Video: Soldier Of Love, In Stores Feb/9

Film Review: "The Hangover" A Must See, Game-changing Film

By Monica Peters

Trust me, this is not your typical bachelor film. You will not want to make a dash for popcorn or take a bathroom break. "The Hangover," starring Justin Bartha, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis may go down in history as one of the greatest bachelor films of all time. It is outrageous, over-the-top and hilarious taking a cliché topic and elevating it to the next level. The film is a game changer in how bachelor stories and scripts will be approached in Hollywood. What makes this film spectacular is that the story line is intriguing and cleverly written. The plot of the film is incorporated into the film’s credits at the end. The humor has no boundaries and leaves no stone unturned in the comedy department. The whacky, funny characters along the way like the “Asian gangster” give it a twist.

The film about four friends’ crazy bachelor party in Las Vegas, is a new millennium male version of male bonding meets Waiting to Exhale that goes seriously wrong. They have waken up to a trashed hotel room with a rooster wandering around, an unidentified infant baby that was left in the room, a tiger in the bathroom, one of the friends (a dentist) now has a missing front tooth, to make matters worse their friend, Doug, who is the groom-to-be is missing. The film focuses on them searching for their friend, and more importantly investigating why all four of them can not remember anything about the bachelor party. However, they must get this all resolved and get to Los Angeles in time for Doug’s wedding.

Their wild goose chase leads the friends to being placed in a some hilarious situations such as being used for a police taser gun presentation at an elementary school, allowing the students to use them as practice targets-- in exchange for them not going to jail for stealing a cop car. One even discovers that he got married to a stranger in Vegas. Boxer Mike Tyson adds some humor to the film although he is only featured briefly.

Although this film will leave your stomach in pain from laughing so hard, it hits a serious topic after one of the friends reveals why none of them can not remember what happened at the bachelor party (although it is addressed humorously). I will not discuss what that serious topic is because I do not want to give away the film. Parents, this film is not for kids due to the nudity and over-the-top content, but you should definitely have a talk with them after seeing this movie. Other than that, get your “laugh on.” The Hangover will not leave movie goers disappointed. The Hangover hits theaters on Friday June 5.

Coming This Week: Obama Calls Tavis

I recently attended a Town Hall meeting with PBS television host Tavis Smiley. Tavis dismisses the rumors and sets the record straight about he and President Obama's friendship. He says he and the President are friends and that Obama calls him at home.

Check the dish this week!

-Monica Peters

Lil' Kim Interview: She Has a New Face and New Accent

Lil' Kim debuts on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" Monday March 9, 8PM EST. She has a new face again(i.e. more cosmetic surgery) and a whole new way of talking. Let's just say the accent isn't Brooklyn. Either way we hope she wins the competition. Watch and enjoy.

Photo of Abused Rihanna: (TMZ.com/TheBosh.com)

I know a lot of women, even in the entertainment industry, who are going through domestic violence situations.....Maybe this photo of singer Rihanna will serve as a wake up call for you to leave. Get well Rihanna.

In the meantime LAPD releases statement about unauthorized release of photo.

-Monica Peters

Photo from: TheBosh.com via TMZ.com

BAFTA's 2009: Slumdog Millionaire Wins Big. Real Big!

By Monica Peters

The highly anticipated BAFTA's (British Academy Film Awards) took place on Sunday 2/8 in the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. Slumdog Millionaire won big at the BAFTA's taking home 7 awards including Best Film, Director Award, Best Music, Best Cinematograpy, Best Editing. The film is nominated for 10 Oscars in the United States. Bafta's are a good predictor of who will sweep the Oscars.

Mickey Rourke won the Lead Actor Award for his role in 'The Wrestler." Clear here for a full list of winners.

My Oscar predictions are always right on point. Slumdog Millionaire will dominate the Oscars--just like the British dominated the Grammy's! (just kidding). Big ups to Adele and Coldplay on their Grammy's!

2009 BAFTA Film Awards Airing Sunday Feb 8, Taraji and Viola Overlooked

By Monica Peters

While Americans are gearing up for the Grammy's on Sunday, don't forget about the 2009 British Academy Film Awards airing on BBC America Sunday 2/8. Both "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" lead the pack with both films receiving a whopping 11 nominations each. Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke were both nominated for Lead Actor awards for their roles in "Milk" and "The Wrestler." Of course, Meryl Streep was nominated for Lead Actress for her role in "Doubt." The BAFTA's are usually a good predictor as to who will win Oscars.

Two things stick out like a sore thumb and get to me: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" received 11 nominations but overlooked actress Taraji P. Henson in the Supporting Actress category. "Doubt" received 3 nominations but they overlooked actress Viola Davis for supporting actress. Both Taraji and Viola were both nominated for Oscars here in the US. Come on my folks across the pond, you all are "sleeping on" Taraji and Viola ("sleeping on" meaning not recognizing or appreciating the obvious) I hope color wasn't an issue in locking these phenomenal actresses out of their just due. I'll forgive the British Academy this time, but don't let it happen again! GritsnCheese is watching (smile).

The British Academy Film Awards airing on BBC America, Sunday February 8, 8PM EST. Check your cable television listings for the BBC America channel in your area. For a full list of BAFTA nominees click here.

*Also don't forget to check out our interview with Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson on GritsnCheese.com

"NOTORIOUS" Interview: Actress Naturi Naughton (Lil' Kim) on GritsnCheese.com

Actress Naturi Naughton who plays the role of Lil' Kim in the movie "Notorious" chats with Monica Peters. What would Naturi say if she had only one minute to speak with Lil' Kim? Naturi also has a bright career in movies ahead of her. Listen to the exclusive 13 minute interview on GritsnCheese.com!

Ludacris to Headline Hip Hop 101

Music lovers in the Los Angeles are in for a special treat in February. Hip Hop 101 hits the Los Angeles Sports Arena on February 21 in honor of Black History month. Daylong festivities for true hip hop heads will be in abundance. Yours truly "Ludacris" will headline the concert. If you slip up and don't get your significant other that perfect Valentine's gift, Hip Hop 101 may be your redemption. Go "Luda."

NOTORIOUS Movie Reveiw tomorrow here on TheGritsnCheeseDish! [TM]

Hi Everyone,

Monica had a chance to attend the advance screening of "NOTORIOUS". How did she like the film? Will the movie leave moviegoers satisfied? Hit us back here tomorrow 1/8 on TheGritsnCheeseDish! [TM] as Monica dishes the scoop.

TheGritsncheeseDish.blogspot.com.

Better Black Television Hitting Nationwide 2009!

Listen to Monica Peters' exclusive 25 minute interview with CEO and founder of Better Black Television, Percy Miller (formerly rapper Master P). He has a LOT to say. LISTEN here EXCLUSIVELY on TheGritsnCheeseDish! [TM]

Exclusive Interview: Best Selling Author Zane on GritsnCheese.com! "ZANE SEX CHRONICLES" Hit Cinemax on October 10!

Check out Monica Peters Medina's exclusive interview with New York Times Best Selling author ZANE. ZANE talks about "Zane Sex Chronicles" television series debuting nationwide on Cinemax, being a soccer mom, and where she gets ideas for her steamy stories. "Zane Sex Chronicles" hits Cinemax on Friday October 10th at midnite! Listen to the exclusive interview now on GritsnCheese.com.

Miracle at St. Anna: Spike's Best Film along with Malcolm X

Written by Monica Peters Medina

Spike Lee's "Miracle at St. Anna" debuted at #9 on it's opening weekend last week. Although the critics bashed Spike Lee's "Miracle at St. Anna," in my opinion it is one of Spike's best films to date (right up there with Malcolm X). I am often baffled as to why African-Americans are not eager to see films that portray themselves in a positive light.

I can honestly say Spike outdid himself in this film. I was extremely surprised by the depth of the film in which Spike leaves no stone unturned in the 2 hour 45 minute movie. Miracle is of epic proportions and is by no means "an African-American story." Miracle had many story lines intertwined. The war scenes and human atrocities across the board were nothing short of brutal; but this is to be expected in a war film. Miracle was also a lesson in Italian history. I was as much intrigued with the impact that World War II had on Italy in addition to the courageous actions of the African American 97th division.

In Miracle, Spike told a war story without excluding the contributions and experiences of others ; Unlike other filmmakers throughout Hollywood history who make American stories to the exclusion of the contributions of others.

Long story short. GO SEE MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA. In the meantime, check out my interview with the author of "Miracle at St. Anna," James McBride. Have a great weekend.

NOTE: To view entire blog page of TheGritsnCheeseDish![TM], click "home" at the bottom of the post or click here.

LISTEN BELOW: Monica's Exclusive Interview with James McBride, "Miracle at St. Anna" Hitting Theaters September 26!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BELOW: James McBride, best selling author of the novel "Miracle at St. Anna," talks with Monica Peters Medina about the highly anticipated film hitting theaters on Sept 26, what it was like working with Spike Lee, the Clint Eastwood "controversy" and a whole lot more. Listen and enjoy. More importantly go support the film this Friday. Opening weekend box office numbers are crucial in the movie business. Let's show Hollywood we mean business by making "Miracle at St. Anna" #1 at the box office. LISTEN TO THE TWO PART INTERVIEW BELOW (14 minutes total listening time). (Photo: Spike Lee (l) and James McBride (r) credit: daylife.com).



NOTE: To view entire blog page of TheGritsnCheeseDish![TM], click "home" at the bottom of the post or click here.

Coming Wed 9/24 to the GNC Dish!: Miracle at St. Anna Interview w/ Screenplay writer and Best-Selling Author James McBride

Best-selling author, James McBride, will talk to Monica Peters Medina about Spike Lee's new film "Miracle at St. Anna" based on his best selling novel. James talks about the making of the film and a whole lot more. An interview not to be missed. Right here on TheGritsnCheeseDish![TM]

Lakeview Terrace, Hilarious but VERY Serious

By Monica Peters Medina

Lakeview Terrace is Samuel L. Jackson’s lighter version of “Training Day.” (You’ll know what I mean when you go see the film tonight). What is supposed to be thriller is just flat out hilarious at times. There is something about Samuel L. Jackson playing “the angry man” that tickles me pink.

Jackson plays, Able Turner, a bitter widow and LAPD police officer who is now a single father. His bitterness stems from his wife’s death in a car accident. He discovers his deceased wife was having an affair with her boss (who happens to be Caucasian) that was also killed in the car accident. Of course, that part is not funny. However, what is funny is the extremely odd behavior exhibited by Jackson upon finding out that his new next door neighbors were a young interracial couple. Specifically what irritates Jackson is the fact the lovely young couple is a Black woman and White male, (played by Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson) something that reminds him of his deceased wife’s betrayal. Jackson does weird things such as positioning his home security system lights to blare into the couple’s window just for purposes of being the perfect neighbor from hell.

Through various run- ins between the neighbors, which Wilson tries to often resolve amicably, he soon discovers that Jackson is not your average neighbor. Wilson and his wife slowly begin to realize that Jackson is a demented, crooked racist cop bent on terrorizing them until they move. Jackson’s antics escalated from annoying and petty to very serious. Jackson uses his cop status to terrorize the couple-- even conspiring with a local criminal and rapist to break into the couple’s home. NOT FUNNY.

One great aspects of the film is that it reveals the complexity of being in an interracial relationship combination that is not readily acceptable by mainstream society.—a Black woman married to a White man. It also reveals the true racist feelings of Wilson's so-called “I’m not prejudice friends. Frankly, at times I wondered why Wilson’s character didn’t kick his friend out of their housewarming party for making a derogatory dating remark about Asian and African American women.

What makes this story a little complex is that Washington’s father, played by Ron Glass, is not a fan of his daughter being in an interracial relationship which causes underlying tension in the couple’s relationship. Things get especially messy when Washington gets pregnant on purpose against her husband’s wishes.

I won’t say anymore. Go check out Lakeview Terrace for a nice outing and thank God you do not have a neighbor like Samuel L. Jackson!

Hurricane Gustav To Hit Gulf Coast at ANY MINUTE.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast who are in the path of Hurricane Gustav. We are especially praying for those who chose to stay behind. Stay strong and know that our prayers are with you.

I personally know persons whom have survived Hurricane Katrina and the devastation and emotional damage it has caused them is irreparable. Three years after Katrina, some have still not been able to return back to New Orleans. We pray this will not be a repeat of Katrina and that there will be no lives lost.

-Monica Peters Medina

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

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.