Without any hesitation, I can say that “Black Swan” is hands down one of the best thrillers that I have seen in the last 5 years. It’s certainly THE best movie of 2010.

When I saw the first preview for the film a few weeks ago, I knew that I would love it. In that 2 minute trailer, I saw art, drama, passion & success! After seeing the actual film twice, I can saw that I was right & there was so much more. I found the film to be quite stressful but in a good way.

I found myself asking what’s going to happen next. Is this her reality. Did that just happen etc. I love when a film can take me on a ride that I want to experience again & again.

Natalie Portman, is totally not a little girl anymore. In her role as Nina Sayers, she blossoms from being a young girl on the come up in the ballet world to a woman who takes what she wants. Along her path to becoming a woman, she struggles to deal with her insecurities, dance rivals, & a mother that reminds you of the mother from the movie “Carrie.” I was just waiting for her mother to scream “They’re all going to laugh at you!”

In terms of beauty, I fell in love with the seamless character interactions, graceful cinematography, costumes & sound effects. So much was just perfect including one of the most epic masturbation scenes that I’ve seen in a non-skin flick. When Nina completed her transformation, my tip got moist! It was breathtaking & VERY climatic! Just when you thought it could get no better it does.

Even with all the things that made Black Swan a visual treat, there was enough gore and drama to counteract. Witnessing someone rip their own flesh away is always a shocker but you have to ask yourself while seeing this film if she really did it. Is this woman really experiencing some type of physical transformation or is it a fantastical dream.

By the time the movie fades to white, you are left with more questions than answers. You want more. You want an encore. Well, at least it was that way for me, which is why I saw it twice.

After seeing the film & being captivated by the opening sequence where Nina dances with Von Rothbart made me think that I needed some ballet in my life, so I think I will next month in Detroit when the Joffrey Ballet Company visits Detroit. I’m fancy right!

Advertised Synopsis:

BLACK SWAN follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition.

When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality.

Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.

The On a related note:

- I hated Nina’s pink coat in this movie. She wore it with everything. Even an ugly evening gown. This character got dissed real hard in the wardrobe department.

- I really got excited when Nina emerged from the subways station at Lincoln Center. I actually did a dumb little clap & whispered “fashion week.”

- I Googled images of ballet dancer toes & I threw up in my mouth a little bit! You definitely do not want to see what’s up in those point shoes. YIKES!

- Much of Black Swan was shot with Canon DSLR cameras which is quite fascinating. Check here for the details.

It’s been many months since I had the energy to do a post on any movie because quite frankly, I’ve seen a ton of bullshit! I would names names but it’s hardly worth it.

I guess all my bullshit movie entertainment ended this week when I ventured out to see “Inception.” I thought it was a good movie with a fanciful story line, good acting & of course out of this earth graphics!

Many of my friends saw it & thought it was like the best thing since cheesy grits but not I.  I mean, I liked it & walked away feeling satisfied but I didn’t get that hell yeah that was awesome feeling. Will I buy the DVD, sure, well maybe I will just Netflix it.

This evening, I took a chance & saw “Salt” of which, I decided not to read any reviews nor did I see any previews.  I just walk in blindly with no preconceived notions.

Unlike “Inception,” “Salt” was not a film with tons of out of this earth graphics & did they really do that moments.  “Salt” in my eyes was the type of action flick that I like that has great chase scenes, gun fights, ass kicking, talented acting, diverse & developed characters & a story line that did not involve taking notes to keep up.

Sure, “Salt” did not have the most original plot but the way that it was scripted out was totally a good look with some fun twists.

I found myself vacillating on wanting the bad guy to win. I love when I have that dilemma.

By the time the movie ended, I still uncertain on what I wanted but what I got was movie satisfaction.  That’s satisfaction without a bunch of 2010 Hollywood bullshit.

For the record, “Salt” is a movie, & I did not get hung up on her Super Bionic Russian bitch powers. I took it for what it was.

My “Salt” movie mix includes: The Jackal (1997), The Bourne Identity (2002), In the Line of Fire (1993), The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Thanks to the Shadow & Act blog, I was hipped to a Detroit based documentary film titled “Grown in Detroit” directed by Dutch  film makers Mascha and Manfred Poppenk.

After viewing the trailer S&A posted I was sucked in & wanted to know more about the girls & farming program at the Catherine Ferguson Academy for young pregnant & parenting teen girls.

Incidentally, the Catherine Ferguson Academy is 1 of 3 schools in the nation for pregnant & parenting teens.

Synopsis:

“…Grown in Detroit focuses on the urban gardening efforts managed by a public school of 300, mainly African American, pregnant and parenting teenagers. In Detroit alone, there are annually more than 3,000 pregnant teenagers who drop out of high school. This school is one of three located in the United States. As part of the curriculum, the girls are taught agricultural skills on the school’s own farm located behind the school building what used to be the playground.

The young mothers, often still children themselves, are learning by farming to become more independent women and knowledgeable about the importance of nutritional foods. Many of them start out disliking the often physically hard work on the farm but this aversion disappears as they see their crops growing and being sold for profit. “Back to the roots”, a simple yet effective solution for a city that has to start all over again and perhaps a lesson to be learned for the rest of the world.”

If you are intrigued after seeing this preview, I would encourage you to make a donation to view the entire one-hour film. It’s worth it!

Also check out this piece that “Time” ran a few months ago on the school & film.

And actually, I watched the film with my daughters as a eye opener to bad choices, consequences & opportunity. They were quite interested in the farming, disturbed by the pregnant teens and amused by the one young lady who got stung by the bees. Admittedly, the girl getting stung by the bees was funny but I couldn’t laugh. Just saying.

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Update:

Comment April noted that CFA was slated to close along with many other Detroit public schools.  Fortunately, this is only a partial fact.

I just learned that CFA will not close, in terms of the program. Instead, it is being merged with another Detroit public school program.  Details on the move are yet to be announced.

Here is a snipper from a communication from CFA’s principal G. Asenath Andrews:

“I have received your out pouring of concern and energy for what’s best for the young women and children of Catherine Ferguson Academy. I was out of the country when the word came first that the school was closing then still out when that was revised to say that the school was being merged with a smaller program and moved to another building. At this point that is what I expect to happen. Catherine Ferguson Academy for Young Women is slated to move to the West-side Multi-cultural School. As hard as it is to think of a new location, I think this move is best for the future of the school.

I have already been in contact with the Assistant Superintendent over CFA and requested special assistance in moving the farm, barn soil animal and all to the new location…”

After seeing all of the 2010 Oscar nominated short films, I was pulling hard for “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty” to bring home the gold for best animated short but it was not meant to be. The award winner was Francois Alaux and Herve de Crece’s “Logorama,” which is still a great thing!

I was going back &  forth between who I wanted to win, so was still excited to see this very clever gem win.

According to the directors,

“Logorama presents us with an over-marketed world built only from logos and real trademarks that are destroyed by a series of natural disasters (including an earthquake and a tidal wave of oil). Logotypes are used to describe an alarming universe (similar to the one that we are living in) with all the graphic signs that accompany us everyday in our lives. This over-organized universe is violently transformed by the cataclysm becoming fantastic and absurd. It shows the victory of the creative against the rational, where nature and human fantasy triumph.”

The awesome thing about the win is that now, “Logorama can now be viewed online! Yes!!!!

Enjoy…

Last night, I made a trip to the Detroit Film Theatre to see the 2010 Oscar nominated live action & animated short films.

This was quite a treat because it’s not often that large audiences get a chance to see short films. For instance, I only saw 2 of the 2009 nominated shorts.

The program ran a little more than 3 hours & was well worth the time!

Featured were 5 live action & 5 animated films, all of which were AWESOME! Well almost all of them. I’m not a fan of “Wallace & Grommit”, so I took those few moments & dozed off for a few.

My psychic prediction for best animated short is “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty.”

My psychic prediction for best live action short is “The New Tenants.”

I’m also pulling for “Kavi” for best live action short.

If you’re interested in catching the short films, the official Oscars website has a screening list. You won’t be disappointed.

In other movie news; I saw “The Wolfman” last week & its at the top of my life of worst films of 2010 & possible 2011. Yes, it was that bad! In fact, on Twitter, I said the “the shit I took on Saturday morning was better than ‘The Wolfman.’”

This weekend, I saw “Shutter Island” and it was really all that. Mystery, complex characters, drama, drugs, suspense & an awesome surprise twist! So basically it was everything that a great movie needs.

Back in November 09, I was finally able to see the movie “Precious” (Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). I had not read the book prior to seeing the film, but friends who had “warned” me about what to expect.

To put things mildly, what I was told really didn’t prepare me for what I saw. I mean I left the theater without being able to close my mouth from shock.

There were several scenes that had me about to break down in major tears but somehow I was able to keep from going there. The emotional/sexual/physical abuse, overt colorism, etc were almost too much. But… the story of a young woman fighting to survive for her sake & the sake of her children helped me make it through the movie. I was hoping that this girl who had everything against her finally won.

Once I got home, I sat down to figure out how I was going to talk about the movie & was stuck. I guess I was stuck because I felt like I was missing something. What did the movie not cover from the book. And I also wanted to know more about Precious’ friends from the “alternative.” So, at this point, I logged onto Amazon & purchased “Push.”

Flash forward>>>>>>>>>>>>

I’ve read the book & it filled in all of the holes that I knew were missing and I was satisfied knowing the complicated back-stories of Precious’ friends.

One thing that stuck with me through the book was this passage from chapter 1:

“I big, I talk, I eats, I cooks, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muver say. But I can see when the picture come back I don’t exist. Don’t nobody want me. Don’t nobody need me. I know who I am. I know who they say I am-vampire sucking the system’s blood. Ugly black grease to be wipe away, punish, kilt, changed, finded a job for.”
~ Precious

Is the book hard to read? Yes! The vernacular is written phonetically & some may struggle with that as I’ve heard.

Is the book graphic? Hell yes! The book makes the movie look like a PG rated after school special.

My favorite laughable take aways from the book not fully played out in the movie? “Cunt Bucket.” & “Hasta la vista, baby.”

“She look at me like I said I wanna suck a dog’s dick or some shit. What’s with this cunt bucket? (That’s what my muver call women she don’t like, cunt buckets. I kinda get it and I kinda don’t get it, but I like the way it sounds so I say it too.)” ~ Precious

——–

“My muver say, “Eighty –six that bitch.” I says into the intercom. “Hasta la vista, baby.” That’s Spanish for good-bye but when niggers say it, it’s like, kiss my ass.” ~ Precious

Without a doubt, “Push” is a MUST read, if you’ve seen or want to see the movie “Precious! The short novel fills in the missing links & believe me there are many. This is surprising because the book is a quick 192 pages compared to the 110 minute movie.

Flash forward one mo’ gin’ (Negro Dialect)>>>>>>>>>>>>

This past Monday I attended a MLK symposium talk sponsored by the University of Michigan titled “Push, Literacy, Women, and African American Literature” given by poet & novelist Sapphire.

Sapphire coming to town was too much like right! While at the talk, I planned on getting my book autographed & asking some of the pressing questions on my mind regarding the movie & book.

After the very exciting session was said & done, I wasn’t able to get my book signed but I did get the chance to ask two of my three questions which are addressed in the audio link here.

I wish I could have asked my 3rd question regarding the content on 111 para 4. I just wanted to be sure that what I read was what I read & not what I was thinking it was.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

A few of my Tweets from the Talk:

• I’m at the Sapphire lecture & the hall is almost at standing room only. Wow! http://twitpic.com/yoj1t http://twitpic.com/yoj1h
• Sapphire is reading from “Push.” I’m loving this!
• White people are leaving the Sapphire’s talk. I guess they cannot handle her reading from “Push.” Interesting!
• Standing in line to ask Sapphire a question. http://twitpic.com/yow8y
• I actually talked with Sapphire. Posting audio later. I’m excited!!!!
• Sapphire just read this woman who tried to read her. Shit!!!
• Male rape victim now at the mic talking to Sapphire. Wow!
• The line was way too long to get my book signed by Sapphire but I was able to get a photo. Yes! http://twitpic.com/yp4kx

Did you see the movie, read the book or both? What are your thoughts?

I finally had my turn to see one of the most anticipated Black films this year today: “Good Hair.”

Although I was very excited to see this film, I walked in with an open mind & no real expectations. With that said, I really enjoyed the film as a good piece of edutainment. Actually at one point, it seemed to turn into a mocumentary.

Upon leaving the theater, I posted this on Facebook:

“”Good Hair” was entertaining. Was it deep? No! Will it spark good debates? Not really! Will Black men & women ever abandon their lust for white beauty euphoria? Hell no! But…. I think Rock did a good job though providing good edutainment.”

A couple things that freaked me out in the film were learning about how Indian hair is actually obtained (very disturbing), Derek J’s 4” boots, hearing stories of 2 & 3 year old children getting their hair permed.

Driving home, I figured out that I know entirely too much about Black women’s hair. I actually wish I could un-learn/undo/un-see some of my knowledge & experiences. Call it a cornrow, fried dyed & laid to the side hot mess overload of mass proportions.

If you’ve been reading me for a while or seen my posts on other blogs, you know that I’m always willing to start or jump into a fight/heated discussion on natural vs. chemically/heat processed hair. Well as of lately, I’ve thrown up my hands in this never-ending battle.

I’m married & my woman has “good” Mulatto hair (yes, I did say it! Who gone check me boo?) so I don’t have to worry about weaves, perms, hot combs, running my fingers through her hair without running across a track, snagging a hang nail or getting a ring caught. My daughters rock natural looks & gave up fighting with me on straight looks. It’s a win all the way around for me (for now anyway).

I cannot care or put energy into what other people do with their mops. I’m not fucking them or paying for anything so what difference does my opinion make.

If you want locks; great! If you want to rock a kinky look; great! If you want a perm all down your back; great! If you want to pay hundreds of dollars for hair that an Indian woman shaved off to sacrifice in the name of her religion or had stolen as she slept; great! If you’re dumb enough to think that pressed hair makes you natural: great! Gotta put your hair in the lay-a-way; great! You do you boo!

Wait, let me get back to the movie! Overall, this movie is totally worth seeing even if on a bootleg from the DVD man that visits your salon or barbershop.

So tell me, have you seen it? What are your thoughts? Talk to me!

Photo Above:
Me @ The Detroit Institute of Arts
Taken summer 1992
Hair Styled by Curtis Griffin
Photog: Unknown :(

There has been a lot of positive buzz over “A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy” throughout blogosphere over the last few months. Most notably, the buzz has been hot on the Invisible Woman’s blog (one of my most favoritestness spots to visit) who recently covered this independent flick that delves into Black relationship intricacies & sexuality in a refreshing perspective through 6 vignettes.

When it comes to independent reviews, The Invisible Woman has never disappointed me, but in this case, I was a little apprehensive. Maybe it is because I was like how can this film be any different from anything that I’ve seen in the past.

Nevertheless, after reading her interview with director Dennis Dortch, I was like, let me break this off & decided to rent the movie via iTunes (only $3.99).

So the movie starts & my interest was immediately piqued with the vision of a woman having an orgasm while in while the room was spinning & music being played backward. Very interested! Then the jump off occurred in this vignette aptly titled “Reciprocity.”

Home girl got hers & refused to break her boy off. Yeah, this may sound like blah, but the dialogue & circumstances between this hard pressed Negro eager to bust a nut & his boo, who was like back the fuck up was very intriguing. Oh did I mention that they were not in the room alone.

What a way to open the film!

The following vignette titled “Her Man” straight up reminded me of Kwame Kilpatrick & Christine Beatty. Maybe that is because of their complexions & the fact that the light skinneded (yes I did say skinneded) woman was the jump off who refused to let her man leave.

“Her Man” started off very sexy, VERY & ending like WTF on a relationship note.

This scene along with the rest in the movie seems all too real. I mean that actors appear to be real people, in real circumstances & it was very easy to identify with them in one way or the other.

The funny thing about “Her Man” is that I was singing “The Other Woman” by Nina Simone in my head (I love that song!).

The complexities of the jump off relationship & needs, are all spelled out here. And my mouth was held open till then end.

Vignette 3, “Tonight 1” seemed a little hood compared to the 1st two scenes but it gave an insight into a young woman’s reality & need to not compromise herself. Actually, I think this would be a good scene to show a group of young woman to illustrate that you need to protect yourself, mentally, physically & sexually.

Vignette 4, “Reprise” kinda fucked me up because it went back kinda to the scene in vignette one. You remember when I said that there someone else was in the room. It’s the roommate & her boo handling their business in a very anal way (you do the math).

Homegirl in this scene fucked me up & reminded me of this cougar that used to dig me, who wanted to go there with me. Not the kid boo!

All I can say about this, is that is was nasty & sexy. Nasty in a good/bad way.

Vignette 5 “Tonight 2” picks up where “Tonight 1” leaves off & the cavalry comes to rescue the young woman that did not sacrifice herself. I though that “Tonight 2” dragged a bit but it was interesting watching this young woman catch feelings for her friend’s older brother through song, rememories, fries and the ending of innocence. The makings of a complicated jump off.

The last vignette “American Boyfriend” was one of my favorites & it dealt with a young Negro boy being the love secret who’s held up in his Chinese American girlfriend’s bedroom as her parents visit.

This shit was straight up funny & reminded me of when I met Suite Suzy’s parents who showed up early from a vacation & I was laid up in their house.

What Black movie is complete without a dinner scene? “American Boyfriend” brings a dinner scene full of uncomfortable moments, a lesbian coming out of the closet, parents wanting their Chinese daughter to date/marry an Irish boy & a kiss that fucks up the whole scenario.

This scene is sure to make someone you “oh hell no” a few times.

Bottom line is, “A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy” is a great production! It showcases love, emotion & sex without the hypersexuality or raunchy B movie effect. In fact, I found all of the scenes to be very artful & in great taste.

There are a lot of directors that need to take a few pages from Dennis Dortch’s playbook, because homeboy set this off.

Before the credits finished rolling, I was on Amazon.com buying the DVD to have in my archive & since I was caught up in the moment of great Black cinema, I copped the soundtrack also (soundtrack is the bomb). Money well spent.

“A Good Day To Be Black & Sexy” is another shining example of Black cinema done right!
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Official Description:

Press play on A GOOD DAY TO BE BLACK AND SEXY. A mixed tape of deftly arranged vignettes on Black Love, Sex, and Reciprocity. What you hear may be unrecognizable at first… Neo-realistic intimacy between black people found in rare grooves previously drowned out by the sounds of modern hook-ups and bougie preoccupations, a cacophony of mass-produced beats created with drum machine loops and software. A Good Day to be Black and Sexy is that dusty LP you find in the crates. But as soon as you put the needle to wax, all the forgotten lyrics return to your lips in this dreamy love sonnet to the beautiful and chocolate coated. The intro track is a prelude into the heavily sensual world of expectations – the rhythm that drives the film. Erotic moments are lullabies that turn into syncopated groves without notice. This record skips, and jumps to the hook of a Millie Jackson remix. An anthem belted out by a minx who knows her limits, but can’t resist testing the boundaries.

It’s a song a sistah can roll her neck and snap her fingers to, exuding, at least for the moment, the confidence that every Black woman wished they had underneath the facade. When the bridge is over, a slow jam slides in- the one from prom night when curfews were extended and hotel rooms were reserved. Back when wistful notions of love were only true when written in diaries and carved on school desks. A sticky interlude eases in and out of the song, and you move a little closer and wrap your arms around to dance tighter, until growing up too fast and maturing too late, causes innocence to be lost too soon. Needle getting closer to the middles leaving the last cut a re-imagined version of masculinity, basketball, and the inability to freely love who you want to love, at the ease that non-Negroes take for granted. Time runs out and so does the tape. Eject

Yesterday after work, I made a mad dash to the movies to check out Nicolas Cages’ new movie “Knowing.”

Since Nick’s last good movie was in the late 90’s I was not expecting a miracle but I got one.

The previews of the movie looked pretty good but my initial apprehension was over the fact that I thought this was some hero saves the world movie. My apprehension stems from my desire to sometimes see the world and or mankind explode & die off. Yes, sometimes I root for total destruction and the bad guy.

So, “Knowing” offered everything that someone like me needs to feel the value of my 10 bucks; DESTRUCTION & mass death. Wait, I must sound sick.

This flick is on the long side but that is more than made up for in quality sequences that are both intriguing & surprising. Some of the scenes are etched into my mind permanently, big time. Like some of the scenes I want to tell you about beat some of the scenes from “Unbreakable” (train crash) & “Final Destination” (airplane crash & highway accident). Some juicy shit!

With this said, I will not go any further as it would be easy to spoil the entire movie.

The down points of “Knowing” include Nick’s horrible hair plugs & obvious yuck-mouth veneers. Oh yes, some cheesy dialogue & lackluster supporting character development. All these downers together really don’t mean shit because the movie is still fucking AWESOME & soooooo much better than “Watchmen,” which I think sucked more than a little bit and dare I compare it to “Madea Goes to Jail?”

Anyway, “Knowing” is officially on my 2009 must get the DVD list.

Official Synopsis:
In 1958, as part of the dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random numbers instead.

Fifty years later, a new generation of students examines the capsule’s contents and the girl’s cryptic message ends up in the hands of young Caleb Koestler. But it is Caleb’s father, professor John Koestler, who makes the startling discovery that the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years.

As John further unravels the document’s chilling secrets, he realizes the document foretells three additional events — the last of which hints at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve John and his son.

When John’s attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf ears, he takes it upon himself to try to prevent more destruction from taking place. With the reluctant help of Diana Wayland and Abby Wayland, the daughter and granddaughter of the now-deceased author of the prophecies, John’s increasingly desperate efforts take him on a heart-pounding race against time until he finds himself facing the ultimate disaster — and the ultimate sacrifice.

Movie Trailer
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Movie Etiquette PSA: Women, I advise you not to share popcorn at the movies with your boo unless you know that he washed his hands or you love the taste of dick & nuts.

I have seen some janky shit jump off in the mens room. Like guys taking a piss, then walking right out. Then once they hook up with their boo, they dip right into the bag of popcorn.

One of my own horrible movie mens room experiences was when I went to relieve myself, I ran into an acquaintance whom just walked away from the urinal. Once he saw me, he reached to shake hands. I looked at him like he was crazy & said no thanks dick hand.

On a personal note; I hate using the short urinal. It just feels kinda weird.

Last summer I read a movie review for “Medicine for Melancholy” on the Invisible Woman’s blog & got really excited to see this independent film dealing with an urban relationship. After I saw the trailer, I knew that I had to see this film. So since it was not widely released, I contacted the director of the film; Barry Jenkins.

Unfortunately, he at that time had no idea when the film would make its way to my area, because it was making the flim festival rounds. Bummer right!

Anyway, fast forward seven months later to February 2009: I was checking the film schedule for the Detroit Film Theatre & the 1st film that came up was “Medicine for Melancholy.” I got so excited that I did my bitch scream aloud at work, which was partially embarrassing.

So I hit Suite Suzy up to see if she could make arrangements for us to do a movie date. Five minutes later it was on for a Sunday afternoon jump off.

BTW, I love the Detroit Film Theatre. They always have obscure movies that I would never see if it were not for them. I have seen some AWESOME independent & foreign films there.

So on to the movie – The official description:

“Medicine for Melancholy is a love story of bikes and one-night stands told through two African-American twenty-somethings dealing with issues of class, identity, and the evolving conundrum of being a minority in rapidly gentrifying San Francisco-a city with the smallest proportional black population of any other major American city.”

The movie had me intrigued all the way through as it took some really interesting twists in terms of hoe baths, turning a jump off into a potential boo, interracial dating & relationship insecurities.

As the movie progressed, I found myself wanting Micah & Jo to leave it all behind & move on together but if it were real life, it would not be that easy as they both had some issues that needed to be resolved.

I think Barry Jenkins did an phenomenal job orchestrating this sexy, funny, simple but complex story making it seem very real & very human. If you fell out of love with Black love & or Black movies (don’t blame Tyler Perry, LOL), this film will give you a glimmer of hope.

After the film was over, Suite Suzy & I had an interesting conversation about Micah & Jo. We discussed what it means to be a good Black man & how a Black man could win the affection of a Black woman who has an easy life with a white boo when she acts like she wants something else. Very fascinating! Suite Suzy mentioned that she overheard a conversation in the ladies room between two Black ladies who basically said fuck Micah, stay with the white man & live good. This is slightly controversial for sure.

I know I cannot wait for this to come out on DVD, because I’m gonna be one of the 1st Negroes to cop it & then invite friends over for a viewing & discussion (I like doing that kind shit). According to the movie’s distributor, it will be available on DVD this spring.

So, YES, I’m in love with this refreshing movie!

Lastly, Invisible Woman did a great interview with Barry Jenkins late 2008; here’s a link. Go Invisible Woman!!! And thx for keeping me on my toes cinematically speaking!!!
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Other movies that I’ve seen recently & recommend that you get off your ass to go see are:

– Gran Torion – One of my friends was actually in this flick & I really enjoyed it! Filmed in Detroit, intense story line & the relationship transformations in this move are endearing & mind blowing. Talk about an ending!

- Curious Case of Benjamin Button – I just can’t say enough great things about this film. It’s like “Forrest Gump” meets “the Green Mile”. And yes, you are sure to see a magical Negro or two.

- Slumdog Millionaire – This movie really surpasses all of the hype about it. It is not a feel good movie, so please do not get it twisted. It is filled with tragic circumstances, abuse & ultimately love & triumph, an interesting combination for sure. I’m taking my momma to see it next weekend on a little date. On a related note, I feel bad that the kids who really made the movie are getting the short end of the money stick as they are back in India living in a slum as they portrayed in the movie. How fucked up is that???

– Taken – Loved this & Liam Neeson is now my best white friend in my head.

I watched but there is no commentary. I, however do want to introduce you to the short film “New Boy“, which was nominated for the best live action short.

“New Boy” did not win the Oscar, but I thought it was very good & powerful in its short play.

Dear diary blog,

It’s been a minute & I have had things on my mind have neglected ypu a bit. Im sorry but Twitter & Facebook have me caught up on some other shit. I promise that I will pay more attention to you before & after I get back from DC. In the meantime, I’m sorry for dumping on you like this but I love you boo! OK!?!?!

I likes me some learnin’:
- School started this week & unlike so many semesters before, I’m actually excited to be in classes. My management class seems like it’s going to be pretty cool & the instructor started things off on an energetic & positive note. My marketing instructor really has a great sense of humor & I’m feeling like this class is going to be hard work yet fun. I cannot believe I am saying a class is going to be fun. Maybe now that I’m a business school student, I have a new outlook, I guess.

Entertainment:
- Movies
I went to see “Doubt” last week & was so disappointed. This makes a string of like 4 movies that I’ve seen since November that were a waste of my time & money. I think I will stay away from the big screen for a while, I need to get my confidence back up.

- JazzMusic/HipHopMusic/HouseMusic/GhettoMusic
I have been digging some cool tunes lately. I discovered Esperanza Spalding via the “Songs in the key of Life” blog (worth bookmarking!!!). Esperanza’s jazzy music has the feel of way back when with fresh vocals & popping instrumentation. Her album “Esperanza” is a must have in my book.

I have also been rocking non-stop Panacea’s latest album “A Mind on a Ship Through Time”. OMG, this joint is super hot!!!. “A Mind on a Ship Through Time” is a little better than their last album “The Scenic Route” , which is a classic!!! Panacea is helping to reclaim hip-hop from crap rappers!

If you are a house music fan, you have to check out the “SoulShine 2005 Sampler” by Kenny Bobien. I rediscovered it days ago & love it. It’s only $3.96 on iTunes & so worth it. Its four singles are mellow yet energetic, which means great driving & workout music for me. Pick it up boo!!!!

I know I introduced many of you to T-Baby; the artist who did the song/Youtube hit, “It’s so Cold in the D”. Well, it seems like everybody & their momma in Detroit has scene this video & even heard it on the radio. T-Baby has done radio interviews & everything. When you ask people what’s going on, you are sure to hear them say “it’s so cold in the D”. The shit is really hilarious.

Anyway, I was thinking about the song today after getting an email that referenced it & I decided to see if it was on iTunes. So I type it in & what the fuck, it comes up available for download. I fucking could not believe it. Why come I downloaded it??? Like a fool I listened to it twice before I left for class.

Lastly on a music note, I was looking for hot mess on Youtube & I found it in no time. Why did someone make a song named “Smell Yo Dick”. I would have loved to post the video here but the artist; Riskay (I know, ghetto right!) is not allowing people to post outside of Youtube. You have to see this shit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC8GTmX2G5w

“Why you coming home 5 in the morn
Somethings going on, can I smell yo dick
Don’t play me like a fool, cause that ain’t cool
So what you need to do is lemme smell yo dick”

Politics:
- The Congressional Black Caucus is out of their minds! I don’t support their support of Burris. They are obviously not looking at the big picture.

I have wondered this before & now I am re-questioning if we really need to have a Congressional Black Caucus. The whole racial element of Burris’ faux appointment is really pissing me off! Those who choose to racialize (is this a word) the issue is a) ignorant b) should not be in office themselves.

I have nothing against Burris at all but I think he should do the honorable thing

- In other Negro political news, Kwame Kilpatrick’s former boo, Christine Beatty is official on cell block 4 in the Wayne county jail. Home girl is looking at four months behind bars. The judge asked he if she had anything to say before they turned the key on her & she said about Kwame:

“The way the brotha walks is beautiful.
The way he talks is beautiful.
The way he abuses me is beautiful.
Hey the brotha is beautiful!
The way he makes love to me is beautiful.
Hey that’s my man.”

I made that up but still. Anyway, when I watched them take her from the courtroom, the only thing I truly wondered was if Beatty will get her hair braided by Cookie n’ nem while she’s locked up.

- Hamas is getting their ass kicked in Gaza. I honestly di dnot expect it to go down like that. Isreal has really dealt one hell of a good bitch slap. Who’s right, Who’s Wrong (what have you done for me lately)???

I’m An Artist Bitch:
- I picked up my 10 unsold art pieces from the Detroit Artist Market last night. I would be lying if I said I did not want to cry like a bitch. How could no one not buy my beautiful pieces???

As I drove away from the DAM, I was thinking that maybe the marketing of my art is something I should just say fuck it on. I went through self-doubt, pisstivity & back again. Before I hit the road to go home, I stopped at the Centaur to drown my sorrows. It’s amazing how a few pomegranate martinis can make you feel like you are on top of the world.

I have decided that after I get the results of the 2 art fairs that I applied for, I am not paying to enter anything else. I will take the route with the least amount of stress & put the extra energy into my school work.

On the way to work, I decided that mentally I’m a starving artist. Woe is me

- On another note, I will be interviewed this week on a photography podcast that deals with new media & how it’s impacting how to network for jobs via blogs, facebook, twitter etc. Looking forward to it. Will keep you posted

StankyTech:
- I sold my old MacBook Pro finally on eBay Monday for 850. Shipped that bitch off today. One less thing to worry about now.

- My new MacBook Pro really makes me happy.

- I hate my broken ass iPhone & refuse to get another!

Only in the Hood:
- How many Sean Bell’s will we see in the future??? Another man done gone by the hands of the Po-Po. Did you here about (I know you did but…) 22-year-old Oscar Grant who was shot & killed by the police (yes all of them) while laying with his face to the ground.

This case is enough to make somebody go fucking nuts. The video is too much to watch, but here is a link.

The officer did resign his position today, which is a smart move. And the family is suing for 25 million, which will change nothing but it is the principal & a message needs to be sent.

Another sad twist on this story is that Oakland residents held a protest rally tonight & it turned violent, almost riot like.

I for the life of me cannot understand why we riot & fuck up our own neighborhoods & businesses!!!

- On a lighter note; Academy of Americas, a Detroit elementary school is begging for donations of toilet paper and light bulbs to keep that bitch running.

First of all the Detroit Public School System is 400 million in the red.

A spokeswoman for DPS stated that the school ain’t running short of supplies, they are just seeking to supplement what they have to not run out. Ummm bitch please, that’s just janky. This is reason #312 why I could never move back to Detroit.

Out of Nowhere
- TD Jakes looks like a Black Porky Pig.

- I need to cut my fingernails, they are almost at bitch nigga length & I need to handle that.

- I would love to have a strawberry milkshake right now.

- AT&T DSL is finally available in my area. Comcast; two words for you; Bye bye!!

- Can’t wait to get my hair color touched up this coming Saturday.

-My computer mouse is half dead & I need a new one. Why can’t shit last for more than 2 years?