aLOUD

Dreamgirls (the Movie), Thoughts

Unlike CHICAGO, the story is not a cinch, and carries the weight of a losse biography plus recent histories - civil rights, music, and Motown. It felt like it belonged more on the stage to better tether the richness of the lyrics' frequent double-entendres. (I wonder what Nelson George will/woud say about this piece's Broadway debut in relation to U.S. black music history.)

Great performances - acting and singing. Great treat with Loretta Devine late movie - there is just something about including her in work that is a delight, I find. Anika must be quite a fierce powerhouse live. Beyonce did a marvelous job being fragile from the beginning to someone gelled at the end. She did better than I'd allowed, and definitely can continue a film career WITH smart role choices, and great direction. Condon made me wonder if he knew enough black history to really make this a smooth blend of hints, and hits of the different periods we covered. Some of the cuts (or reel changes?!) were sloppy, and disappointing based on how strong Chicago delivered. All in all-

oh, right, Jennifer! - even better voice than I remembered; she does a great, and personal, take on the Classis. I think the next song about NEED is where she really delivers. Her One Night Only was great too. (Dubbing was not very strong throughout the movie, again I was disappointed, yet tried to ignore it.)

I think this is a great film slice of black history (USA) and a strong achievement in black film. Part of me wanted the level and meticulousness CHICAGO received. Alas, that was a different scenario.

I would be curious to see an incredible stage version of this, ironically.

Oh, and there was definitely some overhype - or lots of cutting - of Eddie Murphy's performance. He was fine, great even, yet the role's screen time was smaller than I'd imagined, and perhaps too nuanced. Jamie did a nice trajectory to, well, Hell LOL. Finally, the footage and editing didn't dance so wonderfully here and there. That seems perhaps intentional as this is a diff texture than, say, Chicago.

*I'm so not eager to see FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS now, or at least at this moment.

What's a Tyler Perry comedy-musical look like? Hmmmm

Glad I waited, and saw it today, and continue to dream for myself, and others :-)

DVDs for the distance?

"DVDs will dominate for another decade", says NetFlix CEO. I'm quitely largely inclined to disagree. Your thoughts?

quote from this NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/13/technology/13disc.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

So if this is the case, am I spinning on a early-adopter tv/movie distro model with the direct to iTunes store bit, I mentioned in yesterday's post?

Tyler, Oscar, or

So on the train in, er, over this morning, I thought why not keep a daygig (closer to my career of mediamaking) well-paying, flexible, etc. Then be a Tyler Perry touring the country, well, the world really, with a modest-sized troupe to do a well-written, populist gay play each year. (I would write, or commission, the plays.) Send Pj as the tour manager, perhaps the director or a.d. This sounds solid, smart and slow.

This sounds great. However, for the amount of money, energies, effort and more here, I might as well make a frugal and fierce film. Then I could pull a Micheaux showing the movie one weekend per city, perhaps networking to make sure a name/celebrity attends grabbing news. This sounds cool, creative and connected, yet not my model.

I would rather get on this special event flavor above with simultaneous digital projection in theaters around the world, or at least North American market. Love how all three models include opportunities for travel. Love the efficiencies and synergies implied. What I was thinking more so, and discussing yesterday a bit, is how I film, fund and fling my episodic (dreamed) work into iTunes store (or my own websites/store!), and the features too!

I'm really moving to a point where I need affirmation and confirmation, nay permission from others to do my thing. Feedback is often welcome. Control belongs to Ms. Jackson, er, Janet cuz I'm naughty not nasty ;-)

There is a film script here, just the guy going for his anal pleasure c.o his woman
http://www.villagevoice.com/people/0620,taormino,73190,24.html

CatchUP and MustHard

Just ordered Gregory Douglass' STARK rightfully pumped by Out Magazine (October 2006, p. 44). He's his own creature for sure, somewhere in the metro of Sarah McLachlan, Tori, and softer moody cafe crooners. Look forward to hearing this on my iPod. (Decided to pay a lot more and ordered the actual disc. Perhaps I'll gift it to someone? or simply resell par usual. Wanted him to earn more on it.) Big thanks to OUT!

Billboard (Jan. 28 2006, p. 20) notes the Irish music biz inaugarated an award similar to UK's Mercury as they continue to grow. I wonder how that relates to Dublin growing from the various tech, and other, industries moving in over the last decade or so. Relished the memories and visit just one year ago walking up the way for fresh juice and groceries this AM. Yum.

From some 2005 Out Traveler, I wrote "to advance, we must consider agin honestly for this is how time moves us. looking back is good and certaingly an educaiton too, though perhaps not propelled as we'd like."

From Fast Company (Dec. '05, p.12),"Animation is the only part of film production where quality is going up while costs are going down." Unions withstanding, I think we need to begin seeing this for filmmaking in general. I really am more prone to a cooperative profit sharing, beyond a base/basic salary payment, in my company's model.

BET had an ad, in Billboard, quite awhile back saying they were #1 in 2005 in five different categories. I'm so unimpressed. Of course, it's about more than money with me. As well, I think it's funny they've made it to 25 being so shallow and weathering the consistent criticism about shallow (if quite profitable) programming. Would love to see some better/highbrow amidst all the other stuff. Ah, dreaming again, yes, I am!

Found this VV article about Latin freestyle's early 80s origins being a compromise as hip-hop early on was quite black, and demanded to be strictly so. Hmmm, I guess we can live together; more application on the working together.
http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0616,veraacuten,72904,22.html

Asians get lost in translation

Village Voice article I enjoyed: From 'Memoirs of a Geisha' to Gwen Stefani's Harujuku Girls, Asians get lost in translation

Mixy

This idea of building prisons (that are band-aiding vs. solving, curative) that cost more per person than K-12 (!) education is so crazee to me... So I peeped this site I learned about c/o Utne Reader

What does Mark Hughes' "BuzzMarketing" say about "the five most frequently written news stories..."? (Book review here.)

Irish Movie Screens Going All-Digital
Stat: Irish movie lovers have the second highest level of cinema attendance in Europe.
Stat: There are already hundreds of digital venues across Asia, specifically in China, Singapore, and India. (Utne, Jul/Aug '05, p. 21)

Catchup Blog 2

Letter from the Edtior, Out July '05
"I was struck by the fact that almost all the male Hollywood A-listers who are not American have played gay or bisexual characters on-screen, while virtually none of the American have. Russell Crowe played queer in The Sum of Us;Antonio Banderas got gay for Perdo Almodovar and opposite TOm Hanks; and last year alone Colin Farrell connected with men in two movies. Look at their American heartthrob counterparts: Neither Tom Cruise nor Brad Pitt has ever played overtly gay in a movie."

I'm guessing this has to do with different cultural perspectives of gayness & masculinity, eh?

HX 27 May 2005 p. 32
HX: How did you respond to the criticism that the show wasn't an accurate depiction of gay life?
Hal Sparks: If we had five gay guys in an office and the show was about how normal they are, it wouldn't last a season - and it wouldn't create any change. We showed gay people who drank and did drugs and fucked everybody - and you still had to love them.

1) we didn't have to love them, or even like them, though I hear him in saying the story structuring / making a character sympathetic
2) I think this everyday gay thing is the way to go, maybe that's just (for) me though...? Or perhaps I'm carrying this over from pre-SoulFood (tv show) when some argued that seeing black folks in more everyday (dramatic) situations can further the bridges, close the divides between seeing blacks as other types, aliens, etc. * Perhaps this is my writing/visioning challenge? The seed was planted awhile ago, no?

I love this zero-energy homes idea. Can pursue as we get into this property purchasing outlook ;-) * How come this isn't poppin' as much on the Eastern coast/side of the States?

I laughed out loud, and cringed a bit, at this replicating NYC's East Village in Vegas. (Also, Avenue Q has a show up in Vegas as of 27 August - that was a fast year!)

IFP MARKET - a few notes
Was very very cool to hear Norman Jewison speak at the IFP Market's closing. The icing on that cake was Warrington Hudlin being the moderator/interviewer. Reminded me - as many other things have lately - that I am well connected when I want to be and/or get on the vibe. What is the combination like now that my intuition is strong as I clarify and loft my life (energy) with renewed purpose and positioning?? :-)
The panel with Rosie Perez, Mary Kay Place & Yolonda Ross really added to my thoughts o' late around directing, producing (what type of production am I best with), and how a story is still the thing with(out) that attracts and brings them to a project - money or not!

Play'd

Ugh, perhaps this was adapting the Tupac & Biggie wars cuz this was more about guns, bling & bitchin' than the biz, the music, artists and commodification of underground things.

Or Kid & Play on steriods plus a beef between 'em. Ah well, it's a bit more imagery for That Piece I'm working (yes, still!) on...

Acting was ok. Story is very thin. Toni Braxton was actually good, though not thespian.
The tracks were ok too. Direction was ok. The camera work was ALL over the places and attempting techniques that didn't work, or maybe it was the dvd barely skipping? The footage is disjointed structurally overall, and, it ain't about a style or some shit about choices. It just doesn't work, or reflect hiphop, imho. Skimmed a bit through some gun heavy parts.
Gotta give the writer and actor depicting Suge propers for the gun at his head, and having everyone else put their hands up in the air.

mixd

DIDDY RECEIVES AND READIES TO LET MASE GO TO 50 (CENT). Bravo my business-minded brother!
"He's definitely got enough money to set everything right," a smiling Diddy told MTV. "50 hasn't called me about signing Mase. If he's interested in signing him, we could always have a discussion. At the end of the day, I want everybody to be happy and where they want to be. But I'm available, I'm free, he's got my number." (EUR)

Lil Jon breaks from TVT Records as they ain't paid him a dime...

http://metropoint.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Metropoint.woa/4/wo/wHhyBatOVBURhl4YA5YoDg/0.13.1.0.1.0.3
Metro NY's article on music group 33hz reminds me I would like to focus more time hearing new musics for collection expansion as well as potential collaborators, or simply more ideas. yes, i too wonder if i really need more ideas. alas, they keep coming so i'm more of the mind to work with them. (www.33hz.com) * Fixing my iPod (and USB cord swap out) makes a big difference to that aim. As well, I can preview musics at work :-)
Look, Ma, No Schoolbooks!
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,68578,00.html?tw=rss.TEK

The Foundations of House - Mac-made documentaries tracing roots and pioneers of house music
http://www.apple.com/pro/video/ramoseberhart/

TLA on the artisté tip

TLA Releasing to Take "Beverly Kills" to Theaters in Mid '06
http://www.indiewire.com/biz/biz_050811tla.html

I wondered Friday what I could do on iDVD for no cash using found footage, photographs, type, etc. on my dMac... more to get my hands dirty, creativity active in it All :-)

080105

7,1 * moon Tau/Gem 8:52 * -Inventor * I am a magnet for Divine Prosperity. I am accessing the All * new one, sorta Babyface-ish

Dreamworks & NBC Universal are talkin', hmmm.

JUNEBUG illuminates differences of red & blue staters with success
http://nytimes.com/2005/08/01/movies/01june.html?pagewanted=all

webcasting TV is the future? - this excerpt says much I feel:
http://nytimes.com/2005/08/01/technology/01video.html?pagewanted=all
AOL is also scouring Hollywood to buy the rights to old TV shows and movies it can fill with ads and show free on the Internet, said Mr. Conroy, who sees the Internet starting as akin to the ultimate UHF station.

BET announces finalists for AIDS-themed film competition
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid19252.asp

Yahoo buys Konfabulator, makers of Widgets for its websites - GOOD! move
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050725/yahoo_konfabulator.html?.v=5

Why Dreamworks Animation is dipping down on the NYSE
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/25/business/media/25dreamworks.html?8dpc=&pagewanted=all

Hmmm, I wonder who'll succeed SAG Prez Melissa Gilbert
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050722/ap_en_ce/people_gilbert;_ylt=AjsDZJuxjtoK_uqw.9m8Kui2GL8C;_ylu=X3oDMTA3YXYwNDRrBHNlYwM3NjI-

I love this nouveau idea for black movies + theatrical movie releases as well that brothers & sisters are workin' on IT
http://eurweb.com/printable.cfm?id=21431

Enjoyed SAVING FACE; would love my dad to watch it, recommend it for Oklahoma too. Great to see Joan Chen work(ing it). Story was simple and enriched, if not rich+complex with storylines as I might've wanted. Then again, you've a 3-generations in a family dealing with tradition, expectations and Life, so...

THE RECEPTION definitely provided a GOOD, dramatic story. The camerawork wasn't too good, though survivable (over, say, Blair Witch). Too, good to see atypical interracial story. The story was missing pieces, yet I felt the writer had them in hand... what's up with that? Really good cast. This was done in 8 days for $5K (which makes it much much better, i say, than a good many things I've seen indie and h'wood).

Babyface is a comin' back next Tuesday :-) Hooray!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050716/music_nm/babyface_dc/nc:689;_ylt=Au1XeDhrO8P2uFG18qCsGr.VEhkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Read about two black Canadian artists in B'board today, Jully Black (say as Julie) and Divine Brown. I like Jully's tracks and voice, not so much the song clips I peeped on Canadian iTunes. Divine is more grabbing me. Her presence reminds me of someone, though the musics are certainly hers. Some early 70s flavors for sure. * I may track this down and buy it :-)

Herndon Davis, author of Black, Gay & Christian, readies TV. Would love to have this one a gay channel - controversial, yes, multicultura, yes, intelligent, yes, affirming (for some, ha), yes!
http://www.afterelton.com/TV/2005/7/herndondavis.html

Mixxed

Students Say High Schools Let Them Down - great they already know the lame deal

Funny to pull this up last night because seeing the exhilirating, adorable MAD HOT BALLROOM reminded how much public education reform fires me up, and that I'd rather reform K-12 while doing face to face with adults. I think because it would be more reshaping, remixing, without self-pressure to be caring around influencing someone's future So Much.

(+) when am i making some of these library runs?

As I thought, another black/urban modest (in my mind) budget deal with LL (! Cube envy?) & Lions Gate (studio that released Perry's way successful DIARY). Congrats to them both. Not sure about the reworking of a blk Fatal Attraction, though I'm curious to know the primary differences in stories on paper, plus the trio casting.

I really am more and more admiring R. Kelly's musical invention. Some may say the new generation's Prince - eh, I wouldn't say that, though both clearly are prolific & inventive.

Hmmm, Ricky Martin's new single features Fat Joe & Amerie. Pretty good track - very open, indian-inflected, dancey

In Madonna's august Vogue interview, she says they don't do newspapers, mags or tv. eek, i hope no gemini asc. are in the building.

ET & OutFest successes

Go Hudlins!

Filmmaker hired as new President of Entertainment.

*BET President and CEO Debra L. Lee has announced filmmaker Reginald Hudlin as President of Entertainment for BET, effective immediately.
The noted director will split time between BET programming and production hubs in Los Angeles and New York, and company headquarters in Washington. He becomes chief programming executive in charge of BET’s music, entertainment, specials, sports, news and public affairs, film and program acquisitions, home entertainment and programming development units.
“There is no media property with greater growth potential than BET,” said Hudlin. “I’m grateful for Debra, Bob (Johnson, Co-founder) and Tom’s (Freston, Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Viacom) confidence in my ability to shape the creative future of the network. I look forward to working with them as we guide BET to the next step in its evolution with a wide range of original programming.”
Hudlin exploded on the scene with older brother Warrington in 1990 with production of the comedy “House Party.” His filmography also includes “Boomerang,” “The Great White Hype,” “Bebe’s Kids” and
“The Ladies Man,” among his producer and directorial credits.

UCLA & OutFest partnership sets up LGBT film archive - woohoo!
http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?2005/07/12/3

071205

8,3 (powerful meeting) * moon Vir/Lib 16:09 est * -Change * I am ready *

dream 1071205
something about a gathering - a funerl, mourning? where young folks are coming from all over and holin' up in several basement's - seems like the one i'm in is a church or biz building. though it has a full, if tight, bathroom down there. lots of sunlight, traveling to & fro.

Love the sound of The Art of the Film Pitch class & price. Feels like it's too soon though - where's my pitch/script?
http://www.mediabistro.com/courses/cache/crs760.asp?c=mbencrse

Black Film Lately - we're making progress, yet, of many items, MORE sisters working now...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/10/movies/10coat.html?pagewanted=all

My inclination is still to have a PC laptop (or Apple with virtual pc?) for the astrology and genealogy software packages, perhaps MS Office too... I get very excited about putting family birthdata into both former packages, such that I can talk about patterns by way of data, and then go interview, inquire around such trends. Also, I suspect some astrology software can pick up relationships AND birthdata from GEDCOM files :-)

B Movies Invade Your TV! - love the cheap per picture budget, the grandkids of Roger Corman indeedy! So why don't we come with (many) more B (and sneak some A) movies per cultural audiences in at these budgets? Also, I'm noting the foreign (or odd, Mississippi!) film locales**
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/10/arts/television/10beal.html?pagewanted=all

**Laughed when I saw Honeymooners filmed in Dublin. As well, Ireland is going digital in movie theaters per Utne article I'm in the middle of. Maybe I need to get with Mark Cuban('s money)?

Craig Brewer scored a 3 pix, $16M deal in showing "Hustle & Flow" at Sundance. Keep an eye out for his "Black Snake Moan"

Jim Verraros (Ai1) talks about post-show successes

Mix o' Media/new & old

London hosts 2012 Olympics - very cool

With Lucas(film) on the Presidio now, and Wayans looking at Oakland complex, SF Bay looks like a real contender for (?digital) filmmaking outside of Hollywood. Different grooves too with Aries for SF & Berkeley. WIll look up Oakland's sign...(I know a belated response.)

NYU panel looks at challenge of accurately portraying African-American gays and lesbians

Federal court says prisoner’s request for Out and the Advocate not valid - inclined to agree given homophobic attitudes and dangers within such spaces

Excited & curious about Logo's "Momentum" (show); what is their "Wisecrack"?

Junior Vasquez is back & sober, hooray!

Talk about needing to beat the money drum... Let's go Team Rainbow!

Mix o' Media

Forget the Bootleg, Just Download the Movie Legally - well, eventually, anyhoo. Not so sure this will roll as well as iTunes since it's bigger files, and different audience behaviors (somewhat so).
http://nytimes.com/2005/07/04/technology/04studio.html?pagewanted=all&position=

Portland as great case study for going greener
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/03/opinion/03kristof.html?incamp=article_popular_1

Hollywood Movie Studios See the Chinese Film Market as Their Next Rising Star
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/04/business/media/04film.html?8dpc=&pagewanted=all&position=

A very odd 'appreciation' of Luther (A Seducer in Song, No Lechery Required)
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/04/arts/music/04note.html

What if Google had its own version of PayPal without restrictions? Hmmm
http://www.sugarbank.com/sam_sugars_blog/2005/06/forget_paypal_g.html

Ghostwritin' in Hollywood

I love this piece that gives an insider's peek at Hollywood ghostwriting, and tells it like it is (from his seat)
http://hometown.aol.com/rbrtptrck/myhomepage/business.html

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Watched Diary with my sister this weekend. (saw a bit of the stageplay too, which seems more like a musical or play with singing... only went 25 minutes in...) Will circle back to my notes later.

Want to determine if that wasTOni Braxton doing a song called STUPID or such. Sounds pretty good I know that. * Yup, I found the movie credits c/o Google in a word document. She co-wrote it with Tyler and Cory Rooney (!). [I so need to be writing with these catz while I do have an address here.]

Felt like the high drama at the outsets didn't match up with the urban yuck yuck later on or even the blossoming romance. too many textures that don't best come together, though the storyline feels true, if audience bent, all around.

Americans Prefer Watching Movies at Home

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&e=2&u=/ap/20050616/ap_en_mo/movies_ap_aol_poll

PROM QUEEN

4 stars/Grade: B minus

Texture, rhythm off. Animation tells vs. shows already obvious, so also detracted from the strong (real life) story. Ditto on the eye twinkles. (Perhaps this is for younger audiences more so? Definitely reminded me of slightly remixed ABC after school special.) Quite a good number of fresh moments though in story, performances. Enjoyed primary cast; liked the story overall. Music seems good, though not always thematically on point, if, yes, queer and/or youth-oriented.

the Batman speak

on the character's incarnations

http://www.vh1.com/movies/news/articles/1503862/06092005/story.jhtml