Courtesy photo
By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment writer
Filmmaker Ryan Coogler, riding the crest of his personal project “Sinners” starring Michael B. Jordan becoming the number one grossing film in the nation while earning $63 million worldwide, has taken to penning a letter of gratitude to the fans.
“I had the gift of the opportunity of making a film inspired by my family and my ancestry, but it was always a film that we wanted to make for audiences, in theaters,” wrote the director of “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed,” and the “Black Panther” franchise. “We always had our minds on you, the audience, and felt a deep responsibility to entertain you, and move you in the way only cinema can.”
“The global theatrical audience has allowed me to dream, find a career, and build a more sustainable life for me and my family. And the only way that I know how to thank you for that, is by continuing to mine my personal human experience and my relationships for more stories to bring to you in cinematic language. To see your response to the film has re-invigorated me and many others who believe in this art form.”
While many are lauding the richness, spirituality, music and attention to detail of the film set in 1930s Clarksdale, Mississippi, Grammy Award-winning Christian rapper Lecrae (who is performing April 26 for Ashes to Anthems, a benefit concert with Andra Day, Erica Campbell, D Smoke, Travis Greene and Goapele at Pasadena’s Memorial Park) has a slight difference of opinion.
On Threads he wrote: “From a filmmaking standpoint, it’s dope. Great visuals, storytelling, strong character development — definitely inspiring for young Black creatives. The time travel, cultural callbacks, and imagery are powerful. But … I felt some anti-Christian propaganda.”
“The film flips traditional vampire tropes — usually it’s crosses, holy water, and the church standing strong against evil. In this movie, Christianity is either irrelevant or oppressive, and power is found in African spiritual practices. Hoodoo, not the Holy Spirit, is the weapon of choice.”
“It’s a BEAUTIFUL piece of work. So yeah, watch it — but go in with eyes wide open. He’s fighting evil with evil in the movie, and unfortunately Christianity takes the L for the sake of cultural empowerment. Beautifully shot. Spiritually conflicted.”
Regardless of acclaim, disdain or financial gains, Coogler, who in a paradigm-changing deal retains the rights to the film from Warner Bros. in 25 years, has no sequels or spinoffs planned as he moves to launch a reboot of TV’s “The X-Files.”
“I wanted the movie to feel like a full meal: your appetizers, starters, entrees and desserts, I wanted all of it there,” he told Ebony. “I wanted it to be a holistic and finished thing. That was how I was asked all about it. That was always my intention.”
CLIPPETTES: Grammy-winning collaborators Shaggy and Sting will release a new remix of their single, “Til A Mawnin,” on April 25 via Shaggy’s Ranch Entertainment and VP Records. Originally released in February, their track — built on a rework of Junjo Lawes’ “I’m Not Crazy” riddim — pays tribute to Jamaican sound system culture and debuted at number one on the iTunes Reggae songs chart …
Poet, author and civil rights activist Kevin Powell’s documentary “When We Free The World” has its L.A. premiere on April 25 at the James Bridges Theater. Tickets are free with RSVP@ whenwefreetheworld.com …
Also that night, Sy Smith’s residency continues at the JUJU Social Club, percussionist Munyungo Jackson is at The World Stage, Alessia Cara is at the Orpheum Theatre, and trumpeter Jon Faddis’ Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie begins two nights at Catalina Jazz Club …
Plenty is happening on April 26. The morning kicks off with the two-day Festival of Books at USC with authors to include Amanda Gorman (“Girls on the Rise”), Percival Everett (“James”), Mellody Hobson (“Priceless Facts About Money”), Tom Colicchio & Kristen Kish (“Top Chef”), Jean Grae, Stacey Abrams and Rachel Lindsay …
The sixth annual Dymally International Jazz & Arts Festival begins at 1 p.m. at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson with PJ Morton, Will Downing, Maysa, Jazz Funk Soul (Paul Jackson, Jr., Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp), Tito Puente, Jr.’s Latin Jazz Ensemble and more …
Nnenna Freelon sings at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center on April 27 as Scherrie Payne & Lynda Laurence of The Supremes align with Joyce Vincent of Tony Orlando’s Dawn at Catalina Jazz Club, The Millennium Tour (Trey Songz, Omarion, Bow Wow, Plies, Rick Ross, and more) hits The Forum, and Arsenio Hall leads Laughing Matters: a Comedy Fundraiser at the Hollywood Improv …
Beyoncé’s much anticipated Cowboy Carter Tour launches April 28 at SoFi Stadium (with an additional night on May 1) …
The rescheduled Sacred Sounds: Reflections on Alice Coltrane is happening April 29 at the Hammer Museum while former Showtime talk show host Ziwe brings her America Tour to the Belasco Theater …
The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center reunites saxophonist Ronnie Laws and keyboardist Doug Carn (after decades) to perform and record a live album on April 30. Tickets are available for in-person and streaming at Eventbrite with info at tbmpac.com …
Meanwhile, Bobby Lyle is at Vibrato Grill, Nikka Costa and Dylan Meek are at The Roxy, Butcher Brown and Rae Khalil at Echoplex, and George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic are at Anaheim’s House of Blues (with a May 1 show at The Novo) …
“The Book of Alchemy” author Suleika Jaouad will present an evening of transformative storytelling and special performances at the Saban Theatre hosted by her husband Jon Batiste on May 1 as Tom Scott & Friends hit the stage at Vibrato Grill & Jazz.
TC ON TV: April 25 –. “Today” (NBC): Singer/actress Coco Jones is in concert supporting her debut album “Why Not More?” out this day. “Live with Kelly & Mark” (ABC): Oprah Winfrey, Chef Eric Ripert “Havoc” (Netflix): Tom Hardy kicks ass as a detective fighting his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a kid in this flick by Gareth Evans (“Gangs of London,” “The Raid” franchise). “International Jazz Day from Morocco” (PBS): Jeremy Irons hosts this all-star global concert featuring performances by Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Shemekia Copeland, Femi Kuti, Marcus Miller, Lakecia Benjamin, Jazzmeia Horn and many more.
April 26 – “Fame: A Temptations Story” (Lifetime): Keri Hilson and Keshia Chanté portray popular singing sisters embroiled in a deep sibling rivalry in this film with Romeo Miller.
April 27 – “24 in 24: Last Chef Standing” (Food): Michael Symon and Esther Choi are back putting 24 chefs through 24 tests in 24 non-stop hours. Among those vying for $50,000 is former “Top Chef” contestant Ashleigh Shanti whose Good Hot Fish in Asheville, North Carolina, has been named one of the New York Times’ 50 Best Restaurants in America. “The Simpsons” (Fox): Chris Rock and Danny Trejo are among the guest voices for this episode. “American Idol” (ABC): This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame themed night will announce this year’s inductees live. Nominees include Mariah Carey, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker and Chubby Checker. “Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain” (CNN): Returning to take on a gastronomic pilgrimage across Barcelona and the Catalonia region. “$100,000 Pyramid” (ABC): D.L. Hughley vs. Meagan Good
April 28 – “Poppa’s House” (CBS): The good news? Tonight’s episode of The Wayans sitcom is directed by Robert Townsend (“The Five Heartbeats”). The bad news? The network just changed its designation from being a season finale to a series ender. “The Neighborhood” (CBS): Garrett Morris guest stars. “Yes, Chef!” (NBC): José Andrés and Martha Stewart are judges for this new competition from the producers of “Top Chef.”
April 29 – “Wear Whatever The F You Want” (Prime): “What Not To Wear” hosts Clinton Kelly and Stacy London return to television for this new iteration described as “a makeover of the makeover show over a decade in the making.” “Live with Kelly & Mark” (ABC): Samara Joy
April 30 – “Nova” (PBS): Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease than white Americans, and their life expectancy is about five years shorter. Why? In “Critical Condition: Health in Black America,” filmmaker Stanley Nelson (“We Want The Funk”) investigates the dramatic health disparities in the U.S., even as scientists confirm that there are no meaningful genetic differences between races. “After Midnight with Taylor Tomlinson” (CBS): David Oyelowo, Simone Missick and Bokeem Woodbine
May 1 – “The Four Seasons” (Netflix): Based upon the 1981 movie, this series boasts Tina Fey (“30 Rock”) as a co-creator and star with Colman Domingo, Will Forte and Steve Carell in the ensemble. “Cheo’s Celebrity Table” (TV1): Chef Cheo and his illustrious friends (CeeLo Green, Rockmond Dunbar, Lamman Rucker and TC Carson) break bread and share stories in this new show. “Lifelines of Hope” (CW): Montel Williams and Dean Cain are co-hosts of this special that illuminates acts of bravery with personal stories from Samuel L. Jackson, Billie Eilish, Dolly Parton, and more.
END QUOTE: “In playing ball, and in life, a person occasionally gets the opportunity to do something great. When that time comes, only two things matter: being prepared to seize the moment and having the courage to take your best swing.” – HANK AARON
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 at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
