Effie is a woman battling body image and self-confidence issues, the stifling of dreams, erasure of her accomplishments, the silencing of her talents and her rage, and the desire to be loved and appreciated. “And I’m Telling You…” is catharsis by song. It is anger, frustration, obstinance, and freedom all exploding through Holliday’s shattering voice. The character’s arc is one of perseverance over injustice, and survival—without omitting the pain and struggle endured on the way. … [Read more...] about Jennifer Holliday Pulls Out of Trump Inauguration, Apologizes to LGBT Community
Television
When Aretha Franklin Proved She Was the Greatest Diva Ever
There are many reasons that Aretha Franklin is the legend of legends, a groundbreaking singer with the fortitude to transcend race and genre, using that tremulous voice as the bulldozer to break down every barrier set up in her way. But sometimes it requires a moment as mainstream and as big as that Divas Live performance to cement it. That was the moment she ensured that she would then and forever be the Greatest Diva of All Time. … [Read more...] about When Aretha Franklin Proved She Was the Greatest Diva Ever
Heavy rain floods southern Japan; 2 dead, dozen missing
Areas are inundated in muddy waters that gushed out from the Kuma River in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto prefecture, southwestern Japan, Saturday, July 4, 2020. Heavy rain triggered flooding and mudslides on Saturday, leaving more than a dozen missing and others stranded on rooftops waiting to be rescued. More than 75,000 residents in the prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima were asked to evacuate following pounding rains overnight. (Kyodo News via AP) less … [Read more...] about Heavy rain floods southern Japan; 2 dead, dozen missing
Carl Reiner, beloved creator of ‘Dick Van Dyke Show,’ dies
FILE - In this Oct. 3, 1977 file photo, writer-director Carl Reiner appears during an interview about his movie " Oh God!" in New York. Reiner, the ingenious and versatile writer, actor and director who broke through as a “second banana” to Sid Caesar and rose to comedy’s front ranks as creator of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and straight man to Mel Brooks’ “2000 Year Old Man,” has died, according to reports. Variety reported he died of natural causes on Monday night, June 29, 2020, at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 98. less … [Read more...] about Carl Reiner, beloved creator of ‘Dick Van Dyke Show,’ dies
Hirokazu Kore-eda and Catherine Deneuve look for ‘The Truth’
This is not to imply that she doesn’t take her work seriously. She does. In fact, partway through the movie she came to him and asked if she could see anything edited, especially scenes that she wasn’t in herself. Deneuve wanted to grasp, “the whole of the movie.” … [Read more...] about Hirokazu Kore-eda and Catherine Deneuve look for ‘The Truth’
