[scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[ravenadal]

I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful.  Lil
Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's excellent
but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for
selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et al) in
2008.  

My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion.  That
Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter of
opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater owners
touted him for.  Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who
fills their seats and sells their popcorn.  Me, personally, I would
love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor work more because Mr. Ejiofor is an
amazing actor who is able to shed and assume many different skins.  I
daydream about creating roles for Mr. Ejiofor.  

But, like Lil Wayne's "snub" at the Grammies (eight nominations, 2
wins in the rap "ghetto"), the Oscars is the place to spank Big Willie
and to award the likes of Dame Dench (go Taraji P.! and, while we are
on the subject, does Taraji P. Henson go by Taraji P. to distinguish
herself from that OTHER Taraji Henson?).

That said, I continue to have nothing but admiration for how Mr. Smith
handles his business.  He is our Paul Newman, our Robert Redford, our
Clint Eastwood, heck, our Brad Pitt, and, too often, we not only fail
to see it - we fail to admire it.

And, to honor both Mr. Smith recent accomplishment and Mr. Saddiq's
late great band, let me say one mo' timeMoney! Mone! Moni!  Big
Willie Does It Again!

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson 
wrote:
>
> Well, like I said, Smith may get others in the seats, but I'm not
one of them. I don't see the problem. The list was of stars who seem
to bring a lot of people in, i'm simply saying Smith doesn't bring
*me* in, and then listed the stars that do. I could care less about
whether Judi Dench headlined a movie, I go to see good actors do good
work in good films. If more people quit focusing on superstars and
actually supported talent in all its forms, then more actors and
actresses would be seen for the talent they have. 
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "ravenadal"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:42:31 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada
Eastern 
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The
Box Office 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Clive Owen is one actor on your list below whose films are 
> consistently watchable but, for whatever reason, they are seldom box 
> office successes. Viggo Mortensen's "The History of Violence" is one 
> of my all-time favorites but it did diddly-squat at the box office. 
> 
> Your list of female movie stars makes me doubt you as a reliable 
> narrator. When was the last time Dame Judi Dench headlined a movie? 
> Heck, when was the last time Angela Bassett headlined a movie? Both 
> Kimberly Elise and Taraji P. Henson are fine actresses but neither can 
> open a movie. 
> 
> Will Smith's accolade was for his ability to consistently fill theater 
> seats. Let's not compare apples and oranges. 
> 
> ~rave! 
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson  
> wrote: 
> > 
> > 
> > Funny. He isn't a guaranteed big draw for me. Among male actors, I'm 
> much more likely to see a flick with Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, 
> Clive Owen, Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall. Maybe De Niro if it's not 
> Meet the Parents or Righteous Kill type crap. And I'd actually place 
> Clooney higher up on my list than Smith. In fact, I can't remember the 
> last time I saw a movie because Smith was in it. I saw "Hancock" and 
> "I Am Legend" because they were scifi, and "Hitch" because it was a 
> romantic comedy I could share with my wife. The other males below, 
> I'll certainly consider--especially Damon and Di Caprio--but depends 
> on the type of movie they're in. I will say, I do wish Christian 
> Slater were still doing good work, for he'd certainly be on my list. 
> > 
> > For female actors, my list would have to include Judi Dench, Angela 
> Bassett (keep hoping she finally finds the roles that utilize her 
> massive talent), Meryl Streep (who's really impressed me with her 
> continually good work as she gets older), Kimberly Elise (woefully 
> underappreciated actress), Taraji P. Henson (hard not to be engaged 
> with, even with unintentionally funny stuff like "He don't love me no 
> 'mo'!" in "Baby Boy"), Cate Blanchett, Jodi Foster, Queen Latifah 
> (good dramatic and comedic actress), Sanaa Lathan. 
> > 
> > They ought to list the actors guaranteed to kill a movie, to drive 
> people away. For me, that would include Adam Sandler (don't get his 
> humour), Pauly Shore (how does he get work?), Jim Carey (most of his 
> stuff is too manic for me), David Spade (loved him on TV, can't abide 
> his film work), Mila Jovovich (horrible movie choices), Kate Hudson 
> (she's sure to star in wretched romantic comedies that make you gag). 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > - Orig

[scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[ravenadal]

Dang!  I forgot to set my DVR!  I am locked and loaded for next week, doh!

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
>
> 
> I just watched it. Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?
> 
> Off the top of my head, it's very Whedon. It's well scripted and
clearly well thought out. It's a fine first episode and sets the good
tone for the rest of the series. I thought it pretty much kicked ass.
> 
> Bosco
>

[scifinoir2] Venture Bros Marathon

[ravenadal]

I think I fried my brain yesterday engaging in a "Venture Bros"
marathon, yesterday.  (Truth is, my brain was already fried from a
hellacious week at work - I am still employed but I am currently
expected to do the work three people used to do in half the time while
my two direct supervisors are engaged in a locked cage match to see
who will keep their job and thereby win the right to continue
micro-managing me (!) - so I was in the proper mood to vegetate). I
had all 39 episodes of the Cartoon Network's "The Venture Bros" on my
DVR (a fact I didn't realize until AFTER I had deleted more than half
of them after viewing) and I powered through 27 of them.

I earlier stated on this list that watching "The Venture Bros" was
like watching "Jonny Quest" on acid and that is no understatement! 
Watching the episodes in the order they were recorded, I realized I
had watched Season Three first and then began watching the totally
excellent episodes from Season One (with Season Two still to go).  

My two new favorite episodes are Season One, episode 7, "Ice Station -
Impossible," a wicked deconstruction of both "The Incredibles" and the
"Fantastic Four" ouvre and Season One, episode 10, "Tag Sale - You're
It!" wherein Dr. Venture holds a yard sale to raise money and all his
super powered friends and enemies come to pick up high tech bargains
(and chaos and hilarity ensue when Dr. Venture's arch enemy, The
Monarch, creates a diversion so he can use the bathroom inside the
Venture compound).

Choice bits in "Impossible" included the fact that the Invisible Girl
disappearing act is limited to her skin (revealing all the meat and
muscle underneath), the Human Torch bursts into flames AND
excruciating pain every time he is exposed to oxygen - not to mention
 the hilariously cruel death of Race Bannon - said program frequently
cuts back to little children riding a dead Bannon down the street
(every time the wind catches and inflates his parachute) while rifling
his pockets for cool super secret gadgets.  

Let me give a special shout out to episode 4, "The Incredible Mr.
Brisby," a devilish take on Roy Disney and the whole (evil) Disney
Empire and his struggle with the dilettante "Orange County Liberation
Front." 

I have twelve of season two to complete but, as I said at the onset,
my brain is currently deep fried.

~rave!

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[Mike Street]

Just finished watching it online. Loved it! Lots of good elements to
the show and Eliza Dushku is pretty good as Echo. Def. wanna see what
the last scene in the show leads to. This slightly reminds of me Dark
Angel however.

On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM, ravenadal  wrote:
> Dang! I forgot to set my DVR! I am locked and loaded for next week, doh!
>
> ~rave!
>
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
>>
>>
>> I just watched it. Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?
>>
>> Off the top of my head, it's very Whedon. It's well scripted and
> clearly well thought out. It's a fine first episode and sets the good
> tone for the rest of the series. I thought it pretty much kicked ass.
>>
>> Bosco
>>
>
> 



-- 

My Social Media Resume: http://www.visualcv.com/mikestreet

Visit my Blog: http://www.Greasyguide.com

Follow Me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1

[scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[ravenadal]

Thanks for the on-line reminder.  Help a brutha out with a link!

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Mike Street  wrote:
>
> Just finished watching it online. Loved it! Lots of good elements to
> the show and Eliza Dushku is pretty good as Echo. Def. wanna see what
> the last scene in the show leads to. This slightly reminds of me Dark
> Angel however.
> 
> On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM, ravenadal  wrote:
> > Dang! I forgot to set my DVR! I am locked and loaded for next
week, doh!
> >
> > ~rave!
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> I just watched it. Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?
> >>
> >> Off the top of my head, it's very Whedon. It's well scripted and
> > clearly well thought out. It's a fine first episode and sets the good
> > tone for the rest of the series. I thought it pretty much kicked ass.
> >>
> >> Bosco
> >>
> >
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> My Social Media Resume: http://www.visualcv.com/mikestreet
> 
> Visit my Blog: http://www.Greasyguide.com
> 
> Follow Me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1
>

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[Mike Street]

http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=dollhouse

here you go

On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 11:08 AM, ravenadal  wrote:
> Thanks for the on-line reminder. Help a brutha out with a link!
>
> ~rave!
>
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Mike Street  wrote:
>>
>> Just finished watching it online. Loved it! Lots of good elements to
>> the show and Eliza Dushku is pretty good as Echo. Def. wanna see what
>> the last scene in the show leads to. This slightly reminds of me Dark
>> Angel however.
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM, ravenadal  wrote:
>> > Dang! I forgot to set my DVR! I am locked and loaded for next
> week, doh!
>> >
>> > ~rave!
>> >
>> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> I just watched it. Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?
>> >>
>> >> Off the top of my head, it's very Whedon. It's well scripted and
>> > clearly well thought out. It's a fine first episode and sets the good
>> > tone for the rest of the series. I thought it pretty much kicked ass.
>> >>
>> >> Bosco
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> 
>> My Social Media Resume: http://www.visualcv.com/mikestreet
>>
>> Visit my Blog: http://www.Greasyguide.com
>>
>> Follow Me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1
>>
>
> 



-- 

My Social Media Resume: http://www.visualcv.com/mikestreet

Visit my Blog: http://www.Greasyguide.com

Follow Me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[Keith Johnson]

I'm not arguing the facts, I'm simply adding my commentary. It would be as if 
someone had posted "Li'l Wayne is most successful rapper in America", and I 
then commented on how I don't like his music. It's an opinion, and i think it 
is germane when one moves beyond the facts to ask why Americans support the 
people they do. 

And I'm not hating on Smith. I feel the same way about him I always have, that 
he's a good actor and a great guy, but I tire of seeing him in every movie that 
comes down the pike. It's part of my larger frustration with how comfortable we 
get with what's fed to us. If I don't question and comment, then I might as 
well just blindly support anything Smith or Jolie does, like everyone else. 
Next thing, i'll be planning my days around popular-but-empty fare like 
"American Idol"! 


- Original Message - 
From: "ravenadal"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 10:00:01 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office 






I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. Lil 
Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's excellent 
but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for 
selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et al) in 
2008. 

My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion. That 
Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter of 
opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater owners 
touted him for. Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who 
fills their seats and sells their popcorn. Me, personally, I would 
love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor work more because Mr. Ejiofor is an 
amazing actor who is able to shed and assume many different skins. I 
daydream about creating roles for Mr. Ejiofor. 

But, like Lil Wayne's "snub" at the Grammies (eight nominations, 2 
wins in the rap "ghetto"), the Oscars is the place to spank Big Willie 
and to award the likes of Dame Dench (go Taraji P.! and, while we are 
on the subject, does Taraji P. Henson go by Taraji P. to distinguish 
herself from that OTHER Taraji Henson?). 

That said, I continue to have nothing but admiration for how Mr. Smith 
handles his business. He is our Paul Newman, our Robert Redford, our 
Clint Eastwood, heck, our Brad Pitt, and, too often, we not only fail 
to see it - we fail to admire it. 

And, to honor both Mr. Smith recent accomplishment and Mr. Saddiq's 
late great band, let me say one mo' timeMoney! Mone! Moni! Big 
Willie Does It Again! 

~rave! 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson  
wrote: 
> 
> Well, like I said, Smith may get others in the seats, but I'm not 
one of them. I don't see the problem. The list was of stars who seem 
to bring a lot of people in, i'm simply saying Smith doesn't bring 
*me* in, and then listed the stars that do. I could care less about 
whether Judi Dench headlined a movie, I go to see good actors do good 
work in good films. If more people quit focusing on superstars and 
actually supported talent in all its forms, then more actors and 
actresses would be seen for the talent they have. 
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "ravenadal"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:42:31 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada 
Eastern 
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The 
Box Office 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Clive Owen is one actor on your list below whose films are 
> consistently watchable but, for whatever reason, they are seldom box 
> office successes. Viggo Mortensen's "The History of Violence" is one 
> of my all-time favorites but it did diddly-squat at the box office. 
> 
> Your list of female movie stars makes me doubt you as a reliable 
> narrator. When was the last time Dame Judi Dench headlined a movie? 
> Heck, when was the last time Angela Bassett headlined a movie? Both 
> Kimberly Elise and Taraji P. Henson are fine actresses but neither can 
> open a movie. 
> 
> Will Smith's accolade was for his ability to consistently fill theater 
> seats. Let's not compare apples and oranges. 
> 
> ~rave! 
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson  
> wrote: 
> > 
> > 
> > Funny. He isn't a guaranteed big draw for me. Among male actors, I'm 
> much more likely to see a flick with Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, 
> Clive Owen, Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall. Maybe De Niro if it's not 
> Meet the Parents or Righteous Kill type crap. And I'd actually place 
> Clooney higher up on my list than Smith. In fact, I can't remember the 
> last time I saw a movie because Smith was in it. I saw "Hancock" and 
> "I Am Legend" because they were scifi, and "Hitch" because it was a 
> romantic comedy I could share with my wife. The other males below, 
> I'll certainly consider--especially Damon and Di Caprio--but depends 
> on the type of movie they're in. I will say, I do wish Christian 
> S

Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Justin Mohareb]

Wait, people are actually saying that?

Justin

On Sat, Feb 14, 2009 at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella
 wrote:
> Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is
> tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit
> cards
>

-- 
Read the Bitter Guide to the Bitter Guy.
http://thebitterguy.livejournal.com

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[Daryle Lockhart]

Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of hip- 
hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the Rap  
category  All  Black artists  who weren't doing jazz were competing   
in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go,  as there  
aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any  categories  
for musical  genres that  have really  pushed the creative  
boundaries,  like drum n bass or progressive electronic.  There  have  
been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in any  
thing pop's done since the 70s.


But anyway,  about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you read  
the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving him  
the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many factors. Will  
Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis.


This is actually really scary news for the business,  mainly because  
Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one actor  
in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell through  
to  home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the system  
before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing against Will  
Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the biggest  
movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd like to   
see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are  growing up   
not knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint   
Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is. There  is no other  actor who has  
mastered his craft and then gone on to master the craft of directing.  
He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle is. Look at  Cheadle's body  
of work and look at Redford's.  Cheadle can and does carry movies,  
and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new Tom  
Cruise,  and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And that's  
great.  But there are about 20  Black actors and actresses who can  
act circles around them both.  This chart  should be a wake-up call  
to the studio system to  bring things  back to the "Golden era".   
Every studio  should have a "Will Smith".




On Feb 15, 2009, at 10:00 AM, ravenadal wrote:


I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. Lil
Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's excellent
but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for
selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et al) in
2008.

My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion. That
Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter of
opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater owners
touted him for. Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who
fills their seats and sells their popcorn. Me, personally, I would
love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor work more because Mr. Ejiofor is an
amazing actor who is able to shed and assume many different skins. I
daydream about creating roles for Mr. Ejiofor.

But, like Lil Wayne's "snub" at the Grammies (eight nominations, 2
wins in the rap "ghetto"), the Oscars is the place to spank Big Willie
and to award the likes of Dame Dench (go Taraji P.! and, while we are
on the subject, does Taraji P. Henson go by Taraji P. to distinguish
herself from that OTHER Taraji Henson?).

That said, I continue to have nothing but admiration for how Mr. Smith
handles his business. He is our Paul Newman, our Robert Redford, our
Clint Eastwood, heck, our Brad Pitt, and, too often, we not only fail
to see it - we fail to admire it.

And, to honor both Mr. Smith recent accomplishment and Mr. Saddiq's
late great band, let me say one mo' timeMoney! Mone! Moni! Big
Willie Does It Again!

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson 
wrote:
>
> Well, like I said, Smith may get others in the seats, but I'm not
one of them. I don't see the problem. The list was of stars who seem
to bring a lot of people in, i'm simply saying Smith doesn't bring
*me* in, and then listed the stars that do. I could care less about
whether Judi Dench headlined a movie, I go to see good actors do good
work in good films. If more people quit focusing on superstars and
actually supported talent in all its forms, then more actors and
actresses would be seen for the talent they have.
>
>
> - Original Message -
> From: "ravenadal" 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 9:42:31 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada
Eastern
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The
Box Office
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Clive Owen is one actor on your list below whose films are
> consistently watchable but, for whatever reason, they are seldom box
> office successes. Viggo Mortensen's "The History of Violence" is one
> of my all-time favorites but it did diddly-squat at the box office.
>
> Your list of female movie stars makes me doubt you as a reliable
> narrator. When was the last time Dame Judi Dench headlined a movie?
> Heck, when w

Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Daryle Lockhart]

I'm in for "The International".  It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen  
thing, and that's cool. If  anyone's in a city where "Medicine For  
Melancholy"  is playing,  I can't recommend that film enough. It's  
wonderful. One of the better Black indies I've seen in a long time.



On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:



I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see  
"The International" on Monday as a nice thriller.


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

Yes, that's what I've heard as well.


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you  this long,  
she's sensitive to a little sci-fi, so  "Curious Case" is probably  
your best call.



On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:


Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying  
it is tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out  
multiple credit cards



From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com  
[mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson

Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"


Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"?  Hey...today is  
Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the  
"romantic comedy" bullet sometime soon!


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

"Curious Case"  was good. I  think you will  enjoy it. "Push" is a  
two hour Marvel Comic book written by a writer you  never  heard of  
but  an illustrator you  love. So it looks good,  but halfway in  
you  realize you've seen/read this all before. It  ain't the  
editing, it's the script. It's a rental.




On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:



Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last  
week. I haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that  
say it's a bit of a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was  
worried about the too-quick camera cuts!)
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't  
recall any reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the  
flick. Did anyone see it? How was it?


Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons  
and Coraline. Any thoughts on those?

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[Keith Johnson]

Thank you, that's my point, but you made it better. Rave--whom I respect 
tremendously--seems to feel we should just read the facts of the report, but 
not comment or critique what those facts mean and portend, or how we feel about 
them. In that case it's just a throwaway news article that should be ignored. 
It'd be like reading news articles the last eight years that said "Most 
Americans support Bush and his policies", then saying "Meh", and accepting it, 
instead of commenting and working to change things by opening peoples' eyes. 
(Okay, a bit of a stretch in that comparison, but I just spent all morning with 
the political talk shows!) 

You summed up my feelings better: it's great Smith does well, I like and 
respect him, but it scares me if he's the only actor seen as viable. And I'm 
sorry: I do think there's a great deal of laziness in culture where 
everyone--the purveyors of entertainment as well as the partakers of it--just 
stays with the same old same old. 

A big thing my wife has said for years is that she tires of seeing the same old 
faces in movies, even great actors. After a while, no matter how good that 
person is, she can't shake the knowledge that "I'm watching so-and-so do a 
great job". It's one reason we love small, indie, or foreign films with 
lesser-known or completely unknown actors. It's why I'm excited to see the 
buzzed-about French film "The Class": I have no clue who one single person in 
the flick is. It's why I remember "Mongul" so fondly: I didn't know a single 
actor in the movie, was able to lose myself. It's why movies like "The 
Visitor", "Frozen River", and "Waitress" stay with me long after I've forgotten 
the overhyped and overblown flicks like "Hancock" and "I Am Legend". They are 
solid acting efforts with men and women who are equal to--if not better 
than--the so-called A-listers. It also means that we get to see nuances of 
acting that simply can't be provided by Smith, Jolie, Pitt, Washington, etc., 
all the time 


- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:18 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box 
Office 






Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of hip-hop's main 
musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the Rap category All Black 
artists who weren't doing jazz were competing in the same category. The 
Grammies still have a way to go, as there aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so 
you don't have any categories for musical genres that have really pushed the 
creative boundaries, like drum n bass or progressive electronic. There have 
been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in any thing pop's 
done since the 70s. 


But anyway, about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you read the original 
Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving him the perfect 10. It's 
not just filling seats. It's many factors. Will Smith is a brand like Cary 
Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis. 


This is actually really scary news for the business, mainly because Will Smith 
is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one actor in the world who can 
consistently get a picture made and sell through to home video/downloads, it's 
probably time to revamp the system before we have another Tom Cruise on our 
hands. Nothing against Will Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper 
being the biggest movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd 
like to see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are growing up not 
knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint Eastwood. Clint 
Eastwood is. There is no other actor who has mastered his craft and then gone 
on to master the craft of directing. He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle 
is. Look at Cheadle's body of work and look at Redford's. Cheadle can and does 
carry movies, and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new Tom 
Cruise, and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And that's great. But 
there are about 20 Black actors and actresses who can act circles around them 
both. This chart should be a wake-up call to the studio system to bring things 
back to the "Golden era". Every studio should have a "Will Smith". 








On Feb 15, 2009, at 10:00 AM, ravenadal wrote: 







I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. Lil 
Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's excellent 
but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for 
selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et al) in 
2008. 

My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion. That 
Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter of 
opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater owners 
touted him for. Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who 
fills their seats and sells thei

Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Keith Johnson]

Hadn't even heard of "Medicine for Melancholy", thanks for the head's up! 

As for "The International", the McClatchy film critic--who's by default 
becoming almost the sole newspaper critic since many major dailies are 
eliminating the position---said something interesting about it. It said it was 
okay, a solid if unremarkable effort. But what got me was that he felt the need 
to note that it's a "slow" movie by today's standard. Part of the critique was 
actually that it's expository, that it's not a "Bourne" type flick. Now to be 
fair, I tend to think (hope?) that he wasn't favoring the new action-heavy spy 
movies, but was simply warning people who think Bourne is the new standard that 
this ain't that type of flick. But still, reading that made me so sad. It's 
like the latest Bond flick: some people decry its Bourne-type action, others 
say "at least it's exciting now". I found its focus on nausea-inducing quick 
shots and over-the-top action to be offputting after a while. I love great 
action in Bond movies, but I want them surrounded and supported by something 
approaching a good story and solid acting. Similarly, while most people hail 
the hyperactive third Bourne movie as the best of the franchise (and it was 
amazing with its action), I prefer the more balanced first movie. That one was 
suspenseful as we went along with Bourne to find out who he was, had a nice 
subplot with him pairing up with the lady, great intrigue with the shadowy 
government guys after him, and then bound it all up with satisfying action. 
That was a great spy flick to me, and it saddens me too that even with Bourne, 
people are slicing out just one aspect of the franchise to represent the whole. 


The thing is, Bourne is just one type of spy movie, and shouldn't be the 
default. Don't we have room for both suspenseful and action-heavy spy movies? 

- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 






I'm in for "The International". It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen thing, and 
that's cool. If anyone's in a city where "Medicine For Melancholy" is playing, 
I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the better Black 
indies I've seen in a long time. 





On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 







I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The 
International" on Monday as a nice thriller. 

- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 






Yes, that's what I've heard as well. 


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you this long, she's 
sensitive to a little sci-fi, so "Curious Case" is probably your best call. 





On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote: 









Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is tone 
death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit cards 





From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [ mailto:scifinoir2 @yahoogroups.com] On 
Behalf Of Keith Johnson 
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 




Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Hey...today is Valentine's, 
and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic comedy" bullet 
sometime soon! 

- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 




"Curious Case" was good. I think you will enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour Marvel 
Comic book written by a writer you never heard of but an illustrator you love. 
So it looks good, but halfway in you realize you've seen/read this all before. 
It ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a rental. 









On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 










Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last week. I 
haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a bit of a 
jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick camera 
cuts!) 
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't recall any 
reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the flick. Did anyone see 
it? How was it? 

Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons and 
Coraline. Any thoughts on those? 

Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Keith Johnson]

Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored", 
"Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep with Anger" in 
theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few blacks I 
know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres. You strike me as the 
type who may have sought them out... 


- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 






I'm in for "The International". It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen thing, and 
that's cool. If anyone's in a city where "Medicine For Melancholy" is playing, 
I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the better Black 
indies I've seen in a long time. 





On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 







I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The 
International" on Monday as a nice thriller. 

- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 






Yes, that's what I've heard as well. 


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you this long, she's 
sensitive to a little sci-fi, so "Curious Case" is probably your best call. 





On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote: 









Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is tone 
death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit cards 





From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [ mailto:scifinoir2 @yahoogroups.com] On 
Behalf Of Keith Johnson 
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 




Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Hey...today is Valentine's, 
and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic comedy" bullet 
sometime soon! 

- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 




"Curious Case" was good. I think you will enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour Marvel 
Comic book written by a writer you never heard of but an illustrator you love. 
So it looks good, but halfway in you realize you've seen/read this all before. 
It ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a rental. 









On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 










Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last week. I 
haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a bit of a 
jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick camera 
cuts!) 
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't recall any 
reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the flick. Did anyone see 
it? How was it? 

Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons and 
Coraline. Any thoughts on those? 


























 

Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Daryle Lockhart]

I've seen them all except "Delta". I  have Badass on DVD, which  is  
awesome becaus ethe interview with Van Peebles is so much better than  
the film.


Speaking of chasing down in theaters, I just got a copy of "Chameleon  
Street" on DVD and interviewed the director.  It'll be online soon  
to  check out and/or download by March.




On Feb 15, 2009, at 1:17 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:



Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were  
Colored", "Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or  
"To Sleep with Anger" in theatres when they came out? All are  
fabulous indie films that so few blacks I know saw, but which I  
loved and chased down in theatres. You strike me as the type who  
may have sought them out...



- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

I'm in for "The International".  It's Clive Owen doing his Clive  
Owen thing, and that's cool. If  anyone's in a city where "Medicine  
For Melancholy"  is playing,  I can't recommend that film enough.  
It's wonderful. One of the better Black indies I've seen in a long  
time.




On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:


I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see  
"The International" on Monday as a nice thriller.


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

Yes, that's what I've heard as well.


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you  this long,  
she's sensitive to a little sci-fi, so  "Curious Case" is probably  
your best call.



On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:


Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying  
it is tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out  
multiple credit cards



From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com  
[mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson

Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"


Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"?  Hey...today is  
Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the  
"romantic comedy" bullet sometime soon!


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

"Curious Case"  was good. I  think you will  enjoy it. "Push" is a  
two hour Marvel Comic book written by a writer you  never  heard of  
but  an illustrator you  love. So it looks good,  but halfway in  
you  realize you've seen/read this all before. It  ain't the  
editing, it's the script. It's a rental.




On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:



Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last  
week. I haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that  
say it's a bit of a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was  
worried about the too-quick camera cuts!)
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't  
recall any reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the  
flick. Did anyone see it? How was it?


Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons  
and Coraline. Any thoughts on those?

[scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[ravenadal]

Let me say this about that...the Grammy for best artist and best 
single ARE "ghetto" categories when you are the best selling artist of 
the year.  My position is that Lil Wayne should have had traction in 
the "Song of the Year" or the "Album of the Year" category and that 
T.I. should have swept the Rap category.  

To be "ghettoized" is to be relegated to one category and not to be 
allowed to transcend that category.  

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle Lockhart  wrote:
>
> Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of hip- 
> hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the Rap  
> category  All  Black artists  who weren't doing jazz were competing   
> in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go,  as there  
> aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any  categories  
> for musical  genres that  have really  pushed the creative  
> boundaries,  like drum n bass or progressive electronic.  There  
have  
> been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in any  
> thing pop's done since the 70s.
> 
> But anyway,  about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you read  
> the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving him  
> the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many factors. Will  
> Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis.
> 
> This is actually really scary news for the business,  mainly because  
> Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one actor  
> in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell 
through  
> to  home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the system  
> before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing against Will  
> Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the biggest  
> movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd like to   
> see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are  growing up   
> not knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint   
> Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is. There  is no other  actor who has  
> mastered his craft and then gone on to master the craft of 
directing.  
> He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle is. Look at  Cheadle's 
body  
> of work and look at Redford's.  Cheadle can and does carry movies,  
> and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new Tom  
> Cruise,  and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And that's  
> great.  But there are about 20  Black actors and actresses who can  
> act circles around them both.  This chart  should be a wake-up call  
> to the studio system to  bring things  back to the "Golden era".   
> Every studio  should have a "Will Smith".
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 10:00 AM, ravenadal wrote:
> 
> > I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. Lil
> > Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's 
excellent
> > but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for
> > selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et 
al) in
> > 2008.
> >
> > My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion. 
That
> > Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter 
of
> > opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater 
owners
> > touted him for. Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who
> > fills their seats and sells their popcorn. Me, personally, I would
> > love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor work more because Mr. Ejiofor is an
> > amazing actor who is able to shed and assume many different skins. 
I
> > daydream about creating roles for Mr. Ejiofor.
> >
> > But, like Lil Wayne's "snub" at the Grammies (eight nominations, 2
> > wins in the rap "ghetto"), the Oscars is the place to spank Big 
Willie
> > and to award the likes of Dame Dench (go Taraji P.! and, while we 
are
> > on the subject, does Taraji P. Henson go by Taraji P. to 
distinguish
> > herself from that OTHER Taraji Henson?).
> >
> > That said, I continue to have nothing but admiration for how Mr. 
Smith
> > handles his business. He is our Paul Newman, our Robert Redford, 
our
> > Clint Eastwood, heck, our Brad Pitt, and, too often, we not only 
fail
> > to see it - we fail to admire it.
> >
> > And, to honor both Mr. Smith recent accomplishment and Mr. 
Saddiq's
> > late great band, let me say one mo' timeMoney! Mone! Moni! Big
> > Willie Does It Again!
> >
> > ~rave!
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Well, like I said, Smith may get others in the seats, but I'm 
not
> > one of them. I don't see the problem. The list was of stars who 
seem
> > to bring a lot of people in, i'm simply saying Smith doesn't bring
> > *me* in, and then listed the stars that do. I could care less 
about
> > whether Judi Dench headlined a movie, I go to see good actors do 
good
> > work in good films. If more people quit focusing on superstars and
> > actually supported talent in all its forms,

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[Keith Johnson]

Wow, all this debate over an article focusing on Will Smith. Maybe I need to 
re-evaluate my assessment: maybe he *is* as influential as all that! 


- Original Message - 
From: "ravenadal"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:56:59 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office 






Let me say this about that...the Grammy for best artist and best 
single ARE "ghetto" categories when you are the best selling artist of 
the year. My position is that Lil Wayne should have had traction in 
the "Song of the Year" or the "Album of the Year" category and that 
T.I. should have swept the Rap category. 

To be "ghettoized" is to be relegated to one category and not to be 
allowed to transcend that category. 

~rave! 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Daryle Lockhart  wrote: 
> 
> Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of hip- 
> hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the Rap 
> category All Black artists who weren't doing jazz were competing 
> in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go, as there 
> aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any categories 
> for musical genres that have really pushed the creative 
> boundaries, like drum n bass or progressive electronic. There 
have 
> been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in any 
> thing pop's done since the 70s. 
> 
> But anyway, about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you read 
> the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving him 
> the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many factors. Will 
> Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis. 
> 
> This is actually really scary news for the business, mainly because 
> Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one actor 
> in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell 
through 
> to home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the system 
> before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing against Will 
> Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the biggest 
> movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd like to 
> see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are growing up 
> not knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint 
> Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is. There is no other actor who has 
> mastered his craft and then gone on to master the craft of 
directing. 
> He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle is. Look at Cheadle's 
body 
> of work and look at Redford's. Cheadle can and does carry movies, 
> and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new Tom 
> Cruise, and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And that's 
> great. But there are about 20 Black actors and actresses who can 
> act circles around them both. This chart should be a wake-up call 
> to the studio system to bring things back to the "Golden era". 
> Every studio should have a "Will Smith". 
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 10:00 AM, ravenadal wrote: 
> 
> > I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. Lil 
> > Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's 
excellent 
> > but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for 
> > selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et 
al) in 
> > 2008. 
> > 
> > My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion. 
That 
> > Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter 
of 
> > opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater 
owners 
> > touted him for. Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who 
> > fills their seats and sells their popcorn. Me, personally, I would 
> > love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor work more because Mr. Ejiofor is an 
> > amazing actor who is able to shed and assume many different skins. 
I 
> > daydream about creating roles for Mr. Ejiofor. 
> > 
> > But, like Lil Wayne's "snub" at the Grammies (eight nominations, 2 
> > wins in the rap "ghetto"), the Oscars is the place to spank Big 
Willie 
> > and to award the likes of Dame Dench (go Taraji P.! and, while we 
are 
> > on the subject, does Taraji P. Henson go by Taraji P. to 
distinguish 
> > herself from that OTHER Taraji Henson?). 
> > 
> > That said, I continue to have nothing but admiration for how Mr. 
Smith 
> > handles his business. He is our Paul Newman, our Robert Redford, 
our 
> > Clint Eastwood, heck, our Brad Pitt, and, too often, we not only 
fail 
> > to see it - we fail to admire it. 
> > 
> > And, to honor both Mr. Smith recent accomplishment and Mr. 
Saddiq's 
> > late great band, let me say one mo' timeMoney! Mone! Moni! Big 
> > Willie Does It Again! 
> > 
> > ~rave! 
> > 
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson  
> > wrote: 
> > > 
> > > Well, like I said, Smith may get others in the seats, but I'm 
not 
> > one of them. I don't see the proble

[scifinoir2] Liking "Ben 10"

[Keith Johnson]

Anyone ever watch "Ben 10"? It's become one of my fav cartoons, especially now 
that "Avatar" has ended its run. I first discovered it a year ago, and was 
intrigued by this young man with a powerful alien weapon attached to his body. 
What really pulled me in, though, was the characters, each of whom has an 
interesting backstory and function. There's Ben's grandfather, a member of the 
Plumbers ( the agency that fights alien threats), his cousin Gwen, the 
technogeek with magical powers, and the sometimes enemy Kevin, who can absorb 
the properties of anything he touches (similar to Absorbing Man in Marvel). The 
show is entertaining, funny, even exciting at times. The first few years of 
"Ben 10" showed growth with the characters, as Ben and his friends grow in 
power, maturity, and the level of dangers they face. There were many story arcs 
in addition to just monster-of-the-week eps, and the plot lines became more 
complex and even darker over the years. 

With the second series, "Ben 10: Alien Force", they do something you rarely see 
in animation: allow the characters to age and change. Ben and Gwen are several 
years older (and look it), their powers have grown, and once opponent Kevin is 
part of the team. The last time I remember seeing characters grow and change 
significantly in 'toons is probably the late great, Legion of SuperHeroes, or 
maybe the change in Goku from young child to adult in Dragonball Z. 

At any rate, I'm curious if anyone else has watched any of this show. It's been 
a present surprise. With other new or recently ended fare that's out 
now--Secret Saturdays, Danny Phantom, Batman: Brave and the Bold, Avatar, 
Wolverine and the X-Men--this is really one of the best times for cartoons I 
can remember in recent years. 

[scifinoir2] FW: Odyssey Writing Workshop 2009

[Tracey de Morsella]

 

From: scifinoir_lit-ow...@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:scifinoir_lit-ow...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Susan Sielinski
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 5:21 PM
To: scifinoir_lit-ow...@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Odyssey Writing Workshop 2009

 

Dear Sci Fi Noir Lit List Owner, 

 

If the members of Sci Fi Noir Lit are interested in writing science fiction,
fantasy, or horror, they might be interested in the Odyssey Writing
Workshop.  The 2009 workshop will be held from June 8 to July 17 at Saint
Anselm College   in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Odyssey provides a great opportunity for writers to improve their skills and
receive feedback from editors and authors.  More information can be found in
the press release below, or on the workshop website www.odysseyworkshop.org
 .  The director, Jeanne Cavelos
 , is always happy to answer
questions and discuss the workshop.  She can be reached by email at
jcave...@sff.net.  

 

I'd appreciate it if you'd consider forwarding this to your list.

 

Thank you, 

 

Susan Sielinski

Odyssey Administrator

susansielin...@yahoo.com

www.odysseyworkshop.org  

 




Publicity Release

January 2009

   

ODYSSEY WRITING WORKSHOP 

ANNOUNCES SUMMER 2009 SESSION

 

About Odyssey

Since its inception in 1996, Odyssey has earned a place as one of the most
respected workshops in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror writing
community.  Odyssey is for developing writers whose work is approaching
publication quality and for published writers who want to improve their
work.  The six-week workshop combines an intensive learning and writing
experience with in-depth feedback on student manuscripts.  Top authors,
editors, and agents have served as guest lecturers, including George R. R.
Martin, Harlan Ellison, Jane Yolen, Terry Brooks, Robert J. Sawyer, Ben
Bova, Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Hand, Jeff VanderMeer, Donald Maass, Sheila
Williams, Shawna McCarthy, and Dan Simmons.  Fifty-three percent of Odyssey
graduates go on to professional publication.  

 

The program is held every summer on Saint Anselm College's beautiful campus
in Manchester, NH.  Saint Anselm is one of the finest liberal arts colleges
in the country, dedicated to excellence in education, and its campus
provides a unique, lovely setting and state-of-the art facilities for
Odyssey students.  College credit is available upon request.

 

Jeanne Cavelos, Odyssey's director, founder, and primary instructor, is a
best-selling author and a former senior editor at Bantam Doubleday Dell
Publishing, where she won the World Fantasy Award for her work.  Being a
writer/editor makes Cavelos uniquely suited to provide students with
constructive and professional critiques of their work.  "I give the same
unflinchingly honest, concrete, detailed feedback that I provided as a
senior editor," Cavelos said.  Her typewritten critiques average around
1,000 words, and her handwritten line edits on manuscripts are extensive.
In addition, she guides students through the six weeks, gaining in-depth
knowledge of their work, providing detailed assessments of their strengths
and weaknesses in private meetings, and helping them target their weaknesses
one by one.  

 

Odyssey class time is split between workshopping sessions and lectures.  An
advanced, comprehensive curriculum covers the elements of fiction writing in
depth. Students learn the tools and techniques necessary to strengthen their
writing.  

 

The workshop runs from June 8th to July 17th, 2009.  Class meets for four
hours in the morning, five days a week.  Students spend about eight hours
more per day writing and critiquing each

 other's work.  Prospective students, aged eighteen and up, apply from all
over the world.  The early admission application deadline is JANUARY 31st,
and the regular admission deadline is APRIL 8th.  Tuition is $1900, and
housing is $700 for a double room and $1400 for a single.

 

Meet Our 2009 Writer-in-Residence

Odyssey's 2009 writer-in-residence is Carrie Vaughn, New York Times
bestselling author and Odyssey 1998 graduate.  Carrie is the author of the
phenomenally popular "Kitty" novels, about a werewolf who hosts a talk radio
show.  The first novel, Kitty and the Midnight Hour has over a hundred
thousand copies in print.  Books five and six of the series, Dead Man's Hand
and Kitty Raises Hell, will appear in 2009.  Carrie's short stories have
appeared in Realms of Fantasy, Weird Tales, George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards
series, and other anthologies.  She has a Master's degree in English
Literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder and has been a
lifelong science fiction fan and reader.

 

Other Guest Lecturers

Odyssey is pleased to welcome its 2009 guest lecturers:  bestselling author
Jeffrey A. Carver; award-winning authors Melissa Scott, Patricia 

RE: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[Tracey de Morsella]

Great Conversation!  Thanks guys.  I love discussions like this

 

Tracey

 

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf 
Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 11:09 AM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box 
Office

 

Wow, all this debate over an article focusing on Will Smith. Maybe I need to 
re-evaluate my assessment: maybe he *is* as influential as all that!


- Original Message -
From: "ravenadal" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:56:59 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

Let me say this about that...the Grammy for best artist and best 
single ARE "ghetto" categories when you are the best selling artist of 
the year. My position is that Lil Wayne should have had traction in 
the "Song of the Year" or the "Album of the Year" category and that 
T.I. should have swept the Rap category. 

To be "ghettoized" is to be relegated to one category and not to be 
allowed to transcend that category. 

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com  , 
Daryle Lockhart  wrote:
>
> Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of hip- 
> hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the Rap 
> category All Black artists who weren't doing jazz were competing 
> in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go, as there 
> aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any categories 
> for musical genres that have really pushed the creative 
> boundaries, like drum n bass or progressive electronic. There 
have 
> been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in any 
> thing pop's done since the 70s.
> 
> But anyway, about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you read 
> the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving him 
> the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many factors. Will 
> Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis.
> 
> This is actually really scary news for the business, mainly because 
> Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one actor 
> in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell 
through 
> to home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the system 
> before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing against Will 
> Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the biggest 
> movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd like to 
> see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are growing up 
> not knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint 
> Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is. There is no other actor who has 
> mastered his craft and then gone on to master the craft of 
directing. 
> He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle is. Look at Cheadle's 
body 
> of work and look at Redford's. Cheadle can and does carry movies, 
> and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new Tom 
> Cruise, and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And that's 
> great. But there are about 20 Black actors and actresses who can 
> act circles around them both. This chart should be a wake-up call 
> to the studio system to bring things back to the "Golden era". 
> Every studio should have a "Will Smith".
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 10:00 AM, ravenadal wrote:
> 
> > I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. Lil
> > Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's 
excellent
> > but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for
> > selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et 
al) in
> > 2008.
> >
> > My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion. 
That
> > Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter 
of
> > opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater 
owners
> > touted him for. Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who
> > fills their seats and sells their popcorn. Me, personally, I would
> > love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor work more because Mr. Ejiofor is an
> > amazing actor who is able to shed and assume many different skins. 
I
> > daydream about creating roles for Mr. Ejiofor.
> >
> > But, like Lil Wayne's "snub" at the Grammies (eight nominations, 2
> > wins in the rap "ghetto"), the Oscars is the place to spank Big 
Willie
> > and to award the likes of Dame Dench (go Taraji P.! and, while we 
are
> > on the subject, does Taraji P. Henson go by Taraji P. to 
distinguish
> > herself from that OTHER Taraji Henson?).
> >
> > That said, I continue to have nothing but admiration for how Mr. 
Smith
> > handles his business. He is our Paul Newman, our Robert Redford, 
our
> > Clint Eastwood, heck, our Brad Pitt, and, too often, we not only 
fail
> > to see it - we fail to admire it.
> >
> > And, to honor both Mr. Smith recent accomplishmen

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[Daryle Lockhart]

Most  nominated artists for "Best Single" are single oriented   
artists.  This is why you never see a Nancy Wilson "Best Single"  
nomination. It's TOTALLY  possible to have the best  produced (and  
perhaps selling) single of the year on an album that  was horrible.  
You have to understand who is nominating people for Grammy Awards and  
what Lil Wayne sounds like to them. For as much  as everybody is  
talking  about him,  I personally  don't  like anything he's  ever  
done,  and I question all the hype.  I mean -- a documentary? But  
that  doesn't mean he can't luck up on a great  song.


On Feb 15, 2009, at 1:56 PM, ravenadal wrote:


Let me say this about that...the Grammy for best artist and best
single ARE "ghetto" categories when you are the best selling artist of
the year. My position is that Lil Wayne should have had traction in
the "Song of the Year" or the "Album of the Year" category and that
T.I. should have swept the Rap category.

To be "ghettoized" is to be relegated to one category and not to be
allowed to transcend that category.

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle Lockhart  wrote:
>
> Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of hip-
> hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the Rap
> category All Black artists who weren't doing jazz were competing
> in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go, as there
> aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any categories
> for musical genres that have really pushed the creative
> boundaries, like drum n bass or progressive electronic. There
have
> been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in any
> thing pop's done since the 70s.
>
> But anyway, about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you read
> the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving him
> the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many factors. Will
> Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis.
>
> This is actually really scary news for the business, mainly because
> Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one actor
> in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell
through
> to home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the system
> before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing against Will
> Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the biggest
> movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd like to
> see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are growing up
> not knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint
> Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is. There is no other actor who has
> mastered his craft and then gone on to master the craft of
directing.
> He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle is. Look at Cheadle's
body
> of work and look at Redford's. Cheadle can and does carry movies,
> and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new Tom
> Cruise, and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And that's
> great. But there are about 20 Black actors and actresses who can
> act circles around them both. This chart should be a wake-up call
> to the studio system to bring things back to the "Golden era".
> Every studio should have a "Will Smith".
>
>
>
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 10:00 AM, ravenadal wrote:
>
> > I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. Lil
> > Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's
excellent
> > but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him for
> > selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, et
al) in
> > 2008.
> >
> > My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion.
That
> > Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a matter
of
> > opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater
owners
> > touted him for. Get this - the theater owners ONLY care about who
> > fills their seats and sells their popcorn. Me, personally, I would
> > love to see Chiwetel Ejiofor work more because Mr. Ejiofor is an
> > amazing actor who is able to shed and assume many different skins.
I
> > daydream about creating roles for Mr. Ejiofor.
> >
> > But, like Lil Wayne's "snub" at the Grammies (eight nominations, 2
> > wins in the rap "ghetto"), the Oscars is the place to spank Big
Willie
> > and to award the likes of Dame Dench (go Taraji P.! and, while we
are
> > on the subject, does Taraji P. Henson go by Taraji P. to
distinguish
> > herself from that OTHER Taraji Henson?).
> >
> > That said, I continue to have nothing but admiration for how Mr.
Smith
> > handles his business. He is our Paul Newman, our Robert Redford,
our
> > Clint Eastwood, heck, our Brad Pitt, and, too often, we not only
fail
> > to see it - we fail to admire it.
> >
> > And, to honor both Mr. Smith recent accomplishment and Mr.
Saddiq's
> > late great band, let me say one mo' timeMoney! Mone! Moni! Big
> > Willie Does It Again!
> >
> > ~rave!
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@ya

RE: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Reece Jennings]

I've seen ALL of these, I believe!  GREAT films.  What are 'Indie' films?
I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster.

  _  

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"




Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored",
"Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep with Anger"
in theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few
blacks I know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres. You strike
me as the type who may have sought them out...


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



I'm in for "The International".  It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen thing,
and that's cool. If  anyone's in a city where "Medicine For Melancholy"  is
playing,  I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the
better Black indies I've seen in a long time. 



On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:




I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The
International" on Monday as a nice thriller.

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Yes, that's what I've heard as well.  


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you  this long, she's
sensitive to a little sci-fi, so  "Curious Case" is probably your best call.



On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:





Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is
tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit
cards


 

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"


 

Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"?  Hey...today is
Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic
comedy" bullet sometime soon!

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

"Curious Case"  was good. I  think you will  enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour
Marvel Comic book written by a writer you  never  heard of but  an
illustrator you  love. So it looks good,  but halfway in you  realize you've
seen/read this all before. It  ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a
rental. 


 

 

On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:


 


Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last week. I
haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a bit of
a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick
camera cuts!)
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't recall any
reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the flick. Did anyone
see it? How was it?

Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons and
Coraline. Any thoughts on those?


 


 

Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Daryle Lockhart]

Independent films are films produced without  a major studio. You can  
rent them anywhere,  from Blockbuster to Netflix. Well, ALMOST   
anywhere. You  rented Sankofa from Blockbuster?


On Feb 15, 2009, at 6:02 PM, Reece Jennings wrote:



I've seen ALL of these, I believe!  GREAT films.  What are 'Indie'  
films?

I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster.

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com  
[mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson

Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"


Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were  
Colored", "Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or  
"To Sleep with Anger" in theatres when they came out? All are  
fabulous indie films that so few blacks I know saw, but which I  
loved and chased down in theatres. You strike me as the type who  
may have sought them out...



- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

I'm in for "The International".  It's Clive Owen doing his Clive  
Owen thing, and that's cool. If  anyone's in a city where "Medicine  
For Melancholy"  is playing,  I can't recommend that film enough.  
It's wonderful. One of the better Black indies I've seen in a long  
time.




On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:


I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see  
"The International" on Monday as a nice thriller.


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

Yes, that's what I've heard as well.


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you  this long,  
she's sensitive to a little sci-fi, so  "Curious Case" is probably  
your best call.



On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:


Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying  
it is tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out  
multiple credit cards




From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com  
[mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Keith Johnson

Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"?  Hey...today is  
Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the  
"romantic comedy" bullet sometime soon!


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada  
Eastern

Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

"Curious Case"  was good. I  think you will  enjoy it. "Push" is a  
two hour Marvel Comic book written by a writer you  never  heard of  
but  an illustrator you  love. So it looks good,  but halfway in  
you  realize you've seen/read this all before. It  ain't the  
editing, it's the script. It's a rental.






On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:




Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last  
week. I haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that  
say it's a bit of a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was  
worried about the too-quick camera cuts!)
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't  
recall any reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the  
flick. Did anyone see it? How was it?


Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons  
and Coraline. Any thoughts on those?

RE: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Reece Jennings]

Thanks, Daryle!  I'm not sure, but between demand cable and Blockbuster,
I've seen all of them.
Sankofa MAY have been on demand...

  _  

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Daryle Lockhart
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:08 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Independent films are films produced without a major studio. You can rent
them anywhere, from Blockbuster to Netflix. Well, ALMOST anywhere. You
rented Sankofa from Blockbuster? 


On Feb 15, 2009, at 6:02 PM, Reece Jennings wrote:




I've seen ALL of these, I believe! GREAT films. What are 'Indie' films?
I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster.

  _  

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored",
"Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep with Anger"
in theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few
blacks I know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres. You strike
me as the type who may have sought them out...


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



I'm in for "The International". It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen thing,
and that's cool. If anyone's in a city where "Medicine For Melancholy" is
playing, I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the
better Black indies I've seen in a long time. 



On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:




I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The
International" on Monday as a nice thriller.

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Yes, that's what I've heard as well. 


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you this long, she's
sensitive to a little sci-fi, so "Curious Case" is probably your best call. 


On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:





Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is
tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit
cards




From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"


Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Hey...today is
Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic
comedy" bullet sometime soon!

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

"Curious Case" was good. I think you will enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour
Marvel Comic book written by a writer you never heard of but an illustrator
you love. So it looks good, but halfway in you realize you've seen/read this
all before. It ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a rental. 






On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:





Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last week. I
haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a bit of
a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick
camera cuts!)
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't recall any
reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the flick. Did anyone
see it? How was it?

Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons and
Coraline. Any thoughts on those?

RE: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Reece Jennings]

DUH!!!  I just realized that 'Indie' is short for 'Independent'!  LOLLOL!!!

  _  

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Daryle Lockhart
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:08 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Independent films are films produced without a major studio. You can rent
them anywhere, from Blockbuster to Netflix. Well, ALMOST anywhere. You
rented Sankofa from Blockbuster? 


On Feb 15, 2009, at 6:02 PM, Reece Jennings wrote:




I've seen ALL of these, I believe! GREAT films. What are 'Indie' films?
I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster.

  _  

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored",
"Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep with Anger"
in theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few
blacks I know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres. You strike
me as the type who may have sought them out...


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



I'm in for "The International". It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen thing,
and that's cool. If anyone's in a city where "Medicine For Melancholy" is
playing, I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the
better Black indies I've seen in a long time. 



On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:




I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The
International" on Monday as a nice thriller.

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Yes, that's what I've heard as well. 


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you this long, she's
sensitive to a little sci-fi, so "Curious Case" is probably your best call. 


On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:





Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is
tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit
cards




From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"


Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Hey...today is
Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic
comedy" bullet sometime soon!

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

"Curious Case" was good. I think you will enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour
Marvel Comic book written by a writer you never heard of but an illustrator
you love. So it looks good, but halfway in you realize you've seen/read this
all before. It ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a rental. 






On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:





Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last week. I
haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a bit of
a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick
camera cuts!)
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't recall any
reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the flick. Did anyone
see it? How was it?

Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons and
Coraline. Any thoughts on those?

[scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[ravenadal]

I recently saw a documentary about the Harlem Globetrotters during 
their heyday.  The struggling all-white NBA teams would have the all-
black Globetrotters play the first game of a double-headers to hype 
the gate.  Most of the customers would leave after the Globetrotter 
game but the all-white NBA team would get the majority of the 
receipts.

I was reminded of this as I watched the Grammy's (I DVRed it and 
watched a 3 and 1/2 show in 1 hour and 40 minutes by skipping all the 
rock and country acts)where rap acts and rap duets with the likes of 
Justin Timberlake and Coldplay hyped the show (and ratings) while the 
likes of Coldplay and Robert Plant and Alison Krause took home all the 
major awards.

~(no)rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle Lockhart  wrote:
>
> 
> Most  nominated artists for "Best Single" are single oriented   
> artists.  This is why you never see a Nancy Wilson "Best Single"  
> nomination. It's TOTALLY  possible to have the best  produced (and  
> perhaps selling) single of the year on an album that  was horrible.  
> You have to understand who is nominating people for Grammy Awards 
and  
> what Lil Wayne sounds like to them. For as much  as everybody is  
> talking  about him,  I personally  don't  like anything he's  ever  
> done,  and I question all the hype.  I mean -- a documentary? But  
> that  doesn't mean he can't luck up on a great  song.
> 
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 1:56 PM, ravenadal wrote:
> 
> > Let me say this about that...the Grammy for best artist and best
> > single ARE "ghetto" categories when you are the best selling 
artist of
> > the year. My position is that Lil Wayne should have had traction 
in
> > the "Song of the Year" or the "Album of the Year" category and 
that
> > T.I. should have swept the Rap category.
> >
> > To be "ghettoized" is to be relegated to one category and not to 
be
> > allowed to transcend that category.
> >
> > ~rave!
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle Lockhart  
wrote:
> > >
> > > Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of 
hip-
> > > hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the 
Rap
> > > category All Black artists who weren't doing jazz were competing
> > > in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go, as 
there
> > > aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any 
categories
> > > for musical genres that have really pushed the creative
> > > boundaries, like drum n bass or progressive electronic. There
> > have
> > > been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in 
any
> > > thing pop's done since the 70s.
> > >
> > > But anyway, about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you 
read
> > > the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving 
him
> > > the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many factors. 
Will
> > > Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis.
> > >
> > > This is actually really scary news for the business, mainly 
because
> > > Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one 
actor
> > > in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell
> > through
> > > to home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the system
> > > before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing against 
Will
> > > Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the biggest
> > > movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd like 
to
> > > see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are growing 
up
> > > not knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint
> > > Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is. There is no other actor who has
> > > mastered his craft and then gone on to master the craft of
> > directing.
> > > He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle is. Look at Cheadle's
> > body
> > > of work and look at Redford's. Cheadle can and does carry 
movies,
> > > and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new 
Tom
> > > Cruise, and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And 
that's
> > > great. But there are about 20 Black actors and actresses who can
> > > act circles around them both. This chart should be a wake-up 
call
> > > to the studio system to bring things back to the "Golden era".
> > > Every studio should have a "Will Smith".
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Feb 15, 2009, at 10:00 AM, ravenadal wrote:
> > >
> > > > I'm just saying don't hate on Big Willie for being successful. 
Lil
> > > > Wayne doesn't float my boat (I am touting Raphael Saddiq's
> > excellent
> > > > but poor selling "The Way I See It") but I don't hate on him 
for
> > > > selling more CDs than anybody else (rap, rock, r&b, country, 
et
> > al) in
> > > > 2008.
> > > >
> > > > My point is your commentary is not germane to this discussion.
> > That
> > > > Mr. Smith fills seats is a indisputable fact - it is not a 
matter
> > of
> > > > opinion of conjecture - and filling seats is what the theater
> > owners
> > > > touted him for. Get this - the th

[scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[marian_changling]

I enjoyed it.  Just as a writer, I wondered what the original premiere
was supposed to look like.  There is a very brief indication of Echo's
revolutionary (?) past.  I wondered if Whedon actually began with that
and the network insisted on the action show as the 1st episode.  There
is still a lot of mystery about what type of trouble Echo was
in--trouble that the police was not handling but a private agency was
rescuing her from. 

My one quibble is my usual quibble with American television.  All of
the people are so picture perfect.  This is appropriate for Echo and
the other actives.  (And wow--I am curious about the male actives that
we see.)  But I wish that her handler did not look like he had stepped
out of GQ.   There are so many plastic people in this show.  

I think that one of the interviews with Whedon mentioned that he
wanted to confront the issue of sexuality directly.  All that got
toned down.  So we have the euphemism at the beginning that "2 people"
shared a perfect weekend.  Why was it so difficult for Fox to admit
that they guy hired her to be a sexy companion for a weekend?

That aside; I loved the show.  I hope that FOX doesn't force it into a
rut.  I wish that Whedon would go to HBO or Showtime instead of an
over-the-air network.  They cramp his style.   




--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
>
> 
> I just watched it. Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?
> 
> Off the top of my head, it's very Whedon. It's well scripted and
clearly well thought out. It's a fine first episode and sets the good
tone for the rest of the series. I thought it pretty much kicked ass.
> 
> Bosco
>

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[Mike Street]

I agree. I think HBO, esp with the success of True Blood, would be the
perfect home for this show.

On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 7:59 PM, marian_changling  wrote:
> I enjoyed it. Just as a writer, I wondered what the original premiere
> was supposed to look like. There is a very brief indication of Echo's
> revolutionary (?) past. I wondered if Whedon actually began with that
> and the network insisted on the action show as the 1st episode. There
> is still a lot of mystery about what type of trouble Echo was
> in--trouble that the police was not handling but a private agency was
> rescuing her from.
>
> My one quibble is my usual quibble with American television. All of
> the people are so picture perfect. This is appropriate for Echo and
> the other actives. (And wow--I am curious about the male actives that
> we see.) But I wish that her handler did not look like he had stepped
> out of GQ. There are so many plastic people in this show.
>
> I think that one of the interviews with Whedon mentioned that he
> wanted to confront the issue of sexuality directly. All that got
> toned down. So we have the euphemism at the beginning that "2 people"
> shared a perfect weekend. Why was it so difficult for Fox to admit
> that they guy hired her to be a sexy companion for a weekend?
>
> That aside; I loved the show. I hope that FOX doesn't force it into a
> rut. I wish that Whedon would go to HBO or Showtime instead of an
> over-the-air network. They cramp his style.
>
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
>>
>>
>> I just watched it. Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?
>>
>> Off the top of my head, it's very Whedon. It's well scripted and
> clearly well thought out. It's a fine first episode and sets the good
> tone for the rest of the series. I thought it pretty much kicked ass.
>>
>> Bosco
>>
>
> 



-- 

My Social Media Resume: http://www.visualcv.com/mikestreet

Visit my Blog: http://www.Greasyguide.com

Follow Me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[Keith Johnson]

Great mention of the Globetrotters. Even today, I'm stunned at what a 
phenomenon they've been over the decades. Imagine a group of (then) men who 
could actually beat many pro basketball teams. I wonder how many people 
nowadays really appreciate them? 

As for the Grammy awards, interesting observation. There was some feeling that 
Krause and Plant was one of those must-win deals where voters could feel good 
about themselves for making the choice. As for skipping the rock and country 
acts, I have to say many of them were very good. Country done right on the big 
stage is quite enjoyable. 


- Original Message - 
From: "ravenadal"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 7:22:39 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office 






I recently saw a documentary about the Harlem Globetrotters during 
their heyday. The struggling all-white NBA teams would have the all- 
black Globetrotters play the first game of a double-headers to hype 
the gate. Most of the customers would leave after the Globetrotter 
game but the all-white NBA team would get the majority of the 
receipts. 

I was reminded of this as I watched the Grammy's (I DVRed it and 
watched a 3 and 1/2 show in 1 hour and 40 minutes by skipping all the 
rock and country acts)where rap acts and rap duets with the likes of 
Justin Timberlake and Coldplay hyped the show (and ratings) while the 
likes of Coldplay and Robert Plant and Alison Krause took home all the 
major awards. 

~(no)rave! 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Daryle Lockhart  wrote: 
> 
> 
> Most nominated artists for "Best Single" are single oriented 
> artists. This is why you never see a Nancy Wilson "Best Single" 
> nomination. It's TOTALLY possible to have the best produced (and 
> perhaps selling) single of the year on an album that was horrible. 
> You have to understand who is nominating people for Grammy Awards 
and 
> what Lil Wayne sounds like to them. For as much as everybody is 
> talking about him, I personally don't like anything he's ever 
> done, and I question all the hype. I mean -- a documentary? But 
> that doesn't mean he can't luck up on a great song. 
> 
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 1:56 PM, ravenadal wrote: 
> 
> > Let me say this about that...the Grammy for best artist and best 
> > single ARE "ghetto" categories when you are the best selling 
artist of 
> > the year. My position is that Lil Wayne should have had traction 
in 
> > the "Song of the Year" or the "Album of the Year" category and 
that 
> > T.I. should have swept the Rap category. 
> > 
> > To be "ghettoized" is to be relegated to one category and not to 
be 
> > allowed to transcend that category. 
> > 
> > ~rave! 
> > 
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Daryle Lockhart  
wrote: 
> > > 
> > > Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment of 
hip- 
> > > hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before the 
Rap 
> > > category All Black artists who weren't doing jazz were competing 
> > > in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go, as 
there 
> > > aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any 
categories 
> > > for musical genres that have really pushed the creative 
> > > boundaries, like drum n bass or progressive electronic. There 
> > have 
> > > been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in 
any 
> > > thing pop's done since the 70s. 
> > > 
> > > But anyway, about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you 
read 
> > > the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into giving 
him 
> > > the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many factors. 
Will 
> > > Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis. 
> > > 
> > > This is actually really scary news for the business, mainly 
because 
> > > Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one 
actor 
> > > in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell 
> > through 
> > > to home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the system 
> > > before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing against 
Will 
> > > Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the biggest 
> > > movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd like 
to 
> > > see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are growing 
up 
> > > not knowing what acting is. Will Smith is totally NOT our Clint 
> > > Eastwood. Clint Eastwood is. There is no other actor who has 
> > > mastered his craft and then gone on to master the craft of 
> > directing. 
> > > He is not our Robert Redford, Don Cheadle is. Look at Cheadle's 
> > body 
> > > of work and look at Redford's. Cheadle can and does carry 
movies, 
> > > and has done so for about 12 years now. Will Smith is the new 
Tom 
> > > Cruise, and Samuel L Jackson is the new Harrison Ford. And 
that's 
> > > great. But there are about 20 Black actors and actresses who can 
> > > act cir

[scifinoir2] Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds"

[ravenadal]

I just saw "Seven Pounds" at the Budget Theater (movie, large popcorn 
- with REAL butter! - large soda for under ten bucks).  In short, I 
loved it!  It was an old-fashioned, three-hankie weepie.  The kind of 
movie Hollywood used to make during its heyday.  In fact, "Seven 
Pounds" reminds me most of George Cukor's "Camille" starring Greta 
Garbo and Robert Taylor.  Like the consumptive Marguerite Gautier 
played by Garbo, Rosario Dawson's doomed Emily Posa is incandescent on 
the big screen.  Everyone on this list knows I have a huge Rosario 
Dawson jones and "Seven Pounds" has leaped to the top of my "movies 
starring Rosario Dawson" list.  Never has Miss Dawson been more 
appealing on the big screen.  

Will Smith is also amazing in this movie. He is like a chocolate 
Michael Anthony: stoic, ingratiating, and professional in his ever-
present business suit - except he is literally dispensing new life and 
not a million dollars from his briefcase.  He wears his grief like a 
shroud, the full deadening weight of his loss apparent in his eyes 
even as he smiles and charms his way toward his chosen goal.  What 
Smith does with this role is much more difficult and noteworthy than 
his Oscar nominated role in "The Pursuit of Happyness."  

There is not one thing I would change about this movie.  While it 
becomes apparent early on what Smith's "Ben Thomas" is up to, the 
movie still manages to surprise the viewer in small ways both 
delightful and terrible.  The slow, halting dance Smith and Dawson do 
toward each other is sweet and longing: a many-splendored thing.

I salute Mr. Smith and his producing partner James Lassiter and all 
the good folks at Overbrook Entertainment for adding this movie to the 
black film canon.

~rave!

[scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The Box Office

[ravenadal]

Funny story (though not necessarily funny "ha-ha"): I own a gray  
Harlem Globetrotters hoodie that I am fond of wearing.  Once when a 
friend and I were at a diner, the white waitress noticed the Harlem 
Globetrotters script on the back of my hoodie and asked me if EYE was 
a Harlem Globetrotter.  

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson  
wrote:
>
> Great mention of the Globetrotters. Even today, I'm stunned at what 
a phenomenon they've been over the decades. Imagine a group of (then) 
men who could actually beat many pro basketball teams. I wonder how 
many people nowadays really appreciate them? 
> 
> As for the Grammy awards, interesting observation. There was some 
feeling that Krause and Plant was one of those must-win deals where 
voters could feel good about themselves for making the choice. As for 
skipping the rock and country acts, I have to say many of them were 
very good. Country done right on the big stage is quite enjoyable. 
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "ravenadal"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 7:22:39 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada 
Eastern 
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Will Smith -- The Only Sure Thing At The 
Box Office 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I recently saw a documentary about the Harlem Globetrotters during 
> their heyday. The struggling all-white NBA teams would have the all- 
> black Globetrotters play the first game of a double-headers to hype 
> the gate. Most of the customers would leave after the Globetrotter 
> game but the all-white NBA team would get the majority of the 
> receipts. 
> 
> I was reminded of this as I watched the Grammy's (I DVRed it and 
> watched a 3 and 1/2 show in 1 hour and 40 minutes by skipping all 
the 
> rock and country acts)where rap acts and rap duets with the likes of 
> Justin Timberlake and Coldplay hyped the show (and ratings) while 
the 
> likes of Coldplay and Robert Plant and Alison Krause took home all 
the 
> major awards. 
> 
> ~(no)rave! 
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Daryle Lockhart  wrote: 
> > 
> > 
> > Most nominated artists for "Best Single" are single oriented 
> > artists. This is why you never see a Nancy Wilson "Best Single" 
> > nomination. It's TOTALLY possible to have the best produced (and 
> > perhaps selling) single of the year on an album that was horrible. 
> > You have to understand who is nominating people for Grammy Awards 
> and 
> > what Lil Wayne sounds like to them. For as much as everybody is 
> > talking about him, I personally don't like anything he's ever 
> > done, and I question all the hype. I mean -- a documentary? But 
> > that doesn't mean he can't luck up on a great song. 
> > 
> > On Feb 15, 2009, at 1:56 PM, ravenadal wrote: 
> > 
> > > Let me say this about that...the Grammy for best artist and best 
> > > single ARE "ghetto" categories when you are the best selling 
> artist of 
> > > the year. My position is that Lil Wayne should have had traction 
> in 
> > > the "Song of the Year" or the "Album of the Year" category and 
> that 
> > > T.I. should have swept the Rap category. 
> > > 
> > > To be "ghettoized" is to be relegated to one category and not to 
> be 
> > > allowed to transcend that category. 
> > > 
> > > ~rave! 
> > > 
> > > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Daryle Lockhart  
> wrote: 
> > > > 
> > > > Rap grammy is not a ghetto category. It is an acknowledgment 
of 
> hip- 
> > > > hop's main musical outlet as a stand alone art form. Before 
the 
> Rap 
> > > > category All Black artists who weren't doing jazz were 
competing 
> > > > in the same category. The Grammies still have a way to go, as 
> there 
> > > > aren't a lot of DJ's who vote and so you don't have any 
> categories 
> > > > for musical genres that have really pushed the creative 
> > > > boundaries, like drum n bass or progressive electronic. There 
> > > have 
> > > > been more progressions made in so called "Dance music" than in 
> any 
> > > > thing pop's done since the 70s. 
> > > > 
> > > > But anyway, about Will Smith and this Forbes chart. When you 
> read 
> > > > the original Forbes piece, you see what factors went into 
giving 
> him 
> > > > the perfect 10. It's not just filling seats. It's many 
factors. 
> Will 
> > > > Smith is a brand like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, or Elvis. 
> > > > 
> > > > This is actually really scary news for the business, mainly 
> because 
> > > > Will Smith is signed exclusively to Sony. If there's only one 
> actor 
> > > > in the world who can consistently get a picture made and sell 
> > > through 
> > > > to home video/downloads, it's probably time to revamp the 
system 
> > > > before we have another Tom Cruise on our hands. Nothing 
against 
> Will 
> > > > Smith, I'm personally proud of a former rapper being the 
biggest 
> > > > movie star in the world, but this is one of the reasons I'd 
like 
> to 
> > > > see Robert Downey Jr win an Oscar this year. People are 
growing 
> up 
> > > > not knowing what

[scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[marian_changling]

I see that SciFi channel says that it did not do as well as expected

http://scifiwire.com/2009/02/dollhouse-premiere-ratings-even-worse-than-expected.php#comments

Excerpt


Dollhouse premiere ratings even worse than expected

Friday night death slot indeed.

The series premiere of Joss Whedon's Dollhouse was seen by just 4.7
million viewers on Friday night and earned a 2.0 preliminary adults
18-49 rating and 6 share, below even the network's modest expectations
for the series, the Hollywood Reporter's Live Feed reported.

Dollhouse was beaten in the 9 p.m. hour by ABC's Supernanny (8.5
million viewers, 2.2/7) and is the lowest-rated drama series premiere
on a major broadcast network this season, aside from NBC's now-defunct
Crusoe, the site reported.

Dollhouse was paired with the midseason return of Terminator: The
Sarah Connor Chronicles, which moved from its previous Monday-night
timeslot, and that show also saw its ratings fall: 3.7 million
viewers, for a 1.3 rating and 5 share. Terminator came in third place
in the hour and hit a series low (by like 27 percent), Live Feed reported.

Terminator beat NBC's Howie Do It, but not by much. Both CBS' Ghost
Whisperer (8.9 million, 2.4/8) and ABC's Wife Swap (4.3 million,
1.5/5) did better.

Fox had hopes at least of coming out ahead of ABC's reality block. But
Terminator was sinking in the ratings earlier this season, and
Dollhouse has suffered from negative buzz and creative trouble for months.

[scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[B. Smith]

I agree with what everybody has been saying. Great first episode. I
was really pleasantly surprised by Harry Lennix's character. It was
nice to see him play against type for a change.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Mike Street  wrote:
>
> I agree. I think HBO, esp with the success of True Blood, would be the
> perfect home for this show.
> 
> On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 7:59 PM, marian_changling 
wrote:
> > I enjoyed it. Just as a writer, I wondered what the original premiere
> > was supposed to look like. There is a very brief indication of Echo's
> > revolutionary (?) past. I wondered if Whedon actually began with that
> > and the network insisted on the action show as the 1st episode. There
> > is still a lot of mystery about what type of trouble Echo was
> > in--trouble that the police was not handling but a private agency was
> > rescuing her from.
> >
> > My one quibble is my usual quibble with American television. All of
> > the people are so picture perfect. This is appropriate for Echo and
> > the other actives. (And wow--I am curious about the male actives that
> > we see.) But I wish that her handler did not look like he had stepped
> > out of GQ. There are so many plastic people in this show.
> >
> > I think that one of the interviews with Whedon mentioned that he
> > wanted to confront the issue of sexuality directly. All that got
> > toned down. So we have the euphemism at the beginning that "2 people"
> > shared a perfect weekend. Why was it so difficult for Fox to admit
> > that they guy hired her to be a sexy companion for a weekend?
> >
> > That aside; I loved the show. I hope that FOX doesn't force it into a
> > rut. I wish that Whedon would go to HBO or Showtime instead of an
> > over-the-air network. They cramp his style.
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> I just watched it. Anyone else catch it? Thoughts?
> >>
> >> Off the top of my head, it's very Whedon. It's well scripted and
> > clearly well thought out. It's a fine first episode and sets the good
> > tone for the rest of the series. I thought it pretty much kicked ass.
> >>
> >> Bosco
> >>
> >
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
> My Social Media Resume: http://www.visualcv.com/mikestreet
> 
> Visit my Blog: http://www.Greasyguide.com
> 
> Follow Me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1
>

Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Keith Johnson]

You ever seen those e-mails questionnaires that float around? I've gotten some 
over the years with questions to determine if you're a real black person or 
not. The standard is an e-mail questionnaire with questions like "What did 
Florida say at the end of the 'Good Times' ep when James died", or, "What 
character always entered the scene by saying 'Wooo-weee!'?" 

When some of my friends sent that e-mail my way a while back, I countered with 
a questionnaire that included all the movies below, asking if they'd seen them. 
I then chided those who hadn't. I consider viewership of all the below 
essential for all black people, especially "Sankofa", the closest thing in some 
ways to that Nat Turner film we keep waiting for. "Down on The Delta", directed 
by Maya Angelou, is a sweet and comfortable-feeling movie of a splintered black 
family, and "Once Upon a Time..." is a great pre-Civil Rights era film that's 
just a slice-of-life in a Southern town, and I love the fact that Tim and 
Daphne Reid are behind it. 

- Original Message - 
From: "Reece Jennings"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:02:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] "Push" 







I've seen ALL of these, I believe! GREAT films. What are 'Indie' films? 
I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster. 


From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf 
Of Keith Johnson 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 






Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored", 
"Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep with Anger" in 
theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few blacks I 
know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres. You strike me as the 
type who may have sought them out... 


- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 






I'm in for "The International". It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen thing, and 
that's cool. If anyone's in a city where "Medicine For Melancholy" is playing, 
I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the better Black 
indies I've seen in a long time. 





On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 







I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The 
International" on Monday as a nice thriller. 

- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 






Yes, that's what I've heard as well. 


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you this long, she's 
sensitive to a little sci-fi, so "Curious Case" is probably your best call. 





On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote: 









Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is tone 
death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit cards 





From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [ mailto:scifinoir2 @yahoogroups.com] On 
Behalf Of Keith Johnson 
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 




Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Hey...today is Valentine's, 
and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic comedy" bullet 
sometime soon! 

- Original Message - 
From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 




"Curious Case" was good. I think you will enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour Marvel 
Comic book written by a writer you never heard of but an illustrator you love. 
So it looks good, but halfway in you realize you've seen/read this all before. 
It ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a rental. 









On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 










Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last week. I 
haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a bit of a 
jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick camera 
cuts!) 
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't recall any 
reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the flick. Did anyone see 
it? How was it? 

Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons and 
Coraline. Any thoughts on those? 































 

Re: [scifinoir2] Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds"

[Keith Johnson]

So, what you run out to see this to prove to me that Will Smith *is* worthy of 
pulling butts into theatre seats? :) 

Just kidding, I've heard some good things about the movie, but mostly mixed 
reviews. Even people and critics who liked it make it sound confusing and 
plodding, which kept me away. Yours is the first unabashedly positive review 
i've heard so far. It seems all the critical love for brain-twisting or 
thought-provoking movies this season has gone to "The Reader", "Doubt", and 
"Synechdode, New York". 

- Original Message - 
From: "ravenadal"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 8:16:16 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds" 






I just saw "Seven Pounds" at the Budget Theater (movie, large popcorn 
- with REAL butter! - large soda for under ten bucks). In short, I 
loved it! It was an old-fashioned, three-hankie weepie. The kind of 
movie Hollywood used to make during its heyday. In fact, "Seven 
Pounds" reminds me most of George Cukor's "Camille" starring Greta 
Garbo and Robert Taylor. Like the consumptive Marguerite Gautier 
played by Garbo, Rosario Dawson's doomed Emily Posa is incandescent on 
the big screen. Everyone on this list knows I have a huge Rosario 
Dawson jones and "Seven Pounds" has leaped to the top of my "movies 
starring Rosario Dawson" list. Never has Miss Dawson been more 
appealing on the big screen. 

Will Smith is also amazing in this movie. He is like a chocolate 
Michael Anthony: stoic, ingratiating, and professional in his ever- 
present business suit - except he is literally dispensing new life and 
not a million dollars from his briefcase. He wears his grief like a 
shroud, the full deadening weight of his loss apparent in his eyes 
even as he smiles and charms his way toward his chosen goal. What 
Smith does with this role is much more difficult and noteworthy than 
his Oscar nominated role in "The Pursuit of Happyness." 

There is not one thing I would change about this movie. While it 
becomes apparent early on what Smith's "Ben Thomas" is up to, the 
movie still manages to surprise the viewer in small ways both 
delightful and terrible. The slow, halting dance Smith and Dawson do 
toward each other is sweet and longing: a many-splendored thing. 

I salute Mr. Smith and his producing partner James Lassiter and all 
the good folks at Overbrook Entertainment for adding this movie to the 
black film canon. 

~rave! 


 

[scifinoir2] Be Real Black for Me (The Image Awards)

[ravenadal]

I have been black all my life.  I was black when my father was still 
coloured.  I was black when the doctors, lawyers and dentists in my 
neighborhood were negroes.  I was black when Jesse Jackson said we 
were all African-Americans.  I was black when Lena Horne's 
granddaughters decided they were mulattos.  I was black when Tiger 
Woods told us he was Caliblanasian.  I was even black the first time 
Michelle Obama was proud to be American.  So you can only imagine how 
it warmed the cockles of my heart to see the cream of Hollywood 
Glitterati being real black for me at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards.

I have been a long and loyal viewer of the Image Awards and, let me 
tell there have been some plumb embarrassing years when the many of 
the major stars saluted deigned not to attend.  I just assumed their 
handlers had counseled them against appearing on the slim chance that 
appearing at the Image Awards would harm their Q scores among ticket-
buying white folks.  I mean, it would be so embarrassing when the 
presenter would announce a winner, the camera would pan, and the 
presenter would have to lean into the microphone and announce "(so-
and-so) is not here so I will accept this award..."

But Holy Obama!  There they all were!  Miss Halle Berry (my favorite 
post Image Award headline: Halle Berry Makes 4 Gowns Very Happy), 
Tyler Perry, Will and Jada Smith, Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Rosario 
Dawson, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Taraji P. Henson, Wil.i.am, Seal, Sanaa 
Lathan, and Blair Underwood, just to name a few.

~rave!

[scifinoir2] Re: Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds"

[ravenadal]

I went to see it today because this is the first weekend it was 
playing at the Budget Theater.  I went to a 2:58 pm showing and, yes, 
Will Smith did manage to fill the seats.  I arrived at the theater at 
2:45 and had to wait in line to purchase a ticket.  Of course, it is 
hard to beat a two-dollar movie ticket.  I enjoyed it so much, I may 
go back on one-dollar ticket day on Tuesday.

~rave!

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Keith Johnson  
wrote:
>
> So, what you run out to see this to prove to me that Will Smith *is* 
worthy of pulling butts into theatre seats? :) 
> 
> Just kidding, I've heard some good things about the movie, but 
mostly mixed reviews. Even people and critics who liked it make it 
sound confusing and plodding, which kept me away. Yours is the first 
unabashedly positive review i've heard so far. It seems all the 
critical love for brain-twisting or thought-provoking movies this 
season has gone to "The Reader", "Doubt", and "Synechdode, New York". 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "ravenadal"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 8:16:16 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada 
Eastern 
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds" 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I just saw "Seven Pounds" at the Budget Theater (movie, large 
popcorn 
> - with REAL butter! - large soda for under ten bucks). In short, I 
> loved it! It was an old-fashioned, three-hankie weepie. The kind of 
> movie Hollywood used to make during its heyday. In fact, "Seven 
> Pounds" reminds me most of George Cukor's "Camille" starring Greta 
> Garbo and Robert Taylor. Like the consumptive Marguerite Gautier 
> played by Garbo, Rosario Dawson's doomed Emily Posa is incandescent 
on 
> the big screen. Everyone on this list knows I have a huge Rosario 
> Dawson jones and "Seven Pounds" has leaped to the top of my "movies 
> starring Rosario Dawson" list. Never has Miss Dawson been more 
> appealing on the big screen. 
> 
> Will Smith is also amazing in this movie. He is like a chocolate 
> Michael Anthony: stoic, ingratiating, and professional in his ever- 
> present business suit - except he is literally dispensing new life 
and 
> not a million dollars from his briefcase. He wears his grief like a 
> shroud, the full deadening weight of his loss apparent in his eyes 
> even as he smiles and charms his way toward his chosen goal. What 
> Smith does with this role is much more difficult and noteworthy than 
> his Oscar nominated role in "The Pursuit of Happyness." 
> 
> There is not one thing I would change about this movie. While it 
> becomes apparent early on what Smith's "Ben Thomas" is up to, the 
> movie still manages to surprise the viewer in small ways both 
> delightful and terrible. The slow, halting dance Smith and Dawson do 
> toward each other is sweet and longing: a many-splendored thing. 
> 
> I salute Mr. Smith and his producing partner James Lassiter and all 
> the good folks at Overbrook Entertainment for adding this movie to 
the 
> black film canon. 
> 
> ~rave!
>

[scifinoir2] Re: "Push"

[B. Smith]

Sankofa is the only one of those I haven't seen. I really want to see
Medicine For Melancholy. 

We went to see Taken this weekend. It was a really good straight with
no chaser revenge/action flick. Lean and very mean. My only complaint
was that it suffered from some of the shaky Bourne style camera work
in a couple of chase scenes.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Reece Jennings"
 wrote:
>
> Thanks, Daryle!  I'm not sure, but between demand cable and Blockbuster,
> I've seen all of them.
> Sankofa MAY have been on demand...
> 
>   _  
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Daryle Lockhart
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:08 PM
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"
> 
> 
> 
> Independent films are films produced without a major studio. You can
rent
> them anywhere, from Blockbuster to Netflix. Well, ALMOST anywhere. You
> rented Sankofa from Blockbuster? 
> 
> 
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 6:02 PM, Reece Jennings wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I've seen ALL of these, I believe! GREAT films. What are 'Indie' films?
> I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster.
> 
>   _  
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Keith Johnson
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"
> 
> 
> 
> Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were
Colored",
> "Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep
with Anger"
> in theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few
> blacks I know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres.
You strike
> me as the type who may have sought them out...
> 
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"
> 
> 
> 
> I'm in for "The International". It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen
thing,
> and that's cool. If anyone's in a city where "Medicine For
Melancholy" is
> playing, I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the
> better Black indies I've seen in a long time. 
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The
> International" on Monday as a nice thriller.
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada
Eastern
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"
> 
> 
> 
> Yes, that's what I've heard as well. 
> 
> 
> In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you this long, she's
> sensitive to a little sci-fi, so "Curious Case" is probably your
best call. 
> 
> 
> On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying
it is
> tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple
credit
> cards
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Keith Johnson
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"
> 
> 
> Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Hey...today is
> Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic
> comedy" bullet sometime soon!
> 
> - Original Message -
> From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"
> 
> "Curious Case" was good. I think you will enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour
> Marvel Comic book written by a writer you never heard of but an
illustrator
> you love. So it looks good, but halfway in you realize you've
seen/read this
> all before. It ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a rental. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last
week. I
> haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a
bit of
> a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick
> camera cuts!)
> But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't
recall any
> reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for the flick. Did
anyone
> see it? How was it?
> 
> Along the same lines, I'm considering checking out Benjamin Buttons and
> Coraline. Any thoughts on those?
>

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds"

[Keith Johnson]

Wow, that is high praise. I don't have a theatre that cheap anywhere close to 
me. The most affordable theatre is a five dollar joint across the street. 


- Original Message - 
From: "ravenadal"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 9:08:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds" 






I went to see it today because this is the first weekend it was 
playing at the Budget Theater. I went to a 2:58 pm showing and, yes, 
Will Smith did manage to fill the seats. I arrived at the theater at 
2:45 and had to wait in line to purchase a ticket. Of course, it is 
hard to beat a two-dollar movie ticket. I enjoyed it so much, I may 
go back on one-dollar ticket day on Tuesday. 

~rave! 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , Keith Johnson  
wrote: 
> 
> So, what you run out to see this to prove to me that Will Smith *is* 
worthy of pulling butts into theatre seats? :) 
> 
> Just kidding, I've heard some good things about the movie, but 
mostly mixed reviews. Even people and critics who liked it make it 
sound confusing and plodding, which kept me away. Yours is the first 
unabashedly positive review i've heard so far. It seems all the 
critical love for brain-twisting or thought-provoking movies this 
season has gone to "The Reader", "Doubt", and "Synechdode, New York". 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "ravenadal"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 8:16:16 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada 
Eastern 
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Three Hankies for "Seven Pounds" 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I just saw "Seven Pounds" at the Budget Theater (movie, large 
popcorn 
> - with REAL butter! - large soda for under ten bucks). In short, I 
> loved it! It was an old-fashioned, three-hankie weepie. The kind of 
> movie Hollywood used to make during its heyday. In fact, "Seven 
> Pounds" reminds me most of George Cukor's "Camille" starring Greta 
> Garbo and Robert Taylor. Like the consumptive Marguerite Gautier 
> played by Garbo, Rosario Dawson's doomed Emily Posa is incandescent 
on 
> the big screen. Everyone on this list knows I have a huge Rosario 
> Dawson jones and "Seven Pounds" has leaped to the top of my "movies 
> starring Rosario Dawson" list. Never has Miss Dawson been more 
> appealing on the big screen. 
> 
> Will Smith is also amazing in this movie. He is like a chocolate 
> Michael Anthony: stoic, ingratiating, and professional in his ever- 
> present business suit - except he is literally dispensing new life 
and 
> not a million dollars from his briefcase. He wears his grief like a 
> shroud, the full deadening weight of his loss apparent in his eyes 
> even as he smiles and charms his way toward his chosen goal. What 
> Smith does with this role is much more difficult and noteworthy than 
> his Oscar nominated role in "The Pursuit of Happyness." 
> 
> There is not one thing I would change about this movie. While it 
> becomes apparent early on what Smith's "Ben Thomas" is up to, the 
> movie still manages to surprise the viewer in small ways both 
> delightful and terrible. The slow, halting dance Smith and Dawson do 
> toward each other is sweet and longing: a many-splendored thing. 
> 
> I salute Mr. Smith and his producing partner James Lassiter and all 
> the good folks at Overbrook Entertainment for adding this movie to 
the 
> black film canon. 
> 
> ~rave! 
> 


 

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: "Push"

[Keith Johnson]

Sankofa is definitely worth a look. I highly recommend it. Thanks for the info 
on "taken". It's on my list, and I'd heard it was a decent thriller. Hopefully 
the camera work you mentioned isn't too intrusive. I'm getting really tired of 
every director nowadays thinking that action can only be conveyed through this 
music-video effect. 

- Original Message - 
From: "B. Smith"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 9:08:36 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: "Push" 






Sankofa is the only one of those I haven't seen. I really want to see 
Medicine For Melancholy. 

We went to see Taken this weekend. It was a really good straight with 
no chaser revenge/action flick. Lean and very mean. My only complaint 
was that it suffered from some of the shaky Bourne style camera work 
in a couple of chase scenes. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , "Reece Jennings" 
 wrote: 
> 
> Thanks, Daryle! I'm not sure, but between demand cable and Blockbuster, 
> I've seen all of them. 
> Sankofa MAY have been on demand... 
> 
> _ 
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On 
> Behalf Of Daryle Lockhart 
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:08 PM 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 
> 
> 
> 
> Independent films are films produced without a major studio. You can 
rent 
> them anywhere, from Blockbuster to Netflix. Well, ALMOST anywhere. You 
> rented Sankofa from Blockbuster? 
> 
> 
> On Feb 15, 2009, at 6:02 PM, Reece Jennings wrote: 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I've seen ALL of these, I believe! GREAT films. What are 'Indie' films? 
> I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster. 
> 
> _ 
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On 
> Behalf Of Keith Johnson 
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 
> 
> 
> 
> Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were 
Colored", 
> "Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep 
with Anger" 
> in theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few 
> blacks I know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres. 
You strike 
> me as the type who may have sought them out... 
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 
> 
> 
> 
> I'm in for "The International". It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen 
thing, 
> and that's cool. If anyone's in a city where "Medicine For 
Melancholy" is 
> playing, I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the 
> better Black indies I've seen in a long time. 
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The 
> International" on Monday as a nice thriller. 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada 
Eastern 
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 
> 
> 
> 
> Yes, that's what I've heard as well. 
> 
> 
> In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you this long, she's 
> sensitive to a little sci-fi, so "Curious Case" is probably your 
best call. 
> 
> 
> On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote: 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying 
it is 
> tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple 
credit 
> cards 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On 
> Behalf Of Keith Johnson 
> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 
> 
> 
> Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Hey...today is 
> Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic 
> comedy" bullet sometime soon! 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "Daryle Lockhart"  
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push" 
> 
> "Curious Case" was good. I think you will enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour 
> Marvel Comic book written by a writer you never heard of but an 
illustrator 
> you love. So it looks good, but halfway in you realize you've 
seen/read this 
> all before. It ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a rental. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote: 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last 
week. I 
> haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a 
bit of 
> a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick 
> camera cuts!) 
> But though a few of us were initially anticipating

Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Doll House

[Mike Street]

We have to take Nelson numbers with a grain of salt these days

[scifinoir2] WTF - "Friday the 13th" Remake Pulls in Huge Numbers

[Keith Johnson]

Huh? All the reviews I read said that this is a dull movie, even by its own 
kill-by-the-numbers standards. Is this box office due to a bunch of young folk 
who simply never saw the original? It's a bit distressing to see this and "Mall 
Cop" doing so much better than "Taken" and "The International". 

Of course, it could be worse: Will Smith could star in a remake of Halloween! 
Course, it'd probably make over one hundred million the first weekend, right 
Rave? 

* 





LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to 
watch college kids get slaughtered in a remake of " Friday the 13th "? The 
revival of the venerable slasher franchise easily took the No. 1 spot at the 
North American box office this weekend, setting a new record for a horror 
opening with estimated sales of $42.2 million, distributor Warner Bros . 
Pictures said on Sunday. 




The old mark was held by " The Grudge " with a $39 million debut in 2004. That 
film had a less-restrictive PG-13 rating, while the R rating for "Friday the 
13th" ostensibly prevented fans under age 17 from buying tickets unless 
accompanied by an adult. 




The new film is essentially a remake of the 1980 film that kicked off the 
horror series and eventually introduced a hockey-masked villain named Jason. 
His most recent appearance, in 2003's "Freddy vs. Jason," generated a $36.4 
million opening. 




Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc , predicted "Friday the 13th" would end 
up in the $48 million range once sales for the U.S. Presidents Day holiday on 
Monday were calculated. The film was directed by German filmmaker Marcus Nispel 
, who shot the hit 2004 retread of " The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ." Both films 
were produced by "Transformers" director Michael Bay , whose Platinum Dunes 
banner specializes in low-budget horror remakes. 




Also new this weekend were Walt Disney Co's Isla Fisher comedy " Confessions of 
a Shopaholic " at No. 4 with a modest $15.4 million, and Columbia Pictures' 
Clive Owen thriller "The International" at No. 7 with $10 million. 

Columbia, a unit of Sony Corp , also had a disappointment last weekend with " 
The Pink Panther 2 " ($22 million to date). But the studio's surprise hit 
comedy "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" crashed through the century mark, tallying $110.5 
million after an $11.7 million weekend. 




Last weekend's champion, Warner Bros.' ensemble romance " He's Just Not That 
Into You ," slipped to No. 2 with $19.6 million, taking its 10-day tally to 
$55.1 million. The comedy, based on a self-help book that was itself inspired 
by the TV show "Sex and the City," revolves around the lives and loves of 
various couples. The A-list lineup includes Jennifer Aniston , Drew Barrymore , 
Ben Affleck and Scarlett Johansson . 




The thriller "Taken" fell one place to No. 3 with $19.3 million in its third 
weekend. Liam Neeson plays a father in a race against time to prevent his 
kidnapped teen daughter's virginity from being taken by an Arab sheikh. The 
surprise success, produced by French filmmaker Luc Besson , has earned $77.9 
million to date, and should hit $120 million, said distributor 20th Century Fox 
, a unit of News Corp . 




(Editing by Eric Beech) 

(please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on 
http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/) 

[scifinoir2] Viewers Give Warm Welcome to Whedon's 'Dollhouse'

[Tracey de Morsella]

Different point of view

Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider
  has an
alternate take on the Dollhouse ratings: "The mythological drama starring
Eliza Dushku attracted 4.7 million viewers-a pretty decent jump over the
eyeball levels for The Sarah Connor Chronicles at 8 p.m. (which lured a mere
3.7 million), according to fast national ratings. In fact, Dollhouse helped
Fox double its viewership levels among women versus Chronicles and helped
the net finish in second place among adults 18-34 and in first place across
key male demos for the night. So what does this mean for Dollhouse's
long-term prospects? Although 4.7 million isn't that great-Fox typically
averages 5.5 million on Fridays-the Whedon drama has a better chance of
making it over the long haul if it stays put on the night. In fact, network
insiders have long cautioned that if the series were scheduled earlier in
the week and ended up attracting these kind of (low) viewership levels, it
would have been axed by its second or third airing. So relax,
Whedonites-Dushku and Co. appear safe for now."

Viewers Give Warm Welcome to Whedon's 'Dollhouse'

By Josef Adalian  

Weeks of marketing and years of pent-up interest from Joss Whedon fans
helped Fox's "Dollhouse" score a solid welcome Friday night.

The much-anticipated drama notched a 2.0 rating/6 share among adults 18 to
49 during its 9 p.m. Friday premiere, according to preliminary fast national
data from Nielsen. It attracted 4.72 million viewers.

While "Dollhouse's" overall ratings were nothing spectacular, the show's 2.0
rating in adults 18 to 49 is a nice improvement over what Fox had been
averaging in the fall with gameshow "Don't Forget the Lyrics." Most weeks
last fall, "Lyrics" had been scoring between a 1.5 and a 1.7 in the demo.

"Dollhouse" also nearly doubled the ratings Fox averaged last spring with
the Friday premiere of short-lived scripted drama "Canterbury's Law," which
bowed to a 1.1/3. The early numbers seem to indicate that if Fox wants to
program scripted series on Friday, genre fare such as "Dollhouse" is a much
better option than a standard procedural.

Two other positive points: "Dollhouse" appears to have held on to its
audience throughout the show, and the series built nicely on its lead-in,
the relocated "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles."

The latter drama earned a 1.3/5, a bit below what Fox had been earning with
"Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" "Terminator" dipped from its most
recent original telecast on Monday nights, when the show earned a 1.9/5 on
Dec. 15.

Overall, "Dollhouse" ranked second in the 9 p.m. hour, just below ABC's
"Supernanny" (2.2/7), but ahead of CBS' "Flashpoint" (1.9/6) and NBC's
fading "Friday Night Lights" (1.1/3).

Among adults 18 to 34, "Dollhouse" earned a 1.7/6, coming within spitting
distance of "Supernanny" (1.8/7) in that demographic. Fox's marketing of
"Dollhouse" and "Terminator" as a pairing of "sexy sirens" paid off with
men: Both dramas won their timeslot among men 18 to 34.

Fox executives will be watching the numbers closely in the coming weeks to
see if "Dollhouse" can hold on to its audience. If the series can maintain
its premiere numbers, Fox may have found itself a Friday

night player. 

The network had hoped airing the show on Fridays, rather than on Mondays as
originally announced, would give it time to find and hold and audience. Mr.
Whedon has indicated he's on

board with the strategy.

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/viewers_give_warm_welcome_to_w.php

RE: [scifinoir2] "Push"

[Reece Jennings]

Well-said, Keith.  And great counter!  
I once guarded Tim and Daphne at an NAACP National Convention.  We were
riding in a 
Limo together going God knows where...
 
Great, down to earth people.  At the time, they mentioned that they were
going to be
coming out with some movies.  This was back in '88 or '89.  God!  That was
20 years ago!
 

  _  

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 8:42 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"




You ever seen those e-mails questionnaires that float around? I've gotten
some over the years with questions to determine if you're a real black
person or not. The standard is an e-mail questionnaire with questions like
"What did Florida say at the end of the 'Good Times' ep when James died",
or, "What character always entered the scene by saying 'Wooo-weee!'?"

When some of my friends sent that e-mail my way a while back, I countered
with a questionnaire that included all the movies below, asking if they'd
seen them.  I then chided those who hadn't. I consider viewership of all the
below essential for all black people, especially "Sankofa", the closest
thing in some ways to that Nat Turner film we keep waiting for.  "Down on
The Delta", directed by Maya Angelou, is a sweet and comfortable-feeling
movie of a splintered black family, and "Once Upon a Time..." is a great
pre-Civil Rights era film that's just a slice-of-life in a Southern town,
and I love the fact that Tim and Daphne Reid are behind it.

- Original Message -
From: "Reece Jennings" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 6:02:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] "Push"



I've seen ALL of these, I believe!  GREAT films.  What are 'Indie' films?
I saw most of them on DVD from Blockbuster.

  _  

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:18 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Did you by chance catch "Sankofa", "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored",
"Badasss" , "Down on The Delta", "Killer of Sheep", or "To Sleep with Anger"
in theatres when they came out? All are fabulous indie films that so few
blacks I know saw, but which I loved and chased down in theatres. You strike
me as the type who may have sought them out...


- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 12:48:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



I'm in for "The International".  It's Clive Owen doing his Clive Owen thing,
and that's cool. If  anyone's in a city where "Medicine For Melancholy"  is
playing,  I can't recommend that film enough. It's wonderful. One of the
better Black indies I've seen in a long time. 



On Feb 14, 2009, at 8:33 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:




I'm thinking that too. I'll probably see it tomorrow, then go see "The
International" on Monday as a nice thriller.

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:21:01 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"



Yes, that's what I've heard as well.  


In all reality, Keith, if your wife has been with you  this long, she's
sensitive to a little sci-fi, so  "Curious Case" is probably your best call.



On Feb 14, 2009, at 7:51 PM, Tracey de Morsella wrote:





Confessions has not received any good reviews and people are saying it is
tone death to the times as it focuses a lot on maxing out multiple credit
cards


 

From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto:scifino...@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Keith Johnson
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 2:21 PM
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"


 

Thanks. What about "Confessions of a Shopaholic"?  Hey...today is
Valentine's, and tomorrow is my anniversary. I gotta take the "romantic
comedy" bullet sometime soon!

- Original Message -
From: "Daryle Lockhart" 
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 4:28:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Push"

"Curious Case"  was good. I  think you will  enjoy it. "Push" is a two hour
Marvel Comic book written by a writer you  never  heard of but  an
illustrator you  love. So it looks good,  but halfway in you  realize you've
seen/read this all before. It  ain't the editing, it's the script. It's a
rental. 


 

 

On Feb 13, 2009, at 3:51 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:


 


Anyone see the movie "Push"? I was in Boston when it premiered last week. I
haven't heard much, other than some critics' reviews that say it's a bit of
a jumbled, hyperactive mess (told you I was worried about the too-quick
camera cuts!)
But though a few of us were initially anticipating it, I don't recall any
reviews or discussions here, certainly no praise for