Movie Review: Just Wright

So, after I announced on @Twitter that I was going to see Just Wright, I was asked to live tweet my reactions. But I took the position that I wanted every one to see this movie, so I refrained in order to give it a fair chance. I’ll pass my opinion here.

My folks asked me to answer two questions…could Queen Latifah realistically pull off a straight role, and was Common physically believeable in a real basketball player role? I like Queen Latifah – really like her. She’s our Queen and a hip hop legend with diverse talents and the drive to bring success to all her entrepreneurial Pam Greer plays her mom. Latifah’s Leslie plays almost stepsister to Paula Patton’s, Morgan-$traight Golddiggin. Textbook.

Latifah may choose whatever lifestyle she does in real life, but she’s a good enough actress to touch that ugly duckling bone in my body.  In this particular scene when her mother (Greer) passed her up to wear the lucky family jewels, there was a tinge in my heart. Phylisha Rashad brought sweet mother moments, a contrast from a more pushy – grab yourself a husband, Pam Greer.

Image Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Once Paula Patton’s Morgan lands the baller, she quickly sheed her admitted weaves for a natural bobb and charity events. You want to like her, but the superficial shallowness is way too much. Shopping and landing in celebrity magazines is top priority.

All of Common’s cuteness can’t save his acting. Queen Latifah takes careful study of her patient’s injury and applies tough love when depressiom from lost love and the threat of a lost contract. You almost believe the love that blossoms between the two after a sweet walk in the rain brings down a cold on QL. Scott McKnight pushes himself onthe court and the two share a precious tender moment in his private room. Which we find out to be a piano room. Who would have imagined? They shared a love for jazz.

The movie shifts back to bball and more sideways shots of Common against obviously larger players – Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard and the like! A note for women that don’t really follow basketball, Guards will usually be between 6 feet and 6 feet 6 inches tall. Lonnie Rashid Lynn, a.k.a. Common stands at 6-1.

Image Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Here’s a clip:

The love expanded as he surprised Leslie with a private jazz dinner and an even jazzier refurbished cherised vehicle.

Image Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

But things go south soon after, when Morgan returns to collect the spoils of her former lovers’ resurgence.  Common falls for the pretty face. But will true love prevail?

I’ll let the movie speak for itself. My verdict….go support black cinema. Go see Common stretch.

Glamsquad Remixx ~ Reception for SATC 2 Exclusive DC Premier

Sex and the City is a cultural phenomenon that has descended on the atmosphere with the Thursday, May 27th 2010 release of the film.

Last night, I had the pleasure to attend “The Glam Squad Remixx,” for a food, fashion, and fun event, which took place in Atlanta and Charlotte in addition to the District at Clyde’s Chinatown location. Shout out to my Girl  eLle Grant (right) for hooking me up with an opportunity to see the movie.

It was an excellent event celebrating fashion and beauty hosted by celebrity blogger, Natasha Eubanks (below) of TheYBF.com

TheYBF.com partnered with Liquid Soul Media along with the film company to host this private screening. Tickets were so popular that the limited number were snatched up from the YBF website within a minute of the promotion being released. Talk about a strong readership and eager fans.

Attendees were issued bracelets indicating which SATC character they most identified with. Personally, I’m mostly Samantha with a mix of Miranda and Carrie. There’s only a smidgen of Charlotte in me. If I’d have to choose one, I’d say Samantha, my foulmouthed hooligan self. Interestingly enough, the Facebook quiz has me down for a  Miranda. I guess it’s the all business, no nonsense part of me.

Guests drank SATC inspired cocktails, ate cupcakes, and saw stunning fashions. I enjoyed the event because I saw some familiar faces, like Joi-Marie McKenzie who also covered the event for her blog, DCFab. View the article on TheFabEmpire.com

Here are some more pictures from the night.

Make up artists Tia and Maggie

Check for Tia’s bag. To Die For!

Liquid Soul Media is an award-winning lifestyle marketing agency providing strategic direction, planning, development, and creative design. LSM also places and manages advertisements and marketing campaigns for clients seeking to increase brand loyalty, reinforce brand awareness, enhance product satisfaction, and gather valuable marketing research from niche market segments. More information
about the company can be found online at www.liquidsoulmedia.com

Shea Yaleen – A Picture of Persistence and Success

I met Rahama Wright, President of Shea Yaleen, a few years ago at a networking event put on by the DC National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). Actually it was more than just a networking event, it was a meeting for a business incubator/ consulting service – the Community Consulting Clinic. Businesses or budding businesses submitted proposals to be mentored by a team of NBMBAA members to help refine their business ideas and catapult these businesses to the next level. I was very impressed with Raheema when I met her and I was inspired by Raheema’s drive and touched by her desire to help women create sustainable income in Mali.

Shea Yeleen International’s mission is to promote sustainable economic development and empower women in rural West Africa through organizing and training women owned cooperatives to produce, market, and sell high quality shea butter; and educate consumers in the U.S. about natural body care products and fair trade.

Oprah caught wind of Shea Yaleen’s good work and featured the company online:

Butter Up

In November 2008 O introduced the winners of our Women Rule! leadership training contest. One of them, Rahama Wright, founded fair trade shea butter cooperatives in Mali to bring income—and hope—to the women there. We tried the lavender-and-honeysuckle-scented Body Butter ($25) that Wright’s nonprofit, Shea Yeleen, produces; it, too, rules! Its deeply moisturizing shea butter leaves skin radiant. And 50 percent of its retail price goes back to the Mali women’s communities. That should really make you glow.

Photo credit: Afrobella.com ‘s post on Shea Yaleen

Rahama Wright, traveled with 4 teams (totaling 17 participants) from the University of St. Thomas to Mali, last March, in order to facilitate meetings and conduct prototype testing in our pilot village Dio. The trip was a huge success. The engineering students were able to work directly with the women to redesign the mixer prototype and it worked!

In this video, students from the University of St. Thomas, MN demonstrate the re-engineering of the mixer prototype.

Shea Yaleen is a progressive successful company that I’ve seen grow. The model is one to be admired along with the success from Raheema’s drive and vision.
Shea Yaleen has been celebrated across the web.  I encourage you to support Shea Yaleen in anyway that you know how. But the best is to by products for yourself or for someone you love.

OG Approved

Saturday: DC Get’s GLAM in preparation For SATC 2

DC READIES FOR SEX AND THE CITY 2 WITH A GLITTERY SOIREE – GET GLAM

WHAT WILL I WEAR? 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington DC Celebrates the Release of Sex and the City 2 

With the “All That Glitters“ Soirée

(Washington D.C. – May 9, 2010) Ladies get your Sex and The City inspired outfits together, nosh on gourmet hors d’oeuvres and sip Cosmos or Flirtini’s while you are pampered by Be Glam’d Bar or dolled up for a night on the town. Recess Lounge will be the talk of DC on Saturday, May 22, 2010 as women immerse themselves in the Sex and the City style “Party of the Year” hosted by WPGC’s mid-day host Anji Corley. This classy cosmopolitan themed reception is free and takes place from 6 – 10 PM at one of DC’s sexiest new venues, Recess Lounge.

Cataanda J and Les Branchés have come together to celebrate the essence of all things Sex and The City. What could possibly sound better than sipping cosmopolitans with the girls, rehashing all of the fabulous fashion highs and lows and getting primped and pampered.This is also a great time to network with other professional women of the District. The evening will feature glamorous giveaways, special guests and classic cocktails. You do not want to miss it!

The event will allow fans to celebrate their inner Carrie (Fashionista), Miranda (Player), Samantha (Bombshell) and Charlotte (Socialite). Arrive as your best dressed SATC Girl and win the ultimate “All That Glitters” Photo Shoot with Roy Cox Photography including make-up, hair, and minx nails. Advanced tickets will be sold for the special ‘Be Glam’d Bar’ for $25. Sponsors for this event Cover Girl Queen Collection, Roy Cox Photography, Cataanda J & Co., Les Branchés, Gorjana, La Nouvelle-Orleans, Charlotte Burley of The Turn-On (Online Talk Show), Minx-n-WInks, Pretty Powerful Events, CD Brow Beauty and many more!

For more details and media contact:

Kimberly Natasha, Publicist

KNPR + Marketing, LLC

 knprmarketing@gmail.com

Wednesday Night: The Collective

Media Contact:

Kimberly R. Smith

Kim@loft829.com

301.825.2574

WHO: Lynice Williams, owner of unisex vintage boutique DMVntage and Marc Clark, the creative genius behind the Marc C. Collection —  where innovation meets fashion.

DMVntage hunts gathers and brings you the most amazing clothing artifacts for men and women. True style is not defined by those who shop solely on aisles of duplication. Shopping vintage is not only stylish, but it’s also fashion conscious. For more information on DMVntage visit www.facebook.com/dmvntage.    

Marc C. is an innovative fashion line, which is set to take fashion to new heights.  Marc C.’s designs are in a league of their own incorporating exotic, iconic and artistic concepts.  Known for his unisex hand made Bow Tie Brooches, Marc C. has turned a classic neck piece into a hot accessory that even celebrities adore. Inspired by the chic style of the 21st century, Marc C. is dedicated to providing a refreshing view on fashion and as the seasons continue he will work to expand his collection.

WHAT: “The Collective” is a union, of creative minds coming together under one roof for the purpose of networking and idea generation. Sponsored by fashion and entertainment lifestyle brand, Bleu Magazine (http://bleulife.com/), attendees can look forward to the following:

• Vintage pop-up shops  
• Browse Marc C’.s newly designed website and view his current collection (http://www.marcclark.com/)
• Live painting by Moe the Creator (http://moesartdesign.com/) 
• Bam Body Art by Jabious Williams
• Networking amongst the DMV’s most fashion forward individuals
• Opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind vintage pieces in addition to items from the Marc C. collection (Cash Only)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 from 7p.m. to 11p.m.

WHERE: Policy Lounge, 1904 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 

Guests MUST be confirmed in order to attend. Please RSVP at RSVP@loft829.com and for media inquiries please contact Kimberly Smith at Kim@loft829.com.

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Kimberly R. Smith
Owner I Media Consultant

LOFT 829
MARKETING I PR I EVENTS