Our Next Events
What: Philadelphia Premiere of ADJUST YOUR COLOR: THE TRUTH OF PETEY GREENE
When: Tuesday January 13, 2009 at 7PM
Where: International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19101
Cost: $7.00 Adults/ $5.00 Students, Reelblack and IHouse Members
Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene USA/2007/60min/DIGIBETA/COLOR America’s original shock-jock, Petey Greene, overcame poverty, drug addiction and prison time to “tell it like it is,” shocking and entertaining everyone from the ghetto to the White House. During an era of civil unrest in our nation’s capital, Petey used taboo words and ideas, forcing people to confront their own prejudices on his raw, uncensored TV and radio shows. His brash style unsettled the establishment as Petey battled the system and his own demons to become a leading activist in a turbulent era. Don Cheadle narrates this documentary, which features a face-off between Petey and an up-and-coming deejay named Howard Stern. -preceded by- (MIS) LEADING MAN short film Directed by: Morocco Omari and THE 13TH AMENDMENT by Michael Dennis.
*****
What: Philadelphia Premiere of THIS IS NOT A TEST starring Hill Harper
When: Friday January 16, 2009 at 7PM
Where: The Point of Destination Cafe, Greene and Upsal Streets Philadelphia, PA 19119
Cost: Free w/ Purchase of a Soul Food Friday Meal ($10 and up)
| THIS IS NOT A TEST (2008) Soul Food Cinema returns in January 16 at 7pm with the DVD release celebration of This Is Not A Test, starring Hill Harper and Tom Arnold. Paranoid that terrorists will unleash a nuclear attack on Los Angeles, Carl (Hill Harper) gets caught up in a web of frantic, overzealous preparation that puts a cold-war freeze on his relationship with his beautiful wife, Viv (Robinne Lee). Fueling his hysteria is Carl’s new pal and unusual ally Tom Arnold (playing himself), who shares Carl’s obsessive zeal to prepare for the worst. Carl goes as far as constructing a bomb shelter, which makes everyone around him think Carl has lost his mind. And being torn between his love of safety and love for his wife could result in fallout Carl is totally unprepared for in this smart, hilarious satire about homeland security that will have you
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Reelblack Recommends - In Theaters Now
Poster and DVD Winners Announced
| Congrats to Kia Mayes, Kimberly Grandy and Joann Manuel, all of Philadelphia.
Kia won our special SOUL MEN prize pack, which included a James Brown Live DVD courtesy MVD and signed poster and CD soundtrack courtesy of Allied/Weinstein Company. Kimberly won a signed Miracle At St. Anna poster courtesy of Allied/Touchstone. Keep posted for more ways to win. |
Kudos!
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Kudos to filmmaker M.K. Asante, Jr, who appeared on CBS’ Early Show
this week to discuss his movie, THE BLACK CANDLE. Reelblack showcased his feature-length documentary earlier this month and featured him on the most recent episode of Reelblack TV. Check him out atwww.theblackcandle.com |
Filmmaker Malcolm Lee To Visit Drexel Jan 22
Filmmaker Malcolm Lee (Soul Men) will screen his directorial film debut, The Best Man and field questions afterwards. This free event on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Drexel’s Bossone Auditorium (3128 Market St.) is open to public. The Best Man won best director, best screenplay, and best actress at the Black Reel Awards. The movie also won outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actress, and Outstanding Actor at the Image Awards. Malcolm D. Lee is a young African American director/composer who discovered his creative niche in film. His film career started on the sets on several of his cousin Spike Lee’s movies Malcolm X, Girl 6, and Clockers. Malcolm D. Lee then went on to direct Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Roll Bounce, Undercover Brother, an episode of Everybody Hates Chris and Soul Men. |
Mike D. On CNN This Weekend
| Tune in to Cable News Network (CNN) this Saturday and Sunday at 8pm for a special IReport Year-end Special.
Reelblack founder Mike D. will be interviewed briefly about his short film THE 13TH AMENDMENT, which won the Jury Prize in the first annual IReport Film Festival. **** |
WHITE LIES BLACK SHEEP THIS TUESDAY NIGHT!
What: Philadelphia Premiere of WHITE LIES, BLACK SHEEP
When: Tuesday December 9, 2008 at 7PM
Where: International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19101
Cost: $7.00 Adults/ $5.00 Students, Reelblack and IHouse Members
Synopsis: A.J.’s real name is Ajamu Talib. His dislike for his African name is the least of his problems, still it says a lot about him. Brooklyn born and bred yet outcast by his peers, his only escape was music. A.J. found freedom in rock n roll.
Tight clothes, straightened hair, popular with girls and partying every night, he is fully entrenched, in the debaucherous New York rock n roll scene. For once he feels like everyone else. Well almost.
He begins to find that his chosen community, the white rock world, only seems to run smoothly for white rockers. A series of events force him to recognize his friends both exotify him and are in denial of his blackness. Black, but not “really” black.
What’s a young black rocker to do? www.afropunk.com www.myspace.com/whiteliesblacksheep
CADILLAC RECORDS IN THEATERS NOW
 Writer/director Darnell Martin’s (I Like It Like That, Their Eyes Were Watching God) musical biopic of legendary Chicago label Chess Records is jam-packed with unforgettable characters and songs. Beyonce expands her range as an actress portraying tough-as-nails Etta James. Jeffrey Wright is solid as Muddy Waters and Eamonn Wakler literally channels Howlin Wolf. Mos Def delivers the laughs as Chuck Berry. But it is Columbus Short (Stomp The Yard) that runs away with the movie as the tortured and crazy Little Walter.
The screenplay, while based on true events, plays it a little loose with the facts. Chess Records was founded by two Chess Brothers. Cedric The Entertainer is poortly cast as Willie Dixon. And where’s Bo Diddley? But those looking for a glimpse at post-war, pre-Motown Black music are in for a treat. Cadillac Records is an ambitious undertaking. Each character in the film could be the subject of their own film. Overall it is successful. Reelblack recommeds you see it on opening weekend. If it does well, there will be more opportunities for filmmakers to do period biopics capturing our celebrated musical legacy. |
Reelblack Recommends
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WHITE DOG
 Samuel Fuller’s infamous 1982 film WHITE DOG finally sees it’s official home video release in this stellar Criterion Collection DVD. Produced by Paramount Pictures and never released (save for a brief run in the early 80s on cable TV), the late Paul Winfield co-stars as an animal trainer who risks his life to tame a stray dog who has been taught to attack Blacks by its previous owner. White Dog stands alongside Shock Corridor and The Naked Kiss as a powerful metaphor of the dark side of humanity. If you dare, it’s an experience that will not be forgotten. http://www.criterion.com/current/posts/933
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Help Catch A Killer
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest of Antoine Russell, 15 (pictured) in the murder of Terrence Davis, 18, after an argument at 40th and Ludlow streets, West Philadelphia, Oct. 17.
Russell is also accused of shooting another youth, 19, at the same time.
Davis, a soldier from Mantua home on leave, was an innocent bystander and the son of Reelblack member Valrita Gordon.
He died the next day. Russell, described as 5-foot-6, 140 pounds, is charged in a warrant with murder and related charges.
Tipsters can call 215-686-TIPS. More information about the crime can be found here.
