by Sandy | May 18, 2008 | Actors, Blogroll, Books, Directors, Film, Movies
“Those that stop their questioning at 75, 60, even 30, cut short their explorations and end up with permanently unfinished lives.” (From “Life Beyond Measure: Letter to My Great-Granddaughter”)
Wise octogenarian Sydney Poitier has been a national treasure for quite awhile. He’s won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. He has had success as an actor, director, author and perhaps more importantly, as a man. He has condensed life lessons learned into books not just about his journey, but also about how he has learned to conduct himself in a sometimes difficult world.Born in 1927 in the Bahamas, Mr. Poitier went to New York as a teen, taught himself to read, catapulted himself into an acting career and created a wonderful life for himself and his family. Not an easy road, but he did it with humor, grace, determination and a never wavering belief in him self. Great stuff!
“The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography ”, 2000
“Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter ”, 2005
by Bob Martin | Apr 25, 2008 | Movies
I really liked “In the Bedroom” the first time I saw it. It’s a movie with a monster who does not look like a monster. I recently watched the ending and appreciated the craft of the entire crew, especially the director in the choices he made. For me the movie is not about the crimes committed or who are your friends when times are bad, rather it’s about that little monster that we have inside of us that when given the chance will choose for us to be and do unthinkable things.
There are a lot movies that I’ve seen that never warrant a second look, much less a third or fourth. That’s because the director has played all of his/her cards right up front. Once you seen the movie once there is nothing else to see. With “In the Bedroom” I noticed the quiet, there was no constant music theme interrupting my thoughts. I noticed the performances of Wilkinson, Spacek and Marisa Tomei.. The Tomei role intrigued me. I remembered her best as Lisa Bonet corky room mate in the first season of TV sitcom “A Different World”. I noticed the crabs and the town, how there seemed be no diversity.
My second look, had me pay closer attention to monster, played with perfection by Sissy Spacek. Even in her mid fifties Sissy Spacek is cute and we all had cute monsters in our life. Monsters are things that a far more relentless then we are. Monsters get what they want, with out ever compromising. They are unreasonable, like Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men” or Daniel Day-Lewis, in “There Will Be Blood”. Movies where the monster wins leaves the audience dissatisfied, but will to go back and take another look.
My most recent look got me paying attention to the scenery, how beautiful old towns, bay views, dense forest and sea ports are. That no matter how beautiful nature is, it is relentless and will get its way.
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 Cybel Martin | Feb 2, 2008 | Art, Art Travel, Artist, Concerts, Culture, Events, Film, Galleries, Live Performance, Movies
I have to say a glimpse because I was in Belize for only one week and wasn’t even aware of the trip until two days before (not much time for researching). So, this past week, I had the pleasure and honor of working on Nyasha Liang’s documentary “Punta Rock”, about the musical culture in Belize. We went down this week because one of the musical greats of this gorgeous country, Andy Palacio had passed away. He was a young 47 and at the cusp of major international stardom. Funerals and memorials in Belize reminded me of New Orleans: lingering sadness but HUGE celebration. There was lots and lots of music. Happy, joyous music.
Although my introduction to Garifuna culture, Belizean Art and Andy is still so recent and limited, I did want to share its splendor with my readers. If you are like me and have a serious addiction to Samba, Calypso or Roots Reggae, then you’ll enjoy Andy’s music. Some other artists to look into (remember this is a glimpse, so very far from complete, just what I’ve heard so far and adored) are Garifuna Collective, Aurelio Martinez (he has charisma for days), Mr Peters & Lela Vernon.
For context: The New York Times Obituary for Andy Palacio.
Nyasha’s blog and also her website on producing “Punta Rock” (check out the trailer).
And this site I found online: “Watina: A Look Behind the Music of Andy Palacio”
Enjoy!
Side note: I also had a chance to check out some local artists. Two of my favorites were Michael Gordon and Gilvano Swasey. A definite place to go in Belize City is Image Factory.
