Crystal J's Weblog
Eco Tips from MTV’s Real World by Crystal A. Johnson
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Going green is not just a week long experience at MTV, but a season dedicated to raising awareness of the 20th Anniversary of the Real World.
Cast members of the twentieth season of the show – currently airing on MTV – all live in an environmentally-friendly house in Hollywood. As part of MTV’s Break the Addiction campaign, Think MTV joined forces with Bunim Murray Productions to help put together an eco-friendly house for Real World.
Thinking green does not stop with what is seen on screen. Bunim Murray Productions did a multitude of things to “green” their production of the show behind the scenes. Furthermore, the roommates were given instructions on how they could improve their lives and reduce negative impact on the planet during the season. In turn, each episode of The Real World: Hollywood ends with an eco-tip from one of the roommates.
Interview with Dana Davis(PromNight/Heroes) by Crystal A. Johnson
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See this article and more at blkhollywoodnews.com
I got the opportunity to talk with Dana Davis of the film
Prom Night and more notably, NBC’s Heroes. Stirred by great
performances by Al Pacino, and Denzel Washington when
Davis was just a little girl in Iowa, she knew she wanted to
become an actress. Davis says, “I would pester my mom, ‘can
we please move to LA?’” Her mom caved in. They packed up
their belongings and moved to Los Angeles in 1997.
It would take three years before Dana landed a small part on
the Steve Harvey Show and from there the work grew in
consistency. Of her success, she says, “God has been really
good to me.” The last few years have included ensemble cast
work on highly praised shows such as: the short-lived ABC
show, The Nine, and the NBC’s smash hit, Heroes. Davis joined
season two of Heroes as Monica Dawson, a character
described as a “young hero” who is willing to give up
everything to help the people around her. Davis admits the
strike shook things up as far as the direction of Heroes,
however, she confirms that her character, Monica will be a part
of season three although she is not at liberty to say in what
capacity. Davis loves representing Heroes and the reaction
she gets from fans. As for other projects, she has choices in
the pipeline, but is opting to be picky when it comes to scripts
coming off a phenomenal series and Prom Night.
Although Prom Night hit theaters in April 2008, Davis actually
filmed it prior to working on Heroes. Davis co-stars in the film
featuring Idris Elba and Brittany Snow, two actors to whom she
extends accolades for not only carrying the film but for taking
the film to another level with their acting abilities. She
describes herself as “shocking surprised” about her work
experience with co-star Brianne Davis who plays the mean girl
in the movie. They play girls on the prom court vying to be
prom queen. She recalls, on the first day the work together she
became impressed with her quickly. When asked if the film
does well in paying homage to the original Prom Night, Davis
clarifies “It’s really not a remake. The only thing we have in
common is that is a horror movie called Prom Night. It is an
original story.” She adds, “I think it does a great job of staying
true to what prom is.” Despite the body count, filmgoers will
leave the film with a feeling of prom night nostalgia.
Dana encourages people from small towns to be encouraged
by other small town success stories and to go for their dreams.
Davis warns to stray from naysayers but rather to surround
yourself with positive people. She says, “We live in a country
where the sky is the limit. You really have the resources here.
This is a great country to pursue anything that you want to
pursue.”
Celebrities Support Sick Artist event by Crystal A. Johnson
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See videotaped interview at Black Hollywood News or Article at Look to the Stars.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tomiko Fraser, and cast members from MTV’s hit show Rock the Cradle – which features the sons and daughters of celebrities such as Bobby Brown (Landon Brown), M.C. Hammer ( A’keiba Burrell) and Al B. Sure (Lil B. Sure) – came out to support the Be-Do-Have Foundation’s SICK Artist event held in Hollywood on Monday, April 13th. The foundation provides funds for uninsured actors, comedians and recording artists. This year there were eight fortunate recipients insurance.
The founders of Be-Do-Have state the foundation name means, “Be inspiring. Do what an inspiring person does so that you can have what an inspiring person has.”
Malcolm-Jamal Warner states that the mission of the foundation to provide insurance to independent artists is “a ground breaking idea.” He refers to himself as an independent artist and adds, ”…as a recording artist I am strictly independent. I see both sides of the fence. I have been fortunate enough early on to be in a position where I have got stuff taken care of, but I also understand independent artists who don’t have that.”
Supermodel Tomiko Fraser Reminds Women they are Born With It
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written by Crystal A. Johnson-More Charities articles at looktothestars.org
Last Saturday, April 5, a full day of seminars were held in Los Angeles for women and at-risk youth, sponsored by Maybelline and model Tomiko Fraser’s Goddess organization. Making a difference is a recurring theme in Fraser’s life. Last year she put together Butterflies Over Hollywood to raise funds and awareness about Lupus, an event she anticipates doing again this year. Saturday’s event was the first Born With It workshop, an outreach program and offshoot of Tomiko Fraser’s Goddess Gathering.
What began as a small gathering of five women at her home spawned an event with about 50 women. Fraser says of her gatherings, “Everybody comes to the table with their various strengths. I call it girlfriends being there for girlfriends. Each month I come up with a topic such as self esteem or goal setting.” She adds that she gives a homework assignment based on the topic so they can use it in their lives.
The goddess members were involved in every aspect of the program on Saturday, from being workshop leaders to serving food. Among them were a choreographer, a personal trainer, people who work in music, actresses, and a model.
Fraser describes all of the workshops as “pieces of the empowerment puzzle.” Among the workshops were those relating to fitness, beauty, confidence building, self esteem, spirituality, and well being, and there was also a financial freedom seminar that taught basics such as balancing a check book and investing.
The activities on Saturday were innovative and included props and physical activity. The girls involved all had fun.The confidence building seminar engaged the youth in creating commercials about themselves which highlighted the positive. In another seminar, girls created a collage based on their qualities as women.
Personal Trainer Fee King said of her involvement, “I am especially enthusiastic about this event because type 2 Diabetes is an epidemic in African American and Latino communities. It is an epidemic that does not have to be. I am using this platform to be an example and minister to these young people.”
Another member of the Goddess group, Big & Beautiful model Chenese Lewis, loaned her support to the body image workshop. Her emphasis was that real beauty comes from within.
Fraser and Maybelline plan on spreading the Goddess Gatherings to several cities throughout the country.
(Photos copyright Natiya Guin )
Street Kings Movie Review by Crystal A. Johnson
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See more Reviews by Crystal A. Johnson at blkhollywoodnews.com
Keanu Reeves will probably walk back to block bluster glory in his role as a renegade style veteran LAPD cop in Street
Kings. Alongside him is a host of African American celebrity talent including Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, Terry
Crews (Everybody Hates Chris), Cedric the Entertainer, Common, and Naomi Harris (Pirates of Carribean/ 28 days).
The Fox shoot’em up flick has a good shot at reigning as king when it opens at the box office.
The story follows Detective Ludlow in his quest to bring justice while finding himself growing more deeply embroiled in
the ugly inner workings of LAPD. Training Day screenwriter David Ayers directs Street Kings, delivering that same
gritty Los Angeles culture filled with people of different cultures. The film effectively balances plays on the
stereotypical street culture of Blacks, Mexicans and Koreans as plot device then it contrasts stereotypical with
respectable professionals of color. Ayers is not afraid to be real with racial issues as it rears itself in banter. The
director demonstrates virtually from the beginning of the movie when the N-word is used in the dialogue directed
toward a non-Black character.
For a film geared toward the mainstream, it will likely benefit from a hefty African American film market because of the
featured diverse star power. This film also reunites Ayers and Terry Crews who worked together in the film Harsh
Times. This time Ayers decides that he wants Crews to play a prominent but atypical role. Look out for the scene
stealing moments performed by Whitaker. As many jokes as there have been about Reeves’ acting, any actor who has
the opportunity to play opposite the caliber of acting Whitaker offers has their work cut out for them. However, in this
film Whitaker’s delivery is strong but his heavy New York accent choice is distracting. For the record, Reeves has
come a long way baby. His character comes across effectively as a conflicted hardened man with an acute sense of
paranoia. He also has brief but great moments with the beautiful Naome Harris. They emit an underlying tension of
screen chemistry. As for Common’s screen time, don’t go for popcorn because you just might miss him. Yet in his brief
part, clearly Common has a strong relaxed presence on screen.
Street Kings has some predictable areas but it has a whole lot action and twists for the viewer.
Robbie Jones is One to Watch on One Tree Hill
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See article on Black Hollywood News
This season Robbie Jones joined the cast of One Tree Hill. Jones’ presence on-screen is described by some message
board fans as, “good even when he is not talking” while others say, “he is a great addition to the show, adding, “He
strengthens the plot lines and makes you invested in the show.” These are glowing statements for a guy who has only
been in the acting business for three years. The tall, handsome and humble new star was told by a friend a few years
ago that he had a great look. At the time, Robbie was playing minor league basketball. Hoop dreams of NBA success
were the preeminent thoughts on Jones’ mind. Yet, did not forget the complement or the amount of money he was told
he could make doing commercials. When Robbie moved to the Ontario, California-based minor league team, he took
the time, while close to LA, to go out for commercials. He started getting booked consistently for commercials. On the
heels of commercial success, he read for an agent and started getting sent out for acting gigs.
Jones appreciates the opportunity to act on a hit television show. His sentiments on his career change from basketball
to acting, “I have been fortunate enough and blessed enough to pursue two careers that I love. I can’t wait to go to
work.” Acting is a recent passion for Jones but he remembers that Denzel Washington made an indelible mark on him in
his performance in John Q. He recollects seeing the film when he was younger with his mom and then again as an actor,
“When I watched again, I was like, ‘Wow!’ Denzel is phenomenal.” Jones also mentions the influential performance of
Don Cheadle in Hotel Rwanda, and Jamie Foxx in Ray, gave him another appreciation for the art form. Jokingly, he says
that he tries to steal a little bit from Washington, Cheadle and Foxx.
His study of the greats, along with his natural pizzazz is paying off with more Jones filled episodes ordered for the new
season of One Tree Hill. He says the experience of being on One Tree Hill has been great. The off-putting things that
he heard about coming in as the newbie on a long running show were dispelled, stating that the cast and crew to the
executive producer have all embraced him with open arms. When asked about the direction his character seems to be
going, Jones replies, “He seems to be becoming a more integral part of the cast and is really intertwined with a lot of the
main characters storylines. The creator says there are really great things coming up for me.”
Comparing his brazen bad boy character of Quinton to himself as a high school student, there is quite a difference.
Jones describes himself as “pretty studious.” Continuing, “I was an honor student. I was an athlete. You may ask some
people and they may say I was always talking in class but I wasn’t a bad boy.” Jones’ father also taught history and
physical education at his high school. Maybe that played a minor part in keeping him in line. Check out Robbie Jones as
Quinton on One Tree Hill on Tuesday nights on the CW.
Can He?- Election 2008
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By Crystal A. Johnson
Article can be found at blkhollywoodnews.com
Despite Will.i.am’s catchy song and star-studded music video entitled “Yes We Can” which calls for a
change in the nation with now senator, Barak Obama, as President, the question still remains “Can
he?” Can he win? Senator Hillary Clinton changed the tune to a sour note, handing Senator Obama
three losses in Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas on the March 4th election. Her wins officially locking the
candidates in a dead heat. Despite a close race in Texas, Clinton edged out Obama ending his 13
state winning streak. Obama went on to win two more states. Yet, controversies constantly require
the Illinois senator to defend his stand on issues surrounding his race, religion and associations.
Nonetheless, Obama still leads Clinton by a narrow margin. Given his series of dilemmas, will the so-
called “Rock Star” presidential hopeful continue to garner support from Hollywood? Will Oprah make
one more campaign stop in Pennsylvania? Or have the murky waters of racially charged issues begun
to erode the strength of the Obama campaign and alliances?
In February, much of young Hollywood rallied behind Obama. Black Eyed Pea member, Will.i.am
quickly became inspired to write the hit song “Yes We Can.” More than two-million people visited
YouTube, within days, to view the music video. If Obama were to win, would the slogan that inspired
the song become the melodic choice for campaign theme song? Celebs featured in the video include:
Nick Cannon, Common, John Legend, Harold Perrineau, Scarlett Johansson, Aisha Tyler, Tatyana Ali,
Kate Walsh, Herbie Hancock, Tracee Ellis Ross and Obama’s Harvard classmate Hill Harper.
Conversely, in March a tidal wave of sordid politics, a plummeting economy, and escalating gas prices
have all but washed away the sound of the catchy “Yes We Can.” A series of woes erupted, including
the sudden surfacing of photos showing Obama wearing a turban surfaced – inciting speculation
about his faith. In addition, Democratic New York Governor Spitzer resigned due to his involvement
with a prostitute; and no sooner than New York’s 1st African American and legally blind Governor
David Patterson was sworn into office, he admitted to extramarital affairs on the part of him and his
wife. The recordings of the perceivably racist comments by Obama’s pastor, Dr. Jeremiah Wright,
were, also, a significant blow to the campaign. The sparkling image the Democrats had hoped to
present in contrast to the Republican party has become a smeared one, at best. The once confident
sure footing of the Democratic Party has become more and more unstable. Although, Obama leads in
delegates, this is any man or woman’s race. Clinton is not without her share of Hollywood diva power
with Maya Angelou, Victoria Rowell, Cher, Barbara Streisand, and Madonna lending support.
Furthermore, Clinton has begun to lead in Gallup polls. As for John McCain, he is pressing on with
benefit of a Republican united front as he travels the world on foreign matters.
