It's no secret I LOVE movies and all the entertainment elements. Matter of fact over the past few years, this site has been semi consume...
It's no secret I LOVE movies and all the entertainment elements. Matter of fact over the past few years, this site has been semi consumed with movies reviews, interviews and whatnot. But for 2018, that's going to change.
While I can't fully stop covering movies and family entertainment, I can cut back. And I have already started to. Which is probably a good thing because the amount of popcorn, soda and candy treats I ate was getting out of hand!
So what's the deal? Why the change? Well a few things
First, unless I was going to fully become some kind of film critic, being all about the movies wasn't a good fit for this site. I tried balancing the movie info with other posts but really and honestly I wasn't good at it.
Then I thought I could write about films on another site. A site dedicated to movies and entertainment. Which means I have to split my time between my site and another site. Again, honestly I struggle with giving enough time to this site, not sure how splitting time will go. But you never know. I might pursue this in the future.
Second, my families movie interests have changed. When my son was younger it made sense to cover films and home entertainment for that age range. But my son is moving towards the tweens and his interest have changed. Vastly. Now we're dealing with life and social issues, so we're more interested the films that reflect that. Films he can relate to.
On my end, I'm more interested in films for adults. Films I can enjoy on the rare night out alone, or with adult friends or even *gasp* while on a date! Films that make me think, feel or see a different point of view on an adult level.
Third, I want to personally write more. This has been an on going struggle for me. So many times I want to share a thought or something non related to films or even parenting but don't have room on my editorial calendar. Yes I have one of those!
Can you believe sometimes there's no room for me to post about something I want to? On my own blog?! Yeah NO! That's changing in 2018.
So does this mean no more movie and entertainment posting? NO WAY! I'm still posting that info, just less and more target. I'm also changing how I post that info. Gonna try to share more about why I'm sharing about a particular movie, besides it's coming out. Go see it :)
So I hope that explains why I need to step off the red carpet of movies. But have no fear, there's still lots to talk about outside of the entertainment spotlight.
While at the Schomburg's 6th Annual Black Comic Book Festival, we had to check out the digital panels featuring "Black Panther: Sou...
While at the Schomburg's 6th Annual Black Comic Book Festival, we had to check out the digital panels featuring "Black Panther: Soul of a Machine", a graphic novel created by Lexus and Marvel, who partnered on the car featured in the upcoming Black Panther movie.
Note: I attended Schomburg's 6th Annual Black Comic Book Festival as a regular person and received no perks or compensation. I am not required to share the information about Schomburg, Lexus or Black Panther. I shared because, come on, it's all so cool. Any views expressed are always 100% my own.
"Black Panther: Soul of a Machine" Custom Graphic Novel
Envisioned by head writer Fabian Nicieza, the story teams Black Panther with the ultimate machine—the LC 500—as they work together to thwart Machinesmith's villainous plans to infiltrate Wakanda's systems. Contributors to the novel include Geoffrey Thorne and Chuck Brown.
Lexus was also the presenting sponsor of the 6th Annual Black Comic Book Festival. Gotta give a shoutout to Lexus for being down with the black superhero crew!
So while my son was busy swiping and reading the story, I took a peek at the car included in the storyline. I mean come on, that blue car was all kinds of shiny and eye catching. Def something to take note of.
Seems the Lexus car wasn't just designed for the graphic novel. There's a real life version, which is one of two new vehicles — a 2018 LC Inspiration Series production car and a concept coupe dubbed the Black Panther Inspired LC - inspired by Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film, in U.S. theaters on Feb. 16, 2018.
The limited-edition 2018 Lexus LC Inspiration Series (only 100 slated to be sold in the U.S.) features an exclusive deeply saturated, iridescent Structural Blue color. The first vehicle in Lexus' Inspiration Series, it celebrates the attributes of sophistication, performance and innovation embodied by the Black Panther character, King T'Challa, and his home country of Wakanda.
"The Inspiration Series takes our flagship products and makes them even more exclusive and distinguished," said Brian Bolain, general manager, Lexus marketing. "Our collaboration with Marvel Studios' 'Black Panther' features a technologically advanced blue LC and was the perfect inspiration for the first car in the Series."
Inspired by the morpho butterfly, the paint, which contains no actual blue pigment, is developed through an eight-month process. Its unique construction reflects blue light and highlights the vehicle's dynamic design and features to produce a compelling motion effect even when parked.
This vehicle is the first in a succession of Inspiration Series vehicles Lexus plans to create for each of its flagship models.
Separately, the Black Panther Inspired LC concept coupe is a celebration of the Black Panther and Wakanda itself—complete with a powertrain that gets an extra boost from vibranium, the mythical ore found only in the Black Panther's home of Wakanda.
"This is what it's all about," said Mindy Hamilton, Marvel's SVP of global partnerships & marketing. "We're bringing our two worlds together by letting our imaginations run wild like there are no limits to what's possible. That's what Black Panther and the nation of Wakanda represent in the film, and it's been incredible to work with Lexus as we attempt to re-create that ideology here in our own corner of the universe."
Additional features of the Black Panther Inspired LC include:
Pulsating underbody glow
Side-view mirror design based on a panther's claw with instinctual positioning technology to align with driver's eyeline
Black Panther mask inlay on hood with vibranium-powered core indicator nodes
Vibranium-infused self-healing paint treatment
Customized body-widening kit
System controlled by unique Wakandan B-CPU (Brain/Computer Interface) creating a symbiotic relationship between the vehicle and its driver
Remote Pilot Kimoyo Bead Interface allows the Black Panther Inspired LC to be driven remotely from control stations within Birnin Zana
Much like Black Panther's uniform, the sheet metal of the Black Panther Inspired LC is reinforced with a layer of vibranium weave, making the vehicle almost entirely bulletproof.
Sounds VERY COOL right? Can't wait to see the car in action? You can get a peek in this extended version for "Long Live the King" Commercial, released by Lexus & Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" for the Super Bowl.
The high-impact story in "Long Live the King" revolves around the character of T'Challa in his role as Black Panther recovering stolen vibranium and his nearly simultaneous need to represent his country as king at a world leadership conference.
The Lexus LS 500 F SPORT is the only vehicle both powerful and luxurious enough to keep pace with a Super Hero and escort a king. With appearances by the country's elite bodyguards, the Dora Milaje, and unexpected help from Wakanda, "Long Live the King" will thrill fans.
The song "Legend Has It" by Run the Jewels, with its driving beats and "step into the spotlight" lyric, provides the perfect soundtrack for the action as the Black Panther and the LS 500 F SPORT make their thrilling debuts.
"Long Live the King," directed by Samuel Bayer, incorporates actual footage from the film—notably, of Letitia Wright as T'Challa's sister, Shuri—and features many of the film's actors, including the Dora Milaje team of Wakandan special forces: Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, Marija Abney and Zola Williams.
The ad was shot using only original costumes and gear from the film, including the Black Panther/King T'Challa outfits, Dora Milaje battle suits and vibranium canisters.
Even the film's fight choreographer, Jonathan (JoJo) Eusebio, was engaged to stage the spot's fight scene. It features VFX work by Luma, the studio who created Black Panther's suit FX for the film.
Dang, Lexus is out here doing it ALL for the fans. I'm so excited and proud they see the value in being part of the black superhero community.
Now, can someone get my keys!? I'm ready to drive to the movies for the release of BLACK PANTHER on February 16, 2018!
Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" follows T'Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.
But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king-and Black Panther-is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
Marvel Studios' Black Panther - Official Trailer
The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.
When your hear the name P.T. Barnum, many of us think of the circus and the wonders it contains. But do you know anything about the man behi...
When your hear the name P.T. Barnum, many of us think of the circus and the wonders it contains. But do you know anything about the man behind it all? You might after watching Hugh Jackman play P.T. Barnum in THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, which releases in theaters December 20.
Note: I was invited as media to the movie screening and press junket by 20th Century Fox. However any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.
I attended an advance screening for THE GREATEST SHOWMAN film and was so impressed with everything from the acting, to the singing to the multiple storylines. After screening the movie, I had the chance to interview the cast and get a behind the scenes peek into the film.
Make sure you also read my other THE GREATEST SHOWMAN interviews
Sharing why they wanted to be part of The Greatest Showman
photo credit: Monica Storch/MacaroniKidNYC
Hugh Jackman: So, this started in 2009, and I'd just hosted the Oscars. And the producer, Larry Mark, who's the producer of this, and Bill Condon, who directed the Oscars who wrote on this, came to me. At that point I hadn't done Les Mis. So, I'd done musicals on stage and I'd done movies, but I'd never done anything--a movie musical, and I was like, "Let's do it."
And they had the idea of P.T. Barnum, which I thought was perfect for a musical. I do think when you have a character who's in the world of show biz, who's larger than life, it lends itself to a musical. So, in that way, I thought this is a perfect type of character.
Zac Efron Some point in life, or at one time or another, I'm always wanting to do a musical. I think I'm like you (Hugh Jackman) in that respect. I’m always wondering, where can I find the next way to integrate music and that sort of song and dance side of me into my work. And where will it be effective. Where will it be useful?
And in Hugh's portrayal of P.T. Barnum, I felt like it would be effective. It could work through--Phillip could be a conduit to help show the magic of what P.T. Barnum did as a showman.
Speaking about the rehearsal work that goes into the dancing and singing performances
Hugh Jackman: I mean, some things come easily to me. But we did a lot of hat stuff, glass stuff, and I'm clumsy. And literally, I would put my hand there and--20 feet, the shot glass from you (Zac Efron) was always there. And you (Zac Efron) were at one point going, "I think you're pushing a little hard."
Zac Efron Well, yes, at that point, it was fun to watch you (Hugh Jackman) figure it out, because you're dealing with catching a hat on your foot and then flicking it back to your head. I'm, like, just sitting there in awe for half the numbers. You've already completed all that. If I figured out how to slide a shot glass, you know, the least I could do is, you know, show you (Hugh Jackman) the finesse to it.
Zac Efron It was really hard to do, actually, slide a shot glass full of liquid and keep it drinkable.
Hugh Jackman: Right. Yes. But it was great fun. It's so much fun to do.
About dancing on high wires and doing their own stunts
Zendaya: Literally as much as we could do we wanted to do. I think that was the cool part about it, we kind of had the freedom to just go for it and just have some fun.
And thankfully, I have a partner in crime who wanted to do it just as much as I did. Because when it comes to that, it's easy to get frustrated. It's easy to just say, "Oh, this hurts." Like, "I don't want to do this anymore," you know? But when you have someone that's like, "No, let's do it. We want that perfect take. We want to get it right," like, it makes for a better team.
Zac Efron: That's a testament to Zendaya, because I didn't know what to expect coming into the rehearsal process. And, it's scary what we were doing, aerial work. There's no qualms about it. It's something I had never done. I had my own nerves about it.
But on day one, she was totally committed. And once we kind of trusted one another, she just kept leveling it out. And I was like, "All right, let's go. Let's do this. Let's nail it." And that just made me that much more motivated to get it perfect. So, at the end of the numbers, we would often not want to quit.
What they hope kids and families take away from The Greatest Showman.
Hugh Jackman: Well, I definitely love the message of this movie, of accepting ourselves for who we are and what we love and the things that really make us feel passionate and not worry about what anyone else thinks.
I have a 12 year old and I have a 17 year old, and I think anywhere probably from eight to 17, the pressure not only from peers but from advertising, from so many different sources is that there is a preconceived idea of what is cool, of what is good looking, of what is going to get you acceptance, that actually more than ever--and this movie is speaking to that, that actually being yourself is the coolest thing you can do.
Zac Efron: Well, it's funny, because what he just put so eloquently is much harder for me to put into words 'cause I have less practice. And I guess I don't have my own kids or that perspective on it.
But I've kind of been in the limelight and had it happen to me. What got me started on the path was what you (Hugh Jackman) just said. Being sort of free and comfortable with who I was. And I really resonated with the people that I met and worked with that were a little bit older than me in the Conservatory for the Arts. They were freethinkers and they knew cool things, and it was different.
Zac Efron: It was kind of my own little world that I found in theater. And that's what put me on the path to do High School Musical.
So, what you (Hugh Jackman) just said I think is really, really important, remembering to be confident in who you are is the hardest message to get across and such an easy thing to say. But I wake up and every day start with the man in the mirror, and just have to accept that and be excited about that--And grateful for that.
Zendaya: I guess as a millennial, or someone that young people look to, it's a lot of responsibility. And I try to take it that way. Some people like to look at it as a pressure and a negative thing, and I think it's positive thing. It means 40 million people that I can positively affect, you know?
And I think what my message is and what aligns with this movie is, it's not telling you to be a certain way, right? We're not saying this is how you should be. It's saying we want you to be the best version of yourself.
So, nobody's saying I want you to be just like Zendaya. No, I don't want you to be just like me. I want you to be just like you.
Zendaya: And that path looks different for every single person in any walk of life. I call it the butterfly effect, right? Everybody has that at any point in their life and it's constantly changing, cause we're human beings. We're all still learning and growing as we go.
And I think that that's the beauty about what we do, is we get to kind of get stuck in a certain time period of our life where we can continue to be imaginative, because there's a time where, it's not cool to make believe any more. But that's what we do for a living. And it's fun and it's exciting.
This Christmas, dare to dream anything. The #GreatestShowman opens a world of imagination, in theaters December 20.
SYNOPSIS
"The Greatest Showman” is a bold and original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and the sense of wonder we feel when dreams come to life. Inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman” tells the story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a mesmerizing spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.
Starring Academy Award nominee Hugh Jackman. Jackman is joined by Zac Efron, Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya.
The Greatest Showman | Official Trailer 2 [HD] | 20th Century FOX
Directed By: Michael Gracey
Screenplay By: Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon
Story By: Jenny Bicks
Produced By: Laurence Mark, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping
To learn more, visit - www.thegreatestshowmantickets.com
