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In Pursuit of Happyness By ETWire Editor
☺☺☺1/2 Worth A Look (Dec. 8, 2006) In 2001, superstar Will Smith fell short of an Oscar performance in “Ali”, as the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Fast forward 5 years, and Big Willie may finally gain some of the recognition he seeks in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” a true story about a man who went from living on the streets to running his own multi-million dollar stock brokerage firm. Will Smith stars as Christopher Gardner in this testament to the triumph of the human spirit. Although the real Gardner has endured a life of continuous struggles, including abuse, “Pursuit” starts at the period in Gardner ’s life when he decided to pursue an unpaid brokerage internship. His wife, Linda, (played by Thandie Newton) was working double shifts to make up for his failed business ventures and their lack of money. Tired of being disappointed and broke, she leaves Christopher and their 5 year-old son (played by Jaden Syre Christopher Smith-Will’s 8 year-old son) behind. Unbeknownst to his fellow trainees and supervisors, Christopher bounces from a motel to a bathroom to a shelter, while pulling in numerous clients for the company. The movie offers an honest look into the United States homeless situation from the perspective of someone who was determined to make a better life for himself and his son, yet, somehow you get the sense that something is missing. And, in truth, it is. References and flash backs to Gardner ’s troubled youth would have given a more holistic view of this man’s character. Overall, the movie is a solid confirmation that anything is possible with perseverance and hard-work.

In Pursuit of Happyness
By ETWire Editor

Will Smith, actor ☺☺☺1/2 Worth A Look
(Dec. 8, 2006) In 2001, superstar Will Smith fell short of an Oscar performance in “Ali”, as the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Fast forward 5 years, and Big Willie may finally gain some of the recognition he seeks in “The Pursuit of Happyness,” a true story about a man who went from living on the streets to running his own multi-million dollar stock brokerage firm. Will Smith stars as Christopher Gardner in this testament to the triumph of the human spirit.

Although the real Gardner has endured a life of continuous struggles, including abuse, “Pursuit” starts at the period in Gardner ’s life when he decided to pursue an unpaid brokerage internship. His wife, Linda, (played by Thandie Newton) was working double shifts to make up for his failed business ventures and their lack of money. Tired of being disappointed and broke, she leaves Christopher and their 5 year-old son (played by Jaden Syre Christopher Smith-Will’s 8 year-old son) behind. Unbeknownst to his fellow trainees and supervisors, Christopher bounces from a motel to a bathroom to a shelter, while pulling in numerous clients for the company.

The movie offers an honest look into the

United States homeless situation from the perspective of someone who was determined to make a better life for himself and his son, yet, somehow you get the sense that something is missing. And, in truth, it is. References and flash backs to Gardner ’s troubled youth would have given a more holistic view of this man’s character. Overall, the movie is a solid confirmation that anything is possible with perseverance and hard-work.

Dreamgirls By ETWire Editor
☺☺☺ A Solid Tribute To A Groundbreaking Play (Dec. 23, 2006)Contrary to popular belief, Grammy winner Beyoncé Knowles is not the star of the Broadway play-turned-motion picture Dreamgirls, a story of three young women, Lorrell Robinson (played by Tony winner Anika Noni Rose), Deena Jones (played by Knowles) and Effie White(played by American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson), chasing their dream of musical super stardom. Earlier this year, the original play actors expressed concern, insisting that the movie version focused on Deena, even though the story is more about Effie. They will be happy to know that the movie doesn’t steer far from the play; Effie is still alive and well. In the movie, the girls receive an offer from opportunist/manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (played by Oscar winner Jaime Foxx), after loosing a talent show. They travel and perform backup to the philandering James Thunder Early (played by Eddie Murphy) and eventually, Curtis turns the girl group into a bona fide success but with mainstream-friendly Deena as lead singer, instead of the mega-voiced Effie. Due to a series of tantrums, hurt feelings and misunderstandings, Effie is replaced, discarded and left destitute while Deena becomes a sensation. Multi-platinum performer Beyoncé succeeds in making you forget that she was once lead singer of another 3 (or 4) member successful girl group. You could walk away convinced that Ms. Bootylicious may have some acting chops, after all. However, if you’re looking for a (Golden Globe) award winning performance, the best bet is Jennifer Hudson. Every time Hudson opens her mouth to sing, she claims Effie, indefinitely-poignantly so in her version of “And I am Telling You (I’m Not Going).” The men in the movie do a standup job, too but this time the gold is for the ladies.

Dreamgirls By ETWire Editor

Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Beyonce Knowles and Jaime Foxx

☺☺☺ A Solid Tribute To A Groundbreaking Play
(Dec. 23, 2006)Contrary to popular belief, Grammy winner Beyoncé Knowles is not the star of the Broadway play-turned-motion picture Dreamgirls, a story of three young women, Lorrell Robinson (played by Tony winner Anika Noni Rose), Deena Jones (played by Knowles) and Effie White(played by American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson), chasing their dream of musical super stardom. Earlier this year, the original play actors expressed concern, insisting that the movie version focused on Deena, even though the story is more about Effie. They will be happy to know that the movie doesn’t steer far from the play; Effie is still alive and well.

In the movie, the girls receive an offer from opportunist/manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (played by Oscar winner Jaime Foxx), after loosing a talent show. They travel and perform backup to the philandering James Thunder Early (played by Eddie Murphy) and eventually, Curtis turns the girl group into a bona fide success but with mainstream-friendly Deena as lead singer, instead of the mega-voiced Effie. Due to a series of tantrums, hurt feelings and misunderstandings, Effie is replaced, discarded and left destitute while Deena becomes a sensation.

Multi-platinum performer Beyoncé succeeds in making you forget that she was once lead singer of another 3 (or 4) member successful girl group. You could walk away convinced that Ms. Bootylicious may have some acting chops, after all. However, if you’re looking for a (Golden Globe) award winning performance, the best bet is Jennifer Hudson. Every time Hudson opens her mouth to sing, she claims Effie, indefinitely-poignantly so in her version of “And I am Telling You (I’m Not Going).” The men in the movie do a standup job, too but this time the gold is for the ladies.