The Reviews Are In: This Is It!

 

The last documentation of the musical legend Michael Jackson opened Wednesday the 28th and I could not wait to see it. I made plans with my co-workers to go check it out, I knew that it was going to be an experience of great magnitude for me, not only becasuse the King of Pop is no longer with us but also because he passed away two weeks before my grandmother and I felt like I lost my entire childhood within an months time.

I'm sure you would say its odd for me to link my grandma and MJ to my entire childhood but they were very important parts. I spent my summers with my aunt and grandma in Virginia and would have a wonderful time playing with cousins, doing the crossword puzzle and also scoring lemon balls from my grandmas purse during church service. She was pretty much my first playmate and would alwaysa have a time for a game of hide and seek with me in our house. Michael envoked the performer in me, as he did with many kids, he had the coolest videos, the hottest songs, the baddest clothes, and the hugest star power. What was not to love about this man! To this day I don't know many people that were not a fan of this man. His was the first concert I ever went to at 8. I wasn't into anyone else because at that time no one else mattered to me. I can remember performing the Bad concert in my living room to cassette tape while my mom was nearby reading the paper in the dining room. That was the routine most weekends and probably a few weeknights too!

Alas, the final performance is here and I must say....I was completely moved by the documentary that the team put together. It was wonderful to see MJ full of life and being such a wonderful performer. Always the perfectionist he has to get things exactly right for the fans because after all as he says, its all for love. The effects, the time, the details, the dancers; every aspect of the show was wonderful and I know that the London audiences would have been witness to something magnetic, magical and unable to be duplicated by any other artist. Watching the film you didn't see any of the hardships Michael endured whether in his childhood or checkered adult life. He was just a man who was humble, kind, respectful and gracious enough to think of his fans and the world first. He will forever be in our hearts and minds as the greatest and will always be the King of Pop.

Style Files: Fashion Show at Madame X

I did a show for a friend of mine last night at Madame X in Soho. I'd never been to to the location before but I wasn't shocked to see nude photos, red velvety furniture and dark lighting when I arrived. The show was a kickoff to a masquerade party that was being hosted there. The collection was a mostly for the modern, chic bride and psoibbly her court. It was fun and enjoyable and if I do say so myself I love to dress up especilly I bridal dresses.

The snags came way before the show wher the makeup artist who knew she was on a time crunch decides not to show up on time but an hour after she ws supposed to get there. How she thought she was going to do 10 girls makeup in an hour I don't know, this is not splatter paint its makeup! By the time my turn came for the makeup I let her know that i was wearing one of the bridal gowns and she said "ok well then i think we should make you look like a doll!" Let's just say that when she was all done I looked a lot like a qupie doll or the face to the left....all in all not a look I would wear on a daily basis but for show purposes why not. Although it was entertaining riding the subway home after the show and seeing all the looks on peoples faces. Some laughed, some looked away and some stared and with a confused head shake went the other way. Oh well....only in New York right?

First Lady Files: Glamour Covers Michelle

Our beautiful first lady is gracing yet another magazine cover with the new upcoming issue of Glamour Magazine! Oh how do I love thee, First Lady Michelle! She looks open friendly and just enough of a cross between example mom and sexpot. The rich color of her dress brings out the beautiful cocoa color of her skin tone. In the issue, Mrs. Obama answers the viewers questions and give some good sound advice about relationships and what you should really look for.


I adore Michelle. She is a picture of strength, beauty, independence, compassion and responsibility. She is absolutely a role model that young girls should be looking to, especially nowadays. I love that she has put a large emphasis on mentoring girls and women on their worth and power that they have. That message is not projected enough throughout our communities today and its so important for young girls to know that they count, they are worth everything and then some and that they can do more if they just use there heads and sense.

Spotted! Taimak

Coming from a fitting last night in Soho I spotted the former Bruce LeRoy outside a local movie theatre with a date. I immediately noticed him because I had just seen his 'Life After' episode on BET. After all these years he still is easy on the eyes and since he still teaches and parctices martial arts I know his body is still in pristine condition!

Foodie Files: Primehouse New York

Dinner with some co-workers was a great idea when we decided to plop our hides down at Primehouse New York. The decor was very modern but with an old school feel to it, if you can imagine such a thing. The service was great although we did notice that we were the only female entorage in the place. Usually one is accustomed to smaller portions (even if it is a steakhouse) in an upscale restaurant because that is the way it should be. However, here we were pelasently surprised that the portions were actually quite large! Everything from the side table made ceaser salad to the chicken and scallops were of large proportion. How refreshing to see that a restuarant this pricey would actually still serve you an entire entree and not leave half of it in the kitchen.

I reccommend this not budget friendly establishment to have a nice meal and chat it up with your guests. Yes, the restaurant is quiet enough for you to hear your fellow man...or woman.

http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/primehouse_new_york/index.php

The Reviews Are In: Precious

I attended the pre screening of the new movie Precious which is based on the book Push by Sapphire. The film stars 26 year old newcomer, Gabourey Sidibe, as the title character along side comedienne Monique as her abusive mother, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz round out the ensemble. I wasn't sure how they were going to let some parts of the book be portrayed on screen as the material is far past an R rating. This girl is subjected to physical abuse, mental abuse, rape, incest and bullying its almost too much for anyone to take, but she is deals with it all. I was surprised and almost relieved a little that Lee Daniels (director) broke up the harsh bitterness of Precious' experiences with fade outs and scenes of comedy from the supporting cast. The film takes you on this young girls lenghty and difficult journey; there are moments where you feel like these things are happening to you. One of the most heart wrenching moments comes when her mother comes to visit her in a halfway house and she delivers some news about Precious' father.

The breakout performance here has to be Monique's as she sheds her comedic side for this dark, twisted, complicated and unloving woman. I saw that Monique actually stepped up and had true acting ability and dare I say range from the usual loud, brassy, ghetto chic that she is type casted by. I hope that this departure from her comedic roots is an indication of things to come from her. Its completely fine to be a comedienne but there comes a time when you want to throw caution to the wind and show your audience there is more to you than being a one trick pony.

As a not so important side note: Sheree Whitfield from the Real Housewives of Atlanta also attended the screening with her publicist B.J. Coleman in tow (oh how the mighty have fallen, BJ). I wanted to pull her aside and say that not only was her NY debut of She by Sheree seen as a joke, no one here in this city knows who you are and if they do don't care. Atlanta is worlds away from New York there are way more people here with way more money than you who are nameless so you may want to fall in line with them at the back of the line.