Angel Heart

When I first saw this film oh, so many years ago, it was because of Lisa Bonet. Many of you may not even know who she is. Lisa Bonet played Denise Huxtable on the Cosby Show. Denise was the artistic Huxtable, so I was drawn to her character right away. She dressed differently, had her own ideas and just went with her own flow. Does art imitate life? Lisa was looking to change, but Cosby suggested she think things through. When an actor takes that first role they have to be very careful. So from a safe place, Lisa went against Cosby and took the role of Epiphany. She played a young voodoo priestess, walking around half naked and doing a bloody sex scene with Mickey Rourke. The film originally had an NC-17 rating, so the sex scene was cut short. In the DVD version, the scene is seen in its entirety. Voodoo experts criticized the film because they didn’t understand what it had to do with the film. Those affiliated with the film, lots of locals, tried to justify the dance sequences and the fact that most people who practice voodoo or seek voodoo are searching for themselves. The DVD is also filled with some useful knowledge from local practioners. It also gives insight on Marie Laveau, the most famous of all Voodoo priestesses. Marie Laveau was a beautician and a nurse. She used Voodoo in both professions. The history behind Voodoo and it’s origins are quite interesting. New Orleans is at the core of it all. Check out this DVD if only for the extra features by some local New Orleanians. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

The Gingerbread Man

1-18-06 The Ginger Bread Man - The film stars a few heavy weights, Robert Duvall, Daryl Hannah, Robert Downey, Jr., Troy Beyer, Tom Berenger and Kenneth Branaugh. The film is filled with twists and turns, using the tale of the Ginger bread man as an outline. Catch me if you can. I’m sure the book was better than the film, but I liked the idea of a hurricane being the undercurrent. It’ll help me when I begin my tale. In keeping with my theme of films made in and around Louisiana. Tonight’s feature will be the controversial, Angel Heart. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

All images are from the film, Island in the sun. Notice the natural beauty and sexual aura being given by all of the characteres. 1) John Justin and Dorothy Dandridge 2) Harry Belafonte and D. D. 3) Harry Belafonte and Joan Fontaine 4) Joan Collins

Mr. 3000

   Mr. 3000 - I finally sat down and watched this film. It was okay. I’m not a Bernie Mac fan. The reason I got this film is because I had a very, very small part. So small in fact you can’t even see me. I thought the scene might get cut and then it appears early in the film. If they hadn’t done a fade in you might get to see me moving around. This week I’ll be watching films that were filmed in and around New Orleans. I spoke with Paul Sorvino, but I didn’t know he was in the film. It’s funny how you can be a part of something and not know what the finished product will be. Now I understand how Bob Guccione pulled off Caligula. Anyway, the film stars Angela Basset and Steve Haughn, I think that’s his name. He played in Sahara with Matthew, 8 mile with Eminem and National Security with Martin Lawrence. He’s always the side kick, a little comic relief. Mr. 3000 is a Bernie Mac film, he appears in every scene. If you like Bernie Mac or if you like Baseball then you’ll enjoy this film. In case your wondering which scene I am in. It’s when Bernie is batting balls in the batting cage, I’m one of the janitors in the background. Then they do a fade in, inside of a baseball. Tonight I will watch, The Gingerbread Man. This should be interesting. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

We are all colored people

We’re all colored people - I watched an interesting and powerful film. It was hailed as being a milestone in courageous picture making, by Variety. The film I’m talking about is Darryl F. Zanuck’s Island in the Sun. The story was by Alec Waugh and directed by Robert Rossen. The screenplay was written by Alfred Hayes. The film stars, James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Dorothy Dandridge, Joan Collins, Michael Rennie, Diana Wynyard, John Williams, Stephen Boyd, Basil Sydney and Harry Belafonte as Boyeur. Such a cool name, but it turns out to be his last name in the film. It reminded me of the name of one of my characters in Pieces of Reality. Hollywood magic made things seem possible. Once again life imitates art or vice versa. The film is set on a Caribbean island in 1957. Politics, murder, interracial relationships and scandal make this film worth a look. It’s funny how people look at films and videos today and talk about the girls half naked. Maybe because the women appeared to be more lady like justified them walking around half naked? Maybe it’s the fact that they are beautiful and the girls that we see in videos come across as sluts. Although Joan Collins and Dorothy Dandridge look glamorous, walking around half naked leaves something to the imagination. All the subtleties of what might be a kiss turns into a hug or the faces come within inches of each other to display intimacy. Harry Belafonte doesn’t kiss Joan Fontaine and Dorothy Dandridge doesn’t kiss John Justin. Harry Belafonte gets to sing which is no surprise. He also sings the title song; Dorothy gets to do the limbo and quite gracefully. This film was not received well in the South upon it’s first weeks of release. The whites were depicted as adulterers, murderers and scandalous, while the blacks were depicted as kind and noble. Quite a switch from the stereo type most people have come to know. I miss the days when people used to dress up. This film brings that back. Even seeing Belafonte in a pair of blue jeans or Dandridge in a sarong is very stylish. The cinematography in this film is so artistic and the imagery is insatiably erotic. As the films of old, that cast black actors in leads, come to light. Please check them out. Cabin in the Sky, Hallelujah, and Purlie Victorious, all come to DVD in honor of black history month. Hey, we’re making history everyday. Check out some old films and see what today’s Hollywood is missing. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Here are some recommendations: Giant, Gone with the Wind, Carmen, and Stormy Weather.

The Hitch Hiker's Guide

1-14-06 The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy. I finally got my hands on a copy of this film at a good price. I wanted this film because it starred Mos Def. Sam Rockwell and the Voices of Alan Rickman and Helen Mirren. It has a few very funny moments. It’s a change seeing Mos Def in a silly role. Quite entertaining. I do recommend this. As I prepare for the Da Vinci Code, this is an enlightened approached to the search for answers. Everyone wants to know, how did we get here. What is the truth? Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Friday the 13th

1-13-05 Oh my, it’s Friday the 13th, the first one of the year. I was going to buy Friday the 13th part 2 and 3, but they were gone when I went back to get them. I was going to buy them used of course. I only buy new films if I am in a hurry or fear the film may not become available used. I still have not run across the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy new or used. I need to revise my list again. I went out and bought The White Shadow, but I stumbled across some other interesting films and so I need to eliminate something from my list. I picked up a film with Dorothy Dandridge that should be interesting, Island in the Sun. I’ve only seen her in Carmen, which was directed by Otto Preminger. Tonight I watched the remake of the film, The Longest Yard. Let me start by saying I never saw the original all the way through. I wasn’t really a fan of Burt Reynolds. Something about him I didn’t like. I do remember seeing Smokey and the Bandit and Sharkey’s machine, but that was on television. I have seen Deliverance twice now, but it was because of the story, not Burt Reynolds. Burt does appear in the remake and he actually looks better than I’ve ever seen him. In the film Striptease he looked so fake. Too much plastic surgery. I didn’t buy this film and it won’t be a part of my collection. I borrowed it from my nephew. I am a fan of Chris Rock and Nelly has a few speaking parts. It’s an entertaining film. I’m not a big fan of Adam Sandler either, but I did enjoy him in Punch Drunk Love. So, if you’re sitting around and not sure what to watch, pop in The Longest Yard for a few laughs and lots of hard hitting football action. I’m going to play the next few nights by ear. My nephew has a few films I haven’t seen, so I may borrow them from his collection. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

I love when the English use the word bloody. Of course I don't recall it being used in this film at all.

1-11-06 Sunday Bloody Sunday, this is not the film I was expecting. I guess for it’s time it was controversial, but it wasn’t like Making Love or Cruising. The story revolves around a doctor who loves a young man who loves an older woman. The young man spends his time going back and forth enjoying the company of both parties until he gets tired. His main focus is his art and not his relationship with either party. Artists are difficult creatures sometimes. They are hard to understand and their art is their life. I think I know something about that. LOL. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Tonight’s feature will be, Million Dollar Baby.