Fine Line:

Seeing American Gangster recently reminded me of the famous scene in which DeNiro faces off against Pacino in the diner and utters the immortal line…

“What if you do got me boxed in and I gotta put you down? Cause no matter what, you will not get in my way. We’ve been face to face, yeah. But I will not hesitate. Not for a second.”

So what’s your fine line from a movie?

The Assassination Of Jessse James by the coward Robert Ford

What’s it about?
Based on the novel by Ron Hansen it provides the back-story to the life of America’s most notorious outlaws and his unlikely sycophantic assassin. It offers a new depth never before addressed and adds perspective to an outlaw who was a multifaceted as he was ruthless.

Is it any good?

Whilst the characters are expertly drawn, the pace meanders between slow and static. You definitely have to be in the mood to stick with this one as at times your eyes will feel as though they are heavy quilt covers.

You’ll remember this bit:
It’s not often that a major box office draw like Pitt can be upstaged but Affleck is the scene stealer here. His unsettling performance delivers on many levels adding an ongoing unease to the story.

Forget the man of steel…

Holy superhero fest! 2008 is going to be hot. Just check out the trailer for Iron Man. Thanks Saj Money for the hook up.

Knuckles rapped?

I recently compiled a list of rapper / actors for TOUCH Magazine . I love feedback so let me know if you agree or disagree with this guy…

“I am a fairly new subscriber to your magazine in that I don’t often have the chance to get it, not always UK based you see, but I was fortunate to get the Taio Cruz (front cover) issue, the CD is great as are nearly all of the articles or info inside your magazine, a magazine that I should say I am a big fan of, but, in this issue there was a double page spread regarding rappers and their film careers, as they are to date. Loved the concept except that whoever, I realise I may be making no friends here, worded the feature, well, i feel they kinda didn’t know what they were talking about, and let me explain why!

1) 50 Cent apparently only played himself, he got a three star, as did Mos Def, who has neither played himself and has performed, and notably well in far more films, The Woodsman, Monsters Ball, and Brown Sugar alone, deserve far more credit to a man playing so far out of character, and even recently in 16 blocks he out shone Mr Willis, disagree if you can.

2)Will Smith, a four, oh no, no, you said, and I quote, ‘uses his sex appeal rather than acting skills to win his audience over’ oh but an engaging couple of hours, wow, unadulterated praise, Mmm, and yet also LL Cool J, who is certainly not as good as dear old Will, and yet you said, ‘but like Will Smith. . .’ I thought Will has made some good films, shame its usually about the comic black man such as Bad Boys etc, but Bagger Vance, Enemy of the State and most recently Pursuit of Happiness have indeed shown he is a capable actor, but really does he outdo a Mos Def performance, and he’s supposed to be the star, Mos Def is at best a second in any film we have seen him. 

3)Ice cube, are you fucking kiddin me, pleased stop the love because he starred in two good films, and only one was he the best, Boyz in the Hood, Friday was great, but lets face it, it was Chris Tucker who stole the show, did you SEE the follow ups? Look if Mos, 50, Asher D, who I think has done some stunning work and has a future destined outside of his safe zone and some of the roles he’s played, are a 3 then you need someone with a better knowledge of film to have written that two page spread, Luda, a four, oh yes because he’s done some just sterling work, though your guy Michael was right, Crash was special, he shined, but the story also allowed him that and he was still ghetto ruff neck, a role like many of these artists are a little too close to the past truth to allow us to believe in their acting, as you said it your self Michael, they are playing themselves.  

4)I also feel that DMX’s role in Belly is more noteworthy that you gave credit for, but…
  Tupac Shakur’s worst role was in Bullet, his best was Grid, locked with Tim Roth whose own role was superbly acted and yet both were matched and more dynamic way than Tupac and Belushi, (see can’t we all just get along) a film marred I felt by a poor script, not by talent.
 
My own rating would have been as follows, and no one gets a five, are you crazy????
Marky Mark, Mos Def, Asher D and Tupac all four stars
Queen Lafifah 50, Will Smith, three stars
Ludacris, Ice Cube, LL Cool J, DMX, and Snoop all 2 and a half stars
 
I thank you for your time and greatly enjoy your magazine, but just had to have a say on a subject matter I feel quite strongly about. Peace Andy”

So what do you think…?
 

Golden Opportunity

I guess I’m scraping the barrel but there is not much that I’ve been looking forward to on the press screening horizon until I viewed the trailer above.

BBC You…

Tonight at 10pm on BBC Radio London I’ll be speaking with Tessa Dunlop about current releases that deserve praise and releases that don’t. Make sure you tune in or listen online here

Move over Scarface

By popular demand I’ve set out my full review of American Gangster which was press screened last night…

The telling of this extraordinary tale based on the true story of 70’s drug kingpin, Frank Lucas who uses his incredible business acumen to forge a criminal empire that rises above the mafia, is relayed in an almost steamroller like fashion. Firstly the movie is directed by Sir Ridley Scott, secondly it features a masterstroke in casting in that it stars Denzel Washington as Lucas and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts the Detective who will ultimately bring him down.

Whilst the tale could have been heavily weighted towards Lucas as his story of how he used the coffins of dead Vietnam soldiers to transport heroin into America is fascinating in itself, Scott chooses to segue between the lives of the two main characters. Their backstory is expertly told and we quickly establish that whilst they might be on opposite sides of the law both Lucas and Roberts have many things in common. Relentless, ambitious, quick witted and focussed are several traits they share and as scenes are introduced they paint a picture of two men who like them or love them are ultimately flawed.

The opening scenes serve as a taster of the carnage that will ultimately ensue as we are given several pointers as to Lucas’ frame of mind. After setting ablaze (a subtle nod to Man on Fire perhaps?) an adversary who has been bound and gagged Lucas is determined to do a thorough job and so empties his gun on the unfortunate recipient. However, it is the chilling warning that Lucas issues to a family member that underlines his ruthlessness when Lucas warns him not to double cross him as he’s a very busy man who has little time to attend the funerals of relatives.

Crowe delivers an equally mesmeric performance and his portrayal of Roberts is understated to the point of brilliant. Essentially a good cop, a fact underlined by his refusal to pocket part of a million dollars in drug related money both he and his partner stumble upon he does also reveal flawed aspects of his character as he works his way though several women in the first 45 minutes of the movie whilst trying to hold onto a relationship with his son and estranged wife.

There are several set pieces and obvious nods to various movies of the same genre the most obvious of which is Scarface. The movie features an incredible soundtrack which is well used and never dominates each scene. What was refreshing to see, however short, were the superb performances from Brit actors Chiwitel Ejiofor and Idris Elba both of whom are used exceptionally well. Cuba Gooding Jr, is superb and, against type, delivers a flamboyant interpretation of drug merchant Nicky Barnes.

Fans of both Crowe and Washington will not be disappointed as the movie, like their performances, is flawless. Michael Mann’s Heat with it’s showpiece scene in which De Niro and Pacino face off in a diner is also deconstructed here. Instead of just paying homage both Crowe and Washington seek to reset the bar which they do to great affect. American Gangster is a master class in acting, pacing and story telling my only criticism would be at 156 minutes perhaps it could have been a little longer.

So are you excited about this movie yet or what? Let me know and you could win an iPod Nano.

Puny car…Hulk smash

Hey check out the exclusive on set pic taken from the forthcoming motion picture The Incredible Hulk. Due here next year and starring Edward Norton lets just say the Hulk was never one of my favourite superheroes but my expectations for the movie are high.

No inCentive

So 50 Cent quits rapping. Watch for yourself as Curtis exits the stage. I guess we’ll see more of his movie making prowess then…DOH!

Now that’s gangster II

Now OJ Simpson after three decades in the limelight I think it’s time you stepped out of it. Come on now, you’re a bright brother, you’ve (so they say) gotten away with murder in the past now it looks like you are going to jail after all.

Two sports memorabilia collectors and dealers have told the police that Mr. Simpson and five other men stormed into their hotel room at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino, about a mile from the Las Vegas Strip, on Thursday evening and robbed them at gunpoint.

Mr. Simpson’s account is that he went to the room to take back property that had been stolen from him, and that there were no guns involved.

OJ you better buy some soap on a rope homeboy.

Now that’s gangster

Who hoo! So the screening of the year is nearly here. In just a couple of days yours truly will be sharing what’s hot or what’s not about American Gangster. Until then have a look at the brand new extended trailer.

The winner is..

The annual Screen Nation Film and TV Awards – often referred to as the Black BAFTA’s – returns to the West End of London on October 15th, as the UK’s only international celebration of Black achievement in Film and TV.

And the nominees are…

Outstanding Contribution to Film & TV:
Morgan Freeman
Edric Connor Inspiration: Moira Stuart
Vanguard: Stan Lathan
Ousmane Sembene Black Star: Bamako

UK SCREEN AWARDS:

Male Performance in Film
Chiwetel Ejiofor- Inside Man
Ashley Walters- Life and Lyrics / Stormbreaker
Adrian Lester- Scenes of a Sexual Nature
David Oyelowo – The Last King of Scotland
David Harewood- Blood Diamond
Mentions
Idris Elba – 28 Weeks Later
Stephen Graham – This is England / The Innocence

Female Performance in Film
Naomie Harris- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest/ At Worlds Ends and Miami Vice
Thandie Newton- The Pursuit of Happyness and Norbit
Sophie Okonedo- Scenes of a Sexual Nature/ Stormbreaker
Claire-Hope Ashitey- Children of Men

Male Performance in TV

Aml Ameen- The Bill
Chiwetel Ejiofor-Tsunami: The Aftermath
David Oyelowo- Shoot the Messenger/Five Days /Born Equal
Eamonn Walker- Justice and ER
Roger Griffiths – Holby City
Mentions
Hugh Quarshie- Doctor Who and Holby City

Female Performance in TV
Angela Griffin- Waterloo Road
Ginny Holder- Holby City
Sharon D Clarke – Holby City (Casualty)
Sophie Okonedo- Tsunami:The Aftermath
Nikki Amuka-Bird- Shoot the Messenger/Five Days/Born Equal
Mentions
Rakie Ayola

Presenting
PUBLIC VOTING
Trisha Goddard- Trisha Goddard Show/Families at War
Ainsley Harriott- Ready, Steady, Cook
June Sarpong –T4
Kat- MTV
Mica Paris- What not to wear/Come Dine with Me

Favourite Male TV Star
PUBLIC VOTING
Adrian Lester – Hustle
Ainsley Harriott – Ready Steady Cook
Idris Elba – The Wire
Leon Lopez – Hollyoaks

Favourite Female TV Star
PUBLIC VOTING
Trisha Goddard – The Trisha Goddard Show
Gina Yashere – Last Comic Standing
June Sarpong – T4, Strictly Dance Fever/WAGS Boutique,
Jocelyn Jee-Esien – Little Miss Jocelyn
Angellica Bell – BBC
Freema Agyeman – Dr Who

Favourite Reality Star
PUBLIC VOTING
Tim Campbell – The Apprentice
Makosi – Big Brother
Brenda Edwards – X Factor
Leona Lewis – X Factor
Andy Abraham – X Factor

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:

Independent Spirit Film Production
A Goat’s Tail – Dir/Prod: Julius Amedume
Crossing Bridges – Dir/Prod: Mark Norfolk
Malcolm’s Echo – Dir/Prod: Dami Akinnusi
Rag Tag – Dir: Adaora Nwandu
Little White Lies – Prod: John Giwa-Amu
Lucky Joe – Dir – Obi Emelonye

Diversity in Factual Production: – TBC
Soul Britannia – BBC4
Moira Stuart – In Search of Wilberforce- BBC2
TV’s Black Pioneers – BBC4
Roots Remembered – BBC2
Girls & Knives/Youths with Guns – ITV
Mentions
The History of Black people in the UK – C4
The Slavery Business: How to Make a Million from Slavery – BBC2

Diversity in Drama Production
Trial & Retribution – ITV
Shoot the Messenger – BBC2
Dr Who – BBC2
Eastenders – BBC1
The Bill – ITV1

Best Music Performance
PUBLIC VOTING
Dizzee Rascal-Sirens/Maths + English
Akala- Shakespeare/A Little Darker
Corinne Bailey Rae -Like a Star
UnkleJam- Love Ya/ What am I Fighting For
Nathan- Cold as Ice
Jamelia- Beware of the Dog/Walk with Me
Mentions
Kano-London Town
Ms Dynamite-Judgement Day
Sway- This is not my 2nd Album

EMERGING TALENT:
Lawrence Coke – Director/Writer
Patrick Regis – Life & Lyrics/Rolling with the Nines
Freema Agyeman – Dr Who
Richie Campbell – The Bill
Nonso Anozie – Prime Suspect: The Last Act
Zaraah Abrahams – Coronation Street

PEOPLES CHOICE INTERNATIONAL SCREEN AWARDS

PUBLIC VOTING
International Film:
Dreamgirls
The Last King of Scotland
Blood Diamond
The Pursuit of Happyness
Madea’s Family Reunion
Male Screen Personality (Film/TV)
Djimon Hounsou – Blood Diamond
Jamie Foxx – Dream Girls/Miami Vice
Will Smith- The Pursuit of Happyness
Isaiah Washington- Grey’s Anatomy
Tyler Perry- Madea’s Family Reunion
Mentions:
Tyrese
Omar Epps

Female Screen Personality (Film/ TV)
Kerry Washington- The Last King of Scotland and I think I love my Wife,
Jennifer Hudson-Dreamgirls
Chandra Wilson- Grey’s Anatomy
Vanessa Williams- Ugly Betty
Tichina Arnold- Everybody Hates Chris
Mention:
Sanaa Lathan- Disappearing Act, Something New and Out of Time
Meagan Good- You Got Served and Stomp the Yard

BEST FROM THE WEST
PUBLIC VOTING Favourite W African Actor:
Van Vicker
Olu Jacobs
Peter Ene
Ramsey Nouah Jr
Richard Mofe Damijo

Favourite W African Actress:
Genevieve Nnaji
Rita Dominic
Stephanie Okereke
Kate Henshaw-Nutal
Nadia Buhari

Favourite W African Film:
Apesin
Abeni
Amazing Grace
Stitanda
Beyonce

Hot or Not: Andre 3000

Andre 3000
Real Name: Andre Benjamin
Rap Sheet: Revolver, Four Brothers, Be Cool, The Shield, Hollywood Homicide and Idlewild.
Best Role: His intense portrayal of the loan shark Avi was a good look for the Outkast front man. Slick dialogue and deadpan delivery cemented his position as one of 2005’s coolest villains
Worst Role: An unconvincing and hammed portrayal of the trigger happy Dabu in Be Cool.
Can he act: Yes, and as will be seen in his forthcoming period piece Idlewild he’ll show he’s pretty versatile too.
Skill Rating:
***

Hot or Not: Marky Mark

Marky Mark
Real Name: Mark Wahlberg
Rap Sheet: Shooter, The Departed, Four Brothers, I Heart Huckabees, The Italian Job, The Truth About Charlie, Rock Star, Planet of the Apes, The Perfect Storm, The Yards, Three Kings, The Corruptor, The Big Hit, Boogie Nights, Traveller, Fear, The Basketball Diaries, Renaissance Man, The Substitute.
Best Role: The Departed, clearly the reasonthat Marty walked of with a few golden statuettes earlier this year.
Worst Role: I Heart Huckabees can someone please explain to me what was the point of that movie…and what the hell is an existentialist detective?
Can he act: Yes, however, Wahlberg is unquestionably the only rapper-turned-actor who has done everything in his power to disassociate his acting career from his one time musical youth.
Skill Rating:
***

Hot or Not: Asher D

Asher D
Real Name: Ashley Walters
Rap Sheet: Sugar House, Life n Lyrics, Stormbreaker, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, Goal!, Last Rights, House of 9, Top Buzzer, Bullet Boy, Holby City, One of Our Own, The Hidden City, The Bill, The Whistle-Blower, Never Never, Born Romantic, Urban Gothic,
Some Voices, Storm Damage, The Coral Island, The Elevator, Take 2, The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, Grange Hill and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.
Best Role: As the troublesome Stefan in the critically acclaimed Storm Damage. A defining role for the UK’s answer to Tupac Shakur. Considering he acted alongside seasoned veterans Lennie James and Adrian Lester in this gritty drama his performance can be best described as mesmerising.
Worst Role: Life n Lyrics like the freestyle elements of this film this hopefully something he willnot be repeating again.
Can he act: Definitely, a product of the world-renowned Sylvia Young acting school is it any wonder
Skill Rating:
*****

Hot or Not: Mos Def

Mos Def

Real Name:
Dante Terrell Smith

Rap Sheet:
The Hard Way, Where’s Marlowe?, Island of the Dead,
Bamboozled, Monster’s Ball, Showtime, Civil Brand, Brown Sugar, The Italian Job and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Best Role:
His intense portrayal of Sgt Lucas in The Woodsman.
Worst Role: Big Blak Afrika in Bamboozled he mos’ definitely didn’t read the script before taking this one.

Can he act:
Yes, skilfully delivers varied and at times challenging roles.

Skill Rating:
***

Hot or Not: Ice Cube

Ice Cube
Real Name: O’Shea Jackson although he has legally changed his name to Ice Cube
Rap Sheet: Three Kings, Boyz in the Hood, Player’s Club, Friday, Next Friday, The Glass Shield, Ghosts of Mars, Torque, Anaconda, Are We There Yet? XXX2 and Are We Done Yet
Best Role: Craig Jones in Friday who’s dope smoking and boozing on his front stoop is far more interesting than the do-gooder roles he is known for.
Worst Role: XXX2 should have been a hit but Cube would have benefited from a better script.
Can he act: Absolutely. His comedy stints will ensure he is not eternally typecast.
Skill Rating:
****

Hot or Not: Ludacris

Ludacris
Real Name: Chris Bridges
Rap Sheet: The Wash, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Crash and Hustle and Flow
Best Role: Considering the ensemble nature of the Film Crash Mr Bridges really shined on this one. His character was a little more complex than we’ve seen him play to date and arguably one of the films most memorable characters.
Worst Role: Now how hard can it be for a rapper to play a rapper? Luda makes it’s seem like rocket science when playing Skinny Black in Hustle and Flow.
Can he act: Hell yeah. He’s got a bright future ahead of him as the intensity of his character in Crash reveals a very promising acting career
Skill Rating:
****

Hot or Not: 50 Cent

50 Cent
Real Name: Curtis Jackson
Rap Sheet: Get Rich or Die Trying, Home of The Brave Bullet Proof (voice only) The Simpsons (voice only)
Best Role: Marcus in Get Rich or Die Trying
Worst Role: The Simpsons. To coin a phrase, damn homie, in high school you were the man homie…what the fuck happened to you!
Can he act: Yes, Superb as Marcus in Get Rich or Die Trying. Ok, the role was hardly stretching as it covers his life in an almost biographical manner but he showed, depth, warmth and the rudiments of projecting a complex character.
Skill Rating:
***

Hot or Not: LL Cool J

LL Cool J
Real Name: James Todd Smith
Rap Sheet: Halloween H20, Rug rats Go Wild! (voice only), Wild Cats Toys Any Given Sunday, S.W.A.T., Rollerball, Deep Blue Sea, Charlie’s Angels, In too Deep, Last Holiday and Kingdom Come
Best Role: Playing the memorable cook in Deep Blue Sea.
Worst Role: As sweaty Ray Bud Slocumb in Kingdom Come
Can he act: Yes, but like Will Smith uses his body to distract audiences from shallow roles.
Skill Rating :
***