CGG Must Sees!

So Notorious! The Biggie Smalls story

“You can’t change the world until you change yourself"...wise words from the late great rapper the Notorious B.I.G (Christopher Wallace), whose mantra is repeated throughout, Notorious, a new film based on his life. Jamal Woolard plays the larger than life rap star, and the portrayal is so exact, we often thing were watching Biggie himself on screen.

Notorious highlights his rise to fame and his tragic death at the young age of twenty-four. It's the story of early hip-hop as we know it as we watch Sean "Puffy" Combs' (Derek Luke) build the Bad Boys empire on the East Coast, and Suge Knight build Death Row Records on the West Coast. It's also a personal story of Biggie's tumultuous personal life, including affairs with Lil' Kim and Faith Evans.

After Biggie hits the big time, one night changes his life forever, when his friend Tupac Shakur, (Anthony Mackie), was jumped and robbed at Puffy's Manhattan recording studio. The incident sparked a war within the rap world: East Coast versus West Coast wars that ultimately ended in the tragic death of both—Tupac and B.I.G. The film maintains that Biggie never agreed with this war, and ultimately wanted to make amends with his friend. Yet the media hype and lack of information fueled fire to divide. We see clearly how ignorance begets violence.

Biggie's mother Voletta Wallace(played by Angela Bassett, is a producer on the film. Since her son’s death, Voletta Wallace has been working to give back to the community and inspire young people to do something good. Biggie’s music told tough, real stories from the streets of Brooklyn. In honor of his contribution and his voice for inner city kids with big talent and dreams but little opportunity, Voletta began the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation almost immediately after her son’s unfortunate death in 1997.

The foundation provides scholarships, grants, books, technology, and other tools to young students. Their mission “is to provide the literacy tools— primarily books and computers—that our young people need to build and protect their future, be successful overall in their endeavors and become positive contributors within their communities.” They've formed charter schools as a means of alternative education that provides students with additional attention and encouragement not always found in the public school system. One of their ultimate goals is to establish a community center in Brooklyn. Some of the proceeds of the movie are going to go to the foundation as well. It's a fitting tribute to such an amazing life cut short too soon. Go see it and be inspired, for you can't change the world, until you change yourself.

Notorious hits theaters January 16th.

Benjamin Button's moving message

This being January, mindless-fun movies (hello, Mall Cop!) will soon arrive at the cinema. However, if you haven’t seen it, CGG recommends you check out the uplifting and epic film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button before Sunday’s Golden Globes ceremony. Nominated for awards ranging from Best Picture to Best Actor (Brad Pitt), it’s worth switching off your cell for three hours. We know, we know: That’s an eternity in text-messages years. But hey, you’ll be witnessing Benjamin’s entire life, from cradle to the grave.

And what a life it is! Benjamin Button is truly unique--unlike anything else that came out of Hollywood this past year-–and not just because it stars Brad as the titular Benjamin, who ages backwards on the outside but much the same as everyone else on the inside.

In many ways, Benjamin is Christ-like: a very kind, loving creature who accepts his fate. However, unlike the baby Jesus -- whose birth is heralded – Benjamin is rejected as a newborn by his father who abandons him outside a nursing home. A barren housekeeper adopts the young-but-elderly-looking child, and thus Benjamin begins his life in a place where all the other residents end theirs. Not long after, Benjamin is learning valuable life lessons from his senior-citizen roommates, whom he treats as friends, peers even. Indeed, in one memorable scene, after a stranger remarks “I’m sorry” upon hearing of his unusual birth defect, Benjamin replies: “Don’t be. There’s nothing wrong with being old.”

Through its menagerie of well-drawn characters, the movie tackles big themes: difference, morality, and, of course, mortality. But death is not treated as a negative thing; it isn’t even seen as the end. In Benjamin’s case, death, or looking like it, is just the beginning.

So what are the takeaways for members of the Do Something generation? For starters, Benjamin embodies the message that you should not fear the future but embrace it -- along with every day and moment. “Nothing ever lasts,” observes a youthful (and absolutely gorgeous!) Benjamin during a touching scene with his life-long love, played by Cate Blanchett, whom he first meets when they’re both children – though she actually looks her age.

How many times have we heard “Youth is wasted on the young”? Well, it isn’t wasted on Benjamin. Against a backdrop of world wars and even Hurricane Katrina, events that affected millions of lives over the course of a century, this Curious Case still manages to deliver the message that each of us has the power to change our own lives and the world. You’ll walk out of this film saying, "Carpe Diem, Seize the Day" knowing that it’s never too early or too late to

CGG Must See: MILK

This incredibly moving, entertaining, and important film is getting raves across the board: Sean Penn’s performance is Oscar-worthy! The direction is beautiful! The script is brilliant!

But CGG wants to point out the not-so-obvious: Milk is a celebration of modern grassroots activism and a primer for anyone who’s thinking about Doing Something to make a positive difference in this world -- for the disenfranchised or for whatever cause inspires you to take action.

Those of you who are regular visitors to DoSomething.org and our blog, CelebsGoneGood, are already familiar with the power that each person has to start a movement. Perhaps you are one of the 6,000 young people who have posted your social change project on our site. Or maybe you won a $500 grant to help change your community in some way, or have headed up or have contributed to your school’s Feed the Need program. Then Milk is the movie for you.

Harvey Milk was a regular guy – not a rich, powerful politician. Before him, no gay man or woman had ever even been elected to a major public office in the U.S. But that didn’t stop him from trying. In fact, he lost several elections in San Francisco before he finally was sworn in as a member of the city’s board of supervisors in 1978. With each loss, he was brokenhearted, but he kept going, amassing more and more votes with each run, until he finally succeeded.

Then, just months after taking office, he led a country-wide gay rights movement that resulted in several major victories, including one in his own state where voters declined to pass Proposition 6, which would have banned gay teachers from being employed in public schools.

Harvey was a change-maker who didn’t believe that you needed massive corporate backing to organize people and solve major problems. He started out as the unofficial “mayor” of his street in San Francisco, gathering the support of young people like Cleve Jones (played by the mesmerizing Emile Hirsch). The gay rights movement grew out of Harvey’s camera store, where his friends and boyfriend (James Franco) hung out and planned for a better world for the gay community by making phone calls, talking with their neighbors, and, most important, never giving up hope. Milk is proof that whether you are a leader like Harvey or an inspired learner like Cleve, YOU can make a difference. (FYI, Cleve later founded the AIDS Memorial Quilt and last year was an organizer of Penn’s Dirty Hands Caravan, along with members of Do Something.)

This holiday season go see Milk as a reminder of why all you Do-ers do what you do -- and be inspired to do it even better. Affect more people. Create more change. And, as Harvey said: Never take no for an answer!

P.S. After you see the film, CGG wants YOUR opinion -- comment below!

CGG Must See: Twilight

Twilight -- the most amazing book EVER -- comes to life on the big screen starting today. And if you're like me, a crazy-obsessed fan who's read all four installments of Stephenie Meyer's vampire saga, then you've been waiting seven long months for Edward and Bella to fire up their romance before our very eyes.

Now that I've seen the movie, though, I gotta say, the book trumps the film, which lacked the suspense and intensity of the page turner. That said, I'd recommend it to my friends and family. Allow me to explain. . . .

If you are one of the few people on the planet who have yet to read Twilight, here's the deal: Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart of Into the Wild) is a teen who moves from sunny Phoenix to gloomy, small-town Forks in Washington state -- a place that's said to receive more rainfall than anywhere else in the country. On the first day at her new school, Bella finds herself strangely attracted to the school's hot, brooding outsider Edward Cullen (Rob Pattinson, who had a small part in Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire). So begins their dangerous love story, which only intensifies when Bella finds out Edward is actually pale (with redder-then-usual lips) for a reason: He's a blood-sucking vampire!

But Bella's 100 year-old, insomniac new boyfriend is different from others of his kind: He doesn't want to be a monster. He's from a family of vampires who live off of the blood of animals, not humans ("We're like vegetarians," Edward tells her). Plus, he's into Bella like he's never been into any girl before. As Edward famously puts it in the book and in the film: "The lion has fallen in love with the lamb." The main complication? The lion finds the lamb's blood to be "super sweet," and so he must fight a constant temptation to devour her -- while, at the same time, protect her from a gang of rival undead types for whom humans are still very much on the menu.

Any girl who's read the book knows that Edward is irresistible; the kind of guy every girl dreams of having as her BF. He's super cute, mysterious, has awesome powers, and is always up for an adventure. So the casting of Edward was key. At first, I thought Rob was an odd choice. For starters, he's British. But after seeing the movie, I think his Edward rocks; Robert is a super hottie (watch out, Zac Efron!). When we see Robert look at Bella, he seems so tortured by what he can't have -- which is a major kiss -- because he's in love but also, at the same time, feels a natural desire to sink his teeth into her neck.

Meanwhile, I've known that Kristen Stewart -- who was also the little girl in Panic Room with Jodie Foster -- was going to be the perfect Bella ever since I saw the trailer. Long, brown hair and brown eyes; shy but super alluring.

The report on their onscreen chemistry? While it wasn't as intense as it was in the book (which I couldn't get enough of), it was plenty intense. During their first kiss, I could feel the heat -- it was as if Bella and Edward had really come to life and that Kristen and Robert were not just acting. (Could it be because rumor has it they are dating? Were they then? Hmmm. . . .)

So what if you're a Twilight newbie who's coming to the film with no idea who these characters are -- you just know there are vampires involved. Don't expect a horror film or lots of blood. There is some, an d a few nail-biting moments. Guys will be happy to know there are special effects; the vampires, afterall, have super powers. Girls, though, should NOT expect a Troy-and-Gabriela romance -- and not just because there aren't any graduation day sing-alongs. Twilight's teens are much more down-to-earth who deal with everyday drama . . . only they have undead dudes and girls at their school.

As a Twilight diehard, I was disappointed that the movie didn't follow the book exactly, but I would say fans and newcomers alike will enjoy the ride -- and it's worth taking, even more than once. As a matter of fact, I'll be hitting the theater again today to watch Bella and Edward's first meeting, and I'll probably see it a few more times after that!

By CGG Contributing Reporter Brittany MacLeod

CGG Must See of the Year: Slumdog Millionaire

Dev Patel and Anil Kapoor, via Fox Searchlight

It’s a fantasy story that reaffirms the hunger for life. An 18-year-old orphan from Mumbai, Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), is one question away from winning 20 million rupees on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?” But no one can believe this kid from the slums really knows all the answers, including the show’s handsome host (Anil Kapoor), who has him arrested on suspicion of cheating. Can Jamal convince the police that there was no foul play behind his knowledge? The film takes us into a series of flashbacks, with each chapter of his life revealing another answer. But each story answers much more than a multiple choice question. Jamal’s life is opened up to us, revealing the trials of this life: from witnessing his mother’s violent death as a child to the cost of winning over his true love. And let’s just say the film opens with a scene of him going to such lengths to get a celebrity’s autograph, that we would never in a million years venture.

Slumdog Millionaire is the latest feature from Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Sunshine), and quite possibly his best. CGG asked Boyle if the film was meant to inspire audiences (His last film Millions caused kids to raise money to build wells in Africa). “It's your own eyes that you open. You're not there to teach anybody anything,” he says. “You're there to learn about yourself, and you do. And these people who live in these slums are extraordinary people, so generous, so resourceful, you know. I wanted it to be something that they'd like, really. I hope they, if they ever see it on a pirated copy somewhere, that they think, yeah that's ok, that's alright.”

One person who admits to learning quite a lot from the film already is the lead actor Dev Patel, who tells us that while playing the character he “matured five years in the space of five months…Yeah, just the character himself, the amount of willpower you’ve got to have to search for this girl all your life.”

Boyle believes that with Obama’s election: “the world is going to become a kind of bigger place again. And that's sort of what you get from doing something like this.” The film is as much a portrait of India as it is about Jamal, and Boyle credits his Mumbai crew for helping him bring the city to life. The buzz of the city is complimented with an amazing soundtrack, featuring the likes of M.I.A. and A R Rahman. CGG is naming Slumdog Millionaire as our must see of the year, for its incredible portrayal of the individual and human growth, its delicate and hopeful portrait of one of the world’s poorest slum, and its inspirational message that anyone is capable of anything.

CGG Must See: High School Musical 3

via efronfreak.com

There are many reasons to see the latest installment of High School Musical. 1. It looks to be the last time most of the original Wildcats will be appearing in an East Side production. (Of the six main players, Sharpay is Most Likely to Return for HSM4:Post-graduation, the diva will assist Ms. D with the running of a Troy-and-Gabrielle-less drama department.) 2. The opening scene features a super close-up of Zac Efron, his hair glistening with sweat, his eyes the most unbelievably perfect shade of blue. (Actually, the fact that HSM3 features Zac at all is reason enough to see it.) And 3. The film's finale will have even the most fair-weather HSM fan feeling seriously sentimental-- especially when the cameras zoom in for the principals' good-bye smiles and winks.

Even if you've never seen HSM 1 or 2 (if such a tween or teen exists), the third chapter can be enjoyed as a happy meal unto itself. The dancing, sets, and costumes are bigger and better, just like the cinema screens that host HSM3's debut. On the whole, the first had a better collection of songs-- but the opening and closing numbers, not to mention Ryan and Sharpay's big cafeteria production, are absolutely awesome. And if you are a diehard, you'll eat up every single morsel that furthers the story of a bunch of kids who refuse to identify with one stereotype, be it basketball player, cheerleader or class president. The central plot point: Will Troy choose basketball and the University of Arizona or theater and Julliard?

In sum, CGG whole-heartedly recommends HSM3. Ok, so it doesn't have an ironic bone in its body; however you can't be mad at the fact that it reinforces the notion that you can be whomever you want to be, whatever you want to be. Indeed, it is you who determines your future and your destiny-- not your best friend, father, girlfriend or boyfriend. Even if your boyfriend happens to be (gulp) Troy Bolton!

Now it's your turn: Tell CGG what you thought of HSM3-- the good, the great, the bad, the cheesy-- by commenting below.

Nonetheless, big props to a franchise that once again shows that jocks can love theater, and that theater kids can accept jocks on their "court" too. Also make sure to check out how you as well can support more of the arts in education.

CGG Must See: W.

Oliver Stone’s new biopic on President George W. Bush has been criticized by the left for painting him as too sympathetic, and by the right for making him look like an idiot. But put the politics aside for a few hours. True, it is being released at a very pertinent time, just a hair over two weeks before the Presidential election. Still, W. is not FoxNews, it’s a movie, -- and an unmissable one at that. Indeed, this film is likely to do for Dubya double Josh Brolin what The Queen did for Helen Mirren: make him an Oscar contender, if not a winner. And perhaps chalk another one up for Dick Cheney player Richard Dreyfuss. The film was perfectly cast.

In non-chronological order, W. tells of Junior Bush’s rise, from his brain cell-killing frat house days to his leap into the Texas governor’s seat with no political background (a move instigated by Karl Rove’s comment, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you haven’t done jack sh*t”) to his largest fumble as a president who declares war on Iraq prodded by a war-mongering cabinet -- only to eventually discover that there was no evidence weapons of mass destruction.

As deep as all that sounds, make no mistake: W. is fun – and funny. Thandie Newton’s over-the-top caricature portrayal of Condeleeza Rice is a hoot, and Stone will have you laughing at Bush’s rhetorical question, “Do you think I’m dumb?” and much more.

When it’s over, perhaps you’ll emerge thinking what CGG did: Bushie (as his pals called him) is just a man with some major dad issues. But a born leader? Oliver Stone seems to think not, but as always, history will be the true judge.

CGG Must See: Trouble the Water

Trouble The Water takes a first hand look at hurricane Katrina and its aftermath using footage shot by 9th Ward natives, 24-year-old aspiring rapper Kimberly Rivers Roberts and her husband Scott Roberts. This was not only one of the best documentaries we've seen all summer, but also one of the best films.

Kimberly bought a camcorder for $20 on the street, just a few days before Katrina struck. What follows? The hand-held shots are unlike anything you've ever seen before: It's what Cloverfield wished it could have been (except, you know, without the giant monster). After the storm, the filmmakers follow Kim and Scott as they try to rebuild their lives meanwhile simply trying to survive. Kim and Scott's experiences address stories you were never told, such as what happened to hospital patients and prison inmates or what the storm meant for the Louisiana Nation Guard, who were stationed in Baghdad the entire time.

Despite how shocking and tragic it was to live through the storm and its aftermath with Kim and her family, there's a real story of redemption and courage that's told. Kim and her husband emerge true heroes.

Learn more about Katrina Rebuilding Efforts and how to be prepared for a disaster.

CGG Must See: Take

 

What would you do if you were presented with the option of confronting the man who killed your only son? Charles Oliver’s new feature Take explores just this idea, the concept of restorative justice. “What it does is pretty miraculous,” the director tells CGG. “It sounds like the last thing you would want to do. But a lot of prisoners don’t connect with the person they have affected. By allowing them to meet face-to-face can have a tremendous affect on the prisoner and can add dimension to his crime and how it affected their victim.”

Real mother-to-be (and Oxfam ambassador) Minnie Driver gives a breathtaking performance as Ana, a mother who loses her son when an attempted robbery goes horribly wrong. Jeremy Renner plays Saul, the apologetic killer who struggles with the poor decisions he’s made in life. We couldn’t help but want to see more of Jeremy after his performance in Take. This is one multi-layered actor who needs more roles in Hollywood.

But our favorite was funnyman David Denman who you may recognize as Roy from the Office, taking on a more serious role as the father. Shot on a super low budget, Take is visually flawless. With its silver slick imagery and twisting plot, you can’t help but be sucked in to the story.

Restorative justice is a concept that is becoming increasingly important in the penal system as it aims to create a dialogue toward healing. “Believe me, this movie brings up every, certainly every mother’s worst nightmare,” Minnie tells CGG. “You know you stand your morally high ground until your kid is taken from you and something terrible happens to them. And then surely wouldn’t you just want to rip that person limb from limb?”

Minnie was on NPR with a woman who watched her daughter be killed in front of her. This woman is at the forefront of the restorative justice movement.

“And it’s not like you meet your attacker the next day, it’s years and years and years later and you go through masses of psychological processes before they go ok the perpetrator and this person can meet,” Minnie tells CGG. “And if this woman could talk about the healing that took place, that has somehow brought her from a place of complete and utter devastation and grief and rage, to a place of power again, and of feeling like a human being again. And whilst you’re never going to get over the loss of your child, you somehow can function on this planet. Anything that’s got restorative in it I’m for.”

Charles Oliver ends his film encouraging the audience to visit a website to learn more about restorative justice.

“One of the things I want younger people to realize is that revenge is not sweet despite the message we are constantly fed by commercialism,” Charles tells CGG. “It is messy, painful, slow and eroding.”

CGG Must See: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

Red Carpet Video Produced by Mikkel Kastberg

If you liked the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1, you will definitely enjoy the sequel. Sanaa Hamri’s film starring Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, America Ferrera, and Alexis Bledel came out yesterday is sure to be a big hit. The movie follows the sisterhood through the next major stage of their lives: college. Carmern (America Ferrera) is at Yale studying drama, Bridget (Blake Lively) is at Brown playing soccer, Lena (Alexis Bledel) is at RISD studying art, and Tibby (Amber Tablyn) is at NYU making documentaries. It’s great to see that all of the girls are following their own unique paths.

In the movie, the characters are brought together because of a magical pair of pants that fits all of them perfectly. However, it seems that this time the pants are not enough to get them through tough times. The film deals with heavy hitting issues like suicide, sex, and betrayal in an appropriate yet sensitive fashion. You can see that Hamri has worked with young women before since she takes such an insightful approach to these topics.

On a lighter note, the girls’ adorable love interests, Brian McBrian (Leonardo Nam) and Kostos Dounas (Michael Rady), are back. We of course were happy to see them again, especially at the premiere because they were just as cute in person.

With its Grecian backdrop and uplifting message, the Sisterhood is a perfect fit for a girls night out!

Contributed by CGG Youth Reporter Christine Lenzo

Ludacris' new film is a CGG Must-See

When rapper/actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges threw a charitable bash at a Ralph Lauren store in Georgia to raise money for his foundation, superstar friends (like the glamorous Fergie and Rich Boy) came out in full support.

Ludacris with friends Fergie and superproducer Polow Da Don. Via JustJared

The Ludacris Foundation has raised over half a million dollars since 2001 to benefit youth programs. His group’s motto is “helping youth help themselves.”
Hmm…sound familiar? Do Something is with you on that one, Luda.

CGG also checked out the Crash star's new film Ball Don’t Lie this past weekend at the Tribeca Film Festival; in a life-imitates-art move, he plays a mentor to a teen victim of a faulty foster care system.

 

Via Film's Website

Based on the popular novel by Matt De La Peña, who co-wrote the script with Director Brin Hill, Balls Don't Lie is an urban coming-of-age tale. While trying to overcome his lonely childhood, Sticky is tormented by OCD, and only finds salvation when creating hoop magic on the courts of Venice Beach. BDL also stars Nick Cannon, Rosanna Arquette, and streetball-star Grayson "The Professor" Boucher as Sticky.

With its amazing basketball sequences and heart-pounding soundtrack, this tale of one boy's discovery of his place in the world connects on so many levels, which is why it's a CGG Must-see!