The Real Story Behind Talk to Me

If you saw this incredible movie starring the underrated Don Cheadle, then you probably wondered if he was real (I know...duh, but I'm from the West Coast.  His show didn't air here).  Anyway, a Petey Greene documentary, narrated by Cheadle, debuted last month.

Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Green is available for download at Amazon and Google Play

Wayback Weds Last Call for Something Silly

Yeah, first week back in class (on-campus) and it's kicking my chunky butt royally.  So, MC Brains was on my brain.  Had a list of older stuff but this is kind of fun.  One thing about it, at least it goes back to a time when hip-hop was fun and not  - 

• violent 
• misogynist
• anti-Black/Brown
• anti-Semitic
• wack

...and not only did the video dancers have real moves but they didn't look like a bad science experiment. *Drops mic*

Can John Legend Help Save How Blacks Are Portrayed on Film?

 As you know, Southside with You (the Barack and Michelle love story) is now in nationwide release.  Its Executive Producer is recording artist/emerging media mogul John Legend and the reviews have been decent.  However, this is not his first foray into screen, as he is also one of three EPs behind the WGN smash series Underground.  This period piece about slavery has also been renewed for a second season.

So after years of Tyler Perry and Wayans Bros entertainment styles waning (slightly), does this mean that America gets to see more uplifting content in regard to black history with emphasis on triumphant moments?  I hope so.

I still appreciate the simplicity of straight-to-DVD/Aspire/BET/TVOne movies with a small budget and new faces, or those that were once popular (I see you, Robin Givens) but now are more humbled, I want to see something new.

Will John Legend come to the rescue again?  According to Rhymes with Snitch, a series about Black Wall Street is currently in development.  Here are some more facts, for those who are unaware of this period in history.

Way back Wednesday...still on silly

 Classes barely started and I'm getting my @ss kicked already. But I'm not tripping. Any of you old enough to remember the ABC trifecta (Happy days, Laverne and Shirley, Mork and Mindy) know this disco hit wasn't part of the line-up but as a kid in the late 70s, it was funny as hell to listen while doing the spank or a little popping.

WayBack Weds Kung Fu Fighting

I decided to do something different. Actually, it wasn't planned because I didn't know CeeLo Green did a cover of this. I don't have chirren in my life and I mostly listen to indie radio...or YouTube (obviously). Anywho, I thought it would be cute to compare the two. BTW shout out to Netter11 for getting the vintage performance of the late Carl Douglas at his peak in the 70s.

What Do You Think About Blaxploitation Remakes?

If Kevin Hart does this remake, I will jump off the Library Tower!

Since the shop has been open, I've heard rumors about TV show remakes (Good Times, Girlfriends) into movies, as well as classics that decided to take a dip in the chocolate pool (Uncle Buck, the Honeymooners).  According to Variety, Megan Good, along with husband Devon Franklin have joined forces with MGM to remake Cooley High.  As of recent, Common has gotten on board to star and produce...wonder which obviously-out-of-high-school character he will play.

While I'm glad to see mine going to work regularly, I could care less.  Or better, why not give more attention to indie flicks?  If you have Aspire, some of the shorts (and some not-so-short) are worthy of a wider release.  I'm only a fan and not a pro but if someone could take time to explain the process, I'd appreciate it.  And I don't mean what works for other folks, either.



Now, for those of you not familiar, Cooley High was not really a blaxploitation movie.  It was more like American Graffiti with a 'hood twist and it was just as cherished by the community as the original Sparkle.  I didn't mind the 2012 remake of the latter...if it had been called something else.

But I digress.  What I want to know is if the Cooley High remake goes into production, how much will creator Eric Monte receive?  If that name sounds familiar, he and Cooley High are listed in the closing credits (see above at 1:15) of the 70s sitcom What's Happening.  The show, which rand from 1976-79 was loosely based on Cooley High, with a slightly lighter tone and the setting moved from Chicago to L.A. 

Monte real-life persona, as a teen from the 'hood wanting to become a Hollywood writer,has been portrayed on screen twice but real life has had its ups and downs.  Although he's managed to land some guest writing spots on the Wayans Bros., Monte lost the rights to his original creation.  You can read a 2014 CNN interview here.

Who knows how many other stories are out there or who can at least drop some knowledge about having a great idea but learning how to deal with the legal stuff and still get PAID!  Once again, I don't know the technicalities of getting a movie made but I think this man deserves real acknowledgement (and a cut of the profits).

Way back Wednesday - Gotta Get My Hands On (Money)

Way back Jams (Something Different)

2015 and this year has been rough for serious music lovers.  Maurice White had been ill for nearly two decades and anybody who knows about Scott Weiland (STP) can say that making it to 45 was a miracle.  I remember more than a year ago seeing an emaciated Natalie Cole on the morning news bragging about going to have a cigarette.  The others....just tragic beyond words.

So why not a silly song for laughs?  Take a breather from bad news and go back to simpler times....like Alligator Woman by Cameo when there was like 20 people.
I'll admit it's hard to dig into this special crate without thinking of the usual Kung Fu Fighting or Jungle Boogie...but I am on that mission in August.

Your ?'s for an Ol Skool Fool

Hey, I hope you're not on vacation again! I like the tribute to you know who but I miss the reviews.  Do you still watch old black flicks?  You used to give Indies a little love but that was a long time ago.  So what's up?

Going back to school when your old friends are becoming grandparents is rough but I would encourage anyone to do it😼.  Truthfully, my pattern lately is to watch a whole bunch in a short period and then switch to 1990+.  As far as indie flicks go, the only one I can recommend is The Man in 3b.  Besides the magic that is Lamman Rucker, its a good story with better acting.

Tried some others in the past few months. 1983 with Hill Harper and Sharon Leal was a little intense.  I like Aunjanue (or ingenue) Ellis and rented the Volunteer on her name only.  The only reason why I understood it was that I have family dealing with mental illness (another Hill Harper movie, btw).  I saw Divas with Rachel True and while the story was interesting, not even Vanessa bell Calloway could save it.

On the flip, I'm still watching the Mod Squad DVD collection and going further back with the black flicks.  Check out a young Eartha Kitt below