Straight Outta Compton

Theatrical movie release poster

Dubbed as 'the worlds most dangerous group', N.W.A was one of the first rap groups i listened to growing up, when i heard them, it was like the best thing ever, their music and lyrics were so street, raw and uncensored, that it demanded attention, and thats exactly what they got, after a few listens, i personally felt like the song 'Fuck tha police', (from their first album with the same name as the movie) was going to be my favourite song of all time, forever, 'Fuck tha police' is even on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. I was glad, to say the least, when i heard the news of N.W.A's biography movie was being made, and even more happy that this movie is produced by two of the original members and even stars one of their sons, in a tale of how they came Straight Outta Compton. In this biopic it was the role of Eazy-E played by Jason Mitchell that stole the show, he gave a really good performance, also O'Shea Jackson Jr. who played his father Ice Cube was impressive in his role but then he is his fathers son so i expected nothing less. This was an enjoyable watch for me and that's not simply because i'm a fan of N.W.A and Hip-hop but because it told a great story.

Here's a picture of N.W.A's first album cover with the same name as their movie, 'Straight outta compton'.

N.W.A's first Album, released in 1988

History

It all began in 1980s California, Eric Wright (Eazy E), O'Shea Jackson (Ice Cube), Andre Romelle Young (Dr Dre), Lorenzo Jerald Patterson (M.C Ren) and Antoine Carraby (DJ Yella), formed the group in Compton City and revolutionized music and pop culture with brutally honest songs about life in the hood. The groups first album (Straight Outta Compton) which came out in 1988, and went multi-platinum, was released on Ruthless Records, a label owned by group member Eazy E, who unfortunately died due to aids in 1995.

Cast

The cast members in the movie look very similar to the real members of N.W.A, Ice Cube's son also plays his father in the movie.

  O'Shea Jackson Jr.     Corey Hawkins           Jason Mitchell                 Aldis Hodge             Neil Brown,

Here's a music video from 1988 of N.W.A performing the Song “Straight Outta Compton”

 

 Synopsis and trailer

In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels-armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent-stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world's most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today. - Universal Pictures

Inspired by the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, Dr. Dre released his first album in 16 years on August 7th 2015, exclusively on iTunes. The album features old and new artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Ice Cube, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and The Game, amongst others. All proceeds of the record will be donated to help fund a new performing arts facility in Compton California.

Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre (Album Cover)

Me

To promote the new Straight Outta Compton movie...
There's a website to show where you're from by personalising the logo with your own text.

Get yours at

http://www.straightouttasomewhere.com/

 

Official red band trailer with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre narrating at the start.

Cast and crew

Director: F. Gary Gray

Produced by: Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Tomica Woods-Wright, Matt Alvarez, F. Gary Gray, Scott Bernstein

Music composed by: Joseph Trapanese

Cinematography: Matthew Libatique
Edited by: Billy Fox

Production company: Legendary Pictures, Cube Vision, Will Packer production
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Running time: 150 minutes

Release date: August 14, 2015 (USA)

Njinga, Rainha de Angola (Nzinga, Queen of Angola)



Njinga, Rainha de Angola (Nzinga, Queen of Angola) is the 2013 movie about the true story of a leader, warrior and queen, who fought against the Portuguese and their expanding slave trade in Central Africa. This movie was very well directed with a good cast, custumes and breathtaking scenes that pulls the viewer into the moment. Directed by the portuguese director Sergio Graciano, and starring Miss Angola 2008 (Lesliana Pereira) in lead role, who by the way does a excellent job in bringing the character to life, in which lead to her role being nominated for a best actress award in 2015. The story of Queen Njinga alone makes this a worthwhile watch as a part of African history, something that the people of African descent can be proud of rather than the American slave movies that we so often see and i personally grew tired of. This movie is a captivating adventure of epic proportion that everybody, not just Africans should watch.

 Synopsis and trailer

 In 17th century Angola, a woman leads her kingdom in a 40-year struggle for freedom and independence. Her name is Njinga. She will be known as Queen Njinga. Born into a patriarchal society, Njinga defied tradition to become queen at the age of 50 with the aim of ensuring her people were kept safe from the Portuguese slave traders. A true story of unrivalled determination, Njinga stands today as a symbol of resistance, fully embodying the motto: “those who fight, fight to win”.

Lesliana Pereira

The lead role was played by Lesliana Pereira the Angolan beauty queen who represented Angola in Miss Universe 2008. Lesliana is also a model, T.V presenter and fashionista.

Lesliana in character as Queen Njinga

More on the story of Queen Njinga

Queen Njinga (1583-1663) Also known as Ana de Sousa Njinga Mbande was a 17th century queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in Angola, South West Africa. As ruler of Matamba, She was a military leader who waged war against the  Portuguese,European invaders and inspired other African leaders to join in the resistance. Njinga was born to Ngola (ruler) Kiluanji and Kangela in 1583. According to tradition, she was named Njinga because her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck (the Kimbundu verb kujinga means to twist or turn). It was said to be an indication that the person who had this characteristic would be proud and haughty. According to her recollections later in life, she was greatly favored by her father, who allowed her to witness as he governed his kingdom, and who carried her with him to war. She also had a brother, Ngola Mbandi and two sisters Kifunji and Mukambu. She lived during a period when the Atlantic slave trade and the consolidation of power by the Portuguese in the region were growing rapidly. Njinga first appears in the historical record as the envoy of her brother, the Ngola (the ruler), Ngola Mbande, at a peace conference with the Portuguese governor João Correia de Sousa in Luanda in 1622.

Title: Njinga, Rainha de Angola (Nzinga, Queen of Angola)
Category: History, Biography, Adventure
Duration: 1h 49m
Director: Sergio Graciano
Release Year: 2013
Language: Portuguese
 

Besouro Mangangá

This movie Besouro (beetle) tells the amazing story of the legendary capoeira fighter Manoel Henrique Pereira, who would eventually become the icon Besouro Mangangá. The movie's story begins in 1920s Brazil when slavery has been abolished but in the poor town of Bahia the plantations are still run by men who hold the local population as slaves. When his capoeira master is murdered by the evil Col. Venancio, Besouro wages a one-man war against the colonel and his men and even against death itself. This movie artistically incorporates the Brazilian martial arts capoeira with African spiritual systems and delivers it in a well choreographed way by Ku Huen-Chiu of 'Crouching Tiger', 'Matrix' and 'Kill Bill'. Despite the fact that this movie follows the typical clichè of matial arts movies about a student avenging his teacher, it still works, and although i would have also liked to have seen more action scenes from the choreographer, the ones we do see are great. Known as 'The Assailant' in English speaking countries, Besouro was directed by João Daniel Tikhormiroff and came out in 2009.

Acion scene from Besouro

Here's the trailer

 

Follow this link for more on Besouro Mangangá

More on Capoeira

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music, and is sometimes referred to as a game It was developed in Brazil mainly by West African descendents with native Brazilian influences, probably beginning in the 16th century, capoeira today is now an intangible cultural heritage of Brazil.

The music in capoeira sets the tempo and style of game that is to be played within the roda (circle). The music is formed by instruments and singing. The main instrument called berimbau, controls the rhythm with a tempo that differ from very slow to very fast, depending on the style of the roda. Two capoeiristas enter the roda and play the game according to the style required by the musical instruments rhythm.

Musical inatruments used in Capoeira

Roda (circle)

 

Capoeira is a unique art form for the fact that it can either be described as martial arts, a dance, or a game. In a sense, Capoeira is to Brazil what Parkour is to France and Thai Boxing is to Thailand.

Here's how Capoeira looks when put against another form of martial arts, in this scene from a movie called Tom-Yum-Goong or as known in North America ‘The Protector’ we see a Capoeiraista called Lateef Crowder Make an appearance.

Follow this link for more on Capoeira

Initial release: October 30, 2009 (Brazil)
Language: Portugese (English subtitles)

Director: João Daniel Tikhomiroff

Written by: Patrícia Andrade Bráulio Tavares
João Daniel Tikhomiroff

Running time: 1h 35m

Initial DVD release: February 10, 2010 (Brazil)

Music composed by: Pupillo, Rica Amabis, Tejo Damasceno