Tuesday, March 31, 2009

SNEAK PEEK OF TARAJI P. HENSON ON TV ONE THIS WEEKEND


So, check out a few exclusive clips above and below of Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson and Cathy Hughes talking about the Oscars, her acting career, kissing some of the hottest guys in Hollyweird, and her nickname.

The episode airs this Sunday, April 5th at 10pm est. Be sure to check it out!



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ANDRE 3000 HAWKS DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND GETS PULLED


Andre 3000 of the hip hop duo Outkast has been charged with driving 109 mph on a highway in suburban Atlanta, says the Associated Press.

Henry County Police Capt. Jason Bolton says the entertainer, whose real name is Andre Benjamin, was clocked speeding in a 65 mph zone in his Porsche south of Atlanta about 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

The 33-year-old Benjamin is free on $1,200 property bond pending a court date April 29.

Police say Benjamin told them he was going so fast because he missed an exit and had to turn around.

109 seems fast when you say it out loud but I've seen my mom pull 100+ on the highways in Atlanta when we visit so I know Andre found it hard to do the speed limit in the missle that is known as the Porsche.

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ICE CUBE DOES "RIDE ALONG" IN NEW FILM


According to Variety, Ice Cube is set to star in the upcoming New Line film "Ride Along," an action comedy that will be put into production this summer.

Cube has come aboard with his Cube Vision partner Matt Alvarez to produce, and he will do a quick rewrite while New Line sets a director and co-star.

Cube will play a rogue cop with a soft spot for his sister. When she reveals she's engaged to an upper-crust white psychiatrist, the cop sets out to destroy the relationship by inviting his future brother-in-law on a ride-along.

"Ride Along" will be Cube's first film for New Line since 2002's "Friday After Next," which he produced with Alvarez.

The deal comes as Cube and Alvarez search for a distributor for his latest starring effort, "Janky Promoters." The film, which was independently financed by Comerica, was originally set for distribution at the Weinstein Co. That deal went by the wayside recently, and distributor screenings began late last week.

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Monday, March 30, 2009

THIS WEEKEND AT THE BOX OFFICE...

In at #1 this weekend was the 3-D film from Paramount "Monsters vs. Aliens." It brought in a whopping $58.2 Million.
In second place is the based on a true story scare factor film "The Haunting in Conneticut" which brought in $23 Million.

Third on the list is the sci-fi flick "Knowing" which brought in $14.7 Million to bring it's total to $46.2 Million.



In fourth place is the bromance feature, "I Love You, Man" which made $12.6 Million to bring it's total to $37 Million.


In fifth place this weekend is the Julia Roberts not so much of a comeback film "Duplicity," which brought in $7.56 Million to bring it's total to $25.6 Million.

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KANYE WEST TEAMS WITH SPIKE JONZE


Kanye West has hired director Spike Jonze of the upcoming film "Where the Wild Things Roam" for his newest mini-film - his third single from 808's and Heartbreaks, “See You in My Nightmares."

Jonze said he has a hard time doing music videos because the money stays around motion pictures, according to Hiphopdx.

“No way, I don’t think so. There are no budgets at all,” Jonze explained to New York magazine. “We support ourselves with commercials. That’s how I make money.”

But for a friend like Kanye, Jonze makes some exceptions, especially after he directed the controversial hit video for “Flashing Lights,” which drew major air play.

Now the next short film for “See You In My Nightmares,” which is coming soon, is bound to draw attention from the “Jackass” co-creator.

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ERNIE HUDSON IN "SMOKIN ACES" SEQUEL


My favorite Ghostbuster alumni, Ernie Hudson, has just shot a small but pivotal role in "Smokin' Aces : Blowback".

Hudson, who played Winston Zeddemore in the two "Ghostbusters" movies, has a ''key role at the end'' of the film, according to Moviehole.

Hudson joins Tom Berenger, David Richmond-Peck, Vinnie Jones, Autumn Reeser and Keegan Connor Tracy in the P.J Pesce-directed picture.

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NEW YORK "GOES TO WORK" IN NEW VH1 SHOW


In are they effin serious news of the day, it's being announced that Tiffany "New York" Pollard is doing yet another reality series for VH1, this time taking on jobs suggested by text-messaging viewers.

Pollard, who was introduced to the MTV Networks channel several years ago as a contestant on dating show "Flavor of Love," will star in "New York Goes to Work." In the series, which bows May 4 at 10 p.m., Pollard will try being a sewer worker, a mortuary beautician and a fast-food employee, among other gigs, according to Variety.

If she succeeds and pleases her employers, she'll be rewarded with a $5,000 bonus each week.

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Friday, March 27, 2009

"FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE" GETS THE HOLLYWOOD TREATMENT


Finally, the folks in Hollywood have discovered one of my all time favorite plays/books "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange.

A few days ago, was announced that music video director, Nzinga Stewart, is set to adapt the play as well as direct the film. Lionsgate will produce. No word yet on casting - although I get the feeling there are plenty of "colored" actresses out there just chomping at the bit for a role.

This book, which is pretty much a series of poems about the constant struggles of black women in a not so black women friendly world, is what inspired me to write. I can't say enough good things about it and I'm totally stoked that it's being brought to the forefront. You should definitely check it out if you're not familiar.

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BLACK IN THE DAYS...


This week's Black in the Days movie is an oldie but goody...Krush Groove! I said it before and I'll say it again, LL Cool J is the finest rapper...period! The scene above is where LL bumrushes into the audition and shows the fellas what he's all about. This movie is a classic on soo many levels and featured an all star cast. It's a wonder folks haven't tried to remake it...well let me not say that too loudly.

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"THE HAUNTING: IN CONNETICUT" TRAILER

SYNOPSIS

In the tradition of such real-life horror movies as The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Haunting in Connecticut tells the astounding true story of one family's supernatural ordeal. When Sara and Peter Campbell's son Matt is diagnosed with cancer, they uproot their family to Connecticut for his treatment. As the family settles into their new home, Matt grows increasingly disturbed by paranormal activity that seems to inhabit and possess the house. At a loss to help her frightened family, his mother turns to an enigmatic priest who appears to rid the house of its ghosts-- until the boy's condition takes a sudden and unexplained turn for the worse and their lives are put in grave danger

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LATIFAH IS "JUST WRIGHT"


Queen Latifah is seet to star in the romantic comedy "Just Wright" for Fox Searchlight.
The project was set up six years ago by Disney but as you know Hollywood has a tendency to take forever and a day to get it together. The project went into turnaround and was picked up by Searchlight.

Pegged as a modern-day Cinderella tale, the movie will center on a female physical therapist who falls in love with a basketball player while helping him recover from a career-threatening injury.

Searchlight, which recently teamed with Latifah on "The Secret Life of Bees," is looking to get things started in late May.

Latifah and her Flavor Unit partner Shakim Compere are producing alongside Debra Martin Chase.

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"FAME" TRAILER

SYNOPSIS

A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame…the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work. In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, plagued by self-doubt, each student’s passion will be put to the test.

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"ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS" TRAILER

SYNOPSIS

After the events of "Ice Age: The Meltdown", life begins to change for Manny and his friends: Scrat is still on the hunt to hold onto his beloved acorn, while finding a possible romance in a female sabre-toothed squirrel named Scratte. Manny and Ellie, having since become an item, are expecting a baby, which leaves Manny anxious to ensure that everything is perfect for when his baby arrives. Diego is fed up with being treated like a house-cat and ponders the notion that he is becoming too laid-back. Sid begins to wish for a family of his own, and so steals some dinosaur eggs which leads to Sid ending up in a strange underground world where his herd must rescue him, while dodging dinosaurs and facing danger left and right, and meeting up with a one-eyed weasel known as Buck who hunts dinosaurs intently.

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

"THE HANGOVER" TRAILER

SYNOPSIS
A Las Vegas-set comedy centered around three groomsmen who lose their about-to-be-wed buddy during their drunken misadventures, then must retrace their steps in order to find him.

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"WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE" TRAILER


SYNOPSIS
An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.

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WASHINGTON TO PLAY LOU RAWLS IN BIOPIC


Just as the reports begin to surface about famed actor, Isaiah Washington and his lovely wife supposedly getting evicted from their Santa Monica home, it's being announced that Washington has just booked a new gig. This gig will be a biopic on legendary singer Lou Rawls who Washington is attached to play.

According to THR, Pathway Entertainment has acquired the script "Through the Eyes of a Son," described as an uncensored take on the singer written by his son Lou Rawls Jr., and will develop it as a feature.

Born in Chicago in 1933, Rawls sang in a range of styles that included blues, soul, funk and R&B, selling millions of albums and earning legions of fans, as well as the accolades of Frank Sinatra. He also, according to the script, had a traumatic life, enduring a poverty-stricken childhood and, in adulthood, intense marital strife.

"It's the untold side of a glamorous life," said Adel Nur, Washington's manager. "It's like 'Ray'; we knew about the beautiful music, but we didn't know about the turmoil and chaos in (Ray Charles') life."

Pathway's Robert Egan and Dimi Sloane co-wrote the script with Rawls Jr., and Egan and Rawls Jr. will serve as producers. Another writer is expected to come on to do a polish.

Said Egan, "We're showing the real story -- what he was doing to his wife before walking out onstage and wooing the audience with a big smile." He added that the film will move around in time to different periods of the singer's life.

Rawls, who died in 2006, also had a side career in Hollywood, lending his voice to such cartoons as "Garfield" and "Hey Arnold!" and making appearances in movies like "Blues Brothers 2000."

The APA-repped Washington, best known for his role on "Grey's Anatomy," next will be seen in "Hurricane Season," the Weinstein Co./Dimension Films story of a New Orleans basketball team after Hurricane Katrina.

Pathway recently completed the drug-dealer tale "King of the Avenue," starring Ving Rhames.

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BEHIND THE SCENES WITH KANYE WEST'S "COMPLEX" COVER

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

IN LIVING COLOR: RANDOM CELEB PICS

Click below to check out more pics of celebs of color out and about this week.









































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CARTOON NETWORK AND NBA PARTNER UP WITH "MY DAD'S A PRO"


Turner's Cartoon Network is partnering with the NBA to develop basketball-themed programming, with one series already in development according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Diversifying Turner's 25-year-old relationship with the sports organization, the new agreement calls for new content on air, online and for mobile devices. First in the pipeline is a shortform series called "My Dad's a Pro," following the children of NBA players, and will debut at the start of the NBA season this fall.

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JENNIFER HUDSON ON IDOL TONIGHT


Jennifer Hudson is returning to “American Idol” — for one night only.

The Grammy- and Oscar-winning actress, singer and “Idol” alum is scheduled to tape a performance in front of the studio audience on Wednesday after the live broadcast has ended according to several reports.

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

TAMERA MOWRY TALKS "ROOMMATES," MARRIAGE, AND DENZEL


Tamera Mowry recently spoke with Essence.com about her new ABC Family show "Roommates" and about the pressure to marry now that her twin sister Tia Mowry-Hardrict has jumped the broom. I heart those girls! Check out the short interview below...

ESSENCE.COM: Glad to have you back on the small screen. You seem to be the sassy friend on the show. How is it returning to a sitcom?

TAMERA MOWRY: I’m so excited and love playing Hope. I hadn’t shot in front of a live audience in ten years, so I am having all these thoughts of what if I’m not funny, but it’s like riding a bike. Now I’m riding with no hands. She is very protective of people she loves, and I’m the same way with my brother and sister and family. I’m the mothering one. Hope loves boys and she loves fashion and I’ve been boy crazy for years. Period. This character was not originally written asa Black girl, so it’s great to be able to represent for Black women, and for her to be the fashionista!

ESSENCE.COM: Definitely. So what has been your craziest roommate experience in real life?

MOWRY: Tia and I used to live together for six years. Her husband now used to be somewhat of a third roommate. My sister and I used to alternate grocery shopping every week. I used to hate to do it so I would buy a lot so I didn’t have to do it so much. Cory would come over and eat everything and all the cookies and cakes I would bake. I would tell him, "Dude, if you are going to eat like that, you need to be paying rent." (Laughs.)

ESSENCE.COM: (Laughs.) Your sister got married last year and you two are producing the Lifetime film, “The Wedding.” So are you feeling like it’s your turn to walk down the aisle?

MOWRY: I don’t know if it’s because I turned 30, but I am loving being single right now! I’m dating, but I love the freedom. Earlier I was domestic and Tia was out dating, and now it’s the opposite. I want to get all that out of my system, before I marry. I have a lot of growing to do. When you get married, it’s no joke. I want to be ready. Tia’s always in my face telling me that it’s serious. They dated for nine years and I’m not afraid to make sure it’s right. We are excited to be producing and starring in the romantic comedy “The Wedding” for Lifetime.

ESSENCE.COM: You two also went to college together. How did that experience impact you?

MOWRY: I just recently spoke at the convocation for my [alma mater], Pepperdine, which was amazing. Going to college from “Sister, Sister,” was humbling. Professors didn’t care who you were, just get the work in on time. It was great to experience and something different from action. I partied, I met friends I still have, I had my first love and my first heartbreak. I studied psychology and counseled for four months at a women’s center before I realized you have to have a calling to do that. I realized mine was acting, and comedy is where my heart is. It’s something that uplifts your soul when you laugh and make other people laugh. Laughter is healing, especially during these times with the economy. You need something you can sit back and relate to.

ESSENCE.COM: You were always the funny one on “Sister, Sister.” Did you ever worry you would be typecast afterwards?

MOWRY: I dealt with a lot of that. I couldn’t get into a drama casting room for a while. That’s why I was really happy to do “Strong Medicine” and it helped me break through. Some of the greatest comedic actors are great in drama. Denzel Washington, besides being gorgeous, he was the first actor that moved me. I remember being in seventh grade and watching “Glory.” I knew I wanted be able to move someone that way. That’s when it shifted. We look at movies and shows to be touched.

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BARACK OBAMA ON 60 MINUTES VIDEO


In case you missed it.

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IT'S JUST MY THEME MUSIC...

HAPPY TUESDAY!

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