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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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Moby Dick Day – PEEPLES
There's a lot that sounds funny in this movie about a wealthy African American family "The Black Kennedy's" who, lead by patriarch Virgil Peeples (David Alan Grier), look perfect from the outside until the arrival of an unexpected guest, Grace's boyfriend Wade (Craig Robinson) unintentionally begins to unravel family skeletons left and right...
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The Next Step: Black Filmmaking in Philadelphia
I recently attended an event with a whole host of sponsors: The Black Film Advisory Committee, Councilman at-Large David Oh, Reelblack, The Greater Philadelphia Film Office, The City of Philadelphia, Radio One and The Painted Bride Art Center. The event was called The Next Step: Black Filmmaking in Philadelphia. The idea, spearheaded by Kimberley Richards, Special Assistant to Councilman Oh, was to bring together aspiring filmmakers, with those who have experienced success in the business. And also to further examine the on-going challenges of being of color in an industry that is still primarily white. I was surprised at the turn-out. It looked to be over 200 people in attendance.…
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Holiday Treat: Rise of the Guardians
I do enjoy the concept of the TV show Once Upon A Time, which expands the personalities and back-story’s of fairytale and legendary characters. This season even goes so far as to have Snow White and Sir Lancelot be old friends and Mulan is quite familiar with Rumpelstiltskin. What I don’t like about “Once” is simple – it’s poorly written. The plots never really grab you or make very good use of these fabled, beloved heroes, heroines, villains and creatures. Going into Rise of the Guardians I expected to feel pretty much the same, as this story brings together Santa Claus/North (Alec Baldwin), The Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), The Sandman…
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Commentary – DARK GIRLS
Dark Girls is co-directed and produced by Bill Duke (Duke Media) and D. Channsin Berry (Urban Winter Entertainment) the film explores the deep-seated bias and attitudes about skin color; particularly dark skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture...
