Love Jones: 15 Years Later…
My favourite movie of all time has got to be Love Jones! I loved it when it first came out, and I still love it today. As a matter of fact, I force my hubby to watch it with me all the time and I’ve been to so many Love Jones themed parties. The chemistry between Darius Lovehall (Larenz Tate) and Nina Moseley (Nia Long) was explosive and titillating in the love story set in Chicago.
The film, released on March 14, 1997, was written by 24-year-old director Theodore Witcher, who based it on his own dating experiences living in Chicago. Though the movie didn’t do well by Hollywood standards — it made a little over $12 million at the box office — it quickly became a cult classic thanks to its stellar soundtrack, which included now-classic tracks by Maxwell and Lauryn Hill, and, of course, word of mouth.
On the movie’s 15th anniversary, leads Tate and Long, and co-star Isaiah Washington (who played Darius’ married friend Savon Garrison) reminisced on their favorite memories of creating the classic love story as well as if there will be a sequel with Essence.com: (more…)
Idris Elba Set to Play Nelson Mandela in Biopic
2012 has began in a big way for Brit actor Idris Elba. With rumours that his hit show Luther may be headed to the big screen, Idris has now signed on to play the role of Nelson Mandela, in an official biographical film about the iconic South African human rights leader. The film will be based on the book Long Walk to Freedom, penned by Mandela himself, and will begin filming later this year.
Doing the press rounds for “Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance,” Idris Elba caught up with HipHollywood and revealed that later this year, he’ll start lensing on another Mandela project. ”My big project this year, I’m gonna go play Nelson Mandela in ‘Long Walk To Freedom’, an autobiographical work written by Nelson Mandela himself, which highlights his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison… That’s where my head is geared to this summer,” he said. Will Smith and Denzel Washington had been considered for the role, NME reports, but in the end, it appears as though the best man has won big. (more…)
VH1 Working on TLC Biopic
How excited am I? Finally we’ll get to know the story behind the story of TLC! Man, I loved this group. They almost had me going to school with condoms plastered all over my uniform! During a recent interview with LSO radio, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins revealed VH1′s plans to do a biopic on the legendary girl group.
Yes… TLC is doing a movie. They’re starting to do movies on VH1. So they’re doing icons and legends and we’re the first of the movies to be picked. Yaaaay!
It’s exciting. It’s like Waterfalls being made, it’s scary. Like ‘Oh My God.. if I tell you my story are you gonna do it right?’
I almost wanted to do it like The Jacksons’… break it down into like 5 episodes or something cause we have so much stuff….
According to Rodney Ho of the AJC, it was Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas’ ties to VH1 through her now defunct, “What Chilli Wants” dating reality show that opened the door for TLC’s story to be told. VH1 has also confirmed that they will be doing a scripted biopic about the Atlanta-based girl group: (more…)
Coming Soon: Waiting To Exhale Sequel
I was 12 years old when Waiting To Exhale was released so I didn’t really get the hype at the time. But when I was a little older and finally watched it, I was completely blown away. It was really inspirational to see the strength women could have in the midst of all their tribulations. That’s when I knew that all the hogwash about women being the weaker sex was such a myth. Angela Bassett had me wishing for the day I could pack a man’s shit up and set it all on fire 
Author Terry McMillan announced via her Twitter that the sequel to her 1995 smash hit, Waiting to Exhale, is all set and ready for the big screen. Getting to Happy will reportedly, and hopefully, hit theaters next year, and both Loretta Divine and Angela Bassett have confirmed that they will be a part of the upcoming production. I wonder if they’ve gotten Lela Rochon and Whitney Houston to come back for round two? We all know there definitely cannot be any exhaling without Whitney!
The sequel’s plot is described as:
“…Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin fifteen years later. Each is at her own midlife crossroads: Savannah has awakened to the fact that she’s made (more…)
Halle Berry Filming Shark Flick In SA
Halle Berry is in South Africa shooting her first movie since she gave birth. The 44- year old actress has been swimming with great white sharks as part of her starring role in new film Dark Tide. She was spotted as she prepared to shoot wearing a bikini and wetsuit.
In the movie, she plays Sara, a diving instructor who is drawn to close encounters with white sharks on an isolated island. The shooting takes place off of Seal Island where sharks prey on the thousands of seals that live on the island during the breeding season. (more…)
From The Set Of Winnie Mandela Biopic
I’ve been blogging for a while about the new Winnie Mandela biopic which is currently being shot in South Africa. I’m so excited because I think Winnie Mandela is a largely misunderstood woman. Just put yourself in her shoes. She was expected to be a freedom fighter, provider, mother and wife to a prisoner, all at the same time. And, like most women, she was expected to be perfect. I salute Winnie Mandela for her strength and courage in the face of stuggle.
The above photo is from Winnie and Nelson’s wedding day. I think she looks beautiful. Pop the top to see a pic of Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard recreating the moment. (more…)
Should Angelina Jolie Play Cleopatra?
Earlier this month producer Scott Rudin announced that he was developing a Cleopatra biopic “for and with Jolie” based on Stacy Schiff’s book “Cleopatra: A Life.” Schiff raved about the choice, telling USA Today, “Physically, she’s the perfect look.” But is she really? The above picture was computer generated by scientists at Cambridge University in 2008. (more…)
Wanuri Kahiu In Vogue Italia
Kudos to Film Director, Wanuri Kahiu, for making it into Vogue Italia! Making Kenyans proud! She won an award for Best Short Film in Cannes for Pumzi. From the interview, she sounds really down to earth in spite of all her achievements. 2010 is your year girl! And it’s just the beginning!
Style
“Fashion for me is how you feel inside and what is reflected on the outside. So how you move is style and fashionable, it doesn’t have to be something that’s in season, it’s just what really makes you look the best and feel the best.” (more…)
Tupac Biopic Confirmed
I love this pic of Pac because it reminds me that he was a regular guy, something I think most people tend to forget. I read a collection of his poetry a few years ago. Dude was really deep. I know he touched many people with his rap music but I think he glorified the violent culture it came with. Regardless, I think it’s great news that his biopic is on the way. Would be great to know Tupac, the man. That mess that was Resurrection did nothing for me. The director of Training Day, Antoine Fuqua, told DigitalSpy that the biopic has been given the greenlight by Morgan Creek, and it will go into production this fall.
“It looks like we’re doing Tupac Shakur’s movie next in September, that’s what I’ve been starting up and working on now,” he said. “I’ve been working on that for a while with Morgan Creek and Jim Robinson. I just got the greenlight from him and we’re going in September. I’ve just started to prep that.” (more…)
50 Cent's Shocking Weight Loss
Yes, this is 50 Cent. I thought he was really sick when I first saw the pics. Turns out he lost weight for a role in his new movie, Things Fall Apart. It’s about a football player who has been diagnosed with cancer. It took nine weeks for 50 Cent to lose the weight resulting from a strict liquid diet and three hour a day treadmill run. He now weighs 160 pounds. I don’t think I can be that dedicated. Liquid diet my big toe!!! More pics after the break. (more…)
Stars of the Winnie Mandela Biopic Revealed!
As I had already told you, Jennifer Hudson will be playing Winnie Mandela in the new Winnie biopic. The big news, though, is that Nelson Mandela will be played by none other than Terrence Howard!!! How excited am I! Although I don’t really know if he’s well suited for the part. So used to him looking all pimped out and smooth They are both great actors though and I’m sure they will do their absolute best coz I love me some Winnie!
The movie begins producton this week in South Africa. Jennifer spoke to Access Hollywood about the role saying: (more…)
Jennifer Hudson to play Winnie Mandela!
WEEEENAAAA!!! Jennifer is going to play Winnie Mandela! How now? She needs to spend like 5 years with Winnie to understand the complexities of that woman! I can’t wait to see this one though.
“I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” Hudson said. “Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honoured to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.”
Hudson is also expected to sing the theme song. The movie is the second about the Mandelas this year, with Morgan Freeman set to star as the iconic president in the Clint Eastwood film “Invictus”, which is due in cinemas in December. The film is based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography, “Winnie Mandela: A Life”, according to Variety. Production is scheduled to begin May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela served 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment.
MJ's THIS IS IT may not be so new…
Michael Jackson fans might be a bit upset over this revelation.
The much hyped-about This Is It flick, documenting Michael’s final tour rehearsals, seems to have gotten a bit of help from the past. Music experts are claiming some of the sound bytes you hear are actually from years before!!! Former BBC senior studio manager Andrew Rose is one of those claiming the film used old clips. Such as when Jackson sings Earth Song, it’s actually old vocals from one of his demos.
Rose claims, “Throughout the film sudden changes in vocal timbre suggest the dropping in of older recordings which may have required significant digital manipulation to fit the new live backing.”
So far, Officials at Sony Pictures are admitting to altering the film! Sony spokesman Jim Kennedy says, “In order to fulfil Michael’s vision for his fans and his children… the filmmakers had to incorporate some pre-existing materials, including vocals, where the rehearsal footage audio was incomplete and/or inaudible. In addition, usage of master recordings (such as Earth Song) was credited in the end titles.”
Being one of MJ’s fans, I’m super disappointed. Was still a great flick though…
This is It has grossed over $200 million already.
