10 Movies to See in 2010

In the midst of Awards Season, I’d thought we should talk about what’s really important: what movies you should see this year (because let’s face it, we all knew that Avatar would sweep the Oscars — more on that subject later).

So, in no particular order, the ten movies you should spend your hard earned $12 (or $25 if you get popcorn and a drink) are:

10. Brooklyn’s Finest

Is that you Nino Brown??  Antoine Fuqua directs stars Wesley Snipes, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke and Richard Gere in this film about three disillusioned Brooklyn cops whose lives, careers and fates intersect.  First time screenwriter and former MTA worker Michael C. Martin wrote this script to win a screenplay contest. . .so he could buy a new car.  He didn’t win the contest, but his script was optioned, shot on location in BK Summer 2008 and the film was the first to be sold at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.  This film also features strong supporting cast Michael Kenneth Williams and Hassan Johnson (HBO’s The Wire), Ellen Barkin (Ocean’s 12), and Vincent D’Onofrio (L&O: Criminal Intent) Oh, and I worked on this film so, please, go see it and stay for the credits (shameless plug).

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9. My Soul to Take

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of the reboots of horror films that scared the crap out of me as a little girl (but check out the Honorable Mentions. . .).  It’s been 5 years since we last saw a Wes Craven directed film (Red Eye, which starred Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy).  My Soul to Take is the first original script by Craven since Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (which wasn’t as good as his old one) and I have high hopes for this film, which stars Denzel Whitaker (The Great Debaters), Shareeka Epps (Half Nelson) and Max Theriot (Jumper).

8. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Gordon Gekko.  We haven’t heard his name in more than a decade and this time he’s going to make sure we remember.  Fresh out of prison, Gekko (Michael Douglas) finds a new young and idealistic young wall streeter to mentor (Shia LaBeouf), who just happens to be dating his estranged daughter (Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan).  But Gekko never does anything without an ulterior motive — let’s call it Return on Investment.  Oliver Stone returns to direct this highly anticipated sequel to his 80s classic.

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7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

I don’t think this one needs much explanation.  If you’ve read the series, you know that J.K. Rowling has imagined a world so complete from beginning to end (just check the Harry Potter wiki, the woman has back stories for EVERY character that ever appears in the book) and, unfortunately, it’s coming to an end.  Luckily for “Harry Potterheads” the last book has been split into two movies so we can prolong the inevitable: saying goodbye to the characters that have captivated us for the last decade.

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6. The Last Airbender

Based on the popular Nickelodeon series: Avatar: The Last Airbender, I was excited about this film after seeing the teaser trailer. . . then I saw that it was directed by M. Night Shyamalan.  I have a love/hate relationship with this director: I loved Sixth Sense and I’ve hated just about every other film he has directed.  But, to his credit, he does know how to create a fantasy world (Lady in the Water, which I actually didn’t hate).  If you haven’t seen the cartoon, check out a few episodes before seeing the film, the casting (Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone, Nicola Peltz) is spot on.

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5. Sex & The City 2

Our fave ladies (Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte & Miranda) are back to dish about our fave men (Big, Smith, Harry & Steve).  Here’s what I gathered from the teaser: there’s a wedding, a new conquest for Samantha, and lots of sand (the NY based cast and crew flew to Morocco to film for 2 months).  And let’s not forget about the fashion (Hello lover).   I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to “Carrie On.”

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4. Inception

Following his biggest career opener (Shutter Island), Leonardo DiCaprio will star in this mind binding film helmed by Chris Nolan (The Dark Knight), who is frickin brilliant (I never thought I would like a Batman film after the first, directed by Tim Burton, but Nolan breathed new life into the franchise).  This film looks like Memento (another brilliant Nolan film) meets The Matrix.  The trailer sent chills down my spine. . .

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3. Alice in Wonderland

A master of mise-en-scene (a term used to mean the visual style of a film), Tim Burton has recreated a world that we have been familiar with since childhood.  With Burton behind the camera you can guarantee that this version of the beloved book will be unlike any other version you’ve seen.  And, added bonus, this film will be in Imax 3-D (do yourself a favor and see it the right way the first time).  Oh, and did I mention Johnny Depp is the Mad Hatter??

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2 (tie). The Losers/Takers

I’m a sucker for a comic book adaptation or an action flick (with a good plot, of course) — I’m a girl who can appreciate a killer explosion — and these two films deliver.  Idris Elba and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen) headline The Losers about a group of special forces soldiers that take on the CIA.  As for Takers?  Well, this movie has the potential to be the urban Ocean’s Eleven.  And, the sequel has already been greenlit just off buzz for this May release.  But the real reason to see this film?  You have action for the men in the audience and eye candy (Idris Elba, Michael Ealy, T.I., Chris Brown, Jay Hernandez and Paul Walker) for the ladies.  Oh, and look for Zoe Saldana in both films — she’s quickly becoming a Hollywood It-girl.

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1. Iron Man 2

I am such a fan girl when it comes to comic book adaptations and director Jon Favreau did not disappoint.  I mean, seriously, who imagined Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark?  And who wasn’t excited at the end of Iron Man when Samuel Jackson made a cameo as Nick Fury??  Also, in a Dark Knight move, they replaced Terrence Howard with  Don Cheadle as Col. James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes/War Machine, which I think was well played as T. Howard was the only person in the original cast I wasn’t feeling.  Rounding out the cast of the sequel is ScarJo as The Black Widow and Mickey Rourke as Whiplash.

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Honorable Mentions (because not every movie could make the top ten): Twilight: Eclipse, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Arrested Development Movie, Tron Legacy, and Death at a Funeral

What movies are you looking forward to seeing in 2010?

Blue Eyed Soul for Black History Month

This is my top 10 songs to thank all of the soulful Caucasian folks that don’t get recognized for their contribution to soul music lol

1. Hall&Oats:

2.Kenny Loggins:

3. George Michael:

4. Bonnie Raitt:

5. Robin Thicke:

6. Lisa Stansfield:

7. Teena Marie :

8. Michael McDonald:

9. Simply Red:

10 . Jane Child:

Pajama Jeans: What Were They Thinking?

Article submitted by GG reader Porschia T Harden

They can’t be serious with this “Pajama Jeans”…. What’s next: slippers that you can wear outside???

I think this is a complete waste of any idea.
When people think of weird stuff like this, I often worry about our future. Just put on some pants to go outside. Come on, stop being lazy and lying around the house with your pajamas on and heading outdoors. Just put some clothes on, it’s really simple.

The snuggie is a whole other story. I’m just concerned for the youth. Our children are following in our footsteps. What example are we setting for them by doing such things.

And another issue I have, which I am a victim myself, is going out in public with a scarf around the head. I will admit, it is completely ghetto, so let’s just stop the madness and do our hair.

Here’s the article for the “Pajama Jeans.” Check it out for yourself:

http://www.stylelist.com/2010/02/04/pajamajeans-the-next-snuggie/?icid=main|main|dl6|link1|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stylelist.com%2F2010%2F02%2F04%2Fpajamajeans-the-next-snuggie%2F

Question of the Day #41

How busy are we these days? when was the last time you picked up a phone call ?

Is it me or is a text or a BBM a quicker( not as personal)  way to be reached?

Yearly Review – Challenge 2010

Submitted by GG reader Kimberly Baker

The right state of mind can produce endless opportunities and life changing moments. Your focus would be so narrow not even a speck of dirt could get passed your peripheral. I challenge you today to defeat disappointment, missed opportunity and overcome faithlessness. Open your heart and decide on who is leading who; if you entrust the spirit then you can never go wrong.

With self-sympathy comes a pity party, so think smart and remain optimistic DAILY. Your search for happiness doesn’t end when Task #1 is complete; you have to continue onward and make sure you are supplied with progress each day of your life.

Success is based on trials, errors and most importantly; getting to the finish line. Pick up the pieces of your current situation and ignite that flame, which starts the fire of following your dreams.

http://twitter.com/MSunshineKay