Taraji P. Henson - Proud Mary | Hennessy Tastemaker Dinner

Last night, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège held a private tastemaker dinner at Zuma in New York City honoring Taraji P. Henson for being a master at her craft and celebrating her role in the upcoming action film, PROUD MARY.

The dinner was hosted by on-air personality Bevy Smith followed by an Q&A session with Taraji P. Henson discussing her first time as a lead in an action movie, female empowerment and much more.

Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails including: Proud Mary Sidecar (Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, Grand Marnier, Fresh Lemon juice), Hitwoman 75(Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, Simple syrup, Fresh Lemon juice, Top with Chandon), Taraji Passion (Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, Lemon juice, Spoonful of Passion fruit Puree) and Hennessy X.O (HennessyX.O, Hand cut Ice)

The dinner featured an exclusive gathering of media personalities and influencers such as Angie Martinez, Tamron Hall and many more!

PROUD MARY which hits theaters Friday, January 12, follows a hit woman (Taraji P. Henson) working for an organized crime family in Boston, who life is turned around when she meets a young boy who path she crossed when a profession goes bad. 

Director: Babak Najafi
Writers: Steve Antin, John Stuart Newman, Christian Swegal
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Neal McDonough, Danny Glover, Xander Berkeley, Billy Brown, Margaret Avery
Producers: Andrea Ajemian, Tai Duncan, Paul Schiff
Executive Producers: Glenn S. Gainor, Taraji P. Henson
Synopsis:
Taraji P. Henson is Mary, a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Mary’s life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes awry.

Justice League (3/4): Review with SPOILERS | DC fans can rejoice, it's their answer to Marvel's Avengers, almost!

Justice League has been the dream DC fans since Avengers' success. With DC's Justice League releasing this Friday, that dream is about to become reality. The anticipation and excitement of comic book fans, movie fans and even non-fans is even higher for this film, since the success of DC's Wonder Woman this summer. The film was kind of a reboot, setting up a new (possible) tone for DC universe. And with Avenger's director Joss Whedon joining the team, the expectations became even higher. The good news is, the film does not completely disappoint. The bad news, it's still fully not what you may expect.

It does not have the same dark tones as 2 previous films (Man of Steel & Batman v Superman). It's funnier, slicker and sightly campier. It tries too hard to play some social justice angles, but for most part it has a decent story, with good execution. The multiple, heroes and multiple characters work, even with their own storylines, setting up followup films. All the actors are brilliant, writing is slick, action is entertaining, comedy is funny and has enough for all comic book & movie fans to rejoice and enjoy.

To summarize, Justice League, does justice to its fans. But does leave more to desire. 

***SPOILERS***

After the events of Batman v Superman, Superman is gone. The world is left in darkness and despair, causing the arrival of a new dark entity, Steppenwolf (this is your typical mega super bad-entity) and his army of Parademons. He wants to enslave the entire world, and he needs 3 cubes, called Mother Boxes (yep, there's always magical cubes involved) for that, which are hidden in Themyscira, Atlantis and somewhere on Earth. Batman has sensed this arrival, and is trying to put a team together, with the help of his new ally, Wonder Woman. His first potential recruit is Aquaman, who's not interested in being part of this, and wants to continue living his loner life on a small Island. Second is the "fast guy" Barry Allen (he's not called The Flash yet), who's a friendless young teenager, a super fan of batman, and super excited to be part of any team (your typical young teenager, who's excited to play with big boys, aka the new Spiderman). Third is half man, half machine - Cyborg, who's trying to understand his new existence, and find a purpose.

After the first box gets snatched away from Amzonians, Wonder Woman aka Diana Prince reaches out to Batman. She tries to persuade Cyborg to join the team, but he's not ready. Even after initial denials, both Cyborg and Aquaman (who also loses the second box from Atlantis) reluctantly join the team. But this new team's first encounter with Steppenwolf makes them realize that they are not really ready for this fight.

Batman suggests that they use the third cube to bring Superman back to life. Even though most other team members to do not agree to the plan, they decide to go along and give it a shot. The plan works, bringing Superman back to life, but he cannot remember much, and starts a fight with the team, assuming them to be his enemies. Superman leaves when Lois arrives, and takes her back to Smallville. The bad news - In this fight, they lose the third box to Steppenwolf as well. Steppenwolf has all the boxes, to destroy the world, and finish his evil plans!

Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and Barry locate the Steppenwolf, to fight him off and recover the boxes. In a grand battle at a nuclear plant location in Eastern Europe, every one seems lost and not capable of standing against Steppenwolf, until Superman arrives. The fight takes a turn as the Justice League is brought together, and fights together like a team!

Here's the breakdown of good, and not-so-good.

The good:

• The tone of the film is definitely different from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which is a relief. It's closer to Wonder Woman, and definitely has Joss Whedon's mark on it. It has comedy, humor and some campy fun tone. But it's still a very Zack Snyder film, with it's dark moments.
• Ben Affleck proves again, that he's a good choice for Batman. It sucks that he's almost ready to drop the mantle, and move on. Hopefully we get one BATMAN solo film with just him.
• Gal Gadot is back as the wonderful Wonder Woman. Not much needed to be said. She rocks!
• Ray Fisher as Cyborg is an unexpected treat. He really brings the complexity of the character, and plays an important role in the film. 
• Jason Momoa is truly digging the role of Aquaman. He's charming, he's hot, he's funny AF and he's just amazing. Let's hope his solo film can carry that tone.
• Even though there's already a FLASH on small screen, who's beloved, Ezra Miller's Barry Allen (he's not called THE FLASH yet) is quite good. He does remind you of the new Spiderman from Captain America: Civil War, but it works. He's excited, he's childish, he's naive, but he's truly FUN!
• The chemistry between Batman and Wonder Woman is impressive. Hopefully we see them in more films together!
• There is some interesting social commentary in the film. From immigration, to racism, to several other HOT social topics.
• The opening scene with Superman is quite a treat, better than Superman in 2 previous films, honestly!
• Great action sequences. It's a joy to watch our favorite Superheroes fight together. The dream of all DC fans, has come true!
• Even better is the Superman's battle with rest of the team. That battle just rocks. Superman against Justice League (kinda!).
• And even cuter, is the Superman's race with Flash. Yes, that's mid credit, so don't miss it!
• And do not miss post credit scene with Lex Luthor and Slade Wilson. Yep, it's pretty cool!!
• Additional mentions:
  • Amber Heard's Meera is really cool. Can't wait to see more!
  • Jeremy Irons is a good Alfred. Yes, he is!
  • Joe Morton as Dr Silas Stone, Cyborg's father. Just wonderful!
  • Ciaran his voice for Steppenwolf. Better than James Spader as Ultron.

Not so good:

• Henry Cavill's Superman still seems stuck in the tone of previous films. It's slightly better, but it's still not the Superman we have grown to love. Will it ever be?
• Lois is mostly wasted. The emotional drama between Clark and Lois is just not very convincing.
• Steppenwolf is not as menacing as you may expect it to be. He doesn't even look great. That's the best they could do. WTF?
• For some fans, the characters may not be developed enough, since we haven't seen all their solo films or know much about them. Specially Cyborg and Aquaman.
• The film seems to try too hard to make some social commentary. Some of it doesn't really fit with the tone of the film overall.
• We don't see result of the race between Superman and The Flash. Why??
• Why waste J.K. Simmons like that? He's such a great actor, and has almost nothing to do.

***SPOILERS END***

Overall, it's an enjoyable film, with great cast, good direction, amazing visuals and many of our favorite superheroes together on the big screen. And it works! Let's just hope that this is a sign of DC on a new path, and it continues in the right direction. And like Justice League, the upcoming films do justice to its fans.

“No justice, no peace” — Baltimore Rising — a new doc directed by “The Wire’s” Sonja Sohn premiering on HBO and HBO NOW on Nov. 20

“No justice, no peace”—these words are still echoing and falling, it seems, on the deaf ears of those charged to "protect and serve" and their indifference and homicidal deeds are repeatedly supported by United States political leaders with intolerance and hatred practiced at the highest level in the political structure of this country.  

Sitting inside the HBO's screening room, I wanted to cry, nay scream but the rising hairs on my arms and the back of my neck told me to hold study.  My heart wasn't just heavy, it was cracking, held together by the flimsy tape of hope—‘how long could this hold?” I pondered.  I could feel hands resting on my shoulder, whispering calming words in my ear. This is how I could watch and re-watch BALTIMORE RISING without howling like a mad woman. 

Directed by Sonja Sohn (one of the stars of the HBO series "The Wire"), BALTIMORE RISING follows activists, police officers, community leaders and gang affiliates, who struggle to hold Baltimore together, even as the homicide rate hits record levels. 

In the wake of the 2015 death of Freddie Gray in police custody, the city of Baltimore was tittering precariously, on the edge.  Despite the number of peaceful protests, the boiling pint was so high that riots erupted in the immediate aftermath of Gray's death, then the city waited to hear the fate of the six police officers involved in the incident.  It was agony felt across the country and it reflected the very deep divisions between authorities and the community - and underscoring the urgent need for reconciliation.

Reconciliation is that even possible? This dire situation has a very long and brutal history and Sohn’s BALTIMORE RISING chronicles the determined efforts of people on all sides who fight for justice and work to make their city better, sometimes coming together in unexpected ways, discovering a common humanity where before they often saw each other only as adversaries.

Among the key figures spotlighted in BALTIMORE RISING are:

Directed by The Wire actor Sonja Sohn, this thought-provoking documentary follows activists, police officers, community leaders and gang affiliates, who struggle to hold Baltimore together, in the wake of Freddie Gray's death, even as the homicide rate hits record levels, and explores how to make change when change is hard.

Commissioner Kevin Davis has led the Baltimore Police Department since 2015. Genard "Shadow" Barr (community leader, former gang member) is an addiction recovery specialist at the Penn-North Recovery Center, where he also helps organize a reentry jobs program for community members.  Adam Jackson (activist) is CEO of the grassroots think-tank Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Dayvon Love (activist), director of public policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle. Lt. Colonel Melvin Russell, chief of the Community Partnership Division, Baltimore Police Department. Dawnyell Taylor (police detective) has been with the Baltimore City Police for more than 16 years. In 2015 and 2016, she was the lead investigator in the Freddie Gray homicide case and testified at the trial of Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., who was charged with Gray's murder. Taylor continues to serve in the police academy in Baltimore.

Amongst those interviewed in the documentary, two young people stood out — Makayla Gilliam-Price (activist) founded the youth justice organization City Bloc as a high school student and Kwame Rose (activist), an artist, writer, musician and public speaker.

Here is a brief excerpt from a chat with  Makayla Gilliam-Price and Kwame Rose.

Lapacazo Sandoval:  Kwame Rose as an activist you are also an artist, writer, musician and have added public speaking.  What has changed since the uprising that followed Freddie Gray's death?

Kwame Rose:  That’s a great question.  The answer is complicated and a bit long, but to sum it up I am learning about how things work from the inside.  I am currently working actually in the office of the Baltimore Mayor, Mayor Catherine Pugh.  

LS:  What about you Makayla Gilliam-Price?  In the documentary, your mother made mention that because of her activism in the community, that you grew up on the front lines of protest, offering that "No justice no peace was your lullaby.” 

Makayla Gilliam-Price: In a lot of ways that’s true.  In the years since filming the documentary, and now I’ve grown up.  I graduated high school and I am attending college.  I am also very involved in organizing the grassroots think-tank Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, and I am learning something new every single day. 

“Baltimore Rising” directed by Sonja Sohn premiering on HBO and HBO NOW on Nov. 20

Jaden Michael is wonderful in Todd Haynes new film, “Wonderstruck”

Actor Jaden Michael plays Jamie, a young boy helping Ben (Oakes Fegley) find his father in
New York City circa 1977 in director Todd Haynes’s terrific new film “Wonderstruck”.
The film made its New York debut at NYFF55 and will open—in select theaters—on October 20.

Already the Oscar buzz is swirling around this charming film and Haynes is back with his past muse Julianne Moore. This film is based on Brian Selznick’s trailblazing debut novel, The
Invention of Hugo Cabret.

“Wonderstruck” it is about a young boy named Ben who longs for the father he has never
known. Set in two different time periods, the film It is also about a girl named Rose, who dreams
of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a
puzzling clue in his mother's room, and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Ben's story is set in 1977 and is told entirely in words, while Rose's story, set fifty years earlier, is told entirely with pictures. The two stories weave back and forth before ultimately coming together. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful–with over 460 pages of original
artwork–Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.
Actor Jaden Michael plays Jamie, an Afro-Latino New York City kid who helps Ben (Oakes
Fegley) navigate the city after he runs away from home. He’s scared, alone, penniless and deaf
a recent event that occurred during a freak thunderstorm.

Young Michael has been acting since he was three years old, appearing in several programs
produced by Nick Jr. and Sesame Street. He’s also lent his unique voice playing
Baby Jaguar in “Dora the Explorer.” He has also appeared in the role of David Diaz in the
feature film "Custody" with Viola Davis and Ellen Burstyn. He also took audiences and critics by surprise playing the role of the young gangster Rafe in "The Get Down”.

Here’s what Jaden Michael has to share about his role in Todd Haynes’s “Wonderstruck”.

Q: Tell me a little bit about your character. He’s an Afro-Latino kid, right?
Jaden Michael: Correct, I play Jamie. His parents are divorced. He lives with his father, in NEw
York City, in the summers. His dad works at the Museum of Natural History and that’s where he
meets Ben (Oakes Fegley) and helps him out with his journey.

Q: Any challenges working on the set?
A: It was easy going. Everyone on set was so close, it was easy going. We bonded so well. It
was like family.

Q: How did you prepare to play a kid of the late ’70’s? The “Get Down” in which you also
played a significant character was
A: I understood what was happening in that time period. You also had a significant role in
“The Get Down” and that musical drama was also set in the 1970s.
(laughing)
Well playing a gangster is much different than my role as Jamie but I actually did my research
on this film [Wonderstruck] as well and I decided to find out more about the culture. I’ve always
thought that if you listen to music it’s easier to find a character. I like listening to music because
it defines who I am. It makes me special….not that kind of special..(jokingly). And so in order for
me to get into my character, I like to listen to music from that time period, if the story is set in
another era. Or if I think this is something the character might listen to. While I was getting my
hair and makeup done, I liked to listen to a lot of 70’s rock and some David Bowie, and other
people like Fleetwood Mac and Denise Williams’s “Free would always kind of click with me
(snapping his fingers).

Wonderstruck - Trailer - Based on Brian Selznick's critically acclaimed novel Ben and Rose are children from two different eras who secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook.

“Wonderstruck” directed by Todd Haynes. The screenplay was written by Brian Selznick, based
on his book. Stars Oakes Fegley, Millicent Simmonds, Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams and
Jaden Michael.