The Entertainment of Life

Well 3 1/2 weeks ago, Thursday at 10pm on NBC (Channel 3 in Cleveland, OH) Hannibal: The Beginning premiered. Hannibal: The Beginning is an awesome show! OMG the suspense of it and the characters are so well developed. Its so thrilling and captivating. Here's the breakdown of the show:

Basic Synopsis

It follows the investigations of FBI agent Jack Crawford (along with his team) and his cases involving some of the most sadistic serial killers in the country. Crawford is unable to understand the reasoning behind these killings and cannot create a full on profile of the killers. So he enlists the help of Will Graham a tenure professor and excellent criminal analyst. Crawford is unsure of Will and is certain because of his [Will's] keen ability to understand these monstrous killers that Will himself will become a killer. To ensure that Will is able to stay on the straight and narrow Crawford seeks the help of a brilliant psychiatrist named Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Dr. Lecter is very good in his chosen profession but in his spare time he's a serial killer and cannibal.

Cast & Crew of Hannibal Lecter

My Review

This show is new and fresh. Even though its intense and creepy I can't stop watching it! It's a very captivating thrilling show. At first I thought the show was going to focus on Hannibal's killings. But it doesn't and I was really shocked by that. The cases that these FBI agents and criminal analysts investigate are absolutely crazy. The very first episode was about a man who was upset that he was losing his daughter so he began kidnapping girls around her age, mounting them on deer antlers and eating them. Yes, you heard me right EATING THEM! I couldn't believe it. My mouth dropped open when I saw this show. Then there's another scene where Dr. Lecter has stolen the lungs of a 19 year old girl and has them out on a cutting board cutting them up and sauteing them then eating them. Ugh...just thinking about it makes me gag!



It was a gory and in your face. I can't stop watching. I want to know if they ever find out about Hannibal or Hannibal is priming Will to turn into a serial killer or if Will figures out that Hannibal is a sadistic killer? So many questions and minimal answers for now!

Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter

Mads Mikkelsen's Hannibal and Anthony Hopkins Hannibal are two completely different people. Hopkins Hannibal Lecter is creepy from the start. He gives his creep factor up immediately. His look, the way he talks EVERYTHING! Mikkelsen's Hannibal can pass for normal which is extremely scary. He's obviously highly intelligent but its the look in his eyes that gives him away. He's creepy because of the way he operates. Cutting up human hearts and human liver like its normal and savoring every bite. It gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter

The cast of the show is awesome too! Lawrence Fishburne (CSI, What's Love Got to Do With It) Gillian Anderson (X-Files, The Last King of Scotland), Hugh Dancy (David Copperfield, Ella Enchanted, King Arthur) and Mads Mikkelsen (The Three Musketeers, Clash of the Titans, The Hunt), all these big Hollywood names and more should attract you to watch! NBC has cancelled several shows and every now and then they get it right! Hannibal and Revolution are my favorite new TV shows. NBC has ordered a second season of both and I am so excited.


Watch Hannibal on NBC on Thursdays @ 10pm.

Well they've released the track list for the Great Gatsby motion picture soundtrack and Beyoncé has covered an Amy Winehouse song. She and Andre' 3000 have created a remake of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black (the song). In the video below is a small snippet of the cover it lasts for the first 37 seconds of the trailer.



The Track list is As Follows:

1. 100$ Bill – Jay-Z
2. Back To Black – Beyoncé x André 3000
3. Bang Bang – will.i.am
4. A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) – Fergie + Q Tip + GoonRock
5. Young And Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
6. Love Is The Drug – Bryan Ferry with The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
7. Over The Love – Florence + The Machine
8. Where The Wind Blows – Coco O. of Quadron
9. Crazy in Love – Emeli Sandé and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
10. Together – The xx
11. Hearts A Mess – Gotye
12. Love Is Blindness – Jack White
13. Into the Past – Nero
14. Kill and Run – Sia

Jay-Z did a good job. He mixed genres and artists to create a roster of music that suits the movie as well as the movie goers. Hats off to you Mr. Carter!

Back to Black by Beyoncé and Andre 3000, I'm not mad at their rendition. I'm glad that its different and not the exact song verbatim. They tweaked it and it sounds fitting for the people involved as well as the movie. So I can admit when I was wrong.

Dear Mr. Perry,

I'm a huge fan. I have all your movies (well the ones I liked, LOL) and ALL of your plays. I was and still am a consistent supporter of yours. I was glad when your plays were running consistently, every 6 to 8 months there was new play coming out. They always had a serious issue that black people didn't discuss, issues like drugs, sexual molestation, abuse (both physical and mental), prostitution, rape, etc. You rounded out the plays with God, love, and acceptance. They always had great symmetry, a great message, and they were HILARIOUS.

Now that you have gone mainstream things have changed, drastically. First off lets talk about your TV shows. At first I loved them. Tyler Perry's House of Payne was like watching the black version of All in the Family. It was funny and tackled serious issues that plagued black families: divorce, drugs, infidelity and more. But after a while the show started change. The fluidity of the show was off extremely. On TBS House Payne would show 2 new episodes every week on Wednesday at 9 and 9:30 pm. You would think that the story lines between the two episodes would match. Not so. It just seemed like things were unfinished. For all you nay sayers out there let me clarify one thing I know there were several story lines going on at one time on the show but that doesn't mean each story can't be explained and understood before you move on to the next. It was a difficult show to follow sometimes because each of the story lines with the characters were not finished, he would just move on like it never happened. If it wasn't a big storyline like Calvin getting shot or Jeannine's drug problem then it was over looked and buried.

Now lets get into the movies. I wasn't on top of the world in love with the movies. I thought that you would keep the funny aspect of the plays in the movies and you didn't. The movies were very serious, even the ones with Madea in them. The humor wasn't on point like the plays. And I get it plays and movies have to play out differently, but it just seems like the movie adaptation of the plays lost a lot of its charm and humor. Another reason I'm not in love with your movies is the way they transition from scene to scene. A movie has to have fluidity. Each scene has to move seamlessly to the next and I don't feel like your movies do that.

I'm saying all this because. 1 - Your the big man on campus now and there is no reason why your films or TV shows aren't getting better. 2 - Most directors have taken up film in school or have learned from directors how to properly direct a film. They have perfected their craft on the highest level. Whats wrong with you doing the same? You can make amazing films with powerful messages that would reach a bigger audience and it would dominate the market. 3 - If I was in your shoes Tyler I wouldn't direct my own films and TV shows. I would choose one and focus on it. It seems like your spreading yourself very thin. You can hire an awesome director and still have the final say so on how the movie comes across and how you are being portrayed.

Again let me say, I love you Tyler Perry. I think that you are very talented and your ability to touch people through TV shows, movies, and plays is uniquely you. I just want and expect better from you. Your fan base will begin to dwindle and you lose a lot of people who have supported you simply because you have not evolved. 13 movies under your belt and they all run the same. Woman is severely damaged, a man with a good heart comes in and shows her real love. The only movie to me that was different from the norm was Daddy's Little Girls. It had a great storyline, it explained everything. Nothing was left in air.

I'm not be any means down grading you Tyler Perry, I'm just speaking my mind.

I haven't had the chance to see the movie Temptation yet. But I decided to read some of my peer reviews as well as some professional critics. For the most part the reviews were not good. Most people didn't like the way characters were portrayed. Others were upset at how the movie was soap opera like and didn't have any substance. They felt as if the twists and turns of the movie were very predictable and nothing about it was an Aha! or Oh Ish! moment.

Not everyone is going to like what you do but if I were you, I would take into consideration what is being said about my movies and TV shows. Then I would at least try to fix the things that were critiqued that can be fixed.

Good Luck Mr. Tyler Perry on all your future projects and even you though you may never read this letter, just know that this came from love and not hatred.

Sincerely A Loyal Fan,

- Tiffany E.

Fantasia gets a lot of flack for her personal choices but her music speaks for itself. It seems lately like the trend for music is to take it back to the 90s and 80s style. This new song Lose to Win is great. Its a slow groove with a mild uptempo beat. Fantasia's voice is very unique and not all music would mesh right with her voice. But in this case who ever produced the track really took the time to find the music that really complimented her. I absolutely love the song and wish Ms. Tasia, LOL the best of luck.


Below is the video of Lose to Win, Enjoy!





Next Up is J Cole!

Rap artist J. Cole has finally dropped a new single. Sometime last year he dropped a single called Miss America (which was amazing by the way!) and I didn't hear anything else from him since. I was shopping around the net last night and came across this new song by J. Cole called Power Trip feat Miguel. This duo did well with Miguel's single All I Want Is You, so it seems natural for them to work together again. Well Power Trip is a great mash up of the two worlds. J. Cole comes in hard with a crucial beat and his signature lyrical satire, but then Miguel's part comes around its like an RnB song begins. The tempo slows a little and Miguel serenades all over the chorus. Its a great representation of both worlds, genres, and artists. So without further ado one of my favorite rappers...J Cole!

Listen to Power Trip and Miss America below!

J. Cole's Sophomore album "Born Sinner" is Coming Soon!








Next is John Legend!

John Legend is one of my favorite RnB/Soul artists. His voice is so smooth and there is no singer like him. I have every album he's ever made to this day can play them all in succession from beginning to end without stopping. Sampling Ms. Jean Knight's mega hit Mr. Big Stuff, Who Do We Think We Are is an instant hit. The song has a slow groove feel to with a hard heavy beat at its core. Rick Ross adds a great hip hop element to the song. The changes of the song paired with its creativity works. Again I'm a major fan of John Legend's music and I think he so incredibly talented beyond what he's given credit for.

Well click the player below to listen to John Legend's Who Do We Think We Are feat Rick Ross.



Then there was Fabolous!

I was a big fan of Fabolous. He debuted when I was in high school. After a while I just stopped listening to him. Doesn't mean I didn't like his music anymore or that I wasn't into him. I just simply stopped listening to him. But I did do some research about him and I found out that he was releasing a lot of mixtapes over the last couple of years. His new single was released in the mainstream. The single is called Ready feat Chris Brown (good choice for a feat, Chris Brown's new single Fine China is running up the charts and he's always a hot commodity). Initially the song is really good Chris Brown singing on the hook music fits and then Fabolous comes in for the verse and its...I don't know not my cup of tea. Im just going off what I hear and what I hear aint good! Chris Brown really makes this song. Without him it would suck INDEFINITELY. Honestly I could do without it and if Chris Brown had've had this song and just featured Fabolous it would be a instant hit. Im just not feeling it. Anyway listen for yourself

Ready feat Chris Brown



Finally Ms. India.Arie

India.Arie is what people would call a Neo-Soul artist. The kind of stuff you would hear at those coffee shop open mic nights, Spoken Word Clubs or a Poetry House. India.Arie is known her hits like Video, Brown Skin, I Am Not My Hair, Theres Hope, and Get It Together. Now her new single in quite some time is called Cocoa Butter. The reemergence of her and her music has sparked some controversy because of the single's cover art. Its rumored that Ms Arie proud advocate of brown skin has bleached her skin. However I believe it is simply the lighting and photoshop that makes her appear to lightened her skin. Anyway Cocoa Butter is alright. Its right along the lines of her music heavy bass, semi-up beat, sultry music. Its nothing different what she normally sings and I like it. Listen for yourself and tell me what you think! Cocoa Butter by India.Arie.




Source: MusicPlayOn.com

For well over a year it has been announced to that two of the most influential people in America would be collaborating on 2 projects. And the projects have been announced and described in detail via Deadline.com. 

Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey are working together to bring to brand 2 new series to the OWN network, "The Haves and the Have Nots" and "Love They Neighbor". Here is the description of the two series via Deadline.com:

THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS 

From prolific writer, director, producer Tyler Perry, “The Haves and the Have Nots” is a new television drama which follows the complicated dynamic between the rich and powerful Cryer family and the hired help who work in their opulent mansion set in Savannah, Georgia.  From the outside, the Cryer’s are the enviable face of success and wealth, but behind the veil, the family’s dysfunction threatens to destroy their world of privilege. Cryer family patriarch Jim Cryer (John Schneider, “Dukes of Hazzard”) is a powerful judge whose double-life, including tawdry affairs with high-priced escorts, puts his family and political ambitions at risk.  His wife, Katheryn Cryer (Renée Lawless, “Wicked”), is the ultimate matriarch portraying a loving and dutiful wife, but she is willing to do anything to protect her family’s status.  Their son Wyatt (Aaron O’Connell) is a troubled angry jock who cares little for his own image and finds himself in and out of rehab.  His sister Amanda (Jacyln Betham), a struggling law student, tries harder to live up to her parents’ expectations, but unknowingly has befriended a scurrilous young woman, Candace Young, with the power to ruin the entire family.  Hanna Young (Crystal Fox) is the Cryer’s maid and the matriarch of her family. Despite having no money, she has found other types of wealth through religion and virtue.  She prides herself on her dutiful son Benny (Tyler Lepley), the glue who helps keep the family together.  Hanna does have one dark secret, however, her estranged daughter Candace (Tika Sumpter, “Gossip Girl”) — a manipulative opportunist who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. In a bizarre coincidence, Candace is shocked to find out that her newfound friend Amanda’s father is Jim Cryer, the very man who has been paying her for sex and who also employs Candace’s mother as his family’s maid.   Armed with this knowledge, the dramatic stage is set for what will be, in Candace’s eyes, the opportunity of a lifetime.  Other characters in the series include the Cryer’s chef Celine (Eva Tamargo, “Passions”), their wealthy friends Veronica (Angela Robinson) and David Harrington (Peter Parros) and son Wyatt’s rehabilitation counselor, Jeffery Harrington (Gavin Houston).  “The Haves and the Have Nots” is produced for OWN by Tyler Perry Studios.  It is created, written, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry.

Airs Tuesdays from 9-10 p.m. beginning May 28

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR 

Written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry, “Love Thy Neighbor” is a half-hour comedy set at The Love Train Diner a family run restaurant where every day the menu serves up good food, great laughs, valuable life lessons and a whole lot of love.  Diner owner and feisty family matriarch Hattie Mae Love (Patrice Lovely, “A Madea Christmas”) has her hands full not only managing her customers but her family drama, too.  Her daughter Linda (Kendra C. Johnson, “Phat Girlz”) splits her time between Hattie’s home and the apartment she shares with her philandering husband.  Linda’s son Danny (Andre Hall, “Goodbye LA”), a recent college grad, moves into a bachelor pad with his best friend Sam (Jonathan Chase, “Chemistry”) and lands a job at a hot internet design firm.  He quickly establishes himself as a rising star…that’s when he’s not distracted by Sam’s hard-partying ways and their beautiful co-workers Marianna (Zulay Henao, “The Fighter”) and Drew (Darmirra Brunson, “Sunset Junction”).  Meanwhile, Uncle Floyd (Palmer Williams, “House of Payne”) is an ever-present thorn in the Love family’s side.  Like old luggage, they can never seem to get rid of him.  “Love Thy Neighbor” is produced for OWN by Tyler Perry Studios. It is created, written, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry.

Airs Wednesdays from 9-10 p.m. on May 29; two back-to-back half-hour episodes

There has been a surge of songwriters becoming artists within the last 8 years. Of course these people were not the first but they surely were a part of this major boom. Ne-Yo would have to be one of the biggest of them all to start from song writing to actual performances. He was the first to my recollection of the singer/songwriter surge (just to be clear he wasn't the first singer/songwriter ever but as I said there was a surge in the music industry and he was at the forefront) to be a mega star coming from behind the scenes to the stage. Other artists like Sean Garrett, Ryan Leslie, Keri Hilson, and now the man of the hour Luke James.

Luke James is a singer/songwriter from New Orleans, LA. Luke James has written mega hits for major music industry stars. You might've heard them on the radio: Crawl performed by Chris Brown, Kill the Lights performed by Britney Spears, and That Should Be Me performed by Justin Bieber (Keri Hilson & Brandy included). He was also selected by Beyonce to appear in her Run the World video and be the opening act on her recent Who Run the World Tour.

Luke James has a soulful sultry approach to his performances and music. Its a very sexy and almost hypnotic feeling when you hear him sing (at least it is to me;). His voice is smooth and very soothing. I crave that in an R&B artist. The thing that sets Luke James apart from the R&B in music today is that he knows when to croon and when to bellow. What do I mean by that you ask? Well I'll tell you, LOL. In the song I Want You, to me that is a power song and a ballad all in one. He croons during the verse and bellows during the chorus. Its very strong and even though its a love song it still has the strength and power of his voice behind. No one and I mean NO ONE can sing that song the way he did. There was feeling behind that song. Luke James knows how to the balance between being a crooner and a power singer. I find that to be extremely AWESOME!

Luke James is one of the best R&B artists to date. He's my top 5 fave artists of the last 2 years and I have bought every single he's come out with and I went and found his mix tape Made to Love and this free album Whispers in the Dark. Here why don't you listen for yourself:


See! I told you!!! I'm just going to leave you with the music and videos you can listen and judge for yourself. I'm casting my vote he's an awesome singer, very good looking, and I can't get enough of his music! Luke James has several singles out: I.O.U., I Want You, and Make Love To Me.



All of Luke James' singles are available on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play!
I have posted both mixtapes here in my blog. Check them out for yourselves!


Sources: last.fm and datpiff.com

Comedies of 2013 

Lol, let get started with a movie I really want to see and can't wait till it comes out This Is the End:

As the world unravels outside, dwindling supplies and cabin fever threaten to tear apart the friendships inside.  Eventually, they are forced to leave the house, facing their fate and the true meaning of friendship and redemption.

Release Date:  June 14th, 2013

Kevin Hart's Let Me Explain:



Next up is Pain and Gain:






Rating: PG-13 (Strong Parental Guidance)
Release Date: July 12, 2013


There are some action/adventure/fantasy films out for this year such as G.I. Joe: Retaliation & Oz the Great and Powerful. There are several other films coming out this year that I am particularly interested in.

Starting with The Wolverine:




Rating: Not Yet Rated
Release Date: July 26, 2013

Next Up 2 Guns:




Of Course Iron Man 3:





And then there was Kick-Ass 2:

"The Great Gatsby" follows Fitzgerald-like, would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby, and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy, and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.

Crazy, right? If you like movies that have a strong since of thriller, twist, intrigue, love, lust, pain, heartache, manipulation, and sex appeal then the Great Gatsby is your movie!!!! I'm definitely going to see this movie. It looks like something that would captivate me all the way through! 

Rating: PG-13 or R (I'm not sure will update soon)
Release Date: May 10, 2013

Amy Winehouse

The Great Gatsby in May 10. 2013

Beyonce at the Premiere of Her Documentary Life Is a Dream

Chris Brown's Single Fine China is available now on iTunes!

Source: Youtube.com