#MusicMonday - At Christmas Time by Luther Vandross

Ta-ku - American Girl ft. Wafia - #MusicMonday

#MusicMonday - "Chunky"

#MusicMonday - "Cranes in the Sky"

#MusicMonday - "Change" by Daniel Merriweather

#MusicMonday - 10 Most Recognizable Song Intros in R&B/Soul Music

Here's my list of the 10 most recognizable song intros in R&B/Soul music in no particular order: "My Girl"  "Footsteps in the Dark"  "Superstition"  "Papa was a Rolling Stone" "Never Too Much"  "Billie Jean"  "Purple Rain"  "Diamond in the Back"  "Ain't Nobody" "Respect"

#MusicMonday - Top 10 Voices in Music

Top ten best voices in music (past or present)  These are the voices than in my opinion can rival any other voice. They are unique, easily recognizable, powerful, and beautiful. Here they are in no particular order because I find them impossible to rank:  10. Patti LaBelle  9. Steve Perry  8. Otis Redding 7. David Ruffin  6. Minnie Riperton  5. Michael Jackson 4. Marvin Gaye  3. Whitney Houston  2. Karen Carpenter  1. Mariah Carey Who'd make your list? Comment below to share your choices!!

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#MusicMonday - Ever Be

#Review - Stranger Things

Format: Netflix Streaming

Synopsis per IMDB: When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back.

My Review:

I was hesitant to watch this series because Netflix originals have largely been hit and miss for me I was not impressed with Between). The premise sounded okay, but I wondered if this was really going to be a binge-worthy series. I finally decided to watch it last Friday. And let me tell you, this is the best series I've watched in a very long time--in YEARS!! And mind you, I just watched the first five seasons of The Walking Dead this month as well. Stranger things is better than that in my opinion.

Set in the eighties, Stranger Things oozes nostalgia and put me in the mind of the great Stephen King movies of that era. The storytelling is par excellent. The acting, superb, especially the child actors. Great Steven Spielberg-esque direction. I enjoyed every moment of these eight episodes. I am totally and completely hooked and can't wait for season 2!

Rating: 5 Stars

Rating Explanation:

5 Stars: Excellent/I LOVED it!

4 Stars: Good/I liked it.

3 Stars: Okay/A decent way to pass the time.

2 Stars: Could be much better./Mediocre/I barely finished watching.

1 Star: Bad/I probably couldn't finish it./Would not recommend.

#MusicMonday - Down Here in Hell With You by Van Hunt

Movie #Review - The Sin Seer

Format: Urban Movie Channel Streaming

Synopsis per IMDB: Rose Ricard has a gift, she can see into your soul. She can discern the truth from a lie and sometimes, she can perceive the very thoughts before they are formed in your mind. She uses these gifts to solve unsolved cases and bring closure where there is none. Her most recent case, unwittingly opens the doors to her own past and that of her new partner Grant Summit.

My Review:

I was excited about this movie as the premise intrigued me. Add to that the fact that many of the actors (Isaiah Washington, Lisa Arrindell, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, C Thomas Howell, Richard Brooks) are some I have truly enjoyed watching in the past, and I was sure this movie was going to be great.

So here's the rundown: The cinematography was nice, but the story fell flat and left me more than disappointed. And the ending, the big climax? No, uh-uh. Didn't work for me.

Lisa Arrindell's character was interesting, but her portrayal was odd and not in a good way. It was a bit off in my opinion, as was just about everyone else's. TONS of over-acting from experienced, seasoned actors. This, to me, is an example of talented actors in the wrong movie at the wrong time with the wrong director. 

The Sin Seer could have and should have been great, but for me, it was merely watchable.

Rating:

3 Stars

Rating Explanation:

5 Stars: Excellent/I LOVED it!

4 Stars: Good/I liked it.

3 Stars: Okay/A decent way to pass the time.

2 Stars: Could be much better./Mediocre/I barely finished watching.

1 Star: Bad/I probably couldn't finish it./Would not recommend.

#MusicMonday - "Hold Me Tighter in the Rain"

#MusicMonday - "When We Get By" by D'Angelo

#MusicMonday - "Rhythm of Love" by Anita Baker

#MusicMonday - "Make Me a Believer" by Luther Vandross

#MusicMonday - "Diamonds and Pearls" by #Prince

#MusicMonday - Prince's "Money Don't Matter 2 Night"

RIP

#MusicMonday - Luther Vandross's "For You to Love"

#MusicMonday - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

Snowpiercer Movie #Review

Snowpiercer Movie Review

Format: Netflix Streaming

Synopsis per IMDB:  "Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges."

My Review: 

I didn't want to watch this. 

At all. 

Not even a little bit. 

It sounded weird. I'm a dystopian fiction fan, but I just couldn't see this being a good movie. But then I saw a glowing review for it and decided to give it a chance.  

And I am so glad I did!! 

Yes, it was weird, extremely weird. But is was weird in an awesomely original way. Chris Evans is stellar in the lead role. The cinematography was good. It was well-directed. The story line was relevant and timely. It was just... good!!! It was well worth watching and I'd actually like to own it. Please don't miss out on this gem!! HIGHLY recommend!!

Rating:

5 Stars

Rating Explanation:

5 Stars: Excellent/I LOVED it!

4 Stars: Good/I liked it.

3 Stars: Okay/A decent way to pass the time.

2 Stars: Could be much better./Mediocre/I barely finished watching.

1 Star: Bad/I probably couldn't finish it./Would not recommend.

Must Watch - The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

Be informed!! Watch this documentary to learn about the Black Panther Party from those who were a part of it. 

CLICK HERE to watch. 

This online video will expire 3/18/16.

#MovieReview - Lila & Eve

Format: Netflix Streaming

Synopsis per IMDB: "Two distraught mothers, whose children were gunned down in a drive-by, team up to avenge their deaths after local authorities fail to take action."

Lila and Eve Trailer

My Review:

Sometimes finding a good movie on Netflix can be quite a chore. Sure, there are tons of options, but many of them do not live up to their descriptions, while others do, and either way, that can be a good or bad thing. So for me, finding something I really like can be a daunting task.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this jewel! At first I was hesitant to watch it as the description didn't exactly scream "great movie" to me. But Viola Davis is in it. Viola Davis, who I truly see as one of the best actresses of our time. You can't go wrong with Viola Davis, right?

Right!

As usual and as expected, her acting was on point, evoking emotion and sympathy and pulling the viewer into the story. But the real surprise for me was Jennifer Lopez's performance. Okay, I happen to love a lot of her movies--Enough, The Wedding Planner, etc. But I have always seen her as a movie star rather than an actor. And yes, there is a difference. But in this film, Ms. Lopez delivers a raw, realistic performance that I dare say may go down in history as one of her best.

This movie was well-written with great direction and camera work. And the twist? Well, I consider myself a plot twist aficionado. It's hard to sneak things by me, yet, this one caught me by surprise.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and highly recommend it if you're looking for a gritty, emotional drama.

Rating:

5 Stars

Rating Explanation:
5 Stars: Excellent/I LOVED it!
4 Stars: Good/I liked it.
3 Stars: Okay/A decent way to pass the time.
2 Stars: Could be much better./Mediocre/I barely finished watching.
1 Star: Bad/I probably couldn't finish it./Would not recommend.

#MusicMonday - "Can't Hide Love"

RIP Maurice White

#MusicMonday - "Inside My Love"

#MusicMonday - Anita Baker's Been So Long

#MusicMonday - "Your Destiny" by Kevin LeVar

My theme song for 2016...