FILM & TV

Notorious B.I.G. Movie

They have announced the cast of the new Biggie Smalls movie... most of the roles make sense... This dude, Jamal 'Gravy' Woolard, is big, Black, and a rapper. That makes sense.

Anthony Mackie... I can see him playing Tupac. I actually think he is the best option for this role... and he lives here in Harlem and works out at my gym. Congrats to him! Yaaaaye Anthony!

Derek Luke as Diddy... ok, he can pull it off I think. Everyone doesn't have to be a look a like to pull off a real life role... look at Angela Bassett in 'What's love got to do with it'...

But despite there not needing to be an exact look alike to pull off a role... some choices are kinda ridiculous. Yes, Angela is a phenomenal actress... but playing Voletta Wallace? Huh? That is laughable. That is some ol' "I am an executive producer of this project and I see myself as Angela Bassett' type bullshyt. Voletta Wallace is the ONLY person who sees herself as Angela Bassett. I see her more as a Loretta Devine, Alfre woodard, or Phyllis Stickney (the therapist from 'The Inkwell' that braided Lorenz Tate's hair)...

But I guess I can't hate. If I had a movie based on me, I would choose some young really good looking established actor too... But he would actually have to resemble me at least a little bit. Angela Bassett and Voletta Wallace? That is just some wishful thinking...

This Just in... Naturi Naughton, the chocolate girl who was booted from 3LW because she actually had talent was just confirmed to play Lil Kim in the movie. Apparently, the Queen Bee is not pleased with the selection. I guess if Voletta can have Angela Bassett, Lil Kim was hoping for Halle Berry or something... But since Lil Kim is not one of the producers like Voletta is, she has no real say, so she is stuck with whomever they select. But really, I dont know why she is complaining. Naturi is a great actress and has been doing Hairspray on Broadway for a while now holding it down. Lil Kim should be glad they actually have someone cute playing her. At this point, the only person they could get to play her who resembles her is Latoya Jackson. (Let the angry Lil Kim fan emails commence... wait... wait... ok. now.)

Filming of the movie started March 26th in Crown Heights Brooklyn.

Time and time again, Hollywood has ignored or misinterpreted the black moviegoer. In the 70's, they assumed we only wanted to see blaxploitation movies. In the 80's and 90's it was gangster boys in the hood films. Never once did they even consider black wholesome family films starring Black people, about Black people, without guns, drugs or excessive sexual themes.

That is... until now. That is until... Tyler Perry. Tyler Perry films have consistently netted top box office dollar opening weekend after opening weekend. And this weekend 'Meet the Browns' didn't disappoint. It brought in 20 million at the box office showing on 2000 screens across the nation. Surprisingly, it was number two to the Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!'. But considering that the Dr. Seuss movie played on nearly double the screens displaying Meet the Browns but netted only 4.6 million more in revenue, Tyler Perry's movie was the biggest hit, seat for seat.

And this is no fluke. Tyler Perry has opened up at 20 million with 4 of his 5 movies. Not many Directors and producers can boast of such consistency in hollywood.

If Hollywood wasn't paying attention already... I am sure they are now.

Archives

• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007