This documentary about illegal exotic pets in a Harlem apartment block fails to do its extraordinary story justice
When the police responded to an emergency call to an apartment in Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, Harlem, they found Antoine Yates and his pets: an adult male tiger called Ming and a seven-foot alligator called Al. This enigmatic documentary resolutely refuses to answer the key questions: where did he get them? What happened to them after they were confiscated? How bad did the apartment smell? Instead, it takes a baggy, unfocused approach. Yates drives around the neighbourhood, reminiscing about day-to-day routine of tiger care. Then, in an extended and curiously hypnotic sequence, we see an actual tiger in an exact recreation of the apartment. There’s a tension to watching 500 pounds of bored, stressed animal pacing and huffing in the confines of the building. But the poem recited by Icelandic musician Hildur Guðnadóttir,...
When the police responded to an emergency call to an apartment in Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard, Harlem, they found Antoine Yates and his pets: an adult male tiger called Ming and a seven-foot alligator called Al. This enigmatic documentary resolutely refuses to answer the key questions: where did he get them? What happened to them after they were confiscated? How bad did the apartment smell? Instead, it takes a baggy, unfocused approach. Yates drives around the neighbourhood, reminiscing about day-to-day routine of tiger care. Then, in an extended and curiously hypnotic sequence, we see an actual tiger in an exact recreation of the apartment. There’s a tension to watching 500 pounds of bored, stressed animal pacing and huffing in the confines of the building. But the poem recited by Icelandic musician Hildur Guðnadóttir,...
- 7/24/2016
- by Wendy Ide
- The Guardian - Film News
By Anjelica Oswald
Managing Editor
Last year’s Oscar ceremony made history when director Steve McQueen became the first black filmmaker to win for best picture with 12 Years a Slave and Alfonso Cuaron became the first Latin American to win for best director with Gravity. This year’s ceremony could make history as well: Ava DuVernay could become the first black female to be nominated for best director for Selma, and if Angelina Jolie lands a nomination for Unbroken, it will be the first time two women are nominated in the same year.
In 2012, DuVernay became the first black woman to win for best director at the Sundance Film Festival with Middle of Nowhere.
Lee & Low Books found that 99 percent of best director winners are male and 99 percent of best actress winners are white (93 percent of best actor winners are also white).
The lack of diversity at the Oscars does...
Managing Editor
Last year’s Oscar ceremony made history when director Steve McQueen became the first black filmmaker to win for best picture with 12 Years a Slave and Alfonso Cuaron became the first Latin American to win for best director with Gravity. This year’s ceremony could make history as well: Ava DuVernay could become the first black female to be nominated for best director for Selma, and if Angelina Jolie lands a nomination for Unbroken, it will be the first time two women are nominated in the same year.
In 2012, DuVernay became the first black woman to win for best director at the Sundance Film Festival with Middle of Nowhere.
Lee & Low Books found that 99 percent of best director winners are male and 99 percent of best actress winners are white (93 percent of best actor winners are also white).
The lack of diversity at the Oscars does...
- 12/1/2014
- by Anjelica Oswald
- Scott Feinberg
Shirley Clarke’s final feature film emulates the free form style of its subject, legendary jazz musician Ornette Coleman, playfully editing fragments of live performances, interviews and fictionalized visions of the saxophonist’s upbringing with the fervent energy of early MTV music videos. The result is a sort of telegenic collage that allows Ornette to age and mature in stature over the course of decades through performative observation and on screen accolades from colleagues and critics alike. Yet, Coleman’s career has continued to grow and flourish since the release of Ornette: Made in America back in 1985, having even been awarded the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for music for his record Sound Grammar.
From the opening of the film Ornette’s seen being honored, in this case by the mayor of his hometown, Fort Worth, Texas, with a key to the city. It’s a recurring theme. Though at first misunderstood in his local musical community,...
From the opening of the film Ornette’s seen being honored, in this case by the mayor of his hometown, Fort Worth, Texas, with a key to the city. It’s a recurring theme. Though at first misunderstood in his local musical community,...
- 11/11/2014
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Filming has been underway here in New York City for Marvel's 13-episode Netflix series, Daredevil and thanks to a loyal Latino-Review reader ‘GeniusMovieMind’ we were able to obtain some 'exclusive photos' and a short video from the production set.
According to ‘GeniusMovieMind’ the Pa and Grips were telling people that the filming was for a show called "Bluff" and it took place on 115th and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd (or 7th Ave) but the signs were changed so it can read 43rd and 9th Ave.
The video shows a young Matt Murdock screaming “I can’t see” and the photo shows the toxic waste truck and handful of extras.
"Marvel’s Daredevil" follows the journey of Matt Murdock (played by Charlie Cox), who was blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, now fighting against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the super hero...
According to ‘GeniusMovieMind’ the Pa and Grips were telling people that the filming was for a show called "Bluff" and it took place on 115th and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd (or 7th Ave) but the signs were changed so it can read 43rd and 9th Ave.
The video shows a young Matt Murdock screaming “I can’t see” and the photo shows the toxic waste truck and handful of extras.
"Marvel’s Daredevil" follows the journey of Matt Murdock (played by Charlie Cox), who was blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, now fighting against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the super hero...
- 7/9/2014
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Damon Gupton (The Newsroom, Prime Suspect, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) has landed the lead role in AMC’s untitled Richard Lagravenese and Tony Goldwyn project, described as a legal thriller with major political, personal and ethical stakes. It centers on a district attorney named Adam Powell who uncovers new evidence that prompts the reinvestigation of a sensational murder case. Gupton will play Adam Powell (I read that and immediately think of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.). Lagravenese will write and executive produce alongside Goldwyn, who will direct. By the way, Goldwyn plays President Fitzgerald Grant on Shonda Rhimes' Scandal;...
- 9/13/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Wives of Iconic Black LeadersBehind Every Great Man......There is a great woman. These are women who have sometimes sacrificed their personal ambitions not only for their husbands, but for the greater good of us all. As we celebrate Black History Month, we take a look at the women behind some of our most iconic leaders, from Coretta Scott King to Michelle Obama.Betty ShabazzAlso known as Betty X, Betty Shabazz was married to prominent civil rights activist Malcolm X. The two met at a dinner party and Betty was instantly impressed with her future husband. They had six daughters together -- Attallah, Qubilah, Ilyasah, Gamilah, Malikah and Malaak.Betty Shabazzfter her husband's assassination in 1965, Shabazz made a life-changing pilgrimage to Mecca. She earned her doctorate in 1975 and became an associate professor of health sciences at Medgar Evers College in 1976. Throughout her life, Shabazz was an active volunteer with the...
- 2/7/2011
- Essence
The governor-turned-reality-tv-star's new book dives into feminist history-distorting and misunderstanding it every step of the way.
In some ways, it's a good thing that Sarah Palin calls herself a feminist. It means that, even among conservatives, women's equality has become a normative position, the starting point for debate. It means that feminism has gone from something that the right wants to destroy to something it wants to appropriate. That's progress, of a sort.
Related story on The Daily Beast: John Boehner's Tea Party Nightmare
But reading Palin's new book, America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag, it's clear that in order to claim feminism as her own, she's had to radically distort its history. In a chapter on feminism that's sure to be widely discussed, she mischaracterizes the views of nearly every historical feminist she mentions.
Sometimes she does it to defame them, other times to make...
In some ways, it's a good thing that Sarah Palin calls herself a feminist. It means that, even among conservatives, women's equality has become a normative position, the starting point for debate. It means that feminism has gone from something that the right wants to destroy to something it wants to appropriate. That's progress, of a sort.
Related story on The Daily Beast: John Boehner's Tea Party Nightmare
But reading Palin's new book, America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag, it's clear that in order to claim feminism as her own, she's had to radically distort its history. In a chapter on feminism that's sure to be widely discussed, she mischaracterizes the views of nearly every historical feminist she mentions.
Sometimes she does it to defame them, other times to make...
- 11/26/2010
- by Michelle Goldberg
- The Daily Beast
Remember this guy? He was a major player back in the day and, who knows, could be again. The film business doesn’t play by the usual rules. The guy is Monty Ross, Spike Lee’s former Morehouse College mate, and his film producer from the very early days of Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads, through She’s Gotta Have It, to Malcolm X. His last film with Spike was Clockers, and after that they parted ways.
Ross’ resume has been pretty thin since then, producing the cable TV movie Keep The Faith Baby, about Adam Clayton Powell, with Harry Lennix; and in 2008 he directed and produced the low-budget indie, The Book, about a dying man, Seymour Butz (no doubt a play on the name Seymore Butts who’s a well known porn star and filmmaker), who follows his dream to create a book of erotic photography, in...
Ross’ resume has been pretty thin since then, producing the cable TV movie Keep The Faith Baby, about Adam Clayton Powell, with Harry Lennix; and in 2008 he directed and produced the low-budget indie, The Book, about a dying man, Seymour Butz (no doubt a play on the name Seymore Butts who’s a well known porn star and filmmaker), who follows his dream to create a book of erotic photography, in...
- 6/19/2010
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
Earlier this week R&B songstress Kelis was spotted in NYC staying warm by sporting this chinchilla getup. Well once PETA got a look at the photo they decided to send a letter informing her how its not okay to wear animals as coats and ridiculous looking hats.
Well Kelis doesn’t care what PETA represents because she wrote them back and gave those animal saving vegetarians a piece of her mind. Take a look:
There is no humane way to kill anything, let me start there. It’s unfortunate but it’s part of life. With that being said, I would eat pterodactyl if you found some and you told me it was meaty and delicious. And after doing a very minimal amount of research……. I found out that the founder Ingrid Newkirk is completely batty. I had a feeling but she far exceeded my expectations. I mean certifiably insane!
Well Kelis doesn’t care what PETA represents because she wrote them back and gave those animal saving vegetarians a piece of her mind. Take a look:
There is no humane way to kill anything, let me start there. It’s unfortunate but it’s part of life. With that being said, I would eat pterodactyl if you found some and you told me it was meaty and delicious. And after doing a very minimal amount of research……. I found out that the founder Ingrid Newkirk is completely batty. I had a feeling but she far exceeded my expectations. I mean certifiably insane!
- 1/14/2010
- by Porsche Simpson
- ReelLoop.com
By Rahman Dukes
If you ask iconic New York City graffiti artist Phade (better known as Shirt King Phade from the legendary Shirt Kingz) about the current state of hip-hop, he'd more than likely tell you it's alive and breathing and resides in the Bronx, New York.
Whether you agree or disagree, Phade has been around the culture for decades and just like any other passionate hip hop fan is entitled to his opinion. But the difference between Phade and your average fan is Phade has lived the life of a rapper. And his crew, the Shirt Kingz, are his clique.
For those who may not be aware, Phade and the almighty Shirt Kingz carved a name for themselves in hip hop history by hooking up some of the '80s biggest acts with customized clothing. From LL Cool J to Bbd to Biz Markie to Jay-z, you weren't considered...
If you ask iconic New York City graffiti artist Phade (better known as Shirt King Phade from the legendary Shirt Kingz) about the current state of hip-hop, he'd more than likely tell you it's alive and breathing and resides in the Bronx, New York.
Whether you agree or disagree, Phade has been around the culture for decades and just like any other passionate hip hop fan is entitled to his opinion. But the difference between Phade and your average fan is Phade has lived the life of a rapper. And his crew, the Shirt Kingz, are his clique.
For those who may not be aware, Phade and the almighty Shirt Kingz carved a name for themselves in hip hop history by hooking up some of the '80s biggest acts with customized clothing. From LL Cool J to Bbd to Biz Markie to Jay-z, you weren't considered...
- 12/23/2009
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
Producer John Breglio and the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. will bring Broadway uptown for four weeks only with Dreamgirls at the Apollo Theater, prior to the national tour of the new production of the groundbreaking musical. The national tour of Dreamgirls will kick-off at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater (253 West 125 Street) beginning previews Saturday, November 7, 2009, and opening Sunday, November 22, 2009, for 4 weeks only, through Sunday December, 6, 2009.
Dreamgirls is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch. With music direction by Sam Davis, orchestrations by Harold Wheeler, and Vocal Arrangements by David Chase & Cleavant Derricks, Dreamgirls is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions in association with Chunsoo Shin, Jake Productions & Broadway Across America/TBS.
This brand-new production will...
Dreamgirls is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with co-choreography by Shane Sparks, scenic design by Robin Wagner, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and media design by Howard Werner for Lightswitch. With music direction by Sam Davis, orchestrations by Harold Wheeler, and Vocal Arrangements by David Chase & Cleavant Derricks, Dreamgirls is produced by John Breglio for Vienna Waits Productions in association with Chunsoo Shin, Jake Productions & Broadway Across America/TBS.
This brand-new production will...
- 11/4/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
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