Arts and Culture

“Best Man” Sequel Returns with Great Expectations for the Holidays

Published

10 years ago

November 15, 2013

We have patiently anticipated the big screen return of the sophisticated, successful, sexy cast of Malcolm D. Lee’s Best Man franchise for many years, now the wait is over!

< p>Best Man Holiday, opening Nov. 15 from Universal Pictures, continues with college friends, turned upwardly mobile adults: Lance (Morris Chestnut), Mia (Monica Calhoun), Harper (Taye Diggs), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), Julian (Harold Perrineau), Candace (Regina Hall), Shelby (Melissa DeSousa), Quentin (Terrence Howard), Jordan (Nia Long), and newcomer Brian (Eddie Cibrian), reunited for a Christmas gathering to make the holidays brighter, or will they?

Since we last saw them, life has brought about significant change, mostly for the better.

For starters, new looks for Candace and Julian, in addition to their roles and responsibilities as husband and wife. Robyn is huge with child, Quentin much the same with ego. Jordan has a steady beau, Shelby has gone wild and good girl Mia is still holding down that fort.

Unlike many horror stories of money woes for professional ball players, Lance has maintained bank, big time.

A beautiful film by any measure, equally, up close they all looked spectacular during press interviews in Los Angeles, ebullient with gratitude to be back for the sequel. There are surprises this time around and I’m not here to spoil them; you’ll just have to see for yourself.

Filmmaker Lee (UNDERCOVER BROTHER, ROLL BOUNCE, SOUL MEN, WELCOME HOME ROSCOE JENKINS) relies upon his fluid ability as a storyteller, providing language complimentary to a loyal cast, several of whom saw their careers spring board from the original 1999 film, The Best Man.

Roll call:

Since the first Best Man, Harold Perrineau was cast in HBO’s incredibly popular prison drama OZ. His credits thereafter include THE MATRIX franchise, 28 WEEKS LATER, ABC-TV’s Lost and HBO’s Sons of Anarchy among others.

Nia Long already beloved by legions of fans before coming to The Best Man franchise continued with roles in STIGMATA, ALFIE, BIG MOMMA’S franchise, ARE WE THERE YET franchise, network TV’s Judging Amy, Third Watch, Boston Legal, The Cleveland Show and Showtime’s award-winning House of Lies.

Regina Hall has developed a penchant for comedic film roles in the SCARY MOVIE franchise, THINK LIKE A MAN franchise, MALIBU’S MOST WANTED, FIRST SUNDAY; network TV’s Ally McBeal, Second Generation Wayans along with dramatic parts in LAW ABIDING CITIZEN and TV’s Law & Order.

Sanaa Lathan has worked between film, television and stage. Her film credits include LOVE & BASKETBALL, BROWN SUGAR, OUT OF TIME, ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, SOMETHING NEW, THE FAMILY THAT PREYS, CONTAGION and HBO’s Disappearing Acts; TV’s Nip/Tuck, Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, Showtime’s Boss; Broadway’s A Raisin in the Sun and Meet Vera Stark.

Taye Diggs is too a triple threat with film, television, and stage accomplishments sitting comfortably under his belt. Prior to joining the BEST MAN franchise, he wowed and tantalized in the big screen adaptation of Terry McMillan’s HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK. Subsequent film credits include BROWN SUGAR, CHICAGO, MALIBU’S MOST WANTED, and BAGGAGE CLAIM; among his TV credits are Ally McBeal, Kevin Hill, and ABC’s Private Practice and; stage credits include Rent, Chicago and Wicked.

Oscar-nominated, multiple award-winning Terrence Howard accelerated his career’s trajectory with roles in HART’S WAR, BIKER BOYZ, CRASH, RAY, FOUR BROTHERS, PRIDE, AUGUST RUSH, IRON MAN, FIGHTING, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, RED TAILS, THE BUTLER, PRISONERS and others.

Excerpts from our Best Man Holiday conversation follow –

What is your account of this sweet, sentimental franchise?

Sanaa Lathan (Robyn): I just marveled the whole time at the fact that nine people, 15 years ago, were kind of starting out in their career, nine black people, and 15 years later we were all thriving. We are all still in this business that we all know is risky and unpredictable for any actor let alone a black actor. The fact that we could all come together again, we all have our health, and we’re all relatively sane (laughter), I mean it’s one thing to get like three people back together, but nine people? I think that’s amazing and I don’t look upon that lightly. This is a testament to some kind of faith in all of us in terms of pursuing this career, in terms of living life. For me, I just felt like it was a blessing to have all of these characters’ lives kind represented again. To have these stories being told again, for us, as a community.

I think one of the reasons why the first movie worked so well is because we (African Americans) rarely get to see these people; we don’t get to see ourselves reflected so well, so differently and, in such a variety of ways on film. Malcolm does that so well. It was just a great blessing to be able for this story to come together initially and to get back together.

Sanaa and Taye, is there shorthand between the two of you given your opportunity to work together on other projects over the years?

Taye Diggs (Harper): As far as the shorthand between us, speaking for myself, I feel like we were very fortunate in the first film because we had an immediate bond with each other; this is the type of film that sets the stage for great friendships, you know. When we made the first one, I didn’t know a lot of the cast members. I was familiar with Sanaa but we all became pretty tight after that and maintained relationships. When we got together for the second one, we were able to pick up right where we left off; I mean, without patting ourselves on the back, I also think that synergy comes with being experienced actors. The director did us all a favor by picking up fifteen years later with the characters so we all have matured as human beings and as actors.

Sanaa: We didn’t have to play the fifteen years because it was fifteen …

Taye: We were able to use our life experiences and put that forth toward the characters so that helped with the shorthand, and, it was just fun.

Malcolm D. Lee allowed both of you to be vulnerable in your character portrayals; it came across authentically, especially the bedroom scene when Robyn and Harper were confessing to each other their fears and expectations, your shortcomings…the on screen vulnerability was appreciably palpable.

Sanaa: Oh, I love that, that’s great feedback. I think Malcolm is a great writer; you’d be surprised that there are not a lot of good scripts in circulation. There’s a reason why there are only a handful of great movies because I think it’s hard to write something good. Malcolm did a great job with the sequel, taking all these characters with their growth, wherever they were in their lives, and inter-weaving their stories.

Did either of you have any idea this film would factor greatly in launching and establishing your careers?

Sanaa: I was so happy to get the job …

Taye: Yeah, just to be working …

Will either of you return to Broadway soon?

Sanaa: Not that I know of…

Taye: Yeah, I want to…as soon as time permits.

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Arts and Culture

Kedrick Armstrong: New Music Director for the Oakland Symphony

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director. In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Published

6 days ago

April 20, 2024

Oakland Post

Kedrick Armstrong is the new music director for the Oakland Symphony. Photo credit Scott Chernis.

By Post Staff

The Oakland Symphony Announced Kedrick Armstrong as its Next Music Director.
In addition to conducting the orchestra’s public concerts, Armstrong will also actively participate in the Oakland Symphony’s many education and community engagement programs, designed to inspire a love of music in people of all ages.

Armstrong is the successor to previous music director and Conductor Michael Morgan, who passed away in 2021 after a 30-year tenure at the Symphony.

Armstrong will open the Oakland Symphony 2024-2025 season on October 18.

Armstrong, who is 29 and hails from Georgetown, South Carolina, is currently the creative partner and principal conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony.

The Chicago Tribune has praised Armstrong for his ability to “simply let the score speak for itself.” He enjoys a wide range of repertoire, spanning early music to premiering new works, using his joy and curiosity for all music to cultivate understanding and collaboration within diverse communities.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new music director of the Oakland Symphony,” Armstrong said. “As a Black conductor, I find it humbling to stand on the shoulders of both Michael Morgan and Calvin Simmons,” the most recent and the first African American music directors of the Symphony, respectively.

Armstrong led three programs at the Symphony between 2022 and early 2024, which showcased his broad knowledge of the classical repertoire and enthusiasm for spotlighting diverse voices.
On his Oakland Symphony subscription debut on Feb. 16, Armstrong led the world premiere of “Here I Stand: Paul Robeson,” an oratorio by Carlos Simon on a libretto by Dan Harder, commissioned by the Oakland Symphony.

Armstrong was selected unanimously by the Oakland Symphony’s board of directors and musicians after an extensive two-year search. “The search committee was overwhelmed by Kedrick’s scholarship and curiosity about all kinds of music, from classical and jazz to gospel and hip-hop,” said. Dr. Mieko Hatano, executive director of the Oakland Symphony. “We are thrilled to have him join us at the Oakland Symphony.”

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Arts and Culture

Faces Around the Bay Dr. Carl Blake, Pianist

Born in Liberty, Missouri, Carl Blake, a virtuoso and respected pianist, made his most recent migration to the East Bay in 1999. One might have seen him performing recently at Noontime Concerts in San Francisco, or at the Piedmont Center for the Arts in Oakland. He is Director of Music at The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. He was also co-organizer and collaborative pianist at Herbst Theater for The Majesty of the Spirituals concert in 2022 and has held several church positions in the Bay Area.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Dr. Carl Blake

By Barbara Fluhrer

Born in Liberty, Missouri, Carl Blake, a virtuoso and respected pianist, made his most recent migration to the East Bay in 1999.

One might have seen him performing recently at Noontime Concerts in San Francisco, or at the Piedmont Center for the Arts in Oakland. He is Director of Music at The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. He was also co-organizer and collaborative pianist at Herbst Theater for The Majesty of the Spirituals concert in 2022 and has held several church positions in the Bay Area.

Blake obtained a Bachelor of Music from Boston University and continued post-baccalaureate studies in Jamaica before earning a Master of Arts in Music at San Jose State University. He was the recipient of two Fulbright residencies in Honduras and completed a third residency at the University of St. Petersburg in Russia. He has a Doctor of Musical Arts from Cornell University.

At age 19, Blake, then an undergraduate piano major at Boston University, was “discovered” by Impresario Dr. W. Hazaiah Williams, who is the Founder and Director of Today’s Artists/Four Seasons Arts.

Williams honored Blake by awarding him the first Marian Anderson Young Artist Award. Anderson personally presented the award at the Masonic Auditorium in S.F. Subsequently, Blake was presented by Dr. Williams in his San Francisco debut at The Herbst Theatre. Williams subsidized a year of study abroad for Blake at the Paris Conservatory of Music. Additionally, Williams sponsored Blake’s New York Weill Hall debut, where he has performed twice since. Blake performed several times at the Yachats Music Festival in Oregon.

Blake continues to perform nationally and abroad. His hobbies are reading, baking and travel. He says, “I’m still pumping ivories, as Belgian pianist Jeanne Stark described the disciplined practice of concert piano.”

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Arts and Culture

Oakland Jazz Great Offers Master Class as City Declares “John Handy Day”

World-renowned jazz master saxophonist John Handy, a McClymond’s High School graduate, was presented with a Mayor of Oakland Proclamation declaring Feb. 12, as John Handy Day in the city. Handy is most notably known as the featured saxophonist for Charles Mingus on “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” from the album “Mingus Ah Um” (1959) and on “Hard Work” from his own album “Hard Work” (1976).

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

Oakland Post

(L-R) Del Handy, John Handy, Roger Glenn, and Joe Warner celebrate John Handy Day at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, Oakland. Photo by Lady Bianca.

By Conway Jones

World-renowned jazz master saxophonist John Handy, a McClymond’s High School graduate, was presented with a Mayor of Oakland Proclamation declaring Feb. 12, as John Handy Day in the city.

Handy is most notably known as the featured saxophonist for Charles Mingus on “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” from the album “Mingus Ah Um” (1959) and on “Hard Work” from his own album “Hard Work” (1976).

“John Handy is a jazz icon and an inspiration to musicians everywhere,” said Ayo Brame, a 16-year-old Oakland tenor saxophone player who is enrolled at the Oakland School for the Arts.

In celebration of this day, the reception in downtown Oakland at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle was a gathering of artists, young and old, coming together in his honor and celebrating his 91st birthday.

Handy presented a Saxophone Colossus free masterclass for musicians. This class afforded a rare opportunity to learn about the saxophone from an aficionado. The class was free and open to all – saxophonists, vocalists, aficionados, students, and casual listeners.

“As a longtime friend for over 60 years, and fellow musician who has had numerous opportunities to share the stage with John, it has always been a pleasure performing with him and hearing his creative interpretations of the music and his gift of ease inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians,” said Roger Glenn, a multi-instrumentalist.