The Free Speech

MTV goes in on Lil Mama

2009-01-31T00:04:00.001-05:00

Notorious Movie Review

2009-01-29T05:29:00.001-05:00

So I saw the Notorious film during it's opening weekend and I thought it was good. Not because it broke any cinematic ground or even told me something that I didn't know about B.I.G. I was just happy that they didn't mess it up. The director told B.I.G.'s story well and did it in a way that did not commend his actions or demonize his enemies.

In many of today's biopics, we often experience a disconnect between the cause and effect of a Protagonist's actions because showing motive is often harder than telling motive. However, in Notorious, the audience knows exactly what drives Christopher Wallace to make the good decisions in his life as well as the bad. For example, when a teenage Christopher Wallace sells crack to a pregnant woman, you know that he does so out of the frustration of his impending fatherhood. Jamal "Gravy" Woolard does a wonderful job of showing the inner conflict created by the irony of an expectant father selling crack to an expectant mother. These conflicts are further explored in the paradox of emotions Christopher experienced and expressed via his relationships with his mother (Voletta), his wife (Faith), his mistress (Lil Kim), and his daughter.

While I was impressed with most of the acting in this film, there were some standout performances besides Jamal Woolard's. Antonique Smith did a great job as B.I.G.'s loving but independent and resilient wife, Faith. Dennis L.A. White was very good as D-Rock, the best friend in the world and the real reason why B.I.G. became a famous rapper. While Angela Bassett is generally a great actress, she did not maintain a consistent accent and I felt that there were moments of over-acting. And while the film had a good cast, the role of Lil Cease was absolutely mis-casted. Marc Jon Jeffries is a good actor but he looked like a monkey in the movie and I don't remember Lil Cease looking that young. Naturi Naughton did a great job as Lil Kim but her performance will always be overshadowed by her unnecessary nudity.

But then the character of Puff helped me understand what made the film good. I never believed that Derek Luke could play a character like Puff because you can't act like you have swagg; you either have it or you don't. However, as Luke played the ever-dancing and motivating Puff, I realized that I wasn't looking at a film with impersonators. This was a film with actors. So while I appreciated Jamal having some resemblance to B.I.G., I appreciated that he didn't impersonate him. Jamal simply acted like a big rapper from Brooklyn that experienced what B.I.G. experienced. Luke didn't impersonate the always optimistic Puff (definitely a Producer's embellishment), he simply acted like a smart, hungry, and young music Producer. This film was driven by great direction and great performances.

In sum, Notorious was a good film with some great performances. The resolve of the film shows B.I.G. making peace with the women in his life (even Kim) and expressing a desire to change the world by changing himself. Whether this self-actualization really took place is immaterial, as it's purpose in the film just feels good. Whatever Notorious may have lacked in big-budget production, it gained with strong substance, content, and characters.

Back like I never left...

2009-01-29T04:56:00.000-05:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted but I just didn't have anything to write about. During the Presidential Campaign I went on a writing and posting frenzy for several reasons (i.e. Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, and Sarah Palin). I even went to Pennsylvania and campaigned and worked for Obama's Voter Protection Program on Election Day. But when President Obama was elected I just didn't have anything to complain about. And so while I'm still celebrating this amazing time in World History, I have to acknowledge the craziness that surrounds our "defining moment."
And so I'm back. Back with sarcastic comments about Pop Culture. Back with videos of stuff that I think is funny, entertaining, informative or just a downright plug for whatever I'm promoting. And so while I'm sure there will be plenty of people that will agree with some of the stuff I have to say, I'm sure that sometimes I will stand alone in my eccentric ideologies.

With that said, is it just me or:

1. does Brandy look like a chainsmoker?

2. does it seem like Joaquin Phoenix is making fun of all of us?

3. Was SlumDog the best love story you've seen in years?

4. is any one else wondering what qualifies an aging one-hit wonder, an overweight bass player, and a metrosexual Brit to judge "American Idol?" And Randy we all know that you are a "cool" black man. Please stop killing us with "dog", "pitchy", and the tight sweaters.

The New Propaganda

2009-01-29T04:15:00.001-05:00

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

I mess with Chris

2008-11-22T13:02:00.001-05:00

asshole of the day

2008-11-21T05:01:00.001-05:00

So let's applaud the wisdom of former VP candidate Sarah Palin. She does an interview while live animals are being slaughtered in the background.

The end of "the first black..."

2008-11-20T15:36:00.001-05:00

Now that we have our first Black President, other Black firsts are sure to be overlooked. I guess it makes sense since the most powerful man on the planet will be Black. For example, the man pictured above is Eric Holder and he will soon become America's first Black Attorney General...but no one cares. It sucks because Eric Holder is a very accomplished statesman and former Judge.

Let's continue to applaud our Black Achievers and Strivers.

Waxing Philosophical

2008-11-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Dumb B!

2008-11-20T11:14:00.000-05:00

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

I'm still celebrating

2008-11-18T13:01:00.000-05:00

The Score from Election Night

2008-11-16T17:30:00.000-05:00

White Power, Go Obama!

2008-10-31T13:18:00.001-04:00

WHY I ROCK WITH BARACK AND BIDEN

2008-10-25T18:42:00.001-04:00

Can't say it enough

2008-10-23T18:56:00.001-04:00

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Fatherhood

2008-10-23T10:27:00.001-04:00

Nigga!!

2008-10-18T12:30:00.001-04:00

pssst....do something

2008-10-15T05:53:00.001-04:00

The Real McCain

2008-09-30T10:05:00.000-04:00

Everyone is Afraid

2008-09-30T02:05:00.000-04:00

"McCain just doesn't get it"

2008-09-29T10:14:00.000-04:00

Liar of the day

2008-09-25T20:40:00.001-04:00

assholes of the day

2008-09-24T16:01:00.001-04:00

Simply Inspiring

2008-09-21T12:09:00.001-04:00

another nigga moment...narrated by Ben and Ryan

2008-09-17T12:50:00.000-04:00

shout out to Rebecca for the link

My sentiments exactly...

2008-09-11T14:21:00.001-04:00