Flashback Movie: Waiting To Exhale

I've been wanting to do a post about this movie for the longest. What better time to do but now as we are remembering the great Whitney Houston. This movie is one of her main starring roles, like "The Bodyguard" and "The Preacher's Wife." This movie is actually my favorite movie has ever made. I do remember seeing this movie in the movies back in 1995 and when it is on television, I can't help but to see it over and over again. This movie is actually based on the book by author Terry McMillan.




The movie features an ensamble female cast with Whitney Houston, who plays Savannah. She is a successful worker who is in a relationship with a married man. Angela Bassett plays Bernadine, a housewife who had her dreams put on hold to help her husband's business to become successful for him to leave her for a caucasion women after being married eleven years with two children. Lela Rochon plays Robin a woman whose an executive of a business and is a mistress of a married man looking for real love. Then Loretta Divine who plays Gloria. She is a beautician and business owner whose ex-husband confesses he has been bisexual for years and is coming out fully gay. Through all their differences these four best friends become stronger over time to realize who they are inside to eliminate their weaknesses and know that their friendship is the best bond a person can have in there lives. This movie is definitely recommended for you to watch and feel entertained.

Saturday Night Live!

Saturday night I was able to watch "Saturday Night Live" live for the very first time. Not only did I watch the show, I was on the floor level. Being an excited and enthusiastic person truly pays off, because that's what they needed and I had it. Shauna and I went on this adventure because she was able to win the lottery in which they pick people randomly to view the show. So you can only imagine how excited I was for her to choose me to go with her. It is such a legendary show because many comedians get their start from the show.



We were pressed for time once we left Newark, almost thinking we weren't going to make it. We had to be their by 10:15 and we arrived in New York around 10:00, leaving us with no room for error. We decided to take a subway train to drop us at Rockefeller Center and we knew that the D train could get us there. It took so long to come we began to worry about timing. Then an F train pulled up and I knew it would get us there just the same, so we hopped to it. We made it right on time and we weren't to far from the front of the line. As the line moved slowly to enter the studio, a woman walked over to us to let us know the rules. Then she went to ask who's excited to be here, but i jumped and shouted out that I was and she skipped us ahead of the line. Not realizing how close we were going to be to the performers.



The show was awesome. Channing Tatum was hosting and part of the skits. The SNL regulars to name a few like Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and Keenan Thompson were amazingly funny. They all had me laughing until it hurt. They were all around us and it seems so weird being so close. The musical guest was a group called Bon Iver and they were pretty good as well. I enjoyed the whole show. We even had a chance to meet Jay Pharoah and Bobby Moynihan outside after the show. Overall, I am so happy that we were able to have such a fun night out and being on camera as well.

Jay Pharoah bugging out and signing his autograph for me.

Shauna and Jay Pharoah

Bobby Moynihan and I

Time to go

Flashback Movie: Dance With Me

I just fell in love with movie the first time I laid eyes on it back in 1998. I don't know what caught my eyes more, the smooth dance moves or Chayanne's beautiful smile. The chemistry could not have been better between him and the gorgeous and talented Vanessa Williams. When I had it on VHS, I watched it so many times that I know the whole movie front and back and word for word. I also always wanted to join a Latin dance class to learn the moves. So glad it is airing back on cable.



The theme of the movie is a young man, Rafael, from Cuba moves to America after his mother dies. He wants to know more about his family life. In the process, he takes a job cleaning a dance studio with a close friend to his mother, John. There he meets so many interesting people, including Ruby. She's a dance instructor who competes professionally in Latin dancing. Their first date together causes a bit of a problem between the two but eventually grows. Ruby then becomes scared to commit and she also has a son by a professional dancer, Julian, who has left them before. Will their relationship ever grow?



Then there is the relationship between Rafael and John. Rafael's mother has had an affair with an American man and this leaves Rafael to wonder if this man can be his real father. He also is confronted by John about the issue when he heard Ruby tell him what Rafael had said. But what could have happened. Is John his father for real?



The movies also packed with great music. I just love the soundtrack. There are so many different types of music that appears in the movie that all couldn't fit on the soundtrack. The dancers are wonderful and the dance sequences are enough to make you want to sign up for the next dance class. Then where ever there is dancing there are beautiful costumes. The colors and styles are definitely memorable. You are bound to fall in love with them. I know you will love this movie.

Flashback Movie: What A Girl Wants

This movie is one my favorite movies ever. With the Royal Wedding around the corner, the London scene puts me in mind of this movie. Every time it is on television I just have to watch it and of course I have the DVD. Amanda Bynes puts on her best performance to date. She has energy, style and charisma. Her energy just radiates.



The theme of the movie revolves around a young woman seeking her father in London after she finds out he doesn't know he had a daughter when her parents separated. Not only is he her father a British Lord and but he is also running to become a politician. When she shows up at his mansion she turns his (and half of London's) world upside down. This is definitely a movie that needs to be in your collection. I wish I could tell you more but like I always say "You have to see it for yourself."

Flashback Movie: B.A.P.S

L to R: Natalie Desselle and Halle Berry

For those who don't know, B.A.P.S stands for Black American Princesses. I found this dvd in my house and I just decided to watch it. Goodness, I can't believe I forgot how funny this movie is and how it can be a tear jerker at times. This movie shows a side of Halle Berry that most people can't even recall. Her comedic performance was awesome and her chemistry with Natalie Desselle was outstanding. Then when they are with veteran actor Martin Landau, they are unstoppable. Who would have thought that they would connect and create a movie to remember?



Halle Berry plays Nesi and Natalie Desselle plays Mickey and they are best friends from Georgia with dreams of owning their own business, which is a beauty salon and restaurant combined together. So with hopes of becoming video girls in LA for rapper Heavy D falling flat, they land a new deal. This deal is for Nesi to impersonate the granddaughter of wealthy elderly man who is very ill. But things do turn around and you have to watch it to find out the rest.

Flashback Movie: Beverly Hills Cop Series

Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop III

Since December of last year, Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop II, and Beverly Hills Cop III has seemed to air almost everyday since. It is cool to me because it is one of my favorite movie series to date. I even love Eddie Murphy's acting and comedic style and spontaneity as Axel Foley. His chemistry with Judge Reinhold (Det. Billy Rosewood) and John Ashton (Sgt. John Taggart) in the first two films are classic. Opposites definitely attract between them. I can never get enough of them.


L to R: Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, and Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop II

Another favorite character I love is Inspector Douglas Todd who is portrayed by Gilbert Hill. He's a little rough around the edges and he runs his precinct by any means necessary, yet has a caring attitude towards Axel which is so cool. He is stern towards him but more like a father figure. He looks out for Axel by letting him keep his job no matter how many times he slips up. You can tell that he does have a big heart. I was devastated when he was killed off in third film.


Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop

I like how each movie has Axel fighting for justice by breaking major laws as a police officer, but always prevails. In the mean time, he still manages to make up jokes and have fun on the side. These movie have been on heavy rotation for the past few months. My mom and I search the TV guide for it almost everyday. If we're lucky we'll catch them back to back. Keep your eyes out for these movies especially if you haven't them. Eddie Murphy at his best. Oh wow, Talk to yall later, it's on NOW! :-)

Good Hair: A Good Documentary

Good Hair which is a documentary by Chris Rock is very informative about the knowledge of African American hair and hair in general. I love the part where he describes relaxers which is made from the chemical Ammonium thioglycolate and it is used to straighten hair. I remember my first perm or relaxer, I was about six or seven years-old. It was a sort of painful experience. It burned like hell lol but I made it through. My hair has always been course and had to be pressed with a straightening comb and curled with curling irons. So when I had to get a perm, I would rather have a perm than the heat of hot metal touching my ears or back of my neck. It was also a shorter process to go through. I was so happy to show off my nice, silky smooth hair but one mistake can damage your hair. My bad experience with a perm was having it take my hair out from being to strong. You would think I would stop, nope so addicted.
Another segment of the documentary I liked was the segment about weaves. I was never a fan of weaves but I have worn a few in my days. I first started with ponytail pieces and braiding hair. When I wore my first ponytail piece, I thought I was so fly lol until this girl yanked it clean off my head lol. I wore a few long quick weaves, wigs as well as back pieces. But nothing brings me out more than my natural hair. After watching Good Hair, they show where human hair weaves come from. It is not surprising to me that it comes from India because they have beautiful hair quality, but these people sacrifice their hair to make our hair look good.
Kudos to Chris Rock and everyone who contributed to the making of this documentary because it makes me look at hair a whole different way.