March 24, 2013

Real Talk, TV/Film

My Connection to “Olympus Has Fallen”

olympusfallen

I just saw the trailer for Olympus Has Fallen and see that it opened strong this, its opening weekend, coming in #2 at the box office making over $30 million. Is it just me or has there been a surge in the number of movies being made about the White House coming under attack since President Barack Obama has taken office? The new G.I. Joe movie revolves around the West Wing possibly being blown to Read more...

November 6, 2012

Real Talk

My Election Anxiety

When I’m nervous I don’t bite my nails, I just pick-up my emery board and go totown. I start filing them down. Way down. Looking at my laptop now I see the filed sawdust-like remnants of what two days ago was a beautiful manicure. Now I’m typing with stubs. It’s Election Day and I’m stressed the crunk out!

My phone rings: “Hey Nicole!” It’s my gumbo-making, Texas born, pistol-handling godmother. “Yeah, I’m calling to tell Read more...

January 20, 2012

Grooves

RIP Etta James (Jan. 25, 1938 – Jan. 20, 2012)

Born Jamesetta Hawkins and known affectionately as Miss Peaches, the ever-adored badass beauty Etta James transitioned this morning at the age of 73, less than a week shy of her 74th birthday.

I realize there’s a contingency of folk who just recently got put on to the magic that was Miss Peaches via Beyonce’s tortured cinematic portrayal, but so many more of us have long been spinning our parent’s vinyl. We swooned to “I Read more...

January 17, 2012

First Lady

Behind EVERY Great Man, Is a Great Woman!

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama went out to lunch one day and suddenly the owner of the restaurant walked over to greet them. The owner kindly introduced himself to the President, then turned and told the First Lady, “WOW MICHELLE, YOU STILL LOOK GREAT!” As the owner walked away from the table, the POTUS asked Mrs. Obama, “Someone you know from the past?” Mrs. Obama responded, “Yeah, he had a strong crush Read more...

February 16, 2011

Grooves, Videos

Who is Esperanza Spalding?

 

“I’m not gonna sit around and waste my precious divine energy trying to explain and be ashamed of things you think are wrong with me.”
-Esperanza Spalding

Without having to arrive in an egg, without having to don Betty Rubble’s Flinstonesque leopard print costume, and without having to shake her as$, Esperanza Spalding stunned most of America and nabbed the Grammy on Sunday night for Best New Artist.

In March 2009, thanks to my Read more...

February 14, 2011

Grooves, TV/Film

The Grammys: Sisters Are Doin’ It…

 

The Grammys opened with a bang last night, but quickly fizzled into a tricked-out Technicolor circus of flashing lights, frenzied feathers and alien egg births. And like most things that are tricked out, once you get past the fancy frame, you notice the picture on the inside is a muted bore.

But first things first, I have to admit that kicking-off last night’s 3 ½ hour event with a tribute to Aretha Franklin got Read more...