Film & Movie Archives
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The Black Male Body: Dead on Arrival (Fruitvale Station & Trayvon Martin)
by Christopher “Flood the Drummer” Norris With Zimmerman found not guilty, and Director Ryan Coogler recapping Oscar Grant’s last days on the big screen, the reoccurring injustices to the Black Male Body are painfully evident. While the “Not Guilty” verdict is saturating headlines from print to post, it’s not the only tragic story of an unarmed black male being crucified by an overzealous, gun-wielding “authority figure.” Millennial Movie Maker Ryan Coogler, 26, has bought his award-winning story Fruitvale Station, of a 22-year-old Bay Area resident Oscar Grant to the big screen. Produced by Forest Whitaker and starring Academy Award winner Olivia Spencer as Oscar’s mom, the 90 minute feature film…
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Four Seasons Philadelphia Interview: Ryan Coogler: FRUITVALE STATION
by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor I knew nothing about the true events which Fruitvale Stationis based upon – I’m sure the controversial racial implications of OscarGrant’s death reached the East Coast, but sometimes I go undergroundnews wise for weeks at a time, and when I emerge, I don’t go back to findout what I missed. I do however pay attention during theSundance Film Festival. And when I read about Fruitvale Station,winning so much praise, I thought, how dramatic can it be? We know theguy dies. But I was so wrong, the film has real heart and emotionalinvolvement because it is so “day in the life of”. As you’re watching…
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LAB Makes Good: KEVIN HART: LET ME EXPLAIN
One of the things comedian Kevin Hart wants to get straight in his new stand up film Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, is that he’s no LAB (Local-Ass-Bitch). And he goes about proving it with footage from sold out concerts in London, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Amsterdam. Then takes to the stage selling out Madison Square Garden for two nights to explain some more. It’s true, Kevin’s no LAB, but we are happy to claim him as a local Philly boy who’s really blown up!!! My brother introduced me to this comedic diminutive, dynamo back in 06, with his first special “I’m a Grown Little Man” we watched that…
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Documentary: TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM
by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor One of my early on fantasies was to either sass my way through “Hit the Road Jack” as a Raelette, backing up the great Ray Charles. Or grove with the ultimate R&B legend, Luther Vandross, who left us way too soon. Or believe it or not, really wanted to harmonize with Reba McEntire, you’d be amazed at how many of her songs from the 90’s I know by heart. The on the road lifestyle would have suited me well too; there’s nothing tying me to being a homebody, a new city every other night, 4 star hotels, the camaraderie of the other musicians and roadies,…
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Belly Laughs: THE HEAT (Interview: Jessica Chaffin & Jamie Denbo)
by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor Is it getting easier to make me laugh or are writers getting funnier? I laughed like a fool at This is The End (click for T&T post) and like an idiot at the female cop (Melissa McCarthy) vs female FBI agent (Sandra Bullock) / female cop partnered with FBI agent comedy – The Heat. Below is a segment I like to call – I couldn’t have said it better myself, where I find sources from the web that echo my sentiments on the movie. But first… Denbo & Chaffin at Dave & Busters Philadelphia Jessica Chaffin and Jamie Denbo, are best known for their “Ronna…
