Short Film - Last Minutes With Oden

Last Minutes with ODEN from phos pictures on Vimeo.

Very dope short film/doc/gonzo piece. I do warn you however, a lot of people cry when they watch it...

But other than that, enjoy.

Short Film - Up There

UP THERE from Jon on Vimeo.

Interesting short documentary. Enjoy

Short Film - Five Deep Breaths

Very, VERY, compelling short Film. Very graphic language and some violence, so probably NSFW...but if you get a few moments take them to watch.

New Call of Duty

Call of Duty Black Ops Teaser @ Yahoo! Video

Short Film - A Thousand Suns

Enjoy.

I think I'll start posting small things on here, leaving all words out. Just images, moving and still.

(Make it fullscreen, can't really adjust it for some reason...)

Daily Inspiration

I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion."

Crush Of The Moment - 2/23/10

V.V. Brown - She sings, she models, she's quirky, and she has an accent.

Need I say more?

The Interview

Have a new addition to the blog I'm working on. Gotta get all the kinks worked out, but it should definitely be dope.

See you soon.

New RJD2

His new album drops on the 19th of this month. I suggest you go get that.

This video concept is pretty amazing by the way.

Crush of the Moment - 12/20/09

Robin Meade - Journalist, Television Talk Show Host, Fine

For Your Consideration

(Click on the image to Supersize it)

Courtesy of the homie Jay over at DSE.

Films I Want To See - 12/08/09

It's Oscar Season, Baby

Films I Want To See - 12/04/09

If you haven't seen the first District B 13...I would suggest you go rent that. Not the greatest film Story Wise...but very entertaining to watch.

Disgusting

Lady in My Life (Cover) - Maxwell

What I'm Listening To - 11/30/09

Quantic and His Combo Barbaro - Tradition in Transition



Coffee and Cigarettes Band - Love Thing



Keys N Krates - Re-Mixing 101



Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest



Zo! - ...Just Visiting Too



Menahan Street Band - Make The Road By Walking



Lupe Fiasco - Enemy of the State: A Love Story

Crush of the Moment - 11/29/09

Esperanza Spalding - Jazz Bassist, Singer, Educator, Genius

Summer of 2010

I know its a bit early to consider what's being done in Summer of 2010, but at the rate my life moves I need to plan this ahead of time.

Trying to find someone/place that will allow me to couch crash during the summer. Looking for folks that I know in either LA, NY (or Tristate area that's close enough to commute to NY)

I'm looking to take a few Meisner and Method Acting Classes, as well as possibly paint...on some true Artsy/BoHo/Hippie shit. Mainly the first two however. I'm looking to take the classes to learn new things to add to my Director's Bag-O-Tricks; strengthening my craft essentially.

Not sure what proper compensation is for something of this sort...but I'll gladly cook, clean, wash clothes/dishes, be a handyman/man of the house, and various other things in exchange for room and board (all of which would have to be agreed upon prior to, and yes...there will be a contract). Hell, I'll be a Personal Assistant...to an extent...Any other compensation could be discussed outside of this note, leaving a lot up to negotiation.

I'm not sure of exact dates yet, I have to look into classes and I probably won't research that until over Christmas Break. I just want to get some sort of living arrangement etched in stone before I do anything else, even if its only a gentleman's agreement for now.

If you or someone you know would be open to this, please comment on the note or shoot me a message ASAP.

Thanks.

The Build Up That Is: The Princess and The Frog

So I'll probably upset people with this blog entry...and I don't particularly care. As a disclaimer, however, I will say that these are solely my opinions...its up to you to determine what you feel...


(click on the image or here to visit the official site)

For those of us who have not been under a rock for the past 2 years, we're all well aware of the new Disney Film "The Princess and The Frog." Its to be the first official film to star Black/African-American/Characters of African Descent - which I feel is silly, all things considered Lion King was the first. Once again, this is just my opinion.

With the buzz of the film came many mixed perceptions and opinions on the characters as well as the story. Many of which were followed with America's favorite word...racism.

Now, before I go any further I just want to explicitly say that there is a difference between the -isms and being naive to situations due to one's ignorance. An example of such: People always argue that Spike Lee's films and possibly that he is Sexist. When in fact, that's not the case. Spike tries to write for women, but because he is not one...falls flat at points. Its not because he's a sexist, its because he's ignorant of what constitutes realism for Woman Characters.

Continuing on.

There's been a concern that Disney, a company that hasn't had the most positive PR when it comes to Race/Religious Relations, has been using this film to as a means to voice its opinion on those of us with a...ahem...Darker hue. Which, in fact, isn't the case...at least, not in my eyes.

Let the question sequence begin:

1. Why New Orleans, why not Africa?

Answer: You don't run the same show twice.

Well, that's too easy. Too cliche. And for what its worth, there was already an Animated Film set in Africa WITH songs in Swahili. More so, Disney runs an essentially ALL BLACK stage production of the film...There's no fun in rehashing a story.

I hear the rants from the peanut gallery that argue the fact that since that film had animals it doesn't count. Explain Bambi then...

More so, these are animals that speak, dance, and break out into song...let's be serious with ourselves here....

Furthermore, the setting of New Orleans was choose not only because it was Walt Disney's favorite place but it CLEARLY makes sense for the story. A story, set in the 20s...about Blacks...honestly, what's the first place that you think of?

Also, I feel its a good thing that the people of New Orleans get to see their city in all of its glory after all the hardship that they've been through. No one had a problem with Benjamin Button being in Naw'lins...and to be honest, Taraji walked the line between Loving Maternal character and Magical Negro in that film...She was one "OOO Chille" away from Mississippi Burning.

Moving on.

2. Why is Prince Naveen not Black?

Answer: Does it matter?

For those that don't know, Naveen is the Prince Charming of the film. The love interest of the story's protagonist, Tiana (I can hear the rants, I'll come back to the name.)

Since the initial image releases of the film, Naveen has made a significant change in...ahem...hue. There were significant complaints about the character falling for a "Beige" person...thus pissing off the Sister Africas...

Old Naveen:




New Naveen:




To accomodate the Sister Africa's request, they made him a more tan and gave him a Luther Vandross Curl.

Something I found preposterous about the complaints was the myopic thought process of those ranting. Not only is Disney making a movie about a BLACK Princess, but decided to incorporate Interracial Love as well...in the 1920s! I'm sorry, but if that's not ballsy what is? More so, isn't that the image we want to teach our children in the new millennium we live in? That its OK to choose what make you comfortable? To fall in love with a person because of who they are, not because of what they look like? I commend Disney for their fearlessness when making such a decision, but I guess it went over people's heads...

And for the Record, Naveen was Indian...not White.


(I personally find this image preposterous...Naveen wooing not one, BUT TWO White Women whilst resting his shoulder on the Back of a White Man....in the 1920s...He would've been fucking lynched in those days...but hey, I guess it doesn't matter as long as you please the Sister Africas...)

3. Why is she named Tiana?

Answer: C'mon Son.

Look, I really don't care about the name...I'd be upset if she was named Lotaviquous. Let's be honest, Tiana is basically a normal name in today's society...if we're gonna be culturally inaccurate about everything else, let's not try to fix shit now. More so, I thought the name of the game was writing Characters that people can identify with...and I thought this film was about showing Little Black Girls that they too can be Princesses...I'm pretty sure they have a friend or cousin named Tiana (maybe not that spelling), I'm fine with it. They could've named her Zimbuki...all I'm saying...



To add to this, everyone was concerned that she was a servant...which isn't the case. She works a restaurant and one day wants to own her own, essentially becoming a Madame CJ Walker. She learned to cook from her Father, I'm a bit foggy as to if the restaurant is owned by him or if its a pauper to prince(ss) story. In addition to this, Tiana wants to own the restaurant because she feels it brings people together...which is why the dynamic of working with her Father was expound upon. Thus, continuing the subtext of all Disney Movies, that family is important to our lives.

While I'm on this subject, I'm amazed at the amount of people who haven't commented on the fact that a BLACK FATHER is close to his BLACK DAUGHTER. We have plenty of films that profit off of the broken Black Family (ahem...Precious) and for once we have one that praises the Black Family Structure and it's importance...Sister Africas...distracting again.

4. What's up with the Gospel and Jazz Tracks?

Answer: You can't be serious right now...

You're really going to look me in my face, as another person of color, and say that you DON'T listen to Jazz or Gospel? Anyway...

My feelings on that are as such, don't be ashamed of your roots. I grew up listening to Gospel, Jazz, R&B, etc. Be proud of the musical background that our people have...more so, how Anachronistic would it have been if there was an Electronic song in the middle of 1920s New Orleans? Music and Setting are to convey mood and set tone for the film, something I feel was done effectively here.

And honestly, if you wanna be pissed off about a song and the lyrics...go and watch Jungle Book...If you don't get upset when Louie starts singing the Swing song...well, yea. He's the one of the only characters in the film that doesn't have an English accent, is a Monkey that sings Swing a la Cab Calloway, Speaks in Jive, and sings a song about wanting to be a "Man Cub" like you.

And for what its worth, Scatman Crothers was in Aristocats...not the first Disney movie with Jazz...

Kudos to Randy Newman on the arrangement of the songs by the way. What can't that man write...?

5. What's the deal with the Supplementing Characters/Ensemble?

Answer: This is gonna be a long one...(that's what she said)



Mama Odie, a 197 Year Old Blind woman who lives in the Bayou, has a seeing eye Snake that she uses as a cane, and knows how to break hexes (essentially, the Glenda The Good Witch) ...sure, this can push a few people...but this a movie about a Voodoo Spell that was placed on the two of them. Let's be honest, every other film has had a Wizard or Witch...you thought this was gonna be different? Furthermore, the concern is that she's a bit "Mammie." I'm willing to acknowledge the fact that she speaks like "Big Momma" but not willing to call her a Mammie...not without seeing the film...and not off of the images that I've seen. One needs to know what a Mammie is (as well as a Sambo, Pickaninny, etc.) before they start throwing those terms around. Its the most overused term since Uncle Tom. (For the record, Uncle Tom frees the slaves at the end of the book...he puts on the act so he can fool the "Good White Folk." Read the fucking book before you go using the term all willy nilly) Also for the record, the character is designed after Margaret Rutherford...not Aunt Jemima...Who was in fact a Mammie...just saying...



Dr. Faciler, the antagonist of the film and a Witch Doctor (essentially The Wicked Witch of The West)...I don't really have a problem with this guy...he looks like Samuel L. Jackson in Eve's Bayou to me...it makes me giggle...(YES THEY DESERVED TO DIE, AND I HOPE THEY BURN IN HELL!!!!)



Louie, the Jazz playing Alligator who wants to be human (kinda like Pinnocchio) so he can play in a Jazz Band...anything...anyone? No...ok, he's comic relief...I think we kinda all got that...



Ray the Firefly who's in love with a star he calls, "Evangeline". I'm on the fence about this guy...I can't lie. I'm not opposed to his look, because he's essentially the Pumba of this film...I am a little opposed to his voice and joke choice. HOWEVER, I can see him as an important reflectionary character who through his child-like knowledge will offer a lesson that's very mature and important to the film and the character(s) arc(s).

In closing, I'll be seeing it. I may even take my Niece if I have the time. Furthermore, I feel a lot of the negative feelings are coming from people who believe that Black History Month is in February because its the shortest month of the year (that's not the reason why it's in February...I can't hold your hand homie, go read a book)...and honestly, what we should be pissed off about is that Oprah and Terrance Howard are in this film.

That's a crime against humanity.

Crush of the Moment - 11/15/09

Yukimi Nagano (Lead Singer from Little Dragon)


See, I still update...

Josephine

I was bored, so I wrote a short story. Its mostly stream of conscious...I hope you enjoy. And if not, tell me.

Josephine

“You always dress so well,” is what she said to me. Josephine and I had been friends for only a short period of time; yet, she made it a personal point to tell me when I resembled Steve McQueen. Perhaps it was because I looked like a slob eighty percent of the time, perhaps it was ulterior in motive...perhaps I’m thinking wishfully. In any case, it was a compliment; something that I did not receive often enough. “Thank you, you’re not too harsh on the eyes yourself.” Her teeth, always ever so pristine, grinned faintly; in a manner similar to what you see in films from the Forties; the ones where the woman tries to hide her smile as if it will insult someone. “Stop it, I’ll blush.” She states this as if it’s a bad thing. I’d be telling a falsity if I said I never wanted something more of Josephine. Not only am I shy and reserved...I’m taken. By Jo-Jo’s - a name we use to tease Josephine often; cousin none the less.

It was the classic case of untimely circumstance, you know those. Those instances where you begin to date someone seriously, and poof, out of the blue comes someone more fitting for you. Something about the air of the room when they walk in...it gets rather light, it has a strange hue even. Azure, for me. At that first small social gathering the Azure was deeper than a European sky, and from across the room I noticed Josephine. As beautiful as ever, hiding that smile...the same smile that I’ve told her time and time again that she should show off. She pays me no mind. The party was rather drab, not much memorable about it...other than Josephine. She wore a yellow dress, red flat shoes, and her curly locks of hair rested on her collar. I don’t even remember what I wore that night...jeans, loafers...something rather banal I can assume. There was nothing normal about her...in the least. I often wonder if Josephine feels the same way as I do.

Sure we flirt, but it’s all harmless. At least I feel so. Teasing, play fighting, knocking over ice cream cones...you’d think we were five years old the way we act in public. And to be honest, I think that’s what attracts me to her. The fact that I'm so childlike around her; at ease. It’s as if the only thing that matters in that moment is sprinkles or no sprinkles...Strawberry or Vanilla. Sometimes I say with such resolve in the morning, “Today will be the day. The day that you tell her how you feel.” Even stare myself down in the mirror...but it never happens. I doubt it ever will to be honest. And I’m perfectly fine with that. Why spoil it...if it’s meant to be, I’m sure serendipity will intervene.

One day, we’ll be coming from the pier...and it’ll start to rain...heavily. We’ll run, but the closest place will be my...no, her apartment. We’ll wait it out. Laugh more, she’ll dry off and her locks will retain a small amount of water, slowly dripping on to the linoleum in the kitchen. She’ll make us tea. With honey. Not too sweet, not too bland...perfect. We’ll share a blanket, play fight, and that’s how it’ll happen. We’ll recognize that we’re both out of line...but neither of us will stop it...and just like that, her Yellow Dress and Red Flats...my Loafers and Jeans... The room will be the deepest azure. She’ll look at all the articles tied in a boondoggled knot on the wooden floor of her living room and say, “You always dress so well.” To which, I’ll reply “Thank you, you’re not too harsh on the eyes yourself.” And we’ll both laugh......only this time, she won’t sheath her smile.