Rych McCain Hollyhood Notes : 2014-08-31

Friday, September 5, 2014

Sylvester Stallone - Film

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Sylvester Stallone - Film

By Rych McCain, International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

By Rych McCain, www.twitter.com/rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)

Sylvester Stallone

Keeps The Expendables Momentum Revved Up!

Photos Lionsgate

Sylvester Stallone

He is the first actor/writer/producer in Hollywood history to create and have three highly successful film franchises i.e., “Rocky,” “Rambo” and now “The Expendables.” When this fact is brought up, Sylvester Stallone somewhat shirks it off as just another day at the office. The man lends credibility to the notion that the bigger one is; the less importance they put on themselves. Stallone’s latest installment “The Expendables 3” on one hand is more of the same from the last two films but on the other hand it brings a fresh facelift with a new set of younger crew members that mix in with the original vets. This adds a whole new dynamic that the fans of the franchise will appreciate while drawing first time younger converts into the fold.

When asked about the longevity of the franchise Stallone jokes, “After the 5^th Expendables you start wearing Dependables. You just keep going.”

Mel Gibson

In this installment, Mel Gibson plays the master bad guy Conrad Stonebanks who is an international arms dealer among other illicit activities. Stonebanks and Barney Ross (Stallone) were the two who originally formed The Expendables but they split and Ross though he had killed Stonebanks when he crossed over to the other side a decade earlier. A showdown fight scene finally comes to a head. How much fun was it to film that scene? Stallone explains, “It was good. You know it varies in situations in actual sports where you have rivalries get together; two people that have actually done very well in their own world. Then you say I wonder how they would do against each other. So when that finally happens it becomes an event. And yes a contact is made and you do get hurt. Its freezing there (filmed in Bulgaria) the water and you say oh my God I’m not going to do it again but you have to do it again. So I’ve been looking forward to it. Mel is a great athlete. He’s very fast, very strong and it was great being punched by him.”

L-R Harrison Ford and Sly Stallone

Bruce Willis had played “Church” in the first two films so what happen with this installment where he was not in it and his character was killed off? Stallone says, “Things didn’t work out then Harrison Ford came along. That happens in films and casting. That’s just the way it is; nothing personal. It sounds like it got personal and I’m sorry it did sound that way but it was just actors talking and things move on. I think Bruce Willis is a great guy and he does fantastically entertaining films. When he nails it, he nails it big time.”

Barney (Stallone) leads squad on reconnaissance

In day and time where there is so much gun violence happening how does Stallone defend making this kind of film? He gives an overview, “First of all there is no blood and ours is so over the top that it isn’t something that you would expect people to repeat. It’s a very sensitive thing and I really don’t know what the answer is. We just try to make it so it looks as though it’s a fantasy. It isn’t real. Some times I think when you make a movie, some movies can get so real then you say hum I can do that. There are not a lot of people that can do what the Expendables can do.”

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The Ladies Of "Sisterhood Of Hip Hop" - TV

By Rych McCain, International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

By Rych McCain, www.twitter.com and Facebook (Like Me)!

The Ladies of “Sisterhood Of Hip Hop”

Keeping The Game Real!

Photos Courtesy The Oxygen Network

L-R: Nyemiah, Bia, Brianna, Diamond and Siya

On Tuesday, August 12 (9 PM ET/PT) The Oxygen Network will premiere a new reality series titled “Sisterhood Of Hip Hop.” The show is centered on the dreams, aspirations and challenges of being a female MC in the male dominated rap game. The cast includes female rappers Brianna Perry, Nyemiah Supreme, Siya, Diamond and Bia. Every one of these ladies brings unique talent and skills to the table and they are not only set out to claim their stake in rap stardom but do it in the spirit of empowerment, cooperation and sisterhood as a group. This is what really needs to be seen by our youth who have been psychologically programmed that rappers can’t or don’t get along. The show is produced by 51 Minds with Christian Sarabia, T.I., Rabih Gholam and Roy Orecchio serving as executive producers.

Brianna

As with all reality shows, these ladies’ lives will become an open book to millions of viewers. Are they ready for that kind of scrutiny? Brianna responds saying “I think its pretty dope that the world is about to get an open look on us and our grid and everything that we’re doing. We have been working pretty hard. We have a lot of exciting things about to pop off i.e., a lot of new music and visuals so just to have the world be on this journey with us is pretty cool.

Nyemiah Supreme

I’m excited.” Nyemiah chimes in saying, “I’m really excited/scared at the same time. I’m totally excited for us to get the chance to open up to a whole new audience so it’s not just music listeners it’d TV watchers. And then I am a little scared because I know they get vicious when it comes to TV trying to tear people down but I know they’re going to love our music and love what we have to offer so I’m just totally hyped.”

Siya

Siya follows saying, “Honestly, I’m speechless.” Siya is openly gay and when asked what kind of challenges that presents to her she explains, “It really haven’t been Challenges’ per say because I am gay, it’s just been the whole image factor. The fact that I won’t change how I look for the hip hop industry or anyone for that matter. I’m very proud of the fact that I am openly gay and I take pride in being the first of my kind. And really, can’t nobody tell me s**t about it so challenges, there really aren’t any!”

How was it to deal with cameras being on them all the time while taping the show? Nyemiah laughs, “I went into it just prepared that I will spill out some of the things that I don’t want the world to know and let a bit of my secrets to go. So I mentally prepared myself for this. At first is definitely was a little uncomfortable just trying to have conversations with people like management, family and there’s a camera starring at you. It took a lot of adjustment but by the time we were almost finished I felt like I was a pro at it.

Diamond

Diamond has accumulated a lot of experience and industry knowledge since her ground breaking days as a member of the platinum hit making group “Crime Mobb.” What would she say to the show’s viewers who are new and trying to break into the game? She advises, “My first thing would be to definitely make sure you always have a lawyer (preferably a music industry attorney) to look over all of your contracts and everything because a smile and a handshake does not match what you think is on a piece of paper because its 90% business, 10% entertainment. Also, never give up, always keep pushing. It’s a male dominated game so it’s hard but if people continue see you keep going no matter what; eventually they’ll learn to respect you.”

Bia

How does the theme of sisterhood play out with the group? Bia explains, “I think it plays into respect and being a woman and having the same core values like we each want to win and it would be great to see other women winning at the top so it’s nothing better than us helping each other to get where we need to go. So I think that’s what sisterhood means at the end of the day.”

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