‘Arts’ Archives
Brian McKnight at Dakota Jazz “Bridging” Music
By Raymond Jackson and Tamrala Jackson Brian McKnight made a return visit to the Dakota Jazz Club on July 7th, promoting his new cd, ”˜Just Me.”' As usual, he gave a startling performance with his brother; Claude McKnight founder of the Gospel a Capella group, Take 6; and two sons, Brian Jr., 21 and Niko 19, as special guests. You could tell he is a man on a mission, and a proud father and mentor leaving a long lasting impression on all in attendance! His four performances in two days clearly showed his overall talent.  Having come from a family of Gospel/Inspirational singers, he stated, “I was the self taught piano player; all of my siblings are better than me vocally, so I just supplied them with the music” (more…)
Super 8 & 13 Assassins
Super 8 ****1/2 Paramount Pictures PG 13, Running Time 112 minutes Director: J.J. Abrams Cast: Kyle Chandler (Jackson Lamb), Elle Fanning (Alice Dainard), Joel Courtney (Joe Lamb), Noah Emmerich (Nelec), Ron Eldard (Louis Dainard), Glynn Turman (Dr. Woodward), Riley Griffiths (Charles), Ryan Lee (Cary), Zach Mills (Preston), Gabriel Basso (Martin). If there are any lovable movies for the 2011 Summer Movie season (and there are very few) it”'s the science-fiction/fantasy “Super 8.” Directed by J.J. Abrams (“Star Trek”, “Mission Impossible lll” ) and produced by Steven Spielberg, “Super 8”has the delicate touch of Spielberg-esque. And that touch also has the lovely audience pleasers of an “E.T”, “Close Encounters”, all Spielberg-esque. Not just a few have compared “Super 8”to Rob Reiner”'s 1986 film “Stand By Me”, with a similar twist at play: kids being kids. Joe [...]
Midnight in Paris
Midnight in Paris Mediapro Uptown ****1/2 Cast: Owen Wilson (Gil Pender), Rachel McAdam (Inez), Mimi Kennedy (Helen Pender), kurt fuller (John Pender), Tom Hiddleson (F. Scott Fitzgerald), Marion Cotillard (Adriana), Corey Stoll (Ernest Hemingway), David Lowe (T.S.Eliot), Adrien Brody (Salvador Dali), Olivier Rabourdin (Paul Gauguin), Francois Rostain (Edgar Degas), Marcial Di Fonzo Bo (Pablo Picasso), Kathy Bates (Gertrude Stein), Michael Sheen (Paul), Thierry Hancis se (Phil), Lea Seydoux ( Gabrieela). PG-13. Running time: 100 minutes. Director: Woody Allen. “Midnight in Paris” is proof the old “hopeless” romantic director, Woody Allen, still packs a punch in his cinematic mind. Most of his more recent films such as the flat “Melinda and Melinda” (2004) and slightly entertaining “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008) have been rather torporific works. He wrote the screenplay for “Midnight in [...]
