Friday, March 30, 2018

The Kathleen 'Battle' Is Won At The Soraya


 
Kathleen Battle

By Darlene Donloe

It was a powerful, emotional, and entertaining evening as soprano extraordinaire, Kathleen Battle, through songs and narratives, transported attendees to another time and place during her Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey performance at The Soraya, the Valley’s Center For The Performing Arts at California State University Northridge.

The Los Angeles premiere of her extraordinary program, which Battle, reportedly, only performs in cities along the actual Underground Railroad, pays homage to the tumultuous journey to freedom many took during slavery. The Underground Railroad was the 19th-century network of safe houses that helped African-Americans to escape from slavery.

Draped in a floor-length black gown – accentuated with a long, pink sash, the regal Battle, who was making her debut at the venue, took the stage, accompanied by pianist Joel A. Martin, the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, interim artistic director Dr. Diane White-Clayton and actress Angela Bassett, who narrated from the works of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth.

Angela Bassett

Battle, who clearly sings from her heart and soul, opened the show with an a capella interpretation of Lord, How Come Me Here?, that set the tone for the evening. It was spine-chilling, gut-wrenching, emotive and memorable.

Before an appreciative crowd that showered her with frequent applause and standing ovations, the affecting five-time Grammy Award-winning soprano commanded a spirit-filled show that focused on a special program of stories and traditional and classic spirituals that included Go Down, Moses, Roll, Jordan, Roll, I’ll Never Turn Back No More, Hush, Wade in the Water, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

The show also included Hold On, Gospel Train, In Bright Mansions, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!, Fix Me, Jesus, I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired, Balm in Gilead, Climbin’ High Mountains and Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Roun’.

“Spirituals have the power to uplift and to heal, and we certainly need that in today’s world,” said Battle. “This is a program, which brings together my musical background and my cultural heritage.”

Framed mid-stage at the piano, the legendary Battle put her exquisite, silky vocals on display, filling the auditorium with drama, sweetness and brilliance.

Battle, who is one of the first Black American women to perform at the world's leading opera houses (La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York), knows her way around a song. She wraps herself inside each note, delivering material that stirs the soul.

Making her debut at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center For The Performing Arts, California State University Northridge, affectionately known as The Soraya, Battle was joined on stage by Bassett whose interpretive readings of the works of Douglass, Tubman, and Truth, was masterful, inspiring and a crowd-pleaser.

“...I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery, than the reading of whole volumes of philosophy on the subject could do.
---Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)
Battle’s pianist, Joel A. Martin, nearly stole the show, showing up and showing out with his impeccable and joyous piano playing. It was clear that he was enjoying his role in the night’s proceedings.

Selected members of the LA-based Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, Ralph Cato, Carolyn Richardson, Erinn Horton, Ralph Pettiford, Jonah Nelson, Marlaina Owens, Evelyn Davis and David Saul Lee, delivered stunning and notable solos.

Going off script, after leaving the stage, Battle returned and gave what can only be described as a “spiritual” a capella rendition of Were You There When They Crucified My Lord. She then stunned the audience by asking if she could quickly rehearse Little David Play On Your Harp with the first and second sopranos because they only had one time to rehearse the song prior to the evening’s show. With her back to the audience and using one hand to find notes on the piano, Battle gently guided the sopranos through their notes until they were ready to perform it before the audience. It was classic, honest and received one of the evening’s most raucous standing ovations.

The evening was capped with Battle, along with the audience, singing a rousing rendition of the Negro National Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing.

Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Kathleen Battle: Underground Railroad – A Spiritual Journey, The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya), 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330, ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org


 

  



Monday, March 26, 2018

Marvel's 'Avengers: Infinity War' Opens April 27


AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

Genre:                                Action-Adventure
U.S. Release date:           April 27, 2018
Directors:                          Anthony and Joe Russo
Producer:                          Kevin Feige                
Executive Producers:      Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Stan Lee
Screenplay by:                 Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely     

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe. 

Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film, which is produced by Kevin Feige. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay. “Avengers: Infinity War” releases in U.S. theaters on April 27, 2018.

MARVEL STUDIOS

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Mary J. Blige Voices Character in Paramount Films' Animated Sequel, 'Sherlock Gnomes'

Mary J. Blige

Paramount Films’ animated sequel SHERLOCK GNOMES, starring Mary J. Blige, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emily Blunt is out in theaters this Friday, March 23! In the film, Gnomeo (voiced by James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) move to a new garden where they discover new adventures, new humans, and new garden gnomes.

Mary’s Character: Mary voices the character of Irene Adler, a porcelain doll who is in control of her dollhouse. Sherlock finds himself needing his once engaged lover's, (Irene, played by Mary J. Blige), help and she winds up showing him what he’s been missing through an outstanding musical performance and original song, ‘Stronger,’ written by Elton John. Irene gets her chance to show her multi-faceted fashion pieces. 


Synopsis: After a string of garden gnome disappearances in London, Gnomeo & Juliet look to legendary detective Sherlock Gnomes to solve the case of their missing friends and family.


Friday, March 16, 2018

"Avengers: Infinity War" In Theaters April 27




Check Out The Trailer:
 https://youtu.be/QwievZ1Tx-8

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

Genre:                                Action-Adventure
U.S. Release date:           April 27, 2018
Directors:                          Anthony and Joe Russo
Producer:                          Kevin Feige                
Executive Producers:      Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Stan Lee
Screenplay by:                 Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely     

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe. 

Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film, which is produced by Kevin Feige. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay. “Avengers: Infinity War” releases in U.S. theaters on April 27, 2018.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac & The Notorius B.I.G. Airs Tuesdays On USA Network



UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC & THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.
Airs on Tuesdays, 10 p.m. on USA Network

EPISODE 3 SYNOPSIS: THE MACK:
“Frustrated by their lack of progress, the Task Force questions Kading's leadership. RHD investigates a bank robbery. Biggie warns Tupac that his new friends are dangerous”

CAST:
Marcc Rose – Tupac Shakur
Wavyy Jonez – The Notorious B.I.G.
Bokeem Woodbine – Officer Daryn Dupree
Josh Duhamel – Detective Greg Kading
Jimmi Simpson – Russell Poole

ABOUT UNSOLVED:
The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. is a scripted true crime serial that chronicles the two major police investigations by LAPD Detective Greg Kading (Josh Duhamel) into the murders of Tupac Shakur (Marcc Rose) and Biggie Smalls (Wavyy Jonez).

Emmy Winner Anthony Hemingway (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) directed the pilot and will executive produce the series, along with Mark Taylor through their Hemingway | Taylor production company. Kyle Long (Suits) wrote the pilot and will also executive produce. Kading, who will also serve as co-executive producer, led multiple law-enforcement task forces investigating the murders and authored the book Murder Rap: The Untold Story of Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur Murder Investigations.

The series also stars Jimmi Simpson (Westworld) as Detective Russell Poole, Bokeem Woodbine (Fargo) as Officer Daryn Dupree, Jamie McShane (Bloodline) as Det. Fred Miller, Brent Sexton (The Killing) as Det. Brian Tyndall, Luke James (Black Nativity) as Sean “Puffy” Combs, Aisha Hinds (Underground) as Biggie Smalls’s mother Voletta Wallace, and Letoya Luckett (Rosewood) as Suge Knight’s estranged wife Sharitha Golden.

Friday, March 9, 2018

DuVernay/Disney "Wrinkle" Is Right On "Time"



By Darlene Donloe

Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time, directed by Ava DuVernay, is out in theaters nationwide today. For fans who are interested in experiencing the film in brilliant Dolby Vision Laser Projection and Dolby Atmos Sound Technology, the place to watch this highly-anticipated fantasy is the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. In addition to the film, audiences who attend a showing at the legendary theatre can view, up close and personal, A Wrinkle In Time costume exhibit, which will be on display for the film's run at the theater. There is also an all-new kaleidoscope curtain show of celestial light and sound.  

It was clear by the audience's reaction at the El Capitan's recent opening night screening of the film, that Disney, DuVernay and the cast have made a magical adventure that children and fans of the book will enjoy.

On the surface, Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time, directed by Ava DuVernay, is a simple story about a little girl who wants desperately to find her father who went missing four years prior.

But, it goes much deeper than that. The little girl, Meg, played by Storm Reid, is an unassuming little girl of color in glasses, who has low self-esteem, endures bullying and whose mission is to conquer the darkness.

Storm Reid and Levi Miller

She’s a smart student who would love to fit in but finds it a bit difficult. Her grades start to fall and she becomes an introvert due to the inability to process why her scientist father (Chris Pine) seemingly abandoned the family.  In reality, he discovered a new planet and used the concept known as tessering to travel there. It takes her baby brother, Charles Wallace, and the help of three celestial beings (Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who, played by Mindy Kaling) to help Meg find herself, her happiness and her place in the world.


Reese Witherspoon and Storm Reid

So Meg, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), a school friend named Calvin (Levi Miller) and the three beings set out on a life-changing adventure to find her father – and in so doing – find Meg’s inner strength.

Oprah Winfrey

Of course, her journey takes her to some dark, evil places.  Meg is met with a wicked source called IT that tries to put a wedge between her and her brother.  To make it back home to Earth, Meg must fight the darkness trying to take over the universe if she wants to save herself, her brother, her father and ultimately – the world.  Traveling through a wrinkling of time and space known as tessering, Meg, her brother and Calvin are transported to worlds beyond their imagination.


Mindy Kaling, Oprah Winfrey, and Reese Witherspoon
Ava DuVernay

DuVernay has assembled an incredible cast.  Reid and Deric McCabe are both a breath of fresh air. Reid holds her own amongst her bigger than life co-stars (Winfrey, Kaling, and Witherspoon).

Fans of the book can let out a sigh of relief.  Madeleine L’Engle’s original story is kept intact.

DuVernay’s vision is BIG!  The visual effects and cinematography are breathtaking. The colors are vivid and dazzling. She creates a gorgeous, emotional fantasy that will surely guarantee gasps, big eyes, various exclamations, smiles, oohs and aahs.

There are lots of life lessons in Wrinkle for both children and adults.


Storm Reid

Give a child the universe….

The best part of this sci-fi adventure/fantasy is its diversity. In fact, while watching the movie – the fact that the film has a colorblind cast, isn’t even an issue.

Kerra Bolton said it best recently on CNN - "The diverse casting in A Wrinkle In Time also takes an important step in normalizing girls and women of color as heroines of our own stories, interested in math and science, and struggling to define ourselves in a world that doesn't always accept us for who we are. The movie presents a vision of female empowerment in which whiteness is no longer the standard."

A Wrinkle In Time, directed by Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Oscar-winner Jennifer Lee, stars Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Pena, Storm Reid, Zach Galifianakis, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, Andre Holland and Chris Pine.

MPAA Rating: PG; Running time: 1 hr. 49 min.


On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah) and E (excellent), A Wrinkle In Time gets an E (excellent).

Photo credit: Disney

Sunday, March 4, 2018

The 90th Annual Academy Awards Winners

The 90th Annual Academy Awards took place tonight at 
the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Jimmy Kimmel returned 
to host the show for the second year in a row. 
Here is a complete list of winners.
BEST PICTURE
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale, Producers
Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri




ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
FRANCES MCDORMAND
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

GARY OLDMAN
Darkest Hour
DIRECTING
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Guillermo del Toro
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG)
REMEMBER ME
from Coco; Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Alexandre Desplat
CINEMATOGRAPHY
BLADE RUNNER 2049
Roger A. Deakins
Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)

GET OUT
Written by Jordan Peele
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
Screenplay by James Ivory
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
THE SILENT CHILD
Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)
HEAVEN IS A TRAFFIC JAM ON THE 405
Frank Stiefel
FILM EDITING
DUNKIRK
Lee Smith
VISUAL EFFECTS
BLADE RUNNER 2049
John Nelson, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert and Richard R. Hoover
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
COCO
Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
DEAR BASKETBALL
Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant
I, Tonya

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

ALLISON JANNEY
I, Tonya
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
A FANTASTIC WOMAN
Chile
PRODUCTION DESIGN
THE SHAPE OF WATER
Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin
SOUND MIXING
DUNKIRK
Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker, and Gary A. Rizzo
SOUND EDITING
DUNKIRK
Richard King and Alex Gibson
DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
ICARUS
Bryan Fogel and Dan Cogan
COSTUME DESIGN
PHANTOM THREAD
Mark Bridges
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
DARKEST HOUR
Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, and Lucy Sibbick
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
SAM ROCKWELL
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri