Worth The Debate - Great Debaters

AHSI...... The Great Debaters is an educational film for all viewers to see. It takes place in 1935, and it tells the story of Mel Tolson (Denzel Washington) a college professor at Wiley College. He instills courage, teaches how to overcome fears and demands respect from his students. It shows a father, played by Forest Whitaker, trying to balance being a family man, a member of society and notable college professor. It reveals how living during that period and having new thoughts, views and opinions could also bring you harm. It depicts how certain groups think and react towards other groups causing racism to exist in our society. AHSI gives this movie 4 eyeballs.

ASSI - Denzel Washington has made the natural progression and joined the director's circle. More than anything I immensely enjoyed how Washington told the story. The Great Debaters is an Harpo Productions Film that exposes the world to a monumental debate that changed the face of the all-Black Wiley College, Marshal Texas, in 1935. First timer Nate Parker who plays Henry Lowe delivers a performance of a seasoned actor, but when you are on set with Oscar winners and you are hunger there is no better time to shine. Kudos to Mr. Parker. Ms. Jurnee Smollett, is Smantha Book with an E (Booke) has been doing her acting thing on the big and small screen for a while now, and as usual I was pleased with her performance, as an aspiring lawyer who is the only and first female to make Wiley College's debate team. She is a good actress who continues to improve. She also has great comedic timing, she is extremely funny, I like her in comedies as well. How ironic is that Mr. Denzel Whitaker would be cased in a film, directed by Denzel Washington, and starring Forrest Whitaker as his father Mr. James Farmer Sr., is impressive for his freshman film.

The Great Debaters is a history lesson that must be shared with people of all ages, the wardrobe captured the sophistication of that time period, the intelligence, courage, and willingness of a fourteen year old student, James Farmer, Jr. who stood up before a crowded audience on the campus of Harvard University and delivered a winning argument. Is truly an inspirational film that is sure to educate and inspire movie goers. As I see it make a date with your family to see the Great Debaters and debate about it over dinner. ASSI gives the Great Debaters 4.5 blinks.

Black Squirrels Indigenous to Washington, DC

Black squirrels are extremely appealing to the eye with their shiny dark coats. They are a melanistic morpheme that scientist refer to as “Color Morph” The only distinguishable difference is their color; however, some believe Black Squirrels are more aggressive than the Gray or White Squirrels, but studies have shown there are no behavioral differences.Prior to residing in DC, Blacks squirrels had gone unnoticed; we have traveled all over the world, but to no avail. Lived in Connecticut, Florida, and we simply do not recall seeing them in Mitchellville, Laurel, or even Hyattsville Maryland other places we have lived. We were unaware that 18 Black Canadian Squirrels were released by the National Zoo during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency.According to the Smithsonian’ archives, the National Zoo received Black squirrels in 1902 and in 1906 from “The Department of Crown Lands” in Ontario, London. There is much speculation as to why the District received the squirrels. Some believe it was to increase the population of local Gray squirrels, which were decreased due to hunting. To our surprise we learned there are a number of towns from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Stevenage, UK that boosts about having Black squirrels.The town of Marysville, KS named the Black Squirrel its official mascot, holds an annual Black Squirrel celebration, and in 1987, the “Black Squirrel Song” became the Marysville’s official anthem: “Lives in the city park, runs all over town, the coal black squirrel will be our pride and joy, Many more years to come.”Although Black Squirrels are not indigenous to Washington, D.C., we are on the look out for Black Squirrels as we travel the world. We are hopeful that you will share your Black Squirrel sightings with us. Please share when and where you saw a Black Squirrel for the first time.

American Gangster the Movie

AHSI....The new movie starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe is based on the life of Frank Lucas. Frank who was the former driver/hitman for Bumpy Johnson is originally from North Carolina. He moved to Harlem New York and that is where the movie introduces you this notorious gangster's life. I would suggest to everyone to see the series American Gangster on BET. They profiled Mr. Lucas on Wednesday and the movie chronicles the events that were spoken by the real life Frank Lucas. AHSI gives American Gangster 4 eyeballs.

ASSI - American Gangster represents an era of gangsters: Military Personnel, Police Detectives, Street Hustlers, and of course the Mafia are all gangster who profit from Heroin epedimic that crippled Harlem. Frank Lucas played by Denzel Washington elevated the drug game when he acquired the purest heroin his money could purchase, and under cutting his competition by 50 percent. Making his product "Blue Magic" the best product on the street that was affordable for the average junkie. Frank was a low key narcotic dealer, who believed in nepotism, he relocated his entire family from North Carolina to New Jersey where they became entrepreneurs who operated store front business to launder drug money. He fell in love with Ms. Puerto Rico who purchased an extravagant Chinchilla Fur Coat and matching hat for Frank that changed the course of his life.

Ritchie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is an honest officer who has a reckless personal life. He is on a mission to bring down the drug Lords when he stumbles upon Frank Lucas who forgot his number one and golden rule "always maintain a low profile" became a target when he sported the Fur to an Ali/Fraser fight. To Roberts and others it was impossible for a Black man to acquire and import large quantities of heroin, but Frank was a street smart hustler who was unafraid and left with little options after his Mentor, Bumpy Johnson died. Frank had his pulse on society and used the war to his advantage. Roberts refused to profit from drug money, he wanted the drugs off the streets, the crooked cops, and military personnel who benefited.

American Gangster is a well written, directed, and cast delivers believable performances that captures your attention from the beginning. Rudy Dee, who plays mama Lucas brought southern charm and excitement to her scenes. As I see it American Gangster is great movie that sheds light not only on a notorious kingpin, a courageous unorthodox detective, but the true effects the war and heroin had on our country. I give it 3.5 blinks.