New In Town

There's a new girl in town and she's looking good

There's a fresh freckle face in the neighborhood.

There's a new girl in town with a brand new style

She was just passing through but if things work out

She's gonna stay awhile

While watching Lionsgate's new film,  "New In Town", that theme song chorus above kept playing in my head. It's from the popular '76 sitcom, "Alice". Why that song? You ask. Maybe it was the snappy waitress named "Flo" at the local diner in the film or the love of tapioca pudding by New Ulm, Minnesota, residents where "New in Town" is set.  For you former Alice fans, like me (no pun intended) remember Vera's favorite snack was tapioca pudding too.  And last but not least, those theme song lyrics really sum up what this cute romantic comedy is really about.

I don't believe in coincidence, so during an interview with "New In Town" co-screenwriter, Ken Rance, I asked the Charlotte, NC, resident about the similarities to the popular '70s sitcom.

"I was a fan of "Alice" and my family owns a restaurant in South Los Angeles. So having worked in a restaurant, I wondered what kind of character could serve as a conflict for our protagonist. I thought well there's "Flo." I was gonna change the character's name, but through the writing it just stuck," Rance states.

And that is where the commonalities end.  While Linda Lavin ficticiously sweat it out in blazing Phoenix, Renee Zellweger  literally bundled up to portray Lucy Hill, an ambitious Miami executive that's been sent to Hell's freezer to downsize a small manufacturing plant in New Ulm, Minnesota, and create a new product line.  The assignment is a great resume builder, but little does Lucy know, she'll have to use more than power suits, designer pumps, and a cold, authoritive attitude to truly get the job done.  That's where my favorite character, Blanche Gunderson (Siobhan Fallon Hogan), hilariously steps in.

As in most small towns, where almost everyone is related and works at "the plant", Lucy sticks out like a Burberry print in a sea of polka dots. But with the help of Blanche, her tapioca-making, scrap booking secretary, Lucy manages to transition into her new position, but not without a few icy exchanges with Ted Mitchell (Harry Connick Jr.), the plant's union representative.

From the start of their relationship in "New In Town," it's a typical love tale of opposites attract; she's the uptown girl and he's--to put is simply, not! Witnessing their attraction heat up is fun, but not laugh-out-loud funny as the plant employees' antics to keep the "new boss" figuratively out in the cold. Their ring leader is Stu Kopenhafer (J.K. Simmons) and his one-liners are definitely some of the funniest in the film.

Overall, "New In Town" is a good film to snuggle up to on a winter day or any day. It's a great warm-hearted approach to some of the real cold problems people deal with everyday, with a little romance thrown in for good measure.  I think most movie-goers will leave the theaters smiling come opening weekend, January 30th. Visit "New In Town's" website for downloads, cast bios, and more.

Notorious: A Dream Realized For Biggie Smalls

It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine...

I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff
I was too used to packin' gats and stuff
Now honies play me close like butter played toast
From the Mississippi down to the east coast
Condos in Queens, indo for weeks
Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak
Livin' life without fear
Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ears
Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool
Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school
Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood
And it's still all good
...and if you don't know, now you know

1994. If you didn't "know" about life on the drug streets of New York then Biggie's autobiographical lyrics definitely schooled you while making your head nod to the beat. East coast, west coast--his signature magnetic flow over Mtume's R&B hit, "Juicy", was then and still now a party jump off. But before the crowd began screaming, "Biggie, gimme one more chance!" and rubbing private parts if they loved "Big Poppa" there was a smart, young black boy named Christopher Wallace. And that's who Fox Search Light introduces to most and reintroduces to others in it's biographical Hip Hop flick, "Notorious."

"I'm going, going, back, back to Cali, Cali"

1997. Los Angeles, CA, Wilshire Boulevard, is where the film begins, on that fateful night when the story of Biggie's life came to violent end. Then from there we rewind the tape to the 70s Hip Hop era when the soundtrack of Biggie's childhood life included rap legends Kurtis Blow, the Rapping Duke, and the Fabulous Five. Portraying a young Biggie is his son, sadly the child he never got to meet, Christopher Wallace, Jr., and acting as his single mother, Volleta Wallace, is Angela Bassett.

From there "Notorious" introduces us to the smart, Catholic school student, and all around good kid. But making good grades wasn't helping him and his mother keep food on the table, nor was it getting him the C.R.E.A.M, the fresh gold chains, and brand name kicks. Cash ruled everything around the young, impressionable Wallace and making paper became more important than making grades.

Now enter real life NY rapper now actor, Jamal Woolard, aka Gravy. After young Biggie's first introduction to the drug game, Woolard replaces the school boy Wallace and gives a great performance as "Biggie", a charismatic, young rapper trying to become the man his mother, his daughter, and himself could be proud of. Mad respect to Director, George Tillman, Jr ("Soul Food") and writers, Reggie Rock Bythewood ("Biker Boyz")and Cheo Hodari Coker for penning an insightful, multi-layered role for Woolard to play. "Notorious" provides audiences not only a backstage pass to some of the memorable moments at the beginning of Big's career, but also into his life off stage as he aims to be a father, husband, mentor, friend, and businessman.

But what most will bumrush the theaters to see January 16th are the portrayals of key people and moments that made it to entertainment news headlines--his marriage and divorce from label mate, Faith Evans, his affair with Lil'Kim, and of course the whole Tupac situation. All off it played out like a Hip Hop soap opera we tuned into daily and the film demonstrates it, but what "Notorious" doesn't really touched upon are the details of his unsolved murder. The film leaves us asking, "Who Shot Ya?" more than a decade later.

Besides that question the other aspect of the film people will be talking about is the casting of key figures in Biggie's life and how they were featured in the film. Although Lil's Kim is not happy about her portrayal according to entertainment news, others seem pretty pleased. After an industry screening Tuesday, I talked to "Notorious" casting director, Twinkie Byrd, on how the cast of mostly new and young talents were chosen. I also talked to an audience member to get his thoughts. Listen to what they have to say.

Overall, I'd definitely step to the mic to say, "See this movie!". I especially enjoyed seeing a new round of fresh talent playing roles that seem so familiar. I liked too that it gave me a new perspective on the life and music of Biggie. Still, I hope audiences will keep in mind "Notorious" is a motion picture, not a documentary. Every detail is not exactly true to how things really went down. But as with most good biographical films, it will generate great dialogue and possibly increase record sales. So now click the Fox Searchlight widget for behind-the-scenes footage, cast interviews, and more.

Yes We Can: The Official Obama Campaign Album from Hidden Beach

You're almost ready to go. You've chosen your tux or that special dress. Flights and travel arrangements are already made or still in the process. You're just a couple of days away from witnessing the most historic moment of your lifetime, the presidential inauguration of Barak Obama. 

But before you go, you need one more thing to make that lay over, train ride, commute, or whatever means of travel you've chosen enjoyable. How about some music? More specifically how about some music produced for this special occasion and approved by Obama's camp entitled Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement, the OFFICIAL album of the Obama campaign from Hidden Beach?

Listen to Jill Scott, one of my personal favs, John Legend, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Keb Mo, Yolanda Adams, and Malik Yusef with Kanye West and Maroon 5's, Adam Levine.  That's the short list.  See below for a full list or visit the website link above.

I know you've already got your playlist set with all your favorite songs for the trip, but this album helps you keep your mind and spirit right as you head to DC for the special occasion. So if Obama gave it his stamp of approval, why not cop it! Download it! Even if you're not heading to the inauguration festivities, add it to your Obama collection!  

What I like most about it is the eclectic mix of artists.  It ain't all one thing nor the other.  Free your mind, people! Like Sheryl Crow sing's "Get Out of Our Heads" listen to some new music for a new age in politics and a new way of doing things.  You'll find at least one song you like. Just listen!

Not Easily Broken

Quite honestly the official trailer for this dramatic film does it a disservice, which is why I've been hesitant to post it here. If "Not Easily Broken" is about a young, Black couple experiencing problems in their marriage where are those poignant scenes between them that make you emote--feel something deeper than simply "this is movie about a dude hanging out with his boys too much and losing sight of what's important--his marriage." Did I sum that up properly?

Just take a moment and compare the "Not Easily Broken" trailer with that of "Revolutionary Road" and you'll understand why this entertainment blogger is a tad disappointed in how this potentially good film has been short changed even before it hits theaters TODAY. Yeah, I know the individual budgets for them are as far apart as east and west, but that shouldn't mean the trailer for "Broken" should be any less effective. But then again, maybe the content needed for a really strong trailer doesn't exist. Wrong! It does! Here's a clip.

Sony posted that clip online. It speaks to the core of this couple's relationship, so why isn't it or something similar not in the official trailer--the most visible marketing and promotional tool? Let me guess: 1. They didn't want to scare the church folk; 2. Didn't want to alienate black men; or 3. The Hollywood formula.

A small Hollywood budget divided by Morris Chestnutt + Taraji P. Henson + TD Jakes = a black movie that we predict will only appeal to a small black audience thus small green profit at the box office but will do well on the back end, ie...DVD. Just give then a "nice" trailer.

And based on just general conversations with some people and recent observances, the Hollywood suits are somewhat right--just somewhat. There's a sense of "I'll watch it on DVD" or "I'm not paying to see that in the theaters" going around thanks to the lackluster trailer. So sadly, those of us that should know better will act as if Hollywood produces quality, dramatic films about African-American couples everyday--and not give it the financial support it needs THIS WEEKEND.

Hollywood only cares about money, the bottom line. Paying to see "Not Easily Broken" at THE BOX OFFICE this weekend is paramount because it will gauge how much money will be budgeted for the producers' next film. That affects the actors too. If they can't pull a huge audience, they can't command multi-million dollar contracts from the studios. So if we can roll deep to comedies, certainly Bishop Jakes, Taraji, Morris, and Bill Duke deserve the same for a quality dramatic production about something relevant that speaks to us right now.

40th Annual NAACP Image Awards Nominee Announcement

From the Beverly Hills Hotel NAACP executives and entertainers, Corbin Blue, Nate Parker, Regina Taylor, and KeKe Palmer announced nominees for the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards yesterday. The highly anticipated show will air LIVE February 12 from the historic Shrine Auditorium. This year's event will mark the organization's 100th anniversary.

As previously announced, now film studio executive, Tyler Perry, and Oscar winner, Halley Berry, will host the star studded event. Receiving special recognition are former Vice President, Al Gore, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Wangari Maathai. They will be awarded the NAACP Chairman's Award. And hip hop mogul, Russell Simmons will receive its Vanguard Award.

ABC leads with the most nominations, a surprising 24 of them. CBS follows with 14, and networks CW and NBC tie with 10. Fox has 7 and cable network, HBO, has nine. Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" received six nominations. "Ugly Betty", five. And receiving four nominations each are "Everybody Hates Chris", "The Game", and "Grey's Anatomy."

In the music category, Columbia Records leads with eight nominations, J Records and Arista have six, and Island Def Jam with four. Beyonce leads with 5 nominations. No surprise there! And at the movies, Fox Searchlight has the most nominations, 11 to be exact. Following Searchlight is Sony Music Films/Parkwood pictures with seven and Sony Pictures Classic, Lionsgate, and Columbia have three each. Films, "The Secret Life of Bees" and "Cadillac Records" lead the nominations.

To see a full list of nominees visit the NAACP Image Awards website.

2008: A Look Back

Here we are! We made it to 2009. Thank you, Lord! Looking back, the past year went flew by and now I'm going to take a minute to look back on what kept me so busy. Truly, this Hollywood blogger was on her grind the past 12 months. From red carpet events and great performances to celebrity interviews and movie premieres, Hollywood: As I Live & Work lived up to it's name. I moved closer to some dreams, refocused others.

So, here's 10 of my favorite posts of 2008 in no particular order. If you're interview or event is not listed, please don't be mad. There's over a 100 posts for a committee of one to look through! Blame the head not the heart as the saying goes.

1. 2008 NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet Interviews: Being camera-less didn't stop a blogger from capturing the highlights from the carpet with pics and interviews--Taraji P. Henson, Rockmund Dunbar, Journee Smollett, and Rick Fox just to name a few. I even got the scoop on Tyler Perry's "The Family That Preys" several months in advance of its release.

2. The 2008 NAACP Image Awards After Party post. I had so much fun! How could I not with Stevie Wonder and Doug E. Fresh performing live on stage? Thank God there's no video of me going down that Soul Train line!

3. BlackNLA Ski Weekend in Mammoth: There's no love lost between me and cold weather, but every now and again I break of out my comfort zone for a new experience. There's no evidence of me falling in the snow and ice, but there's plenty to see of us heating things up at the lodge.

4. GLAAD Media Awards Red Carpet: I covered this because I knew most black press wouldn't. I was right. It was a challenge as a blogger getting a place on the carpet, but I got it. My reward? Great interviews with great actors and special honorees, Wilson Cruz, Janet Jackson, and other notable actors.

5. Publicist Roz Stevenson, In Her Own Words: There's a lot to be learned from Hollywood veterans like retired film publicist, Roz Stevenson. But too often we pass right by them in hot pursuit of the new next best thing and miss amazing stories and opportunities. Mrs. Roz is a great story teller. From "Lady Sings The Blues" and "Good Times" to the Academy Awards, how she became one of the most sought after film publicist in Hollywood is definitely worth listening to. I promise you'll learn something and laugh while you do it.

6. Victoria Rowell's High Tea at Noon and Fashion Show. I love hats and every year Victoria Rowell's High Tea showcases some of the best of them while raising money for foster children. It's definitely one of my favorite events of the year. And just recently I met a fabulous man who actually designs hats named Alakazia of Le Chapeau Designs. Check out his collection and the launch of his charity to help feed LA's homeless at this link.

7. ASCAP's 21 st Annual Rhythm & Soul Awards: I love music, especially R&B music and it was really great not only interviewing artist like Musiq, Akon, Kelly Price, and MC Lyte but also the faceless writers and producers of the biggest hits performed by them.

8. Comic-Con 2008: Want to see your favorite comic book characters jump off the page and convene in the flesh in one big room? Comic Con is the conference for you. There were definitely some sights to behold in San Diego that weekend. I was there not to participate but to do an interview with Method Man about his new comic book of the same name. Once official biz was over, I couldn't resist capturing some of the scene.

9. Rock Witchu Tour Toronto: On my way to interview LL Cool J in Toronto while he was on tour with Janet, I had the most interesting conversation with the limo driver. To my surprise he'd never heard of either artist. WHAT! So get in the backseat with me as he and I discuss the universal language of music.




10. Hennessy & Honey Collective Party: I have no qualms flaunting my taste in music. And this party served the best in Hip Hop I've experienced in a long time. Doug E. Fresh, McLyte, D-Nice, and YoYo just to name a few. Roll the video!