Issue #109

DVD – RELEASE DATE: JUNE 24, 2008 – DON’T MISS IT

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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

THE FUTURE IS NOW…A new indie film by African-American director Kevin Willmott (CSA: Confederate States of America) called Bunker Hill (www.bunkerhillthefilm.com) hasn’t even been released yet, but it’s already sparking political debate. In fact, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in DC just hosted a special screening of the film followed by a discussion on civil liberties. In the flick, a corrupt Wall Street executive (James McDaniel) leaves prison and heads for the small town of Bunker Hill, Kansas. Soon after he arrives, an apparent massive terrorist attack against America occurs. Cut off from the world, the town’s fear leads to the creation of a posse of gunmen, resulting in torture, illegal searches and murder. Bunker Hill also stars Saeed Jaffrey (Gandhi, My Beautiful Launderette), Laura Kirk, Kevin Geer (American Gangster), Blake Robbins, Scott Allegrucci. Willmott directed Bunker Hill from a script he wrote with Greg Hurd. Willmott also produced the film, along with Matt Cullen, Hurd and Scott Richardson. According to Richardson of Ninth Street Studios, they are currently shopping for a distribution deal for Bunker Hill. But with media-grabbing organizations such as the ACLU jumping to host screenings, the film will surely be on the fast-track to a box-office near you.

THE SKINNY ON SKIN…Talk about promotion. As a way to push product, the folks at Vaseline have created a documentary film about skin. Produced by Vaseline Cocoa Butter, Vaseline Skin Stories is narrated by actress Sanaa Lathan and will premiere at the Essence Music Festival on July 4th. The 20-minute doc includes personal narratives from across the world including the United States, South America, the UK and Africa. Among the celebs who share their skin stories are “Law and Order” alum Jesse L. Martin; actress/singer Raven-Symone; Dreamgirls’ Anika Noni Rose; “Access Hollywood” correspondent Shaun Robinson; and actress Jill Marie Jones. Vaseline is really catering to the Black female consumer with this branded content. Anything can be entertaining given the right angle and hue, even lotion!

FAIR MEDIA?…If Senators Obama and McCain have their way there will be no more debates like the controversial ABC Democratic Debate that featured Obama and Sen. Clinton. Neither of the two remaining presidential candidates want to have debates where just one network controls the event. In a statement, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, “Both campaigns indicate that any additional appearances will be open to all networks for broadcast on TV or Internet like the presidential commission debates, rather than sponsored by a single network or news organization.” This, The A-List thinks is a more fair approach for all media.

WRONG TURN…File this under “great idea, wrong execution.” Toyota just announced a new digital campaign to sell its Camry brand to Black women. Toyota’s “If Looks Could Kill” (www.iflookscouldkill.com) campaign combines digital and real-world gaming components centered around a new Web site developed by mega Black ad agency Burrell Communications Group, Toyota’s Black marketing communications AOR, and agency partner 42 Entertainment. The site includes a series of videos that feature a crafty fashion designer and Camry driver involved in an espionage plot. Noble attempt but lacks the star power and edginess of BMW’s campaign featuring film shorts years ago. We’d suggest also an expansion of media partners for the Camry campaign.

AT A COMPUTER NEAR YOU…First former GOP congressman JC Watts recently announced his plans to create in 2009 the first Black cable news network, Black Television News Channel, via a a multi-year agreement with Comcast Corp. Now Hollywood insider Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Entertainment, tells The A-List he will debut a broadband network called Black Broadcasting Network. It’s set to launch in in July. “The venture is being backed by private quity (some wealthy famous people),” explains Clanagan of the fully Black-owned BBN (thebbnonline.com). Instead of going the easy route by using syndicated shows, BBN will feature original programming. “At this point, all of the programming is original and that is what separates us from any other Urban destination,” the CEO explains. According to Clanagan, BBN is being positioned as “The Black HBO.” He says, “The content will consist of original movies and documentaries and stand-up comedy specials…Our ability to provide original programming is what really excites the advertisers. There is not another destination on the Web that offers the unique content that we are providing.” As Internet TV comes of age, BBN should be right on the rising cyber wave.

GLOBAL GAP…Loving that CNN has finally added a global perspective on the network on Sunday morning. The verdict may still be out since there have only been two airings to date, but The A-List would highly recommend “Fareed Zakaria: GPS.” But if we see one more roundtable in which Africa is discussed without the inclusion of an expert who is actually from Africa, we may just scream. How can one truly have international discussions without the voice of those actually present to add that crucial viewpoint? Fareed, cool so far but but push just a bit harder to truly be inclusive.

THE GATHERING OF MIDDLE-AGED MEN…It’s been a long time coming, but Andre Braugher is returning to episodic television. It was just announced he will join the cast of Ray Romano‘s TNT pilot, which explores male friendship through the eyes of three college buddies who are now in their 40s. Instead of another comedy to follow “Everybody Loves Raymond,” this series is actually a drama for Romano. For “Men of a Certain Age” Braugher plays Owen, a stressed-out husband and father who works as a car salesman at his dad’s dealership. Kudos to Romano for continuing to present multicultural casting on his TV projects.

GAME PLAN…Universal Pictures is trying to get the early word out about upcoming sports drama–The Express. They just debuted the trailer on AOL Movies! to begin promoting a film that will not even be released until Oct. 2008. Based on the true story of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, The Express is directed by veteran TV director Gary Fleder and stars Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, Omar Benson Miller, Clancy Brown and Charles S. Dutton. Though we question Quad’s getting top billing, great for Universal on the early plugs. Let’s see if the studio creates an Internet campaign that enlists the various Black sites and, of course, blogs.

BEND IT LIKE PELE…There is a first time for everything and Brazilian football hero Pele, considered the greatest player of all time, he, himself, finally gave the okay for a documentary based on his life. While there is no word on what network it will air, the doc will offer an unprecedented look at his career. The project is being developed by FremantleMedia (“American Idol,” “The X Factor”), which signed a deal with Pele’s licensing agency, Prime Licensing. Still in early development stages, the documentary will focus on a specific time in Pele’s soccer career. The William Morris Agency will be brokering any network deal. The director has not yet been named. But since this will be the first Pele-approved doc, we’re sure even Beckham will be glued to his TV screen.

WALK LIKE A PANTHER …Our Bill Vaughan, editor of entertainment ezine Tasty Clips tells us that Steven Spielberg and Will Smith recently had a pow wow about Chicago 7, a film which focuses on the infamous anti-Vietnam War activists who took over the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. The director wants Smith to portray Black Panther Bobby Seale, who was put on trial on federal conspiracy charges for participating with the Chicago 7 at the anti-war riot. With it now being another war time period and Sen. Obama repping Chicago, it should be perfect for a flick like Chicago 7.

CALL HIM UPPITY…Here’s a fast tidbit. Sam Jackson has inked a two-year pact with CBS under which Jackson will develop and executive produce projects for the studio through his Uppity Films banner. Details are still sketchy, but the projects are slated to fall under the category of series, rather than films or specials. No word however on if Jackson, who will produce and possibly act, wants to go the dramatic or comedic route. Whichever he takes, it’ll have to be cutting-edge to survive today’s over abundance of reality fare.

LOST & FOUND…If you loved Harold Perrineau on “Lost” you’ll be happy to know he has reportedly been tapped for a new ABC series titled “The Unusuals.” Hmm. Sounds a little like those mysterious The Others from “Lost.” But this series has been described as a comedy/drama set at a New York police precinct and will revolve around super paranoid Detective Leo Banks (Perrineau), who is never without his bullet proof vest. Doesn’t sound like a winner, unless Perrineau can pull off a miracle worthy of “Lost.”

COLLECTIVE MINDS…Looking for a great Website covering African-American issues from entertainment to politics? Check out UrbanThoughtCollective.com. Founded by our fellow media diva Ava DuVernay of DVA Media + Marketing, it’s becoming a daily must-read on the Web.

FILMS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS…Here’s something interesting for all us film lovers. Tribeca Film Institute has launched a new initiative and website called REFRAME (www.reframecollection.org), which will make classic and hard-to-find films/content accessible and build a community hub for scholars, artists, teachers and film enthusiasts. Tribeca is working with filmmakers, archives, and distributors to digitize rare films and make them available for rent, purchase, and download. In its first year, Reframe plans to offer more than 10,000 titles, including classic public television films and videos, documentaries, independent features, shorts, foreign films and vanguard cinema. If Tribeca remains open to diversity, this should give multicultural films another much-needed distribution outlet.

POLITICAL READS…Hollywood continues to get political. America Ferrera (pictured), Adrian Grenier, Hayden Panettiere, Aisha Tyler and Wilmer Valderrama will all appear in the just-announced book from HarperCollins Publishers and the Declare Yourself movement called Declare Yourself: Speak. Connect. Vote. 50 Celebrated Americans Tell You Why, targeted at educating teens about the political process. Ferrera will do double duty as the project’s spokesperson and the book guest editor. Unfortunately, HarperCollins can expect moderate sales if they don’t enlist a new media marketing approach for their target demo. It’s sad, but many publishers seem to be behind the tech times–for them audio books are innovative.

HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD

THEY CALL HIM JAM MASTER… A new documentary on the life and death of legendary Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay is hitting the festival circuit. Produced by Jay’s cousin Stephon “Phonz” Watford and directed by Guy Logan, 2 Turntables and a Microphone chronicles Jay’s life and takes an interesting investigative approach to his unsolved murder on October 30, 2002. The doc features interviews with Rev. Run, Russell Simmons, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Ja Rule, Jay-Z. Image Entertainment‘s One Village Entertainment will distribute.

REALITY REELS…Remember back when The A-List told you about a Canadian rapper named Kama working on what just might be Toronto’s first Hip Hop feature (http://thealistmagzine.blogspot.com/2007_08_19_archive.html). Well, we have an update. He’s also working on a documentary about his struggles to make it. And it hasn’t been easy. As in the States, Kama tells us, Hip Hop is under attack in the land Up North. “My home studio was just raided on June 1st by the Toronto S.W.A.T.,” says Kama, from his home in TO’s Vaughn & Oakwood neighborhood. “There must have been at least 60 officers…There was nothing illegal to find, and left after about two hours.” But get this, Kama’s whose studio has a high-tech security camera system, got the whole raid on tape. “You can be sure this will be in the documentary, which will be released later this year,” says Kama, who tells us he’s constantly harassed by local police because of his Hip Hop career and his activist role in the community.

EASY BEING GREEN…It ain’t your mother’s Planet Green TV. The environmentally conscious network has kicked it up a few notches. The revamp includes a change in philosophy from the “tree-hugger” approach to “eco-tainment.” And guess who’s in the mix? “Raptor” Ludacris will star with Tommy Lee, beginning in August, in “Battleground Earth,” a series featuring competitions between the rocker and rapper to determine who’s the greenest. Even green is hipper with the inclusion of the Hip-Hop demo.

NEWS

GOOGLE EXEC: NO PROFIT FROM YOUTUBE
According to Newsfactor.com, during an event at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School Google CEO Eric Schmidt conceded that the search-engine giant doesn’t know how to make money off of YouTube, which Google purchased for $1.65 billion in 2006. He said while it “seemed obvious” that YouTube should generate “significant amounts of money” for Google, that has proven harder than expected. In any case, monetization is not Google’s primary concern with YouTube at this point, as YouTube could lead to “the creation of a whole new industry.” Yet Schmidt announced that 2008 is the year for YouTube to move into a profit center for Google. “We have a revenue plan, a usage plan, a scale plan, a bandwidth plan,” he said.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH

Hollywood’s power elite is accustomed to back-door dealing and throwing money at problems. But does this play in D.C.? You might think, Heck yeah! But this presidential election seems to be changing all the rules for the Old Boys network. Just look at some of the perceived bullying and power plays a few from Hollywood tried to pull off recently, oddly enough for not one of the Boys but for Sen. Clinton.

Most recently Bob Johnson tried a play or two and lost. Of all times, the founder of BET has decided this election year to venture outside of his highfalutin entertainment comfort zone and dabble in the murky waters of politics. And boy did he dabble! Earlier this year, Mr. Johnson came out in a major way in support of Hillary Clinton. First, he came out against Sen.Obama by going in Sen. Obama’s closet and dusting off that old story about his past drug usage. We all know that Sen. Obama eloquently shared the misgivings of his youthfulness in his book, so this was no secret.  However, it was the distastefulness of Mr. Johnson useage of Sen. Obama‘s past in an attempt to elevate his candidate, but that’s what pioneers do.

Now Mr. Johnson is at it again! When Hillary Clinton decided not to concede initially, Mr. Johnson (on his own accord) forwarded a forthright letter to the members of the Congressional Black Caucus strongly urging–some say demanding–them to support his candidate, Sen. Clinton as Sen. Obama’s VP running mate. He seemingly used his billionaire power to exploit, coerce or whatever you want to call it the sensitive nature of the Presidential campaign to force the first African American Democratic Party nominee to place his candidate (all be it the first female candidate to get that far) on the ticket.

But Bob Johnson is not the only one. Movie mogul and Clinton supporter Harvey Weinstein reportedly tried to strong-arm Speaker of the House Pelosi into putting forth a re-vote mandate in Michigan and Florida. If she didn’t, he “suggested” he’d bow out of future funding to democratic congressional candidates. There was also entertainment industry billionaire Haim Saban of Saban Entertainment (ABC Family Channel, Univision) who allegedly offered $1 million to superdelagates to vote for Clinton. Neither tactic worked.

As I’ve shared in past columns, politics and entertainment are almost one in the same regarding all of the big egos, drama, money and cast of characters. And my what big egos we are seeing at play! But in government, where it is supposedly one man one vote, Hollywood stature shouldn’t mean you have more of a say. You look bad and more importantly, so does your candidate. In Hollywood, the general public–aside from the rumor mill–isn’t privy to closed door deals. During an election year, DC is full of leaks. Word hits the media as soon as an offer is uttered. The voting public doesn’t like side dealing and the preception that Weinstein’s or Johnson’s input is more important than theirs.

Right now, Hollywood surrogates for Obama and McCain have refrained from meddling in policy making. But time will tell if notables such as Oprah or Russell Simmons or the like find themselves entangled in this crazy political web.

So get your popcorn, peanuts and oh yea cracker jacks because we are only at the seventh inning stretch! It’s a long time between now and November.

––Clemetine Clarke

Clemetine Clarke, owner of the governmental affairs, political strategy, fundraising and community relations firm CMH & Associates, strives to help women of color get elected to political office. Clarke has also served as the Executive Director of the San Francisco Democratic Party.

MOVIE REVIEW

A Day In The Life (Major Independents/Lionsgate)

In a nutshell: Genius on many levels, but a bit reminiscent of the same story we’ve seen before. The setting, unfortunely, does not live up to the creative concept. Yet given the budget rap artist/actor Sticky Fingaz had to work with, it’s a solid attempt . He takes Hip Hop on a ride it has never before been, and it’s enthralling to say the least. Well acted, great direction. A masterpiece in the rough. Starring Mekhi Phifer, Fredro Starr, Omar Epps, Drena De Niro, Sticky Fingaz, Bokeem Woodbine, Ray J, Kurupt, Clarence Williams III, Treach, Michael Rapaport, Tyrin Turner, Michael K. Williams, Faizon Love and Malinda Williams. (www.myspace.com/adayinthelifemovie) –Anthony Davis

LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW

HOT 97 SUMMER JAM, Giants Stadium, NJ

Ok. Well for one. It was literally “Hot 97.” The temperature was sizzling–and so where the performances. There were three parts to the day: a festival, a preshow, and the mainstage show. And instead of just having a gang of acts singing songs the audience has heard way too many times, the NY radio station opened the festival up to new acts and unsigned artists–a refreshing addition to the event. And the talent, included everything from stepping to singing. There was even a rap battle where audience members could come up and freestlye. Shout out to DJ Envy behind the 1 and 2s–he was awesome. Following the festival was the preshow with Ray J and Youg Berg. Then, finally, it was time for the main show, which went like this:

*Alicia Keys with The Wu-Tang Clan: The performance was crazy. She hit the stage first and and performed her new hits (“No One,” “Teenage Love Affair,” “Never See Me Again”) then she brought out Wu-Tang who performed many oftheir classics (C.R.E.A.M., etc.). They had the crowd in a frenzy!

*One performance after another, including D Block, Ll Cool J (still hangin’ in there with the new school), T Pain, Vic (“Get Silly”), Shorty Lo with Fat Joe, and DJ Khaled featuring Rick Ross.

*But it was Lil Wayne who gave the performance of the night, even if it was way explicit. Did old songs, new songs. And his set was so high-energy, we were tired afterward.

*Public Enemy as always gave a very powerful and informative performance loaded with political messages and controversial comments.

*Kanye West: Probably the second best performance. As usual Kanye had to be the center of attention….and do things over the top. Even we have to admit his stage set-up was EXCELLENT!–from the lighting to the fireworks.

*Surprise guest:: Jim Jones and Dipset.. A pleasant surprise for the NY crowd!–Jaleesa Brown

Val Emmich at the Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles
The A-List was in the house to witness the one-time-only performance of New Jersey’s own Val Emmich at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. The standing-room only crowd, which had very few faces of color, watched Val perform his alternative/indie/rock songs from his new upcoming CD Little Daggers. His soothing but direct stage presence captivated the audience. Val is not only a musician but also an actor and author, having just finished his first novel due out next year. Despite the lack of flavor in the crowd, the performance more than kept us enthralled. –Anthony Davis (photo credit: Anthony Davis)

SPOTTED

Mekhi Phiferi motorin’ around Hollywood in a monster truck (imagine what it costs to fill the tank). A few days later, Mekhi pumpin’ iron at a gym in the Valley.

Reality show diva Omarosa and actress Bai Ling partyin’ in full force.at the Tv pilot party for “The Hollywood Men” in Hollywood. The show? Think Chippendale’s meets “American Idol.” “The Hollywood Men” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8RqAbUmRRY) follows a group of male strippers in their pursuit of fame in the music, film, and TV industries. The show features a multi-ethnic cast of Black, Latino, and Caucasian dancers. (Photos: Wire Image)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Lou Dobbs This Weekend” on June 7th featured a mini-roundtable about presidental nominees. Syndicated columnist Diane West (in regards to Sen. Obama nomination): “What happens next, this is a fascinating conference that could begin, does this spell the end of affirmative action policies based on race …Are we at the point now where we can start losing those policies? I think that Senator Obama’s candidacy is a big answer that says maybe we are.”

A-List Publishers’ note: According to Black Enterprise, there are only two African-Americans who are CEOs at major media outlets that are not Black-owned: Pamela Thomas-Graham at CNBC and Richard Parsons at TimeWarner.

According to the 206 study “Out of the Picture: Minority & Female TV Station Ownership in the United States,” Blacks or African Americans comprise 13 percent of the entire U.S. population but only
own a total of 18 television stations, or 1.3 percent of all television stations.

The A-List is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher…Ann Brown, co-publisher…Melissa Ross, European correspondent…LeAnne Lindsay, contributor…Anthony Davis, contributor…Gil Robertson, contributor…Dan Williams, contributor…Jaleesa Brown, contributor…Clemetine Clarke, columnist