Film
Fast & Furious 7 (Trailer)
November 3, 2014
Trailer for the next in the Fast & Furious action series (“Furious 7”). Wow. Almost don’t want to say it, but R.I.P. Paul Walker. This was his last ride with the F&F crew. But what a ride! Enjoy the trailer and get ready for it to hit the screens.
LOTS of great characters – familiar and new. Warning: You will be saying ‘Oh sh!t’ a lot as the trailer plays.
100 Man Fight (The Judd Reid Story) [Trailer]
November 3, 2014
So…this is real? One man trained and took on 100 men, one at a time, for a minute-and-a-half each? That’s crazy, isn’t it. Apparently, the answer to all these questions is…
Judd Reid is the real life karate kid. As a teenager he was selected to go to Japan and train every day for 1000 days under Kyokushin Karate founder Masutatsu Oyama.
Almost 20 years later he won the WKO world heavyweight championship. His attitude was always anything is possible and never give up. Then came the invitation to attempt the 100 man kumite…
Journey to the “100 Man Fight” tells Judd’s incredible story of life long dedication to martial arts and his attempt at the 100 man kumite in the twilight of his fight career. Follow him as he prepares to take on what is considered by many martial arts elders the ultimate challenge of the spirit.
…yes! Peep the trailer above. Hey, remember that Jean Claude Van Damme movie “Bloodsport” (got that ‘kumite kumite’ song in your head now)?
Posted in Film, Lifestyle, Sports, Videos | 
Tags: Journey to the 100 Man Fight, Judd Reid, karate, Kumite, The Judd Reid story | 
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Mark Wahlberg x Michael K. Williams star in “The Gambler” (Movie Trailer)
October 28, 2014
A wise man’s life is based around “f**k you”…
Movie year 2015 is shaping up to be a good one. Now that Michael “Chalky” Williams is freed up (yes, go back and watch the finale season of ‘Boardwalk Empire’ wowww)… he can headline this movie with Mark Wahlberg and a worthy assist from John Goodman (whose character laid out that wisdom above to Wahlberg’s character).
Jim Bennett (Academy Award®-nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Academy Award®-winner Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance…
Posted in Film, Videos | Tags: John Goodman, Mark Wahlberg, Michael K. Williams, The Gambler | No Comments »
Avengers: Age of Ultron (Trailer)
October 27, 2014
Oh hell yeah! If you watched the last ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ episode, you probably saw them tease the next big film coming from the Marvel Universe… “Avengers: Age of Ultron”… and it looks like it’s gonna be that mutha-shut-yo-mouf! Watch the official trailer above.
(But damn… we have to wait until May 2015 for the movie to hit theaters.)
Posted in Action, Film, Videos | Tags: Age of Ultron, Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel | No Comments »
Top Five (Trailer)
October 24, 2014
Written, directed and… well… that’s enough extra duty for a man in his own movie, right? Chris Rock stars in “Top Five” – his story of a comedian going for acceptance as a serious comedian after years of success as a mainstream actor. All-star cast includes Rosario Dawson, Tracy Morgan, Kevin Hart, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Che, and Cedric The Entertainer. Scored by Questlove (of The Roots). Executive produced by Jay Z and Kanye West.
Kevin Durant: The Off Season (Trailer)
October 24, 2014
Straight from a NBA MVP: “This is one of the most important times of the year. This is when we put in the most work…” For Kevin Durant, it’s basketball all day, every day, and he loves it. The rest of it… well, that’s just what comes along with it. All good. In fact, this looks better than good if you are a fan; or just interested in depth perspectives on interesting people. “Kevin Durant: The Off Season” premieres Tuesday, November 4, 2014, at 10 PM EST on HBO.
808 (Trailer)
October 18, 2014
There is a film AND soundtrack that will be dope and will be coming in 2015. ‘The TR-808 is coming…’ (shout to Blastmaster KRS-ONE).
“808” features appearances and commentary from: Arthur Baker, Pharrell, David Guetta, Phil Collins, Lil Jon, Afrika Bambaataa, Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Rick Rubin, Diplo, Goldie and more.
Will Smith To Star in ‘Focus’ (Trailer)
October 16, 2014
“There’s two kinds of people in this world. There’re hammers and nails… You decide which one you wanna be.”
Will Smith is a box office beast! Looks like he’s got another smash showing you why? This “Focus” takes the big-risk-big-rewards-big-fails paradigm and ramps it up to 10. Delicious-looking eye candy / rookie con-artist trying to run Big Willie Style with (or over?) the crew.
Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game.
Citizenfour (Trailer)
October 16, 2014
Ummm yeah, a movie about THAT Edward Snowden.
“Citizenfour” is the never before seen, utterly riveting first-person look at how director Laura Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald first met with whistleblower Edward Snowden in Hong Kong where he gave them documents showing widespread abuses of power by the National Security Administration. It is an unprecedented fly-on-the-wall account of one of the most groundbreaking moments in recent history.
Watch the trailer above and be afraid. Or not. Doesn’t matter because this happened. This is happening…
Director Jason Goldwatch Followed Jay Electronica To The Ends Of The Earth And ‘Into The Light’ (Extended Trailer)
October 14, 2014
An experimental, exploratory film based on Jay Electronica’s journey to the other side of the world; and the worlds therein. It’s called “Into the Light” (due out soon).
Best described as a meditation in un-learning. A movement in seeing without watching, hearing without listening, and the brave exploration of spirit.
Crazy impactful video in the clip above. Whatever it is going to be, it is going to be worth the watch.
Posted in Film, Shots, Videos | Tags: Into the Light, Jason Goldwatch, Jay Electronica | No Comments »
Behind The Scenes: Perspectives Of The Makers Of ‘Time Is Illmatic’ (Mini-Documentary)
October 14, 2014
Whoa! One9 did the ‘Rap City’ logo for BET back in the day? Helluva factoid. And that’s not even the main thing. The main theme: A story of two part-time-gone-full-time filmmakers. It took 10 years, two major meetings, and a bunch of moral victories and sacrifice… but these gentlemen made art they could be proud of… that Nas was proud of!
Hennessy presents an inside look with filmmakers One9 and Erik Parker on their 10-year-journey to make NAS: TIME IS ILLMATIC.
Literally, a long story made short. Two guys take the art from their hearts all the way to the Tribeca Film Festival!
Posted in Film, Hip-Hop, Videos | Tags: Behind The Scenes, Erik Parker, Nas, One9, Time Is Illmatic | 1 Comment »
Kill The Messenger (Trailer)
October 9, 2014
We’re already open about the Freeway Rick Ross documentary about to hit big screens (trailer here). Now… Michael K. Williams giving the ‘Chalky locked down’ look to these fools (“Boardwalk Empire” is some good watching, folks)… playing the King Of Crack! Man what! Jeremy Renner (“The Bourne Legacy,” “Avengers”) co-stars in “Kill The Messenger.”
[Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary] Webb stumbles onto a story which leads to the shady origins of the men who started the crack epidemic on the nation’s streets…and further alleges that the CIA was aware of major dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S., and using the profits to arm rebels fighting in Nicaragua.
Posted in Film, Videos | Tags: Jeremy Renner, Kill The Messenger, Michael K. Williams | No Comments »
Nightcrawler (Trailer)
October 7, 2014
Awww maaannn! As soon as I saw the title on this I figured Marvel had slipped a comic-turned-movie in under the Fall radar. You know, like Nightcrawler from the X-Men series. But nope. It’s an action/drama/thriller about a guy who finally finds his way to make a living; as a freelance video-journalist. BUT… the stuff he captures way before even cops and ambulances get on-scene… it goes too far. And as you’d expect in real life, sh!t gets too real for our hapless [sort of] hero.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling — where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives. In the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story.
Watch how real it gets. And not in any funny way either. I mean, hey, it hits screens this Halloween (October 31, 2014).
– @ojones1
American Sniper (Trailer)
October 4, 2014
A Navy SEAL recounts his military career, which includes more than 150 confirmed kills.
Oh my damn! Alright, Bradley Cooper already showed he had ‘military chops’ as the Faceman TV-to-big-screen “A-Team” movie. But this. No comedy…at all. At least not in trailer above. Cooper has the lead in a tense thriller and real-life story about ‘The Most Lethal Sniper In U.S. History’… the individual and collective life-death struggle that is war. This isn’t a story of good vs. evil; it’s ALL evil with peppered in moments of humanity.
Wow. Watch.
Taken 3 (Trailer)
October 3, 2014
A third “Taken” movie (in theaters January 9, 2015)? Um… okay. As long as it’s good. If it’s good, why not go back to the well for another sip? Looks good.
Liam Neeson returns as ex-covert operative Bryan Mills, whose reconciliation with his ex-wife is tragically cut short when she is brutally murdered. Consumed with rage, and framed for the crime, he goes on the run to evade the relentless pursuit of the CIA, FBI and the police. For one last time, Mills must use his “particular set of skills,†to track down the real killers, exact his unique brand of justice, and protect the only thing that matters to him now – his daughter.
Uh ohhh. This time… they killed wifey??? Coming after baby girl??? Lots of bad guys… are going… TO DIE! Well, Forest Whitaker is going to try to stop him. Ha! GOOD LUCK!
Freeway: Crack In The System (Trailer)
September 25, 2014
Very necessary watching. This trailer teases a provocative tale, but it’s no tale at all. This is the truth: About the onset and onslaught of crack, the ‘drug war’ of the Reagan Era, and everyone involved in starting and perpetuating the crack epidemic (including those supposedly fighting it). Most of all, this is the story of the one who once stood atop it all… Freeway Rick Ross.
At the center of the story stands the reformed King of Crack, Freeway Rick Ross, once just a clever kid from South Central with dreams of becoming the next tennis great and his eyes fixed on the good life. Freeway Rick—not to be confused with the rapper, Rick Ross, who took his name and identity—built a drug empire that spread crack cocaine across the country, ruining millions of lives but profoundly influencing street culture in its wake. The stories of Rick and his “Freeway Boys†inspired the lyrics of N.W.A., Above The Law, and Mix Master Spade, as well as the worlds portrayed in films and video games that dramatize the drug trade.
There is nothing about this film that should not compel you – abuse of power in our government, mass incarceration policies and militarization of police, the spread of gang violence and guns, and the loss of entire generations. Check out the trailer above.
Posted in Film, History, Politics, Videos | Tags: Crack In The System, Freeway - Crack In The System, Freeway Rick Ross | 1 Comment »
VICE Presents The Somali Pirates’ Perspective In ‘Fishing Without Nets’ (Trailer)
September 24, 2014
Okay, “Captain Phillips” you’ve had your say. And, it was a complex story. But the points of view, the heroes and victims, even the nature of the struggle… well, let’s just leave it peace by saying ‘things were askew’ for whatever reasons. Don’t retell your story though. It’s good. Here’s another for your consideration thoughtful movie watchers: “Fishing Without Nets” comes from the pirates’ perspective.
Watch the trailer above. Learn more about the movie, showings schedule, and more at the movie’s VICE Films site (here). And if you are in the Atlanta area, it’ll be on screen at The Plaza Theater (1049 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast), Thursday, October 9, 2014, at 9:30 PM EST. Ticketing and more show info on that here.
Posted in Film, History, Politics, Shots, Travel, Videos | Tags: Abdi, Abdikani Muktar, FISHING WITHOUT NETS | No Comments »
Kingsman: The Secret Service (Trailer)
September 23, 2014
Caught a trailer during the premier airing of “Gotham” (good show; “Scorpion”… awesome show!) last night. It was for “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and it looks incredible! Looks like some X-Men meets James Bond. Recognizable cast members supporting some new faces; with the head bad guy (played by Samuel L. Jackson) saying cool *ish like:
Mankind is a virus… and I’m the cure.
Oh…hell…yeah! Plus, lots and lots of oh-yeah-take-that-and-that bang-bang shoot ’em up rock ’em sock ’em action! Can’t wait for this to hit the big screen in February. Peep the trailer immediately!
– @ojones1
Dice Raw – “Over” (Short Film)
September 22, 2014
New video (well, when a video hits 9 minutes, it’s a short film) “Over” from Dice Raw (of The Roots) off his album “Jimmy’s Back” (out now, linked below).
(Spoiler Alert: We KNOW which cop in this film will be your favorite. Ours, too!)
Posted in Album, Film, Hip-Hop, Videos | Tags: Dice Raw, Jimmy's Back, Jimmy's Back - The New Jim Crow, Over | No Comments »
Kingdoms of Africa: West Africa (Documentary)
September 7, 2014
Incredible BBC Four documentary presentation. Frames West African history as an arc of time and development with timeless elements that exist in culture today as they did centuries earlier. Among the topics woven into this video are matters and practices regarding faith and worship, royalty and society, engineering and architecture, travel and trade, politics and war, and especially the arts are covered. Right from the start, the importance of the arts (including storytelling and recorded history) and craftsmanship as ways of marking time and linking present to past Africa is established.
In Benin, it seems history isn’t written by the victors. It’s written by the artists.
So much good content. Watch and digest thoroughly. This not just African history… this is world history!
People were using pottery here 8,000 years before it appeared in Great Britain… When West Africans began developing the skills that would eventually create some of the most exquisite art in the world, Europe was just emerging from the last Ice Age.
Posted in Film, History, Shots, Television, Travel, Videos | Tags: ancient culture, ancient history, ancient religion, animist, animist religions, BBC, BBC Four, culture, Kingdoms of Africa West Africa, Religion | No Comments »
