Jimmie Walker , who is best known for his role on “Good Times” spoke to NPR on various topics including black folks in the entertainment industry. Via EurWeb: Former “Good Time’s” star, Jimmie Walker, chatted with NPR’s Michele Martin recently to discuss his position on why major studios would rather avoid black films. According to him, the community protests too frequently about the stereotypes projected on film. But he argues that some of the stereotypes that some argue appear bad, aren’t necessarily negative. “What happens is, it also is reflective in black TV shows and movies, that you’re not gonna get anymore of those because of the constant complaining, moaning and groaning… The point is to make money,” he said. “And therefore, the networks themselves have actually stopped doing any ethnic shows, because they don’t want the aggravation… What has happened is that any minority character you see on a show now is always the police commissioner, the head of the hospital, the school superintendent. Those kinds of people don’t invoke followers. The people who are going to get attention are the wacky guys… who eventually become stars… You’ll never see a black Will Ferrell, You’ll never see a black Adam Sandler, because black people aren’t allowed to play those kind of roles.” CHeck out the entire interview at NPR.org: WENN
Instead of potential rapper or clothing line owner, Josh Hawkins is academically sound and getting the looks by the top level schools he should have gotten years ago. The kid is a stud on the field at an OC JC, works at a local 24 Hour Fitness… and overall is a simple young man. Josh is also thee most explosive running back that hasn’t gone to a 4-year or been on tv YET … (blame that on his jalopy ex High School coach in the below video). Click here to learn more about the good-quick-fast-dope kid. youtube
Quentin Tarantino probably had a vastly different idea of how the months leading up to the 85th Academy Awards would transpire for him. As he began to promote Django Unchained , he no doubt expected to spend the majority of Awards Season talking about America’s legacy of slavery, about his decision to portray it as unambiguously horrific, and how the peculiar institution has historically been treated in film. That’s how this awards season started, of course. At the beginning of December, Tarantino was explaining that his goal was to make audiences feel, viscerally, the brutality of slavery. Later in the month, he was making the very excellent point that the legacy of slavery continues to this day , in the form of America’s massive prison complex and the war on drugs. ‘Django Unchained’ & The Sandy Hook Shooting Unfortunately, just 10 days before Django Unchained premiered, the massacre in Newtown, CT happened. Making matters worse, in the weeks since Sandy Hook there have been a succession of other mass shootings. (In fact, there was another school shooting Thursday, near Bakersfield, CA). As a result, all anyone is talking about is the influence of violent media on actual, real world violence, and unluckily for Tarantino, the conversation about slavery has been terminated and replaced with nearly constant demands to address the dubious notion that his violent films may contribute to that problem. Perhaps that’s why he’s beginning to lose his shit about the issue. Now generally, Tarantino’s responses to these questions have been measured; he’s made the excellent case again and again that, no, his movies are not responsible for societal violence. That’s changed somewhat since the beginning of the new year. Speaking to NPR on January 3, Tarantino got rather testy with Terry Gross , but that was nothing, compared to his low-temperature freak-out aimed at the U.K.’s Channel 4 news host, Krishnan Guru-Murthy. The Question About Violence In Movies That Shut The Interview Down “Why are you so sure there is no link between people enjoying movie violence and people enjoying real violence?,” Guru-Murthy asked, during an interview that aired last night. Tarantino’s response revealed, like nothing else, that he’s getting goddamned tired of talking about this. “I’m going to tell you why I’m so sure? You’re not asking me a question like that. I’m not biting. I refuse your question. I refuse your question,” he said. “I’m not your slave and you are not my master,” he continued. “You can’t make me dance to your tune. I’m not a monkey. I am saying I refuse.” Tarantino then added, “The reason I don’t want to talk about is because I’ve said everything I have to say about it. If anyone cares what I have to say about it, they can Google me and see 20 years of what I have to say about it.” It’s hard to blame Tarantino for being extremely annoyed with the whole thing. Hell, I’m annoyed with the whole thing. Django Unchained has been unfairly singled out for scorn despite hardly being unique in how violent it is, and one can’t help but feel that the conversation about it has changed less because of a sudden rediscovered concern about how violent his films are, but because people would so much rather talk about something that feels nebulous, like societal violence, rather than talk about something that remains, almost 150 years after being abolished, a very taboo subject. So it’s absolutely appropriate that Tarantino rejects the premise. However, this conversation is happening whether he likes it or not, especially after Django Unchained’ s five Oscar nominations. And outbursts like this are going to make him an easy target for stupid people who think Americans are so impressionable that we can’t watch a fictional depiction of violence without immediately running out to kill our neighbors. (Not to mention rather dishonest people who enjoy stirring up tabloid-levels of moral outrage just for fun.) Falling back on the dodge that he’s already said everything that must be said on the issue is just going to make media-concern trolls even more determined to play gotcha with him — especially when his angry outbursts contain terminology that, considering what Django Unchained is actually about, are rather… unfortunate. So if nothing is going to make the question go away, maybe the time has come for him to figure out a way to change the subject back to what it should be. I keep waiting for someone to ask him what I think is a far more interesting question about violence in America. America has a long history of pretending half the country didn’t start a war that killed nearly a million people just to keep their slaves, The manufacturers of our popular culture also have a history of minimizing just how bad slavery actually was for the enslaved, and of course,there’s also the country’s unwillingness to discuss the continued disenfranchisement and oppression of the descendants of those slaves. Doesn’t that, more than any film ever could, contribute to a national culture that seems terrifyingly comfortable with acts of massive public violence? Maybe, maybe not, but since no one else is asking, maybe it’s time Tarantino said it for them. It might not make the idiotic conversation stop, but it makes for a better quote than the word ‘monkey.’ Ross Lincoln is a LA-based freelance writer from Oklahoma with an unhealthy obsession with comics, movies, video games, ancient history, Gore Vidal, and wine. Follow Ross Lincoln on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter .
A media professor at Florida Atlantic University won’t apologize for questioning the Sandy Hook school massacre, but denies he is fostering a conspiracy theory. James Tracy wrote on his personal blog that believes the events that unfolded in the Newtown, Conn., elementary school did not happen as we think – if at all. James Tracy Newtown Conspiracy Theory “While it sounds outrageous, one is left to inquire whether the Sandy Hook shooting ever took place,” he writes, suggesting Newtown didn’t happen as reported. He suggests there were multiple shooters and that the number of dead is incorrect, and that the government may have brought in actors to add drama. Tracy opines that “media coverage of the massacre of 26 children and adults was intended primarily for public consumption to further larger political ends.” The academic, also known for questioning authority and media regarding 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing and the Aurora massacre, is not backing off either. When questioned about his theories by a local news reporter, Tracy responded: “The whole country mourned about Sandy Hook, but yet again the investigation that journalistic institutions should have carried out never took place, in my opinion.” The 47-year-old added that, “As a society we need to look at things more carefully. Perhaps we as a society have been conditioned to be duped.” Speaking on behalf of Tracy, Peter Phillips, president of the Media Freedom Foundation and Project Censored, said in a statement to Yahoo News: “James Tracy isn’t promoting a ‘conspiracy’ theory regarding Sandy Hook, but rather saying the media distorts the news, and doesn’t follow up on important questions.” “There were reports of more than one shooter in the Sandy Hook case.” “Tracy is not denying that it happened, but he is saying that when such events do happen it is the responsibility of the media to fully investigate all aspects of the story.” The media sensationalizing tragedies is certainly a worthwhile topic, but if that’s all he meant to imply … why not just write what that statement laid out?
The 2013 Oscar nominations were announced this morning – and the complaints are already pouring in! Christoph Waltz and not Leonardo DiCaprio for Best Supporting Actor?!? No Ben Affleck for Best Director? Nary a Kathryn Bigelow or Tom Hooper in the same category, despite their films being up for Best Picture? Nothing for The Dark Knight Rises ? At all?!? What about The Hunger Games ? The Avengers ? Films folks actually lined up to see? Weigh in now and let your voice be heard: Who got snubbed the hardest? Ben Affleck for Best Director Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director Leonardo DiCaprio for Supporting Actor The Dark Knight Rises for… something at least! Other (Cite in Comments) View Poll »
A Taft, Calif., H.S. student was shot and wounded at a San Joaquin Valley high school Thursday and a suspect was taken into custody, officials said. The shooting reportedly occurred about 9 a.m. at Taft High School, an oil and agricultural community about 120 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The student who was shot and injured was flown to a hospital in Bakersfield, said Ray Pruitt, spokesman for the Kern County Sheriff’s Department. There was no immediate word on the victim’s condition. “We have a suspect in custody,” Pruitt said, adding that the person was believed to be a student; Pruitt said it’s believed a shotgun was used in the attack. KERO-TV Bakersfield reported that the police station received several phone calls from people inside the school who hid in closets during the attack. It was not immediately clear how many students are enrolled at the high school, which teaches grades 9-12, or if any other casualties were reported.
No better way to celebrate Rick Ross Parties At Club Mansion In Miami With Hennessy V.S. Rick Ross never misses a chance to do it big in his hometown and last night the Bawse took his talents, entourage, and curly-haired PYT to club Mansion in Miami for a Hennessy V.S. South Beach party The bawse didn’t only party with his MMG crew, he was joined by Heat baller Dwyane Wade , his lady Gabrielle Union , singer/songwriter/producer David Guetta, YMCMB boss Mack Maine, and a bevy of bangin’ beverage-servin’ beauties! Partygoers tell Bossip the Rick Ross was seen dancing and laughing with his female companion all night long, until he finally took the stage around 3am. No word as to who the woman is that has the the bawse’s affection, but we’re sure more details will turn up soon. Hit the flipper to see who else partied with Ricky Rozay and Hennessy! Images via Thaddaeus McAdams
This teacher was not interested in pledging allegiance.. High School Teacher Under Investigation For Stomping American Flag In Front Of Students A Kentucky teacher has been placed on administrative leave following an incident where a class full of students claimed to have witnessed the instructor stomping on the American flag after tossing it to the ground during a class demonstration. via Fox News A South Carolina school district has launched an investigation into a high school teacher who allegedly threw an American flag on the floor and stomped on it as a classroom full of students watched. Mark Bounds, a spokesman for the Lexington –Richland5 School District, confirmed to Fox News that an English teacher at Chapin High School was placed on leave as they investigate the incident. “There were allegations that at a teacher took a flag down from the post in the classroom and stepped on that flag as part of the lesson,” Bounds said, indicating the act was repeated in several other classes. “It was not a spontaneous act, but one he worked into the lesson.” Michael Copeland’s daughter was in the classroom when the incident occurred. He told television station WIS that the teacher’s actions were disrespectful and unpatriotic. “He drew a couple of symbols, like one of them was a cross, and he said, ‘What does this represent’ and everybody said ‘Christianity,’” Copeland said. “Then he proceeds to take down the American flag and said, ‘This is a symbol, but it’s only a piece of cloth. It doesn’t mean anything,’ and then he throws it down on the floor and then stomps on it, repeatedly.” Sounds like somebody needs to learn some R-E-S-P-E-C-T if they’re going to be teaching the kiddies. SMH. Image via Shutterstock
WTF?!?! Via NYDailyNews Steubenville Ohio Schools Locked Down Following Shooting Threat Schools in Steubenville, Ohio, were placed on lockdown for more than an hour after a shooting threat was received Tuesday in a district that’s gained national attention in a controversial forced sex assault case. Police were searching all buildings in the school district after 8:30 a.m., while students remained in classes, according to NBC affiliate WTOV. While buildings were cleared around 10 a.m., Superintendent Mike McVey said security will be stationed at all schools until further notice. The threat, which was made online, comes after a series of protests against city and school officials. Please sweet baby Jesus, keep these crazy muhfuggas away from this school. Earlier Tuesday, a couple who raised one of the Steubenville High School students accused of forcing sex on a 16-year-old girl during a night of partying last summer said it would be “out of character” for him to have participated. Ma’lik Richmond, 16, will stand trial next month along with Trent Mays, also 16, in a highly charged case that has rocked the small town of Steubenville, on the West Virginia border. Both students, also players on the school’s celebrated football team, are pleading not guilty. Richmond remains under house arrest at the home of Greg and Jennifer Agresta, although they are no longer his legal guardians. They had first taken him in at age 8, they said Tuesday on NBC’s “Today” show. Jennifer Agresta described Richmond as a “very laid-back young man” who was “surprised” to learn that he was being charged with forced sex and kidnapping. That’s all well and good, but THIS is the part that we just can’t quite buy… The Agrestas claim they never asked Richmond about what happened the night of the alleged sex assault. “It doesn’t matter to us,” Jennifer Agresta said. “We love him regardless of what happened that evening.” You haven’t asked him what happened?!?! Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit…so you bring him back in your home for house arrest as an accused rapist and you don’t ask him what happened? Yeah, aight… Clearly there is evidence against him… Richmond’s attorney, Walter Madison, declined to discuss the accuracy of the charges. He admitted, however, that a picture circulating online featuring two males carrying a young woman who appears to be limp and unconscious includes his client. Last week, an attorney for Mays wouldn’t confirm whether his client was in that photo, but suggested it could have been staged. Sorry folks, we know you love you some Ma’lik, but c’mon son. Watch the Agresta’s speak for yourself below.
Ashley Tisdale, attention seeker, overrated celebrity, High School Musical drop out, who couldn’t quite pull off what her co-workers have pulled off….even though she’s got a hotter body….and who is thus capable of pulling off the surfer chick look, in skimpy bikini bottoms, that look like PANTIES OMG and a crop top t-shirt showing off her toned stomach and fucking cowboy boots like this was a stripper act or Debbie Does Dallas, the original…..and she just won my heart even though I have been committed to calling her face ugly the last few decades….I guess doing countless sit-ups is all it takes to distract from a scary face….. She’s won this round…
