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…)
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…)
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.
AMARIE ADHIS 