List for 2005 - Entertainers and entertainment

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Since this is the time that many of us reflect back on the events of the year, myself included, I have created a list of notable entertainers, movies and individuals/groups that I feel deserve mention. While this list is not all inclusive of those I think have stood out this year, it does highlight many.

In no particular order (as I feel rankings of individuals is useless for the most part):

Mr. Ray Charles - the body of work he created has transcended racial lines, even during the times when America was divided by the Black/White issue.

Mr. Richard Pryor - his ability to make us laugh, and think, at the difficult and often tragic aspects of life, and our actions with and to one another, has been and continues to be unmatched.

Mr. Johnny Depp - a brilliant actor, he has portrayed characters (new and old) in a light that is unique and facinating to behold.

Mr. George Lucas - a storyteller, in a medium that often prefers the rote and lowest common denominator, that has given a unique and blazing vision to several generations of fans (while creating new ones).

Mr. Jaime Foxx - a consumate actor will true talent in many arenas. If you haven't seen Ray or Collateral do so and you will understand why he is Oscar-worthy.

Mr. Samuel L. Jackson - I quote Mr. Roger Ebert who wrote "Like Bill Cosby, Jackson is arguing against the anti-intellectual message that success for young black males is better sought in the worlds of rap and sports than in the classroom." And beyond that is his direct help to victims of Hurricane Katrina [See my post Celebrity donations].

Mr. Morgan Freeman - from the role of Easy Reader (for those of us old enough to recall him in the Electric Company) to his Oscar-winning and -worthy roles, he is a symbol of gravitas. [as he stated during Inside the Actors Studio] His well stated views on history and race are no less important.

Mr. Denzel Washington - an individual that is, to my knowledge, as strong and grounded in his convictions as any character he has portrayed.

Mr. George Clooney - a man of convictions and purpose, who has daringly reminded the nation that vigelence and action are all that seperate our nation from dark paths.

Mr. Terrence Howard - Emerging into the mainstream as an actor with a strong presence, which some notice as early as 2000. [I loved the guitar playing over the shoulder and wonder if that was actually him doing that]

Ice Cube - rising from mediocrity to present a glimpse at another life, and what difference a permanent tan makes in this country.

Mr. Muhammad Ali - the Greatest continues to show why such a monicker is earned and deserved.

Mr. Mel Brooks - an inventive comedic man that has helped us laugh (from one medium to another) since 1950. His creation of The Producers just confirms that quality never dies.

Mr.Cristian Bale - giving us an insight to the motivations of "the worlds' greatest detective." [Yes I'm an old comic book collector/fan and Batman is one of the greats]

This list is by no means complete. I invite you, my readers, to add or discuss anyone on or not on this list.

For me this list of entertainers contains individuals of strong character, incredible performances and visionary creation. Whether they have made statements with which that I agree or disagree, in part or in whole, is not an issue. Nor is it important that they are not all Black African American/Hispanic people.

Other notable individuals [in my mind at least] include: Mr. John Leguizamo, Ms. Anjelina Jolie, Mr. Tommy Lee Jones and many others.

Lastly I want to note that our troops serving this nation around the world, both in active fighting and those not, deserve if not demand our thoughts [and prayers for those who are religious]. Without them, and those before and after them, we would not, could not have the ability to create or see or speak about any entertainment other than that given to us. The freedom to dream, the ability to entertain is meaningless without a venue for expressing them. For the ability to express my thoughts I note and thank our troops.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Muhammad Ali and Peace

It was announced saturday that Mr. Muhammad Ali will be receiving the Otto Hahn peace medal. This made me stop a moment and think about the man known world-wide as 'The Greatest'. Like everyone on the planet that is over the age of at least 30, Mr. Muhammad Ali is known to me for his 61 fights (56 wins, 5 losses, 37 knockouts and 3 times Heavyweight Champion of the World). I can recall clearly watching the TV, as Mr. Muhammad Ali fought and beat Leonard Spinks for the title, along with my mother and family. I think everyone who had a TV was watching that fight that night. I have seen many of his fights, including one where he split a mans face from temple to jawline when he was known as Mr. Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.

Like many I am familiar with his Olympic medals won in 1960 in Rome, and somewhat so of his career as an amatuer (108 wins, 8 losses). I can recall many quotes of Mr. Ali, such as "I am the greatest. Not only do I knock em out, I pick the round!" or "I'll be floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee" or "When you are as great as I am it is hard to be humble." And I was not shocked in the least when Sports Illustrated gave the title of Sportsman of the Century to Mr. Muhammad Ali, I would have been shocked by anything else.

But there is so much more to this man than just a few catchy phrases, memorable statistics, a cartoon series, and several major motion films. Mr. Ali is know for is religious conviction, converting to Islam with the Nation of Islam and in later years converting to Sunni Islam. Those convictions alone cost him dearly, and his refusal to fight in Viet Nam due to religious reasons made him an enemy to many in white America of the time. Those same convictions though are seen in his efforts to create peace and humanitarian aide. In 1978 Mr. Muhammad Ali address the UN Special Committee against Apartheid. In '85 he was asked to go to Lebanon to negotiate for hostages. In '91 Mr. Ali met with Saddam Hussein to negotiate the release of American hostages in Baghdad. In '02 he appealed for the release of Daniel Pearl [I do not agree with the author of the above reference, but I felt that the actions of Mr. Muhammad Ali and the father's statements about them should be seen]. Mr. Ali was appointed UN Messenger of Peace in 1998 (one of only 4 in Oct 2000).

Mr. Ali has also raised money for Inner City Games Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Center. For these reasons, in addition to his ability, dedication and uplifting of the sport of boxing, rooms stop on a dime and all attention turns towards Mr. Ali when he enters. For these reasons Mr. Ali in Nov. 2005 recieved the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest awards a civilian can receive - given to only 5 presidents and 3 vice-presidents as well as Edward R. Murrow, Thurgood Marshall, Alan Greenspan, David Rockefeller, Walt Disney and Neil Armstrong to mane some of the noted few.

I have said all of this, and referenced the information because it needs to be done. The youth of today do not have the inspiration that I recieved growing up. There are few notable entertainers that strive for anything more than a paycheck. Even fewer are the number that go after the money without incident (drug scandals, violence against fans and other entertainers, infidelity, ect). These supposed superstars are held in a place where everyone can see their action. Kids are drawn to them, as they were to their heroes in their youth. The riduculous cop-out that they aren't rolemodels is just an excuse to relieve them of the need to act responsibly. They know it and so do we.

I don't expect every entertainer to strive to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, though it would be nice if a few more did try. Not everyone should be an Ambassador to the U.N., it would lose its meaning if everyone jumped on board because it was trendy, but more could stand for their convictions. It isn't alot to ask, for those that we make into multi-millionares for occasionally entertaining us, to show more substance than a safe deposit box. Part of my thoughts on this can be seen in my post NBA code, but the essence is that we should expect and recieve more.

This is what I think, What do you think?