From the movie website....

Synopsis:  In an instant, 29 million Americans became fat, out of shape and dangerously obese… and they did it without taking a single bite of food. It was all the result of a decision to change the national standard for obesity. The question is “What was behind a ruling to declare so many people to be fat? Was it political, financial or for the good of humankind?” You’ll find out that diet companies have raked in huge profits because of the new standards — guidelines the weight loss industry helped structure.
The answer lies in a new film by award-winning director Darryl Roberts who, in a follow-up to “America The Beautiful”, examines the cause of our country’s obsession with dieting. “America The Beautiful 2: The Thin Commandments” also weighs in on the raging debate between doctors who say fat is healthy versus those who disagree.

The movie, which premieres in October, offers a passionate and sometimes humorous documentation of the battle to be… well… thin. You see everything from gastric bypass surgery, an obsessed fitness fanatic and a victim of anorexia.

There’s also the revelation that — based on new “fat” guidelines — LeBron James, one of the world’s greatest athletes, is obese. So are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Tom Cruise, Will Smith and Christian Bale.

I had the pleasure of interviewing local filmmaker Brian Zahm and music producer Jacoti Sommes.  These two self-proclaimed psycho geniuses are responsible for "The Biggest Blackest Whitesploitation Comedy Musical You Ever Saw Sucka" short film titled Wiggah.  I can't say the title speaks for itself because there's much more to the movie than what you might believe.  The film stars Ryan Czerwonko as T, a wannabe thug who keeps his pimp hand strong to feed his crack habit.  And the film's music producer Jacoti Sommes makes his acting debut as the rival pimp L'Roy. 

I got a chance to watch this short film and it pretty much left me speechless...in a good way.  I found my jaw dropping within the first couple of minutes.  And it remained that way for the rest of the time.  I couldn't wait to interview the two crazy people with the audacity and courage to release a film such as this.  And by the accolades this film has already received, it's apparent others feel the same way.  Wiggah has been submitted to numerous film festivals and has won some top awards such as Best Comedy, Best Director, Best Original Score, and the first one I would have voted for - Best Cinematography.  It's evident Brian Zahm and Jacoti Sommes add up to one hell of a creative duo.  I'll definitely be looking forward to see what they come up with next.

Attention local filmmakers

The 59th Columbus International Film + Video Festival (CIF+VF) which happens to be the longest running festival in North America is calling for entries.  The entry deadlines are below and apparently everyone who submits a project will receive a prize just for entering. 

The different areas you can submit videos for are: Animation, Arts, Experimental Short, Humanities, Broadcast Journalism, Mental and Physical Health, Narrative, Religion and Spirituality, Social Issues, Science and Technology, Student, Educational, and Comprehensive Marketing Strategy.

IMPORTANT DATES
Entries accepted
beginning March 1, 2011

First Early-Bird Discount
April 1, 2011

Second Early-Bird Discount
May 1, 2011

Final Deadline
July 1, 2011

My Last Day Without You

Synopsis:  On a one-day business trip to New York, a young German business executive falls in love with a singer-songwriter who exposes him to her Brooklyn world and emotions he's never experienced before.

Just me:  The movie trailer for this looks really intriguing.  If you are not familiar with the star actress, Nicole Beharie, she can be seen in the electrifying film American Violet which was based on a true story.  In American Violet Beharie starred as a young African American mother who was wrongfully accused of dealing drugs in a small, Bush-esque town in Texas.  It was a wonderful film with a phenomenal cast and a great story.  Despite all this it was not adopted by the mainstream.  But it still managed to put Beharie on the map.

My Last Day Without You is currently in post-production and does not have an exact release date for 2011.
      

Synopsis:  Prince of Broadway is the story of Lucky and Levon, two men whose lives converge in the underbelly of New York's wholesale fashion district. Lucky, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, makes ends meet by soliciting shoppers on the street with knock-off brand merchandise. Levon, an Armenian-Lebanese immigrant, operates an illegal storefront with a concealed back room where counterfeit goods are showcased to interested shoppers. Lucky's world is suddenly turned upside down when a child is thrust into his life by a woman who insists the toddler is his son. While Lucky copes with his new domestic dilemma, Levon struggles to save a marriage that is falling apart. The seedy side of the wholesale district is revealed through a journey that continually confronts the interplay between what is fake and what is real.

Set in the shadow of the Flatiron building and soaked in the colorful bustle of Broadway, the film is as much a brutal drama as it is a tender comedy. Shot in a fast-paced guerilla style that is akin to the hustler lifestyle, the film reveals the lives of immigrants in America seeking ideals of family and love, while creating their own knock-off of the American Dream.

This Sean Baker film came out in 2008 but has had little publicity except on the film festival circuit.  But thanks to Lee Daniels, director of Precious, it is finally making its way to theaters after he took it upon himself to give it the promotion it needed.  

Synopsis:  So who knows a playboy?  Come on now, everybody knows at least one.  You know, one of those guys who is with a different woman every week or maybe even every day.  The movie Best Supporting Daddy is about one of those guys.  It stars Mark A. Cummings as the charming and smooth-talking romance novelist, Cameron Rush. With all the women, money, and fame Rush's life can't seem to get any better until he finds out his lucrative book publishing deal might be in danger if his next novel isn't a best-seller.  One day Rush is watching TV and discovers that the arrogant, beautiful, actress Callie Deveaux played by Quiana Wiley has given up on falling in love BUT she still wants to have a baby.   And now Rush has a new idea for his novel.  So what does he do?  What any playboy would do, of course.  He sets his targets on Ms. Deveaux.  Rush predictably goes through the pages of a player's manual.  But with all the flowers, cards, and sweet talking to Callie Deveaux he couldn't anticipate what would happen.

Premiering this Saturday in Columbus at the Screens on the Continent theater is a locally produced film called Best Supporting Daddy.  This romantic comedy stars Mark A. Cummings as the debonair romance novelist, Cameron Rush.  Cameron Rush has all the fame, wealth, and women that he can handle.  But when his book sales take a nose dive and his lucrative writing contract is in danger of being terminated, Rush concocts the ultimate scheme to get back on top.  He hears about an A-list Hollywood socialite Callie Deveaux, played by co-star Quiana Wiley, wanting to have a baby and conspires to impregnate the Starlet and use the ordeal to fuel his next novel. 

Sounds like a juicy story, don’t you think?  As well as starring in this movie, Mark A. Cummings is also the writer and producer for this film.  I got a chance to catch up with him and his co-star Quiana Wiley as they are preparing for their exclusive movie premiere.

Our Song is a wonderful independent film directed by Jim McKay.  It takes place in Brooklyn, New York and follows three young girls who are members of the Brooklyn Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching Band.  They find out that their high school is closing down soon due to asbestos and are making plans to figure out what other schools they can go to in New York.  But those aren't the only plans on of the teenage girls is making.  Maria, played by Melissa Martinez, finds out that she is pregnant and wants very much to keep the child but has to figure out how she will take care of it.  Lanisha, played by Kerry Washington, doesn't think Maria is ready to be a mother.  But as any good friend would do, she continues to love and support her friend no matter what decision she decides.

Just me:  I really enjoyed this film.  It reminded me what it was like to be a young teenage girl.  I could easily relate to the story.  I too was in the exact same position as Kerry Washington's character when my best friend told me she was pregnant.  We were freshman in high school.  I too had to make the decision to put my opinions aside and give my friend love and support.  Because that's what true friends do.

Now I haven't seen any of these movies yet.  But they are on my list.  Since we're moving into the winter season, it's a must I upgrade my Netflix membership.  I don't do well in the cold.  So I will be watching a lot of movies in the next couple of months.  Here are three movies that look interesting.  If you've seen any of them, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Sugar

Synopsis:  Miguel Santos, a.k.a Azucar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro de Macoris, struggles to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at the Kansas City Knights baseball academy, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States' minor league system. Miguel travels from his tight knit community in the Dominican Republic to a small town in Iowa, corn country, where he and a couple other Latin American teammates are the only Spanish-speaking people in the vicinity. As Miguel struggles with the new language and culture, despite the welcoming efforts of his host family, he is faced with an isolation he never before experienced. When his play on the mound falters, he begins examining more closely the world around him and his place within it, and ultimately questions the single-mindedness of his life's ambition.

Synopsis:  A love story of bikes and one-night stands told through two
African-American twenty-somethings dealing with the conundrum of being
a minority in a rapidly gentrifying San Francisco.

Out on DVD:  November 2, 2009.

I haven't gotten a chance to see this movie yet but it looks really good.  I've been wanting to see it since last year.  But like any independent film, if you can't make it to a film festival, you have to wait until it comes out on DVD.

Awards
Sarasota Film Festival 2008 - Special Jury Prize, Best Cinematography