The Prodigal Sun

Ciara wants to sing

I love pop music just as much as anyone else. And I do find myself grooving to Ciara's danceable tracks. But phenomenal singer, Ciara is not. Apparently that doesn't matter since she has several billboard #1's under her belt and now a lead role in the movie adaptation of the hit broadway musical 'Mama, I Want to Sing'. Patti Labelle and Lynn Whitfield are already signed up to co-star.

Originally, the role of Doris Winter was played by Desiree Coleman-Jackson, who has a 5 octave vocal range. Do ya'll remember the commercials where she sings this 'mama I want to si-i-i-i-iiiiiiing' thing ending on this super ultra bionic high note? Could you even remotely imagine Ciara doing that? Me, either. But when you have a name, its no biggie to get a film gig. I am not hating. If I was a big music star, I would be pimping it into movies too. I mean, with all the piracy going on, music doesn't pay like it used to. Besides, with music, you only get paid AFTER you sell lots of records. With a movie, you get paid whether its a blockbuster or a flop. Makes no nevermind to you, you still collect a check. So music stars are stupid if they dont at least try it. Everyone is trying from Justin Timberlake to 50 cent.

You never know, she might even be good. I think of J-Lo more as an actress than a music star. Same with Vanessa Williams. And even if the first film is whack, she could improve dramatically with the right role. Look at Fantasia, she sucked at playing herself in her own dayum story, but she is the BOMB as Celie on Broadway in the Color Purple.

I think Ciara's biggest challenge will not be acting though, it will be singing in scenes with Patti Labelle. That is going to be straight comedy, for sure.

I guess will just have to see. By the way, this movie is being produced by the same company that is doing Dirty Laundry, that movie website that I posted TWO MONTHS ago, and I STILL aint received my check yet. (As you can see I am pissed about it... but since I have to be professional with them, I will vent here.... BOOOOOOO!!!) As long as Ciara isn't expecting her money in a timely manner, it could be a good look for her.

Summer Excitement

Am I the only one that is gassed about all the hot summer movies on deck? There are a bunch of rehashes that kinda look hot...

First, The Transformers the movie (July 4th)... I am soooooooooooo excited about this movie. I might be revealing my age, but the cartoon version of Transformers the movie that came out in the 80's was the first movie that my momz ever let me go to a theater by myself to see. Well... I was dropped off at the theater... and my cousin Reggie and two of my homeboys were with me... but my mom wasn't there, and we felt like we were so GROWN. Nowadays, the Department of Children and Families woulda brought my mom up on charges or something for leaving 7 year olds in a theater by ourselves... lol But it was a different time. And it was a big deal to us. Now, only 16 years later, at 23, I am going to see a new version of the movie... LOL (if you believe I am 23, you probably believe that Transformers are real too, huh? lol)

Die Hard #522 and a half... "Die hard from a heart attack because your cholesterol was outta control and you forgot to take your blood pressure pills", I mean, Live Free or Die Hard (June 27th). They are milking this movie to the bone... But surprisingly, I like the previews... I can see how it keeps coming back. We, fellas (and some of ya'll ladies) love action pictures... and this promises lots and lots and lots of cool explosions and effects. Yaaaye! And even as old as Bruce WIllis is... he comes across as a cool azz dude still. He has a swagger about him that makes it work. So I am not mad at this one.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - June 15th
That movie just looks hot. I am super gassed to see this. As you might have guessed, I was big on cartoons and comic book characters when I was little. I can't wait to see the fantastic four and the silver surfer duking it out, and see how they transition him into being a good guy and battling Galactus the planet eater. (well, that is what happens in the comic book series... ) It should be interesting to see how this plays out in the movie. (Hell, in transformers the movie, I heard that 'Bumble Bee' which was a yellow and black VW bug in the cartoon is now a Mustang or something... so it doesn't always play out the way you expect...)

Ocean's 13 (June 8th)
I really dug the other Ocean's 11 & 12. They both featured lots of excitement, car chases, explosions, comedic wise cracks as only George Clooney can deliver... just love the movies. You do notice a pattern though. Hollywood finds something that works and does it over and over again. Despite the subtitle 'the last heist', if this movie does exceptionally well... we can expect a Ocean's 14 all the way to 22. But... in this case I am not complaining. I love these movies like I love Mission Impossible Movies or James Bond movies. They are entertaining and cool. Ocean's 13 should be another great movie.

Another sequel that has had its fair share of milking is the Harry Potter series, which comes out July 11th, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (July 11th). I know I am a bit old to love the Harry Potter series of movies... but as you can tell from my movie selections, I am a big azz kid. (Ummm... did you read my 'I want a pair of Heely's sneakers post?) I love the whole magic and wizardry genre. Back in the day, movies like Legend were my favorites. Anything with magic powers was hot to me. And still is, as you can see. Now with Lord Voldemort being resurrected in the last one, it should be highly entertaining and interesting... Although Harry is like 30 now and still playing a 15 year old... I still can't wait. lol

However, the million zillion sequels does not work for everything, like for example... Rocky part CCCLXXXIV... what was that about? How the hell did they get a green light for this movie? Hell, after the first Rocky, the rest were cheezy and kinda corny. But Sylvester Stallone was hot at the time, with all his 80's big movie blockbusters like Rambo, which is currently in production for another sequel too (John Rambo (no release date yet)).. no, really. Little kiddies and grown folk alike were big fans, and he was relevant back then. Now? Not so much. Not to be mean, but he looks like an old man that had a partial stroke. Thats real talk... who wants to pay to see him playing an action hero? umm... not me. I am not even waiting for it to come on dvd. Thats some watch-when-its-free-on-TBS-type shyt. But, apparently, my opinion is in the minority since Rocky Balboa was released in December and still made over 70,000,000 at the box office. So he still has an audience, thus the new Rambo movie... ugh. I still say Boooo to Rocky and Rambo sequels!

There is at least one original movie coming out this summer that I can't wait to see... that is El Cantante (August 1). This one is more for you Salsa Buffs out there. This is the Story of Legendary Salsa Sonero Hector Lavoe. As a fan of his music, I can't wait to see his story played on the big screen. And I think that Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez are the two perfect people to do it. Even though Marc looks like Skeletor... he is a salsa singer from the Bronx. If anyone can bring life to Hector's story, he can. And the music in this movie is going to be off the chain... I wonder if I can preorder the soundtrack...?

Anything I missed? What are you guys excited to see this summer?

Oscar Randomness

Yaaaaaaaaaaaye Jennifer Hudson!!! Her oscar speech was cool except for the toss off 'And Jennifer Holiday' afterthought thing... I mean, I am glad she recognized her, but it was clear that she forgot about her. Not a good look... but neither was her outfit. There is already a warrant out for her immediate arrest by the fashion police for her previous fashion disasters. This outfit put her on the most wanted list. Andre Leon Tally needs his azz beat for putting her in that mess... She woulda looked better in a bedazzled number by the House of Dereon ... lol

I had hoped that she would sing 'and I am telling you', but they didnt. Booooo! Why is she not singing this song live? Instead, they did a medley of Love You I do, Listen and Patience. Does Jennifer Hudson give you a little Aretha Franklin in her oversinging...? I still enjoyed the performance. I think Jennifer did well aside from occassional oversinging... Bey did good too, in her own way, (bless her heart... lol) As much as I believe she is talented, she needs not sing alongside anyone with Aretha like power. She gets drowned out a little. But I think she still did great. Jennifer has more power, but I do think Bey has better control. I look forward to seeing how experience performing will shape Jennifer...

And was it me, or did it seem like all of Anika Noni Rose's screaming at the end of patience was to say... HEY! LOOK AT ME! I CAN SING TOO!! WHAT ABOUT MEEEEEE?!? lol I love her in the movie... she is very talented, but she was wearing me out a little... in that Mary J Blige at the grammy's kinda way... lol

WHAT ABOUT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?!?!?!?

Speaking of a combination of great and whackness... Jennifer Holiday sang 'And I Am Telling You' outside the oscars... on some terrace across the street or something on E!... She sounded great. And she looked great too (aside from looking a little post stroke-ish, her hair and make-up were great). But, you have to admit... this was kinda bootleg. I mean, you were on someone's rooftop across the street. There were spectators closer to the oscars than she was. Thats not even B, C, or D list... that is like V-list when the closest you can get is across the street on a rooftop... And what made it worse was when they panned down to the red carpet and they were just-a-carryin'-on like business as usual, like Jennifer Holiday wailing on a rooftop across the street was regular street noise. Peeps werent even stopping to watch... lol Here is the performance... see for yourself. (And did anyone else peep that she is singing it in a lower key than normal... maybe its just my ears... but people who sing or know music know what I am talking about.)

OTHER RANDOM OSCAR QUESTIONS>>>

Isnt it interesting how UN-Miranda-Priestly Meryl Streep is in real life with that HUGE ugly klunky necklace that she probably got at a 'big hideous necklace convention'... lol

 
(Meryl Streep as the 'smart, fat, size 6 girl', Nicole Kidman as the 'Clacker'...lol)

Was it me or was the clip they showed of Eddie Murphy really the best 10 seconds of his acting in the film? I mean... dayum. That clip was whack. Of course he aint win... Did you see the look on Eddie's face after they showed the clip? It was even on HIS face, like... is that the best you can do?

Does everyone in Hollywood call Martin Scorscese, Marty? And don't 'Marty's' fluffy black eyebrows, white hair and tuxedo make him look a little like the Muppet, Statler (one of the old hecklers in the balcony)?

 

How the hell did Forest Whitaker get as far as he did with his wandering eye? Ummm... for real, I hate watching him in movies... I hate the way he speaks... I hate his wandering eye... I hate his black lips... I hate his black gums...  (oh wait, thats from Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood ... lol) I say all this to say... ilk. I dont want to hate on a brother winning lead actor... but... fukk it. I wanted Will to win. Get your dayum eye fixed or wear tinted shades like Musiq Soulchild. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(He should change his name to Forest Wandering-eye...)

Overall... the oscars were boring. I love Ellen. But I guess acting award shows arent going to be like music with explosions and people coming down from the ceiling... If there arent any black actors (with non-wandering eyes) nominated next year, I probably wont watch.

New Music Pre-Release

I just got some new music from Rocka over at RockaCandy.com. (I love my friends, they are soooo cool, AND they always hook me up... lol) I got the NEW John Legend, New JoJo (the little girl that was on Oprah a few years back that can sing her little behind off...) and Omarion's new 21 album.

First of all, let me just say... that... I love John Legend. He just has this soulful way about his music that transcends time. You can play his tracks now, or plug it into a 70's black movie, and it still works. And this album is no different.  Here is a sample of my favorite tracks, Heaven, Each Day is Better, and Another Again... I love, love, love the album.

For those of you open to teeny bopper music, JoJo's the High Road, is a cute album. I love her voice and her riffs and runs. She kinda has this ease with her runs that usually comes from a background in the black church choir... but she does it to bubble gum pop music. I cant listen to it all the time, but when I am in a light mood, her album is a good look. For what it is... it is an excellent album. She has a edge to her, and I like it.

Omarion's 21 album... eh. I am not pressed. After loving 'Entourage' to death... it took FOREVER to put the album out. All the buzz is gone from Entourage, and the album is not even out yet. Poor execution of the album and its release. He needs to get new promo peeps and plan better. And after all this waiting, I am not pressed. Entourage stands out to me... the rest is a blur of blah.

I would put the whole albums up here in the player for you to check out but its too much work putting all the files up. Sorry guys.

Also... on a totally different topic, almost... After hearing other peeps say that Jennifer Hudson version of Jennifer Holiday's 'And I am telling you' can't touch the original... but after hearing it myself, I think the younger Jennifer did a DAYUM good job, and that those who say she aint touch the original are all HATERS! How can you listen to this girl singing her heart out and not feel it? No, its not exactly like Ms. Holiday's, but it shouldn't be. To take a wonderful song and make it your own, and still do a great job. Mission accomplished Miss Hudson. I can't wait to see the movie. I am randomly hearing oscar buzz about her performance in the movie. Who knows if there is any validity to it, but if her acting is as heartfelt as her singing performance, I wouldnt doubt it.

Check out the track in the player above for yourselves and you tell me if she didnt do a good job.