June 2001 Week of June 29th thru July 6th

(June: Main Page * Features * Reviews * Gallery ) Current Issue * Archive

In The Spotlight

Confessions of an Aspiring Filmmaker ... "LUMUMBA should win an Oscar for something so tell me how it didn't win the award for Best International Film?" by Brandi Smith One Week In Acapulco "In a community where homophobia still plays a major role socially, "One Week" comes direct in it's dealings with an epidemic that is affecting young African-Americans at an alarming rate." by Neil Hodges   EXCLUSIVE - Part IV of IV Excerpts from "Babies & Fools" The Burning of Superflyville - New 6/22 ! Unfortunately, my own gangster boogie moves were slightly more awkward, having already banged Jodie in the head with my elbow when Hell Up in Harlem was playing... by Michael A. Gonzales     EXCLUSIVE - Part III of IV Excerpts from "Babies & Fools" The Burning of Superflyville - New 6/01 ! Closing my eyes, I fantasized about the future Bomb Squad movie: its about these kids in Harlem who fight the man with aerosol cans as we spread the joy of Black Power with the fine art of graffiti. Of course at the end of the flick I would get the chick. by Michael A. Gonzales   EXCLUSIVE - Part II of IV Excerpts from "Babies & Fools" The Burning of Superflyville - New 5/25 !   "Hear Freddy's been at it again," laughed ma, pouring glasses of Yargo sangria. "I don't know what's worse, him messing with those young girls, who are taking his money or all the cash he owns Big Daddy... by Michael A. Gonzales   John Singleton and USC Honor their Own - New 5/17 !   Critically-acclaimed filmmaker John Singleton, writer / director / producer of the much anticipated summer film, “Baby Boy” took time from his demanding soundtrack production schedule to toast student scholars and awardees as Honorary Chairman of the 23rd Annual USC Black Alumni Association (BAA) Scholarship Gala 2001...  By Roslyn J. Bradford (Los Angeles)     EXCLUSIVE - Part I of IV Excerpts from "Babies & Fools" The Burning of Superflyville - New 5/17 !  The winter moon was a yellow stain across the sky, softly illuminating the countless storefronts lining the sidewalk. Coming outta The Oasis after going to pick-up some loot from mommy, I could still hear Red Jackson talking in his bellowing Little Caesar/James Cagney voice, stirring stardust echoes in my head... by Michael A. Gonzales   Writers and AMPTP Reach a Tentative Agreement - New 5/11 !  Brewmeister Heineken is spending an estimated $10 Million... The Acapulco Black Film Festival - New 4/13 !  The Acapulco Black Film Festival is a celebration of the cinematic work of Black filmmakers and artists. The ABFF offers a competitive showcase of independent Black cinema from around the world....

In Their Own Words

ONE-ON-ONE WITH DR2’S RAVEN: ONE PEACH OF A TEEN - New 6/22 ! I like television because you get to stay with the people for a longer period of time and you create a bond. In "Dr. Dolittle 2", I created a bond with my little sister, and although we still have it, I don’t get to see her every day like I did, and I miss her. But with "Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper", I saw them for four years, and it’s just a tighter bond. Interviewed by Roslyn Bradford     An Interview with Don Cheadle - New 6/22 ! Don Cheadle first caught out attention playing "Mouse" in "Devil in a Blue Dress." It’s a role he should have been nominated for, but that’s another story. Since then, he has been blessed with lots of good parts including last year’s role as a cop in the widely acclaimed film "Traffic." Now he’s back playing yet another cop in "Swordfish". Interviewed by Wilson Morales   Interview with Melvin James - New 6/22 ! Melvin James was chosen to direct "Honeybee" based on his skills and experience. He shares his thoughts with blackfilm.com Interviewed by Wilson Morales         Halle Berry : Taking a new direction in her own life and career - New 6/22 ! Halle Berry has been around for years, but it is the Dorothy Dandridge film that made Hollywood eyes open up. With the acclaim of that film and her new marriage to singer Eric Benet, Halle is ready to take on life and career with a new direction. Interviewed by Wilson Morales     Billy Dee Williams : The Legend Speaks on "The Visit" - New 4/20 ! "When I read the script I was really caught up in the emotion of the storytelling. And that’s what this movie is about. " ... Interviewed by Habiba Q & A With Carl Brashear: The Man of Honor - New 4/13 ! CARL BRASHEAR has the kind of story that lends itself to legend. His real-life achievements are the stuff that screenwriters would sell their soul to create and actors would fight to portray. Listen up - this man's got a story to tell. Interviewed by Sekou "Amour Infinity" : Rappin with Actor-Director Jerry LaMothe - New 4/13 ! In the film industry, the road to success isn't so easy. After winning awards at film festivals, actor/director Jerry LaMothe has decided to self distribute his film "Amour Infinity" and see if there is an audience out there besides the festival crowd. He shares with blackfilm.com his views on the film and the industry... Interviewed by Wilson Morales It's a Hard Knock Life : An Interview with Gary Hardwick - New 3/23 ! Interviewed by Wilson Morales (New York) AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN in CINEMA : March 15th thru March 18th - Manhattan - New 3/16 ! Terra Renee, shares with blackfilm.com her reasons for Creating the African-American Women in Cinema Conference and Festival. Interviewed by Wilson Morales (New York)     Rock This : A Q&A with Chris Rock "I was never booed at the Apollo, but I've been booed before. I was booed at a club called IBEX in D.C. Booing is not that bad, it is the silence that bothers you. At least booing is a reaction. You've got to treat the crowd like you treat your women. Women don't mind when you argue, they hate it when you don't argue." Interviewed by Wilson Morales (New York) Regina King - Talented Beyond Measure : A Q & A with Regina King "I'm co-producing a movie, a coming of age piece called MY TRIBE IS LOST and although I was trying to stay away from playing a mother again, this role spoke to me." Interviewed by Wilson Morales (New York) Hill Harper is Fearless in the Active State of Being : A Q&A with Hill Harper   If you have seen his work in LOVING JEZEBEL, HE GOT GAME or THE NEPHEW, then you know Hill is thorough at his craft. For those of you that have not seen him perform, don't miss him in THE VISIT from Urbanworld Films. Interviewed by Shelby Jones (Washington D.C.)

Articles Film Duds : May offered some real duds - New 5/25 ! It’s Kellye Time! I’m back with the latest addition of “Film Duds.” Current fashion accessory of the moment: The BDL - Best Dressed List. by Kellye Whitney (Chicago)   Being British - New 5/11 ! I've decided I want to become British. And, for me, the final straw was TOM GREEN. by Scott Southard (Los Angeles) Film Duds (Debut) : Film and Fashion - New 4/13 ! "Film Duds" is a testament to my love of film and fashion. This column is meant to be humorous commentary on the ever-changing and frequently wild relationship between clothes and movies, celebrities and designers. Fashion and film are intrinsically intertwined. You'll see. by Kellye Whitney (Chicago) MOVIE RULES - New 4/13 ! For rule Number Thirteen, I must pay homage to the original FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH - the simple rule is that it is the horror champ. Jason was never as scary as his knife-wielding deranged soccer mom. by Shelby J. Jones (Washington D.C.) My Take on What The Oscars Will Do - New 3/23 ! Ever since I had to watch "Titanic" walk away with the award, this big prize has always made me squirm. by Scott Southard (Los Angeles) HABLAME : The Latin Flow on Blackfilm.com - New 3/23 ! This NEW FEATURE @ blackfilm.com will deliver news and information about Latino films, actors, directors, stage plays and more. . We would like to thank Elaine Del Valle for contributing the first article to a section that we hope will grow with us. Thanks Elaine. DA SPANISH MOB Adds Latino Flava To A New York City Stage by Elaine Del Valle (New York) A Lament for Scooby - New 3/16 ! "One of those golden childhood memories is truly being destroyed by Hollywood. The implication of it can't help but boggle the mind." by Scott Southard Black Velveteen With Black Velveteen, a brother is on a mission: not only to flip my own old school memories like a hoodrat folklorist, but also to put into perspective how much the revolutionary sound and visions of the Superfly-era is still living large in our imaginations today. by Michael Gonzales (New York) Poppin Off on Pop Culture : This week's annoyance is The 43rd Annual Grammy Awards "Madonna looked good but will somebody make Lil' Bow Wow go away? And how can you produce that much attitude at such a young age? Why do you have to be that pissed off at that age? Maybe your ice cream fell off the cone or your having trouble reaching the next level on your Gameboy Pokemon?" THE SOUNDGARDEN - Q & A's with Today's Musicians Branford Marsalis is playing the Sax - Listen up. "My first performance was at a club called the Horse in New Orleans in 1974. We had an R&B band called The Creators. We played on a Monday night for the door, and made 75 cents each. We used it to catch the bus home." by Shelby J. Jones (Washington D.C.)