Friday, November 30, 2012

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (DVD REVIEW)




 
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
DVD Review by Kam Williams

Childless Couple’s Prayers Answered in Enchanting Fairytale

            Jim (Joel Edgerton) and Cindy Green (Jennifer Garner) are very happily-married except for not having any kids. After being informed by Cindy’s gynecologist (Rhoda Griffis), that she can’t conceive, they scribble down all the qualities they’d hoped to pass on to the child they’ll never have, starting with her good heart and his honesty to a fault.
            Then, they bury the wish list in a box in the backyard right before a torrential rainfall arrives. To their astonishment a real live boy sprouts up in their garden overnight who, other than having leaves growing out of his legs, seems to be perfectly normal.
            What’s more, 10 year-old Timothy (CJ Adams) not only exhibits the positive traits desired by Cindy and Jim, but he refers to them as “Mom” and “Dad” without any prompting. While the Greens are certainly inclined to welcome their miraculous blessing with open arms, they are still hard-pressed to explain the sudden addition to the family to skeptical relatives and friends.
            For sensitive Timothy, the adjustment is rather rocky, too, between being teased by bullies at school for wearing long socks, and being rejected at home for not being manly enough by his macho grandfather, Jim, Sr. (David Morse). He even frustrates his mom when she’s fired by her boss (Dianne Wiest) on account of his compulsive frankness.
            At least the little lost soul does find a kindred spirit in Joni (Odeya Rush), a shy classmate hiding a painful secret of her own. The harder a time Timothy has trying to measure up to the world’s expectations, the more he retreats to a magical oasis of solitude he shares with this newfound friend.
            Directed by Peter Hedges (Pieces of April), The Odd Life of Timothy Green is an enchanting fairytale designed for young and old alike. Credit a combination of seamless special effects and a talented cast for making it easy for the audience to suspend disbelief in the face of a supernatural storyline with an implausible premise.
            Once that hurdle is scaled, a most-satisfying payoff which tugs on the heartstrings awaits anyone willing to invest in this instant Disney classic.
           
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG for mature themes and mild epithets.
Running time: 105 minutes
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
2-Disc Combo Pack Extras: Deleted scenes; director’s audio commentary; ‘This Gift’ music video by Glen Hansard; Glen Hansard: Behind ‘This Gift’; Documentary: Family Roots: Bringing The Odd Life of Timothy Green to the Screen; and more. 

To see a trailer for The Odd Life of Timothy Green, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMSkbH0LuTc

Top Ten DVD Releases for 12-4-12



This Week’s DVD Releases
by Kam Williams


Top Ten DVD List for December 4, 2012         

Beasts of the Southern Wild


The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Dark Knight Rises


Unforgivable


Money and Medicine


Finding Nemo – Collector’s Edition


The Falls


The Whale: The True Story of Luna


Eastbound & Down – The Complete Third Season


Silent Night




Honorable Mention
           
Sugar Mommas


OC87: The Obsessive Compulsive, Major Depression, Bipolar, Asperger’s Movie

The Legend of Neil – The Complete Series


The Dog Who Saved the Holidays

 
Wu Dang


Elf-Man


Thunderstruck


Go Go Crazy

 

Butter


Ben Lee: Catch My Disease

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Dark Knight Rises (DVD REVIEW)




The Dark Knight Rises
DVD Review by Kam Williams

Batman Battles Terrorist in Thrilling Trilogy Finale 

            The Dark Knight Rises brings down the curtain on the brilliant Batman trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader. Each of the earlier episodes, Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2008), earned a spot on this critic’s annual Top Ten List, #s 9 and 1, respectively. 
            Given how the late Heath Ledger played The Joker to perfection, delivering an inspired, Oscar-winning, career performance in the previous installment, you knew it would be hard for Nolan to find as compelling a character for his highly-anticipated finale. And if The Dark Knight Rises does have a weakness, it lies in the fact that its primary villain pales in comparison. Otherwise, the movie measures up to franchise expectations, though its convoluted plot and 2¾ hours running time is likely to test the patience of younger kids.
            The picture’s point of departure is eight years after the end of the last adventure, when Batman selflessly accepted the blame for the untimely demise of District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). The broken, embittered vigilante has apparently kept a low profile over the interim, allowing the Gotham Police Department to fight crime on its own.
             But that’s only until the arrival in town of Bane (Tom Hardy), a card-carrying member of the association of assassins known as The League of Shadows. Although his speech is pretty much muffled by a Hannibal Lecter-like contraption affixed to his face, you don’t need to understand his unintelligible mumblings to know that he’s a maniacal menace. The masked terrorist is hell-bent on blowing up the city with a nuclear device and of course it isn’t long before Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) needs help handling the mayhem.
            Meanwhile, Batman’s alter-ego Bruce Wayne already has his hands full with Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), a cat burglar he catches snooping around his mansion. Fortunately, Wayne still has loyal assistants in his butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and weapons/vehicle/gadgetry specialist Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). Plus, he forges a new friendship with John Blake (Joseph-Gordon-Levitt), an idealist cop with excellent instincts who might be sidekick Robin should the series be spun off.
            Outfitted with a state-of-the-art motorcycle and hovercraft, a revivified Batman engages his evil adversary with an unbridled enthusiasm. And between purist Nolan’s loyalty to 35mm film and live action stunts, what’s served up onscreen proves to be nothing short of spectacular. 
            A tip of the cap, or should I say of the cape, to a terrific trilogy for the ages!

Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for sensuality, profanity and intense violence.
Running time: 165 minutes
Distributor: Warner Brothers Home Entertainment Group
3-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Extras: The Batmobile documentary; Ending the Knight (The Making of The Dark Knight Rises); trailers; art galleries; The Journey of Bruce Wayne; and more.

To see a trailer for The Dark Knight Rises, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8evyE9TuYk           

Men in Black III (DVD REVIEW)




 
Men in Black III
DVD Review by Kam Williams

Agents J and K Reunite for Time-Travel, Franchise Finale

            One sign that scriptwriters have run out of fresh ideas is when they lazily recycle the shopworn, time-travel theme in order to extend an expiring film series. This ill-advised approach has been employed over the years in service of such sorry sequels as The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962), Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) and Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time (1991), to name a few.
            Even Back to the Future III (1990) doubled-down on the dubious cinematic device when it had Michael J. Fox teleported back to the Wild, Wild West instead of to the Fifties like the earlier installments. Industry insiders use the Happy Days-inspired catchphrase “Jumping the Shark” to mark the moment a farfetched episode plunges a franchise headlong into an irreversible tailspin.      
            Fortunately, the relatively-captivating Men in Black III is more than just another, idea-bereft take-the-money-and-run rip-off. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (MIB & MIB II), the picture reunites Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as alien-hunting Agents J and K, respectively.
            However, don’t expect to see much of Tommy Lee this go-round, since he only makes what really amounts to a couple of cameo appearances during the flick’s wraparound opening and closing sequences. Otherwise, Josh Brolin plays K for the balance of the story which unfolds in the summer of 1969.
            At the picture’s point of departure, we find a one-armed convict called Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) sitting behind bars inside Lunar Max, a maximum security prison located on the Moon. The evil alien soon escapes with the help of his cake-bearing girlfriend (Nicole Scherzinger), his first visitor in over 40 years.
            Next, Agent J catches wind of the missing fugitive’s plans to venture backwards in time to exact a measure of revenge on Agent K for having shot off his limb. The vindictive Boris also intends to spearhead an intergalactic invasion of Earth by the Boglodites, a bloodthirsty race of his rogue relatives. Naturally, J decides to return to the past, too, to keep the world safe for humanity and to make sure his partner survives any attempted rewrite of history.
            Courtesy of some preposterous, pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo, J learns how to time travel and that he must accomplish all of the above and return to the present in less than 24 hours, before a breach in the temporal fracture closes. (What?) Anyhow, upon arriving on July 16, 1969, Agent J introduces himself to the 29 year-old incarnation of already-humorless Agent K, and does his darnedest to loosen up that trademark, Type-A personality.  
            What ensues is an engaging enough mix of special effects-driven mirth and mayhem, with the tension being wound around the imperiled launch of Apollo 11 at Cape Canaveral. But since there’s never a doubt that Boris and the Boglodites are destined to be subdued, the true payoff arrives after the action subsides by way of an emotional revelation that it would be unfair to spoil.
            A fitting, franchise finale featuring all the fixins for a satisfying sendoff!    

Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for violence and suggestive content.
Running time: 106 minutes
Distributor: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: The Making of Men in Black III; “Back in Time” music video by Pitbull; and a gag reel.

To see a trailer for Men in Black III, visit: 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Kam's Movie Kapsules for 12-7-12



OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:      
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun         
by Kam Williams
For movies opening December 7, 2012


BIG BUDGET FILMS

Playing for Keeps (PG-13 for profanity, sexual situations and an intense image) Romantic comedy revolving around a retired pro athlete (Gerard Butler) with a checkered past who’s effort to woo back his ex-wife (Jessica Biel) by coaching their son’s (Noah Lomax) soccer team goes awry when some of his players’ moms start flirting with him. With Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid and Judy Greer.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

The Art of Flight (PG-13 for profanity) Snowboarding documentary showcasing the death-defying exploits of Travis Rice and other daredevils as they risk avalanches and accidents while exploring uncharted mountains all around the world.

Bad Kids Go to Hell (R for profanity, sexuality, violence and drug use) Dark comedy about a half-dozen students at an elite prep school who start falling victim to horrible accidents while serving detention. Starring Judd Nelson, Ben Browder, Ali Faulkner and Chanel Ryan.   

Buffalo Girls (Unrated) Child abuse documentary taking an intimate peek into the boxing careers of 8 year-old Stam Sor Con Lek and Pet Chor Chanachai, female prizefighters who support their families while pursuing Thailand’s Flyweight title. (In Thai with subtitles)

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding (Unrated) Cold feet comedy about a bride-to-be (Felicity Jones) worried that she’s about to marry the wrong man who keeps both her fiance (James Norton) and her ex (Luke Treadaway) in suspense on her wedding day. With Ellie Kendrick, Mackenzie Crook and Elizabeth McGovern.

Deadfall (R for profanity, sexuality and graphic violence) Crime caper about a brother (Eric Bana) and sister (Olivia Wilde) who decide to go their separate ways in the wake of a casino heist gone bad. Ensemble cast includes Sissy Spacek, Kate Mara, Kris Kristofferson and Treat Williams. 

Delhi Safari (PG for violence, menacing action, suggestive content, crude humor and mature themes) Bollywood-produced, animated adventure about a protective mother leopard (Vanessa Williams), her cub (Tara Strong), a monkey (Carlos Alazraqui), a parrot (Tom Kenny) and a bear (Brad Garrett) forced to flee the forest for help when real estate developers leave their natural habitat on the verge of destruction. Voice cast includes Jane Lynch, Jason Alexander and Cary Elwes. (In Hindi and English with subtitles)

The Fitzgerald Family Christmas (Unrated) Edward Burns wrote, directed and co-stars in this dysfunctional family drama about the emotional strain experienced by seven siblings when their long-lost father (Malachy McCourt) returns home for the holidays after having walked out on them and their mom (Anita Gillette) a couple of decades earlier. With Connie Britton, Heather Burns, Noah Emmerich and Kerry Bishe’.

Flying Lessons (R for profanity and sexuality) Prodigal Daughter drama about a young woman (Maggie Grace) who returns home for the first time in years to repair relationships with her alcoholic mother (Christine Lahti), an ex-boyfriend (Jonathan Tucker) and an Alzheimer’s patient (Hal Holbrook). With Cary Elwes, Joanna Cassidy and Rick Gonzalez.    

Happy New Year (Unrated) PTSD drama about a self-destructive Iraq War veteran (Michael Cuomo) who finds himself plagued by guilt and desperation upon return to the U.S. after a tour of duty overseas. Cast includes J.D. Williams, Will Rogers and Jose Yenque.

Heleno (R for profanity, sexuality and drug use) Bittersweet biopic about the tragic life of Heleno de Freitas (Rodrigo Santoro), one of Brazil’s all-time great soccer players. Cast includes Priscila Assum, Othon Bastos and Herson Capri. (In Portuguese with subtitles)

Honor Flight (Unrated) Greatest Generation documentary about a Midwest community that raised $250,000 to fly its surviving WWII veterans to Washington, DC to visit the war memorials erected in their honor.  

Hyde Park on Hudson (R for brief sexuality) Tale of illicit love, set over the course of a wild weekend in 1939, chronicling President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s (Bill Murray) incestuous affair with his cousin Margaret (Laura Linney) while he was simultaneously entertaining the King (Samuel West) and Queen (Olivia Colman) of England during a Royal visit to the States. With Olivia Williams, Elizabeth Marevel and Blake Ritson.

In Our Nature (Unrated) Close quarters drama about the tensions which surface when a guy (Zach Guilford) takes his girlfriend (Jenna Malone) to his family’s summer home for a quiet weekend getaway only to have his long-estranged father (John Slattery) show up unexpectedly with his trophy girlfriend (Gabrielle Union). With Lola Cook and David Ilku.  

Lay the Favorite (R for sexuality, nudity, drug use and pervasive profanity) Screen adaptation of Beth Raymer’ memoir of the same name about a small-town stripper (Rebecca Hall) who moves to Las Vegas where she becomes the protégé of a professional gambler (Bruce Willis), much to the chagrin of his jealous wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Support cast featuring Vince Vaughn, Corbin Bernsen and Joshua Jackson.

Only the Young (Unrated) “School of Hard Knocks” documentary about three teen runaways who survive in a small desert town in Southern California by taking shelter in foreclosed homes and beneath highway underpasses.

The Rabbi’s Cat (Unrated) Animated fantasy, set in Algeria in the Twenties, about a talking cat (Francois Morel) who expresses a desire to convert to Judaism after swallowing the rabbi’s (Maurice Benichou) parrot. With Hafsia Herzi, Mathieu Amalric and Francois Damiens. (In French with subtitles)

Saving America’s Horses (Unrated) Equine expose about the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s sanctioning the corporate slaughter for consumption of thousands of horses running free on government land. 

Tchoupitoulas (Unrated) Dusk to dawn documentary chronicling a day-in-the-life of three boys who join a rowdy parade of New Orleans revelers.    

Wagner and Me (Unrated) Stephen Fry directs this documentary exploring his conflicted feelings as a Jew about Richard Wagner (1813-1883) because the brilliant classical composer was a favorite of Adolf Hitler.

Waiting for Lightning (PG-13 for sports action, profanity and mature themes) Skateboarding documentary highlighting how Danny Way overcame a disadvantaged childhood to turn pro and eventually jump over the Great Wall of China. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Rebuild the Dream (BOOK REVIEW)




 
Rebuild the Dream
by Van Jones 
Nation Books
Hardcover, $25.99
320 pages
ISBN: 978-1-56858-714-1
           
Book Review by Kam Williams

“For at least 30 years, the wealthy and privileged have been rigging the system to acquire more wealth and privilege. At this point, 400 families control more wealth than 180 million Americans…
As a result, the very idea of the American Dream has become a cruel joke to millions who are working harder than ever and falling further behind… In our system, everyone should have a shot at pursuing her or his dreams—and hard work should pay off…
But the worst of the top 1 percent have turned that old formula upside down… The central argument of this book is that… we need a movement of millions of people committed to fixing our democracy and rebuilding America’s economy…
The aim… is to prepare citizens at the grassroots level to see their own power differently—and to exercise their own leadership more boldly.”
-- Excerpted from the Introduction (pages 2-8)

            Just because President Obama has been re-elected is no reason to presume that the concerns of the constituents who put him back in office will be addressed. After all, he garnered over 90% of the black vote before, yet failed to deliver much in the way of the promised change.   
            Yes, the Republicans who openly admitted that their mission was to make sure his first term was a failure deserve a big share of the blame. But so do the masses of American citizens who failed to attempt to hold him accountable.
            That is the contention of Van Jones, who feels that for democracy to work it is incumbent upon a grassroots movement of millions to pressure the President to act in their interest. You may remember Jones as the Yale Law School grad who served briefly as the Obama Administration’s green energy czar, until he resigned from the post after becoming the target of a relentless, right-wing smear campaign labeling him as a radical.
            In his book, Rebuild the Dream, Van examines both the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements en route to proposing possible pathways for rescuing the 99% of the population being ignored down on Main Street. The author fervently feels that sovereignty resides in the people, and that it’s up to us to resurrect the American Dream by wresting power back from the wealthy fat cats who have effectively bought the votes of governors and members of Congress.
            Jones closes with a clarion call “for the next generation of deep patriots to step forward” and lead via a combination of “organizing, teach-ins, online petitions, rallies, creative events, viral digital projects, and traditional media.” One can only hope that his inspirational ideas do motivate a generally passive populace to a 21st Century activism.
            The sensible and intelligent rallying cry of an inveterate progressive blessed with an Ivy League pedigree.         

Monday, November 26, 2012

Toks Olagundoye (INTERVIEW)



Toks Olagundoye
The “The Neighbors” Interview
with Kam Williams

Tick Toks!

            Born in Lagos, Toks Olagundoye was raised not only in Nigeria but also in Switzerland and England. The exotic Nigerian-Norwegian beauty moved to the United States to attend Smith College where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
            After jumpstarting her career in New York, the stunningly-attractive actress relocated to Los Angeles where within a short time she landed roles on such TV series as “NCIS,” “Prime Suspect,” “Switched at Birth,” “CSI: NY,” “Law & Order” and “Ugly Betty,” to name a few. She currently stars in ABC’s new hit comedy “The Neighbors” (which airs on Wednesdays at 8:30pm ET/PT), playing “Jackie Joyner-Kersee,” an alien from the planet Zabvron who has taken on human form to live in a gated community in New Jersey.
            Toks’ character is married to the community’s Supreme Leader and serves as the Zabvronian equivalent of the First Lady. “Jackie” is baffled by Earth’s strange customs but is more open than her stubborn husband who refuses to adapt.  
            In addition to acting, Toks enjoys writing and producing films for the web and is the founder of Unlimited Ceiling (http://www.youtube.com/user/UnlimitedCeiling) for which she’s created web series like “Callbacks” and “AlphaSeries.” In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, horseback riding, Pilates, archery and going to the gun range. Toks’ secret talent is doing all sorts of accents from around the world.
            Here, she talks about her life, career and work on The Neighbors.


Kam Williams: Hi, Toks, thanks for the interview.
Toks Olagundoye: Absolutely my pleasure! Thank YOU for the interview!

KW: What interested you in The Neighbors?
TO: Well, honestly, I love being an actor and a job is a job, and I'm always happy to have a job. So, initially, I would say: employment. But I am also a sci-fi lover and have been itching to be on a sitcom forever. So, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to audition and I really went for it!

KW: Tell me a little about the show’s wacky premise?
TO: Sure, a community of aliens set up a colony of sorts on Earth in a New Jersey golfing community, taking on the guise of human form, and they do their best to fit in and not attract attention. Of course, they fail spectacularly. One of the alien couples in the community gets tired of waiting around to hear from their home planet and they vacate their house leaving it open for a nice, human Jersey family of five to purchase and move into. Let the hysterical comedy of errors ensue!

KW: How would you describe your character, Jackie?
TO: Quirky, cute, loving, kind, curious, proper, diligent, patient, inquisitive, genuine, lovely, tall,  green blooded… Okay, now I'm just throwing words at you. I shall cease and desist.

KW: So, you play an alien queen who’s impersonating U.S. Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Which is more challenging, playing an alien or impersonating Jackie?
TO: Well, neither, because neither is the case. Jackie is the wife of the Zabvrobian supreme commander, so she is more of a matriarch than a queen. And the aliens are not impersonating the athletes they have named themselves after. They have taken on these names in the hope of becoming a part of the elite. In their minds, choosing the names of accomplished sports figures will help them fit in and excel. They don't realize it actually makes them all stick out like a box of sore thumbs. Yes, I realize that is not an official adage. Hey, it is now!

KW: Does the show have a message?
TO: In my humble opinion, as a foreigner, it does. And the message is this: the only way to come to a full acceptance and understanding of yourself is to embrace your own culture, quirks and differences while learning about those around you and exploring, incorporating and embracing their cultures, differences, quirks, etcetera. Okay, that’s a lot of words. Basically, we are all different and we all have something to learn and it doesn't mean people need to change who you are but one should be open to new things and, above all, tolerance and understanding are essential for growth and happiness. That’s still a lot of words. Let's try this: we are all different and that's okay. That’s not incredibly poetic, but it's the message at its essence.

KW: You’re half-Nigerian and half-Norwegian? Which do you identify with more? 
TO: Oh, I identify with them both very strongly. I identify myself as a Nigerian because that is where I was born and raised and where my family still lives. And, in my mind, that is the definition of where someone is from. But I was raised by a very Norwegian mother and spent a ton of time there every year until I was about 14 and am closest to my Norwegian relatives. So, it is very difficult to choose. Call me, Sophie. [ala Sophie’s Choice] Well, don't, it's not my name and not really that traumatic of a choice, but you get my gist..

KW: So, do you still have lots of friends and relatives in both places?
TO: I do.

KW: Do you speak Norwegian?
TO: I do. Not as well as I did in my childhood but I can get by in a conversation.

KW: You studied theater at Smith prior to embarking on your professional career. Do you recommend that route to other aspiring actresses?
TO: Not necessarily. It was right for me, but other people do better going on to grad school and others yet are naturally inclined and do just fine without any formal training at all. Everyone is different. The only things I think are imperative are focus, determination and hard work.

KW: What would be your ideal movie role?
TO: Oh, my. That's a hard one. Anything Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston or Charlize Theron would say "yes" to. I think I have covered all my bases there. I mean, I just have fun doing what I do. If it looks like a good time, I'm up for it! Seriously, have your people call my people.

KW: What film director would you like to work with?
TO: Oh, so many... The Coen Brothers, Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, Mike Leigh, Kathryn Bigelow, David Fincher, Cameron Crowe, Chris Nolan, Ridley Scott, Sam Raimi, Quentin Tarantino, Luc Besson, Penny Marshall, Ron Howard, Mike Nichols, Kenneth Branagh... Bring it!

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
TO: Yes: "Would you like a few million dollars? Because I happen to have a few extra I can give you tax free." Ha! No, not really, I'm just glad that anyone wants to ask me anything at all.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?
TO: Constantly, but it's a big driving force in my life. I'm more likely to try and tackle a fear than let it control me.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?
TO: Absolutely. I am truly blessed.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?
TO: About ten minutes ago in a cab in New York, leaving the home of one of my four best friends. Yes, four. They are all the best. Like I said, I am blessed. I refuse to pick one. You can't make me. All my friends are funny, witty, fun-loving people. As are my parents, and the people I work with. I get at least a couple of good laughs in every day.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
TO: Carbs. Sad but true.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
TO: The final Hunger Games book, 'The Mockingjay.' Seriously, Suzanne Collins, I need another one.
  
 
KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to? 
TO: I’m was just listening to Radiohead's 'Reckoner.'


KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?
TO: Whatever I know the person I am feeding will most enjoy.

KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?
TO: Positivity.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?
TO: Oh, wow! All of these "pick one" questions.... Arrrgh! I mean, there is so much wonderful stuff and so many amazing people in this world. It is hard for me to pick my favorite one... I have always loved Chanel. I am big fan of Dolce and Gabbana. My newest favorite is AllSaints. I also love Proenza Schouler, and Rachel Zoe's line is phenomenal. Balenciaga is always amazing! L.A.M.B. is amazing, and you can’t go wrong with Louis Vuitton. And there is an Italian designer, Patrizia Pepe, whom I really enjoy. So many beautiful clothes!

KW: Dante Lee, author of "Black Business Secrets,” asks: What was the best business decision you ever made, and what was the worst?
TO: Best: moving to LA. Worst: going into business with a friend.

KW: The Michael Ealy question: If you could meet any historical figure, whom would you choose?
TO: Joan of Arc.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
TO: A map to my life lit up by smiling eyes. I know: Eww! But true!

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
TO: A cure for cancer.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?
TO: Sitting in the living room of the apartment we lived in when I was about 2 or 3. We had a balcony which my mother had enclosed with chicken wire so we had birds flying amidst a forest of plants. I remember watching the birds through orange and white curtains.

KW: The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
TO: I am an animal.

KW: The Pastor Alex Kendrick question: When do you feel the most content?
TO: When I take the time to look positively at my life, assess my accomplishments and truly allow myself to congratulate myself.

KW: The Toure question: Who is the person who led you to become the person you are today?
TO: My mother! My mother! My mother!

KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share? 
TO: Determination.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
TO: Be sure of what you want, focus, work hard, be ready to pick yourself up, do not take rejection personally, be as prepared as you can, always be learning, and eliminate negative people from your life regardless of who they are.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?
TO: However it is, I hope it makes the rememberer smile, possibly even giggle.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Toks, and best of luck with the show.
TO: I greatly appreciate that! Thank you, Kam, for giving me the opportunity to answer such great questions! As you can clearly tell, I had a good time with them!

To see a trailer for The Neighbors, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_iJy5auBko