Acknowledges notable moments from N.W.A.'s history Omitted
By Marcela Isaza
LOS ANGELES (AP) --The director of "Straight Outta Compton" says he's "very happy with the accuracy" of the movie that depicts the creation and eventual breakup of influential rap group N.W.A.
F. Gary Gray says he relied on accounts from surviving members of the Southern California group, including credited producers Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, for key details and scenes in the film, due in theaters Friday. But he acknowledged in an interview at the movie's premiere Monday night that notable moments from N.W.A.'s history aren't in the film.
"Obviously you can only do so much when you have two hours and 10 years and five guys in one movie, but I'm very happy with the accuracy, especially given that I got it from the members of N.W.A," Gray said. "If it was something that I just Googled or got it from Wikipedia then it would maybe be a little bit questionable. But Ice Cube was there every day. Dr. Dre was there every day. It doesn't get any better than that."
Early reviews have been largely positive. But "Compton" has faced criticism online for failing to directly address the group's sometimes-misogynist lyrics and Dr. Dre's 1991 attack on journalist Dee Barnes at a Hollywood nightclub. Gray said he was aware of the incident and the publicity it generated, but "this movie is about N.W.A."
"It's about the group, the rise of the group and the subsequent following of the group and you can make five N.W.A. movies with all the information that is out there," he said. "The first cut came in three hours and 30 minutes long. So we cut over an hour out of the movie so it was hard to cast the movie and it was hard to cut the movie. We couldn't get everything in."
Rapper MC Ren, who along with DJ Yella is credited as an "N.W.A. consultant" on the movie, said he had no complaints about the film's content.
"They could have put me more in the trailers you know but the movie is good. If E was here, he would like it so it's cool," he said, referring to Eazy-E, who died of complications from AIDS in 1995.
The film's premiere Monday night coincided with renewed protests and conflict in Ferguson, Missouri, over the police killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown. MC Ren said he stands behind the group's incendiary 1988 song "(Expletive) tha Police," which is featured in the film.
"It's never going to change. … As long as you have people that think they are better than other people and they still look at us as slaves, it ain't going to change," he said.
Angelina Jolie To Receive Gothams Performer Tribute For “Marie”
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced that Academy Award®-winner Angelina Jolie will receive the Performer Tribute for her performance as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria, at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place on Monday, December 2, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The tribute will honor Jolie’s rendition of legendary opera singer Callas.
“Like the legendary figure she portrays, Angelina Jolie transcends mere performance to craft something extraordinary. Her interpretation captures both Maria Callas’ complexity as an artist and the cultural resonance that defines an icon,” said Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham. “We are thrilled to celebrate what is truly one of Ms. Jolie’s career-defining performances in the final installment of Pablo Larrain’s magnificent trilogy.”
Maria follows Callas, one of the most iconic performers of the 20th century, as she retreats to Paris after a glamorous and tumultuous life in the public eye. The film reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days as the diva reckons with her identity and life. Written by Steven Knight, with cinematography by Ed Lachman and costumes by Massimo Cantini Parrini, Maria has Jolie joined by a star-studded cast including Alba Rohrwacher (Hungry Hearts, Happy As Lazzaro), Pierfrancesco Favino (Padrenostro, Adagio), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog, Dolemite Is My Name), and Valeria Golino (For Your Love, The Beautiful Game). Marie premiered to critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival and Jolie’s performance continues to stun audiences at the New York Film Festival, London Film Festival and the AFI Fest. Maria will be in... Read More