GOOD BLACK NEWS proudly celebrates its fourth anniversary today, with 6,397 Facebook followers, 3,988 Twitter followers, 1,932 Tumblr followers, 653 via Pinterest, and hundreds more via Instagram, Google+, YouTube, WordPress, our RSS feed, and LinkedIn. Although initially launched on March 18, 2010 as a Facebook page (read the detailed story behind GBN’s creation here), in September 2012, GBN created this dedicated website, goodblacknews.org, which has allowed us to expand our presence on the internet and provide archives and search functions to you, our loyal readers.
In the past year, we were greatly honored to receive the 2013 Black Weblog Award for Best Political or News Blog, largely due to the support of our dedicated followers. The outpour of appreciation you’ve shown us via likes, comments, shares, reflags and e-mails means the world to us, and only inspires GBN to keep getting bigger and better. In the coming months, we aim to refresh and revise the look of goodblacknews.org once again to improve mobile access, provide more original content, and (if you sign up for it) a downloadable e-newsletter (this goal got away from us in 2013, but it’s going to be for real this time) with features such as historical spotlights, interviews, film release dates, television listings, and more.
Please keep helping us spread GBN by sharing, liking, re-tweeting and commenting, and consider joining our e-mail list via our “Contact Us” tab on goodblacknews.org. We will only use this list to keep you updated on GBN and send you our upcoming e-newsletter — nothing else. And, of course, you may opt out at any time.
GBN remains a labor of love, and our Founder/Editor-In-Chief (Lori Lakin Hutcherson), Lifestyle/Fashion Editor (Lesa Lakin) and this year’s contributors (Ashanti Hutcherson, Monika Jones, Richard Mar, Jeff Meier, Gabriel Ryder, Minsun Park, Terry Samwick, power stringer Becky Schonbrun, Arro Verse, tech consultant/web genius Andrew Lin) are all unpaid volunteers. We believe in bringing you positive news, reviews and stories of interest about black people all over the world, and greatly value your participation in continuing to build our shared vision.
Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to providing you with more Good Black News in the coming year, and beyond!
Warmly,
The Good Black News Team
Posts tagged as “Lesa Lakin”
In our quest for great music, we didn’t hesitate to add Pharrell Williams‘ latest release GIRL to our must-have list. He is, after all, the man who makes us “Happy.”
GIRL celebrates women in this insightful, sultry, melodically delicious album. Giving the ladies much more than a superficial “I get you” wink, Pharrell lyrically dedicates this album to all the amazing women he’s ever come across, and had me swooning from track one. Listen closely to “Marilyn Monroe” — he celebrates ALL females and all of our differences. In our current climate of technology-based put downs (social media rants) and the ever-increasing desire for perfect beauty, Pharrell thoughtfully doles out the love no matter who you are or what you look like. He wants a different girl… and it’s refreshing.
My personal favorites on the album are “Hunter”, “Come Get It Bae”, “Lost Queen” (I love when he sing/talks on this one), “It Girl” and a fun song with Justin Timberlake called “Brand New” — all great turn-it-up-and-blast songs. There’s something about the smoothness of Pharrell’s voice paired with his incomparable, artistic use of beats, lyrics and vocals that make me want to run, bounce, dance, drive… MOVE! Simply put, this album will make you… yes, I’m saying it again, but in all caps now – HAPPY. Additionally, Alicia Keys lends her vocals to the inspirational track “Know Who You Are.” Great beats for the boys with melodic compliments to empower the girls. This man pleases all while provoking deeper feelings.
And seriously, when I heard there was even a controversy about Pharrell’s choice of cover models (hysteric claims of no brown girls)… I sighed. Who doesn’t know that Pharrell likes brown girls, all girls… and why do we even care what models he chose? Slow your roll haters and get your facts straight — Williams is extremely inclusive. P.S. there is a black model featured.
GIRL is non-stop fun and a timeless keeper which should capture audiences of various ages. I’ve been arguing with my youngest sister for years over who the original Pharrell fan is in the family. She actually tried to claim that she’s loved/known about “Skateboard P.” the longest. It’s pretty cute but I can’t ever let her have this. I’ve been digging Pharrell since, well… I’m not going to date myself. Just trust that Mr. Williams has been making me dance for quite some time and there are no signs of him stopping any time soon.
Oh, and about Pharrell using “GIRL” as the album’s title before everyone starts — yes, of course sometimes calling a woman a “girl” can be condescending and even worse, derogatory. But that’s certainly not Pharrell’s intention here. It’s a fun, inclusive and tender use of the word, and truth be told, I don’t think there is a woman out there who doesn’t want to be somebody’s girl. I’m winking back… thanks, Pharrell.
GIRL by Pharrell Williams – GBN highly recommended
On Trend and On Point
Here at GBN we just can’t resist stylish function and practicality. This Maggy London Illusion Dress does just that. With a sheer neckline and slimming silhouette this take on the little black dress is a great addition to any wardrobe. It’s reasonably priced ad we love that! Check it out: www.maggylondon.com
WHITE HOUSE DOWN Cast: Channing Tatum (John Cale), Jamie Foxx (President Sawyer), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Finnerty), Jason Clarke (Stenz), James Woods (Walker), Richard Jenkins (Raphelson), Joey King (Emily Cale) Directed by: Roland Emmerich Rated: PG-13 Sony Pictures
I figured out pretty quickly how great this movie experience was going to be and it started the second I decided to question the price of my ticket (it seemed a few bucks higher than usual). I confidently uttered to the guy behind the counter as I looked at the digital price board, then at my ticket, and finally at my phone for the correct time: “Hey… isn’t this supposed to be the matinee price?” I was ripe with evidence for a 10 a.m. AMC price battle. But Counter Guy was ready for me – he had that gleam those movie nerds get when they are super excited to share some precious movie nerd information with a movie-going civilian. He told me I was lucky, for I would be seeing the film in… ETX! “Okay… E…T… what? Do I really need that? Is it worth the extra few bucks?” He calmly leaned in and said, “Trust me, if you don’t see White House Down in ETX…you’ll regret it.” (I gave a quick “I doubt that” glance he wisely chose to ignore.) “It’s the enhanced theater experience and totally worth it,” he proclaimed.
The situation made me chuckle and I wasn’t in the mood to haggle anymore. Besides, I was about to miss the previews, not to mention I’d have to wait another 30 minutes to see the non-ETX version. So I was in, and Counter Guy seemed pleased I backed off so quickly. White House Down in ETX… recommended by Brian… and after all that, I’ve got to say, I enjoyed every bit of my enhanced theater experience.
White House Down may be down (ranked #6 this week)… but don’t count it out. This film is downright fun and exactly what I expected it to be – loud, funny and non-sensically entertaining, but in a good way. It’s a summer formula blast-and-laugh movie. Even though it didn’t blow the competition out of the water, if you are willing to go with it and have fun, it certainly delivers. I readily admit that the premise is sort of nuts. Divorced, ex-soldier, capital cop, John Cale (Channing Tatum), scores a Washington favor and gets his politically-obsessed daughter, Emily Cale (Joey King), a trip to accompany him to the White House while he interviews for his dream job of working Secret Service detail for the President (Jamie Foxx). Okay… so maybe that makes sense.
But then he randomly discovers that an old friend (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is doing the interviewing. Okay, I’ll drink the Kool-Aid and buy that coincidence… but where it gets just straight-up preposterous is when Emily decides (after her Dad has lied to her about his chances of really getting the job) to take the White House tour and they run into the President who does a quick “shout out” to Emily’s blog followers and oh, guess what, today is the day that bad guys out-smart everyone and take over the White House. The bad guys’ paramilitary is ridiculously armed and seems to outwit everyone on the White House staff. They take out most of the in-house Secret Service and cops so it’s up to John Kale to save POTUS, his daughter and the world. And oh, did I mention World War III might happen and the bad guys also have missiles? And regardless of ALL THAT… I bit. It’s Popcorn Flick 101 and it’s awesome. The whole cast of White House Down gives some surprisingly memorable performances. In fact, the casting for this film is so spot-on, the actors help you forget that what they are saying really shouldn’t make any sense… but they sell it and it works.
This film doesn’t try to be anything that it isn’t, and you know it the minute the leads hit the screen. Tatum is the “Every Guy” every guy thinks he could be and the guy girls want to believe they can get. He’s got that quiet hunk thing going for him. Foxx is meeker than we are used to seeing on screen, but it works… he’s supposed to be POTUS after all (and despite having to play “Presidential,” he still manages to bring some funny). There is something very clever about teaming seasoned Jamie Foxx with the younger Channing Tatum, and the film offers several throwbacks to Gen-X times. There are pagers, Air Jordans and heck, just blowing up the White House (Independence Day anyone? Which, btw, was also directed by Emmerich) fondly recalls the 90s. But even the blockbuster/comic book film generation can appreciate this one… if they give it a shot.
Although I’m grateful to Brian at AMC, I know the non-ETX version would have captured my fancy just fine, because White House Down is surefire summertime fun.
The Hero (8pm Thursdays, TNT)
Host: Dwayne Johnson
I’ve got to give it to the folks at TNT – it was a smart choice to air a competition reality show hosted by wrestler-turned-movie-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. It’s completely entertaining, mainly because The Rock reminds the viewer very early on, well…that he’s got charisma in spades.
The Hero takes nine contestants and makes them endure physical challenges as well as ethical mind games while attempting to gain enough viewer appeal to be voted into the final where the winner’s pot could reach up to one million dollars. I usually get frustrated with the whole audience voter scenario, but The Hero has thrown in measuring a person’s moral compass, and that makes what the home audience thinks a little more appealing.
On top of jumping, rappelling, crawling, and conquering real fears, the participants have their principles tested with offers of cash on the sly. In other words, the show asks each of them the question: “If no one’s looking, how greedy will you be?” If every contestant selflessly resists the chance to pocket easy money when it’s offered in private, then it all goes into the team pot. The way the money is earned and the challenge scenario is tiered and a bit confusing. Nonetheless it’s easy to grasp that there is a one in nine chance to win up to a million dollars.
James Bond himself doesn’t have to do half the stuff these contestants do. And the casting is genius. They’ve got contestants with serious phobias. One can’t handle heights, another freaks out in the dark…um, hello…you signed up for a show called The Hero hosted by the Rock…and you’ve got phobias? It’s such a fun twist I was sucked into watching human behavior at its rawest.
In a pretty hilarious segment, a female contestant who is terrified of heights is asked to join The Rock atop the roof of a skyscraper. He eagerly awaits her as she chants, “I’m not going to fail … I’m not going to fail.” As she walks up two flights of stairs (yes, only two) to get to him he utters, “You’re not going to fail.” It’s just some stairs and there is railing but she is terrified. She makes it and leaps into the Rock’s bulging , welcoming arms. It’s a terrific human moment. He smiles, hugs and encourages her, but then offers her some money to pocket for herself or put in the pot. A moral dilemma ensues.
It’s a provocative scenario each time it occurs: “You’re broke…here’s some money and you need it… take it or put it in the pot.” As one contestant puts it (I’m paraphrasing here): “These people are not saying no to the money because they are good people. They are saying no because they want to appear to be good for the audience that votes so they will be voted to go to the end and have a chance at a more money.”
All on all, The Hero is a thoroughly watchable show, although I can’t say the title works. Are these people actually heroic? Not really. But Dwayne in all his Rockness and the challenges make for a fun summer series. Set in Panama, I’m not sure they’ll find a “Hero”… but they may just find the ratings.
Reviewed by Lesa Lakin
After Earth
Cast: Will Smith (Cypher), Jaden Smith (Kitai), Sophie Okonedo (Faia), Zoe Kravitz (Senshi) Director: M. Night Shyamalan; Rated: PG-13
After Earth did something I wasn’t expecting… it made me think. Better than I was anticipating, this film isn’t exactly what it seems and I’m glad I saw it with my teenage son, given what this film is really about. After Earth is wearing a carefully marketed disguise. If you are expecting a Smith/Smith epic sci-fi action-packed adventure popcorn flick… well, you get some of that. But actually, at its core the film is a coming-of-age tale about the evolution of a relationship between a career-driven father and his teenage son. It’s about the struggle of a parent and child being forced to find a connection and faith in one another after tragedy and circumstance befall them. All the sci-fi galaxy hoo-ha is just a backdrop.
The movie takes place on a futuristic planet Earth where fearless uber soldier, General Cypher Raige (Will Smith), and his cowardly son, Kitai (played by Smith’s real-life son, Jaden) unexpectedly crash land. Every entity on this planet poses a threat and has evolved to kill humans instinctively. The spaceship’s broken in two and the sole survivors need to recover the tail in order to be rescued. When Cypher discovers he has broken both legs after the crash landing, there is no choice but to rely on Kitai to make this journey alone, which is troubling because he does not possess his father’s lack of fear.
It’s an interesting choice to bench action star Will Smith. He’s flat on his back most of the film. Unlike in most of his sci-fi themed movies, the power of Will is not saving the day. This one’s on Jaden and he needs every bit of his Karate Kid training to trudge through evolved Earth. Cypher can only guide Kitai with his voice throughout the journey to the half of their ship that contains a beacon signal that must be deployed if they are to be rescued. It is the responsibility of a parent to provide his child with the proper tools to do well on his own. But what do you do when you’re a fearless hero and your child is well… not?
After Earth begins with Kitai not making ranger staus. He’s prone to stress, panic attacks and straight-up fear. Okay, so he’s not exactly the super soldier his father is. Cypher possesses the rare skill of being able to shut out fear which makes his enemies unable to see, smell, or locate him. Kitai does not possess this gift. This proves disappointing to Cypher. His mother, Faia, played by Sophie Okonedo, establishes that Kitai has a better relationship with his mother; perhaps some bonding with Dad is in order. This is how Kitai ends up on a business trip with his father Cypher.
But something else is going on between these two which reveals itself in several flashbacks. Kitai had a sister, Senshi (Zoe Kravitz), who was killed by a predator called an Ursa. Senshi, played effortlessly by the delightfully easy-to-watch Zoe Kravitz, gives us a glimpse into what happened to Kitai and why he is so tormented. He blames himself for surviving an Ursa attack that took his sister’s life and he believes his father blames him as well. Thus the theme of family and familial stuff that needs to be worked out progresses.
If I had not seen this film with my own teenaged son, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much as I did. I related to the parent-and-teen tug of war. The film has some cool moments once you let go of the fact that Will Smith is not going to get up and go save his real-life son. It’s all on Jaden, and despite a rocky start (Jaden speaks in an accent I can only describe as, well… not great. It’s supposed to be Australian… I think? It’s so distracting, I thought… uh,oh I can’t sit here. But my son was into the movie and Big Willy always makes me laugh, so I committed to relaxing and enjoying my mother/son time), the Karate Kid training pays off in spades. Jaden shows us his cool footing during climbs, jumps and a really entertaining glide through the air.
After Earth was adventurous for sure. The special effects were fine – nothing “Earth” shattering. Having a teen carry a mega-film is a big ask. Jaden does okay. He gets better as his character evolves; perhaps this is because the character grows closer to the real-life, confident Jaden. It’s very hard even for a second to get past the fact that you are watching Will Smith and his son Jaden. My take is this: because Will Smith is such an action star and Jaden was so definable in the Karate Kid, and they are such a well-known, real-life family, believing these two as space son and Dad was always going to be an automatic hurdle for the audience. If Jaden was any other actor playing against any other actor, maybe I wouldn’t be judging him with a magnifying glass.
All in all, After Earth is not the surefire summer blockbuster we had hoped for, but movie making is tough and the Smiths are entertaining in any form.
Reviewed by Lesa Lakin
Followers who visit our main web page instead of just our feeds may have already noticed that in the past few days, Good Black News has updated and refreshed its look for 2013. For those who haven’t, this is our official announcement not only of our new look, but also the new talent we’ve brought aboard to help bring you more and varied Good Black News. Lesa Lakin has been a contributor to GBN on and off throughout the years, but has only recently had the time to help build and organize our new Lifestyle Section, consisting of Fashion, Food, Travel, Health, Fitness, Home, Hair and Beauty-related news. In the short time she’s been working behind the scenes, Lesa has already helped triple our number of Pinterest followers, which inspired us to broaden our definition of Good Black News to include items on the topics above on a regular basis.
If you want to learn more about Lesa, check out her bio on our About the Editors page, and if you like our new Lifestyle Section, please let us know! Onward and Upward, together.
Lori Lakin Hutcherson, Founder and Editor-In-Chief, Good Black News