Horrible Bosses DVD

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Raunchy Revenge Comedy Released on DVD

When three best friends meet for drinks after work one evening, each shares a tale of woe worse than the next about his boss from hell. Dental hygienist Dale (Charlie Day) complains about how Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston) has been pressuring him to sleep with her, despite the fact that he’s in love with his fiancée Stacy (Lindsay Sloane).
Meanwhile, Kurt (Jason Sudeikis), second in charge at a chemical corporation, relates how the late CEO (Donald Sutherland) has just left the family-owned business to his son, Bobby (Colin Farrell). And the profligate heir has already started to run the company into the ground by firing loyal employees and frittering away profits on prostitutes and cocaine.
Last but not least there’s Nick (Jason Bateman), an executive at an investment firm. He was recently passed over for a promotion promised to him by a sadist (Kevin Spacey) so Machiavellian that he fires people for being a few minutes late.
In the real world, these buddies would probably just cry in their beer about being abused in the workplace and leave it at that. But in the realm of revenge comedy such situations serve as the cinematic fodder for rationalizing murder. Thus, Horrible Bosses actually has the beleaguered trio entering a conspiracy to kill their tormentors.
The dark comedy plays out as a meanspirited indulgence in vengeance way too preposterous on its face. After all, what guy in his right mind who has Jennifer Aniston throwing herself at him is going to resort to homicide, even if he’s not inclined to take her up on the offer? Similarly, nobody normal decides to go postal like Dale’s pals because of their being denied a raise.
Be that as it may, this flawed flick has our hapless heroes consulting a hit man (Jamie Foxx) before becoming hopelessly embroiled in a harebrained conspiracy. Don’t be surprised to find yourself rooting for the bosses instead of these three stooges should you opt to watch this implausible adventure.
As for the brand of humor, the graphic shocksploit repeatedly relies on curse words and the crudest of vulgarities for punch lines as opposed to creativity or sophisticated repartee. For example, Jamie Foxx’s character’s name is Mother-[expletive] Jones. Why? Because he [expletived] his mother. How charming. In another scene, maneater Dr. Harris blackmails Dale with, “If you don’t [expletive] me, I’m going to tell Stacy you [expletived] me. How ladylike.
An overindulgence in coarse language highlighting profanity as the hobgoblin of small minds and unimaginative scripts.

Fair (1 star)
Rated R for sexuality, crude humor, pervasive profanity and some drug use.
Running time: 98 minutes
Distributor: Warner Home Video
Blu-ray Combo Pack Extras: DVD version, Ultraviolet Digital Copy, additional scenes, and featurettes entitled: “The Making of the Horrible Bosses Soundtrack,” “My Least Favorite Career,” “Surviving a Horrible Boss” and “Being Mean Is So Much Fun.”

Green Lantern DVD

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Adaptation of DC Comics Series Arrives on DVD

Ryan Reynolds fans undoubtedly recall that he’s previously played a caped crusader, Captain Excellent, in Paper Man, as well as a villain, Deadpool, in Wolverine. Obviously, both roles left him well-prepared to assume the lead in Green Lantern, where he rises to the occasion with perfect aplomb.
Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), this classic origins adventure is designed to function as a detailed introduction to both the title character and his alter ego, Hal Jordan. At the point of departure, we find the ladies man leaving late for his job as a test pilot for Ferris Aircraft.
He bids the woman he’s just shared a one-night stand with farewell by saying, “Make yourself at home. There’s water in the tap.” What a charmer.
After a training exercise goes terribly wrong at work, slacker Hal finds himself unfavorably compared, as usual, to his colleague/love interest, Carol Ferris (Blake Lively). However, his ineptitude doesn’t discourage a dying alien (Temeura Morrison) from a world away who crash lands on Earth from picking him as the first human to ever be inducted in the Green Lantern Corps.
Hal is summarily whisked away to the planet Oa where he is given an appropriately-verdant stretchy jumpsuit and a matching mask before being whipped into fighting shape by a burly beast named Kilowog (Michael Clarke Duncan). He learns that when he’s incarnated as the Green Lantern, he can turn whatever he thinks into reality by sheer force of will.
Aimed at the ‘tweener demo, the picture’s simplistically-scripted storyline pits good as embodied by the Guardians of the Universe (The Green Lantern Corps) versus evil in the persons of diabolical Parallax (Clancy Brown) up on Oa, and Dr. Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) down on this planet.
The CGI-driven, intergalactic goings-on in outer space are decidedly cartoonish, especially in contrast to the relatively-realistic action transpiring down here. Fortunately, Ryan Reynolds’ combination of suave self-assuredness, seasoned comic timing and old-fashioned ability to kick butt outweigh this technical flaw to make for a satisfying cinematic experience warranting a sequel.

Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence.
Running time: 114 Minutes
Distributor: Warner Home Video
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Extras: Theatrical film, extended cut, maximum movie mode with picture-in-picture pods, “The Universe According to Green Lantern,” “Ryan Reynolds Becomes Green Lantern,” “Justice League #1” digital comic, additional scenes, preview of “Green Lantern: The Animated Series,” BD-Live and an UltraViolet Digital Copy.

Kam's Kapsules: For movies opening October 14, 2011

OPENING THIS WEEK
Kam's Kapsules:
Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun
by Kam Williams
For movies opening October 14, 2011

BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Big Year (PG for profanity and some sensuality) Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson co-star in this buddy comedy, set in 1998, about a trio of avid ornithologists competing against each other to spot rare species in an annual bird-watching contest. Ensemble cast includes Rashida Jones, Anjelica Huston, Anthony Anderson, Brian Dennehy, Corbin Bernsen, Tim Blake Nelson and Dianne Wiest.

Footloose (PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, violence and teen drug and alcohol abuse) Remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic about a city kid who moves from Boston to a small town in Georgia where he falls in love with the preacher’s (Dennis Quaid) daughter (Julianne Hough) while leading a rebellion against a local ordinance banning loud music and dancing. With Andie MacDowell, Miles Teller and Ser’Darius Blain.

The Thing (R for profanity, gore, graphic violence and disturbing images) Prequel to John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi suspense flick revolving around a paleontologist (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and a Norwegian scientist (Ulrich Thomsen) who unwittingly unleash a dormant, deadly alien parasite when their Antarctic expedition discovers an extraterrestrial spaceship buried in the ice. With Eric Christian Olsen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Kim Bubbs.


INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

America the Beautiful 2 (Unrated) Filmmaker Darryl Roberts directs another thought-provoking expose’ examining the cultural pressures which lead to eating disorders and an unhealthy obsession with thinness.

Bombay Beach (Unrated) Dream deferred documentary presenting portraits of three members of an impoverished, Southern California community located in the desert: a retired oil worker, a boy with a bipolar disorder, and a teenager in search of safe refuge from the slums of L.A. in the wake of his cousin’s murder by a gang.

The Chalet Girl (Unrated) Class-conscious, romantic comedy about a teenage tomboy (Felicity Jones) in a dead-end job who gets a new lease on life when she lands a gig in a glamorous getaway in the Alps where she soon falls in love with the boss’ (Bill Nighy) son (Ed Westwick). Cast includes Brooke Shields, Tamsin Egerton, Bill Bailey and Sophia Bush. (In English and German with subtitles)

Father of Invention (PG-13 for sexuality and profanity) Kevin Spacey handles the title role in this tale of redemption about a disgraced entrepreneur’s attempt to restore both his reputation and his billion-dollar empire. With Heather Graham, Camilla Belle, Virginia Madsen, John Stamos and Johnny Knoxville.

Fireflies in the Garden (R for profanity and sexuality) Melancholic, intergenerational drama, inspired by the Robert Frost poem of the same name, about a family torn apart by the untimely death of a mother of two (Julie Roberts) in a car driven recklessly by her domineering husband (Willem Dafoe). With Ryan Reynolds, Emily Watson, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hayden Panettiere.

The Skin I Live in (R for rape, profanity, graphic sexuality, frontal nudity, disturbing violence and drug use) Pedro Almodovar directed and wrote this twisted thriller adapted from “Tarantula,” the Thierry Jonquet novel about a revenge-minded plastic surgeon (Antonio Banderas) who gives his daughter’s (Blanca Suarez) rapist (Jan Comet) an involuntary sex-change operation, only to find himself falling in love with the creep. Cast includes Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes and Barbara Lennie. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Texas Killing Fields (R for violence, profanity and sexuality) Fact-based crime drama about a sheriff (Sam Worthington) who enlists the assistance of a former NYC cop (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) to solve a series of grisly murders by a sadistic killer who has been dumping his female victims’ mutilated bodies in an abandoned oil swamp. With Chloe Grace Moretz, Jessica Chastain and Annabeth Gish.

Trespass (R for violence, terror, drug use and pervasive profanity) Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman co-star in this crime thriller about a husband and wife who hatch a plan with the help of their teenage daughter (Liana Liberato) to escape from the gang of cold-blooded kidnappers holding them for ransom in their own home. Cast includes Cam Gigandet, Dash Mihok and Jordana Spiro.

The Woman (R for profanity, torture, rape, gruesome violence, frontal nudity and disturbing behavior) Graphic crime thriller about a country lawyer (Sean Bridgers) who puts the lives of his family in jeopardy when he tries to civilize the last surviving member (Pollyanna McIntosh) of a cannibalistic clan. With Angela Bettis, Carlee Baker and Lauren Ashley Carter.

How Could My Husband Be Gay? (BOOK REVIEW)

How Could My Husband Be Gay?
by Ondrea L. Davis and J’son M. Lee
Foreword by T.J. Adams, Sr.
Foresight Publishing
Paperback, $15.95
270 pages
ISBN: 978-0-61541-026-5

Book Review by Kam Williams

“Have you ever ignored any red flags regarding your mate? ‘How Could My Husband Be Gay?’ may cause you to never make that mistake again…
[The book] is an autobiographical look into the life of Ondrea Davis. On the outside, Ondrea’s life is nothing short of a fairy tale. She has a dream home, the perfect husband, and three beautiful children. Ondrea soon discovers that her husband, Marceous King, is not the man she thought she married.”
 Excerpted from the Foreword (pg. xi)

For some reason, dudes on the down-low seem to be more of a problem in the black community than in society in general. Perhaps that’s because the pressure to be macho in African-American culture leads to a lot of gay guys to pass themselves off as straight.
That’s what happened in the case of Marceous King who bodaciously deceived his bride on May 15, 1999, the day they exchanged wedding their vows. Ondrea now admits to being so “blinded by love” that she failed to heed warning signs like her husband having teenage males “spend weekends over our house” and his subsequently developing a particularly close relationship with one, Fernando, who came to accompany the couple almost everywhere they went.
Deep in denial, Ondrea allowed herself to become pregnant with twins soon after their first anniversary. In this vulnerable state, she was informed not only that Marceous’ “friend” Fernando had come out of the closet, but that he would be moving in with them because of problems in living with his parents.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t that long before Ondrea was expecting again. And two weeks before the baby was due, her secretive spouse dropped a big hint that he was in some sort of crisis when he suddenly “asked me to get on my knees and pray with him.” But it was only after testing positive for an STD that she finally was forced to see the light.
At that point, Ondrea prayed, “Lord, I know I made a mistake marrying Marceous. I am so sorry and apologize from the bottom of my heart. Please make a way of escape for me and the kids.”
And for the balance of this heartbreaking autobiography, we witness the valiant efforts of a desperate sister summoning up the courage to extricate herself from a tragic situation for the sake of herself and her children. Equal parts intimate memoir and cautionary tale, “How Could My Husband Be Gay?“ is an engaging page-turner about an ill-fated romance that was doomed from the start.
To readers benefitting from 20-20 hindsight, the author might look like about as gullible a girl as they come. But before judging Ondrea too harshly, just remember that she was only 21 when she unwittingly jumped the broom with a groom who had no interest in a mate with a womb.
If it saves even one naïve female from a similar fate, Ondrea is owed a big debt of gratitude for going public with her harrowing nightmare about being deceived by a partner with a hidden homoerotic agenda.

The Ides of March

Film Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Politics Makes for Strange Bedfellows in Presidential Race Thriller

Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) joined Mike Morris’ (George Clooney) presidential campaign out of a heartfelt conviction that the Pennsylvania Governor was “the only one who’s going to make a difference in people’s lives.” And the idealistic press secretary’s bright-eyed enthusiasm has remained apparent even to casual observers like the NY Times reporter (Marisa Tomei) who can’t help but observe that “You really have drunk the Kool-Aid.”
By contrast, Stephen’s jaded boss, Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is a relatively-cynical veteran with plenty of campaigns under his belt. So, he’s intuitively decided to keep a close eye on his gullible protégé, given that Governor Morris is on the brink of securing the Democratic nomination. All he needs to do is keep his image clean until the upcoming Ohio primary, since the polls indicate he’s already the favorite to collect the Buckeye State’s 160+ convention delegates.
However, the street savvy Zara is well aware that the campaign of their only competitor, Arkansas Senator Pullman (Michael Mantell), is being run by Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), a Machiavellian manipulator desperate to win at any cost. The cutthroat Duffy is not above stooping to dirty tricks such as dangling a plum cabinet position in front of a powerful politician (Jeffrey Wright) in return for a coveted, influential endorsement.
When they arrive in Cincinnati on the eve of the candidates’ final debate, Stephen has no idea he’s on the verge of having both his judgment and loyalty sorely tested. Between being tempted by a flirtatious intern (Evan Rachel Wood) and being invited to rendezvous for a drink at a sports bar by a disarmingly-affable rival with a hidden agenda, he finds himself having to negotiate a gauntlet of potential pitfalls. The trouble is that a failing might not merely reflect upon Stephen, but it could have some serious repercussions for the entire campaign.
This is the compelling premise of The Ides of March, a multi-layered thriller containing a number of cleverly-concealed twists highlighting precisely the sort of back-stabbing machinations apt to unfold behind-the-scenes of a hotly-contested political campaign. The movie was produced, directed and co-stars George Clooney who also helped adapt it to the screen from “Farragut North,” a play loosely based on Howard Dean’s ill-fated bid for the presidency.
The talented cast Clooney assembled, including Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood, managed to execute his vision magnificently without once hitting a false note. Gosling’s Oscar-quality performance proves particularly noteworthy, as the underrated actor exhibits a credible combination of cockiness and naïveté as the picture’s compromised protagonist.
Presidential politics making for strange bedfellows, literally and figuratively.

Excellent (4 stars)
Rated R for pervasive profanity.
Running time: 101 minutes
Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Ken Bevel: The “Courageous” Interview

with Kam Williams

Headline: Marine Captain-Turned-Pastor “Courageous”

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Ken Bevel is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering Technology and also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Business Administration degree in Logistics Management. After 20 years of active service in the United States Marine Corps, Captain Bevel retired to serve in the ministry on the staff of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia.
As Senior Associate Pastor, his responsibilities include coordination of major events, coordination of the Security, Usher and Greeter ministries and, lastly, assisting new members and visitors with connecting to the Body of Christ and the Sherwood Family. He and his wife, Lauana, have been happily married for 14 years and they have two children, Kyra and Kaleb.
Ken is also recognized for having played Lieutenant Michael Simmons in the inspirational film “Fireproof.” Here, the Marine Corps Captain-turned-pastor/actor talks about life and about his latest role as Nathan Hayes in Sherwood Pictures’ new movie “Courageous.”

Kam Williams: Hi Ken, thanks for the interview. It was great meeting you Julie, Paul and Pastor Alex in person the other night.
Ken Bevel: Thanks Kam. We enjoyed meeting you and your wife and we definitely enjoyed the conversation.

KW: What interested you in Courageous?
KB: There are two things that drew my interest to the movie Courageous. The first was my conviction to the messages told by Sherwood Pictures. In each of the four films, the Sherwood Pictures team handles with care the weighty issues of honesty, integrity, marriage and fatherhood. As these topics are addressed through the silver screen, I have seen lives changed and families restored. So, seeing the fruit of the movies drew me more than anything. The second is the topic, Fatherhood. There are many men who deeply desire to be a man of integrity upon whom their children can look to for guidance, instruction, affirmation and love. However, due to a lack wise counsel many are straying from the path of true fatherhood and settling for good instead of great. As a man, I long to be a part of the solution that will assist men in being the fathers they were designed to be.

KW: Tell me a little about your character, Nathan Hayes?
KB: Nathan Hayes is a man most of us would consider a “good” man. He is a hard-working African-American male, with a beautiful wife and three wonderful children. Although his life may seem picturesque initially, his earlier years were filled with identity struggles, violence and doubt due in part to the absence of a father. However, through the assistance of a mentor, William Barrett, Nathan was able to learn what it means to be a man. While the presence of a mentor helped his belief in God and personal growth, he believed there was more to being a father and was willing to seek after it.

KW: Are there any parallels between Nathan’s life and your own?
KB: Very much so. I see myself in the same light as Nathan Hayes. I too grew up with my father being absent from our home for many years. As a result of the lack of affirmation and encouragement, I grew up doubting myself as a young man and struggling to understand how to deal with the issues of life.

KW: Editor/Legist Patricia Turnier would like to know: What message you want people to take away from the movie?
KB: The message I pray people walk away with is one of hope and the ability to understand “failure is not final.” As fathers and parents, each of us has missed the mark in one way or another. We have provided incorrect advice, scorned our children excessively or crushed their spirits. This is not the end. Our children still need us for encouragement, instruction and for the greatest commodity, love. So our approach should not be as one who withdraws him or herself from their lives. We should be willing to ask for forgiveness and earn their trust through intentionally rebuilding the relationship.

KW: She also asks: What interested you in acting after serving in the Marine Corps?
KB: I wanted to act because I was excited about the impact the Sherwood Movies were having on my life and countless others. Although there were many jobs on the set, acting drew my attention the most.

KW: Finally, Patricia says: The focus of Courageous is on fatherhood. What does fatherhood mean to you?
KB: Fatherhood means acting as a guide for our children. The job of the guide is assisting our children to safely navigating through life by providing continual love, warnings, protection, and guidance.

KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles asks: How did the Marine Corps prepare you to embody and accurately portray the bonding in Courageous?
KB: Just like the Marine Corps, most paramilitary organizations are a band of brothers, who seek unity and are willing to go the extra mile for his or her fellow officers. So, this aspect of portraying the character was very easy because the environment was familiar.

KW: Documentary director Kevin Williams says several other Marines became actors and did very well at it. Guys like Steve McQueen, Lee Marvin and Harvey Keitel. Has your Marine Corps training come in handy in your acting career?
KB: The Marine Corps training was VERY handy during the filming of Courageous. There were many physically challenging scenes that required more than a “thirty minute morning work-out.” So, in those times I prayerfully asked the Lord to give me the same strength and endurance used during my Marine Corps training to make the character seem real and believable. I really enjoyed the action!

KW: Kevin also notes that Sherwood Pictures’ films like Fireproof and Courageous have really helped bring the genre of Christian-based movies to mainstream audiences. How do feel about that being part of your film legacy?
KB: As mentioned, I have enjoyed working with Sherwood Pictures and the seeing firsthand how our culture is being impacted by the movies. With that said, a film legacy is not what I am seeking after. My joy comes from seeing mainstream audiences enjoy an entertaining movie, which happens to be produced by Christians, while at the same time being challenged in their faith, family, marriage and level of integrity.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
KB: Why do you believe what you believe? I feel this is an important question, because it outlines one’s motives for every action on and off the screen.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?
KB: Yes, I am. There are times in my life when I get extremely anxious. However, I understand that I have a heavenly Father who sees my struggles and insecurities. It is in those times, He gives me peace and endurance to be strong and courageous amidst my problems.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?
KB: Rather than say I am happy, I would rather say “I am joyful.” To me, joy is something I can always have and it is based upon truth versus short-term feelings. An example would be: I would be “happy” to see my children receive academic awards, but I take joy in the fact that they receive academic rewards due to their honestly, integrity and desire to impact their community. Joy has a more lasting impact.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?
KB: The last time I had a good laugh was watching the “Snake King” scene in Courageous. Hilarious!

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
KB: My guiltiest pleasure doesn’t come from a dark secret. It’s being a kid with my kids. Some may say it’s getting on the kids level, but I really enjoy doing things like getting inside the “kiddie” jumpy house with my kids and doing back-flips, falling down and laughing with them or playing hide-and-seek with my kids when all other adults are sitting around talking. I feel like I should be engaged with other adults during those times, but I really enjoy spending time with my children!

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?
KB: Wow! This is a great question. I haven’t prepared a meal in years. In times past, spaghetti has been my favorite dish to cook. However, I have a wonderful wife who prepares healthy and delicious meals for our family. She loves to cook and honor her family. Her favorite dish that I love to eat is Lasagna.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
KB: The last book I read was Courageous Living by Michael Catt.

The book went into the details of living a courageous life in the face of constant adversity. He provided several examples to clarify what courageous living looks like. The book challenged me personally and caused me to question, “Am I living a courageous life or just getting by?” A great book and a MUST READ!

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What are you listening to on your iPod?
KB: I listen to mostly gospel and contemporary Christian music on my iPod. When I am working out and need the extra push, I put in a little gospel rap by Lacrae. That really gets my heart pumping!

KW: The Nancy Lovell Question: Why do you love doing what you do?
KB: I love doing what I am doing because it has eternal purpose. Many of the things we do are called, “time stealers.” Time stealers are things that have little to no value or purpose, but consume the majority of your time. I have decided to focus on things which will last through eternity and those are the things I have grown to love.

KW: The Judyth Piazza questions: How do you define success? And, what key quality do you believe all successful people share?
KB: For me, success is defined and is dependent upon achieving an expected outcome. For Sherwood Pictures, I define success as seeing lives changed for the better. All successful people share the common quality of identifying the needs of the person who is being served. By understanding people, successful people can anticipate the needs of customers before the issues are raised.

KW: Judy also asks: What is the most important lesson that you learned from your time in the military?
KB: Real leaders never announce they are leaders, people are just willing to follow them.

KW: The Toure question: Who is the person who most inspired you to become the person you are today?
KB: There have been many people in my path, throughout the years, that have helped me to go the extra mile when I wanted to give up. The person who has inspired and encouraged me the most is my wife, Lauana. She has been in my corner faithfully and has always believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I truly have a virtuous woman that exponentially adds to my life and I am grateful to be married to her.

KW: The Dulé Hill question. Do you attribute the success you’ve achieved in your career to yourself, to a higher power, or to a mixture of both?
KB: Without a shadow of doubt the Lord has been my help! There is no way I could come close to being the man I am today without Jesus Christ. He has changed my life and given me a renewed mind to follow Him. I am nothing without Him and to Him be all the credit and glory.

KW: What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
KB: Pride! As a young child, I experienced many difficult times where I felt like a failure who could not be accepted. As I began to mature, I was recognized for many achievements like sports, academics and physical fitness. As I climbed the ladder of success, my pride was far ahead of me. When I learned of how pride’s damaging effects destroyed relationships and lives, I asked for forgiveness and began putting the needs of others before my own. This was a very difficult obstacle to overcome.

KW: The Flex Alexander question: How do you get through the tough times?
KB: The way I get through tough times is with prayer. It is impossible for me to handle life’s challenges on my own.

KW: The Pastor Alex Kendrick question: When do you feel the most content?
KB: I feel the most content when I have my family around me and we are content with spending time with each other. During these times, I can see my children playing or quietly reading and my wife by my side. These are the special moments that I cherish!

KW: What do you wish other people would note about you?
KB: Nothing particularly.

KW: What defines who you are?
KB: Since I desire to be identified as a Christian, the Bible defines who I am. This is the very blueprint from which I base my marriage, relationship, and integrity.

KW: What motivates you?
KB: My motivation comes from assisting others to achieve their goals. I have realized that life is more about others than it is about me. I have determined that I must be able to give of my resources and time unselfishly to equip others for great things.

KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?
KB: Preparing to spend time and spending time with my family excites me. Some may say money or an event, but my family is one of the most important elements in my life.

KW: Dante Lee, author of "Black Business Secrets, asks: What was the best business decision you ever made, and what was the worst?
KB: The best business decision I ever made was purchasing a home. Although intimidating, after the purchase we received quite a few financial benefits from owning our own home. One of the worst business decisions made was investing in a home purchasing workbook for purchasing foreclosed homes with a credit card. Bad move.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
KB: In the mirror, I see an unworthy man that is incredibly blessed. The question I often ask is, “Why me?”

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
KB: For my lifelong friend to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. My heart’s desire is to see him live out his remaining days with the Lord.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?
KB: My earliest childhood memory is meeting my dad on the street corner everyday as he was walking home from work and racing him home. What fond memories because our time didn’t depend on material things. Just time spent together.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
KB: Don’t try to follow in my footsteps. Everyone has a unique path for their lives. If you live out this purpose, there will be a great sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that cannot be achieved by following the footsteps of another human being.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?
KB: I would like to be remembered as a man who loved God, loved his wife, loved his family and walked in integrity.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Ken, and best of luck with Courageous.
KB: Kam thank you and I really appreciate the opportunity to interview with you!

Top Ten DVD List for October 4th

This Week’s DVD Releases
by Kam Williams

Headline: Top Ten DVD List for October 4th

Alfred Hitchcock – The Essentials Collection [Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds and North by Northwest]


Life Is Beautiful [Blu-Ray]


Fast Five


The Honeymooners Lost Episodes 1951-1957 [The Complete Restored Series]


Scream 4


The Lion King [Diamond Edition]


African Cats


Jig


Prohibition – A Film by Ken Burns & Lynn Novick


Rent Boys



Honorable Mention

The Cider House Rules [Blu-Ray]


The High Cost of Living


Bored to Death – The Complete Second Season


Bette Midler - The Showgirl Must Go On


Meet the Browns – Season Two


Army Wives – The Complete Fifth Season


The Pee Wee Herman Show on Broadway


Submarine


In Treatment – The Complete Third Season


The Presence


Nickelodeon Merry Christmas


The Bleeding House


NEDS: Non-Educated Delinquents