Who Will Be James Brown

One of my favorite directors, Spike Lee, is to direct the James Brown Movie (I was wondering when this would happen . . .

This particular project had been in the works prior to Brown's death and even had the musician's input during development, especially regarding music rights.

The Paramount Pictures production is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2008.

Now, who in the world is capable of playing James Brown? Who, besides Jamie Foxx, has the talent to act and sing beyond the normal call? AND add to that, dance!!!!

Hmmmm, let's see:

Bobby Brown. is certainly the dramatic one (on and off stage, mostly off I believe but he can sing and dance.

Eddie Murphy. Comedians are great in dramatic roles. Although he sings, I'm not sure about him channeling James Brown's voice (or fancy foot moves).

Leon from the 5 Heartbeats, Waiting to Exhale & The Temptations - he played an interesting David Ruffin.

Prince. My favorite multi-talented artist. He's the most talented of them all and some of his moves are classic James Brown but his acting (and I LOVE PRINCE yes I do!) isn't strong enough (Under the Cherry Moon, BLAH!) but who knows . . . still I just can't see him as James Brown.

Sisco (ex lead singer of Dru Hill - famous for the "Thong Song") -- mmmmmaybe.

Andre from Outkast. If Laurence Fishburne can play Ike in "What's Love Got to Do With It," then certainly . . .

Or perhaps an "unknown" would be better suited.

Apocalypto. Love Survives!

Apocalypto is a beautiful story of a man's love for his wife and child that is surrounded by circles of other stories (brotherhood, family, culture, invasion, greed, the supernatural). Not to forget an important message at the beginning of the movie: A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within. Isn't that the case most of the time? I think that might have been the message but I found there to be another.

It is passionate, funny at times (in the early part of the film when the men are hunting) it shows tenderness and respect of elders (after dinner all the families gather around the elder and listen to a story then afterwards they DANCE!) and it is heart felt and wrenching, and yes a bit violent too. Though after hearing about the Atlanta Police, serving a no knock warrant, killing a 92-year-old woman last month because they suspected someone was selling drugs from her home, its just another version of art imitating life. People, those appalled by the gruesomeness that Mel Gibson delivers in this film, act as if the modern world of today is crowded with people who wouldn't cause a fly harm, as if there aren't wars tearing apart lush lands and polluting the air.

Apocalypto was said to be another version of The Passion of Christ, comparing the wounds of Christ with those of Jaguar Paw's. Supernaturally maybe there were some things to note (Jaguar Paw's dream, a little girl foretelling doom, an eclipse interpreted as a sign from the Sun God, etc.). Whereas Christ died for US, as many martyrs often do, Jaguar Paw withstands every terrible, bloody blow of fist and weapon (with the help, it seems, of nature) to escape, race back to a ravaged village and save the life of his pregnant wife and child. It is a must see.

The Refreshing Wall

This is fun! Review the gallery and vote on the best OR approach the wall with bravery and create your own graff.

Bad Fruit

She's had enough! The roving eye disease needed a quick cure. He had it coming particularly at this weekend's holiday gathering when Ms. Cherry Rouge spied her man eyeing the infamous green M&M. On went the red boxing glove and KaPOW!

Get with the humor! It's only a teeshirt (and more)! See what's new in the store.