Ale

SHE’S GOT PLENTY TO DISCUSS WITH HER NEW FILM THE WOMEN OUT THIS FALL, BUT IT’S THE STATUS OF WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD THAT KEEPS BALTIMORE NATIVE JADA PINKETT SMITH ALL FIRED UP. SHE SITS DOWN WITH LISA LING FOR SOME SERIOUS GIRL TALK. With Layla Revis Photographs by Jack Guy On a still summer day in Hollywood, the doors of the Sunset Marquis are wide open, anticipating what is sure to be a grand entrance. Ten seconds sooner than expected, Jada Pinkett Smith breezes into the lobby in a pair of shorts and bright blue YSL stilettos. Her presence is awe-inspiring. She’s in better shape at 37 than most people are at 19, and the inherent energy in every inch of her five-foot frame feels massive. The actress, known for her roles in The Nutty Professor and the second and third Matrix films, is also the real-life wife of actor Will Smith, and has recently added the title of author to the mix with her 2004 lyrical children’s book, Girls Hold Up This World (Scholastic), featuring photographs by Donyell Kennedy- McCullough. Pinkett Smith’s story challenges young girls to realize their full worth, power, and beauty. “We girls hold up this world as we build our self-esteem. We know that discipline will turn a princess into a queen,” she writes. “We are sisters of this earth—members of one powerful tribe. Every color, shape, and size, we’re united by beauty inside.” Pinkett Smith’s eyes connect with the group instantly, putting everyone at ease. A wide smile spreads across her face. She’s here to discuss her new movie, The Women, a remake of George Cukor’s 1939 film, directed by Diane English, about a wealthy New Yorker who leaves her cheating husband and bonds with other women as a result. Set to premiere on September 12, it features Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Bette Midler, Carrie Fisher, Candice Bergen, Cloris Leachman, Eva Mendes, and Debra Messing, to name just a few of the film’s exceptional female stars. Speaking candidly to Capitol File and Lisa Ling, correspondent for Oprah and the National Geographic Channel, Pinkett Smith sees the movie as a starting point for an issue she believes is seriously ignored in the US and abroad: the status of women. LISA LING: I see that you’re reading Unbowed by Wangari Maathai. JADA PINKETT SMITH: Yes, it’s such an amazing book and she’s such a phenomenal woman. LL: Will you option Wangari’s story? JPS: I’d consider it, definitely. I’m heading to Uganda and Rwanda on a seven-day trip for Malaria No More, so right now I’m just trying to stay focused on the mission and see what comes of that. LL: Have you been to Africa before? JPS: Yes, we went to South Africa and Mozambique to shoot Ali. Will and I loved Africa. We went to South Africa and almost moved there. I said, “Do you really want to do this now? We have the rest of our lives to do it.” Will and I always say, “God visits everywhere, but lives in Africa.” When you’re on safari and you see that African sky… it’s just such a spiritual place. LL: I remember going to Rwanda and being amazed at the way the women of the country are rebuilding their lives. In 2005 Rwanda had more women in Parliament than any other country. Speaking of women, tell me about your latest film, The Women. JPS: The material is great, but what I liked most about the film was that I had the opportunity to work with some extraordinary women. Diane [English] had been working on the project for 13 years. She was so passionate about it. Meeting Diane, talking to her, we just said, “We gotta do this because they’re trying to shut us out!” LL: What was it like to work with such a large female cast? JPS: It was interesting to be in this large group of women. It just worked. And to see how we all collaborated, what we brought individually to the film—I was elated. In all honesty, Annette Bening is brilliant. I was in awe of her. I had to catch myself; [i was] watching her like a student. Just her process… she’s a veteran. And then for all of us—Meg, Eva, Annette—to sit around and talk about our families, balancing our lives, husbands, divorce, boyfriends… you recognize how much you need to be in spaces like that with other women, you know? [it was the] kind of camaraderie that you didn’t need to explain every detail for them to get it. It’s like an unspoken language. LL: It’s wonderful working with a group of women, but sometimes certain petty issues, insecurities, or jealousies present themselves. Were there any difficulties on the set? JPS: I tell you, it’s interesting how I look at those situations that inevitably occur, in all relationships. If I see another woman who’s intimidated or feels she has to compete with me, and I feel like I have to do the same, I check myself and say, Now Jada, how can you make this go better? How can you bring this woman comfort? How can you create a situation where you don’t necessarily need to like each other but can have a relationship of mutual respect? When I see those kinds of things, I put it on me, because I’m the only person—in this duel here—that can change. I immediately check myself and go, What is it that I’m doing that might be creating this, or what behavior or attitude can I change in order to change this [dynamic] with the woman in front of me? LL: You definitely seem evolved in your level of security. JPS: Well, you know, when you’re dealing with actresses, and just people in this industry as a whole, we’re constantly inundated with rejection, people telling us what we’re doing wrong. You start to second-guess yourself. LL: What are your biggest insecurities? JPS: Oh, my body. I hate my legs. Hate ’em. LL: You’re kidding. You’ve got great legs. JPS: But that’s the thing, you need other women around you to be a mirror, because sometimes we can’t see ourselves. We’ve been given a certain language, situations that basically form who we are— and the media, which is a whole other thing.... As women we look for this thing and that thing; we fill those voids with men, or with food, sugar, whatever, instead of really dealing with the core issues, the issues we don’t want to look at. But that’s the jewel. That’s where happiness lies. LL: As an actress and a public person, how much responsibility do you feel? JPS: I feel every individual, and every artist, has to figure out their own responsibility level. For me, when it comes to women, I am extremely sensitive to the roles I take and how I’m portrayed physically.I try really hard to stay away from stereotypes. LL: I watched the BET show Hip-Hop vs. America last night and it was amazing. Five African-American men were talking about how women are portrayed in hip-hop videos. These Harvard professors were saying, “Stop blaming the white man for raping the black woman.” JPS: We can’t do that anymore. You know, it wasn’t right or correct when the whole Imus situation happened, but a part of me thought, We really have the nerve to have this uproar, when you look closely at what goes on within our own family. I’m telling you: That whole situation is so layered and so deep, how we got to that place… just the dynamics of the black family, the black man, and the black woman. LL: Hip-hop culture is so influential. It’s not just black culture buying into these images of women anymore. JPS: Oh, I agree. But women also have to understand their position of leadership in the community, and that’s what we’ve lost: the understanding that we’ve allowed this patriarchal, capitalistic attitude to really dictate who we are. We too have compromised our dignity. LL: Well, that’s another issue you’ve touched upon: figuring out a way to be independent. JPS: That’s the thing, though. You have to keep a balance. There’s a place in which the masculine can take care of the feminine and a place where the feminine takes care of the masculine, but you can’t relinquish your power. Sometimes I get into a place where I really want to. Sometimes I get really tired and want to say, “Daddy, just take it all! Just take care of me.” I want to suck my thumb and cry like a little girl, but at the end of the day, the dynamic gets out of whack, and that energy gets out of balance. LL: What about young celebrities? JPS: Well, first of all, I don’t think I would have made it! The things I have to talk to my children about, at such a young age… it would blow your mind. I have to constantly reassure my daughter that she’s beautiful and teach my sons a different thought process when it comes to how they view women. I’m lucky, though, because Will really values the feminine. He exalts women. He was very close to his mother and grandmother. Will is definitely a feminist. LL: So how do you instill positive views [of women] at home? JPS: I think as mothers, with the music and the media out there, we really have to sit our boys down and tell them, “That is not okay.” It’s funny, because I remember telling my kids, “Mommy isn’t going to be doing any more movies this year.” You know what they said? “But how are all the bills going to get paid?” It was cute, but more important, they see a household where both parents contribute. LL: How important are your girlfriends in your life? JPS: Very. There’s an incredible amount of camaraderie and power that comes with having girlfriends. They help you be the best you can be, but you have to do the work as an individual too. For example, I’ve noticed that most of the time when I get mad at certain things, it turns out to be a reflection of myself and the stuff I do. Of course, sometimes people do terrible things to us that we don’t deserve, but a lot of the time we get mad at the same things we do to them. You know, [there was a] time I was really hitting a wall in my relationships and I read this book that said to write down all the terrible stuff you’ve done, so I did. I wrote it all down. Then I gave it to Will. LL: Really? Wow… I hope you destroyed it! JPS: Oh, don’t worry. I did, but I wrote everything down. It was hard, but it felt so good, like this giant relief. It changed his perception, I’m sure, but it also changed my relationship with myself, the amount of confidence and security I felt. To finally point the finger at myself and get it off my chest, things I was holding onto. LL: You’re brave. I’m not sure I’d do that. So tell me, what do you think women need most right now? JPS: We need more leadership in the communities. You know, we can’t let celebrities raise our kids. We need to consolidate our power to reach out to all different types of women. I don’t care what color or nationality, there’s a unified language and understanding among women. The truth is, no one else is going to do it for us. Women have to do it. We as women have to get up our game, because all over the world females are being victimized. We have to teach our daughters to have discipline and we have to be responsible for ourselves. Source: http://www.capitolfile-magazine.com/cover_story.html

Hancock Coming to DVD and Blu-Ray on November 25th After weeks of speculation, Sony Pictures has confirmed a late-November Blu-ray touchdown for the Will Smith blockbuster 'Hancock.' Originally rumored for an early-December release, fans will get the $200 million-plus-grossing superhero spoof earlier than expected when Sony debuts the Blu-ray of 'Hancock' on November 25, day-and-date with the standard DVD. ADVERTISEMENT As the studio has only just issued a trade alert for 'Hancock,' all tech specs and supplement details are still under wraps. We'll certainly keep you posted as soon as the full press announce comes in. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $38.95. http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Son...r_November/2044

Will and Jada were seen in down town Dar as they came out of The Kilimanjaro Hotel. http://vybes.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/will...-pinkett-in-tz/

I don't believe it.

Jabir Herbert Muhammad, who managed Muhammad Ali for most of his professional boxing career, died Monday at age 79. He died following heart surgery in Chicago, his son told the Associated Press. Ali's manager was the son of Elijah Muhammad. Born Elijah Poole, he became a Muslim and later the leader of the Nation of Islam for several decades. According to one version of the tumultuous days in the mid-1960s surrounding the heavyweight champion, it was Elijah Muhammad who renamed the fighter born Cassius Clay. Herbert Muhammad officially became Ali's manager in 1966 when the fighter's contract with a consortium of Louisville, Ky., businessmen expired, but had established control well before that date. He went on to promote several million-dollar purses for Ali's bouts and stayed on as a spiritual adviser well after the former heavyweight champion's last bout in 1981. The business relationship became increasingly strained by the 1990s as Ali and his fourth wife, Lonnie, began to assert more direct control over his affairs. Ali and Herbert Muhammad were on opposite sides in a number of lawsuits, including over the biopic released in 2001 starring Will Smith. Herbert Muhammad is survived by his wife, 14 children and several grandchildren. http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2008/08/26/...it.html?ref=rss ___________________________________________________________ Rest In Peace.

Jaja! Bueno gracias, aunque a veces cometo fallos también :thumbsup:

If that's his opinion, cool then. I think he wouldn't say this if 'TDK' hadn't have been so successful though.

Jealousy. Don't see other explanation to attack DC like that. :shakehead:

More pics! http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.a...mp;src=standard http://www.daylife.com/topic/Will_Smith/photos/all/1

Feliz cumpleaños madrileña! :Party_fest09:

** Pitchfork.tv Video Premiere ** // A throwback to the days of Skee-Lo and Positive K, this song from The Old Prince LP gets a hilarious video based on the classic DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince clip and Will Smith's TV show. http://pitchfork.tv/videos/shad-the-old-pr...l-lives-at-home :lolsign: :lolsign:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Ml3pZBoFY :wickedwisdom: :wickedwisdom:

Source: http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/08/2...fluence-on-him/

Pics! http://www.daylife.com/topic/Will_Smith/photos/all/1 http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.a...mp;src=standard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJuVVY-QyyE And this is another cool video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxSjVLv4pqk

Just 1 word: masterpiece

METAL DETECTOR Proclaiming his love of metal on a bright pink shirt, Will Smith pulls his own luggage through Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday. (His wife Jada Pinkett Smith is in the metal band Wicked Wisdom.) Source: http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20220170_2,00.html Video! http://www.tmz.com/tmz_main_video?titleid=1743102131 PS: I think this board needs a section titled "General WS News" where we can post stuff like this, so we can separate it from his music & movies. Just a suggestion! :thumbsup:

Well, here's the answer... :lolsign: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/news/articles/4814.asp

Great! :wickedwisdom:

Happy birthday man, hope you have a great day! :birthday: :7: :respect: :dj: :Party_fest09: :kool: :yeah: :wickedwisdom: :jazzy: :2thumbs: :party: :pony: :wiggle: :gettinjiggywitit:

Welcome :emot-keke:

http://video.google.es/videoplay?docid=-43...vt=lf&hl=es

Exactly. That was recorded from TV, so that's why I find it strange. Who knows, maybe they made the video some years later and for that reason we can see clips from tracks included on the 'Code Red' album. :shrug: Anyways I don't think it's official either. It's cool tho'.

TO SOME FANS of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," Janet Hubert will always be the real Aunt Viv. Hubert played Will Smith's classy and well-to-do Aunt Vivian for the first three seasons of the '90s TV sitcom that made Smith, just 22 at the time, into a big star. More than a decade later, "Fresh Prince" is finding a new generation of young fans watching it in syndication on cable's Nick at Nite. Hubert, who lives in North Jersey, said she runs into school-age kids who ask: "When are you going to go back to the show?" , unaware that it hasn't been in production for years. It was a fallout with producers over the show's direction - and not a rift with Smith - that led to her sudden departure, Hubert said. "It was never a firing," Hubert said in a recent telephone interview. "It was a setup. They wanted me to sign a contract for 10 episodes rather than the usual 27, which meant my income, which was not that large in the first place, was cut in half." Rather than try to renegotiate, she says the producers announced she had rejected her contract and they would recast her role. They brought in Daphne Maxwell Reid for the three remaining seasons. At the time, gossip mags and the Hollywood grapevine buzzed that Hubert and Smith had clashed on the set, something Hubert denies. She acknowledges that she did ask him to apologize to castmates if he showed up late for a shooting. "I'm a professional," said Hubert, an alumna of New York's Julliard School. "I believed in being on time." But her major beef with the show was the way the producers diminished the roles of Aunt Viv and Uncle Philip (played by James Avery). Eager to appeal to young audiences, she said, the show followed a TV sitcom pattern of denigrating parental authority. Aunt Viv was a college professor and Uncle Philip was a lawyer, but she said the show rarely gave them scenes befitting their professional status. A scene that escalated her conflict with producers occurred when she was pregnant in real life and writers included the pregnancy in the script. "I remember an episode where they had Will going to the Lamaze classes with me," she recalled. "I wanted to know why Philip wouldn't go with me." She didn't think the scene made sense and she was especially upset when the action called for Smith to suddenly snatch a pillow from beneath her head and give it to Vanessa Williams, causing Aunt Viv's head to fall back hard on the floor. Hubert loudly protested and says she was considered persona non grata from then on. Hubert's break with "Fresh Prince" was a painful period of her life. She had just given birth to her first and only child, Elijah, and her then-husband, writer James Whitten, was unemployed. Despite the lingering wound of what she calls the "public humiliation" of being dropped from "The Fresh Prince," Hubert says she is healing. And she is happy to see how successful Smith - hailed by Forbes magazine as Hollywood's top earner in 2007 - has become. "I wish him nothing but the best," she said. "But I am not surprised. I always knew he would become very large one day." Hubert has kept her foot in TV with guest appearances on series such as "Friends," "The Gilmore Girls" and "The Bernie Mac Show." And she's been working on an animated cartoon series, "J.G. and the B.C. Kids," slated for DVD release. She's shopping the show around to children's TV networks, too. The show is about a young, black female archaeologist who helps a boy named Vinnie learn about dinosaurs and science through the magic of time travel. A line of book bags and other products based on the show's characters will be available at Wal-Mart in time for back-to-school shopping. The cartoon project grew out of her 15-year-old son Elijah's fascination with dinosaurs, beginning when he was 6. "I've been trying to make it happen for nine years, until I finally did it myself. I produced it myself," said Hubert, who collaborated with illustrator Vincent Spencer in the creation of the series. The "J.G." in the title stands for "Janet Granite," a name Elijah and two friends gave Hubert back when she gave presentations about dinosaurs to elementary school classes. The "B.C. Kids" in the title can mean a number of things, Hubert said, including "bright children," "bold and confident" and "beautiful and caring." "My son was my inspiration," Hubert said. "He knew every single dinosaur that there was. We had to get bugs and snakes and every book that existed because he was so driven." She wanted to produce a show starring mostly black children because, she said, it is important for them "to see themselves as smart and excited about science and math." "Our children are being bombarded with thug images," Hubert said. "J.G. and the B.C. Kids" is an antidote, a show about children who are eager to learn, she said. * http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/2...oon_series.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhLyP8KXyg