The beloved classic King Kong (1933), starring Fay Wray, revolved around an expedition to an uncharted island in the Indian Ocean inhabited by an array of prodigious prehistoric creatures. The explorers proceed to capture and cage a gigantic ape with plans to put him on exhibition in New York as the “8th Wonder of the World.” He eventually escapes and wreaks havoc around the … [Read more...]
Arts & Entertainment: a space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to African and African Americans.
‘The Obama Years: The Power of Words’ – riveting retrospective revisits president’s defining moments
How many immortal speeches have been delivered by U.S. presidents and other American icons? Lincoln's "Four score and seven years ago" Gettysburg Address; FDR's "We have nothing to fear but fear itself;" Eisenhower's beware of the "Military-Industrial Complex" farewell address; JFK's "Ask not what your country can do for you" inaugural address; Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" … [Read more...]
‘I Am Not Your Negro’ rings powerfully true today
He didn’t live to see today’s America, but James Baldwin (1924-1987) predicted that a-then divided America would continue to exist so long as the country refused to see Black people as Americans. Unlike last year’s 13th by Ava DuVernay that used a myriad of voices to explain the 13th Amendment and its origins and failures since its passage, Baldwin is the lone star of I Am … [Read more...]
‘Hidden Figures’ takes top ensemble honor
Denzel, Viola and Mahershala garner individual acting accolades The La La Land juggernaut hit a speed bump at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, when it only took home one trophy, Emma Stone's for Best Actress in a Leading Role. On an evening dominated by African American entrants, Blacks prevailed in the other three film acting categories, with Denzel … [Read more...]
“I Am Not Your Negro” powerfully connects past and present struggles
James Baldwin, the intellectual, civil rights activist and renowned author, left behind some biting and enlightening words about racism and the status of the Black community that are just as relevant today in this age of the Black Lives Matter movement. Baldwin was born in Harlem in 1924. He moved to Paris around 1950, eventually taking up residence in the south of France. … [Read more...]