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UPdate from old board! This little known story has met a just conclusion, as Sophia Stewart, African American author of The Matrix will finally receive her just due from the copyright infringement of her original work!!! A six-year dispute has ended involving Sophia Stewart, the Wachowski Brothers, Joel Silver and Warner Brothers. Stewart's allegations, involving copyright infringement and racketeering, were received and acknowledged by the Central District of California, Judge Margaret Morrow presiding. Stewart, a New Yorker who has resided in Salt Lake City for the past five years, will recover damages from the films, The Matrix I, II and III, as well as The Terminator and its sequels. She will soon receive one of the biggest payoffs in the history of Hollywood , as the gross receipts of both films and their sequels total over 2.5 billion dollars. Stewart filed her case in 1999, after viewing the Matrix, which she felt had been based on her manuscript, 'The Third Eye,' copyrighted in 1981. In the mid-eighties Stewart had submitted her manuscript to an ad placed by the Wachowski Brothers, requesting new sci-fi works.. According to court documentation, an FBI investigation discovered that more than thirty minutes had been edited from the original film, in an attempt to avoid penalties for copyright infringement. The investigation also stated that 'credible witnesses employed at Warner Brothers came forward, claiming that the executives and lawyers had full knowledge that the work in question did not belong to the Wachowski Brothers.' These witnesses claimed to have seen Stewart's original work and that it had been 'often used during preparation of the motion pictures.' The defendants tried, on several occasions, to have Stewart's case dismissed, without success. Stewart has confronted skepticism on all sides, much of which comes from Matrix fans, who are strangely loyal to the Wachowski Brothers. One on-line forum, entitled Matrix Explained has an entire section devoted to Stewart. Some who have researched her history and writings are open to her story. Others are suspicious and mocking. 'It doesn't bother me,' said Stewart in a phone interview last week, 'I always knew what was true.' Some fans, are unaware of the case or they question its legitimacy, due to the fact that it has received little to no media coverage. Though the case was not made public until October of 2003, Stewart has her own explanation, as quoted at aghettotymz.com: 'The reason you have not seen any of this in the media is because Warner Brothers parent company is AOL-Time Warner.... this GIANT owns 95 percent of the media... let me give you a clue as to what they own in the media business... New York Times papers/magazines, LA Times papers/magazines, People Magazine, CNN news, Extra, Celebrity Justice, Entertainment Tonight, HBO, New Line Cinema, DreamWorks, Newsweek, Village Roadshow and many, many more! They are not going to report on themselves. They have been suppressing my case for years.' Fans who have taken Stewart's allegations seriously, have found eerie mythological parallels, which seem significant in a case that revolves around the highly metaphorical and symbolic Matrix series. Sophia, the Greek goddess of wisdom has been referenced many times in speculation about Stewart. In one book about the Goddess Sophia, it reads, 'The black goddess is the mistress of web creation spun in her divine matrix.' Although there have been outside implications as to racial injustice (Stewart is African American), she does not feel that this is the case. 'This is all about the Benjamins,' said Stewart. 'It's not about money with me. It's about justice.' Stewart's future plans involve a record label, entitled Popsilk Records, and a motion picture production company, All Eyez On Me, in reference to God. 'I wrote The Third Eye to wake people up, to remind them why God put them here. There's more to life than money,' said Stewart. 'My whole to the world is about God and good and about choice, about spirituality over 'technocracy'.' If Stewart represents spirituality, then she truly has prevailed over the 'technocracy' represented in both the Terminator and the Matrix, and now, ironically, by their supposed creators. Stewart is currently having discussions with CBS about a possible exclusive story and has several media engagements in the near future to nationally publicize her victory. June 13th 2004. Sophia Stewart's press release read: 'The Matrix & Terminator movie franchises have made world history and have ultimately changed the way people view movies and how Hollywood does business, yet the real truth about the creator and creation of these films continue to elude the masses because the hidden secret of the matter is that these films were created and written by a Black woman...a Black woman named Sophia Stewart. But Hollywood does not want you to know this fact simply because it would change history. Also it would encourage our Black children to realize a dream and that is...nothing is impossible for them to achieve!' Greg Thomas, Editor

I enjoy the color transformation because I had a voice in it! I agree with the other 2 oldies but goodies! I am glad you got rid of the ghastly voting stars. I think that move helped bring more posters to this site, peace! Good 2 see my favortie poster, CH.

. Black directors make movies they feel are relevant to their personal agendas and those of their targeted audience (which is generally black). White people have nothing to do with it. (With that comment you reveal that you don't know a damn thing about America, the movie business, black directors or filmmaking. Why am I not surprised. You got in there crying and snotting over this sad story and now you can't even see straight enough to tell it like it is. Admit it. It's all emotional. You like the movie. Lots of black people have questions about it. Maybe you're right. Maybe THEY are. Get over it.

Well Thump, since LiLi doesn't know a thang about movies or music, what's your take on this new release. I mean, LiLi thought Notorious should have been picked for an Oscar.

I did not know you could do that with Thumb Nails. Hey Carey that was pretty creative. But as the cliche goes if we forget the past we are doomed to repeat it. As the Jews say we must never forget. We can move on but we can not, must not, forget our history, what little we still know... even if you are tired of hearing it.

Hello All, I disagree with the Ishmael! I am so SICK of this argument. They used it 30 some odd years ago with The Color Purple! Frankly, Reed needs to get over it! I don't see how Precious is saying anything more to white people than it said to me as a black man. Any damn movie that ain't showing the black man as a minor Superman they take offense. There use to be they was upset because white folks always wanted to depict the mournful, caring black mother on the screen when not all of that was the least bit true. Now, Precious destroyed that stereotype and you all still ain't happy. I guess Reed would be more satisfied showing Precious's daddy having a bunch of kids and not supporting them or raising them or even knowing who they are, because that much is true! No, Sidney Poitier should lose 40 years and start remaking his old movies again. Man, pick a side and stay with it.

Well Troy, to Ismael's Fade to White, I say Bull Shit! We've done this before so I'll move on. Ismael is very deep. I read ALL of the AALBC link. Man, that was long! This caught my eye..... "RM: It seems to me that black writers have to be marketed into neat little categories to sell books, and if you're not able to fit into any of these slots, then you have a problem" There was a load of wisdom in that interview.

Okay Thump, I see your meds have settled down. It looks like another love TKO. But before I leave, I have to say a couple of things. See, I wasn't going to bring up the old board. You know, I was going to let that go. But nooooo, you wanna challenge my memory. I have to admit it's not what it used to be, so, at times, you have me in handcuffs. But sometimes I get a flash alert. Yep, I see the woman that you said (on the old board) wasn't a good actress, and wasn't going to be nothing, Jennifer Beals. I think I just saw her in The Book Of Eli. I know you're big daddy woo woo in this Oscar thang, but you made your move to soon on that one. That's right, about 10 years ago, you tore her a new one. Don't make me say what movie. Hint: Walter Moseley. I don't mean to bring up the past, because I sure don't want you to reach for your meds, but sometimes you have me confused. Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite you... anymore.

Hello all, Carey: You done let all that loose skin and wrinkles on your forehead, fall into your eyes...messing with your vision! out of that group, Gabby gave the best performance HANDS DOWN! I done told you about coming to the table wearing a bib and a pair of knee pants, this is MAN's game you done rolled up on, son! *LOL* Now, let's start this again. I'll go slower this time so you can keep up... "The awards go to the Best." I know you didn't say that!? All that damn belly aching you did when Halle Berry won that Oscar for Monster Ball, you had the audacity to say that "the awards go to the Best"?! Let's look at the Oscar Angela Bassett lost for What's Love Got To Do With It to Holly Hunter in The Piano. No you know good and damn well, Holly Hunter didn't do anything but play Jim Carrey making all of those damn faces! And to top it all, Dorothy Dandridge lost that Oscar to Grace Kelley in The Country Girl because Grace Kelley did a role in which she didn't wear any makeup and wore glasses! Don't play with me. Oscar is famous for ignoring black actresses. I aint going to drop a lot of knowledge on you because it would be a waste of my time, like throwing pearls before swine, but a few of Oscar's injustice. 1.) Hilary Swank - with not one but two Oscars? Please, I would like to see her play a girl and win one. 2.) Who counts minutes -- why a ton of folks counts the minutes a nominees is in a film. Dame Judi Dench won her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Shakespeare in Love. She was in the move all of 10 minutes. Geraldine Page was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for The Pope of Greenwich Village and she was in it for 10 minutes. And this is just off the top of my head, don't make me do some research! 3.) The year of Million Dollar Baby - GIVE ME AN ENTIRE BREAK!! Carey, you know you're wrong on so many levels. Anyway, don't let me stop you from running up and down the street with your big hoop and stick.

Well Thump, as much as I like disagreeing with you, I think you are on target. But you know what, I've never seen "Milk". So I can't speak on the Sean Pen thang. I did however enjoy Mickey Rourke. But wait Thump, no Avatar? I mean, generally the best director award goes to the director of the best picture. Well, unless there's some "color" in the movie. The Hurt Locker was very suspenseful and the acting was tight, but I don't understand the criteria for best director? Yes, Mo'nique is a lock. I don't remember Eddie Murphy's "supposedly" showing of his ass? You'll have to fill us in on that. Who beat him? Was he up for best actor or best supporting actor? I could google it, but that wouldn't be any fun. Any old fool can act like they know something, but you, my man, are the real deal. Now don't let your head swell, and go looking for the Real Deal Hollifield. I mean, you are good at picking movies, so don't go pick a fight with a boxing champion. But seriously, you might be on to something. But why don't you think Ol'Julie (what's her name) is not going to sneak in there? So, I guess we can agree that the actor from Inglorious Bastards is running away with best supporting actor, right?

Hey everyone, My nephew, Curtiss Cook's movies are finally out and on the market. On Feb, 19 2010 the movie (Shutter Island with Leonardo DiCaprio) will be in theaters. His other movie (breaking point with Busta Rhymes) is out on DVD As I type, so go to your local video store and rent it. There are two others that doesn't have a release date, as far as I know, so when I fine out I will let you know. E. Hall YES, I miss you 2 Chris! Do you need 4 us 2 send you a GPS???????????????????? Your posts were my favorites! ********************************************************************************************* Eve, Congratulations! "Sisterhood" has been accepted for publication in the "Women's issue" of MoJo! Thank you for submitting to the journal. Write on! Mignon Mignon Ariel King Editor, MoJo! http://mojowriters.weebly.com/

Move over Angelina and Brad. Beyonce and Jay-Z are the new #1 power couple of the entertainment industry. And Beyonce did it without adopting a trio of mutants from another planet. She married one instead. And Bey might've won the most awards at the Grammy telecast, but that "drill" she didn't "put a ring on" couldn't compare with Pink's near-nude acrobatic "circus act" which stole the show. And where was Kanye West when we needed him? Taylor Swift has to be the most overrated talent around. She's as boring as Lady GaGa is bizarre. Heidi Klum and her spouse looked like the Little Mermaid and her pet Seal. Nicole Kidman and her hubby looked like a blond Snow White and one of her dwarfs. Jennifer Hudson needs a new hair stylist, and Rihanna needs a personality transplant. Who was the kid she lugged to the mike with her. A love child she's been keeping a secret? Wonder if that "big fat black girl" dancing on the stage with the Rappers is a sign that all of the "Preciouses" of the world are going to get their day in the sun ala, Biggy Smalls. Justice is served - along with chicken and bisquits and mashed potatoes. Michael Jacksons' kids are already showing signs of loving the spotlight. Too bad they can't speak without stumbling over their words. They were almost as bad as Wicliffe Jean. I thought Lil Wayne was in jail but there he was running around the stage like he had "warrants", all the while having his lyrics bleeped. And who was Jamie Foxx spoofing in his Napoleon outfit? To his credit, he did appear to have had too much Ak-ak-ak-ak-akohol. Thank goodness, "Slash" and his guitar showed up. OK, this is your pop culture vulture signing off for now...

About to start reading Percival Everett's "I Am Not Sidney Poitier." I've been looking forward to this one for a while. Has anyone heard anything more about the movie adaptation of "Erasure"? I know Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance were involved and hoped that it would move forward quickly in light of the success of "Precious." (Many think that "Push" was the inspiration for Everett's character's foray into "ghetto lit.")

Basketball league for white Americans targets Augusta By Billy Byler | Staff Writer Tuesday, January 19, 2010 A new professional basketball league boasting rosters made up exclusively of white Americans has its eyes set on Augusta, but the team isn't receiving a warm welcome. The All-American Basketball Alliance announced in a news release Sunday evening that it intends to start its inaugural season in June and hopes Augusta will be one of 12 cities with a team. "Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league," the statement said. Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who has publicly expressed his support for minor league teams in the past, said he would not do the same for this team. "As a sports enthusiast, I have always supported bringing more sporting activities to Augusta," he said. "However, in this instance I could not support in good conscience bringing in a team that did not fit with the spirit of inclusiveness that I, along with many others, have worked so hard to foster in our city." Clint Bryant, athletic director at Augusta State University, laughed when he heard the news. "It's so absurd, it's funny, but it gives you an idea of the sickness of our society" he said. "It shows you what lengths people will go to just to be mean-spirited. I think at any basketball level, no matter if it's all black, all white, all Hispanic, all Asian or anyone else, the players should just be a basketball team." Don "Moose" Lewis, the commissioner of the AABA, said the reasoning behind the league's roster restrictions is not racism. "There's nothing hatred about what we're doing," he said. "I don't hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like." Lewis said he wants to emphasize fundamental basketball instead of "street-ball" played by "people of color." He pointed out recent incidents in the NBA, including Gilbert Arenas' indefinite suspension after bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room, as examples of fans' dissatisfaction with the way current professional sports are run. "Would you want to go to the game and worry about a player flipping you off or attacking you in the stands or grabbing their crotch?" he said. "That's the culture today, and in a free country we should have the right to move ourselves in a better direction." The Atlanta-based league, which will operate as a single-entity owning all of its teams, is looking for local contacts to pay $10,000 to become a "licensee" in one of 12 cities throughout the Southeast. Lewis said he has already received threats from people opposed to the roster restrictions and several cities have told him to stay out of town. Lewis said he has yet to hear from any one in Augusta. "We need a local person ingrained into the community to make this successful," he said. Lewis said he expects to eventually find support in every town with a team. "People will come out and support a product they can identify with. I'm the spoken minority right now, but if people will give us a chance, it'll work... The white game of basketball, which is essentially a fundamental game, works." Lewis said he wasn't sure where the team will play. Augusta has had problems with minor league basketball teams in the past, but the issues never centered around race. The Augusta Drive lasted less than a month before folding in 1995, citing financial reasons. The Augusta Groove made it through a full, 20-game schedule in 2009, but accusations from players and local businesses that the team wasn't paying its bills surrounded the team during the second half of the season. The team later shut down in the offseason. From the Tuesday, January 19, 2010 edition of the Augusta Chronicle

I attended a book launch party last night for Wench it was packed. The acclaim for the novel is universal. I'm gonna move it to the top of my list of books to read. The next one will be in Seattle on Jan 25th.

Thump, I have so much to say, but your mention of Lee Daniels caught my eye. Well, more so, the DGA awards. We've talked about the racism Prejudice certain flavor of the voting panel of the Oscars. Well, this year the DGA is honoring Norman Jewison. First, I don't know if Mr Jewison is a Jewish fellow, but I know he was born in Canada. So here's my thang, he's always shown the courage to direct movies that championed black folks. I know I don't have to tell you, but for others, he did In The Heat Of The Night, A Soldiers Story and The Hurricane. In my opinion, he's due an award. Now, I don't know the core of Oscar voters, but I wonder how many of them are part of the DGA? Over the years we've seen what you call Negro Oscar Busters. I wonder how many of "Buster's" fathers are part of the Oscar Academy? Sure, they gave Denzel and Halle an award, but I don't even want to go there. For that "I don't want to go there" reason, Monique could take the big one. But anyway, although it's great to see the light shine on Lee Daniels, I am not very big on the BEST DIRECTOR AWARD. First of all, I don't know what the voters are looking for. It seems like if the movie is a fan favorite, the award drops in the hands of the director. To me, that should not be the case. Take for instance the DGA nominees. Jason Reitman Quentin Tarantino Kathryn Bigelow James Cameron Lee Daniels I doubt if the aveerage joe can match the nominated movies to the correct director. Also, if asked I don't think many people can say a thang about the "direction" of the movie. How in the hell is Jmaes Cameron a nominated director for Avatar? I love seeing black peole get their props, but Thump, although A_womon hates it when I slam "black movies" or black directors, I gotta do my thang. I have to speak on The Book Of Eli. I'm not going to highjack your post, but i gotta talk about it. I'm going to do a review & blog. Yep, my way. Have you seen the movie? You may want to slow your roll. Well, the Hughe Brothers jump out with Menace To Society. This WTF movie should be called Dennis The Menace meets Max In The Thunderdome.

Hello All, Carey: I don't know if you can have your credentials back yet or not. I'm still thinking about it. You may have to sit out this Oscar season because of it. Anyway, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the movie, is based on a short story, same title, that was written by one of my favorite authors of all times, F. Scott Fitzgerald. I done went and pulled down my big volume of Fitzgerald's short stories. I remember when I moved out from my mother's house, got an apartment after being on my job for over a year, I got my hands on this huge volume of Fitzgerald's short stories, and I would read from the book every night before I went to sleep. I hadn't read the Button stories in years. I'm going to read it in a few and get back with you. I think short stories fit into this issue because be it novels or short stories, the origin of the movie comes from another literary source. In my opinion movies based on short stories are not judge as harshly as those based on novels because the novels are longer; thereby, taking the time to develop the story line, characters, settings, etc, that short stories don't have that benefit. There were 2 movie versions of The Postman Rings Twice; the first with Lana Turner and John Garfield, the second with Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange. The second version, the Jack Nicholson version, SUCKED! I heard that there were other versions of Double Indemnity, but I have only seen the one with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray. As far as this year's Oscar goes. It's going to go down like this: Best Picture: The Hurt Locker Best Actor: Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart Best Actress: Meryl Streep or Gabby Sidbie Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz - Inglorious Basterds Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique - Precious BEst Director: Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker Now, this is how things are looking so far. But, I'm not going to make the final selections until a few more awards are presented and I'll get back with you. Here's a side note for you though that has gone unnoticed--Lee Daniels became the FIRST AA to be nominated as Best Director for the DGA award.

My man Thump, You know you sure do bring it! See, I need you right next to my copy of TCM's 2009 DVD catalog. I didn't know "Patricia Highsmith wrote The Talented Mr. Ripley AND the Hitchcock classic Strangers on a Train". You know I love both of those movies. The movies was great and so was the acting. Oh, before I get caught-up, I am waiting to hear your Oscar picks. I've seen all the talked about movies and most of the performances of the leading actors. I am not going to show my hold card but Morgan Freeman and Avatar gets my 10 TOES DOWN. Well, I fell asleep while watching both of them. So, you know, 10 toes down. They were just "ok" in my book. Now I'll tell you who I think did a great job. I mean, he might not win a damn thing but, Brad Pitt did a great job. The movie may not be for everyone (the director does his usual thang of over-the-top-ness, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course you know what I feel about Monique`.... BEST ACTING - by a black actress - EVER! Agree or disagree, I'm sticking with that one. But Thump, can I have my card back? I mean you spanked me for blowing ol girls name. You know, the one that played Julie Child. Will you ever forgive me? I was drunk. Okay, that's a lie because I don't drink, but come on man, can I have my card back? Anyway, although she's a great-great-great actress, the movie and her, gets my 10 TOES DOWN! Well, for the Julia & Julia chick flick. Back to movies and books: I knew you were on this kick, but did you ever consider that "Benjamin Button" was developed from a short story? I think we've talk about the movie, but how does short stories fit in this issue? Wasn't there 2 movie versions of The Postman Rings Twice and Double Indemnity? Although I was never a big fan of Broderick Crawford (fat face talked to fast), he killed Willie Starks.