Movie Review: "Maleficent"

I know, I know, I am super late watching "Maleficent." But, truth be told, I wasn't that keen on seeing it. I am not a big fan of Angelina Jolie and I never have been. I've liked a few of her movies, mainly "Salt," Wanted," and "Taking Lives." I also had no clue what "Maleficent" was or about. So, when it came out, I overlooked it. I heard so many great reviews of it that I decided I had to see it.I also read up on the movie. "Maleficent" is actually a different point of view about "Sleeping Beauty." I never heard of the greatest villain knows as Maleficent. I was more than intrigued by this movie. I saw that it would be available via On Demand on November 4th. I spent some time Saturday afternoon watching it. My conclusion is that it is amazing!! I loved it. Angelina was perfect as the villain. Elle Fanning was charming as the princess. Great movie all around. 

I love the cinematography and the acting. It was, to me, A Disney movie reimagined for adults. Most of the movie is really dark in lighting on purpose. I do not see this as a movie for children. I felt so bad for Maleficent during most of this movie. I am always conflicted when I feel for the villain in a movie. But, it just goes to show that the bad guys aren't always inherently bad. And, that we all possess the ability to be good as well as bad. My favorite part of the movie were the final scenes. I enjoyed the fact that the movie did not end the way I thought it would. I love the unexpected when it comes to movies. If you have not seen this movie, I suggest you check it out. It's that good. Get into it: "Maleficent" starring Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning. 

My Poetry Corner XVI: "I Told God"

I was reading my Bible this morning

Romans 8:18-27 and I came across something.
There it was in my signature purple ink
my name alongside yours written across the edge of the page.
I write on everything and this isn't the first time 
I’ve found your name in my books
But, this was different, it was in my Bible.
next to the words of God.
I loved you so much I told God about you
I prayed for you.

I wrote down my feelings about you.
Seeing your name in this sacred place haunts me.
Because how could I be so wrong about a love that felt so right?
I put your name in my Bible along with my thoughts, hopes, & dreams.
Because I thought we were meant to be, supposed to last, that forever kind of love.
We did not and now we are past tense.
Now, I'm sitting here cutting your name of this page
Because it no longer feels like home.
It no longer belongs to me.
I still pray for you.
That’s how I know it was real.

                                    -- Kenda

      

New Music

You guys know I LOVE music. And, there has been a lot of it released in the last few weeks. So, I decided to share some of my faves. All of these songs are off of projects that I am really enjoying. Get into this new music!

Danity Kane "Tell Me"

Kiesza "Piano"

Remy Ma "Always"

Jagged Edge "Love Come Down"

K. Michelle "Maybe I Should Call"

Jessie J "Masterpiece"

Fifth Harmony "Bo$$"

I Know You Care

"That Beyonce' reign just won't let up." Last weekend, it was all about Solange and those gorgeous wedding photos. This weekend, Beyonce' decided to break the internet herself. She did so in the form of a very cutesy video. Her new single is "7/11" and it's on the Platinum edition of "Beyonce'." It comes out next week. Now, truthfully, I have NO clue what the song is about. The lyrics are all over the place. I know it will get me hype if I'm getting ready to go out because it has that kind of feel. But, the beat is dope and feels very much like H-town. What won me over was this video. It looks like it was shot on an iPhone 6s and it is e-very-thing!!! I love how it shows Beyonce' being a carefree Black girl. I am here for it. Get into it below and enjoy!

Black and Natural

Love is indeed the new Black. It is the thing none of us can get enough of. ("Everybody wanna know what my Achilles' heel is. Love I don't get enough of it." -- Shawn Corey Carter) Last Sunday, Solange Knowles got married and pictures were released via Vogue. Those wedding pictures literally shut everything down. It was the only topic of discussion on Twitter that night. The Knowles-Ferguson wedding did indeed #BreakTheInternet. The pictures were breathtakingly beautiful. What I loved the most was Solange's natural hair in her signature afro for her wedding. As a woman who has been natural for over 3 years now, I am totally biased on this subject. I LOVED it. Solange has been a carefree Black girl for years. She does things her way with no apologies. And, that is a sentiment I can get behind. This is actually the second wedding in the last few weeks were the bride's were natural. The other was Demetria Lucas (aka A Belle in Brooklyn). I loved her look for her wedding as well. I never put much thought into wedding day hair. But, I love this trend. I love seeing women being unapologetically themselves, especially on what is dubbed as one of the most important days in one's life.

What I find deplorable is the backlash on social media. I am so glad that I do not follow any of these idiots who thought Solange's hair was ugly or nappy or looked bad. It did not take me long to find the clusters of idiot who had that frame of mind. This was a woman who married her love. It was her wedding day and she did it her way. She, also, slayed effortlessly in every single photo I saw. The sad part is those negative thoughts came from other Black people, mainly Black women. I'm sad to say I wasn't even shocked. The hair that grows naturally out of your head is not bad or wrong or ugly. It's God's work. I was offended on so many levels. This article was written by a Black woman. Why is natural hair such a taboo topic? Why do you care how a woman wears her hair? Her hair, her day, her choice. And, I , for one, am a fan.  Natural hair is not a movement, it's a way of life. Go ahead and accept it. Get into it. 

Complete Fail!!

I already knew that the Lifetime "biopic" "Aaliyah the Princess of R&B" was going to be trash. I knew it when her family objected. I knew it when the original actress Zendaya Coleman dropped out. And, I especially knew it when Wendy Williams was brought in as a producer.  I knew it when Aaliyah's music wasn't allowed to be used. I actually had no intention of watching it. But, I was with friends who insisted on watching the travesty. So, I joined in. Lo and behold, it was even worse than I imagined. It was awful. There wasn't one redeeming quality about the biopic. I wish I could say something nice about it. But there isn't anything to say. The casting was like picking the most random people. The actors hired to play Missy Elliott, R. Kelly, Timbaland, Dame Dash looked nothing like the real people. The also did not speak or act like them. Aside from skin tone, Alexandra Shipp had nothing in common with Aaliyah either. She did not speak, dance, sing, or walk like Aaliyah. The only thing she had sorta right was the hair and it wasn't Aaliyah-esque. This was just a mess from beginning to end. Everyone involved should be ashamed. 

The casting was terrible as was the acting. But, what was the absolute worst was the fact that Lifetime, the producers, and the writers spent an hour of a two hour movie romanticizing the "relationship" between R. Kelly and Aaliyah. I am still disgusted by it. Let us not forget that Aaliyah was a child (15) when she was working with R. Kelly. Everything about that situation was the work of a pedophile.  Everything from the naming of her debut cd "Age Ain't Nuttin But A Number" to him being in the background of the cd cover just feels gross in hindsight. At the time, none of us really knew what was going on. Someone tweeting from the Lifetime Twitter account found nothing wrong with it. The ridiculous tweets are below. The movie was universally panned via Twitter. No one on my timeline liked it. The reviews were just as bad.  No one liked it. The ratings were high because we all watched it. But, reading the tweets about the #AaliyahMovie has all the shade you can handle. Also, #LifetimeBeLike & #LifetimeBiopic  are golden trending topics this weekend. If you did not see it, do yourself a favor and avoid it. I'm still mad I watched. This biopic was a complete and total fail.

Let's Talk About: Influenster

Who doesn't love free things?? This is what drew me to Influenster. I have a decent online presence You can find me here on my blog, on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Pinterest amongst other social sites. I am a social person. And, now I've found a way to be rewarded for this. Ironically, I discovered the site via Twitter a few years ago. I was intrigued by the name, Influenster. So, I had to check it out. I was blown away by the simplicity of it. The way I could use what I was already doing via social media to my advantage. I love getting free things. I mean, who doesn't? 

What Is Influenster? -- Influenster is a free-to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. Influenster creates links between brands and members to reward participation and influence future products.

It is so easy to become an Influenster. Once you sign up, you are eligible to qualify for a Vox Box. You are sent surveys to determine which box would work for you. Once you've been chosen, an email is sent to you. A few days later, a Vox Box appears at your door. You have to check in via the site. Then, dive right into your Vox Box. From there, you have to take the time to use the products. Your reviews are necessary. Influenster wants you to talk about it on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Pinterest). Influenster wants your honest opinions and reviews on all the products. There hasn't been one Vox Box that I haven't totally loved. There are products that I have solely purchased because I received them in a Vox Box. 

 I went to the site to check it out. I read the About section to answer all of my questions. Anything that involves me getting free things works for me. I joined and received my first Vox Box on Christmas Eve a few years ago. I am loving all of the goodies that were inside. Since then, I have received numerous Vox Boxes as well as prize boxes. My favorite Vox Box was the Sugar and Spice one. One of my favorite Vox Box prizes has been the Mega Vox Box. It was full of so many goodies that I still  use. I've reviewed them all before here on my blog.  I love how this program always introduces me to new products that I need in my life.  I cannot wait to see what is in the next Vox Box. Request an Influenster invite today. Influenster is a great program that you all should get into it. 

The Slayage

Solange Knowles married Alan Ferguson in a ceremony yesterday in the Marigny district of New Orleans. It was an all white affair. I'm not big on weddings anymore and I have never been big on color themed parties. None of that matter when the pictures of Solange's wedding hit the Internet. Every photo was more epic than the previous one. I LOVE to see Black people in all white. We look so regal in it. The photos from the wedding are amazing. I love how unconventional all of it appears. Every photo screams Black Excellence. And, how can one not love Black Love?!? It is everything! There are some exclusive photos on Vogue's website. Congratulations to the happy couple!!

 

  

 

Around the E-Streets (XVI)

• Bill Cosby doesn't get that he is no longer seen as the Cosby of yesterday. He decided to challenge Twitter to meme him with the hashtag #Cosbymeme. This article made me laugh. 
• Diem Brown of MTV Real World/Road Rules Challenge fame has died at the age of 32. I always liked her on the shows. She succumbed to her third bout of cancer. 
• This week's episode of "Scandal" was one of the best ever. Olivia got out-Poped by Papa Pope. Things are getting very interesting. 
• Street harassment is a REAL thing. Women are being killed for simply NOT talking to strangers on the street. Where is the justice in that?
• Could someone please get one Piers Morgan all the way out of the paint please? He decided to write an article about the n-word. I won't link to it, but here's a rebuttal article that's worlds better. Here's a clue, Piers, we (Black people), do not need any words from a white man on the subject.

• TIME magazine thinks that the word "feminist" should be banned. It's among a group of words that the writers at TIME thinks are one of the worst words of 2014. There is something inherently wrong with this. 
• I have just gotten into one of the most captivating podcast. It's "Serial." And, it's a week by week look at a murder case. It's so good. 
• BET has made the decision to cancel "106 & Park." The powers that be have decided to move the show into a digital only setting. I don't think this is a good idea. The final televised show will be December 19th. Farewell 106.
• A Minneapolis Superintendent, Ms. Bernadeia Johnson, has implemented a new policy. After learning that Black students are suspended 10 times more often than white children, she decided a change needed to occur. She now "requires that all schools must obtain permission from her office for all non-violent suspensions of non-White students." I think this is a great move. 
• The N.O.P.D. stays messing up. They've been known for it for decades. But, this story of mishandling rape kits, victims and cases is reprehensible.

Not My Moses

Just saw a trailer for ”Exodus Gods and Kings” and got angry again. I totally forgot about this farce of a movie. A movie set in biblical times in Africa with no people of color in prominent roles. What is Hollywood's obsession with white washing all of history? This movie is set in Egypt. Egypt is a country on the continent of Africa. The bones of the first man and woman were found in Africa. Jesus has never, will never be a blond haired, blue eyed white man to me. It's just not possible. Even if you aren't a big believer in religion or the Bible, facts are always facts. I also find it funny that white people want to claim all Biblical people as their own. But, if you tell them that the devil is white, they get upset. No, you cannot pick and choose which ones work for you. There is no way on God's green Earth that I would pay money to sit through this revisionist version of the Bible. It took me almost a decade to watch "The Passion of the Christ" for some of these same reasons. I cannot get behind a tale that people in Egypt are a)not African and b)not Black. Mainly because both of those things are dead wrong. 

There has been a huge push back about this movie via social media. Through the hashtags #BoycottExodusMovie and #NotMyMoses (this was started by Kid Fury of "The Read" which is a great podcast). There is also this Twitter account Boycott Exodus. There is even a Facebook page entitled "Boycott Ridley Scott's Exodus." I hit the like button swiftly. I just do not get Hollywood's obsession with whitewashing everything. They are try to erase our history in front of our faces. In what world are Ramses and Moses white men??? And, Cleopatra is a white woman? No ma’am, no sir. This does not compute, baby. It’s disgusting and unbelievable. Do. Not. Want. This phenomenon of erasing Black people from prominent historical stories is just sad. It's as if the people who have caused the most harm want to pretty up their pasts. It's the exact same thing that is currently happening in schools with the great literary works. Editing books like "Huck Finn" to eliminate the word "nigger" is whitewashing how cruel and sick white people have been historically. Sorry, Satan, but you cannot hide all the dirt that your ancestors have done. Listen, Hollywood, stop the madness. Black people want to see people who look like us on the big screen as well. We want our stories told correctly. One can eliminate an entire race of people who are so important to the overall development of a society. Until that day, I will be sitting any movie out that looks to celebrate whiteness will eliminating any sign of my Blackness. So, on December 12th, do yourself a favor, Boycott "Exodus of Gods and Kings" and we can show Hollywood more than we can tell them. 

On A Tuesday...

1.  I hate when I wake up from a dream don't fully understand. Because it tends to haunt me. I cannot shake the one I had yesterday. It wasn't a nightmare, it was just odd. I don't like it.
2. As a natural fixer and nurturer, it bothers me when I am in a situation when I cannot do that. When the people in my life won't let me do what is as common to me as breathing. But, I am learning that it's not my place to fix everything and everyone. Hard lesson but a much needed one at this phase of my life. 
3. There is something I say to myself every morning. It hurts me to say it but I have to. Even though, there is a part of me that knows it isn't true. I have to say it and make myself believe it. It's needed in order for me to get through to the next phase. This is weird, I know but necessary.
4. Teyana Taylor's "VII" was released last week. It is an R&B hit. I haven't listened to much else. "Business," "Dreams," and "Broken Hearted Girl" are my standout favorites. But, I adore the whole project. Awesome work. Get into it.
5. Rum punch may quite possibly be my favorite thing to drink now. It was my drink of choice this past weekend via the open bar at the surprise party.
   
6. This gif depicts my entire life. Because it is accurate and relevant to so many things. Need. A mighty one. #FixItJesus
7. This grand jury ruling is 95 days too late and they still haven't rendered one yet. The people of Ferguson are bracing for war. I do not believe that Michael Brown will get justice. It's so sad, wrong and pathetic. 
8. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE random compliments, giving and receiving them. Last week in Target, I saw a gorgeous Black woman with the most glorious natural hair and cutest coat. I had to stop her to tell her. Her face lit up. Made us both feel good. Similarly, a Black girl stopped me in the mall to compliment my hair and lipstick. Made my day. And, not for nothing, being told you are dope as fuck or fine as fuck (albeit vulgar) will forever be the best kind of compliments in my book. 
9. Everything is changing. Some things in the right, good direction and for that I am grateful. Other things are fading away. It's sad but necessary. And, I am thankful for those as well. I know that whatever is for me will be mine because God says so. I am staying prayerful. That is all I can do.
10. The itch to cut all of my hair off is real. I love the length it is now. but, I keep seeing fly short natural cuts that I dig. I might have to do something different for my birthday. I'm not sure yet. 

A Moment of Truth

Fears. We all have them. We all live with them or conquer them. But, they are a part of life. My fears have changed since I was a kid. They've gotten bigger and also more specific. My biggest fear is an all encompassing one. It has evolved. My fear is now multifaceted. I fear that I will end up alone and childless. And, even more, I fear that there will never be another man who will look at me and truly see me and love me and more importantly, make the choice to stay while choosing me every day. It's what keeps me up at night. Has for months now. It is the reason why I haven't dated anyone else. I know for a fact that I couldn't survive another heartbreak. So, it's easier to be alone, to cut myself off from people. Because the reality is, I'm the only person who isn't capable of hurting me. It's easier not to feel or engage or pursue those avenues. It's better to stay behind this brick wall I've built back up around me. I'm smart enough to know that this isn't healthy and that my thoughts are a tad bit irrational. But, I'm also smart enough to know that I feel what I feel for a reason. Everything comes back to our personal experiences. 

Family and friends alike have told me that I shouldn't feel this way. Excuse me? No one can tell me how I should feel. And, the reality is that I feel like this. These are my thoughts, my feelings. They are real and they matter. If only because I felt them. I have stopped talking to them about this issue because no one really gets it. And, I don't fault them for it. This is my issue, my concern, my messed up emotional issues. I am praying that one day I'll be able to go to sleep without thinking about this fear. That I will wake up and it will have disappeared. Here's hoping that despair can be replaced with optimism. I do not want the things that have happened to me to determine what will happen for me. That is my definition of hell. My life being a series of reactions instead of actions. I'm way too headstrong and strong willed for that. That's not the woman I am or aspire to be. So, I'm on a journey to defeat this fear and way of thinking. There can only be one outcome: me winning. I am posting this to give myself a mirror to look in. I need to be accountable to myself. I'm ashamed of myself for letting this fear paralyze me. They say if you change your way of thinking, you can change your life. That is my motto now. 

Movie Review: "Gone Girl"

The new movie "Gone Girl" has been out for a few weeks now. I've wanted to see it since the trailers premiered. Finally, after a failed attempt when the film reel was broken, I got to see what all the hype was about. "Gone Girl" was an incredibly diabolical film. the acting was superb. I knew that Ben Affleck would kill it because that is what he does. I'm a fan. But, I was pleasantly surprised by the great job done by Tyler Perry. When he was on the screen, I was transfixed with him and I never once saw Madea which is a great feat. The breakout star is no doubt the actress who portrays Amy Dunne, Ms. Rosamund Pike. She was, hands down, the best person in the whole film. It also stars Neil Diamond Patrick and Swoosie Kurtz. The movie is based on the book by the same name by Gillian Flynn. I am currently reading the book because I was so impressed by the film. 

The premise of the movie is quite simple: missing wife leads to husband being the main suspect. But, nothing in this movie is what it seems. On the morning of Nick and Amy's 5th wedding anniversary, Amy disappears. What ensues after this discovery is a winding trail down the proverbial rabbit hole. I loved all of the twists and turns that this movie took. I never knew what exactly was real or fiction or what was actually going on. But, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. It is not a short movie at 2 hours and 25 minutes but I didn't even realize that much time had passed. The movie was that good. I will definitely see it again and buy it when it comes out on dvd. I recommend anyone who likes a good suspense or murder mystery movie to see this. Get into "Gone Girl."

"Love is the world's infinite mutability; lies, hatred, murder, even are all knit up in it; it is the inevitable blossoming of its opposites, a magnificent rose smelling faintly of blood." -- Tony Kushner, "The Illusion"

Ladies Love Lyrics: JE "Getting Over You"

Jagged Edge is back!!! Finally. these four guys have provided the soundtrack to some very important and specific moments in my life. I am a fan. I also love the combination of them, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael Cox. It's a formula that cannot lose. I was excited to get my hands on "JE Heartbreak II" so that my ears could be happy. I instantly fell for two songs "Future" and "Getting Over You/" One is about seeing your future in the eyes in the one you love while the other represents the opposite end of love, the ending. Both spoke to me for decidedly different reasons. I chose "Getting Over You" because it was more closely related to my current situation. You should def get into the video above, the lyrics below and the cd in its entirety. 

I don't wanna spend, I don't wanna spendThe rest of my life getting ova youI don't wanna spend, I don't wanna spendThe rest of my life getting ova youMy soul I been pouring, I remember that morningYou left with no warning, I need you nowI don't wanna spend, I don't wanna spendThe rest of my life getting ova you, now
From the moment I walked in it was wrong, so wrongYeah and I looked around for a couple seconds andEverything, it was gone, it was gone, it was goneSo many things about ya, it was perfect for meCan't believe all my love has gone awayAnd I'm down in the dumpster, I'm bout to fill this cupBartender, fill me up..."