Lee Daniels' "The Butler"

Image: hitfix.com

Saturday evening, I went to see "The Butler". Lee Daniels captures the viewers' attention immediately and never lets it go. The number of viewers at the last matinee was surprising to say the least. There were too many empty seats to take the trouble to count. If you are reading this and wondering if you should bother to spend your money on a ticket, let your doubts be allayed.

Even if you think, as I did, that you knew enough about the Civil Rights movement and you did not need to see another movie about it, have another thought coming on the heels of that one. While the movie is definitely a history lesson for anyone who did not have an actual role in the movement, The Butler is so much more than that.

The movie delves into family drama from various aspects... father, son discord; a husband who is a good man and provider but is lacking as a marriage partner; a second child who flounders in a family position that is never clearly defined for him. Betrayal, loyalty, loud courage, quiet compliance and a myriad of other issues carry the viewer on a ride that has more ups, downs, twists and turns than a long, winding river. 

All of the actors give sterling performances. Any true fan of Forest Whitaker knows that no matter what the role, he embodies the character completely. Oprah Winfrey made me believe that she was "Gloria". It is evident that this is a role that spoke to her from the pages of the script. The iconic Jane Fonda is perfect as former First Lady Nancy Reagan. 

Image: craveonline.com

Be prepared to have your heart run the full scope of emotions. I was angry, happy, hurt, deflated, uplifted, disappointed, and hopeful during the showing. You will be, too. Seeing what people endured in that era from the perspective of someone who was not considered to be on the front lines of the movement was thought provoking. It helped me to look at things in my own life from a different perspective.

upi.com

Take that much needed break you've been promising yourself that you would and allow yourself to be entertained, enlightened and changed. You will not walk out of the theater with the same sense of right and wrong and that tense area in between. Race relations will not magically become better but the current young generation will have a better understanding of why some things are the way that they are. Perhaps they will be inspired to live in such a way that harmony between the races will be embraced and promoted and hatred will be fervently denounced.

Most of all, it is my belief that you will leave the show with a thirst to better your relationships with your family and friends. So, you see, the price of the ticket to have a seat and watch The Butler is minuscule compared to the incalculable values you will walk away with. Go see the film. Take a friend, or even better, a family member with whom you need to mend a bond. The only way that your heart will not be touched is if you don't have one.

Be blessed!

Sunida 

P.S.  I think that Lee Daniels is positively brilliant! This story is told in a manner that is familiar yet fresh and intriguing.  And the man took glamorous diva Mariah Carey and turned her into a field negro. What?!!  I'm done!  Although I can't imagine that you have not seen the trailer, it is posted below just in case.

  

It's a brand New Year! What are you going to do with it?

Happy 2013!!!  2012 is now a memory and you have a brand-spanking new year in front of you.  What will you do with it? Perhaps you'll find a new job to replace the one you dread going to.  Hey, if you get a headache just driving into the parking lot, it's probably time to find a new way to earn a paycheck.  Maybe this year you'll finally get yourself organized and throw out all of the old stuff you've been hanging onto in case you need it one day.  Seriously, if you haven't needed it during 2012 and all of the previous years, it's doubtful that you'll ever need it again.  Will this be the year you become an entrepreneur, work the kinks out of your invention, go Hollywood or just get that divorce you've been wanting? Whatever it is that causes your heart to beat a little faster or your mind race at the thought of doing it, I truly hope that 2013 will be your year!

Many of us did not accomplish all of the important things we had on our "To Do" lists, so you are in good company there.  However, none of us wish to stay in that sphere.  We all want to be successful, clear that list of things to do, and do a George Jefferson --- move on up.

With the economy kicking our butts at every turn - rising prices and falling employment opportunities - it will not be easy to remain positive.   And, of course, any failures of 2012 could continue to dampen our enthusiasm and make us hesitate to jump back into the fray.  Sitting on the sidelines won't make things any better; to accomplish anything, we must do the work.

So, what's on my list that I haven't done?  Well, it has quite a few items but there are two major things that I want to finish this year.  The first thing that I'd like to scratch off of my list is finishing my first novel that I began six (yes, 6) long years ago.  Why didn't I finish? Well, it wasn't writer's block but more like life block .  I could give you a long list of reasons, excuses or what have you, but it was simply life.   We all have obstacles in life that effectively keep us separated from some level or form of success we're hoping to achieve.  I was unable to remove the obstacles - and believe me, I tried my damnedest.  Consequently, I failed to finish my novel even though I am almost done. But we all know that almost doesn't count.  So, 2013 arrived at midnight to find Yalaena Live!  still incomplete.

The next item on the list that does not have a line drawn threw it is making a demo so that the fantastic lyrics I write can be pitched to an established producer like Vincent Herbert, Andre Harrell, L.A. Reid, or Corte Ellis.  My dream as it pertains to the music business is to hear my songs being sung by Mariah, Mary J, Tamar, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, etc.  It's as though I can hear what you're thinking - do I really think my lyrics are that good? I absolutely do. My lyrics have depth. They are not the fluff being played these days.  My songs are for people who really blow, baby!  So, why haven't I made a demo?  No music to accompany my lyrics and no funds for studio time.  Sounds simple enough but these are hurdles that must be jumped and I can't seem to clear them.  You guessed it... 2013 found me with my songs incomplete.

One thing that the new year found me with is faith.  I still believe that I can finish Yalaena Live! and find a way to get my music done.  I've been struggling for many years now to defeat the problems that have been plaguing me but that in itself could be the problem.  The answer could be as simple as finding a way around the obstacles instead of trying to completely rid myself of them.  There are some things that cannot be eradicated but they can be bypassed or maneuvered around.  You can't move the mountain, but you can climb it.   You can't remove the river, but you can find a way across it.  You get the idea.

While the new year does not bring with it a new, clean slate, it does bring the opportunity to get back to the task of making your dreams come true.   Work on it, no matter what "it" happens to be,  every chance you get.  When fear and/or doubt intrude as uninvited and unwanted guests, cut their visit short and keep working.   Become just selfish enough to make your projects priorities instead of options.  Do the necessary to obtain the elusive.

2013 is our year!  I'm claiming it for me and especially for you!

With love,
Sunida

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas to you and yours! May the spirit and magic of the holiday season bring you abundant joy, love, peace and blessings!!! XOXO










Grey's Anatomy fans... this one's especially for you.
Sara Ramirez sings Silent Night

Music News: Whitney's return, Mariah, Michael Jackson

Whitney fans rejoice! The diva's long absence from the music scene has finally ended with the completion of her latest CD, I Look to You. The new CD is will be available on September 1 and the cover features a stunning photo of the former model. The iconic singer, who is the only artist to have seven consecutive multiplatinum albums catapulting her past the Beatles, will kick off the Fall Concert Series for GMA. Welcome back, Whitney!!!





Mariah Carey has listeners wondering if her latest release is about rapper Eminem. The director of the Obsessed video asserts that it is not. The song is from her new CD, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, available August 25.

MTV Shows

Finally, in music news, a short portion of an unreleased song, A Place with No Name, by the world's most dominating musical force ever, the late Michael Jackson, has been obtained by TMZ.com. Here's a youtube video by user Smoothiesforseals .