Author: Hyentbiz

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When a relationship becomes a Hall of Mirrors, your true self becomes nearly impossible to identify. Surrounded by projections, reflections go from affirming to haunting. It’s often easier to lash out, creating fresh wounds—or reopening existing ones—than to heal. The brutal examination that is Malcolm & Marie is a thing of jagged beauty. The chatter about the film says so much about us, though: “Zendaya doesn’t even look like she’s of age next to John David Washington.” “All they do is argue the whollle tiiiime.” “Did she really think she was cooking?” “It’s 40 minutes too long.” I get the superficial quips and dismissive hot takes. This...

10 February, 2021 /

Today is Janelle James's birthday. I'm sure it already sucked to bring it in during Covid-19, but today has further been marred by the charges (or lack thereof) brought to the officers who killed Louisville Kentucky EMT and essential worker Breonna Taylor. Though there were three officers who fired shots that injured and ultimate killed Taylor, only one officer, Brett Hankison, has been indicted--and not for her murder, but for three counts of "wanton endangerment" for firing so many shots, they could have hurt her neighbors in the next unit. So basically, the possibility of hurting people got one ex-cop...

24 September, 2020 /

By Thembisa S. Mshaka Patriarchy is an attention whore. When men raping and sexually assaulting women is the topic, the survivors are routinely relegated to the shadows, and the men wind up in the spotlight. Whether we see the actual perpetrators, or the men (and the women who love them) rush to defend them, the conversation is diverted to the perp’s well-being. The impact of being accused on them. Their careers. Their families’ rights to privacy and respect. And once the coddling of the offender has been taken care of, the patriarchal gaze turns with condescension to the women who survived....

07 February, 2020 /

There will never be a flawless politician. Politicians gonna politic, pander and polarize. It's what they do. I'm not here to tell you how to vote, so save that for another comment thread. Disclosure: I am a Democrat, but I have supported independent candidates before. I even voted for Sanders in the NY primary. I understand the sting of having your candidate lose. But I also understand what's at stake as we stare directly at the *very* real prospect of a Trump presidency. So I am laying out my 15 point case for the Democratic nominee. Yes. Benghazi. I know. All...

26 July, 2016 /

In 2010, I was tasked with writing a salutatory biography on Prince for the program book that was distributed only to attendees of the 2010 BET Awards in Los Angeles. There was only one problem: no current bio on Prince existed. Because the world knew who Prince was. He had long surpassed the point of needing one. But the award show booklet did. So I opened my journalistic toolbox, and researched 40 years of Prince in all his permutations. Fortunately, I was a rabid Prince fan. This was borne out of being strictly forbidden to adore him as a young girl...

22 April, 2016 /

Maaan, listen. Madonna had a Black Jesus cry blood in “Like A Prayer” as Klan crosses burned on a lawn. [facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/VeronicaMarcheIllustration/videos/750734941728673/" /] Animated Illustration: Veronica Marché Illustration by Veronica Marché . Let Beyoncé comment on half a century of police brutality that still goes woefully, criminally unchecked and completely unjustified. Let Beyoncé pay tribute to her very mixed but clearly Black heritage, one wrought with struggle spun into lace and gold, woven into tracks and braids and thread wraps and crowns, some natural, some that come with receipts. Let her video be narrated by, punctuated by, and elevated by the voices, gyrations, and signifying of queer...

09 February, 2016 /

[caption id="attachment_2047" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Go see it. This weekend. Then see it again.[/caption] 1. Woman Led Story by Woman Writer-Director This combination does not always yield extraordinary results, but with Beyond The Lights, Noni is well served by the words and the actual lens through which these words are supported visually. Noni’s character is flawed, but in the best way possible: the complex, human way that women on film usually have to trade for needy and pathetic, because those attributes are projected onto them by male writers. Noni is suicidal, but not a victim. She is conflicted, but not vapid....

15 November, 2014 /

Oscar night of 2014 was among the most entertaining and well-balanced (for the Oscars, that is) in decades.This year's show made history for people of color on several levels:With the Best Picture Academy Award going to 12 Years A Slave, for the first time ever, a film lensed by a Black director won.The Best Picture win for 12 Years represents the first time a majority cast of color is the primary subject of the winning film.Lupita Nyong’o wins Best Supporting Actress for her searing portrayal of Patsey, bringing the total number of Black women to win an acting Oscar to...

07 March, 2014 /

My blogs about films usually come long after release because I like to talk about what happens in movies—and I want to give readers ample time to see the film before I go in. So if you have yet to see this film, bookmark this post until you see it. Because everyone should see it. I fully understand excusing oneself from this film if you are African American. Why pay to watch a piece of your people’s genocide unfold? My answer is easy: if our ancestors could live it, you can spend two hours watching it. In fact, it’s the...

07 November, 2013 /

[caption id="attachment_1961" align="alignnone" width="225"] Mara talking about what it takes to be a creative warrior.[/caption] Earlier this month, I attended the New York screening of Being Mary Jane, the latest project from accomplished show creator, screenwriter and producer Mara Brock Akil. You may know her name from the credits of the shows she created: Girlfriends, now a cult classic and a history-making show that ran for 8 seasons; and The Game, another history-making series that garnered 7.7 million viewers on its premiere night when it was reborn on BET—the most viewers for a sitcom premiere in cable history. She also wrote...

26 June, 2013 /

I am humbled and extremely excited to announce the world premiere of my first film to receive festival love: The Divorce Counselor! I want to acknowledge my gifted co-writer Tmor of Comic Diversity, my amazing co-producer Jamaal C. Lewis, my crew, and the incredibly talented cast, without whom the film could not have happened. If you are in Los Angeles for the Grammys, my first screening is the night before so do consider joining me! From my e-blast:Thembisa Mshaka can now add filmmaker to her impressive entertainment resume: her short film "The Divorce Counselor", which she wrote, produced and directed will...

07 February, 2013 /

I saw Quentin Tarantino's new one last night. More like experienced it. I purposely blocked out any reviews so I could watch it with as little chatter in the background as possible. Tarantino makes controversial films. He draws equal praise and ire--just depends on who you ask. Hate him or love him, he's a bold visionary. I am not one for gore or bloodbaths but when it comes to much of Tarantino's work, I just can't look away. See: Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, and Inglorious Basterds.  So when I learned Tarantino was bringing his pen and eye to a film with a freed slave...

01 January, 2013 /

With Honey Jam Founder Ebonnie Rowe I am on a bit of a womanist spiritual high. I just returned from the gorgeous island of Barbados as the guest of the US Embassy and Ebonnie Rowe, Founder and CEO of Honey Jam. I was honored to serve as the keynote presenter for the Honey Jam Conference and Showcase, in its second year on the island. Ebonnie has produced Honey Jam Canada for close to 20 years, discovering Nelly Furtado in the process--among many other women artists of note. Honey Jam Barbados 2012 continues in the rich, naturally sweet Honey Jam tradition of...

26 November, 2012 /

Aurora, Colorado is now known around the world after the massacre that took place at a midnight premiere screening of Dark Knight Rises this morning. James Egan Holmes, age 24, dressed in protective gear from ballistic helmet to bulletproof vest, groin and throat protectors—and armed with not one or even two but four firearms—released tear gas on a moviegoing audience and proceeded to open fire on them as the film played. Currently, 58 injuries and 12 fatalities have been reported. Among the victims are a six year-old child and a three month old infant. I join the world in its shock,...

20 July, 2012 /

I attended the New York premiere of Think Like A Man (Screen Gems) earlier this month. I've been processing the film on many levels: as a woman in a committed relationship (I just celebrated 15 years of marriage to this comedian named Tmor on April 13); as a filmmaker and creative producer of color (yes--the 'of color' part matters), and as a consumer who loves a great moviegoing experience. I'm not one to rave about films; I have my jaded insider moments just like most entertainment industry insiders. Because I know what's possible from a creative standpoint, my expectations are high--and because...

17 April, 2012 /

Burger King is touting its new menu with celebrity ads featuring late night host Jay Leno, actor and director Salma Hayek, soccer icon David Beckham, and Mary J. Blige, the Grammy(r) winning Queen of Hip Hop Soul. The campaign centers around several new items including: a strawberry-banana smoothie, a garden fresh chicken salad, fried chicken strips, and a 3-cheese (again fried) chicken wrap with lettuce. I'm posting all three spots here so you can watch them and then, I will break down 5 ways Mary got played, and how Burger King missed the mark. Here's Mary's (it was blocked on YouTube): http://www.directlyrics.com/mary-j-blige-sings-heart-out-for-buger-king-news.html Leno...

03 April, 2012 /

Whitney Elizabeth Houston 1963-2012 One of my sheroes died on Saturday. I could not just blog about it the day it happened. I could barely think; I was pretty numb at the news. I was in an elevator and a woman said, “you hear that Whitney Houston died? Isn’t that sad?” It is beyond sad. For me, it was beyond comprehension, even after the valley we saw her fall into so publicly. Because she had clawed her way back. Put some weight on. Dropped a platinum album in 2009.  Divorced Bobby Brown. Shot the remake of Sparkle. Toxicity seemed to be shrinking in...

15 February, 2012 /

Etta James January 25, 1938 - January 20, 2012 Just five days before her 74th birthday, music icon Etta James has passed on. After battling multiple illnesses and the demons of addiction, leukemia and its complications took her body. But her spirit, her voice, will be with us forever through a catalog that spans 5 decades and every genre of music: blues, jazz, pop, soul, R&B, even hip-hop. Jamesetta Hawkins was born in Los Angeles, but discovered in San Francisco, becoming a star on the Chess records roster in the '50s. Her Bay Area roots intersected with mine in 1989, when a green,...

20 January, 2012 /

Congratulations to the Carters! BeyonJay are the proud parents of a healthy, happy baby girl, Blue Ivy Carter, born Saturday January 7th, 2012 at Lenox Hill Hospital under heavy security, complete with a secret getaway to evade the papps!I like their steez on this one. Sure, they are both public figures, but this is a very private moment for their family and it is also their to keep private where possible. The two were very generous to reveal the name so soon, and to disclose how Beyoncé delivered her daughter in a joint statement. Honestly, how a woman delivers her child...

10 January, 2012 /