THE SPIN
Many were disappointed to learn that Eddie Murphy nor Mike Epps would be portraying Richard Pryor in the long discussed biopic, Richard Pyror: Is It Something I Said?

That might have to do with the fact that Marlon is more known for movies like White Chicks and Little Man versus his very inspired performance in the indie movie, Requiem for a Dream.

In a recent profile in the Los Angeles Times, Marlon addressed some of the criticism head one.

He said:

“Look, I want to be able to make the stupidest movies ever, because they make people laugh and they make money. But that’s not all I want to do. And I think I’ve proven to some people — the ones paying attention — that I can do more. Everybody else, well, they can wait and see and make up their mind.”

And the youngest Wayans made it clear:

“I have no complaints, but I do have a plan. I love doing comedy, but I also love to do drama.This is like an invitation to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for me, and I’ve never been more excited in my life than when I got the role,” he said last week. “I want to be in dramas, I want to produce, I want to write and I want to prove I can handle a role such as this one.”

Although Eddie Murphy passed on the role amid creative differences, he wishes Marlon Wayans well.

A rep for the star said:

“Eddie thinks Marlon will be wonderful in the role and he’s given his blessing for Marlon to do it. He’s looking forward to seeing Marlon in the role.”

I have faith in Marlon. I think he’s going to surprise people and may even net himself an Oscar nod in 2012. Mo’Nique has proven you have to give people the benefit of the doubt.

But I guess a better question is are you all biopic out or is this a movie you can’t wait to see? And do you think Marlon Wayans can pull it off?

The film goes into production this fall.

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YOUR SPIN: Do you think Marlon is right for the role? Tell us here.

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THE SPIN
Antoine Fuqua’s latest film, Brooklyn’s Finest, is officially in theaters as of today. The film chronicles the lives of a trio of New York City cops played by Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, and Ethan Hawke. Rounding out the cast is the IRS’ favorite actor, Wesley Snipes, who portrays an ex-con slowly drawn back into the life he abandoned.

While reading Fuqua and Snipes’ interview with EbonyJet.com I found their comments about the state of the black male actor interesting.

EBONY: Too many black films now are aimed at women. Or nerds or comic book geeks. I mean what happened to us? What happened to movies for men?

SNIPES: That’s right!

EBONY: What happened in the film industry?

FUQUA: I think we’re in a time they’ve cut the cojones off or are trying to. You want me to put it to you for real? Everything is soft, they’re putting everyone in dresses and O.K. that’s fun. But I grew up watching movies about men. Watching movies from the 1930’s the 40’s the 50’s Movies like Public Enemy and Scarface (i.e. referring to the original Howard Hawks’ 1932 version with Paul Muni).

EBONY: Exactly! You don’t have those definite masculine actors today like you had back then like Robert Mitchum, Gary Cooper, Lee Marvin, Yul Brynner, John Wayne, William Holden. You can go on and on the list was endless back then.

SNIPES: We just had this same conversation…

FUQUA: Yeah we just had this exact same conversation just recently. Even in casting now, it’s hard to find men. I mean we have Denzel. No doubt. We’ve got Wesley. But Wesley now is going to come back and help me do that. Because if Denzel is busy, then where am I going to go? We’re not that deep with skilled quality actors and masculinity.

The interviewer goes on to say that “we’ve got too many soft black men from the U.S. in movies now.

Outside of Tyler Perry and a few comedians doing family roles (which is typical for an actor of a certain age and appeal), I don’t feel like we’ve seen that great a dip in seeing the hypermasculine black male on film.

In fact, the influx of rapper turned actors (you know, those sensitive souls) have kept that sort of theme in Hollywood even more constant. But maybe I’m mistaken.

YOUR SPIN: Are we in need of more “manly actors?”  Tell us here.

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THE SPIN
For the longest time Mo’Nique dodged the question of whether or not she really did refuse to promote Precious on the film circuit without compensation. And now finally, she answers the question for the AP.

AP: There’s been a lot of talk about you not showing up early on to promote “Precious” because you were worried about money.

Mo’Nique: Well, when they say Mo’Nique was worried about money, I wasn’t worried about money. Mo’Nique has a talk show that comes on five nights a week and she tapes six times a week for that talk show. And yes, when I leave my home, I leave my home and get paid to leave my home, so I wasn’t worried about money. They simply said, “You know, well Mo’Nique we can’t pay you to do that.” … We said, “OK, baby. Well, then, that’s not something we can do.” Because, when I leave out, why ever would I go do something for free when I can go and do something and bring money back home to my family?

Some people might find this line of thinking short sighted. Others may argue that it’s all about the bottom line and in the end, Mo’Nique may likely get her Oscar and she didn’t hurt the promotion of the film.

As far as said film goes, Mo’Nique also touched on how her role as Mary Jones has led to others confiding in her about their similar transgressions.

AP: Has anyone, after watching the movie, come up to you and opened up about the past?

Mo’Nique: It’s been quite a few. But one, it was this Asian brother at the DGA (Directors Guild of America) screening, and he came up to me and he had been crying, and he said, “Mo’Nique, what I’m getting ready to say to you is gonna sound weird. But I am Mary Jones, and I was Mary Jones to my brother and my sister.” And we hugged and we were crying, and I said, “Congratulations for saying it out loud, and go get you some help.”

AP: How does that make you feel?

Mo’Nique: When you hear that you say, “We’ve already won.” So when people say, “Mo’Nique, are you excited about the Oscars and are you excited about the (NAACP) Image awards, are you excited?” I’m excited anytime somebody wants to say, “You know what, we appreciate what you did.” But when you get that, that’s priceless.

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YOUR SPIN: What do you think about Mo’Nique’s new attitude? Tell us here.

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THE SPIN
She’s mentioned this before, but I can’t believe someone hasn’t pulled Mo’Nique to the side and say, “Yeah, you might not want to speak on that anymore.”

Whatever she does in her marriage is her business, but perception is a mutha and right now plenty of mothers are probably telling their daughters, “Don’t you listen to her.”

So what did Mo’ say?

Via the New York Daily News:

Despite her constant claims of an open union with hubby Sidney Hicks, Mo’Nique reveals that she doesn’t stray - but she may not be able to say the same about her better half.

“Let me say this: I have not had sex outside my marriage with Sidney,” the Academy Award nominee says in this year’s 29th - and final - Barbara Walters Oscar special.

“Could Sid have sex outside of his marriage with me? Yes. That’s not a deal-breaker.

That’s not something that would make us say, ‘Pack your things and let’s end the marriage.’”

And what if the “Precious” star discovered that Hicks had, well, stepped out more than once? No sweat.

“What if it’s 20 times?” asks the open-minded actress. “So what? We’ve been best friends for over 25 years, and we truly know who we are. Oftentimes, people get into marriages and they don’t know who they’re laying next to. I’m very comfortable and secure with my husband.”

If she were a blond and lost a couple more inches I’m sure Tiger would be intrigued.

Oh and she mentioned her Chewbecca legs again:

“He loves the hairy legs,” Mo says, “and if Sid likes the hairy legs, there you go.”

She even explains to Walters why she chooses to go au naturel: “I tried shaving one time, and it was so uncomfortable and painful. I said never again would I do that to myself.” Besides, says Mo’Nique, “I’m 42 and I’m very hairy.”

I love Mo’Nique if her hubby likes licking the afro on her kneecaps, that’s their business.

However, I will say that while Mo’Nique may see herself as a realist others may question her sense of self-worth for willing to forgive a man who could cheat on her with several women – especially if this “open marriage” is only one-sided.

YOUR SPIN: What say you, though? Is Mo’Nique being real or being too forgiving?  Tell us here.

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THE SPIN
Not every PC-term is widely accepted and if you want proof of that look no further than Precious’ Paula Patton’s thoughts on the word “biracial.”

It seems Mrs. Robin Thicke thinks it’s just a cute lil’ way for people to deflect from how the country really sees anyone with an ounce of color in them: Black.

As she explained:

“I find [the term biracial] offensive. It’s a way for people to separate themselves from ‘African-Americans’ — a way of saying ‘I’m better than that.’

I’m black because that’s the way the world sees me. People aren’t calling Barack Obama biracial. Most people think there’s a black president.”

I absolutely understand what she’s trying to say, but I don’t doubt for a second that she has likely pissed off a lot of biracial butterflies with her statement.

Some people very much do try to distance themselves from “blackness” by denoting every racial group in their genetic makeup while others simply want to acknowledge all parts of themselves.

Yet in America the one-drop rule really hasn’t left this country and it’s evident in people calling President Obama a “half racist.” Yes, I’ve really heard that accusation leveled against him by members of the Tea Party Movement.

We’ve heard with Paula has to say, but I’d love to know your thoughts on this.

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YOUR SPIN: Where do you stand on the term “biracial?” Tell us here.

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THE FACTS
Keyshia Cole and boyfriend Daniel Gibson celebrated the birth of their first son yesterday.

THE SPIN
Congratulations are in order for Keyshia Cole along with boyfriend and Cleveland Cavalier, Daniel “Boobie” Gibson.

Yeah, don’t ask me about “Boobie.” My folks used to call my baby brother “Boom Boom” and for the life of me we never knew why.

In any event, Keyshia reportedly delivered her baby early yesterday. Friend and fellow singer Monica confirmed that Keyshia was in labor but now it’s known that she’s delivered her baby boy.

As for Keyshia’s frame of mind, she’s focused…and ready to start a new life sans the family drama.

Via Freddy O:

The homies Keyshia Cole and Daniel “Boobie” Gibson her fiance had their baby earlier this morning. Keyshia is in good sprits and is so happy its over and the baby is here.

I was told by my sources that she is ready to start a new life and will be taking off a little time for her baby boi. O ya if yall are wondering she is almost done with her new album which might be out in October . The Album tells us everything she had been going threw.

Keyshia and Boobie are with their family in Cleveland, OH.

Hopefully that new album is back to a more soulful and R&B-heavy tip. I thought the last album was alright, but you could tell she was shooting for a more “mainstream” sound.

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YOUR SPIN: Send your congratulations to the couple! 

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Already Snipes’ performance has drawn comparisons to his other noteworthy role of Nino Brown in New Jack City.

In this exclusive video Snipes talk about the Caz and Nino comparisons, and how he’s working to make sure he continues to challenge himself and audiences as an actor.

Joining him in the interview is Fuqua, who expounds on the film and its versatile cast, which includes Don Cheadle and Richard Gere.

YOUR SPIN: Is it good to see Wesley back in business?  Tell us here.

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THE SPIN
Whitney Houston has been catching hell in Australia for sounding like her voice just left over the past week.

And now her promoter, Andrew McManus has come to explain why Nippy has been struggling to performing and appearing breathless.

McManus said:

“Whitney smokes. God bless her, I can’t tell her not to. She will not take any substances. She just will not. It is what it is. She’s comfortable with the show she’s performing. She knows she’s not hitting every note like she used to. But it’s value for money; it’s Whitney Houston, warts and all.”

McManus added that Whitney is trying to rise about the criticism:

“I talked to her after the Sydney show. I told her I have her back, but she said, ‘If the good Lord wants me to be attacked and ridiculed, that’s the road I have to go down’. It’s an interesting approach. Here I am being aggressive in trying to protect her and she said, ‘I love you for it, but let it go. I can only give my best. If that’s not good enough, then so be it. I’m comfortable in my own skin’.”

As much as I love Whitney, can you really blame fans for being upset that they spent their money on someone who might not be giving them their money’s worth?

But to be fair to Whitney, she’s trying.

Here she is performing “For The Lovers” from her now platinum album, “I Look To You:”

It’s an improvement but it’s sad to see her lip syncing.

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YOUR SPIN: Would you be mad if Whitney gave you a half ass show?  Tell us here.

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THE SPIN
In when keeping it hood rich goes wrong news, TMZ reports that according to court documents Nas owes over three million in back taxes.

Indeed, the IRS placed a $3,365,671.26 lien against him. This an increase from the $2,584,206.31 lien the IRS filed last week against him.

If his tax problems weren’t bad enough, Nas faces jail time for failure to fork over $200,000 in child support and alimony to his ex-wife, Kelis.

And TMZ says Nas is now returning to the it’s cheaper to keep her route – sending off a series of emails that detail where the pair can meet “face to face.”

But Kelis is said to be adamant about moving on and already has a new boyfriend ready to help her spend Nas’ money.

Or better yet, what’s left of it.

The site added that Nas is unaware of the consequences he faces and as a result is spending every dollar he makes.

He reportedly made $50,000 for a gig during the Sundance Film Festival but spent the money before he left.

I expect a judge and a sheriff to play the role of Nas and Ginuwine in their rendition of “You Owe Me” in no time.

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YOUR SPIN: Should Kelis take Nas back?  Tell us here.

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THE SPIN
She’s been all around the world and earned millions of dollars as an international supermodel. But for all of her achievements Naomi Campbell still acts like that silly girl who carries a blade underneath her tongue.

How many times has she been accused of smacking someone upside the head with her Blackberry? Wasn’t she sentenced to anger management a couple of times? Didn’t she say she would learn to control her temper?

Way to prove the naysayers wrong, Nay Nay.

The model has been accused of slapping and slugging her 27-year-old limo driver before fleeing the car and getting the hell out of dodge.

A police source told the New York Daily News:

“There has been a criminal complaint made out against her. She’s obviously aware of it. She will either turn herself in or we’ll go out and get her like anybody else.”

Naomi Campbell’s spokesman, Jeff Raymond, warned the press not to fall for a “rush to judgment.”

Raymond added: “Naomi will cooperate voluntarily, and there is more to the story than meets the eye.”
For her sake, I hope so.

But, if there story is as bad as it seems, is it time for Naomi to do some real jail time?

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YOUR SPIN: Is Naomi out of control?  Tell us here.

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