A few movies to look forward to in 2010

It Was All A Dream

BRAVO!!! Notorious is by far one of the best rapper biography films I have seen in a long time. The production was superb. Kevin Ladson, the prop manger, nailed every detail from the phones to the magazine covers. The wordrobe and costume department had all the old coogi sweaters and leather jerseys you could think of. Everything came togehter to give you the ambiance of standing next to Big in Brooklyn in the 90's.

An outstanding job by Jamal Woolard who plays Biggie in the movie. Before the movie came out 

my friend Winston said, "Who ever is going to play the role of Big has all of Brooklyn on his back. Either he's going to be great and get nothing but love or it's going to be all bad." Well, I dont think Jamal has anything to worry about after such a spot on performance. Then there is Naturi Naughton who plays Lil' Kim. Although, there are many who are disgruntaled by her potrayl 

of the "Queen B," I believe she did a fantastic job for such a risky role as her first major film apperance (what a long way from 3LW). Last but not least, is Derek Luke who plays Diddy. I was a little skeptical at first when watching the previews, but seeing him on screne was a different experience. Derek Luke can now say he is the best Diddy impersionator ever. Seeing him dance around the stage and 

deliever such lines as "Drop me in the forest and im coming out with two furs and 5 pounds bigger," only thing that could make his character more complete is hearing him say "Take that, take that, take that, it's bad boy" just one time. 

Outstanding Performance Goes To?

Derek Luke for Diddy Jamal Woolard for Big Naturi Naughton for Lil Kim Antonique Smith for Faith Evans

View Results Free Myspace Poll

Diddy Blogg: Making Notorious 

(You can view all the videos on Notoriousblog.net)

Cast & Crew


Brooklyn

Production

Casting 

Dressing Biggie and Faith

Props

Mrs. Wallace

Vibe Photo Shoot

My Weekend Picks

Notorious 

Another project from Diddy in association with MTV. This project has the potential to be a great film if executed right. I'm hoping that this cast of breakthrough actors along with a few veterans will be able to rise above and not let this movie become just another sub par rapper bio flick.

My Bloody Valentine 3D

For those who don't know, I am really into horror films right now. Recently they have been the only films to provide captivating plots and unexpected twist, minus the cliche collection of idiotic mistakes by the characters. Therefore, when I found out about this movie I was super GEEKED. Not only because it was a horror flick, but because it is in 3D!!! This is going to be an experience that you will not soon forget. Imagine if you saw Texas Chain Saw Massacre in 3D when it came out, and you thought you couldn't sleep before!

My Pimped Out Cadillac

Its last two weeks and we all know what that means....... last time to make up what ever grades and function(party) one last time before returning to the reality of home for a month. I decided to take a break and hit the movies, with choices being slim this weekend I decided on Cadillac Records. A story about the rise and fall of Chicago based Chess Records. With an all star artist roster of Etta James, Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry, they took over the charts during their time. Chess records played a pivotal part in the desegregation of the airways and creation of rock and roll by way of the blues.

A good job by director Darnell Martin (who might I add is a woman, trail blazer indeed), who's last major project was Oprah's TV movie "Their Eyes are Watching God." Excellently shot on location in Louisiana, New Jersey, and Mississippi. What surprised me the most was the cast, composed of Jeffery Wright, Beyonce Knowles, and Columbus Short to name a few (see end for complete list). Kim Hardin, the casting director, brings together this eclectic cast of new, rising, and veteran actors to create a very believable on screen chemistry.

There are a few performances that I must highlight. First is Ms. Knowles (or should we say Carter). With the release of her latest album Sasha Fierce, you can see the evolution in her singing. However, I still cant get passed her singing in movies. When she sings all I can her is the destiny child Beyonce, especially in Dream Girls, which is sad because I often loose sight of her true talent. It is one scene in the movie where she begins to sing in the bathroom, it was at that moment when I felt chills and was once again reminded of her true talent. Sadly, as the movie progresses you really don't hear it again till the end of the movie. On the flip side, she is beginning to blossom as an actor. In this movie I didn't see much of Beyonce, I saw her character Etta James. Although, if Etta James was that curvy.........oooppp now look. Her best scene would be her dinner meeting in an all white restaurant. It is in this scene you see Beyonce exhibit real emotions contrary to her everyday life.

Another star performance was Columbus Short. He and his management have done a great job in selecting roles roles that develop him as an actor, roles that allow him to shine, and progress him forward to be more believable in future roles. For example, his first note worthy performance was "Stomp the Yard", where he plays a troubled black male that turns his life around through dancing while attending a HBCU. The next role we see him in is "This Christmas", where he plays a young man in the military trying to juggle family, marriage, and morality. Now he plays (Lil' Walter) a round character where we gain a 360 view of the characters life and development. While watching this you often forget it is Short playing Lil' Walter and being to see only Lil' Walter.

Overall I recommend this movie for all viewers; it has a little something for everyone. Hey it kept my attention until the end (I do fall asleep on movies in the theater).

Overall Rating 3.5

Cast

Adrian Brody.............................The Jacket

Emmanuelle Chriqui.................Entourage, In the Mix, Don’t Mess with Zohan

Cedric the Entertainer..............Madagascar 2, Street Kings

Mos Def.....................................Be Kind Rewind, 16 Blocks

Beyonce Knowles.....................Dream Girls

Columbus Short........................Stomp the Yard, This Christmas

Gabrielle Union.........................The Perfect Holiday, Daddy's Little Girls

Eammon Walker.......................ER (3 episodes), Lord of War

Jeffery Wright............................Invasion, Casino Royale, Quantum Solace