'Love and Basketball' 10 years later

It's been a decade since the African-American classic film, "Love and Basketball."
The film, which boosted actress Sanaa Lathan's movie career and catapulted actor Omar Epps to leading man status, is garnering new attention since the new film, "Just Wright" piggybacks off the former's formula.
In "Love and Basketball," Epps took a turn as a romantic lead, a big turn for somebody who was mostly known for his role opposite Tupac Shakur in "Juice."
Back in 2000, a renaissance of black films was starting to take shape, fueled by the strong ratings of directors like Spike Lee and Matty Rich.
The songs of the time? Craig David was big (remember him), Alicia Keys had just come out with "Fallin" and Blu Cantrell had hit 'em up.
There was no national consciousness of Middle East terror, no wars.
My, have things changed.
So, where are they now? Epps has most recently finished a stint on the hospital drama "ER," while Lathan is still doing film. Both are considered big-time actors, thanks, in part, to "Love and Basketball."
Gina Prince-Bythewood, the UCLA alum who directed "Love and Basketball," (Spike Lee served as producer) most recently directed "The Secret Life of Bees."
The movie wasn't perfect, but it was just right. No, Just Wright.


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Sanaa Lathan avoids critics of 'Tin Roof'

American actress Sanaa Lathan, currently enjoying a run in the play "Cat in a Tin Roof" in Europe, is throwing shade to all the theater critics.
Lathan is determined to play her role (Maggie) without the emotional baggage that comes from hearing the naysayers chirp.
"I learned my lesson a long time ago not to read reviews until the run is over because I don't want to get anything in my head about the performance until it's done," according to Contactmusic.
"Sometimes in this business you don't get to use all of your chops. This role is the pinnacle of roles for a woman my age. It's scary, challenging... she goes through a lot of emotions. I couldn't say no to it."
Neither can the critics. At least one has assailed her accent as being "all over the place."
Don't worry, Sanaa, "Tin Roof " is a winner. Let your haters be ya motivators.

Stan Lathan: The Hardest Working Man in Show Biz?

When we think about the greatest African-American contributor in cinema, people automatically jump to Spike Lee; more contemplative heads would opt for Melvin Van Peebles.
Both are impressive, but their resumes simply wilt under the force of one Stan Lathan, who's been in the business from a directorial perspective for nearly 40 years.
To ring out some of his titles is to exhaust the mind: "Hill Street Blues," "Miami Vice," "The Waltons," "Falcon Crest," "Remington Steele," "Fame," and "Roc," then the 1990s, "Martin," "Moesha," "The Parkers," "The Steve Harvey Show," "Amen," "Eve," and 'All of Us".. "Chapelle's Show", the list goes on.
He and Russell Simmons were responsible for "Def Comedy Jam" and are responsible for "Run's House."
And, yes, Sanaa is one of his five children.
These days Stan is busy molding the Simmons Lathan Media Group with mogul Russell Simmons.
Is Stan the hardest working black man in show business or what?