944

So, at this point, you have probably heard something about the film "Precious", which is out today in most major cities. It is directed by Lee Daniels, who produced "Monster's Ball" (the movie Halle Berry won an Oscar for).

If you haven't, here's the Cliff Notes synopsis: the film is based on a book called "Push" written by Sapphire. The story, set in 1987 Harlem, revolves around "Precious, an overweight, young girl with a horrific, abusive mother and a father by whom she is pregnant with her second child.

This film is not for the faint of heart. Seriously. To call it raw and disturbing is mild.

Mariah Carey attempts to redeem herself from the campy disaster that was "Glitter" by going all the way there as a completely unglam and unattractive social worker attempting to remove Precious from the hell in which she lives.

Mariah looks NOTHING like the picture you see above and her acting is quite decent. I saw the movie a couple of months ago and was impressed with her performance. It was confident, slightly bold and consistent. She is stripped of everything that's made her a celebrity and it works.

However, its Mo'Nique's completely mind-blowing peformance that carries this movie and leaves you thinking about it well after you've left the multi-plex.. She is so utterly awful as a human being in this movie that you cringe while she's onscreen; but, you also can't wait for her to return when she's not.

The film won two top prizes at the Sundance Film Festival back in January and there is plenty of Oscar buzz surrounding Mo'nique. It's all well-deserved. Lenny Kravitz, Paula Patton and Sherri Shephard also star.

"Precious" may seem like a film you wouldn't typically shell out $10 to see, but I think you owe it to yourself to do so.

Isoul H. Harris
Managing Editor
Atlanta Written by: Isoul H. Harris

I know, I know. It's the first week of my blog and I already skipped two days, but after the Lang Lang and Friends performance, I was at Studio at Fred Segal Wednesday for Philips' new Crystalize and then Thursday I was at a photo shoot for most of the day.

Mark Sacro, his team and I were in Laguna Beach yesterday at the Pacific Edge Hotel shooting for an article on Posh Productions for the December issue. A full-service events firm, I challenged them to create a 944 Holiday Martini. Lucky for us, we got to taste test and it was AMAZING. Although I was trying to wait to release the recipe until the December issue hit the streets, I just couldn't help myself.

Enjoy...

944’s White Chocolate Candy Cane-Tini
As culinary impresarios and drink-making maven’s, Posh Productions, Inc. met 944’s challenge to mix-up a 944 holiday cocktail worthy of the sacred digits. A little bit sweet, a little bit rich and a lot intoxicating, this 944 concoction is sure to be a hit on any holiday drink menu.

Ingredients:
2 oz. of premium vodka
1 oz. of white crème de menthe
1.5 oz. of Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
Crushed candy cane to rim martini glass, plus miniature candy canes for garnish

Pour all of the liquid ingredients into a shaker three-fourths full of cracked ice, shake vigorously for a full minute. Rim a martini glass with the crushed candy cane dust. Strain the elixir into the glass and garnish with a miniature candy cane. Savor.
Written by: Katie Pegler

Last night, I checked out Lenny Kravitz in concert.

Of course, he rocked it.

He's one of those performers who doesn't need a current hit song to pack venues.

His show is killer.

Janelle Monae, in all her Bjork/Judy Garland//James Brown/Elvis/Michael Jackson/futuristic glory , was in the crowd with rapper Nelly. Both of them are two of the coolest people you would ever want to encounter. Have known both of them for awhile and they are always consistent.

If you don't have Janelle's EP METROPOLIS: THE CHASE SUITE, please stop reading this, go to itunes.com and cop it.

Back to Lenny.

Who knew 20 years ago that Romeo Blue would turn out so cool? Lisa Bonet was ridiculed for marrying some unknown, hippie poser back then.

She saw then what the world knows now.

Those Cosby kids are wise, huh?

Well, maybe not. Malcolm Jamal Warner did star in "Malcolm & Eddie"...

Isoul H. Harris
Managing Editor
Atlanta
Written by: Isoul H. Harris

I am a pop culture junkie. I have been since I was 9 years-old. While the other kids were lost in comics and cartoons, I was devouring Vanity Fair.

I simply found Annie Leibovitz far more interesting than Stan Lee.

Okay, I was odd. Kill me.

So, this blog will basically include any and everything I find relevant. Let me know if you agree, disagree, or basically think I am an idiot.

It’s all good.

I am just back from Mexico City, writing a travel piece on celebrating “The Day of The Dead”.

I dropped by the Frida Kahlo Museum. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Salma Hayek´s portrayal in the biopic, but it left me wanting to know more. At the museum, I was blown away. Not just by the greatness of Kahlo’s work, but more so by her intent.

With “The Mask” (1945), she was commenting on the fact that she felt she had to hide her true self in order to cope with the insincerity of the world. Of course, she never conformed, which is why she’s still part of modern day conversation.

I say we take a cue from Kahlo.

Dressing up for Halloween is cool, but trying to actually be someone other than yourself is, well…lame.

A guide at one of the museums told me that most kids in Mexico are ignoring “The Day of The Dead” and opting for Halloween. “They would rather run around in Spider-Man outfits,” he said.

Damn that Stan Lee.


Isoul H. Harris
Managing Editor Atlanta
Twitter: isoulharris
Written by: Isoul H. Harris

I'm pretty stoked today because I was tagged to MC a pretty amazing event tonight. The Dirty Heads and Dear and the Headlights will face off at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, AZ, in a head-to-head battle of the bands unlike anything you've ever seen before. This things going to be all over the musical map, and well worth checking out if you're in the area. Show starts at 8 p.m.!

Here's a small taste of the show, which was recorded yesterday at Platinum Studios in Phoenix:



For more info, check out www.redbullsoundclashusa.com Written by: D.B. Mitchell

After just blogging about Philosophy’s When Hope Is Not Enough body lotion and scrub, I realized I only had another hour or so to finish up my work day, head home, find an outfit and get ready for an event I’ve been looking forward to for almost three months.

Still in the middle of the whirlwind of events for “Ancient Paths, Modern Voices,” tonight is “Lang Lang and Friends.” Who is Lang Lang? Oh, just the pianist during the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics. A 27-year-old named “hottest artist on the classical music planet by the “New York Times.” One of the 2009 Time 100 by “Time” magazine. You know, essentially just a genius musician coming to perform at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall tonight at 7 p.m.

Although I am swamped in deadlines, making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, need to pack my house, am moving in two weeks and never seem to have enough time no matter how much I plan ahead, I am going to leave work early and go to a concert. Music, after all, is one of my other great obsessions.

I am also incredibly excited that I was invited to be a special guest of Elizabeth Segerstrom, who we interviewed along with her husband Henry, for the festival since the Segerstroms were instrumental in the partnership between the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Carnegie. If you missed the article in the October 2009 Art & Architecture Issue, we filmed some behind-the-scenes footage from the interview and photo shoot.


Written by: Katie Pegler

Levi's has a pretty cool promotion going on right now that's worth $100,000 to a resourceful chap. The PR story goes that Levi's archivists have "verified" the existence of a treasure buried by one Grayson Osias IV, and even some recordings that provide clues to its location. For those who log onto www.levis.com/goforth, there will be nine recordings released at various times to allow the community to work together to find this fortune.

It's an interesting marketing plan, involving everything from Craigslist postings to a Twitter page (www.twitter.com/graysonOziasIV). Hell, I just like it because there are Whitman quotes throughout the whole thing, which might just inspire a few folks to pick up a book. Just Google ol' Grayson and see the fruits of the labor �” and perhaps you'll even get a chance to make a few (thousand) bucks. Written by: D.B. Mitchell

The votes are in and Armin van Buuren has been voted the #1 DJ in the world DJ Mag - for a 3rd consecutive year. The 33 year old trance producer from the Netherlands earned the number one spot again after 300,000+ people from across the globe cast their vote with the prestigious ranking entity, DJ Mag. Armin is now so popular that his radio station “A State of Trance” broadcasts to over 30 million listeners a week. He also has earned residency at some of the most electrifying venues in the world including Amnesia in Ibiza. On New Year’s Eve 2008-2009, Armin managed to draw 35,000 people to his Armin Only show in the Los Angeles Sports Arena, one of the largest turnouts in the US for a trance performer. Apparently he also gave up the hooch so he can keep up with his skyrocketing career. Now that’s dedication.

To see his personal “Thank You” please see link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtWq4O7m_ZI&feature=player_embedded
Written by: Rob Opacki

The DJ is an essential part of any nightclub experience - good or bad, their choices on the turntables affect the mood of the club with a mere scratch and mix. A musical magician, what they exactly do is a mystery to most of club goers whose only desire is to be taken away by seamless transitions and memorable mash-ups. If you have ever wanted to take a spin on the 1's and 2's Activision's newest video game, DJ Hero, gives players the opportunity to mix music from some of the hottest artists - past and present.

Featuring 93 original tracks, DJ Hero mashes up artists Jay-Z and Eminem, Rhianna and the Killers, Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer and many more. Professional mix masters provided many of their own tracks and act as playable characters in the game. Daft Punk, DJ Shadow, DJ Grandmaster Flash and even the late DJ AM jumped at the chance to lend their talents and credibility to the game.

Using a turntable peripheral, players hit corresponding buttons to match the on screen instructions to scratch, flip and mix their way to DJ stardom. If you're a fan of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, the game play will be immediately familiar. If your hand eye coordination is lacking, DJ Hero provides a 'party mode' which plays the music on a random mix by itself which is great for social gatherings as the music here is the real star - it might not be too long before we hear many of the songs that are only available in the game playing in a nightclub soon.
Written by: Patrick Moulin

This is for those of you who haven't already made plans for Halloween, and even if you have, you might want to reconsider.
The place to be this Halloween is at the Nightmare on Princess Drive for a Haunted Halloween blowout that is guaranteed to out spook all other celebrations.
This year, Stone Rose Lounge and 944 partner up to concoct a bash that features tarot card reading, fortune tellers, a costume contest and spins by DJ Mr. P-Body.
Join me and my fellow ghouls and goblins for the most SPOOKTACULAR party Arizona has ever seen!!!

Stone Rose Lounge, 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale, 480.585.4848, Saturday, October 31, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., $129 hotel and breakfast package available for ball guests

RSVP: http://www.944.com/nightmareonrpincessdr Written by: Callais Wolfe

Haze will open in CityCenter this December. The main dance floor will peer up at a wall of interactive projection screens stretching one hundred feet across on a performance structure. It is also part of the Light Group empire. Tiesto also headlines the NYE 2010 celebration.

Vanity will open on NYE 2010 in the new all-suite tower of the Hard Rock Hotel. The 15,000 square foot gem will be known for its $1 million floor-to-ceiling chandelier and extravagant image and light shows. The one-level establishment on second floor will have an inside area and an outdoor patio that will over look the new pools and The Strip. Vanity will be open Thursday-Sunday.

Switch Beach Club will open summer 2010 in Encore after they rip out its front entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard. The name originates from its sliding walls that create a new decor throughout the evening at the venue. According to rumors, it will be operated by Sean Christie, rather than Victor Drai, who is in charge of XS and Tryst. Christie runs Blush nightclub at Wynn.

Body English also will close down in the new year but reopen in April 2010 with a totally new atmosphere, but not necessarily a new club. Rumor has it that the new entity will be an upscale after-hours spot.
Written by: Rob Opacki

Can’t make it out to Scottsdale on Halloween? Here is an event you can attend in Phoenix that is free. It is at Half Moon Sports Grill at 3rd street and Greenway. The theme is Villains, Vixens & Vamps. You can wear whatever costume you want but that is what the staff will be dressed in. There will be great specials from 9pm-2am which include; $2.00 Coors Lt Pints, $3.00 Three Olives Cocktails and $5.00 Three Olives Bombers. There will be a DJ and a costume contest at midnight. Money prizes are always nice, to the first place winner goes $250.00 and $100.00 each to second and third place. The contest will be judged by the crowd. This event should be a blast. I have been to their events before and I have always had a lot of fun and it’s always great to not pay a cover to get in somewhere. Another plus is the great drink specials. If you want more details you can visit their website at www.halfmoonsportsgrill.com. Written by: Jessica Florell

Just the other day I was browsing the electronics department, debating the purchase of a Playstation 3. It sounded like a dream in a tightly compacted box but the dealbreaker was the fact that I was unable to stream my Netflix queue from the console.

For those of you who suffered the same dilema, today is your day. Sunday, Sony posted the good news on the PS3 blog. The new contract between Sony and Netflix, which will be launched next month, allows users of the PS3 that have a Netflix account to stream all the movies and television shows that the website has to offer directly from the console. The videos can be played per a free instant streaming Blu-ray disc which activates Netflix's user interface on the PS3.

The program used on the PS3 allows users to choose from their instant queue, or play movies directly form any of the provided lists. Movies and shows can be organized based on the genre, personal preferences, as well as new titles and individual instant queues. Users will also be able to rewind and fast forward what they are watching. Access to the Netflix website is also available, where subscribers can manage their queue.

In order to receive the disc you have to request it at the time of purchase. If you already own a PS3, you can request one on the Netflix website, and it will be sent in the mail.

This is the dawn of a new era, where PS3 users and Netflix subscribers unite. Written by: Chelsea McManus

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) got a major boost over the weekend when
Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, newlywed Jaime Pressley and Janet Jackson were all front and center at L.A.'s Staples Center for the showdown between Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (after five rounds Machida was declared the winner by unanimous decision).

What exactly is this new Hollywood rage? Well, critics like Senator John McCain dub the sport "human cockfighting." He isn’t so far off. Inspired by Brazilian vale tudo, the UFC began in Denver, Colorado in 1993 as a single-event tournament designed to find the world's best fighters, regardless of their fighting style (whether boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, karate, Brazilian jiu jitsu or other disciplines).

The matches are CRAZY and it’s a no holds barred ring where anything goes, as long as the other person gets knocked out.

Maybe because there was so much opposition to it plus the brutality is oddly exciting, the popularity of the sport has soared. Check it out for yourself on cable channel Spike or here http://www.ufc.com/.
Written by: Michael Cohen

How does a $500 shopping spree sound? If you’ve been meaning to tell your frumpy office co-worker that their hair is in dire need of a makeover, now’s the perfect time to do it. Local beauty hot-spot Detour Salon & Store is offering a $500 shopping spree for the client that refers the most friends and family to the salon. The trendy hair salon located in San Diego’s North County knows how to treat their client’s right. Make sure to check out their Facebook page to see how you are stacking up against the competition. The winner will be notified December 13, 2009. Good luck and Happy Shopping! Written by: Rob Corea