Here’s a look at Beyond Cinema with Jorge Hinojosa and Ice T speaking about the movie. Check it out.

Last Monday night I was hanging out with my OG Chicago homies Will Wes and Chicagorilla. We linked up to catch the Lions/Bears game, which the Bears made the Lions look like cubs. During one of the commercial breaks there was an advertisement for the newest 30 for 30 special entitled “Benji.” I thought it looked okay off first impression, I was happy to see directors Coodie & Chike working on something Chicago based for ESPN. But my friends, who were familiar with the story of Benji, were pretty excited about this documentary. I knew then it was something I would have to check out.

So I have to admit, before this documentary I had never heard of Ben “Benji” Wilson. I was just a toddler when he around. After watching this piece though I felt like he was of the homies who’d I played ball with at the YMCA, or walked to the store with to buy a quarter-water or a soda growing up. His story unfortunately is like that of so many in places like Chicago and New York, a dream deferred.

I must say I really commend ESPN or whomever came up with the concept of 30 for 30 programming and pitched it to them. It’s the best sports based documentaries I’ve ever seen. All of them are great, but some are better than others, and I think this is definitely one that stands out as one of the best.

I learned a lot from watching this piece. Not just about who Benji is and how he played, but also how he inspired a future generation of ball players like D. Rose and Juwan Howard. How basketball kept him and teammate R. Kelly off the streets of the Chi.

When the commercial first aired advertising the Benji special, Chicagorilla said “Man, I remember when that happened it shook the whole city.” After watching it for myself, I can definitely say he wasn’t lying.

Definitely check out this program when you get a chance. At a hour and 20 minutes long with no commercials, it’s a true movie and every piece is great. Salute to Coodie & Chike for representing the Chi to the fullest and telling this story as well as ESPN and Benji’s fam and friends.

Supernatural

U-God

The RZA

RZA welcomes Boy Jones to the stage

Boy Jones, RZA, & U-God on stage together.

Been waiting on this joint here. New movie directed by Quentin Tarrentino. Featuring RZA, Russell Crowe, Lucy Lu, and host of others. Check out the official trailer. From what I’m hearing the soundtrack is sounding pretty mean too!

RED HOOK SUMMER tells the story of Flik Royale (Jules Brown), a sullen young boy from middle-class Atlanta who has come to spend the summer with his deeply religious grandfather, Bishop Enoch Rouse (Clarke Peters), in the housing projects of Red Hook. Having never met before, things quickly get off on the wrong foot as Bishop Enoch relentlessly attempts to convert Flik into a follower of Jesus Christ. Between his grandfather’s constant preaching and the culture shock of inner-city life, Flik’s summer appears to be a total disaster–until he meets Chazz Morningstar (Toni Lysaith), a pretty girl his age, who shows Flik the brighter side of Brooklyn. Through her love and the love of his grandfather, Flik begins to realize that the world is a lot bigger, and perhaps a lot better, than he’d ever imagined.

The primary purpose here is education, basically if people knew better they would do better. There are dozens of black artists who are trained and highly skilled in any form of tattooing one could ask for. Once people watch this film we really want them to have a better understanding of their options and a deeper appreciation for the art form.
The film highlights the history of black tattoo culture and how it began in the south despite a heavily segregated climate for black artists seeking entry.

Aside from the art, we delve into the personal struggles associated with being an artist; how it affects your social life, personal relationships and other dreams you may have. There isn’t a person in this film who strives to just be a tattoo artist. There are artists who strive to musicians, painters, photographers, stylists, filmmakers, great parents and role models to their children, but they have to balance a demanding career choice that is also their passion in life.

Check the website for more info on the film.

DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC explores the definition, history, culture and social impact of New York’s summer b-ball scene, widely recognized as the worldwide “Mecca” of the sport.

“DOIN’ IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC”
A film by Bobbito Garcia & Kevin Couliau
Coming Summer 2012