Addicted (Movie Review)

Addicted official movie poster – Oct 2014

BEFORE E.L. JAMES PUT PEN TO PAPER, THERE WAS ZANE!

Kristina Laferne Roberts aka Zane is a gifted writer of erotica. Her first officially published book was “Addicted” and was released October 2001. I happened upon the book one day when visiting Barnes & Noble. I’ve been a fan of her work ever since. When I learned the book was being made into a major motion picture I was excited and a little on edge.  If you’ve ever read any of Zane’s books you can understand my feelings.  Zane put the “E” in erotica.

The critics masequered this movie. Lucky for me, I don’t listen to critics and prefer to draw my own conclusions. This movie was very entertaining.  Before I rant about the movie, let me give you a little background from the book:

For successful African-American businesswoman Zoe Reynard, finding the pleasure she wants, the way she wants it, is not worth the risk of losing everything she has: marriage to the man she has loved since childhood, a thriving company, and three wonderful children. But Zoe feels helpless in the grip of an overpowering addiction…to sex.

Finding a compassionate woman therapist to help her, Zoe finally summons the courage to tell her torrid story, a tale of guilt and desire as shocking as it is compelling. From the sensitive artist with whom she spends stolen hours on rumpled sheets to the rough and violent man who draws her toward destruction, Zoe is a woman desperately searching for fulfillment—and something darker, deeper, and perhaps deadly. As her life spins out of control and her sexual escapades carry her toward a dangerous choice, Zoe is racing against time to uncover the source of her “fatal attraction”—as chilling secrets tumble forth from the recesses of a woman’s mind, and perilous temptations lead toward a climax that can threaten her sanity, her marriage…and her life.

ADDICTED THE MOVIE

Kudos to the casting agent for this movie. Sharon Leal, who is best known as the wife to Tyler Perry’s character in the “Why Did I Get Married” films plays the lead, Zoe Reynard. Boris Kodjoe was delicious as ever in his role as Zoe’s husband, Jason Reynard. William Levy (Quinton Canosa) and Tyson Beckford (Corey) serve as two of Zoe’s main sexual addictions.  Note: in the book there were many more but for the movie they focused on these two. Both actors delivered in my opinion. There was lots of rock hard abs and steamy erotic scenes that were believable. William Levy has so much sex appeal and the chemistry between him and Sharon Leal was phenomenal.   As a sidebar, he would have been a strong contender for the lead in the E.L. James movie 50 Shades of Grey.   Actress Tasha Smith did an excellent job as Zoe’s therapist. It was refreshing to see Tasha in a role where she was calm. LOL!

There was nothing preachy about this movie, which has been written by so called critics. Yes, there were a few changes in the screenplay from the book but when you only have 106 minutes to shoot a movie that happens.  I felt the movie did the book justice.

Emayatzy Corinealdi                                                               Kat Graham

Small but important roles were played by Emayatzy Corinealdi as Zoe’s (Zoe & Company’s) assistant and best friend Brina. Kat Graham, who in the book, Zane also had an affair with plays Quinton’s other lover Diamond.

The bottom line:  We go to the theatre to be entertained. If you’re looking for entertainment value I suggest you go see Addicted. The movie does a good job of exploring Sexual Addiction which in recent years has been widely publicized mainly because of celebrities. If you want a good read, pick up a copy of Addicted. I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down. It’s been 13 years since I read it. I’m planning on a re-read after seeing the movie.

Author – ZANE
Kristina Laferne Roberts, aka ZANE is an author of Erotica fiction novels.She is best known for her novel Addicted. In 1997, Zane began writing erotic stories to pass the time after her children went to bed. She was living in North Carolina and working as a sales representative. The stories developed a following on the Internet and she self-published The Sex Chronicles before landing a deal with Simon & Schuster.  She has since published 17 novels.  She is the Publisher of Strebor Books International, an imprint of ATRIA/Simon and Schuster. Under Strebor, Zane is responsible for acquiring dozens of titles per year and currently has nearly fifty authors under her imprint.

Her official website

It’s Just Politics

My friend has a Facebook Page and I just had to share this post. LOL

Find it Hard to Save Money?

I have a lot of friends who have a difficult time saving money.  I learned the hard way (got caught in a pinch years ago) that saving requires a lot of discipline.  This chart has been making the rounds and if you haven’t seen it,  I wanted to share.   It’s  a simple premise but one that’s possible.

Who couldn’t use $1378.00 at the end of the year?  If you deposited the money in one of those higher interest online savings banks, you could end up with more.  For me, savings was difficult because I was trying to save too much.  A little at a time really adds up.  The secret – DEPOSIT AND FORGET ABOUT IT!

DJANGO UNCHAINED REVIEW

DJANGO UNCHAINED – A GOOD OPPORTUNITY BLOWN

Anyone who has ever seen a Quentin Tarantino movie expects lots of blood. That’s a given. With his latest movie, Django Unchained he doesn’t let the audience down. There is a lot of blood and a lot of shooting/killing.

After watching an early morning showing of the movie today, I’d be interested in knowing how much money was spent on marketing. I saw all of the interviews from Jamie Foxx and Kerry Washington. I watched the TV-One interview with Quentin and Jamie and was really stoked to see this movie.  Judging by the packed theatre at 9:45 a.m. others were as stoked as I was.

I knew I shouldn’t have too many expectations, but sadly, I did.  After all, they were hailing this movie as an untold portion of slavery history with a spaghetti western theme.  The movie should have been called a comedy.  Quentin, as usual, was all over the place.  The movie is two hours and forty-five minutes long. (2:45)  It could have been 1:30 as there were several unneeded scenes that Quentin could have left out.

I adore Jamie Foxx. I enjoy his acting, comedy and singing but as a slave it didn’t work for me.  I tend to be a little critical but the movie is set in 1858 before the civil war which began April 12, 1861.  Django’s dialogue as a slave was much too precise to be believable.  Christoph Waltz, who plays a Bounty Hunter (Dr. King Schultz) purchases Django rather unscrupulously, and turns him into a Bounty Hunter.  The audience is left clueless as to why Django is chosen, other than the fact that he was a slave on the plantation of the three men Dr. Schultz is hunting.  The killing starts almost immediately after the opening credits.

Django, who as a slave has never handled a gun or a shotgun turns into a marksman.  Django who in 1859 doesn’t read or write learns to read and for me, he does it too well.  Again, it wasn’t believable.  Once the three hunted men are taken care of Schultz/Django decide to stay together and become Bounty Hunters in the south.  Django’s goal is to find his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) who he was separated from years earlier in a slave sale.

We see Django transformed into a cowboy, complete with a horse, a shotgun and John Lennon sunglasses.  Sunglasses in 1858-1859? Really?  Sam Foster of Foster Grant fame produced the first sunglasses in 1929.  I know they did it to make Jamie Foxx look like a cool cowboy but my critical eye caught it.

Django Unchained was heavily marketed as an untold part of slavery when in actuality it isn’t. It’s a comical western set in the mid 1800’s that is so over the top Quentin Tarantino.  For a moment during the middle of the film I almost fell asleep.  Sam Jackson, Kerry Washington and Leonardo DiCaprio are not seen until the third act.

Don’t take it too seriously folks. It’s definitely not Roots. It could have been a spectacular story but instead, its Quentin Tarantino unplugged.

Laughing at the Klan should have been my first hint I was heading for a let-down.   Upon leaving the theatre a guy in front of me told his friend, “It’s the best movie I’ve seen in five years.”   I can’t wait to see the final numbers.  If you’re a Tarantino fan you’ll enjoy it.  It has its moments but overall I’d give it a 7 out of 10 rating.

Tis’ The Season

Please know that I don’t take your stopping by my little blog for granted. I appreciate the support very much.

In all the excitement, fun and fellowship that you’re about to enjoy over the next few days, please take a moment of silence or prayer for all families impacted by tragedy, separation and death.  I understand firsthand how difficult the holidays can be without those we love and hold so close to our hearts.

I woke up this morning thinking about the parents of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and shed a tear. My heart aches for any parent who has to bury a child. The pain is endless. There’s a huge whole in your heart that takes a long time to close, if ever.

I thought of the thousands of military personnel who long to be home with their loved ones for Christmas and can’t because they’re protecting our freedoms.  God bless each and everyone of them.

Lastly, may God bless you and yours real-real good!  Merry Christmas!

Sharing Valuable Information

This wonderful chart has been making the rounds on the Net.   You never know when you’ll need blood.  Do you know your blood type?  The first step is to find out what your blood type is. Once you know,  this handy chart will tell you who you can give blood to and who you can receive blood from.

The information might just save a life.  Please feel free to copy and pass on.  Everyone should have this information.

Have a great day!

The Highs & Lows of Addiction – Flight – Movie Review

Being a Denzel Washington fan, I haven’t missed an opening of any of his films in years.  Yes he’s a leading man and double Oscar winner, but I enjoy his acting most when he plays flawed characters like Alonzo Harris in Training Day.

In his latest film, Flight, Denzel plays Whip Whittaker, a skilled Pilot but flawed man, with personal demons. Director Robert Zemeckis immediately pulls you into the drama the moment the movie opens and red flags start flying in your mind the minute Captain Whittaker boards his aircraft with a 55-minute flight bound for Atlanta.

The aircraft scenes are intense but the story actually begins once the plane lands.

The casting for this movie was great.  It was nice to see the re-team of Don Cheadle with Denzel Washington. (Devil in a Blue Dress)  Cheadle plays the attorney for the airline, hired to defend Denzel’s character.  They way the two act off of each other shows the talent of both actors. Other cast members include Garcelle Beauvais (Jamie Foxx Show),  Nadine Velazquez (Hart of Dixie), Tamara Tunie (Law & Order SUV),  Kelly Reilly (TV Actress Above Suspicion), Academy Award winner Melissa Leo (The Fighter), and Bruce Greenwood  (Young Justice)

Honorable Mention

Flight has a dark overtone so the casting of John Goodman (Roseanne) who plays Harland Mays, an old hippy and longtime friend of Whip Whittaker provides this movie with the perfect amount of comic relief.  In my opinion, John Goodman should receive an academy award for best supporting actor because he steals his scenes in this movie. I’m laughing as I write this.

To John Goodman – I say Bravo, well done!

Denzel Washington nails his performance and provides the perfect perspective when it comes to addictions and how difficult it is to overcome them.  Did we just witness another Oscar performance?  You be the judge. I highly recommend the movie Flight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Box office November 2nd through 4^th, 2012 – Flight was #2 and took in $25,010,000

Just People

The saying, “we’re more alike, than different” is true – because we are. At the end of the day what we all truly want is peace of mind. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from dealing with people, it’s what Queen Latifah says in this wonderful message. They’re just people.

Whether you’re a fan of this type of music or not, I posted it FOR THE LYRICS. If you choose not to listen to the song then please read the lyrics as they make a lot of sense.

And the next time you find yourself getting bent outta shape over someone or something that someone has done to you, remind yourself: They’re Just People!

LYRICS

PEOPLE by Queen Latifah (feat. Mary J. Blige)

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to be around
They’re just people

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to hold you down
They’re just people

Money problems and mood swings
Situations where certain people ah do things
Like hop on a band wagon get on a food chain
Soon as you get yo swag that’s when yo crew change

But we all equal
And people are just people
Leave it in Gods hands
Cause the devil is lethal
You get what you earn
Also you live and you learn
To expect nothin in return

Do what you do from the heart
Then move on
Cause in the eyes of the ungrateful
U can’t do wrong
That’s when the negative energy gets too strong
The sunshine leaves in comes the true storm
It sometimes makes you wanna to do harm
But you fall back cause you too calm
To get all rowdy and evil
Cause you realize at the end of the day
They just people

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to be around
They’re just people

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to hold you down
They’re just people

The bad ones discourage
The good ones motivate
The weak shall perish
The haters gon’ show they hate
long as you know what you dealing with
You can close the gate
Never let em in your world till you know they straight
Cause then again they just people
Life’s just a one stop deal it’s no sequel
Fakes one are so transparent its so sequel
Loves ones can be so humble when they need you
Some got they hands out even after you feed em
But they ain’t never no where round when you need em
It’s when your thoughts get evil
But then you realize they just people

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to be around
They’re just people

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to hold you down
They’re just people

Hey Yo – I got a lot more living to do before I leave here
I’m blessed and I’m thankful and I’m happy to be here
In good health with good wealth
Could always use help
But all you really got is your good self
Still what I go through
It hurts when people that know you
Let you down and don’t hold you
But your mistakes will teach you
Cause then you realize they just people

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to be around
They’re just people

People gonna let you down
don’t expect for them to hold you down
They’re just people

You betta hold yourself down