Blogcritics Author: Viqi French
A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously.

• Announcement: Short-content feeds
  Sunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding.
• Movie Review: Get Rich or Die Tryin'
  On Wedneday morning, I read a movie review of Get Rich or Die Tryin' by a disgruntled critic. Yet I skipped work that afternoon to see it for myself. Obviously splitting early to shell out my hard-earned cash to Mr. Magic Shop -- or is it Candy Stick -- wouldn't help me "get rich." I sure hoped I wouldn't agree with the critic, wishing I had back my eight bucks. I slid into my comfy theater seat with fairly low expectations... Hours later, I emerged with a wide smile. I was excited: I liked Get Rich or Die Tryin'. A lot. There are already mainstream critics who bash this movie because Fiddy is no Denzel Washington. There are already African Americans denouncing it because it's centered in the drug trade and violence. But somewhere beyond all of that is a rich, ambitious film that was worth the wait and 50's incessant hype.I'm not about to divulge lots of specific details about the movie. But really, you should stop reading now if you want to see it through "virgin eyes"... If you're still reading, I hope to give you a more balanced but fun, layman's sense of the film, juxtaposed the histrionics of some in the mainstream press and black activists. So in the spirit of one of 50 Cent's popular songs, if you asked me 21 Questions about why you should check out Get Rich, I'd give you these 21 answers...1. The film is terribly engrossing, with never a dull moment. High quality production with high caliber touches everywhere. Interestingly, you are not hit over the head with the rap aspect of this film, numerous concert performances, etc. The music's there, to be sure, but Fiddy's movement in the drug game and the circumstances that led him there are the real grist. 2. Fiddy's acting is better than I expected. No, he's no Denzel, so don't go expecting a Denzel performance. Moderate that expectation and you may enjoy what you see.3. Co-star Terrence Howard is a bit of a Denzel! His character is as compelling as Denzel's in Training Day.4. The entire ensemble cast is on point. Everyone pulls through with dynamic performances that give the overall film quite a lusterous lift.5. The cinematography is top-notch. If you pay attention to scene composition, camera angles, mood lighting, etc., then director Jim Sheridan & Co. have made a nice piece of eye candy you'll appreciate.6. There's one jaw-dropping scene that reminded me of HBO's acclaimed prison series Oz. It will be one of the most talked about moments of this film.7. This movie showcases a work ethic that "Many Men" (another song by Fiddy) would do well to emulate. Not at all condoning Fiddy's prior profession, but can't help but tip my hat to the discipline that he learned in the drug game and how he applied that focus to move up, out and away.8. There is believable chemistry between Fiddy and Joy Bryant. A sweet, strong love between a thug and his goodie two-shoed squeeze.9. I thought Fiddy's mumbling would be annoying. But for the most part, I understood him just fine.10. The opening scene is a monster. And that's all I'll say about that.11. Bill Duke is a monster. Ditto.12. The actor who actually performed in HBO's Oz -- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje -- renders a complex and edgy character.13. Quincy Jones & Co., of course, made a sophisticated musical score for this.14. When thugs cry, sometimes they're just faking. Well, that's what Fiddy's tears looked like to me: liquid plastic. If you like special effects, then you'll like that somebody seemed to have gotten paid top dollar to create this man's stiff as hell tear streaks. I could be wrong, but those tears looked store-bought!15. The boy who plays Fiddy as a nine-year-old looks just like him. Excellent casting, through and through.16. Fiddy's skin looks pretty good. I don't think it was just the make-up, either. Maybe he, too, has been using that miracle acne product that Alicia Keys, Jessica Simpson and Diddy are endorsing.17. If you want to better understand street drug organizations, here's another good peek inside. 18. There were plenty of belly laughs... Sure wish I could tell you more, but somebody might behead me for giving away too much. I'll just say there are hilarious laugh lines here that will be embraced by urban culture for all time.19. I loved seeing the relationship between Fiddy and his mom. She seemed like a sweetie and you really feel his loss and trauma in the film.20. It was cool seeing Fiddy's very white, toothy smile. Ain't nothing as sexy as a rich chocolate gangsta with gleaming teeth and no fronts!21. And good lord, when Fiddy and his girl are making love, one of his smooth moves sends an audible shockwave through all the ladies in the theater. I think Fiddy kinda hits a worldwide GGGG-spot!I subtitled this review "Get Vic'd and Leave Cryin'" -- using a slang term that means to be victimized or duped. But now having seen Get Rich and appreciating the art and adventure of it, I'll say the only possible "vics" here would be those who let this film pass them by on the assumption that a little-trained rapper couldn't successfully star in a quality film.There was one point in Get Rich when I realized I was watching a film just about as enthralling as Goodfellas. This, coming from a person who has never purchased an album by 50 Cent, ought to tell you there's something here that actually backs up all the hype. So do not "wait" to see this movie. Get dressed and try enjoying!For more on Get Rich or Die Tryin' and other hot topics, visit the daily music blog Viqi French Fever. Ed: JH
• Samuel Betta Do the Right Thing Like Spike Lee
  Continuing a saga that began earlier this year, Samuel L. Jackson and rapper 50 Cent are at each other's throat again - via the press only, thank goodness - essentially about hip-hoppers breaking big and untested into film. Jackson previously was quoted wondering what would make a big-time director like Jim Sheridan (In America, My Left Foot) choose to work with virgin actor Fiddy for his biopic, Get Rich or Die Tryin', which hits theaters nationwide on November 9. Duh... money? Ummm... fascinating story? Well, Sheridan explained his interest in working with Mr. Magic Stick this way: "The Irish experience is very close to the black experience, down to the toxic nature of the way we speak. I grew up in an area of Dublin that was very poor, and there was lots of heroin. I had fights with kids, addicts, and I had to defend myself." And defend himself Mr. Sheridan continues to do - against critics like Samuel L. Jackson. But Fiddy seems to have his own back against Samuel L., whose most memorable role in some of our minds remains that of doped-up, ever-dancing "Gator" in Spike Lee's Jungle Fever. For instance, the rap superstar recently said this in an interview, responding to the question of big Sam having snubbed an invitation to co-star in his biopic: "I don't even see where Samuel fits into my life story anyway, unless he plays one of the crackheads. He was a crackhead originally, right? So I come from being a rapper, and he comes from being a crackhead." Well! 50 Cent doesn't appear to need me or anyone else to defend him; he's handling things just fine, thank you very much. But still, I get a little irritated when I hear Samuel Jackson singing this same song about rappers winning major roles in movies. My high-road argument is that it's not at all a new phenomenon. From Elvis and Frank Sinatra to Diana Ross and Sammy Davis Jr., musically inclined artists have always leveraged their popularity to make it on to the silver screen. And everyone that I'm aware of cheered on each and every one of them.But my low-road leads here: Why is there always a devaluation of young black men today who attempt this age-old cross-over act? Why do people seem unwilling to entertain the possibility that artistic talent in one arena often extrapolates to another? And why oh why would anyone discourage a guy whose fame largely rests on his ex-dope dealing laurels from taking every avenue possible to make an honest living?I mean, I understand Samuel Jackson's point. There are too many talented black actors who can't get a break and aren't eating well. Some of them have paid top dollars, blood, sweat and tears for seri