The Tenth Anniversary of the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival (July 27-Aug 2, 2009) will be screening the independent film Rhyme Animal (directed by Phil Roc and co-written /co-produced by Aaron Schnore and Billy Fox).

Rhyme Animal tells the tale of DJ Judah (Al Thompson), a Brooklyn DJ who rides the coat tails of a rising hip hop star, Shiva (Craig muMs Grant). As the rapper’s reputation grows, his lyrics become twisted, cannibalistic…yet prophetic. As killings occur, DJ Judah is forced to ask if Shiva’s sinister lyrics are an act or those of a cannibalistic serial killer.

Accolades for the film include Winner Best Short Film of the Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival and Finalist of the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) Independent Pilot Competition and National Association of Television Program Executives’ NextTV Competition. It was an Official Selection at the Cannes-Short Film Corner, Brooklyn International Film Festival, Coney Island International Film Festival, and the Rhythm of the Line Hip Hop Film Festival.

Rhyme Animal screens at the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival on Sunday, Aug 2 at SVA Theater Screen 1 at 5:15pm. You can get more information about the film at www.rhymeanimalmovie.com. For mare information about the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival visit www.NYLatinoFilm.com

Last night was the premiere of the new film Notorious. Many stars were on the red carpet. Check out the photos below.

Q-Tip

Dougie Fresh

Voletta Wallace and Mary J. Blige

Voletta Wallace and Jamal Woolard

Voletta Wallace and Jay-Z

Lil Mama

Busta Rhymes

D-Nice and Malinda Williams

Derek Luke

Naturi Naughton and Jamal Woolard

Rapper Skillz, who usually does a year Rap Up (check out 08’s Rap Up here) has put together a pretty dope “Rap Up” of the five seasons of the critically acclaimed HBO drama The Wire. 

Personally, I love The Wire.  It is easily one of my favorite television shows of all time.  I just finished watching season 1, and it’s still hard to not anticipate the next show/season as if I were  watching it for the first time.  Highly recommended viewing if you haven’t yet.   Rent it, buy it, download it on iTunes.

Skillz comes through on this one as he does with the 08 Rap Up.  Check it out below if you’ve already seen all 5 seasons.  If you haven’t… (WARNING: EXTREME SPOILERS)

Notorious

LatinoReview.com has 8 clips of the new film Notorious, due in theaters on January 16, 2009.  The film stars  Derek Luke, Angela Bassett, Anthony Mackie and Jamal Woolard as Biggie Smalls.

There has been some posiive buzz about the film.  Preview the clips and tell us what you think.

Ice Cube (one of the writers/performers of Public Enemy’s 1991 song “Burn Hollywood Burn”) is continuing to light up Hollywood through films and television.  With his latest venture, he is linking up with LeBron James to create a pilot basketball drama based on the basketball star’s high school years.

Cube and LeBron will serve as co-creators and executive producers of the yet-to-be named TV pilot that is set to air on ABC this summer.  According to ESPN Mag, the series is said to be influenced by Entourage and Friday Night Lightsand will follow an inner-city 15 year-old prep star who is transplanted to a small town school and forced to come of age while dealing with media pressure, unscrupulous moneymen and the jealousy of his peers.  It is expected to begin production in the spring.

“It’s a grounded character study of teenage life in small town America, but it’s also an exploration of the American Dream and the wish-fulfillment aspect of what his life has become,” Matt Alvarez, President of CubeVision, told the magazine. “As a teenager, LeBron was dubbed as one of the great ones. Dropping an album as a kid with NWA, Cube could relate to that. They both know what it’s like to have success at a young age, and dealing with everything that comes with those expectations.”

A show like this will be great for network television, as there hasn’t been a drama that revolved around the lives of African Americans on network TV (not cable) since… I really don’t remember.  Wait, does 2000’s City of Angels count?  Well, let’s hope this pilot proves to be a winner with ABC and we see it on the air in in fall 2009!!

Not since 2001’s Ali has Will Smith not had a movie open to at least $20 million.  This past weekend, the drama Seven Pounds ($16) came in second to Jim Carrey’s Yes Man’s ($18.1) dissapointing weekend tally.  Some blame poor reviews and scaled-back marketing to emphasize the film’s central mystery.

But never fear, Big Willie Style always has a trick up his sleeve. It’s called Summertime, although according to his IMDB page, there is othing lined up for this summer as of yet.  Hmmmmm????

Here are the weekends final box office totals.

1 – Yes Man (Warner Bros.) – $18.16 ($5,288) – $18.16
2 – Seven Pounds (Sony) – $16.00 ($5,801) – $16.00
3 – The Tale of Despereaux (Universal) – $10.51 ($3,385) – $10.51
4 – The Day the Earth Stood Still (Fox) – $10.15 ($2,851) – $48.63
5 – Four Christmases (Sony) – $7.75 ($2,203) – $100.15
6 – Twilight (Summit) – $5.23 ($1,748) – $158.46
7 – Bolt (Disney) – $4.26 ($1,434) – $95.01
8 – Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) – $3.15 ($5,348) – $12.13
9 – Australia (Fox) – $2.33 ($1,051) – $41.95
10 – Quantum of Solace (Sony) – $2.15 ($1,147) – $161.30

“I’m definitely trying to holler at Tina Fey,” Diddy himself tells E!. “Me and Tracy [Morgan] , we’ve been talking, and we got a scheme up our sleeves. I’m definitely trying to get in on that in the next two years, for real.”

Diddy’s words, as he is making a plea to “30 Rock’s” star and creator, Tina Fey.  We’ll see if she budges.  The show has already featured a number of heavy-weight guest stars this year including Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston and Steve Martin.  Let’s see if Diddy can get a slot on one of TV’s funniest shows in the next couple of years.

Right now Diddy (still Puff to me) is shooting a guest appearance on “CSI: Miami” as a prosecutor which is set to air in early 2009.

Arguably, Hollywood’s biggest star, Will Smith has been hitting the interview circuit talking about his brand new film, Seven Pounds, which premiered Tuesday night in Hollywood.  The film comes out this Friday, December 19, and also stars Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson and Michael Ealy.

There is a cloud of mystery behind the films ending.  Most say be prepared and bring a box of Kleenex or just be ready to use your popcorn greased napkins.  Check out some photos from the premiere after the jump.

SOHH.com is reporting that while on New York radio station Hot 97 recently, N.E.R.D. front man Pharrell Williams revealed to host Angie Martinez that the band is gearing for the release of their first film, directed by legendary hip-hop video director and filmmaker, Hype Williams. The movie, which is not yet titled, will depict the trio’s musical journey from the recording process to tours.

“[The movie] is going to be like The Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night,” Pharrell revealed. “[It's a] full length film. It’s for our fans.”

This can be a boost to there music if done well. Not a lot of people who are familiar with the Neptunes sound are even aware that they have a group called N.E.R.D. (that makes some dope music too). I have a feeling that this won’t be as huge as similar film like Jay-Z’s Fade to Black, just because of artist recognition. But hopefully it will be interesting enough to garner some interest.

Also be on the lookout for N.E.R.D.’s new disc, Seeing Sounds, which is slated for release on June 10.

Lil’ Wayne and (Lil’?) Bow Wow are slated to star in an upcoming basketball drama titled Patriots.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the flick is set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and focuses on a high school basketball coach (played by Forest Whitaker) who takes his team of displaced students from various city schools to a state championship.  The film is directed by Tim Story.

The film’s production began last week and the cast also includes Isaiah Washington, Taraji P. Henson, Jackie Long and J.B. Smoove.

I would suppose that if Wayne and Bow Wow are playing hoopers, they must be point guards because neither one of them look like they are over 5′ and weigh less than a buck-O-five.  Seriously, I hope Lil’ Louisiana can stay off of the syzurrp so he can complete the filming.