“Movie Review: `Good Hair' laughs instead of cries - Star-Tribune” plus 4 more |
- Movie Review: `Good Hair' laughs instead of cries - Star-Tribune
- Fogelsman and Langley Take Over at Universal Pictures - Coming Soon!
- MIJAC FILM SQUEEZES INTO CHINA: Documentary approved by country's ... - EURweb
- Ricky Gervais's clout at the UK box office is no lie - The Guardian
- Canadian show not just a flash on U.S. network - Toronto Sun
| Movie Review: `Good Hair' laughs instead of cries - Star-Tribune Posted: 06 Oct 2009 03:18 PM PDT JESSE WASHINGTON | Posted: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 3:15 pm What's so funny about so many black women wanting "white" hair? Plenty, it turns out, in Chris Rock's surprisingly insightful documentary, "Good Hair." The well-known history of black people straightening their natural curls is more tragedy than comedy, rooted in the bygone belief that all things European were better than anything African. But Rock sheds new light on this old story through a poignant mix of interviews, investigation and his trademark satire. More than a dozen famous and beautiful black women sit for Rock's camera, ranging from the sage Maya Angelou to video vixen Melyssa Ford to an interior designer with a skin disease that has left her proudly bald. Their testimony illuminates today's reality: Black women who straighten their hair are not ashamed of their heritage _ like women the world over, they just want to work with what they have. Men don't escape Rock's scrutiny, either, as the notoriously permed Rev. Al Sharpton and Ice-T are called to account. Sharpton recalls his mentor James Brown buying him his first 'do before they met with President Ronald Reagan, and Ice-T describes going to high school with his hair in curlers _ the bigger the better. Other men sport a variety of eye-catching styles, such as the "shag" _ picture a puffy mullet. There are many scenes in beauty and barber shops across the country, where the various meanings, rules and ramifications of black hairstyles are discussed. But the best revelations come when Rock examines the sodium hydroxide relaxer that turns nappy heads silky, and the origins of the shorn human hair that is "weaved" into shorter tresses to create the illusion of length and fullness. Rock watches sodium hydroxide eat through chicken flesh and dissolve an aluminum soda can. In India, he visits a Hindu temple where women ceremonially shave their heads and a shady character who describes snipping the hair off sleeping women. In Los Angeles, Rock watches an Indian businessman with a suitcase full of bone-straight locks bargain with a black hairstylist who brags about reselling movie stars' weaves to average Janes. The film's narrative is driven by the Bronner Bros. Hair Show, where top stylists create Las Vegas-style productions to compete for a $20,000 prize. The outlandish contest, which features little actual hairstyling, is a perfect metaphor for the inherent absurdity of a billion dollar industry built on metal-eating chemicals, stolen ponytails and thousand dollar-plus weaves. This is exactly why Rock is the perfect "Good Hair" host. His ad-libbed quips and silly-serious questions put interview subjects and viewers at ease with this sometimes painful reality, keeping them laughing instead of crying. And when Rock ventures into a hair store trying to sell some kinky "black hair" to the Asian owner, his comedy cuts to the root of the issue in a way Ken Burns never could. "Everyone want straight hair," the owner says. "It look more natural." "Good Hair," an HBO Films release, is rated PG-13 for sex and drug references and brief partial nudity. Running time: 95 minutes. Three stars out of four. ___ Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions: G _ General audiences. All ages admitted. PG _ Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. PG-13 _ Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children. R _ Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. NC-17 _ No one under 17 admitted.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Fogelsman and Langley Take Over at Universal Pictures - Coming Soon! Posted: 05 Oct 2009 11:23 AM PDT Universal Pictures unexpectedly announced today that Adam Fogelson is the new Chairman and Donna Langley has been named Co-Chairman, replacing Marc Shmuger and David Linde immediately. Here is the announcement: Adam Fogelson has been named Chairman, Universal Pictures. In addition, Donna Langley, has been named Co-Chairman, Universal Pictures. Rick Finkelstein, already the Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Pictures will work closely with both as a key strategic advisor. The announcements, which are effective immediately, were made today by Ron Meyer, President and COO, Universal Studios. Fogelson, who will report to Meyer, will be responsible for Universals worldwide Motion Picture Group. He will oversee all aspects of the companys global theatrical operations, home entertainment, partnerships and licensing, finance, HR and communications. Adam is a natural leader with a unique ability to anticipate our audience, understand our business and collaborate with our filmmakers to give us a competitive advantage. He is well-respected within our community, deservedly so, and together with this team, I believe we are strategically poised for our future, said Meyer. Langley will report to Fogelson, and will work with him on developing Universals business and production strategies. She will continue to oversee all production, and will also assume responsibility for Focus Features and Working Title films. Finkelstein, who will report to Meyer, will serve as a key business partner to both Fogelson and Langley. He will continue to have executive oversight for worldwide home entertainment, television distribution, business affairs and strategic alliances. Meyer added, Together Adam, Donna and Rick are proven leaders with the right combination of strong talent relationships and business acumen, as well as creative and commercial instincts. The depth of experience of these three executives gives me tremendous confidence in the future success of our business and I trust them to lead this organization in todays ever-changing media environment. The team replaces Marc Shmuger and David Linde who previously served as Chairs for the Studio. Meyer continued, Marc and David have made an extraordinary contribution to Universal Pictures for which we are all very grateful. We had our two most profitable years ever under their stewardship and they have been extremely successful expanding key partnerships and building our global business. Fogelson said, I couldnt be more proud that Ron and the company have entrusted me to run Universal Pictures. To continue to work with the best team in the business is an extraordinary opportunity for which I am sincerely humbled. I am grateful for this new challenge and to be collaborating with Donna and Rick, my colleagues for whom I have tremendous respect. Langley said, Universal has an extremely strong legacy and I look forward to expanding my leadership role and shaping the future of this company. I feel so fortunate to work with the most dedicated and passionate production team as well as the best creative talent in the industry. Finkelstein said, This business is changing and this presents real opportunity to adapt our business model to successfully respond to the changing media and economic landscape while still maintaining our quality and creativity. Shmuger and Linde jointly added, Were extremely proud to have had the opportunity to lead such an amazing team at Universal and we're proud of the work we accomplished together. While we will miss serving with our colleagues in these positions we look forward to future endeavors with Universal. Folgelson has served as President of Marketing and Distribution since October, 2007 when he assumed executive oversight of Universals domestic marketing and distribution operations and marketing and distribution for Rogue Pictures. Having joined Universal in 1998 as VP, Creative Advertising, he became President of Marketing 2002. Prior to working at Universal, he was Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing for Trimark Pictures. Earlier, he was Vice President of the AFA Company, a production marketing and distribution consulting firm, where his clients included Carolco Pictures and Nelson Entertainment. During his tenure Fogelson has supervised the marketing campaigns for some of Universals most highly successful franchises including: American Pie, Meet the Parents, Fast & Furious, and The Bourne Identity. Fogelson also oversaw campaigns for such films as Ray, The 40-Year Old Virgin, 8 Mile for which he and his colleague Eddie Egan were named Entertainment Marketer of the Year by Advertising Age, Knocked Up, The Break Up, Wanted, Strangers, Dawn of the Dead, and Mamma Mia!. He also helped create the campaign for Universal's Tony Award-winning smash Broadway musical hit Wicked. In 2009, Fogelson was again named Entertainment Marketer of the Year by Advertising Age which recognized his ability to successfully open a distinctly diverse slate of films across genres and for all audiences. Langley has served as President, Production since January 2005. During her tenure she has been responsible for 14 films that have surpassed the $100 million mark in domestic grosses. Langley joined the company in 2001 as Senior Vice President of Production. While at Universal she has overseen some of Universals biggest commercial and critically-acclaimed successes including Mamma Mia!, Wanted, Knocked Up, American Gangster, United 93, The Break Up, and homegrown hit franchises including the Bourne franchise, Fast & Furious and Meet the Fockers. She played a key role in attracting some of the industry's top filmmakers to do business with Universal including Michael Mann, Judd Apatow, Ron Howard, Ridley Scott, Clint Eastwood and Spike Lee. Before joining Universal Pictures, Langley served as Senior Vice President, Production, at New Line Cinema where she oversaw such hits as Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
Finkelstein has been Vice Chairman, Universal Pictures and Executive Vice President, Universal Studios since July 2006. Previously he served as president and COO of Universal Pictures since 2000. He is responsible for special projects for Universal Studios president and COO Ron Meyer and oversees worldwide home entertainment and the television distribution activities of Universal Pictures. Key deals under his tenure are a $500 million pact with Relativity Media to finance upward of 40 films over three years, a groundbreaking $100 million licensing arrangement with cabler FX for 15 titles, including present release The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and the megadeal with HBO. Finkelstein also represents Universal on the board of directors of the Motion Picture Association of America. In 2008, Finkelstein was recognized by variety as a key industry dealmaker in the annual dealmakers impact report. |
| MIJAC FILM SQUEEZES INTO CHINA: Documentary approved by country's ... - EURweb Posted: 06 Oct 2009 11:54 PM PDT
*The Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It" has secured one of the last of China's 20 annual foreign movie import slots, a Sony Pictures executive announced Tuesday.
Chinese censors approved the film before the weeklong National Day holiday that started on Oct. 1, clearing it in time for the global release date of Oct. 28, Li Chow, Sony Pictures Releasing International's general manager for China told The Associated Press. Li said Sony Pictures will give the movie as wide a release as possible because of Jackson's big fan base in China, depending on how many prints they can issue before Oct. 28. China had nearly 4,100 screens at the end of 2008. China only lets in 20 major foreign films per year on a revenue-sharing basis. But usually, the American releases are huge blockbusters. China's two most recent all-time box office records were both set by Hollywood pictures. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" broke the 11-year-old record set by "Titanic" in July by earning 400 million Chinese yuan ($59 million).  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Ricky Gervais's clout at the UK box office is no lie - The Guardian Posted: 06 Oct 2009 03:44 AM PDT  Box-office winner … Ricky Gervais in The Invention of Lying. Photograph: PR The winner
Despite performing as the biggest new release, Gervais's comedy was edged out of the top spot by Fame, still riding high in its second week, and down a slim 26% from its opening. Fame's 10-day cumulative total of £5.45m is just behind Step Up to the Streets's £5.68m at the same stage in its cycle, but that earlier dance flick benefited from an Easter release, when schoolkids were much more available to see it on weekdays. So far, Fame has earned 77% of its total from takings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The experiment Toy Story's arrival at 251 3D screens had a dramatic effect on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and The Final Destination, which both lost venues and showtimes in their 3D form. Consequently, Cloudy saw its takings in 3D drop by more than half, from £987,000 to £421,000. However a rise at 2D cinemas (from £389,000 to £661,000) means that the film declined a slim 20% overall from the previous weekend – a very robust result considering the competition from Toy Story. The Final Destination held up less well, dipping 64%. We've said it before, but it bears repeating: the expansion of 3D cinemas in the UK to accommodate more than one full release at a time can't come soon enough. The losers Ooh la la! The future UK top 10 How the other openers did  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Canadian show not just a flash on U.S. network - Toronto Sun Posted: 07 Oct 2009 01:48 AM PDT HOLLYWOOD -- The week so far has been one of good news/bad news for Canadian talent on U.S. screens. First, the good news. Flashpoint, the cop drama that has been a ratings juggernaut this season on CTV (not to mention a recent Gemini Award nominations record-breaker), has received another 13-episode pick-up order from CBS, making it one of the American network's most successful imports since Due South. CBS is planning to run the Season 3 episodes, likely along with those yet to air from Season 2, at some point during the current 2009-10 season. Not too shabby for a series that was initially regarded by the U.S. network as a hedge against the prolonged Writers Guild of America strike had it continued to drag on. But in the interim it has turned into a decent performer for CBS, which will likely move it into a spot vacated by one of its weaker newcomers. Be afraid Three Rivers. Be very afraid. Whip creamed It's a good thing the cast of Flashpoint doesn't go about their business on roller skates considering the disappointing opening for Whip It, starring the pride of Halifax, Ellen (Juno) Page. Although Drew Barrymore's directorial debut made a big splash at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by buoyant critical reviews, the roller-derby romp didn't even manage to skate away with $5 million over the weekend. So what went wrong? While movie-goers are always up for something that looks like fun -- and Whip It definitely delivers in that regard -- the Oct. 2 to 4 period was one of those very rare weekends that actually served up too much of a funny thing. There was Zombieland, a shrewd blend of comedy and horror with sufficient amounts of the former to draw a larger-than-usual female demographic to the Woody Harrelson-Jesse Eisenberg movie. Then there was also the Ricky Gervais acerbic concept comedy, The Invention of Lying, which played well to older female audiences. Combined, those two films alone ate up some $32 million in movie-goers' weekend entertainment allowance, leaving Whip It, in which Page plays underdog-on-wheels Bliss Cavendar, to settle for the remaining $4.7 million. Although there's always the possibility that the movie could roll on over the coming weeks, earning a bit of a following along the way, more likely audiences won't find their Bliss until it skates into the DVD arena. Pick of the Twitter After taking some well-deserved time off, the Celebrity Tweet of the Week returns all rested up for fall, kicking off with an especially poignant entry proving that Hollywood types, for the most part, aren't as shallow and self-involved as the media so often portrays them. Here goes: "I love my puppies so much!" -- Heidi Montag, October 5, 2009 MICHAEL RECHTSHAFFEN IS A CANADIAN ENTERTAINMENT WRITER BASED IN LOS ANGELES.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Add Images to any RSS Feed To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
.gif "OBAT KUAT")
.gif)
0 Response to "“Movie Review: `Good Hair' laughs instead of cries - Star-Tribune” plus 4 more"
Posting Komentar