Angela Bassett

SOUTH CENTRAL: A CASE FOR REDEMPTION

 

Under The Walnut Tree: A Memoir, by Donnell Joseph, (The Troy Book Makers, Troy, New York, 2015, 252 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

November 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Hollywood has a tendency of glamourizing the perceived sordid nature of the South Central area of Los Angeles, as depicted in the movies, Boys In The Hood, starring Lawrence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as Menace To Society, starring Larenz Tate, and most recently in the blockbuster movie Straight Out Of Compton, chronicling the rise to fame of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Donnell Joseph gives a more realistic and authentic meaning and picture of South Central, as he actually lived through it and on many occasions almost died in it through his involvement in gangs and drugs common to the area when he was coming up.


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A CASE FOR REDEMPTION: SOUL SALVATION

 

On Earth As It is In Hell, by Cortina Jackson (48HrBooks, 2014, 204 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore                                                                                                        

January 17, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Cortina Jackson, a doting mother of two sons, with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and over 15 years of law enforcement experience, has written a fictional novel that reaches within the depths of your soul to examine your relationship with God and the Devil; On Earth As It Is In Hell. Although fictional, one gets the impression that this book is based on the author’s life experience, especially after reading excerpts of the book and numerous phone interviews with her. With Jackson’s experience and knowledge in law enforcement, she has seen firsthand that; oftentimes, life is scarier than fiction. This has given her a basis for the material in her writing that often seems too detailed to be true. The gory and graphic aspects of those doomed to Hell, such as this fiery inferno continually burning the skin from their bodies, seems so disturbingly realistic. It is actually scary! This born-again Christian has written a spellbinding novel. Listen to audio intro to book here.


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ON THE SILVER SCREEN: COLD AS ICE (WHITE BIRD IN A BLIZZARD)

 

By Brian Lafferty

October 31, 2014 (San Diego) – For a film directed by Gregg Araki – well-known for anarchic, usually erotically charged films like The Living End (1992), The Doom Generation (1995), and Mysterious Skin (2004) – White Bird in a Blizzard is unusually peaceful. While small traces of his trademarks – teenage angst, sex, and homosexuality – appear, his latest film is his most accessible by far. Whether that's refreshing or disappointing will depend on how much you're willing to readjust your expectations.


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HOME VIDEO HERALD: THE GREEN LANTERN (BLU-RAY)

By Brian Lafferty



November 7, 2011 (San Diego) – The comic book superhero genre won’t be going away anytime soon and that’s all right with me. Thanks to Warner Bros., The Dark Knight and Watchmen rank among my most favorite theater experiences. There have been many other comic book movies that left me excited for the next installment, eager to discuss them with friends.

 


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.