Rapper Juvenile’s Daughter and Family Murdered

By Monica Peters Medina

Rapper Juvenile’s 4-year-old daughter Jelani, her 11-year-old sister, Micaih and his daughter’s mother were killed in a tragic triple murder in their Lawrenceville, GA home on Thursday evening.

The daughter’s mother Joy Deleston, who was also the Sheriff’s Deputy for Gwinnett County, 17-year-old son Anthony Tyrone Terrell was charged with the murders.

Our prayers go out to Juvenile at this difficult time.

Post your condolences to Juvenile here.

Photo credit: Atlanta Constitution Journal and Celine Bufkin/ACJ

PRESS RELEASE, GritsnCheese.com: Filmmaker Marco Williams, Virginia Deberry & Donna Grant, Willie Brown

GritsnCheese.com, host Monica Peters (aka Monica Medina), brings exclusive interviews for the month of February talking with filmmaker Marco Williams, authors Donna Grant and Virginia Deberry, and the controversial former mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown. Banished by MarcoWilliams: This month, Monica talks with filmmaker Marco Williams. Marco discusses his groundbreaking film “Banished” airing nationwide on PBS Independent Lens Series. “Banished” tells the story of American ethnic cleansings of African American communities in the United States. Many of these communities are still Caucasian to this day. Banished goes back to visit the White communities where Blacks were forced out. With land and livelihood stolen, how are these communities dealing with their violent racial past? Do they feel responsible for future generations of Blacks who were plunged into poverty? Listen here. Girlfriends are forever: Monica talks with authors Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant about their new book “Gotta Keep on Tryin” the highly anticipated sequel to their novel “Tryin to Sleep in the Bed You Made.” In real life, Virginia and Donna have a unique friendship and bond that Peters dubs as the “Oprah and Gayle” of the literary world. Listen here. Slick Willie: Former San Francisco mayor, Willie “Da Mayor” Brown talks with Monica about his legacy of being one of the most controversial but most respected politicians of our time . Not a man to mince his words, he also gives fashion advice to Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama. Although his term as the mayor of San Francisco is behind him, he is still highly sought after for political advice from many leaders including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Brown talks with Monica Peters about his life and his new book “Basic Brown. My Life and Our Times.” Listen here. All interviews can be heard now on GritsnCheese.com Thank you for reading GritsnCheese.com Monica Peters CEO, GritsnCheese.com

The Great Debaters Still Holding On… Monica’s Special Message to A New York Newspaper

In case you all were wondering, to date as of January 31, 2008, The Great Debaters has grossed 29, 279,308 at the box office.

**Big up to the film critic from the major NYC “arts” newspaper who “borrowed” my angle for my First Sunday film review for your website. Next time I will post my original post and post your “borrowed” version to show the world that you are not that original. Shame on you. You are supposed to be writing for one of the best publications in the world.

Have a great day!

Kennedy’s and Babies Back Barack!

 

“I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.”….Caroline Kennedy speaking on her support for Barack Obama.

The influential and powerful Kennedy dynasty supports Barack Obama for President. For those of you who don’t know that is MAJOR. This is definitely a major blow to the Clinton campaign. Apparently the Kennedy’s are fed up with the Clinton’s injecting race into the campaign. Ted Kennedy is also upset about Bill and Hilary’s remarks about Dr. Martin Luther King and his legacy. I’m just fed up with Bill and Hilary’s arrogant attitude like they are entitled to the Black vote. Quite frustrating.

Love this photo. Even babies are for Obama!

Routing for Ruby!..Takes Home Sag Award. Will She Take the Oscar?

Actress, legend and icon Ruby Dee won the SAG Award for Best a Actress in a Supporting Role for her role as Denzel Washington’s mother in American Gangster. She is also nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role! Ruby says that her late husband, actor Ossie Davis is “working on things up there.” Go Ruby!

Coming to GritsnCheese.com 1/28: GritsnCheese.com Triple Play! Deborah Gregory, Miasha, Alicia M. Rivers

Exclusive Interviews Coming to GritsnCheese.com the website on 1/28

Best-selling authors Deborah Gregory, Miasha

and Jolie Magazine Editor-n-Chief Alicia M. Rivers

GritsnCheese has an awesome line up of interviews hitting on Monday 1/28. (Or who knows we may put them up earlier, hint hint).

Deborah Gregory author of the mega hit novel series Cheetah Girls talks about growing up in NYC foster care system.  She also gives the scoop on the business side of turning books into movies!

Best-Selling Author Miasha talks about her successful and phenomenal career as an author and her new novel hitting in March “Sistah For Sale.” She gives the scoop on good and bad book deals, why she didn’t take her first offer from Terri Woods and her advice to authors who hate on “urban street literature.”

Alicia M. Rivers, Editor-n-Chief of Jolie Magazine talks all things beauty, her career in the publishing industry and lots more.  She also discusses the natural vs. enhanced beauty controversy.

Read GritsnCheese.com the website and the blog here thegritsncheesedish.wordpress.com everyday. You never want to miss a dish of grits!

FILM REVIEW: Is “First Sunday” Worth The Money?

By Monica Medina

When I hosted David E. Talbert’s advance screening last week, David urged the audience to support good Black films. Black filmmakers today are at odds as to what constitutes “good black film.”  For the record, I think David E. Talbert is a talented filmmaker.  I’m not the one to try to take food out of someones mouth. Plus it seems like these are the only types of films that are keeping our legendary and underrated Black actresses employed. So, I’ll tread lightly. The premise of the film is about two friends Durell played by Ice Cube and Lee John played by Tracy Morgan who are up dire straights and plan to rob a church. The underlying story line is about Ice Cube’s character robbing the church so he can avoid having his son and his “baby mother” played by Regina Hall from being forced to move down South. But the blaring stereotypes at times override the positive message that the filmmaker is trying to convey. Simply put, “First Sunday” is not a great or bad movie. It is just “ok”, although I did laugh throughout the movie. Tracy Morgan’s character “Lee John” who was abandoned as a child is the saving grace of the film. I can say that Tracy’s character actually has some depth which may result in some more film offers for him. I admire the filmmaker David E. Talbert’s zest to make films that integrate inspirational messages. However, I don’t understand the need for stereotypical images. What I’ve learned from this movie is that what is funny depends upon the audience group. If you are a fan of inspirational plays you may think this film is funny. For others, First Sunday may be viewed as nothing more than predictable humor that pokes fun and magnifies stereotypes about the Black Church and Black people. One particular scene that some may find funny but many may find offensive is when Kat Williams tells an overweight church-member in the midst of the church hold up, “Not to worry because he [Ice Cube's character] doesn’t have that many bullets.” No, I’m not a big woman, but it is commonplace in inspirational films and plays to make a big darkskinned women the brunt of the jokes. If a white filmmaker were to do that we would be outraged. I’ll stop right there. However, I believe that director, filmmaker and playwright David E. Talbert is talented and has an even brighter future ahead of him.  I laughed throughout the movie, but often times felt bad about doing so.

Is “First Sunday” worth the money? I would say if you are going out to the movies, go see “The Great Debaters.” Then go see “First Sunday” if those types of films tickle your fancy.

Random Thoughts: Gladys & Ron Got the Best Soul Food

Random Thoughts
by Monica Medina

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the country. Gladys & Ron’s Chicken & Waffles in Atlanta is some of the best soul food I’ve ever had. I checked out the one on Peachtree Street. I didn’t want to leave!

No Gladys did not put me up to this. I just love their food! Sometimes I’m tempted to just jump on a plane to Atlanta just to taste some of that good soul food!

Gladys & Ron’s Chicken & Waffles is one of the best things that ever happened to me (smile).

RIP Benazir Bhutto

What is the world coming to when we assassinate WOMEN?

….Something to think about

Merry Christmas: Let’s Make The Great Debaters the #1 Movie in America

 Merry Christmas and seasons greetings. Let’s make “The Great Debaters” the #1 movie in America. See GRITSNCHEESEDISH’s FILM REVIEW: “The Great Debaters: Movie Review, Give Up That Oscar!” from the advanced screening. “The Great Debaters in theaters nationwide Christmas day. God Bless.

-Monica Medina