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LOVE JONES, 10th Year Anniversary 1997-2007 CREDITS CYDNEY M. HARRIS, Art Director, JAMES GIOVAMETTI JR, Associate Producer, 1st Asst. Director, MICHAEL CALDWELL, Associate Producer, MICHAEL CALDWELL,Associate Producer, JANE ALDERMAN, Casting, ROBI REED-HUMES, Casting, SHAWN BARTON, Costume Designer, MAYSIE HAL, Editor, PILAR MCCURRY, Musical Director/Supervision, DARYL JONES, Songwriter, ROGER FORTUNE, Production Designer, ERNEST HOLZMAN, Cinematographer, AMELIA HOCHBERG, Set Director, SOCTT D. SMITH, Sound Recordist.

THE MOVIE, LOVE JONES --This movie really moved so many people. It came at a time where many in the African-American Community were looking for a movie showcasing a non-stereotypical theme. Many were tired of the whole living in the ghetto, gangster, drugs, murder type movies. Spoken Word Venues were taking the world by storm, just alive and kicking. It was a time of expression and when LOVE JONES came along, the buzz before the movie premiered was PHENOMENAL. BREATH OF FRESH AIR-- Indeed this storyline was great. You had an ensemble cast of actors who were very recognizable for their previous works. It was quite a change to see Larenz Tates go from the character O-Dog to Darius Lovehall. Tate, is an amazing actor. This was also a break-out role for Nia Long. She will always be the around the way girl but as her career has progressed, we see much depth in Long. Isaiah Washington. His character was great! A mature glance at a man going through his thing but still giving sound advice to a friend going through his. We were now seeing adult issues, well-educated sisters and brothers, just a great representation of the black experience. No one is immune from trials and errors but this was a great movie that came at a right time. Today we need more of these type movies, embracing more than just the average booty call. LOVE JONE, THE JONES--There was alot of buzz among friends and co-workers. People were beginning to recognize their own JONES. It was a time to feel good about being attracted to someone, starting out with no title, going with the flow, and then expanding upon feelings.

LOVE JONES, THE MUSIC-- Not only was this a great movie, the soundtrack was off the chain! The soundtrack is a classic, a complete gem. Neo-Soul Grooves, Traditional Jazz Standards, Spoken Word Poetry, absolutely a great musical experience. Artist On The LOVE JONES SOUNDTRACK Are: Dionne Farris, Maxwell, Lauryn Hill/Refugee Camp All-Stars, Groove Theory ( Amel Larrieux ), Trina Broussard ( Our Friend Ova At MySpace ), Xscape, Cassandra Wilson, Marcus Miller ( Our Friend Over At MySpace ), Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Brand New Heavies, Cassie ( Guy Group ), Kenny Lattimore, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Duke Ellington/John Coltrane, respectfully Nia Long and Larenz Tate added in their spoken word poetry moments, taken from the movie. GREAT MOMENTS--We wanted to see this couple succeed from the very beginning. We got to see how THE LOVE JONES can take on from one extreme to the next. The break-ups, the make-ups, the friendships, the cut-throat mentality and the beauty of good sex, good music, good vibes and good times. LOVE JONES II. (???) --It would be nice to see a follow-up movie. Where are Nina and Darius Now? Maybe some things are better left alone the first time!

A REVIEW FROM ROGER EBERT ON LOVE JONES, The Movie ( March 14, 1997 )
"Love Jones is a love story set in the world of Chicago's Middle Class Black Artist & Professinals, which is to say, it shows a world more unfamiliar to moviegoers than the far side of the moon. It is also frankly romantic, erotic, and smart." "Nia Long is Nina Mosley, Professional Photographer, Larenz Tate is Darius Lovehall, a novelist. These two characters are charismatic. There's electricity when they go on a date. There are hurt feelings, and misunderstandings. Nia Long and Larenz Tate are destined for more starring roles. They're fresh, have a sense of humor, and are almost implausibly good-looking." "Witcher has a good eye for locations. You can see loop skyscrapers in the backgrounds of alot of shots, so you know thisis Chicago but movies haven't shown us these neighborhoods before. Scenes are set in Hyde Park, on the near Northside and in between. As the characters move from coffee bars to record stores, to restaurants, to the Sanctuary, we realize how painfully limited the media vision of urban black life is."

"Why do the movies give us so many homeboys, gangsters, druggies and so few photographers, poets and teachers? The title ( of the movie ) is splled all lower-case. That kind of typography was popular in avant garde circles from the 1920's through the 1950's, on everything from book covers to record album jackets. I think Witcher is trying to evoke the tone of that period when bohemia was still somewhat secret, when success was not measured only by slaes, when fictional characters wrote novels instead of computer programs and future contracts. There is also a bow to the unconventional in the ending of this film. Many love stories contrive to get their characters together at the end. This one contrives , not to keep them apart, but to bring them to a bittersweet awareness that is above a simple love. Some audience members would probablly prefer a romantic embrace in the sunset as the music swells, but Love Jones is too smart for that. " Pull out that DVD/VHS and enjoy LOVE JONES One More Time. It is a movie that inspires and trascends just one moment in time. Soundtrack? Enjoy that flow too!

RUSTY CUNDIEFF, is an American film/television director, actor and writer.
Cundieff was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1960), married with two children. Cundieff is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, graduate of University of Southern California. This edition of OnPointt.com looks ahead to the past.

We go back to the movie, SPRUNG! This is another movie celebrating it's 10th Anniversary. Director for SPRUNG ( 1997 ), was Rusty Cundieff, Writer's Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott. The movie was a comedy, TAGLINE: WAY PAST WHIPPED! It was a funny romantic comedy, a comedy that could have been played by any race. Starring in the movie SPRUNG were:

CAST
Tisha Campbell, as Brandy, Rusty Cundieff as Montel, Paula Jai Parker as Adina ( role, excellent ), Joe Torry as Clyde, John Witherspoon as Detective, Clarence Williams III as Grand Daddy & more.

SPECIAL MOMENTS
We loved the whole concept of having young love inteact with older couples, a very refreshing take. Both Paula Jai Parker and Joe Torry were extremely funny, their scenes were stealers no doubt! Charming was Cundieff and Campbell, exploring young love only to tread rough waters as their best friends try to sabatoge the love. Great guest appearances were by Sherman Hensely and the late Isabel Sanford ( George & Weezy, of THE JEFFERSONS ).

Honestly many people say after the second time watching SPRUNG, they really saw what a gem indeed this film was. Although Rusty Cundieff made other films we haven't heard from this great director in awhile. We definitely need our Black Directors to stay on the scene. Stories need to be told and we know for sure that with creative talent like this, it would be with open arms to have more films by RC.

WE SALUTE RUSTY CUNDIEFF HERE AT BRAVO!

--SPRING 2008 onpointt online magazine/onpointt.com/bravo entertainment review

From Showtime... Henry was never intended for the throne of England. However, the death of his older brother Arthur at the age of 15 and his taking of his dead brother's bride propelled the young prince into the limelight and laid the foundations of rone of the most spectacular reigns in English history. THE TUDORS... Premieres on SHOWTIME....
Sunday March 30 @ 9pm est. Season Two is back... If you thought season one was explosive, HOLD ON TO YOUR HEAD.. In Pun Fun... Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the great Henry VIII, Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, The Great Peter O'Toole playing the legendary Pope Paul III, Jeremy Northam playing Sir Thomas Moore, Charles Brandon as Henry Cavill, Maria Doyle Kennedy plays Queen Katherine Of Aragon, Nick Dunning Plays Thomas Boleyn, James Frain Plays Thomas Cromwell... THEY SAY, Never let a lion know his own strength... and so it begins.. THE TUDORS, Season Two.

.. The Album is called JOYFUL, hit single 'down on my knees', an infectious hit, that has been burning up the charts as well as having heavy video play on BET J, BET, MTV, and VH-1. Born in Germany, daughter of a Nigerian father,and Romanian gypsy mother, Ayo, a mother of a 2 year old son, has gained much appeal in Europe and right here in the US! Learn more about AYO! Visit her official myspace page!

Congrats to Halle Berry! The 41 year old Oacar Winning Actress gave birth to her first child with her boyfriend/model Gabriel Aubry in Los Angeles. Nahla Ariela Aubry is the name of Halle's daughter. Nahla means honeybee in Arabic Ariela means Lioness of God. Awww....
Another Mommy we must give some love to is Jennifer Lopez... she graces the cover of People Magazine with her twins with husband Marc Anthony Max and Emme... Awww...
For the record... Angelina Jolie is expecting again.... congrats to Christina Aguilera, Nicole Richie, we're sure more expectant mother's will make an appearance real soon in Hollywood.

ANGELA BASSETT, received her Star On Hollywood! Go lady Go! That's right the Walk Of Fame! Angela has appeared in more than 20 films, electrifying performances, simply unforgettable. Anglea is the type of actress that has the kind of screen presence that the one and only Cicely Tyson could give kudos to ( that is saying a whole heck of a lot cause Cicely is an actress that has set the bar in terms of riveting performances and choosing to play roles that have not been less than stellar character). To help Bassett celebrate her big day was husband Courtney Vance, their twins, friends and family. Look for Bassett to star as Brenda in Tyler Perry's new film, 'Meet The Browns'. Go Angela! Congrats Lady!

WHY DO WE LOVE ENTOURAGE ( HB0 ) ? This hit comedy series executive produced by Mark Wahlberg ( still our favorite Calvin Klein guy ) is just a well rounded show, that keeps you laughing, cheering and anticipating who is going to be next on the show! You tune in to see Vincent Chase and his entourage! Eric, hilarious Drama, and Turtle are all off the chain in one form or another. Then you have superagent Ari, who is just THA MAN! We love Debi Mazar and Lloyd's flaming assterior! Ya never know who is going to appear... cameo style, there's been Mary J Blige ( biggups go cop the album, it's dope, it's hot, aight? ), Marky Mark himself, Jessica Alba ( she's preggy now ), Luke Wilson, Val Kilmer, Gary Busey, Scarlet Johanssen, the legendary Martin Landau, Mandy Moore and lordy, lordy did we love Anna Farris during her cameo, she's amazing and amazingly funny!

Production begins for Season 5 April 2008, premiere's September 2008! Okaaaay? Holla!

WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT FINISHED... expanding we are! Check this out readers!

PART TWO OF BRAVO IS COMING REALLY SOON! We get deep! We talk about films, documentaries, we sit down with those making it happen and we discuss how more roles of quality need to be given to black actors in tinstle town! Word on the wire, Meagan Good has a new production company, Freedom Bridge Entertainment. The company was created to give opportunities for MG ( of course ) and for other Black Actors/Actresses as well! We discus this, spotlight some films, and so much more, so check back with us!