Tyler Perry and Madea's Family Reunion

I actually got out to see a movie on its first weekend this past weekend! My movie of choice was Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion. Now I'd seen the stage play on DVD and loved it, so I was curious to see how it would play out in the movie version.

I was not disappointed, though it was a little heavier than I thought it would be (I think all the really comical parts were shown in the trailers) but I was still entertained. I left the theatre with a lot on my mind. It was deep...

I want to talk about Cicely Tyson's speech at the family reunion. Poignantly written, and breathtakingly delivered. I wanted to cry, but I don't do that (smile). Is it on the soundtrack? I haven't looked into that. Someone needs to put that somewhere it can be played again and again. Honestly, I didn't know Tyler could pen words like that. While I've been a fan for quite a while now, I didn't appreciate him as fully as I do now.

And Maya Angelou's poem. I loved it so. Another work I'd like to see in writing or hear again and again on a CD.

Lynn Whitfield was amazing as usual. Blair Underwood played his part so well it frightened me. I'd never noticed Rochelle Aytes before this movie. She was wonderful, especially in her scenes with Lisa Arrindell Anderson, who I have always loved. Why she doesn't have a bigger career, I don't know. She's amazing.

But I'm not really reviewing the movie. That's not my purpose for bringing it up here. I'm really just expressing how much I love Tyler Perry's writing, especially on serious issues. I appreciate him so much more now. I truly, truly do. I'm anxious to see what non-Madea material he comes up with.

Tyler (can we roll on a first-name basis?), write on, brother. Write on.

American Idol: My Take

Okay, so it was inevitable that I would comment on AI. After all, this blog is about music and literature as I see it, so why not?

So this is my third year watching AI. I didn't watch the first two seasons because, well, I just wasn't interested in what I imagined would be manufactured talent. But I got hooked the moment I heard Fantasia. Oh, that voice...and that stage presence...

Not that I wasn't a Jennifer Hudson fan! The girl has undeniable talent, and I'm pleased to see that she won the Dreamgirls role. Why shouldn't she have the opportunity to shine as well? I wish her well (though I'm not really feeling the whole J-Hud moniker, nah). And Latoya London. The grace, the elegance (in addition to her obvious talent). I see good things for her. Perhaps a more minor career than the others? Successful in her own right nonetheless.

Now this year...let me call it...

Mandisa! Undeniably talented, undeniably beautiful. I think she'll be among the top 5. Whatever the outcome, she should go on to great things, which should include being a plus-size model. I like her style.

Kinnik! Why aren't people seeing what I see? This girl has the talent, the class, et cetera. She won't win, I know that. But she's definitely someone the legendary Mr. Davis (Clive to too-loud Brenna, ugh) should call up after the competition.

Paris! Little Paris. Why does she remind me of a little Fantasia? She's a star in the making, though I don't believe she'll win this competition. What I'm proud of? That she came on the show at all. As the granddaughter of Ann Nesby, I believe she could've gotten a contract through that connection alone. But it seems to me that she wanted to do this on her own merit and that's commendable. (Though telling America your grandmama is Ann Nesby certainly doesn't hurt.) Oh, and if she's smart, she'll be trying to grab up a book deal with the daily journal she's keeping.

Gedeon! Honestly, he looks insane to me. I'm talking straightjacket-worthy! That smile, that hair. But oh, that voice! He won't win, but he can go on to have some sort of career if he plays his cards right. And I believe he will do just that. He's certainly not lacking in confidence.

Sway! Oh, I was so sad to see him go. I know his performance Wednesday was below par (especially after his previous performance...him all in white...that hat...cheverre), but I was hoping he'd stick around. He'll be fine, though. He's got the talent. He's a cutie. And Diddy has probably already called him.

When all is said and done, I believe the two left standing will be Chris Daughtry (though Elliott Yamin might fight him vocally along the way...did yall see him sing Moody's Mood For Love?? every note, every run, every time) and...insert female name here. I honestly can't call that. Maybe it will be Mandisa. Of the females, she has the most stage presence, in my opinion. And I imagine that, with her music degree, she's probably a fine songwriter as well. That to me is the sign of the truest musician.

Time will tell. Meanwhile, you know where I'll be every week. Call me and we can talk about the performances.

But only during the commercial breaks.

And So I Wait...

I'm gonna leave Hollywood alone.

See, I've had a script at a MAJOR (and I do mean MAJOR) production company for a few months now. My agent has been working diligently, doing her thing, taking meetings, making phone calls. And we're now at the point where they're trying to attach actors to the project, which will determine whether or not they will buy the script and move forward.

My nerves are wrecked.

I'm trying to keep my mind off of it. I'm trying to focus on those projects that I can control. Like the Reggie Brown series. And The Brownstone. And K My Name Is Kendra, which I'm writing for our impressionable teenage sisters (because I think they're being ignored literarily). And The Micness because The Brownstone release date keeps changing from week to week and I feel like I need to put something out there so people don't peg me as just a children's book author (and there is not a thing wrong with that, but I'm just sayin'...) and ignore all my other work.

But I can't help but think about this script. The waiting...oh, the waiting. I just can't take it! How do screenwriters do this project after project??

So I've decided...if they do end up buying this script, I'm gonna count my blessings, cash my check, and then I'm done with Hollywood. Period.

Then again, I do have this other completed script...and then there's still my file of incomplete movie treatments and storylines ready to be pitched at a moment's notice...

sigh

The Artist In You

People are going to laugh at you. People are going to criticize you (especially those who always talk about how they're gonna do this and they're gonna do that...but never follow through and envy you because you do). People may even hate on you and belittle your skills.

Don't let them discourage you.

I'm convinced that there are those who exist simply to tear you down. Their sole purpose in life seems to be to keep their foot on your neck so you can't get up. To chip away at your self-esteem because, deep down inside, they lack their own. Sad. But sadder? They don't even get it.

Do your thing.

Are you a writer? Then write! Do you sing? Then demonstrate your micness! Are you an artist? Then create beautiful things.

There will always be Haters. Shake them off and press on.

"The Micness" Theme Song Lyrics

music produced by brian "virtuoso" wilson
lyrics, vocal arrangements and vocal production by kamichi jackson
copyright 2004


this is where I come to let my worries go
this is where hiphop meets soul
dj you bring the beat
i'll bring the flow

this is where the rhythm comes to stay
this is where lyrics play
this here is smooth at its best everyday

music makes me feel so alive
no i can't ignore it
it lingers in my mind

it calls my name boy
music's my game boy
nothing is the same boy
when music takes control