DATA HARD: legend

Friday, April 14, 2017

CELEBRITY Q AND A: MIA ST. JOHN- ROUND 2. DING!

The first celebrity to make a return engagement to the site and I thank her for that.
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Data Hard: If they brought back, the sports game show American Gladiators,would you go on that show?

Mia St. John: (thinking about it) No.

DH: Really?

Mia: Yeah, I already tried out for the show (as a host for brief, but recent NBC version in 2007.Rival Boxing champ Layla Ali got the job.)

DH: Hmmm.

St. John: My brother tried out for (Gladiators, as a contestant) and the obstacle course (the end game, called the Eliminator) was too difficult for him. (A bit sullen now.)

DH: That's right, Layla Ali was the co-host on that. But, she wasn't very good.

Mia: (She has perked up) What?

DH: (Layla Ali) wasn't very good.

St John: (smiling again) That's good to hear.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

JACKIE ROBINSON TRANSFORMS INTO JAMES BROWN.

Universal Pictures today announced the launch of the Get on Up Tour, an authentic and immersive storytelling experience crossing the country in anticipation of the studio's upcoming James Brown biopic, Get on Up. Beginning on Friday, June 20, fans can "Get Up," "Get Down" and "Get on the Good Foot," throughout the United States this summer in anticipation of the new film that arrives in theaters on August 1, 2014.

The Get on Up Tour is brought to life through an experience designed to inspire fans, as well as educate a new generation about James Brown's influence on popular culture by leveraging powerful visuals from the film and showcasing iconic images and memorabilia.

"Our goal with the Get on Up Tour is to entertain audiences who were directly influenced by James Brown's life, as well as to demonstrate to a new generation just how impactful he was, and remains, to modern culture," said Talitha Watkins, vice president of multicultural marketing, Universal Pictures. "We want to engage fans in a way that authentically honors his legacy while bringing the fun and funk that he brought to global audiences."

The visuals on the Get on Up Tour will bring visitors into an experience with exciting elements and activities, including a place where attendees can record their best James Brown impersonation, a dance area that casts colorful shadows as guests show off their moves and a vinyl record tribute wall that prompts fans to capture how James Brown inspired them.

The tour will also feature a viewing area where attendees can watch clips from the upcoming release of Get on Up, as well as immerse themselves in outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage with the cast from the film's production set. Additionally, fans can join the never-ending groove of "Can't Stop the Funk" (www.cantstopthefunk.com) by recording their moves and uploading them to a site, where they will be featured in a tribute to James Brown.

The Get on Up Tour kicks off in New York City at the American Black Film Festival June 20-22 and travels to the Essence Festival for its 20^th anniversary celebration in New Orleans on July 3-6. The tour will return to New York on July 18.

About Get on Up

In his follow-up to the four-time Academy Award^®-nominated blockbuster The Help, Tate Taylor directs 42's Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in Get on Up. Based on the incredible life story of the Godfather of Soul, the film will give a fearless look inside the music, moves and moods of Brown, taking audiences on the journey from his impoverished childhood to his evolution into one of the most influential figures of the 20^th century. Boseman is joined in the drama by Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis, Craig Robinson, Octavia Spencer, Lennie James, Tika Sumpter and Jill Scott.
Academy Award^® winner Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, 8 Mile) produces for Imagine Entertainment, with Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman (Shine a Light) producing under their Jagged Films banner. Imagine's Erica Huggins (Flightplan) also serves as a producer on Get on Up, while Taylor produces under his Wyolah Films label. Peter Afterman, Trish Hofmann, Jez Butterworth, John Butterworth, John Norris and Anna Culp serve as executive producers. www.getonupmovie.com