Arts & Entertainment Wrap up for 12-17-04

Something Obama failed to mention on his recent trip

From abcnews.com "Hours before his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president, President Obama delivered some tough love to African leaders, urging them to get their houses in order so they can better provide for their citizens. In a meeting this morning with the leaders of Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria, Libya and Ethiopia, Obama spoke about his personal connections to both Africa and poverty, and challenged the leaders to set prioritiesfor combating poverty and hunger. According to a top White House aide, 'You could have heard a pin drop.' [...] "The point I was making was that my father traveled to the United States ...

Mamie “Peanut” Johnson: Featured video for the week

Since switching to this latest template, I haven't taken the opportunity to talk about the random videos you see on the right sidebar. This week's featured video is of the living baseball legend, Mamie "Peanut" Johnson. Taken from the website of the Negro League Baseball Players Association (NLBPA) Born: Sept 27, 1935 Right-handed pitcher Indianapolis Clowns 1953-55 Mamie, who along with Connie Morgan and Toni Stone, was one of three women to play in the Negro leagues. Mamie Johnson, the daughter of Gentry Harrison and Della Belton Havelow, was born on September 27, 1935, in Ridgeway, South Carolina. When she was only seven years old, ...

TRENDS: Hair tips via You Tube

For the past year or so I have noticed a steep incline in the amount of videos that are being uploaded by our sistahs instructing other Black women from everything from makeup trends to how to sew in a weave. On the home front I can tell you that my wife has spent numerous hours either at the kitchen table or curled up on our bed learning new ways to style her hair or find out the latest trends on hair braiding. Personally I find this trend very interesting because I can see it at some point developing into an ...

“Judge not…”

Matthew 7:1 is one of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible these days. Even people who do not subscribe to the teachings of the Bible will quickly whip out that passage of scripture and use it as a speed pass to cancel out any criticisms regarding their moral failings. The very Bible that most people today try to dismiss as "out of date", not relative for today, or not to be taken literally is the same Bible these individuals use to deflect criticism of their behavior. Now let's read versus 1 and 2. "Do not judge, or you too will be ...

Finding and losing history

History found Records of freed Va. slaves placed online History possibly lost (suburbanchicagonews.com) "A property once covered in unique objets d'art and so renowned even the Smithsonian Institution took notice now is slated for demolition. Kane County officials this week took further steps toward tearing down the long-abandoned African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives in Aurora Township by approving an application to the Circuit Court for demolition of 'dangerous and/or unsafe building.' 'This is the very beginning stage' of the demolition process, said Mark VanKerkhoff of the county's Development Department. It could be three to four months before the building actually is torn down, ...

NELLY AND DUPRI: Both host charity party; Nelly calls Chingy on ‘Thurr’; Dupri pubs Janet’s next CD.

from EURweb.com

*Nelly and Jermaine Dupri teamed up Thursday to host “Atlanta’s Biggest Christmas Party” for more than 1,200 underprivileged kids at the city’s Dunbar Recreation Center. The two rappers spent $10,000 on more than 3,000 toys for the little ones.

Date: 12/17/2004

THE LATEST SNOOP: Rapper wants his wife back; ‘Drop’ still hot on Billboard; pushes pot candy.

from EURweb.com

*Apparently, Snoop Dogg’s embrace of all things pimpin’, including his top-selling “Snoop Dogg: Doggystyle” series of porno tapes, was part of what drove a wedge in his marriage, leading the rapper to file for divorce last May from his childhood sweetheart Shante. The MC is now reportedly regretting that decision, claming he made a big mistake.

Date: 12/17/2004

MIJAC DAILY: Kids invited to Neverland holiday bash today; ex-wife wants visitation.

from EURweb.com

*Dozens of children have been invited to a holiday party today at Jackson’s Neverland Valley Ranch – which happens to be the place where he was accused of molesting a young boy.

Date: 12/17/2004

MARIAH IN DISNEY’S CHRISTMAS PARADE: Ashanti, Wynonna also on tap for annual ABC special.

from EURweb.com

*Mariah Carey will sing “Joy To The World” and her version of “All I Want For Christmas” on the 21st Annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, airing Dec. 25 from Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, 1 to 3 p.m. ET on ABC.

Date: 12/17/2004

ASHANTI ON ‘SHE CAN’T SING’ TALK: Singer also shrugs off her overuse of ‘baby’.

from EURweb.com

*Say what you want about Ashanti’s singing skills – enough people are buying her records to make her a bona fide, platinum-selling recording artist, and that’s all that counts these days, right? …Anyone?

Date: 12/17/2004

JAY Z ON NEW DEF JAM GIG: Jigga also talks about possible Nas collabo.

from EURweb.com

“I think artists will relate to me ’cause I know their story,” Jay Z told MTV of his new position as president and CEO of Def Jam. The retired rapper and former Roc-A-Fella exec says his background as an artist will offer invaluable insight into his ability to run the company.

Date: 12/17/2004

FAT JOE DONATES COMPUTERS: Rapper gives back to his Bronx grade school.

from EURweb.com

*Fat Joe will donate 20 Hip-e computers to his Bronx Grammar School, PS 146, as a holiday gift on Tuesday.

Date: 12/17/2004

CONTESTANTS REVEALED FOR MISSY’S UPN SHOW: ‘Stardom’ hopefuls vie for cash, contract.

from EURweb.com

*You’ve already seen the promos – or maybe not – but it looks like Missy Elliot’s new UPN “dramality” series will give Diddy’s “Making the Band” a run for its money.

—-

First Look: Hotel Rwanda

Release Date: December 22, 2004 Limited Release NY/LA

Distributor: United Artists (MGM)

Film Genre: Drama

Country: United States

Director: Terry George

Screenwriter: Terry George

Cast: Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Joaquin Phoenix, Sophie Okonedo

Synopsis:

Ten years ago, some of the worst atrocities in the history of mankind took place in the country of Rwanda – and in an era of high-speed communication and round-the-clock news, the events went almost unnoticed by the rest of the world. In only three months, almost 1 million people were brutally murdered. In the face of these unspeakable actions, inspired by his love for his family, an ordinary man summons extraordinary courage to save the lives of over a thousand helpless refugees by granting them shelter in the hotel he manages. Harrowing and deeply moving, Hotel Rwanda is his story.

—-

Nona Gaye plays the role of Hero Girl in the animated film “The Polar Express”. I saw the making of this film and I found it very fascinating how the actually used her (along with the other actors) real motions and digitized them for their characters in the movie.

Click here for the the interview with the actors in this film.

Check out www.blackfilm.com for all of your entertainment news.

Sphere: Related Content

Posted by Duane On December - 17 - 2004