Watchmen promo event at Brave New Worlds in Philadelphia, PA

Friday night I went to the 9:45p screening of the highly anticipated graphic novel-turn-movie “Watchmen (2009)” with friends. One thing, if you see the movie this weekend, get there early enough to ensure your crew can sit together.

All things considered, I enjoyed the movie immensely. We saw it in an IMAX theater at the AMC Loews 24 in Cherry Hill, NJ. Very small theater despite being IMAX. I’m used to bigger screens and better seating at the Neshaminy AMC theater. Despite the movie being 3 hours long, it didn’t feel like it. Sure your body gets tired from prolong sitting, but my mind never wandered. I was always deep into the film. There are a lot of great visuals, subplots and psychological twists in the film to keep you engaged. At times, it can be a little campy and corny, but let’s face it, it takes place in the 80′s!

My critical review of this movie in 3 words: It was good. You definitely don’t want to be the only one in your crew who hasn’t seen it THIS weekend.

SPOILER: There's a lot of PENIS in the movie. You'll see.

A short documentary film examining the contrasting styles of manhood exhibited by Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and Rapper/Mogul Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent.

Props to Eskay for linking this on his blog

Vincent J. Brown:

October 3rd, 2008 (Abington, PA) – Barack Obama, while campaigning in the Abington suburb of Philadelphia, shook MY hand. A wonderful experience. Here’s the video

In the video, you can hear the Secret Service agent talking to me. First telling me to move my camera behind me because it was hanging over the railing and Barack Obama, speaking directly to me calling me, “Sir.” Better photos from my Canon DSLR to come.

Recorded with a jailbroken, 16GB Apple iPhone 3G (white)

UPDATE: CNN.com features my iReport video under “Latest News”

Interesting people and places captured in these two sets. The first set is from the Joe Biden “Community Gathering” at Linvilla Farms in Media, PA. The second set is of Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Ed Rendell and Mayor Michael Nutter at the Francis Myers Recreation Center in South West
Philadelphia.

SET #1: Joe Biden Community Gathering, Media PA

SET #2: Michelle Obama / Jill Biden Campaign Rally, Philly PA

Hope you enjoy the photos…

UPDATE: Danielle Belton over at The Black Snob has sent some solid hits over here so I would like to acknowledge her for that. Also, fellow Philadelphia photographer, Phillybits, gave me a shout out on his blog.

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Animated Slideshow

Click the image above to check it the FUCK out. Yes, I used obscene language, and that’s dirty, and dirty is the new black… hey wait.

Unfortunately I wasn’t close enough to see Barack or get a good photo of him, his voice had enough of an impact on myself and the 34,999 others around me

The first thing I noticed was the impressive police presence.

In this photo you can see a police officer tipping his hat toward me while two sharp shooters make their way to their next position. Later on that evening, snipers and spotters were clearly visible atop the buildings surrounding Obama’s speech podium.

Supporters gathered on the other side of Arch street… while the more brazen supporters gathered on the lawn of the Independence Visitors Center.

Unexpectedly, I ran into an old friend. His art and work ethic has inspired me to move forward with my photography interests.

Some of the best spectators turned out to be the little ones. Although they didn’t understand what was going on entirely, their demeanor and blissfulness should set an example for everyone.

And the massive crowd disperses.

According to official reports, Sen. Barack Obama drew 35,000 people at the downtown rally in Independence Park — Making the crowd at the event his largest ever. The sea of people sprawled across nearly three city blocks.

You can view my full set of images on Flickr.com

This is somewhat important to me because I’m mildly excited about the movie release in November, with Jay-Z’s album releasing a few days later ON MY BIRTHDAY. Not that I buy many albums these days, but I may grab it off iTunes now that I’m a recent convert, iPod owner. And yea, I know this will inevitably be leaked weeks before it hits shelves, lol. Hell, the first single has been out for how many weeks now?

“Jay-Z is currently putting the finishing touches on his tenth solo album entitled “American Gangster,” which is inspired by the upcoming flick of the same name starring Oscar Award winner Denzel Washington.” – Sohh.com

Gank the album cover here

Here’s a closer look at the iTunes Exclusive tracklist:

Jay-Z – “American Gangster”
1. Intro
2. Pray
3. American Dreamin'
4. Hello Brooklyn 2.0 (feat. Lil Wayne)
5. No Hook
6. Roc Boys (and The Winner Is)
7. Sweet
8. I Know
9. Party Life
10. Ignorant Shit (feat. Beanie Sigel)
11. Say Hello
12. Success (feat. Nas)
13. Fallin'
14. Blue Magic
15. American Gangster
16. VIDEO: Blue Magic [Pre-Order Only]
17. Digital Booklet - American Gangster

While I agree with critics that he may not have been the safe or most accepted act to play at a memorial benefit for friends and family of this tragedy; I believe you have been promoting a distorted view of Nasir Jones (Nas) on your “news” program, in response to his invitation to perform at Virginia Tech. Concert details here.

In recent shows you have criticized Mr. Jones – for malign motives – based solely on snippets of song that don’t accurately portray (in context) the message found in the stories being told. On top of that, you neglect to offer your viewers the necessary, factual information on Nas so that they can independently familiarize themselves with his body of work. Mr. Jones is a hip-hop performer who writes songs that tell a story, convey thoughts, feelings and emotions and that narrate real life and fictional events.

Screenwriters and producers create movies about gun culture, (Die Hard, The Bourne Ultimatum, Rambo and The Terminator come to mind) and television shows (like Cops, Jerry Springer, Desperate Housewives, The Sopranos) with graphic content because life is graphic. Authors create compelling story lines for novels based around that similar premise, but when, if ever, are they boycotted from appearing in public? Mr. Jones is no different in that regard, except that he strings together rhyming words and delivers them to a beat in his signature poetic style and you can’t appreciate it.

I urge you to research his entire body of work, interviews and poems. Then, surely you can find an appropriate amount of positive and uplifting messages to compare with his gritty portrayals of the life he’s grown up in, (those so-called “Street Tales”).

I write this because I don’t feel you have been fair in your portrayal of this man, Mr. Nasir Jones. To myself and others he is a refreshingly unique individual in Hip-hop. Never one to water down his content for mass consumption, his message has largely been uplifting and positive – despite the stories he narrates of the difficult and cruel environment the world can be at times.

I am asking that instead of working against the progress we’re trying to make in Hip-hop culture, please work with us. Learn to understand, respect and represent us fairly to your viewers. I present to you, the more uplifting and soulful songs/videos of Nas for your listening/viewing pleasure:

Hi-Tek – Music for life (Featuring J. Dilla, Nas, Common, Busta Rhymes & Floerty)

A great song about what THIS music means to us

Nas – Can’t Forget About You

2pac (Featuring. Nas) – Thugz Mansion

Kanye West, Rakim, Nas & KRS-One – Classic (DJ Premier)

Celebrating the classic origins of this hip-hop thing.

Nas – Warriors Song (Featuring Alicia Keys)

Nas – I Can

Sometimes the truths conveyed in this video can be hard to swallow, and I think that’s exactly the point.

I am not a spokesperson for Nas, nor am I in the entertainment industry in any capacity. I am merely a fan of his music over the course of his entire career. I believe I understand what he stands for and that you, so far, have not portrayed him accurately in your broadcasts.

Respectfully,

Vincent Brown, Philly, PA
(Supporter of hip-hop music and culture)

Virginia Tech: We Remember

According to Ratner, Murphy called him to direct the untitled flick, which will star the aforementioned actors as employees of the Trump Tower, conspiring to rip off the building’s residents.

read more | digg story

You have to see it to believe it, and once you have, you’ll be a better person for it, trust!

R. Kelly – Trapped in the Closet (Chapters 1-5):
r kelly trapped in the closet full video

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FROM IMDB:
Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 1-12 (2005) (V)
Trapped in the Closet: Chapters 13-22 (2007) (V)

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

““Trapped in the Closet” is a hip-hop opera (or hip-hopera) released by R&B singer R. Kelly in the late summer and fall of 2005. The songs relate an ongoing narrative, which Kelly exploited by sending chapters to radio stations one at a time to generate interest. It has no chorus and is told in a conversational manner, using dramatics and cliffhangers between the episodes.”

I know it’s ridiculous, but it is funny and absurd. If you’ve seen/heard it before, enjoy the fact that you can watch it all again right here, haha. If you’ve never seen it before, enjoy and thank me for it the next time you see me, haha.

South Park – Trapped in the Closet (Starring: Tom Cruise, John Travolta & R. Kelly)
South Park – trapped in the closet

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Oh, by the way…

“IFC Producing Ten New Episodes of Trapped in the Closet” – IFC has purchased the rights to R. Kelly’s music video sensation Trapped in the Closet. According to Variety, the cable network will also be collaborating with Kelly to produce ten all new episodes of the continuing soap opera.

PS: This post is dedicated to my friends: Sal, Amanda, Charley and Brad.