Halle Berry on "Frankie And Alice", Acting, & Producing

Ladies and gentlemen, reintroducing Halle Berry! That's right Halle is back with a new movie role! YAAAS! "Frankie And Alice", a dramatic story about a young woman suffering with multiple personality disorder. Interestingly, one of her personalities is a racist white woman. The film is set in the 70s and based on a true life story of a go-go dancer from Watts.

Recently, I attended the "A Conversation with Halle Berry" during the annual AFI Film Festival. Below is the audio from that event. Listen to Halle explain how "Frankie And Alice" came to be, her role as lead actress and producer, and working with Phylicia Rashad in the film.



"Frankie And Alice" hits theaters exclusively in Los Angeles, December 10th, and is already creating some Oscar buzz. Expect the film to open nationally in February 2011 says the film's official website.

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Janet Jackson Announces World Tour 2011!

Ain't nothing like waking up to some good news! And this is GOOD NEWS! Yep, all the kids and inhabitants of Janet Jackson land are "So Excited", myself included! Why? Cause Janet is going back on tour and this time I got a feeling errthang's gonna work out just fine and play out like it should to the very last tour date.

I've seen her in concert plenty of times so what's left to "Enjoy", you ask? Plenty! The costumes, the choreography, great music, and crowd participation; it's an experience not just a show! Start saving now, Janetfam! This might be that last one that was rumored several years ago.

Last or not "THIS Time", she's doing things a little different: 1) Allowing fans to choose the cities she performs in all around the world; 2.) Choosing smaller venues when possible so even the nosebleed seats get a good view; and 3.) Giving a youngster who's doing positive things in the community some shine. See Jane explain below.





Okay folks now give her the "Feedback" she wants! Visit janetjackson.com and vote on the cities you want to see Janet slay the stage!

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NBC's Jimmy Fallon, Bruce Springsteen "Whip My Hair"

This is so damn funny I had to post it! I'm laughing as I type! But oddly, I like this country-rock remix, if you will, featuring late night tv host, Jimmy Fallon as character Neil Young, and "the boss", Bruce Springsteen. Just goes to show, "Whip My Hair" has broad appeal. "Big Ups" to hair stylist Marcia Hamilton and of course, Willow Smith! That means much respect and or congrats to you street slang challenged individuals.



Here's the original just in case you've lived in a cave with no internet access for the past six months.

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Jay-Z Teams With Bing For Interactive Memoir, "Decoded"

Ever wondered what's the deeper story behind Jay-Z's chart-topping music beyond the lyrical hood chronicles of living in a Brooklyn project and hustling dope? If the answer is "yes" then check this! In his new memoir, "Decoded", Jigga shares insights into 36 of his hit songs as well as his life and personality.

But don't judge this book by it's Andy Warhol art cover, there's more to "Decoded" than what meets the eye; publisher, Random House, will also release the hip hop memoir as an e-book and interactive iPod/iPad application that will include exclusive video and customizable content for an interactive digital experience. There's also a gaming element. Since mid-October several pages of the book have been released leading up to the official book release date, NOVEMBER 16th. To find those pages fans were led to Decode Jay-Z with Bing to receive clues on how to unlock clues, Bing maps, and locations mentioned in the book.

So what does Jay-Z hope fans and readers will get out of "Decoded?" Here's his quote from the book.

"I told my editor that I wanted it to do three important things. The first was to make the case that hip-hop lyrics—not just my lyrics, but those of every great MC—are poetry if you look at them closely enough. The second was I wanted the book to tell a little bit of the story of my generation, to show the context for the choices we made at a violent and chaotic crossroads in recent history. And the third piece was that I wanted the book to show how hip-hop created a way to take a very specific and powerful experience and turn it into a story that everyone in the world could feel and relate to.”

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Nnenna Freelon & The Beast Fuze Jazz & Hip Hop on

If you've followed this blog a while, then you know I'm a Nnnenna Freelon fan! Not just 'cause she lives in my home state of North Carolina or throws great parties, or is a great cook! I'm not a fan either because she gives back to her various communities and created a program called BabySongs Workshop that taught new parents how to communicate with babies through music.

All those things are GREAT, but I became a Nnenna Freelon fan 'cause of her music first. I love how she combines traditional jazz styling with various other genres of music including Hip Hop, pop, and reggae.

Recently I literally stumbled across this on Twitter and decided to post it here. Why? Cause it's Nnenna and it's great music! 'Nuff said! But more than that, this is the first video from this project combining the talents of Nnenna and The Beast called, "Freedom Suite". He's also her son! Yeah, he's gets it from his mamma!

In the tradition of Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, and Guru's "Jazzmatazz", this album fuses live acoustic jazz with Hip Hop. SO TURN UP THE VOLUME ON YOUR COMPUTER, BOB YA HEADS TO THIS AND SUPPORT IT, COP IT LEGALLY HERE!



"Freedom Suite" also includes five contemporary interpretations of "standards" from the jazz and Hip-Hop cannon, including arrangements of Mos Def's Umi Says, Johnny Mercer & Hoagy Charmichael's Skylark, Lauryn Hill's Doo Wop and a tribute to Guru featuring selections from his Jazzmatazz catalogue, inspired by Robert Glasper's J-Dilla tribute, Dillalude", writes Giantstep.net, a music blog. Here's a little more info from The Beast himself:

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Dir. Ava DuVernay Premieres "I Will Follow" At AFI Film Festival

November 5th, 2010, was a busy night for women of "color" in Hollywood. While Tyler Perry's film opened nationwide, "I Will Follow", another highly anticipated film featuring a stellar female cast premiered at the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Film Festival 2010. And here's another interesting tidbit, both films star the gorgeous and talented "Dark Blue" actor, Omari Hardwick.

Written and directed by veteran film publicist turned director, Ava DuVernay of the DuVernay Agency, "I Will Follow," tells a poignant story of a successful artists ( Sallie Richardson-Whitfield) whose life and career are put on hold to care for a dying loved one, portrayed by Beverly Todd. The film's world premiere was this fall at the Urbanworld Film Festival, and there it won the Narrative Audience Award.

The film also stars Blair Underwood ("The Event"), Dijon Talton ("Glee"), Michole White ("She Hate Me"), and Tracie Toms ("The Devil Wears Prada"). Below are red carpet arrivals from "I Will Follow's" AFI screening at the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

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EXCLUSIVE: For Colored Girls' Richard Lawson Talks New Film, Tyler Perry, & The Critics

At long last we get more than a soundbite from a male actor from this highly anticipated film, "For Colored Girls!" In this EXCLUSIVE interview veteran actor, teacher, and "For Colored Girls" star, Richard Lawson shares his introduction to Ntozake Shange's original Broadway play, how "devine" it was working with Loretta for the first time, and his unique approach to teaching acting at his Richard Lawson Studios.

In this interview, Richard also talks with me about the critics and the concerns of black men and their portrayals in this dramatic film. So watch this video and SHARE it, Tweet it, Facebook it! Then shut off the computer, get some friends, and head to the theaters this weekend and SUPPORT "FOR COLORED GIRLS" FINANCIALLY.

As I've said a million times, the only color Hollywood cares about is green as in box office receipts. And the only "colored" woman it loves is the one(s) that makes it money! So LEAVE THE BOOTLEGS ALONE and show Loretta Devine, Thandie Newton, Kerry Washington, Phylicia Rashad, Tessa Thompson, Whoopie Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Kimberly Elise, Anika Noni Rose, Khalil Kain, Omari Hardwick, Micheal Ealy, Hill Harper, Tyler Perry, and the man of the day here in my Hollywood blog world, Richard Lawson, some love at the theaters.

I'm saying now it's going to be the #1 movie in the country this weekend, so please folks let's make it manifest through our actions. Feel me? Good! Now roll da video and don't be scurred to leave a comment!

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