The World is a Little Less 'Fast & Furious': RIP Paul Walker

 I'm BAAAAAACK!!!!! I've been busy running my magazine Sista's Keeper but I'm back on my blog game...I just wish that it were under better circumstances :-(

The entertainment world unexpectedly lost one of it's brightest stars this past Saturday when Fast and the Furious star Paul Walker died in a fiery car crash in Santa Clarita, CA. He was riding in a Porsche driven by his business partner, Roger Rodas who also died in the crash after the car burst into flames. Sources believe that a mechanical failure may have led to the crash.

Walker was set to film additional scenes for Fast & Furious 7 which was scheduled to be released in the next year or two. Co-stars such as Vin Diesel, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson & Jordana Brewster all tweeted their shock, sadness. & tributes to him. Tyrese even broke into tears when he visited the crash site days later. 

I think that there is NO WAY that they can continue filming the 7th installment of F&F, especially since Walker was supposed to film key scenes and is a MAIN character in the franchise. Even killing off his character, Brian, would be insensitive especially since he died in a car accident himself. This is not like when Heath Ledger died after filming The Dark Knight and they still released the movie. 

It took me a couple days to write this post because I was truly a fan of Paul Walker & I guess I was in shock. One of my favorite franchises from the past few years is the Fast and the Furious & he was the star alongside Vin Diesel. He also starred in another favorite of mine, which is Takers with Idris Elba & Michael Ealy. 

I'm also sad because he was one of my "white boos"...I only have 3: Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Justin Timberlake & the late Paul Walker. Aside from being a great actor, he was one of the sexiest actors in Hollywood with dreamy blue eyes & a beautiful smile (my weakness). 

In the wake of his death, people overflowed social media with RIP messages & photo tributes, but the most chilling of them all was the meme that was created with an ironic quote from Walker considering the nature of his death: 

"If one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I will be smiling."

My prayers & condolences go out to both families, especially Walker's only child, Meadow. Rest in peace Paul Walker...You will be missed!!!!! 

~Elle Shanice~

VH1's TLC Movie Has Great Cast Potential

I'm BAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!! It's been a minute since I did a post & my life has been CrAzY hectic lately but I'm here with a new topic and my same 2¢.

I was excited to hear that VH1 was making a movie about my FAVORITE girl group of all time, TLC. I was also anxious to see who they would cast to play the iconic members, especially my FAV the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

Sidora could pull off T-Boz with the right hair & clothes. 

It was announced that actress/singer Drew Sidora would be playing Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, rapper Lil' Mama would be playing Left Eye and Keke Palmer would play Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas. I happen to think that this was AMAZING casting and you never know what they can do with special effects, hair and makeup.

I knew Drew Sidora from season 1 of "The Game" so I recognized the name when I heard she would be playing T-Boz. I think she can pull off T-Boz's cool and laid-back style with the right hair and clothes.

Palmer can pull of the youthful Chilli. 

Keke Palmer is one of my FAVORITE young entertainers out right now. I actually thought of her first to play Chilli because she can sing, dance and is perfect to play the youthful one (who hasn't aged a DAY since the last album).

The only casting choice that people seem to be questioning is Lil' Mama to play Left Eye, but I think that it's because Left Eye has passed and people don't think that Lil' Mama can pull off acting. I happen to think that Lil' Mama gets a bad rap because of her first single "Lip Gloss" and that she has never really been taken seriously (especially after going onstage during a Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performance). However, I do think that she can redeem herself and bring something to this role. She will surprised a lot of people with this one and hopefully it will help her generate interest in her music again.

I think Lil' Mama can pull off Left Eye. 

The three say that they are all fans of TLC, which gives me hope that they will do their best in the movie. I also hope that they know that these three women, T-Boz, Left Eye and Chilli were three INCREDIBLE personalities and characters in their own right, not to mention together 

I have been a fan of TLC since the very beginning in 1992 (I was only 4 years old, mind you). I own the CD of EVERY TLC album, Ooooooohhh...On the TLC Tip, CrazySexyCool, FanMail, and 3D. My very first concert was theirs, when they were on tour with MC Hammer and Boyz II Men. I've followed them until this day, seen the Behind the Music special many times so I know their story. I hope that these three do a great job.

Michelle Rodriquez Makes "Trashy" Comment About Black Actors

Michelle Rodriguez says that you have to be "trashy and black"  to get an Oscar nod.

There is nothing that gets me MORE upset than people making ignorant comments to get attention or just to get their name in the news. That's what I thought when I heard about actress Michelle Rodriguez saying that you have to be trashy and black to win an Oscar or even be nominated.

When asked about Nicole Kidman's performance in the new movie The Paperboy, Rodriguez said: 

“I f-----g loved it,” the actress said. “One of my friends said, ‘She’s going to get nominated for an Oscar for that.’ I was like, ‘Nah, man. She’s not Black!’”
“I laugh, but it’s also very sad,” she reportedly continued. “It makes me want to cry. But I really believe. You have to be trashy and black to get nominated. You can’t just be trashy.”

I cannot believe that someone can make such a blatantly ignorant comment, like there have been as many black Oscar nominees as white or any other race. In the categories of Best Actor, Best Actress, and the supporting roles, there have only been 14 African-American winners and 60 nominees. Yes there have been more actors & actresses nominated, that include Will Smith, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson among others, but you have to take into account that many of those nominees have more than one nomination, such as:

• Sidney Poitier (2 for Best Actor)
• Morgan Freeman (3 for Best Actor & 2 for supporting) 
• Denzel Washington (3 for Best Actor & 2 for supporting)

Also, if you want to get into the type of roles that are selected for nominations, that should not be looked at as a diss to African-American actors but to the industry and Academy that chooses them. If she is referring to Halle Berry in Monster's Ball or Monique in Precious, then you have to consider that those are the roles and stories that have to be played and told. Some one has to do it and they do it WELL, so why put the "trashy" label on the black roles? It's just not fair.

What are these "trashy and black" roles that Rodriguez speaks of?????? Is she speaking just with black female actresses or roles? Dorothy Dandrige in Carmen Jones was NOT trashy! Viola Davis in The Help was NOT trashy! Diahann Carroll in Claudine was NOT trashy! Queen Latifah in Chicago was NOT trashy! 

So Ms. Rodriguez, the FACT of the matter is that Nicole Kidman already HAS an Oscar (The Hours, 2002) so not being nominated for this role will not hurt her. However, NOT having a black actress win Best Actress until Halle Berry in 2001 and NOT another winner in the 11 years since is hurting US.

Maybe Michelle Rodriquez should take a look at this moment when Halle Berry thanked all the women who came before her like Dorothy Dandrige & Diahann Carroll and even those who were alongside her and will come after her. This moment was FAR from "trashy":  

Andre 3000 To Play Jimi Hendrix

It's May & you know what that means...A POST A DAY IN MAY!!!!! I will have a blog post for you EVERY DAY this month so STAY TUNED...

It has been reported that Andre 3000 will play the late rock & roll legend Jimi Hendrix in a movie about his life. When I heard about this, I thought that he would be PERFECT for this role because the two have so many similarities.

This could be a BIG role or Andre 3000, who has made a solid jump to acting in movies like "Four Brothers". Just like with Jamie Foxx, who won an Oscar with his spot-on portrayal of Ray Charles in "Ray", this could not only e a BREAKOUT part for Andre 3000.

It could also help give insight into the troubled life of Hendrix who died at the age of 27. Not only do Andre 3000 & Jimi Hendrix look alike (just like Jamie Foxx & Ray Charles), but the talent similarities are there as well. Andrew 3000 knows how to play the guitar so that will make it look more real instead of someone pretending.

I look forward to seeing what they do with this movie. Not only is Andre 3000 1/2 of one of my FAV hip hop groups (Outkast) but he is a great actor & not bad to look at either :-)

"Good Deeds" Gone BAD

~Elle Shanice~ Grade: B-

You know how people say that Tyler Perry makes the same movies over and over? Well I'm starting to believe that is true.

I wasn't really excited to see his latest movie, Good Deeds because I felt that I already knew what would happen: Tyler Perry's character would fall in love with this other woman and his fiance' would get mad. That's pretty much what happened.

I see that Tyler Perry is trying some different things and I have to give him credit because he is the biggest name in black cinema. However, I felt that the movie was trying too hard to tell such a simple story of Wesley Deeds, a man who does not live his own life but the life that he was raised to live.

He has the perfect fiance' Natalie (played by Gabrielle Union) and the perfect job (CEO of his late father's company) but he is not happy inside. He does not realize this, of course, until he meets Lindsey (played by Thandie Newton). She is a free-spirited janitor in Deeds' building who has to hide her 6-year-old daughter in the closet while she works because they are homeless and living out of her car. It was cool to see them get to know each other and for her to help him get in touch with his reality but it a plot that was drawn out for too long.

First of all, the movie opens up with a Tyler Perry shower scene (Ewwwww!!!!!) with this dramatic monotoned monologue that showed his tendency to OVER act. Secondly, I'm not nor have I ever been a fan of Gabrielle Union which made the movie hard to watch for me as well. I can't explain my disdain for her but just know that I don't really like her, although I don't know her personally. All of that made for a VERY awkward sex scene between the two of them...SMH

The best part of the movie to me was the tension between Deeds and his alcoholic, bad-tempered brother Walter (OVER played by Brian White). It was funny to see the two go back and forth as the younger brother was jealous that Wesley was running the company.

Despite how I feel about it, the movie did pretty good over the weekend, earning $16 million and opening at #2 in the box office. That means that people went to see the movie and we know Tyler Perry can fill the movie chairs.

~Elle Shanice~ APPROVED ✔: Safe House

~Elle Shanice~ Grade: A-

Every so often, a movie comes along that makes me eager to see it just based off of the television preview. The last one was Red Tails and now Safe House, starring (my favorite actor) Denzel Washington & Ryan Reynolds.

I love suspense films that keep you on the edge of your seat, and this movie did not disappoint. You have to pay attention from the very beginning because if you miss something, you will be trying to gather the clues the whole movie.

Washington plays Tobin Frost, an ex-CIA spy who has "gone rogue" after selling intelligence information to the enemy. He has been on the loose for years, but mysteriously shows up in South Africa.

Matt Weston (Reynolds) is the "housekeeper" of a safe house who is waiting for his chance to show what he can do as an agent. He is dedicated to the agency and insists on following protocol...NO matter what.



When Frost is brought to Weston's safe house, it is attacked by a group of men after him. Weston must escape w/ Frost and get to an alternate location. The mind games begin as Frost asks Weston what he is willing to do for the name of the agency.

The best part of the movie was when Weston, at Frost's yielding, begins to question who he can trust in the industry and has to go away from what he's been taught to survive. In the process, he uncovers corruption and has to defy the officials that he has been trained to listen to.

Safe House is another action-packed thriller that shows Denzel Washington in his rare bad guy role. Reynolds also makes a name for himself on the action side. Check out the trailer below & go see the movie:

~Elle Shanice~ APPROVED ✔: Columbiana

~Elle Shanice~ grade: B+

Don't mess with Zoe Saldana!!!!!

While I wasn't completely sold on her as an action star at first or that she could carry this kind of movie by herself, I wanted to see this movie because this was the first time that I can remember a black woman (though she's not really black...I still claim her LOL) who starred in an action movie.

Columbiana was more than I expected and while it has the same basic elements of the overdone revenge action movie, it tells a new story in a new way with a new setting.

Saldana plays Cataleya, an assassin from Columbia who is ruthlessly trying to find and kill the man who had her parents murdered when she was nine years old. She goes around the world killing people who have done her wrong while trying to track down the man responsible for her parents' death.

I have liked Saldana since she was in Drumline and Center Stage and thought she was a good fit because of her Spanish heritage. She was able to pull off the stunts and still be sexy and agile.

Vartan & Saldana's characters share an intimate moment. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Spanish twist with this movie when it mixes the two cultures, as well as seeing eye-candy Michael Vartan as her love interest, Danny. She has an intimate but elusive relationship with him, as in he doesn't know her real name or what she does. She tries to have a real life and even opens up to him a little but the details of her mission keep her from that.

Overall, I thought that the movie was interesting and while it may not satisfy the normal action movie buff, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to my ~Elle Shanice~ readers.

Check out the trailer below:

~Elle Shanice~ APPROVED ✔: The Help

Last week, I was fortunate to view an advanced screening of The Help while I was in Philadelphia for the 2011 NABJ Convention. This was the most anticipated session for me & I made it there early to get a good seat.

In the movie, Abilieen (Viola Davis) & Minny (Octavia Spencer) are two friends who are maids in Mississippi during the 1960's. They are just what you expect: making their lives work while holding together someone else's. Both of the women agree to speak to Skeeter (Emma Stone) for a book that she wants to write from the point of view of "the help". The book stirs up controversy in the town as more maids come forward to tell their stories.

First things first, I haven't read the book version but I know that it is FICTIONAL...it was NOT based on any personal accounts from real people. That being said, this movie was PHENOMENAL and a varied mix of emotions. I laughed & cried but most of all, it made me think:

I appreciate women like Abilieen & Minny who came before me as black women so that I don't have to go through and deal with blatant ignorance from that time. In fact, I realized that I couldn't have lived in this time where white women could talk to us ANY kind of way, especially when we did SO much for them (like raise their children). I wouldn't have been able to hold my tongue against all of the ignorance in that time.

Some people were upset that such a great actress like Viola Davis was subject to playing maids but it is not a bad thing to me. It's a period piece & these things were going on then. The fact that Viola Davis is an Oscar-nominated actress makes it better & you REALLY see her acting chops in this one. She makes you FEEL Abilieen down to her soul & I wouldn't be surprised if she is nominated for another Oscar (& actually WIN this time). Also, Octavia Spencer gives a GREAT performance as sassy Minny, who is as caring and compassionate as she is no-nonsense & blunt.

Even though racism still exists, this is a survival story that all people can appreciate. EVERYONE go see this movie!!!!!

~Elle Shanice~ grade: A

~Elle Shanice~ APPROVED ✔: Single Ladies

If you didn't like VH1's new series, Single Ladies, then all I can say is don't watch it. But if you did watch the premiere episode, then you were part of the record-breaking 2.8 viewers of the 2-hour movie that will be followed by a TV show.

Some people have said that the acting was bad and the story lines do nothing but perpetuate stereotypes about black women. I think that you are reading too much into it and ignoring that there are women like these characters in the world.

The show is based in Atlanta and follows the lives of 3 "single ladies" (well one is married but cheating, so I guess that counts). Of course it had its share of cameos from ATL celebs like Kandi Burruss and Jermaine Dupri. The show is produced by my girl Queen Latifah so I am willing to wait it out and give the show a chance.

Val (played by my girl and Twitter follower Stacey Dash) owns her own clothing store in Atlanta and was dumped by her 5-year boo Quinn in the 1st few minutes of the movie, setting up emotional baggage for her that will keep her storyline intact, including a rebound one-night stand with a random white dude. She gets the predictable pregnancy scare but she is my favorite character though because she shakes off her hurt and vulnerability long enough to tell off her ex. It will be interesting to see how her character develops in the

Keisha (LisaRaye McCoy) is a Samantha Jones-type character like from Sex & the City: she tries to play the man roles and control her relationships but she might be falling for someone that she truly likes. I didn't like that they made her a veteran video girl (& by "veteran" I mean needs to sit down) but she has her own drama that I would like to see play out in the series.

My least favorite character is April (played by Charity Shea), who is the white girl in the group and honestly does the most dirt. She is married to a black man who adores her and does everything for her but is cheating on him with the mayor (played by my boo Common). I wanted to like her but the way that she treats the good man that she has over some other dude...I just couldn't stomach it.

I won't be too quick to judge the show off of the 1st episode/movie but I will say that there has been a LOT of criticism about it and I would hate to see another black show fall by the wayside. 

I Can't Wait To See "For Colored Girls"

November 5th can't get here fast enough!!!!!  I can't say that I am a fan of ALL Tyler Perry projects, but this movie has me excited and I think that this could be his best work yet. If this movie is as good as it looks, then he should seriously consider JUST producing dramatic films.

Other than the fact that this movie has a star-studded cast with 2 of my FAVORITE actresses in it (Loretta Devine & Phylicia Rashad), the preview (below) has me waiting anxiously to see it and the website http://www.forcoloredgirlsmovie.com/ is AMAZING!!!!! They have these living portraits of each of the characters that gives you a glimpse into each character. Some of them are haunting, especially Kelly (played by Kerry Washington) and the pain in her eyes gave me chills. Good job TP!!!!! You have captured my interest yet again...but now you have to deliver.
 

"Just Wright" Gives Lesson About Finding True Love

As I watched the movie, I noticed that there were a lot of similarities between me & the main character. When Leslie went on a great date with a cute guy, everything seemed good, until he said that she would be the "perfect homegirl". He told her that he just got out of a relationship & that he wasn't ready for another one. When I heard him say that, it sounded vaguely familiar to me. 





I have heard this many times before from guys who think that I am someone that is cool to hang out with but they wouldn't date. Being a bigger girl, I usually use my personality to get guys' attention. I saw some of the same situations that I have been in before, like dressing comfortably for a basketball game and someone else telling me how to dress to catch a man. I felt that this story had a little piece of me in it all the way through. 


Queen Latifah stars as Leslie Wright, a physical therapist tired of being a guy's girl. She lives with her friend, Morgan (Paula Patton) who hopes to be an NBA trophy wife. After a Nets basketball game, Leslie helps star player, Scott McKnight (Common) at the gas station. He invites her to his birthday party, where she shows up with Morgan. He meets Morgan and suddenly takes an interest in her. After a quick relationship, Scott and Morgan end up being engaged. After Scott gets injured in the All-Star game, Leslie moves in to help with rehab. When rumors circulate that Scott may not be resigned, Morgan leaves him and Leslie continues to help him get better. 


I was so excited to see this movie because it was a movie about basketball and I love a good love story too. The previews were just enough to have me waiting to see it, plus the fact that Queen Latifah was gonna be in it. The icing on the cake was Common, who not only pulled off the roll of NBA player Scott McKnight but also looked FINE doing it. His silky voice and beautiful smile made it hard to turn away from the screen, plus the fact that he had the body to pass for an NBA player. He obviously had to work out and train for this movie :-) 
The movie was a little predictable but most romantic comedies are: boy meets girl; boy falls for girl's friend; friend leaves him & girl has to pick up the pieces; boy falls in love with girl & they live happily ever after. You fall in love with the characters easily and become invested in their story. It was a good love story with a message that true love wins every time and was funny from beginning to end. It gives us BIG girls some hope that you can find love by just being yourself. 

RZA adds another acting role to resume’

*This interview was originally published on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in The A&T Register*

By LaPorsha Lowry

Scene Editor

RZA, member of the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, is starring in the new film, “Repo Men” with Jude Law and Forrest Whitaker.
He also starred in “American Gangster” with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
The Grammy award-winning music producer, author, and rapper is adding to a blossoming movie career.
He has made cameo appearances in “Funny People” starring Adam Sandler and “Gospel Hill” starring Angela Bassett. He has also been considered for association in Quentin Tarantino’s next Kill Bill project. He will be making his director debut, “Man with the Iron Fist.”

He discussed his new movie and working with Oscar winners in a teleconference interview.

Q: How was your experience working with such great actors like Forrest Whitaker, Russell Crowe, and Denzel Washington, who are all Oscar winners?

A: It was a blessing to work with such an elite group of people.
Some actors don’t get a chance to work with such great talent.
I can say that I am pretty lucky to have been cast with such great people.

Q: What have you been able to take away from your acting experience and what have you been able to learn from these great actors?

A: Each time I do a movie, I learn something because I was really committed to it.
I wasn’t shy about asking questions if people had the time to give an answer.
Sometimes some of these actors are in zone and don’t want to be bothered.
Fortunately, I had some down time with some of the actors so I asked questions and I learned a lot.

Q: How is it to go from the legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan to having a blossoming movie career, which some rappers try to do but really succeed at it?

A: I am still at the beginning of my acting career so I still have a lot to prove. I am taking it real serious and not taking it for granted.
I don’t go into it thinking that I am going to get a job because I have a name and I am not taking what I did in the past to get ready for the future.
For the love of the craft, it always makes sense to commit to a job. I’m a person who sticks to commitment.
I have had jobs that have been both humbling and lucrative, but regardless each job has helped me one way or another financial, morally, spiritually, and to help me to increase my craft. I’m willing to learn everyday.

Q: How did it feel to be nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award with the cast from “American Gangster”?

A: That was a great ego boost. I’m new at acting so being nominated for an award that early on.
I felt truly honored to be sitting there at SAG awards with Cuba Gooding Jr., Ruby Dee, and Denzel Washington.
 Even though we didn’t win, I feel like I won something and I hope that one day I will be blessed with an award or my own.

Q:  What did you take away from your experience with this movie “Repo Men”, that comes out on Friday?

A: For me, the movie is current with all of the health care issues at the time.
Some people cannot afford medicine or have to choose between house and family or people in this movie make operation and these choices.
For instance, the guy has to make payments on his heart, but when he cannot pay the bill, the “repo men” come and take it. I never want to be in that situation where I lose everything so I do everything I can to avoid that situation.