I’m still busy with outside work! Sorry for the lack of updates. Hopefully I can get better organized, but in any case, I do have some Notable Links for you guys!

Exclusive set photos from 42: Thanks to my youngest sister’s graduation, I was able to see the set of 42! If you recall, 42 is the story of Jackie Robinson being signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Make sure to click the link to see my photos and read my write-up at ShockYa.

Minorities now the majority: News has come out that white births are now under half of all American births. You can read ShockYa’s article on this subject, as well as read an op-ed piece about the new majority.

Crooked Arrows review: ShockYa also has a review of the Native American lacrosse movie I’ve been covering, Crooked Arrows. Check out the review by clicking the link.

Justice for Vern Traversie: There has been a grave injustice that has not been covered on the news: a Native American man, Vern Traversie, was attacked by KKK members. Here’s what the petition calling for justice for Traversie states:

Vernon Traversie, a member and resident of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota came home from a 14-day stay in the hospital to find he had been horribly mutilated. Three Ks can be easily seen carved or burned into his abdomen in the shocking photograph taken the day after he came home.

The victim is age 68 and completely blind. Vernon Traversie’s nightmare began when he had a heart attack while at the Heart Doctors office in Rapid City last August. He was immediately sent a few blocks away to Rapid City Regional Hospital for emergency surgery. Being blind, Traversie didn’t even know what was done to him until a RCRH employee came into his room and advised him to have pictures taken of his chest and abdomen as soon as he got home. She said she could not testify on his behalf, but that her conscience got the best of her and she did not agree with what had been done to him.

The tribal police, FBI, and Traversie’s pastor all have photographs of the suspicious wounds.

Traversie is a Lakota elder, who may have been the victim of a vicious hate crime, and his case deserves investigation. Nothing is being done on his behalf by law enforcement. Traversie had retained a lawyer and waited seven months for his Rapid City attorney to take action on his behalf. He posted a video on youtube because his attorney took no action besides initial contact with hospital authorities, and had told him not to speak about his case. The lawyer has done nothing further on Traversie’s behalf. Traversie has since ended his contract with said attorney and tribal officials are working to find someone to take his case.

You can click here to check out the Facebook page. You can also sign the petition by clicking here .

Baptist church ordains openly gay man: Changes are going in the Baptist church! Here’s a snippet from the Human Rights Campaign’s article:

Historic news out of Kentucky this month: Maurice “Bojangles” Blanchard will be ordained on May 27, 2012. We don’t typically blog about ordinations around here but this is not your typical ordination occasion.  Bojangles has been called to ministry by Louisville’s Highland Baptist Church and will be ordained as an out, married, gay man – a heartening evolution in its own right for Baptists and people of faith everywhere.

You can read the full story by clicking the link above.

Cooking Channel highlights Today’s Special: Cooking Channel is bringing more exposure to Aasif Mandvi’s film Today’s Special through a new television special, Today’s Special: NY Indian. Here’s the rundown on the show:

Actor and comedian Aasif Mandvi joins culinary legend Madhur Jaffrey on a hilarious weekend tour of Indian cuisine within the boroughs of New York City. They hit Madhur’s favorite haunts: from Manhattan cab stands to Little India in Jackson Heights, Queens, tasting the flavors of regional cuisine. Taking in all he’s learned, Aasif teams up with Chef Akhtar Nawab to create a fabulous birthday feast for his family and friends.

Click the link above to learn more about the show.

Enjoy, and remember–op-eds share the opinions on their respective writers.

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Pandit and Manasi Parekh in Leelai.

For months, I’ve been trying to find the Bollywood actor who is young enough to play an adult Hadji if the rumored Zac Efron/The Rock Jonny Quest movie ever came to pass. Of course, the film will probably involve different people now, bu the search for Hadji will still be tough. In any case, the right guy seemed to have just fallen in my lap!

I happened to be goofing around on Pinterest, and then I found the guy: Shiv Pandit. It was only then I realized that I somehow got on Pinterest.in, not just Pinterest.com.

Anyway, Shiv Pandit meets all of the requirements! He’s young (he was born in ’87, one year before me!), he’s good looking, and, to me, he’s got just the right face. Here’s another picture of him.

What do you think?

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Pixar delves into Dia de los Muertos: Finally! Pixar is shaking things up by addressing some world culture. According to CinemaBlend, Pixar is set on creating a film based around the popular Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Hooray! The Hollywood Reporter also has a story on the upcoming film. 

Kevin Hart’s career: Slate has a very interesting article about Kevin Hart, titled, “He’s the most successful stand-up comic in America. Why isn’t he more famous?” The article addresses the race line in the comedy world, but it’s also about more than that. Check it out.

Kreayshawn on being white: Colorlines has an article about rapper Kreayshawn’s feeling about being a white rapper and the criticism around not noticing the concept called “white privilege.” The article quotes Clutch Magazine, which stated:

It’s ironic how the White girl mimicking Black culture has been viewed as quirky, cute, and interesting in the past. But sisters who fashionably rock bamboo earrings, gold nameplate necklaces, and blonde streaked weaves, will inevitably be considered “ghetto” by society. It’s equally problematic that every female emcee post Queen Latifah and MC Lyte who has had massive mainstream success all had to sell sex.

You can read about this article by clicking the link above.

Archie #632 preview: If you want to see some of Archie #632, the next part of the “Archie Marries Valerie” miniseries, click here to get to Newsarama’s preview page!

The rest of the articles don’t really need me to summarize them; the titles are rather straightforward. Again, all stories listed on this post have the opinions of their respective authors. Enjoy!

Woman creates Tourette’s superhero to heal and educate

Sequel Bits: ‘Black Dynamite 2’ Shoots Later This Year, According to Michael Jai White, Plus: ‘Smurfs 2’, ‘Underworld 5’, ‘Before Sunset’ Follow-Up

The Help Director Tate Taylor Up For The Jury

Why We Should Thank Linsanity for Making Pro Basketball Fun Again

‘Smash’ Taps ‘Gossip Girl’s’ Josh Safran as New Showrunner

Johnny Depp as Tonto: I’m still not feeling “honored”

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L-R: Justin Lin, the first official picture from The Lone Ranger, promo picture for Common Law. Credit: Jeff Vespa/WireImage, Jerry Bruckheimer/Disney, Hopper Stone/USA Network

There are so many stories I want to write about, but I just didn’t have the time to update my site this week like I really wanted to. There are more Notable Links coming (hopefully) Sunday, but this set is of all of the “minorities in movies” news that I wanted to shed some light on. Take a look below and enjoy!

Michael Ealy stars in Common Law; official Facebook page for Common Law

Justin Lin to direct movie adaptation of David Henry Hwang’s play Chinglish

Jackie Robinson biopic movie date released

African men school people on Hollywood Stereotypes (video below)

Aasif Mandvi on breaking down Muslim stereotypes in Hollywood (video below)

Restless City review

Andy Lau might join Iron Man 3

How Samuel L. Jackson became his own genre

leaked photos from The Lone Ranger (Johnny Depp’s stunt double–who looks remarkably like Depp himself– in full Tonto costume)

Kenyan TV series Changes features blindian relationship that doesn’t have drama

Adam McKay to direct Uptown Saturday Night

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All of the major outlets are now posting the first pictures of Quentin Tarantino’s highly-anticipated film, Django Unchained, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio.

In the film, Foxx is playing the title character Django, a slave who was bought by Christoph Waltz’ character Dr. King Schultz,  a German bounty hunter who is intent on taking out some slave owners. Schultz teaches Django the ways of the renegade, and Django uses that knowledge to attempt to take out evil slaveowner Calvin Candie, destroy Candie’s plantation Candyland, and save his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington). The film also stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Johnson (!!), Kurt Russell, and friend to the site, Walton Goggins.

I guess you could call me a Tarantino fan, even though I get weird with violence in films. I still try to watch them though, because I love his storytelling. And, this is a break in minorities in entertainment as well–Tarantino is always someone who has embraced actors and actresses of all types, so I’m not surprised he’s decided to make a film about a slave-turned-vigilante. In the bigger scheme of things, though, this will give black actors and actresses even more of a leg up in Hollywood, so thanks, Tarantino! Check out the pictures below and see what you think!

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Here’s some minority movie news that I’ve been meaning to put on the site. Firstly, some news on the Native American lacrosse film, Crooked Arrows, starring Brandon Routh.

Routh (who, like a lot of Americans, has Native blood somewhere down the line and is playing a mixed Native American in the movie) was interviewed by EXTRA during the premiere of the film. According to the film’s official Facebook page, the interview will be out in a few days; when it is, I’ll do my best to put it on the site. In the meantime, you can check out some pictures from the event by clicking here.

Secondly, a new G.I. Joe: Retaliation character poster from Paramount features Lee Byung-Hun as Storm Shadow. For the ladies and men who are all about the abs, this poster is one you might want to print out or make as your computer desktop background or something. Check it:

What do you think of these stories? Give your opinions below.

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Dear Birmingham, AL–in a few months I’ll be long gone from you, getting used to life in my birth state, Florida. However, I’m not gone yet, and even when I am in Miami, I’m sure going to keep giving my Birmingham audience news about some of the goings-on in the city. One such event is the lauded Spanish language horror film Zombie Dawn, coming to The Edge in  Birmingham April 20. There’s also going to be a free comic book giveaway for ticket buyers! Check out the official press release below.

Eagle One Media and iFN are proud to announce the upcoming nationwide theatrical release of the horror action film ZOMBIE DAWN. The feature film roll-out will begin April 20th in select cities with additional locations added over the coming months. In a special arrangement with theaters, cinema ticket buyers shall receive a free limited edition copy of the ZOMBIE DAWN: Safehouse comic book that contains a prequel tie-in story to the feature film.

ZOMBIE DAWN is an action horror Spanish language film that has won praise for its presentation and kudos for the film makers in assembling such a feature while working with only a micro budget. It has been described as:

“An enthralling Spanish language film…a seriously impressive piece of
work” DREADCENTRAL.COM
“For only a show-string budget, they have surpassed themselves”
HORROR-MOVIES.CA
“Keep your eyes peeled for Zombie Dawn” RABIDDOGPRESS.NET
“Will make zombie fans jump up and down with excitement” ZOMBIE-POPCORN.COM

ZOMBIE DAWN recently won awards at the Zixion Sars film festival in Chile for directors Cristian Toledo and Lucio A. Rojas, and art direction. Along with ZOMBIE DAWN, the award winning computer animated horror short Hambuster from Paul Alexandre will be played before the main feature.

The complimentary 28 page comic book was specifically commissioned for the film and created by comic industry veterans David A. Rodriguez and Dheeraj Verma and will be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Film premise: In 2006 a mysterious incident at a remote mining facility unleashes a zombie horde with an appetite for human flesh. It decimates large portions of the cities and countryside. The only course of action is to rapidly enclose the infected areas and seal them off from the rest of the remaining, living population. Now, 15 years later the tattered remains of the government and the mining corporation responsible where the initial event took place commit themselves to finding out what may have happened at the mining complex. The solution is to covertly send in a group of mercenaries led by a cynical but no-nonsense Colonel and investigative scientists into the quarantined zone to find answers.

You can keep up with Zombie Dawn  at the official site and Facebook page.

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I’ve got some exciting news! Alaska-shot thriller On The Ice by Andrew Okpeaha MacLean will be making it’s digital debut on iTunes, Amazon, Vudu and other digital services April 24th, 2012! The film stars Josiah Patkotak and Frank Qutuq Irelan as two teenagers make a grave mistake that leads them down a path of darkness and lies:

Shot entirely on location in Barrow, Alaska, On The Ice is the engrossing and suspenseful feature film debut by filmmaker Andrew Okpeaha MacLean about two teenage boys who have grown up like brothers go about their lives in the comfortable claustrophobia of an isolated Alaskan town.  Early one morning, on a seal hunt with another teenager, an argument between the three boys quickly escalates into a tragic accident. Bonded by their dark secret, the two best friends are forced to create one fabrication after another in order to survive.  The shocked boys stumble through guilt-fueled days, avoiding the suspicions of their community as they weave a web of deceit.  With their future in the balance, the two boys are forced to explore the limits of friendship and honor.

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Are you a big sci-fi fan who loves analyzing and comparing the various spaceships in Star Trek  and Star Wars? Well, Noah Locke has made an infographic for CableTV.com. The infographic compares the ships from these two popular franchises to their real life counterparts. If you’re a ship junkie, this infographic is for you. Check it out below.

Which is your favorite ship? Give your opinion below.

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Publicity photo of Jay Tavare

Cartoon Network wants to stop bullying: Cartoon Network isn’t just about cartoons and kids’ entertainment; the network is also dedicated to helping their target audience’s livelihoods by working to protect them from bullying. The network’s “Stop Bullying: Speak Up” campaign is, according to campaigns official Facebook page, “seeks to raise awareness of the simple, yet powerful actions that parents, kids, and educators can take to prevent bullying.” Here’s what the page has on the campaign:

Bullying hurts our kids. It can have a lasting and damaging impact on their lives – sometimes more than we realize. Our goal is to raise awareness of the simple, yet powerful actions that parents, kids, and educators can take to prevent bullying. We hope to inspire millions of bystanders to take action by speaking up when they see bullying and to grow a community committed to ending bullying.

Click the link above to join the movement.

Jay Tavare blogs for The Huffington Post about No Kitchen Required: In real life, I’m a very quiet person (not shy, mind you, just observational), but on the internet, I’m a lot louder. However, even on the internet, I get intimidated to ask famous people if I can interview them. Most of the time, I can get over my own nervousness and fear to email said people, prompting a nice response and an interview (the handsome Michael Benyaer, the actor behind my cartoon crush/role model Hadji, is a perfect example). But there are a few people that I’m way too intimidated to approach, one such person being Jay Tavare. It’s not his personality I’m intimidated by–he seems like a nice, conscientiousness  person–it’s his looks. He looks like what a lot of men must dream of looking like. He’s certainly someone a lot of women dream of. Perhaps, I’ll get out of my own way and send him an email sometime soon, but until then, read his latest post at The Huffington Post, in which he writes about his time spent on the new BBC America reality show, No Kitchen Required. If you happen to Google yourself and you’re led here, Jay Tavare, please email me if you’re interested in an interview; I can’t make myself type your email address as of right now. My email address is to the right of the site.

The rest of the links are about Lamar Odom leaving the Mavericks, Johnny Depp and The Lone Ranger, an Indian pride Facebook group, where to find Jay Tavare’s film Unbowed (I’m sure some of you girls and guys know what I’m talking about), and more. All opinions belong to the authors of the posts/websites. Enjoy!

Lamar Odom leaves Dallas Mavericks after rocky, disappointing season

Johnny Depp (and everyone else)-Put Your Money Where Your Indian Is

Proud to be Indian

Girls Gone Geek

Cowichan Aboriginal Film Festival (April 17-20)

http://americasvoiceonline.org/blog/breaking_bill_proposing_changes_to_hb_56_introduced_in_al_house/

http://networkedblogs.com/wePX5

http://filmanthropic.blogspot.com/2011/07/to-order-first-official-dvd-release-of.html

BILL PROPOSING CHANGES TO HB 56 INTRODUCED IN ALABAMA HOUSE

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