one night, I'm at my new apartment with my roommates and had nothing to do. I see this Twilight movie with its special DVD cover and special features dvd to go along with the actual movie. I put it in, watched it, and feel in love :). How ironic is that, right? I don't watch it over and over for the entertainment aspect but to learn more information, get more insight. Every time I play it, I pick up something different. I think the thing that really got me is the fact that its a love story. Now, I had my share of love stories. But this one... this one is... haha. If only I could find the words.

"Silly lion feel in love with a lamb"

WTF IS A LOCKSMITH?

OK, OK, OK... so recently I was home in Philly catching up on my music videos. Seen some that I loved and some that I didn't. This particular rapper I stumble pound was an interesting character. He goes by the name Locksmith... yeah just like the 70's band. A lot of people don't like him because they think he sound like Eminem. But that's not my problem with this young man. First of all, it sounds like he's yelling the whole damn time. Second, how he gone diss Kanye West? To make a name for himself? Come on now. If there's one thing I hate (its never really one thing) its these artist out here dissing other artist just to put their own name out there. If you can't put yourself on the map with your own merit, that should tell you something. Then he had this line about how he never going back to college... another one of my peep peeves. And he's not the only to do it. But why do rappers have to diss college? They know that young men, I'm not going call them boys, and young ladies, I'm not going to call them girls, hang on their every word. That's the problem with these generations now. They keep hearing that college not shit, don't go, its a waste time... yadda, yadda, yadda. What you need to be telling them is go away to college, experience it, if you don't like go somewhere closer to home, if you still don't like and think college not for you then try something else. And I'm not putting it on the rappers, its the guardians fault too, but rappers have a lot of influence on these kids today.

Well that's my peace... I'm out. Shit the semester has started and I need to graduate! Deuces ;)

Soul Train On the Big Screen?

Here's some interesting news... Warner Bros is turning 'Soul Train' into a movie! Can you believe it? I know I can't. I just want to know, what's the point? I mean I watched the show back in the day. I'm pretty sure everyone did. Apparently the plot of the film is about some guy from L.A using dancing on Soul Train as his ticket out of the ghetto. Um... idk about this one. Soul Train has been around since the '80s. When I think about it being on the big screen I want to know how has it change the outlook on society. Did the show struggle? We all know the host, but who was he really? I don't care about some kid getting his big break. It's irrelevant, already a known fact, predictable. A lot of people are talking about this... let's just see what happens.

ABDC's Shane Sparks

Shane Sparks, not West, I definitely like how he keeps it real! The judges made an excellent choice keeping Rhythm City. They killed their performance and did what the judges asked them to do. They must of really screwed up to be in the bottom two.

But anyway, back to Mr. Sparks. I didn't even know who he was before ABDC came out. I read his bio on MTV, seems like Shane trademark is a vibrant array of hats. Maybe he has a big ass head and likes to keep it covered up... haha, just joshing. He seems to be good at what he does. Keep up the honesty and I'll keep tuning in.

Hawthorne

I just finished catching up on my missed Hawthorne episode. Wonderful, brought tries to my eyes. OMG! I didn't think there would be a good hospital show beside ER.

Episode eight was so powerful. They wanted Christina to fire 6 nurses. Bobbie was put in charge for the day and ended up on an ego trip. This woman brought her mother to get treated for a heart attack and ended up leaving her three month old baby in a hot ass van. This is the first episode were Christina and the whole cast showed some emotion, you know? Well maybe not if you don't watch the show.

TNT made an excellent choice in picking Hawthorne up for a second season. They really know drama. Not to mention their all-star cast: Jada Pinkett Smith (who's also the executive producer), Michael Vartan (first noticed him in Never Been Kissed), Suleka Mathew (who I've just paid attention to) and Broadway star David Julian Hirsh, just to name a few.

I can't wait for second season to start. All I want to see is Christina and Vartan character get together, just one time. But you definitely don't have a clue about that, unless you watch the show. How about this? Do yourself a favor and watch it?! Every Tuesday night @ 9pm on the channel that knows drama best, TNT. You won't regret it, trust me!

TV One... possible the NEW old BET?

I was up again, yet another late night, watching TV One. Travis Smiley documentary Stand was on, featuring Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, just to name a couple. The documentary was so powerful. They were traveling through the south, visiting several different historical sites throughout the civil rights movement. Several conversations about religion, relationship, Obama, the difference between pass and presence societies. Now, the first couple of times I watched TV One was for Living Single re-runs. Then I gradually started watching old school, classic black films, which I can't think of the names right now.

What exactly am I trying to say? This new version of Black Entertainment Television sucks! I honestly believe that BET has lost focus of what's really important. They are trying to hard to follow the foot steps of MTV... I stand behind it, I grantee it. Back in the day when I watched BET they had quality shows like Teen Summit. It wasn't about entertainment, it was about education and self awareness. What the hell was Hell Date about? And that dumb ass show D.L Hugley had? And I understand this is the era of reality t.v but come on... College Hill? I never see these people going to class. Yes, they do a lot of things for the community but what else am I getting out of it besides the drama? When 106 and Park came out, I thought it was a good thing. I couldn't wait for 6 o'clock to get here so I could watch. Now... idk what they be talking about on there. I constantly ask myself... what happened?

It took awhile to find another channel to fill the void but I found it in TV One. The shows they air are classic: Unsung, Baisden After Dark, TV One on One. Their specials are unforgettable: TV One Night Only and Stand. And they definitely keep you up on Hollywood news and entertainment, black Hollywood news and entertainment.

TV One gives me the feeling I use to have with BET. Check it out yourself, give them a try and let me know what you think. http://www.tvoneonline.com/

Tyler Perry

I was watching 'Why Did I Get Married' for the hundredth time and realized that Tyler Perry has come a long way from his Madea plays. I've been doing my research and see that he's filming 'Why Did I Get Married 2'. I am a hug fan of the original, special my girl Tasha (lol, like I really know her). The sequel can be a hit success or flop.... I'm hoping it's a success. If it was my sequel it would go a little something like this...
In the original Angela and Marcus end up working things out. She vows to stop drinking and they both vow to stay committed to each other. Now since Angela likes to be in control, I would have her lose the hair salon forcing Marcus to be the bread winner and Angela to depend on him. With the Mike and Trina characters, their no longer together. Mike is put in the position of being single and starts 'dating' again. While at the same time trying to win Sheila back. Patricia and Gavin, the perfect couple. They really didn't have any real issue to me in the original. It's understandable that Gavin would feel some type of way about Patricia killing their son. It's human nature. What I would do is have Gavin fall into temptations. Not have a sexual affair but an emotional one. As far as Diane and Terry, I don't know what to do about them.

All and all, I just want to see the characters develop. Did they really learn anything from the original? Angela and Diane still turn to Patricia for advice or did they learn something from Sheila and figure out things on their own? Show that their is no such thing as a perfect couple. I know he tried to do that with Patricia and Gavin BUT the situation is complexed. A child was killed, who wouldn't have ill emotions while going through the stages of healing?
I hope its a good one. Release date, April 2ND, 2010.

G.I Who?

Its been four months since my last trip to the movie theater and my return was not what I expected it to be. The price of admission and popcorn quickly reminded me why I don't go as often. The movie of choice, which was not my choice, was G.I Joe: Rise of the Cobra.
Let me start by saying when I watch a movie, specially action, thriller, adventure... I'm pretty much attentive. And just for the record... I'm a movie buff. I pretty much like, love or have a found respect for every movie out there. But... this movie... this G.I. Joe movie... was... how can I put this in a nice way... TRASH! Do you know I sat in the movie theater, the Riverview in South Philadelphia, right next to Penns Landing, texting, talking to my friends and listening to some man sitting behind me snore like he was in the comfort of his own home. Gosh! What do are these people thinking? They tried to make it for today's audience and FAILED! Big Time!
Now that I got that out of my system... let me explain. The opening scene started off slow and barley had my attention. It was a bad combination of the the Matrix, I-Robert, and Vantage Point (which were all good movies) but mixed together it's horrible. It's a common tail of good vs. evil: jealous and hate brings bad blood and love brings everything full circle. Yeah, there was action but not the type of action that has you excited, sitting on the edge of seat and hitting the person next to you saying "Did you see that????".
There was a plot, within a plot, within a plot, within a plot. McCullen turns out to be just like his late uncle, grandfather (however they were related), an arms dealer. Ana works for him, while using her current husband to get what she wants. While Duke was engaged to Ana until he "let" her brother, Rex, get killed in the war. But Rex doesn't really die (haha, what a twist, please). He's gets burned and end up working with this mad scientist guy. Along while turning his sister, Ana, evil and getting her to work with McCullen. It's all bullshit! I give this movie: two thumbs down!
The only good thing about this movie is that it had a lot of good actors: Dennis Quad, Said Taghmaoui, Marlon Waynes (who carried the movie with his comedy) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, just to name a few.
All pass cartoon shows and comic books are not meant to be shown on the big screen. Iron Man: worked, The X-Men: worked, Batman (all seven of them): worked, especially the Dark Knight, Scooby-Doo: I'm still trying to figure that one out.
The point is... if you want to bring your childhood memories back to life for the current generation to enjoy and be apart of... present it to them right. Don't half ass it, because then you'll be hoping to make up your earning in DVD revenues.

A Beautiful Mind

I just want to put it out there... I could care less if you agree or disagree because at the end of the day that's not what its about. Its about having an open mind, stop pointing out the obvious, look pass it and see the bigger picture.

I want to pay tribute to one of my favorite writer/directer/producer... M. Night Shyamalan, the true definition of a beautiful mind. I watched The Village almost every night this week. And if I had it on DVD, Lady In the Water would be in heavy rotation also. Every time I think, talk or watch these movies I get excited! LOL.

Where should I begin? Ah yes, every good film starts off with an outstanding written script. I think anyone can write, but it takes an expectation individual to mix fantasy and reality together for a perfect blend and not miss out on a single detail. Lady In the Water is a prime example. It's a story about a childhood story, fairytale, that's comes to life. If I get into details this blog would be ten pages long!

A lot of critics hate him, but at the end of the day you have to respect the man. I long for the day to be able to sit down and talk to him.

A DVD MUST HAVE!

FAST & FURIOUS part 4 comes out on DVD and Blue- Ray tomorrow. I haven't seen a well ended serious since Jason Bourne! It's none stop action from beginning to end. It has been 9 years since the original Fast and Furious starring the original cast. And boy was it a well deserved wait. Director Justin Lin does an excite job at tying the previous trilogies together. If you didn't catch it in the movies I feel sorry for you. Do yourself a favor and catch it on DVD. You won't be disappointed :)

Can I Get A Show... Please?

I'm up again, yet another late night and what do I see? Football star wide receiver, twice removed, T.O with his own show. Typical! It takes place during the off season, getting help from his two best friends and publicists to re-examine his personal life. That's all good and well. Everyone gets off track for a while and have close love ones to help them focus. But who re-evaluate their life in Hollywood? Come on now, lets be real! First episode he slept with the real estate agent. Lets reflect on that!

EVERYONE has a show now and days. From Daisy of Love (boo) to The Real Desperate House Wives (who didn't even know each other before the show started) to Tiny and Toya (who keep showing re-runs and they only three shows in). People are so wrapped up in reality TV that they miss out on the quality television shows. I'll name a few... The Game (broke my heart when it was canceled), Law and Order (pick one, there all good), Two and Half Men and Secret Life of An American Teenager.

My biggest pet peeve are those "I just want to find love" reality shows. They all end up the same way... break up and start the process all over again. Instead of creating a show that compromises character, lets focus on the everyday people: a black student attending a predominately white university and struggles to maintain a 3.5 GPA, while struggling with all the issues that come along with college. Wake up, people, and realize its more to life then watching other people indulge in fantasy.

Talent vs. Who's Hot

It use to be about the 'have and the have nots', but in today's world of glimpse and glam, it's all about the 'have and who has more'. I ask myself, why did talent take a back seat to popularity? During an interview with Pride magazine, Nia Long said, '... it's just not about how talented you are anymore. It's about, 'how much box office revenue will this person generate?' When you see certain people - we won't name names - they just don't have the skill, and no one in their team has said, 'You need acting classes'. Listen, Nia Long is saying what everyone has been gossiping about with friends at the local hair salons and barbershops.

To all the Beyonce fans... don't get your panties in a bunch. Now I know you hate to hear anything bad about your girl Bey but lets face it, she CAN'T act! You've known it since Cameron, Fighting Temptations, and Dreams Girls didn't help your argument. Beyonce is not the only artist to fall into this category. We can't forget about Usher Raymond starring in: Light It Up, She's all That and In the Mix and Omarion's movie Feel The Noise, which was produced by Jennifer Lopez.

I have no problem with artist from different fields exploring their horizons. But please, please be good at what you do. Take a lesson from Tyrese, Ice Cube and Jamie Foxx or stay in your lane and let the hundreds of talented actors and actress get their shot at being in the spot light.