by Joel | Apr 3, 2008 | Actors, Creativity, Culture, Film, Movies, Theater
All of the many ways one can shape the public perception of a culture through film were alive and well this month. From a visionary film maker and producer, marketing professional, events producer, to actors. If you weren’t in AZ for the Black Film Showcase, you should have been.
I interviewed Director Lee Daniels 
(Shadowboxer, Monster’s Ball, The Woodsman) who gave us the guerrilla film production background for his brilliant films and what it took to really get them produced. I found him to be upfront and candid, humorous and human. He’s a spiritual man. And spirited! The audience and I loved his verbatim’s. He directed the superstar Helen Mirren with grace, style and expletives deleted when needed he said. He shared his process for production and came prepared with audition tapes of a exceptionally gifted new actor starring in his upcoming film “Push” and out takes of her with Mo’nique. It was so real and raw, I asked (choked up) how it would end…but I won’t tell you here, you’ll have to see it for yourself in the theater. He also brought footage from “Tennessee” featuring Mariah Carey. Lee is amazing in how he casts his films and this songbird’s role is no exception. I’ll be there for anything attached to his name in the movies, you be there too. He deserves the Academy Award recognition and Cannes Film Festival wins.
Some distressing news though for Lee Daniels fans – he said only two more films, one of these would be a musical, and then he wants to teach. No more than two more films? Youch! He’s already involved with the Ghetto Film School.
When I interviewed Award winning actor Lynn Whitfield 
(Thin Line Between Love And Hate, Tyler Perry’s Madea, The Josephine Baker Story), she showed a humorous side that I have never seen before. She’s always a great and beautiful actress displaying a fine edge of intensity but this side of Lynn was fun. We saw her on the big screen in the video highlights of her career to date (check out “Kings of the Evening“!). Lynn shared some ‘for real’ remarks on the competition for roles, how she almost gave up in those early days before she became a star, and her love and appreciation of her beautiful daughter.
Lynn once again made history. She won Showcase Oscar Micheaux Award. This is the first time a woman actor has won the coveted honor in the seven years of its existence. Going back a bit, both Lynn and Lee have created successful productions that people in general want to see. Oscar would be pleased.
Oscar Micheaux, the first African-American to produce a feature-length film (The Homesteader (1919) in 1920) and a sound feature-length film (The Exile (1931) in 1931), is not a major figure in American film just for these milestones, but because his oeuvre is a window onto the American psyche as regards race and its deleterious effects on individuals and society. He also is a pioneer of independent cinema. Though the end products of his labors often were technically crude due to budgetary constraints, Micheaux the filmmaker is a symbol of the artist triumphing over long odds to bring his vision to the public at large while serving in the socially important role of critical spirit.
I also moderated a panel discussion with Hollywood insiders Felicia Bell, Jenean Glover, and actor Linara Washington. Felicia is a marketing and film distribution phenom. Jenean is a talent manager and consultant with her own company Screen Partners, Inc. and Linara, an actor in the film “Kings of the Evening” which had its Arizona premiere at the Showcase. What did the audience hear about what it takes to make it behind the camera where the office is and in front of the camera? Here are a few highlights: Never give up, learn how the money is made in films, and give yourself a time line. From a big money, big money perspective as Tyler Perry and others are proving, never underestimate the power of a cultural group’s desire to see a relevant, revealing, and reliable portrayal. Felicia and Jenean are making decisions for their organizations that are as green as dollars bills.
There was a dynamic Q and A with everyone. I asked tough questions and the audience did too. And like I said, “you should have been there!”
The mission of the Arizona Black Film Showcase is to become the premier, national media arts event dedicated to supporting Black film professionals through educational and networking opportunities. Founder Joanna De’Shay believes that “Black Film is American Film” and that Black Films have a significant impact on the broader Film and Television Industry and I share this vision with her. Her annual, competitive film showcase has supported, celebrated, and promoted the dynamic works of Black filmmakers locally and nationally for the past seven years.
My time and my company’s production efforts will be focused on women in May. Specifically, Scottsdale AZ, Chaparral Suites Resorts, the Positively Powerful Women Celebrate dinner, awards, and personal development workshop May 16 and 17. Another not to be missed event. And yes, we will be filming it for educational purposes. If you would like to become a sponsor, purchase the film, attend, register your Mom, receive a scholarship (we have a limited amount, first come first served) call Joel Martin, President Triad West Inc. Positively Powerful Events. For information call (480) 563-5585 or click here.
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by Bob Martin | Mar 8, 2008 | Actors, Film, Movies, Writers
Of course we are talking about the “Wire” and many fans are unhappy. Unhappy because there is only one episode left and that its ending will not live up to our expectation. Differently then Sex in the City or the Soprano’s, this series seemed to be about real people. When Omar is killed there are real obituaries written, some with sadness. Unlike James Gandolfin’s Anthony,
Michael K. Williams had become Omar and in a perverse way a hero. Our disappointment on Monday will be because we know what happens, that the stories depicted in this series are about our own failure. Unlike James Bond or John Wayne no one is riding off into the sunset with the girl to live happily ever after.
Our unhappiness on Monday will be the similar dissatisfaction we had with “There Will be Blood” and “No Country for Old Men” good does not triumph. Our story tellers refuse to give us hope, there nothing to feel good about here, no super hero.
Good Does Not Triumph
The Wire’s failing will be that in five years it could not solve the problem of corrupt politician, disinterest cops, street violence, ego driven “Fourth Estate”, poor schools, lost industry and lack of jobs, failed parents, drug importation, use and abuse and a citizenry who believes the problem is for some one else to solve. The “Wire” told us about ourselves and what we are avoiding.
I will miss the “Wire”.
by Sandy | Feb 28, 2008 | Actors, Blogroll, Film, Movies
The brothers Affleck – Ben directs, and Casey stars – are responsible for this turbulent film. Based on a Dennis Lehane book, “Gone Baby Gone”, just out on DVD, starts as a child abduction case – a little girl goes missing in Boston, can she be found in enough time? (The longer a child is missing, the higher the possibility that the situation will end badly – child never found or child deceased.)
The actors, led by the thin, wavery voiced Casey Affleck as the private eye, Morgan Freeman, and Ed Harris as cops and Amy Ryan as the mother of the missing child, are terrific.
The story unfolds with an unfortunately familiar process – a massive search for the 4 year old involving police, family members, tons of press camped outside the home, etc. Then, one of the relatives of the missing child hires a private detective to question neighbors, thinking that those who would rather not talk to the police may talk to him.
The drama escalates, the mystery widens and becomes complex as the layers are peeled and we are introduced to the over the top, out of control characters who may or may not be involved in what happened, including the little girl’s foul mouthed mother.
The “who dunnit” changes to “what?” and back again to “who dunnit” like a pin ball careening around. So many twists and turns that at times I did have to ask “Hunh? What just happened here?” Certain events may have been added and made obscure on purpose (“Red Herrings”) just to heighten the mystery, but it works. I was entertained thru all the surprises until the sad ending. (“Sad”, but not for the reasons you might expect.) “Doing the right thing” – what it is/what it isn’t – is such a personal thing, as it should be, since we have to live with our choices. But, the results of our choices/ decisions often radiate outward and cause repercussions for others.
by Sandy | Feb 9, 2008 | Actors, Blogroll
Jaded inhabitants, dangerous streets, glaring corruption, greed that knows no gender, race or creed could probably be found in aging inner cities anywhere, but the series creators chose this eastern port city, up the coast from Washington, D.C., as a full fledged character in the show.
This tough HBO series is in its final TV season. “The Wire”, created by David Simon and mostly written by him and former policeman Ed Burns, first aired in June 2002. I depend on Netflix for my ‘Wire fix”. It seems to take 15 months or so for a season to get to DVD, so I’m always behind.
Each year’s shows have a specific focus – getting drug dealers off the corner with wire taps, honing in on corrupt politicians who get fat on drug money, the Baltimore docks and where/how can dock workers support families as this once bustling waterfront slowly turns into blocks of condos.
I just finished watching 2006. It follows 4 kids thru a school year and takes a look at how they deal with death, drugs and poverty outside the classroom and bureaucracy, low expectations inside the classroom. The show also gives insight into the saying coined by former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, “All politics is local.”
A lot of the same characters stay with the show year after year and the viewer becomes familiar with all their dreams, demons and idiosyncrasies. You root for them when they appear to overcome and “do better” and you’re disappointed with them if they slip deeper and deeper into their self made abyss. (My favorite is Michael K. Williams. He plays “Omar Little” – the clever, gay, 50 caliber gun toting gangster with a code of ethics. Terrific.)
Regardless of the theme or focus of a season, they all involve some one’s desperation – desperate to get over, desperate to get rich, desperate to have power. The parts of Baltimore that we see here have seen better days, but occasionally you catch a glimpse of the revitalization in other areas. What will it take to be one of the “haves”? – have more power, more respect, more things than the other guys on the corner. Whether drug dealer or politician, policeman or teacher, a lot of the characters are run by – “I have to get mine.” (Regular folks can wait for crumbs, the smart ones take.)
The writing and acting are superb- all are committed to telling a “truth”, not the only truth, but a slice of life they feel we all need to see and hear.
However, even in this bleakness, there is humor and even slivers of kindness and humanity amidst the brutality. Life is multi faceted, even in Baltimore.
by Bob Martin | Dec 15, 2007 | Actors, Art, Artist, Books, Directors, Movies
I got tagged by James Neil Hollingsworth a delightful and thoughtful painter. I am now required to list 5 little known facts about myself, then “tag” five other artists to do the same.
Here are my five:
- When I was 15 I had this mad infatuation (nothing more) with a niece of Edvard Munch. We worked together (she was technically my boss) I was never sure if it was because she was a relative of a famous artist and I wanted to be one or that I thought she looked like Maria Schell.
- I did and still do get confused when reading something in big type like on a movie theater billboard. As a kid I went by myself to see Samson and Delilah and the African Queen. Looking for the Lion and then the Queen. It would bother me that I didn’t seem to comprehend some things, but it worked out in the end with my feeling OK outside of my comfort zone.
- My wife and I once owned an advertising agency. I would experience pain when watching “Thirty Something” on TV
- I love Movies and wanted to be a director, believed that Federico Fellini, Ingmar Bergman and Michelangelo Antonioni were geniuses, named my daughter after a movie (Sundays with Cybele) , went to film school before they were hip, made one animated film (after seeing Jim Henson’s first film). Dropped out, cause I wanted to eat.
- I am married to a wonderful, powerful public speaker and coach, who is working on her second book. I am very lucky, but you already knew that.
The Artist that I’ve tagged are:
by Sandy | Nov 17, 2007 | Actors, Blogroll, Film, Movies
Denzel. He is a “single name” person – like Cher, Madonna, Fidel. I must admit I’m supremely biased – I think Mr. Washington is fabulous. Just watch him walk! I saw him Off Broadway in the 80’s in a great piece called the “A Soldier’s Play”, written by Charles Fuller. It was just after he left the TV series “St.Elsewhere” and before his award winning performance in ‘Glory” – you could tell he was the real deal.
He is one of the best actors of his generation. When he gets a good script (and even sometimes when he doesn’t) he is wonderful! His latest film, “American Gangster” is no exception.
Written by Steve Zaillian and directed by Ridley Scott, with a group of excellent actors – Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin and the legendary Ruby Dee – this movie is based on a true story. It follows a NYC drug dealer, Frank Lucas, (Washington), and the cop that is obsessed/committed to taking him down, (Crowe).
Regardless of his personal issues, (he and that model seem to have a penchant for throwing phones?) Crowe is terrific as the gangster’s arch enemy. His determined lawman assembles a mini task force in response to the heroin explosion that happened in 70’s NYC. This spreading evil brought both desperation and devastation to the communities where the drug thrived and huge amounts of money to those who sold it. A dangerous and toxic combination – those addicted wouldn’t give it up, those that became rich, refused to.
Engrossing film. Drug dealing is not glorified thank goodness, but, you get a chance to see how some think that the havoc that they wreak on their fellow man is not only ok, but, entrepreneurial – the American way. Scary.
The mission of the Arizona Black Film Showcase is to become the premier, national media arts event dedicated to supporting Black film professionals through educational and networking opportunities. Founder Joanna De’Shay believes that “Black Film is American Film” and that Black Films have a significant impact on the broader Film and Television Industry and I share this vision with her. Her annual, competitive film showcase has supported, celebrated, and promoted the dynamic works of Black filmmakers locally and nationally for the past seven years.