By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
What a year this has been. Submitted for your interest with the hope that you will check some of them out, here are the TASTY CLIPS FAVES of 2024!
MOVIES: “A Quiet Place, Day One” (A gripping prequel with a bravura performance by Lupita Nyong’o that was nearly upstaged by a cat.)
“The Beekeeper” (Sometimes you just want a film that kicks ass. Jason Statham avenging Phylicia Rashad against nefarious corporate entities was just the ticket.)
“Conclave” (A brilliant film essaying the games behind succeeding a deceased Pope with a twist that will leave you thinking.)
“Daughters” (This Sundance screened documentary — now on Netflix — about an incarcerated father-daughter dance behind bars will tug at your soul and have you looking for tissues.)
“Dune: Part II” (Everything I despised about its boring predecessor was improved upon this go round. Visually stunning.)
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Filmmaker George Miller couldn’t figure out a way to de-age Charlize Theron for the part she made famous in “Fury Road,” but he did bring the noise, action and intricacies of his post-apocalyptic cyber-punk world once again — with a lively performance from Chris Hemsworth.)
“Gladiator II” (Denzel Washington is deserving of all the supporting actor award nominations flowing — much like his wardrobe. Ridley Scott actually topped himself on arena battles.)
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (At last, a movie that focuses on the monster world and pushes the annoying role players to the side.)
“The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat” (Tina Mabry adapted the 2013 novel beautifully with an all-star ensemble of Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, Uzo Aduba, Mekhi Phifer, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Russell Hornsby)
“Wicked” (Jon M. Chu improved upon the theater mainstay and created a classic for the ages with the spot on casting of Cynthia Erivo (who should be awarded) and Ariana Grande.)
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Christine Swanson’s heartfelt “Albany Road” with an award worthy turn by Lynn Whitfield, Dennis McDonald’s surprising Reggie in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”
TV: “Baby Reindeer,” “Cobra Kai” (A guilty binge), “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (Still funny after all these years. JB Smoove’s Leon is a comic gem), “Elspeth” and “Matlock” (CBS’s one-two punch has them ruling Thursdays); “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (with Samuel L. Jackson channeling Thalmus Rasulala and crack performances from Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and Don Cheadle, this series evoked memories of that 1975 classic “Let’s Do It Again”), “Land of Women” (Eva Longoria’s bi-lingual comedy thriller was delightful and briskly paced), “The Day of the Jackal” (Lump-in-the-throat suspense with a shocking season finale), “The Penguin” (The year’s most transformative turn goes to Colin Farrell here. Christin Milioti also shines as his adversary), “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” (The franchise was jolted back to life with this Eurocentric art house version)
HONORABLE MENTION: Lawrence Fishburne’s Doc Rivers in “Clipped,” Liza Colón-Zayas in the Tina-centered episode of “The Bear” directed by cast member Ayo Edebiri, Jodie Foster and Kali Reis in “True Detective: Night Country,” and that epic penultimate battle episode of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”
CONCERTS: Princess (Maya Rudolph & Gretchen Lieberum) at the Hollywood Palladium with special guests Wendy & Lisa, Moby, and the men of “Loot”; jazz futurist Matt Von Roderick at Middle C Jazz Charlotte; Lenny Kravitz at “Today;” The Headhunters (Donald Harrison, Mike Clark, Bill Summers) in Times Square; Eddie Palmieri’s Salsa Orchestra in NYC’s Bryant Park.
MIND BLOWN: “Space Explorers: THE INFINITE” at Charlotte’s Blume Studios was like the school trip of my dreams. The 45-minute virtual trip aboard the International Space Station offered everything but zero gravity! If this is the future of “hands-on” learning, so be it. Big props to Blumenthal Arts for offering it free to area students. It runs there through Jan. 5 before moving on to Michigan.
DINING: The Caviar Sammich and Golden Tilefish Tempura at Chef James London’s Chubby Fish Charleston (with props to its warm, stylish GM YoYo); The M&L Burger, Truffle French Fries and Seven Layer Coconut Cake at Tyler Florence’s Miller & Lux Hualālai; Chef Steven Brooks’ Lobster Mac & Cheese at The Ocean Room Kiawah Island; and The Bucket at Coqodoq NYC.
Special shout out to Asheville, North Carolina, where prior to being ravaged by Hurricane Helene, I tasted some great Indian cuisine at Laila, slamming barbecue at 12 Bones said to be favored by The Obamas, and the decadent Berbere Spiced Lollipops and Southern Fried Banana Blossoms at the Workshop Lounge in the Foundry Hotel. Still drooling in memory of those dishes.
GLAD OUR PATHS CROSSED: Authors Jesmyn Ward, Clay Cane & Reecie Colbert (both Sirius XM hosts as well); photographer May Pang; entertainers Howard Hewett, Bob Baldwin, Sheila E. & Lynn Mabry; actors Keith Robinson & Vanessa Bell Calloway; TV’s Craig Melvin, Rick Henry, Intisar Faulkner, Efren Afante &Chef Anne Burrell of the Food Network; sports stars Alex English, George Rogers, Artis Gilmore, Ralph Sampson, Herb Williams & Raven Johnson of the NCAA champion Gamecocks; influencer Ken Walker; artist Romero Britto.
TASTY QUIP: “I woke up 2024 feeling like [God damnit!] It’s been a horrible year. I was just having a heated discussion with my people. This might be the worst year ever in hip-hop history type s–t. This s–t bad. All our legends, all our mentors getting scrutinized. This is the worst time to be a celebrity in the history of mankind.” – FAT JOE
CLIPPETTES: Britain’s Channel 4 completed its definitive documentary “Free Nelson Mandela” as both a three-parter and single feature. It comes some 35 years upon the release of the formerly imprisoned South African freedom fighter who became the leader of the nation …
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band play The Mint on Dec. 28, while En Vogue is at Pechanga Resort and Greg Adams & East Bay Soul take the stage of Vibrato Grill …
Congrats to guitarist Norman Brown on being named Billboard’s No. 1 Smooth Jazz Airplay Artist for 2024. His latest album “It Hits Different” is out via Shanachie Entertainment …
Terrace Martin Residency continues at Verse on Dec. 30 as DJ Steve Aoki spins at Exchange LA, and The Improv Presents Monderays with Deray Davis …
New Year’s Eve has options galore with D-Nice & Friends at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Gregory Porter at the Dolby Theatre, DJ Quik with a full live band at 1720, The Nth Power, featuring drummer Nikki Glaspie at The Mint, The Egyptian Lover at Zebulon, Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band at Catalina Bar and Grill, and George Porter Jr. at The Venice West …
Meanwhile over at the Commerce Casino, Old School 104.7’s Greg Mack and KJLH’s Aundrae Russell host The Bar-Kays, Cameo, Lakeside and Evelyn “Champagne” King. CHEERS!!
TC ON TV: Dec. 27 – “Grammy Greats: The Stories Behind the Songs” (CBS): Hosted by Gayle King and Mickey Guyton, and featuring interviews with Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Bonnie Raitt, Sting and others.
Dec. 29 – “Year in Black” (BET): CBS News’ Jericka Duncan brings together Ms. Pat, Michael Blackson, Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee, and Pretty Vee give hot takes on Katt Williams‘ viral “Club Shay Shay” interview, the epic rap battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, Usher‘s Super Bowl performance, Beyoncé‘s groundbreaking “Cowboy Carter,” along with the rise of TikTok star Reesa Teesa and her viral sensation “Who TF Did I Marry.” The hour, with a performance by Muni Long, will also look at VP Kamala Harris‘ historic 2024 presidential campaign, Young Thug‘s plea deal, the fierce WNBA rivalry between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark and more. “Grammy Greats: The Most Memorable Moments” (CBS): With Jimmy Jam, Dua Lipa, Annie Lennox, LL Cool J, Jennifer Hudson, Joni Mitchell, Elton John and Ricky Martin.
Dec. 31 – “Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall” (Netflix): The “Survival of the Thickest” star makes history as the first woman to film a stand-up special at the storied NYC venue. “Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025” (ABC): Performers include Lenny Kravitz, TLC (celebrating the 30th anniversary of “CrazySexyCool”), Tinashe, DJ Cassidy‘s Pass The Mic Live! (starring Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh), T-Pain and others. “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” (CBS): Keith Urban co-hosts (with Rachel Smith of “ET”) and headlines with performances from Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Brittany Spencer and more. “A Toast to 2024!” (NBC): With Snoop Dogg, George Lopez and others. “Day Drinking with Seth Meyers” (NBC): Rihanna, Kevin Hart and Lizzo.
Jan. 1 – “136th Rose Parade” (NBC): Aloe Blacc leads the Opening Spectacular. “Luther: Never Too Much” (CNN): A documentary on Luther Vandross from Dawn Porter (“John Lewis: Good Trouble”). “2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony” (ABC): Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Chuck D, Ella Mai, Lucky Daye, Method Man, Slash, and The Roots fete Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest, Big Mama Thornton, Dionne Warwick, Norman Whitfield, Suzanne De Passe.
END QUOTE: “You don’t always have to be doing something. You can just be, and that’s plenty.” – ALICE WALKER
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached attastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
