ROOTS: PART I REVIEW

ROOTS: PART I REVIEW

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 05/31/16 – 6:35PM ET

I have always appreciated LeVar Burton, and his contribution to children, education, and society.  Never thought he was the greatest of actors, although, not bad either.  But when holding up his 1977 Kunta Kinte performance to Malachi Kirby’s heart-pounding, soul-wrenching performance as the young Kinte, you might think of comparing sunfish to tuna.  Mr. Kirby earned himself, if not at least an Emmy award nomination in the first episode of the mini-series, “Roots” on the History Channel, I’d rather an Emmy itself be lain into his precious hands.

The 2016 edition and remake of the 12 episode “Roots” series of 1977, condensing the story to a 4-night mini-series performance, goes to extremes to show the greed, and hate within Africa’s own borders that brought slavery to America, and to Europe.  The performances of every actor from the first scenes to the vicious ending of episode 1 are dead on perfect!  Tony Curran, whom I’ve never seen before, to my knowledge anyway, has both caused me to want to kill him as a character, and to honor him as an actor.

James Purefoy, who has yet to earn his Oscar as an A-List type performer, takes John Waller beyond the 1977 acceptable level of television violence, and turns him into the true barbarian he actually was.  Purefoy, is purely evil, and never fails to nail his characters to the wall, as an example of purely great acting!

Hakeem Kae-Kazim, whom I’ve followed since I discovered him on season 7 of “24” as the bad guy, and in the prequel “Redemption” if November after season 6 (I own all 8 seasons and the prequel), is amazing and evil as always in his opening scenes in Africa! Mr. Kae-Kazim is Nigerian born, but a British graduate of the esteemed Bristol Old Vic, and a veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company, along with many movie credits to his name, as well!

As usual, Forest Whitaker, as the Fiddler, is fantastic, and I am really enjoying the characterization he has brought to the role.  Sometimes, admittedly, Forest has bored me in some roles he’s created, on the other hand, I usually love him in the others.  This is one of the loved roles.  Forest seems truly connected to the storyline, and character, and I feel as though, he did more character building with this role, in order to fit with this incredible cast, whom make every second of the show seem so real, I had to turn my head several times from the violence.

Speaking of violence, and going back to the closing scene of episode 1, in which, I thought I was going to lose my marbles in my lap....  Mr. Kirby puts on a Denzel Washington crushing performance, as he is whipped into submission of calling himself someone other than his original birth name.  Beaten, almost to death, skin scourging, blood pouring, kneed falling... over a name.  A power trip, brought on my Mr. Waller and his farm hand and slave beater, and most evil character in the show, played viciously by Tony Curran.

Tony must have had to take a huge step back during the filming of this scene, and searched deep within his creative form to put on such an incredibly stunning, disgusting, hateful, jaw-dropping performance.  A performance, which as an actor, I can tell you is much harder than the close-ups that Kirby had to endure, which are not easy mind you, but to do what Curran did in this scene, is unbelievable.  I know, that I for one, had I done that scene, would have needed a day to recover emotionally and physically.

Needless to say, the History Channel’s 2016 rendition of “Roots” is not to be missed.  Watch it whenever you can, and see what really happened if you aren’t familiar with the beginning of slavery in the 1700’s in America.  Revolutionists started slavery. Not just southerners in general.

Enjoy part II of “Roots” tonight at 9PM, and a rerun starting at 630PM on The History Channel.

Wood News Agency, LLC                                                                         Binghamton, NY

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"ROOTS", A PRE-SHOW SHOUT OUT TO SNOOP DOGG!

“ROOTS”, A PRE-SHOW SHOUT OUT TO

 SNOOP DOGG!

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 05/30/2016 – 07:37PM ET

1977.  Cable still had not been established around the United States of America.  Pockets of hatred, racism, bigotry, and segregation still existed amongst the southern states.

There were no 24-hour news stations to let us know what was going on in the world on a daily basis.  Vietnam just ending recently, a young boy of 7 going on 8 in the fall, got ready to watch another show of his choosing. 

As an outcast for the first almost 8 years of his own life, amongst both his brothers and his peers, this young boy found a resounding understanding of what a new television series had been promising through commercials. 

He connected through a new sort of medium, which this young communicator and history buff wanted more and more of everyday. 

The 19” black and white, soon to be color, came to be a way to escape the hatred, for him.  Always picked on by everyone, and always outcast, or picked last for everything…. even chased home from the school bus daily, and laughed at, for close to 7 years…. only to be ridiculed at home by mom, and punished by his brothers, and beaten by the only person who did show him love…

This series was set in this young writer’s mind as something he couldn’t miss for 12 episodes!  Growing up in a community filled with minorities, the hardships of life and abusive families around the neighborhood, never slipped by the eye of this young boy.

Now, I see a supposed Star, someone whom I’ve often idolized for being who he is, ripping apart an important historical remake of an important true story about an important African who was forced upon American soil against his will. 

Contrary to Snoop Dogg’s belief, this story by the History Channel beginning tonight, for the next 4 nights, is not setting out to convince us all that anyone was or is, less than what they are. Nor is the show some kind of crazy reason to insult the African American community. 

Just as I see bullying as something that will never die, and an important subject to stay on top of, and weary of, I still see racism and judgement the same in 2016.  I still see it everywhere. 

Not to say, that I don’t see more kindness than I ever used to see now. That is also a fact for sure.  I smile at the people who hold doors, and say “hi” regardless of race, or offer up a space, or allow someone in, or whatever other public ways we can be kind.  It is increasing around our country for sure, and the world. 

Those of us who want us all to love each other, must put forth an effort to educate that hatred and racism is still out there, and most of all, how it originated in our country, and across the globe. 

It doesn’t start with African Americans, but with Egyptian Africans.  That is where slavery began.  Although, I’m sure cavemen (whom we all come from, based upon DNA fact), had a few helpers of their own, depending on size and hunting skills.

I see “Roots” as a historical retelling of what went down over a couple centuries ago, until just a century ago.  It is still fresh and new, when it comes down to how long man has existed.  Slavery, is not something to just forget about.

I absolutely agree with Mr. Dogg, that African American’s have much to celebrate and show off, but I’d have to disagree with his concept that there isn’t enough already out in entertainment doing so already!  African American’s are in every aspect of entertainment, sports, and I only hope to see that there are no vast oddities in the numbers of minorities and whites.

This isn’t Old America anymore.  America now, is what it was always meant to be, since the creation of the Constitution of America.  It was made for all men to be equal and to have a land to come to, to call home, and to be safe, but most of all…. FREE!!!  That is the real America!

Showing our children, and those who our still ignorant to what occurred only a hundred to 400 years ago in America, is a lesson to be learned, and a way to teach what a tragedy it was, and how important it is to not ever judge that way. 

My son doesn’t see skin color, and maybe Snoop is right, in the idea that the time has come for these movies to stop.  However, will my son not run into hatred and racism in his life?  Unfortunately, that would be a misnomer. 

Instead, Snoop my man, I would choose to show him this more realistic version some day in the next 6 years, than the 70’s less realistic version, so that it really drums into him what actually occurred back then…. Cause you know, this version is going to be drastic, and real! 

This is what we need our kids to see, so they can get the idea of how horrible and disgusting slavery has ever been in the history of men as a whole.  When slavery has left the entire planet Dogg, then maybe, maybe we can forget about it…. but, should we just forget about Hitler?  I think not!  Let history remain, and let it teach! Please Dogg! Please!

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COSBY:ANOTHER FALLEN STAR

COSBY: ANOTHER FALLEN STAR

Written by: Colin Bruce Munro Wood – 05/26/2016 – 9:09AM ET

It’s August 1975, I’m about turn 6 in November and approaching my first grade year in school.  My brother is only 3, and probably spilling his cereal on the carpet, I’m choking down what may be my second bowl of the morning, and capturing our gaze, in front of us, is a 19 inch black and white television, with rabbit ears, and tinfoil galore.  On that beautiful piece of machinery is one my first memories of a black man on television, let alone with his own cartoon show.  Fat Albert would remain a staple in the Wood household for close to a decade, it finally left the air in 1985.  Of course, by then my brother had moved out, Dad was kicked out, and I was about to move out of my mother's and step-father’s household against their will.

Yes, Fat Albert, along with some of my other favorite to shows of the 70’s taught me to stand up for myself…. most of the time in my life, to too much of an extreme, causing me more pain than happiness.

So, maybe now that we see the real Bill Cosby, I can blame it all on him….

But seriously.  This article intends to take on the dark side of Hollywood, and the underbelly of sex, which drives the entertainment industry.

Bill Cosby is obviously not the first Hollywood Star, or famous individual to be caught in the darkness of his choices.  Certainly, many of us have some sort of skeletons in our closet, that we keep neatly tucked away.  But, what Bill is being accused of goes a little beyond the frame of our skeletons, and into the realm of darkness, control, egoism, and what money and fame can do to a human being, no matter who you are.

I time this article with the fact that Cosby is facing a trial, after newly elected Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele filed charges against Cosby, and a judge on Tuesday, decided there was enough evidence to warrant a trial.

There is an important rule involved in this trial that can make or break the case for Cosby.  The “exception known to many as Rule 404(b) permits that same forbidden evidence of prior wrongs -- so long as it is used for "other purposes." For example, if the evidence tends to prove a common scheme, or discounts the possibility of simple mistakes, or where there is some logical connection between yesterday's acts and today's alleged crime -- that evidence may be admitted. As a final safeguard for the defendant, the prior acts must satisfy a balancing test: The bearing on the case must outweigh the prejudice to the defendant”. (Danny Cevallos, CNN Legal Analyst, updated 7:08 PM ET, Wed May 25, 2016)

With 50 women claiming to have been drugged, and sexually molested by Cosby, this ruling, if put into effect by the prosecution, and approved by the judge, could be detrimental to the ongoing, long standing character of Bill Cosby, the famous comedian we all knew and loved.

Bill, may or may not see jail time out of this trial, depending upon the allowance of the above ruling.  Without rule 404(B), the evidence and witness in this trial, is actually believed to be quite weak, which in turn, will allow another sexual predator back on the streets. Albeit, a 78-year-old predator, who probably doesn’t have too many women “hanging round his parts no more”.

In spending over a year living in Los Angeles, and working in the heart of Beverly Hills on a daily basis, I met many famous individuals; spoke with many actors, and actresses and casting directors, and attended a few parties upon invites.

From Rosemary Clooney to Kevin Spacey, from Tom Hanks to Johnny Depp, I met and hung with many.

However, after a total of 14 months in this devilish “City of Angels”, it became quite clear to me that sex was a driving factor in the Hollywood business, and attraction was a way in.

From offers of threesomes with porn actresses whom I waited tables on, to two well-known stars inviting me back to their place in their limo, to the wild parties, with sex rooms, that I embarrassingly admit I attended, I saw and heard it all.

Hollywood is like one huge sex club that never closes, and you can go anywhere, to any club of your choice to find half nude dancers in cages, and couples having sex in a mass crowd up against the wall, while everyone is dancing.  Drugs run rampant in the bathrooms, and are so part of the Hollywood lifestyle, that the snorting of cocaine, meth, or whatever is your fare, is done right in front of you at the mirror, whilst you wash your hands.

Needless to say, this true New Yorker, upstate and City denizen, did not fit into this society of people.  A Roman or Grecian of old, I am not!  One might even think that Caligula was still alive and running things in this town that depends on all the material parts of life, from fake looks to limousines.

Maybe I ruin my chance of ever being a Hollywood star with this article, and then again maybe not.  Many well to do actors and actresses are leaving Hollywood and setting up studios elsewhere.  Just north of Binghamton, NY where I presently reside, there are 3 actors who have opened a new sizeable Hollywood type studio for filming movies, and they are trying to attract more of their LA buddies to come and join them.  

These are the folks who also don’t fit into the scene in LA.  One can only hope that eventually, Hollywood out west dies out, and that other more respectful, and reputable studios come to fruition and make being in movies a more professional choice, rather than a personality changing choice.

Cosby got away with what he did all these decades because of Hollywood.  They helped him cover up his dark side, and this is part of what helped him fit in so well, at such an early start for African-Americans in Hollywood in the mid 60’s.  He played the same M.O. as the rest of them.

Now, I’m not saying that ALL of Hollywood is this way, or that every star, or star wannabe is into what goes on all over Los Angeles, but I can say from experience, that it’s not exactly hidden around those parts, and it is a large amount of people involved in what seems like an industry in itself, undermining Hollywood as a whole.

Bill Cosby, whom I adored as a child, no longer holds an ounce of respect in my book. I have not been a perfect soul in my life either, but most of what I’ve done has been to myself, not to others.  Bill has overstepped the boundaries of other individuals’ rights, and stomped on them as if they were toy dolls with no feelings.

I hope that somehow, someway, Bill Cosby gets his due for what he has done to so many women.  Some of them may not be truthful, but out of 50, I guarantee that at the least, half are telling the truth.

So, next time you think of Hollywood as some awesome place, or stars as role models, remember that they are simply actors who were born with a different talent than some others, and that it doesn’t make them any better than anyone else, and surely should not set them against the public as examples of what kind of people the general public should be, and desire to mirror in every-day life.

Too many horror stories are coming out of politicians and Hollywood now-a-days, and it is time for us all to be who we are, and not look up to these individuals for inspiration, but to look at our own selves, and true Heroes for our hope in society!

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/25/opinions/bill-cosby-case-going-to-trial-opinion-cevallos/index.html

Wood News Agency, LLC                                                        Binghamton, NY

"URBAN GARDENS" BY: DANI CRONCE - BINGHAMTON COUNCILWOMAN

Urban Gardens

Written by: Dani Cronce – 05/22/2016 – Released 05/24/2016 – 4:11PM ET

 

 

I grew up on the country side near Lake Ontario. Blankets of snow covered the rolling hills during the winter. In the spring beautiful blossoms bloomed. The woodlands would come to life and the birds would sing their love calls.

It was during the spring that my mother would gather us kids to start weeding the large garden we cared for. I still remember how delicious the fresh vegetables tasted. The beauty of growing our own food was installed in me at a young age.

The ability to unite with nature is very important to me. Urban gardens are a great way for people to connect with the earth and the community. I am proud to be a co-coordinator of the Mather Street VINES Garden. I will be volunteering every Thursday from 4-5pm starting in June.

I see this as a way to teach the community about something that is both simple and beautiful. I am also reaching out to the community to stop by and learn some garden skills. I have a plot that I am sharing with the neighbors. Please feel free to stop by and see what is growing.

Urban gardens bring fresh vegetables directly to the people. Many urban diets lack the fresh produce that the country dwelling residents have. Local gardens can bring healthy, quality food to the city. The need for produce is high in the city. Grocery store deserts are affecting Binghamton as well. The Northside lacks a local grocery store. Many city residents do not have vehicles. This makes it difficult for them to go grocery shopping. We have an inequality among us to offer healthy food.

VINES has several Farm Share locations to help alleviate the lack of local produce suppliers. The Farm Share offers quality produce in Binghamton. It is easy to sign up for a farm share which contains several different vegetables. There are small and large share sizes to choose from.

 

The locations are:

Saving Grace Arts Center Tues. 2:00-4:00PM, 2654 Main Street Whitney Point Main Street Farms

Lee Barta Community Center Tues. 3:30-5:30 PM, 108 Liberty St. North Side Main Street Farms

United Presbyterian Church Thurs. 4:00-6:00 PM, 42 Chenango St. Downtown Binghamton Urban Farm Shared Roots Farm

Roosevelt Elementary Fri. 2:30-4:30 PM, 9 Ogden St. North Side Early Morning Farm North Windsor Berries 

Carlisle Apartments Fri. 3:30-5:30 PM, 150 Moeller St. East Side Early Morning Farm North Windsor Berries

Tabernacle United Methodist Church Fri. 4:30-6:30 PM, 83 Main Street West Side Early Morning Farm North Windsor Berries

 

You can fill out a Farm Share Application or rent a seasonal community garden plot at http:vinesgardens.org

 

Gardening offers a time for us to slow down and really talk and appreciate each other’s company. Busy hands can make time for quiet thoughts and lengthy talks. I hope that my neighbors will share some of their time with me this summer. Hanging out with friends and neighbors in an urban garden is an awesome way to spend a day.

Wood News Agency, LLC                                                   Binghamton, NY

COLIN B M WOOD ENTERTAINMENT RESUME

Colin B M Wood

Entertainment Resume

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Physical Attributes:

Age Range:

33-99

Ethnicities:

Caucasian, Native American

Attributes:

• Male (gender),
• 5' 10" (height),
• 200 lbs (weight),
• Muscular (build),
• Black Hair (hair),
• Hazel: Green/Brown Eyes (eyes)

Skills:

biking	boating	cartoon voices
clarinets	comedy	directing
ice skating	impersonations	keyboards
ordained minister	parenting	radio voice
rhythm guitar	roller skating	singing
slapstick	sports	stage combat
swimming

 

Theater Title	Role Position	Director/Company	Location
Les Miserables	Jean Val Jean	Scott Fisher/SRO Productions III	Binghamton, NY
Golden Days	Robert	Daniel Kermidas/Endicott Performing Arts Center	Endicott, NY
Fiddler On The Roof	Russian Singer	Jan DeAngelo/Cider Mill Playhouse	Endicott, NY
Songs For A New World	Man 2	Jan DeAngelo/Cider Mill Playhouse	Endicott, NY
Sound Of Music	Glenn Healey/multiple roles	Stephen Hayes/Riverside Dinner Theatre	Fredericksburg, VA
Hello Dolly	Cornelius	David Lewis/Riverside Dinner Theatre	Fredericksburg, VA
Damn Yankees	Young Joe	Stephen Hayes/Riverside Dinner Theatre	Fredericksburg, VA
Carousel	Billy Bigelow	David Lewis/Riverside Dinner Theatre	Fredericksburg, VA
Alladdin	Alladdin	Maija-Liisa Nielsen	Fredericksburg, VA
Winne The Pooh Christmas	Tigger	Riverside Dinner Theatre	Fredericksburg, VA
How To Succeed....	J. Pierpont Finch	Stephen Hayes/Riverside Dinner Theatre	Fredericksburg, VA
My Fair Lady	Freddy	Stephen Hayes/Riverside Dinner Theatre	Fredericksburg, VA
Starlight Express	1st Cast Rusty	Phil Hughes/Germany	Bochum/Germany
Golden Musicals of Broadway	Multiple Roles	Johnny/Stella Producitons	European Tour
Oklahoma	Curly U/S - Chours	Opera NE	National Tour
Sound of Music	Rolf	Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre	Lancaster, PA
West Side Story	Riff	Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre	Lancaster, PA
My Fair Lady	Freddy U/S-Chorus	Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre	Lancaster, PA
Oklahoma	Ali Hakim	Patrick Joseph Foti/Endicott Performing Arts Center	Endicott, NY

Television

Title	Role Position	Director/Company	Location
Law & Order	Naval Lieutenant	Arthur W. Forney/Conduct Unbecoming	NY, NY
As The World Turns	Student	CBS 1993	NY, NY

Video

Title	Role Position	Director/Company	Location
Sublime Santeria	Goatee Cowboy	McG / MTV 1995	Los Angeles, CA

Commercials & Industrials

Title	Role Position	Director/Company	Location
Cellular One	Main Role	Rose Agency 1997	Binghamton, NY
NEPA Bank Commercial	Basketball Player	James Grahame/Riverview Media	Binghamton, NY
Australian Airlines	Scarecrow	Australian Airlines	San Fransisco, CA

Music & Singing

Title	Role Position	Director/Company	Location
Starlight Express Highlights Album	1st Cast Rusty	Trevor Nunn/Bochum Starlight Express	Bochum, Germany
NYS All-State Recording	Tenor I	NYS All-State Chours 1986	Kiamesha Lake
All-Eastern Recording	Tenor I	All-Eastern Concert - 1987	Baltimore, MD
I Fall To My Knees CD	Singer/Song-Writer/Keyboards	John "Carter" Ruttle	Bath, NY

Voiceover

Title	Role Position	Director/Company	Location
Multiple Commercials	Voice/writer/producer	Citadel Broadcasting 1997-1999	Binghamton, NY

Performing Arts

Title	Role Position	Director/Company	Location
Ms. Manhattan/Ms. NYC Pageant	Master of Ceremonies	1993	Manhattan, NY

 

Education & Training

School		Degree/Course	Location	Year
SUNY at Broome		Associates of Applied Science	Binghamton, NY	2012
American Musical & Dramatic Academy		Musical Theater/Television/Dance	NY, NY	1989
Liberty University		Government Administratin	Lynchburg, VA

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