Slow Jam Saturday: Will Downing, Anything
One of the best performers in the music industry, Ms. Janet Jackson is currently thrilling fans nationwide on the 2024 leg of her “Together Again” tour. For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to showcase one of my favorite slow songs from her catalog that R&B singer Will Downing covered in 2003. The song “Anything” appeared on Janet’s “Velvet Rope” album.
Kill delivers the bloody action goods
Action fans must not miss the latest action-packed film, “Kill” by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate. It was written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat.
Despite a lengthy run time, Horizon is a successful love letter to the Western genre
Kevin Costner, an Academy Award-winning director, has returned to the Western genre with his directorial work on “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” by Warner Bros. Pictures. Costner stars in the film and co-wrote the script with Jon Baird. The screenplay is based on an original story by Costner, Baird, and Mark Kasdan.
Standard threequel pitfalls aside, MaXXXine ends trilogy decently
Modern-day scream queen Mia Goth and director Ti West reunite for a third film in “MaXXXine” from A24. West also pens the film’s screenplay, which serves as the third installment in the “X” film series and a direct sequel to X. Picking up in 1985 and set in Hollywood, the threequel finds Maxine Minx (Goth) hoping to put the Texas Massacre in her rear view.
Slow Jam Saturday: Luke James, I Want You
Luke James, known for his role in Showtime’s “The Chi” and recent chilling performance in Season 2 of “Them,” has been making waves in the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. He started his career singing background for Tyrese and later formed a duo with his childhood friend Quentin called Luke & Q. The duo was signed to J Records. Still, their debut album was never officially released. After the group split, James went on to write songs for artists like Chris Brown, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber and built a successful solo discography.
Sean Penn & Dakota Johnson shine in the dialogue driven Daddio
First-time writer and director Christy Hall quickly makes her mark in the film “Daddio” from Sony Pictures Classics. As a woman, known only to the audience as Girlie (Dakota Johnson), steps into a yellow taxi at JFK Airport, she is greeted by the unassuming yet friendly taxi driver, Clark (Sean Penn). What begins as a casual exchange of pleasantries soon takes a turn as Girlie, burdened by her recent mistakes, begins to confide in Clark.
Nicole Kidman & Zac Efron’s organic chemistry overshadow clichés in A Family Affair
After a significant hiatus of nearly two decades, director Richard LaGravenes makes a captivating return to the romance genre with his latest film, ‘A Family Affair,’ now available on Netflix. The film, penned by the talented Carrie Solomon, is set in Hollywood’s glitzy and glam-filled world. It weaves a compelling narrative around the life of a young woman named Zara (Joey Ford), who serves as the assistant to Chris Cole (Zac Efron), one of the world’s most renowned movie stars. As their lives intertwine unexpectedly, the story unfolds with a delightful mix of humor and heartwarming moments.
Season 2 of That 90’s Show is a vast improvement
The highly anticipated season 2 of Netflix’s beloved show “That ’90s Show” is finally here, much to the delight of fans. The series, a collaborative effort of original creators Bonnie and Terry Turner and their daughter Lindsey Turner, promises to deliver another nostalgic journey. Showrunner Gregg Mettler, another familiar face, is back to steer the ship.
Concert Review: The Love Hard Tour At Eagle Bank Arena
On Sunday, June 23rd, the Eaglebank Arena in Fairfax, VA, hosted “The Love Hard Tour,” an unforgettable night of love songs and memories. Initially scheduled for spring, the show was postponed to the summer. The Love Hard Tour, brought to you by the Black Promoters Collective, features R&B sensations K. Michelle, Trey Songz, Jaheim, and headliner Keyisha Cole. I’ve enjoyed seeing all of these performers on previous tours. However, given the consistent success and promptness of the promoters at concerts since their formation, I made it a priority to experience this show.
Brats is an engaging tribute to eighties icons homage
Andrew McCarthy, a former ‘Brat Pack’ actor who spent a decade honing his directorial talents in episodic television, now brings his unique perspective to features in the appropriately titled ‘Brats’ from Hulu. The term ‘Brat Pack’ was a standard reference among young movie enthusiasts in the 1980s, first coined by writer David Blum after witnessing a group of young actors being overwhelmed by admirers at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles. The core members of the Brat Pack were often recognized for their appearances in the ensemble casts of two specific films released in 1985: John Hughes’s ‘The Breakfast Club’ and Joel Schumacher’s ‘St. Elmo’s Fire ‘.
Single Review: Ne-Yo, 2 Million Secrets
The R&B maestro, Ne-Yo, triumphantly returns to the music scene with his latest offering, “2 Million Secrets.” This melodious creation, produced by the talented Hitmaka, delves deep into the aftermath of dishonesty and disloyalty in a romantic relationship. Ne-Yo’s poignant lyrics testify to his understanding of the harm caused, making this song a must-listen for any R&B enthusiast.
Second Listen Sunday: Anita Baker, Rhythm of Love
In the realm of music, it is common for even the most accomplished vocalists to draw scrutiny from industry professionals and fans when they deviate from their established style. In this edition of Second Listen Sunday, I aim to revisit the renowned Anita Baker and her fifth album, “Rhythm of Love.”