Category Archives: Funkalicious

How we live, as well as history, shows that we as a people have made tremendous strides.  What’s incredible and extremely unfortunate, is that with all our “progress”, so many things are still the same.  I was watching Bill Moyer on PBS, and he sited an excerpt of a speech by Martin Luther King.  It’s uncanny how we’ve moved forward, but not nearly enough, and in some instances not at all.  

“Iron Man 3″ was number-one at the box office after the weekend results were all totaled.  According to boxofficemojo.com it took in an estimated $175.3 million dollars.  This ranks it the second all-time highest grossing movie opening behind last year’s “The Avengers”, which took in $207.4 million.  The movie is also doing well overseas, and is on its way to earning well over $1 billion worldwide.

The end of stigmas in sports overall would be a tremendous human achievement.  The reality of that actually occurring is very slim, but the courage that NBA B-Ball player Jason Collins has displayed is unprecedented.  As a result he got unprecedented support from fellow NBA players and President Barack Obama — our hats here at The Museum of UnCut Funk come off to him.  There’s not even much I can say, here’s an excerpt of the interview from the source that broke the story, Sports Illustrated…

This past February, I used a photo of a stamp with the face of Paul Robeson as my “Profile Photo” on Facebook.  Although his name is featured on the stamp, a few folks asked me who he was.  I had just took it for granted that most people knew him or were aware.  Growing up, I can remember seeing documentaries about him and hearing his name mentioned in multiple circles.  For years, randomly in a particular setting, one might sing the words “Ol’ man river…” as a means of setting an oppressive tone for the conversation.

I was fortunate to be turned on to the mind of Marshall McLuhan by my wife Kimberly.  A man who was able to grasp the dynamics of media and convey his thoughts to the masses, if one is able to accept the truth, the answers you discover can be enlightening.

While on Facebook, I see an ad in the border for India.Arie’s new single “Cocoa Butter.”  I listen, love it, buy it on itunes, now I’m like what’s up with the album, or should I say CD… google, searching, what’s this?  Accusations of India.Arie lightening her skin?  This is ridiculous, absurd…

Movies adapted from the writings of Philip Kindred Dick are always depicted through fantasy, steeped in conspiracy.  It’s the art of film encompassing what we love most about movies and why we rely on them for momentary escapism.  So far, 10 major motion pictures have been brought to life based on the writings of Philip K. Dick.  Eleven and 12 are on the way; 13 and 14 are in the wings; and other writings by the author have been sold.

The new movie “42” based on the life and sacrifices of Jackie Robinson, is looking like it will be tops at the box office this weekend.  Based on the book by Aaron Rosenberg and written directed by Academy Award winner Brian Helgeland, it opened with $9.1m at 3,003 venues on Friday, April 12th, according to studio estimates via Box Office Mojo.

“Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” are the specific choice of words that Angela Davis insisted be used when the plight to emancipate her was in progress.  The film of the same name hits theaters today at select AMC theaters across the country.

I always enjoy films from Mira Nair.  Surely one of India’s most beloved daughters, Nair’s films always pull on the heart strings while displaying aspects of imperfections in our society that transcend race and culture.  Her new film “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” appears to epitomize my aforementioned statement, depicting the life of a Pakistani in the U.S. just post 9-11.

All of Danny Boyle’s films depict its hero in groundbreaking fashion.  His new film “Trance” appears to be on the same path and I can’t wait to see it.  Starring James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson and Vincent Cassel, a man’s life depends on him being able to remember the location of a painting.

Born in 1937, actor Morgan Freeman has been featured in more films and appeared on more television shows, than the years he’s been alive.  His first acting job in film was as an extra in “The Pawnbroker” released in 1964.  The actor has taken on  101 acting gigs thus far.

This Friday and over the next several months, seven FUNKY Sci-Fi flicks are set to hit the silver screen.  Starring the likes of Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, Tilda Swinton, Idris Elba, Matt Damon, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, it looks like we’re in store for some great acting amidst the stars.

As exemplified in an episode of Kevin Hart’s new series the “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” Richard Pryor is the all time “King of Comedy.”  Hart has a poster sized photograph of Pryor on his living room wall in the BET show.

Steve McQueen’s most recent work of art was a blue vision in Amsterdam’s largest public park, the Vondelpark.  For two weeks, from March 7–25, all 275 streetlamps that usually use a warm white light were replaced with a subdued blue toned light.  McQueen’s objective with “Blues Before Sunrise” was to stimulate the senses via an aspect of cinema.

Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Jay-Z are the producers for the films “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” and “Annie.”  This marks Jay-Z’s company’s first two efforts in film.  In addition to starring in movies like “Independence Day”, “Enemy of the State”, “Wild Wild West”, “Ali”, “I Am Legend” and the franchise projects “Men in Black”; “Bad Boys”; “Hancock” and “I-Robot”…

Tom Hanks is making his Broadway debut this season in Nora Ephron’s final play “Lucky Guy.”  Bette Midler is even returning to the “Great White Way” for a one-woman-show in “I’ll Eat You Last,” where she’ll depict the life of Hollywood agent Sue Mengers.  Although shows with Tom and Bette are exciting, after a 30-year absence, acclaimed actress Cicely Tyson returns to the stage for “The Trip to Bountiful” – that’s entertainment!

OR The Power of Red & Black in Advertising.  The “Temptation” ad from my previous blog inspired this.  Since the beginning of advertising the “creative mind” has literally banked on fear and nothing has changed.  The all ever popular soap commercials of radio, that led to the soap commercials for soap operas on TV, are steeped in fear.  Yes of course we need and use soap for cleaning things we use daily and our personal hygiene, however it’s the way the message is shaped.

Tyler’s back with a new drama called “Temptation.”  Starring Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Jurnee’s not a junior miss anymore.  Initially intrigued to watch the trailer by an ad with huge ruby red lips in the subway, I didn’t recognize Smollett when I first saw the trailer.

Charles Walker delivers funky original melodies on the sax and keyboards, while Porsche Carmon accents his music with her brand of soul on lead vocals.  If Jill Scott and Pam Grier had a baby, it would be Porsche Carmon, that’s FUNK Sho’ Nuff.