African American history is a valuable resource that remains
largely untapped by Hollywood. When one
of these stories actually makes its way to the big screen, it does so in an antiseptic
and often emasculated state. This is
sometimes the result of political correctness on the part of white filmmakers, (in
the rare instances that they don’t marginalize black characters in their own
story). Handing the material over to
black filmmakers might seem like an obvious solution, but that to can have its
drawbacks. So many of the old guard are solely
concerned with presenting positive black images, to the point where they forget
to allow the story to simply tell itself.
Its seems that great stories of the black experience in America may
never get the ideal treatment. Well, the
upcoming Red Tails aims to be the antidote
for all that ails black historical dramas.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Album Review: Wu-Tang Clan - Legendary Weapons
The Wu-Tang Clan’s efficiency as a collective has diminished
greatly in the last decade, as certain solo careers have fared far more than
others. Though it is well past their
heyday, the clan has been more consistent in the last two years than during
almost any time since their height. In continuance
of their current hot streak, the compilation album Legendary Weapons (named after the Shaw Brothers classic Legendary Weapons of China aka Legendary Weapons of Kung Fu) offers a helping of tracks that feature various group
members spitting over stripped down beats by sonic architects such as Lil Fame,
Noah Robin, and Andrew Kelley.
Television Series Review: ‘Thundercats’– Series Premiere: “The Sword of Omens” & “Ancient Spirits of Evil”
The kingdom of Thundera has long enjoyed dominion over third
earth. Likewise, the Thundercats have
long been at the top of the planets food chain.
King Claudius (Larry Kenney) rules with a sure and steady hand. He one day hopes for his youngest son, Lion-O
(Will Friedle), to take his rightful place on the throne. Alas, the cub has other things on his
mind. Claudius’s adoptive son Tygra (Matthew
Mercer) appears to be better suited to wear the crown. During a celebration in honor of the
returning warrior Grune the Destroyer (Clancy Brown), lizards launch an all-out
attack on Thundera. The kingdom’s
inhabitants find themselves ill prepared for the onslaught and its
orchestrator, Mumm-Ra (Robin Atkins Downes).
Young Lion-O finds himself confronted with the defining moment of his
life. Will he prove himself worthy of
the crown?
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