Tsotsi - May 2, 2006 Boardman's Art Theatre

5:15 p.m., Champaign, IL, Boardman's Art Theatre

Movie: Tsotsi, A South African Film.

Tsotsi=Thug

This movie scared me-raised my emotions. I wasn't certain I liked what I saw on the screen or wanted to see what was on the screen. I don't like seeing people murdered. I don't like to see innocent people hurt by others for frivolous reasons.

At the beginning of the movie, and also found on the movie's website, is a portrait of the Butcher, Boston, Tsotsi and App. The setting looks completely fake. The South African township looks like a movie set. Why? It disturbed me and distracted me.

A highlight of the movie was Miriam--the woman who cared for Tsotsi's "stolen" baby. Miriam breastfed the baby; she was still nursing her own child and still had breast milk flowing. Miriam reaches Tsotsi's cold, hard heart--it's the most tender you will ever see Tsotsi, excluding the very end scene.

I take something away from each and every film I watch. This is a compelling film. On Sunday, as part of Ebertfest I saw another South Africa film. After viewing that film, I listened to the actress tell stories about her country, her home, her township. She tells us that the township is safe. She may not know her neighbors, but if she were in trouble, all she would need to do is shuffle her feet--to make a noise that would alert the next door neighbors...merely a piece of tin away.

I say to all of you who possibly read my blogs to open your minds to other people and other cultures. If you take time to REALLY get to know others from another town, another state, another country, the world becomes more personable--you realize that all people place importance on family. The only differences are cultural, and why not be accepting of how others were raised? You were raised a certain way and don't find your rituals and traditions strange. Nor do those you meet from other states and other parts of the world. Learn as much as you can about other people--study the language, observe the people, but, especially, RESPECT all people.

Akeelah and the Bee

AKEELAH and the BEE:
5:10 p.m., Savoy 16 Theatre, $4.50; theatre #9
Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett
I give this movie three stars; Roger Ebert gave it four stars
The movie was predictable until the end when Akeelah's competitor stands up to his father's stern presence. The ending was good. Another favorite portion of this movie was when Akeelah's brother's friend helps Akeelah study vocabulary, showing Akeelah's brother that it is "cool" and OK to be true to family members. The punk (brother's friend) from Crenshaw wrote a poem in his younger years, and said to Akeelah's brother--"where do you think hip hop comes from?"
Laurence Fishburne is an actor I am strangely attracted to for the reason that he seems aloof and arrogant, but comes across as sexy and powerful. I hate him; I love him; I like him. Boyz in the Hood is one of my all time favorite films. Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett starred in that movie, along with another favorite of mine, Ice Cube. Keke Palmer acts brilliantly in this film; a rival to Dakota Fanning, perhaps better. Keke was on Ellen Degeneres' show recently, and she sang like a songbird. She's multi-talented. I'm certain we will see more of Keke in films. She started her life as an actor with a small part in Barbershop 2 with Queen Latifah (another favorite of mine--check out Last Holiday, btw).
Ok...gotta run--printing out photos AND watching Kanye West on David Letterman--check out the rocking violin player--funky. O-U-T--ILbutnotcountry

Roger Ebert Receives TOP U of I Recognition 2006

On Sunday, April 30th, Roger Ebert received the University of Illinois Alumni Association's premiere honor & recognition. As always, Roger Ebert was a grateful recipient, with kind words to say about his hometown of Urbana, IL, his parents, and the University of Illinois. He led the president of the University, B. Joseph White and Chancellor Richard Herman (along with the festival audience) in a rousing Illini chant claimed to be before the infamous "Oskee Wow Wow" we U of I graduates know and understand (or do we?). Anyway, it's times like these when I appreciate and respect Roger Ebert. His love for his parents is endearing. If only they were alive to see his progress in the career path he followed. His father was an electrician at the University of Illinois, and told Roger that perhaps a career as an English professor would be ideal since the father, when walking by the professors' offices would notice feet up on the desks, pipes being smoked, and books being read? "You need a job like that" said Roger's father. Sunday, April 30, 2006 in the Virginia Theatre, Champaign, IL From left to right: Roger Ebert, B. Joseph White, Richard Herman, two unknowns unfortunately--I apologize.
Congratulations to you, Mr. Roger Ebert. I appreciate you. The town of Champaign appreciates you. The city of Urbana appreciates you. The University of Illinois appreciates you. Thank you for being true to your school, your down-home folk, and your hometown(s).

P.S. Roger had on his good suit on Sunday, a blue shirt, nice shoes, and an orange & blue tie--he looked quite spiffy. Chaz Ebert looked on with pride; she is so supportive of her husband. She knows when to shine and she knows when to step back and let Roger shine. They have a respectful relationship, it's fresh to see in these days. -illinoisbutnotcountry