Movie News: ‘Latin Kings’ A Street Gang Story

FILM: Latin Kings: A Street Gang Story

FILMMAKER: Jon Alpert

Reviewed by: Katy B. Jones

Filmmaker Jon Alpert takes a camera and follows King Tone, the “Inca” of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation in New York, a street gang. King Tone runs an organized, tightly knit group, holding regular congressional-like meetings where representatives from other Latin King districts gather to pay their respects and pledge their allegience. He preaches to his Kings and Queens that they should not shoot, and they should stay away from drugs. He takes his message of Puerto Rican pride to his heart, and delights in his family. He’s got a chance as a grassroots hero.

Unfortunately, the story ends unheroically. It’s easy to see why King Tone is a natural leader. He wants to be a person who does something really great with his life. He’s infectious, playful, heartfelt, organized, and an excellent fiery speaker. Unfortunately, he’s also unable to resist the temptations of drugs. When he’s finally locked behind bars, his world comes crashing to an end. Jon Alpert watches all of this unfold with an unflinching one-man band that doesn’t look away from the good, the brutal, or the bad. That the camerawork is somewhat uncreative is totally fine. This filmmaker earns his value by walking in a world few would dare. He earns the trust of his subjects, and obviously feels a great responsibility to paint the story fairly. There are no villains here.

Mr. Alpert also serves as our de facto narrator, peppering Tone with questions that the audience who doesn’t understand this world needs to know. He’s got balls, he’s got commitment, he’s got fairness, he’s got story, and there is definitely something at stake. For a low-budget film, it impressively dynamic. It’s rare that I watch a feature film all the way through and didn’t wish it was a short. This kept me in it. It was interesting, and I definitely walked in another world. It did lag a bit, and, as mentioned, the low-budget one-man band camera style can be a little wearing. All in all though, a good movie.

Three out of five cheers

P.S. Among the many morality tales of this film – please make a special note of one lesson Tone learned the hard way. Don’t go cheating on your woman just before you get locked away, even if it might seem like a good idea at the time. Prison is real lonely when she takes your kids, smashes your stuff, and moves to Connecticut. None of the other girls come visit you later, and neither does she. Or at least not without a whole lot of work on your part.

Source: docandadrink.wordpress.com

Movie News: Terry Crews Will Be Replacing 50 Cent in Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables”

Originally, Forest Whitaker had been replaced by 50 Cent in Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming The Expendables. I, unfortunately, thought it was a terrible idea, because I truly hate 50 Cent as an actor and didn’t want to see him ruin what I’m hoping will be a good movie. Well, Harry at AICN is saying that Stallone has called him up again and that 50 Cent is no longer taking the role, for unknown reasons, and instead the character of “Hale Caesar” will be played by Terry Crews. I hope this is finally who Stallone sticks with in the end.

Former San Diego Charger Terry Crews has been in everything from Idiocracy to White Chicks to Balls of Fury to Street Kings to Get Smart to Terminator Salvation. Besides that last one, not the greatest selection of films, but alas, still better than 50 Cent. Those of you that saw Get Smart should know that he’s a actually good supporting actor and should hopefully be able to do a good job in The Expendables. At least he’s big and strong, and can stand up to Stallone and Statham and Lundgren and Couture, who are also in this. Although most disagree, I’m relieved to know that 50 Cent won’t come close to ruining The Expendables.

Source: UrbanDaily

“Okay, let me guess the next option will be Vin Diesel.”

Tune In: Big Daddy Kane Documentary

Legendary hip-hop icon Big Daddy Kane will be the subject of the an upcoming feature-length documentary. The film, entitled BDK finds Kane narrating his life story from growing up in Brooklyn, New York to becoming one of the most legendary rappers in the history hip-hop.

The film is being directed by Anthony Marshall who is also one of the co-founders of the legendary Lyricist Lounge.

No release date has been set for BDK. Check out the trailer below and let us know your thoughts!

Source: GIANT/YouTube

“Sounds like it will be interesting to see.”

Wire Talk: Run DMC Movie Plans

Run DMC movie planned…

Rap legends Run DMC’s story could be made into a movie by the man behind the Notorious B.I.G biopic, Notorious.

Screenwriter Cheo Hodari Coker is planning to adapt Bill Adler’s Tougher Than Leather – The Rise Of Run DMC for DJ Classicz, the urban department at Davis Entertainment.

“It’s an extraordinary rags-to-riches journey that I’m eager to bring to the screen,” DJ Classicz’s president Dallas Jackson says.

“I’m hoping to have Run, DMC and Russell Simmons’s involvement. This will be a big movie about the 1980s hip-hop movement that took over the world.”

Source: chocolatemagazine

“YAY! This is something I can’t wait to see. I’m making it a date night for me and my man.”

J & J Movie Night: Tyler Perry’s – Madea Goes To Jail

Check out Tyler Perry’s – Madea Goes to Jail. Out today at a theater near you. Check out below the full trailer In HD.

Tune In: Transformers – Revenge of the Fallen Super Bowl Spot

This here is the crème de la crème! Paramount has debuted their first teaser trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen that will be showing during the Super Bowl tonight. We’ve been waiting years to finally see this footage and damn it doesn’t let down one bit. This will have Transformers‘ fans screaming for joy. I’m sticking around to watch the big game tonight to see this in glorious high definition. By the way parts of this movie was shot in my hometown of South Side, Bethlehem, PA.

Check it out!

Plot Summary: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is again directed by action film superstar Michael Bay of Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, The Island, and Transformers previously. The story and screenplay for the sequel was written by Transformers writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci as well as Ehren Kruger (The Ring, The Brothers Grimm, Blood and Chocolate). Paramount is unleashing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in both IMAX and regular theaters on June 26th this summer. I’ll be there!

Wire Talk: New Biopic for Lefteye This Spring

Lefteye’s Biopic Coming Soon…

I guess biopic’s are the new thing when movie scripts aren’t hitting the box office. Director Lauren Lazin will bring the life story of Lefteye to the big screen, which will also debut this April at Atlanta Film Festival in Georgia. The Oscar Nominated film maker is the same person behind Tupac ‘s movie, Tupac Resurrection. The movie of Lefteye will be titled, The Last Days of Lefteye.

Wire Talk: Keisha Chante to play Aaliyah in new Biopic?

According to reports, 20 year old Canadian R&B Singer, Keshia Chanté will play Aaliyah in her biopic, which is to be released in mid-2009.

Below is a video of her video “Been Gone”…

For more on Keshia Chanté check out her website and her myspace.

Tune In: Rihanna For Remake Of ‘The Last Dragon’

If RZA had his way, he’d have Rihanna — for his new film. The Wu-Tang Clan kingpin is co-producing a remake of the 1980s fan favorite “The Last Dragon” with Samuel L. Jackson and told MTV News yesterday he’d like the sexy Barbadian songstress to take on the role of video show host/singer Laura Charles. Popular back-in-the-day vamp Vanity originated the role in the 1985 flick, while Taimak tackled the lead character and her romantic interest, Bruce Leroy (a.k.a. Leroy Green).

“That’s the one I’m rooting for,” RZA said of Rihanna. “We’re keeping that same concept of the girl being in the music business.”

RZA explained that several female artists were being looked at for the part, but he thought Rih would be the best choice. He also noted that he and the filmmakers were in the process of finding a new-millennium Bruce Leroy but wouldn’t disclose the identities any of the candidates. (Hey, how about Rihanna’s pal Chris Brown?)

Late actor Julius Carry, who guest-starred on a myriad of TV shows from the “Jeffersons” to “Moonlighting” to “The Unit” during his almost-30-year career, stole the show in the first “Last Dragon” as Sho’nuff, the Shogun of Harlem. The villain’s classic line was “Kiss my Converse!” Sam Jackson has been cast as the hilarious baddy in the remake. (Busta Rhymes played Sho’nuff in his video for 1997’s “Dangerous.”)

“I’m co-producing and I’ll add my martial arts expertise and add my ideas and make a phat film from that cult classic we all loved as kids,” RZA explained. “The first draft of the script is in right now. We definitely should be shooting in ’09.

“We’re gonna make it real classic,” the Shaolin general added. “We’re not gonna take it back to the ’80s. We’re gonna try it a few years ahead. Modern times, but a few steps ahead in the future. We got some crazy ideas, but the main thing is still finding that glow. That’s still the theme of the film, to find that glow in yourself.”
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Movie News: Notorious Movie Tracklist

According to Bad Boy Records, below is the final track listing.

1. “Notorious Thugs” (featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)
2. “Hypnotize”
3. “Notorious”
4. “Juicy”
5. “Party & Bullsh–”
6. “Warning”
7. “One More Chance” remix (featuring Faith Evans)
8. “Brooklyn Go Hard” (Jay-Z featuring Santogold)
9. “Letter to B.I.G.” (Jadakiss featuring Faith Evans)
10. “Kick in the Door”
11. “What’s Beef”
12. “World Is Filled”
13. “One More Chance” (featuring CJ)
14. “The Notorious Theme” (composed by Danny Elfman)
15. “Microphone Murderer” (previously unreleased demo)
16. “Guaranteed Raw” (previously unreleased demo)
17. “Love No Ho” (previously unreleased demo)