DON'T LOOK DOWN

I have to admit, didn't know much about Richard Branson other than the fact he owned Virgin America Airlines or how he came to acquire that except for an interview I saw on The Oprah Show some years back.  Neither did I recognize he was  the dude who signed major rock stars ranging from the Sex Pistols to the Rolling Stones, making Virgin Records the biggest independent labels in the world.  To date, there are more than 100 Virgin companies worldwide, employing approximately 60,000 people in over 50 countries.  Can you say over-acheiver...lol??

After screening Don't Look Down, I surmised Richard Branson is fascinating.  He's a ridiculously rich man, who wants nothing more than to be an explorer and get credit for those accomplishments.  To say that he is a daredevil or one who takes great risks is an understatement.

Were his thrilling desires really work the risks?  Branson has challenged himself with many record-breaking adventures, including the fastest ever Atlantic Ocean crossing, series of hot air balloon adventures and kite surfing across the English Channel.

Daniel Gordon’s documentary Don’t Look Down, which screened at Tribeca,  centered on Branson’s daredevil balloon flights across the Atlantic and the Pacific.  In regards to the Atlantic trip, Branson says, “Six tried before us. Five had died,” and what “could go wrong, went wrong on that flight.”

Don't Look Down will give you a bird's-eye view of this dramatic untold story straight from his collaborators, family, never seen archival footage from inside the hot air balloon capsule and the most intimate thoughts on all of this from Branson himself.

The capsule footage is fascinating, as you learn that although being in a hot air balloon may look like a beautiful and etherial it made me personally never want to attempt that adventure ever in life!

What is even more fascinating is the fact that his collaborators on this adventure Don Cameron has a heart of gold and nerves of steel, which made him the perfect dude to be thousands of feet in the air with Richard Branson.

“We shouldn’t be here to tell the tale, but it tells for a gripping film,” says Branson. Submarine Entertainment is handling both U.S. and foreign sales for Don’t Look Down.

KICKS

The obsession over sneakers in a documentary Sneakheadz and getting the latest "kicks by any means necessary is real.  Many kids have been killed, beat up even harassed over the type of sneakers they are wearing. With a debut earlier this year at the Tribeca and LA Film Festivals, KICKS takes it to a whole new level, by putting this controversial subject to a narrative centered around three urban teens.  When one of them is jacked for his Jordans, he and his friends find themselves on a journey to recover the shoes, but not without consequences and repercussions.

Fifteen-year-old Brandon longs for a pair of the freshest sneakers that money can buy and assumes that having them on his feet will help him escape the reality of being poor, neglected by the opposite sex and picked on by everyone -- even his best friends.

Working hard to get them, he soon finds that these shoes have made him a target after they are snatched by local hood, Flaco.  Flaco has his own issues  that will are revealed when Brandon goes on a mission to retrieve his stolen sneakers with his two best friends in tow.

Produced by the same team that brought us Morris from America, boasting an amazing soundtrack of both hip-hop classics and Bay Area favorites, Kicks creates an authentic and original portrait of a young man drowning in the expectations of being grown and standing his ground for what he believes.

With an impressive screen debut, Jahking Guillory is perfection as Brandon.  Mahershala Ali is having a great year and his portrayal of Flaco is chilling, yet compassionate as a gang-banger Dad with a heart.

Kicks is  a modern-day Boyz in the Hood Air Jordans as the centerpiece.  I could have done without some of the more graphic scenes, but guess they seemed necessary in order to give this film authenticity around its storyline..

As a first time director/screenwriter, Justin Tipping does an admirable job in creating a magical urban tale about friendship, honor and life in Oakland.

Kicks rolls into a theatre near you on September 9th by Focus films.

Pete's Dragon

As an avid Disney fan, I was aghast that I didn't remember the 70's version of this Disney Classic starring Grammy Winner, Helen Reddy. Not to mention the fact that I pretty much remember just about every Oscar nominee across categories, but totally missed that the song was nominated.

I'm kinda glad though, because it allowed me to watch the reboot with a fresh heart, mind and eyes.  When I tell you, I got so caught up that the "ugly cry" was unavoidable...I do not exaggerate.  My own mother was like, "Are you ok"?  LOL!!!

Disney has created a new classic with Pete's Dragon for all ages.  If you have the heart, curiosity and wonderment of a child residing anywhere in your bones, this film will awake it .

Remember, Pete's Dragon came along way before E.T.,, Gremlins and all those other loveable creatures we have fallen in love with over the years. Yet, I fell for Elliott just as hard.  He kinda reminded me of my faithful Maltese Mr. Spanky..  Only difference is Elliott is green, flies and breathes fire.  I'm pretty sure Spanky and Elliott would be besties.

So, I ask you...if your buddy, your partner in crime, your loyal furry friend was in trouble wouldn't you move heaven and earth to save him?  Pete and his new-found friends go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that Elliott is safe and unharmed.  Human beings predictably always attempt to destroy or discredit those entities which we don't understand or fear. and fear is a very powerful emotion that can persuade one to act up and show out.

Even though the 1977 version was basically a film musical, this reboots focuses strictly on the story of a young child who has found a friend in a forest where he has been living an adventure for six years, until a forest ranger and her fiance' invite him to become a family member

Oakes Fegley (Pete) as the orphaned Pete is just yummy!  His instincts are spot on and you believe him every moment he is on-screen.  His acting ability is to be rivaled by any adult and is eerily  reminiscent of a young River Phoenix.  Paired up with the perfect Oona Laurence as Natalie, these two are unstoppable.

Bryce Dallas Howard for me can just do no wrong and having her own children gave her the right mindset to pull off inhabiting Grace.  The vulnerability displayed will break your heart.. She has somehow been handed down that gene that made America fall in love with her Dad, Ron Howard as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show.

Robert Redford is one of my all time favorite actors and hadn't been on-screen for a while until this year with A Walk In The Woods and now as Meacham.  To witness Redford become a child before your eyes as he speaks of the fondness in which he meets the "dragon" is really something special.  It takes an exceptional actor to recall that emotion and make the audience take that journey with you.  Well done, Sir!

You know there is always that one character that throws a wrench into the Hallmark Family moment and Karl Urban is the perfect guy to do it.  As Gavin, he is despicably delicious, comical and handsome all at the same time.  I know...right??!!  He's easily the chameleon of the crew.

Director, David Lowery performs triple duty, as he is also credited as the editor and screenwriter.  As his first foray into the world of Disney he is crushing it.  I think he needs to direct ALL DISNEY movies from now to eternity!

I loved this film!  Mostly because it reminded of a time when life was not complicated by the hard knocks of adulthood.  As a little girl, my biggest issue was what I wearing to school and what boy I had a crush on. Those memories and feelings are irreplaceable, but I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

Pete's Dragon  will take you back to time where life was simple, joyous and uncomplicated.  Take the fam, the hubby and have a beautiful family night you all will not soon forget.  Pete's Dragon opened nationwide August 12th.

Take the time to download the coloring sheets and activities, Disney has graciously provided for the kids to enjoy.  Trust me...I played them and had a ball!!!

PetesDragon578ffbcf704ae

PetesDragon Activity Booklet

Pete's Dragon Coloring Sheets

File_000 (27)

Pete's Dragon Door Hangers

File_006

Pete's Dragon Puzzle

File_002 (4)

Pete's Dragon Memory Game

File_001 (4)

Pete's Dragon Bookmarks

File_004 (3)

Pete's Dragon Find Elliott

File_003 (4)

Pete's Dragon Spot the Dragon

TALLULAH

Have you ever done what you knew in your heart was wrong for all the right reasons?  So has Tallulah.  A homeless girl who has not been dealt a full deck within the card game of life, Tallulah finds herself in a situation where she makes a decision that ultimately affects not only her...but many others.

Tallulah and her boyfriend Nico (Evan Jonigkeit) are wandering through life trying to figure out what their next move will be.  Will they go to abroad or stay in New York?  One never knows, but Nico decides that he is done with Tallulah and leaves.  While trolling through floors at a hotel/apartment building, she stumbles upon a woman who is clearly troubled and with a toddler. This chance meeting will turn out to change Tallulah in ways she didn't even see coming.

Having debuted at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, this Chris Columbus produced dramedy is one of the best films I have seen yet this year.  Kudos to Bernie Telsey and his casting associates for gathering such a stellar cast.

Although Ellen Page (Tallulah) and Allison Janney(Margo) are turning in some outstanding performances, this film belongs the insatiably, sadistic Tammy Blanchard (Carolyn).  Since bursting on the scene as a 2011 Tony Nominee for the second revival of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Blanchard, those who have watched her star ascend knew it would be only a matter of time before all of her true talent would be showcased.  Her performance in Tallulah is only to be rivaled by that of Oscar winner Cate Blanchett in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine.

Ellen Page is a task master at portraying young woman with no real moral compass.  She's brilliant at it actually!  Her presence brings the much-needed comic element to Tallulah and she never disappoints.  Ellen Page is the only actress I can think of that makes you want to slap her and hug her all at the same time.  This is certainly the gift of skills she bring s to the role of Tallulah.

Allison Janney is better and better with each film she appears in.  As an awkward, socially inept woman on the verge of divorcing her gay husband. Janney conveys all the colors and layers necessary to pull off the character of Margo.  Her attempt to seduce the doorman is hysterical and incredibly sad all at once, as well as, her anger burst toward her future ex-husband are outstanding moments.

It was nice to see David Zayas and Uzo Aduba, as well as, John Benjamin Hickey and Zachary Quinto on-screen in one film.  Each of them spectacular in their respective roles.

Director/Writer Sian Heder has honed his skills in the world of dramedy on such hits as Orange Is The New Black and Men of a Certain Age, but it's safe to say that Tallulah will be the breakout film garnering major attention for him and Blanchard this awards season.

Tallulah debuted on Netflix July 29th and is available for streaming now.

PETE'S DRAGON

A reimagining of Disney’s cherished family film, “Pete’s Dragon” is the adventure of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best friend Elliot, who just so happens to be a dragon. “Pete’s Dragon” stars Bryce Dallas Howard (“Jurassic World”), Oakes Fegley (“This is Where I Leave You”), Wes Bentley (“The Hunger Games”), Karl Urban (“Star Trek”), Oona Laurence (“Southpaw”), Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (“Cedar Rapids”) and Oscar® winner Robert Redford (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”). The film, which is directed by David Lowery (“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints”), is written by Lowery & Toby Halbrooks based on a screenplay by Malcolm Marmorstein and produced by Jim Whitaker (“The Finest Hours,” “Friday Night Lights”), with Barrie M. Osborne (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Great Gatsby”) serving as executive producer.

For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales...until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year- old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon. Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon” opens in U.S. theaters on August 12, 2016.

As a special treat, Disney has offered a special activity packet for fans.  Click on the link below to open and print out to begin enjoying all the fun.

Pete's Dragon Activity Packet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPOamb6d_20

The Secret Life of Pets

Have you often wondered what your pet does to occupy his/her time while you are away?  I have often envisioned my Maltese having a card party complete with cocktails and snacks while I'm away.  Why?  He just seems way to chill when I walk through the door and it always leaves me with the feeling that he has definitely been up to something.

Nothing makes me happier than films with talking pets and babies.  As silly as it is, it just brings a big, fat smile to my face and let's me escape the reality of this troubled world we find ourselves having to navigate through on a daily basis.

The Secret Life of Pets takes us on the journey of how Max (Louis C.K.) was adopted, which is quite sweet.  however, when Max's owner feels that he might be a little lonely and buys Duke, things go awry.  Not only is Max NOT lonely, but is on a personal mission to make sure that Duke (Eric Stonestreet) get put out  is out - pronto!

However, Max's plans are thwarted when he accidentally hooks up with some street dogs led by tough top dog Snowball (Kevin Hart).  Snowball is proud of being a street thug and despises "domestics".  Of course, Max's secret lady-love Gidget (JennySlate) is on a mission to find her man and that's when things become even more hilarious.

My favorite scenes are the dog's rocking out while the owners are gone, spending the entire film running from the dog-catcher and  finding out that Snowball is just a softie at the end of the day.

For those of you who have a child's heart, you will adore this film.  It tugs at every heart string you might have and then some.  My Mom and I had a great time, as we likened a lot of what we witnessed to why my little Spanky behaves the way he does sometime.  I swear, if he could talk he might be speaking a little foul French (if you know what I mean).

The Secret Life of Pets has already grossed 261 million dollars in the US and is in theaters now!

Olympic Dream - American Prejudice

In honor of the Olympic games in Rio this year, I thought we could take a look back through a documentary I had the pleasure of screening at the Los Angeles Film Festival this year.

Most of us remember from history class that Jesse Owens won Olympic Medals at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin, Germany.  What we don't know is that there were 18 athletes of color in total that competed in those games.

With a documentary the debuted at the Los Angeles Film Festival and narrated by Blair Underwood, Director/Writer/Producer brings us Olympic Dream:   American Prejudice.

It is through her lens that we learn of all 18 Olympic Athletes and the adversity they faced in not only being people of color in 1936 Germany under Hitler rule, but how it also felt to be disrespected and unacknowledged by their own county.

For one athlete, she never even got to compete and never ran again.  Another, wound up as a janitor and would clean in his Olympic team jacket.  However, others would go on to make American history outside of their Olympic fame.

DEBORAH RILEY DRAPER

Here are the names of the 18 African-Americans Olympians in 1936.

Despite Hitler’s widely publicized xenophobic comments and actions prior to the Olympics, for propaganda purposes he asked people in the country to treat all visitors — even minorities — well.

“Berliners were certainly given directives to be nice to the foreign visitors and certainly make sure that no one [felt] any hint of persecution or discrimination,” Draper said.

ULLSTEIN BILD VIA GETTY IMAGES

“You’ve got 18 black athletes, they have ‘America’ on their back, they’re wearing ‘Team USA,’” Draper said. “  Still, Draper said, these athletes were proud to represent the U.S.

Draper spoke about some of the athletes’ legacies and what really resonated with her about their accomplishments, on and off the field.

David Albritton — High Jump (Silver Medalist)

IMAGNO VIA GETTY IMAGES

David Albritton (far right) during the award ceremony for the high jump.

“Dave Albritton became a state senator.”

Cornelius Johnson — High Jump (Gold Medalist)

ULLSTEIN BILD VIA GETTY IMAGES

Ralph Metcalfe — 4x100-meter relay (Gold) & 100-meter dash (Silver)

ULLSTEIN BILD VIA GETTY IMAGES

Ralph Metcalfe (second to the right) and the rest of the 4x100 USA team, pictured with the silver medal-winning 4x100 Italian team.

“Ralph Metcalfe became a congressman.”

Tidye Pickett (first black American woman to compete in Olympics) — 80-meter hurdles

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tidye Pickett (front row) and others before traveling to Europe for the Olympics.

“Tidye Pickett’s daughters talked extensively about how much fun their mother had, and she met these cool Italian girls. And they just had a really great time in Berlin.

Matthew “Mack” Robinson — 200-meter dash (Silver)

HULTON ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Mack Robinson (up top and third on the left) before the Olympics.

“Jackie Robinson’s brother comes home from Berlin, Germany, where he beat up on Nazis on the track field and has a silver medal at the Olympics. So if his brother can do that, integrating baseball is not going to be so hard. That’s something he’s going to be up for. He’s not going to be afraid because his brother did something equally, if not more, courageous.”

Archibald Williams — 400-meter run (Gold)

ULLSTEIN BILD VIA GETTY IMAGES

Archibald Williams (center) after winning the 400-meter race.

“Archie Williams went on to become a Tuskegee airman. He was a trained pilot while he was at [the University of California, Berkeley] and he was a mechanical engineering major so he became a Tuskegee airman.”

Jesse Owens — 100-meter dash (Gold), 200-meter dash (Gold), Long Jump (Gold), 4x100-meter relay (Gold)

Check out what Riley had to say during our sit down at the LA Film Festival  and here is the link to learn even more about this very enlightening film...

For more information on this film and release dates, please log onto www.1936olympicsmovie.com

People vs OJ grabs 22 #Emmys Noms for 2016

The 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards Nominations were announced this morning with Black-ish star Anthony Anderson and once-and-future Gilmore Girls actress Lauren Graham being the hosts for the telecast.

HBO's Game of Thrones earned the most nominations and  in its first year of eligibility, USA breakout Mr. Robot made a strong showing.

The fascination of former football star OJ Simpson's Limited Series paid off for FX's The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story with a whopping  22 nominations, only behind Game of Thrones.

UnReal and Orange is The New Black were completely dissed except for a Best Supporting nod for UnReal's Constance Zimmer.

Here is a complete list of the nominees. Drama Series

The Americans

Better Call Saul

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Homeland

House of Cards

Mr. Robot

Comedy Series

Black-ish

Master of None

Modern Family

Silicon Valley

Veep

Transparent

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Limited Series

American Crime

Fargo

The Night Manager

The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Roots Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Kyle Chandler, Bloodline

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Matthew Rhys, The Americans

Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Kevin Spacey, House of Cards Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Claire Danes, Homeland

Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder

Taraji P Henson, Empire

Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black

Keri Russell, The Americans

Robin Wright, House of Cards Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Bryan Cranston, All the Way

Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock

Idris Elba, Luther

Cuba Gooding Jr., The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager

Courtney B. Vance, The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Kirsten Dunst, Fargo

Felicity Huffman, American Crime

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Sarah Paulson, The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Lili Taylor, American Crime

Kerry Washington, Confirmation Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson, Black-ish

Aziz Ansari, Master of None

Will Forte, Last Man on Earth

William H. Macy, Shameless

Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley

Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Ellie Kemper, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Laurie Metcalf, Getting On

Tracee Ellis Ross, Blackish

Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer

Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie Supporting Actor in a Comedy

Louie Anderson, Baskets

Keegan-Michael Key, Key & Peele

Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Matt Walsh, Veep

Tony Hale, Veep Supporting Actress in a Comedy

Niecy Nash, Getting On

Allison Janney, Mom

Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

Judith Light, Transparent

Gaby Hoffmann, Transparent

Anna Chlumsky, Veep Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Banks, Better Call Saul

Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

Michael Kelly, House of Cards

Jon Voight, Ray Donovan

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Lena Headey, Game of Thrones

Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones

Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones

Maura Tierney, The Affair

Constance Zimmer, UnREAL Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Jesse Plemons, Fargo

Bokeem Woodbine, Fargo

Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager

Sterling K. Brown, People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

David Schwimmer, People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story

John Travolta, People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Melissa Leo, All the Way

Regina King, American Crime

Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Hotel

Kathy Bates, American Horror Story: Hotel

Jean Smart, Fargo

Olivia Colman, The Night Manager Outstanding TV Movie

A Very Murray Christmas

All the Way

Confirmation

Luther

Sherlock

Variety Talk Series

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

The Late Late Show With James Cordon

Real Time With Bill Maher

Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon Variety Sketch Series

Documentary Now

Drunk History

Inside Amy Schumer

Key & Peele

Portlandia

Saturday Night Live Reality-Competition Program

The Amazing Race

American Ninja Warrior

Dancing With the Stars

Project Runway

Top Chef

The Voice Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition

Ryan Seacrest, American Idol

Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars

Jane Lynch, Hollywood Game Night

Steve Harvey, Little Big Shots

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, Project Runway

RuPaul Charles, RuPaul's Drag Race

Happy 100th Birthday Olivia de Havilland

Gone With The Wind is one of my Mommy's favorite movies and has become a classic one of mine as well.

For the woman who played the role of faithful wife to Ashley Wilkes - Olivia De Havilland is the film's only surviving actor.  Today she turned 100 years young!

Born in Tokyo on July 1, 1916, to British parents, de Havilland and her younger sister Joan Fontaine grew up in California and both became Academy Award-winning lead actresses (the only pair of siblings to do so). Reportedly, Fontaine had originally been approached for the role of Melanie in "GWTW," but wanted to play Scarlett O'Hara.  She suggested her sister for the part instead.

De Havilland, who appeared in "GWTW" when she was in her early 20s, ultimately went on to star in dozens of movies and TV shows, winning two Oscars (for 1947's "To Each His Own" and 1950's "The Heiress") before stepping away from the spotlight in 1988.

One of my all time favorite films starring de Havilland was a Hitchcock thriller called Suspicion.  If you haven't seen her body of work, take a break from the barbecue and fireworks to check her out.  Like the iconic films in which she starred...Olivia de Havilland is a class act.

Top 10 Flicks From the 2016 Cannes Film Festival

Well peeps, I wasn't to able to cross the ocean to France for the 2016 Cannes Film Festival once again.  However, Variety,  Peter  Debruge and Owen Gleiberman keep me in the know and if  I am in the loop - then so do you... Here is what Variety says are the Top Ten to look for...

I, Daniel Blake

It’s not just another Ken Loach movie. The Palme d’Or-winning drama about a Newcastle carpenter (Dave John) with heart disease who discovers that he’s being dropped from the welfare rolls has a raw, elemental outrage. It’s really about how the social safety net has been fraying around the world, and it asks: Are we going to repair it — or let it fray more?

2.  Elle

Paul Verhoeven (whose "Basic Instinct" and "Hollow Man" were stunted-teen sex fantasies) is literally the last filmmaker on earth I'd trust to handle the hyper-sensitive issue of rape with any level of psychological depth. As it turns out, there's no one better, especially when paired with the great Isabelle Huppert, who gives her most fearless performance since "The Piano Teacher." — Peter Debruge

3.  American Honey

In Andrea Arnold's extraordinary handheld youthquake of a road movie, Star (Sasha Lane), fleeing an abusive home, joins a roving cult of pierced and tattooed hip-hop wastrels who survive by using their hustle and beauty to sell magazine subscriptions. Shia LaBeouf, as the group's recruiter, is like a rat-tailed nihilist James Dean, and the whole movie — think "Spring Breakers" as shot by the Dardenne brothers — is a dance between exhilaration and despair.

4.  Paterson

In cinema, as in poetry, there are epic tales of conflict and heroism that take hours to relate, and then there are tiny, observational doodles that uncannily manage to cut to the essence of life via a handful of short, repetitive stanzas. In the context of Cannes, Jim Jarmusch's "Paterson" may not seem ambitious enough, but it zeroes in on what is true and relatable in a New Jersey bus driver's weekly routine, so that we might better understand ourselves.

5.

Toni Erdmann

Much as Andrea Arnold did with "American Honey," German director Maren Ade shot enough footage to make a film twice as long as her nearly-three-hour competition entry. After a year spent in editing, she emerged with this wince-inducingly authentic look at a strained father-daughter relationship, which builds to a series of astonishing quasi-comedic set pieces, including the best use of a Whitney Houston ballad since "The Bodyguard.

6.

Hell or High Water

Chris Pine and Ben Foster are gripping as West Texas brothers who go on a spree of petty bank robberies — but not because they’re simple crooks. They’re very complicated crooks (well, one of them is), and we survey their actions with a mesmerizing mixture of sympathy and dismay. Jeff Bridges, as the Texas Ranger who wants to hunt them down, does a great piece of character acting. Directed by David Mackenzie, the movie is funny and explosive but surprisingly rich.

7.

Toni Erdmann

Much as Andrea Arnold did with "American Honey," German director Maren Ade shot enough footage to make a film twice as long as her nearly-three-hour competition entry. After a year spent in editing, she emerged with this wince-inducingly authentic look at a strained father-daughter relationship, which builds to a series of astonishing quasi-comedic set pieces, including the best use of a Whitney Houston ballad since "The Bodyguard."

8.

The Salesman

In "A Separation" director Asghar Farhadi's searing drama, a couple in Tehran (Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidootsi) find their lives upended by a random intruder. The movie builds in Farhadi's slow-boil way, but once the perpetrator is revealed, it becomes a suspenseful meditation not just on the ethics of revenge, but on the psychological sources of it.

9.  The Neon Demon

Disney might take issue, but the brothers Grimm would surely approve of Nicolas Winding Refn’s twisted fairy tale, a hyper-stylized plunge into Los Angeles’ cult of beauty, wherein a not-entirely-innocent blonde ingénue (Elle Fanning) cracks the city’s ultra-competitive modeling scene. As allegories go, Refn’s cynical take can seem facile at times, but like “Suspiria” or “The Black Swan,” surrealist horror is absolutely the right genre to capture said phenomenon.

10.  Endless Poetry

Well into his 80s, the violent cult surrealist Alejandro Jodorowky ("El Topo") has reinvented himself as a maker of shaggy-dog Felliniesque memoir, and this one is far more disciplined and moving than his first, "The Dance of Reality" (2013). It's about how Jodorowsky joined the bohemian demimonde of Santiago as a young poet. In his baroque way, the former midnight sensationalist has become a true storyteller who turns every scene into an adventure.

8.  After Love

One of these days, Belgian director Joachim Lafosse will find his way into competition at Cannes. In the meantime, his piercing studies of relationship dynamics (which include "Our Children" and "Private Property") stand out as the best of their respective sidebars. Bérénice Bejo has never been better than she is as a working mom who can no longer stand to live with the father of her children, but can't bring herself to kick him out.

BLACK GIRL

  In 2015, Cannes Film Festival screened and re-released a digitally restored version of Ousmane Sembene’s first feature film from 1966 -  Black Girl.  Black Girls single-handedly opened the way for African cinema in the West.

Diounna is a girl from Senegal.  Diounna is stylish, classy, sophisticated and a woman on a mission to help her family have a better life.  That opportunity presents itself when she is invited by her mistress to leave Dakar and move to France.  However, the "glamourous life" Diounna envisioned becomes a cruel form of modern-day slavery.  Diounna's dreams are never realized and depression becomes her daily existence.

While African-Americans here in the America were fighting for equal "civil" rights, our brothers and sisters across the ocean were fighting undercover modern-day slavery.  How could this be allowed to happen and why?  Who thought this was a good idea and why was this considered Ok?Why were white people so fascinated by people of color in terms of our women and how we cook, but then afraid to go to Africa for fear of being caught up in a "civil war"?

Not much has changed, only now the fascination is with our style and our music.

Yes, I was fascinated and infuriated at such behavior.  When will folks learn that we are ALL HUMAN BEINGS!!!!  We are not property to be coveted and bragged about.  We have families, feelings and want the best for our loved ones like anyone else.

Can we really say that this behavior has changed much from 1969 to 2016?  Yes and No...the answer is totally subjective depending on who you are and what your experience in life has turned out to be.

Black Girl recently screened at BAMcinematek during May in New York and can now be streamed online via YouTube and purchased on DVD.

ROOTS 2016: Slavery Saga or History Lesson

There is a lot of talk about Roots today and will be for the rest of the week and the other episodes hit the airwaves  For those of you who are not award, please let me educate you and make you think.

Alex Haley's Roots inspired millions of Americans (not just people of color) to look into their ancestry as a means to discover the origins of their family history.

In my own personal quest, I connected with  and remain close with a cousin who now lives in Japan, discovered some historic info about my family and learned that some of my relatives made their living as bee keepers.  All as a result of searching my own "roots".

Historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. even had a show on NBC called "Who Do You Think You Are", in which numerous celebrities had their ancestry researched and aired on national television.  Some results were downright stunning.

Genealogy is the origin from which Roots was born and inspired from, so it is very difficult to listen to masses of people complain about it being a story about slaves.  Slavery is definitely at the forefront of the story, but NOT the main subject.  Roots is a story about how despite the odds, Kunte Kinte, a Mandinka warrior snatched from his homeland, rose above adversity to create a positive legacy for his family.  A family that included Alex Haley.

So, on the subject of slavery, Ima need folks to calm down!!!

Do you hear people of Jewish descent complaining about a holocaust film every other year?  No. Why?  They understand that for history NOT to be repeated one needs to be aware and remember its existence.  There are actually some schools in this country that are trying to rewrite slavery in America calling it a "migration of Africans to America seeking a better life". Really???!!!  I think not!  This is simply a bold-faced lie.  A migration would suggest Africans were NOT chained like animals on a ship, branded and sold as property.  Let there be no mistake about it...Slavery was anything BUT a migration.

I was one of the 130 million that watched Roots the when it aired on ABC all those years ago.  Back then, you couldn't re-watch it on a DVR, live-stream or even catch it on the internet.  If you didn't see it in real time...you simply missed out.  When I tell you,  going to school the next day was one of the most uncomfortable days in my life...is NO exaggeration.  Roots was the talk of every workplace, school and social settings, just as it is now.

The only difference now is simply the internet.  After the first episode aired last evening, the "twitterers" and internet were buzzing with opinionated reviews of Roots.  Here's my opinion and before you get you pants in a wad...remember this is just that..an opinion.

Roots, which aired its first episode last night simultaneously on A&E, Lifetime and the History Channel pulled in 8.5 million viewers.  The original, which aired on ABC pulled in 130 million viewers.  Not only that, but Roots single-handedly birthed a new genre of television in the 70's (Lonesome Dove, The Thornbirds, Rich Man - Poor Man).

The new look at Roots, which begins with the abduction in Africa of Kunta Kinte (Malachi Kirby) and spans decades to include the American Civil War, is unfolded over four consecutive nights, with a different director helming each night, including Phillip Noyce, Mario Van Peebles, Thomas Carter and Bruce Beresford.

In an era dealing with young black men randomly being gunned down, Black Lives Matter and Donald J. Trump promising to build a wall to "keep the Mexicans/illegals" out  of American, films like Nate Parker's The Birth of a Nation,  WGN America's Underground and the reboot of Roots are more timely than ever.

Shot in various locations including South Africa and Louisiana, you heart can't help but break when Kunta Kinte is being whipped for refusing to abandon his Mandinka name for the slave name "Toby".  That one scene clocks in at four minutes.  Four minutes of watching  blood splatter to the ground, skin being burst like over ripe fruit, others slaves, overseers, etc... looking on yet turning away in horror and in silence.  Seeing this scene now, with so much life experience behind me than when I watched as a teenager, stirred up feelings that had been suppressed for decades.  I pray that this generation of people watch and watch intently to learn of a history that is slowly disappearing from America.  A history that should never be forgotten.

The first episode felt a little slow in some spots, but was still compelling mostly due to the performances of Malachi Kirby and Forrest Whittaker.  The producers (Mark Wolper, LeVar Burton and Will Packer) make a point in stating a disclaimer reminded viewers that there is "intense language of the time period" involved.

I trust that LeVar Burton (the original "Kunte Kinte" actor who was an unknown when shooting the 1977 miniseries) will treat the legacy Alex Haley left with the dignity, honor and respect it deserves.  Will 85% of households be watching this time? No, but this time around Roots will have a different impact.  Roots is not just about slavery, the "N-word" or pain.  It's about the courage and survival of a group of people who are resilient.

Please watch with your family, friends and every young person you can gather.  Make sure they know now that slavery, just like the holocaust and Pearl Harbor are events that should always be remembered.  If you missed last night, no worries...each episode will re-air right before the current one

Keep your eyes peeled for Emayatzy Corinealdi and Anika Noni Rose in the future installments. These young women are forces to be reckoned with and will no doubt re recognized for their brilliance along with their co-stars Malachi Kirby and Forest Whitaker.

Don't be silent on this one.  Le me hear from you and what  you feel.  Let's keep the conversation going for the next generation.  Remember I will respect and honor your opinion in the same manner in which you have allowed me to express mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxmw4gccqnA

Tribeca Film Festival 2016: Audience Award - The Return

[embed]https://youtu.be/zcXTs4EYuI0[/embed] Many of us know someone, have a relative or have accidentally met an individual who has been incarcerated.  There are fewer of us who know someone who has had "three strikes" and even fewer who have had someone released as a result of the passing of Prop 36.

In 2012, California voters passed Prop 36 to reform Three Strikes - the first time in American history that citizens shortened sentences of the currently incarcerated. Overnight, thousand of lifers became eligible for release

The Return gives a bird's-eye view of two newly released lifers as they attempt to avoid the usual pitfalls of released prisoners back into a society and familial relationships that are drastically different.  Their struggle not to succumb to old triggers, insecurities and restoring the relationships is real, raw and heartbreaking.

Bilal Chatman and Kenneth Anderson were both lifers.  Chatman wanted a second chance to turn his life around and spend more time with his ailing mother.  Anderson wanted a second chance at being a business person, father, grandfather, husband and drug free.

Chatman was freed  by the people who fought for Proposition 36, which requires eligible non-violent drug offenders to serve their time in a drug treatment program instead of in prison. After The Return's screening at Tribeca, Bilal (who recently celebrated 33 years clean and sober) spoke of not allowing mistakes nor the people who hurt him in his past, to define his present life.

Kenneth Anderson was released and moved back in with his family after well over a decade. With a 25-to-life sentence over a purse snatching,  Anderson's last blunder included a struggle with drug abuse brought on by stress over his failed janitorial business.

Welcomed back by his ex-wife, now-adult children and several grandchildren he’s never met, he’s fortunate — but still encounters insurmountable hurdles.

Bilal Chatman had no spouse or children to return to. After 11 years’ (his “third strike” was selling $200 in drugs to an undercover agent), he headed straight from prison to Home of the Loving Father Re-Entry Facility, a halfway house in San Jose.

Their "second chance" journey is different - yet similar.  Both have no desire to return to the life conditions of their former selves, yet both men face a fate in society that will never let them forget their past.

The filmmakers also follow the release petitioning for Lester Wallace, a diagnosed schizophrenic who became California’s very first “Three Strikes” conviction after an attempted car-stereo theft. We never actually hear from Wallace, only a  glimpse him in court as his case is being  argued. Wallace's case was argued as him being raised in a frequently homeless, drug-addled family, which made him the perfect candidate for what Director Michael Romano says was too often “the solution for a generation” to problems of poverty, addiction and mental illness: Lock ’em up and throw away the key.

Prop 36 gave men like Chapman, Wallace and Anderson a new lease on life and allowed them all an opportunity to be placed in rehab programs to kickstart their new life.  Often times, these men, regardless of their crimes, are released from prison with a paper jumpsuit, $200 dollars in their pocket and no real plan for the future.  This is the major reason so many of them find themselves back behind bars.  They are released into a society that has no empathy for ex-cons and many of them spend the rest of their lives trying to prove they are changed and reformed men or women.

The Return is a lesson for all that everyone is capable of making a mistake, but should that mistake be thrown up in your face  and follow you for the rest of your life?

For more information of drug rehab services through Prop 36, click on  http://www.caldrug.org.

The Return won the Audience Award at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival and will make its debut on PBS.

Remember Our Troops: Memorial Day Flicks To Watch

Memorial Day is often confused with Veteran's Day.  Many of you are probably wondering what the difference is?  Memorial Day is to honor those slain in the line of duty or as a result of wounds sustained in battle while serving their country.  Veteran's Day is the day in which we take time to thank ALL veterans for their service to our country. Now, if your plans to commemorate those who lost their lives include a picnic, cookout or some type of party - BE SAFE.  However, if you choose to do so quietly at home with loved ones or friends, here some flick you might want to check out...

STRIPES

While on a USO/DOD tour, having just performed for the troops, we were invited to attend a screening of Stripes.  It was hilarious!!!  The guys would laugh at stuff that clearly was an inside joke and when they shared it with us we chuckled too!  Baby, when Bill Murray says "Razzle Dazzle" we would howl!!!  If you haven't seen it, the film kinda makes fun of all the serious things one identifies with regarding the military.  Unlike some of the other films, I mention, this one will really bring a smile to your face.

THE MESSENGER

Having several members of the military in my family, but never having lost any of them to war - this film was probably the hardest for me to watch.  I can't even imagine being the family that receives this type of news, however, have you ever thought of the anguish and sorrow that comes along with the person delivering the news.  Woody Harrelson gives one of his many stellar performances in this film.

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN

Steven Spielberg, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks and the storming of Normandie...that is all

PLATOON

Before Charlie Sheen's shenanigans and being known for "winning", he gave an award worthy performance in Oliver Stone's war masterpiece...

GLORY

Denzel Washington earned his first of two Oscar wins alongside Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman in this unforgettable flick about the first all-black company to fight in the Civil War

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, affects almost 30 percent of the 834,467 Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans treated through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Consumed by anger and traumatic memories long after their return, soldiers often resort to drugs or suicide to end their suffering.

Filmmaker Laurent Bécue-Renard provides a searing account of how the disorder has affected veterans and their families in Of Men and War. The film offers an unparalleled look at the enduring consequences of PTSD and the role treatment can play in helping soldiers reclaim their lives. An Official Selection of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, the documentary has its national broadcast premiere during the 29th season of POV(Point of View)on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2016 at 10 p.m. on PBS. (Check local listings.)

Of Men and War is a production of Alice Films.

Of Men and War Trailer

THE UNKNOWNS

THE UNKNOWNS reveals the training of the elite group of soldiers at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. These Sentinel's guard the Tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through snow, heat, and rain to honor those that have fallen in the line of duty to grant us the freedoms that we enjoy today.

THE UNKNOWNS is produced by Army Veterans Ethan Morse and Neal Schrodetzki. Because they both had the honor of serving at the Tomb, they were given an unprecedented level of access from the US Army, allowing them to bring a unique perspective to the rigorous and intricate training process that soldiers must endure to be stationed there. The film is also produced by Matthew Little and executive produced by Mark Joseph (Reagan, The Vessel, America: Imagine the World Without Her).

#FLASHBACK FRIDAY: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch

It won a Pulitzer Prize, made Gregory Peck a superstar, instantly became an American classic and made it's author infamous.  To Kill A Mockingbird in many ways was the pre-cursor to John Gresham's "A Time to Kill' starring Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey.  Centered around lawyer Atticus Finch, the audience is educated as Finch defends a black man in southern America circa 1963.

Based on Harper Lee's novel of the same name, you can only imagine the controversy stirred by this prolific tale. Crafted brilliantly and told through the eyes of  six year-old Scout, who can forget Boo Radley or the famous words spoken by Atticus,  "You never know someone...until you step inside their skin and walk around a little."

Just as in 1963, Harper Lee caused a stir once again when she announced a prequel she had kept under wraps would be published.  Fans lost their minds!!!  Just a few months later Lee would pass away at the age of 89.

The film received numerous Oscar nominations, taking home the gold for Horton Foote, Gregory Peck and for Best Art Direction/Set Direction.

Take a look back at a 56-year-old classic...To Kill A Mockingbird

https://youtu.be/KR7loA_oziY

#TBT Beauty and the Beast

Susan egan as belle in broadway's beauty and the beast

Toni Braxton as Belle on broadway in beauty and the beast

When Grammy winner Toni Braxton went into the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast, I, for one was ecstatic!  Toni is one of my favorite vocalists and she seemed a perfect fit for the hit show.  However, this would not be my first run in with a Belle.  I happened to be at a voice-over audition with the Original Susan Egan (who is absolutely adorable) and is the living embodiment of Belle. )

Before Toni and Susan took this classic to the stage it was a Disney animated film that featured the voices of Robby Benson and Paige O'Hara in the title roles.  Benson, was a 70's heart-throb mostly know for the film Ice Castles and O'Hara a "Broadway Baby" having played such roles as Fantine in the hit musical Les Miserables.  Both make a very good living as  animated voice-over artists these days.

For those of you who have been under a rock for the last 20 years, this Disney classic tells the story of Belle.  Belles' father is imprisoned by the Beast and she offers to switch places with her Dad not realizing that the Beast is really a handsome Prince.  Sound familiar?  It's a lovely story and the title song is sung by Angela Lansbury in the film and was made into an R&B hit with Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson.  Beauty and the Beast won two oscars...both of them going to Alan Menken, whose name has become synonomous with Disney through Aladdin, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Newsies, Tangled, Hercules,The Little Mermaid and the list goes on.

Beauty and the Beast went on to become a television series a few times and a feature film and this week celebrates its 25th Anniversary.  Take a trip back and experience the Disney magic of Beauty and the Beast.

On May 9th, The Oscars hosted pre-screening discussion celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the first animated feature film to be nominated for Best Picture, featuring voice actors Angela Lansbury, Richard White, Paige O’Hara and Robby Benson, producer Don Hahn, director Gary Trousdale and supervising animators Andreas Deja, Mark Henn and Glen Keane, key story artist Brenda Chapman. Presented in nostalgic 70mm as it was originally shown in its premiere engagements.

https://youtu.be/IekzVSf1AUs

https://youtu.be/xD5pcGp62ec