Respect the tortoise!

When you think of a tortoise an image comes to mind. It's the same as a turtle for most people. Slow and small, the huge shell. A creature that most imagine as a passive and calm creature.

That's not exactly correct though. A fact that a boxer puppy and his owners came to realize in this video



Score one for the tortoise.

And if you were wondering, it seems that this guy has been practicing his dog chasig skills for a while.



Ok, not the same tortoise. Still it's cute.

Willis and Foxx are Kane & Lynch

So what do you get when you take a video game, 2 a-list celebrities, and decide to make a movie? Well you can either have a great movie (probably Prince of Persia), a good movie (Resident Evil, Hitman, Max Payne), or you can have crap (BloodRayne, Super Mario Brothers, Double Dragon, ect).

In this case the video game is Kane & Lynch. If you aren't familiar with the game it can be summed up by this video.



Yep, this is a game all about the massive kills, explosions, and mayhem that can be done with a modern video game system. And like most video games these days there is a solid backstory, character development, and solid graphics.

The one thing the game does not have are any real heroes. Both lead characters are scum. Neither is honorable, justified, or innocent. Which makes the copious amounts of violence understandable, as no hero would inflict this kind of pain on innocents.

Now take that and imagine this on the big screen. It's just not possible. Especially when you consider that Kane will be played by Bruce Willis, and Lynch is reported to be Jamie Foxx.

I'm not saying either actor is incapable, because they can definitely act. It's that the characters, as they exist, are just too violent and despicable for movie theaters. Willis and Foxx have also built up reputations as playing good guys, or at least the most good person in a movie of very grey characters. The roles of Kane & Lynch will dent those on-screen images. Which might be a reason for the actors to take the roles.

Still I see massive rewriting in the film version. I expect that at least Kane, possible also Lynch, will be toned down. The characters will be made less homicidal, and given a heroic cause for the mayhem they will create. Possibly even a bit of redemption too. Which could destroy the feel of the movie, or could cause viewers to cheer on the leads. It all depends on the writing.

And writing is something that Hollywood has been skimping on these days.

Whichever way the film goes, it will be interesting to see how it all comes together. Plus watching Willis and Foxx in an action movie sounds fun. Like the match up of Willis and Damon Wayans in the Last Boyscout (a good film by the way), but with a lot more action.

Figure it will be 1 - 2 years before the film is out. Until then, you can play Kane & Lynch 2 (out in August) and just imagine the film to come.

Peter Graves - the mission is sadly over

It's sad to have to mention that actor Peter Graves has died today. The news has just gone over the news, he was 83 - four days before his 84th birthday.

For my younger readers, you might only recall Peter Graves as Colonel John Camden on the WB Network TV series 7th Heaven, or perhaps as the odd but funny airline pilot Captain Clarence Oveur from the Airplane! spoof movies. Some who are a bit older, or anyone that has had the chance to see the original television series Mission: Impossible (which the Tom Cruise films are very loosely based on), will remember Graves as Mr. Jim Phelps. But fans of older classic films might also recall his serious and strong performance in the film Stalag 17, as the German undercover spy Price.

Peter Graves was more than just an actor. He served in the Air Force, went to the University of Minnesota, and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He was a husband to his wife, Joan Endress, for 60 years (a number most people today have trouble reaching in months of a marriage). He was also the father of 3 children.

But the thing the general populace knew Graves for was his acting. Whether on the big screen or small, he was a mainstay for decades. Like very few in Hollywood, Graves was in 70 movies and televisions shows throughout his 52 year career (his most recent role was in 2003).

He was the well recognized voice of Biography on A&E, to the point of his parody of his Biography work in the film Men in Black II, hosting an exposé television show. It was that humor that likely garnered his roles in Airplane!

One thing he was not known for was any part of the Mission Impossible movies made by Tom Cruise. Like every surviving member of the cast, Graves had no desire to be a part of the revisioned film portrayal of the famous television show. It was rumored that Graves did not want to appear in a version of Mission: Impossible that made the Phelps character a villain.

Along the path of Peter Graves career he was nominated for Emmy's and Golden Globes, winning a Golden Globe Award in 1971 and an Emmy in 1997.

Here are some videos of the man.







My condolences to his family and friends.

News flash from Chris Matthews: Obama is Black

I realize that most people do not watch MSNBC. There are many reasons for this, but the latest comments from Chris Matthews helps to make it quite clear.





So if I understand this correctly, Chris Matthews forgot that President Obama is (by Matthews comments) a Black, loincloth wearing, spear chucking, Tarzan movie escapee that can stand infront of a crowd of Whites and not cower and simper? And Matthews believes this because America is past the racial divide of the 1950's?

Ok, let's smell the coffee and wake up. President Obama is African American, and there are no Blacks in the modern world that run around in loincloths. To my knowledge there are not tribes of African Americans, not even during the centuries of slavery. And President Obama is not the only African American will and capable of standing in front of a crowd of any and all groups of people in a position of authority and leadership without a loss of respect, power, or anything else.

Yes, in the 1950's African Americans couldn't do a lot of things. Yes, even today stereotypes and small-minded individuals make life difficult for people of color. It's true that loans, for anything, tend to be priced higher for people of color. It's true that inner city schools with high percentages of people of color are more likely to be underfunded and the teachers overworked. It's true that the worst stereotypes and images of people of color are promoted to this day on television, music videos, and every other media. It's even true that right now, in every industry in America, people of color are underrepresented at the top level even though qualified people exist for those positions.

But all of that together does not make President Obama less Black, or any of the numerous insults that Chris Matthews let fly.

I wonder what will happen to Matthews, if anything. If this were a White Conservative, say Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck or anyone on Fox News, you could guarantee that there would be an outcry for them to be fired. But I wonder how Black "leaders" like Rev. Sharpton or Rev. Jesse Jackson will respond to this, if at all.

In case you missed it

If you happen to be like myself, and not in the 25 - 34 demographic, you might miss some of the shows on these days. Generally that's a good thing, but on occassion it does mean catching up on something really good after the fact.

I like Jon Stewart. His show is funny, especially when viewed after watching the real news and reading the facts of the issues he mocks. There is nothing more interesting than watching his ultra-liberal view in defense of say Health Care Reform, or defense of Democrats, to just bring on the laughs.

Still, he does take on Democrats and Liberals too. Just far less often and harshly. Though they often make for some of the most outrageous bits. Of course that being said I never thought I'd see this



Well he was having a bad day. It was right before Martha Coakley got stomped in Massachuesetts. But if you thought that public self-realization of the obvious was enough to force Stewart to give up his Liberal card, wait it gets better.

Not only does Jon Stewart nail Keith Olbermann rightly for his pompous and offensive comments about Senator Scott Brown, but when Obermann decides to respond he makes himself look even worse.



Who knew Olbermann was doing sketch comedy at MSNBC. Well, actually anyone who watches him probably already knew that.

Nicely done Stewart. Now if only my readers can view the videos before you have your staff pull the video clips - as they tend to do with anyone that uses their material in a non-liberal love manner.

2009 list - Top Videos of M V Consulting, Inc.

Throughout 2009 M V Consulting, Inc. (the parent company of Black Entertainment USA) has really delved into the video arena. We spent the year creating and improving our ability to provide quality videos, for commentary and entertainment value.

We appreciate all the views we have received, and will continue to bring you the best of what we can provide. And we did notice what you our readers and the public loved, and what was of less interest. So here are the top 5 videos of 2009 as determined by views by you:

The top of the list is definitely an entertainment value video.

T-Shirt Car Wash


Number 2 is on the other side of the spectrum. This was a video commentary on the first news event of the year, that the major media as ignored all year long.

Oscar Grant murdered by police - commentary by Michael Vass


The 3rd place video goes to another entertainment value video, part of a review of a bar. It seems, I'm guessing, that guys pushed this video higher than most of the rest.

Scoreboard Binghamton NY


Going in another direction again, the fourth place video of the year goes to a sports competition. Las Vegas was great and the competition was fierece. I look forward to going back.

Las Vegas APA pool tournament - round 2


And rounding out the top 5 videos is another sports related video. This is of course just the beginning of talk in the US about the World Cup in 2010.

2010 World Cup Groups - and England vs. USA


So as you can see from the collected videos out production values ahve increased substantially throughout the year. We will continue in that quest, and look forward to your comments and viewership in 2010.

Please do let us know what videos you enjoyed, and would like to see more of. Your feedback is always valued.

**As a bonus, here are a few of my favorite videos not created by M V Consulting, Inc.

Ataque de Pánico! (Panic Attack!) 2009


Franken Denies Lieberman an 'Additional Moment' to Continue Speaking on the Senate Floor


The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody


The Obama Stimulus: Predictions vs. Reality


Alchemy at World of Vass - yes I know it's another of mine. I just thought it came out really well for a commercial.

TIME looks at Pelosi, I reflect on video

As I was serching for "accomplishments" of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - trying to understand how TIME could ever consider her for Person of the Year - I ran across a theme that I've said often at my political blog VASS.

"Liberals believe that you can say anything, do anything... as long as it is completely what they agree with. Otherwise they will shut you down."

It was on this theme that the cries of Speaker Nancy Pelosi insulting Americans at the Tea Party's falls upon. It is this theme that encapsulates President Carter and Clinton (and Pelosi too) claiming that ANY disagreement with the policies of President Obama and Democrats is based solely in racism.



And the list goes on and on.

But I ran across a couple of interestig things on Freedom of Speech and stating your mind that most probably never think about. But maybe we should. Maybe entertainment will make that thought easier to have.



Just substitute President Obama or Speaker Nancy Pelosi for Senator McCarthy


You don't have to agree with me, but just think what television, movies, and life would be like if you just let Person of the Year runner-up Nancy Pelosi ramrod all your decisions through Congress? If our politics can't be filled with free thought, how can you imagine our entertainment to be so?

If Speaker Nancy Pelosi is to be one of the paragons of 2009 I am led to remember a video I've shown here before. And I would say that Pelosi and those of her mindset would be more akin to the view of China or other socialist nations than America in the following video:



Again, you may not agree but it is a thought, via entertainment, that's worth having if you want to read how TIME waxes gloriously about Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pee-wee Herman is back

Some of my readers probably never have heard of Pee-wee Herman, nor his real world creator Paul Reubens. That can either be taken as a plus or a negative depending on your taste in comedy.

Either way there is no question that for a time, Pee-wee was the hottest comedian on television. He had a successful Saturday morning show that was good for kids, but held lots of laughs for adults that could read between the lines. He had made 2 successful films. All was going well.

Then Reubens did something that nearly killed Pee-wee completely. Reubens was caught doing a very adult act in a quite seedy film theater. The reaction was hardly the minor inconvienence of George Michael, it was more akin to the image bash that Tiger Woods is currently living.



Every sponsor disappeared, and Reubens was unable to find any kind of work. He languished in this realm for a time until he got a break with a "minor" role in the original film of Buffy the Vampire Killer. His take on a vampire death was a scene stealer and reminded some that talent is not the same as media exposure.



There were several other minor roles over the years, but nothing to the level of Pee-wee.

Of course Reubens was in a love-hate relationsip with Pee-wee. Not unlike Leonard Nimoy's feelings towards Spock, perhaps even the relationship of Gollum and The Ring, Pee-wee was what Reubens was known for.

But now, decades after the event, and at a time when the youth are more than prepared to see for the first time the great hits of the past, Reubens has made peace with his famous alterego and brought him back to life. The only question is how big a return will it be?

I say how big because Paul Reubens is funny. As annoying as the Herman persona can be, it works. On the big screen and on the small it conveys something to audiences of all ages. And it's far more original than most anything else out now in any medium you can name.

I'm hoping all goes well for Reubens and Herman alike. I thought he was a funny man, and the onslaught of negative publicity for something that hurt no one was unfair (though it was a bit creppy - like George Michael). He's paid his dues, more than most entertainers.

So I think it's time that another generation learn how to dance to Tequila!

Never too soon for Deadpool

As I'm waiting to see the whatever trailer is made for the Deadpool movie that will be out in 2011 I decided to see what tidbits might be out on the web. You might think its way to early to find anything, but then you wouldn't be a fan of the Merc with a Mouth.

I hope that the writers for the Deadpool movie remember that Ryan Reynold s if a fan of the comic book. Thus we should get to jump right in, forget about X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and start blasting.

But if you have no idea who this character is, and why fans love him, here is a nice kiddie version of what he is like.



moving right along, here is a trailer for the 2011 movie



ok, so it's not a trailer. But it looked pretty cool. hopefully the real film will look at least as good.

By the way, here is what I believe IS the official look of the character.

Bill Cosby given the Mark Twain Prize

There are but a few comedians that have had the ability to entertain the masses for more than just a moment. They are people whose names can be remembered by gerations, across the globe. To these few, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is given.



Bill Cosby recieved this honor yesterday, at an event filled with stars and fans. Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Sinbad, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Phylicia Rashad, Rita Moreno, and many others were on hand to celebrate the gift of humor that Cosby has shared with us all for decades.

Without a single curse, without a need to be ghettofabulous, Cosby has acheived greatness and opened doors for all that have come after him. There would be no Martin, no Lining Single, no In Living Color, and on without Cosby and I Spy. There would be arguably be no Tyler Perry without The Cosby Show. His footprints cover movies, television, and stand-up comedy.



Many may not realize it, but back in the 80's as the Cosby Show was shocking Hollywood that an African American family could be successful and funny, and America would flock to it in droves, Dr. Bill Cosby had the chance to buy NBC - and turned the deal down. Just having such an option is remarkable. In fact I only can recall one other star that was capable of such a feat, Dezi Arnaz (who oddly enough was also a person of color).

These days Dr. Cosby may be covered by the media mostly for his comments about our society, and Black culture. It's an insight that is both piercing and accurate. No statement ever causes more discussion and complaint than the absolute truth. But I believe he has earned the right to chide the very same people that he joked with through out their formative years.



For all these reasons, I am glad to know that Dr. Bill Cosby has received the Mark Twain Prize. Because it is his ability to communicate with us, in humor and abject gravity, that defines what he was and is today. Like Mark Twain he has used the American language and culture to inform, educate, and unify us. As I said, few can ever hope to acheive such great levels, and when they do we should take note.

Keep an eye out. The tribute will air on PBS on November 4th. It will surely be worthy of watching.

Interview with Andrew Cockburn of American Casino - Tribeca Film Festival

The following interview was taken at the Direct TV Tribeca Press Center, on April 27th during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.

The interview is with Andrew Cockburn, producer of the independent documentary American Casino. The film is about the mortgage crisis, the people affected, and some of it's causes. The documentary takes place from January 2008 and follows the mortgage crisis through the year. It is a film I have seen and recommend to all my readers. A review of the film is forthcoming.





I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did speaking with Andrew.