ON DVD: Redbelt
August 27, 2008
Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor follows his turn in AMERICAN GANGSTER by taking the lead role in this thoughtful fight movie from writer/director David Mamet. Ejiofor plays Mike Terry, a man who runs his own Jiu-jitsu studio in Los Angeles. Terry’s business is failing, causing tension between him and his wife, Sondra (Alice Braga). But their lives change drastically when Terry is compelled to come to the aid of an actor, Chet Frank (Tim Allen), during a bar fight.
Frank befriends Terry and invites him to come and work as a consultant on a movie he is shooting. Just as Terry’s fortunes seem to be changing, he finds himself caught up in a deceitful plan that has been carefully hatched by Frank’s devious agent (who is played by Mamet regular Joe Mantegna).
OPENING THIS WEEK: Traitor
August 27, 2008
SYNOPSIS: When strait arrow FBI agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) heads up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy, all clues seem to lead back to former U.S. Special Operations officer, Samir Horn (Don Cheadle).
A mysterious figure with a web of connections to terrorist organizations, Horn has a knack for emerging on the scene just as a major operation goes down.
The task force links Horn to a prison break in Yemen, a bombing in Nice and a raid in London, but a tangle of contradictory evidence emerges, forcing Clayton to question whether his quarry is a disaffected former military operative – or something far more complicated.
Obsessed with discovering the truth, Clayton tracks Horn across the globe as the elusive ex-soldier burrows deeper and deeper into a world of shadows and intrigue.
Woman Wins World Championship of Public Speaking, First in Over 20 Years
August 27, 2008
It was the World Series of public speaking, the Olympics of oratory, the final bout for the heavyweight title of “World Champion of Public Speaking.” Who would win? Recently, a crowd of nearly 2,000 Toastmasters from dozens of countries gathered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to cheer for their favorite speaker at the Toastmasters International Speech Contest.
LaShunda Rundles, a Toastmaster and motivational speaker from Dallas, Texas, emerged victorious and claimed the title of 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking. Her speech, “Speak!” encouraged people to use their voices to change the world. Rundles is the first African-American woman — and only the fourth woman ever — to win this prestigious competition.
California Man Sentenced for Race-Motivated Threats
August 27, 2008
Bradley Smith, of Modesto, Calif., was sentenced today to 78 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, for a series of race-motivated threats against an African-American man and his family. In addition to his sentence, Smith was ordered to pay a $200 special penalty assessment.
On May 19, 2008, a jury convicted Smith of race-based interference with the victim’s federally protected housing rights. Smith also was convicted of a second felony offense for providing a false statement to an agent of the FBI. The evidence at trial showed that between June 2005 and May 2007, shortly after the victim moved to the Central Valley city of Modesto, the defendant engaged in a campaign of racial intimidation that was intended to drive the victim from his home.
Attempt to Block Access to Equal Opportunity Doomed in Arizona
August 27, 2008
Today, California businessman Ward Connerly was handed his third consecutive defeat in this year’s five-state campaign designed to erect new barriers to equal opportunity in public education, public employment and public contracting. Connerly has been unable to get the ballot initiatives certified in the majority of the states where he and his associates have sponsored and funded efforts this year; identical measures in Oklahoma and Missouri similarly failed to qualify for the ballot.
“Today is another important victory in the fight to preserve equal access to opportunity. As was the case in Oklahoma and Missouri, Ward Connerly’s misguided and divisive effort has again fallen short, this time in Arizona. In light of the staggering disqualification rate that the Secretary of State found in its review of the signatures, the curtain has been pulled back on Connerly’s attempts to abuse the democratic process,” said John Payton, LDF President and Director-Counsel. Arizona’s Secretary of State decertified the so-called “Arizona Civil Rights Initiative” because it did not gain sufficient public support to place it on the ballot this November.
Forest Whitaker lends his voice to WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
August 27, 2008
RELEASE DATE: TBA
SYNOPSIS: An adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s story, where Max, a mischievous little boy, creates his own world – a forest in habited by fabulous wild creatures who crown Max as their ruler.
The book, written in 1963, is about the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max, who is punished for “making mischief” by being sent to his room without supper. Max wears a distinctive wolf suit during his adventures and encounters various mythical creatures, the wild things. Although just ten sentences long, the book is generally regarded as a classic of American illustrated children’s literature.
2008 US Open – 8th Annual USTA Serves’ OPENing Gala
August 27, 2008
Actor Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker attend the 8th Annual USTA Serves’ OPENing Gala during the 2008 US Open at the President’s Gate at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2008 in Queens Borough of New York City.
USTA Serves is a not-for-profit entity that is dedicated to improving the quality of life among our nation’s youth. The mission of USTA Serves states that it encourages children to pursue their goals and highest dreams by succeeding in school and becoming responsible citizens.
USTA Serves supports organizations that use tennis as a vehicle to help youngsters finish high school and qualify for college scholarships. USTA Serves targets youngsters from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate financial need for college matriculation.
(Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
It’s an Obama-Biden Ticket
August 27, 2008
Barack Obama chose Sen. Joseph Biden as his running mate, ending a two-month search just as his campaign prepares for the Democratic convention in Denver.
News of Obama’s decision leaked before he made the official announcement – at about 3 a.m. – that he would choose Biden, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
PICTURED: US Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama (R) applauds running mate Delaware Senator Joe Biden during a rally in Springfield, Illinois, on August 23, 2008.
(Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Barack Obama asks Jennifer Hudson to sing the National Anthem
August 27, 2008
Barack Obama has asked “American Idol” contestant and Oscar-winning “Dreamgrls” actress Jennifer Hudson to sing at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
According to “Access Hollywood,” Obama asked Hudson to sing the National Anthem on Thursday night when he formally accepts the party’s nomination.
PICTURED: Singer Jennifer Hudson performs at the taping of the 2,000th episode of ’106 & Park’ at the BET studios on August 19, 2008 in New York City.
(Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
Michelle Obama’s Wardrobe Choice: Her “Hometown Favorite”
August 27, 2008
With all the speculation around Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential pick, we almost lost sight of another important choice — what is his ultra-stylish wife wearing for her speech at the Democratic National Convention?
Michelle Obama is relying on Chicago-based Maria Pinto for a turquoise blue ’50s-inspired style in double-faced wool for her prime-time address tonight.
PICTURED: Malia (L), Sasha and mother Michelle Obama (C) stand onstage during day one, prior to the opening of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the Pepsi Center August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The DNC, where U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will be officially nominated as the Democratic candidate for U.S. president, runs through August 28.
(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Amid Fear and Scrutiny, They Blazed Trails
August 27, 2008
Theirs is a diverse group of astronauts and athletes, of politicians and performers, but membership requirements are universal and rigid. If you’re persistent enough to overturn 200 years of history and courageous enough to surmount stereotypes, you might have what it takes to become the first African American to achieve a position.
If you manage it, here is some of what might await: threats, media scrutiny, jealousy and the pressure of representing an entire race. As first, you experience much of this alone.
ON DVD: Happy Go Lucky
August 23, 2008
SYNOPSIS: Poppy is a thirty-year old Primary School teacher in contemporary North London. She has great friends, a job she loves and a full life.
The movie watches her confront the harsh realities of life and deal with them head-on, never losing her sense of humour.
ARRIVALS: The Longshots Premiere
August 23, 2008
(L-R) Keke Palmer, Ice Cube, Jasmine Plummer and Fred Durst pose at the premiere of the Weinstein Company’s ”The Longshots” at the Majestic Crest Theatre on August 20, 2008 in Westwood, California.
SYNOPSIS: The true story of Jasmine Plummer who, at the age of eleven, became the first female to play in Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Japan Premiere of HANCOCK with Will Smith
August 23, 2008
Actor Will Smith holds a gift given from Sumo Grand Champion Asashoryu during the ‘Hancock’ Japan Premiere at JCB Hall on August 21, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan.
The film will open on August 30 in Japan.
(Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)
HBO Documentary Films’ “Trouble The Water” Screening
August 23, 2008
Producer Josyn Barnes, Skyy Roberts, and documentary subjects Kimberly Roberts and Scott Roberts attend a screening of ‘Trouble the Water’ at the HBO Screening Room on August 21, 2008 in New York City.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, Trouble the Water is directed and produced by Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine producers Tia Lessin and Carl Deal. The film tells the story of an aspiring rap artist and her streetwise husband, trapped in New Orleans by deadly floodwaters, who survive the storm and then seize a chance for a new beginning. It’s a redemptive tale of self-described street hustlers who become heroes that takes you inside Hurricane Katrina in a way never before seen on screen.
Trouble the Water opens the day before Katrina makes landfall, just blocks away from the French Quarter but far from the New Orleans that tourists know. Kimberly Rivers Roberts is turning her video camera on herself and her 9th Ward neighbors trapped in the city. “It’s going to be a day to remember,” Kim says excitedly into her new camera as the storm is brewing. It’s her first time shooting video and it’s rough, jumpy but dense with reality. Kim’s playful home-grown newscast tone grinds against the audience’s knowledge that hell is just hours away. There is no way for the audience to warn her. And for New Orleans’ poor, there is nowhere to run.
As the hurricane begins to rage and the floodwaters fill their world and the screen, Kim and her husband Scott continue to film, documenting their harrowing voyage to higher ground and dramatic rescues of friends and neighbors.
Intertwining Kim and Scott’s insider’s view of Katrina and powerful video with a mix of verite and in-your-face filmmaking, Deal and Lessin follow their story through the storm and its aftermath, and into a new life. Along the way, they discover Kim’s musical talent as rap artist Black Kold Madina when she finds the only existing copy of her recorded music survived the storm with a relative in Memphis. Kim’s performance in that moment reveals not only devastating skills as a musician, but compacts her life story into explosive poetry that paints a devastating picture of poverty.
Directed and produced by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal and Executive Produced by Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover of Louverture Films, edited and co-produced by T. Woody Richman, with addiitonal editing by Mary Lampson, Trouble the Water features an original musical score by Neil Davidge and Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, and the music of Dr. John, Mary Mary, Citizen Cope, TK Soul, John Lee Hooker, and the Free Agents Brass Band and introduces the music of Black Kold Madina. -TroubleTheWaterFilm.com
(Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
