This is the second Golden Globe nomination for Idris Elba. Congratulations!

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Long before “The Wire” and “LUTHER”  Idris Elba was an underground DJ back in the U.K.  Even though he’s now one of the hottest stars in Hollywood, his love for the wheels of steel hasn’t taken a back seat to his thriving acting career.  In a recent trip back home, Elba reunited with his DJ buddies, The Clairvoyants, for a wicked set of soulful, dark wave techno on Rinse.fm.  Sounds like Big Driis  hasn’t lost his touch on the turntables.

LISTEN HERE

You can catch The Clairvoyants on Rinse.fm Saturday evenings starting at 8P.M. EST

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WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

Elba will be back on the big screen when Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance rides into theaters February 17, 2012

SPOTTED @ Shadow And Act

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Ridley Scott, director of “Alien” and “Blade Runner,” returns to the genre he helped define. With PROMETHEUS, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

From the beginning, Scott categorically denied that Prometheus was a prequel to the Alien franchise, but in recent interviews, has admitted that it is a “prequel of sorts.”   Whatever the prolific director’s cooked up, expect lots of thrills, chills and a very bloody body count as expected from the Alien movies.

The cast includes Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, and Guy Pearce.

Prometheus opens in theaters June 8, 2012.

WATCH TRAILER BELOW:

This morning, nominees for the 69th Annual Golden Globes were announced at the Beverly Hilton in Hollywood.  Idris Elba landed a Best Actor/ Miniseries nomination for his role as DCI John Luther in the BBC procedural “LUTHER.”  This is Elba’s second Golden Globe nomination for  playing the complex and tortured police detective. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer were recognized for their work in the period ensemble The Help.  Davis is up for Best Actress/Drama and Spencer for Best Supporting Actress/Drama.  The Help was also nominated for Best Picture: Drama and Best Original Song (“The Living Proof” by Mary J. Blige).

The Golden Globes Awards ceremony will air Sunday January 15, 2012

FULL LISTING OF NOMINATIONS:

FILM

BEST PICTURE: DRAMA

“The Descendants”

“The Help”

“Hugo”

“The Ides of March”

“Moneyball”

“War Horse”

BEST PICTURE: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

“50/50”

“The Artist”

“Bridesmaids”

“Midnight in Paris”

“My Week With Marilyn”

BEST DIRECTOR

Woody Allen (“Midnight in Paris”)

George Clooney (“The Ides of March”)

Michel Hazanavicius (“The Artist”)

Alexander Payne (“The Descendants”)

Martin Scorsese (“Hugo”)

BEST ACTOR: DRAMA

George Clooney (“The Descendants”)

Leonardo Dicaprio (“J. Edgar”)

Michael Fassbender (“Shame”)

Ryan Gosling (“The Ides of March”)

Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”)

BEST ACTRESS: DRAMA

Glenn Close (“Albert Nobbs”)

Viola Davis (“The Help”)

Rooney Mara (“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”)

Meryl Streep (“The Iron Lady”)

Tilda Swinton (“We Need to Talk About Kevin”)

BEST ACTRESS: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Jodie Foster (“Carnage”)

Charlize Theron (“Young Adult”)

Kristen Wiig (“Bridesmaids”)

Michelle Williams (“My Week With Marilyn”)

Kate Winslet (“Carnage”)

BEST ACTOR: COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Jean Dujardin (“The Artist”)

Brendan Gleeson (“The Guard”)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (“50/50”)

Ryan Gosling (“Crazy, Stupid, Love”)

Owen Wilson (“Midnight in Paris”)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Berenice Bejo (“The Artist”)

Jessica Chastain (“The Help”)

Janet McTeer (“Albert Nobbs”)

Octavia Spencer (“The Help”)

Shailene Woodley (“The Descendants”)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kenneth Branagh (“My Week With Marilyn”)

Albert Brooks (“Drive”)

Jonah Hill (“Moneyball”)

Viggo Mortensen (“A Dangerous Method”)

Christopher Plummer (“Beginners”)

BEST ANIMATED FILM

“The Adventures of Tintin”

“Arthur Christmas”

“Cars 2”

“Puss in Boots”

“Rango”

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

“The Flowers Of War” (China)

“In The Land of Blood and Honey” (USA)

“The Kid With a Bike” (Belgium)

”A Separation” (Iran)

“The Skin I Live In” (Spain)

BEST SCREENPLAY

”The Artist”

“The Descendants”

“The Ides of March”

“Midnight in Paris”

“Moneyball”

TELEVISION

BEST ACTRESS, TV COMEDY

Laura Dern (“Enlightened”)

Zooey Deschanel (“New Girl”)

Tina Fey (“30 Rock”)

Laura Linney (“The Big C”)

Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”)

BEST ACTRESS, TV DRAMA

Claire Danes (“Homeland”)

Mireille Enos (“The Killing”)

Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”)

Madeleine Stowe (“Revenge”)

Callie Thorne (“Necessary Roughness”)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Hugh Bonneville, “Downtown Abbey” (Masterpiece)
Idris Elba, “Luther”
William Hurt, “Too Big to Fail”
Bill Nighy, “Page Eight” (Masterpiece)
Dominic West, “The Hour”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, TV SERIES, MINI-SERIES or MOVIE

Peter Dinklange (“Game of Thrones”)

Paul Giamatti (“Too Big to Fail”)

Guy Pearce (“Mildred Pierce”)

Tim Robbins (“Cinema Verite”)

Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, TV SERIES, MINI-SERIES or MOVIE

Jessica Lange (“American Horror Story”)

Kelly Macdonald (“Boardwalk Empire”)

Maggie Smith (“Downtown Abbey (Masterpiece)”)

SofiaVegara (“Modern Family”)

Evan Rachel Wood (“Mildred Pierce”)

BEST ACTOR, TV COMEDY

Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”)

David Duchovny (“Californication”)

Johnny Galecki (“The Big Bang Theory”)

Thomas Jane (“Hung”)

Matt LeBlanc (“Episodes”)

BEST COMEDY SERIES, TV

“Enlightened”

“Episodes”

“Glee”

“Modern Family”

“New Girl”

“On Ghost Rider there is a beautiful actress named Violante Placido, she’s also a musician and one day I got her into my trailer…”  Watch the clip to find out what happened next.

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Attention Idris Elba fans! “LUTHER” Season 2 will premiere on BBC America Wednesday, September 28th.  Elba returns in his Golden Globe and Emmy nominated role as the brilliant, but tortured DCI John Luther.  Expect twice the thrills and chills as Luther hunts down a mask wearing serial killer terrorizing the streets of London.  Watch trailer below:

Need to catch up on LUTHER 101? The Urban Daily is giving away copies of LUTHER Season 1 on DVD.  For a chance to win, simply answer our trivia question:

Who did Idris Elba bring  as his date for the  Emmy Awards this past Sunday?

READ OUR “5 Reasons To Watch LUTHER” HERE

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What do you do you when you’ve been nominated for 2 Emmys, had a summer blockbuster movie (Thor), and a hit TV series (“LUTHER”) ? If you’re Idris Elba, you head down to the beaches of San Juan, Puerto Rico and shoot a music video, and indulge in some some very seductive body painting. Produced by music wunderkind 9th Wonder, “Private Garden” is a jazzy blend of hip-hop, soul, and reggae, from his 2010 EP ” High Class Problems Vol. 1.” Shout out to video director Crystle “Clear” Roberson for the stunning visuals!

Watch video below:

Private Garden from Crystle Clear Roberson on Vimeo.

Some 9th Wonder fans may recognize the beat from his “Ether” Remix on the 2003 God’s Stepson mixtape.

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USA Today

1.MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY

Everyone’s favorite weed-smoking, gun toting Grandma is back in Madea’s Big Happy Family.  Madea must step in and keep the peace when  she finds our her niece Shirley is in failing health. It’s up to Madea, with the help of the equally rambunctious Aunt Bam, to gather the clan together and make things right the only way she knows how: with a lot of tough love, laughter … and the revelation of a long-buried family secret.

2.INCEPTION

The 2010 summer blockbuster “heist” flick that solidified Christopher Nolan’s place in the pantheon of Hollywood’s A-list directors.   Inception is an intoxicating mix of intrigue, mind-blowing special effects, and intelligent screenwriting.

3.DRUMLINE

A heartwarming but humorous coming-of-age story starring Nick Cannon as Devon Miles, a talented drummer from Harlem who scams his way into a music scholarship to Atlanta A&T, but soon learns when you take short cuts, you get cut short.  Zoe Saldana plays Laila, Devon’s southern honey and Orlando Jones is Dr. Lee, the imperious band leader.

4.500 DAYS OF SUMMER

500 Days of Summer is one of those rare  Hollywood gems—a smart romantic comedy from the male point of view. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a poignant performance as a slightly naïve greeting card writer, whose world is turned upside down by the seemingly sweet  new receptionist named Summer.

5.LOVE JONES

Nia Long and Larenz Tate star in one of black cinema’s sexiest contemporary love stories. Backed by an eclectic and soulful soundtrack, the romance and poetry of Love Jones make it a must-have for any serious DVD collection.

6.BROOKLYN’S FINEST

One of 2010’s sleeper hits.  Director Antoine Fuqua is one of the best in the game in his depictions of urban crime and punishment on the big screen.  With an all-star cast including Ethan Hawke, Don Cheadle, Wesley Snipes and Richard Gere, Brooklyn’s Finest gives a compelling and balanced look into the inner lives of the men in blue.

7.I WILL FOLLOW

A visually and emotionally stunning debut by director Ava DuVernay, I Will Follow is a moving semi-autobiographical drama that stars Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Maye Fisher, a successful make-up artist with a sexy boyfriend (Blair Underwood), whose world is turned upside down by the death of her beloved Aunt Amanda (Beverly Todd).

8.THE SOCIAL NETWORK

Part biopic, part social commentary,  The Social Network is a glossy, heady film about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. The fun in watching the movie is the clever convergence of fact and fiction about America’s most influential online media mogul.

9.LIMITLESS

What would you do if you could tap into the full potential of your mental abilities? Bradley Cooper stars as Eddie Mora, a down on his luck writer who discovers a secret pill that unlocks 100% of his brain’s capacity. Along with the big money, fast cars and hot girls, Eddie attracts the attention of a cunning Wall Street broker (Robert DeNiro), who wants everything Eddie has…and more.

10.TAKERS

In this “Ocean’s 11” meets “Set It Off” heist flick, the story revolves around a notorious group of criminals (Idris Elba, Chris Brown, T.I., Michael Ealy, Hayden Christensen, Paul Walker) who continue to elude the authorities by pulling off perfectly executed bank robberies.  But this bad boys club may have met their match in Jack Welles (Matt Dillon), a hardened detective hot on their trail.

ENTER OUR MADEA’s BIG HAPPY FAMILY SWEEPSTAKES ON BLACKPLANET.COM

Name: “The G-Thang”

Inspired by: Toccara

Named after Toccara’s overflowing “G-cups” this toy is made of a futuristic material that expands in size to your preference. Thick or thin it’s got you covered. However, using this special equipment requires complete focus, so both hands are recommended to bring forth your “ultimate merger.”

Special features:  Thanks to a special wrist strap, it also counts calories burned during use.

Name: “The Marshall”

Inspired by: The Rock

Lay down the law in your bedroom with the Rock’s special toy inspired by his role in the movie Fast Five. For the woman on the go, this toy is as persistent as they come. Satisfaction in five minutes or your money back. Handcuffs not included.

Special features: 5 Speeds with a patented “speed bump” stimulator.

Name: “The Wire”

Inspired by: Idris Elba

When a simple phallus won’t cut it, this patented “string of bells” can be inserted for exotic, alternative stimulation.

Special features: DJ Big Driis made sure this pleasure cable can synch to your iPod via USB to pulse in time with the music he’s spinning.

Name: “The First Lady”

Inspired by: LisaRaye

For all you “Single Ladies” this toy is just like its maker; smooth, straight forward and gets right to business. There is no beating around the bush with this one of a kind stimulator.

Special features: It only comes in one color–white.

Name: “The Motivator”

Inspired by: Kelly Rowland

Kelly’s first album was called Simply Deep, so you know she isn’t going to skimp on this toy. Like Rowland, this sensual experience will be a slow build, but once it gets going you might not be able to shut it off.

Special features: If you turn it upside down it becomes the Keri Hilson “Pretty Girl Rocket.”

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Looks like Hollywood’s “white out” is on hiatus–at least in  TV Land.  This morning the nominations for the 63rd Annual Emmys were announced and Black Hollywood is finally feeling the love.  Taraji P. Henson got a nod  in the “Best Actress in a Mini-Series Or Movie” category  for Lifetime’s ” Taken From Me: The Tiffany Ruben Story.”  Idris Elba and Laurence Fishburne will face off in the “Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie” arena–Elba for BBC crime procedural “LUTHER”, Fishburne for HBO’s “Thurgood” (based on the life of the first black supreme court justice Thurgood Marshall).  Andre Braugher (“Men of A Certain Age”), Sofia Vergara (“Modern Family”), and Archie Punjabi  (“The Good Wife”) also round out the Emmy’s diverse spectrum of nominees.

Watch broadcast :
The 63rd Annul Primetime Emmys will air on FOX September 18th 8:00 P.M. EST/7c

Below is the complete list of Emmy nominees

Drama

Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Dexter (Showtime)

Friday Night Lights (DirecTV)

Game of Thrones (HBO)

The Good Wife (CBS)

Mad Men (AMC)

Comedy

The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Glee (Fox)

Modern Family (ABC)

The Office (NBC)

Parks & Rec (NBC)

30 Rock (NBC)

Actor, drama

Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights (DirecTV)

Michael C. Hall, Dexter (Showtime)

Jon Hamm, Mad Men (AMC)

Hugh Laurie, House (Fox)

Timothy Olyphant, Justified (FX)

Actress, drama

Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law (NBC)

Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights (DirecTV)

Mireille Enos, The Killing (AMC)

Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU (NBC)

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife (CBS)

Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men (AMC)

Actor, comedy

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock (NBC)

Louis CK, Louie (FX)

Steve Carell, The Office (NBC)

Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Matt LeBlanc, Episodes (Showtime)

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Actress, comedy

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie (Showtime)

Tina Fey, 30 Rock (NBC)

Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly (CBS)

Laura Linney, The Big C (Showtime)

Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope (Fox)

Amy Poehler, Parks & Recreation (NBC)

Supporting actor, drama

Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age (TNT)

Josh Charles, The Good Wife (CBS)

Alan Cumming, The Good Wife (CBS)

Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones (HBO)

Walton Goggins, Justified (FX)

John Slattery, Mad Men (AMC)

Supporting actress, drama

Christine Baranski, The Good Wife (CBS)

Michelle Forbes, The Killing (AMC)

Christina Hendricks, Mad Men (AMC)

Margo Martindale, Justified (FX)

Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Archie Punjabi, The Good Wife (CBS)

Supporting actor, comedy

Ty Burrell, Modern Family (ABC)

Chris Colfer, Glee (Fox)

Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men (CBS)

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family (ABC)

Ed O’Neill, Modern Family (ABC)

Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family (ABC)

Supporting actress, comedy

Julie Bowen, Modern Family (ABC)

Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock (NBC)

Jane Lynch,Glee (Fox)

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family (ABC)

Kristin Wigg, Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Movie or miniseries

Cinema Verité (HBO)

Downton Abbey (PBS)

The Kennedys (Reelz)

Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Pillars of the Earth (Starz)

Too Big To Fail (HBO)

Actor, miniseries or movie

Edgar Ramirez, Carlos (Sundance)

Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys (Reelz)

Barry Pepper, The Kennedys (Reelz)

Idris Elba, Luther (BBC America)

Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood (HBO)

William Hurt, Too Big to Fail (HBO)

Actress, miniseries or movie

Diane Lane, Cinema Verité (HBO)

Elizabeth McGovern, Downtown Abbey (PBS)

Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Taraji P. Henson, Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (Lifetime)

Jean Marsh, Upstairs Downstairs (PBS)

Supporting actor, miniseries or movie

Tom Wilkinson, The Kennedys (Reelz)

Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Brian F. O’Byrne, Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail (HBO)

James Woods, Too Big to Fail (HBO)

Supporting actress, miniseries or movie

Maggie Smith, Downtown Abbey (PBS)

Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Melissa Leo, Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Mare Winningham, Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Eileen Atkins, Upstairs Downstairs (PBS)

Variety, musical or comedy

The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)

Conan (TBS)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (NBC)

Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO)

Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Reality

Antiques Roadshow (PBS)

Deadliest Catch (Discovery)

Hoarders (A&E)

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Bravo)

Mythbusters (Discovery)

Undercover Boss (CBS)

Reality-competition

American Idol (Fox)

The Amazing Race (CBS)

Dancing With the Stars (ABC)

Project Runway (Lifetime)

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)

Top Chef (Bravo)

Reality host

Tom Bergeron, Dancing With the Stars (ABC)

Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)

Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race (CBS)

Jeff Probst, Survivor (CBS)

Ryan Seacrest, American Idol (Fox)

The story is set in the future at a time and place in which malevolent creatures threaten the earth, and the world has to band together to rid the planet of these menaces, using highly advanced technological weapons.

Elba will play a lead character named “Sensi,” starring alongside Son of Anarchy’s Charlie Hunnam.

Not much else is known about the character breakdowns and the film’s plotline at the moment; but it’s clear that Mr Elba’s stock is rising rapidly, and rightfully so (compared to some of his British actor counterparts, like Chiwetel Ejiofor). He has a hit TV show in “Luther” (for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award this year), and few big-budgeted Hollywood films he’s starring in, on the horizon.

He’s co-starring in Ridley Scott’s heavily-secretive sci-fi epic, Prometheus, which is currently shooting in the UK, and has a role in the upcoming Ghost Rider sequel.

Lastly, a multi-picture deal with Marvel Studios may see him cast in a movie based on one of a few black superheros, like Luke Cage, or Black Panther.

The next two to three years should be eventful and rewarding for Mr Elba, who now seems to have come a long way from films like Daddy’s Little Girls and Obsessed. We’ll all be watching closely.

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Tambay Obenson is editor of Shadow And Act on the indieWIRE Network at blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact

LUTHER fans sure are faithful.  The second season premiere debuted this past Tuesday in the U.K., watched by 5.6 million viewers on BBC Two.  Seems Mr. Elba  is quite pleased by the show’s ratings success as evidenced on Twitter:

Season 2 picks up a year after the climactic season finale: Alice  is biding her time in a pysch ward, Ripley has been demoted to uniform duty, and Luther has been banished to dusty files, solving cold cases.  Luther’s only source of comfort exists in his newfound friendship with Mark North–forever bonded by their grief over the loss of Zoe.  Luther grabs his chance to redeem himself and make amends to the people closest to him, when he’s called back to duty; a new threat arrives in the form of a Punch-mask wearing serial killer terrorizing the streets of London.

Recap of Episode 1 at MONSTERS AND CRITICS

LUTHER  Season 2 will air on BBC America in Fall 2011.

You can follow LUTHER on Twitter: @bbcluther

LUTHER on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LutherBBC

Trailer :

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Who says the British don’t share a wicked sense of humor?  This past Tuesday, CNN journalist Piers Morgan and Thor star Idris Elba were guests on  BBC Radio 5′s ‘The Daily Bacon’ hosted by Richard Bacon.  Seems Morgan  had a bone to pick with Elba concerning his wife, fellow journalist Celia Walden.

In a previous interview Idris confessed that he thought Morgan’s wife was attractive, not knowing that she was dating him.

No worries though–Morgan was just having fun.  It was all love afterwards as Elba and Morgan went on to chat about American television, and Elba’s upcoming second season of LUTHER (premiering on BBC One Tuesday, June 14th).  Sounds like the start of a beautiful new bromance.

You can find the June 7, 2011 podcast HERE (start at the 4:10 mark)

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Get ready for a bunch of gratuitous uses of the word “Hammer” and phrase “Hammer time.”

Source: NextMovie.com

RELATED: Idris Elba Covers The Source Magazine

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Source: Your career has exhibited some serious range with the characters you’ve played

Idris: “I’ve challenged my audience. I’ve taken them from being a drug lord to a preacher to married to Beyonce to American Gangster…versatility is the key to success”

Click here, to read more about the issue!

Idris Elba: “The Oscars Aren’t Designed For Us”

5 Reasons To Watch Idris Elba’s “Luther”

Duck Down/War Media

You often hear MC’s, producers and artists in general trot out the old quote “if you don’t like it, it wasn’t made for you.” Normally it’s a cop-out reserved for projects that just so happen to be tanking with the critics and fans alike. But what do you do when it’s true? When you realize that you’ve been eating fast food so long that Tavern On The Green seems too fancy for your dumb-downed taste buds? Well, when it comes to W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) by Pharoahe Monch, you can either step your taste up or head back to the drive-through, because the Queens native is not in the hamburger business.

If you couldn’t tell from the opening with actor Idris Elba, W.A.R. is ambitious in it’s objective to not only raise the bar, but to include a concept while doing so.  The title track featuring Immortal Technique & Vernon Reid and the Showtyme and DJ Boogie Blind assisted “Clap” set up the visuals for a revolutionary –minded movie that is Renegades.

But the man that still shuts down shows with the Godzilla-infused classic “Simon Says” knows that the beats get your heart and the words get your mind. So whether it’s the organ heavy gospel feel of  “Let My People Go,” the cinematic sound of “Still Standing” with Jill Scott, or the classic rock influence on “The Grand Illusion” the production manages to run the musical gamut but still come together to support a complete narrative.

However, the real dessert for any true Pharoahe Monch fan would have to be in the rewind-worthy lines. Never one to hold back, the lyrical displays on “The Hitman,” (“I make headlines like corduroy pillows”) “Haile Selasse Karate” and the triple threat of “Assassins” with Jean Grae and Royce Da 5’9” throw the average rapper under the short bus with ease. On the latter Monch makes another case for MENSA membership in this verse:

“The formula, truth divided by innovative Ebonics/times Goose lime, crushed ice and a splash of tonic/Nigga my past lives are astronomic/Smoking hash in a cathedral with Nostradamus at mass. Discussing Martin Luther’s Free At Last speech/step on my British Walkers, get your ass beat.”

While W.A.R. is only the third LP in twelve years for Pharoahe Monch, it may help open a new chapter in the dumbed-down world of Hip-Hop today.  A veteran artist can make the kind of album his core fans have been begging for while blending skill and with a compelling concept. He even offers a backward warning in the intro to “Assassins,” “stop f*cking downloading music for free and we can save hip-hop.”

In a world of fast food music, We Are Renegades represents the work of a master chef. Step your taste up.

MC (Twitter @MrMecc)

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Tonight’s topics include: Anthony Mackie’s comments on Black Hollywood and this year’s Oscar’s ‘white-out’

A tribute to the late and legendary Dwayne McDuffie, and his contributions to the comic book and animated world.

The OFFICIAL scoop on Idris Elba’s lecture at Rutgers University

and NAACP Image Awards Nominations

Click here to listen in live at 6pm!

As a fitting close to Black History Month, actor Idris Elba was the featured speaker for the Lens Project’s “Artist Spotlight” series. Held at the Paul Robeson Center of Rutgers University’s Newark campus this past Thursday evening, the lecture was moderated by Ms. Baraka Sele, the current Assistant Vice President of Programming of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

Black Presidents In The Movies

Idris stepped onto the stage to standing applause and an unmistakable spike in estrogen levels among the women in attendance, as they whipped out their cameras to document Hollywood’s sexiest chocolate boy wonder. Adopting an ‘Inside the Actor’s Studio’ format, Ms. Sele and Mr. Elba discussed everything from his solid middle class beginnings in East London, his upcoming projects, to the current state of black cinema in Hollywood.

TheUrbanDaily.com was on campus for Idris 101 and bring you the highlights below.

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On his most prolific role as Stringer Bell on HBO’s ‘The Wire’

“I was a huge fan of Stringer Bell being killed off right at the height of his popularity. I commend the writers for a realistic view of living a life of crime…as a drug dealer you either end up dead or in prison.”

On the Golden Globes and this year’s Oscar ‘white-out’

“Halle Berry and I were the only two black actors nominated for this year’s Golden Globes (Idris for Luther and Halle for Frankie & Alice). The Oscars aren’t designed for us…let’s focus on making more films.”

On the controversy surrounding his role as Heimdall, in the upcoming “Thor”

“It’s so ridiculous. We have a man (Thor) who has a flying hammer, and wears horns on his head and yet me being an actor of African descent playing a Norse god is unbelievable? I mean, Cleopatra was played by Elizabeth Taylor and Ghandi was played by Ben Kingsley”

Does he watch any of his films?

“I don’t watch myself. It’s excruciating”

On his decision to become an actor

“My parents were hard-working and believed in security, getting that paycheck. Paul Barber (another black British actor) came to speak at my school, and I realized ‘I could do that too.’ When I told my parents I wanted to be an actor, my father said to me (at this point Idris mimics a dead-on African accent) ‘Kuna, you know actors don’t make money.’ So I got a job working at the Ford factory and after 2 years, I was like, I gotta go back to acting.” (Idris would eventually win a place in the National Youth Music Theater, thanks to a Prince’s Trust grant).

On speaking to today’s youth

“I’m just a beacon… actors and people in the film industry should speak at schools to inspire students.” Idris is the anti-crime ambassador for the Prince’s Trust grant, a U.K. based youth charity that provides workplace skills and financial support.
(Idris speaking Prince’s Trust)

On being an only child

“As an only child I had a vivid imagination. My imagination gets me in trouble, it gets me awards and it gets me paychecks”

On what role he finds most challenging

“While the U.K. is known for their drama schools, they are very expensive. I wasn’t classically trained in theater, so I have a natural fear of Shakespeare. But I’d like to tackle King Lear or Othello.”

On the Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry debate

“Can I be candid?” he asks before turning to face the audience directly. “I don’t like all of Tyler Perry’s films. Yes, I did work with Tyler for “Daddy’s Little Girls” because it portrayed a positive image of a black father. I am happy for Tyler’s success…we need Tyler Perry…by going to support his movies, we need to show economic strength. But we are also responsible for elevating film. I’m not with buffoonish characters like Madea or Big Momma.”

By the end of the lecture, it was clear that Idris Elba hasn’t been coasting on just his good looks. Thoughtful, resourceful, and humble, Idris Elba continues the legacy of strong and positive depictions of black masculinity in Hollywood.

In other news, Idris has just been cast in the, not quite Alien prequel,  Ridley Scott helmed Prometheus. He joins Noomi Rapace (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), Michael Fassbender (X:Men First Class) and Charlize Theron (Hancock).

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According to TheHollywoodReporter an indie version of the film with ‘Luther’ star Idris Elba playing Alex Cross was in development but that adaption appears to be shelved for now. Elba starred in Perry’s 2007 film Daddy’s Little Girls.

The last time Tyler Perry performed on screen wearing pants was in his film Why Did I Get Married Too? playing  Diane (Sharon Leale’s)  husband Terry. His latest film Madea’s Big Happy Family has been getting a lot of  attention because of the movie posters he’s using to promote the film. One mocks the God Father while the other pokes fun at Oscar-nominee Black Swan.

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5 Reasons To Watch Idris Elba’s “Luther”

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“Luther” deviates from the usual ‘who done it?’ format of crime procedurals by revealing the murderer’s identity at the start of each episode, therefore freeing the audience to focus on the psychological cat-and-mouse games between Luther and his prey. Backed by a solid cast, suspenseful storylines and first-rate writing by creator Neil Cross, “Luther” is the template for the 21st century detective. Here are five favorite reasons to rent, buy or move to England to watch the show. Pay attention because TheUrbandaily.com will be giving away a copy of the Season 1 DVD!

1. Idris Elba—Elba has come full circle. It’s only fitting that one of his best roles would be on the BBC, the genesis of his acting career. Elba brings nuanced complexity and passion to the title role. Luther is tortured by his genius and his impassioned sense of right and wrong. Years of working in the shadows has cost him his wife, and quite possibly his career and sanity. The line between good and evil is a thin one, and Elba is excellent in navigating Luther’s struggle for balance.
2. Ruth Wilson–plays Alice Morgan, a murder suspect who gives new meaning to the term ‘femme fatale.’ With her porcelain skin and flame-red hair, she is a portrait of both fire and ice. When Luther sets out to prove Alice’s guilt, she turns out to be his most dangerous adversary. Alice is cold, calculating and devoid of any sentiment or moral codes. Her nihilistic views fascinate Luther, but his obsession with Alice may prove to be his downfall. Morgan and Elba’s scenes together crackle with sexual energy; their confrontations slowly evolve into an unconventional friendship Luther will eventually need to survive his darkest hour.
3. Indira Varma—is Zoe Luther, a human rights attorney and Luther’s estranged wife. Through Zoe we come to understand the emotional toll Luther’s work has taken on both himself and their marriage. Varma brings a mature and emotional honesty to her role, and we feel the conflict within her as she attempts to move on from Luther’s self-destructive tendencies with her new lover, Mark (Paul McGann).
4. The Villains—”"Luther” features a rogues’ gallery of criminals that would make Hannibal Lecter proud. From a blood-drinking Satanist to a serial cop-killer with serious daddy issues, “Luther” creates an unsettling intimacy between the viewer and murderer. The violence is so visceral you just might leave the lights on long after the credits roll.
5. Theme Song—Trip-hop group Massive Attack’s “Paradise Circus” captures the dark and haunting mood of the show. When Hope Sandoval sings ‘the devil makes us sin, but we like it when we’re spinning in his grip’, she could easily be referring to the murderer or… Luther.

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10. Expendables

Being a big Rambo and Commando fan, I appreciated this tribute to the action movies of the 80s. Good action and good chemistry between our generation’s greatest action movie stars.

9. Takers

Takers was a great multi-racial heist movie. Idris Elba and Chris Brown were great in the movie and T.I. played a good villain.

8. Shutter Island

This movie was a pretty good psychological thriller with good acting by Leonardo DiCaprio. Love the Boson accent.

7. Book Of Eli

The Hughes Brothers and Denzel teamed up for a good biblical post apocalyptic action movie with a great twist at the end.

6. Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 had some great action sequences and computer animation. Don’t really remember the plot but that isn’t important.

5. Inception

I’ll admit I didn’t get the plot fully but I only watched in once, or maybe I was dreaming. Still it was a very entertaining movie.

4. Tron

Tron was great sci-fi computer epic with great computer animation, good acting and a decent plotline.

3. Toy Story 3

Great movie for kids or adults. Anyone who can watch this movie without revisiting their childhood toys probably didn’t have any.

2. The Other Guys

The best comedy of the year and Will Ferrell’s funniest movie ever(better than Anchorman).

1. The Social Network

I know a movie about a Harvard kid creating a website might seem boring but this well acted, well written movie is the most captivating movie of 2010.

1. The Social Network

Who’d have thought a movie about Harvard students creating a website could be so interesting. Great acting, great plot. Should win an Oscar or two.

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Elba was cast in the role of Heimdall, an all-seeing and all-knowing deity in Norse mythology, a move that members of the Council of Conservative Citizens call “left-wing social engineering.”

The group launched a website at Boycott-Thor.com denouncing Marvel Comics, who are behind the film, and Elba.

“It’s well known that Marvel is a company that advocates for left-wing ideologies and causes. Marvel front man Stan “Lee” Lieber boasts of being a major financier of left-wing political candidates. Marvel has viciously attacked the TEA Party movement, conservatives, and European heritage. Now they have taken it one further, casting a black man as a Norse deity in their new movie Thor. Marvel has now inserted social engineering into European mythology.”

Meh…

Nobody cared when people cried foul when Jake Gyllenhaal was cast in The Prince Of Persia, or Elizabeth Taylor was cast as “Cleopatra.”

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5 Reasons To See “Takers”

(AllHipHop News) Despite early weekend box office estimates reported Monday morning (August 30), Takers has actually edged out The Last Exorcism as the highest-grossing film for the weekend ending August 29, AllHipHop.com has confirmed.

Takers raked in an impressive $20.5 million, beating it’s rival opening film by just shy of $200,000. The independently-produced crime drama originally drew attention for its diverse ensemble cast.

“It’s really an incredible testament to the power of the people,” Rainforest Films co-founder Will Packer told AllHipHop.com. “Hollywood expected us to do closer to $10 million since we were smaller and on far less screens.”

What’s next for T.I. and company? Go to Allhiphop.com for more.

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Testosterone Alert!  ‘Takers’ hits the big screen today and women everywhere will be flocking to witness some of the most diverse male eye candy so yummy, pink slips might be going out in Tyler Perry’s casting department.

In this “Ocean’s 11” meets “Set It Off” heist flick, the story revolves around a notorious group of criminals (Idris Elba, Chris Brown, T.I., Hayden Christensen, Paul Walker) who continue to elude the authorities by pulling off perfectly executed bank robberies.  But this bad boys club may have met their match in Jack Welles (Matt Dillon), a hardened detective hot on their trail.

So, what’s your flavor, ladies? Whether it’s chocolate, vanilla, or caramel, ‘Takers’ offers something for your sweet tooth.

1 & 2.  Idris Elba. No it isn’t a typo; Idris claims the top 2 spots and deservedly so.  After a handful of seasons as intelli-thug Stringer Bell on HBO’s “The Wire,” this London transplant has done the impossible by staking a claim to black Hollywood royalty—and in almost half the time of Denzel, Will or Samuel.  Yes, he is gorgeous, and that accent alone could melt butter (or panties) but above all, Idris is an actor in the truest sense, constantly honing his craft—either as the leading man in “Daddy’s Little Girls” or Obsessed”, supporting roles in “Rock ‘n’ Rolla” and “American Gangsta” or cheeky cameos on NBC’s “The Office.”
Idris’ career is on fire, and the box office success of ‘Takers’ will be icing on the cake.

3. The Bluest Eye—Where else but in “Takers” will you find two actors –one black (Michael Ealy), one white (Paul Walker)–both with the most gorgeous baby
blues this side of the Pacific?

4. T.I.- After spending a year locked up, T.I. has hit the ground running. Even though hip-hop is under “The Reign of the Drake” T.I. proves he’s still one of the best, as evidenced by his guest appearance on Rick Ross’ “Maybach Music Pt. III.”  He also continues to make shrewd acting choices (like his promising debut in “ATL”) by surrounding himself in strong ensemble casts.

5.  Chris Brown— Brown has kept a low profile on the press and promotion circuit, but  is actually the executive producer of this film. An admirable accomplishment for any 21 year old.

Verdict:  Will “Takers” live up to the hype? Frankly… who cares!  This weekend it’s all about the ladies, so round up your BFF’s and put the crackberry on silent.  Gents, you win too—after 2 hours of cinematic foreplay, most women will be in heat and ripe for the picking, so pick up the phone!! Just don’t take it personally if we call you Idris in the heat of the moment.

-ReBecca Theodore-Vachon

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Here’s a cool fact I learned from this interview–T.I’s company Grand Hustle Entertainment produced some of the film. He even says the screening of the money was so exclusive not even Barack and Michelle could get in!

Takers will be in theaters August 27

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