Stranded In The Motor City

The movie Precious is set to come out in November of this year. Precious from the book Push by Sapphire, looks at the struggles of a young girl living in the ghetto. In the book and movie you will see her march through the trials and tribulations of a life she did not choose. If you've read the book you know how moving the story is. To me Push takes you on a journey of life in the ghetto just like the book Native Son by Richard Wright. Even though you can empathize with the characters at the same time you know that it is a fictional story. Maybe that's what helps us to sleep at night.

Rarely do you see or hear the stories of real people fighting to survive this type of life. So can one really garner an understanding of what the circumstances are that caused them to be where they are or the strength to survive, change, and move?

Tonight I was at a friends and he showed me a trailer for a documentary that he wrote and directed. He will showcase it later this month. From the little bit that the tailer shows I can already tell that one will walk away with a greater understanding of this type of life. You will be educated and hopefully inspired to move. What movement? That depends on you and your strength. Please check out the trailer for his documentary Stranded in the Motor City. Also, Click this link to access the movies website.

Stranded In The Motor City

Unforgettable Divas

In my last post I forgot to mention two other Divas that were at the show. Please forgive me all of you that are fans of theirs. Getting old causes you to forget and overlook things that are staring you right in the face.

Speaking of staring you right in the face. Performer, singer and actress Sherri Lewis , one of the Divas that I forgot to mention tells her story of a new love at the age of 33yo, that one might think would have been lost due to her newly discovered HIV+ status. Her story pulled at your heartstrings. The anticipated still waters of a new relationship happily endured the information of the disease once thought of as a death sentence. The love of Sherri's now husband is ever flowing. Sherri was quite the Diva in a Pink dress and boa. After hearing her story and listening to her sing the only word that comes to mind is inspirational! Read this story on Sherri located on The Body webpage. Here's an interview with Sherri on youtube. It's important that we hear the stories of women with HIV as we don't hear these stories enough.

Thank you Sherri for pulling the coat tail of this aging man!

The other Diva that I forgot to mention was Kym Whitley. I don't know how I forgot her because she was hillarious as you can well imagine. On top of that she looks really good! Normally, Sheryl Lee Ralph has one of my favorites Jennifer Lewis for comic releif at the show but this year as I said in my last post Jennifer could not be in attendance. Kym was a welcome addition and I hope she comes back again and again. Kym opened the show and as she was talking Norwood comes walking down the aisle making his grand entrance. Now everyone knows that you shouldn't come in late to a show if a comedian is going to be in the show, becasue they will call you out in some way. And that she did. "...Only Norwood could wear a cheatah suit and afro". All eyes on Norwood and the laughter ensued.

Norwood Young in cheatah. I don't think they like him on Bossip.com.

Cheater!!!!

I went to a screening of TRUE GRIT(S): A Faux Cinema Verite' Docu-dramedy tonight. It was an entertaining movie. The documentary portion of the movie discussed cheating and then after the screening disussion was had on the subject of being cheated on or having cheated.

One of the main questions was, what is cheating? My opinion is this...if you about about to do something that you think your partner would not be pleased about than it is more than likely cheating. Whether it is simply flirting of chatting on line. However, just like in the movie I believe that you must have these discussions when getting into a relationship with someone. The definition of cheating can be varied depending on who you talk to. So in order to dispell any doubts in your mind find out.

Click on the link above to see a very small portion of True Grits. I hope one day you'll be able to see the entire film. You can also visit their blog The Ghetto Savants by clicking on this link.

What is cheating to you?

Why Did I Get Married?

I went to see Why Did I Get Married today. I really enjoyed this movie. Of course you know the movie is about relationships. I won't tell you about it in case you haven't seen it yet. I would say that it is worth seeing though. I'll probably buy it when it comes out on DVD. I will say this, the movie showed good examples of black relationships. I would even venture to say that it not only showed examples of Black heterosexual relationships but I've seen some very similiar gay relationships like the ones shown in this movie. Cudos to Tyler Perry.

I know this question has been asked by a lot of us out there...but Why Am I Not Married?

I can't give one reason for myself. Just because I'm asking this question doesn't mean that I am loosing hope. I am very optimistic that I will find the one for. When I wake in the mornings I will feel joy because he's with me. I know he is out there looking for me too. He's out there for me and he's for you as well. I think I'm getting closer. I can feel it...the universe is just not aligned for it yet.

I posted the picture of Lamman Rucker above who's in the movie because he's the example in the movie of the best man. Ooops did I say too much. Well I wanted to post him cuz he's fine too!

Footballers Wives

FOOTBALLERS WIVES

This is one of my favorite shows. Footballers Wives. If you haven't seen it you'll have to check out the reruns. It'll remind you of Dynasty with an Brittish accent. Some of the things that happen on this show are soooo far fetched. It's just fun to watch. There is a Black couple on the show that add lots of their own drama as well. The black male on the show is my favorite. His character is my favorite for a few reasons:

* His integrity

* Sense of Black Pride

* The way he wears his clothes

Oh let me stop playin he is PHYNE!! (to me)

The pictures posted are of him. Chucky Venice.

If you don't watch many shows on BBC one thing you'll find is that you don't understand many of the words they use. After awhile of watching you'll understand all the words coming out of their mouths.

Last 3 Movies

Rise Up and Shout, Standing-N-Truth, and On The Downlow were the last movies of the Outfest film festival that I saw today.

Rise Up and Shout - This film was pretty much pegged as a film about Gay Youth and their view of life. It was in documentary form. They filmed the audition process for a show that was being put on by Gay Youth to craft mentorship and a means of showing Gay Youth that they can be fabulous like those of the past. When looking at the ad for the film one would think that you would hear the voices of the diverse young gay community. However, that was not the case. The film focused much attention on 2 white guys (an Opera singing Drag Queen and Ex-Meth addict, prostitute boy with HIV) and 1 asian guy (His parents just didn't like the idea that he was gay). Although there were other young kids in the movie of African decent and 1 latino boy. The film only showed portions of their performance and them queening out in a local store. There were approximately 6 Black kids. Why the filmmaker choose not to tell their stories is probably something that you have already guessed the answer. He was white and even though the intentions of the film might have been to tell a story it's the same story we've always heard. The white side of the story. (We gotta start making our own movies more.)

Standing-N-Truth - EXCELLENT!!!! (Click the link to the left to go to the official website.) See some of what I experienced below. The film will touch you. Although only a short of this film was showing, in December 2007 Tim Daniels will be ready to show you the full length documentary. If you get the chance to see this film...PLEASE DO. You will as I said be touched!
Check out this video: Standing -N- Truth:

On the Downlow - Sigh. I was disappointed. It was waaay too long to discuss 3 different young Black men. 1 a homo-thug who only likes drag queens and fem boys, 1 an exconvict who talked about all the guys he had in prison and ends up going back to jail in the end. Then there's the bi-sexual young boy who begins coming out to a close girlfriend who says she already knew he liked guys and to his father who also says that things had been said about him and I love you anyway you are my son. So much more could have been said with this movie. I'm not sure what the message was supposed to be.

The DL Chronicles

I went to my 1st movie at the Outfest Film Festival for this year. 1st I want to tell you it was quite a site to see so many beautiful black men and women. Ya see where I work and live I don't get to see that many black people. So it's always refreshing to see us especially in such big numbers. (yes and most were gay or lesbian) I wanted to bask in our beauty all night long but the film ended and it was time to move off of the busy corner of Melrose Ave and La Brea. I'll just wait to feel that feeling again at the next film on my list.

Tonight's movie was The DL Chronicles. The DL Chronicles 1st episode is what you might expect. A married man who has desires for a man and ultimately can not supress the desire any longer. I had the opportunity to see 4 episodes. The 1st 3 I saw at At the Beach (LA's Black Gay Pride) movie screenings. All were EXCELLENT and contained the type of acting and portrayals that were missing in Noah's Arc.

Each episode is a different story about different characters and situations. Each story shows the audience a glimpse of the struggle, pain and sometimes humor in the lives of men who are in some form hiding their inate desires for another man. The DL Chonicles will be offered on HereTV in September.

See the clip below for a look at a realistic portrayal of many people that we know.

African Dispora Movies at Outfest

Just sharing some movies coming to Oufest starting this week in Los Angeles.


25 Cent Preview[CENTP] (USA, 2007, 90 mins)Features
Saturday, July 14th 7:00pmShowcase
$12.00
Monday, July 16th 9:30pmLaemmle Monica
$12.00
Edgy and brutally honest, Cyrus Amini's gritty cinéma-vérité drama is an unflinching yet compassionate portrait of two young hustlers cruising the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. Marcus, a smoldering dirty blonde surfer-type, is the protégé, best friend and sometime partner of “DotCom,” a seasoned street hustler and aspiring singer. When Marcus's troubled past resurfaces, their lives are soon changed forever. Bristling with authenticity, 25 CENT Preview crescendos to a moving catharsis.



The Believers[BELIE] (USA, 2006, 86 mins)Features
Wednesday, July 18th 9:30pmBarnsdall Theatre
$12.00
Sunday, July 22nd 2:15pmDGA 2
$12.00
Hallelujah - the world's first transgender gospel choir has taken the stage! THE BELIEVERS revolutionizes popular conceptions about faith, gender identity and sexuality. Director Todd Holland is granted intimate access as choir members open up about the pain - and joy - that has brought them together. Buoyed by the transcendent force of music, we witness people who are brave enough to be their true selves and we experience the healing power of acceptance in this moving film that quite literally sings.

Blueprint[BLUEP] (USA, 2007, 75 mins)Features
Thursday, July 19th 7:15pmBarnsdall Theatre
$12.00
Two attractive young African-American college students are drawn to one another despite contrary personalities. As Keith's time in New York City nears its end, he meets free-spirit Nathan. Keith finds himself slowly opening to new possibilities BLUEPRINT focuses special attention on place and mood, eschewing traditional narrative for a fresh, intriguing approach to storytelling.



The DL Chronicles[DLCHR] (USA, 2007, 70 mins)Featurespreceded by Masquerade
Saturday, July 14th 9:30pmShowcase
$12.00
Two new episodes of the smart, provocative series THE DL CHRONICLES introduce a pair of gorgeous men living secret sexual lives. Boo is an ex-convict who can't change his lying and cheating ways, while Mark faces the absurd reality of living on the downlow in his own home. Boldly dealing with the complex issue of men on the DL, these new episodes inspire discussion within communities of color while providing unadulterated, joyous entertainment..

Don't Go[DONTG] (USA, 2007, 60 mins)Featurespreceded by GIRLTRASH!
Saturday, July 14th 9:30pmDGA 1
$12.00
A self-described “Melrose Place” meets “The L Word” meets “227”, DON'T GO is a highly entertaining pilot episode of a new ensemble dramedy that introduces a group of sexy, diverse characters (including Guinevere Turner and Nisha Ganatra) living in a Los Angeles fourplex. With its unexpected soap operatic twists, DON'T GO beautifully balances intrigue and romance with humor and pathos, all the while challenging stereotypes and mainstream representations of people of color with fierce authenticity.


On the Downlow[ONTHE] (USA, 2007, 54 mins)Featurespreceded by Standing-N-Truth: Breaking the Silence
Saturday, July 21st 7:00pmBarnsdall Theatre
$12.00
Sunday, July 22nd NoonDGA 2
$12.00
Director Abigail Child provides an intimate portrait of five young African American men from Cleveland who live their life “on the downlow.” Not quite in the closet, but definitely not out, these men confide their personal views on downlow living and how it affects the men and women who love them. Ultimately, they acknowledge that the gay community represents another type of family in an environment that is often hostile to them.



Starrbooty[STARR] (USA, 2007, 83 mins)Features
Saturday, July 21st 9:30pmShowcase
$12.00
Legendary drag glamazon RuPaul kicks butt as super-model/secret agent Starrbooty in this gut-busting exploitation film that would make John Waters proud. When Starrbooty learns her niece has been kidnapped by her archrival, Annaka Manners, Starrbooty realizes she must go undercover as a street hooker and go “all the way” to rescue her. Sexy, salacious, popping with scandalous full-frontal nudity and chock-full of delectably insane characters, STARRBOOTY features audacious drag queens and hunky gay porn studs.