Film: Amigo (Opens August 19th in NYC)

One of my favorite writer/directors is John Sayles. I've been following his career for about twenty years now because he makes important, occasionally historical, films outside the box...well, initially he wrote B-movie classics like ALLIGATOR, PIRANHA and THE HOWLING, then used the money to make his more "important films" like BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET, MATEWAN and EIGHT MEN OUT. Unquestionably, he is one of the independent film pioneers!

Sayles' latest film (his 17th feature) is AMIGO, which is opening in theaters next week. AMIGO follows a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War.

Here's the trailer:

Sayles says the only American film he's encountered that deals with the conflict is THE REAL GLORY from 1937. He goes on to say, "Hollywood’s fidelity to historical accuracy is notoriously weak, but film producers assume, correctly, that Americans’ knowledge of that history is even weaker. Popular movies, for better or worse, often replace recorded facts with a kind of mythic history that people accept (and often prefer) as truth."

If you haven't seen any of his work before AMIGO I highly recommend going back and seeing his earliest films and working your way up to AMIGO. You will discover an intellectual artist, a prolific storyteller and an interesting filmmaker, who also edits his films! His eclectic mix of work, which is visceral, dramatic (sometimes very funny) and cinematic, will impress, intrigue and inspire.

Music: Jay-Z & Kanye West "OTIS" Music Video

Music: Syleena Johnson

R&B songstress Syleena Johnson has released the video for the first single off of her new album Chapter V: Underrated, due out this fall! The title of her album is so appropriate because Syleena is arguably one of the most talented yet underrated artists in the business. Her vocal capabilities and innate talent sets Ms. Johnson apart from the rest of the crowd.

Check out the new video for her single "A Boss"

Make sure you log onto ITunes and download the single and album when it drops!!

Til next week.... Enjoy!!

FILM: GUN HILL ROAD (2011) Now Playing

33 year old Rashaad Ernesto Green, (pictured above), is a Bronx born filmmaker, whose debut indie feature drama, GUN HILL ROAD, blasted its way into Sundance and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize!

I grew up in that area of the Bronx and I'm very familiar with the actual street so I was immediately attracted to the title.

Green's directorial debut has been lauded by critics and he's been noted as a filmmaker to watch. The Bronx should be proud!

Briefly: An ex-con, played by Brooklyn born Esai Morales, returns home to the Bronx after three years in prison to discover his wife estranged and his teenage son exploring a sexual transformation that will put the fragile bonds of their family to the test. - IMDB

Right now you can go see it here:

AMC Theatres Bay Plaza Cinemas

2210 Bartow Avenue, Bronx, NY 10475

Call (888)262-4386 for Showtimes

and

AMC EMPIRE 25

234 West 42nd Street

NY, NY

Here is the trailer:

GUN HILL ROAD in the Bronx - HISTORY from WIKIPEDIA

Gun Hill Road is a major thoroughfare in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The road stretches for 3.5 miles (5.63 kilometres) in Woodlawn and Morris Park. Gun Hill Road begins at Stillwell Avenue in Morris Park near the Hutchinson River Parkway exit and comes to an end at the Mosholu Parkway in Woodlawn. Van Cortlandt Park and the Mosholu Golf Course are both located at the western terminus of Gun Hill Road.

During the Revolution, the road was an important artery fought between the British and the Colonists. In January 1777, the colonists brought a cannon to the top of a hill and fired at the British. The hill was called Gun Hill afterwards, and is now inside Woodlawn Cemetery. The road was known as Kingsbridge Road (part of the original Boston Post Road) until 1875, when it was renamed Gun Hill Road. It did not originally extend east of White Plains Road, but was extended by segments to the Hutchinson River by 1938.

Music: Mary J Declares "It Ain't Over"

Mary J released a new video featuring DJ Khaled, Fabolous and Jadakiss for the new single, "It Ain't Over", off of her highly anticipated My Life II album.

Mary is making a statement with this new track. In the song, she says "Just when you thought I said all there was to say / I get the last word / It Ain't Over til' it's over". To the critics or those who thought she had outgrown her audience, Mary is returning strong and fearless; Looking and sounding better than ever.

For all of the Mary fans reading this post, I have a treat for you. Here's a clip of Mary's brand new song "Miss Me With That". I think I hear another hit!!!!

Image of Mary J Blige - Miss Me With That

Film: Red Tails (coming in 2012)

Here is a first look at RED TAILS written by George Lucas and John Ridley and directed by Anthony Hemingway. It's Lucasfilms' production of the story of the Tuskegee Airman--the first black pilots to fly in a combat squadron during World War II.

Fashion: Gimmie 5 (V) on the black hand side!

Peace pulsers! Its your favorite sneaker heads favorite sneaker head! Bringing you another installment of "shoeology". This week I'm taking it back to 1990- the first time ever release of the Air Jordan 5 (V), a truley unique design from the great Tinker Hatfield! And one of this years rarest drops! With a design highly influenced by the WW2 mustang fighter plane and the most obvious elements displaying this are the shark teeth shapes on the mid soles. Making a return is the metallic silver 23 on the heel. Last time these where released was in 1999 minus the 23, making these a very high demand sneaker. With a retail price of 150$ expect to pay upwards of 200$. Release is schedule for Aug 20th. I know the glue hasn't finish drying yet but crack that piggy bank open cause you definitely don't wanna be the only one who didn't get them.

Film: The Red Balloon (1956)

If you enjoy short films or you've thought about writing/making your own short film, a great short film to see, before you embark on your own script or production, is the multi-award winning French film, THE RED BALLOON (1956) written and directed by Albert Lamorisse and starring his son, Pascal. (RT 32 mins)

Simply put, the film follows a red balloon that follows a boy around Paris.

In contrast to the verbosity of today's motion pictures, there's almost no dialogue in the film, which went on to win the Academy Award for best screenplay! THE RED BALLOON is a classic, must-see cinematic fantasy.

Trailer here.

Fashion: Swizz Beatz x Reebok Kamikaze

In mid May, we received our first look at the next offering from the Swizz Beatz x Reebok collaboration. New detailed photos of the Swizz Beatz x Reebok Kamikaze Grey/Sonic Green and Black/Orange have surfaced on the web. One pair features multiple shades of grey on the upper with minimal Sonic Green hints on the sole, inner lining and tongue branding. The other pair is comprised of black and white leather/suede on the base with minimal orange elements.

Fashion: Back to The Future!

Peace pulsers and pig pockets! Your favorite sneakerhead bringing you what's hot on the feet in the street! The cross between retro and future styling, Marty Mcfly would be proud to rock with his acid wash Lee's! The new 2011 Hyperfuse are the perfect combination of ventilation and lightweight materials. Worn by Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics! Crafted from the same three layer fuse material that made them an advance basketball shoe to begin with, Nike is determined to make this shoe an icon with the release of many different color-ways! Not only are they lightweight but light on the pockets at only 100$ pick yours up at hot sneaker spots like City Footwear! (845)343-3430 say purse and pulse and receive a free gift!