Labels: Busta Rhymes, Ciara

Labels: Beyonce, Pitbull

Labels: Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson

Okay, this is NOT a diss on Beyonce [because ya'll know I love homegirl], but I just would like to point out that Jennifer Holliday won the Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical...therefore why are they pushing for Jennifer Hudson to be nominated for a Supporting Actress?

I'm just saying...the politics around Hollywood Awards can make you a little perturbed...Effie White is a Lead character in Dreamgirls....

I wonder if Jennifer was a White actress, who gave a "breakthough" performance, they would put her up for a lead role. On top of that, we all know that even if Beyonce and J. Hud are nominated for Oscars [as they are for the Golden Globes, which are good Oscar indicators] will they win? Because we all know that the award doesn't always go to the best performance, but rather who's turn is it to win...

Case in point, Denzel Washington should have won for Glory [and Malcolm X], but it was Al Pachino's turn to win, because he had been snubbed times before, so Training Day wasn't Denzel's best performance, per se, but it was just about time he won. Halle Berry should have won for Losing Isaiah, but it was time for not just her, but an African American woman to win for lead. It is definitely a stretch to say Beyonce should even be nominated for an Oscar for Lead Actress, if anything Jennifer Hudson should be nominated for Lead Actress, but as it being her first film, she'd be in an uphill battle. So she has a good chance of being nominated and winning a Supporting Actress award...

It's just the politics of Hollywood!

I know one thing though, she should definitely be tapped to sing "And I am Telling You" and "I am Changing" for the Oscars...that should liven up the stiff show!

Other Tidbits about Dreamgirls:

• There is a cameo by one original Dreamgirl in the movie version...
• Whitney Houston was the first to be be attached to a film version, however she wanted to sing both Deena's and Effie's songs...Whitney however did record a medley of Dreamgirls songs on a live concert CD. WATCH WHITNEY SING "And I am Tell You..." and "When I First Saw You"
  
• In 1998, another attempt to bring it to the big screen was made, with Lauryn as Deena, Kelly Price being considered for Effie, as well as Don Cheadle and Andre Braugher being attached, however after the financial failure of Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Warner Brothers shelved the project.
  
• In the working project of the original play, Effie was to die at the end of the Act I which ultimately led to Jennifer Holliday leaving the production [twice], however after revisions, Jennifer returned.
• Phylicia Rashad (then Ayers-Allen) was the original understudy for the role of Deena. When Sheryl Lee Ralph went on vacation and Phylicia was not asked to fill in, she quit (according to her, she tendered her resignation directly to Bennett in very direct words).

Labels: Beyonce, Dreamgirls, Jennifer Hudson

Labels: ANTM

Labels: Nelly Futado

Labels: Cherish, Fantasia

The new movie "Stomp the Yard" which is based on Greek Letter Organizations tradition of Stepping [think Drumline meets You Got Served], ruffled the feathers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and gained support by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. but that has all been settled with the fraternity who threatened to sue the filmmakers...

In a statement from Alpha Phi Alpha's President, he says:

Previously, I disseminated a written notice of the Fraternity's objection to references to the Fraternity in the film "Stomp the Yard." The Fraternity made its concerns known to Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Screen Gems, Inc. and Rainforest Pictures. After several weeks of meaningful and productive discussions with the executive leadership of Sony and Screen Gems, the film has been revised to the satisfaction of the Fraternity. Sony and Screen Gems have also agreed to make a donation to the MLK Memorial Foundation.

The Fraternity raised its objections to the Film without regard to financial remuneration, but to protect its history and its legacy. The removal of all references, in the film, to the Fraternity is based in part on the fraternity's leadership insisting that we observe our written policies and internal protocols' regarding the commercial use of our symbols and marks.

Sony's decision to make a donation to the Washington DC MLK, Jr. Memorial Foundation Project, Inc., is very much appreciated, and helps to secure, in history, the legacy of our brother, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and helps to celebrate his selfless contributions to the fabric of America and the world. The construction of this memorial on the national mall is the only one dedicated to an African-American.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was originally supposed to make an appearance in the film, including a scene with them doing a step routine. Unfortunately, there was conflict with the fraternity and the producers of the film over the unauthorized use of many of the fraternity's trademarks. This development is evidenced in the two versions of the trailer, one in which there is a scene clearly depicting the Alphas in organizational paraphernalia and colors and referring to themselves while stepping; and another (later) trailer where the same scene is shown but the same Alpha steppers are clearly wearing plain black shirts and no dialogue is heard as they step (This scene was probably edited in post production).

Interestingly, Will Packer (Producer) and Rob Hardy (Executive Producer) are members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

...so all is well in Hollywood!

Director Spike Lee has signed on to shoot a movie about James Brown, the late "Godfather of Soul," Daily Variety reported on Wednesday.

The authorized project is being developed for Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures by Brian Grazer, the Oscar-winning producer of "A Beautiful Mind," the trade publication said, adding that production would likely begin in 2008.

Brown, the self-proclaimed "hardest working man in show business," died of congestive heart failure on Monday, aged 73. The energetic singer of such soul anthems as "Sex Machine" and "I Feel Good," invented funk music, inspired the dance moves of Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson, and helped pave the way for hip-hop.

In recent years, posthumous movies about soul singer Ray Charles and country outlaw Johnny Cash have scored at the box office and won
Academy Awards.

Daily Variety said Brown played an active role in the project's development, and granted access to his music rights.

[SOURCE]

Labels: James Brown, Spike Lee

Besides the fact that "Earl and 'nem" [code for: the ni**as] showed up with the baby, talked across rows and answered their cell phones in during the movie, I, like everyone else, thoroughly enjoyed the movie!

So we all now that it is great, the music, the acting, the costumes, everything is just F-A-B!

Here my take on the buzz that surrounds this movie...

Like Ray, the movie was released at the right time, for year people have tried to make movies, but sometimes you just have to wait until the right actors are around...it's like Jamie Foxx was born to play Ray Charles, I definitely think Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, and Anika Noni Rose, were all born to play their parts...the cast as a whole make this movie work.

Beyonce as Deena Jone: She tried. I love Lady B and you can see that she really worked on her acting, but that's it, she had to work. I don't say that as a bad thing, but she didn't come off as natural as others that are singers/actors. She is absolutely gorgeous throughout. You do see her transform from Plain Jane to Super Diva...so her deciding to lose the weight before was a great move. I still don't think she is the star of the story. Because...


Jennifer Hudson as Effie White: Stole the show! I mean you felt connected to Effie...You were attached to her story. Even though the end was a resolution for both Deena and Effie, you were actually happy for Effie. J. Hud, did the damn thing. She has a natural acting ability and with this being her first film, you have to realize the potential that is there. "And I am Telling You" is just a moment you won't forget...[I know I won't forget the lady next to me who decided to try to sing it under her breathe...] Anyway, take a look at why J. Hud was made for the role of Effie.



Anika Noni Rose as Lorelle: Love her. She's just as great, she really has great presence and actually has the best acting ability out of all three. She should definitely take off as well after being seen in Dreamgirls. And after being on Oprah, I had to watch her shoes and he had platforms on in every performance because she is much shorter than Lady B and J. Hud...




Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor: Love him. He's just great! I think he is a great singer...I've loved him since his Peep This days...but he's not really a singer in the movie but he knows how to be the role and is great no doubt!



Eddie Murphy as Jimmy "Thunder" Early: Hilarious! Not intentionally funny, but just funny on the slick. He really completes the package. "I Meant You No Harm" is just the icing on the cake!


So in all! I loved it, will see it again! You must listen to the soundrack before you go...that way you can sing along [mentally...not aloud!]

Labels: Beyonce, Dreamgirls, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson

About The Film:
A man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate. Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help the man recover from his grief.

Status: Post Production
Release Date: 2007
Starring: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Cicely Tyson, Robert Klein, Melinda Dillion, Mike Binder, and Ted Raimi
Directed by: Mike Binder
Written by: Mike Binder

Labels: Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith

Labels: Bow Wow, Cherish, James Brown, Jay Z

Labels: Fantasia

James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured “Godfather of Soul,” whose revolutionary rhythms, rough voice and flashing footwork influenced generations of musicians from rock to rap, died early Christmas morning. He was 73.

Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died of conjunctive heart failure around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music.

He initially seemed fine at the hospital and even told people that he planned to be on stage in New York on New Year’s Eve, Copsidas said.

[SOURCE]

Labels: James Brown

Enjoy Your Holidays!!!

Posting will be minimal through out the holiday season, but we all know that celebs create news everyday so I'll be through sporadically to hit you newsworthy stories...

Hope you get everything on your list...even if you were a bit naughty this year!

In a recent interview with SOHH.com, Bow Wow addresses the notion that he's the king of "106 & Park" as opposed to "Rap City," to which he says:

"Busta Rhymes was at my album release party last night. I am getting respect because I am sticking to what I do. I never try to get outside my lane when it comes to making records. I never talk about stuff I am not about. You never hear Bow Wow say I'm bustin' my guns. That's not what I am about. I'm about making the ladies scream. I'm about making the ladies faint, throw their bras and panties on the stage. That's where I win at and people respect me for it."

Labels: Bow Wow

Labels: Diddy

Labels: Omarion

Labels: Diddy