13 Months of Sunshine

If you're planning to attend the Pan African Film & Arts Festival be sure to check out this film.

"The American dream and the immigrant experience collide in this heartwarming comedy focusing on the romance between two Ethiopian immigrants."

Writer/Director: Yehdego Abeselom
Official Website: www.13monthsofsunshine.com

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Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival

Because mixed people enjoy good movies too...

The Mixed Roots Film & Literary Festival is an annual event celebrating films and literary works exploring racially and culturally mixed heritages. The festival is inclusive: anyone who identifies as mixed, has a trans-racial or trans-cultural adoptive family, or who supports interracial and intercultural relationships is welcome.

And they're currently seeking submissions for the following:

• Workshops that address the mixed experience and storytelling.
  
• Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or memoirs.
  
• Short and feature length films.
  
• Live performance pieces of under 10 minutes.

The deadline for submissions is March 16th, so mark your calenders and send your stuff in.

Official Website: www.mxroots.org

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Blindsight

NPR spotlights some great films and this is one of them. When I was riding in the car listening to the interview about this story and the organization Braille Without Borders it was truly inspiring. It makes you feel like anything is possible.

Blindsight follows the gripping adventure of six Tibetan teenagers who set out to climb the 23,000 foot Lhakpa Ri on the north side of Mount Everest.

Director: Lucy Walker
Official Website: www.blindsightthemovie.com

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Another Cinderella Story

So I totally DVRed ABC Family's Another Cinderella Story. What can I say, I'm a sucker for Cinderella tales. Selena Gomez, one of Disney's rising tween queens, stars in this dance inspired version. It's far from brilliant (unless you're an 11-year-old girl) but it's an enjoyable light-hearted romcom. There aren't many subtleties in the plot but the film did offer a standout performance by Jessica Parker Kennedy who plays the sassy best friend. At the very least, it would be a nice gift for a Drew Seeley-lovin' teenage niece.



For Fans of...A Cinderella Story and Ever After

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Should Tyler Perry pick up 'Push'?

The Women and Hollywood blog posed an interesting idea that Tyler Perry should pick up this year's big Sundance winner Push because having his name attached could get the film in theaters and pull in his steady audience. His movies usually gross around $20 million on opening weekend. Push seems a lot gritter than his usual fare but it could be a bold move for his studio.

Do you think that Tyler Perry should strike up a deal?

***

[photo: Mariah Carey, Gabourey Sidibe, Lee Daniels, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton]

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The SAG Awards

(The cast of Slumdog Millionaire)

(Penelope Cruz and Kate Winslet)

(James Earl Jones receiving the Life Achievement Award and Forest Whitaker)

I actually watched the ceremonies this year and I was impressed. I enjoyed them a little more than the Golden Globes which was kind of weird, but pleasantly surprising. There were a lot of great talents being honored and outside of those honors I thought Freida Pinto's periwinkle dress was fabulous! And although I'm sure Meryl Streep was brilliant in Doubt I really wanted Anne Hathaway to win for Rachel Getting Married.

What are your thoughts on the SAG winners?

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I Love You, Man

The trailer for I Love You, Man played just before I watched the new Underworld movie and I was happy to spot Rashida Jones as Paul Rudd's love interest. This story looks silly but strangely cute (aside from the tongue action).

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Chillin' at Sundance

(Christina Milian on the slopes)



(Chris Rock and Nia Long taking silly portraits for InStyle)



(Xiaofeng and Li Xinyun of Dada's Dance)

(Mariah Carey and Director Lee Daniels)

(Guillermos del Toro, Alfonso Cauron & Gael Garcia Bernal)



(Paula Patton and Robin Thicke)

[Hat tip Brown Girl Gumbo]

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Amreeka

Amreeka has been getting some good buzz at Sundance. It definitely sounds like my kind of film.

Amreeka is a warm and lighthearted film about one Palestinian family’s tumultuous journey into Diaspora amidst the cultural fallout of America’s war in Iraq. Muna Farah, a Palestinian single mom, struggles to maintain her optimistic spirit in the daily grind of intimidating West Bank checkpoints, the constant nagging of a controlling mother, and the haunting shadows of a failed marriage. Everything changes one day when she receives a letter informing her that her family has been granted a U.S. green card.

There's a great interview with the director, Cherien Dabis, over at the Women and Hollywood blog where she talks about the need for Arab-American films and how President Obama's presence in the top seat is a positive step in cultivating that change.

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Oscar Nominations

Here are some of my favorites...

Actress in a leading role:

Even though Anne Hathaway is completely captivating as Kym it seems like Kate Winslet's time in the sun has finally arrived.

Actor in a supporting role:

Heath Ledger should and will win. What he does in that movie is amazing, there's no other way to put it.

Cinematography:

If The Dark Knight doesn't win this award I won't know what to say.

Costume Design:

Australia may have been a major letdown in some regards but when it comes to costumes it was a real treat.

Best Picture:

Slumdog Millionaire should win this category but The Curious Case of Benjamin Button just might steal the crown.

My only two serious disappointments were that Jenny Lumet didn't get nominated for original screenplay and that Robert Downey Jr. got nominated for his role in Tropic Thunder. If I could swap nominations I'd do just that.

So who do you think should win???

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Dancing In The Moonlight...

It kind of felt like I was watching a movie, a fairy tale. Wait--it's real. We actually have a black first lady.

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Who Would You Cast?

Storycasting.com lets you visualize the dream cast for your favorite books. It's kind of like fantasy football meets MySpace except it's for literary fans.

Here's how the creator described it:

Storycasting is the premier website for creating and posting a “fantasy cast” of your favorite fiction – because books make a “movie in your mind”. People start with a book, select the characters, and then “cast” the roles using current film and TV stars. Each cast is a vote for that actor in that role, and after multiple casts the favorites rise up to create a Top Cast. Over 40 authors have come on and cast their own works, and then sent their fans to cast. A few authors have used the site as their “collaboration point” with a producer or screenwriter.

I made a fantasy cast for my favorite book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It would star Tom Welling as Michael Hosea and Megan Fox as Angel. That book is so awesome and I would love to see it as a movie but only if it's done right.

Overall the site has a pretty cool concept but it's not without flaws. The web designers still have to work out the little kinks that keep it from being a great social networking site.

What books would you like to see made into movies?

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Obama: The Movie

An Obama movie is inevitable. It's going to happen so you might as well accept it. But if production were to start tomorrow I'd want Will Smith to play Barack a.k.a. " Mr. Yes We Can" and Gabrielle Union to play his "Ms. South Side" wife. Even Barack wants Will Smith to play him. I wonder if the Michelle feels the same way about Gabrielle.

Who would you choose to portray our 44th President?

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500 Days of Summer

Zooey Deschanel is quickly emerging as one of my favorite actresses. She plays those quirky 20-something angst roles with great charm. Her snarky, dry humor in Winter Passing is hilarious and when she switches gears and plays a bubbly music teacher in Bridge to Terabithia it's just as engaging. But most people probably remember her as the singing Santa's helper from Elf. If you get a chance check out her band She & Him, her voice has an old school elegance and when she sings in her movies it's always a plus.

Her latest film, 500 Days of Summer is getting some good buzz at the Sundance Film Fest and I'm already looking forward to seeing it.

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Idris Elba Coming To 'The Office'

The Office is like the best comedy on TV and anything to make it better is fine by me. Idris Elba (The Wire) isn't my first choice to add to the cast but sometimes unlikely choices can lead to good things. I just hope he gets to use his British accent because accents make everything a little cooler.

[Hat tip The Obenson Report]

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Rosario Dawson on SNL tonight!

Just is case you didn't know...

A.) Rosario is one of my favorites
B.) She'll be on Saturday Night Live

Here's the promo:



I usually don't watch SNL unless Tina Fey makes an appearance but for Rosario I'll give it a try (meaning I'll DVR it).

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Nose, Iranian Style (Damagh Be Sabke Irani)

I watched this documentary on the Sundance channel, it's a really intriguing subject. I had no idea that nose jobs were such an epidemic over there. Did you?

"Iran is the world leader in rhinoplasty with an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 operations each year. In a country that discourages personal expression and disdains Western culture, young Iranians eagerly change their noses to model images in European and American fashion magazines."

Director: Mehrdad Oskouei

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I'm back!!!

I've been having serious computer problems but thankfully all is well. Now I can continue my usual movie chat so stay tuned.

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Safe Trip Home

The promo for Dido's latest album is pretty cool. It has a short film feel.



Official site: www.safetriphome.com

[Hat tip Ultra Brown]

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True Jackson, VP

Starring in your own tween TV show can be a lucrative endeavor, just ask Miley Cyrus. The latest addition to the tweendom is Keke Palmer (Akeelah and the Bee) who takes on the title role of True Jackon, a fashion savvy teen who lands a dream job at a major fashion house. It has a diverse cast and seems like a cute comedy.



Starring: Keke Palmer, Ashley Argota and Matt Shively

Tune in...Saturdays at 8:30pm on Nickelodeon

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Free Style

Corbin Bleu is the dude with the curly hair from the widely successful High School Musical franchise. For his next project he takes on the role of actor/producer in Free Style, a story about a troubled motocross rider vying for a spot on the national team.



Director: William Dear
Starring: Corbin Bleu and Sandra Echeverría
Soundtrack: "Moments That Matter" by Corbin Bleu

Release Date: February 6th
Official Site: www.freestylemovie.com

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