Amber L. Bogins

Even though it is bitter cold outside and it snows all day, it is not too soon to get amped for Summer Blockbuster season! The highly anticipated third installment of the Iron Man series starring Robert Downey Jr. is set to open May 3rd of this year. The trailer that debuted during the Super Bowl this past Sunday showed a very different Tony Stark than the previous Iron Man movies and even the Avengers film. Instead of being an arrogant billionaire, playboy philanthropist, Stark is shown beaten—broken. His penthouse is blown up and the various Iron Man suits are destroyed. Humbled,  a shot shows Stark lying in the snow with a voice over of the superhero saying, “I’ve got a lot apologies to make”.

However, Iron Man 3 is most definitely still an action film. The opening of the trailer is a scene in which Iron Man has to save thirteen people from plummeting to the earth following an airplane explosion. The primary villain is the Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsle who leads a terrorist group known as The Ten Rings – a “technology-crazed criminal,” as MTV describes him. According to Marvel comics, the Mandarin story line is the Iron Man origin story. Clearly Marvel took a different path with the series, but thankfully did not neglect perhaps one of Iron Man’s most diabolical enemies.

Don Cheadle and Gwyneth Paltrow reprise their roles as James “Rhodey” Rhodes (War Machine) and Pepper Potts respectively.

If you were on a snack re-up when the trailer played during the Super Bowl, CLICK HERE to see the extend trailer.

Follow Amber L. Bogins on Twitter @AmberLaShaii
 

What better a way to start off black history month than by telling the stories of the wives of the two most recognizable faces of the civil rights movement?

At first glance, the two women might not appear to have had much in common other than being married to titans of the struggle. Yet, the story brought to life by the production efforts of R&B superstar Mary J. Blige takes us far beyond what we think we already know.

Blige brings to life the character of Betty Shabazz, wife of Malcolm X. Her on screen chemistry with Angela Bassett, who plays Coretta Scott King (wife of MLK) mimics the real life relationship the two shared. Actress Ruby Dee rounds out the featured ensemble, narrating these women’s relationship through her own eyes.

Betty and Coretta’s stories are perhaps ones that have been taken for granted. Many of us believe that we’ve learned possibly all we can about their renowned husbands. But, the film reveals details that let us in on who their wives ‘really’ were, beyond their widowed identity.

Malcolm and Martin gracefully exit the plot about 30 minutes into the film. Each makes just enough of an appearance to set the tone for these women’s plights. What ‘Betta and Coretta’ illustrates is that the two were very influential in keeping alive the dreams of their husbands. Whether it be successfully lobbying for the national recognition of ‘Martin Luther King Day’, or tirelessly endeavoring to get Malcolm X’s face on a U.S. Stamp, both played a key role in preserving their spouses’ legacies.

How different would the legacies of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. be had they not been married to such women? ‘Betta and Coretta’ takes viewers on a journey to help us recognize the true influence the two had on not just their husbands but the entire civil rights movement.

Follow Britney Spear on Twitter @missbritneysp 

Amber L. Bogins

Shortly after an electrifying Super Bowl half time show, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter announced the name and dates of her new tour. No doubt paying homage to her new image as a wife and mother, the aptly named Mrs. Carter World Tour will kick off April 15 at the Kombank Arena in Belgrade, Serbia. In her first global tour since the I Am…World Tour in 2009, Beyoncé will about a month and half overseas before opening state side June 28 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the BET Experience. Queen Bey will come to the Palace of Auburn Hills July 20 of this year. The tour will wrap up in August at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, York.

With the release of the new Destiny’s Child album “Love Songs”, a $50 million deal with Pepsi, the half time show, an unnamed fifth solo album and the world tour, 2013 is shaping up to be a busy albeit very lucrative year for Mrs. Carter.

The Mrs. Carter Show Tour dates:

» 6/28 - Los Angeles, CA @ Staples Center
» 6/29 - Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena
» 7/2 - San Jose, CA @ HP Pavilion at San Jose
» 7/5 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Chesapeake Energy Arena
» 7/6 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
» 7/9 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ BB&T Center
» 7/10 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
»
 7/12 - Atlanta, GA @ The Arena @ Gwinnett Center
» 7/13 - Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
» 7/15 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
» 7/17 - Chicago, IL @ United Center
» 7/18 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
» 7/20 - Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
» 7/21 - Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
» 7/22 - Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
» 7/23 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden
» 7/25 - Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
» 7/26 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Boardwalk Hall
» 7/27 - Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Arena
» 7/29 - Washington, DC @ Verizon Center
» 8/2 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun
» 8/3 - Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center

Follow Amber L. Bogins @AmberLaShaii
 

If you didn’t know any better, you’d assume a random football game was taking place at the Beyonce concert this weekend. Truth is, the talented songstress’ upcoming Super Bowl Halftime performance has taken complete control of the media buzz surrounding the event.

After all the hoopla surrounding her infamous lip sync of the national anthem at the presidential inauguration, spectators are especially eager to see how Beyonce will respond.

Who knew that the Pop superstar would get started so early on ‘shushing’ the scrutiny? At the official Super Bowl press conference held on Thursday, Beyonce began with a live rendition of the Star Bangled Banner. Her quick performance reminded fans all over the country that she doesn't need to sing over a tape to get the job done.

The effort to redeem herself from the inaugural madness, whether needed or not, has fans now more than ever eager to see what she’s cooked up for football’s finest night. Judging her track record, Beyonce is sure not to disappoint. The only question, will critics let her live a little in 2013? You’re guess is as good as mine.

Follow Britney Spear on Twitter @missbritneysp