| Jenice Armstrong: Rocawear picks Philly writer
PHILLY-BASED novelist Daaimah S. Poole deserves a shoutout, most recently for her recognition by Rocawear, the hip-hop-clothing giant. Poole, whose latest book is "All I Want Is Everything" (Kensington, $14.95), was selected after submitting a video on which she talks about her struggles as a teenage, single mother who landed a major publishing deal without even owning a computer. A graduate of Overbrook High, Poole used to type on the computers in Temple University's library until closing time. I got to know Poole (who was discovered by literary whiz Karen E. Quinones Miller) after editing her first book, "Yo Yo Love." A spokeswoman for Rocawear says Poole will be featured on the Web site www.Iwillnotlose.org. In addition to Poole, Jay-Z's I Will Not Lose Campaign is spotlighting singer Ciara and Nicole Paultre-Bell, fiancee of Sean Bell, who was killed in a hail of 50 bullets on the eve of his wedding after leaving a New York strip bar.
A Fondness for Quirky Teenagers
Charlie Bartlett is the movie no studio wanted to make. Impressed by his second unit directing work on Meet the Fockers, executives at Universal encouraged longtime editor Jon Poll – whose editing credits include Meet the Parents and the last two Austin Powers movies – to bring them a movie that he could direct. When he did, it was for a teen comedy in which the titular character sets himself up as the unofficial school therapist, who listens to his fellow students problems and doles out scammed prescription drugs. Universal passed. So did every studio in Hollywood. "No one would make this film," Poll tells FilmStew during a recent interview in San Francisco. “It's an R-rated movie where kids are giving each other drugs." To Poll, that was an overly simplistic read of a dark comedy that he nevertheless considers heartwarming and optimistic.
Aishwarya Bachchan: The queen of Bollywood courts Hollywood
UTV Motion Pictures, the co-producer and worldwide distributor of "Jodhaa Akbar," is pushing hard to make sure that it expands the traditional fan base. Theatrical trailers were released globally as early as September. "Of course we are relying on South Asian viewers," said Siddharth Roy Kapur, the director of UTV, in a telephone interview. "But this is the perfect film for anyone who is curious about Bollywood. It has scale, stars, drama, song and dance." .
Jefferson Twp. dog-sledders go distance to win
Now 21, Chris Murarik is leading six Alaskan Huskies on slick snow, competing against some of the best dog sled racers in the nation. Last week, he finished fourth at the New York Championship Race in Inlet, N.Y., after taking first place at the Tug Hill Challenge in Lorraine, N.Y. two weeks ago. "It's a thrill and a challenge in one," he said. "Every race is a new adventure with different twists and turns, out on fresh snow, out by yourself. You feel free." Murarik is a sprint racer, where dogs run at 20 mph for about six miles, compared to distance racers such as those in the Iditarod race taking place this week in Alaska, where those mushers travel an average of 6 mph along more than 1,150 miles. "The dogs have to trust you," Murarik said. "You have to get them working as one, and you're only as fast as your weakest dog.
Hip-Hop Rumors: Jay-Z Supports Kanye, ODB On George Bush, T.I ...
"We love you Kanye. We got you. Stay strong," Jay-Z.
On the real, the Hip-Hop community is feeling for Kanye and his loss. I heard that nearly all of Roc-A-Fella Records will be flying to Chicago for funeral and memorial services for Donda West, Kanye's doting mother. Here is a statement I got from a rep at The Roc, “We are saddened by the loss of Ms. West. The offices of Roc-A-Fella will be totally empty today by request of Mr. Carter." Kanye did what he said to do: “If you admire somebody, you should gon' head [and] tell ‘em / People never get the flowers, while they can still smell ‘em."" Kanye's mother had mad flowers.
Instead of flowers, Kanye West and his family request that donations be made in Dr. West's name to Kanye West Foundation/Loop Dreams Teacher Training Institute at 8560 W.
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