Now on DVD
Something for everyone
“Desert Bayou” is a feature length documentary that tells the story of 600 African Americans who found themselves living in Utah after Katrina destroyed their homes.
Produced by Percy Miller (Master P), this film documents how this very white community dealt with an influx of blacks, some with criminal records.
One woman says they didn’t find out she was going to Utah until the pilot announced their destination while they were in the air. She says when they heard it was Utah everyone started yelling. “Ain’t no black folks there.” And they are partly right, only 1% of the population is black, added to that the long, cold winters.
The ‘refugees’ were housed in army barracks some 45 miles from the city. Was this by accident or was this a way of containing blacks that were in a desperate situation?
The documentary details several families as they struggle to adjust to the new surroundings and cultural differences. It’s an intriguing story and great to keep in your collection because it is American story and reflects our history.
“Angels in the Dust” is guaranteed to tug at your heart. It’s the story of Marion Cloete who-with her husband and two daughters establishes a village and a school that provides shelter, food, and education to more than 550 South African children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This family led a privileged life and gave it all up to save these children.
It is a wonderful feature length documentary and it demonstrates man’s capacity, regardless of race, creed or color to love and care for one another simply on the basis of being human.
Beautifully filmed, this doc draws attention to the terrible plight of children caught up in the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how one family is daring to do something about it. More information on the film and social action campaign is available at www.takepart.net/angels.
“Bobby Jones Comedy All Stars” Volume 1 Get ready for comedy that’s clean, clever and completely hilarious. That’s right, Bobby Jones is unleashing his comedy all stars all in the name of laughter, love and fun. Who thought being a Christian could be so much fun?
Volume One features notable Christian comics: Trina Jeffrie, the first lady of Christian comedy, Jonathan Slocumb, Ron Baker, Jr., LaVance Lining Andrew Ford (HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” BET’s “Comic Review,” TV’s “Showtime Live at the Apollo”) and Coco.
Dr. Bobby Jones has revolutionized the gospel music world with his “Bobby Jones Gospel,” the first and only nationally syndicated black gospel television show. His shows, “Bobby Jones Gospel” and “Video Gospel” are the longest running cable shows to date, as well as the two highest rated shows on BET.
Tyler Perry’s “What’s Done in the Dark” This is a DVD of the play and it is funnnny!
The action takes place at a county hospital where the doctors, nurses and patients live out some of their most hilarious and even shocking moments in the waiting room or behind closed stores.
The singing in the play is outstanding, beautiful rich voices that are only matched by the physical comedy and the freedom which these actors display. Make sure you add this to your collection.
-Gail Choice is a writer and producer. She can be reached at gcprods@aol.com.
President Barack Obama had signed H.R. 5450 to rename the Crenshaw post office in honor of Los Angeles’s first African American mayor.
The post office will be renamed the “Tom Bradley Post Office.”
“I am pleased that the president signed this bill to rename the Crenshaw post office in honor of a person who dedicated his life to public service. The Tom Bradley Post Office will serve as a testament to his unprecedented years of dedication to the city of L.A.,” said Congresswoman Diane E. Watson, (D-CA).
Now is a great time to start buying DVD’s and Blu-rays for Christmas gifts, and here’s a list of movies that might not be on your ‘A’ list, but I think you should seriously consider them.
For Children:
“Waiting for Superman” is a documentary by Davis Guggenheim, director of “An Inconvenient Truth,” that focuses on the deteriorating public school system.
Guggenheim’s film follows five optimistic children and their families (that he selected from across the country), who hope to win the lottery—the charter school lottery that is.
Charter schools are portrayed as the possible saviors of these five children. However, there are not many available seats for all the applicants, and only a few lucky ones will win the game.
Premiering at the 2008 Pan African Film and Arts Festival is Walking Tall: The Life and Wife of Walt Walker, Artist and Entrepreneur (2008, 54 mins). The documentary was nominated for Best Documentary Short and will be screened Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. and Feb 16 at 11:15 a.m. at the Magic Johnson Theaters in Los Angeles.
Without a doubt Venus and Serena Williams are two of the most important women in the world of tennis to date. And coming to theaters on May 10, audiences will get an up close and personal look at their lives in the documentary “Venus and Serena.”
