Ho Che Anderson has spent over 10 years researching, writing, and drawing King, a monumental graphic biography that liberates Martin Luther King Jr. from the saintly, one-dimensional, hagiographic image so prevalent in pop culture. Here is King–father, h
After their grisly battle for supremacy over the One Land, the king and his five knights anticipate peaceful times ahead of them. Then, almost before they can rest their bloody swords on the ground, angels and demons-masquerading as humans-begin to carous
The great Benny Carter was so much in demand as an arranger/composer in the studios that for 15 years, starting in the early ’60s, he rarely recorded or performed in jazz settings, instead choosing to concentrate on writing movie scores. The drought ended when Carter, then in his late 60s, started recording for Pablo. As The King (his first small-group session since 1966) proves, the masterful altoist had not lost a thing through the years. In a sextet with vibraphonist Milt Jackson, guitarist Joe Pass and pianist Tommy Flanagan, Benny Carter is in masterful form, stretching out on eight of his own compositions and showing that his name always has to be ranked near the top of jazz improvisers, whether one is considering the 1930s or the 1990s. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi Performers: Milt Jackson – Vibraphone; Benny Carter – Sax (Alto); Jake Hanna – Drums; Joanne Williams – Bass; Joe Pass – Guitar; John B. Williams, Jr. – Bass; John Williams – Bass; Tommy Flanagan – Piano
A visually beautiful film, ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING depicts the biblical tale of a Jewish peasant, Hadassah (Tiffany Dupont), and her journey to become the legendary Queen Esther. Her parents were murdered when she was a young girl and she was taken in by her uncle, Mordecai (John Rhys-Davies); he raised her in Susa, a city of the ancient empire of Persia. Hadassah–beautiful, intelligent and passionate–was summoned among many of the kingdom?s virtuous young women to be groomed as a possible new queen for the powerful and handsome King Xerxes (Luke Goss). Hadassah hides her Jewish heritage under advisement from her uncle, and changes her name to Esther. She impresses the King. He falls in love with her and chooses her to be his bride, and she becomes Queen of Persia. Soon after, Hamen the Agagite (James Callis), the King?s Prime Minster, proclaims his goal of wiping out all the Jews of Persia, and he convinces the King to approve the plan. It is up to Queen Esther to announce her Jewish heritage and come to the rescue of her people.Peppered with many religious references, ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING conveys the message of divine destiny as it tells the story of a queen who continues to be an inspiring figure. Although the result of Queen Esther?s intervention is well known, the filmmakers and actors do a superb job of building up the suspense and the desperation felt by all involved. The film includes a brief cameo by Peter O`Toole as the biblical figure Samuel, and Omar Sharif appears as Prince Memucan.
The debut feature from television producer Robert Moresco, One Eyed King is an ensemble crime drama detailing the trials and tribulations of several characters living together in the same Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Starring Armand Assante, William Baldwin, Jim Breuer, Bruno Kirby, Chazz Palminteri, and Jason Gedrick, the film had its premiere at the 2001 Boston Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi Guide lead the cast of this character-driven entry in the Tough Guy genre.
Keyboardist Jackie Mittoo is a truly seminal reggae figure. During the mid-’60s, as an original member of the Skatalites, Mittoo helped shape the language of the newly emerging ska. In subsequent years, as the premier composer/arranger of Clement Dodd’s Studio One team, Mittoo created a wealth of rhythms that artists would return to during the dancehall and ragga eras decades later. His simmering organ lines added leagues of depth behind Dodd’s greatest acts, including Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, and the Heptones. By the time Universal Sound released The Keyboard King at Studio One, there were far too few releases in print representing this reggae great. Though Heartbeat’s Tribute to Jackie Mittoo may be the obvious primer, this disc is the perfect complement. Drawing heavily from the late ’60s/early ’70s when Mittoo was fronting a variety of Studio One session bands, Keyboard King selects cuts from Mittoo solo albums like Keep on Dancing (1969), Jackie Mittoo Now (1970), and Macka Fat (1971). Chronological concerns are dispensed with (at one point the collection jumps nearly two decades with one track), and yet Universal Sound manages to come up with a coherent portrait of the artist. “Killer Diller,” the earliest cut, is a steaming ska platter from the mid-’60s, while “Black Organ” finds Mittoo musing over a smoky, chugging reggae beat. Though Mittoo clearly had a handle on any reggae rhythm that crossed his path, cuts like “Get Up and Get It” and “Stereo Freeze” prove that he was fluent in funk as well. Even the songs from Showcase, his final outing from 1982, maintain the standards of the vintage material. The interwoven lines of Mittoo and keyboardist Pablove Black on the drifting “Oboe” are a particularly pleasant surprise. The Keyboard King at Studio One is an excellent introduction to a rhythm master and reggae legend. ~ Nathan Bush, Rovi Performers: Jackie Mittoo – Keyboards
When a beautiful young slave girl learns that her people are about to fall victim to a horrible act of genocide, she will be forced to choose between realizing her wildest dreams or stepping into the pages of history to embrace her destiny in an epic tale of one young girl who rises from peasant to princess to claim the heart of a king. Esther was born an exquisite beauty, but her people have been enslaved by the most powerful kingdom on the planet and her parents executed before she ever had a chance to truly know them. Subsequently taken in by her kindly uncle, a royal scribe, Esther is soon spirited away to the royal palace to take her place in the king’s harem. Trouble is stirring in this ancient land, however, and when the queen, Vashti, is banished by the unknowing king, palace princes scramble for a position of power the desperate king determined to live up to, and ultimately avenge the battles waged by his father long ago. Now, as the wheels of destruction are slowly set into motion, a malevolent prime minister who has fallen into favor with the king soon begins to wield a frightening amount of power by calling for the death of Esther’s people. With time running out for her entire race, Esther must face her fears and be willing to lay down her life if she is to ever fully realize the plan that God has laid out for her. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi film includes a brief cameo by Peter O’Toole as the biblical figure Samuel, and Omar Sharif appears as Prince Memucan.
In this animated retelling of one of the Bible’s greatest tales, a young shepherd boy attempts to fulfill his God-given destiny to become king. Anointed by God to rule over the land, David must overcome brutish giant Goliath to earn a place in King Saul’s palace. As David falls for Saul’s beautiful daughter Michal and his popularity with the royal subjects grows, the jealous King Saul makes an attempt on David’s life, forcing David to flee and form an army in preparation of fulfilling his ultimate destiny. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
The godfather of soul joins the king of blues onstage for ONE SPECIAL NIGHT. James Brown and B.B. King perform 18 songs including the hits Let the Good Times Roll, It’s a Man’s Man’s World, Guess Who, Gonna Have A Funky Good Time, and Prisoner Of Love.
The godfather of soul joins the king of blues onstage for ONE SPECIAL NIGHT. James Brown and B.B. King perform 18 songs including the hits Let the Good Times Roll, It’s a Man’s Man’s World, Guess Who, Gonna Have A Funky Good Time, and Prisoner Of Love.
Every year on the third Monday in January, citizens of the United States celebrate Martin Luther King Day. As a teacher or home school parent, you can take advantage of this by teaching civil rights to your students. Along with this, you should emphasize how much Martin Luther King Jr. meant to the civil rights movement and how his legacy has stuck with the nation over the years. Because of Martin Luther King, Jr. the entire country has become more tolerant of the cultures of others.
Teachers and home school parents can educate your students about one of the great civil rights leaders of our time with these Activities for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day:
Mapping Martin Luther King Jr.
With this activity, your students will discover many places in the life of the famous Dr. King. From his birth place to his famous speech to his final resting place his passion and activism made a big difference in the lives of millions of people. By mapping where he went during his life, your students will get a better feel for who he is and where he came from.
This activity is best for students in grades 3-8. Children can participate in pairs, small groups, or individually.
The first thing is to have the children use a variety of sources to learn about the places that Dr. King made famous. Depending on the grade level you can assist in a number of ways, including a two-column match, or possibly a fill-in worksheet. Older students can be left to their own devices.
Then, have them enter a star next to the cities that were important in Dr. King’s life on a large map and notate the map with the significant event.
Finally, have the children explain to you the various locations and why they are significant in the life of Dr. King.
I Have a Dream Speech
Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech is one of the most well known in the history of the world. It is powerful and should go a long way in inspiring your students to achieve greatness in their own life.
This Martin Luther King Day activity can be completed with minimal teacher supplies. It is an activity that your students are sure to enjoy, regardless of grade level. Also, this is another activity you can have students do alone, in pairs, or in groups depending on the grade level and sophistication of the students.
To complete this project, you will need the following teaching supplies: recording of the original speech, text version of the speech, pencil, and paper.
Before you do anything, play a recording of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. This is sure to get your students in the right frame of mind.
From there, ask your students to use a fill-in-the-blank worksheet to write their own speech. This teaches creativity while also giving them the chance to share their thoughts with other students in the class. For older students, doing this activity without a fill-in-the-blank worksheet is more challenging.
If your students are up for it, have them present their speech in front of the class..
These are but two of many Martin Luther King Day activities that are available for you to consider, but you have to think about it well in advance. Remember, this day will come and go fast. You need to have your lesson plans laid out and your classroom supplies available while also knowing what your students will be most interested in.
Do not let this day pass you by. Consider using one or both of the Martin Luther King Day activities detailed above. These activities can be both fun and inspirational.
