Black History Month: The Yak Salutes Sammy Davis Jr.

In honor of Black History Month, we’d like to bring attention to Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr. Sammy Jr. started off touring with his vaudeville- performing father, Sammy Sr. and joined the army during WWII where he experienced racism and segregation. After his discharge, he became great friends with Frank Sinatra and was, as you know, a member of the Rat Pack.

Sammy refused to perform (along with Ol’ Blue Eyes) at many venues that segregated their clubs and was at the March in D.C. Because of his actions, many clubs desegregated their establishments for further Black performers after Mr. Davis, Jr. He continues to hold a special place in our hearts as a great entertainer and Civil Rights Activist.

Sammy was most definitely one of the most multi-talented and spectacular artists that ever graced the stage, and America is better for it. Sammy, we salute you. It was a privilege to have you in our lives, and in our history. Let’s remember Sammy Davis, Jr.

Precious: based on the novel Push by Sapphire

[singlepic id=173 w=240 h=320 float=left]In one word: wow.

The critics of this movie are all shining about Mo’Nique as the evil, selfish, lazy mother to Clareece (Precious) Jones; as well they should.

Mo’Nique is unrecognizable as the abusive mother of Precious, played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe. You can barely associate her with the sassy/sexy/humorious comedienne that we’re all used to.

You want to throw her ignorant mother down a few flights of stairs after she just got done being chased around in a fish tank by a hungry, angry great white shark!  Yes, Mo’Nique makes you hate her. But it’s Mary, Precious’ mother, who you want to see burn on a stake while medievil prayers are chanted to save her soul. Mary’s very ignorance of life and need to “stay on the welfare” will have you saying “Oh no!” all throughout the film. When she plays nice for a visiting social worker, it’s quite humorous. Continue reading “Precious: based on the novel Push by Sapphire”

Star Trek on DVD

[singlepic id=172 w=240 h=320 float=left]Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana & John Cho. They are only a part of the group that make 2009’s Star Trek a wonderful success. Everyone played their parts so well that, even though a couple of characters were obvious, you KNEW who the rest of them were.

Chris Pine is great as James T. Kirk: he has the flirtatiousness, arrogance and egotistical charm that William Shatner gave the character so many years ago.

Zachary Quinto is a perfect Spock:  he brings the seriousness, intelligence & stern need for duty that Leonard Nimoy brought to Spock’s character in the 60’s.

Zoe Saldana plays a very young, upbeat Uhura. Sexy, smart & energetic sides of Uhura that we rarely saw in Nichelle Nichols are portrayed as a playful, but serious Zoe as the communications specialist.

There’s nothing that’s cheesy about this movie; you don’t roll your eyes in your head at any lines and no uncomfortable moments with sexy scenes.  The humor is there, but only in the right moments.

I was grateful enough to see this movie at an IMAX theater, so it was no surprise that I’d invest in the DVD…even if buying it for my mother was a good excuse.

Continue reading “Star Trek on DVD”