PAPA DON’T TAKE NO MESS…

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Gigi in Movies, Music 7 Comments

Gigi checking out some vinyl

I LOOOOOOOVE LIVE MUSIC! Everything from iconic performers to up and coming artists, there is something about witnessing music being created right before your eyes that is mesmerizing. I was about 12 when this love affair began, my mother let me go to Las Vegas with a friend and her family to see the Jackson 5 at the MGM Grand, it was an unforgettable experience. I remember our faces beaming at the stage hoping to get a little droplet “Jackson 5” sweat on our faces, and later on searching the hotels with our crumpled up programs hoping to get an autograph.

My second concert was the “Godfather of Soul” James Brown at the forum with the same best friend, only this time my big brother Howard took us, we were 12-ish and he was 18, I had NEVER seen anything like this before, talk about about eyes wide open, between the lyrics, the dancers, the musicians, and the get down and dirty FUNK, I was hooked–the rhythm is so infectious and has a way of getting everybody on the floor. Here is a clip from 1971 “Sex Machine”.

So of course I was jazzed when I heard about the movie “Get On Up”. So yesterday we splurged on ipic tickets and went to see it, hmmmmm it was good, Chadwick Boseman did a great job portraying James Brown, I certainly enjoyed it and I was happy that they used actual James Brown recordings. I’m not in the movie business but I think biopics are really challenging, especially someone as distinct as James Brown. I’m not sure what was missing, but I felt as if something was missing like a little more “soul”.

Came across this interesting article on the film…basically there were no writers of color involved on the project. What are your thoughts? Should they have had some writers of color or does it matter?

Bottom line go see the movie if you haven’t , and let me know your thoughts.

Here is a “James Brown” mix that I came across that I looooove…check it out.

Happy Tuesday

XOXO,

GIGI

12 Years a Slave

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Gigi in Movies 4 Comments

Sorry I have been MIA for the past week, so much going on, I adopted 2 full grown siamese cats, returned from a fast 48 hour DC trip, started a new workout routine, and had a few photo sessions. But I’m BACK!

Fur babies

So Friday nite we decided to have a movie “date” and go see the just released 12 Years a Slave directed by Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofar (Dirty Pretty Things) another favorite film of mine, in the lead role of Solomon Northup a free man of color that was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

Director Steve McQueen

Based on a true story, 12 Years a Slave takes place in the 1800’s and chronicles Solomon Northup’s experience being held captive as a slave for 12 years in New Orleans. This film is not Django Unchained, or Roots, it is a realistic painful depiction that does not sugar coat the american slavery experience, and what it must have been like. Although difficult at times to watch, it is an important film that should be seen by everyone. Steve McQueen and screenwriter John Ridley do an excellent job in portraying the brutality of slavery, showing a history that still haunts African-Americans today. The story is amazing considering that Solomon was able to escape after 12 years, and write a memoir about his experience, I know there were countless people that were not as fortunate as him.

The cinematography captures the heat of the south, you can see and feel the humidity. The whippings that take place are filmed in such a way that you “feel it”, the emotions and expressions are so raw. Lupita Nyong’o plays Patsey the victim of the master’s affection, as a woman it is heart wrenching what she has to endure. I can’t imagine this film not making to the oscars for best picture, I will be seeing this one again.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Lupita Nyong’o

It is hard to believe that slavery was not that long ago, I can’t even imagine being a “slave”, but I know my great-great-great grandparents on my mother’s side in Mississippi were slaves on some plantation and on my father’s side I know they were from president John Tyler’s plantation in Richmond Virginia, my grandmother was proud to say she was a descendant of president Tyler (a hint of what slavery did to people that you would be proud of this…). When President Tyler was in office he was criticized by abolitionists for allegedly having children with slaves and selling them so I know there is truth to this story my grandmother aways told.

So take the time to go see this film and let me know your thoughts.

XOXO,

Gigi

Post & Beam– And– A Film Screening

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Gigi in Dining, Movies Comments Off

I love films especially independent films. Some where deep inside of me is a story waiting to be transformed for the big screen. I’m already taking baby steps toward making a little short reel for my photography bus, so of course I was excited to go to a screening of our friend, Fred Hawthorne’s film Inner City Champions this evening. Prior to going to the screening however, we made a quick pit stop to Govind Armstrong‘s restaurant Post & Beam, long overdue on my list, I have eaten at Willie Jane his Venice place, but I had not tried Post & Beam. Brad Johnson of (Georgia) one of my favs back in the day, is co-owner of this upscale eatery located outside of the Crenshaw mall.

Post & Beam

Considering we did not have a reservation, I was delighted that we were able to walk right in and get a table. The ambience is dim and sexy, perfect place if you were undercover with someone you should not be with, another reminder that I need the flashlight app on my phone so I can read the menu. Being vegan Reggie and I are well versed at surveying a menu and quickly coming up with a few options at most places. We did not have much time, so our friendly server, made a few suggestions (pizza with sweet potato, mozzarella and kale), no thank, so we settled on a market salad which was delicious, black eyed peas sans the bacon, my husband’s fav succotash, heirloom tomato composed salad and corn bread. The portions were regular size perfect for sharing, presentation was nice, and overall good food. It was so dark I could not capture any pics. The menu has lots of interpretations of soul food dishes, wines by the glass and bottle and specialty cocktail menu. I will go back again when I can take my time and savior my meal.

Post & Beam Open daily for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch 323 299-5599 3767 Santa Rosalia Drive Los Angeles

We arrived at Fred’s home just in time to grab a seat and watch the film. To my surprise, right before the screening a woman greeted me and told me that we were FB friends, she was here via Chicago, just moved here a few months ago. It is always nice when that happens and you meet someone who was a cyber friend.

Gigi & Robin

Considering I am by no means a basketball historian, I found the story of these 2 players very interesting. The film chronicles the lives of Freeman Williams and Dwayne Polee , both from LA, attended Manuel Arts High School and had phenomenal basketball careers, but unfortunately due to various circumstances their NBA careers were very short. I realized that for every Magic, Kobe and Michael, there are millions of young men who never make it in the world of “ballers”.

I left the screening motivated, video is so powerful…I jazzed at the thought of my little “reel”.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Gigi in Movies Comments Off

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Along with the arrival of summer comes the much anticipated summer films. I for one am especially looking forward to the debut of “Beasts of the Southern Wild“. This film is a fantastical tale of one six-year-old girl trying to make sense of the world around her.

Quvenzhane Wallis

CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 19: (L-R) Actress Quvenhane Wallis and Actor Dwight Henry pose at the ‘Beasts Of The Southern Wild’ photocall during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Inspired by Hurricane Katrina and Louisiana’s landscape, Beasts of the Southern Wild captures the sense of what happens when a community is faced with lost and finds hope regardless. Manohla Davis, from the New York Times calls it possibly the best film to ever premiere at Sundance from the past two decades along with stating that it is “hauntingly beautiful both visually and in the tenderness it shows towards the characters”. Surprisingly the crew is composed nonprofessional actors, making it all the more real. Check out the trailer, this is definitely one you won’t want to miss! It opens June 27 in some locations, find the one closest to you here:

6/27 – Arclight Hollywood, Hollywood, CA
6/27 – The Landmark Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

7/6 – Playhouse Art Cinema, Padasdena, CA
7/6 – Arclight Beach Cities, El Segundo, CA
7/6 – Arclight Sherman Oaks, Sherman Oaks, CA
7/6 – University Town Center, Irvine, CA

7/13 – Claremont Cinema, Claremont, CA
7/13 – Monica Art Cinema, Santa Monica, CA
7/13 – Fallbrook Theatre, West HIlls, CA
7/13 – Westlake Village Art Cinema, Westlake Village, CA

Amani

Guest post by Amani.

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PAPA DON’T TAKE NO MESS…

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