Monday, August 31, 2015

Book of the Month: (September 2015) - AMERICANAH by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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I'm so excited about this month's book of the month pick. September's choice is by an author who has become one of my favorite literary storytellers. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel, Americanah, is the book pick for September.

Adichie's phenomenal novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, was a previous book of the month pick back in December 2013. Half of a Yellow Sun was an exceptional read. The gift of creating dynamic characters, visual landscapes, saga filled prose written beautifully, quickly catapults Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's books, in my opinion, to classic reads.

Americanah will surely turn out to be another fantastic story that tackles serious issues in a way...that through humor, honesty and rose colored glasses that are ripped away... shed light on reality through a fictional tale that folks should immediately add to their TBR lists.



As always...happy reading.


Synopsis:
One of The New York Times's Ten Best Books of the Year Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction

An NPR "Great Reads" Book, a Chicago Tribune Best Book, a Washington Post Notable Book, a Seattle Times Best Book, an Entertainment Weekly Top Fiction Book, a Newsday Top 10 Book, and a Goodreads Best of the Year pick.
 
A powerful, tender story of race and identity by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun.

Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London.

Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, and reignite their passion—for each other and for their homeland.







HALF of a YELLOW SUN was adapted into a film starring Chiwetel Eiofor and Thandie Newton. Add the movie to your collection.


Horror Legend Wes Craven Passes at 76

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Sunday evening the world learned of the passing of iconic horror writer/director, Wes Craven. Craven died of brain cancer. Wes Craven was the prolific writer and genius mind that bestowed movie fans with horror classics. His legacy lives on with his impressive works as a writer, producer and director with films; A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Scream franchise, Shocker, The Hills Have Eyes, Deadly Blessing, Swamp Thing, Freddy vs. Jason, My Soul to Take, Deadly Friend, The Serpent and the Rainbow, The People Under the Stairs, Vampire in Brooklyn, Cursed, Red Eye and more.  

Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream literally put horror movies back in play at the box office.



Condolences and prayers to Wes Craven's family during this difficult time. He will truly be missed.



Take a look back at a few movie trailers from Wes Craven's iconic works: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Scream (1996), Scream 4 (2010), Shocker (1989), Deadly Friend (1986), Red Eye (2005), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), and Cursed (2005)



















Movie Trailer: CONCUSSION [Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw] In Theaters 12.25.15

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Happy Belated Birthday to Michael Jackson

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Happy Birthday to Michael Jackson. The King of all entertainment would have turned 57 yesterday. As I always say...Michael Jackson not only set the standard in entertainment...he is the standard.

May Michael continue to rest in peace. He is truly missed. His legacy continues to inspire and awe.




Movie Trailer: GOOSEBUMPS In Theaters 10.16.15 [Feature Trailer]

[Video] - The 2015 MTV VMA Awards Air Tonight Live at 9PM on MTV

[Video] - 8.27.15: President Obama Visits New Orleans on the 10-Year Anniversary of Katrina





Full Speech:



[Video] - WDBJ Reporter, Cameraman, Killed on Live Television by Former Co-worker



 So tragic. Sending prayers to the families of the victims.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Movie Trailer: THE WITCH [Horror]

DVR Alert: Jackson Family Reality Show Set to Air on Lifetime

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The sons of Tito Jackson are set to star in a new reality show. Taj, TJ and Taryll Jackson will star in The Jacksons: The Next Generation

The show will premiere 10.2.15 at 10PM on Lifetime. Michael Jackson's children, Prince, Paris and Blanket will make appearances.





Show details via EW:
Episodes will delve into the professional and personal lives of: TJ, the 34-year-old father of four and the legal co-guardian of his uncle Michael’s kids, Prince, Paris and Blanket; Taryll, the 39-year-old father of two with a “very complicated” relationship with his sons’ mother; and the 41-year-old Taj, who is pursuing careers in music and film directing when he’s not defending the family name.



TJ Jackson dated Kim Kardashian back in the day.


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Side Note: In case you didn't know...Taj, TJ and Taryll are the members of the music group, 3T. The siblings had several hit songs and created their own following. Their album, Brotherhood, went triple platinum.

Take a look back at a couple of 3T throwback videos:



 Anything





Why (Duet w/ Michael Jackson)




Box Office Wars: STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON Continues to Slay



The mega hit biopic, Straight Outta Compton continued to light up the weekend box office with stellar numbers. Last weekend's opening pulled in over $57 million. This weekend's estimated tally leaves Straight Outta Compton at the top of the box office charts for a second week, with an estimated $27.6 million in ticket sales. To date, the hip hop biopic has earned $111 million. This film is destined to be quite a contender during the nomination phase of award season.



The highly anticipated horror sequel, (for horror fans) Sinister 2, had a lukewarm opening weekend. The film grossed $10.6 million, grabbing the third box office spot.

Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation continued to perform well with $11.7 million, bringing its four week domestic box office total to $157 million and $280.8 million in foreign box office receipts.

New Video: GOOD FOR YOU By Selena Gomez f/ A$AP Rocky

New Video: BODY ON ME By Rita Ora f/ Chris Brown

Cheating FIles: Hackers Expose Ashely Madison Users



Side Note: The ignorance that folks would use a site for "cheating" in the first place and use their personal work email addresses on top of that, no pun intended, just boggles the mind.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Movie Trailer: VICTOR FRANKENSTEIN [Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy]

Movie Trailer: RIDE ALONG 2 [Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter] In Theaters 1.15.16

Trailer: SCANDAL Season 5 Premieres 9.24.15 on ABC!!!



Side Note: Yaassss...Wine and popcorn will be on deck.

Trailer: EMPIRE Season 2 Premieres 9.23.15 at 9PM on FOX




Can't wait for EMPIRE to return!

[Video] - Kylie Jenner Celebrated her 18th Birthday with Family, Friends and her Bae, Tyga





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THOT Files: Ben Affleck's Former Nanny and Rumored Side Piece Has no Shame





Side Note: This shameless THOT has no sympathy or compassion for the very children she was initially hired to take of. This is as dirty and grimy as you can get.

Fortunately, Christine Ouzounian's 15 minutes of fame will burn out fast.

Interestingly enough...the person Ben Affleck is allegedly seeing on the low low...is someone from his past.

*SipsTea*

Rare Find: Earlier Recording of Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream Speech' Found in North Carolina






Via The Associate Press:
Researchers doing a documentary on of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech have released a recording of the first time he used the 'dream' phrasing during a speech in North Carolina -- eight months before the march in Washington.




Sad News: Civil Rights Icon Julian Bond Passes at age 75

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Iconic civil rights leader, Julian Bond, passed on Saturday at the age of 75. Mr. Bond's contributions and legacy will live on. He was a true leader, a trailblazer and will forever be remembered for his life's work and dedication to the civil rights movement and beyond.

Sending prayers and condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Julian Bond.



Friday, August 7, 2015

[Video] - 8.6.15: Primetime GOP Debate - Top 10 Candidates [FULL]




Donald Trump, Scott Walker, Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and Chris Christie took to the stage for the Primetime GOP debate Thursday night. Debate moderators included Chris Wallace, Megyn Kelly and Bret Baier.

Side Note: The Republican Party is clearly in a disarray. There is no clear leadership in the party and the fact that there are seventeen GOP candidates fighting for the nomination is ridiculous. Actually the fact that Donald Trump is currently the frontrunner in the race to win the Republican Presidential nomination is ludicrous and disturbing at the same time.

In Theaters: THE GIFT [Suspense/Thriller] + FANTASTIC FOUR









Thursday, August 6, 2015

Congrats: Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are Married!





Side Note: So happy for Jennifer Aniston! She also got payback...the trailer for Angelina Jolie
and Brad Pitt's new movie released today, yet, all everyone was talking about today was Jennifer and Justin Theroux's surprise wedding. Bloop!




Movie Trailer: INTERN [Anne Hathaway, Robert DeNiro] In Theaters 9.25.15

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

[Video] - Lenny Kravitz's "Little" Package Made an Appearance During a Live Performance *Tears*

 

(Sorry...To see the uncensored photo or video, you will have to view it on a different website.)

Side Note: I know Lenny Kravitz is short and all...but I thought his fine behind would be packing more than that! Chile... LOL

Movie Trailer: DEADPOOL [Ryan Reynolds] In Theaters 2.12.16 [Red Band Trailer]

[Video] - 8.4.15 - Kelly Osbourne's Out of Pocket Comment on THE VIEW





Side Note: While Kelly Osbourne might not think so...but, her comment was RACIST and IGNORANT...period.



Movie Trailer: ZOOLANDER 2 In Theaters 2.12.16 (Teaser Trailer)

[Video] - Kanye West and Kim Kardashian Visit Caitlyn Jenner

[Video] - 7.14.15: Whoopi Goldberg Changes Mind About Bill Cosby + Cosby Show Co-Star Joseph C. Phillips Speaks





Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Book of the Month: [August 2015] - AN EMBER IN THE ASHES By Sabaa Tahir

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The book of the month pick for August, is a novel I'm extremely hyped and excited about. First of all, the cover is absolutely gorgeous. You might want to purchase the hardcover edition to experience the full effect of how breathtaking the cover is.

I have been hearing such great things about, An Ember in the Ashes, the debut novel by Sabaa Tahir. This is a young adult, sci-fi fantasy that promises to be filled with a dark combustible combination of action, adventure, betrayal, sacrifice, romance and the revelation of what one will do for the ones they love and the lengths the human spirit will go to break free from the ties that bind.

I can't wait to begin reading this month's selection, An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir.



Grab you a copy and as always...happy reading!


F.Y.I: An Ember in the Ashes 2 is expected to release April 26, 2016.

Synopsis:

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.



[Video] - Beyonce Expecting Baby No. 2?

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Is Beyonce pregnant again?

Well, folks have been buzzing about the possibility, after Beyonce was recently spotted in New York with hubby, Jay Z and daughter, Blue Ivy.

Mrs. Carter appears to look as though she could be, however, it might just be the dress and the way she's holding the laptop in front of her tummy.

Only time will tell.

No official word has come from Beyonce's camp.


Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Deny Divorce Reports

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The internet lit up earlier Monday afternoon, after reports surfaced claiming Hollywood power couple, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, were set to quietly divorce. Mainstream media even went with the story.


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However, Will Smith shut those ever present divorce rumors down, by personally taking to his Facebook page to set the record straight.

Good to see the Smiths united and still together.



[Video] - 8.1.15: Family and Friends Say Goodbye to Bobbi Kristina Brown, Leolah Brown Removed from Funeral After Outburst






Condolences to Bobby Brown and their entire family. While there appears to be friction between certain members of the Brown and Houston families, the venom exploded at the most inappropriate time. Bobbi Kristina's aunt, Leolah Brown, was removed from the funeral after an outburst directed toward Pat Houston. Whatever the issues, the funeral was not the place for disruptions. Leolah Brown should have held back her comments until a after Bobbi Kristina's homecoming.