Movie Review: "Traitor" starring Don Cheadle

By Monica Peters Medina

“Traitor” starring Don Cheadle is a film that is worth the money and your time although the story line leaves many questions unanswered. What makes "Traitor" exciting is the constant revelation of the true identity of various characters. As the plot unravels you really never know who is a double agent.

However, the most intriguing aspect of the film is the insight it gives into the psychology of Muslim terrorists and the grassroots but yes sophisticated orchestration to execute terrorist attacks. The film takes place in many locations around the world including Nice, France, Yemin.

Samir, played by Don Cheadle, is a highly skilled Muslim terrorist from Sudan whose international cell unit has anointed him the designated man to carry out high profile terrorist attacks. Although this is not an Oscar winning performance for Cheadle, (through no fault of his own but because the role he plays does not require deep theatrics), he does an excellent job of displaying his daily internal conflict with being a terrorist. Cheadle carries out a high profile attack in Nice, France but is disappointed at the low casualty of eight persons killed. He wished there had been more so he can be pleasing in the eyes of Allah. Next he is chosen to orchestrate a massive terrorist attack in the US that succeeds….well sort of. Cheadle had to choose between the lesser of two evils. Throughout this film don’t assume that you thoroughly understand Cheadle’s character, Samir. Traitor leaves the moviegoer with the question of does the end really justify the means, especially when innocent lives must be lost in the process.

One disturbing aspect of Traitor is the ease with which anyone can orchestrate a massive well planned terrorist attack. The film gives out information that would show an inspiring terrorist how to do it from A-Z. I hope no disgruntled citizen or terrorist cell will orchestrate a terrorist attack of this nature now that Traitor shows how easy 1-2-3 it is to accomplish something so horrifying. As an honorary New Yorker who travels to Manhattan often, traitor left me feeling uncomfortable.

Traitor- a must see film.

*Photo Credit AP/Overture Films

"The Longshots" Lands at #8 at the Box Office

"The Longshots" starring Ice Cube and Keke Palmer came in at #8 this weekend at the box office raking in 4,304,00. "Tropic Thunder" which hit theaters last week came in at #1 grossing 16,100,000.

Check out GNC Dish's movie review of "The Longshots"

CNN Confirms: Joe Biden Gets Obama's VP Nod

The text messages have not gone out yet, but our sources at CNN has confirmed that presidential candidate Barack Obama has chosen Sen. Joe Biden as his Vice Presidential running mate.

Submission Deadlines for 2009 Sundance Film Festival

Heads up: The OFFICIAL submission deadlines for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival are:

Sept. 8, 2008 for US and International short films AND Sept 9 for US and International feature films and documentaries.

*NOTE: These are not postmark deadlines but dates the film must be received. Logon to Sundance.org for more detailed information on submission deadlines.

Sundance film festival will be taking place January 15-25, 2009 in Utah Park City, UT.

New Footage: Behind the Scenes of NOTORIOUS the movie. Hitting Theaters 2009

"In the Place With Style & Grace" Behind the Scenes with actress Atonique Smith who plays Faith Evans in the upcoming film "NOTORIOUS" based on the life of slain rapper Notorious BIG aka "Biggie Smalls" hitting theaters January 2009.


Here's the movie trailer in case you didn't catch it.

Advanced Movie Review: "The Longshots"

By Monica Peters Medina

Ahhh, a feel good movie. “The Long Shots” directed by Fred Durst (of th rock-n-roll group Limp Bizkit) starring Ice Cube and Keke Palmer may be the break you need from the violence and negative themes in movies today. This is definitely a safe movie for the family to see with an inspiring story. It’s touching to see Ice Cube in this type of role.

As with most “feel good” movies some angles of “Long Shots” plot are predictable. However, it is a VERY inspiring film which makes the moviegoer want to know more about Jasmine Plummer, whose life the film is based upon. Keke Palmer, who portrays Jasmine in the film, does an excellent job of showing the devastating emotional impact of what happens when fathers walk out of their children’s lives. Ice Cube plays the drunk uncle, once a local star athlete, that hit dire straights when he loses his factory job. His life begins to change when he begins to live his dreams through his niece by teaching her how to be a quarterback. What started as something to kill time while he babysat her for Jasmine’s mom, played by Tasha Smith, transformed into something they never imagined would change the course of their lives. Despite some physical and emotional challenges along the way (due to the pain caused by her absentee father who conveniently re-appears when he starts to smell his daughters success), Jasmin takes the Minden Browns to the playoffs.

It’s also refreshing to see Garret Morris back on screen who plays the local church pastor and inspires the impoverished town of Minden to take a clue from Jasmine’s success and do better by fixing up their town and their lives.

So, is this film a must see? Yes. This a true story based on Jasmine Plummer’s life who overcame her circumstance to do something positive with her life. We have a very diverse readership that read TheGritsnCheeseDish![TM], so I will be specific and direct with my next comment: If we as African Americans can’t stand up, support our children and celebrate their accomplishments we certainly can’t expect others to do so. *Actions speak louder than words. We must do at the box office for "The Longshots" what we we did for "American Gangster." Enough said.

*"The Longshots" in theaters Friday, August 22.

A Pause for the Cause: Another Shout to Bernie. RIP

Another Rest in Peace shout to Bernie Mac. You'll Be Missed.

Below: LisaRaye McCoy-Misick's Injury Photos (Essence Magazine)

Figure we'd post this since Lisa wants to share this with the world and domestic violence is a serious issue. She allegedly suffered these bruises from an altercation with her husband Premier Michael Misick of Turk & Caicos Islands.

“I ask that my privacy be respected in these difficult times and I believe that the people of the Turks & Caicos Islands will understand and support my wish to receive the necessary independent representation from the legal counsel of my choosing. I hope that, in time, the Turks & Caicos Islands government will come to share that view. Although I have always been a supportive wife even in light of the very serious allegations currently pending against the premier, there are limits even for me.” ...LisaRaye McCoy Misick. (Essence Magazine)

Rapper Master P Brings BETTER BLACK TELEVISION (BBTV)

“Better Black Television has been a vision of mine for some years,” said Miller, BBTV’s Chairman & CEO. “I’ve done a lot to promote and change the way messages are relayed to our children and our families over the last few years. Promoting positive content and positive messages is so important to educate and preserve the next generation. Being exposed to positive content is what changed my life. I believe that there is a market in our community for a new diverse network that provides a new brand of superior programming that caters to all aspects of television from reality to original programming. In addition, I’m excited to be able to expose the urban community to a vast array of jobs in the entertainment community that they might not otherwise be privy to. I have a great relationship with BET and MTV and my son and I will continue to do work with them and support their networks. With BBTV, we’re spearheading the initiative to meet consumer demand for family friendly hip-hop content.”

The BBTV Advisory Board members consist of some of the most significant entertainers in Hollywood, professional athletes as well as movers and shakers in the community such as Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Denzel Washington; Vault Load Films President, entrepreneur and senior level business executive, Jim Finkl; NAACP Executive Director Vicangelo Bullock; Professional basketball player and businessman Derek Anderson (Charlotte Bobcats); an award winning, 20-year veteran of the cable television and film industry, Professor Sal Martino; businessman, community activist and founding father of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc; entrepreneur, businessman and animation specialist, Olatokunbo Betiku and community activist, Board President of Nailah House Foster Family Agency, speaker and teacher at Trump University, real estate mogul Curtis Oakes.

Will Master P's new television network make BET and TV One step up their game?

R&B, Soul, Grammy and Oscar Winner Isaac Hayes Passes at 65

Written by Monica Peters Medina

Sunday August 10, 2008, Memphis, TN: Singer, producer, Oscar and Grammy winner Isaac Hayes passed away today. He was found lying unconscious next to his treadmill and pronounced dead at 2PM after unsuccessful attempts to revive him at his home in Memphis Tennessee. He was 65 years old. Hayes was an undisputed living legend of this era. Hayes won multiple Grammy awards during his career including for best instrumental pop performance for his album titled “Black Moses” in 1972. The music and movie icon, inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, was known to this generation as the voice of Chef on the hit cartoon “South Park.” However his spectacular acting and music career over 30 years included winning an Oscar and Golden Globe Award for Best Music, Original Song for the legendary classic movie soundtrack “Shaft” in 1971. He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2005 along with fellow cast members for his role as Arnel in the film “Hustle & Flow” starring Terrance Howard.

Hayes was married four times and leaves behind 12 children including his current wife Adjowa.

Photo credit: BBC News/Associated Press

Bernie Mac Dead at 50 (Clips Below)

Breaking News 1 hour ago. Bernie Mac lost his battle with pnuemonia this morning and has passed away. Please post your condolences to Bernie Mac's family. More to follow.

Photo: Carlos Ortiz/Getty Images

Bernie Mac, clip from Def Comedy Jam earlier on in his career **WARNING, NOT FOR CHILDREN. EXPLICIT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE**


Clip from Bernie Mac Show.