Nina Simone Biopic Outrage

"It is rumored that Zoe Saldana will portray Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic" said a story from the Huffington Post.

Judging by the response to this story and my Facebook timeline, the community is quite off put by Saldana's selection.  I will agree that Saldana looks nothing like Simone but, as far as how much actors resemble real life people, sometimes Hollywood gets it right and sometimes they don't. I recall several years ago when the movie "Cadillac Records" was release and Beyoncé portrayed the iconic Etta James. Now as far as every image of Etta I have ever seem goes, she was heavy, little cute round thing. How in the world did Beyoncé's "in the gym every day," "dance through several world tours," body seem to fit the bill? I was so confused. 

This makes me think that this uproar is not about how much Saldana resembles Simone and more about the fact that Saldana is of a lighter hue than Simone. Although Bey and James are not similar looking, they are similar in skin tone. I wonder...

I'm actually not at all surprised by the actions of those in Hollywood. I'm more surprised by the actions of my peers. We already know that Hollywood does not care about how Black women are portrayed in film. The most logical action seems to stop expecting them to do so. I'm actually just kind of glad Nina Simone is even getting a biopic regardless of who is cast, but that's just me.

My Birthday: 22

I'm officially old, 22. College is over. I pay rent and UTILITIES. Welcome to adulthood. I hate every moment of it. I have not had the best experience with birthdays past. That coupled with the fact that I feel old and like I was hoodwinked into becoming an adult has been making me feel really crappy and grumpy lately.

Yesterday, however, I took some time out of responsibility and just treated my self. I started at the salon, mani, pedi, eyebrows, which were growing to the side of my face. That spa was heaven. How I wish I could live that way all the time. My feet would certainly thank me.

I tried a new color. I usually stick to neutrals but it's my birthday. 

I also went to see a new movie, Total Recall, with my good friend Natalie. It was good. It reminded me of the Bourne Trilogy, except futuristic, magnetic cars, robot police, all that stuff. I haven't seen the original but I do know it's not true to the original story. Some critics said that it's only better than the original because of the fancy special effects. It's not a "must see" but I enjoyed it.

Then I went to one of my favorite restaurants, Legal Seafood, for dinner. I had the stuffed jumbo shrimp. Oh. em. gee. delicious. The service was phenomenal. Then Natalie surprised me with cupcakes from Red Velvet Cupcakery. Their frosting -- which can make or break a cupcake -- is amazing.

My birthday treat from Legal Seafood,
 ice cream balls covered in chocolate. 

Overall, a great birthday.

My Apologies... No excuses

The last eight weeks have been insane. I graduated from Howard University in May. It was a wonderful celebration. Lots of family and friends. I have been looking for a new job (I got one; more on that later) and I am preparing to move. But since school is over, yay, I should be blogging much more regularly.

I'm starting my summer series again, Dee's Reads, my summer reading challenge to read a book a week has begun again. I will be updating the page every week. Also, my movie review series will also resume. There are some potential block busters coming this summer including: Brave, The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-Man, etc.

I also began my position as an editorial assistant for Forbes Magazine Washington Bureau. Most exciting thing I've ever done. Mostly, my responsibility is to do research for stories my boss writes. I also help edit some of the stories from my department's section, investing, of the web site. It's just wonderful.

I have some great things planned. Stay tuned!

Out and About: Happy Feet 2/ The Muppets

I'm back at it, movies every weekend. I love it.

I saw Happy Feet 2 two weeks ago. Let me just put it out there now, no I have no children. No, I didn't take anyone's children. My grown self went to go see Happy Feet 2 and I loved every second of it. Judge me. I'm really just a big kid who is now forced to go to work and take care of herself but a kid none-the-less.

The gist is Mumble and Gloria have a baby named Eric. Just like his father he struggles to fit in with his peers; so, he runs away. Mumble goes after him and while they're gone, Gloria and the other penguins get trapped by an iceberg. Mumble and Eric, who have a very rocky relationship, have to work together to save everyone.

It was soooo very cute. I would highly recommend it to anyone, of any age.

Last weekend, I went to go see The Muppets. Let me preface by saying, I love Miss Piggy, like its not healthy. It's two steps from being as bad as my love for Emma Watson. She was her usual hilarious self.

It's a beautiful modern spin on a classic. After being separated for years, The Muppets reunite to save their old theatre from an oil baron. They did this funny thing where they talked like they knew it was a movie. I must admit though, I wasn't expecting nor did I enjoy all the musical numbers. It was a bit much for me. Four stars

My girl, Miss Piggy. I love her attitude, spunk, and  confidence. 

Out and About: Footloose

Y'all know I treat myself to movies whenever I get a chance. There is a movei theatre right behind my apartment building now so, I'm there quite often now. Last weekend, I went to see "Footloose."

Overall, I give it 3.5 stars. It had an awesome soundtrack and of course, lots of high energy dance routines.

The plot was pretty predictable, not only because its a remake but just because it was. Self-destructive girl, meets misunderstood guy, they take over the world-- a little town called Bomont, Ga.-- together. Its a cute, little feel-good film.

Movies: Columbiana

AWESOME! That is all.

Great film staring Zoe Saldana. Its all about revenge and a vengeance of the dead. It took me two weeks to go see it because I was concerned that it wouldn't live up to the hype but I was wrong, very wrong. 

Columbiana is full of twists and turns that you never see coming. The characters are amazing. I stalled because I wasn't sure that a action packed, blow things up, kill people movie was going to showcase Saldana's talent very well.

I truly enjoyed it. 4.5 Stars

Out and About: Crazy Stupid Love

So, lately I have been going to the movies every weekend. It's like my personal treat to myself after putting up with both of my jobs all week.

This week I saw Crazy Stupid Love, a rom com starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone. It was hilarious and super cute. Steve Carell plays a character who desperately wants to repair his broken marriage but is looking for help in all the wrong places. He just can't seem to catch a break.

The acting was superb. It was a great way to end/start the week, depending on how you see it.

The End of an Era

I went to go see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 today before work. Best. Movie. Ever. 

It was so hard knowing that this was the end. There are no more books and no more movies. Daniel, Emma, and Rupert did amazing as their last moments as Harry, Hermione, and Ron. I cried several times.

David Yates did a fantastic job translating Rowling's book to the screen. Naturally, some parts had to be left out but the best parts all made it. The was a wonderful way to say goodbye to my childhood. The next step for me is to go visit the Wizarding World of Hary Potter, the Universal Studios theme park in Orlando. My whole family is going in August as my graduation trip. Y'all do you I graduate on May 12, 2011... anyway, I digress. It was a great film. Check it out if you get a chance.

My 3D glasses from the show. They look like Harry's!